Steelers Junior Pathway Squads Revealed for 2026 Campaign
The Illawarra Steelers have officially unveiled their squad lists for all six junior representative programs, setting the stage for the upcoming 2026 NSWRL season. This comprehensive announcement comes just one week before the Andrew Johns and Laurie Daley Cup competitions commence, with the SG Ball, Harold Matthews, Lisa Fiaola Cup, and Tarsha Gale Cup seasons kicking off a fortnight later.
Captain Insights: Building Towards Success
We spoke with the six Steelers captains appointed to lead their respective squads this season, gathering their perspectives on team dynamics, pre-season preparations, and championship aspirations.
Andrew Johns Cup (U16s): Noah Jamieson
Key Addition: Lock Isaac Tasca has emerged as a vocal leader, earning the vice-captaincy role. The Corrimal Cougars junior brings valuable communication skills to the squad.
Pre-season Focus: Intensive fitness training in Gerringong has transformed the team, with Jamieson noting significant improvements in strength, speed, and overall conditioning.
Season Prediction: Jamieson confidently predicts a grand final appearance and ultimate victory, citing strong team belief as the driving force.
Laurie Daley Cup (U18s): Sonny Jamieson
Standout Player: Berry product Jarrah Thomas has impressed with his speed and skill as fullback, expected to make a substantial impact throughout the season.
Pre-season Regimen: The squad has completed rigorous conditioning sessions, including sprints and hill runs, with Jamieson personally focusing on enhancing his speed.
Season Outlook: While hesitant to specify ladder position, Jamieson believes strong team chemistry will propel the squad deep into the competition.
Harold Matthews Cup (U17s): Api Amone
Rising Star: Ryland Coelho has demonstrated exceptional motivation and performance, setting a high standard for teammates after moving up from the Andrew Johns Cup.
Significant Departure: Second-rower Callum Cooney's absence creates a void, but Amone believes Jed Young and Hunter Jago can effectively fill the gap.
Foundation for Success: Building trust among players, coaches, and implemented strategies has been the central pre-season theme.
Season Confidence: Amone expresses absolute certainty about securing a premiership in 2026.
SG Ball Cup (U19s): Beau Baldock
Retention Advantage: Hooker Mason Phillips' decision to remain with the Steelers provides significant continuity and experience.
Key Loss: Daniel Meafou has aged out of SG Ball, with Mason Andrews poised to assume his crucial middle role.
Strategic Approach: Recognizing their size disadvantage, the squad has prioritized becoming the fittest team in the competition.
Personal Development: Baldock has focused on building confidence during pre-season, preparing for increased leadership responsibilities.
Season Goal: Advancing beyond their 2025 first-week finals exit through consistent performance and team cohesion.
Lisa Fiaola Cup (U17s): Armani Fuka
Squad Strength: Fuka highlights exceptional depth across the roster, with centre/wing Lani Graham receiving particular recognition for her abilities.
Forward Pack Changes: Laila Poto and Ruby Seitula's departure to the Sharks creates opportunities for new players to step up.
Dual Focus: Building strong off-field sisterhood connections while developing on-field contact skills and conditioning.
Season Expectation: Despite the team's youth, Fuka anticipates a top-eight finish in 2026.
Tarsha Gale Cup (U19s): Kiara Kostovski
New Addition: Blessing Donvenekham's arrival from Parramatta strengthens the forward pack significantly.
Promotion Losses: Tori Shipton and Tahlia O'Brien have graduated to the Dragons' NRLW program full-time after their 2025 debuts.
Bonding Priority: Establishing strong team connections has been essential for pre-season preparation.
Championship Vision: Kostovski believes maintaining these bonds throughout the season could lead to a Tarsha Gale premiership.
Complete Squad Lists
Andrew Johns Cup (U16s): Jaxon Bruzzese, Coen Carlson, Logan Fulton, Charlie Griffiths, Jemison Hansen, Junior Ioane, Noah Jamieson (c), Luke Keating, Oliver Linton, Cooper Moane, Torr Morley, Dean Nutland, Kobi O'Mara, Eugene Olive, Malakai Robin, Xander Ross, Chase Ryman, Levi Schuster, Adam Sherlock, Lachlan Sloane, Kuiper Smith, Ari Smith, James Smith, Isaac Tasca, Etimoni Tongotongo, Gus Tunbridge.
Laurie Daley Cup (U18s): Matthew Arregui, Jaxon Ballinger, Taj Barrett, Finn Davy, Taje Dorrington, Logan Fenwick, Jack Goulder, Arlan Grose, Harry Hertsch, Jarrah Howland, Sonny Jamieson (c), Ashton Jeffers, Darcy Larkin, Benjamin Levy, Jack Manns, Cooper Maroun, Cruz McGuinness, Lucas McLeod, Will Tan, Jarrah Thomas, Blake Totten, Drtanyon Vaivai, Tylar Valesini, Max Van Loo, Jake Walsh, Jaxon White, Cyrus Willis.
Harold Matthews Cup (U17s): Api Amone (c), Denan Barter, Hunter Berghuis, Oliver Burton, Asher Chapman, Kahui Chase, Blair Churchill, Ryland Coelho, Fletcher Couchman, Sam Duffy, Kruz Efarimo, Hunter Fangupo, Darcy Farquhar, Noah Fitzgerald, Naite Gibbs, Hunter Jago, Xaviar Vaivai, Tyler Lewis, Charlie Lips, Pania Mahe, Cale Parr, Preston Ruiz, Preston Sager, Jake Swan, Iverosn Tanuvasa, Destin Tausala, Jed Young.
SG Ball Cup (U19s): Tex Anderson, Mason Andrews, Axel Antony, Beau Baldock (c), Mason Bevan, Jacob Birta, Ryder Brown, Luke Butler, Tom Eirth, Jack Harris, Tayler Humphries, Kapene Karaitiana, Kye Lynch, Sonny MacGregor, Ruben Mayers, Marley McLaren, Creighton Meafou, Cooper Morrison, Flynn O'Mara, Mason Phillips, Likamani Richter, Jack Talbott, Zane Timmins, Aidan Turner, Tyson Walker, Leeroy Weatherall, Hayden Whatman, Archie Wheeler.
Lisa Fiaola Cup (U17s): Ava Alaban, Torah Beath, Claudia Blunden, Sinead Buchanan, Breanna Bullock, Coco Butcher, Ava Cooper, Ruby Coote, Abbigail Crothers, Mia Davis, Armani Fuka (c), Lani Graham, Lily Griggs, Emma Grindle, Isabelle Handcock, Portia Hingle, Zoe Hurst, Ellie McCormack, Zahli Moon, Aaliyah Moreton, Aliyah Plumme, Emily Putland, Jesse Rayner, Chloe Reh, Makai Simon, Kyla Symons, Ellie Szczerbanik, Manawa-Jen Tukere, Lucy Wellington, Laylarni Sullivan (Development).
Tarsha Gale Cup (U19s): Halle Barrett, Daisy Bohringer, Charlotte Campbell, Ella Churchill, Holly Czornobej, April Gray, Ella Greatz, Ally Hamilton, Michala Hardy, Madison Hemopo, Madison Hobbs, Tahanni Kaufusi, Kiara Kostovski (c), Jayda Lalic, Elouise Maher, Anissa McCue, Shylah Mitchell, Scarlett Newton, Charlotte Nicolson, Tahlia O'Brien, Seriah Palepale, Amelia Phillips, Bridget Shearer, Tori Shipton, Skye Spencer, Armani Tanioria, Paige Tauaneai, Sophie Taylor, Sienna Young, Elli Young, Blessing Donvenekham.
