View Full Version : Junior Development
Great to see that the Titans have formalised their partnership with PBC SHS on the Coast.
Jamie McCormack, Matt Srama and Kane Elgey are making big inroads into schools all across SEQ.
Hail Sezer
03-11-20, 03:22 PM
Great to see that the Titans have formalised their partnership with PBC SHS on the Coast.
Jamie McCormack, Matt Srama and Kane Elgey are making big inroads into schools all across SEQ.
This always seemed like an obvious thing that we should have always had in place but the reality is that the level of integration with the school could always only go so far, and a player could sign wherever they liked regardless of any soft "affiliation". The agreement announced today makes the club and the school a lot stickier together and pretty much gives us the best opportunity possible to sign any student that goes through there unless they were signed to another club prior.
I hope we are working on a similar strategy with Keebra park, but I can't help but think we would be under resourced to accommodate 2 schools in this capacity.
Mr Bods
03-11-20, 04:01 PM
Good news. So very very very late. And more to be done.
The Titans have established exceptionally strong links at Keebra Park, Coombabah and Ballina Coast as well.
Throw in the best couple of players from Marsden and no one can say that the Titans are not doing exceptionally well.
PS - they are not doing too badly at TSS as well.
Exciting Marist Brothers Lismore Rams rugby league centre Campbell Harvey has been selected in the NSW Country U18 Gen Blue Rugby side for a trial this weekend against NSW City U18 Gen Blue.
The Titans 9's competition was held today at Murwillumbah. Mullumbimby High School won the U14's and St Joseph's College Banora Point went undefeated to win the U16.5 competition.
Titans contracted front rower Larry Siala has been named in the 2021 Ipswich Jets U16 Cyril Connell Cup squad.
Recently resigned Titan Josiah Pahulu has been named in the 2021 Ipswich Jets U18 MM Cup squad. He is also MM Cup eligible in 2022.
Both PBC and Keebra Park with formalised partnerships with the Titans, well done Titans the future is secured.
Bayside Titan
06-11-20, 02:09 PM
Both PBC and Keebra Park with formalised partnerships with the Titans, well done Titans the future is secured.
Where does it say about the Keebra partnership mate. Exciting times.
Keebra Park have announced it mate
Where does it say about the Keebra partnership mate. Exciting times.
Bayside Titan
06-11-20, 03:28 PM
Keebra Park have announced it mate
Cheers mate. Thank you.
Great to see Titan Antlioch Faitala-Mariner named in the Easts Tigers 2021 MM Cup squad, he is also MM Cup eligible in 2022.
The Titans have done an outstanding job recently of resigning their best young talent and they added to those resignings recently with powerful left seconder and Keebra Park student Aram Hau staying with the club for the next couple of years.
The young man is extremely damaging on the fringes of the ruck and will gain valuable experience playing for Burleigh in the MM Cup in 2021. Arama Hau is also MM Cup eligible in 2022.
Hail Sezer
07-11-20, 02:19 PM
The Titans have done an outstanding job recently of resigning their best young talent and they added to those resignings recently with powerful left seconder and Keebra Park student Aram Hau staying with the club for the next couple of years.
The young man is extremely damaging on the fringes of the ruck and will gain valuable experience playing for Burleigh in the MM Cup in 2021. Arama Hau is also MM Cup eligible in 2022.
he can certainly play
One of the best players in the GCRL U20 competition this season was Runaway Bay fullback Tyler Han who made scoring long range tries look easy.
Tyler Han started at half for the Souths Logan Magpies in Round One of the Hastings Deering's Colts competition this season.
Tyler Han is U20 eligible again in 2021 and thus it will be interesting to see where he lines up next season.
Any smokeys to look out for in the upcoming Tweed MM side @mdrew?
The Tweed MM side should be absolutely outstanding mate, more than a few stand outs such as Tom Weaver, Bailey Martin, Ryan Foran, Oskar Bryant etc. Quite a few players from Ballina and Casino trialed on Saturday and a young centre from the GPS First XV rugby school boy competition from a Brisbane school as well.
The final squad will be tough to get into, they should be very very good.
Any smokeys to look out for in the upcoming Tweed MM side @mdrew?
What the Titans are getting with Joseph Vuna.
The 22 year old former New Zealand Warrior centre or second rower returns to rugby league after taking the 2019 and 2020 seasons off to go on a two year Mormon Mission.
The 22 year old former New Zealand Warrior centre or second rower returns to rugby league after taking the 2019 and 2020 seasons off to go on a two year Mormon Mission.
From a trivia perspective, the 182cm, 99kg centre or second rower was born in California USA and is the younger brother of former Wallaby and Tongan Rugby League International Cooper Vuna.
In 2018 Joseph Vuna, who was nineteen at the time, made his NRL debut for the Warriors becoming Warrior Number 228, going on to play in four NRL matches in 2018 and was also a stand out for the Warriors in their Canterbury Cup campaign.
Joseph Vuna made his NRL debut for the Warriors in Round Eight of the 2018 NRL season against the Melbourne Storm. Joseph Vuna came off the bench playing nineteen minutes and ran for twenty three metres (nine post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 3.57 seconds and made eleven tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.
Joseph Vuna played his second career NRL match in Round Eighteen of the 2018 NRL season once gain coming off the bench for the Warriors. Joseph Vuna played sixteen minuntes, running for fifteen metres (eight post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 3.84 seconds and made seven tackles at a tackling efficiency of 87.5%.
Joseph Vuna also came off the bench in Round Nineteen of the 2018 NRL season against the Melbourne Storm, ultimately playing twenty minutes, running for thirty one metres (sixteen post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 3.53 seconds and made ten tackles at a tackling efficiency of 83.33%.
Joseph Vuna made his career first NRL start when he started in the second row against the Titans in Round Twenty of the 2018 NRL season and played the entire eighty minutes of the match. Joseph Vuna ran for ninety one metres (thirty post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.58 seconds and made an impressive thirty seven tackles at a tackling efficiency of 94.87%.
In total in the 2018 NRL competition, Joseph Vuna played 135 minutes, ran for 160 metre and made sixty five tackles at a tackling efficiency of 92.86%.
Also in 2018, Joseph Vuna played for the New Zealand Warriors in the 2018 Canterbury Cup competition playing in fifteen matches, starting all at either centre or in the second row. Joseph Vuna started six matches in the centres and nine in the second row.
Joseph Vuna scored six tries in the 2018 Canterbury Cup competition, including scoring a double in the Warriors one point Elimination Final loss to the Mounties. Joseph Vuna also scored in Round Seven against St George, Round Twelve against the Sea Eagles, Round Thirteen against Wentworthville and Round Fifteen against the Newcastle Knights.
In Round Seven against St George, Joseph Vuna sliced through the Dragons defensive line from right centre to score five metres in from the right corner post. In Round Twelve against the Sea Eagles it was Joseph Vuna’s ability to back-up that resulted in his try and Round Thirteen against Wentworthville saw Joseph Vuna aonce again slice through the defensive line, this time on the left, running ten metres diagonally to score just in from the left corner.
In total in the 2018 Canterbury Cup competition, Joseph Vuna played 1 148 minutes (playing the entire eight minutes on twelve occasions). In those minutes, Joseph Vuna ran for 1 297 metres (449 post contact), broke twenty four tackles and made 320 tackles at a tackling efficiency of 88.15%.
Joseph Vuna’s 2018 Canterbury Cup per game averages included playing 76.53 minutes, running for 86.47 metres and making 21.33 tackles.
Joseph Vuna’s best 2018 Canterbury Cup match from a running metres perspective came in Round Ten against the Magpies when he ran for 136 metres and in Round Twenty Two against the Newcastle Knights Joseph Vuna made a more than impressive forty one tackles.
Joseph Vuna’s final match before he started his two year Mormon mission was for the Junior Kiwi’s against their Australian counterparts, with Joseph Vuna scoring in the Kiwi’s 40 – 24 loss to the Junior Kangaroo’s.
Joseph Vuna played the entire eighty minutes of the match, running for 115 metres, a team leading fifty one of which were post contact. Joseph Vuna also had a line break, broke a team leading five tackles and made twenty five tackles.
Titans contracted Keebra Park forward Wailer Whaiapu played in the Noosa 7's rugby U15 competition over last weekend and ended up on the winning side.
Three other Keebra Park Rugby League Academy players were also in the side being Kalahni Lawrence and co-captains Isaiah ***alilio and Tana Tuhaka.
Great to see star Titans contracted New Zealand star in the making Keano Kini in the Tweed Heads 2021 MM Cup side.
The young man is a star and to see him in the same side as Thomas Weaver will be great.
One of the more intriguing names in the 2021 Tweed Heads MM Cup squad is centre Campbell Watchairs. He is a northern NSW junior from the Inverell area but this year moved up to Brisbane and played at outside centre for the Brisbane Grammar School First XV school boy rugby side in the GPS competition.
Great to see Keebra Park fullback Elijah Lui named in the 2021 Tweed Heads Seagulls Cup squad.
The young man had an outstanding 2020 Titans Cup campaign for Keebra Park.
The 2021 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup side certainly has players who can lead by example with two being Titans contracted Tom Weaver and Nic Hilton.
Both have captained Titan Development squads.
The 2020 season for Titans contracted Keano Kini who is on his way over to Australia and has been named in the 2021 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad.
In March 2020 Keano Kini was selected to captain the under 16 NZtag Black team that was due to compete in the 2020 Trans-Tasman Series however that competition was postponed as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic. Early 2020 also saw Keano Kini named in the initial New Zealand rugby league U16 representative squad.
Keano Kini was not able to play much rugby league in 2020 but was able to play First XV school boy rugby in New Zealand for Rosmini College, not bad at all for a 16 year old.
Keano Kini started the 2020 school boy rugby year at fullback (N0. 15) for Rosmini College in their pre-season match against Rangitoto Collage, and when he season proper started all six of Rosmini College's First XV matches at fullback, finishing second in the competition with five wins and just one loss.
Keano Kini started against Kaipara High School (Round One 59 - 0 win), Westlake Boys High School (Round Two 24 - 19 loss), TGS (Round Three 31 - 5 win), Massey High School (Round Four 14 - 0), Orewa College (Round Five 48 - 5 win) and Whangarei Boys High (Round Six 43 - 10 win).
Post the school boy First XV competition, Keano Kini was selected for the New Zealand Rugby Blues U18 training squad.
In October 2020 Keano Kini played for Kotahitanga in the 2020 New Zeaand Maori tournament and post the competition of the tournament was named at fullback in the U17 All-tournament team.
Keano Kine started the Grand Final of the 2020 New Zeaand Maori Tournament at fullback for Kotahitanga as they defeated Taranaki Whanau 36 – 12 with Keano Kini scoring a try and kicking two conversions in the victory. Keano Kini scored when he was operating on the right side of the field and chased through a chip kick, taking the ball on the full and rounding two defenders to score under the posts.
The NZ Maori U17 side featuring Keano Kini at fullback played a New Zealand Residents U16 team on 24 October 2020 at Rotorua International Stadium with New Zealand Maori going down 46 – 6.
The Tweed Heads Seagulls 2021 MM Cup squad is an extrmely talented group and one young player that easily fits that description is Titans contracted centre Kaleb Ngamanu. 2021 will be his second season with the Tweed Heads MM side after starting in the one and only round of this season.
The young man is a talented rugby player as well, already playing two season in the TSS First XV school boy GPS rugby competition.
Hail Sezer
12-11-20, 12:08 PM
Thanks for the intel mdrew. Keano Kini sounds like an interesting prospect, looking forward to seeing his development over here. I think with halves the younger they’re here the better so 2 full years in MM and our JTS system will do a lot for his game.
His union background is very impressive for someone his age.
Great to see Titans contracted Murwilumbah youngster Riley Lack named in the 2021 Tweed Heads MM Cup.
Riley Lack has spent time in recent seasons at fullback (Titans), five eight (Northern Rivers Titans/Titans), left centre (Murwillumbah Mustangs U18 NRRRL) and right wing (Murwillumbah Mustangs NRRRL First Grade).
Good news that the Titans have re-signed Shannon Subritzky Stewart for Ipswich State High School.
Great to see young Titans five eight Bryton Nimo named in the 2021 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad.
Mate the kid is class, it will be fascinating whether he lines up in the halves for Tweed Heads MM side or at fullback, either way the Tweed Heads side is that good there is competition in either position.
Keano Kini has already played in a Titans jersey when he started at half against Newcastle earlier this season.
A big call I know but for me, Keano Kini has Tom Weaver like potential.
The best NZ based U16 2020 player full stop.
Thanks for the intel mdrew. Keano Kini sounds like an interesting prospect, looking forward to seeing his development over here. I think with halves the younger they’re here the better so 2 full years in MM and our JTS system will do a lot for his game.
His union background is very impressive for someone his age.
Mr Bods
13-11-20, 10:11 PM
Mate the kid is class, it will be fascinating whether he lines up in the halves for Tweed Heads MM side or at fullback, either way the Tweed Heads side is that good there is competition in either position.
Keano Kini has already played in a Titans jersey when he started at half against Newcastle earlier this season.
A big call I know but for me, Keano Kini has Tom Weaver like potential.
The best NZ based U16 2020 player full stop.
Holy Mackeral. Weaver like.
Great to see big strong young forward Reico Ratana in the 2021 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad. It will be hard to get into the Tweed Heads pack but it will be great experience for Reico Ratana who is also MM Cup eligible in 2022.
Impressive effort by Lismore U18 rugby league player Campbell Harvey. In his first year in rugby he was selected in the NSW Country Gen Blue U18 side that went down 24-19 to NSW City Gen Blue U18's last weekend and after that match was selected on the right wing for the NSW Gen Blue U18 side that take on a NSW GPS schools side in Sydney tomorrow.
Mr Bods
14-11-20, 12:27 PM
Hi mdrew
I’m looking for any info on the development of the following and whether they have a possible NRL future
Jaylen Taewa
Jury Taewa
Dominic Bowman
Tyrese Bowman
Kai Smallwood
For me mate, Jaylen Taewa is potentially very very good, he was a stand out for the Bilambil U15 side this season in the Group 18 U15 competition, and should start in the second row for the 2021 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad. Jaylen was named Man of the match in the Grand Final this year as Bilambil defeated Byron Bay/Lennox Head 14-6.
Jury is also in the Northern Rivers 2021 U16 squad as is fullback Tyrese Bowman who has all the attributes that you want in a fullback, for example size and speed and is an Bilambil Jet.
Outside back Dominic Bowman and half/five eight Kia Smallwood are both from South Tweed and were part of the Group 18 U16 Grand Final winning side this year as they defeated Murwillumbah 20-16 and both have been named in the 2021 U18 Northern Rivers Titans Laurie Daley Cup squad. Kia Smallwood was named Man of the Match in the Grand Final.
All five boys were part of the Titans U15 or U16 Invitational teams that played against other Titans squads in early October at CBus Stadium.
All five have also made numerous Group 18 representative sides over the last couple of seasons.
I have recently written up Jaylen and Jury Taewa and Kai Smallwood in the my take thread and the other two are not far away from being updated.
Hi mdrew
I’m looking for any info on the development of the following and whether they have a possible NRL future
Jaylen Taewa
Jury Taewa
Dominic Bowman
Tyrese Bowman
Kai Smallwood
Mr Bods
14-11-20, 01:17 PM
Cheers mdrew
I’ll go have a look in the take thread
The 2020 season of Klese Haas:
In 2020 Klese Haas spent time at both right second row and right centre for Keebra Park State High School in the Langer Cup Open A school boy competition and played his club rugby league for the Bilambil Jets in the NRRRL competition, playing a number of NRRRL First Grade matches as well as matches in the NRRRL U18 competition for the Jets.
Klese Haas started Round One of the 2020 Langer Cup school boy competition in the right second row position for Keebra Park State High School against Wavell State High School scoring late in the match as Keebra Park suffered a surprise first up loss to the Brisbane based school in the South East Queensland school boy competition.
Klese Haas’s try against Wavell came when he took the ball from a Keebra Park penalty kick after a drop out infringement from Wavell. Klese Haas took the ball to the right of where the tap kick took place, breaking four tackles in his ten metre run to get the ball down a metre to the right of the goal post with two Wavell defenders trying to drag him back from the try line.
After being Keebra Park’s 18th man in Round Two of the Langer Cup against Marsden State High School and missing Round Three against Ipswich State High School, Klese Haas started at right second row in Rounds Four and Five of the Langer Cup against PBC and St Mary’s College Toowoomba respectively.
In Keebra Park’s big 2020 Langer Cup semi-fianl victory over Wavell, Klese Haas started at right centre and scored a late second half try, when after receiving the ball immediately Klese Haas stepped inside his opposite defender before cutting back towards the outside before beating the Wavell fullback who was coming across on the inside to get the ball down five metres in from the right corner post.
Klese Haas also started the 2020 Langer Cup Grand Final at right centre as Keebra Park went down to local rivals PBC.
Post the 2020 Langer Cup Grand FInal, Klese Haas was named in the second row in the 2020 Langer Cup Team of the Year and was named the 15th best school boy rugby league/rugby player in South East Queensland in 2020 by the Courier Mail. In fact the Courier Mail nominated Klese Haas the best Queensland school boy that had not been signed by an NRL club at the start of the Langer Cup competition in 2020.
When Community Rugby League re-started in July 2020, Klese Haas lined up for the Bilambil Jets in the NRRRL competition, playing for the Jets in both the NRRRL First Grade and U18 competiitions.
In the 2020 NRRRL U18 competition, Klese Hass played in two matches, both coming before the competition was split into the Green and Gold divisions due to Covid 19, with Bilambil playing in the Green Division. Klese Haas started Round One of the initial competition at lock against Ballina and also started at lock in Round Six against the Tweed Coast Raiders.
Klese Haas made his NRRRL First Grade debut off the bench in Round One of the 2020 competition against Ballina before making his first NRRRL First Grade start at centre against Murwillumbah in Round Two. Klese Haas also started in the centres in Round Four against Tweed Coast and Round Five against Cudgen before coming off the bench in Round Six against the Tweed Coast Raiders once again.
The 2020 season of 2021 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad member Jaylan De Groot:
Jaylan De Groot was named to start at fullback for the Northern Rivers Titans in Round One of the 2020 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition against the Parramatta Eels at Cudgen however the match was cancelled due to the wet conditions on the North Coast that weekend.
Jaylan De Groot started at fullback in Round Two against the Newcastle Knights and had a day out scoring four tries as the Northern Rivers Titans thrashed their southern based rivals.
Jaylon De Groot’s first of four tries came in the first half. Operating on the left side of the field, Jaylan De Groot received the ball “out the back” from Thomas Weaver, dummied to his left and after pulling the ball back into his body beat the Knights five eight on the outside when he was about ten metres out from the line. As he approached the try line, Jaylan De Groot got down low to force is way over, getting the ball down one handed (right hand) under pressure from two defenders.
In many respects there were similarities in Jaylan De Groot’s three other tries in the match. On all three occasions, Jaylan De Groot was loitering behind the play the ball when the Northern Rivers Titans were bringing the ball of their own territory. For his first try of the three being discussed, Jaylan De Groot backed up a break from Bayley Cox to get the off load thirty metres out from the line, running over the top of the Knights fullback to score on the left side of the field.
Jaylan De Groot backed up a break from Titan Oskar Bryant for his third try of the match running forty metres untouched to score under the posts, to make it three tries in the first half. Jaylan De Groot’s four try of the match in the second half was a fifty two metre under the posts effort as once again he loomed up in support of a Northern Rivers Titans half break through the centre of the ruck.
Jaylan De Groot also started at fullback in Round Three against the Central Coast Roosters and started in the custodian role as well in Round Four, scoring a double as the Titans drew with the Greater Northern Tigers.
Jaylan De Groot’s first try against the Greater Northern Tigers was once again as a result of Jaylan De Groot backing up through the centre of the ruck. Daniel Butterini broke through the Tigers defence on the left side of the field and found Jaylan De Groot on the inside to score out wide. Impressively it was Jaylan De Groot who had thrown the pass to Butterini that had initially put the left centre outside of his direct opponent leading to the line break.
Jaylan De Groot was once again on hand after a Thomas Weaver break to beat the Greater Northern Tigers fullback to score his second try of the match.
In the final match before the Covid 19 shut down, being Round Five Jaylan De Groot also started at fullback against the North Coast Bulldogs, with the Northern Rivers Titans drawing the match to finish the abridged 2020 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition undefeated.
When community rugby league restarted in July 2020 Jaylan De Groot continued playing for the Cudgen Hornets in the NRRRL competition, starting the season in the NRRRL U18 competition before progressing and making his NRRRL First Grade debut going on to play multiple matches on the wing and at fullback.
Jaylan De Groot played multiple matches for the Cudgen Hornets NRRRL First Grade side in 2020 both at fullback and on the right wing becoming an elusive and consistent long range try scorer from both positions.
Noted below are some of Jaylan De Groot’s 2020 NRRRL First Grade tries for the Cudgen Hornets in no specific order:
Playing on the right wing against the Bilambil Jets, jaylan De Groot scored a fifty metre opportunist try. Facing an overlap, Jaylan De Groot came out of the line to put pressure on the Bilambil left centre who subsequently lost the ball as he tried to take the ball quickly and pass to his left to his unmarked winger. Jaylan De Groot scooped the ball up on the first bounce and was easily too fast for the cover defence to run away a dive over under the posts. The try highlighted perfectly Jaylan De Groot’s plus speed off the mark.
Jaylan De Groot scored a further try against Bilambil when he was also playing on the right wing. The ball was spun out to his wing, but by the time that he had received it, jaylan De Groot had no room to move down the wing. Jaylan De Groot cut back inside beating three Jets defenders with steps off both feet to eventually get the ball down five metres in from the right corner post.
Against Murwilumbah Jaylen De Groot, as he does exceptionally well was loitering directly behind the play the ball, when Cudgen made break through the centre of the ruck, Jaylan De Groot loomed up in support to take the offload at full speed before rounding the fullback and as has become his custom dived over to score under the posts.
Jaylan De Groot’s aerial skills were on display in a match against the Bilambil Jets when playing at fullback, Jaylen De Groot charged through and took an attacking chip kick on the full on the left side of the field midway between the goal posts and corner post and was able to get the ball down before the Jets defene could react.
Jaylan De Groot also produced one memorable try assist in the 2020 NRRRL First Grade competition. Against Murwillumbah from the fullback position Jaylan De Groot chimed into the backline on the right side of the field and once through the initial defensive line threw what can only be described as outstanding no look pass to his right which found his centre on the chest and from there they were able to sprint away down the right touch line to score in the right centre. Jaylan De Groot’s pass was quite simply exquisite and a pass few could have thrown even in the NRL when going at full speed like Jaylan De Groot was at the time.
In 2020 Jaylen De Groot also played in a number of NRRRL U18 matches for Cudgen including starting on the left wing in the Hornets NRRRL U18 Grand Final victory, with Jaylan De Groot scoring a double in the often spiteful match after starting the match on the left wing.
Jaylan De Groot actually scored the first try of the 2020 NRRRL U18 Grand Final when a long cut out pass from Thomas Weaver found the Cudgen left centre who got the ball onto Jaylan De Groot who crossed out wide and had the foresight to bring the ball around closer the the goal posts.
Jaylan De Groot’s second Grand Final try also came in the first half and was the third Cudgen Grand Final try. Jaylan De Groot was on the end of a long cut out pass from Thomas Weaver, receiving the ball about five metres out from the try line in acres of space and was able to bring the ball around an extra five metres from the left corner totally untouched before the Murwillumbah defence looked to cut him off from bringing the ball around any further.
Jaylan De Groot had also scored in the 2020 U18 NRRRL regular season on multiple occasions including scoring against the Bilambil Jets when he scored under the posts after backing up a long break by Cudgen front rower Parker Bryant who had drawn the fullback before offloading to his left to Jaylan De Groot.
In 2020 Jaylan De Groot was also a member of the highly successful PBC Open A Langer Cup school boy squad that won the Grand final against local rivals Keebra Park with Jaylan De Groot starting the Grand Final at fullback.
Jaylan De Groot had scored earlier in the Langer Cup qualifying rounds when he scored against Ipswich State High School. Starting the match at fullback Jaylan De Groot chimed into the PBC backline on the left side of the field receiving the ball from Thomas Weaver, Jaylan De Groot immediately burst through a gap between two Ipswich State High School defenders before beating the fullback with a left foot step and was able to bring the ball around to score under the posts as has become his trademark.
Hail Sezer
18-11-20, 04:14 PM
The 2020 season of 2021 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad member Jaylan De Groot:
Jaylan De Groot was named to start at fullback for the Northern Rivers Titans in Round One of the 2020 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition against the Parramatta Eels at Cudgen however the match was cancelled due to the wet conditions on the North Coast that weekend.
Jaylan De Groot started at fullback in Round Two against the Newcastle Knights and had a day out scoring four tries as the Northern Rivers Titans thrashed their southern based rivals.
Jaylon De Groot’s first of four tries came in the first half. Operating on the left side of the field, Jaylan De Groot received the ball “out the back” from Thomas Weaver, dummied to his left and after pulling the ball back into his body beat the Knights five eight on the outside when he was about ten metres out from the line. As he approached the try line, Jaylan De Groot got down low to force is way over, getting the ball down one handed (right hand) under pressure from two defenders.
In many respects there were similarities in Jaylan De Groot’s three other tries in the match. On all three occasions, Jaylan De Groot was loitering behind the play the ball when the Northern Rivers Titans were bringing the ball of their own territory. For his first try of the three being discussed, Jaylan De Groot backed up a break from Bayley Cox to get the off load thirty metres out from the line, running over the top of the Knights fullback to score on the left side of the field.
Jaylan De Groot backed up a break from Titan Oskar Bryant for his third try of the match running forty metres untouched to score under the posts, to make it three tries in the first half. Jaylan De Groot’s four try of the match in the second half was a fifty two metre under the posts effort as once again he loomed up in support of a Northern Rivers Titans half break through the centre of the ruck.
Jaylan De Groot also started at fullback in Round Three against the Central Coast Roosters and started in the custodian role as well in Round Four, scoring a double as the Titans drew with the Greater Northern Tigers.
Jaylan De Groot’s first try against the Greater Northern Tigers was once again as a result of Jaylan De Groot backing up through the centre of the ruck. Daniel Butterini broke through the Tigers defence on the left side of the field and found Jaylan De Groot on the inside to score out wide. Impressively it was Jaylan De Groot who had thrown the pass to Butterini that had initially put the left centre outside of his direct opponent leading to the line break.
Jaylan De Groot was once again on hand after a Thomas Weaver break to beat the Greater Northern Tigers fullback to score his second try of the match.
In the final match before the Covid 19 shut down, being Round Five Jaylan De Groot also started at fullback against the North Coast Bulldogs, with the Northern Rivers Titans drawing the match to finish the abridged 2020 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition undefeated.
When community rugby league restarted in July 2020 Jaylan De Groot continued playing for the Cudgen Hornets in the NRRRL competition, starting the season in the NRRRL U18 competition before progressing and making his NRRRL First Grade debut going on to play multiple matches on the wing and at fullback.
Jaylan De Groot played multiple matches for the Cudgen Hornets NRRRL First Grade side in 2020 both at fullback and on the right wing becoming an elusive and consistent long range try scorer from both positions.
Noted below are some of Jaylan De Groot’s 2020 NRRRL First Grade tries for the Cudgen Hornets in no specific order:
Playing on the right wing against the Bilambil Jets, jaylan De Groot scored a fifty metre opportunist try. Facing an overlap, Jaylan De Groot came out of the line to put pressure on the Bilambil left centre who subsequently lost the ball as he tried to take the ball quickly and pass to his left to his unmarked winger. Jaylan De Groot scooped the ball up on the first bounce and was easily too fast for the cover defence to run away a dive over under the posts. The try highlighted perfectly Jaylan De Groot’s plus speed off the mark.
Jaylan De Groot scored a further try against Bilambil when he was also playing on the right wing. The ball was spun out to his wing, but by the time that he had received it, jaylan De Groot had no room to move down the wing. Jaylan De Groot cut back inside beating three Jets defenders with steps off both feet to eventually get the ball down five metres in from the right corner post.
Against Murwilumbah Jaylen De Groot, as he does exceptionally well was loitering directly behind the play the ball, when Cudgen made break through the centre of the ruck, Jaylan De Groot loomed up in support to take the offload at full speed before rounding the fullback and as has become his custom dived over to score under the posts.
Jaylan De Groot’s aerial skills were on display in a match against the Bilambil Jets when playing at fullback, Jaylen De Groot charged through and took an attacking chip kick on the full on the left side of the field midway between the goal posts and corner post and was able to get the ball down before the Jets defene could react.
Jaylan De Groot also produced one memorable try assist in the 2020 NRRRL First Grade competition. Against Murwillumbah from the fullback position Jaylan De Groot chimed into the backline on the right side of the field and once through the initial defensive line threw what can only be described as outstanding no look pass to his right which found his centre on the chest and from there they were able to sprint away down the right touch line to score in the right centre. Jaylan De Groot’s pass was quite simply exquisite and a pass few could have thrown even in the NRL when going at full speed like Jaylan De Groot was at the time.
In 2020 Jaylen De Groot also played in a number of NRRRL U18 matches for Cudgen including starting on the left wing in the Hornets NRRRL U18 Grand Final victory, with Jaylan De Groot scoring a double in the often spiteful match after starting the match on the left wing.
Jaylan De Groot actually scored the first try of the 2020 NRRRL U18 Grand Final when a long cut out pass from Thomas Weaver found the Cudgen left centre who got the ball onto Jaylan De Groot who crossed out wide and had the foresight to bring the ball around closer the the goal posts.
Jaylan De Groot’s second Grand Final try also came in the first half and was the third Cudgen Grand Final try. Jaylan De Groot was on the end of a long cut out pass from Thomas Weaver, receiving the ball about five metres out from the try line in acres of space and was able to bring the ball around an extra five metres from the left corner totally untouched before the Murwillumbah defence looked to cut him off from bringing the ball around any further.
Jaylan De Groot had also scored in the 2020 U18 NRRRL regular season on multiple occasions including scoring against the Bilambil Jets when he scored under the posts after backing up a long break by Cudgen front rower Parker Bryant who had drawn the fullback before offloading to his left to Jaylan De Groot.
In 2020 Jaylan De Groot was also a member of the highly successful PBC Open A Langer Cup school boy squad that won the Grand final against local rivals Keebra Park with Jaylan De Groot starting the Grand Final at fullback.
Jaylan De Groot had scored earlier in the Langer Cup qualifying rounds when he scored against Ipswich State High School. Starting the match at fullback Jaylan De Groot chimed into the PBC backline on the left side of the field receiving the ball from Thomas Weaver, Jaylan De Groot immediately burst through a gap between two Ipswich State High School defenders before beating the fullback with a left foot step and was able to bring the ball around to score under the posts as has become his trademark.
Degroot and Weaver have some pretty slick chemistry. Excited to see them linking up again in MM this year.
Mdrew, who's your pick for the halves and fullback positions for Tweed MM Cup? Seems very stacked with Weaver, Harradyn Wilson, Keano Kini & Jaylan DeGroot.
Heck mate, it is a tough one, I think Jaylan De Groot at fullback, Tom Weaver at half, Keano Kini at five eight and Connor Te Kani in the centres.
Tough but I think that Harradyn Wilson misses out if everyone is fully fit.
Degroot and Weaver have some pretty slick chemistry. Excited to see them linking up again in MM this year.
Mdrew, who's your pick for the halves and fullback positions for Tweed MM Cup? Seems very stacked with Weaver, Harradyn Wilson, Keano Kini & Jaylan DeGroot.
Great to see Ben Liyou resign with the Titans for the next two seasons.
The 2020 State of Origin Series of Titans 2021 NRL recruit Tino Fa’asuamaleaui:
In Game One of the 2020 State of Origin Series, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui started at lock in Queensland’s victory, playing fifity minutes in two stints on the field. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui ran for 128 metres (fifty eight post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 2.97 seconds and made twenty six tackles at a tackling efficiency of 92.86%.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui was also named to start at lock in Round Two of the 2020 State of Origin series and even taking into account a ten minutes stint in the sin bin, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui played forty four minutes, ran for 112 metres (fifty nine post contact), broke two tackles and made twenty six tackles of his own at a tackling efficiency of 92.86%.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui once again started at lock as Queensland sealed the 2020 State of Origin series 20 – 14. In the pivotal Game Three, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui played fifty six minutes in two stints running for 140 metres, a team leading seventy six of which were post contact, broke a tackle and made thirty four tackles at a tackling efficiency of 94.44%.
In total in the 2020 State of Origin series, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui played 150 minutes, ran for 380 metres, 193 of which were post contact, broke five tackles and made eight six tackles at a tackling efficiency of 93.48%.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui’s 2020 State of Origin per game averages included, playing fifity minutes, running for 126.67 metres and making 28.7 tackles. Per eighty minutes in the 2020 State of Origin Series Tino Fa’asuamaleaui ran for 237.5 metres and made 53.81 tackles.
Tweed Heads Seagulls U14 junior rugby league player Harry Chadburn who won the 2020 Elwyen Walters Award has been named in the Titans Elite Group 18 Development Academy.
Great to see Isaac Harrison who was one of the Tweed Heads Seagulls Group 18 U14 side's best in their 30 - 4 Grand Final victory over Tugun in the Titans Elite Development Academy.
A few other of the successful 2020 Tweed Heads Seagulls U14 Group 18 are part of the Titans Elite Development Academy including Riley Buchanan, Bobby Smith, Tyler Harper and Zane Harrison.
These young men and the two above mentioned were part of the side that defeated Tugun 30-4 in the Grand Final.
Keebra Park's Klese Haas is now a Titan. At 189cm and 100kg he can play both second row and centre.
Tino's younger brother Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui is also now a part of the Titans JTS program, like Tino Iszac is a big strong young forward.
indoallstars
23-11-20, 03:07 PM
MDrew don't know if you've seen the broncos forum but you have some admirers calling you the best juniors writer in league, see below:
If this thread attracts @mdrew and we can get him to open up about Broncos contracted juniors, it maybe the best thread in BHQ.
Easily one of my favourite Rugby League writers bar none.
https://broncoshq.com/threads/gold-coast-titans-discussion.42078/page-3
- - - Updated - - -
You've been mentioned a couple times on there, even though I hate the broncos, it is good they are even showing some recognition for all your work....keep it up!
Hail Sezer
23-11-20, 03:12 PM
MDrew don't know if you've seen the broncos forum but you have some admirers calling you the best juniors writer in league, see below:
If this thread attracts @mdrew and we can get him to open up about Broncos contracted juniors, it maybe the best thread in BHQ.
Easily one of my favourite Rugby League writers bar none.
https://broncoshq.com/threads/gold-coast-titans-discussion.42078/page-3
- - - Updated - - -
You've been mentioned a couple times on there, even though I hate the broncos, it is good they are even showing some recognition for all your work....keep it up!
This is so good, and so well deserved. If there was an MVP award on this forum you'd be getting it every year mdrew.
Wow thanks mate, had not seen it, much appreciated
Mr Bods
23-11-20, 03:21 PM
Hands off Drongoes!
lonegull
23-11-20, 03:24 PM
Well done Mdrew and echo everyones thoughts, MVP for sure
Bayside Titan
23-11-20, 03:28 PM
Well done mdrew.
What the Titans are getting in Sam McIntyre:
The Auckland New Zealand born youngster has signed a multi-year deal with the Titans after an outstanding 2020 representative season in New Zealand after starting the 2020 season as part of the Newcastle Knights U18 SG Ball side.
In early November 2020 Sam McIntyre captained the New Zealand Club U18 side that took on a New Zealand Schools U18 side at Mt Smart Stadium, scoring twice in the first half as his U18 Club side prevailed 34 - 22 in a high quality encounter. When the sides were announced Sam McIntyre was in fact named at hooker for the U18 Club side but in the end started the match in the left second row position.
Sam McIntyre’s first try which was also the first try of the match, resulted from his quick footwork. Sam McIntyre received the ball on he left side of the field around five metres out from the line with the defence rushing up, Sam McIntyre stepped off his left foot to beat the first defender before a second step opended up a gap to the try line around three metres out, Sam McIntyre got down low and burrowed his way over ten metres fro mteh left upright.
Sam McIntyre’s second try was also scored in the first half. Sam McIntyre’s Club side had a play the ball less than a metre out from the School’s line. It looked like Sam McIntyre was going to take a hitup to the right af the play the ball but at the last second the dummy half put in a short kick into the in goal. Sam McIntyre kept running into the in goal and he found himself near the ball. In a sign of his maturity, Sam McIntyre took his time to make sure that he grounded the ball properly after he had immediately absorbed the fact that he had time on his side.
Also in early November 2020 Sam McIntyre captained the Auckland U18 side that took on their South Island rivals, once again starting that representative match at left second row.
As noted above Sam McIntyre started the 2020 season has part of the Newcastle Knights U18 SG Ball squad playing in their five matches before the competition was suspended due to the Civid 19 pandemic. Sam McIntyre started all five of his matches for the Knights from the bench, although I note that in Round One against Manly Sam McIntyre had initially been named to start in the front row but actually started the match from the bench.
Sam McIntyre’s other 2020 U18 SG Ball matches were against the Western Australian Pirates (Round Three), the Bulldogs (Round Four), St George (Round Five) and the Central Coast Roosters in Round Six. For completeness Newcastle had a bye in Round Two.
In 2020 Sam McIntyre also played for the Northcote Tigers in the Auckland Rugby League competition after returning from Australia when the Covid 19 pandemic hit.
In 2019 Sam McIntyre was part of the Birkenheads College school boy side that defeated Southern Cross Campus 26 – 4 in the grand Final of the Senior A SAS College Rugby League School Boy Championships.
In 2018 Sam McIntyre was a member of the Akarana Falcons U17 representative side that took part of the New Zealand U17 Youth Tournament with Sam McIntyre starting the Tournament final at lock as his Akarana Falcons side defeated Counties Manukau 30 – 26 in the Final.
The Titans have made big inroads into Marsden State High School in recent times and another Marsden student in the Titans Academy program is Beaudesert Kingfishers half Levi Bannon.
The youngster had a huge match for Marsden SHS in the Broncos Old Boys Trophy Final against Keebra Park scoring and being named Player of the Match in a 26 - 6 victory.
What the Titans are getting in Vaka Sikahele:
The dynamic young hooker has signed with the Titans JTS program and heads over to Australia to be part of the Burleigh Bears 2021 Hastings Deering’s Colts squad after an outstanding career in New Zealand including representative honours as well as an outstanding school boy career with St Pauls College.
Vaka Sikahele started off the 2020 season as part of the New Zealand Warriors U18 SG Ball squad, playing four matches all off the bench before the season was terminated due to the Covid 19 pandemic.
Vaka Sikahele started from the bench in Round One against the Victorian Thinderbolts, playing thirty two minutes. In that time Vaka Sikahele ran for seventy two metres (twelve post contact), made a line break, broke four tackles and made fourteen tackles at a tackling efficiency of 93.33%.
Vaka Sikahele also started from the bench in Round Two against the Canberra Raiders and was on the field for thirty three minutes, running for thirty metres (thirteen post contact), broke a tackle and made eleven tackles at a tackling efficiency of 84.62%.
After missing a number of rounds, Vaka Sikahele was back on the bench in Round Five against the Parramatta Eels but was on the field for just nine minutes, running for sixteen metres (three post contact) and had a 100% tackling efficiency whilst making four tackles.
In Round Six being the final round prior to the competition shut down, Vaka Sikahele started from the bench against the Illawarra Steelers, palying a total of twenty three minutes. IN his twenty three minutes on the field, Vaka Sikahele ran for twelve metres (six post contact), broke a tackle and made sixteen tackles of his own at a 100% tackling efficiency.
In total in the 2020 SG Ball competition for the Warriors, Vaka Sikahele played a total of ninety seven minutes, made a line break, broke six tackles, ran for 130 metres (thirty four post contact) and made forty five tackles at a tackling efficiency of 93.75%.
In late 2020 Vaka Sikahele started at hooker for the Auckland U18 side against their Southern Zone counterparts and after that match was named as the 2020 New Zealand Schools U18 captain however ended up starting the match against the New Zealand U18 side from the bench.
Also late in 2020 Vaka Sikahele played for the New Zealand Warriors U18 side that played a New Zealand Rugby League Development U18 side, with Vaka Sikahele scoring early in the fourth corner under the posts as the Warriors U18 side defeated their New Zealand Rugby League counter parts 42 – 16.
To round out a busy 2020, Vaka Sikahele played school boy rugby league for the St Paul’s College First XIII in the SAS College school boy competition for the second year in a row.
In 2019 in the school boy rugby league SAS College competition, Vaka Sikahele was part of the Grand Final winning St Paul’s College side scoring in the Grand Final and was in fact named Player of the Match in St Pauls victory.
Vaka Sikhele was named at hooker in the 2019 SAS College Premier First XIII Team of the Year.
In 2019 Vaka Sikhele represented the Auckland School Boys representative side against a New Zealand Warriors U18 selection, scoring a bustling thirty metre try bumping off a number of defenders on the way to the line with the Auckalnd School Boys winning the match 18 – 10.
2019 also saw Vaka Sikhele represented the New Zealand U18 side, starting at hooker and scoring as New Zealand defeated Tao Samoa U18’s 30 – 18.
Late in the 2019 season Vaka Sikhele was named the 2019 New Zealand Warriors Academy Excellence Award winner.
Vaka Sikhele played his club rugby league in 2019 for the Manurewa rugby league club in the U17/18 Open Auckland rugby league competition, playing in eleven matches, scoring sixty eight points from fifteen tries (136% strike rate) and four conversions.
Titans_alan
24-11-20, 07:01 AM
I agree with that. Great work MDrew. I love how the Broncos forum has a thread called "Gold Coast Titans Discussion" Who's looking over their shoulder?
The Broncos have a great range of juniors. They got the pick of the litter while the Titans were run by the NRL. The tide is changing with the junior program that has been put together. Coupled with the on field success of the main squad, I'll predict that from next year the best local junior will stay on the coast.
Mr Bods
24-11-20, 08:16 AM
So we really have signed Two Sam McIntyre’s
Hail Sezer
24-11-20, 08:34 AM
I agree with that. Great work MDrew. I love how the Broncos forum has a thread called "Gold Coast Titans Discussion" Who's looking over their shoulder?
The Broncos have a great range of juniors. They got the pick of the litter while the Titans were run by the NRL. The tide is changing with the junior program that has been put together. Coupled with the on field success of the main squad, I'll predict that from next year the best local junior will stay on the coast.
That last point is so true. It's going to be 2-3 years before we see the majority of the top tier junior talent emerge around the top squad but it's definitely going to happen. Our 18s and 16s are an exceptionally talented group.
Yes mate, definately two, HS was spot on last week
So we really have signed Two Sam McIntyre’s
Half Tyler Harper is one of six 2020 Tweed Heads Seagulls Group 18 U14 players who are currently training as part of the Titans Elite Academy Program.
In 2020 Tyler Harper played half back for the Tweed Heads Seagulls U14 side in the Group 18 junior rugby league competition with the Seagulls going through the ten regular season rounds undefeated, scoring 316 points and conceding just 64 to finish the regular season with +252 points differential from their ten matches to record an average winning margin of just above twenty five points.
As a result of their outstanding season the Tweed Heads Seagulls U14 side qualified for the Grand Final against the Tugun Seahawks. Tweed Heads prevailed in the 2020 decider 30 – 4 with Tyler Harper starting the Grand Final at half back.
In the 2020 Group 18 U14 Grand Final Tyler Harper operated primarily on the right side of the field and had a try assist in the Grand Final as well as converting the Seagulls third try from close to the right upright in the first half. Tyler Harper’s try assist came in the second half when he took the ball to the line before putting in a short stab kick which he weighted correctly for his right winger to dive on the ball in the in goal.
Tyler Harper was also heavily involved in another Tweed Heads try in the second half when a long cut out pass to his right put his right centre into space who was then able to set up his support runner to score.
Tyler Harper also attends PBC as part of their Elite Rugby League Program and in 2020 started at half back for the PBC Renouf Cup School Boy Grand Final side that went down in heart breaking fashion 10 – 8 to Marsden State High School.
In the 2020 Renouf Cup Grand Final, Tyler Harper had a big game kicking two from two and also recording a try assist for PBC’s sole try of the match. In the second half with Marsden leading 6 – 0, Tyler Harper who was operating on the left, put in a deft grubber kick in to his left with the kick sitting up perfectly for PBC left centre and fellow Titans linked Tyler Small to fly through to take the ball and score next to the posts.
Tyler Harper converted the try that he set up for Tyler Small and then kicked a late second half penalty goal to put PBC in front 8 – 6 before the heart break of seeing Marsden score in the last seconds of the match to snatch victory.
Post the completion of the Renouf Cup school boy competition Tyler Harper was awarded a Future Reds Award at the 2020 PBC Sports Awards night.
Tyler Harper also played touch in 2020 making the U14 Boys Queensland Fury side for the Queensland Oztag Super Series after representing the Tweed Coast Giants.
Great to see the Northern Rivers Titans hard at work for their 2021 season including yesterday at Casuarina and Ballina last weekend.
More than a few boys who are linked to the Titans and that are destined to have very good careers in rugby league.
Great news today that Coombabah State High School have automatically qualified for the 2021 Langer Cup school boy competition.
There are more than a few Titans contracted boys in the Coombabah Open side such as Joseph Shannon, Kobie Mackay-Taylor and Caleb Gould-Waiariki amongst others.
Competitive half back Levi Bannon who plays for the Beaudesert Kingfishers in the Gold Coast Rugby League competition and attends Marsden State High School is yet another talented junior in the Titans Elite Academy Program.
Playing for Marsden State High School in 2020, Levi Bannon was outstanding in the Broncos Old Boys competition, producing a Player of the Match performance in the Grand Final at Langlands Park as Marsden defeated Coast Coast based Keebra Park State High School 26 – 6.
In addition to being named Player of the Match, Levi Bannon scored the try of the Grand Final with a scintillating seventy metre solo effort towards the end of the first half. Operating on the left side of the field, Levi Bannon received the ball and ran at the line with the ball out in front of his body in two hands. As he approached the line Levi Bannon threw a subtle (very subtle) dummy to his left and literally sliced through the Keebra Park line and was simply too quick for the Keebra Park fullback as Levi Bannon outpaced him to score a supurb try.
Even though the Keebra Park had the correct angle to come across in cover defence, Levi Bannon’s speed was simply too much and he was able to maintain distance between himself and the fullback to dive over fifteen metres in from the left corner post.
Levi Bannon was at it again early in the second half of the Grand Final when he split the Keebra Park defensive line through sheer speed and footwork. Levi Bannon took the ball off the dummy half to the right of the play the ball on about the half way mark, taking the ball right into the heart of the Keebra Park before producing an outstanding left foot step at full speed to go right through the centre of the Keebra Park ruck. After running thirty metres Levi Bannon stepped off his left foot once again and almost beat the Keebra Park fullback as well but was just brought down as the fullback held on precariously to one of Levi Bannon’s legs.
A number of players with links to the Titans have been named in the 2021 Tweed Coast Giants OzTag sides.
In the boys U4/15 side, Tyler Harper and Riley Buchanan has been named and in the boys U16/17 side Harvey Moase, Ethan Hickey and Kai Smallwood as in the side.
What the Titans are getting with TJ Devery:
The New Zealand born second rower has signed with the Titans and will play the 2021 season on the Gold Coast after being part of the 2020 New Zealand Warriors U18 SG Ball side prior to the competitions early demise as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic.
After missing Round One of the 2020 U18 SG Ball competition, TJ Devery started Round Two from the bench for the Warriors against the Canberra Raiders. When he came on Tj Devery played forty one minutes, running for thirty two metres (ten post contact) and made sixteen tackles at a tackling efficiency of 88.89%.
TJ Devery also started on the bench in Round Three against North Sydney, for the second week in a row playing forty one minutes. In that time TJ Devery ran for twenty four metres (seven post contact) and made twenty two tackles at a tackling efficiency of 95.65%.
Round Four against the Cronulla Sharks saw TJ Devery come off the bench for his third match in a row, playing forty four minutes when he came on as well as scoring his first U18 SG Ball try. TJ Devery played forty four minutes, ran for sixty one metres (fifteen post contact), made a line break, broke two tackles and made nineteen tackles at atackling efficiency of 95%.
TJ Devery scored for the second match in a row in Round Five against the Parramatta Eels when he started from the bench once again playing twenty seven minutes. In that time, TJ Devery ran for fifty four minutes (ten post contact), broke a tackle and made ten tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.
TJ Devery made his first start in Round Six against the Illawarra Steelers which was ultimately the final round of the 2020 SG Ball competition before the Covid 19 pandemic close down. In his first start, TJ Devery played the entire seventy minutes of the match in the second row, running for forty metres (fifteen post contact) and made twenty seven tackles at a tackling efficiency of 90%.
In total in the 2020 SG Ball competition for the New Zealand Warriors, TJ Devery played in five matches, finishing with a 40% strike rate. Tj Devery was on the field for 221 out of a possible 350 minutes (63.14%), had a line break, broke three tackles, ran for 211 metres, fifty seven of which were post contact and made ninety four tackles at a tackling efficiency of 93.07%.
TJ Devery’s 2020 SG Ball per game averages incuded playing 44.2 minutes, running for 42.2 metres and making 18.8 tackles. Per seventy minutes (the length of an SG Ball match) in 2020 Tj Devery ran for 66.38 metres and made 29.57 tackles.
Late in 2020 TJ Devery was named to start from the bench for the New Zealand Club U18 side when they took on a New Zealand Schools U18 side however ultimately TJ Devery started at right second row for the New Zealand Club side as they defeated Schools 34 - 22 with Tj Devery taking the final kick to attempt to the conversion for the Club sides final try. Unfortunately for TJ Devery the kick from out wide to the left went wide.
Also late in 2020 TJ Devery started in the second row for the Auckland U18 side that took on their South Island U18 rivals.
In 2019 TJ Devery was part of the New Zealand Rugby League U18 Talent Development Program and at their 2019 camp started in the second row for Team Lauititi in the trial match on the last day of the camp.
In 2019 TJ Devery was part of the Akarana Falcons U17 representative side for the U17 National Youth Tournament, playing in four matches for the Falcons with those matches coming against the Wai-Coa Bay Colts, the Central Vipers, Auckland Vulcans and the Counties Manukau Stingrays.
At the conclusion of the 2019 U17 National Youth Championships, TJ Devery was named in the U17 Tournament Merit Team.
TJ Devery also represented the Akarana Falcons at the 2018 U17 National Youth Tournament and as a 16 year old made the U17 Tournament Merit Team. TJ Devery also started in the second row for the Falcons in their Tournament Final victory over the Auckland Vulcans.
Prior to the final Tj Devery also played in matches against the Northern Swords where he scored a try and kicked a conversions, the Central Vipers, the Auckland Vulcans where he scored once again and the Counties Manukau Stingrays.
In 2018 TJ Devery played for the Te Atatu Roosters in the Auckland Rugby League U16 competition and was in fact named Player of the Season. In 2018 the Rutherford College student represented the New Zealand Residents U16 side, starting in the second row against Toa Samoa U16’s.
TJ Devery made his representative debut in 2017 at the U15 National Youth Tournament when he was selected in the Akarana Falcons side for the Tournament and as he was in 2018 and 2019 TJ Devery was named in the Tournament Merit side, in 2017 in the U15 age group.
TJ Devery started the 2017 U15 National Youth Tournament Final in the second row and kicked a key penalty goal as the Falcons defeated the Auckland Vulcans 10 – 8.
The 2020 Senior State Cup in touch started today and in the Gold Coast Senior State Cup Mixed Open side 2020 Burleigh Colts and Ormeau Shearers U20 player Izaya Leota is one of the key players.
I am a big fan of young players playing mulit sports thus it is great to see Jayden Campbell playing in the Gold Coast Senior State Cup Mixed U20 side in the 2020 Senior State Cup Touch Championships that started yesterday.
Burleigh youngster Noah Gafa is on the move and in 2021 will play for the Mullumbimby Giants in the NRRRL First Grade competition.
Mullumbimby are putting together a few good signings for the 2021 season with fellow former Burleigh youngster Tom Neale also heading to the Giants for the 2021 NRRRL First Grade season.
What the Titans are getting with Xavier Stowers:
The powerful school boy rugby No.8 from the Ipswich Grammar School GPS Rugby First XV and the Ipswich Jets MM Cup side is a recent Titans signing coup and has the potential to fly through the junior rugby league ranks to the NRL in a short space of time.
Xavier Stowers started Round One of the 2020 MM Cup competition in the front row for the Ipswich Jets against the Townsville Blackhawks. Unfortunately that Round One match was the only MM Cup match of the 2020 season due to the Covid 19 pandemic.
Xavier Stowers started the 2020 GPS school boy rugby season in the Ipswich Grammar School’s First XV after making his First XV debut as a 16 year old in 2019.
Round One of the 2020 GPS school boy rugby First XV competition saw Xavier Stowers line up at No. 8 against Toowoomba Grammar and Xavier Stowers continued his run of starts at No. 8 in Round Two against Nudgee College. Xavier Stowers also started at No. 8 in Ipswich Grammar School’s remaining 2020 First XV fixtures, which were against Brisbane Boys College (Round Three), Churchie (Round Four), Brisbane State High School (Round Five), The Shouthport School (Round Six) and Gregory Terrace in Round Seven.
Whilst Xavier Stowers did not score in 2002 he was heavily involved in two tries over the course of the abridged 2020 GPS First XV season. In Round Four against Churchie, Xavier Stowers picked the ball up from the back of a scrum three metres out from the Churchie line and ran to his left, throwing a great one armed (right arm) off-load to his half who was brought down centremetres short but Ipswich scored from the subsequent ruck.
Xavier Stowers was heavily involved later in the season in Round Six against the Southport School, when once again he picked the ball up from an Ipswich Grammar School scrum win five metres out from the TSS line. Xavier Stowers ran to his right, putting his No. 10 into a gap and he was able to twist over next to the left upright.
In the 2020 Courier Mail South East Queensland school boy rugby/rugby Top 30 players of 2020 Xavier Stowers was named at Number 21 where the Courier Mail writers noted his exceptional combination of size, strength, speed and power at such a young age. Xavier Stowers made the same list in 2019.
Xavier Stowers made his GPS school boy rugby First XV debut for Ipswich Grammar School in Round One of the 2019 GPS school boy rugby First XV competition against Brisbane State High school when he started at No. 8. Xavier Stowers went on to start at No. 8 in all of Ipswich Grammar Schools seven other First XV matches, being against Brisbane Grammar School (Round Two), Toowoomba Grammar School (Round Three), Nudgee (Round Four), Brisbane Boys College (Round Five), Anglican Church Grammar School (Round Six), the Southport School (Round Eight) and Gregory Terrace in Round Nine.
Xavier Stowers first GPS school boy First XV rugby try came in Round Eight on the Gold Coast against TSS when Xavier Stowers charged at the line from close range a pass off a ruck that had formed two metres out from the TSS line. Xavier Stowers received the ball to the right of the ruck and under heavy pressure from multiple TSS defenders was able to keep his feet under him and put the ball down right on the goal line midway between the left corner post and goal post.
In 2019 in addition to playing for Ipswich Grammar School, Xavier Stowers represented the Queensland Maroon U16 side at the National U16 Rugby Championships, starting for the Maroon side at No. 8.
Xavier Stowers already has some rugby league experience, representing his heritage when he represented the Cook Islands U14 side at the 2017 QPIIC Tournament including scoring in an 18 – 4 Cook Island victory over Papua New Guinea.
Titans_alan
29-11-20, 04:00 PM
Mdrew, what are your thoughts on juniors which don't come through the league or GPS school system. Do they get noticed? Do they have a chance considering the media coverage of both of those competitions? Is it a disadvantage for kids not to be in those systems? do they fall behind the other kids?
Hi mate, that is an interesting question. I agree that the coverage of the school boy Langer/GIO Cup rugby league and GPS rugby competitions is getting bigger each year and the quality is getting better and better as well.
A lot of the boys are playing in the competitions came to the schools at a young age so they are identified early. Back to your question however, obviously the likes of Jojo Fifita and the Keebra Park and PBC boys get a lot of publicity but in my opinion other areas are certainly scouted.
In know that they now at PBC but the likes of Thomas Weaver, Jack Cullen, Oskar Bryant, Reef Somerville etc were identified playing for Benora Point High School and the Cudgen Hornets when they were 13 or 14, similiarly Rowan Mansfield was identified as a 13 year old in Ballina.
One of the best junior prospects at the moment Larry Siala is playing in the AIC shool boy competition in Ipswich and Josiah Pahulu played for the Springfield Panthers.
I guess my ultimate point is that these days if they are good enough you will be spotted, the likes in Bryon Nimo from Country Queensland is another example.
Titans stand out Sam Shannon is another who came through the Southport Tigers is another example.
Don't get wrong playing at PBC/Keebra Park or TSS does not hurt a players chances of standing out, but some clubs, with the Titans and Penrith being the two stand outs look at the young player first before the colour of their school jersey.
It is a fascinating discussion point and I could discuss for hours.
I made an earlier point about the young players coming to these schools but there are also young boys who are locals and come through the school from a very young age who deservidly get noticed, the perfect example being PBC's Bailey Martin.
Some NRL clubs just stick to big schools/area's but certainly not the TItans.
Mdrew, what are your thoughts on juniors which don't come through the league or GPS school system. Do they get noticed? Do they have a chance considering the media coverage of both of those competitions? Is it a disadvantage for kids not to be in those systems? do they fall behind the other kids?
Great to see 2020 PBC Langer Cup winger Troy Duckett continue his association with the Titans.
The young winger has an intriguing combination of size and speed and his development in 2021 will be well worth keeping an eye on.
The Titans association with PBC continues to reap rewards with young hooker Tanu Nona another young man who will continue his progression as a rugby league with both PBC and the Titans.
The 2021 Burleigh MM side are already getting into stride for the coming season with a big beach session at Currumbin on the weekend.
I am really looking forward to see the development of one of my favourite Titans junior players to watch in 2021 as EJ Finau continues his progression as part of the Titans junior program.
EJ Finau will also be a key member of the Marsden SHS Langer and GIO Cup school boy sides in 2021 as well as continuing to play with Logan Brothers.
The 2021 Brisbane State High School GPS school boy rugby First XV backline will have some real speed in it with Titan Antioch Faitala-Mariner returning for what will be his second season in the First XV side.
Antioch Faitala-Mariner has also been named in the 2021 Easts Tigers MM Cup squad.
Great to see Titans contracted Josiah Pahulu named in the front row in the 2020 Ipswich State High School Rugby League Team of the Year.
Titans contracted Immanuel Kalekale has already arrived in Australia from NZ and has signed a two year contract with the Titans and will play the 2021 season with the Ipswich Jets MM Cup side and is also U18 eligible in 2022.
After a huge 2020 Langer Cup campaign for Keebra Park it is good to see try scoring winger Levi Jones named in the 2021 Burleigh Bears MM Cup squad.
Even with the Covid 19 pandemic Carson Patu played a lot of football, both with Southport in the GCRL rugby league competition and in the front row for TSS in the GPS First XV school boy rugby comptition.
As a result of his outstanding play for TSS, C****n Patu was named as the 20th best SEQ school boy rugby/rugby league player by the Courier Mail writers.
In 2021 C****n Patu will start the season as part of the Burleigh MM Cup squad.
I am really looking forward to seeing how former Cairns junior second rower Delahia Wigmore goes for Burleigh in the 2021 MM Cup competition.
The young man has the size, speed and power to be a very interesting prospect in coming seasons.
- - - Updated - - -
Young fullback/winger Kyen Murphy may not have the name recognition of some of his 2021 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup team mates, but his selection in the exceptionally talented side is certainly deserved, and he would not be out of place in the game day 17.
Great to see Mudgeeraba Redback Sam Sowery's solid form over the last couple of seasons rewarded with his selection in the 2021 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad.
Powerful front rower Jotham Russell had a big 2020 season including leading from the front for PBC in their Langer Cup school boy Final victory over Keebra Park and the young man also started in the front row for Currumbin in their 2020 GCRL U18 Division One Grand Final victory against Burleigh.
Jotham Russell's star continues to rise with his selection in the 2021 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad.
Currumbin Eagles 2020 U18 Division One Grand Final winning five eight Hunter Ploegsma has been named in the 2021 Burleigh Bears MM Cup side.
Solidly built Coombabah State High School front rower Jared Johnson is one of a number of talented young forwards who will be pushing for a spot in the 2021 Burleigh Bears MM Cup squad.
Keebra Park SHS 2020 Titans Cup and Southport Tigers five eight Jaxen Yow will line up for the Burleigh Bears MM Cup squad in 2021.
Mr Bods
05-12-20, 01:21 PM
Solidly built Coombabah State High School front rower Jared Johnson is one of a number of talented young forwards who will be pushing for a spot in the 2021 Burleigh Bears MM Cup squad.
It must be a bit of a pain for kids from that Northern End to train and play for Burleigh.
There’s probably an opportunity there for the Coast to have a 3rd QCup team.
Are there any Junior Clubs on the Northern End of the GC that could potentially have the Infrastructure and $$$$ to bankroll a QCup team??
I’d be interested in all Forum Members Views.
A third GC club would make sense, I'd be interested in the likeliest candidates too.
https://i.imgur.com/cjbjfi9.png
Mr Bods
05-12-20, 02:42 PM
Yeah Kioli, you straight up look at your map and the two teams being Burleigh and Tweed is so lopsided Southern.
Huge opportunity for a 3rd club on the North side.
It must be a bit of a pain for kids from that Northern End to train and play for Burleigh.
There’s probably an opportunity there for the Coast to have a 3rd QCup team.
Are there any Junior Clubs on the Northern End of the GC that could potentially have the Infrastructure and $$$$ to bankroll a QCup team??
I’d be interested in all Forum Members Views.
Junior Clubs, no way. Senior Clubs, possibly Runaway Bay but even that would be a stretch I’d think. The the other issue is how would that fit in to the QRL expansion plans. I guess there is a bit of a void between Souths Logan and Burleigh, but I’d think they would be looking more to regional areas for expansion.
And it’s not as bad as you think. There will be a group of kids from Coombabah, and Keebra etc, who will just jump on a bus together or the train (or both) etc straight from school. Or they will carpool. Kids that want it will find a way!
And it goes both ways, kids from the southern areas (for the MM programs anyway) will have to travel to Parkwood once a week for training at the Titans.
The thing that concerned me more was the sheer amount of gear that kids would have to take to school. My boy would have to take 3 changes of clothes (School Day Uniform, School Footy Uniform, Club Footy Uniform) 3 pairs of shoes ( Gym/running shoes, Footy Boots and school shoes) plus any extra changes depending on subjects (swimming etc) plus all their books.
I am with ja4220 a bit here, the strength of the Burleigh and Tweed Heads set ups are outstanding and the boys travel with in the main not a huge amount of issue.
I personally would really like to see a side in the Coomera/Ormeau region potentially join the MM Cup and Hastings Deering's Colts competition which in the short term at least potentially more viable.
When you look at the quality of both the Tweed Heads and Burleigh MM Cup and Colts sides, there is more than enough junior players in those age groups to form a third side on the Coast.
Seriously the Tweed Heads MM side is staggering good, the Burleigh MM side is good as well and both Colts squads are incredibly strong as well.
Junior Clubs, no way. Senior Clubs, possibly Runaway Bay but even that would be a stretch I’d think. The the other issue is how would that fit in to the QRL expansion plans. I guess there is a bit of a void between Souths Logan and Burleigh, but I’d think they would be looking more to regional areas for expansion.
And it’s not as bad as you think. There will be a group of kids from Coombabah, and Keebra etc, who will just jump on a bus together or the train (or both) etc straight from school. Or they will carpool. Kids that want it will find a way!
And it goes both ways, kids from the southern areas (for the MM programs anyway) will have to travel to Parkwood once a week for training at the Titans.
The thing that concerned me more was the sheer amount of gear that kids would have to take to school. My boy would have to take 3 changes of clothes (School Day Uniform, School Footy Uniform, Club Footy Uniform) 3 pairs of shoes ( Gym/running shoes, Footy Boots and school shoes) plus any extra changes depending on subjects (swimming etc) plus all their books.
talented play makers who will take the ball right to the line before running, passing or kicking are difficult to find but the Titans have a good one in their JTS program with Tweed Heads Seagulls junior and PBC student Tyler Harper.
He is not the biggest player but Tyler Harper is tough and smart and is certainly one player to keep an eye on in coming years.
Keebra Park feel just short of success in the Langer Cup this season but with returning players such as Titans contracted second rower Seth Nikotemo, Keebra Park are primed to continue their outstanding rivalry with PBC.
Seth Nikotemo at just 16 years old made his Keebra Park school boy Open A debut over the course of this season and has one of the higher ceilings in the entire Titans outstanding JTS program.
Seth Nikotemo also has exceptional leadership skills to go with his second to none determination to succeed.
The Titans have an exceptional talent on their hands in Seth Nikotemo.
Speed is one rugby league attribute that cannot be taught but nor can the ability to position yourself correctly in both attack and defense.
Those three attributes are just some of the numerous plus attributes that Titans contracted fullback/centre Lachlan Offley has at his disposal and all are set to be on show in 2021 for both Ballina in the Group One U16.5 competition and for the Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad.
Exceptional athleticism is no guarantee of success in rugby league but when you combine that in a young player with an outstanding rugby league skill side and a desire to succeed that is part of their DNA then it is hard to bet against a young player achieving their dream.
Titans contracted left centre Jahream Bula has all three of those personal attributes and more and is set to take off in 2021 with a trajectory as steep as anyone in the Titans JTS program.
The young man also excelled in basketball for Keebra Park in recent seasons as a shooting guard/small forward as well as representing his school in a number of academic programs.
An exceptional defensive technique is one quality that is sometimes overlooked by supporters as a critical attribute, but is one that I look for when watching junior rugby league.
In my time watching junior/school boy rugby league I have NEVER seen a young man with as good a tackling technique as Titans contracted Bailey Martin and I mean never. It is not just quality for Bailey Martin but also quantity.
in 2021 Bailey Martin is set to be a key member of the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad and the PBC school boy side.
He may be a different type of player than his older brother James but Titan Michael Roberts is an outstanding talent in his own right, in 2020 starting on the right wing for PBC in the Langer Cup Grand Final, right centre for South Tweed in the U16 Group 18 Grand Final and right centre for the Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad.
Michael Roberts will continue to get better and better in the Titans JTS program.
Mr Bods
06-12-20, 10:01 AM
Thanks for the comments. Still think a Northern GC QCup team could be something for the medium term future in time.
The 2021 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad looks to have some serious speed in the side. Near the top of that list is Titan Shane Davis-Caldwell who will push for playing time either at fullback or in the centres.
In 2020 Shane Davis-Caldwell helped South Tweed win the Group 18 U16 Grand Final.
Alexandra Hills State High School had a great run in the 2020 Devere Cup school boy competition with one of the key reasons for their success being Titans contracted 15 year old fullback Zyroam Tarawa-Herlihy.
The young man is an absolute flyer who also has an outstanding swerve that he can execute at top speed.
The 2021 Keebra Park Open A school boys side looks likely to be an outstanding side, but one young player who I anticipate who will put a huge amount of pressure on the returning forwards is Titans contracted powerhouse Philip Hakaraia-Ngomotu.
Even though he will be only 16 in 2021 Philip Hakaraia-Ngomotu is a big chance at breaking into the Keebra Park top side for the GIO and Langer Cup competitions.
Seriously the Tweed Heads MM side is staggering good, the Burleigh MM side is good as well and both Colts squads are incredibly strong as well.
So what are your thoughts on this? The way I see it a lot of that talent has moved from the Northern Rivers Program and the Andrew Johns/Laurie Daley cup teams? I realise that this is partially because a lot of the boys have moved to PBC for school, but it seems like a bit of a case of robbing Peter to pay Paul. I.E. Stacking the talent in one team and competition.
Is there a significant difference in the quality of those competitions verse the MM comp?
I am fine with the northern rivers boys in the MM Cup mate, they all played in the U18 Laurie Daley Cup for the Northern Rivers Titans earlier this season and as you say most now attend PBC, so them continuing to play together is great for them, a lot have played together since U12's or so.
The 2021 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad is still very strong with still more than a few Titans contracted players in the side such as Rowan Mansfield, Tanu Nona, Michael Roberts, Blake Forder, Nic Torrens and Shane Caldwell-Davies to name a few.
Whilst the MM Cup is stronger the U18 Laurie Daley Cup is still a very very good standard and is a great introduction to the next level.
The 2021 U16 Andrew Johns Cup Northern Rivers side is exceptional with the likes of Lachlan Offley, Brady Turner, Cameron Bevan, Jaylan Teawa, Kye Cooper and Reshawn Anderson just some of the outstanding talent in the side.
In many ways it is the best of both worlds as more players from the Gold Coast/northern NSW area get an opportunity at the higher levels.
So what are your thoughts on this? The way I see it a lot of that talent has moved from the Northern Rivers Program and the Andrew Johns/Laurie Daley cup teams? I realise that this is partially because a lot of the boys have moved to PBC for school, but it seems like a bit of a case of robbing Peter to pay Paul. I.E. Stacking the talent in one team and competition.
Is there a significant difference in the quality of those competitions verse the MM comp?
Great to see Tannah Boyd work with the 2021 Northern Rivers Titans U16 and U18 sides today at the Titans Training Centre, including working with Titans JTS coaches in position specific training.
With Coombabah automatically in the main draw of the 2021 school boy Langer Cup competition, one player who will relish the challenge of taking on PBC and Keebra Park will be Titans contracted fire brand front rower Joseph Shannon.
I have never seen Joseph Shannon back down from any challenge is no doubt it will be the same in 2021.
After an injury interrupted 2020 I think that 2021 will see the best of Titans contracted left second rower Ryan Foran who will start the season as part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad.
Impressively even though he missed a portion of time in 2020, Ryan Foran was still able to make his NRRRL First Grade debut for the Murwillumbah Mustangs.
Titans_alan
06-12-20, 05:32 PM
Someone has been trying to get a northern team, called the South Eastern Ninjas for the exact reason you mention. Check them out on Facebook SE Ninjas.
Mr Bods
06-12-20, 07:06 PM
Someone has been trying to get a northern team, called the South Eastern Ninjas for the exact reason you mention. Check them out on Facebook SE Ninjas.
Thanks Alan I took a look. Will they be based in Helensvale??
Another Coombabah SHS player who will relish playing in the Langer Cup in 2021 is Titans centre/winger Kobie Mackay-Taylor, the young man is a solid goal kicking outside back.
Great to see Grafton Ghosts outside back Joshua Donovan-Skinner in the Titans Group One Development Squad once again.
It is great to see the U16 Cyril Connell Cup back in some form and the Titans have players in multiple squads including the Ipswich U16 side which contains one of the Titans outstanding contracted juniors in front rower Larry Siala.
Titans_alan
08-12-20, 06:34 AM
I'm not sure Mr. Looks to be a joint venture between a crowd from Helensvale and Ormeau. Helensvale makes sense due to their size and location. Just off the highway, not too far North or South. I hope they get a 3rd team going, would be great see.
Titans linked Xavier Tauaifaiga was recently named as the the Best Back for the 2020 Coombabah State High School Year Nine rugby league team and was also named in the 2020 Coombabah Rugby League Team of the Year.
Titans linked Izayah Petricevich was recently awarded the Coombabah SHS 2020 Year Nine Coaches Award.
Titan Caleb Gould-Waiariki has been named in the 2020 Coombabah School Boy Rugby League Team of Year.
Titan Brodyn Gudgeon received a number of awards at the recent Coombabah State High School Rugby League Awards presentations.
He received an Originals Award for playing rugby league for Coombabah from Year Seven ot Year Twelve, he was also named the Opens joint Best Back and was also named in the 2020 Coombabah Rugby League Team of the Year.
Great to see that new Titans signing Vaka Sikahele has been named the 2020 St Paul's College Auckland Sportsman of the year.
Titans contracted front rower Joseph Shannon has been named the 2020 Coombabah State High School Open rugby league Best Forward and has also been named in the 2020 Coombabah Rugby League Team of the Year.
Great to see former Titans junior and Keebra Park student Billy Mozer back on the Gold Coast after a couple of seasons in Sydney. Billy Mozer will play for the Southport Tigers in 2021.
Another former Keebra Park student is back on the Gold Coast with JJ Collins signing on to play for the 2021 Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup side.
At just 24 years old, the front rower has 16 NRL matches under his belt with the Wests Tigers, Newcastle and Canberra.
Great to see the Titans sign Nanango Staggs fullback/centre Dominique Sandow to a two year JTS contract.
OTOWN SHEARER
11-12-20, 03:50 PM
Hi Mdrew firstly like to say you do an exceptional job. Just wanted to know your thoughts on the the PBC lock Brock Priestley.
Had a very good season mate especially for PBC and good to see that acknowledged at lock in the 2020 Langer Cup Team of the Year.
Also was very good for the Shearers in the GCRL U18 Division One side, playing multiple positions including in the backline which was interesting to see.
Even though the 2021 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup side is exceptionally strong it is hard to see Brock Priestley missing out on a starting spot in the second row.
Hi Mdrew firstly like to say you do an exceptional job. Just wanted to know your thoughts on the the PBC lock Brock Priestley.
OTOWN SHEARER
11-12-20, 04:19 PM
Totally agree mate. I have been watching him since he arrived at Ormeau from Darwin a few years back. One to watch over the next couple of years. Do you know if the titans have resigned him.
I believe so mate but not 100% sure though
Totally agree mate. I have been watching him since he arrived at Ormeau from Darwin a few years back. One to watch over the next couple of years. Do you know if the titans have resigned him.
Great Official Site story on the Northern Rivers Titans training at Parkwood.
https://www.titans.com.au/news/2020/12/11/future-nrl-stars-train-at-titans-hq/
Flying Clarence Coast Magpie and McLean School student Grant Brown is currently training with the Titans Group One Elite Academy squad.
The young fullback or centre is another outstanding talent from the talent rich northern NSW region and it is great to see the Titans investing heavily in this part of their catchment area.
Byron Bay/Lennox Head youngster Harrison Doherty has had a big 2020, including being part of the Group 18 U13 Byron Bay/Lennox Head 28-24 Grand Final win over Tugun and then his subsequent selection in the 2021 Titans U14 Elite Academy Program.
Well done to Titans contracted Gary Whare-Herlihy who last week was named at hooker in the 2020 Alexandra Hills School Boys Team of the Year.
Congratulations to Titans contracted Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy who was recently named at fullback in the 2020 Alexandra Hills School Boys Team of the Year.
The Tweed Heads Seagulls have signed a very talented second rower for their 2021 Queensland Cup campaign in former Queensland U16 and U18 second rower Brandon Russell.
The 21 year old had spent the last four season playing for the Newcastle Knights including a number of matches in the Canterbury Cup.
He is a former Beaudesert Kingfisher.
Recent Titans JTS signing, Sam McIntyre (yes we have two at the club) was yesterday named as the New Zealand U18 Player of the Year.
The young man will train with the Titans U20 program as well as play for the Burleigh Bears.
The PBC school boy rugby league side were impressive in 2020 winning the Langer Cup competition but they may be even stronger in 2021 with Titans contracted youngster Keano Kini on his way over from Auckland's Rosami Collage where he played First XV school boy rugby.
Keano Kini will immediately challenge for a spot in the halves for PBC alongside fellow Titan Thomas Weaver but can also easily slot in at fullback as well.
Great to see Titans contracted Lachlan Offley confirmed in the 2021 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad that was named this afternoon.
The Northern Rivers Titans will kick off their 2021 season against the Wests Tigers in Round One at Byron Bay.
A couple of recent Titans signings will be key members of the 2021 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad.
Hooker Tanu Nona, fullback/centre Shane Davis-Caldwell and centre Michael Roberts are all Titans contracted youngsters who will gain great experience in the 2021 competition starting in Byron Bay in Round One against the Wests Tigers.
Titans, Rowan Mansfield and Blake Forder are also members of the 2021 squad.
One interesting outside back that has made the final 2021 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad is former NSW Country U16 representative Jye Davis.
The young flyer is one to watch.
Great to see the Titans lock up Tweed Heads Seagulls 2021 MM Cup fullback Jaylan De Groot for the 2021 season.
The Titans junior development program continues to go from strength to strength.
With his experience in the NRRRL First Grade competition this season with the Marist Brothers Rams I anticipate that Henry Lee will be a key player in the 2021 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad, the only question is whether he will play in the second row or in the centres where he played for the Rams in the NRRRL First Grade competition.
2021 will be the second season that Henry Lee is part of the Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad.
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The 2021 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad will not be bereft of speed out wide with PBC student and Titans linked Creedance Donovan in the squad.
One of the players that I will be following in the 2021 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad is Marist Brothers Ram Harry Sivewright.
The St Johns College Woodlawn student had a solid season in the NRRL U18 competition for the Rams, including starting the Grand Final in the centres.
Harry Sivewright also plays rugby and in 2019 was named at fullback for the New South Wales Country U16 side.
I would not want to be the coach of the 2021 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad.
Somehow he has to work out the best back row combination out of the likes of Brady Turner, Cameron Bevan, Levi Dangerfield, Jaylan and Jury Taewa as well as a few other boys who would not look out of place.
A touch task indeed.
The battle for the starting No. 9 jersey in the 2021 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad will be keenly contested between Kolbi Wood and Tanu Nona.
Jordan Gallagher and Jesse Beauchamp will also be waiting in the wings for an opportunity.
Great to see the 22 young women selected in the Titans U19 academy, the selected women will head down to Coffs Harbour to play Newcastle in January.
Good to see Helensvale Hornet Jay Blazek who has previously played a number of matches for Titans Junior Development Squads named for the Burleigh Bears 2021 MM Cup squad.
The utility was also part of the 2020 Burleigh MM Cup squad.
The 2021 Ipswich Jets MM Cup forward pack will be led by three Titans contracted powerhouses in Josiah Pahulu, Xavier Stowers and NZ recruit Immanuel Kalekale.
All three are big and strong but also exceptionally mobility.
The Burleigh 2021 MM Cup squad has a good old fashioned type of front rower in their side in Titan Brody Smitka.
The Helensvale Hornet is impossible not to cheer for with his hard working bustling style. Brody Smitka also has a very good one armed (right arm) offload in his game when he is engaged with the defensive line.
In the current era, Brody Smitka brings a different type of skill set to a team and with defensive lines so well drilled to address certain plays, a different look/style is an invaluable addition to a team.
I am very keen to see how Titans linked, Ballina Seagulls front rower Reshawn Anderson progresses in 2021 as part of the Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup Final Squad.
The multi-talented front rower was outstanding for Ballina in the Group One U15 competition, including being named Player of the Grand Final. He was also close to unstoppable in the Far North Coast U15 rugby competition this season.
Good to see Ormeau Shearer Emmanuel Anae named in the Gold Coast Rugby League 2021 Cyril Connell U16 Academy Squad.
Helensvale Hornet Hunter Innes is another talented local who has been named in the Gold Coast Rugby League 2021 Cyril Connell U16 Academy Squad.
Burleigh Bears junior Jaykob Brown has already represented the Gold Coast on a number of occasions (GC Vikings U13 etc) and in 2021 he will add to his representative honors when he lines up for the Gold Coast Rugby League 2021 Cyril Connell U16 Academy Squad.
When junior dual sport athlete is mentioned I usually think of rugby league and rugby/touch but in the case of Gold Coast Rugby League 2021 Cyril Connell U16 Academy Squad member Jett Grimmond the sport other than rugby league is in fact baseball, a sport in which the Coombabah SHS student is also very talented.
Talented Marymount Mako Kadin Meehan will look to further enhance his growing reputation in 2021 when he lines up for the Gold Coast Rugby League U16 Cyril Connell Cup squad.
The GC Rugby League U16 Cyril Connell Cup opponents will have to deal with the speed of Helensvale half Kyer Teika.
The speedster is also an outstanding touch player and in 2020 represented the SQBD Sharks at the U16 National Touch Championships, including scoring two tries in their 7-1 semi-final win over the SWQ Swans.
2021 Gold Coast Cyril Connell Cup squad member Lewis Symonds can be considered a multi-sport athlete that's for sure.
In addition to being a very good rugby league player, he is also a State level athlete in discuss, hammer throw and shot put and also has broken age records in weight lifting.
Runaway Bay second rower Max Murphy is no stranger to representative rugby league, representing the Gold Coast Vikings at the U13 and U14 levels in 2018 and 2019 respectively and in 2021 he will add being a member of the Gold Coast Rugby League Cyril Connell Cup squad to his resume.
Keebra Park's Neybron Kiriona has developed well since moving over from New Zealand and is part of the 2021 Gold Coast Rugby League Cyril Connell Cup squad.
In addition to rugby league, Neybron Kiriona has represented Keebra park in Track and Field.
Speed is an attribute that will not be lacking in the 2021 GCRL Cyril Connell Cup squad with Keebra Park Rugby League Academy student Tana Tuhaka in the squad.
In addition to previously representing the Gold Coast Vikings rugby league representative side Tana Tuhaka, late in 2020 played in the Noosa Rugby 7's tournament, with his side winning their Division and being co-captain.
Tynan Han is one of a number of Runaway Bay Seagulls juniors who has been named in the 2021 Gold Coast Rugby League 2021 U16 Cyril Connell Cup squad.
The young man who has previously represented the Gold Coast Vikings has also represented PNG at the U14 level at the QPICC Carnival.
Titans contracted young centre Caleb Hodges finished the initial portion of the NRL pre-season with the Titans yesterday and even though he is still Colts eligible in 2021, I expect that he will start the 2021 season as part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup side, just like he did in 2020 before the season was cut short.
The local junior is yet another youngster progressing all of the way through the Titans Development Program.
It is always great to see a young junior progress all of the way to the NRL and that is what is on the verge of happening with Ben Liyou.
Ben Liyou initially linked with the Titans as a 13 year old (I was at Pizzey Park for his first appearance in a Titans jersey when he played for a Titans U14 side against Samoa) and has just finished the first five weeks of the NRL pre-season with the Titans NRL squad.
First identifying a talented young player as a 13 year old and then seeing him in the Titans NRL squad, now that is a through and through Junior Development System that the Titans have.
Some people seem to consider that hooker is not necessarily the strongest position for the Titans NRL squad, but one local junior who has spent time with the Titans NRL program this offseason is looking to change that in Ediq Ambrosyev.
Ediq Ambrosyev's first match for the Titans was as a 13 year old when he played left centre and scored two tries including an 80m intercept against a Toowoomba U14 selection at Pizzey Park. Ediq Ambrosyev actually spent a lot of his junior career as a fullback.
Now he is a stand out hooking prospect with speed and guile when running out of dummy half, a very good passing game to either side , a sound defender and a talker, I mean a real talker, I am sure that the young man could talk underwater!
The Titans NRL squad contains some powerful ball runners such as David Fifita and Tino, but a Casino RSM junior may very well join them in a season or two.
Solomon Torrens who played the 2020 season with the Tugun Seahawks has the size, speed and power to make an impact at the NRL level and in a sign of the high regard that the Titans hold him in, he finished the first half of the current NRL pre-season training with the Titans NRL squad.
The 2021 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad has three members of the 2020 Brisbane Grammar School First XV rugby side in its squad in Campbell Watchairs, Kuse Remine and JT Manuofetoa.
To add to the number, another squad member, being Connor Te Kani was part of the Brisbane Grammar School First XV side in 2019 before spending 2020 at Keebra Park.
After being named the Coombabah State High School Open Rugby League Player of the 2020 season, goal kicking Ormeau Shearers lock Jordan Lewis will start the 2021 season as part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad.
Titans_alan
25-12-20, 09:42 AM
Mdrew, Jordan Lewis is an interesting proposition. He reminds me of an old style footballer from the 80s and 90s. I love to watch him play. BUT in what position do you think he plays his best football?
Very good question mate, prior to this season he played a lot of five eight and this year lock for Coombabah. For me likely lock is his best position as a solidly built, low centre of gravity type. Maybe reps at dummy half as would help from a versatility perspective.
In short term, a very good option off the bench as he can play multiple positions effectively.
Mdrew, Jordan Lewis is an interesting proposition. He reminds me of an old style footballer from the 80s and 90s. I love to watch him play. BUT in what position do you think he plays his best football?
Translating their natural talent into outstanding results on the field can be very difficult but one player who did that in 2020 was Titans linked Ballina youngster Kye Cooper.
The play maker will take his outstanding 2020 form into the 2021 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad.
One of the things that I will be interested in when the MM Cup trials come around in 2021 is where the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup coaching staff will play Titans contracted Reef Sommerville, with the young man being able to play both in the centres and in the second row (primarily on the right).
Last year for the Northern Rivers Titans, Cudgen and PBC Reef Sommerville played exclusively in the centres, but it will be interesting to see where he plays in 2021.
When the Southport School (TSS) First XV squad restarts their training schedule in 2021, there will be a distinct Titans flavour in the squad with Titans contracted Kaleb Ngamanu, Nicholas Hilton and Syris Schmidt in the mix for a starting spot and also Brock Lennox who in 2021 will still be U16 eligible may also get a First XV opportunity in 2021.
Good playmakers are hard to find but the 2021 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad have a very good one in their ranks in Titans linked Bo Peisley.
2020 Ormeau Shearers U20 stand out Izaya Leota has recently been named in the 2021 Queensland Touch U20 State of Origin Squad.
Even though he is still U18 eligible in 2021, Titans contracted Caleb Gould-Waiariki who is part of the Burleigh Bears 2021 MM Cup Squad has been named in the 2021 Queensland Touch U20 State of Origin Squad.
The Titans have an exceptional amount of second row talent in their current NRL squad, but one young man who will shoot up the rankings over the next twelve months is Titans NRL Development contract holder Tristian Powell.
In 2020 Tristian Powell excelled against men in the GCRL First Grade competition with Burleigh and I believe that he will turn a lot of heads in the Titans 2021 NRL trials.
The 2021 Burleigh Bears Hastings Deering's Colts squad will certainly not be found wanting from a size perspective with Titans contracted Isaac Matalavea-Booth in the side.
In 198cm, 112 kg front rower is also quite mobile for his size and happily throws his weight around, both in attack and defence.
The increased instances of the six more tackles rule in 2021, lightning quick fullbacks, with outstanding speed and anticipation who can hover around the play the ball and inject themselves into the play as opposition forwards wear down will become even more valuable.
That is good news for the Titans who have in their ranks, the most elusive and electric fullback currently not playing in the NRL in Jayden Campbell.
He may not burst onto the NRL scene until 2022 but I can guarantee all Titans fan that it will certainly be worth the wait.
The Titans have am outstanding talented contracted in Taelon Te Whiu Hopa but younger brother Dahnte Te Whiu Hopa who also plays for the Southport Tigers is also an outstanding talent in his own right to keep an eye on.
The historic agreement between the Titans and Keebra Park will no doubt play early and significant dividends especially when you take into account the likes of Keebra Park Rugby League Academy student Mateo Faleono.
The young man who plays for the Coomera Cutters has already represented Queensland (at the U12 level in 2019) and Samoa in rugby and is a young player of immense potential.
Another Keebra Park student to keep an eye on in coming seasons is long striding Joseph Tupuse who in 2019 represented Queensland Primary Schools at the Australian Primary Schools Championships.
It is not just Keebra Park that is developing outstanding young men and rugby league players, PBC is doing the same with multiple players in Titans development squads.
Another player who looks set to shine in coming seasons is ball playing lock Caleb Smith who played very well for PBC in the 2020 Renouf Shield school boy competition.
Big strong young front rower Herman Tofaeono will return to Keebra Park for his Senior Year in 2021 and after being a stand out this year for Keebra Park in the school boy Langer Cup, he shapes as the corner stone of a young Keebra Park forward pack in 2021.
Herman Tofaeono will also play in the MM Cup for teh second season in a row for the Souths Logan Magpies in 2021.
The 2020 school boy Langer Cup's leading try scorer returns in 2021, being Levi Jones.
The Keebra Park left winger was a revelation in 2020 outside of Titans contracted Jahream Bula and in addition to playing for Keebra Park, Levi Jones will line up for the Burleigh Bears in the 2021 MM Cup competition.
Outstanding local prospect Connor Te Kani will return to Keebra Park in 2021 as well as playing for Tweed Heads in the MM Cup.
For me it is not a case of whether Connor Te Kani makes the NRL, it is more a matter of in which position he makes his debut.
In 2020 he played at half for Keebra Park in the Langer Cup and in 2019 played at No. 10 (flyhalf) for Brisbane Grammar School in the GPS school boy rugby First XV competition but earlier Connor Te Kani was outstanding in the centres.
For me Connor Te Kani will ultimately settle in the centres, with fullback also not out of the question.
Young Kyogle front rower Damian Wilson is another player who is looking to push his claims with the Titans in 2021 with the Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad.
With Kyogle sitting out the 2020 season Damian Wilson played the 2020 NRRRL U18 season with Casino RSM.
I will be interested to see how Khyan Weir goes when he lines up for the 2021 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup Squad early next year.
The young front rower had some good moments in 2020 for the Byron Bay Devils in the NRRRL U18 competition.
New Titans signing Vaka Sikahele has literally only just arrived on the Gold Coast from New Zealand but I am sure that he will hit the ground running when the Titans U19 squad returns to training shortly as they prepare for their annual match against the Newcastle Knights in January 2021.
When he is not training with the Titans JTS program the young hooker will line up for the Burleigh Bears in the 2021 Hastings Deering's Colts competition.
The Keebra Park and PBC school boy rugby league forward packs are big, strong and tough but in 2021 they will face a firebrand from Coombabah SHS with the Gold Coast school's elevation to main Langer Cup competition in 2021.
The Keebra Park and PBC packs will come up against giant Titans contracted front rower Joseph Shannon. With his long hair all over the place, the powerful front rower is a fearsome sight running with the ball or if he is waiting to hit you in defence and he will match any forward in the 2021 competition with his size, strength and aggressiveness.
Saying that Joseph Shannon will not take a backward step is a huge understatement.
I am really looking forward to seeing Titans contracted Seth Niketomo's development in 2021 after a 2020 season which saw the second rower, at just 16 years of age, progress through the Keebra Park Titans Cup squad to make his Langer Cup debut.
2021 should see him cement a place in the Keebra Park GIO and Langer Cup Open A squads as well as play for the Burleigh Bears in the MM Cup competition.
Hail Sezer
28-12-20, 04:00 PM
I am really looking forward to seeing Titans contracted Seth Niketomo's development in 2021 after a 2020 season which saw the second rower, at just 16 years of age, progress through the Keebra Park Titans Cup squad to make his Langer Cup debut.
2021 should see him cement a place in the Keebra Park GIO and Langer Cup Open A squads as well as play for the Burleigh Bears in the MM Cup competition.
he's in for a big year I think
Another Titans contracted player in line for a break out 2021 season is rampaging left second rower Arama Hau.
The young man will start the 2021 season with the Titans U17 squad and then will be part of the 2021 Burleigh Bears MM Cup squad.
Later in 2021 I anticipate that Arama Hau will force his way into the Keebra Park Open A squad for the GIO and Langer Cup school boy competitions.
A number of returning Keebra Park players have been noted, but one PBC player that I think will break into the Red and White of the PBC Open A side is Travis May.
The half/five eight had an outstanding 2020, starting the year in the U16 Andrew Johns Cup Northern Rivers Titans side, starting all of their matches at five eight.
Travis May also played in the GCRL U18 Division One competition in 2020 and was a major part of his Currumbin Eagles Grand Final win, being named Player of the Grand Final.
The 2021 PBC GIO and Langer Cup sides are stacked with quality including in the halves, with the likes of Thomas Weaver and Keano Kini but Travis May certainly has the quality to force his way into the side.
In addition to playing for PBC, Travis May will line up for Burleigh in the 2021 MM Cup competition.
Great to see Noah Croudace pushing for a spot in the 2021 Burleigh Hastings Deering's Colts squad.
The quick, elusive young man can cover wing, centre and fullback and thus will be valuable to the Bears squad over the course of the long 2021 Colts season.
Titans contracted Michael Roberts broke into the PBC Open A Langer Cup school boy side as a 16 year old in 2020 on the wing, but played exclusively in the centres for South Tweed and the U16 Northern Rivers Titans.
Whilst he is a vastly different type of player to his brother, centre is also more than likely his best position. When 2021 school boy rugby league commences, I will be interested to see if Michael Roberts forces his way into the centres for PBC, he is certainly more that talented enough to do so.
Speed is one attribute that cannot be taught and that is the attribute that Titans contracted Alofi Khan-Pereira has in shades.
Hopefully early in 2021 Lofi can break into the Burleigh Queensland Cup side on the wing and then he is only a step away from the NRL.
Lofi has Addo-Carr like speed and when he breaks into the NRL he will be a Titans fan favourite and an another local junior (Burleigh Bears) to progress through the ranks.
The cancellation of the Queensland Cup had a significant impact on the development of a lot of younger fringe NRL players with talented players like Titan Darius Farmer the perfect case. Instead of pushing for an NRL spot on the back of playing for Burleigh in the QCup, Darius Farmer, other than playing a number of 9/10 aside matches against other NRL squads had to continue to train hard in the NRL bubble.
Even though the Titans have brought in a number of high profile second rowers, do not discount Darius Farmer, who has fought through immense adversity, from making an impact in the NRL in 2021 and at 191cm and 104kg, his impact could be huge.
Another young Titans player that was impacted by the shutting down of the Queensland Cup competitions in 2021 was young half/five eight Toby Sexton. Like other players in the same situation, Toby Sexton was only able to get some competitive action in 9/10 aside matches against other NRL squads including the Broncos.
Breaking into the NRL in 2021 may be a year too soon for Toby Sexton but a Queensland Cup debut for the Tweed Heads Seagulls is certainly within in reach for the local junior.
One of the more underrated outside backs on the Gold Coast in Titans contracted Kobie Mackay-Taylor will in 2021 have the opportunity to showcase his ability in the centres or on the wing for Coombabah State High School when they play in the main draw of the school Boy Langer Cup.
Kobie Mackay-Taylor is not the biggest, strongest or fastest outside back running around but he is smart, consistent and error free.
Another Titans player who will benefit from Coombabah State High School's elevation to the main draw of the 2021 school boy Langer Cup competition is contracted second rower Zac Johnson.
Like a number of his Coombabah SHS team mates, Zac Johnson is a talented player but has not gotten some of the accolades that players from Keebra Park and PBC get.
That will certainly change in 2021.
With the recent rule changes that have made rugby league a lot faster with significantly less stops in play, finding players who are electric around the ruck has become critical for a team to succeed.
In 2021 in the school boy Langer Cup competition, Titans contracted Caleb Gould-Waiariki will certainly come to the fore.
The 2020 for Coombabah he came off the bench to provide a spark (against St Mary's when he came on he was the most influential player on the field) and may do so again with the 2020 starting hooker returning, but regardless Caleb Gould-Waiariki, who is also a state level touch player will be in his element with his speed off the mark and elusiveness.
Cudgen Hornets 2020 U18 NRRRL U18 fullback Jack Field had a big year this year, being part of the Hornets Grand Final winning side, he also made his NRRRL First Grade debut off the bench towards the end of the season against the Bilambil Jets.
His impressive 2020 form has led him to make the final cut of the 2021 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup side.
The 2021 U18 Laurie Daley Northern Rivers Titans Cup side is a very young side but they do have a number of players returning from 2020 including second rower Nicholas Troy.
Nicholas Troy had a very good season in the U18 NRRRL competition for Ballina, including starting in the second row in their 30-18 Grand Final victory over the Marist Brothers Rams.
Two members of the 2020 Marist Brothers Rams U18 NRRRL side that helped them make the Grand Final against Ballina have been named in the final 2021 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup final squad, being Lachlan Watts and Kurt Roberson.
Lachlan Watts spent the majority of the 2020 season in the front row and Kurt Roberson in the second row.
The 2021 Burleigh Bears MM Cup side contains one code hopper with Jack Poidevin moving over from rugby.
In 2020 Jack Poidevin played for the Surfers Paradise Rugby Club in the GCRU U17 competition, finishing the season strongly with a double for Surfers Paradise in their Preliminary Final against the PBC Alleygtors. He also scored the week prior in Round Ten against the Flying Bulls.
Jayden Wright had an outstanding 2020 season from a rugby league perspective, including scoring for Currumbin in their GCRL U18 Division One Grand Final victory over the Burleigh Bears 18-0 after starting the match in the second row. He subsequently was named in the powerful Tweed Heads Seagulls 2021 MM Cup squad.
Jayden Wright also played rugby in 2020, playing for the PBC Alleygators in the GCRU U17 competition.
In Round Three against Surfers Paradise Jayden Wright started at outside centre (No. 13) and scored a double. He followed that up with a try and a conversion in Round Five against SC.
Jayden Wright came off the bench in Round Eight and scored against the Bond Pirates and followed that up with another try when PBC took on Surfers Paradise in the GCRU U17 Preliminary Final.
Club rugby is in an odd place on the Gold Coast with only limited age divisions and only four or five teams per age division but that does not mean that there are not some talented youngster that would seemingly be ideally suited to rugby league.
Surfers Paradise 2020 GCRU U13 centre Aropeta Tuuina is one such player. In addition to starting at inside centre (No. 12) and scoring in the Grand Final against Bond Pirates Red, he also scored a double in Round Five against Colleges Knights and followed that up a week later by scoring in Round Six against Bond Pirates White.
Keebra Park rugby league academy student Mateo Faleono is not just an outstanding rugby league player but an impressive rugby player too.
In 2020 he played for the Colleges Knights in the GCRU U13 competition taking the competition by storm, including scoring four doubles.
Mateo Faleono scored doubles in Rounds Two, Three, Four and Eight against the Bond Pirates Red, Bond Pirates Blue, the Helensvale Hogs and Bond Pirates White respectively. He also scored in Round Seven against Bond Pirates Red.
Keebra Park SHS may have lost the 2020 rugby league school boy Old Boys Cup Final against Marsden State High School but the teams performance over the course of 2021 was impressive.
One player to shine was half Gazniah Toomaga who also played his club rugby league for the Coomera Cutters.
He also played rugby in 2020 for the Coomera Crushers in the GCRU U13 competition. Gazniah Toomaga scored in Round One against the Helensvale Hogs, Round Two against the Bond Pirates, Round Five against Surfers Paradise and also scored a double in Round Four against the Yatala Rams as well as kicking a conversion in Round Three against the Helensvale Hogs.
Thankyou to all who have supported junior rugby league in 2020 and all the best for 2021.
Special thanks to some of the best mates that a person could have who have helped with keeping all of us up to date with junior rugby league.
Thanks to my mates Guy (you are a champion mate), Hail Sezer (another champion) Lonegull (Champion too mate), JT09, JA4220, Sunny86 and Bayside (you saved me mate) amongst many others who without them I would know very little. Similiarly without the support of Titanic, Diehard, Bods etc, I would not have kept posting.
Also thanks to the Titans and parents who work tirelessly to help all young people in their pursuit of their dreams the effort that you put in is absolutely appreciated by the youngsters that you nuture.
Of course also thanks to the outstanding young players for working so hard to achieve your dream. No matter what the result hold your head up high, you deserve to.
Hail Sezer
31-12-20, 11:52 PM
Thank you Mdrew for all that you do for us. We all love you mate!
lonegull
01-01-21, 01:38 AM
Mdrew thanks for all the info as HS we all love mate
2020 was an interesting year in relation to Gold Coast Rugby players, first the Titans pulled off an outstanding coup by signing TSS star Jojo Fifita and then stand out rugby junior centre Rocco Gollings was selected in the 2021 Gold Coast Rugby League U16 Cyril Connell Cup squad. Neither had previously played rugby league but both are outstanding talents
Another GC based junior rugby player that I believe would make a successful transition to rugby league is Bond Pirates inside centre Indiana Dorrough, another young player of immense potential.
In 2020 he played in the GCRU U15 competition including starting the Grand Final at inside centre as Bond went down 19-12 to Surfers Paradise.
Indiana Dorrough went on a try scoring burst early in the 2020 season scoring in each of rounds Three through Five against the Helensvale Hogs, Surfers Paradise and the Bulls respectively.
AJ Brimson is the poster child for the fact that touch is a legitimate pathway to the NRL and many young players on the Gold Coast combine both touch and rugby league.
One such player is Helensvale and Keebra Park hooker/half Lennix Teika. The young man who represented the Gold Coast Vikings U13 rugby league representative side in 2019 was part of the SQBD Sharks touch side that in late 2020 won the U14 National Youth Touch Championships.
Lennix Teika had an outstanding NYC U14 Championships scoring nine tries including scoring in the Sharks 6-5 Grand Final win against the CQ Bulls.
Earlier in the Championships he scored three tries in Round Three against the BC Cobra's and a double against the SWQ Swans in Round Two. In addition he scored in Round One against the CQ Bulls, Round Four against the SSC Pineapples and Round Five against the NQ Cyclones.
Another Keebra Park rugby league Academy student that was part of the SQBD Sharks 2020 U14 National Youth Touch Championships victory was Bryson Smith who scored five tries in the Championships, including scoring in the Sharks 6-5 Grand Final win against the CQ Bulls.
Bryson Smith scored a double in the Sharks semi-final victory against the SSC Pineapples and also scored in Rounds Two and Four against the SWQ Swans and SSC Pineapples respectively.
Other Keebra Park Rugby League Academy students that were part of the Sharks side were Cater Skinner and Keelan Needham-Brown.
Marist Brothers Lismore are one of the iconic clubs in Northern New South Wales and in 2021 will continue to bring through juniors to representative sides, including Rams junior Reshawn Brown who will line up for the Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup side.
Cudgen Hornets junior Chaz Bond has made a number of junior representative sides in his rugby league career to date, including the Group 18 U14 side in 2019 and he will add to that in 2021 after being selected in the final Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad.
After being named the Tweed Heads Seagulls Group 81 U15 Best and Fairest Ethan Schultz has deservedly been named in the 2021 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad.
Bayside Titan
02-01-21, 11:20 AM
Thankyou to all who have supported junior rugby league in 2020 and all the best for 2021.
Special thanks to some of the best mates that a person could have who have helped with keeping all of us up to date with junior rugby league.
Thanks to my mates Guy (you are a champion mate), Hail Sezer (another champion) Lonegull (Champion too mate), JT09, JA4220, Sunny86 and Bayside (you saved me mate) amongst many others who without them I would know very little. Similiarly without the support of Titanic, Diehard, Bods etc, I would not have kept posting.
Also thanks to the Titans and parents who work tirelessly to help all young people in their pursuit of their dreams the effort that you put in is absolutely appreciated by the youngsters that you nuture.
Of course also thanks to the outstanding young players for working so hard to achieve your dream. No matter what the result hold your head up high, you deserve to.
Thanks for the kind words mate and I’m always here for you mate or anyone else.
You are loved , admired and very well respected here mate and the value of your contributions are very much appreciated.
2021 onwards and upwards.
BT.
Kyogle's Oscar Kennett is not just an outstanding swimmer, he is also a talented rugby league player who in 2021 will line up for the Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup side.
In 2020 he played for the Kyogle Turkeys in the Group One U15 side, starting Round One at lock against the Grafton Ghosts before moving to five eight for Round Two against Casino RSM. He also played a number of matches for the Turkeys at centre.
In total in the Group One U15 competition Oscar Kennett played in all nine of Kyogles matches, starting one at lock, three at five eight and the remaining five at centre.
Oscar Kennett scored three tries (33.33% strike rate) coming in Round Six against South Grafton and the Clarence Coast Magpies in Round Seven and Nine.
He also played two matches up in the Group One U16.5 competition scoring in his debut match in Round Four against Ballina and also playing in Round Seven against the Clarence Coast Magpies.
Byron Bay High School student Jesse Soric has been named in the 2021 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad.
In early 2020 the young man was named in both the Far North Coast U15 Rugby League team and the FNC U15 touch football team.
Bilambil Jets youngster Thomas King had an impressive end to his 2020 rugby league season. First he was part of the Bilambil U15 side that won the Group 18 U15 Grand Final against Byron Bay/Lennox Head, he then played for a Titans U15 Invitational side at CBus Stadium in October and finally he was selected in the 2021 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad.
The Byron Bay U18 2020 NRRRL side had a successful season going all of the way to the Preliminary Final and as a consequence a number of players have gone on to make 2021 representative sides including Ben Moyle who has been named in the Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad.
The 2021 U16 Andrew Johns Cup Northern Rivers Titans side is shaping as a talented side including a powerful forward pack with Casino RSM's Alex Clarke shaping as a key part of that pack.
In 2020 Alex Clarke played all eleven of Casino RSM's Group One U15 matches including starting in the front row in their 28-10 Grand Final loss to Ballina.
Alex Clarke started nine of his eleven matches in the front row, starting his other two matches off the bench which were in Rounds Seven and Ten.
In his eleven matches Alex Clarke finished with a try scoring strike rate of 54.55%. In addition to a Round Six double against the Clarence Coast Magpies, Alex Clarke scored in matches against the Kyogle Turkeys (Rounds Two and Five), the Grafton Ghosts (Round Nine) and the South Grafton Rebels (Round Ten).
Alex Clarke started in the second row for the Group One U14 representative side in2019 in the NSW Country Age Championships.
In the Group One U14 competition in 2019 Alex Clarke played in eleven matches scoring five tries including a double against Lismore Marist Brothers on June 15 and also scored against Grafton, Kyogle and Clarence Coast.
Alexander Clarke also played one Group One U16.5 match in 2019 season which was against Kyogle in early July.
The Keebra Park Rugby League Academy certainly has some talented play makers in its younger age groups an another whose star continues to shine is Qwayde Whakatihi.
The young man who plays for the Southport Tigers in the Gold Coast Junior Rugby League competition was in 2020 part of the SQBD Sharks U12 side that won the U12 National Youth Touch Championships, including scoring in the National Final that the Sharks won 4-3 against the BC Cobra's.
In addition to his try in the final, Qwayde Whakatihi also scored in Round One against the CQ Bulls, Round Two against the SWQ Swans and Round Four against the NQ Cyclones.
Bilambil Jets and PBC's Kaden Rees had an impressive final couple of months of 2020.
First he was part of the Bilambil U15 side that won the Group 18 U15 Grand Final against Byron Bay/Lennox Head, he then played for a Titans U15 Invitational side at CBus Stadium in October and finally he was selected in the 2021 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad.
Ormeau Shearers utility back Cassidy McNamara is certainly a valuable addition to the 2021 Burleigh Bears MM Cup squad and can play various positions including fullback and five eight.
The hooking stocks on the Gold Coast are very healthy and one player that will be looking to push himself up the pecking order in 2021 with the Burleigh MM Cup squad is Josh Clifton.
In his first season of U18 rugby league Jesse Harrison had a more than solid season, including starting in the second row for Burleigh in the U18 GCRL Division One Grand Final.
2021 sees Jesse Harrison line up for the Burleigh MM Cup squad as Jesse Harrison continues his rugby league development.
Izack Smith is another young man that performed well in his first year of U18 rugby league in 2020, including coming off the bench for Burleigh in their GCRL U18 Division One Grand Final against Currumbin.
In 2021 Izack Smith will line up for the Burleigh MM Cup squad.
It will be intriguing where the 2021 Burleigh Bears MM Cup staff play Shannon Donaldson. The Mudgeeraba Redback can play multiple positions in the backline, including halfback and wing and has previously represented the Gold Coast Vikings.
Shannon Donaldson also is a representative level rugby player including representing Queensland White at the 2019 U15 National Gold Cup Rugby Championships. 2019 also saw Shannon Donaldson represent the Queensland Youth Sevens side at the National Sevens Championships.
When the TSS school boy rugby campaign kicks off in 2021 I will be interested to see where Keahn Skipps starts the season, will be start in the U16A side or will he push for a spot in the TSS First XV?
In 2020 Keahn Skipps this season captained the TSS U15A school boy rugby side, playing the majority of the 2020 season at inside centre (No. 12) but did play a match or two early on in the GPS season at fullback and after the final round match against Ipswich Grammar School was named the 2020 TSS U16 Best Junior Footballer.
Prior to that Keahn Skipps will line up for Southport in the GCRL competition and in the 2021 Gold Coast Rugby League 2020 U16 Cyril Connell Cup Academy Squad.
Whilst Keebbra Park went down in the Broncos Old Boys Final to Wavell, a number of players stood out over the course of the 2020 school boy season including Tayshaan Tonga who started the Old Boys Final at hooker and scored Keebra Park's sole try of the match when he darted out of dummy half to his right to force his way over from close range in the second half.
In addition to playing rugby league for Keebra Park, Tayshaan Tonga played some GCRU U12 matches for the Coomera Crushers including scoring a double in Round Four against the Yatala Rams.
In 2020 Tayshaan Tonga also was part of the SQBD Sharks side that won the 2020 U12 National Youth Touch Championships and was named the Sharks, Players Player of the Championships.
Tayshaan Tonga scored seven tries in the Championships, including a Round One hat trick against the CQ Bulls and doubles against the SWQ Swans and the NQ Cyclones in Rounds Two and Four respectively.
Currumbin Eagles fullback Tyler Mahon was one of the stands out players in the 2020 GCRL U20 competition and with his speed and the ability to be at the right place at the right time will be a valuable asset for any team that is lucky enough to have his services in coming seasons.
Former Marymount College student Charlie Murray was back on the Gold Cost representing Currumbin in 2020 in the GCRL U20 competition and in 2021 will no doubt continue to shine with his competitiveness and intelligence.
Great to see young former Keebra Park student Laz Sua commit to return to the Ormeau Shearers in 2021.
The Nuggety young man is just a class act on and off the field and has been a big part of the Ormeau Shearers club for a number of seasons now.
One of the most underrated junior rugby league players on the Gold Coast in recent seasons has been Coen Rankmore from the Ormeau Shearers.
After starting the 2020 season on the wing in Round One of the Hastings Deerings Colts competition and scoring for Burleigh Coen Rankmore returned to Ormeau when Community rugby league restarted and in fact made his GCRL First Grade debut in the second row for the Shearers.
Coen Rankmore may not have the scrapbook of other junior rugby league players but he is just as talented as other players who have had more publicity.
When the 2020 Hastings Deering's Colts competition kicked off for its one and only round Bryson Voasasa started at five eight for Burleigh in their 24-16 victory over Wynnum Manly.
When the GCRL U20 competition started in July 2020, Bryson Voasasa moved to hooker for the Bears an was simply outstanding in the dummy half role.
It will be very interesting in what position he plays in 2021.
The Covid 19 Pandemic obviously had a huge impact on every aspect of society including sport.
2020 Saw the return of Stepharn Holo to the GCRL competition after a number of seasons at the Sydney Roosters for the former Queensland junior age representative and he started off the 2020 season with a bang starting Round One of the Hastings Deering's Colts competition in the second row for the Tweed Heads Seagulls as they easily accounted for the Northern Pride 44-22 with Stepharn Holo scoring in the 31st minute.
A small piece of silver lining for Stepharn Holo is that instead of spending the entire 2020 season in the Colts competition he played a number of matches in the GCRL First Grade competition for the Ormeau Shearers against hardened Queensland Cup veterans.
That experience will be invaluable for Stepharn Holo going forward starting with the 2021 season.
Titans contracted Caleb Gould-Waiariki is continuing to make a name for himself in touch as late in December he was named in the final trial squad for the South Queensland Sharks Mixed Open NTL 2021 squad.
One of the more impressive rugby players on the Gold Coast in 2020 was Surfers Paradise U15 fullback/centre Michael Vains.
Michael Vains played eleven matches for Surfers Paradise in the GCRU U15 competition, playing the majority at fullback but for the semi-final and Grand Final he started at outside centre.
Michael Vains scored five tries including four tries from as many matches mid-season from rounds three to six. The tries (in order of scoring) came against the Nerang Bulls, Bond Pirates, Helensvale Hogs and the Bulls once again.
Michael Vains mad it three tries in 2020 against the Nerang Bulls when he scored his fifth try of the season against them in Round Nine.
Another of the talented SQBD Sharks U12 side that in late 2020 won the National Youth U12 Touch Championships was team Most Valuable Player Tawa-Dean Simpkin.
The young rugby league centre scored eight tries in the Championships including three rounds in row when he scored doubles, being in Round Two against the SWQ Swans, Round Three against the SSC Pineapples and Round Four against the NQ Cyclones.
Tawa-Dean Simpkin also scored in Round One agaisnt the CQ Bulls and in the Sharks semi-final win over the CG Bulls and of course was part of the Sharks Grand Final side that defeated the BC Cobra's 4-3 in the National decider.
The Titans nabbed one Fifita from TSS and there is another in Vilaimi Fifita who is an impressive player as well.
In 2020 Vilaimi Fifita started all of the TSS U13A sides matches at No. 8 and whilst they had a tough season in the GPS school boy rugby competition, Vilaimi Fifita performed well in his five regular season matches, two trials against Nudgee and Churchie and an internal trial.
In 2020 Vilaimi Fifita also played club rugby for the Colleges Knights U13 side in the GCRU competition, coming off the bench on the majority of occasions although he wore the No. 8 jersey. He did make two starts however, including Round Seven against Bond Pirates Red in one of the lock positions and Round Nine against the Helensvale Hogs when he started at prop.
Vilaimi Fifita finished his club season with four tries, the first of which came in Round Two against Bond Pirates Red. He also scored against Bond Pirates White in Rounds Three and Eight and against Helensvale in Round Nine.
The reputation of Keebra Park State High School is one of rugby league excellence and as a consequence attracts young players from across Australia and New Zealand to come to the school and with the new partnership, that is great news for the Titans.
When the 2021 school year commences, one new student at Keebra Park who will be looking to make a name for himself on the field is Western Australian youngster Neshaun Treffery-Koenders.
In 2020 Neshaun Treffery-Koenders co-captained the Kalamunda Bulldogs U15 side in the Western Australian Rugby League competition, including starting the Grand Final at lock as the Bulldogs defeated the South Perth Lions 12 - 8.
In December 2020 Neshaun Treffery-Koenders represented the U15 Northern Fusion side at the rugby league twelve a side Kwinana Klassic Tournament and the young man was a 2019 Western Australian U15 representative.
Neshaun Treffery-Koenders will be U16 eligible in 2021.
Talented Helensvale hornet Kyer Teika who late in 2020 was named in the 2021 GCRL U16 Cyril Connell Cup squad is another youngster honing his skills in touch.
In 2020 Kyer Teika was a member of U16 National Youth Championships SQBD Sharks side that won the National Final 9-8 with Kyer Teika scoring a double in the final and being named his side's Most Valuable Player of the Championships.
The 2019 Gold Coast Vikings U14 representative hooker also scored a double in the Sharks semi-final victory against the SWQ Swans.
Kyer Teika also scored six tries in the competition rounds of the 2020 U14 National Youth Touch Championships, scoring doubles in Rounds One and Two against the BC Cobra's and SWQ Swans respectively.
Kyer Teika also scored in Round Three against the NQ Cyclones and Round Four against the SSC Pineapples.
One player that I would anticipate who will push for a spot in the Keebra Park higher level sides in 2021 is second rower Lama Afu who in his first year at Keebra Park turned heads (well mine at least) in the Keebra Park Year 10 sides.
The former Victorian U12 representative has all of the attributes that an NRL side is looking for in a modern day second rower, being speed, strength and power. Lama Afu compliments those attributes with a calm calculating nature and a work ethic that is second to none.
Prior to moving to the Gold Cost on a full rugby league scholarship at Keebra Park Lama Afu also represented Victoria in rugby in the U13 age group.
Dual code stand out Billy Wellard has been one of the best junior players on the Gold Coast for a number of seasons and continued to make strides in 2020 especially in relation to school boy rugby with TSS.
For the TSS U14A side Billy Wellard was for me the stand out player and in fact was named the TSS 2020 U14 Best Junior Footballer.
For the TSS U14A side in the GPS school boy rugby competition, Billy Wellard played in all of TSS's five regular season matches against Brisbane State High School, Toowoomba Grammar School, Brisbane Boys College, Gregory Terrace and Ipswich Grammar School. HE also played the initial internal trial as well as two "official" trials against Nudgee College and Churchie.
Through the season Billy Wellard split time at openside flanker (No. 7) and inside centre (No. 12), starting three matches at inside centre and the remainder at No. 7.
Billy Wellard was named TSS player of the match in three of the five 2020 regular season rounds, including an exceptional Round One match against Brisbane State High School when he scored a second half double. Billy Wellard was also deservedly Player of the Match in Rounds Five and Six against Gregory Terrace and Ipswich Grammar School respectively.
In 2019 Billy Wellard played for Runaway Bay in the U13 Division One competition as well as one match in the U14 Division One competition.
From a representative perspective, Billy Wellard represented the U13 Gold Coast Vikings side and was named in the U13 South East Queensland Development squad.
Billy Wellard also played for TSS in their U13A GPS school boy rugby side in 2019 starting matches at inside centre (No. 12), outside centre (No.13) and on the left wing (no. 11) and was particularly impressive mid-season scoring a double against Brisbane Boys College.
The Keebra Park Rugby League Academy will see an influx of new players for the 2021 school year and one is travelling across Australia to be part of the Titans aligned school's elite rugby league academy, being Boston-Kash Tamarua.
In 2020 Boston-Kash Tamarua played in the Western Australian U15 Rugby League competition for the Kalamunda Bulldogs, co-captaining the side.
In the 2020 Western Australian U15 Rugby League Grand Final Boston-Kash Tamarua started the Grand Final in the second row and was the matches dominant player scoring both of the Bulldogs tries as they defeated arch rivals, The South Perth Lions 12 - 8.
Boston-Kash Tamarua's first try of the Grand Final was a hard charging effort when he took a pass from the dummy half and barged his way over. Boston-Kash Tamarua's second try came when he backed up a run from one of his front rowers, receiving a one armed off load to crash over.
In December 2020 Boston-Kash Tamarua represented the U15 Northern Fusion side at the rugby league twelve a side Kwinana Klassic Tournament and the young man was a 2019 Western Australian U15 representative.
Boston-Kash Tamarua will be U16 eligible in 2021.
Boston-Kash Tamarua is also an outstanding rugby player and in 2019 was dominant in the Western Australian U14 Rugby competition for the Kalamunda Bulls Rugby Club.
For the Bulls in 2019 Boston-Kash Tamarua, played No. 8 in all of his matches, scoring twelve tries over the season.
Boston-Kash Tamarua scored doubles in Round One against the Mandurah Pirates, Round Six against Joondulap White and Rounds Ten and Eleven against Wanneroo and the Southern Lions respectively.
Boston-Kash Tamarua also scored in matches against Ellenbrook in Round Three, Round Four against Rockingham, Round Eight against Perth Bayswater and Round Nine against Nedlands.
Plenty of Titans contracted/linked players are in the 2021 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup and U18 Laurie Daley Cup squads, with those squads coming back from their Christmas break tomorrow at Ballina Coast High School in preparation for their Round One matches in early February at Byron Bay against the Wests Tigers.
Coombabah State High School was already set for a big 2021 school boy rugby league season with their inclusion in the main draw of the Langer Cup with multiple Titans contracted players ready to take on the likes of PBC and Keebra Park, but the Open A side will be stronger with Canterbury (NZ) centre K-CI Newton-Whare lining up for Coombabah this season.
In 2020 K-CI Newton-Whare represented the Canterbury (NZ) U16 side at the South Island Championships after playing for Riccarton Knights in the Canterbury U16 rugby league competition.
The 188cm, 86kg centre attended Hornby High School in Canterbury in 2020 and has an extensive representative record already, including playing for the South Island Scorpions U15 side in 2019 and also the U15 Te Arawa U15 representative side in 2019.
2019 also saw K-CI Newton-Whare play for a New Zealand Warriors U16 Invitational side.
K-CI Newton-Whare is also a talented rugby player, in 2020 playing for the Hornby Rugby Club in the Canterbury U16 competition and was named the Hornby Rugby Clubs Best Junior tackler.
In 2019 K-CI Newton-Whare played for the Southland Rams U15 rugby representative side. Like in rugby league K-CI Newton-Whare plays in the centres, mainly inside centre (No. 12) but he did also play a number of matches at outside centre (No. 13).
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