The Wests Tigers may have found their long-term solution in the halves with a young gun continuing to impress in the NSW Cup competition as they prepare for life without Jarome Luai.

Taking on the finals-bound Canterbury Bulldogs, rookie Javon Andrews couldn’t put a step wrong in attack as he helped lead the Western Suburbs Magpies to a six-point victory.

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Playing in the No.6 jersey, a position made famous by Tigers coach Benji Marshall, the former Under-19s Queensland Maroons representative had four try assists, four line-break assists and one forced dropout.

The latest performance from last year’s Under-19s State of Origin man-of-the-match winner adds to his already stellar reserve-grade campaign.

He currently leads the competition in try assists (23) and line-break assists (25) ahead of the likes of Alex Conti, Toby Rodwell and Luke Hanson.

Currently on a development deal with the Tigers – before progressing to the Top 30 for 2027 and 2028 – Andrews is five years on from a neck injury that threatened to end his career.

“I was in a junior reps footy game, and I got tackled into the pole during the game – head-on. It went straight through the padding gap and hit it straight into the pole,” Andrews told foxsports.com.au.

“I was very young and doctors said I couldn’t play again, so it’s been a long journey. I did do a lot of psychological stuff because my brother grew up with a coach who did some psychological stuff.

“He helped me a lot with getting my mind and knowing that the neck’s fine and I’m good to go, so that helped me a lot for my first couple of games back, and after that, the love of the game comes back.”

Javon Andrews.Source: Getty Images

WHERE WILL COLE BE IN 2027?

He may still be uncontracted for next season, but Penrith Panthers utility Jack Cole is doing all he can to secure another deal for next year’s campaign.

While his future at the foot of the mountains may be clouded in uncertainty for the time being, Cole continues to perform in the lower grades.

The five-eighth provided three try assists and three line-break assists as the Panthers made light work of the Manly Sea Eagles with a 40-nil win.

Unlikely to remain at the club where he was once seen as their long-term five-eighth, foxsports.com.au understands that he has been shopped to multiple teams in the overseas Super League competition.

However, he has yet to decide on his future.

“I’m definitely very open-minded to it, as I’m sure everyone is. Like I said, it is a business and you’ve got to do what’s best for you,” Cole told NCA Newswire in April.

“I love everything about Penrith. I love the boys, love the coaching staff, love what they’ve done for me as well.

“If there wasn’t an opportunity here for me at the end of the year to progress or play consistent NRL, then you’d obviously have to try to have a look.

“But me trying to play well is just going to help the cause of them wanting to keep me or getting interest from somewhere else. So it’ll come when it does.”

Jack Cole.Source: Getty Images

PNG STAR PUTS CLUBS ON NOTICE

Papua New Guinea international Dudley Dotoi has put NRL clubs on notice as he notched up his 50th career try in just 48 QLD Cup appearances over the weekend.

Making his international debut for the Kumuls at the end of last year, the winger was unstoppable in the Townsville Blackhawks’ 64-16 win over the PNG Hunters.

The Cairns product not only crossed the line for four tries but he also registered 216 running metres, three line-breaks and three try assists.

Yet to make his first-grade debut, he is set to be targeted by the PNG Chiefs for their maiden season in 2028, while other NRL opportunities could certainly come calling for next year.

“You’ve just got to give the ball to Duds and he finishes it. Jack (Campagnolo) gave us some early ball and we just backed ourselves and luckily we got the bounce of the ball,” Blackhawks centre Saimone Ahomana told CODE Sports.

“Duds is a freak, man, the ball just lands in his hands.”

Dudley Dotoi.Source: News Corp Australia