28 talented touch footy stars to watch in the 2023 Wollongong Touch Premier League

Comprising of teams from Group 7, Illawarra Rugby League, and for the first time Illawarra Rugby with the welcoming of Shoalhaven Rugby Club, the best touch footy talents in the region are all on display in this competition.

The competition this year consists of eight men’s teams and six women’s teams and is an excellent platform for players wishing to elevate their game to the next level, with a number of former Wollongong Devils moving on to play in the NRL and NRLW such as Emma Tonegato, Adam Clune and Tyran Wishart.

To celebrate the 2023 season kicking off last week, we’ve put together a list of 28 guns touch footy players that will be lighting up the competition this year.

Check out the full list below.

Men’s Premier League

Terry Deegan (Jamberoo Superoos)

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At the age of 40, Deegan is a real strategist of the game but still has plenty of skill to tear apart oppositions defences.

A two time World Cup winner with the Australian Men’s Open team in 2011 and 2015, he’s a great leader to younger player around him.

Matt Tope (Jamberoo Superoos)

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Partner in crime to Deegan, Tope is another veteran who is remaining super fit and competitive at 41, providing a spark and great leadership for the Superoos.

Like Deegan he’s an accomplished winner, including World Cups, Trans Tasmans, State of Origins, as well as region and affiliate level competitions.

Brad Lugg (Dapto Canaries)

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A multiple World Cup and State of Origin Mixed Open champion with Australia and NSW, Lugg brings a terrific skill set and wealth of knowledge to Dapto.

He has a great art of teaching players around him and bringing out their best.

Max Riolo (Dapto Canaries)

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Fresh off a NSW Cup season with the Cronulla Sharks, Riolo is a Wollongong Devils touch junior who has come through the ranks to now play in their Men’s Open team.

Great speed, a rocket pass and the ability to play a little ad lib footy, he’s a huge weapon for the Canaries.

Luke Tonegato (Thirroul Butchers)

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Older brother to NRLW superstar Emma Tonegato, Luke is a former U20s Australian and NSW representative.

Tonegato has played at the highest levels of the game and still makes a big impact at the age of 30, the perfect leader for Thirroul.

Lewis Sargent Wilson (Thirroul Butchers)

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A Devils junior who has gone on to play at NSW Schools level, but also used his skills to help develop his rugby league path as he’s currently signed on with the Cronulla Sharks.

The talented middle is also playing in the Wollongong Devils Men’s open team.

Jayden Sargent (Stingrays of Shellharbour)

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Part of the Wollongong Mixed Open State Cup championship side of 2022, Sargent possesses lightning attack and will be the go-to for the Stingrays on every attacking raid.

He can threaten from anywhere on the field with his fast footwork, passing game and incredible fitness.

Michael Chapman (Stingrays of Shellharbour)

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A former Australian Mixed Open player, Chapman is by far the fittest player in the competition.

A former Australian representative in triathlon, he can run all day and is a nightmare for oppositions with his relentless defence and strong attack which completes him as a player.

Bart Hill (Wests Illawarra)

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A NSW origin rep, captain of the former Elite 8 NSW Mavericks team and a Newcastle Knights NRL Touch Premiership player, Hill is the glue and leader of any team he’s in.

Does the gritty work on the park and inspires his teammates while doing it, he’s a player that can take a team to finals by himself.

Campbell Lovell (Wests Illawarra)

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A Wagga Wagga junior, ‘Freddy’ has been playing at Wollongong for a few years now but has had to deal with his fair share of injuries.

Now fully fit, the talented AFL player will be a danger to the competition if he returns to his lightning fast best.

Cody Hutchison (Albion Park)

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A player who has worked hard to grow to an elite level and is currently a go-to player for the Wollongong Devils Men’s Open team.

Known for his bullet pass and quick dive at the line, he’s an inspiring player to be around and a leader for the Eagles.

Jack Lewis (Albion Park)

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Currently playing for Canterbury Touch in the Men’s NSW Touch Vawdon Cup, Lewis has made the move to Wollongong Touch for a hit out in the Premier League.

He has had some big game experience at a young age and will provide a strong platform for the Eagles.

Interestingly, he’s also a talented contracted lawn bowler.

Jack Hearnden (Corrimal Cougars)

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Son of the current NSW Touch President Mark Hearnden, Jack has been around the sport his whole life.

Hearnden has taken his game to a whole new level since being a part of the Wollongong Devils Men’s open team and he’ll be a key player for the Cougars with strong leadership and a go-to long ball.

Victor Musgrave (Corrimal Cougars)

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Just north of 30 years old, Musgrave is still learning his craft but simply loves his touch footy, possessing a good turn of speed and a strong work ethic.

He plays a key role in the Appin Warriors representative team and join some of those teammates at the Cougars.

Sam Watts (Shoalhaven Rugby Club)

Returning from an ACL injury to lead the newest club in the Premier League.

Watts has been a part of Shoalhaven’s back-to-back first grade premierships in Illawarra Rugby, but also has a strong touch background having played in club and regional rep teams.

Steve Brandon (Shoalhaven Rugby Club)

A dominant back who has lit up Illawarra Rugby for years, as well as with the Illawarriors rep side.

Hasn’t played much touch but has the potential to be as good as anyone if he adapts, having been a prolific try scorer in rugby.

Women’s Premier League

Loz Robinson (Jamberoo Superoos)

Robinson has played touch since she was a junior and has played key roles in captaining the Wollongong Women’s Open team and the Southern Rebels Senior Mixed team.

She’s the perfect teacher for juniors in the Jamberoo side and has an impact on every game.

Ally Mawson (Jamberoo Superoos)

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Known for pushing her body to the limit, Mawson is a hard runner, a great worker for others and defensively strong.

She inspires every teammate she plays with and will lead the Superoos forward this season.

Rach Tonegato (Gerringong Lions)

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A former Australian and NSW U20s player, Tonegato has had a strong career winning titles with the Wollongong Devils Women’s Open team in the early 2010s.

She is also a part of the Wollongong Devils Mixed Open State Cup winning team and will look to use her experience to guide the Lions this season.

Amelia Hughes (Gerringong Lions)

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Originally from the Hunter, Hughes joined the Devils Women’s Open team last season and is the perfect asset to a young Lions pack in 2023.

With some white line fever, Hughes is ferocious on the field, doing anything she can to win a game for her team.

Loagan Garratt (Stingrays of Shellharbour)

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Easily the fastest playing in the competition, the speedster has come through the Devils junior ranks.

Has crafter he game to learn how to use her pace to destroy defences in the Women’s Open rep scene and will be a huge element in attack for the Stingrays.

Zali Yeo (Stingrays of Shellharbour)

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Brother to Panthers captain Isaah Yeo and part of the Illawarra Steelers inaugural NSW Women’s Premiership side, Zali is a real competitor.

Speed, ball skills and a will to win, she will cause some headaches if given any free space.

Ash Stanley (Woonona Bushrangers)

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Former Australian Women’s Open World Cup winner, Stanley has dominated at the highest levels on the touch field.

Once known for her speed and knowledge of the game, she’ll provide a young Bushrangers team with some true smarts and maybe a few glimpses of the headaches she used to cause defenders in her prime.

Cara Zaremski (Woonona Bushrangers)

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A former Australian Mixed Open representative and current NSW Over 27’s player.

A leader who has done it all in the game, her knowledge is unmatched and her action lead the way for the Bushrangers.

Vienna Randal (Dapto Canaries)

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An Australian U20’s player and key middle in the Wollongong Women’s Open team, Randal is one of the biggest competitors there is.

With a strong skill set in all areas, her biggest asset is her communication, something that is vital to the Canaries success.

Ella McFarlane (Dapto Canaries)

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Like Randal, McFarlane is a Wagga Wagga junior who has since moved to Wollongong.

She’s been a major pick up for the Women’s Open rep program and will provide Dapto with plenty of attacking flair and defensive aggression.

Leia Ayoub (Corrimal Cougars)

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A Cronulla Sharks touch stalwart, Ayoub has been a player since junior days.

Still moving like a teenager in her mid 30s, she will run all day for the team and be the director in both attack and defence, making her a real threat for the Cougars.

Rebecca Wall (Corrimal Cougars)

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Touch runs in her blood, being the daughter of Touch Football Australia, NSW Touch and Wollongong Touch Hall of Famer Ron Wall.

Wall has played since juniors and won’t take a step backwards on the field.

Originally published as 28 talented touch footy stars to watch in the 2023 Wollongong Touch Premier League