Best of Friends but the Worst Enemies

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, July 2, 2026

Charlie Xuereb and Cordell Arama, standout players from Patrician Brothers College Blacktown, have played crucial roles in their school's unbeaten rugby league campaign and will represent New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges in a national secondary schools competition. Both athletes, who previously competed in the Penrith Panthers’ junior system and have secured long-term contracts, are viewed as potential future leaders for the Panthers as senior players approach retirement.

Two emerging rugby league talents from Western Sydney are gaining attention for their strong performances and close friendship. Charlie Xuereb and Cordell Arama, students at Patrician Brothers College Blacktown, have become key figures in their school’s dominant rugby league team, which recently secured an unbeaten group stage run with a 32-0 victory over Central Coast Sports College as they pursue a third consecutive Peter Mulholland Cup title.

Both players are also slated to represent the New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges at the upcoming Australian Secondary Schools rugby league competition in Coffs Harbour. Notably, more than half of the 20-player squad hails from Patrician Brothers, underscoring the school’s significant role in nurturing rugby league talent.

Xuereb and Arama have previously played together in Penrith Panthers’ junior system, specifically in the under-17 Harold Matthews Cup this season. Arama was recognized as the club’s player of the year and has secured a long-term contract extending through 2029. Xuereb, whose father Anthony Xuereb is a former Panthers player, recently signed a contract extension until 2028 after choosing to focus on rugby league over rugby union, where he had represented the under-16 Wallabies.

Their ambition to progress through the ranks together is shared by many in their community, especially given that other players from Blacktown, such as Stephen Crichton, Sunia Turuva, Spencer Leniu and Jarome Luai, have made successful transitions to first-grade rugby league alongside each other. With senior front-rowers like Moses Leota and Isaiah Yeo nearing the later stages of their careers, the duo could be poised to become key figures in the Panthers’ future lineup.

The pair first crossed paths at age 12 during a Nines tournament, despite previously competing against each other for the Colyton Colts and Windsor Wolves junior clubs. Since joining Patrician Brothers College Blacktown, they have forged a close friendship that extends off the field. According to Blacktown teacher Greg Beacroft, they spend much of their school day together and maintain a strong bond despite the fierce competition on game days.

Beacroft described their connection as “electric,” recalling an early match in an under-13 competition where, within the first 30 seconds, Xuereb drew defenders before Arama scored underneath the posts, setting the tone for a dominant 30-0 lead within 15 minutes.

With their combination of talent, commitment and camaraderie, both Xuereb and Arama are regarded as promising prospects who could make significant impacts at the senior professional level in the near future.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.