National Under-20s Signings for 2008

[girvie]

I thought there should be a thread listing all players signed for the Toyota Cup.

I will list all players who are young enough (Born in 1988 or younger) even though some are likely to be in NRL.

Can you please post any info about new signings, or re-signings of players.

I've listed a few players from each club who are young enough for the Toyota Cup but i am unsure if they are contracted for 2008. If you know of any who are can you let me know.


Brisbane Broncos
New Players:
Tyson Andrews - from Sunshine Coast
Arthur Brown - from Sunshine Coast
Josh Coyle - from Burleigh
Alex Glenn - from Burleigh Queensland Cup
Ben Hunt - from Yepoon
Luke Samoa - from Norths Devils
Tariq Sims - from Illawarra
Jharal Yow Yeh - from Norths Devils

Retained Players:
Kerryn Blake, Tom Butterfield, Shaun Cotter, Rodney Davies, Mitchell Dodds, Jacob Faiud, Guy Ford, Matt Handcock, Josh Hoffman, Joel Moon, Leon Panapa, Wiremy Ratana, Michael Spence, Nathan Strudwick, Dave Taylor, Tim Yee.

Unsure/Unsigned:
Josh McGuire, Pat McPherson, Billy Rogers, Simona Vavenga, Troyden Watene-Edwards.


Canberra Raiders
New Players:
Diego Codyre - from Souths Logan Colts
Todd Grace - from Penrith SG Ball
Sam Mataora - from Souths Brisbane
Zac Merritt - from Forbes
Zac Russ - from Parramatta Jersey Flegg
Daniel Sleeman - from Toowoomba
Matt Smith - from Wynnum Manly Queensland Cup
Joel Thompson - from Norths Queensland Cup
Daniel Vidot - from Souths Logan Colts
Travis Waddell - from Souths Logan Colts

Retained Players:
Michael Brophy, Andrew Edwards, Sean Fensom, Kose Lelai, Dan Scanlon, Nick Skinner, James Stuart.

Unsure/Unsigned:
Jack Ayamiseba, Matt Campbell, Mick Picker, Ben Sione, Chris Thorley.


Canterbury Bulldogs
New Players:
Paki Afu - from Auckland
Matt Bega - from Gordon RU
Jim Fawcett - Umina
Josh Foley - Central Coast Jersey Flegg
Jake Foster - from North Sydney Jersey Flegg
Rhys Jack - from Balmain SG Ball
Ben James - from Western Sydney SG Ball
Malcolm Leaeno - from St George SG Ball
Alvin Matavao - from Sydney City SG Ball
Tristan Nisbet - from Milton Ulladulla
Chevvy Penehoe - from Penrith Jersey Flegg
Liam Roach - from Balmain SG Ball
Sene Tala - from St George Illawarra Premier League
Nathan Tannous - from Parramatta Jersey Flegg
Robert Worsley - from Cronulla Premier League/ Jersey Flegg

Retained Players:
Harlan Alaalatoa, Ben Barba, Josh Bishop, Nathan Dib, Daniel Folkes, Daniel Harrison, Brendan Hikaka, John Kite, David Langi, Heka Nanai, Kele Nuisere, Mason Pure, Josh Reynolds, Nathan Smith.

Unsure/Unsigned:
Shannon Cross, Daniel Ezekiel.


Cronulla Sharks
New Players:
Troy Adams - from Balmain Jersey Flegg
Kopelagi Alofipo - from Griffith
Alex Butchies - from Lennox Head
Karl Filiga – from Canterbury Premier League/ Jersey Flegg
Jarrod Hogan - from Sydney City Jersey Flegg
Luke Hume - from North Queensland
Lancen Joudo - from Penrith SG Ball
Tohi Leha - from Balmain Jersey Flegg
Luke Letele - from Sydney City Jersey Flegg
Dean Lockhart - from St George SG Ball
Andrew Madden - from Dubbo
Brad Marks - from Dubbo
Kevin Pease - from Palm Beach Currumbin HS
Shane Pumipi - from Dargaville
Brynjar Ragnarsson - from Aspley Qld Cup
Nathan Stapleton - from Southport HS
Sebastien Swain - from Tamworth
Kieran Turner - from Norths Devils Queensland Cup
John Viiga - from Balmain SG Ball
Jarom Wihongi-Henare - from Whangarei

Retained Players:
Jason Bakuya, Jack Bosden, Jon Curran, Nathan Donnelly, Bryce Forrest, Brackin Henry, Tu’u Maori, Ben Orcher, Fred Pakutoa, Matt Sokkar, Jay Thomas, Jeremiah Walters.

Unsure/Unsigned:
Arden McCarthy, Willie Peace, Quincy To’o To’o, William Wiki.


Gold Coast Titans
New Players:
Kingi Akaoula - from Balmain Jersey Flegg
Andrew Battesse - from Ballina
Lachlan Creighton - from Samford
Kevin Gordon - from Sawtell
Jy Hitchcox - from Mullumbimby
Kye Howarth - from Balmain SG Ball
George Jarrett - from Wynnum Manly
Kayne Lawton - from Burleigh
David Moore - from Tweed Heads Colts
Jordan Rapana - from Currumbin-Tugun
Ben Ridge - from Roma
Dylan Roberts - Souths Logan Colts
Shaun Spring - Souths Logan Colts
Sam Stewart - Newcastle Jersey Flegg
Esi Tonga - from Canterbury Jersey Flegg
Siosaia Vave - from Penrith SG Ball

Retained Players:
James Baillie, Josh Costello, Steve Darby, Tom Kingston, Tyson Lofipo, Will Matthews, Jared McCarthy, Cody Nelson, Ryan Simpkins, Bodene Thompson, Shannon Walker, Cameron White, Brodie Williams, Ryan Wilson.


Manly Sea Eagles
New Players:
Zac Bowles - from Narooma
Jamie Buhrer - from Parramatta SG Ball
Daly Cherry-Evans - from Western Districts
Daniel Drotini - from Mustangs, Brisbane
Kenny Edwards - from Keebra Park
Jake Lingard - from Narooma
Tim McDonald - from North Sydney Jersey Flegg
Bodie O'Connell - from The Entrance
Mark Page - from The Sunshine Coast
Bryan Perry - from Gordon RU
Lama Tasi - from Ipswich
Michael Tiopora - from Fairfield St Pats
Jared Waeara-Hargreaves - from Northern Suburbs Rugby Union
Todd Wilson - from The Sunshine Coast
Rhys Wolloghan - from Valley United
Cameron Woo - from Junee

Retained Players:
Matt Beger, Kieran Foran, Ben Gilbert, John Grey, Matt Grieve, Lincoln Gutherson, Matt Hastie, Matt Hurd, Darrell Jang, Jai Jones-Wiegold, Darcy Lussick, Brooke Nickson, Pat North, Santana Palmer, Illija Radan, Trent Reilly, Inoke Tapaatoutai, Ben Uptin, Cameron Warwick.


Melbourne Storm
New Players:
Vili Faingaa - from Canberra Jersey Flegg
Luke Kelly - from Western Suburbs SG Ball
Lucas Miller - from Newcastle Jersey Flegg
Petros Thanos - from South Sydney SG Ball
Joseph Tomane - from Nudgee College Rugby Union

Retained Players:
Jay Aston, Will Chambers, Darcy Etrich, Israel Folau, Malo Feterika, Liam Foran, Aiden Guerra, Sam Joe, Sinbad Kali, Will Naitoro, Laurence Nathan, Justin O'Neill, Kevin Proctor, Luke Samoa, Petera Tamarua, Aiden Tolman, Pulou Vaituutuu, Russell Webber, Gareth Widdop.


New Zealand Warriors
New Players:
Angus Cameron - from Western Districts, Qld
Jason Cook - from Northcote
Mika Fa'amausili - from Norths Devils
Kurt Kara - from Waicoa Bay
Meli Koliavu - from Wellington
Alehana Mara - from Wellington
Ben Matulino - from Wellington
Arron Pawley - from Tamaki
Elijah Taylor - from Tamaki
Jason To'u - from Tamaki
Nopoto Tuimaulaga - from Tamaki
Ray Wallace - from Northcote

Retained Players:
Leeson Ah Mau, Patrick Ah Van, Thomas Ah Van, Rusty Bristow, Sonny Fai, Jody Henry, Isaac John, Scott Jones, Francis Leger, Siuatonga Likiliki, Kevin Locke, Sione Lousi, Howie Matthews, Constantine Mika, Daniel O’Regan, Russell Packer, Daniel Palavi, Upu Poching, Eddie Purcell, Steve Rapira, Nafe Seluini, Lance Sua-Poe, Kurt Te Hira, Bill Tupou.


Newcastle Knights
New Players:
Trent Barnard - from Ivanhoes, Cairns
Matt Burnham - from Canberra SG Ball
Joel Burraston - from North Sydney Jersey Flegg
Byron Fruen - from Western Suburbs Jersey Flegg/ SG Ball
Trent Hilton - from Gunnedah
Daniel Isaac - from Gold Coast
Joseph Iosefo - from South Sydney Jersey Flegg
Angus McHatton - from Tamworth
Kevin Naiqama - from St George SG Ball
Marty Paulson - from Burleigh
Theeran Person-Yeatman - from Yarrabah, Cairns
Sione Tovo - from South Sydney Jersey Flegg

Retained Players:
Joel Brown, Scott Dobbins, Jared Edwards, Joel Edwards, Blake Gallen, Mitch Garbutt, Todd Hurrell, Jacob Jenkinson, Ryan Lamb, James McClory, George Morseau, Tyren Mundine, Jack O'Brein, Tyne Owen, Jeremy Papamau, Callan Richardson, Ryan Sainty, Jason Schirnack, Ryan Stig, Simon Williams, Ben Wyborn.


North Queensland Cowboys
New Players:
Ryan Carr - from Cronulla Jersey Flegg
Jack Cooper - from Ivanhoes, Cairns
Leo Faagutu - from Balmain Jersey Flegg
Blayne Harling - from Norths Devils
Dane Hogan - from Illawarra SG Ball
Scott Idec - from Norths Devils
Chippie Korostchuk - from Canterbury, NZ
Shaun Maloney - from Western Districts
Joel McRae - from Western Sydney SG Ball
Darren Tonihi - from Canterbury, NZ

Retained Players:
Nathan Barraclough, Steve Beaumont, Brandon Boor, Samuel Bowie, Obadieh Geia, Cameron Heading, Tom Humble, Jared Huston, Josh Land, Ryan Mahoney, Brady Payne, Chris Riesen.


Parramatta Eels
New Players:
Mitchell Allgood - from Penrith SG Ball
Ben McClennan - from Grafton

Retained Players:
Jason Baitieri, David Baumann, Nathan Campbell, Shaun Cox, Jarryd Hayne, Jay Hemming, Trent Hodkinson, Justin Hunt, Kris Keating, Taniela Lasalo, Joel Latham, Luke Latham, Mase Laulu Togogae, Owen Lauofo, Martin Lewis, John Mannah, Tim Mannah, Anthony Mitchell, Fareni Moefaauo, Daniel Mortimer, Luke Motinelli, Dominic Nasso, Taputoa Rea, Timothy Robinson, Taulima Tautai, Kene Te Whata, Tony Williams.


Penrith Panthers
New Players:
Jimmy Brown
Trent Iselin - from Tweed Heads Colts
Matt Minto - from Yepoon
Joel Romelo - from Cronulla Jersey Flegg
James Smart - from Gundagai

Retained Players:
Tinirau Arona, Shane Blackett, Mitchell Cahalane, Jarred Cannon, Luke Clydesdale, Lachlan Coote, Tim Glasby, Brad Goodwin, Wade Graham, Tim Grant, Guy Hodgins, Masada Iosefa, William Isa, Michael Jennings, Michael Leeds, Travis Marshall, Michael Mate, Sam McKendry, Joel Orton, Joseph Paulo, Daniel Penese, Jarrod Searson, Jesse Sene-Lefao, Jamie Theoharous, Junior Tia Kilifi, Sonny Tuigamala, Greg Waddell, Chris Ward, Zoram Watene.


South Sydney Rabbitohs
New Players:
Luke Capewell - from Brisbane Easts Queensland Cup
Chris Farrell - from North Sydney Jersey Flegg
Aaron Hammett - from Norths Devils Colts
Brock Harmer - from Central Coast SG Ball
John Kaifoto - from North Sydney Jersey Flegg
Jake Leary - Endeavour Sports HS
Luke Leary - Cronulla Caringbah
Brad Lupi - from North Sydney Jersey Flegg/ SG Ball
Nick Read - from Orara Valley
Chris Sandow - from Gold Coast
James Segeyaro - from Ivanhoes, Cairns
Junior Seumanutafa - from Brisbane Easts Colts
Matt Smith - Wynnum Manly Queensland Cup
David Tyrell - from Brisbane Easts Queensland Cup
Junior Vaivai - from Brisbane Easts Colts
Malcolm Webster - Macleay Valley

Retained Players:
Jason Clark, Michael Cummins, Abbey El-Zbaidieh, Sam Huihahau, Jamie Ingram, John Joseph, Hala Laula, Joseph Matapuku, Anga Moli, BJ Nathan, Hayden O'Donnell, Eddie Paea, Edward Pettybourne, Adam Reynolds, Andrew Smith, Ray Tafokitau, Robert Talai, Trent Trotter, Dominic Walsh.


St George Illawarra Dragons
New Players:
Jacob Boon - from Albion Park
Tom Hancock - from Cronulla Jersey Flegg/ SG Ball
Lachlan Gowland - from Western Districts
Ben Josephs - from Dubbo
Siaosi Liumaunu - from North Sydney Jersey Flegg
Kieran McNamarra - from Wagga Wagge
Clifford Morris - from Wagga South City
Wes Suckley - from Coonabarabran
Joe Vickory - from Cronulla Jersey Flegg
James Woolford - from Canberra SG Ball

Retained Players:
Chris Astill, Jace Brown, Rowan Brown, Sam Campbell, Robert Carter, Josh Cochrane, Rhys Cochrane, Nathan Dureau, Daniel Fepuleai, Beau Henry, Gavin Hood, Brad Hudson, Tyler Jones, John Kennedy, Maurice Kennedy, Justin King, Kane Linnett, Jake Marketo, Trent Merrin, Sam Morath, Mitch Muir, Matthew Mundine, Luke Muttdon, Daniel Nicastri, Rory O'Brien, Michael Pickerd, Henry Raiwalui, Travis Roche, Ben Schreiber, Lagi Setu, Brendan Smith, Chase Stanley, Kyle Stanley, Jarrod Thompson, Dean Whare, Clint Wright, Jeff Zwolsman.


Sydney City Roosters
New Players:
Ben Cronin - from Wynnum Manly
Matt Hands - from Junee
Mose Masoe - from Wellington
Ryan Williamson - from Mackay

Retained Players:
Rohan Ahern, Anthony Cherrington, John Clayton, Sandor Earl, David Hala, Baden Hall, Matthew Hall, Alan Heldsinger, Ben Jones, Martin Kennedy, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Hermani Moala, Brock Molan, Mitchell Pearce, Dominic Peyroux, Daniel Randall, Dylan Sharp, Tom Symonds, Mark Talanoa, James Tamou, Galu Teo, Luke Towers, Stanley Waqa, Jarvan White, Antonio Winterstein.

Unsure/Unsigned:
Zeb Tawha.


Wests Tigers
New Players:
Jared Barry - from Gordon Rugby
Todd Bridge - from Taree
Matt Davidson - from Hills District
Luke Dudgeon - from Milton-Ulladulla
Noah Fotu - from Leeton
Chad Grant - from St Clair
Brett Lane - from Sydney City Jersey Flegg
Joe Latham - from Wingham
Robert Lui - from Keebra Park HS
Sioeli Makaui - from Keebra Park HS
Linton Price - from Leeton
Coedy Towney - from Manly Rugby
Benson Tupou - from Leeton
Leo Vaiga - from Keebra Park HS

Retained Players:
Mitchell Achurch, Blake Ayshford, Nathan Benney, Sam Burns, Bill Callaway, Chris Corby, Adam Dib, Wayde Dunley, Simon Dwyer, Leo Fa'agatu, Ben Falcone, Claude Gordon, Damon Harth, Blake Lazarus, Chris Lawrence, Willie Mataka, Luke McInness, Tim Moltzen, Steve Morris, Darren Nicholls, Matt Parata, Matt Ryan, Filipo Sauvao, Ben Shea, Michael Stolk, Ratu Peni Tagive, Valeni Tiatia, Holo Tonga, Ben Vengoa, Brendan Vengoa.

 

[robbo333]

its gonna be a good comp

 

[girvie]

First major signing of an U-20 player has been Cronulla signing Karl McNichol from Canterbury.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,21695322-23214,00.html

Sharks win race for new SBW
By Dean Ritchie

May 09, 2007 HE'S only 18 and hasn't played a minute of NRL footy, but boom centre Karl McNichol has been signed by the Sharks on a staggering deal that could see him earn $600,000 over three years.

Touted as the next Sonny Bill Williams, McNichol was prised from the Bulldogs by Kangaroos coach Ricky Stuart in a major coup for the Sharks.

The 105kg teenager was being chased by up to six clubs despite earning about $50,000 a year and playing Premier League for the Bulldogs.

McNichol's amazing deal came even though the teenager is expected to miss the rest of 2007 with a chest injury.

And it comes on a day when NRL boss David Gallop will front a players forum to discuss concerns that the game's stars are not earning enough money.

The Daily Telegraph has learned McNichol could earn up to $200,000 a season with incentives in a three-year deal.

Sharks coach Stuart last night labelled the unknown as the best up-and-coming centre in the game.

"I am excited about the signing because I think he has a healthy future," Stuart said.

"The research on Karl is all very positive and it is a real good signing for the future of the Sharks."

The Bulldogs are angry that the Sharks got under their guard to snare McNichol.

"We're disappointed that his manager Gavin Orr didn't come back to us before he signed. We've been talking to him since late last year," said Bulldogs chief executive Malcolm Noad.

Sharks boss Greg Pierce admitted he was shocked to learn they would have to pay so much to secure McNichol.

"It is a lot of money but he is an elite player and if we didn't pay that money we wouldn't have got him. Outstanding players like this don't come along very often," Pierce said.

Raised in Wellington, McNichol was recruited to the Bulldogs from New Zealand as a 15-year-old after a recommendation from Orr.

The powerful young centre rocketed through the grades, playing Premier League at just 16.

In a recent survey on the Bulldogs website, Test stars Williams, Mark O'Meley and Reni Maitua rated him the best prospect in the game.

In his first interview, McNichol, who is expecting his first child in a month, said he was looking forward to forcing his way into first grade at the Sharks.

"It is massive to get the chance to play for Ricky," McNichol said.

"He has shown faith in me and that is great. I will have to come up with the goods when I get there. You can't be on good money and be a bad player."

With his family still in New Zealand, McNichol said his gamble to move to Australia had paid off.

"It was a sacrifice that I had to take to get the break," McNichol said. "I had to leave my family back home but opportunities like that don't come along often."

 

[girvie]

Confirmed
Ben Matulino - signed by Warriors

Rumours:
Mose Masoe and Meli Koliavu - to Roosters
Haydn Davis - to Souths or Warriors
Alehana Mara - to Souths
Jack Lopa - to Newcastle

These are all players from Wellington.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4057984a10713.html

Production line spitting out top talent
By STEVE KILGALLON - Sunday Star Times | Sunday, 13 May 2007

Wellington Academy coach Paul Bergman says there are five more capital city products ready to follow Karl McNichol, the Junior Kiwi who has signed a remarkable $200,000 a year deal with Cronulla without playing a single minute of first-grade football.

While none will match the money McNichol will reportedly earn for switching from to the Sharks from the Bulldogs - the club he left the Wellington Academy for three years ago - Bergman believes that contract could set a new benchmark figure for signing star juniors.

The Roosters are interested in Mose Masoe and Meli Koliavu, the Warriors and South Sydney want centre Haydn Davis. Souths are also after Alehana Mara and Newcastle are eager to sign prop Jack Lopa when he regains fitness after an injury. The Warriors already have Ben Matulino signed for next year.

Those players might attract in the region of $60,000 a year for scholarship contracts, but Bergman said: "Clubs might now realise the days of tossing them a couple of grand scholarship have gone.

"They have to come out and make an educated decision whether they are going to sign them for the long term.

"If they only spend $10,000, and they don't kick on, its no loss. If they are starting to outlay $60,000-$80,000, they want to be 100% sure he is going to give good service."

Since the academy programme began in Wellington three years ago - originally at the New Zealand Institute of Sport, now at the Wintec campus in Petone - 24 Wellingtonians have signed professionally, including Kiwis international Simon Mannering, with the Warriors.

Bergman describes the academy as an "incubator" for professional league players, and the NZRL have plans to roll it out nationwide.

He says McNichol, an imposing centre, was always destined for top-flight football, but even Bergman was surprised at the deal his agent Gavin Orr negotiated.

"That amount of money for a footballer who hasn't played a first grade game yet is outstanding - it was a bit hard to cop when I first heard it, but good luck to him," Bergman said. "He's definitely worth every cent. But it is an extraordinary figure for a bloke who hasn't cracked it yet."

From a tough part of Newtown, and raised by a solo mother, McNichol almost quit the NRL after he arrived in Sydney as a 15-year-old, suffering badly from homesickness and early injuries.

Bergman recalls taking McNichol and his mother to the airport and pledging to bring him home to represent the Junior Kiwis if he ever became coach. He fulfilled that deal last year, when he wrote in his coach's report to the NZRL that McNichol "will be the ideal replacement for Nigel Vagana as Kiwis centre".

"He runs like a hurricane, tackles like a train ... he's so strong with his hands and defensively - put it this way, I wouldn't like to be running near him," Bergman says.

Given the media attention for the academy since McNichol signed his Sharks deal, Bergman says he expects interest to intensify in the 70 boys he has in the programme, with regular visits from Penrith, the Warriors, Roosters and Souths recruitment staff.

 

[TITAN1]

In his first interview, McNichol, who is expecting his first child in a month

No wonder he weighs 105 kg,being 8 months pregnant..

 

[gr8_1]

Willie Mataka & Keith Eshman (Wests Tigers) are signed till 2008 as are most of the other WT apprentices.

http://www.weststigers.com.au/NewsArticle.aspx?NewsId=34

 

[eagle rock]

Alex Glen-Broncos. Currently playing centre for Burleigh's QLD side. Cross between Hunt and Hodges. The Titans will be filthy they missed signing this kid.

 

[girvie]

Kevin Naiqama may be going from the St George Dragons to Newcastle Knights. He is a winger.

Also i heard a rumour that Parramatta may have signed Brad Murray from Canterbury. Murray is a halfback or five-eighth and he played in the NSW Under-17s trial this year. I'm not sure if he would play Under-20s or SG Ball next year.

 

[ByRd]

I hope that rumour about murray is wrong, he has talent and we have let go too many of our young guns.

 

[NK Arsenal]

Kevin Naiqama may be going from the St George Dragons to Newcastle Knights. He is a winger.

Also i heard a rumour that Parramatta may have signed Brad Murray from Canterbury. Murray is a halfback or five-eighth and he played in the NSW Under-17s trial this year. I'm not sure if he would play Under-20s or SG Ball next year.

Wes' brother?

 

[girvie]

Wes' brother?

Yeah Kevin Naiqama is brother of Wes Naiqama. He played SG Ball for St George for the last 2 years and is from Endeavour Sports High.

 

[petetheileet]

good make up then, does he have his p's yet?

 

[girvie]

Apparently Cronulla have signed Rory O'Brien from the St George Dragons SG Ball side.

 

[NK Arsenal]

good make up then, does he have his p's yet?

farkin awesome call! :lol:

 

[girvie]

The Bulldogs have signed Ben Barba from Mackay.


06.06.2007
YOUNG Mackay Sea Eagles and Brothers fullback Ben Barba is becoming a Bulldog.
Barba, who is about to turn 18, has signed with NRL club the Bulldogs and will leave for Sydney within days.

"It was all a bit sudden," Barba said yesterday.

The Bulldogs had expressed some interest last year.

But he then didnt hear from them until receiving a phone call out of the blue earlier this week.

"I'm leaving on the weekend or Monday," Barba said.

"They'll put me up in a house down there with other young players who are away from home."

Barba will play Jersey Flegg for the rest of the season and then in the new national under 20 competition next year.

He has been in scintillating form at both club and representative level in Mackay at fullback.
And the speedy back is set to get his hands on the ball even more with the Bulldogs.

"They want me to play five-eighth," said Barba, who had also attracted interest from the North Queensland Cowboys.

He is not unfamiliar with the playmaking position, having worn the No.6 shirt in juniors.

"When I was around under 15 and under 16 I played there."

Barba has been outstanding for competition leaders Brothers in the Mercury Cup competition this season.

He scored a hat-trick of tries in the Brethrens 40-26 win against Sarina on Sunday.

Barba was also man of the match in the Mackay Sea Eagles' recent Foley Shield victory against Townsville.

Despite his superb form in that rep match he was somehow overlooked by selectors who last week announced a NQ Marlins side.

His signing with the Bulldogs seems to make a mockery of that selection snub.

Brothers coach Troy Evans agreed.

"For him to be man of the match in Foley Shield and miss selection for North Queensland is a bit of a farce," Evans said.

The Brothers club is ecstatic their star player's potential has been recognised by the Bulldogs.

"It's fantastic news for him. He deserves it," said Evans.

"I think he's the standout player in the competition at the moment."

Evans said there was no doubt Barba's opportunity was a big loss for Brothers.

"We'll miss him but you can't hedge your whole season around one player.

"We'll work around trying to replace him.

"Everyone here is happy for him.

"He's a fantastic kid and I cant speak highly enough of him."

Barba said he believed he was leaving Brothers' 2007 premiership aspirations in good hands.

"They'll handle it. They've got a lot of good players."

 

[girvie]

Rugby League week says that the Roosters, Knights and Broncos are chasing Canterbury Jersey Flegg centre Esi Tonga.

 

[Smiley]

Korbin Sims, brother of Ashton Sims has signed with the Broncos elite-player development squad. (I think he's 16)

 

[girvie]

Korbin Sims, brother of Ashton Sims has signed with the Broncos elite-player development squad. (I think he's 16)

He would be 14 maybe he has turned 15 this year.

He played lock for the Illawarra Harold Matthews team this year and would be young enough to play Harold Matthews next year.

It's interesting to see the Broncos have signed him at such a young age.

 

[Swamprat]

I heard Luke Kelly from Wests signed with Melbourne Storm for next year.

 

[philstorm]

Can you tell me anything about him, Swamprat?

What kind of player is he?