Vodafone Junior Warriors co-captains Sam Lisone and Mason Lino (pictured) are set to achieve key milestones when they end their NYC careers in next Sunday’s grand final against Brisbane at ANZ Stadium (1.50pm kick-off local time; 3.50pm NZT).
Lisone is guaranteed an individual highlight when he ends his time in the under-20 competition with his 50th NYC appearance.
He’ll become the fourth Vodafone Junior Warrior to achieve the mark this season alone and the 12th overall.
He will follow Lino, Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard and Ngataua Hukatai this year to join a roll of honour which currently reads: Ben Henry (64), John Palavi (63), Mason Lino (61), Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard (57), Siliva Havili (57), Ngataua Hukatai (53), Elijah Taylor (52), Nafe Seluini (52), Carlos Tuimavave (51), Omar Slaimankhel (51) and Siuatonga Likiliki (50).
Lino scored 13 points in last stunning’s stunning 29-26 victory over Parramatta to clinch the club’s second straight grand final appearance and the fourth in the last five years.
In the process he brought up 200 points in an NYC season for the first time after amassing 147 in 23 games in 2012 and 144 in 18 matches last season. His tally now sits at 202 in 20 games this year.
His career total now stands at 493 in 61 games, the second highest in the NYC’s history (North Queensland’s Kyle Feldt tops the list with 570 points). Needing seven points in next week’s grand final to reach the 500-point mark, Lino has the record for most goals with 213.
