Young gun plays in two touch rep sides

Chatfield played for the Southern Suns in Penrith, before traveling to Mudgee with the South Coast Combined High School team.

The Suns finished sixth in Penrith, with a win against the Sydney Rebels, and a draw against the Northern Eagles.

Mudgee was even more successful, as the squad swept day one, before adding another three wins on day two.

They fell just short in the semi-finals, losing to Sydney West.

Jerome said he enjoyed the Mudgee tournament because of the increased competition. He has just turned 13, but was playing gainst opposition as old as 15.

“I had the most fun at the Mudgee tournament, because there were more teams, and I played against older kids,” he said.

Jerome’s dad, Shane, said he saw the difference between the two tournaments.

“I think he gelled a lot better with that (combined high school) team,” Shane said. “He got better with every game.

“He was playing in the middle, which is a pretty dominant position in touch. In the Suns, he was switching positions, so he couldn’t get any cohesion.”

Jerome also plays for the Batemans Bay Tigers’ under 14s, and said the skills from tackle rugby helped his touch.

“​I know moves quickly, and it helps with directing people,” he said. “My passing game also benefits.”

The two sports are similar, but different. Touch footy is a faster game than rugby league, one that focuses on clean possession and quick play-the-balls rather than barnstorming runs.

Shane said his son is a good player on both fields, but says his son is probably better on a touch footy field.

“It’s hard to say, he’s passionate about rugby league,” Shane said. 

“He’s a smart little player on the league field, but obviously his size is a big thing.

“At the moment he’s probably more dominant in touch. He hasn’t had his growth spurt yet, so that’ll come.”

Jerome already has his next goal in sight.

“He’s set a goal for next year to make the NSW team for the combined high schools,” Shane said.

“He’ll do a lot of training over the winter break, and we’ll focus on that.”

And while Jerome may not be the biggest kid on any football field, Shane believes on attribute sets him apart.

“He’s a competitor,” he said. “We tell him ‘just go out and give it 100 per cent’.

“He loves winning, but at the end of the day, he’s a gracious loser as well.”