Plenty of NRL talent was on show in reserve grade, as sides in the NSW and QLD Cup clashed on the weekend. The hope of impressing and earning a first-grade call-up is always high on the agenda, with a Parramatta star continuing to cause havoc and a young Tigers' backrower putting on an eye-catching display.
Here are some of the standout performers from another entertaining week of reserve grade action.
Maika Sivo
A near certainty to make his first NRL appearance of the season when Parramatta face the Bulldogs next Monday afternoon.
Sivo has excelled in his short spell in the lower grades and he was once again in great form against Mounties. The Fijian winger notched a hattrick, ran for over 250m and made four linebreaks in a typically destructive display.
The 38-0 victory capped a memorable day for the Parra backline, as Zac Cini, Hayze Perham and Sean Russell all also crossed the stripe in an eight-try rout.
Alex Seyfarth
In a losing side, Seyfarth was the standout player for the Magpies as he put in an all-action performance.
Named at prop, Seyfarth churned out the most metres of anyone on the field (189m) and made a team-high 36 tackles.
In the NRL, he boasts a 94% tackling efficiency but has struggled to make metres. Yet it is this type of committed performance that will have Michael Maguire eager to include him again in his struggling outfit.
Semi Valemei
A spot in the Raiders backline has opened up, after Jordan Rapana was charged with making dangerous contact to the face of Egan Butcher.
Valemei certainly did his chances no harm with two tries in Canberra’s 30-22 win over Newtown Jets.
The much-improved Raiders travel to Queensland to take on the Broncos, with Ricky Stuart’s men now firmly back in the conversation for playing finals football.
Valemei has been in and out of the side all year, so would be the most logical choice for the coach to turn to if the Kiwi international is rubbed out for one match.
Jack Gosiewski
With Tariq Sims running out for the Blues on Wednesday night, a backrow role may be up for grabs in the Dragons' first-grade side.
If Sims fails to back-up on the shortest turnaround against the Cowboys on Friday, Gosiewski could be the beneficiary.
He played the full 80 minutes, while also barging over from close range to help St George beat a patched-up Panthers 26-22.
Xavier Willison
Returning to action for the first time since he tore his ACL in 2021, Willison made an impressive statement despite playing in a losing side.
The Sunshine Coast Falcons overcame the Norths Devils 26-18, with Melbourne’s Tyran Wishart helping to control proceedings.
For the Devils, Willison joined his Brisbane team-mates Ryan James and Brendan Piakura in setting a decent platform. The big forward even stretching over the line to score the Devils’ first try.
In a young Broncos team that is stacked full of promising talent, Willison could be one to keep an eye on.
