Kicking off the 2017 Rugby League season, junior representative football is set to excite crowds of all ages once again with the best young talent on display.
The likes of Nathan Cleary, Latrell Mitchell and Curtis Scott have all played SG Ball (under-18s) in the last two years, proving the rise to the top can be rapid for the game’s most exciting talent, while almost every representative of the NSW VB Blues played some junior representative football earlier in their careers. Which stars will be uncovered in 2017 is anyone’s guess, but the upcoming SG Ball draw will give the chance for every under-18s player to shine.
The Newcastle, along with runners-up Illawarra and premiers Penrith, all featured heavily last season and time will tell whether they can continue to produce the goods with the newest playing group. Teams will play each other once over the next two seasons, meaning there will be no grand final rematch, yet historic rivalries between the Bulldogs and Eels (Round 1), Rabbitohs and Roosters (Round 4) and Dragons and Steelers (Round 8) will all feature throughout the season. With the decider to be held on Saturday, 6 May, the Under-18s National Junior Final will take place a week later as NSWRL hopes for the trophy to head south of the border for the third consecutive year.
SG Ball matches will take place each weekend as part of a weekly triple-header, with Tarsha Gale Cup (under-18s girls) and Harold Matthews Cup (under-16s boys) games being held beforehand at each venue.
For the full SG Ball Cup draw, visit our Live Match Centre.
Please note draws are subject to change.
