NSW AAGPS 2025 (banter and commentary)

[Squidlips]

Wendt needs a shoutout. Was best on ground today after relatively quiet performances in the previous weeks. Will be a star if he can build on today’s performance heading into next year.

And he'll be back next year

 

[moa999]

Who won the battle of the battlers (High v Grammar in 3XV)?

And do changes need to be considered for next year?

 

[Mungo1866]

End of the season unfortunately and View take the big prize, which based on pre-season comments was a surprise but congratulations to them.
consolation for the Pink and blue in taking 2nds and 3rds (and probably most other age groups.

Its easy to just look at the firsts (and maybe seconds and thirds) but overall the depth at Joeys seems streets ahead or nearly everyone (except maybe St Augustine's). looking at games played against GPS opposition (and its easy as Joeys publishes all the results) the win percentage was high

Opposition Games Wins percentage
Grammar 16 75%
Newington 36 72.2%
Shore 60 91.7%
SIC 72 79.2%
SBHS 10 100%
Kings 47 83%
Scots 24 75%
TAS 9 77.8%
St Augustines 10 47%

Quite a few teams went through the season unbeaten= the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th,7th,12th XVs, 16C, 16D, 15B, 15D, 15F, 14A, and big mention to the Joeys 14D ( who went through the season with 456 points for and 24 against, 19 of those scored by newington 14B team) and 13D

 

[The Chairman]

End of the season unfortunately and View take the big prize, which based on pre-season comments was a surprise but congratulations to them.
consolation for the Pink and blue in taking 2nds and 3rds (and probably most other age groups.

Its easy to just look at the firsts (and maybe seconds and thirds) but overall the depth at Joeys seems streets ahead or nearly everyone (except maybe St Augustine's). looking at games played against GPS opposition (and its easy as Joeys publishes all the results) the win percentage was high

Opposition Games Wins percentage
Grammar 16 75%
Newington 36 72.2%
Shore 60 91.7%
SIC 72 79.2%
SBHS 10 100%
Kings 47 83%
Scots 24 75%
TAS 9 77.8%
St Augustines 10 47%

Quite a few teams went through the season unbeaten= the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th,7th,12th XVs, 16C, 16D, 15B, 15D, 15F, 14A, and big mention to the Joeys 14D ( who went through the season with 456 points for and 24 against, 19 of those scored by newington 14B team) and 13D

To crack the Joeys lower opens teams is near on impossible. Just far too much depth for anyone to get somewhat close.

Should take this chance to shoutout the Shore 14Cs, who only lost 1 game all year to Joeys. 9-1 is a class effort from Brendan Morris and his lads.

 

[Newingtonga15]

Glorious king Heamasi Makasini has now reached the celebrity status of a living God or minor deity. His name was repetitively chanted during the enormous tunnel and when he nearly got injured in the first half the noise of a premierhsip winning try erupted from the Newington crowd when he played on. An estimated 300 boys from years 7-9 requested photos, selfies, signatures, his boots (and socks) as well as his legtape and grass from his shirt at the end of the game. He was even forced to complete a small dash away from the crowd of young men at the end, escoted by genuine Back to Newington day security guards to which a kneeslapping scots father exclaimed 'You better get used to it son'. His cult following is relentless and Newington probably has more Massi fans then Tigers has for their entire club.

 

[LookLongPlayShort]

Fonua is a likely candidate to start at 8 with some of the timber in the second row in QLD.

Tj Talailaeva Or Noah Rylands are also candidates. But Tj could be selected at 6

 

[Cauliflower Ear]

Tj Talailaeva Or Noah Rylands are also candidates. But Tj could be selected at 6

TJ Talailaeva is a weapon.

Can see Fonua playing in the second row across from Will Ross (QLD).

Backrow of TJ, Justice & Orr

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Tj Talailaeva Or Noah Rylands are also candidates. But Tj could be selected at 6

He’ll be there. Bias of what I watch shows when talking about players.

 

[LookLongPlayShort]

TJ Talailaeva is a weapon.

Can see Fonua playing in the second row across from Will Ross (QLD).

Backrow of TJ, Justice & Orr

I’d have Tj, Orr, and Rylands personally but that’s just me.

 

[CutOutBallFanatic]

Any update on Grover's shoulder injury towards the end of yesterday's game?

 

[The Chairman]

The final one.

Week 10 Team of the Week

1. Iliyaz Villiamu (Newington)
2. Xavier Boon (Joeys)
3. Sebastian Conna (Riverview)
4. Jackson Rodwell (Scots)
5. Cooper Green (Joeys)
6. Anderton Stock (Shore)
7. Bede Clout (Shore)
8. Justice Taumoepeau (Joeys)
9. Angus Grover (Riverview)
10. Jarryd King (Newington)
11. Jack Plamondon (Riverview)
12. Adam Stewart (Kings)
13. Julian Minto (Joeys)
14. Rory O’Connor (Joeys)
15. Jai Callaghan (Shore)


Chairman’s Player of the Round: 7. Bede Clout (Shore)

I will give a First and Second XV of the season sooner or later.

Here are some season stats for all of the Team of the Weeks that I have given out this year.

By school (total selections):
1. Joeys: 37
2. Riverview: 32
3. Kings: 29
3. Newington: 29
5. Scots: 17
6. Shore: 16

Top individual selections:
1. Jack Plamondon (Riverview) – 6
2. Hasani Bloomfield (Kings) – 5
2. Oliver Smith (Kings) – 5
2. Julian Minto (Joeys) – 5
2. Angus Grover (Riverview) – 5
6. Justice Taumoepeau (Joeys) – 4
6. Jarryd King (Newington) – 4
6. Dylan Simmons (Newington) – 4
6. Bailey Roberts-Lintmeijer (Newington) – 4
6. Isaac Fonua (Kings) – 4

​

Players of the Round by School:
1. Joeys – 4
2. Newington – 2
2. Kings – 2
4. Riverview – 1
5. Shore – 1
6. Scots – 0

​

If we created an XV with the most selected player in each position

1. Lachlan Hindmarsh (TSC)
2. Oliver Smith (TKS)
3. Hasani Bloomfield (TKS)
4. Will Spora (SIC)
5. Daniel Muir (NC)
6. Dylan Simmons (NC)
7. Charlie Ghattas (SJC) / Ashton Thomas (NC)
8. Isaac Fonua (TKS) / Justice Taumoepeau (SJC)
9. Angus Grover (SIC)
10. Jarryd King (NC)
11. Jack Plamondon (SIC)
12. Matthew Gough (SJC) / Keone Anitela-Tsioussis (NC)
13. Julian Minto (SJC)
14. Bailey Roberts-Lintmeijer (NC)
15. Jai Callaghan (SHORE) / Callum Grantham (NC)

 

[Jakeburner65]

Here are some season stats for all of the Team of the Weeks that I have given out this year.

By school (total selections):
1. Joeys: 37
2. Riverview: 32
3. Kings: 29
3. Newington: 29
5. Scots: 17
6. Shore: 16

Top individual selections:
1. Jack Plamondon (Riverview) – 6
2. Hasani Bloomfield (Kings) – 5
2. Oliver Smith (Kings) – 5
2. Julian Minto (Joeys) – 5
2. Angus Grover (Riverview) – 5
6. Justice Taumoepeau (Joeys) – 4
6. Jarryd King (Newington) – 4
6. Dylan Simmons (Newington) – 4
6. Bailey Roberts-Lintmeijer (Newington) – 4
6. Isaac Fonua (Kings) – 4

​

Players of the Round by School:
1. Joeys – 4
2. Newington – 2
2. Kings – 2
4. Riverview – 1
5. Shore – 1
6. Scots – 0

​

If we created an XV with the most selected player in each position

1. Lachlan Hindmarsh (TSC)
2. Oliver Smith (TKS)
3. Hasani Bloomfield (TKS)
4. Will Spora (SIC)
5. Daniel Muir (NC)
6. Dylan Simmons (NC)
7. Charlie Ghattas (SJC) / Ashton Thomas (NC)
8. Isaac Fonua (TKS) / Justice Taumoepeau (SJC)
9. Angus Grover (SIC)
10. Jarryd King (NC)
11. Jack Plamondon (SIC)
12. Matthew Gough (SJC) / Keone Anitela-Tsioussis (NC)
13. Julian Minto (SJC)
14. Bailey Roberts-Lintmeijer (NC)
15. Jai Callaghan (SHORE) / Callum Grantham (NC)

It's a hard task and we are all biased by what we watch, but you slept on Brody Folkes (I) big time. Lucky the rep selectors didn't. Small kid, but probably the athlete of the comp, skills wise. Even in a pretty ho hum Riverview performance in the last game of the season, the kid was electric and there is probably none better under the high ball in the comp along with the GPS athletics wheels on him. Moreso than Plamondon who is a great player with a more typical rugby build.

Again biased by what we watch, and clearly I am as well in posting this, but also Obsorne (I) and Tancred (I) who both ended up starting for NSW. Osborne in particular a hard man and damaging runner. Riverview sorely missed him yesterday.

Dempsey probably another miss, and a huge reason View won this year, and again thankfully the selectors didnt sleep on him, but I digress. Ghattas is great and well revered around Hunters Hill, but not a game turner as Dempsey was this season.

 

[The Chairman]

It's a hard task and we are all biased by what we watch, but you slept on Brody Folkes (I) big time. Lucky the rep selectors didn't. Small kid, but probably the athlete of the comp, skills wise. Even in a pretty ho hum Riverview performance in the last game of the season, the kid was electric and there is probably none better under the high ball in the comp. Moreso than Plamondon who is a great player with a more typical rugby build.

Again biased by what we watch, and clearly I am as well in posting this, but also Obsorne (I) and Tancred (I) who both ended up starting for NSW. Osborne in particular a damaging runner. Riverview sorely missed him yesterday.

Dempsey probably another miss, and a big reason View won this year, and again thankfully the selectors didnt sleep on him, but I digress. Ghattas is great and well revered around Hunters Hill, but not a game turner as Dempsey was this season.

I wouldn't say this is a way of measuring who I thought was the best season-wide. Check out my Teams of the Season for that. The only reason I left Osborne out was because he missed a few games at the end and I said longevity was a big factor in a 10-game season. The thing with this is, just because you are not included, does not mean that you have not played well. There are 5 other boys with the same number on their back but with a different shirt on. Some have individual games of brilliance. It is not selected upon who would make the best team (Then it would just be a View/Joeys monopoly), it is an individual-based metric.

 

[Eyes and Ears]

Who won the battle of the battlers (High v Grammar in 3XV)?

And do changes need to be considered for next year?

Grammar 19-5

 

[Jakeburner65]

Grammar 19-5

Go the bumble bees.

 

[Cauliflower Ear]

I wouldn't say this is a way of measuring who I thought was the best season-wide. Check out my Teams of the Season for that. The only reason I left Osborne out was because he missed a few games at the end and I said longevity was a big factor in a 10-game season. The thing with this is, just because you are not included, does not mean that you have not played well. There are 5 other boys with the same number on their back but with a different shirt on. Some have individual games of brilliance. It is not selected upon who would make the best team (Then it would just be a View/Joeys monopoly), it is an individual-based metric.

Daniel Osborne (I) only missed ONE game all season.

Probably the best/most dominant ball carrier in a Riverview foward pack that weren't outplayed all season until Joeys (which he didn't play). Can't recall a game where his opposite number got the better of him and was a monster against your beloved Shore school.

 

[The Chairman]

Daniel Osborne (I) only missed ONE game all season.

Probably the best/most dominant ball carrier in a Riverview foward pack that weren't outplayed all season until Joeys (which he didn't play). Can't recall a game where his opposite number got the better of him and was a monster against your beloved Shore school.

I think most forwards in the competition were monsters against my beloved Shore School to be honest...

No one did more damage than that TKS forward pack in the 62-10 game.

 

[twister29]

Here are some season stats for all of the Team of the Weeks that I have given out this year.

By school (total selections):
1. Joeys: 37
2. Riverview: 32
3. Kings: 29
3. Newington: 29
5. Scots: 17
6. Shore: 16

Top individual selections:
1. Jack Plamondon (Riverview) – 6
2. Hasani Bloomfield (Kings) – 5
2. Oliver Smith (Kings) – 5
2. Julian Minto (Joeys) – 5
2. Angus Grover (Riverview) – 5
6. Justice Taumoepeau (Joeys) – 4
6. Jarryd King (Newington) – 4
6. Dylan Simmons (Newington) – 4
6. Bailey Roberts-Lintmeijer (Newington) – 4
6. Isaac Fonua (Kings) – 4

​

Players of the Round by School:
1. Joeys – 4
2. Newington – 2
2. Kings – 2
4. Riverview – 1
5. Shore – 1
6. Scots – 0

​

If we created an XV with the most selected player in each position

1. Lachlan Hindmarsh (TSC)
2. Oliver Smith (TKS)
3. Hasani Bloomfield (TKS)
4. Will Spora (SIC)
5. Daniel Muir (NC)
6. Dylan Simmons (NC)
7. Charlie Ghattas (SJC) / Ashton Thomas (NC)
8. Isaac Fonua (TKS) / Justice Taumoepeau (SJC)
9. Angus Grover (SIC)
10. Jarryd King (NC)
11. Jack Plamondon (SIC)
12. Matthew Gough (SJC) / Keone Anitela-Tsioussis (NC)
13. Julian Minto (SJC)
14. Bailey Roberts-Lintmeijer (NC)
15. Jai Callaghan (SHORE) / Callum Grantham (NC)

Great stuff on the stats board this year @The Chairman

 

[Backintheolddays]

AAGPS TEAM OF THE SEASON FIRST XV

1. George Tancred (Riverview)
2. Campbell Conna (Riverview)
3. Hasani Bloomfield (Kings)
4. Daniel Muir (Newington)
5. Will Spora (Riverview)
6. Dylan Simmons (Newington) (vc)
7. Henri Dempsey (Riverview)
8. Isaac Fonua (Kings)
9. Angus Grover (Riverview) (c)
10. Jarryd King (Newington)
11. Jack Plamondon (Riverview)
12. Oscar Tremlett (Scots)
13. Will Farrah (Kings)
14. Bailey Roberts-Lintmeijer (Newington)
15. Callum Grantham (Newington)

Coach: Toby L’Estrange (Riverview)
Assistant Coach: Tim Rapp (Newington)

AAGPS TEAM OF THE SEASON SECOND XV


1. Hayden Lavercombe (Kings)
2. Oliver Smith (Kings)
3. Harry Davies (Newington)
4. Cameron Stuckey (Joeys)
5. Rhys Perrett (Kings)
6. Bede Clout (Shore)
7. Charlie Ghattas (Joeys)
8. Justice Taumoepeau (Joeys) (c)
9. Xavier Ryan (Joeys)
10. Fred Garling (Riverview)
11. Brody Folkes (Riverview)
12. Keone Anitela-Tsioussis (Newington)
13. Julian Minto (Joeys)
14. Rory O’Connor (Joeys)
15. Charlie Lenehan (Riverview)

Coach: Rob Hahn (Joeys)
Assistant Coach: Ed Craig (Shore)


Some comments that I thought of while making this.

There were numerous positions that were far too close to call. Mainly Wingers, Second Rowers and Inside Centres. There are alot of players who have played out of their skins this year that are not on here. A reminder this is a team of the season, longevity is key. I also tried as best I could to keep the positioning realistic as I could. There are numerous big name players that are not on here (figure them out yourself) but I am not going for the biggest names, but for the players with the most impact. I know I will get a few question marks regarding the Coaches, but I think they are fair enough. Probably Craig might get a few eyebrows but just know that Shore essentially did not have a forward pack until this weekend, where they got 3-1 scrum penalties against the U18 Wallabies front row.

Complain (or praise) away!

Love your work Chairman, thank you.