Riverview and Joeys claimed first round wins while Scots and Kings played out a thrilling 12-all draw at Bellevue Hill on the opening weekend of the 2024 GPS first XV season.

Here are a few standout performers from round one.

Angus Grover – Riverview No.9

Grover has been one of the form players of the GPS trial season and continued his good form in a scrappy win over Shore. While his try and match winning conversion were impressive, Grover’s control and game management in key periods of the game was the difference between the two sides. 

CLICK HERE: The complete guide to the 2024 GPS First XV season

Issac Fonua – Kings No.8

Back for a second season of first XV rugby, it’s hard to believe Kings No.8 Issac Fonua is still only in year 11. The big bodied forward was hard and aggressive and matched Scots gun Toby Brial around the park. 

Jay McKenzie – Scots No.15

A tall athletic outside back who featured in the NSW U18s side earlier this year, McKenzie loomed up in support to score Scots’ first try of the afternoon and used his footwork to make the initial break in the lead up to Scots’ second try. 

Jai Callaghan – Shore No.15 

It was a tough afternoon for fullbacks at Riverview, but Shore No.15 Jai Callaghan made metres every time he returned a kick on a very heavy track. He also came within inches of scoring what would have been the try of the round, after beating defenders with footwork, then chipping ahead early in the second half. 

Arthur Greer – Joeys No.5

Joeys’ big returning lock Arthur Greer got his side over the advantage line consistently against Newington and did a mountain of tough work, particularly when things got wet in the second half. The boy from Moree also threw a clever inside ball to set up Joeys second try of the afternoon.