Penrith top Jersey Flegg power play

THE Jersey Flegg competition has produced plenty of the NRL’s top stars and this year’s competition is no doubt going to breed more young talent than ever.

Last season saw the Panthers produce one of the most amazing comebacks in the under-21s grand final, and a major slip from the Roosters, who were on the way to a perfect season.

The competition is set to be closer than ever with many of last year’s players moving on to NSW Cup, NRL and other major competitions in Australia.

The Daily Telegraph has come up with the initial power rankings for the clubs’ 2023 Jersey Flegg campaigns.

1. PENRITH PANTHERS

Penrith has lost its star player from last year in Isaiya Katoa but it will not derail its season. The side has kept a lot of its backs from last year with try scorers from the grand final Liam Ison, Daeon Amituanai and Cody Lawson all being retained and knowing what it takes to win.

2. WESTS TIGERS

There has been a significant amount of hype around the Tigers juniors and after their 2023 across all ages, fans can see why. The Tigers will have a lot of movement this year in and out of Flegg with players coming up from SG Ball and down from Cup when needed. Individually, the Tigers have some of the best young players in the state.

3. NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

The Knights were tryscoring machines last year and are maintaining a lot of their players from last year as they moved up after their SG Ball season. With a week off, they will come in firing. However, at the moment, the Panthers and Tigers edge in front.

4. SYDNEY ROOSTERS

The Roosters almost had it all last year and would not be happy with how they finished in 2022. However, I don’t believe things will get better this season with a lot of their players from 2022 not being in this new Flegg team. They will still be competitive but fourth is the right spot for them.

5. ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS

Unlike the Dragons first grade side, the under-21s team was extremely impressive last year with countless players returning for the 2023 season. Their creativity out of nine will be vital for their success, with the squad carrying Declan Purcell in his second year, in hopes of steering the team to a premiership.

6. PARRAMATTA EELS

Similarly to the Dragons, the Eels have a fair few returning players who could help the side push for finals this year. Young centre Turoa Williams will be entering his second year in the competition after being called up from SG Ball last year and could prove to be the difference for Parramatta.

7. CRONULLA SHARKS

Cronulla sits in the same area it finished in last year but has so much potential to move up and really make its mark in this competition. NRL fans have already seen Mania Waitere and Josh Finau in the pre-season challenge, and should expect some of their best in this competition.

8. CANTERBURY BULLDOGS

The Bulldogs’ Flegg side is relatively unknown but they always bring size to the competition, so trying to dominate their middle may not be the opposition’s smartest idea.

Although not named in round 1, Jordan Samrani will be featured in the Dogs’ Jersey Flegg season and has the potential to wreak havoc on other teams.

9. MANLY SEA EAGLES

Just like the Bulldogs, Manly will not have an issue with size but experience may hinder the side in close games. A lot of its team is fresh out of SG Ball with not a lot of Flegg experience. But expect the side to put up a fight in all its games.

10. CANBERRA RAIDERS

The Raiders will peak once their other junior reps are finished and can bring in some of their younger players. Canberra’s side is not known as well as some of the others in the competition so expect some surprises.

11. SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS

The Rabbitohs have done some great recruiting, bringing along new coach Chris O’Connell and some new players to rebuild after a not so successful year in the 2022 competition. Their team has Romano Cook, who is touted as one of the hot prospects and could spark something for this team. But due to previous results, they will need to work their way up from the bottom.

12. MELBOURNE STORM

Since inception the Melbourne-based team has struggled to find a large amount of success in the NSW competition. However, as time has gone on, more Sydney-based players are finding themselves playing, so we could see a better looking Storm side this year.