If there was any player who is more than ready to make his mark in first-grade for the upcoming season, look no further than the Sharks’ Billy Magoulias - the man touted to fill the boots of retired club captain and True Blue Paul Gallen.
In what has been a memorable year for the 22-year-old, Magoulias made his NRL debut after a run of strong form for the Newtown Jets and proved his ability to produce in the big moments not once, but twice.
From seventh spot on the table by the end of the regular season, the Jets made an unlikely run to the Canterbury Cup NSW Grand Final against Wentworthville, and Magoulias came up with a match winning pin-point chip kick from the halfway mark in the final play of extra time.
Fast forward a week later to the State Championship against the Burleigh Bears in near identical circumstances, the Jets two points behind in the 80th minute. None other than Billy Magoulias took the ball on the short-side from 55 metres out and with another precision chip for Jackson Ferris to score, Newtown’s second trophy in as many weeks was secured.
A former member of the NSW under-18 and under-20 squads, Magoulias looks set for plenty of first-grade output in 2020 with experienced campaigners Matt Prior (Super League), Paul Gallen (retired) and Kurt Capewell (Panthers) all moving on.
His inclusion in the starting side or from the interchange could provide much needed energy in a new-look Cronulla forward pack, and maybe a few more ‘cometh the hour’ moments.
