View Full Version : Junior Development
If anyone has any doubt that the Titans future is not sky high should watch the Burleigh Bears MM Cup squad run around. At halftime today the side that contains 13 Titans in the 17 are destroying the Brisbane Tigers. Impressively three more Titans that were expected to play a big part for the Bears are missing and the vast majority of the side at U18 eligible once again in 2024.
Titans contracted Ryan McCann moved into the Souths Logan Magpies MM Cup side starting at fullback in Round Three of the MM Cup against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Ryan McCann scoring in the 50th minute when after chiming into the backline on the right side of the field Ryan McCann received the ball twelve metres out and after straightening up his run, Ryan McCann stepped off his left foot to get on the outside of his opposing defender and sprinted over to score ten metres in from the tight corner post.
Jakequan Roberts-Walsh started on the right wing for the Northern Rivers Tians in Round Five of the U16 Andrew Johns Cup against the North Coast Bulldogs with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh scoring a double with the first of his tries coming in the 3rd minute with a twelve metre burst to score in the right corner after good work on his inside from Koopah Walters from a scrum set play.
Jakequan Roberts-Walsh completed his double in the 16th minute with a ninety two metre effort when after picking up a dropped Bulldogs ball Jakequan Roberts-Walsh picked up the ball eight metres out from his own try line and raced down the right touch line with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh celebrating by raising his left arm well be diving over to score five metres in from the right corner post.
Earlier Jakequan Roberts-Walsh had taken the second hit-up of the match from the North Coast kick-off.
Dylan Watkins started at right centre for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in Round Three of the MM Cup against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Dylan Watkins making a smart run in the 6th minute from the right of the dummy half making ten metres and getting the ball to the halfway mark.
Dylan Watkins also did well in the 22nd minute with an eighteen metre run down a short right blindside with Dylan Watkins then cutting back towards the area behind the play the ball as he got within a metre of the try line.
Then in the 47th minute Dylan Watkins when from two passes to the right of a Seagulls scrum win ten metres out from his own try line Dylan Watkins ran to his right and after getting to the twenty metre mark Dylan Watkins cut off his right foot back towards the centre of the field and after making another five metre downfield was able to get an off-load away to his left.
After starting Round One of the CC Cup for the Burleigh Bears at five eight and Round Two off the bench Zac Murphy was on the move once again in Round Three against the Brisbane Tigers with Zac Murphy starting at lock and making a significant contribution inside the opening minute of the match when after receiving an off-load from his inside around thirty six metres from his own try line Zac Murphy burst through the centre of the field to three metres inside tiger territory before getting away a great off-load to his left to Kallen Boss to continue the charge downfield.
Impressively Zac Murphy was named in the Courier Mail CC Cup Round Three Team of the Week.
AJ Hickling started from the bench for the Northern Rivers Titans in Round Five of the U18 Laurie Daley Cup and coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 44th minute against the North Coast Bulldogs with AJ Hickling scoring in the 67th minute when after charging onto an inside pass from Bo Priesley on the left side of the field AJ Hickling charged through a gap and was able to crash over to score two metres in from the left corner post.
Earlier in the 56th minute AJ Hickling made a desperate last ditch try saving tackle on the North Coast fullback around ten metres out with AJ Hickling racing to his right to make the critical tackle.
Callum Bowles started at right second row for the Northern Rivers Titans in Round Five of the U18 Laurie Daley Cup against the North Coast Bulldogs with Callum Bowles scoring in the 35th minute when he backed up on the inside and subsequently received an off-load from his right from Creedence Donovan who had made a line break down the right touchline with Callum Bowles receiving the ball to have an easy eight metre run to score in the right corner.
Noah Vakararawa started from the bench for the Northern Rivers Titans in Round Five of the U16 Andrew Johns Cup against the North Coast Bulldogs with Noah Vakararama coming onto the field to operate at lock in the 20th minute and almost immediately making a strong fourteen metre run to the right of the play the ball to get to the halfway mark.
Noah Vakararawa then did well in the 25th minute when he chased through a short Northern Rivers goal line drop-out with Noah Vakararawa jumping high to take the ball on the full and then charge out to the thirty metre mark.
Kwinn Wolf started in the front row for the Northern Rivers Titans in Round Five of the U16 Andrew Johns Cup against the North Coast Bulldogs with Kwinn Wolf scoring a strong try in the 54th minute as a result of a powerful twenty metre run which saw Kwinn Wolf break three tackles as he charged onto the ball to the left of the play the ball to crash over eight metres to the left of the uprights.
Kwinn Wolf had taken the fourth hit-up of the match from the North Coast kick-off and along with Banjora Porch, Kwinn Wolf smashing the Bulldogs No. 10 twenty metres from the try line with the ball lost as a result of the heavy defensive contact in the 8th minute.
Creedence Donovan started at right centre for the Northern Rivers Titans in Round Five of the U18 Laurie Daley Cup against the North Coast Bulldogs with Creedence Donovan recording a try assist in the 35th minute when after receiving a pass from his inside from Zane Harrison Creedence Donovan got on the outside of his opposing centre and burst down the right touchline. Creedence Donovan then drew the Bulldogs fullback and got the pass inside to Callum Bowles who scored in the right corner.
Creedence Donovan’s initial smart run came in just the 2nd minute when Creedence Donovan ran to his left out of dummy half when twenty metres from his own try line with Creedence Donovan able to make twenty metres downfield.
Creedence Donovan then did well in the 66th minute with a smart run down the right channel which started thirty metres out from his own try line with Creedence Donovan able to promote the ball to the halfway mark.
Then in the final minute when lining up at fullback Creedence Donovan did well to take a North Coast kick on the full thirty metres out from his own try line whilst under pressure. Creedence Donovan then returned the ball to the halfway mark.
Creedence Donovan also did well defensively in the 7th minute when whilst defending twelve metres from his own try line Creedence Donovan sprinted out of the defensive line and hit his opposite number hard and dislodging the ball in the process.
After missing Round Two of the CC Cup David Bryenton started Round Three at right centre for the Burleigh Bears against the Brisbane Tigers with David Bryenton scoring in the 8th minute when David Bryenton tracked the ball to the left side of the field and from fourteen metres out got an off-load down a left blindside and then produced a huge left foot step to beat two defenders before straightening up and dive over to score twelve metres in from the left corner post.
After taking the second hit-up of the match from the Tigers kick-off David Bryenton made a strong run in the 24th minute from forty metres out from the try line with David Bryenton getting the ball to twelve metres out before off-loading to his left.
Aaron Singh-Goesel moved back into the Northern Rivers Tians starting side at left second row in Round Five of the Laurie Daley Cup against the North Coast Bulldogs with Aaron Singh-Goesel coming close to scoring in the 28th minute only to be held up over the try line ten metres in from the left corner post after a strong ten metre run.
In the 42nd minute Aaron Singh-Goesel was able to make twelve metres to get the ball forty two metres away from his own try line after charging onto the ball to the right of the play the ball.
In the 7th minute along with Brady Turner, Aaron Singh-Goesel did well to hold up the North Coast lock over the try line after he had tried to barge his way over. Aaron Singh-Goesel made another strong tackle in the 27th minute with a heavy front-on hit on the North Coast No. 11 thirty five metres out from the try line with Aaron Singh-Goesel’s initial contact rocking the North Coast forward.
Aaron Singh-Goesel made another good defensive hit in the 52nd minute when he raced out of the defensive line to crunch the North Coast five eight just he was receiving the ball with Aaron Singh-Goesel driving him backwards so that North Coast lost ten metres on the play.
Daniel Rakena started at five eight for the Burleigh Bears in Round Three of the CC Cup against the Brisbane Tigers with Daniel Rakena scoring in the 57th minute. Daniel Rakena received the ball to the left of the play the ball and in the centre of the field around twelve metres out and immediately ran the ball to his left and after throwing a dummy to his left Daniel Rakena stepped off his left foot and raced ten metres to dive over to score twelve metres in from the left corner post. Daniel Rakena then was able to convert his own try.
Daniel Rakena also recorded a line break assist in the 8th minute when from thirty five metres out Daniel Rakena threw a hard flat pass to his left that put Luke Jones on the outside of his immediate defender with the second rower then able to race twenty metres downfield.
In addition to converting his own try Daniel Rakena, from almost the identical spot on the field converted Jax Damro’s earlier 39th minute try.
Benji Quinlan started at right second row for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in Round Three of the CC Cup against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Benji Quinlan taking the third hit-up of the match after the kick-off.
To say that Benji Quinlan showcased a wide ranging skill set against the Dolphins would be an understatement including in the 15th minute when from forty metres out and to the right of the play the ball Benji Quinlan put in a right foot chip kick which was regained by the Seagulls just five metres out from the try line. Then in the 52nd minute from thirty five metres out from his own try line and in the centre of the field Benji Quinlan put up a high floating Matt Burton type of bomb that was too much for the Redcliffe right winger who dropped the ball cold thirty five metres away from his try line.
The first of multiple strong hit-ups from Benji Quinlan came in the 6th minute with a strong fifteen metre run to the halfway mark from the left of the play the ball. Then in the 44th minute from two passes to the left of the dummy half Benji Quinlan charged twenty metres through the centre of the field to get the ball twelve metres from the try line.
Benji Quinlan continued to run hard the entire match including in the 59th minute when from the left of the play the ball and thirty eight metres from his own try line Benji Quinlan was able to get the ball five metres into Redcliffe territory breaking four tackles along the way.
Benji Quinlan was equally impressive defensively against the Dolphins including in the 19th minute when Benji Quinlan nearly cut the Redcliffe winger (No. 2) as he was bring the ball out of his own twenty metre area. Then from the play the ball Benji Quinlan drove the Redcliffe No. 3 backwards as a result of another strong tackle.
In the 31st minute Benji Quinlan hit the Dolphins No. 12 on the halfway from the right side as Benji Quinlan moved to his eight dropping him immediately. Then in the 55th minute Benji Quinlan made yet another strong tackle when he drove the Redcliffe five eight metres backwards from his own thirty two metre mark as a result of another text book front on tackle. Just two minutes later in the 57th minute Benji Quinlan crunched the Redcliffe five eight once again as Benji Quinlan moved to his left to drive him backwards.
Benji Quinlan’s great performance saw him named at right second row in the Courier Mail 2023 CC Cup Round Three Team of the Week.
Ayden Byrnes started from the bench for the Northern Rivers Tians in Round Five of the Laurie Daley Cup against the North Coast Bulldogs with Ayden Byrnes scoring in the 48th minute five metres to the right of the uprights with Ayden Byrnes initially running to his right out of dummy half from ten metres out and in the centre of the field.
Ayden Byrnes also recorded a try assist in the 60th minute when with the play the ball eight metres out, Ayden Byrnes ran to his left before stepping off his right foot and getting a smart off-load away to his right to Brady Turner who crashed over to score.
Earlier in the 40th minute Ayden Byrnes ran to his left out of dummy half through the centre of the field making twenty three metres to get within eight metres of the try line.
Bo Peisley started at five eight for the Northern Rivers Tians in Round Five of the Laurie Daley Cup against the North Coast Bulldogs with Bo Peisley recording a try assist in the 21st minute when to the left of the play the ball and around twelve metres from the try line Bo Peisley put in a right foot grubbed kick which bounced high just in front of the North Coast fullback and also perfectly for Levi Dangerfield to race through to score ten metres in from the left corner post.
Bo Peisley recorded a second try assist in the 67th minute when from twenty metres out and to the left of the play the ball Bo Peisley ran to his left before throwing a smart inside ball to AJ Hickling who was able to crash over to score two metres in from the right corner post.
Bo Peisley also recorded a line break assist in the 12th minute when from thirty metres out and to the left of the play the ball threw a great pass to his left to put the Tians left winger away down the left touchline.
In the 17th minute Bo Peisley forced a North Coast goal line drop-out when from thirty eight metres out and to the left of the play the ball Bo Peisley put in a right foot kick into the left corner which held up in the in-goal forcing the Bulldogs fullback to take the ball dead.
From a defensive perspective Bo Peisley did well in the 16th minute when along with Levi Dangerfield, Bo Peisley grabbed hold of the North Coast fullback who had just retrieved a Titans attacking kick and after holding him off the ground dragged him into touch just metres from the try line.
Levi Dangerfield moved back to left centre for the Northern Rivers Titans in Round Five of the U18 Laurie Daley Cup against the North Coast Bulldogs with Levi Dangerfield scoring the Northern Rivers Titans opening two tries of their win.
Levi Dangerfield scored his first try in 18th minute when he charged over from ten metres out to score a metre in from the left touchline.
Levi Dangerfield added a second try in the 21st minute when to the left of the play the ball and around twelve metres from the try line Bo Peisley put in a right foot grubbed kick which bounced high just in front of the North Coast fullback and also perfectly for Levi Dangerfield to race through to score ten metres in from the left corner post.
From a defensive perspective Levi Dangerfield did well in the 16th minute when along with Bo Peisley, Levi Dangerfield grabbed hold of the North Coast fullback who had just retrieved a Titans attacking kick and after holding him off the ground dragged him into touch just metres from the try line.
Titans contracted Matthew Barrow started on the left wing for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in Round Three of the MM Cup against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Matthew barrow making a line break in the 5th minute when he raced down the left touchline from thirty two metres out and Matthew Barrow almost beat the Redcliffe fullback on the outside but was brought down just two metres out.
Matthew Barrow made another line break in the 47th minute when after receiving an off-load from his fullback when forty three metres out from the try line Matthew Barrow charged ten metres down the left touchline where he was brought to ground but Matthew Barrow was not held and smartly got to his feet quickly to make another thirteen metres downfield.
In the 15th minute Matthew Barrow came off his left wing to the centre of the field to make fifteen metres from a hit-up that originated inside his own twenty metre area. Matthew barrow came off his left again in the 24th minute once again to the centre of the field and from just ten metres from his own try line Matthew Barrow was able to make ten metres against an on-rushing Redcliffe defensive line. Then a tackle later Matthew barrow made another six metres from a second hit-up in the same set of six tackles.
Titans contracted Jimmy McCombie started at halfback for the Northern Rivers Titans in Round Five of the U16 Andrew Johns Cup against the North Coast Bulldogs with Jimmy McCombie making a strong tackle on the North Coast No. 11 in the 39th minute forty metres out from the try line. Jimmy McCombie made another good tackle in the 47th minute on his stepping opposite thirty metres out from the try line.
Jimmy McCombie then made one of the tackles of the match with a try saving effort in the 53rd minute on the North Coast left centre just two metres from the try line after he had burst through the initial defensive line.
Titan Isaiah Scanlon started in the front row for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in Round Three of the U18 MM Cup against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Isaiah Scanlon making a strong run in the 3rd minute from ten metres out and to the right of the play the ball with Isaiah Scanlon able to get the ball to thirty metres away from his ow try line against heavy Redcliffe resistance.
Isaiah Scanlon made another strong run in the 11th minute when from eight metres out from his own try line and to the right of the play the ball Isaiah Scanlon was able to make eleven metres against a determined and set defensive line. Then in the 14yth minute two passes to the right of a Seagulls penalty tap restart Isaiah Scanlon was able to make fourteen metres over the twenty metre mark before getting an off-load away to his right.
Isaiah Scanlon continued his strong match in the 26th minute when from thirty metres from his own try line and to the right of the play the ball Isaiah Scanlon was able to charge through the centre of the field to get the ball within seven metres of the halfway mark. Isaiah Scanlon then made another strong charge in the 36th minute Isaiah Scanlon made a great kick-off return from the Dolphins second half kick-off to get the ball twenty two metres away from his own try line.
Isiah Scanlon rounded out his strong match in the 65th minute with a charge to the left of the play the ball from his own twenty seven metre mark to the forty metre mark.
Defensively in the 11th minute made a smart tackle on the Redcliffe hooker who had run out of dummy half but Isaiah Scanlon reacted quickly and ran to his right to make a try saving tackle just out from the try line as the Dolphins looked set to score.
Titans contracted Jahkayis Mabbell moved into the Tweed Heads Seagulls starting line- up at hooker in Round Three of the CC Cup against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Jahkayis Mabbell making a smart run out of dummy half in the 32nd minute when from forty metres out from his own try line Jahkayis Mabbell ran to his right out of dummy half and was able to get the ball ten metres inside Redcliffe territory.
Jahkayis Mabbell made an even better run in the 50th minute from forty five metres out from the try line and after running out of dummy half to his right Jahkayis Mabbell got all of the way down to the ten metre mark.
Titans contracted Luke Jones started at left second row for the Burleigh Bears in Round Three of the U18 MM Cup against the Brisbane Tigers with Luke Jones making a line break in the 8th minute when from thirty five metres out from the try line Luke Jones ran onto a Daniel Rakena ball and charged downfield to get within fourteen metres of the try line.
Luke Jones then recorded a line break assist in the 59th minute when after receiving the ball on the left side of the field around forty metres from his own try line, Luke Jones drew the tigers right winger and got an off-load away to his left to Isaac Cullen who broke away down the left touchline.
Titan Brady Turner moved to the front row for the Northern Rivers Titans in Round Five of the U18 Laurie Daley Cup against the North Coast Bulldogs with Brady Turner scoring in the 60th minute when after receiving an off-load from Ayden Byrnes Brady Turner crashed over to score eight metres to the right of the uprights.
Brady Turner also recorded a line break assist in the 53rd minute when after charging onto the ball to the right of the play the ball, Brady Turner was able to make ten metres before getting a smart off-load away to his right to Zane Harrison who made a line break through the centre of the field.
In the 3rd minute Brady Turner charged into the ball to the right of the play the ball and from forty two metres out from the try line was able to make fourteen metres before being tackled twenty eight metres out.
Brady Turner made another strong run in the 21st minute when from five metres inside his own territory and to the right of the play the ball Brady Turner was able to get the ball ten metres inside Bulldogs territory.
Then in the 25th minute from the left of the play the ball and twenty six metres out from the try line Brady Turner surged forward and was not brought to ground before he got to within four metres of the try line, dragging defenders the majority of the way there.
Brady Turner, in the 62nd minute when onto the ball to the right of the play the ball twenty metres out from his own try line and was able to make twenty metres downfield to at least 50% of those metres post contact with Brady Turner also breaking three tackles in the run.
Brady Turner along with Cameron Bevan had made the opening tackle of the match from the Northern Rivers Titans kick-off. Brady Turner then backed that effort up by making a strong driving tackle from the third play of the match.
Brady Turner made another strong tackle in the 5th minute with strong right shoulder effort driving his opponent back a number of metres from thirty five metres out from the try line. Then in the 7th minute along with Aaron Singh-Goesel, Brady Turner did well to hold up the North Coast lock over the try line after he had tried to barge his way over.
Round Three of the 2023 U16 Cyril Connell Cup competition saw Titans contracted Devin Bates-Wellington named on the bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in their home match against the Redcliffe Dolphins and after coming off the bench to operate at left second row in the 17th minute Devin Bates-Wellington made the defensive hit of the match in the 57th minute when whilst defending right on his own try line and directly under the posts Devin Bates-Wellington smashed into a giant charging Dolphins front rower (No. 10) with Devin Bates Wellington’s hit re-directing the font rowers momentum to his left and away from the try line.
Almost immediately after coming onto the field in the 17th minute made his first hit-up which made nine metres out of his own twenty metre mark. Then in the 39th minute Devin Bates-Wellington from two passes to the left of the play the ball and forty metres out from his own try line Devin Bates-Wellington stepped off his left foot twice as he got the ball to near the halfway mark.
Devin Bates-Wellington had made an earlier strong tackle on a stepping Redcliffe halfback ten metres from the try line with Devin Bates-Wellington’s strong initial contact forcing the halfback to lose the ball in the tackle.
Titans contracted Zane Harrison started at halfback and captain for the Northern Rivers Titans in Round Five of the Laurie Daley Cup against the North Coast Bulldogs with Zane Harrison scoring a try and kicking four conversions in the Titans big win.
Zane Harrison scored in the 43rd minute when from eight metres out from the try line and to the right of the play the ball Zane Harrison dummied to both his inside and outside before running himself to force his way through to defenders to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.
Zane Harrison kicked his first conversion in the 21st minute to convert Levi Dangerfield’s try from ten metres in from the left touchline. Zane Harrison kicked his second conversion in the 43rd minute when he converted his own try from mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field. Zane Harrison kicked his third conversion in the 48th minute converting Ayden Byrnes 48th minute try from five metres to the right of uprights before kicking his final conversion in the 60th minute to convert Brady Turner’s try eight metres to the right of the uprights.
Zane Harrison recorded a line break in the 53rd minute when after receiving an off-load from Brady Turner Zane Harrison made a twenty metre line break through the centre of the field. Zane Harrison was then awarded a penalty for being held down too long in the tackle.
Zane Harrison also recorded a line break assist in the 4th minute when after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball Zane Harrison continued to run the ball in the same direction before throwing a smart inside pass to his fullback from twelve metres out with his team mate being brought to ground less than two metres from the try line.
Zane Harrison recorded a second line break assist in the 35th minute when from twenty five metres out and to the right of the play the ball Zane Harrison threw hard flat cut-out pass to his right to put Creedence Donovan immediately on the outside of his direct opponent and away down the right touchline.
Zane Harrison ran the ball well himself in the 28th minute when after taking possession twenty metres away from the try line and to the right of the play the ball Zane Harrison dummied to his inside before stepping his way past three defenders before being tackled less than a metre from the try line.
Defensively Zane Harrison did well in the 9th minute with a driving tackle on the North Coast left winger twenty metres out from the try line. Zane Harrison made an even better tackle in the 33rd minute with a try saving effort in the right corner with Zane Harrison racing across the field in cover defence to force the ball loose as the North Coast left winger was attempting to ground the ball with a diving effort.
Round Three of the MM Cup against the Brisbane Tigers saw Waaka Hepi start from the bench for the Burleigh Bears and come on to operate in the front row in the 29th minute. Waake Hepi was heavily involved in Sam Stephenson’s 37th minute try when after engaging the Tigers defensive line ten metres from the try line Waaka Hepi whilst engaged with two defenders was able to get a right arm off-load away behind him to Nayte Saaga who subsequently ran to his left to put Sam Stephenson over to score his second rty of the match in the 37th minute.
Then in the 52nd minute Waaka Hepi charged onto the ball to the right of the play the ball from thirty five metres out and in the centre of the field with Waaka Hepi carrying the ball to four metres inside Brisbane Tigers territory.
Keebra Park SHS student Christian Rivers started at lock for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in Round Three of the CC Cup against the Souths Logan Magpies with Christian Rivers making a desperate try saving tackle in the 2nd minute on the Magpies hooker a metre out from the try line mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field after the hooker had tried to sneak over from dummy half.
Christian Rivers made another tackle in the 11th minute charge back in cover defence to tackle the Souths Logan five eight from behind ten metres out from the try line after a thirty metre line break.
Christian Rivers executed another strong tackle in the 18th minute when with Souths Logan on the attack just ten metres out from the Seagulls try line, Christian Rivers raced out of the defensive line and smashed his opposite number just as he received the ball directly in front of the goal posts.
Christian Rivers produced a smart piece of play when lined up at marker in the 8th minute when he reached around the Magpies player who played the ball to hit the hands of the dummy half and force a knock on.
Titans contracted Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu started at right second row for the Burleigh Bears in Round Two of the MM Cup against the Souths Logan Magpies as well as Round Three against the Brisbane Tigers with Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu coming desperately close to scoring in the 33rd minute when he did well to stay onside and chase through a Ryder Williams grubber kick into the in-goal but just at the last second the ball took a horror bounce that took the ball away from a desperate lunge by Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu.
Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu made a good run in the 29th minute when he made sixteen metres down the right channel to get the ball withing forty metres of the try line.
Marsden SHS’s Tawa-Dean Simpkins started at right centre for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in Round Three of the CC cup against the Souths Logan Magpies with Tawa-Dean Simpkins making a try saving tackle inside the opening minute of the match when along with Majah Peacehy they tackled the Souths Logan left centre just two metres out from the ty line and ten metres in from the right corner post.
Tawa-Dean Simpkins made another try saving effort in the 51st minute when he chased the Magpies halfback who had made a line beak through the centre of the field with Tawa-Dean Simpkins able to ankle tap the halfback from behind twenty metres out from the try line.
In the 40th minute Tawa-Dean Simpkins from the left of a Seagulls scrum win ten metres out from his own try line broke three tackles as he got the ball over the twenty metre mark. Then in the 59th minute Tawa-Dean Simpkins made twenty metres from the right of a Seagulls scrum win to thirty metres out from his own try line on the final play of the match.
Tawa-Dean Simpkins made a strong one on one tackle in space in the 27th minute and just three metres out from his try line on the Magpies left centre and then from the marker position Tawa-Dean Simpkins ran to his right to stop the Souths Logan fullback from scoring after he had tried to dart over from dummy half down the blindside.
Tawa-Dean executed a smart piece of play in the 52nd minute when Taw-Dean Simpkins chased through a short Wynnum Manly kick-off with Tawa-Dean Simpkins retrieving the ball thirty metres out from the try line and after cutting back towards the centre of the field Tawa-Dean Simpkins was able to get within six metres of the try line in front of the posts.
Tawa-Dean Simpkins’s performance saw him named in the centres in the 2023 Courier Mail CC Cup Round Three Team of the Week for the second week in a row.
Austin Marsters continued off the bench in Round Three of the MM Cup for the Burleigh Bears against the Brisbane Tigers but literally found himself in the match inside the opening minute as a result of a Bears HIA from the opening kick-off.
Austin Marsters was involved in Isaiah F@galilo’s 16th minute try when after Isaiah F@galilo played the ball ten metres out and in front of the posts Austin Marsters ran the ball out of dummy half to his right before getting the ball back to Isaiah F@galilo who then put in a grubber kick into the goal to score next to the right upright.
Austin Marsters did exceptionally well from a defensive perspective in the 31st minute when he raced to his right to make a great try saving low legs tackle on the Tigers left winger who seemed set to score in the corner.
Titans contracted Sunny Kama started at right centre for the Burleigh Bears in Round Three of the MM Cup against the Brisbane Tigers with Sunny Kama recording a line break assist in the 26th minute when after taking possession on the right side of the field forty metres from his own try line, Sunny Kama carried a number of defenders to five metres inside Tigers territory and then as he was going to ground Sunny Kama got both arm free and got a two handed off-load away behind him to Bailey McConnell who then made a line break and ultimately put Izayah Petrichvich over to score.
Sunny Kama made a further strong run in the 37th minute when from thirty metres out and on the left side of the field Sunny Kama ran to his left after receiving the ball from the dummy half and as he ran towards the Tigers right sided defensive line Sunny Kama shaped to pass to his left before taking the line on himself and getting to the halfway mark. Sunny Kama was then awarded a penalty for a high tackle.
Titans contracted Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy started at fullback for the Burleigh Bers in Round Three of the MM Cup against the Brisbane Tigers with Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy kicking five conversions, the first of which came in the 9th minute to convert Jake Schmidt’s try from directly in front. Zyroam Taurawa-Herily’s second conversion was a great effort from five metres from the left touchline to covert Jac Finnigan’s 12th minute try before Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy converted Isaiah F@gailio’s 16th minute try from two metres to the right of the uprights.
Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy’s fourth conversion was another great kick from five metres in from the left touchline to convert Sam Stephenson’s second try before Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy added a fifth conversion in the 37th minute to convert Sam Stephenson’s second try from five metres in from the left corner post.
Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy showed his courage in the 23rd minute when whilst defending on his own try line Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy ran to his left to dive on a Tigers grubber kick with the ball a metre from the try line and Tigers players chasing the ball hard.
Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy made a strong kick return in the 25th minute when after fielding a long Tigers kick in the centre of the field and ten metres in front of the posts Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy ran to his left at full speed and was able to get the ball to within nine metres of the halfway mark before he confronted the defensive line.
Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy made a good run out of dummy half in the 49th minute when with the play the ball sixteen metres out from his own line Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy ran to his right getting to the twenty eight metre mark before being tackled in the centre of the field.
Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy showed his determination in the 31st minute when along with Bailey McConnell and Izayah Petrichvich, they chased down the Tigers right winger who had made a long line break down his left touchline from deep inside his own territory.
Titans contracted Jack Schmidt continued in the front row for the Burleigh Bears in Round Three of the MM Cup against the Brisbane Tigers with Jack Schmidt scoring in the 9th minute with a smart set play out of dummy half. With the play the ball a metre out from the try line and directly in front of the posts, after picking up the ball from dummy half Isaiah F@galilo dummied to his left before running parallel to the Tigers defensive line to his right with Isaiah F@galilo then throwing an inside pass to a charging Jack Schmidt who crashed over to score under the posts.
Titans contracted Cooper Bai continued at lock for the Burleigh Bears in Round Three of the MM Cup against the Brisbane Tigers with Cooper Bai making a strong run to five metres inside Tigers territory in the 21st minute after taking possession from a Bears off-load still ten metres inside his own territory.
Cooper Bai made a strong run in the 44th minute from thirty metres from his own try line with Cooper Bai making twelve metres on the left side of the field before getting an off-load away to his left to Sam Stephenson who was able to get the ball to the halfway mark.
Round Three of the 2023 U18 Mal Meninga Cup competition saw Marsden SHS’s Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri named to start at five eight for the Souths Logan Magpies against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri kicking three conversions in a heart breaking late loss for the Magpies.
Cairo Rangihuna-Riri kicked his first conversion in the 12th minute from twelve metres to the left of the uprights and then kicked his second conversion in the 24th minute from ten metres to the right of the uprights. Cairo Rangihuna-Riri’s third and final conversion was kicked in the 54th minute from five metres to the left of the uprights.
Cairo Rangihuna-Riri’s initial strong run of the match came in the 4th minute when from the left of a Souths Logan scrum win ten metres out from the try line Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri received the ball from the back of the scrum eight metres out and after stepping inside of his left foot Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri was able to get the ball a metre over the twenty metre mark.
Cairo Rangihuna-Riri also made a strong run in the 11th minute when after taking possession of the ball from a Wynnum Manly goal line drop-out forty four metres out from the try line with Cairo Rangihuna-Riri returning the ball to within eighteen metres of the try line.
In 2023 Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki part of the Souths Logan Magpies MM Cup squad with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki named on the bench in Round Two against the Burleigh Bears.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki also started from the bench in Round Three against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki coming off the bench in the 23rd minute to operate at left centre.
In late January 2023 Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki was part of the Queensland Samoa U18 side that played a Queensland MurriU18 side at the Cultural Celebration Day.
In late October 2021 Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki was named in the Burleigh Bears 2022 U18 MM Cup squad.
Round One of the 2022 MM Cup competition saw Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki named at left centre for the Burleigh Bears against the Easts Tigers however the match was cancelled due to extreme weather conditions.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki was then named to start at left centre for Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies however a late game day change saw Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki started from the bench.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki contributed two tries off the bench in Burleigh’s ten point loss, with his opening try coming in the 51st minute when from two metres out from the line and just to the right of the uprights, Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki ran out of dummy half to his right to crash over and he was then subsequently hit after he scored with Burtleigh being awarded an eight point try.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki completed his double in the 66th minute when once again from very close range Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki picjed up the ball from dummy half, got down low and burst over after running to his right. The only difference between his two tries was that in relation to his first try Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki scored adjacent to the right upright, but he scored his second try ten metres in from the left corner post.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki also made a good play in the 71st minute when after a long line break by Souths Logan, Magpies hooker Blake Mozer ran out of dummy half and made it well into the attacking twenty but Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki came out of nowhere to hit Mozer on his left side knocking the ball loose and eleiminating the possibility of a Magpies try.
Such was the quality of Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki’s performance that he was named as a reserve in the Courier Mail’s Mal Meninga Cup Round Two Team of the Week.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki also started from the bench in Round Three against the Norths Devils and once again Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki providing a real spark when he came off the bench and into the dummy half role in the second half including almost setting up a try for Joseph Shannon late in the match when from just a metre out and directly in front of the posts Dorian Mapusua put in a short right foot kick out of dummy half with Joseph Shannon charging through but the North’s fullback took the ball dead just in front of a diving Joseph Shannon.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki made a good defensive effort along with Bailey McConnell when they held up the Norths hooker in the 65th minute when he had darted to his right from dummy half ten metres from the line,
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki then continued off the bench in Round Four against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls coming into the dummy half role towards the end of the first half with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki scoring a trademark try from dummy half in the 48th minute when after Josiah Pahulu was dragged down agonisingly short, Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki picked up the ball and stayed low to force his way over after diving to the right of the play the ball to get the ball down four metres to the right of the goal posts.
Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins saw Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki named on the bench against the Redcliffe Dolphins however a late tactical change saw Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki start the match at left centre with the late position change not impacting on Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki’s ability to score as he did in the 34th minute when after he received an off-load around three metres out and near the left touchline, Dorian Mapusua-Loatki cut back to his right past where he had received the pass from and got low to burrow his way over the line to get the ball down around eleven metres in from the left corner.
Even though he was playing at left centre, Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki’s initial contribution to the match came when he ran out of dummy half to his right making twelve metres.
Dorain Mapusua-Lotaki executed an outstanding piece of play in the 9th minute when after Bailey McConnell put up a high pinpoint bomb that came down five metres from the line with the height of the kick enabling Dorain Mapusua-Lotaki to race through a force the Norths fullback back into the in-goal to force a goal line drop out.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki was named on the bench for the Burleigh Bears second 2022 trial against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki coming onto the field to play in the dummy half role in the 23rd minute.
Dorian Mapusua-Lataki came close to scoring in the 35th minute when on the last tackle, he ran out of dummy half to his right from five metres out but he was put to ground just short of the try line near the right goal post.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki ran out of dummy half to his right once again in the 42nd minute making ten metres to the halfway mark before off-loading to his right to Bailey McConnell who was able to promote the ball an additional eight metres.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki then started from the bench in Burleigh’s final trial against the Western Clydesdales with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki playing at right second row and right centre over the course of his time on the field.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki almost scored in the 58th minute when after he ran a great inside shoulder route from twenty metres out Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki broke two tackles before being brought to ground less than a metre out from the try line.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki made another strong run in the 62nd minute when he made twelve metres from a Burleigh penalty restart to get the ball eightenn metres out from the try line.
In March 2022 Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki was selected in the South Coast School Boy Rugby League U18 Representative side after successfully negotiating the trials sarting Match One against Northern from the bench with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki coming on late in the first half to operate at dummy half.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki scored in the 32nd minute when from dummy half close to the line he initially darted to his right before pausing then diving over almost untouched mid-way between the corner post and goal posts on the left side of the field.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki’s initial strong run out of dummy half came in the 24th minute when fron forty two metres out from the line, Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki picked the ball up with his left arm and burst away to his right, making around fifteen metres after cutting back to his left to target the area behind the play the ball.
Then in the 37th minute Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki made a strong twenty metres from a South Coast penalty tap restart from a penalty that if fact was awarded to Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki also started from the bench in Match Two against Met North coming on into the dummy half rol in the 11th minute.
Round One of the 2022 Langer Cup School Boy competition saw Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki start at left centre for Keebra Park State High School against Ipswich State High School with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki kicking a great conversion in the 54th minute from the left touchline.
Whilst Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki started the match at left centre he spent time in the second half in the dummy half role.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki then started Round Three against Marsden SHS at left centre with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki doing well in the 42nd minute when from near the centre of the field Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki ran to his left and was able to get to the outside of the Marsden SHS right sided defensive line and make ten metres to get the ball forty metres away from his own try line.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki continued at left centre in Round Four against Wavell State High School in a match that was played as a curtain raiser to the Titans v Bronco’s NRL match with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki scoring a try and kicking a conversion in a six point Keebra Park SHS victory.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki scored in the 32nd minute when from twelve metres out down the left side of the field Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki was able to get low and burrow his way over to score in the left corner.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki’s conversion was kicked in the 48th minute to convert Eli Tuli’s try from just to the right of the goal posts with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki’s conversion giving Keebra Park their first lead of the match which they subsequently held onto.
The in the 53rd minute Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki from his own thirty metre mark was able to get the ball to the halfway mark down the left channel through sheer strength and power.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki also started at left centre in Round Five against Redcliffe State High School with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki making a fifty metre line break in the 6th minute with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki starting his run just inside his own territory but six metres out from the try line Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki inside pass went to ground.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki continued at left centre of the Round Six local derby against PBC SHS with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki kicking three conversions from as many attempts in a six point Keebra Park SHS victory.
Round Seven of the Langer Cup competition saw Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki start at left centre against Mabel Park SHS although Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki also spent large portions of the match in the dummy half role and it was from dummy half where Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki made a line break in the 18th minute when from thirty metres out from his own try line in the 18th minute Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki ran to his right out of dummy half, breaking four tackles as he burst through the Mabel Park SHS defensive line. Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki then got the ball away to his left to Eli Tuli who charged away only for the ball to be knocked from his grasp as he was about to dive over to score between the posts.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki then started at left centre as well as spending time in the dummy half role in Keebra Park SHS’s Langer Cup Quarter Final against Marymount College with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki scoring in the 52nd minute when Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki was on the end of the Keebra Park SHS sweeping backline movement which started on the opposite touchline with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki receiving the ball twelve metres out with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki having a relatively easy run to put the ball down three metres in from the left corner post.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki also recorded a try assist in the 60th minute when after taking a Keebra Park SHS kick on the full three metres from the left corner, Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki was able to get the ball away to his winger to score in the left corner.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki made a good defensive read in the 58th minute when Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki came out of the Keebra Park SHS defensive line and smashed the Marymount College fullback thirty metres out from the try line with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki’s heavy initial contact forcing the ball loose with Keebra Park SHS taking possession as a result.
Then in the 59th minute Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki smashed the Marymount College halfback with another heavy tackle front on just over the halfway mark. Prior to those two tackles, Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki in the 23rd minute crunched the Marymount College hooker over the top after he had ran out of dummy half.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki also started at left centre in the 2022 Langer Cup Semi-Final against PBC SHS with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki making a strong run out of dummy half in the 28th minute. Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki who was operating in the dummy half role at the time ran to his right out of dummy half and was only tackled less than a metre short of the try line and five metres to the left of the uprights.
Then whilst continuing in the dummy half role Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki was held up over the try line in the 36th minute after Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki had run to his left out of dummy half only to be held up just to the right of the uprights on the final tackle.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki was also named as one of the best players outside the Top 30 best School Boy Rugby League or Rugby player in the 2022 Courier Mail Top 30 school boys.
In early June 2022 Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki was named at hooker in the New Zealand Maori Tama U17 All-Tournament Team after playing for MMRL in the Tournament.
2022 saw Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki once again be a member of the Nerang Roosters Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One side, starting Round Three against the Southport Tigers at halfback with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki converting Thomas Lander’s early second half try.
Round Four against the Currumbin Eagles saw a position change with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki named at hooker against the Currumbin Eagles however in a late switch Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki moved back to start from the bench and coming on in the dummy half role in the 37th minute of the match.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki recorded a try assist in the 49th minute. After receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball around ten metres out and in front of the goal posts, Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki put in a short right foot grubber kick to his left which sat up perfectly for Jeremaiah Temapo to collect and crash over to score five metres to the left of the uprights.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki’s initial strong effort of the match came in the 48th minute when from a penalty tap restart Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki made thirteen metres against a set Currumbin defensive line.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki continued to work hard until the final siren when he made sixteen metres after running out of dummy half to his right to twelve metres out with at least 50% of his metres being post contact.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki was then named at hooker in Round Five against the Helensvale Hornets however in a late tactical change Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki ended up coming off the bench in the match into the dummy half role and scored an impressive hat trick in a big Roosters victory.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki’s opening try came in the 21st minute when after moving into dummy half around a metre from the line and directly in front of the posts, Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki initially dummied to his right before spinning 260 degrees clockwise. After that Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki stood still for a moment freezing the defensive line before running to his right before straightening up and running over one defender and carrying another over the line to score five metres to the right of the uprights.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki added a second try in the 39th minute when from dummy half around a metre from the line and ten metres to the right of the uprights Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki initially ran out of dummy half to his right before cutting back inside and diving over to score.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki completed his hat trick in the 57th minute he ran out of dummy half to his right from thirty five metres out with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki bursting through two defenders and then outpacing the Hornets cover defence to dive over in the right corner.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki’s initial run in the 20th minute when from eight metres out he ran to his right, running around twenty metres across field and was able to draw one defender out of the defensive line but his pass to his support runner was knocked down by a Hornets defender to prevent a near certain try.
Round Ten against the Southport Tigers saw Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki start at hooker and set up a Nerang try in the opening minute of the match. Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki moved into dummy half around forty metres out and seven metres in from the left touchline. After picking up the ball Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki initially moved to his right and shaped to pass in the same direction but instead cut off his left foot to easily get past the two Tigers markers before setting sail downfield, bursting through two more would be tacklers before drawing the fullback and off-loading to his left to put Jai Vought over to score near the left corner post.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki recorded a second try assist in the 29th minute when from four metres out and four metres in from the left touchline, Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki darted down the left blindside and got the ball away to Jeremaiah Temapo who was able to reach out with his right arm after he was stopped just short of the line to score in the left corner.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki also started at halfback in Round Twelve against the Helensvale Hornets and scored a double in a tight 18 -14 Roosters victory.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki started at hooker in Round Thirteen against the Runaway Bay Seagulls with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki scoring a great solo try in the 13th minute when Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki burst out of dummy half to his right from sixty five metres out from the try line with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki charging straight through the centre of the ruck before veering to his left to run around the Seagulls fullback to get the ball down ten metres from the left upright.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki also recorded a try assist in the 28th minute when Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki took a Runaway Bay kick-off on the full thirty metres from his own try line and immediately charged down the left touchline before drawing the fullback and passing to his inside for Kyen Murphy to score.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki recorded a second try assist in the 48th minute when from forty metres out and in the centre of the field, Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki put in a right foot kick towards the right side of the field with Jeremaiah Temapo racing through to take the kick on the first bounce and break a number of tackles to score in the right corner.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki made a further line break in the 24th minute when after receiving an off-load around sixty five metres out, Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki broke through four attempted tackles and just as he was about to take on the fullback, Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki was tripped up from behind after making a thirty metre line break.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki made another line break in the 32nd minute when Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki retrieved a Runaway Bay kick twenty metres out from his own try line and then returned the kick straight through the centre of the field to get the ball into Seagulls territory before being tackled.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki made a third line break in the 57th minute he broke through two tackles making twenty five metres after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki also recorded a line break assist in the 37th minute when Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki ran to the right of a Roosters scrum win inside the defending twenty metre mark with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki drawing in one defender before throwing a good ball to his left to put Xavier Collins into a gap.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki then started at five eight in Round Fourteen against the Ormeau Shearers and whilst Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki lined up in the halves in attack he operated at fullback from a defensive perspective.
The match saw Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki convert one of the Roosters eight tries. Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki also recorded a 17th minute try assist when after he received the ball thirty metres out and in the centre of the field, Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki ran to his left and after drawing in the Ormeau right winger, Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki pass to his right to send Josh Lynn over in the left corner. Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki then converted the try.
The first of Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki’s multiple line breaks came in the 7th minute when after moving into dummy half eighteen metres out from his own try line, Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki ran to his left and then almost immediately stepped off his right foot to target the area behind the play the ball, Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki then beat another defender with a strong left arm fend before a right foot step and another left arm fend beat additional defenders. Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki then stepped off his right foot to beat the fullback before being dragged down from behind after a sixty metre run.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki added a second line break in the 10th minute when once again he ran out of dummy half from his own forty metre mark. After picking up the ball Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki ran to his right and burst between two defenders before a left arm fend beat a third with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki then running over the top of the Ormeau fullback during a forty metre line break.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki added a further line break to his already impressive match in the 50th minute when from a kick-off to the right side of the field Nerang threw the ball to their left with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki receiving the ball just ten metres out from his own try line with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki then charging down the left touchline only being brought down once he got five metres inside Ormeau territory.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki made it four line breaks in the match in the 55th minute when from thirty metres out from his own try line, Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki ran to his left out of dummy half and was able to make thirty metres down the left touchline before getting the ball away to his inside.
A fifth line break for Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki came in the 58th minute when he received a flick pass after cutting back inside of Josh Lynn on the halfway mark with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki cutting through the centre of the field to make seventeen metres and break three tackles with Nerang scoring through Jury Taewa from Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki’s exceptionally quick play the ball.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki then started at hooker in Round Sixteen against the Burleigh Bears with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki recording a try assist in the 27th minute when from two metres inside Burleigh territory Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki ran to his right and broke through the centre of the Bears defensive line with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki then drawing the fullback and passing to his left to Josh Lynn who scored ten metres to the left of the uprights.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki came desperately close to scoring an outstanding try in the 45th minute when Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki ran to his left out of dummy half from the halfway mark with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki cutting off his left foot towards the soft spot behind the play the ball with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki bursting away and crossing the try line just to the right of the uprights but the referee adjudged that Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki lost the ball over the try line.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki made the first of multiple line breaks in the match inside the opening minute when after receiving an off-load Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki exploded from a standing start forty metres out from his own line and was able to make fifteen metres through the centre of the field.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki made further ground in the 16th minute when he ran to his right out of dummy half with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki getting four metres inside Burleigh territory after a sixteen metre run.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki continued his strong running in the 48th minute when he ran out of dummy half to his left from twenty five metres out with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki getting within two metres of the try line in front of the posts before he was finally stopped.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki also made a 36th minute try saving tackle on Burleigh’s Quinton Dalton who had threatened to slice through the Roosters defensive line with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki making the tackle just five metres out from the try line.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki also started at hooker in Round Seventeen against the Southport Tigers.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki then started at hooker in the 2022 Week Two GCRL U18 Division One Major Semi-final against the Currumbin Eagles with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki scoring in the 34th minute when after moving into dummy half with the play the ball less than a metre from the try line and mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field. Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki initially stepped to his right and looked to pass in that same direction before Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki darted back to his left to crash over ten metres in from the left corner post.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki also recorded a try assist in the 28th minute when from twenty metres out and just to the left of the uprights, Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki ran to his left out of dummy half and after engaging the defensive line still ten metres out Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki threw a long cut-out pass to his left to Jeremaiah Temapo who beat three defenders in a ten metre run to score in the left corner.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki then started at hooker in the 2022 GCRL U18 Division One Preliminary Final against the Helensvale Hornets with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki scoring a double as the Roosters qualified for the Grand Final on the back of a 26 – 18 victory.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki’s opening try arrived in the 9th minute when after moving into dummy half with the play the ball a metre out from the try line and mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field, Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki initially took two steps backwards when he picked up the ball to give himself some room. Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki then dummied to his right before darting over to score mid-way between the corner post and goal posts on the left side of the field.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki completed his double in the 19th minute and it was one of the best solo tries that I have seen in a long time. Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki, from thirty five metres out from his own try line ran to his right out of dummy half with the play the ball on the left side of the field, producing a left arm fend to beat one defender before Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki burst through the Hornets defensive line, Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki then stepped off his left foot to beat the Hornets fullback with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki then outpacing the Helensvale No. 14 to dive over to score five metres in from the left corner post.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki also made a line break in the 30th minute when after receiving the ball on the left side of the field around thirty five metres out from his own try line, Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki dummied to his left before engaging the Helensvale defensive line with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki spinning 360 degrees counter clockwise to break contact with two defenders with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki bumping off another defender as Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki charged to within fifteen metres of the try line.
The 2022 Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One Grand Final saw Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki start at hooker for the Nerang Roosters with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki scoring in the 58th minute when after a quick play the ball from Immanuel Kalekale, Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki, from twelve metres out from the try line ran to his right out of dummy half to crash over to score eight metres to the left of the uprights.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki also made a line break in the 34th minute when in front of the Nerang goal posts Immanuel Kalekale smashed the Currumbin right second rower (No. 11) with the ball flying loose with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki picking up the ball just metres out from the Nerang try line and making twenty metres downfield.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki made the first of a number of telling run in the Grand Final in the 3rd minute when Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki ran to his right out of dummy half to make nineteen metres to get the ball to within eleven metres of the try line.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki also executed a smart piece of play in the 49th minute with a one on one strip after Currumbin had made a line break with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki’s smart effort eliminating the threat to the Nerang try line.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki finished the 2022 GCRL U18 Division One season as the competition’s equal fourth leading try scorer with ten tries and equal ninth in point’s scored with forty four points.
Titans contracted Izayah Petrichvich started on the right wing for the Burleigh Bears in Round Three of the MM Cup against the Brisbane Tigers with Izayah Petrichvich scoring in the 26th minute when he backed up a Bailey McConnell line break from forty five metres from the try line off a great Sunny Kama off-load with Bailey McConnell then drawing he Tigers fullback when still twenty metres from the try line and throwing a pass to his right to put Izayah Petrichvich over to score eleven metres in from the right corner post.
Izayah Petrichvich did well in the 24th minute when he chased a Bailey McConnell put in a right foot hard driving kick to the Bears right corner from forty five metres out from the try line in the 24th minute with Izayah Petrichvich chasing hard and forcing the Tigers fullback to concede the tackle three metres away from the right corner post.
Izayah Petrichvich showed his determination in the 31st minute when along with Bailey McConnell and Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy, they chased down the Tigers right winger who had made a long line break down his left touchline from deep inside his own territory.
Titans contracted Nayte Saaga continued off the bench for the Burleigh Bears in Round Three of the MM Cup against the Brisbane Tigers with Nayte Saaga coming onto the field in the dummy half role in the 31st minute. Nayte Saaga recorded a try assist in the 37th minute when after running back towards his own try line to take possession of the ball from a Waaka Hepi off-load when ten metres out from the try line, Nayte Saaga ran the ball to his left and after getting the Tigers right centre to commit to him Nayte Saaga got a short off-load away to Sam Stephenson who crashed over to score five metres in from the left corner post.
Just three minutes later in the 40th Minute Nayte Saaga almost set up a another try for Sam Stephenson when from dummy half Nayte Saaga threw a flat hard cut-out pass to his left destined for Sam Stephenson four metres from the try line but the last Tigers defender got his hand to the ball to stop a certain try.
Almost immediately after coming onto the field in the dummy half role Nayte Saaga darted out of dummy half to his right from thirty metres out with Nayte Saaga then able to draw a number of defenders before getting an off-load away to his right to Cooper Bai.
Then in the 34th minute Nayte Saaga made a great cover defending tackle down the Bears left touchline take bring down the Tigers No. 17 who had made a line break down his right side of the field.
Titans contracted Ryder Williams continued at five eight for the Burleigh Bears in Round Three of the MM Cup against the Brisbane Tigers with Ryder Williams converting Wailer Whaiapu’s 65th minute try from thirteen metres in from the left corner post.
Ryder Williams recorded a line break assist in the 12th minute when whilst operating on the left side of the field down a wide blindside Ryder Williams took the ball deep into the defensive line before throwing a hard flat cut-out pass to Sam Stephenson to make a line break down the left touchline with Sam Stephenson getting an off-load away to his inside after drawing the fullback for Jac Finnigan to score.
Ryder Williams forced a Tigers goal line drop-out in the 8th minute when to the left of the play the ball and forty metres from the try line Ryder Williams put in a hard low driving right foot kick which pulled up two metres from the dead ball line with the ensuing Burleigh chase trapping the fullback in-goal.
Ryder Williams made a smart run in the 7th minute when to the left of the play the ball and thirty six metres from his own try line Ryder Williams initially looked to pass the ball to his left but after seeing the Tigers right sided defence coming up quickly Ryder Williams ran the ball himself, stepping off his left foot to get the ball withing to metres of the halfway mark.
Ryder Williams came close to setting up a try for Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu in the 33rd minute when from twelve metres out and in front of the posts Ryder Williams put a right foot grubber kick into the in-goal but a horror bounce saw the ball bounce agonisingly away from Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu’s grasp.
Ryder Williams highlighted his defensive intelligence in the 23rd minute when whilst defending ten metres out from his own try line Ryder Williams sensed that the Bears left sided defence were facing a two man overlap and came out of the defensive line and tackle the Tigers halfback just as he received the ball to immediately eliminate the attacking threat.
Titan Isaiah F@galilo continued at hooker for the Burleigh Bears in Round Three of the MM Cup against the Brisbane Tigers with Isaiah F@galilo scoring a try and also recording two try assists.
Isaiah F@galilo scored a smart solo try in the after playing the ball ten metres out and in front of the posts Isaiah F@galilo stayed in the match and after receiving an off-load from his right from Austin Marsters who had run to his right out of dummy half, Isaiah F@galilo was confronted by a Tiges straight defensive line but quick thinking saw Isaiah F@galilo put in a short right foot grubber kick into the in-goal with Isaiah F@galilo chasing the kick through and was the first to the ball to get downward pressure to score two metres to the right of the uprights.
Literally a minute prior to scoring Isaiah F@galilo had almost scored but he was held up under the goal posts after a three metre run to his left out of dummy half. It was from the subsequent play the ball from ten metres out that saw Isaiah F@galilo score his smart solo try.
Isaiah F@galilo recorded his first try assist with a smart set play out of dummy half in the 8th minute, With the play the ball a metre out from the try line and directly in front of the posts, after picking up the ball Isaiah F@galilo dummied to his left before running parallel to the Tigers defensive line to his right with Isaiah F@galilo then throwing an inside pass to a charging Jack Schmidt who crashed over to score under the posts.
Isaiah F@galilo recorded his second try assist in the 65th minute which was almost initial to his first half try assist. Once again Isaiah F@galilo moved to dummy half with the play the ball less than a metre from the try lien and twelve metres from the left touchline. After picking up the ball Isaiah F@galilo ran to his right and then threw an inside pass to a charging Wailer Whaiapu who crashed between two defenders to score thirteen metres in from the left corner post.
After missing Round Two of the MM Cup Jac Finnigan also started at left second row for the Burleigh Bears in Round Three against the Brisbane Tigers with Jac Finnigan scoring in the 12th minute when after backing up a Sam Stephenson line break down the left touchline Jac Finnigan received a pass from his left after Sam Stephenson had drawn the Tigers fullback with Jac Finnigan then having an uninterrupted twenty run to score five metres in from the left corner post.
Jac Finnigan also recorded a line break assist (very nearly a try assist) in the 29th minute with an exceptional catch and pass under extreme pressure to his left to Sam Stephenson who made a line break down the left touchline before being adjudged to have put his left foot into touch just prior to getting the ball down in the left corner.
Jac Finnigan also did well in the 8th minute when along with Sam Stephenson and Matari Donovan, Jac Finnigan trapped the Tigers fullback in his in-goal from a Ryder Williams kick from forty metres out to force a goal line drop-out.
Jac Finnigan did well from a defensive perspective in the 23rd minute when he was able to individually hold up the Tigers lock over the try line mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field after the Tigers lock had tried to crash over from close range.
Jac Finnigan made another try saving tackle in the 62nd minute with a desperate tackle on the Tigers giant No. 10 less than a metre from the try line and directly in front of the goal posts.
Titan Bailey McConnell continued at halfback for the Burleigh Bears in Round Three of the MM Cup against the Brisbane Tigers with Bailey McConnell scoring in the 68th minute when after receiving the ball from the back of a Bears scrum win in the centre of the field and ten metres out Bailey McConnell ran to his left and literally just kept running to slice between back peddling Tigers defenders to score five metres in from the left touchline.
Bailey McConnell also recorded a try assist in the 26th minute when after exploding onto a Sunny Kama off-load forty five metres from the try line that saw him burst through the remnants of the Tigers defensive line Bailey McConnell drew the Tigers fullback when still twenty metres from the try line and threw a pass to his right to put Izayah Petrichvich over to score eleven metres in from the right corner post.
Bailey McConnell put in a good right foot hard driving kick to the Bears right corner from forty five metres out from the try line in the 24th minute with the Tigers fullback forced to concede the tackle three metres away from the right corner post.
Bailey McConnell showed his determination in the 31st minute when along with Izayah Petrichvich and Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy, they chased down the Tigers right winger who had made a long line break down his left touchline from deep inside his own territory.
It was an interesting afternoon for Bailey McConnell as he was forced from the field for a HIA after hitting his head whilst taking the opening kick-off in the in-goal area. Thankfully bailey McConnell was able to return to the field and then due to injury Bailey McConnell spent a large portion of the match at fullback and impressively Bailey McConnell was named at fullback in the Courier Mail MM Cup Round Three Team of the Week.
Round Three of the 2023 U18 Mal Meninga Cup competition saw Titans contracted Wailer Whaiapu named on the Burleigh Bears extended bench for their match against the Brisbane Tigers however a late change saw Wailer Whaiapu start from the bench.
After coming onto the field in the 24th minute Wailer Whaiapu scored in the 65th minute when Isaiah F@galilo moved to dummy half with the play the ball less than a metre from the try lien and twelve metres from the left touchline. After picking up the ball Isaiah F@galilo ran to his right and then threw an inside pass to a charging Wailer Whaiapu who crashed between two defenders to score thirteen metres in from the left corner post.
Then from the subsequent set of six tackles from the Tigers kick-off him his try Wailer Whaiapu made a great line break in the 67th minute when from the right of the play the ball Wailer Whaiapu took possession thirty two metres out and after initially shaping to pass to his right Wailer Whaiapu ran straight through the Tigers defensive line and then Wailer Whaiapu rounded the fullback only to be caught from behind twenty metres out from the try line.
One of Wailer Whaiapu’s best runs of the match come in the 29th minute from a strong charge from the kick-off from Izayah Petrichvich’s try with Wailer Whaiapu able to get the ball twenty three metres away from his own try line.
Wailer Whaiapu made another strong run in the 68th minute from sixteen metres out and on the right side of the field, Wailer Whaiapu got within a metre of the try line before he was held up just short.
After missing Round Two of the CC Cup Titans contracted Majah Peachey was named at right second row for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in Round Three against the Souths Logan Magpies with Majah Peachey making a try saving tackle inside the opening minute of the match when along with Tawa-Dean Simpkins they tackled the Souths Logan left centre just two metres out from the try line and ten metres in from the right corner post.
In addition to his 1st minute try saving tackle Majah Peachey made another strong tackle in the 8th minute on the Magpies left centre from a Magpies scrum win thirty metres out. Majah Peachey was momentarily wrong footed but he quickly regained his balance to make a strong one on one tackle.
Majah Peachey made another defensive effort in the 29th minute when after one of the Magpies players made a long line break through the centre of the field Majah Peachey chased back and tackled the attacker from behind just ten metres out from the Seagulls try line.
Majah Peachey continued his strong defensive match in the 48th minute when after being isolated on the right side of the ruck against the South Logan halfback Majah Peachey did a great job mirroring the movements of the quick stepping halfback to bring him to ground twelve metres out from the try line.
Then in the 51st minute Majah Peachey raced back to make a try saving tackle just ten metres out from the Seagulls try line with Majah Peachey tackling the attacker from behind after he had initially been ankle tapped.
Impressively after playing the entire match in the extreme heat and with the game already lost Majah Peachey still made three tackles in a row in the 57th minute with the Magpies deep on the attack.
Majah Peachey’s initial strong run of the match came in the 6th minute with a fifteen metre run down the right channel from twenty five metres out to ten metres out with 67% of Majah Peachey’s metres being post contact metres.
Then in the 9th minute Majah Peachey ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball from forty metres out from his own try line with Majah Peachey bumping off two defenders to get seven metres inside Magpies territory. Then in the 15th minute Majah Peachey made ten metres to the right of a Wynnum Manly scrum win in the centre of the field and ten metres out from their own try line with Majah Peachey’s speed catching the Magpies defence off-side with a penalty ensuing.
In the 18th minute from the second hit-up after a Seagulls penalty tap restart Majah Peachey charged onto the ball thirty two metres out from his own try line with Majah Peachey able to poke his nose through the Magpies defensive line as he surged eight metres inside Magpies territory with 50% of Majah Peachey metres being post contact metres.
Then in the 19th minute from five metres inside his own territory Majah Peachey ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball and got the ball ten metres inside Magpies territory after running straight over the top of the Souths Logan lock.
Just a minute later in the 20th minute from a Wynnum Manly twenty metre tap restart Majah Peachey charged onto the ball and was engaged by the Magpies defensive line after making eight metres. At that point all bar one of the Magpies defenders dropped off the tackle as one tried a one on one steal but Majah Peachey was able to hold onto the ball and then break away from the defender and make ten more metres.
Majah Peachey made another strong run in the 33rd minute from twenty metres out from his own try line and after running into the ball to the right of the play the ball Majah Peachey was able to make sixteen metres against a set Magpies defensive line. Then after a penalty later in the same set of six tackles Majah Peachey ran off the back fence from the penalty tap restart from five metres inside Magpies territory with Majah Peachey getting to thirty two metres out from the try line.
Then in the 41st minute from the left of the play the ball and twenty metres from his own try line Majah Peachey made sixteen metres off the back of Majah Peachey refusing to submit in the tackle with Majah Peachey continuing to pump his legs to make additional metres.
Then in the 45th minute from a Wynnum Manly penalty tap restart eight metres inside his own territory Majah Peachey punched the ball twelve metres inside Souths Logan territory.
Majah Peachey’s performance saw him named at right second row in the 2023 Courier Mail CC Cup Round Three Team of the Week.
Titans contracted William Semu started from the bench for the Souths Logan Magpies for Round Three of the MM Cup against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with William Semu coming onto the field in the 24th minute with William Semu making a strong run almost immediately to the left of the play the ball with William Semu taking the pass twelve metres inside his own territory with William Semu getting the ball to the halfway mark.
Then in the 26th minute from a Magpies penalty tap restart from thirty one metres and in the centre of the field with William Semu carrying the ball to within sixteen metres of the Magpies try line.
Then in the 33rd minute from the left of the play the ball and twenty six metres away from the try line William Semu charged onto the ball and after engaging a Seagulls defenders still sixteen metres from the try line William Semu spun 360 degrees clockwise to break contact and then William Semu was able to break an additional three defenders are William Semu surged to his left and was only brought down by multiple defenders just five metres out from the try line.
Half time certainly did not slow William Semu down with William Semu making a great charge from Wynnum Manly’s second half kick-off with Williams Semu skittling defenders in all directions as he smashed his way to twenty six metres away from his own try line.
Then in the 67th minute William Semu charged onto the ball to the left of the play the ball from forty metres out from the try line with Williams Semu making eleven tough metres.
William Semu also had some good moments defensively against the Seagulls including in the 37th minute with a strong tackle on the Wynnum Manly right centre (No. 4) with William Semu forcing him backwards three metres before driving him onto his back still twelve metres inside Seagulls territory.
Titans contracted Sam Stephenson continued at left centre for the Burleigh Bears in Round Three of the MM Cup against the Brisbane Tigers with Sam Stepheson scoring a double for the second round in a row.
Sam Stephenson scored his first try in the 35th minute when whilst defending his own try line Sam Stephenson swooped on a Tigers dropped ball with Sam Stephenson picking up the ball cleanly and racing ninety five metres untouched to put the ball down five metres to the left of the uprights.
Sam Stephenson completed his double in the 37th minute when from eight metres out Sam Stephenson ran a hard straight crash line off a good ball from his right from Nayte Saaga to burst between two defenders who were stuck on the ty line to score five metres in from the left corner post.
In fact Sam Stephenson could have scored twice more in the first half, with the first of those instances being in the 16th minute when after a strong twenty metre run Sam Stephenson was stopped agonisingly short of the try line five metres in from the left corner post. Then in the 29th minute Sam Stephenson crashed over the top of the Tigers fullback to get the ball down in the left corner but the touch judge adjudicated that Sam Stephenson had put his left foot into touch about a metre out from the try line.
Just three minutes later in the 40th Minute Sam Stephenson came close to scoring once again when from dummy half Nayte Saaga threw a flat hard cut-out pass to his left destined for Sam Stephenson four metres from the try line but the last Tigers defender got his hand to the ball to stop a certain try.
Sam Stephenson came close to scoring once again in the 65th minute when from the left of a Bears scrum win ten metres out from the try line Sam Stephenson made a hard straight charge onto the ball only to be held up less than a metre from the try line by four Tigers defenders ten metres in from the left corner post.
Sam Stephenson also recorded a try assist in the 12th minute when after receiving a cut-out pass from his inside from Ryder Williams on the halfway mark, Sam Stephenson raced thirty metres down the left touchline and when he got to twenty metres out Sam Stephenson drew the Tigers fullback and passed the ball to his inside to Jac Finnigan who had an uninterrupted twenty metre run to score left metres in from the left corner post.
In addition to his try scoring and try assist exploits Sam Stephenson recorded a line break in the 6th minute when after receiving the ball from his inside thirty metres out from his own try line Sam Stephenson got on the outside of his opposing centre and burst away down the left but unfortunately his off-load to his left on the halfway mark when to ground.
The 24th minute highlighted that Sam Stephenson will roll his sleeves up and make some of the hard metres when from two metres out from his own try line Sam Stephenson ran the ball to the right of the play the ball with Sam Stephenson able to get the ball sixteen metres out from the Bears try line.
Sam Stephenson also did well in the 8th minute when along with Jac Finnigan and Matari Donovan, Sam Stephenson trapped the Tigers fullback in his in-goal from a Ryder Williams kick from forty metres out to force a goal line drop-out.
In the 48th minute Sam Stephenson made a great try saving tackle when whilst defending eight metres out from his own try line the Brisbane Tigers right centre got on the outside of Sam Stephenson but Sam Stephenson tracked back to grab the Tigers centre from behind and then flip onto his back as he crossed the try line to hold him up in the Bears left corner.
Sam Stephenson continued to do well in the 67th minute when he did well to take a short Tigers kick-off to his side of the field on the full when under pressure to maintain possession for the Bears.
Sam Stephenson’s performance saw him named at left centre in the 2023 Courier Mail MM Cup Round Three Team of the Week for the second week in a row.
In early March 2023 Simione Tauelingi was named in the South Coast School Boy U15 Rugby League Representative Team.
The young man from the Melton Bronco’s in the Victorian Junior Rugby League competition has joined the Titans partnered Keebra Park SHS Elite Rugby League Excellence Program in 2023 and beyond.
In the 2022 U14 Victorian Junior Rugby League competition Simione Tauelingi has operated primarily at left centre for the Melton Bronco’s with Simione Tauelingi scoring four tries in Round One against the Sunberry Tigers with Simione Tauelingi adding a hat trick in Round Eight against the Frankston Raiders.
Simione Tauelingi also scored doubles in Round Seven against the Northern Thunder and Round Thirteen against the Casey Warriors. Simione Tauelingi also scored in Round Fifteen against the Northern Thunder once again.
Simione Tauelangi finished as the 2022 Victorian Rugby League U14 regular season competition’s equal fourth leading try scorer with sixteen tries at a strike rate of over 100%.
The 2022 Victorian U14 Grand Final saw Simione Tauelangi named at start at left centre for the Melton Bronco’s against the Altona Roosters with Simione Tauelangi scoring in the second half of a 26 – 12 Melton Grand Final come from behind victory.
Simione Tauelangi scored in the second half when from sixty metres out Simione Tauelangi got on the outside of his opposing defender and race away down the left touchline to score a great long range try.
Simione Tauelingi also played for the Melton Bronco’s in the 2021 Victorian Junior Rugby League Covid impacted U13 competition scoring seven tries in a limited number of matches.
Simione Tauelingi is also an outstanding athlete including breaking the Victorian U13 200 metre sprint record in 2021 when he ran a time of 25.84 seconds.
In early March 2023 Cornelius Kelsall was named in the South Coast School Boy U15 Rugby League Representative Team.
The young man from the Melton Bronco’s in the Victorian Junior Rugby League competition has joined the Titans partnered Keebra Park SHS Rugby League Excellence Program in 2023 and beyond.
In the 2022 U14 Victorian Junior Rugby League competition Cornelius Kelsall alternated between fullback and five eight with Cornelius Kelsall scoring four tries in Round Eight against the Frankston Raiders as well as hat trick against the Northern Thunders in Rounds Two and Fifteen.
Cornelius Kelsall also scored doubles in Round One against the Sunberry Tigers, Round Seven against the Northern Thunder, Round Ten against the Casey Warriors and Round Eleven against the Altona Roosters.
Cornelius Kelsall finished as the 2022 Victorian Rugby League U14 competition’s top try scorer with twenty two tries.
The 2022 Victorian U14 Grand Final saw Cornelius Kelsall named at start at fullback for the Melton Bronco’s against the Altona Roosters with Cornelius Kelsall scoring a great long range individual try in the second half of a 26 -12 Grand Final victory.
Cornelius Kelsall one of the more interesting tries that I have seen. In the second half Cornelius Kelsall took a kick-off on the full ten metres out from his own try line and near his right corner. After taking the ball Cornelius Kelsall initially started to jog slowly back towards the oncoming defence then just prior to the defence getting to him Cornelius Kelsall stepped off his left foot and exploded and then after another left foot step Cornelius Kelsall raced away down the right touchline and bring the ball around to score under the posts.
Cornelius Kelsall was also heavily involved in another Melton second half try when after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball around twelve metres out, Cornelius Kelsall executed a right foot step and then almost immediately a left foot step before engaging the defensive line. Cornelius Kelsall then got away a great right arm flock off-load to Kason Tuai who put his winger over in the right corner.
Cornelius Kelsall also played in the 2022 Victorian Junior Rugby League U13 competition with his first appearance coming in Round Thirteen against the Waverly Oakleigh Panthers with Cornelius Kelsall starting the match at fullback and scoring five tries with Cornelius Kelsall also kicking a conversion to finish the match with an impressive individual points haul of twenty two points in a big 60 – 0 victory.
Cornelius Kelsall is just an outstanding athlete evidenced by the fact that he finished second in the 2022 U13 Victorian 100 metre Championship Final in a blistering time.
Cornelius Kelsall also played for the Melton Bronco’s in the 2021 Victorian Junior Rugby League Covid impacted U13 competition scoring eight tries in a limited number of matches.
In 2021 Cornelius Kelsall was selected in the Victorian School’s U12 Rugby League Representative side out of Staughton College.
I
In early March 2023 Luke Barnett was named on the bench in the Lismore Diocesan Open School Boy Rugby League Representative Team to attend the Northern Country selection trials at South West Rocks out of St Johns College Woodlawn.
In October 2022 Luke Barnett was named in the 2023 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad.
In Round One of the 2022 Group One U15 competition Luke Barnett started in the centres for the Kyogle Turkeys against the Casino RSM Cougars and scored one of the Turkeys tries in their first up victory. Luke Barnett then scored a double in Round Six against the South Grafton Rebels.
Round Eight against the Grafton Ghosts saw Luke Barnett put in a dominant performance including scoring a hat trick. Luke Barnett then scored a try and kicked five goals in Round Nine against Casino RSM.
Luke Barnett then went on a tear starting in Round Twelve against the Grafton Ghosts by scoring three tries and kicking two conversions against the Grafton Ghosts and scoring twenty points on his own in Round Fourteen against the Clarence Coast Mapgies fron four tries and six conversions.
In Week One of the 2022 Group One U15 Finals series Luke Barnett started in the centres for the Kyogle Turkeys against the Clarence Coast Magpies with Luke Barnett scoring a try and kicking two conversions as the Turkeys progressed.
Luke Barnett started in the centres in the 2022 Group One U15 Grand final for the Turkeys as they went down 32 – 18 to the Clarence Coast Magpies with Luke Barnett kicking a conversion for the Turkeys.
Luke Barnett finished the 2022 Group One U15 season as the competitions second leading try scorer with eighteen and also finished as the competition’s leading point’s scorer with 118 points.
In 2022 Luke Barnett, after starting in the second row for the Lismore/Armidale representative squad at the U15 Northern Country trials at Tamworth, following Lismore Diocesan selection trials at Xavier College, Ballina, Luke Barnett was named in the 2022 U15 Northern College Combined Catholic College School Boy Rugby League Representative squad for the New South Wales U15 School Boy Championships.
In early March 2023 Isaiah Roberts was named in the second row in the Lismore Diocesan U15 School Boy Rugby League Representative Team to attend the Northern Country selection trials at South West Rocks out of Casino.
Isaiah Roberts played the 2022 season with Casino RSM in the Group One U14 competition with Isaiah Roberts starting the Grand Final in the second row as Casino RSM defeated the Ballina Seagulls 32 – 20 in the Premiership decider.
Isaiah Roberts started the majority of his 2022 matches in the Group One u14 competition at lock and scored an impressive hat trick in Round Thirteen against the Marist Rams. Isaiah Roberts also scored in Round One and Final’s week One against the Kyogle Turkeys, Rounds Seven, Twelve, Fourteen and the rescheduled Round Two match against the South Grafton Rebels and Round Eleven against the Ballina Seagulls.
Isaiah Roberts also played for Casino RSM in 2021 in the Group One U13 competition with Isaiah Roberts scoring an impressive four tries in Round Two against the Kyogle Turkeys with Isaiah Roberts adding a double in Round Five against the Clarence Coast Magpies.
Isaiah Roberts also scored in Round Lismore Marist Brothers in Rounds One, Six and Ten and against the Clarence Coast Magpies in Round Seven.
Isaiah Roberts also played at lock for Casino RSM in the 2020 Group One U12 competition with Isaiah Roberts scoring a double in Round Three against the Grafton Ghosts. Isaiah Roberts also scored against the Kyogle Turkeys in Round Five and against the Clarence Coast Magpies in Round SIx.
Grayson Wharkura, the tall and powerful centre or fullback has moved over from Auckland New Zealand to attend Titans partnered Marsden SHS. Twin brother Nikorima has also moved over to Australia.
In early March 2023 Grayson Wharkura was named in the Met East U15 School Boy Rugby League Representative Squad.
2022 saw Grayson Wharkura named at right centre in the Auckland Rugby League U14 Region of Origin Merit Team after representing Auckland South U14’s in the two matches series with Grayson Wharkura starting both matches in the centres.
In Auckland Grayson Wharkura for the powerful and well respected Manurewa Marlins Rugby League Club.
In early March 2023 Kye Cooper was named in the second row in the Lismore Diocesan Open School Boy Rugby League Representative Team to attend the Northern Country selection trials at South West Rocks out of St Johns College Woodlawn.
In early May 2022 Kye Cooper started at right centre for a Northern Rivers Titans U17 squad that took on a Titans U16 JTS side at Cbus Stadium as a curtain-raiser to the Titans NRL Round Fourteen against the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs.
In late September 2022 Kye Cooper was named in the 2023 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup train on squad.
Round One of the 2023 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition saw Kye Cooper named on the bench for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights with Kye Cooper coming off the bench to operate in the centre third of the field for the final twenty five minutes of the match. Kye Cooper made a good run in the 58th minute when after running ont the ball to the right of the play the ball, Kye Cooper got to within twenty five metres of the try line after he had cut back towards the play the ball to make fourteen metres.
Kye Cooper was also named on the Northern Rivers Titans bench for Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters with Kye Cooper coming onto the field in the 46th minute.
Kye Cooper was also named on the bench for Round Three against the South Coast Dragons as well as Round Four against the Northern Tigers as Round Five against the North Coast Bulldogs with Kye Cooper coming off the bench in the 30th minute.
In 2022 Kye Cooper once again lined up for the Ballina NRRRL U18 side for the second season in a row, starting Round One against the Kyogle Turkeys at lock.
Kye Cooper also started at lock in Round Two against the Byron Bay Devils with Kye Cooper scoring in the 33rd minute when after receiving a low pass from the dummy half from his left Kye Cooper was able to barge his way over from six metres out surging between two defenders to get the ball down ten metres to the right of the uprights.
Kye Cooper was to continue at lock in Round Three against the Kyogle Turkeys however the match had to be postponed due to wet weather. Kye Cooper also started at lock in Round Six against the Tweed Heads Seagulls.
Kye Cooper moved to start at five eight in Round Ten against the Lower Clarence Magpies with Kye Cooper scoring in the 15th minute. Initially Kye Cooper received the ball from the dummy half around thirty metres and after moving down a wide left blindside, Kye Cooper threw a cut-out pass to his left to put his winger away down the sideline. Kye Cooper then backed up to receive the ball back when the winger was confronted by the fullback with Kye Cooper crossing the try line to score mid-way between the corner post and goal posts on the left side of the field.
Kye Cooper also recorded a try assist in the 18th minute when he took the ball down a wide left blindside around forty metres out from the try line and after pushing out of one tackle, Kye Cooper was able to progress downfield before off-loading to his left to Lachlan Offley who stepped inside to bear the Magpies fullback and race away to score under the posts.
Kye Cooper moved back to lock in Round Eleven against the Bilambil Jets and continued at lock in Round Twelve against the Murwillumbah Mustangs.
The rescheduled Round Four match against the Lower Clarence Magpies saw Kye Cooper named at lock with Kye Cooper scoring in the 49th minute when Kye Cooper raced straight through the centre of the field from thirty metres out with Kye Cooper putting the ball down under the posts.
Kye Cooper added a try assist in the 25th minute when from forty metres out and to the left of the play the ball Kye Cooper threw a cut-out pass to his left to Riley Lyon who raced down the left touchline to score one of his two tries.
Kye Cooper added a line break assist in the 12th minute with a cut-out pass to his left from on the halfway mark with Noah Waldock charging twenty five metres before being brought to ground.
Kye Cooper also started at lock in the rescheduled Round Five match against Casino RSM with Kye Cooper scoring a double in a big Seagulls victory.
Kye Cooper’s scored his first try in the 7th minute when after receiving the ball on the left side of the field around twenty two metres out Kye Cooper stepped off his left foot to break through the initial Casino RSM defensive line with Kye Cooper then racing away to score under the posts.
Kye Cooper’s second try came in the 53rd minute when after receiving an off-load from his inside Kye Cooper had an easy ten metre run to put the ball down five metres in from the right corner post,
Kye Cooper also recorded a try assist in the 43rd minute when after running the ball in space Kye Cooper drew in the final Casino RSM defender on their left side of the field to send his left centre over to score.
Kye Cooper also started at lock in the Week One Qualifying Final against the Bilambil Jets with Kye Cooper scoring in the 28th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball, Kye Cooper stepped off his left foot and then his right with Kye Cooper then able to get the ball down three metres to the left of the uprights.
Kye Cooper continued at lock in the Premiership Minor Semi-final against the Murwillumbah Mustangs.
The 2022 NRRRL U18 Grand Final saw Kye Cooper named at start at lock for the Ballina Seagulls against the Cudgen Hornets.
2022 also saw Kye Cooper start from the bench for the Northern Country U18 side for the New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges (NSWCCC) School Boy Representative Rugby League trials.
In early March 2023 Marsden SHS’s Marlee Smith was named in the Met East U15 School Boy Rugby League Representative Squad even though Marlee Smith is still U14 eligible in 2023.
2022 saw Marlee Smith continue to play for the Coomera Cutters in the Gold Coast Junior Rugby League U13 Division One competition, with Marlee Smith leading the Cutters to a Grand Final appearance against the Burleigh Bears with Marlee Smith starting the Grand Final at left second row as Coomera prevailed 18 -16 in an absorbing, tight and high quality Premiership decider between two very talented teams.
Marlee Smith scored a great solo try in the Grand Final in the 19th minute when Marlee Smith moved into dummy half with the play the ball around thirty metres out and on the right side of the field. After running to his right Marlee Smith kept charging at a back peddling Burleigh left sided defensive line and when ten metres out from the try line Marlee Smith burst through three attempted tackles before veering to his left to easily beat the Burleigh fullback with Marlee Smith then able to bring the ball around with his left arm raised in the air to put the ball down next to the right upright.
Marlee Smith also recorded a line break assist in the when after Marlee Smith took the ball to the right of the play the ball fifty six metres out Marlee Smith threw a good short ball to his right to a hard charging Fabion Cowan who burst through a gap on the halfway mark, with Fabion Cowan breaking three tackles as he promoted the ball to the twenty metre mark. Then from the subsequent Fabion Cowan play the ball, Marlee Smith charged into the ball to the right of the play the ball to get within eight metres of the try line after running hard down a short right blindside.
In the opening minute of the second half Marlee Smith took the second hit-up after Burleigh kicked off with Marlee Smith charging onto the ball to the right of the play the ball with Marlee Smith able to get the ball thirty four metres away from his own try line with his run commencing twenty metres out.
Marlee Smith made a critical run with the game on the line in the 50th minute when with the play the ball just five metes out from his own try line and in the centre of the field, Marlee Smith ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball and was able to get the ball over the twenty metre mark to relieve a lot of pressure on the Coomera side.
Marlee Smith also had a strong defensive Grand Final including in the 9th minute when along with Denzel Silby, Marlee Smith hit one of the Burleigh front rowers (No. 10) in a great joint front on tackle forty metres out from the Cutters try line with the fore of the contact immediately forcing the ball loose. Marlee Smith then picked up the ball and made eight metres downfield.
Marlee Smith made another strong tackle in the 54th minute with a heavy hit on one of the Bears forwards who was returning a Coomera kick-off with Marlee Smith then backing up to make the next tackle as well after lining up at marker.
Then in the 58th minute with Coomera still up by two points Marlee Smith made the most critical play of the Grand Final when Marlee Smith raced to his right to execute an exceptional try saving tackle on Burleigh halfback Murphy Phillips to bring him down five metres short of the try line after he had sliced through the Cutters defensive line. To be honest I have no idea who Marlee Smith willed himself to get across the field to make the tackle but he did with the tackle essentially winning the Grand Final for the Coomera Cutters.
Marlee Smith also showcased his kicking skills in the Grand Final when in the 7th minute from five metres inside his own territory Marlee Smith put in a big right foot kick with the Burleigh fullback tackled just five metres out from his own try line as a result of the distance that Marlee Smith was able to generate.
Marlee Smith also started at left second row in the GCRL U13 Division Final against the Runaway Bay Seagulls with Marlee Smith recording the first of his two try assists in the 30th minute when from eight metres out Marlee Smith got the ball away to his right to put Riley Prendergast into space and over to score just in from the right corner post.
Marlee Smith recorded his second try assist in the 33rd minute when from forty metres out Marlee Smith put in a right foot kick which took a wicked bounce near the try line with the Runaway Bay fullback unable to collect the ball with one of the Coomera chasers able to dive on the ball under the posts to score. Marlee Smith then stepped up to convert the try that he had assisted on.
Marlee Smith also had a strong match in the middle of the GCRL U13 Division One season against the Helensvale Hornets with Marlee Smith scoring in the 7th minute with a hard straight charge from eight metres out and to the left of the play the ball with Marlee Smith crashing over to score eight metres to the right of the uprights.
Marlee Smith also recorded a try assist in the 38th minute when he made a fifty five metre line break down the left touchline with Marlee Smith then drawing the fullback and passing to his right to Jeval Pitman who raced away to score under the posts.
Marlee Smith also scored in an early season match against the Helensvale Hornets when after backing up a long break down the left touchline by Siu Pulepule, Marlee Smith received the ball on the inside of the front rower with Marlee Smith racing forty metres to easily score under the posts.
2022 also saw Marlee Smith line-up once again for Marsden State High School with Marlee Smith lining up for Marsden SHS in the School Boy Renouf Shield competition.
In September 2022 Marlee Smith was named in the South Queensland Māori U14 Tuakana representative squad.
In early March 2023 Christian Rivers was named in the South Coast U15 School Boy Rugby League Representative side out of Titans partnered Keebra Park SHS..
Christian Rivers was named to start in the front row in Round One of the 2023 U16 Cyril Connell Cup competition for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls against the Burleigh Bears with Christian Rivers along with Majah Peachey making the opening tackle of the match after Wynnum Manly had kicked off to get the season underway.
Christian Rivers made another strong run in the 47th minute when from ten metres out from the try line and to the left of the play the ball Christian Rivers rumbled forward to get within a metres of the try line mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on he left side of the field.
Christian Rivers’s performance saw him named in the front row in the 2023 CC Cup Round One Team of the Round.
Christian Rivers was also named in the front row in Round Two against the Norths Devils however he was a late scratching from the match.
Christian Rivers then started at lock in Round Three against the Souths Logan Magpies with Christian Rivers making a desperate try saving tackle in the 2nd minute on the Magpies hooker a metre out from the try line mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field after the hooker had tried to sneak over from dummy half.
Christian Rivers made another tackle in the 11th minute charge back in cover defence to tackle the Souths Logan five eight from behind ten metres out from the try line after a thirty metre line break.
Christian Rivers executed another strong tackle in the 18th minute when with Souths Logan on the attack just ten metres out from the Seagulls try line, Christian Rivers raced out of the defensive line and smashed his opposite number just as he received the ball directly in front of the goal posts.
Christian Rivers produced a smart piece of play when lined up at marker in the 8th minute when he reached around the Magpies player who played the ball to hit the hands of the dummy half and force a knock on.
In late 2022 Christian Rivers was named as the Keebra Park SHS 2022 Hancock Cup School Boy Rugby League Player of the Year and Christian Rivers was also named on the bench in the 2022 Keebra Park SHS Rugby League Team of the Year, two absolutely outstanding achievements to say the least for the talented young forward.
In 2022 Christian Rivers started in the front row in all of Keebra Park SHS’s Hancock Cup school boy Rugby League matches, making a strong impression in each and every one of them. The 2022 Keebra Park SHS forward pack was exceptional and Christian Rivers was one of the key reasons that they dominated the majority of the forward packs that took Keebra Park SHS on.
2022 also saw Christian Rivers play for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in the GBJRL U4 Division One competition including starting in the second row in the Grand Final loss against the Redcliffe Dolphins.
Christian Rivers proved to be a try scorer of note for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in 2022 including scoring four doubles, the first of which came in Round Ten against Aspley, then Christian Rivers scored a double in Round Twelve against the Easts Tigers.
In the GBJRL U14 Division One competition regular season Christian Rivers also scored in Round Three against Aspley, Round Eight against the Norths Devils, Round Nine against Logan Brothers and Round Thirteen against the Redcliffe Dolphins.
Christian Rivers had a particularly strong 2022 GBJRL U14 Division One competition Finals series, scoring doubles in the Qualifying and Preliminary Finals, on both occasions in victories against Logan Brothers.
In early March 2023 Cai Garrett was named on the wing in the Lismore Diocesan U15 School Boy Rugby League Representative Team to attend the Northern Country selection trials at South West Rocks out of St Johns College Woodlawn.
Round One of the 2022 Group One U13 competition saw Cai Garrett start in the second row for the Ballina Seagulls against Lismore Marist Brothers and what an opening round it was for Gai Garrett as he crossed for a staggering five tries.
Cai Garrett also started in the second row in Round two against the Grafton Ghosts and added a double to his 2022 try scoring tally.
Cai Garrett continued in the second row in Round Three against Casino RSM with Cai Garrett scoring four more tries in another dominant display.
After Round Four was postponed due to poor weather Cai Garrett scored once again in Round Five against the South Grafton Rebels. Cai Garrett then added a double in Round Six against the Grafton Ghosts.
Cai Garrett was also at his rampaging best in Round Nine against the South Grafton Rebels, scoring another four tries. Cai Garrett also scored in Round Thirteen against the Clarence Coast Magpies.
In Week One of the 2022 Group One U13 Finals series Cai Garrett started in the second row for the Ballina Seagulls against the Kyogle Turkeys with Cai Garrett in a Seagulls 24 – 12 victory which propelled Ballina directly into the Grand Final.
Cai Garrett also started in the second row in the 2022 Group One U13 Grand Final with Cai Garrett scoring a double as the Seagulls defeated the Kyogle Turkeys 24 – 14.
Cai Garrett finished the 2022 Group One U13 season as the competition’s leading try scorer with thirty one tries and the competition’s second leading points scorer with 124 points.
Cai Garrett also played rugby in 2022 playing for Wollongbar/Alstonville in the U14 Far North Coast rugby competition alternating between inside centre and fullback.
Cai Garrett scored a hat trick in Round Two against Ballina as well as in Round Nine against Casino and also scored in Round Five against Casuarina Beach, Round Six against Lennox Head and Round Ten against Casuarina Beach with Cai Garrett adding a Round Eleven double against Lennox Heads after starting at fullback against the Trojans.
Cai Garrett then moved to outside centre (No. 13) and scored against Ballina. Cai Garrett was then back at fullback and scored a double and kicked a conversion against Casino. Cai Garrett then moved again to outside centre in Round Sixteen with Cai Garrett scoring a hat trick in the Final’s match against Casuarina Beach.
In early March 2023 Chris Vaimili was named in the Met East U15 School Boy Rugby League Representative Squad even though Chris Vaimili is still U14 eligible in 2023.
At the 2022 Marsden SHS Rugby League Specialisation Awards Night, Chris Vaimili was named in the centres in the 2022 Marsden SHS Rugby League Team of the Year after an exceptional season for Marsden SHS in the Renouf Shield School Boy Rugby League competition with Marsden SHS progressing all of the way to the Grand Final against fellow Titans Partnered Keebra Park SHS.
2022 also saw Chris Vaimili once again line up for the Logan Brothers Junior Rugby League club in the GBJRL U13 Division One competition including starting at fullback in the Elimination Final victory 54 – 4 against Norths Juniors with Chris Vaimili kicking a conversion in the big Logan Brothers win.
Chris Vaimili also started at fullback in the Preliminary Final against the Souths Acacia Ridge Magpies with Chris Vaimili scoring a double in a big Logan Brothers victory.
Chris Vaimili also started at fullback in the Week Two Semi-Final match against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Chris Vaimili recording a try assist in the 46th minute when from a Logan Brothers scrum win in the centre of the field and around twenty metres out, Chris Vaimili running to his right drawing in the Dolphins left winger before putting his right winger over in the corner.
The 2022 GBJRL U14 Division One Grand Final saw Chris Vaimili named at start at fullback for Logan Brothers against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Logan Brothers scoring an impressive 26 – 14 victory in a high quality match.
Chris Vaimili had some impressive matches for Logan Brothers in the 2022 GBJRL U13 Division One competitions regular season including a two try effort against the Waterford Demons. Chris Vaimili’s opening try of the match came when Chris Vaimili received the ball on the right side of the field and from twenty metres out Chris Vaimili cut off his right foot to break the defensive line to score six metres to the right of the uprights.
Chris Vaimili’s second try came after he picked up a dropped Waterford ball in the centre of the field and broke two tackles on his way to scoring under the posts.
Chris Vaimili finished the GBJRL U13 Division One season as the competition’s third leading try scorer with an impressive sixteen tries.
In early March 2023 Tyrell Schwenke was named in the 2023 South Coast School Boy Rugby League U15 Representatieve side.
Tyrell Schwenke played the 2022 season with the Keebra Park SHS Renouf Cup School Boy Rugby League side and impressively Tyrell Schwenke was named in the front row in the 2022 Keebra Park SHS Rugby League Team of the Year after playing all of Keebra Park SHS’s Renouf Cup matches in the front row including the Grand Final victory against Marsden SHS.
In early March 2023 Jett Flatley was named in the second row in the Lismore Diocesan U15 School Boy Rugby League Representative Team to attend the Northern Country selection trials at South West Rocks out of Xavier College.
Round One of the 2022 Group One U14 competition saw Jett Flatley start at left second row for the Ballina Seagulls against the Marist Rams with Jett Flatley scoring in the Seagulls first up victory. Jett Flatley also scored in Round Nine against the South Grafton Rebels and in Round Fourteen against the Marists Rams.
In Week One of the 2022 Group One U14 Finals series Jett Flatley started in the second row for the Ballina Seagulls against the South Grafton Rebels with Jett Flatley scoring a double in a Seagulls 22 – 10 victory.
Jett Flatley also started in the second row in the Preliminary Final against the Kyogle Turkeys with Jett Flatley scoring two tries once again as the Seagulls progressed to the Grand Final.
Jett Flatley started in the second row and had another try scoring double in Ballina’s tough 2022 Group One U14 Grand Final loss against Casino RSM.
Jett Flatley finished the 2022 Group One U14 competition with ten tries to finish equal fifth in that particular category and Jett Flatley also finished as the competition’s seventh leading points scorer with forty points as a result of his ten tries.
In 2022 Jett Flatley, after starting from the bench for the Lismore/Armidale representative squad at the U15 Northern Country trials at Tamworth, following Lismore Diocesan selection trials at Xavier College, Ballina, Jett Flatley was named in the 2022 U15 Northern College Combined Catholic College School Boy Rugby League Representative squad for the New South Wales U15 School Boy Championships an impressive feat considering Jett Flatley was still U14 eligible in 2022.
Nikorima Wharkura, the tall and powerful front rower or second rower has moved over from Auckland New Zealand to attend Titans partnered Marsden SHS. Twin brother Grayson has also moved over to Australia.
In early March 2023 Nikorima Wharkura was named in the Met East U15 School Boy Rugby League Representative Squad.
2022 saw Nikorima Wharkura named on the bench in the Auckland Rugby League U14 Region of Origin Merit Team after representing Auckland South U14’s in the two matches series with Nikorima Wharkura starting both matches at right second row.
In Auckland Nikorima Wharkura for the powerful and well respected Manurewa Marlins Rugby League Club.
In early March 2023 Rory McInnes was named at halfback in the Lismore Diocesan U15 School Boy Rugby League Representative Team to attend the Northern Country selection trials at South West Rocks out of Casino.
Rory McInnes played the 2022 season with Casino RSM in the Group One U14 competition with Rory McInnes starting the Grand Final at halfback and captain with Rory McInnes leading from the front and scoring a smart try as Casino RSM defeated the Ballina Seagulls 32 – 20 in the hotly contested Premiership decider.
In addition to his Grand Final try in 2022 in the Group One U14 competition Rory McInnes also scored against the Marist Rams Lismore in Round Six of the 2022 Group One U14 competition.
Rory McInnes also played for Casino RSM in 2021 in the Group One U13 competition with Rory McInnes finishing the season with an individual points haul of forty six points from ten tries and three conversions which Rory McInnes kicked in Round Two against the Kyogle Turkeys, Round Five against the Clarence Coast Magpies and Round Ten against the Marist Rams.
Rory McInnes scored a hat trick in Round Three against the Marist Rams and added a double in Round Seven against the Clarence Coast Magpies. Rory McInnes also scored against the Kyogle Turkeys in Rounds Two and Nine, against the Marist Rams in Rounds Six and Ten and in Round Five against the Clarence Coast Magpies.
Rory McInnes also played at halfback for Casino RSM in the 2020 Group One U12 competition with Rory McInnes scoring against the South Grafton Rebels in Rounds Six and Ten with Rory McInnes also scoring in Round Six against the Clarence Coast Magpies.
Rory McInnes also kicked two conversions in 2020 with the first of those conversions coming in Round One against the Ballina Seagulls with Rory McInnes’s other conversion coming in Round Six against the Kyogle Turkeys.
In early 2022 Xhai Waerea signed a multi-year contract with the Titans that runs through until the end of the 2025 season which will also be Xhai Waerea’s final year at school at Keebra Park SHS.
In early March 2023 Xhai Waerea was named in the South Coast U15 South Coast School Boy Rugby League Representative side.
Xhai Waerea played for Keebra Park in the 2022 Renouf Cup School Boy Rugby League competition starting multiple matches in the second row including Rounds Three and Four against Redcliffe SHS and Marsden SHS respectively.
Xhai Waerea then moved to the bench in Round Five against Caloundra State High School as well as in Round Six against Marsden SHS with Xhai Waerea coming onto the field late in the first half to operate in the front row in both matches.
Xhai Waerea started the 2022 School Boy Renouf Cup Grand Final against Ipswich SHS from the bench with Xhai Waerea coming onto the field in the 12th minute to operate in the front row. Then in the 38th minute Xhai Waerea made a crunching tackle on the Ipswich No. 11 ten metres out from the try line and directly in front of the goal posts.
2022 also saw Xhai Waerea continue to play for the Burleigh Bears in the Gold Coast Junior Rugby League U14 Division One competition, leading the Bears to a Grand Final appearance against the Southport Tigers with Xhai Waerea starting the Grand Final at right second row after a dominating regular season with the Bears.
Xhai Waerea’s best moment of the Grand Final came in the 19th minute when Xhai Waerea charged onto a good ball from his inside from his halfback with Xhai Waerea taking possession thirty eight metres out and bursting through three attempted tackles with Xhai Waerea promoting the ball to the twenty metre mark before he was finally brought to ground.
Xhai Waerea made another strong run in the 37th minute when Xhai Waerea charged onto a short ball on the right side of the field from his halfback when forty two metres out with Xhai Waerea running a hard straight crash line with Xhai Waerea bursting between two defenders. Xhai Waerea then cut to his left before executing a right foot step to beat another defender with Xhai Waerea ultimately making seventeen strong metres downfield.
From a defensive perspective Xhai Waerea had a very strong Grand Final and in the opening portion of the second half with Southport constantly on the attack, Xhai Waerea literally tackled everything that moved as the Bears, largely due to Xhai Waerea’s defensive performance repelled everything that the Tigers threw at them.
In September 2022 Xhai Waerea was named in the South Queensland Maori U14 Tuakana representative squad starting Round One of the QPICC Carnival at left centre against Queensland Tonga.
Xhai Waera also started at left centre in Round Two against Samoa, scoring a powerhouse double and Xhai Waera also scored in Qld Maori’s Grand Final victory against Qld PNG.
Xhai Waera started on the right wing in the semi-final against Samoa with Zhai Waerea recording a line break in the 24th minute when after receiving a cut-out pass from his inside from Calais Hallett-Wharewaka forty metres out, Xhai Waerea charged twenty five metres down the left touchline before Xhai Waerea smartly cut back inside before potentially being forced over the touch line by the cover defence.
In early March 2023 Titans contracted Jimmy McCombie was named at halfback in the Lismore Diocesan Open School Boy Rugby League Representative Team to attend the Northern Country selection trials at South West Rocks.
In early 2022 Gazniah To’omaga signed a three year contract with the Titans that runs through until the end of the 2025 season which is also the end of Gazniah To’omaga’s schooling at Keebra Park SHS.
Gazniah To’omaga has been part of the Titans JTS Program since the age of just 12 and the Southport Tigers youngster was part of the Titans JTS Elite Development Program and was part of the Titans 2022 U14 JTS High Performance Academy Gold Coast squad that commenced training in November 2022.
In early March 2023 Gazniah To’omaaga was named in the South Coast U15 South Coast School Boy Rugby League Representative side.
In early December 2022 Gazniah To’omaga played for the Titans U14 Gold Coast JTS Academy against the Titans U14 Logan JTS Academy in a high quality trial match at Ballina with both teams wearing Titans jerseys in a great Titans initiative.
Gazniah To’omaga played for Keebra Park in the 2022 Hancock Cup School Boy Rugby League competition starting a number of matches from the bench, coming on to operate in the halves or at lock.
Gazniah To’omaga started at lock in Round Five against Forest Lake SHS and what a match the young man had including scoring a try, making two line breaks and kicking a conversion in the 10th minute from four metres in from the left touchline.
Gazniah To’omaga scored a strong solo try in the 11th minute when Gazniah To’omaga charged onto the ball to the right of the play the ball and from fifty five metres out Gazniah To’omaga burst between two defenders before stepping off his right foot at full pace to beat the fullback with Gazniah To’omaga then charging away to score adjacent to the left upright.
Gazniah To’omaga’s initial line break came in the 21st minute when Gazniah To’omaga ran onto the ball to the left of the play the ball right on the halfway mark with Gazniah To’omaga easily breaking through three tackles to get the ball within twenty metres of the try line.
Gazniah To’omaga recorded a further line break in the 41st minute when after taking possession of the ball to the right of the play the ball and to the right of the play the ball, Gazniah To’omaga immediately cut back to the area behind the play the ball with Gazniah To’omaga breaking multiple tackles in a thirty metre charge.
Gazniah To’omaga continued at lock in Round Six against PBC SHS with Gazniah To’omaga recording a try assist in the 20th minute when after making a line break from sixty metres out by way of a left foot step, Gazniah To’omaga drew the PBC SHS fullback before passing to his left to put his fullback over to score under the posts.
Gazniah To’omaga then continued at lock row against Marsden SHS.
2022 also saw Gazniah To’omaga continue to play for the Southport Tigers in the Gold Coast Junior Rugby League U14 Division One competition, leading the Tigers to a Grand Final appearance against the Burleigh Bears with Gazniah To’omaga starting the Grand Final at Cbus Stadium at lock with Gazniah To’omaga throwing the final pass for Southport’s 56th minute try when from thirteen metres out Gazniah To’omaga got a pass away to his left for one of his front rowers (No. 8) to score under out on the left.
Gazniah To’omaga got his Grand Final off to a strong start in the 3rd minute when after a Burleigh kick from a penalty did not find touch with Gazniah To’omaga taking the mis-directed kick on the full on the halfway mark with Gazniah To’omaga then running to his left and rumbling nineteen metres downfield, breaking three tackles along the way.
Gazniah To’omaga made a strong line break in the Grand Final in the 11th minute when from the left of the play the ball Gazniah To’omaga received the abll forty eight metres out and cit back inside to his right and after getting rid of one defender with a left arm fend, Gazniah To’omaga burst between two further defenders before being brought to ground twenty eight metres out.
In the 14th minute Gazniah To’omaga from just inside Burleigh territory charged onto the ball to the right of the play the ball and then when he hit the defensive line and spun with Gazniah To’omaga then getting on aff-load away for his front rower to promote the ball further.
Gazniah To’omaga showcased his quick thinking in the 17th minute when after a Burleigh kick was charged down by a team mate near the halfway mark, Gazniah To’omaga collected the ball and charged eighteen metres down the centre of the field before throwing a good long pass to his right to allow his right centre to make more ground.
Gazniah To’omaga also executed a smart piece of play in the 14th minute with a one on one strip as Burleigh were trying to bring the ball out of their own territory just thirty two metres out from their own try line. Initially there were two in the tackle, but Gazniah To’omaga called his team mate out of the tackle and then stripped the ball to give possession back to Southport.
Gazniah To’omaga actually got over the try line in the Grand Final when in the 18th minute Gazniah To’omaga surged onto a short ball from close range to the right of the play the ball but the referee ruled the ball forward just as Gazniah To’omaga was crossing the try line.
Gazniah To’omaga made a further strong run in the 34th minute with a charge onto the ball to the right of the play the ball from just nine metres out from his own try line with Gazniah To’omaga able to get the ball out to his own twenty metre mark to highlight just hwo tough a ball runner that Gazniah To’omaga is.
Gazniah To’omaga continued his strong ball running efforts in the 40th minute with a strong run to the right of the play the ball from five metres in his own territory to eight metres into Burleigh territory.
One of Gazniah To’omaga’s best moments of the Grand Final came in the 48th minute when initially with Southport bringing the ball out their own territory, Gazniah To’omaga lined up to the right of the play the ball around thirty metres out from his own try line. As the ball was being played Gazniah To’omaga ran around to the left of the play the ball and after taking possession Gazniah To’omaga executed a subtle right foot step to move into a gap to make eighteen metres before Gazniah To’omaga was able to get a right arm off-load away to his left to his left centre.
Gazniah To’omaga showcased his kicking skills in the 35th minute when he put in a right foot kick downfield from his own twenty metre mark to the ball finding the ground around thirty metres out from the Burleigh try line with Southport able to retrieve the ball and almost score after the ball was lost by the Bears left winger.
Gazniah To’omaga put in another strong kick in the 38th minute when from his own twenty metre mark Gazniah To’omaga kicked towards the left touchline with the kcik heading towards the touchline around thirty metres out with the kick forces to race across and dive on the ball just prior to the ball going into touch.
Even though it was not part of the Grand Final per say, one important point to note in relation to Gazniah To’omaga’s sportsmanship. With Burleigh trying to stay within reach of the Tigers mid-way through the second half and with Burleigh deep on the attack, one of the Burtleigh forwards charged onto the ball but unfortunately lost the ball cold and fell to the ground clearly frustrated. Gazniah To’omaga ran out of the defensive line and went over and helped his opponent up off the ground and gave him an encouraging pat on the back. That moment had nothing to do with how good Gazniah To’omaga is at rugby league but speaks volumes for the type of person that Gazniah To’omaga is.
Gazniah To’omaga also had a strong match in Round Fourteen against the Beaudesert Kingfishers coming off the bench to operate at lock with Gazniah To’omaga making a strong line break in the 33rd minute when after packing into a scrum with a Southport feed ten metres out from the Tigers try line, Gazniah To’omaga after packing at lock, Gazniah To’omaga picked up the ball and ran to his left and used a left arm fend to break through the Beaudesert defensive line and charge seventy metres downfield before being tackled from behind.
Gazniah To’omaga made another line break in the 40th minute when from fifty five metres out and to the right of the play the ball Gazniah To’omaga broke through the defensive line and was able to promote the ball forty metres downfield.
In September 2022 Gazniah To’omaga was named in the South Queensland Māori U14 Tuakana representative squad starting Round One of the QPICC Carnival at lock against Queensland Tonga with Gazniah To’omaga scoring in the 36th minute when after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball and around twelve metres out, Gazniah To’omaga stepped off his right foot and whilst surging the try line, Gazniah To’omaga broke through four attempted tackles and then carried four more defenders over the try line to get the ball down three metres to the left of the uprights.
Gazniah To’omaga also scored in the semi-final also against Samoa and also started at lock in Maori’s three other matches including their Grand Final victory agaisnt PNG.
In the semi-final against Samoa, Gazniah To’omaga on the stroke of halftime (20th minute) when from eight metres out and to the right of the play the ball, Gazniah To’omaga after receiving the ball stepped off his right foot to easily beat one defender with Gazniah To’omaga carhsing through two more defenders to score next to the right upright.
Gazniah To’omaga also recorded a 12th minute line break assist when from forty metres out and to the right of the play the ball, Gazniah To’omaga ran the ball at the Samoa defensive line before popping a good short ball to his right to put Cavell Tuilaepa into a gap with the front rower coming very close to scoring as a result.
Round One of the 2023 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition saw Ayden Byrnes named at hooker for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights with Ayden Byrnes scoring in the 20th minute when after passing to his right out of dummy half to Zane Harrison when twenty metres out from the try line, Ayden Byrnes stayed in the game and chased through a subsequent Zane Harrison short kick back to the left with Adyen Byrnes diving on the ball in the in-goal to score nine metres to the right of the uprights.
The first of a number of dummy half runs from Ayden Byrnes came in just the 3rd minute from in the centre of the field and thirty eight metres out from the Knights try line, Ayden Byrnes ran to his right and got to twenty two metres out after using two Newcastle defenders as a shield to make yardage.
Ayden Byrnes made another smart run out of dummy half in the 18th minute when after running to his right when he was in the centre of the field, Ayden Byrnes was able to make fifteen critical metres.
In his second stint of the match at dummy half Ayden Byrnes was at it again in the 53rd minute with a run out of dummy half to his left from forty metres out from his own try line with Ayden Byrnes able to get the ball two metres over the try line with Ayden Byrnes then getting a six again call for the Northern Rivers Titans.
Then in the 67th minute Ayden Byrnes ran to his right out of dummy half to make ten metres getting the ball within twelve metres of the try line.
Ayden Byrnes was also named at hooker for Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters with Ayden Byrnes making a good run out of dummy half to his right in the 7th minute when from forty metres out Ayden Byrnes used a Roosters forward getting back onside as a shield with Ayden Byrnes then breaking three tackles whilst making twelve metres.
Ayden Byrnes made another good run out of dummy half in the 14th minute when from three metres inside his own territory Ayden Byrnes ran to his right and promoted the ball thirteen metres inside Central Coast territory with the speed and timing of Ayden Byrnes run catching numerous defenders off-side with a penalty to the Northern Rivers Titans subsequently being awarded.
Ayden Byrnes was also named at hooker for Round Three against the South Coast Dragons.
Ayden Byrnes moved to the bench for Round Four against the Northern Tigers and after coming onto the field Ayden Byrnes scored a great solo try in the 43rd minute from thirty five metres out Ayden Byrnes ran the ball down a short left blindside and just prior to the defensive line Ayden Byrnes put in a smart right foot chip kick for himself with Ayden Byrnes darting through to retrieve the ball with Ayden Byrnes then getting rid of the Northern Tigers fullback to score four metres to the left of the uprights.
Ayden Byrnes also started from the bench in Round Five against the North Coast Bulldogs with Ayden Byrnes scoring in the 48th minute five metres to the right of the uprights with Ayden Byrnes initially running to his right out of dummy half from ten metres out and in the centre of the field.
Ayden Byrnes also recorded a try assist in the 60th minute when with the play the ball eight metres out, Ayden Byrnes ran to his left before stepping off his right foot and getting a smart off-load away to his right to Brady Turner who crashed over to score.
Earlier in the 40th minute Ayden Byrnes ran to his left out of dummy half through the centre of the field making twenty three metres to get within eight metres of the try line.
In early 2023 Rex Savage was named in the Far North Coast NSW Combined High School U15 School Boy Representative side.
Rex Savage played the 2022 season with the Ballina Seagulls in the Group One U14 competition with Rex Savage named on the bench for the Seagulls in their tough Grand Final loss to Casino RSM 32 - 20.
Rex Savage split time between starting at fullback and coming off the bench for the Seagulls in 2022 with Rex Savage scoring a double in Round Eight against the Kyogle Turkeys.
Round One of the 2023 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition saw Billy Kilduff named on the bench for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights with Billy Kilduff coming onto the field in the 52nd minute in the left second row position and performing well especially from a defensive perspective as the Northern Rivers Titans held on for a 24 – 20 tense and hard fought victory.
Billy Kilduff was also named on the Northern Rivers Titans bench for Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters with Billy Kilduff playing right second row after coming onto the field in the 50th minute.
Billy Kilduff was also named on the wing for Round Three against the South Coast Dragons however in a late change Billy Kilduff was the 18th man for the match with Billy Kilduff then being named on the Northern Rivers Titans extended bench for Round Four against the Northern Tigers.
Great to see Josiah Pahulu named to make his Queensland Cup debut off the bench for the Burleigh Bears in Round Three this weekend against the Redcliffe Dolphins.
In late September 2022 Orlando Meturika was named in the powerful 2023 Burleigh Bears U18 MM Cup squad after being part of the Ipswich Jets MM Cup squad in 2022 although Orlando Meturika did not feature in any of the Ipswich Jets 2022 MM Cup regular season matches.
Orlando Meturika has been named to make his MM Cup debut this weekend for the Seagulls on the wing for the Seagulls in Round Six against the Norths Devils.
180cm and 85kg New Zealand born centre Julius Matiu-Matiseni has signed with the Titans until the end of the 2025 season which is the season when Julius Matiu-Matiseni’s U18 eligibility is exhausted and his High School years are completed.
In New Zealand Julius Matiu-Matiseni attends Tamaki College as well as playing for the Ellerslie Eagles Rugby League club.
Burleigh’s Zac Murphy started at lock in Round Four of the CC Cup against the Norths Devils with Zac Murphy recording a try assist in the 55th minute when after moving into dummy half with the play the ball two metres from the try line and just to the right of the uprights Zac Murphy ran to his left out of dummy half and threw a good short ball in the same direction for one of his front rowers to crash over to score under the posts.
Earlier in the 47th minute Zac Murphy chased through a Burleigh grubber kick into the in-goal with Zac Murphy along with David Bryenton getting to the Norths fullback three metres after he had run the ball back into the field of play. From there Zac Murphy and David Bryenton were able to hold him off the ground and force him back into the in-goal for a Devils goal line drop-out.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki started from the bench for the Souths Logan Magpies in Round Five of the MM Cup against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki coming onto the field in the 19th minute to operate at left centre.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki, in the 25th minute ran onto the ball to the left of the play the ball forty metres from the try line with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki carrying two Tweed Heads defenders on his back in the final fifteen metres of his run that ended just sixteen metres short of the try line.
Then in the 36th minute Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki made fourteen metres down the left channel to get within ten metres of the halfway mark. The 39th minute then saw Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki, from thirty eight metres from his own try line broke five tackles in a powerful and winding run to ten metres inside Tweed Heads territory with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki then able to get an off-load away.
Round Four of the 2023 U16 Cyril Connell Cup competition saw Ruben Dixon named as the Burleigh Bears 18th man against the Norths Devils however a late change saw Ruben Dixon start from the bench and after coming onto the field in the second half Ruben Dixon scored in the 44th minute.
With the play the ball three metres out from the try line and five metres to the right of the uprights Ruben Dixon ran a hard a straight crash line onto the ball to the left of the play the ball and after crashing into two defenders Ruben Dixon initially was knocked onto his back less than a metre out from the try line but Ruben Dixon had the presence of mind to spin counter clock-wise to his right and put the ball down three metres to the right of the uprights.
Tavake Tau’a’alo started in the front row for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in Round Four of the CC Cup against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Tavake Tau’a’alo making the opening tackle of the match on the Wynnum Manly No. 10 from the Tweed Heads kick-off.
Tavake Tau’a’alo made some exceptional runs in the match but there was none better than his charge in the 59th minute from a Wynnum Manly goal line drop-out return. Tavake Tau’a’alo received the ball forty metres out and charged at the defensive line and punching through the line to get within two metres of the try line.
One of Tavake Tau’a’alo’s first strong runs of the match came in the 21st minute when from the left of the play the ball and twenty metres out from the try line Tavake Tau’a’alo cut back behind the play the ball and got to less than a metre out from the try line before multiple Wynnum Manly defenders had to commit to the tackle to stop Tavake Tau’a’alo from scoring a powerhouse try.
Then in the 45th minute, Tavake Tau’a’alo from a Tweed Heads penalty tap restart burst onto the ball twenty metres out from his own try line to make eighteen metres. Then in the 51st minute from the left of the play the ball and forty metres from his own try line Tavake Tau’a’alo carried a number of Wynnum Manly ten metres inside their own territory.
Tavake Tau’a’alo then started from the bench in Round Five against the Souths Logan Magpies with Tavake Tau’a’alo coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 14th minute of the match.
Hai Hiawe King made his MM Cup debut off the bench in Round Four of the 2023 season for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Hai Hiawe King coming off the bench to operate in the centre of the field in the 21st minute.
Hai Hiawe King worked exceptionally hard in the 25th minute when after Wynnum Manly made a line break down their left side the Wynnum Manly left centre drew the Tweed Heads fullback and got the pass inside to his five eight just ten metres out but just as the five eight started to run towards the posts Hai Hiawe King came from the clouds to hit him from behind and force a knock-on.
Hai Hiawe King made a strong run in the 36th minute from the first hit-up of the second half with Hai Hiawe King getting the ball to close to the twenty metre mark. Then in the 43rd minute after a Wynnum Manly knock-on Hai Hiawe King ran back to take possession forty five metres out with his back towards his own try line, Hai Hiawe King turned around and carried two defenders all of the way to twenty two metres out from the try line.
Hai Hiawe King also started from the bench in Round Five against the Souths Logan Magpies with Hai Hiawe King coming onto the field to play in the front row in the 12th minute of the match.
The first of Hai Hiawe King’s strong runs in the match came in the 19th minute twenty two metres out from his own try line and to the left of the play the ball with Hai Hiawe King able to make thirteen metres against a set Magpies defensive line.
Then in the 24th minute Hai Hiawe King, from two passes to the left of the play the ball from a Seagulls penalty tap restart and twenty eight metres out from his own try line Hai Hiawe King promoted the ball to within seven metres of the try line with approximately 50% of his metres being post contact.
Hai Hiawe King added another strong run in the 26th minute from forty metres out from the try line and to the right of the play the ball with Hai Hiawe King cutting back in behind the play the ball and breaking two tackles as he got the ball to twenty two metres out.
Then in the 33rd minute from forty metres out and to the right of the play the ball and five metres short of the halfway mark Hai Hiawe King was able to get the ball ten metres inside Magpies territory through sheer perseverance and effort.
In the 61st minute Hai Hiawe King charged onto the ball two passes to the left of the play the ball with Hai Hiawe King receiving the pass twenty eight metres out and ran over the top of the Magpies left centre before being tackled ten metres out.
Burleigh Bears Daniel Rakena continued at five eight in Round Four of the CC Cup against the Norths Devils with Daniel Rakena kicking six conversions from as many attempts in a big Bears victory.
Daniel Rakena kicked the first of his six conversions in the 4th minute from five metres to the left of the uprights then the next three of Daniel Rakena’s conversions coming from directing in front of the goal posts in the 9th, 24th and 29th minutes. Daniel Rakena kicked a fifth conversion in the 44th minute to convert Ruben Dixon’s try from three metres to the right of the uprights before once again converting from in front of the posts in the 55th minute for his sixth conversion.
Daniel Rakena also forced a Norths goal line drop-out in the 48th minute when from six metres out and to the left of the play the ball Daniel Rakena put a short right foot grubber kick into the in-goal with the Norths fullback unable to get back into the field of play.
As a result of his performance Daniel Rakena was named at five eight in the 2023 Courier Mail CC Cup Round Four Team of the Week.
Will Saunders moved to the bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls Round Five of the Mm Cup against the Souths Logan Magpies with Will Saunders coming onto the field in the 15th minute to operate in the dummy half role and score in the 30th minute when from ten metres out Will Saunders ran to his left out of dummy half and burst between two defenders on the try line to score mid-way between the goals posts and corner post on the left side of the field.
Defensively Will Saunders did well in the 21st minute when along with Isaac Scanlon, he stopped the Magpies No. 15 from scoring with a strong hit on the try line mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field. Will Saunders made another try saving tackle in the 64th minute when he came from behind to hit the Magpies left second rower over the top when he was over the ty line to force the ball loose before he could get the ball to the ground.
Titans contracted Nayte Saaga moved into the Burleigh Bears starting line-up at hooker for Round Four of the MM Cup against the Norths Devils with Nayte Saaga scoring in the 63rd minute when after Cooper Bai had gotten away an off-load when he was three metres out and directly in front of the posts, Nayte Saaga collected the ball on the first bounce and after running to his right Nayte Saaga crashed through two defenders to score three metres to the right of the uprights.
Nayte Saaga also recorded a 56th minute try assist when with the play the ball less than a metre from the try line and ten metres to the right of the goal posts Nayte Saaga ran to his left out of dummy half and Jack Schmidt cut back to receive an inside pass and crash over the line to score ten metres to the right of the uprights.
Nayte Saaga made a near immediate impact on the match in just the 2nd minute when after Burleigh were awarded a penalty forty metres out from the try line Nayte Saaga took a quick tap and was able to make fifteen metres before the Devils defence could regroup and make the tackle.
Dylan Watkins moved to fullback for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in Round Five of the CC Cup against the Souths Logan Magpies with Dylan Watkins recording three line breaks in a strong overall performance.
Dylan Watkins recorded his opening line break in the 25th minute when after taking possession of the ball from a Magpies clearing kick just ten metres out and in the centre of the field Dylan Watkins ran to his right to get to the touchline and burst twenty metres down field before Dylan Watkins cut inside and then Dylan Watkins broke two tackles by spinning 360 degrees clockwise to get the ball within six metres of the halfway mark before being tackled.
Dylan Watkins added a second line break in the 39th minute when after moving into dummy half on the halfway mark Dylan Watkins ran himself to his right with Dylan Watkins speed taking him straight through the centre of the still back peddling Magpies defensive line with Dylan Watkins getting to within sixteen metres of the try line before he was able to get on off-load away to his left to his halfback.
The 45th minute saw Dylan Watkins break through the Magpies defensive line for the third time when whilst stationary thirty metres out from his own try line Dylan Watkins received the ball and then exploded off the mark and straight through the defensive line with Dylan Watkins then veering to his right to round the Magpies fullback before Dylan Watkins cut back to his left before being dragged to ground less than ten metres from the try line.
Earlier in the 31st minute from the right of the play the ball and five metres inside his own territory Dylan Watkins was able to promote the ball eight metres inside Magpies territory.
Dylan Watkins also did well inside the opening minute when he raced from the left side of the field to his right to field a Souths Longa grubber kick cleanly and under pressure in front of his own gaol posts.
Dylan Watkins did well once again in the 16th minute when after chiming into the Seagulls backline around twenty five metres from the try line and to left the left side of the field Dylan Watkins juggled the pass and just as the ball was about to hit the ground Dylan Watkins dived forward and knocked the ball backwards for Tweed Heads to keep possession and prevent a knock on being called.
Jake Lateo started at halfback and captain for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in Round Five of the MM Cup against the Souths Logan Magpies with Jake Lateo putting up a high floating bomb from the centre of the field and thirty five metres out with Jake Lateo’s bomb dropped cold by the Magpies fullback just three metres from his own try line and just to the left of the goal posts.
Jake Lateo did well in the 60th minute when from thirty metres out Jake Lateo ran the ball down a short right blindside and as he was approaching the defensive line Jake Lateo put in a right foot chip kick and then raced down to affect the tackle on the Magpies left second rower (No. 11) just a metre out from the try line.
Defensively Jake Lateo did well in the 22nd minute when he was able to hold up the Magpies hooker who had tried to force his way over from dummy half but Jake Lateo was able to prevent him from scoring ten metres to the left of the uprights. Jake Lateo made another try saving tackle in the 56th minute once again on the Magpies starting hooker with Jake Lateo forcing the ball loose over the try line and under the posts and gain a twenty metre restart from the Seagulls.
Jake Lateo also made a strong tackle in the 42nd minute when after chasing through a Seagulls kick Jake Lateo made a good low tackle on the Magpies right winger in the centre of the field and twelve metres from the try line. Jake Lateo was also involved in the next tackle from the marker position.
In late 2022 Keebra Park SHS student Christian Mikaele was named in the 2023 Ipswich Jets U16 Cyril Connell Cup squad.
Round Three of the 2023 U16 Cyril Connell Cup competition saw Christian Mikaele named on the bench for the Ipswich Jets against the Western Clydesdales.
Christian Mikaele was then named to move into the Jets starting line-up at five eight in Round Four against the Wide Bay Bulls with Christian Mikaele scoring in the 59th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball eighteen metres out, Christian Mikaele ran the ball to his left shaping to pass both to his left and right before Christian Mikaele stepped off his right foot before crashing through three defenders to score seven metres in from the left corner post untouched.
Christian Mikaele also recorded two try assists against the Bulls with the first coming in the 25th minute when from the right of the play the ball, eleven metres out and down a short right blindside, Christian Mikaele put up a high right foot chip kick which was ideally weighted and went over the out stretched arm of the Bulls left winger and into the waiting arms of the Jets left winger in the in-goal to score.
Christian Mikaele recorded his second try assist of the match early in the second half in the 34th minute when to the right of the play the ball and twelve metres out from the try line Christian Mikaele ran the ball down a short right blindside and after taking the ball deep into the defensive line Christina Mikaele, from eight metres out, put in a right foot grubber kick into the in-goal with his right winger winning the race to ground the ball in the in-goal three metres in from the right corner post.
As a result of his exceptional performance Christian Mikaele was named at five eight in the 2023 Courier Mail Cyril Connell Cup Round Four Team of the Week.
Christian Mikaele continued at five eight in Round Five against the Sunshine Coast Falcons with Christian Mikaele scoring one try and setting up another.
Christian Mikaele scored in the 6th minute when he ran to his left from dummy half to crash over from six metres out to ground the ball mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.
Christian Mikaele recorded his try assist in the 29th minute when from around ten metres out and in the centre of the field Christina Mikaele put in a right foot chip kick towards the left corner which was perfectly weighted and landed in the arms of the Jets left winger in the in-goal to score.
David Bryenton started at right centre for the Burleigh Bears in Round Four of the CC Cup against the Norths Devils with David Bryenton scoring a good solo try in the 29th minute when from the right of a Burleigh scrum win forty metres out David Bryenton charged onto a pass from the back of the scrum and stepped off his left foot and then his right to break through the Devils initial defensive line and beating the fullback with a right foot step and then race away to score under the posts.
David Bryenton also recorded a try assist in the 9th minute when after receiving the ball twelve metres out and to the right of the play the ball David Bryenton stepped back inside and when held by two defenders five metres out from the ty line David Bryenton got an off-load away to his front rower who crashed over to score under the posts.
Then in the 12th minute from forty two metres out and on the right side of the field David Bryenton made ground post contact to get the ball six metres inside Norths territory. The 51st minute saw David Bryenton execute a stepping run that saw him promote the ball from his own forty metre mark to six metres into Norths territory.
In the 47th minute David Bryenton chased through a Burleigh grubber kick into the in-goal with David Bryenton along with Zac Murphy getting to the Norths fullback three metres after he had run the ball back into the field of play. From there Zac Murphy and David Bryenton were able to hold him off the ground and force him back into the in-goal for a Devils goal line drop-out.
As a result of his performance David Bryenton was named in the centres in the 2023 Courier Mail CC Cup Round Four Team of the Week.
Titans contracted Jack Schmidt started in the front row for the Burleigh Bears in Round Four of the MM Cup against the Norths Devils with Jack Schmidt scoring in the 56th minute when with the play the ball less than a metre from the try line and ten metres to the right of the goal posts Nayte Saaga ran to his left out of dummy half and Jack Schmidt cut back to receive an inside pass and crash over the line to score ten metres to the right of the uprights.
Jack Schmidt’s initial impact in the match came in the 2nd minute when after charging onto the ball to the right of the play the ball four metres inside his own half with Jack Schmidt getting the ball ten metres inside Norths territory before he was brought to ground by multiple Devils defenders. Jack Schmidt was then awarded a penalty for being held down too long in the tackle.
Jack Schmidt made another strong run in the 54th minute when from fifteen metres out from his own try line and to the left of the play the ball Jack Schmidt made thirteen metres through the centre of the field.
In early March 2023 Jack Schmidt was named in the front row for the South Coast School Boy Rugby League Open Representative side.
Titans contracted Jaylen Taewa continued off the bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in Round Four of the Mm Cup against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Jaylen Taewa coming off the bench to operate in the front row in the 17th minute. Jaylen Taewa’s best run of the match came in the 36th minute when from seventeen metres out and to the left of the play the ball Jaylen Taewa was able to promote the ball to the thirty metre mark from the second hit-up after the second half kick-off.
Jaylen Taewa was then named to make his first 2023 of the 2023 MM Cup season in the front row in Round Five against the Souths Logan Magpies with Jaylen Taewa making a heavy tackle on the Magpies lock in the 11th minute thirty metres out from the try line.
In the 58th minute Jaylen Taewa charged onto the ball to the right of the play the ball from fivemetre sout from his own try line to get tehball to within one metre of the halfway mark.
Titans contracted Cooper Bai started at lock for the Burleigh Bears in Round Four of the MM Cup against the Norths Devils with Cooper Bai recording a try assist in the 63rd minute when after running onto the ball from fifteen metres out and to the right of the play the ball Cooper Bai made his way to three metres from the try line directly in front of the posts Cooper Bai whilst being held by multiple defenders was able to force an off-load behind him which was picked up on the first bounce by Nayte Saaga who darted over to score three metres to the left of the uprights.
Cooper Bai also made a strong run in the 8th minute when from the right of the play the ball and eighteen metres out Cooper Bai carried the ball to within two metres of the try line and in front of the right upright.
In the 48th minute Cooper Bai along with Kanititeiti Sikahele made a strong try saving tackle when defending on their own try line on the Norths No. 10 directly under the goal posts. Cooper Bai made another strong tackle in the 58th minute on that occasion on the Norths No. 14 who had charged onto the ball from close range with Cooper Bai stopping the Norths player less than a metre from try line.
Titans contracted Jahkayis Mabbell started at hooker for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in Round Five of the CC Cup against the Souths Logan Magpies with Jahkayis Mabbell scoring a smart solo try in the 18th minute when from dummy half Jahkayis Mabbell ran to his right from fourteen metres out and just to the left of the goal posts with Jahkayis Mabbell when ten metres from the try line stepping off his right foot and then his left to beat two defenders before Jahkayis Mabbell easily shrugged off the Magpies fullback to dive over to score next to the right upright.
Jahkayis Mabbell also recorded a try assist in the 4th minute when from dummy half with the play the ball less than a metre from the try line Jahkayis Mabbell threw a flat pass to his left for Ethan Jackson to crash over two metres to the right of the uprights.
Titans contracted Gary Whare-Herlihy started from the bench for the Bears in Round Four against the Norths Devils with Gary Whare-Herlihy coming onto the field to operate in the dummy half role in the 30th minute.
Gary Whare-Herlihy recorded a line break and line break assist in the same play in the 38th minute when after receiving an off-load from his right from Oscar Lanfranchi forty metres out from his own try line. After Gary Whare-Herlihy burst eighteen metres through the centre of the field, Gary Whare-Herlihy’s jersey was grabbed from behind but he was able to get an off-load away to his right to Ryder Williams who made fifteen metres more downfield.
Gary Whare-Herlihy made a smart run out of dummy half to his left in the 47th minute from thirty metres out from the try line with Gary Whare-Herlihy getting the ball to eighteen metres away from the try line.
Titans contracted Isaiah Scanlon continued in the front row for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in Round Four of the MM Cup against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Isaiah Scanlon scoring through a strong run in the 59th minute.
Isaiah Scanlon had almost scored ten minutes earlier in the 49th minute when from ten metres out and to the left of the play the ball Isaiah Scanlon was able to get over the try line five metres to the left of the goal posts however the referee ruled that Isaiah Scanlon knocked the ball on as he was trying to get the ball down.
Isaac Scanlon then moved to start at lock in Round Five against the Souths Logan Magpies with Isaac Scanlon making the fourth hit-up of the match to the left of the play the ball with Isaac Scanlon receiving the ball thirty fivemetres out from his own try line making ten metres.
Isaac Scanlon made another strong run in the 18th minute from twelve metres out from his own try line and to the left of the play the ball with Isaac Scanlon able to get the ball twenty four metres out from his own try line.
In the 53rd minute from the left of the play the ball and from his own twenty metre mark Isaac Sannlon was able to promote the ball thirteen metres. Then in the 54th minute from five metres from his own try line Isaac Scanlon got the ball to nineteen metres out after running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball.
In the 57th minute Isaac Scanlon ran onto the ball to the left of the play the ball from thirty two metres from his own try line with Isaac Scanlon getting the ball to within four metres of the halfway mark.
Defensively Isaac Scanlon did well in the 21st minute when along with Will Saunders, he stopped the Magpies No. 15 from scoring with a strong hit on the try line mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.
Good to see Yeim Costello from Titans partnered Marsden SHS named in the Met East U15 School Boy Rugby League Representative side.
Great to see Titans contracted William Semu named in the Met East Open School Boy Rugby League Representative side out of the Titans partnered Marsden SHS.
Recently front rower Toupou Francis was named in the Met East Open School Boy Rugby League Representative side out of the Titans partnered Marsden SHS.
2023 saw Anthony Solomon be part of the Souths Logan Magpies U18 Mal Meninga Cup squad with Anthony Solomon’s first appearance coming when he was named to come off the bench for the Magpies in Round Five against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Antony Solomon coming onto the field in the 27th minute of the match.
Titans partnered Marsden SHS has a rich tradition of producing talented rugby league players with more than a few already linking with the Titans and another one on the production line from Marsden SHS’s Elite School Boy Rugby League Academy Program is Anthony Solomon who usually plays at five eight, including for the 2022 Ipswich Jets Cyril Connell Cup squad before his positional switch for Marsden SHS into the forward pack and what an inspired move it was from the Marsden SHS coaching staff with Anthony Solomon making an immediate and strong impact in his new position.
For Marsden SHS in 2022 the tall and athletic Anthony Solomon moved to lock from five eight and with his ball playing ability Antony Solomon made an immediate impact in the Walters Cup School Boy Rugby League competition including Anthony Solomon producing an outstanding display in the Walters Cup Grand Final against Keebra Park SHS especially from a defensive point of view with Anthony Solomon leaving the ribs of more than a few Keebra Park SHS players on the sore side after the match.
At the completion of the School Boy season Anthony Solomon was named on the bench in the highly impressive 2022 Courier Mail Walters Cup Team of the Year.
For the Ipswich Jets in the 2022 U16 Cyril Connell Cup competition Anthony Solomon came into the Jets squad in Round Four against the Wide Bay Bulls with Anthony Solomon starting that match off the bench before moving into the Jets starting side at five eight in Round Five against the Western Clydesdales.
Keebra Park SHS student Royal Tiato started at left centre in Round One of the 2023 U15 Ipswich Rugby League Grading competition for the Redbank Plains Bears against the Fassifern Bombers.
Late in 2022 Titans contracted Jeriah Vagana-Malatai was named in the 2023 Ipswich Jets MM Cup squad and after Ipswich had a Round One bye Jeriah Vagana-Malatai was named on the Jets extended bench for Round One of the 2023 U18 Mal Meninga Cup competition against the Sunshine Coast Falcons as well as in Round Three against the Western Clydesdales with a late change seeing Jeriah Vagana-Malatai starting the Round Three match on the wing.
Jeriah Vagana-Malatai was then named on the Jets extended bench for Round Four against the Wide Bay Bulls however a late change saw Jeriah Vagana-Malatai start at fullback in the Jets strong win.
In early March 2023 Cairo Rangahuna-Riri was named in the Met East Open School Boy Rugby League Representative side out of the Titans partnered Marsden SHS.
Titans contracted Sunny Kama moved to left centre for the Burleigh Bears for Round Four of the MM Cup against the Norths Devils with Sunny Kama scoring a great solo try in the 29th minute when after receiving the ball on the left side of the field and fifty five metres out from the try line Sunny Kama continued to run to his left and after shaping to pass to his left Sunny Kama burst between two defenders before easily rounding the Devils fullback to score in the left corner.
Sunny Kama made a strong run in the 8th minute from the left of a Bears scrum win with Sunny Kama carrying the ball from thirty metres out to twenty metres out from the try line. Then in the 12th minute Sunny Kama ran the ball to the right of the play the ball with Sunny Kama running through the centre of the field from ten metres out from his own try line to twenty six metres out.
In the 14th minute Sunny Kama made a further strong ten metre run from ten metres out from his own try line and to the left of a Burleigh scrum win. After being brought to ground Sunny Kama was awarded a penalty when he was held down too long in the tackle.
Sunny Kama along with Jac Finnigan made the opening tackle of the match to force the Devils player back a number of metres. Sunny Kama also made a strong defensive effort in the 22nd minute when whilst defending close to his own try line, Sunny Kama came out of the Bears defensive line and hit his opposite number around the chest stopping his opponent in his tracks just ten metres out from his own try line.
Titans contracted Devin Bates-Wellington started from the bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in Round Five of the CC Cup against the Souths Logan Magpies with Devin Bates-Wellington coming onto the field to operate at left second row in the 20th minute.
Devin Bates-Wellington immediately produced a strong run from the kick-off from Jahkayis Mabbell’s try with Devin Bates-Wellington able to get the ball to nineteen metres out from the try line.
Devin Bates-Wellington made a further strong run in the 24th minute when from thirty eight metres out from his own try line and to the left of the play the ball Devin Bates-Wellington broke three tackles as he got the ball to within five metres of the halfway mark before getting an off-load away to his right to Benji Quinlan.
Then in the 30th minute from to the from the opening six of six tackles of the second half Devin Bates-Wellington ran the ball from the left of the play the ball and six metres inside his own territory to get the ball eight metres inside Magpies territory.
Devin Bates-Wellington continued his strong match in the 34th minute when from the right of the play the ball and thirty three metres from the try line Devin Bates-Wellington broke two tackles and when he had got to twenty metres from the rty line Devin bates-Wellington got a right arm off-load away.
Devin Bates-Wellington came close to scoring in the 48th minute when after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball from fifteen metres out and in the centre of the field, Devin bates-Wellington cut back behind the play the ball with his momentum finally stopped within centre metres of the try line even though multiple Magpies defenders could not get Devin Bates-Wellington to the ground.
Then in the 52nd minute from the left of the play the ball and five metres inside his own territory Devin Bates-Wellington stepped off his left foot to beat a Souths Logan defender who had rushed out of the defensive line to get eight metres inside Magpies territory before Devin bates-Wellington was able to get an off-load away to his right.
Devin Bates-Wellington produced a smart piece of play in the 23rd minute when whilst defending ten metres out from his own try line Devin Bates-Wellington blocked a Magpies grubber kick with his right foot and then raced forward to take possession and get the ball twenty two metres away from his own try line.
Devin Bates-Wellington’s performance saw him deservedly named on the bench in the Courier Mail 2023 CC Cup Round Five Team of the Week.
Titans contracted Matthew Barrow continued on the left wing for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in Round Four of the MM Cup against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Matthew Barrow coming off his wing to take a hit-up to the left of the play the ball and through the centre of the field with Matthew Barrow making twelve metres to thirty five metres out from his own try line.
Matthew Barrow also started on the left wing in Round Five against the Souths Logan Magpies with Matthew Barrow scoring in the left corner from close range in the 16th minute after receiving a great cut-out pass from his inside from five eight Jack Hudson.
Matthew Barrow crossed the try line again in the 50th minute in the left corner however the cut-out pass from his inside from Jack Hudson was ruled to have gone forward.
In the 11th minute Matthew Barrow came off his left wing to take a hit-up in the centre of the field from three metres inside his own territory with Matthew Barrow able to get the ball seventeen metres inside Magpies territory with 60% of his metres gained being post contact.
To the left of the play the ball in the 25th minute and three metres from his own try line and ten metres in from the left touchline Matthew Barrow did exceptionally well to break two tackles and he got the ball twenty seven metres out from his own try line.
Then in the 32nd minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball and eighteen metres out from his own try line Matthew barrow carried the ball to thirty metres out with 60% of his metres gained being post contact.
Matthew Barrow, in the 53rd minute ran the ball to the right of the play the ball through the centre of the field from thirty three metres out from his own try line to within seven metres of the halfway mark. Then in the 59th minute when twenty metres out from his own try line Matthew Barrow ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball to get to the thirty one metre mark with 50% of Matthew Barrow’s metres gained being post contact.
Defensively whilst operating at fullback Matthew Barrow did well in the 54th minute when after the Magpies left winger made a line break through the centre of the field he tried to beat Matthew Barrow by running to his left but Matthew Barrow stayed with him to make the tackle twenty two metres out and near the right touch line.
Matthew Barrow’s performance saw him deservedly named on the wing in the Courier Mail 2023 MM Cup Round Five Team of the Week.
Titans contracted Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy continued at fullback for the Burleigh Bears in Round Four of the MM Cup against the Norths Devils with Zyroam Taurawa-Herhily converting Jake Schmidt’s 56th minute try from mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.
Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy recorded a try assist in the 41st minute with Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy chiming into the Bears backline on the right side of the field and after engaging one Devils defender Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy got away a good right arm flick off-load to his right to put his centre over from ten metres out.
Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy recorded a line break assist in the 32nd minute when after chiming into the Bears backline on the right side of the field and forty metres out, Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy threw a cut-out pass to his right to put his right winger on a twenty metre run down the right touchline.
Impressively Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy also kicked a 40/20 in the 55th minute when after some confusion on the Bears final tackle Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy put in a right foot kick off one step from just inside his own forty metre mark with the ball going into touch over the right touchline eleven metres out from the try line.
Titans contracted William Semu started from the bench for the Souths Logan Magpies in Round Five of the MM Cup against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with William Semu coming onto the field to play right second row in the 16th minute with William Semu the Magpies best in his time on the field.
William Semu made a great line break in the dying minutes of the match in the 65th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball and thirty three metres out from his own try line William Semu, after bursting between defenders in the initial Seagulls defensive line William Semu beat the third defender with his speed before William Semu looked to beat the fullback by veering to his left but as the Seagulls fullback looked to corral him against the left touchline, William Semu stepped off his left foot to beat the fullback before William Semu was able to get an off-load away to his right when twenty metres out from the try line.
William Semu’s best sequence of carries of the ball came in the 36th minute when from the right of the play the ball and just ten metres out from his own try line William Semu produced two right arm fends as he ran to his left to get the ball fifteen metres downfield. Then after the next play the ball William Semu charged onto the ball thirty five metres out from the try line with William Semu bursting through two attempted tackles and he got the ball six metres inside Magpies territory.
Earlier in the 16th minute William Semu charged onto the ball to the left of the play the ball with William Semu getting the ball from his own forty metre line to three metres inside Seagulls territory. Then in the 24th minute to the right of the play the ball and on the halfway mark William Semu made eleven metres with approximately 60% being post contact.
Then in the 62nd minute William Semu from the left of the play the ball and forty five metres from the try line continued to his left and after beating one defender cut back towards the centre of the field before finally being tackled in the centre of the field and thirty two metres from the try line.
Titans contracted Majah Peachey moved to left second row for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in Round Four of the CC Cup against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Majah Peachey scoring in the 4th minute when after receiving the ball on the left side of the field and eight metres from the try line Majah Peachey carried two defenders over the try line to get the ball down five metres in from the left corner post.
Majah Peachey almost scored a second try in the 49th minute only to be held up over the try line when after receiving the ball three metres out from the try line and to the left of the play the ball Majah Peachey ran the ball back to his right before being held up mid-way between the goal post and corner post on the left side of the field.
Majah Peachey first strong run of the match came in just the 3rd minute from a Wynnum Manly penalty tap restart Majah Peachey charged onto the ball two metres inside his own territory with Majah Peachey breaking five tackles as he got the ball within twenty eight metres of the try line.
Then in the 5th minute from the first hit-up from the kick-off after his own try Majah Peachey ran the ball back to the twenty metre mark before stepping off his right foot to get on the outside of his opposite defender with Majah Peachey then making a twenty metre line break down the left touchline.
Majah Peachey continued his strong match in the 23rd minute with a charge from the left of the play the ball and ten metres out from his own try line with Majah Peachey running the ball towards the centre of the field and after shrugging off the Tweed Heads five eight Majah Peachey straightened up his run through the centre of the field to get the ball up to the twenty metre mark.
In the 27th minute Majah Peachey charged onto the ball from a Wynnum Manly penalty tap restart thirty four metres out from his own try line with Majah Peachey eventually being tackled on the halfway mark.
Majah Peachey made a try saving tackle in the 26th minute on the Tweed Heads halfback with as the halfback was diving over to score under the posts, from his back right quadrant Majah Peachey came over the top with his right hand hitting the ball and forcing it loose just centre metres from the ground.
Majah Peachey then produced a smart piece of play in the 48th minute when from the marker position Majah Peachey was able to harass the Tweed Heads dummy half forcing him to knock the ball on and turning the ball over to put Wynnum Manly immediately on the attack.
Majah Peachey continued at left second row in Round Five against the Brisbane Tigers with Majah Peachey scoring an outstanding solo try in the 19th minute when from two passes to the left of a Wynnum Manly scrum win in the centre of the field and twenty metres out, Majah Peachey received the ball and stepped off his right foot to beat the Tigers right centre (No. 3) with pace before a left arm fend beat the Tigers right winger with Majah Peachey then racing down the left touchline to dive over to score in the left corner.
Then from the second hit-up from the subsequent kick-off, from twenty metres out from his own try line Majah Peachey charged onto the ball to the right of the play the ball and then immediately cut back to his right with Majah Peachey breaking two tackles as Majah Peachey rumbled twenty metres down the left touchline.
Majah Peachey also recorded a try assist in the 39th minute when after receiving the ball six metres out and on the left side of the field, Majah Peachey drew in two defenders and got an off-load away to his left for his winger to score in the corner.
From the subsequent kick-off Majah Peachey took the first hit-up and after charging over the top of one defender and holding another off with a left arm fend the ball was stripped from Majah Peachey’s grasp after he had gotten to the thirty metre mark.
Majah Peachey also recorded a line break assist in the 53rd minute when from a play the ball twenty metres out from the Wynnum Manly try line and in the centre of the field Majah Peachey received the ball to the right of the play the ball and after running to his right to get on the outside of one defender Majah Peachey stepped off his left foot to beat another defender before drawing the Tigers left winger and passing to his right to put his winger away down the right touchline.
Majah Peachey was in the match in the opening seconds when he was involved in the opening tackle of the match after Wynnum Manly had kicked off.
The first of Majah Peachey’s strong runs in the match came in the 7th minute when two passes to the left of a Wynnum Manly scrum win Majah Peachey received the ball ten metres from his own try line and after Majah Peachey broke three tackles he was forced onto his knees but as he was not held Majah Peachey got back to his feet quickly and beat another two defenders to get within five metres of the halfway mark.
Majah Peachey did very well defensively in the 52nd minute when after the Tigers left centre (No. 4) made a line break through the centre of the field Majah Peachey chased him down from behind to bring him to ground forty metres out from the Tigers try line.
Majah Peachey made a smart play in the 45th minute by way of a one on one strip in the centre of the field with the Tigers on the attack just twenty metres out from the try line. Majah Peachey, after stripping the ball was able to make five metres downfield.
In October 2022 Owen Woods was named in the 2023 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad with Owen Wood’s first match in 2023 coming in the Northern Rivers Titans Andrew Johns Cup first trial against the North Coast Bulldogs in Coffs Harbour.
After missing Round One Owen Woods was named on the Northern Rivers Titans extended bench for Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters.
Owen Woods then started on the left wing for Round Three against the South Coast Dragons with Owen Woods also named on the left wing for Round Four against the Northern Tigers with Owen Woods scoring a double in a big win for the Northern Rivers Titans.
Owen Woods scored his opening try in just the 2nd minute of the match when after receiving a great cut-out pass from his inside from Jimmy McCombie, Owen Woods raced eight metres to dive over to score in the left corner.
Owen Woods completed his double in the 35th minute when he darted six metres down the left touchline to dive over to score in the left corner.
Owen Woods also started on the left wing in Round Five against the North Coast Bulldogs.
Round One of the 2023 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition saw Aaron Singh-Goesel named at left second row for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights.
Aaron Singh-Goesel was also named at left second row for Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters with Aaron Singh-Goesel making a desperate cover defending tackle in the 4th minute on the Rooster right centre who had made a line break down his right touchline. Aaron Singh Goesel never gave up the chase from the inside and dived full length to get to the centre and completely halt his forward momentum.
Aaron Singh-Goesel made a strong run in the 38th minute when after cutting back underneath Jesse Soric thirty five metres out Aaron Singh-Goesel burst through the Roosters defensive line before eventually being brought to ground eighteen metres out. Then in the 55th minute Aaron Singh-Goesel made fifteen hard metres, the majority of which were post contact down the left channel to get the ball to within twenty two metres of the try line.
Aaron Singh-Goesel was also named at left second row for Round Three against the South Coast Dragons.
Aaron Singh-Goesel moved to the bench for Round Four against the Northern Tigers with Aaron Singh-Goesel coming onto field in the second half to play left second row.
Aaron Singh-Goesel then moved back into the starting side at left second row in Round Five against the North Coast Bulldogs with Aaron Singh-Goesel coming close to scoring in the 28th minute only to be held up over the try line ten metres in from the left corner post after a strong ten metre run.
In the 42nd minute Aaron Singh-Goesel was able to make twelve metres to get the ball forty two metres away from his own try line after charging onto the ball to the right of the play the ball.
In the 7th minute along with Brady Turner, Aaron Singh-Goesel did well to hold up the North Coast lock over the try line after he had tried to barge his way over. Aaron Singh-Goesel made another strong tackle in the 27th minute with a heavy front-on hit on the North Coast No. 11 thirty five metres out from the try line with Aaron Singh-Goesel’s initial contact rocking the North Coast forward.
Aaron Singh-Goesel made another good defensive hit in the 52nd minute when he raced out of the defensive line to crunch the North Coast five eight just he was receiving the ball with Aaron Singh-Goesel driving him backwards so that North Coast lost ten metres on the play.
Round One of the 2023 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition saw Isaac Harrison named in the front row for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights with Isaac Harrison taking the 4th hit-up of the match after the Knights had kicked off to get the match underway.
The match also saw Isaac Harrison make a line break in the 29th minute when he charged onto a good ball from his left from Jesse Soric with Isaac Harrison’s inside shoulder route taking him to within ten metres of the try line and in front of the goal posts.
Isaac Harrison also started in the front row in Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters with Isaac Harrison taking the opening hit-up of the match from the kick-off and then backed that run up by also taking the third hit-up of the match.
Isaac Harrison was also named in the front row for Round Three against the South Coast Dragons.
Isaac Harrison also started in the front row in Round Four against the Northern Tigers with Isaac Harrison involved in the 24th minute in holding up the Northern Tigers hooker ten metres to the right of the uprights after the hooker had tried to force his way over the try line from dummy half on the final tackle.
Isaac Harrison also started in the front row in Round Five against the North Coast Bulldogs.
Keebra Park SHS student Royal Tiato started at left second row (and captain) for Redbank Plains last night in the 2nd match of the Ipswich U15 pre-season grading competition with Royal Tiato scoring a hat trick in a big win over Brothers.
Round One of the 2023 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition saw Callum Bowles named at right second row for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights with Callum Bowles doing well from the Newcastle kick-off when he trapped a low bouncing kick-off with his right foot and then after retrieving the ball Callum Bowles as tackled twenty two metres out from his own try line.
Then in the 7th minute from twenty metres out from his own try line Callum Bowles made a strong run down the right channel to make twelve metres. Callum Bowles made a further strong run down the right channel in the 19th minute with his commencing thirty metres out from the try line with Callum Bowles making nine post contact metres as he got the ball to around seventeen metres of the try line.
Callum Bowles added a further strong run down the right channel in the 43rd minute with Callum Bowles making twelve metres from a run that originated from inside his own twenty metre defensive area.
Callum Bowles then executed a smart piece of play in the 31st minute when after taking possession around eleven metres from the try line on the right side of the field Callum Bowles put in a right foot grubber kick into the in-goal to force a Newcastle goal line drop-out.
Callum Bowles’s strongest moment defensively came in the 52nd minute with a strong front on one on one hit on the Knights lock (No. 13) ten metres out from the try lien and in front of the posts with Callum Bowles’s heavy initial contact seeing the ball flying loose of the Knights players grasp.
Callum Bowles was also named at right second row for Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters with Callum Bowles forced a Central Coast Roosters goal line drop-out in the 19th minute when after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball and around ten metres out, Callum Bowles put in a right foot grubber kick into the in-goal with the kick causing confusion amongst the Roosters defenders who even up knocking the ball on in-goal.
Callum Bowles made a strong run in the 6th minute down the left channel with Callum Bowles making thirteen metres to get to withing seven metres of the try line with at least 75% of Callum Bowles’s metres being of the post contact variety.
With the game on the line in the 59th minute with the Northern Rivers Titans holding onto a 22 – 20 point lead, Callum Bowles made a desperate last ditch tackle on the Central Coast No. 16 with Callum Bowles grabbing hold of the jersey high up on the back after the Rooster player had threatened to break through.
Callum Bowles then moved to right centre for Round Three against the South Coast Dragons before moving back to right second row for Round Four against the Northern Tigers.
Callum Bowles also started at right second row in Round Five against the North Coast Bulldogs with Callum Bowles scoring in the 35th minute when he backed up on the inside and subsequently received an off-load from his right from Creedence Donovan who had made a line break down the right touchline with Callum Bowles receiving the ball to have an easy eight metre run to score in the right corner.
Titans contracted Zane Harrison makes his MM Cup debut today when he starts at 5/8 for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Norths Devils.
Great win by the Tweed Heads Seagulls Cc Cup side this morning 30-14 against the Norths Devils.
Great win by the Tweed Heads MM Cup side against Norths to make it two from two for the Seagulls today.
In early 2023 Cameron Leach was named in the Far North Coast NSW Combined High School U15 School Boy Representative side.
In 2022 Cameron Leach played for the Ballina Seagulls in the Group One U14 competition starting all of the Seagulls matches at hooker including their 32 – 20 Grand Final loss to Casino RSM.
Cameron Leach scored two tries and kicked two conversions in the 2022 Group One U14 competition with Cameron Leach kicking both of his conversions in Round One against Lismore Marist. Cameron Leach scored in Week One of the Finals against the South Grafton Rebels and backed that up with a try in Ballina’s Preliminary Final victory against the Kyogle Turkeys.
Cameron Leach also played for Ballina in 2021 in the Group One U13 competition with Cameron Leach starting the season at halfback before moving to hooker later in the season.
Cameron Leach scored a try in Round Five against the South Grafton Rebels in 2021 and also kicked conversions in Round Two against Lismore Marist and Rounds Six and Thirteen against the Clarence Coast Magpies.
Round One of the 2023 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition saw Jesse Soric named at five eight for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights with Jesse Soric operating on the left side of the field.
Jesse Soric recorded a try assist in the 38th minute when from thirty two metres out and to the right of the play the ball Jesse Soric initially ran to his right dummying to an underneath runner before Jesse Soric darted through a gap and whilst being tackled Jesse Soric was able to get his right arm free and off-load to his left to Tyler Whittington who scored under the posts.
Jesse Soric also recorded a line break assist in the 29th minute when from the right of the play the ball and twenty seven metres out, Jesse Soric took the ball deep into the Knights defensive line before throwing a short ball to his right to Isaac Harrison to break through the defensive line from his inside shoulder route.
Jesse Soric recorded a line break of his own in the 32nd minute when from twenty five metres out and to the left of the play the ball Jesse Soric stepped off his left foot twice in quick succession to break through the defensive line and then around five metres out from the try line Jesse Soric was able to off-load to his to Bo Peisley who was tackled just in front of the left upright.
Jesse Soric was also named at five eight for Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters with Jesse Soric recording a try assist in the 44th minute when after the Roosters dropped the ball whilst trying to bring the ball out of their own twenty metre area, Jesse Soric collected the errand pass and ran five metres towards the try line before off-loading to his right to Riley Buchanan who had a fifteen metre run to score in a tackle three metres to the right of the uprights.
Jesse Soric executed another smart piece of play in the 18th minute when he chased a Zane Harrison clearing kick downfield and then as the Roosters fullback was bringing the ball back, Jesse Soric engaged him and thirty metres out and in the centre of the field with Jesse Soric executing a one on one strip to put the Northern Rivers Titans immediately onto the attack.
Jesse Soric was also named at five eight for Round Three against the South Coast Dragons.
Jesse Soric then started at five eight in Round Four against the Northern Tigers with Jesse Soric recording a try assist in the 68th minute when from eight metres out Jesse Soric threw a hard flat cut-out pass to his left to put Lachlan Offley over to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.
Round One of the 2023 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition saw Creedence Donovan named at left centre the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights with Creedence Donovan scoring for the Northern Rivers Titans in the 46th minute when from twenty metres out Creedence Donovan burst onto the ball in space after receiving a great pass from his inside from Zane Harrison with Creedence Donovan’s pace then too much for the cover defence to dive over to score two metres in from the right corner post.
Creedence Donovan almost scored again in the 53rd minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball forty metres out after a long Zane Harrison line break down the eight touchline ,Creedence Donovan chipped away for himself and came very close to getting the ball back but unfortunately the Knights right second rower got to the ball just before him four metres out from the try line.
Creedence Donovan could not have been in the match much earlier when he took the second hit-up of the match after Newcastle had kicked off to start the match. In the 42nd minute Creedence Donovan made a good run out of dummy half to his right from forty two metres out from his own try line with Creedence Donovan getting the ball five metres into Newcastle territory.
Creedence Donovan also had some good moments defensively against the Knights including in the 6th minute with a strong tackle on the Knights left centre (No. 3) with the Knights on the attack just three metres out from the try line.
Creedence Donovan was also named at right centre for Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters with Creedence Donovan scoring twice in the first half as the Northern Rivers Titans held on to win 22 – 20.
Creedence Donovan’s opening try came in the 10th minute when he was on hand to pick up a dropped bomb by the Knights left winger and dart seven metres to score seven metres to the right of the uprights.
Creedence Donovan completed his double with an outstanding solo try in the 25th minute when from seven metres inside his own territory Creedence Donovan cut back underneath Zane Harrison with Creedence Donovan bursting through two attempted tackles on the halfway mark with Creedence Donovan veering to his left to round the fullback and run away to score between the posts.
Creedence Donovan also recorded a try assist in the 49th minute when to the right of a Northern Rivers Titans scrum feed on the left side of the field Creedence Donovan beat one defender on the outside and when around twelve metres out from the try line Creedence Donovan held up the ball perfectly before passing to his right to Noah Waldock who scored after cutting inside away from the touchline.
Creedence Donovan’s first contribution in the match came in the 2nd minute when from forty metres out from his own try line and to the left of the play the ball Creedence Donovan was able to get the ball three metres into Central Coast territory.
After missing Round Three Creedence Donovan was back at right centre in Round Four against the Northern Tigers with Creedence Donovan scoring in the 34th minute when after receiving the ball on the right side of the field and twenty six metres out, Creedence Donovan got on the outside of his opposing defending through the use of a strong left arm fend with Creedence Donovan then dummying his way past the Tigers left winger and brushing past the fullback to score in the right corner.
Creedence Donovan also started at right centre in Round Five against the North Coast Bulldogs with Creedence Donovan recording a try assist in the 35th minute when after receiving a pass from his inside from Zane Harrison Creedence Donovan got on the outside of his opposing centre and burst down the right touchline. Creedence Donovan then drew the Bulldogs fullback and got the pass inside to Callum Bowles who scored in the right corner.
Creedence Donovan’s initial smart run came in just the 2nd minute when Creedence Donovan ran to his left out of dummy half when twenty metres from his own try line with Creedence Donovan able to make twenty metres downfield.
Creedence Donovan then did well in the 66th minute with a smart run down the right channel which started thirty metres out from his own try line with Creedence Donovan able to promote the ball to the halfway mark.
Then in the final minute when lining up at fullback Creedence Donovan did well to take a North Coast kick on the full thirty metres out from his own try line whilst under pressure. Creedence Donovan then returned the ball to the halfway mark.
Creedence Donovan also did well defensively in the 7th minute when whilst defending twelve metres from his own try line Creedence Donovan sprinted out of the defensive line and hit his opposite number hard and dislodging the ball in the process.
Round One of the 2023 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition saw Zane Farrell named on the bench for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights with Zane Farrell coming onto the field to operate in the dummy half role in the 29th minute of the match.
Zane Farrell made a smart line break in the 58th minute when from forty two metres out from the try line Zane Farrell ran to his left out of dummy half and darted through the centre of the Knights defensive line with Zane Farrell getting to within ten metres of the try line before he was finally brought to ground.
Zane Farrell made a desperate tackle on one of the Knights interchange front rowers (No. 16) who had burst through the Northern Rivers Titans defensive line with Zane Farrell preventing the front rower from making more ground by holding onto his right leg until defensive help arrived.
Zane Farrell made another smart defensive play in the 50th minute when along with Riley Buchanan, Zane Farrell did very well to hold up one of the Knights interchange front rowers over the try line mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.
Then in the 55th minute once again Zane Farrell made a strong ball and all tackle, on this occasion on the Knight replacement hooker (No. 14) forty metres out from the Northern Rivers Titans try line.
Zane Farrell was also named to start from the bench in Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters with Zane Farrell coming onto the field to operate in the dummy half role in the 37th minute and making his first run almost immediately when Zane Farrell ran to his right out of dummy half making eleven metres to get the ball five metres over the hallway mark.
Zane Farrell also did well in the 55th minute when from twenty five metres out Zane Farrell ran to his right out of dummy half and after beating a number of tackles to get within ten metres of the try line, Zane Farrell’s smart off-load to his irhgt to Banjora Porch who crossed the ball the try line near the left upright was ruled forward.
Zane Farrell was also named on the bench for Round Three against the South Coast Dragons as well as in Round Four against the Northern Tigers with Zane Farrell once again operating in the dummy role when he came onto the field in the 24th minute.
Zane Farrell then moved into the starting side at hooker in Round Five against the North Coast Bulldogs.
Titans against the Newcastle Knights.
Cameron Bevan was then named on the Northern Rivers Titans interchange bench for Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters coming onto the field in the 27th minute to operate in the dummy half role.
Cameron Bevan was also named on the bench for Round Three against the South Coast Dragons.
Cameron Bevan then moved into the Northern Rivers Titans starting line-up at hooker in Round Four against the Northern Tigers as well as in Round Five against the North Coast Bulldogs with Cameron Bevan along with Brady Turner making the opening tackle of the match from the Northern Rivers Titans kick-off.
Round One of the 2023 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition saw Cameron Bevan named as the 18th player for the Northern Rivers
Round One of the 2023 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition saw AJ Hickling named in the front row for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights with AJ Hikcling working hard especially running the ball out of his own defensive twenty metre mark in both of his stints on the field.
AJ Hickling was also named in the front row for Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters with Aj Hickling taking the fourth hit-up of the match after the Central Coast Roosters had kicked off to get the match underway.
AJ Hickling was also named in the front row for Round Three against the South Coast Dragons before being named on the Northern Rivers Titans extended bench for Round Four against the Northern Tigers.
AJ Hickling then started from the bench and coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 44th in Round Five against the North Coast Bulldogs with AJ Hickling scoring in the 67th minute when after charging onto an inside pass from Bo Priesley on the left side of the field AJ Hickling charged through a gap and was able to crash over to score two metres in from the left corner post.
Earlier in the 56th minute AJ Hickling made a desperate last ditch try saving tackle on the North Coast fullback around ten metres out with AJ Hickling racing to his right to make the critical tackle.
Round One of the 2023 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition saw Riley Loughland named at five eight for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights in Newcastle with Riley Loughland operating on the right side of the field.
Riley Loughland kicked two conversions from as many attempts against the Newcastle Knights with his first conversion coming in just the 2nd minute when Riley Loughland converted Koopah Walters’s try from ten metres to the left of the uprights. Then in the 46th minute Riley Loughland converted Beau Hartmann’s solo try from ten metres to the left of the uprights.
Riley Loughland made one of the outstanding cover defending tackles of the match in the 21st minute when he raced to his right to make a desperate diving tackle on the Newcastle No. 14 who had made a line break down the right side of the Northern Rivers Titans right side of the field.
Riley Loughland put in a good attacking high kick in the 45th minute when from the centre of the field and thirty metres out Riley Loughland put up a right foot bomb to the Northern Rivers Titans right corner with the kick too good for the Knights left winger who knocked the ball on whist attempting to take the kick on the full. The Northern Rivers Titans scored through Beau Hartmann from the subsequent scrum win.
Riley Loughland then did well in the 59th minute when he threw a great cut-out pass to his right to put his support into space twenty metres out from the try line, also setting up a last minute try for the Northern Rivers Titans.
Riley Loughland was then named to start at hooker in Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters with Riley Loughland held up over the try line in the 30th minute eight metres in from the left corner post and darting out of dummy half to his left.
Riley Loughland was also named at hooker for Round Three against the South Coast Dragons with Riley Loughland converting kaleb Smith’s 6th minute try from three metres to the right of the goal posts.
Riley loughland also recorded a try assist in the 53rd minute when from ten metres out and just to the left of the uprights, Riley Loughland put in a right foot grubber kick into the in-goal with Jimmy McCombie racing through to dive onto the ball to score.
Whilst Riley Loughland started the match at hooker he played the second half at halfback.
Riley Loughland also started at hooker in Round Four against the Northern Tigers with Riley Loughland converting Beau Hartmann’s outstanding 51st minute solo try from in front of the posts in the Titans big victory.
Riley Loughland also started at five eight in Round Five against the North Coast Bulldogs with Riley Loughland converting Kwiin Wolf’s 54th minute try from eight metres to the left of the goal posts.
Round One of the 2023 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition saw Levi Dangerfield named on the right wing the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights with Levi Dangerfield doing well in the 24th minute when after chasing a Knights kick back he picked up the ball in the in-goal to save a near certain Knights try.
Levi Dangerfield was also named on the right wing for Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters however a late change say Levi Dangerfield start the match at right centre.
Levi Dangerfield was also named on the right wing for Round Three against the South Coast Dragons but in a late change Levi Dangerfield started the match at left centre. Levi Dangerfield was then back on the left wing for Round Four against the Northern Tigers.
Levi Dangerfield then moved back to left centre for Round Five against the North Coast Bulldogs with Levi Dangerfield scoring the Northern Rivers Titans opening two tries of their win.
Levi Dangerfield scored his first try in 18th minute when he charged over from ten metres out to score a metre in from the left touchline.
Levi Dangerfield added a second try in the 21st minute when to the left of the play the ball and around twelve metres from the try line Bo Peisley put in a right foot grubbed kick which bounced high just in front of the North Coast fullback and also perfectly for Levi Dangerfield to race through to score ten metres in from the left corner post.
From a defensive perspective Levi Dangerfield did well in the 16th minute when along with Bo Peisley, Levi Dangerfield grabbed hold of the North Coast fullback who had just retrieved a Titans attacking kick and after holding him off the ground dragged him into touch just metres from the try line.
Lennox Whaiapu is the young brother of Titans contracted and fellow Keebra Park SHS student’s Wailer and Anton Whaiapu.
The talented young man played the 2022 rugby league season with the Burleigh Bears with Lennox Whaiapu starting the 2022 GCRL U14 Division One Grand Final at lock for the Bears in their tough 18 – 14 loss to the Southport Tigers.
After Lennox Whaiapu took the second hit-up of the Grand Final after Southport had kicked off, it was his defence that stood out in the early going. Southport put the Burleigh line under siege inside their attacking twenty metre area in the opening ten minutes but time and again Lennox Whaiapu just kept showing up to defend his try line with his best moment coming in the 6th minute when after the Tigers left centre had cut back inside and set sail for the try line, Lennox Whaiapu raced to his right in cover defence, getting to the Tigers left centre just two metres out and then with the assistance of Burleigh fullback Kingston Seve, Lennox Whaiapu rag dolled him and forced him back around four metres to take all of the momentum away from Southport in an instant.
Lennox Whaiapu also made a strong run in the 24th minute when from the right of the play the ball thirty three metres out from the try line, Lennox Whaiapu initially shaped to his to his right before engaging the defensive line and making ten metres.
Then in the 32nd minute Lennox Whaiapu when just eight metres out from his own try line, cut back underneath his halfback and after receiving the ball Lennox Whaiapu was able to get the ball out of his twenty metre defensive mark.
Lennox Whaiapu continued his strong Grand Final performance in the 39th minute when Lennox Whaiapu ran onto the ball to the left of the play the ball, once again cutting underneath the halfback forty two metres out from his own try line with Lennox Whaiapu cutting across field to his right twice before Lennox Whaiapu stepped off his right foot to get the ball three metres inside Southport territory.
Then in the 42nd minute Lennox Whaiapu ran onto the ball from a Burleigh penalty tap re-start forty two metres out from the try line with Lennox Whaiapu able to promote the ball against a set Tigers defensive line with Lennox Whaiapu able to make fifteen metres to get the ball within twenty seven metres of the try line.
To wrap a strong 2022 GCRL U14 Division One Grand Final for Lennox Whaiapu in the 59th minute when from thirteen metres out from the try line and to the left of the play the ball Lennox Whaiapu charged onto the ball before cutting back to his to get the ball within four metres of the try line. Burleigh then scored from Lennox Whaiapu’s subsequent lightning quick play the ball to give themselves the chance of an amazing comeback.
2022 also saw Lennox Whaiapu attend Keebra Park SHS with Lennox Whaiapu playing multiple matches off the bench for Keebra Park SHS in the School Boy Hancock Cup competition.
Round One of the 2023 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition saw Bo Peisley named on the bench for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights with Bo Peisley coming off the bench to operate at dummy half in the 27th minute.
Bo Peisley provided a real spark out of dummy half for the Northern Rivers Titans including almost scoring in the 32nd minute when after he backed up a line break by Jesse Soric, Bo Peisley was tackled just short of the try line and in front of the left upright.
Bo Peisley produced some great work in the 30th minute with a line break assist when from forty metres out from his own try line Bo Peisley ran to his left down a short blindside and near the halfway mark Bo Peisley was able to draw in the Knights right winger and put Noah Waldock away down the left touchline. Bo Peisley then backed up and got the ball back from Noah Waldock and then after ducking under one attempted tackle Bo Peisley was able to off-load himself to his left to Lachlan Offley who was dragged down just short of the try line.
Bo Peisley made another smart run out of dummy half in the 45th minute when from on the halfway mark Bo Peisley ran to his right and made fifteen metres through the centre of the field.
Bo Peisley was then named on the Northern Rivers Titans extended bench for Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters.
Bo Peisley was then named on the bench for Round Three against the South Coast Dragons with Bo Peisley then named on the Northern Rivers Titans extended bench for Round Four against the Northern Tigers.
Bo Peisley then started at five eight in Round Five against the North Coast Bulldogs with Bo Peisley recording a try assist in the 21st minute when to the left of the play the ball and around twelve metres from the try line Bo Peisley put in a right foot grubbed kick which bounced high just in front of the North Coast fullback and also perfectly for Levi Dangerfield to race through to score ten metres in from the left corner post.
Bo Peisley recorded a second try assist in the 67th minute when from twenty metres out and to the left of the play the ball Bo Peisley ran to his left before throwing a smart inside ball to AJ Hickling who was able to crash over to score two metres in from the right corner post.
Bo Peisley also recorded a line break assist in the 12th minute when from thirty metres out and to the left of the play the ball threw a great pass to his left to put the Tians left winger away down the left touchline.
In the 17th minute Bo Peisley forced a North Coast goal line drop-out when from thirty eight metres out and to the left of the play the ball Bo Peisley put in a right foot kick into the left corner which held up in the in-goal forcing the Bulldogs fullback to take the ball dead.
From a defensive perspective Bo Peisley did well in the 16th minute when along with Levi Dangerfield, Bo Peisley grabbed hold of the North Coast fullback who had just retrieved a Titans attacking kick and after holding him off the ground dragged him into touch just metres from the try line.
In late September 2022 Lachlan Offley was named in the 2023 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup train on squad for the second season in a row with Lachlan Offley part of the Northern Rivers Titans squad that played the Tweed Heads Seagulls in a trial at Burleigh Juniors as part of the Titans Annual Super Saturday.
Round One of the 2023 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition saw Lachlan Offley named at right centre the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights with Lachlan Offley coming close to scoring in the 30th minute after good work prior by Bo Peisley and Noah Waldock with Lachlan Offley receiving a pass from Bo Peisley ten metres out near the left touchline with Lachlan Offley tackled agonisingly short of the try line.
Lachlan Offley made the tackle of the match in the 6th minute when he held up the hard charging Newcastle right centre over the try line ten metres in from the left corner post. The Knights centre charged onto the ball with the Northern Rivers Titans pinned on their own try line, but Lachlan Offley executed an outstanding try saving tackle.
Lachlan Offley was also named at right centre for Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters however Lachlan Offley was a late scratching from the side.
Lachlan Offley was then named at right centre for Round Three against the South Coast Dragons however Lachlan Offley was a late scratching from the match.
Lachlan Offley then started at left centre in Round Four against the Northern Tigers with Lachlan Offley scoring in the 68th minute when from eight metres out he ran onto a hard flat cut-out pass from his right from Jesse Soric. The pass was a touch behind hm but Lachlan Offley took the pass and after juggling the ball whilst spinning 360 degrees clockwise Lachlan Offley was able to take possession and crash over mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.
Lachlan Offley also made a strong run in the 20th minute when from twenty metres out from his own try line Lachlan Offley ran the ball to the right of the play the ball with Lachlan Offley able to get the ball four metres inside Northern Tigers territory.
Lachlan Offley also made a number of strong defensive plays including in the 23rd minute when whilst defending his own try line Lachlan Offley raced forward to hit his opposite number as an overlap loomed. Lachlan Offley then in the 29th minute came out of the defensive line once again on this occasion to crunch the Northern Tigers fullback.
Potentially Lachlan Offley’s best defensive moment in the 39th minute when after the Northern Tigers fullback made a line break just twenty metres out, Lachlan Offley turned and chased and was able to ankle tap the fullback. Then just as the fullback was getting to his feet, Lachlan Offley continued to chase and after grabbing the fullback from behind knocked the ball loose, regained possession for the Titans and get the ball ten metres downfield.
In October 2022 Jed Mulcahy was named in the 2023 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad after yet another stellar rugby league season in 2022 for the Turkeys in the Northern New South Wales Group One Junior Rugby League competition.
Round One of the 2023 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition saw Jed Mulcahy named at left second row for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights with Jed Mulcahy making a strong run in the 20th minute when after charging onto the ball to the right of the play the ball thirty metres out from his own try line, Jed Mulcahy stepped off his left foot to get the ball forty two metres away from the try line.
Then in the 33rd minute when to the left of the play the ball and just inside Newcastle territory Jimmy McCombie threw a good ball to his left to a charging Jed Mulcahy who made twenty metres, the majority of which were post contact metres.
Jed Mulcahy showed his toughness in the 31st minute (the first minute of the second half) when after making a tackle inside the Knights territory Jed Mulcahy injured his shoulder and was on the ground in pain for a couple of minutes, but it was no surprise when Jed Mulcahy got to his feet, lined up at marker and then made the next tackle after running out of the marked position to his left.
Jed Mulcahy was also named to start at left second row in Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters with Jed Mulcahy taking a tap from a Northern Rivers Titans penalty forty metres out from his own try line and was able to get the ball three metres into Central Coast Roosters territory.
Jed Mulcahy was also named at left second row for Round Three against the South Coast Dragons.
Jed Mulcahy also started at left second row in Round Four against the Northern Tigers with Jed Mulcahy scoring a great try in the 45th minute when after bursting onto a good short ball from his right from Jimmy McCombie, Jed Mulcahy charged between two defenders before stepping off his left foot to beat the Northern Tigers fullback with Jed Mulcahy putting the ball down mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.
in the 57th minute when whilst twenty metres out from his own try line Jed Mulcahy made a smart tackle on a stepping Tigers five eight on the final tackle to effect a change over.
Jed Mulcahy also started at left second row in Round Five against the North Coast Bulldogs with Jed Mulcahy doing well in the 5th minute when after chasing through a Northern Rivers goal line drop-out Jed Mulcahy smashed into one of the Bulldogs front rowers (No. 8) on the thirty metre mark with Jed Mulcahy’s heavy hit sending the Bulldogs front rower five metres backwards.
In early 2023 Harrison Clements was named in the Far North Coast NSW Combined High School U15 School Boy Representative side.
Round One of the 2022 Group One U14 competition saw Harrison Clements start at right second row for the Ballina Seagulls against the Marist Rams with Harrison Clements scoring in the Seagulls first up victory. Harrison Clements also scored in Round Eight against the Ballina Seagulls.
Harrison Clements then had a big match in Round Fourteen scoring an impressive four tries in Round Fourteen against the Marist Rams.
In Week One of the 2022 Group One U14 Finals series Harrison Clements started in the second row for the Ballina Seagulls against the South Grafton Rebels.
Harrison Clements also started in the second row in the Preliminary Final against the Kyogle Turkeys with Harrison Clements scoring two tries as the Seagulls progressed to the Grand Final.
Harrison Clements then started in the second row in Ballina’s tough Group One U14 Grand Final loss against Casino RSM.
Harrison Clements finished the 2022 Group One U14 competition with nine tries to finish sixth in that category and also finished as the competition’s ninth leading points scorer with thirty six points as a result of his nine tries.
Impressively Harrison Clements also played a number of matches two age groups up in the Group One U16 competition for Ballina, including starting Round Thirteen against Marist Blue on the right wing and scoring in an impressive Group One U16 debut.
In Week One of the 2022 Group One U16 Finals series Harrison Clements started on the wing for the Ballina Seagulls against Casino RSM.
2022 also saw Harrison Clements play once again for Ballina Coast High School, starting Round One of the U14 Buckley Shield School Boy competition in the second row with Harrison Clements scoring towards the end of the first half but unfortunately Ballina Coast HS went down 16 – 8 in the knock out competition to Mullumbimby High School.
2022 also saw Harrison Clements named in the U15 North Coast School Boy Rugby League Representative side from Ballina Coast High School.
Jonah Rangiwai started in the front row for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in Round Six of the CC Cup against the Norths Devils with Jonah Rangiwai scoring in the 7th minute when from a Tweed Heads penalty tap restart ten metres out and ten metres in from the right touchline, Jonah Rangiwai charged over the top of a number of Devils defenders to crash over to score.
Earlier Jonah Rangiwai had taken the second hit-up of the match to get the ball to the thirty two metre mark. Then in the 49th minute from the right of the play the ball Jonah Rangiwai charged onto the ball thirty five metres out from the try line and was able to get the ball to the twenty metre mark.
Orlando Meturika was named to make his MM Cup debut for the Tweed Heads Seagulls on the right wing in Round Six of the Mm Cup against the Norths Devils with Orlando Meturika celebrating his debut with an outstanding solo try in the 23rd minute.
The Seagulls whilst in their attacking twenty metre area were in the process of spinning the ball to their right but after Norths knocked a pass down Orlando Meturika when back to retrieve the ball twenty three metres out and after taking possession and turning around towards the centre of the field Orlando Meturika stepped off his left foot twice in quick succession to beat a defender on each occasion. Orlando Meturika then raced down the right touchline and dived full length to get the ball down in his outstretched right arm in the corner as the Devils fullback hit him.
The 46th minute saw Orlando Meturika run the ball out of dummy half to his left from fifteen metres out from his own try line with Orlando Meturika making ten hard fought metres.
Orlando Meturika did exceptionally well in the 47th minute to jump high a take a Norths bomb to his wing on the full five metres out from his own try line and then in the 60th minute Orlando Meturika was able to field a kick in the in-goal and smartly get the ball back into the field up play near his right wing.
Harrison Doherty started from the bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in Round Six of the CC Cup against the Norths Devils with Harrison Doherty coming onto the field in the 15th minute to operate in the dummy half role.
Harrison Doherty scored a smart try out of dummy half in the 41st minute when after moving into dummy half with the play the ball nine metres from the try line and less than a metre in from the left touchline, Harrison Doherty initially shaped to pass out of dummy half to his right before catching the defence completely off guard to dart down the left blindside to dive over untouched in the left corner.
Jake Lateo continued at halfback and captain for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in Round Six of the Mm Cup against the Norths Devils with Jake Lateo scoring a smart try in the 17th minute when after running to his right after taking possession from the dummy half Jake Lateo put in a right foot grubber kick when twelve metres out and after the Norths left winger had kicked the ball across the field in the in-goal Jake Lateo won the race to get downward pressure on the ball ten metres to the right of the uprights.
Jake Lateo made a strong tackle in the 4th minute when forty metres out from his own try line he drove his left shoulder through his opposite number forcing the Devils halfback backwards a number of metres before driving him onto his back.
Just two minutes later in the 6th minute Jake Lateo made a try saving tackle two metres from the try line on the giant Norths front rower No.10 to stop him from scoring mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.
Tavake Tau’a’alo started from the bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in Round Six of the CC Cup against the Norths Devils with Tavake Tau’a’alo coming onto the field to operate in the front row mid-way through the first half.
The first of a number of strong runs from Tavake Tau’a’alo came in the 21st minute from an underneath route from thirty metres out and to the right of the play the ball with Tavake Tau’a’alo able to get the ball within seven metres of the try line. Then in the 24th minute Tavake Tau’a’alo ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball and was able to get the ball from eight metres inside his own territory to nine metres inside Devils territory.
Then in the 44th minute from the left of the play the ball and twenty three metres from the try line Tavake Tau’a’alo was able to get to five metres from the try line before getting an off-load away to a trailing Harrison Doherty.
Tavake Tau’a’alo made a strong return from a Norths goal line drop-out with Tavake Tau’a’alo receiving the ball forty five metres out and getting the ball to eighteen metres out with Tavake Tau’a’alo then able to get a right arm off-load away to his left to his fullback. Then in the 47th minute from the kick-off return after a Seagulls penalty goal Tavake Tau’a’alo was able to get the ball twenty three metres away from his own try line.
Tweed Heads Seagull Dylan Watkins moved to the left wing for Round Six of the CC Cup against the Norths Devils with Dylan Watkins scoring a double in a big Seagulls victory.
Dylan Watkins scored his opening try in the left corner in the 19th minute after receiving a great off-load from his inside from Levi Rusin.
Dylan Watkins completed his double in the 51st minute when Dylan Watkins chased through a grubber kick towards his wing by Caleb Creswell with Dylan Watkins grounding the ball centremetres from the dead ball line and just in from the left in-goal line.
Earlier in the 14th minute Dylan Watkins made a good run from the right of the play the ball from thirty metres out to eighteen metres out. Then in the 49th minute Dylan Watkins raced back to the twenty metre mark to take a quick tap restart with Dylan Watkins making fifteen metres then Dylan Watkins stayed alive to take an off-load from the dummy half who had run himself with Dylan Watkins making nine more metres as a result.
Dylan Watkins made a great take of the ball in the 11th minute when he leapt high to take a bomb on the full ten metres out from the try line and twelve metres in from the right touchline. Dylan Watkins was then awarded a penalty for being tackled whilst still in the air.
Towards the end of the second half after moving to fullback Dylan Watkins made a good one on one tackle in space on the Hooker who had burst through the centre of the ruck but as he tried to beat him, Dylan Watkins moved to his right to bring him to ground. Dylan Watkins was also involved in the next tackle as well on the Devils right second rower No. 11.
Then in the 67th minute Dylan Watkins made a great tackle near the try line and ten metres in from his right touchline on the Devils left centre No. 3 who stepped inside to beat multiple defenders but not Dylan Watkins who stooped him in his tracks and also from scoring.
Titans contracted Matthew Barrow continued on the left wing for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in Round Six of the Mm Cup against the Norths Devils with Matthew Barrow scoring a strong try in the 52nd minute when after some good work on his inside from Zane Harrison Matthew Barrow burst down the left touchline from twenty metres out and when confronted by the Norths fullback still three metres from the try line, Matthew Barrow literally just ran straight over the top of him to get the ball down in the left corner for what turned out to be the match winning try of the Seagulls.
The 26th minute saw Matthew Barrow make a strong run from the right of the play the ball from twenty five metres from his own try line with Matthew Barrow’s run and 360 degree counter clockwise spin enabling Matthew Barrow to make fifteen metres. Then in the 69th minute with the match still in the balance Matthew Barrow was able to make ten metres against a desperate defensive line from ten metres from his own try line and to the left of the play the ball.
Titans contracted Devin Bates-Wellington made his first start of the season at right second row for the Tweed Heads Seagulls for Round Six of the CC Cup against the Norths Devils with Devin Bates-Wellington recording a try assist inside the opening minute of the match when after the Seagulls had put up a bomb towards the right side of the field, Devin Bates-Wellington was on hand to take possession from his right centre after Norths had lost the kick forward with Devin Bates-Wellington then charging down the right side of the filed before drawing the Devils fullback to put his winger over to score in the right corner.
Devin Bates-Wellington also recorded a line break in the 32nd minute from the left of the play the ball Devin Bates-Wellington, from thirty metres out from his own try line and in the centre of the field, Stepped off his left foot twice to break through the Devils defensive line and get the ball to the halfway mark before Devin Bates-Wellington was able to get an off-load away to his right to a trailing Harrison Doherty.
The 6th minute saw Devin Bates-Wellington run onto the ball to the right of the play the ball from five metres inside his own territory with Devin bates-Wellington getting the ball ten metres inside Devils territory. The in the 39th minute from the right of the paly the ball thirty two metres from the try line Devin Bates-Wellington cut back behind the play the ball and after getting within eighteen metres of the try line, Devin Bates-Wellington was awarded a penalty after being subjected to a dangerous tackle.
Devin Bates-Wellington also made a strong run in the 50th minute from on the halfway mark and to the left of the dummy half with Devin Bates-Wellington able to promote the ball eleven metres.
Devin Bates-Wellington was also outstanding defensively against Norths including a try saving tackle in the 25th minute on the Norths lock right on his own try line with Devin Bates-Wellington’s initial contact stopping the Norths player in his tracks.
Round Six of the 2023 Mal Meninga Cup competition saw Titans contracted Zane Harrison start at five eight for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Norths Devils with Zane Harrison kicking one conversion from three attempts with Zane Harrison converting Orlando Meturika’s 23rd minute try from the right touchline. To be fair to Zane Harrison however the second conversion that he missed was from the left touchline in the 52nd minute and his missed conversion of Jake Lateo’s 17th minute try looked to me as if it had snuck inside the right goal post however the two touch judges disagreed.
Zane Harrison also recorded a try assist in the 52nd minute when after taking possession of the ball off the dummy half twenty five metres out and down a wide left blindside, Zane Harrison continued to run the ball to his left dummying to an inside runner before Zane Harrison straightened the attacking vector up and threw a great cut out pass to his left to put Matthew Barrow away down the left touchline to run over the top of the Norths fullback and score in the left corner.
Zane Harrison also recorded a line break assist in the 22nd minute when whilst operating to the left of the play the ball Zane Harrison ran the ball deep into the defensive line and got a good ball away to his left to put his second rower away from twenty two metres out to the ten metre mark.
Zane Harrison also forced a Norths goal line drop-out in the 33rd minute when from eight metres out Zane Harrison put in a right foot grubber kick as he ran the ball down a short left blindside with the ball having to be kicked dead by the Devils cover defence.
Zane Harrison made one of the best try saving tackles that I have seen in the 42nd minute when as the Norths right winger looked set to score in the corner Zane Harrison came out of nowhere to hit him just before the try line with Zane Harrison then flipping the winger on his back to execute a ridiculously impressive try saving tackle.
Earlier in the match in the 29th minute Zane Harrison had made another try saving tackle when whilst defending on the left side of the field Zane Harrison drove his left shoulder through the Norths No. 10 to stop the giant front rower from close range.
Zane Harrison made a truly intelligent decision in the 68th minute when with the Seagulls down to twelve men and leading by just four points Zane Harrison dropped back out of the defensive line and was perfectly placed to take a Norths grubber kick cleanly on his own try line and next to the left upright with Zane Harrison then able to get the ball out to the ten metre mark to relieve the pressure.
Kaleb Hope started Round One of the 2023 NSWRL U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition on the bench for the Northern Tigers with Kaleb Hope coming on to score a try and kick four conversions from as many attempts including a number of wide out near the touchlines in a good win over the North Coast Bulldogs.
When Kaleb Hope came onto the field the Northern Tigers were down by around 20 – 0 but that changed quickly with Kaleb Hope being one of the key reasons that the Northern Tigers came roaring back (excuse the terrible pun) to record a 30 – 26 come from behind victory.
Kaleb Hope then moved into the starting line-up at five eight in Round Two against the Newcastle Knights with Kaleb Hope kicking three conversions from as many attempts.
Round Three against the Central Coast Roosters saw Kaleb Hope on the move position wise once again with Kaleb Hope starting the match at right centre with Kaleb Hope scoring twenty two of the Tigers thirty four points being 65% of his team’s total points from three tries and five conversions from six attempts.
Kaleb Hope scored his opening try in the 18th minute when Kaleb Hope ran into a gap from ten metres out to score six metres in from the right corner post.
Kaleb Hope scored his second try in the 35th minute when with the Roosters bring the ball out of their own territory in the opening set of six from the second half kick0off, Kaleb Hope took an intercept and ran thirty five metres to score five metres to the right of the uprights.
Kaleb Hope completed his hat trick in the 56th minute when after the Roosters fullback lost the ball when he was returning a kick, Kaleb Hope swooped on the ball twenty two metres out and ran down the right touchline to dive over to score five metres in from the right corner post.
Kaleb Hope was also named at right centre in Round Four against the Northern Rivers Titans with Kaleb Hope scoring eighteen points from a try and seven conversions from as many attempts.
Kaleb Hope scored in the 50th minute when after receiving the ball around twelve metres out, Kaleb Hope was able to get on the outside of his direct opponent and slip the attempted tackle and then bring the ball around to dive over seven metres to the right of the uprights.
Kaleb Hope was also named at right centre in Round Five against the Western Rams with Kaleb Hope kicking five conversions in a big win for the Tigers to propel them into the Finals.
Kaleb Hope then started at right centre once again in the Northern Tigers Semi-final against the South Coast Dragons with Kaleb Hope kicking two conversions from as many attempts in a tough loss for the Tigers.
Burleigh’s Zac Murphy started at lock in Round Six of the CC Cup against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Zac Murphy scoring in the 11th minute when Zac Murphy chased through a Marley McLaren bomb with Zac Murphy in the ideal position to collect the ball that was dropped by the Redcliffe fullback with Zac Murphy taking possession three metres out and darting over to score to his right ten metres in from the right corner post.
Then in the 14th minute Zac Murphy from twenty metres out from his own try line and to the right of the play the ball, Zac Murphy was able to carry the ball to thirty five metres out.
Burleigh’s David Bryenton started at right centre in Round Six of the CC Cup against the Redcliffe Dolphins with once again David Bryenton scoring an outstanding solo try in the 50th minute when after lining up to the left of a Burleigh scrum in the centre of the field and twenty five metres out, David Bryenton charged straight at one defender before stepping off his right foot at the last moment to beat them, David Bryenton then easily shrugged off two defenders before exploding away to dive over to score ten metres in from the left corner post.
David Bryenton also recorded a try assist in the 52nd minute when after running the ball down the left side of the field drew in the Dolphins right winger and when twelve metres out David Bryenton threw the pass to his left to put his left winger over to score.
David Bryenton also made a line break in the 10th minute when from a Burleigh scrum win in the centre of the field and ten metres from his own try line, David Bryenton received the ball two passes from the back of the scrum and ran to his right and after getting on the outside of the final Redcliffe defender David Bryenton got the ball out to the thirty metre mark after racing twenty metres down the right touchline.
David Bryenton added a line break assist in the 3rd minute when after running onto the ball in the centre of the field and five metres out from his own try line, David Bryenton ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball and after taking the ball over the ten metre mark, David Bryenton was able to get his left arm free and get an off-load away to Seth Gundry who was able to make twenty more metres downfield.
Whilst operating at fullback in the 40th minute David Bryenton made a strong kick return when after tracking back to take possession from a long Norths clearing kick seventeen metres out from his own try line, David Bryenton ran at the defensive line before stepping off his left foot and then he was able to kick out of a tackle, before a second left foot step beat two more defenders with David Bryenton eventually was tackled five metres short of the halfway mark.
David Bryenton made a strong run in general play in the 20th minute from forty metres out and to the right of the play the ball with David Bryenton beating two defenders as he ran to his left to get the ball to the halfway mark. Then two passes to the left of a Burleigh scrum win in the centre of the field and thirty five metres out David Bryenton ran the ball to his left making nineteen metres in the process.
David Bryenton’s performance saw him named in the 2023 Courier Mail CC Cup Round Six Team of the Week.
Titans contracted Luke Jones started at left second row for the Burleigh Bears in Round Six of the CC Cup against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Luke Jones taking the second hit-up of the match when to the right of the play the ball Luke Jones took possession twelve metres out from his own try line and getting the ball to twenty six metres out.
Luke Jones was outstanding defensively against the Dolphins including in the 7th minute when whilst defending from a Redcliffe scrum ten metres from the Dolphins try line the right centre ran the ball from the scrum but Luke Jones hit him front on and drove him back to just four metres form the try line. Luke Jones was then involved in the next two tackles from the marker position.
Then in the 16th minute Luke Jones drove his right shoulder through the Redcliffe lock (No. 13) eighteen metres out from the try line. Luke Jones had another strong defensive moment in the 39th minute when along with Daniel Rakena, Luke Jones picked up the Dolphins fullback ten metres out from his own try line and drove him back to within a metre of the try line before the referee called held.
Luke Jones’s performance saw him named in the 2023 Courier Mail CC Cup Round Six Team of the Week.
Keebra Park SHS student Christian Mikaele continued at five eight in Round Six of the CC Cup for the Ipswich Jets against the Western Clydesdales with Christian Mikaele scoring in the 29th minute of a 40 – 20 Jets victory.
In the 30th minute the Jets made a line break down the right touchline from deep inside their own territory and after backing up on the inside Christian Mikaele received the pass from his right winger who had drawn the fullback with Christian Mikaele having a twenty five metre run to dive over to score five metres to the right of the uprights.
Titans contracted Nelson Makaafi was back to start at right second row for Burleigh in Round Six of the CC Cup against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Nelson Makaafi making his first strong run of the match in the 4th minute when Nelson Makaafi charged down the right channel from his own thirty metre mark out to within seven metres of the halfway mark.
Then in the 11th minute Nelson Makaafi, from thirty five metres out from his own try line, ran the ball to the left of the dummy half with Nelson Makaafi able to get the ball to within four minutes of the halfway mark.
Nelson Makaafi also made his mark against the Dolphins defensively including a great try saving one on one try saving tackle on the Redcliffe No. 15 just three metres out from the try line and in front of the right upright.
Titans contracted Sunny Kama started at right centre for the Burleigh Bears in Round Six of the MM Cup against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Sunny Kama making the first of his strong runs in just the 2nd minute when after receiving the ball two passes to the right of the play the ball just two metres from his own try line Sunny Kama was able to get on the outside of his opposing centre and make a thirty one metre line break down the right touchline, breaking two tackles in the process.
Sunny Kama made a further line break in the 61st minute when after Redcliffe dropped the ball whilst attacking four metres out from the try line, Sunny Kama swooped on the ball and burst thirty three metres downfield before being caught from behind.
Also in the 21st minute to the left of a Burleigh scrum win twelve metres out from his own try line Sunny Kama charged to thirty two metres out and then after playing the ball Sunny Kama stayed alive and took an off-load from the dummy half and extended the ball to within seven metres of the halfway mark.
Then in the 25th minute from ten metres inside his own territory Sunny Kama ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball with Sunny Kama able to promote the ball to fifteen metres inside Dolphins territory.
Sunny Kama’s performance saw him named in the 2023 Courier Mail MM Cup Round Six Team of the Week.
After Burleigh had a Round Five bye, Titans contracted Ryder Williams moved back to five eight for Round Six of the MM Cup against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Ryder Williams setting up the Bears only try of the match in the 22nd minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball ten metres out, Ryder Williams ran the ball down a wide left blindside and after he had drawn a defender out of the defensive line Ryder Williams got a good ball away to his left to put Sam Stephenson over to score six metres in from the left touchline.
Ryder Williams came close to scoring himself in the 50th minute only to be held up over the try line five metres in from the left corner post after running out of dummy half to his left from two metres out.
Ryder Williams also forced a Dolphins goal line drop-out in the 11th minute when from the left of the play the ball and ten metres out Ryder Williams put in a right foot stab kick into the in-goal with the kick having to be taken dead by the Dolphins defenders.
Ryder Williams put up a high bomb from twenty five metres out and in the centre of the field towards the left corner with the ball knocked on by the Dolphins fullback and then picked up in an offside position by another Redcliffe player for Burleigh to be awarded a penalty.
Titans contracted Sam Stephenson started at left centre in Round Six of the MM Cup for Burleigh against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Sam Stephenson scoring the Bears only try of the match in the 22nd minute when Sam Stephenson ran onto a good short ball from his right from Ryder Williams to have a four metre run to score six metres in from the left corner post.
Sam Stephenson also made a number of line breaks against the Dolphins including in the 34th minute when from a Burleigh scrum win in the centre of the field and ten metres out from his own try line Sam Stephenson ran onto the ball to the left of the scrum with Sam Stephenson breaking through the defensive line and getting within seven metres of the halfway mark before being caught from behind.
Sam Stephenson made a further line break in the 48th minute when after receiving an off-load on the halfway mark Sam Stephenson made a line break down the left channel to get to twenty two metres out from the try line.
Sam Stephenson made another line break in the 61st minute when from forty metres out from their own try line, Burleigh spun the ball to the left and after Sam Stephenson received the ball on the end of the movement Sam Stephenson shrugged off two defenders to get within seventeen metres of the try line.
Sam Stephenson made a strong run in the 4th minute when from the right of a Burleigh scrum win Sam Stephenson was able to get the ball from thirteen metres out from his own try line to twenty three metres out. Then in the 21st minute from five metres inside his own territory Sam Stephenson was able to get the ball ten metres inside Redcliffe territory.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki continued off the bench for the Soutsh Logan Magpies in Round Six of the MM Cup against the Brisbane Tigers and almost immediately after coming onto the field to operate in the dummy half role, Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki was heavily involved in Israel Leota’s 29th minute try when from deep inside his own territory Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki ran to his right out of dummy half and burst straight through the heart of the Tigers defensive line and then after drawing the fullback Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki passed to his left to his halfback who then got the ball away for Israel Leota to score.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki made another strong run in the 56th minute when to the left of the dummy half and five metres from the halfway mark, Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki initially shaped to pass to his right before stepping off his right foot to beat two defenders before a Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki right foot step beat another. From there Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki easily bumped off two additional defenders as he got the ball to thirty metres out from the try line.
Marsden SHS’s Cairo Rangahuna-Riri started at five eight for the Souths Logan Magpies in Round Six of the MM Cup against the Brisbane Tigers with Cairo Rangahuna-Riri scored twenty two points from a try and nine goals. Some of Cairo Rangahuna-Riki’s conversions were outstanding kicks from the touchline including in the 3rd minute with the conversion of Philip Coates second minute try. Then also from the right touchline in the 23rd minute Cairo Rangahuna-Riri converted Dylan Gallagher’s try. Cairo Rangahuna-Riri then moved over to the left touchline to convert Israel Leota’s 30th minute try
Cairo Rangahuna-Riri scored in the 60th minute when after backing up a Magpies break that started as a result of a strong run and off-load by William Semu received an off-load from his right from Xavier Atoa twenty five metres out and then Cairo Rangahuna-Riri burst between defenders including carrying one eight metres to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field. Cairo Rangahuna-Riri then stepped up to convert his own try.
Cairo Rangahuna-Riri also recorded a line break assist in the 50th minute when from twenty five metres out from the try line and to the left of the play the ball Cairo Rangahuna-Riri took the ball right to the defensive line before throwing a good short ball to his left to put his second rower through a gap for him to be tackled within two metres of the try line.
Titans contracted William Semu continued off the bench for the Souths Logan Magpies in Round Six of the MM Cup against the Brisbane Tigers with William Semu coming onto the field to operate at left second row late in the first half with William Semu making a great charge in the 38th minute when from forty two metres out from his own try line and to the left of the dummy half, William Semu broke through two tackles and then William Semu carried another defender as he charged ten metres inside Tigers territory.
Then in the 59th minute from thirty five metres out from his own try line and to the left of the dummy half William Semu charged onto the ball and after crashing through two attempted tackles William Semu got a great left arm off-load away to a support runner with the Magpies ultimately scoring from the play as a direct result of William Semu’s strong run and great one arm off-load.
Disharne Tonihi has been named to make his MM Cup debut for the Tweed Heads Seagulls off the bench in the Round Seven local derby against the Burleigh Bears this weekend.
Round One of the 2023 U18 Mal Meninga Cup saw Disharne Tohini named on the Seagulls extended bench for their Round Two match against the Brisbane Tigers and Disharne Tohini was also named on the Seagulls extended bench for Round Three against the Brisbane Tigers. Disharne Tonihi was then named the Seagulls 18th man in Round Six against the Norths Devils.
The utility back from Keebra Park SHS started at five eight for a Titans U16 side on late September 2022 against a Sydney Roosters U16 side at Pizzey Park with the Titans winning the match in convincing fashion 32 – 8. Disharne Tonihi was also part of the Titans U16 squad that comprehensively defeated a Balmain Tigers U16 side 40 – 8 to win the Annual Anthony Laffranchi Cup between the two sides in Northern New South Wales.
2022 also saw Disharne Tonihi play for the Helensvale Hornets in the GCRL U16 Division One competition including starting at left centre in the Hornets 32 – 22 Grand Final victory against the Burleigh Bears with Disharne Tonihi scoring two tries and recording a try assist in a great individual Grand Final performance.
Disharne Tonihi scored the first of his two tries in just the 8th minute when after receiving the ball thirteen metres out after the Hornets had spun the ball to the left, Disharne Tonihi burst onto the ball immediately getting on the outside of his direct opponent before Disharne Tonihi used a left arm fend to hold off the Bears right winger with Disharne Tonihi then reaching out with his right arm to get the ball down three metres in from the left corner post.
Disharne Tonihi completed his double in the 54th minute when he backed up a great line break by Zac Kumbamong with Disharne Tonihi then getting an off-load from the front rower with Disharne Tonihi then racing forty metres down the left touchline to cross the try line near the left corner but then Disharne Tonihi smartly brought the ball around to put the ball down under the posts.
Disharne Tonihi recorded his Grand Final try assist in the 22nd minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball which occurred in the centre of the field and twenty five metres out, Disharne Tonihi ran to his left and drew in the Burleigh right winger and passed to his left to put his left winger in a long break away run to score under the posts.
Disharne Tonihi came close to recording a second try assist with a great catch and pass in the 29th minute to his left winger but the Hornets winger was ruled to have gone into touch just before getting the ball down in the left corner.
Disharne Tonihi also started at left centre in Helensvale’s 16 -12 Preliminary Final victory against the Southport Tigers as well as Week One of the Final’s against Burleigh White.
Disharne Tonihi had an outstanding match at left centre in Round Fourteen against the Beaudesert Kingfishers with Disharne Tonihi scoring a try, recording two try assists and making two line breaks in an outstanding individual display.
Disharne Tonihi scored in the 43rd minute when after moving into dummy half sixty metres out from the try line Disharne Tonihi moved into dummy half and initially ran to his right and used a vicious left arm fend to dispatch the Kingfishers marker with Disharne Tonihi then cutting back to his left and after bursting between two more defenders Disharne Tonihi raced away down the left touchline before Disharne Tonihi brought the ball around to put it down under the posts.
Disharne Tonihi recorded a try assist in the 16th minute when after receiving the ball thirty eight metres out from his own try line down a short left blindside Disharne Tonihi beat his opposing defender with a right arm fend with Disharne Tonihi then drawing in the Beaudesert right winger to send his left winger on a fifty metre run to score.
Disharne Tonihi also made a line break in the 27th minute when after receiving a pass from his inside forty metres out Disharne Tonihi executed a great in and away to easily beat the Kingfishers fullback and it appeared that Disharne Tonihi would race away to score but ultimately Disharne Tonihi was ankle tapped from behind just centre metres short of the try line.
Disharne Tonihi made a second line break in the 55th minute when Disharne Tonihi made a line break down the left touchline with Disharne Tonihi getting into Beaudesert territory before he off-loaded the ball to his inside.
Disharne Tonihi also scored in Round Thirteen against the Coomera Cutters when in the 56th minute Disharne Tonihi and his left winger interchanged a multitude off passes from long range down the left touchline with Disharne Tonihi receiving the final pass from the winger to score in the left corner.
Disharne Tonihi also recorded a line break in just the 2nd minute of the match when after receiving the ball just five metres out from his own try line with Disharne Tonihi having to reach behind him and stop his forward momentum and well as stumbling to take the ball. Disharne Tonihi then broke away down the left touchline before getting the ball away to his inside on the halfway mark.
Round Five against the Southport Tigers saw Disharne Tonihi record a try assist in the 58th minute when he drew in the Tigers right winger to send his left winger over to score in the left corner.
Disharne Tonihi also played for Keebra Park SHS in 2022, playing in both the Walters Cup and Titans Cup School Boy competitions.
Disharne Tonihi started the 2022 season off as part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls U16 Cyril Connell Cup competition including starting on the left wing in Round One against the Burleigh Bears as well as in Round Two against the Redcliffe Dolphins.
2022 also saw Disharne Tonihi named in the Queensland Māori U16 Tuakana side for the 2022 QPICC Carnival with Disharne Tonihi starting all four of Māori’s matches at fullback including their semi-final against Queensland Samoa.
Disharne Tonihi scored a try and kicked three conversions from as many attempts in Round Three against Queensland Niue and kicked two conversions in Round One against Queensland Tonga and a conversion in Round Two against Queensland Samoa.
Some great battles with Titans against Titans in the CC Cup this weekend in Round Seven when Tweed’s Devin Bates-Wellington lines up in the second row against Burleigh’s Titans second row pairing of Luke Jones and Nelson Makaafi.
In this weekend’s Round Seven of the MM Cup Future Titans player makers Zane Harrison is set to line up at halfback for the Tweed Heads Seagulls opposite Burleigh’s Titans halves pairing of Bailey McConnell and Ryder Williams.
What a battle it is set to be between Titans Isaiah Scanlon (Tweed) and Cooper Bai (Burleigh) when they are both wearing the No. 13 jersey in this weekend’s Round Seven of the MM Cup.
In October 2022 Antwone Quinlan-Randall was named in the 2023 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad who will be looking to win back to back competitions after their outstanding 2022 literally last minute Grand Final success.
Antwone Quinlan-Randall was named to start at lock in Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters with Antwone Quinlan-Randall’s opening run coming in the 4th minute from the reight of the play the ball from forty two metres out with Antwone Quinlan-Randall getting the ball to within thirty metrwes of the try line.
Antwone Quinlan-Randall made a further strong run in the 22nd minute when after running onto the ball to the left of the paly the ball, Antwone Quinlan-Randall made sixteen metres to get the ball into the Northern Rivers Titans attacking twenty metre area.
Antowne Quinlan-Randall was also named at lock for Round Three against the South Coast Dragons with Antowne Quinlan-Randall making the fifth hit-up of the match. Then in the 4th minute Antowne Quinlan-Randall made a stepping run of fifteen metres from the left of the play the ball to get the ball withing thirty metres of the try line.
Antowne Quinlan-Randall also made a strong hit-up in the 18th minute when from the left of the play the ball Antowne Quinlan-Randall burst onto the ball on the halfway mark and broke two tackles as he progressed to within twenty five metres out from the try line.
Antowne Quinlan-Randall also started at lock in Round Four against the Northern Tigers with Antowne Quinlan-Randall making the first of a number of strong runs in the 6th minute with a sixteen metre run to the left of the play the ball with Antowne Quinlan-Randall getting the ball wto within ten metres of the try line.
Antowne Quinlan-Randall made a strong tackle in the 57th minute on the Tigers five eight forty metres out from the try line.
Antowne Quinlan-Randall also started at lock in Round Five against the North Coast Bulldogs with Antowne Quinlan-Randall making the third hit-up of the match to get the ball to the halfway mark.
In late September 2022 William Wright was named in the 2022 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad after a strong 2022 season with the Murwillumbah Colts in the Group 18 Junior Rugby League competition.
William Wright was involved in the Northern Rivers Titans opening 2023 Andrew Johns Cup trial against the North Coast Bulldogs in Coffs Harbour. William Wright then was part of the Northern Rivers Titans second trial against the Tweed Heads Seagulls U16 CC Cup side at Burleigh Juniors as part of the Titans Annual Super Saturday series of matches.
Round One of the 2023 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition saw William Wright named on the left wing for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights.
William Wright was then named on the Northern Rivers Titans extended bench for Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters
William Wright was then named on the right wing for Round Three against the South Coast Dragons with William Wright scoring in the 19th minute with a twelve metre run to dive over to get the ball down in the right corner.
In October 2022 Banjora Porch was named in the 2023 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad with Banjora Porch starting in the front row in the Northern Rivers Titans opening 2023 trial against the Northern Coast Bulldogs in Coffs Harbour with Banjora Porch scoring a strong second half try.
Round One of the 2023 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition saw Banjora Porch named in the front row for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights with Banjora Porch taking the third hit-up of the match.
Banjora Porch was also named to start in the front row in Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters with Banjora Porch’s best run coming in the 53rd minute when he made thirteen metres out of his own twenty metre area after running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball.
Banjora Porch was also named in the front row in Round Three against the South Coast Dragons wit hbanjora Porch tacking the thirf hit-up of the match.
Banjora Porch continued in the front row in Round Four against the Northern Tigers as well as in Round Five against the North Coast Bulldogs with Banjora Porch along with Kwinn Wolf smashing the Bulldogs No. 10 twenty metres from the try line with the ball lost as a result of the heavy defensive contact in the 8th minute.
In the 12th minute Banjora Porch made a strong fourteen metre run from the right of the play the ball with Banjora Porch breaking two tackles as he got within two metres of the try line.
In late 2022 Cruz Dangerfield was named in the 2023 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad after a stellar 2022 campaign with Cruz Dangerfield involved in the Northern Rivers Titans opening 2023 trial against the North Coast Bulldogs in Coffs Harbour.
Crus Dangerfield then was part of the Northern Rivers Titans second trial against the Tweed Heads Seagulls U16 CC Cup side at Burleigh Juniors as part of the Titans Annual Super Saturday series of matches.
Round One of the 2023 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition saw Crus Dangerfield named on the bench for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights with Cruz Dangerfield coming onto the field in the 22nd minute with Cruz Dangerfield making a strong run on the 50th minute from the left of the play the ball with Cruz Dangerfield taking possession just ten metres out from his own try line with Cruz Dangerfield then able to get a right arm off-load away near the twenty metre mark.
Cruz Dangerfield was then named to start at right second row in Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters with Cruz Dangerfield making a strong thirty metre run down the right chanell to twenty metres out mid-way through the second half.
Cruz Dangerfield was also named at right second row for Round Three against the South Coast Dragons with Cruz Dangerfield taking the opening hit-up of the match after the Dragons had kicked-off to get the match underway with Cruz Dangerfield taking the ball on the right touchline and subsequently getting the ball over the twenty metre mark.
Cruz Dangerfield also started at right second row in Round Four against the Northern Tigers with Cruz Dangerfield recording a line break in the 29th minute when Kaleb Smith put Cruz Dangerfield through a gap down the right channel just inside Northern Rivers territory with Cruz Dangerfield making sixteen metres.
Cruz Dangerfield also started at right second row in Round Five against the North Coast Bulldogs with Cruz Dangerfield taking the opening hit-up of the match from the North Coast kick-off.
In October 2022 Kwinn Wolf was named in the 2023 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad with Kwinn Wolf involved in the Northern Rivers Titans opening 2023 trial against the Northern Coast Bulldogs in Coffs Harbour with Kwinn Wolf scoring a strong second half try.
Kwinn Wolf then started in the front row in the Northern Rivers Titans second trial against the Tweed Heads Seagulls U16 CC Cup side at Burleigh Juniors as part of the Titans Annual Super Saturday.
Round One of the 2023 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition saw Kwinn Wolf named on the bench for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights with Kwinn Wolf coming off the bench to operate in the front row in the 15th minute.
Kwinn Wolf was then named to start in the front row in Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters as well as in Round Three against the South Coast Dragons with Kwinn Wolf making the fourth hit-up of the match.
Kwinn Wolf continued in the front row in Round Four against the Northern Tigers.
Kwinn Wolf also started in the front row in Round Five against the North Coast Bulldogs with Kwinn Wolf scoring a strong try in the 54th minute as a result of a powerful twenty metre run which saw Kwinn Wolf break three tackles as he charged onto the ball to the left of the play the ball to crash over eight metres to the left of the uprights.
Kwinn Wolf had taken the fourth hit-up of the match from the North Coast kick-off and along with Banjora Porch, Kwinn Wolf smashing the Bulldogs No. 10 twenty metres from the try line with the ball lost as a result of the heavy defensive contact in the 8th minute.
Great to see Harry Chadburn named to make his MM Cup debut this morning at five eight for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the local derby against Burleigh. Harry Chadburn is also MM Cup eligible in 2024.
The game is not over but Titans contracted Zane Harrison already has four try assists for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in their MM Cup match against the Burleigh Bears.
Tough day for the Burleigh MM Cup side but Nayte Saaga was one of the shining lights with a hat trick and also the final conversion of the match against the Tweed Heads Seagulls.
In October 2022 Jakequan Roberts-Walsh was named in the 2023 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad after a strong 2022 campaign in the Northern New South Wales Group One U15 Junior Rugby League competition with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh part of the Northern Rivers Titans squad that played the Tweed Heads Seagulls CC Cup squad in a trial at Burleigh Juniors as part of the Titans Annual Super Saturday series of matches with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh spending time on the left wing.
Jakequan Roberts-Walsh was named to start on the right wing in Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh scoring in the 19th minute when after good work on his inside Jakequan Roberts-Walsh darted ten metres to five over to score two metres in from the right corner post.
Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also made a line break in the 40th minute when whilst defending thirty five metres out from his own try line, Jakequan Roberts-Walsh swooped on a Central Coast dropped ball and got to near the halfway mark before he was brought down.
Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also made a strong tackle in the 32nd minute when whilst defending on his own try line one of the Central Coast Roosters halves threw a long cut-out pass towards Jakequan Roberts-Walsh’s wing with the Roosters right winger forced to jump high to take possession, Jakequan Roberts-Walsh hit him whilst he was still in mid-air and drove him hard into the ground near the sideline.
After missing Round Three against the South Coast Dragons Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also started on the right wing in Round Four against the Northern Tigers with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh making a great try saving tackle along with Kaleb Smith on the Tigers left centre just six metres in from the Titans right corner post to hold up the hard charging centre in the 17th minute.
Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also started on the right wing in Round Five against the North Coast Bulldogs with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh scoring a double with the first of his tries coming in the 3rd minute with a twelve metre burst to score in the right corner after good work on his inside from Koopah Walters from a scrum set play.
Jakequan Roberts-Walsh completed his double in the 16th minute with a ninety two metre effort when after picking up a dropped Bulldogs ball Jakequan Roberts-Walsh picked up the ball eight metres out from his own try line and raced down the right touch line with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh celebrating by raising his left arm well be diving over to score five metres in from the right corner post.
Earlier Jakequan Roberts-Walsh had taken the second hit-up of the match from the North Coast kick-off.
. In October 2022 Noah Vakararawa was named in the 2023 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad.
Round One of the 2023 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition saw Noah Vakararawa named on the bench for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights with Noah Vakararawa coming onto the field in the 22nd minute.
Noah Vakararawa, in the 39th minute made a great tackle on one of the Knights front rower being No. 10 justcentre metres from the try line and five metres to the left of the uprights.
Noah Vakararawa was then named on the Northern Rivers Titans extended bench for Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters as well as for Round Three against the South Coast Dragons.
Noah Vakararawa then started from the bench in Round Five against the North Coast Bulldogs with Noah Vakararama coming onto the field to operate at lock in the 20th minute and almost immediately making a strong fourteen metre run to the right of the play the ball to get to the halfway mark.
Noah Vakararawa then did well in the 25th minute when he chased through a short Northern Rivers goal line drop-out with Noah Vakararawa jumping high to take the ball on the full and then charge out to the thirty metre mark.
In late September 2022 Titan Brady Turner was named in the 2023 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup train on squad for the second season in a row with Brady Turner starting at left second row in the Northern Rivers Titans second trial against the Tweed Heads Seagulls U16 CC Cup side at Burleigh Juniors as part of the Titans Annual Super Saturday series of matches.
Brady Turner was named on the Northern Rivers Titans extended bench for Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters.
Brady Turner was then named at right second row for Round Three against the South Coast Dragons.
Brady Turner then continued at right second row in Round Four against the Northern Tigers with Brady Turner making a strong sixteen metre run over the halfway mark with Brady Turner then off-loading to Creedence Donovan. Then in the 45th minute Brady Turner made a strong charge from the kick-off to Ayden Byrnes try in the 45th minute with Brady Turner made to get the ball over the twenty metre mark.
Brady Turner then moved to the front row in Round Five against the North Coast Bulldogs with Brady Turner scoring in the 60th minute when after receiving an off-load from Ayden Byrnes Brady Turner crashed over to score eight metres to the right of the uprights.
Brady Turner also recorded a line break assist in the 53rd minute when after charging onto the ball to the right of the play the ball, Brady Turner was able to make ten metres before getting a smart off-load away to his right to Zane Harrison who made a line break through the centre of the field.
In the 3rd minute Brady Turner charged into the ball to the right of the play the ball and from forty two metres out from the try line was able to make fourteen metres before being tackled twenty eight metres out.
Brady Turner made another strong run in the 21st minute when from five metres inside his own territory and to the right of the play the ball Brady Turner was able to get the ball ten metres inside Bulldogs territory.
Then in the 25th minute from the left of the play the ball and twenty six metres out from the try line Brady Turner surged forward and was not brought to ground before he got to within four metres of the try line, dragging defenders the majority of the way there.
Brady Turner, in the 62nd minute when onto the ball to the right of the play the ball twenty metres out from his own try line and was able to make twenty metres downfield to at least 50% of those metres post contact with Brady Turner also breaking three tackles in the run.
Brady Turner along with Cameron Bevan had made the opening tackle of the match from the Northern Rivers Titans kick-off. Brady Turner then backed that effort up by making a strong driving tackle from the third play of the match.
Brady Turner made another strong tackle in the 5th minute with strong right shoulder effort driving his opponent back a number of metres from thirty five metres out from the try line. Then in the 7th minute along with Aaron Singh-Goesel, Brady Turner did well to hold up the North Coast lock over the try line after he had tried to barge his way over.
Round One of the 2023 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition saw Titan Noah Waldock named on the left wing the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights with Noah Waldock scoring in the 15th minute when after good work on his inside Noah Waldock received the ball in space around twelve metres out. Noah Waldock still had some work to do however when after he was hit by a Knights cover defender Noah Waldock broke the contact with a 360 degree counter clockwise spin with Noah Waldock then getting the ball down five metres in from the left corner post.
Noah Waldock also made a line break in the 30th minute when after Bo Peisley darted out of dummy half down a short left blindside, Noah Waldock received the ball on the halfway mark and raced twenty metres down the left touchline before drawing the Newcastle fullback and getting the ball inside and back to Bo Peisley.
Noah Waldock made a strong kick return in the 42nd minute when after collecting a Knights clearing kick twenty eight metres out from his own try line on the full Naoh Waldock was able to push off one defender as he got the ball forty two metres away from his try line.
Noah Waldock then did well in the 50th minute to get low and take cleanly and sharp Knights grubber kick with Noah Waldock taking clean possession just a metre out from his own try line with Noah Waldock then getting to the ground quickly to prevent being dragged back into the in-goal.
Noah Waldock then made a key play in the 69th minute with the Northern Rivers Titans leading by just two points at the time. The Knights put up a Hail Mary mid-field bomb with Noah Waldock racing forward to take the bomb on the full under immense pressure thirty metres out from his own try lien and even though he was smashed just as he took possession Noah Waldock held on the ball as he went to ground. The Northern Rivers Titans never relinquished possession after that point to win 24 – 20.
Noah Waldock was also named on the right wing for Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters with Noah Waldock scoring in the 48th minute when to the right of a Northern Rivers Titans scrum feed on the left side of the field Creedence Donovan beat one defender on the outside and when around twelve metres out from the try line Creedence Donovan held up the ball perfectly before passing to his right to Noah Waldock who initially ran towards the right corner before cutting off his right foot away from the touchline beating to two defenders in the process to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.
Noah Waldock had almost scored earlier in the match in the 31st minute but was held up over the try line in the right corner.
Noah Waldock was also heavily involved in Creedence Donovan’s 10th minute try when he chased through a Zane Harrison bomb and competed for the ball in the air with the Roosters losing the ball forward and into the grasp of Creedence Donovan who darted over to score.
Noah Waldock also did well in the air in the 3rd minute when he chased through a Zane Harrison high bomb to his wing with Noah Waldock taking the ball on the full above his Central Coast opponent twelve metres out and through sheer force of will, Noah Waldock carried defenders to within two metres of the try line.
Noah Waldock was also named on the right wing for Round Three against the South Coast Dragons.
Noah Waldock continued on the right wing in Round Four against the Northern Tigers with Noah Waldock on two occasions being in the 8th amd n36th minute taking high kicks to his wing under heavy pressure to take possession for the Northern Rivers Titans.
Noah Waldock also started on the right wing in Round Five against the North Coast Bulldogs.
Round One of the 2023 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition saw Riley Buchanan named on the bench for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights with Riley Buchanan coming off the bench in the 22nd minute to operate in the front row.
Riley Buchanan made another smart defensive play in the 50th minute when along with Zane Farrell, Riley Buchanan did very well to hold up one of the Knights interchange front rowers over the try line mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.
Earlier in the match in the 24th minute Riley Buchanan had made a great heavy front on tackle on the Knight No. 11 around ten metres out from the try line and in the centre of the field.
In the opening minute of the second half Riley Buchanan showed what a truly impressive defensive player that he is with first up a great front on tackle from the kick off. Then two tackles later Riley Buchanan smashed the Knights lock with another great front on hit with the ball still around thirty five metres out and then Riley Buchanan backed that up by making the next tackle as well.
Riley Buchanan executed a smart piece of play in the 38th minute with a one on one strip as the Knights were bring the ball out of their own territory with Riley Buchanan striping the ball when they were forty two metres out from their own try line with Riley Buchanan then able to return the ball an additional seven metres to put the Northern Rivers Titans immediately onto the attack with the Northern Rivers Titans scoring under the posts through Tyler Whittington in the same set of six tackles.
Riley Buchanan was also named on the Northern Rivers Titans bench for Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters with Riley Buchanan with coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 25th minute.
Riley Buchanan scored in the 44th minute when after the Roosters dropped the ball whilst trying to bring the ball out of their own twenty metre area, Jesse Soric collected the errand pass before off-loading to his right to Riley Buchanan who had a fifteen metre run (celebrating by raising his right arm along the way) to score in a tackle three metres to the right of the uprights.
Riley Buchanan once again was outstanding defensively against the Roosters with the first of multiple great tackles from Riley Buchanan coming in the 29th minute when right on the halfway mark Riley Buchanan crunched the Central Coast No. 10 with a great front on tackle that drove the opposing front rower back at least three metres.
Then in the 33rd minute Riley Buchanan was at it again on that occasion smashed the Roosters No. 18 ten metres out from the try line with the ball coming loose in the tackle as a result of Riley Buchanan’s heavy initial contact around the ball.
Riley Buchanan also started from the bench in Round Three against the South Coast Dragons.
After starting the opening three rounds from the bench Riley Buchanan moved into the Northern Rivers Titans starting line-up in the front row for Round Four against the Northern Tigers with Riley Buchanan making a strong front one tackle on the Tigers lock (No. 13) twenty metres out from the try line.
Riley Buchanan then moved to the bench for Round Five against the North Coast Bulldogs with Riely Buchanan coming onto the field in the 30th minute to operate in the front row and just a few minutes later in the 34th minute Riley Buchanan made a trademark heavy tackle in the 34th minute on the halfway mark with the tackle forcing a North Coast knock-on.
Then in the 36th minute Riley Buchanan made a strong hit-up in the set of six from the North Coast second half kick-off with riley Buchanan able to get the ball out to the thirty five metre mark.
In October 2022 Titans contracted Jimmy McCombie was named in the 2023 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad with Jimmy McCombie starting at halfback in the Northern Rivers Titans opening 2023 trial against the Northern Coast Bulldogs in Coffs Harbour.
Round One of the 2023 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition saw Jimmy McCombie named at halfback for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights with Jimmy McCombie kicking well at the end of the opening set of six tackles of the match when to the left of the dummy half Jimmy McCombie drove his right foot kick hard and low deep into Newcastle territory with the Knights fullback tackled inside his own ten metre area.
Jimmy McCombie put in another outstanding long tactical kick in the 18th minute when from on the halfway mark Jimmy McCombie once again drove his kick into the left corner with all that the Knights fullback could do was collect the ball near the corner and dive infield and submit to the tackle just out from his own try line.
Jimmy McCombie showcased his passing game in the 33rd minute when to the left of the play the ball and just inside Newcastle territory Jimmy McCombie threw a good ball to his left to a charging Jed Mulcahy who made twenty metres, the majority of which were post contact metres.
Unfortunately Jimmy McCombie had to leave the field through injury early in the second half but thankfully Jimmy McCombie was able to return to the field and play the final ten minutes of the match.
Jimmy McCombie was also named to start at halfback in Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters with Jimmy McCombie making a stepping run of ten metres in the 24th minute after taking possession to the left of the play the ball near the halfway mark.
Jimmy McCombie almost recorded a try assist in the 30th minute when from six metres out and to the left of the play the ball Jimmy McCombie threw a great cut-out pass to his left to his winger who was brought down just centremetres short of the try line.
Jimmy McCombie was also named at halfback for Round Three against the South Coast Dragons with Jimmy McCombie scoring in the 53rd minute when he chased through a Riley Loughland grubber kick into the in-goal to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.
Jimmy McCombie was in fact the reason that the Northern Rivers Titans had that field position as from the kick-off to a minutes earlier Dragons try Jimmy McCombie put in a hard low deliberate kick-off to find touch thirty metres out to his right. Jimmy McCombie scored from the subsequent set of six tackles.
Whilst Jimmy McCOmbie started the match at fullback he played the second half at fullback.
Jimmy McCombie continued as captain and halfback in Round Four against the Northern Tigers with Jimmy McCombie recording two try assists in a big Northern Rivers Titans victory.
Jimmy McCombie’s initial try assist came in just the 2nd minute when from eight metres out from the try line and just to the left of the uprights Jimmy McCombie threw a great long cut-out pass to his left to put Owen Woods over to score in the left corner.
Jimmy McCombie added his second try assist in the 48th minute when he ran the ball to the left of the play the ball and when he was thirty five metres out from the try line Jimmy McCombie drew a defender out of the defensive line and threw a great short ball to his left to Jed Mulcahy who burst through a gap, beat the fullback to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.
Jimmy McCombie made a good run in the 34th minute when from twenty two metres out and to the right of the play the ball Jimmy McCombie dummied and stepped his way to six metres out in the centre of the field.
Jimmy McCombie highlighted the efficiency of his kicking game in the opening minute of the match when from five metres inside his own territory Jimmy McCombie put in a searching right foot kick into the right corner with the kick too good for the Tigers fullback who knocked the ball on with the Titans scoring from the subsequent set of six tackles.
Jimmy McCombie made a strong tackle in conjunction with Beau Hartmann in the 33rd minute on the Tigers right centre (No. 4), driving him backwards three metres.
Jimmy McCombie also started at halfback in Round Five against the North Coast Bulldogs with Jimmy McCombie making a strong tackle on the North Coast No. 11 in the 39th minute forty metres out from the try line. Jimmy McCombie made another good tackle in the 47th minute on his stepping opposite thirty metres out from the try line.
Jimmy McCombie then made one of the tackles of the match with a try saving effort in the 53rd minute on the North Coast left centre just two metres from the try line after he had burst through the initial defensive line.
Round One of the 2023 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition saw Titans contracted Kaleb Smith named at hooker for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights. Whilst Kaleb Smith started the match at hooker he moved to lock late in the first half before moving to five eight eight minutes into the second half.
Kaleb Smith recorded a line break assist in the 48th minute when with the play the ball thirty five metres away from the try line Kaleb Smith switched from the left side of the ruck to down a wide right blindside as the ball was being played with Kaleb Smith then throwing a good cut-out pass to his right to put Kyron Nipperess away down the right touchline.
Kaleb Smith made a positive impact on the match inside the opening minute when from thirty metres out from his own try line, Kaleb Smith ran to his left out of dummy half and after beating one defender by way of a right foot step, Kaleb Smith was able to promote the ball a total of fifteen metres.
Kaleb Smith made another smart run out of dummy half two minutes later in the 3rd minute when from thirty five metres out from the try line, Kaleb Smith ran to his left and after stepping off his left foot twice was able to get the ball to within twenty two metres out from the try line.
Kaleb Smith ran out of dummy half to his left once again in the 20th minute from thirty five metres out when he say the defence still back peddling with Kaleb Smith running to his left to get within twenty five metres of the try line with Kaleb Smith catching the Knights defence in an offside position to be awarded a penalty as a result of his quick thinking.
Kaleb Smith darted out of dummy half once again in the 44th minute on that occasion to his right with Kaleb Smith able to make twelve metres from forty metres out from his own try line. Then in the 47th minute Kaleb Smith darted out of dummy half to his left once again from forty metres out from his own try line with Kaleb Smith able to get the ball five metres into Newcastle territory before his forward progress was halted.
Kaleb Smith also had some good moments defensively against the Knights including in the 43rd minute with a strong one on one tackle with the Knights deep on the attack with Kaleb Smith’s heavy initial contact forcing a loose pass by the Knights attacker.
Kaleb Smith was then named to start at five eight in Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters with Kaleb Smith executing a superb heavy front on tackle just over two minutes into the match when just as the giant Central Coast Roosters front rower No. 10 took possession of the match just five metres inside Northern Rivers Titans territory Kaleb Smith smashed him with a great front on tackle with the Roosters player knocking on as a result of Kaleb Smith’s powerful initial contact in the tackle.
Kaleb Smith made another strong tackle in the 24th minute, on that occasion on the Knights second rower No. 11 with Kaleb Smith smashing him just three metres out from the try line with the heavy initial contact by Kaleb Smith forcing the ball loose.
Kaleb Smith then made a try saving tackle in the 34th minute right on the try line mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field on the Central Coast fullback with once again Kaleb Smith’s heavy initial contact forcing the fullback to lose possession.
Kaleb Smith made the first of a number of smart runs in the 13th minute when from twelve metres out and to the right of the play the ball, Kaleb Smith stepped his way within two metres of the try line and then after being impeded received a six again call in his favour. Then in the 27th minute Kaleb Smith once again got within two metres of the try line after initially receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball and twelve metres out.
Kaleb Smith was also named at five eight for Round Three against the South Coast Dragons with Kaleb Smith scoring in the 6th minute of the match. After receiving the ball from the dummy half to his left twelve metres out and to the right of the posts, Kaleb Smith immediately stepped off hi sright foot and then charged between two defenders to crash over to score three metres to the right of the goal posts.
A minute earlier Kaleb Smith from twenty metres out and in the centre of the field Kaleb Smith had put up a left foot bomb towards the right corner but the kick was taken on the full by the Dragons left winger who then threatened to run 100 metres to score but Kaleb Smith raced to his right and tackled the South Coast winger into touch twenty metres out with Kalem Smith scoring from the subsequent set of six tackles.
In just the 3rd minute of the match Kaleb Smith put in a long raking left foot kick from thirty five metres out from his own try line with Kaleb Smith’s kick fielded by the South Coast fullback just two metres out from his own try line.
Kaleb Smith also started at five eight in Round Four against the Northern Tigers with Kaleb Smith scoring in the 42nd minute when from twelve metres out and to the right of the play the ball Kaleb Smith initially shaped to pass to his right before stepping off his right foot and surging forward to crash over to score ten metres to the right of the uprights.
Kaleb Smith also recorded a line break assist in the 29th minute when Kaleb Smith put right second rower Cruz Dangerfield through a gap down the right channel just inside Northern Rivers territory with Cruz Dangerfield making sixteen metres.
Kaleb Smith also did well in the 34th minute when after tracking back onto his own twenty metre defensive area, Kaleb Smith collected a Tigers attacking kick and as he ran the ball towards the centre of the field Kaleb Smith broke three tackles as he promoted the ball twelve metres.
Kaleb Smith along with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh made a great try saving tackle on the Tigers left centre just six metres in from the Titans right corner post to hold up the hard charging centre in the 17th minute.
Round One of the 2023 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition saw Titans contracted Beau Hartmann named at left centre for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights with Beau Hartmann scoring a barnstorming try in the 46th minute when after receiving the ball two passes from the back of a Northern Rivers Titans scrum win in the centre of the field and just ten metres from the try line, Beau Hartmann received the ball on the left side of the field and immediately cut back inside and after running over the top of two would be Knights defenders, Beau Hartmann was able to reach out and slam the ball down with his right arm ten metres to the left of the uprights.
Beau Hartmann made a strong contribution in just the 2nd minute when he made the Northern Rivers Titans opening tackle of the match when he chased through a Jimmy McCombie kick with Beau Hartmann making the tackle just ten metres out from the Newcastle try line.
Beau Hartmann did very well from the Newcastle kick-off to get the match underway when the ball fell short and in fact bounced high in the air with Beau Hartmann racing towards the centre of the field and jumping high above the Knights chasers to take possession for the Northern Rivers Titans.
Beau Hartmann made a strong run in the 44th minute when after running an underneath route from one the halfway mark, Beau Hartmann was able to get the ball to withing thirty eight metres of the try line.
Beau Hartmann was also named to start at left centre in Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters with Beau Hartmann doing well in the 19th minute when after a Central Coast Roosters penalty kick did not find touch, Beau Hartmann who taken the ball on the full near the forty metre mark charged back at the defensive line and was able to get within three metres of the try line, breaking three tackles along the way.
Beau Hartmann made a further strong run in the 25th minute when from the left of a Northern Rivers Titans scrum win thirty metre out from his own try line Beau Hartmann broke three tackles as he got the ball to forty three metres out from his try line.
Beau Hartmann was also named at left centre for Round Three against the South Coast Dragons however Beau Hartmann was a late scratching.
Beau Hartmann was then named at left centre in Round Four against the Greater Northern Tigers with Beau Hartmann scoring an outstanding solo try in the 51st minute when from sixteen metres out from his own try line Beau Hartmann moved into dummy half and ran to his right and after breaking through three attempted tackles as he broke through the initial Tigers defensive line with Beau Hartmann then veering to his left to round the fullback with Beau Hartmann then too fast for the cover defence to score under the posts.
Beau Hartmann also did a lot of the heavy lifting as was evidenced in the 21st minute when from a penalty tap two metres out from the try line Beau Hartmann, after tapping the ball, forged his way to twenty metres out.
Beau Hartmann made a further strong run from deep inside his own territory in the 28th minute when from the centre of the field and just three metres out from his own try line Beau Hartmann ran to his right and got the ball seventeen metres out from the try line.
Then in the 29th minute Beau Hartmann ran the ball from forty metres out and to the left of a Northern Rivers scrum win from an underneath route to get the ball withing twenty two metres away from the try line.
Beau Hartmann also had a very good defensive match against the Northern Tigers including in the 8th minute on the Tigers right centre (No. 3) ten metres out from the try line with the Tigers centre unable to hold onto the ball after Beau Hartmann had hit him.
Beau Hartmann made another strong tackle in conjunction with Jimmy McCombie in the 33rd minute on the Tigers right centre (No. 4), driving him backwards three metres.
Beau Hartmann also started at left centre wing in Round Five against the North Coast Bulldogs.
Round One of the 2023 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition saw Zane Harrison named at halfback for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights with Zane Harrison putting in a dominant display to easily be the best player on the field. Zane Harrison filled up his stats sheet including kicking three conversions from four attempts an after the final siren penalty goal and three try assists amongst others.
Zane Harrison’s first conversion came in the 20th minute to convert Ayden Byrnes try that Zane Harrison recorded a try assist for from ten metres to the right of the uprights. Zane Harrison added a second conversion in the 38th minute from directly in front of the posts to convert Tyler Whittington’s try. Zane Harrison’s third conversion was the best of the three when from right on the right touch line Zane Harrison converted Creedence Donovan’s 46th minute try, a try that Zane Harrison in fact set up.
Then after the final siren had sounded Zane Harrison kicked a penalty goal from twenty five metres out and directly in front of the goal posts to seal a 24 – 20 for the Northern Rivers Titans.
Zane Harrison’s first try assist came in the 15th minute when after he received the ball two plays to the left of a Titans scrum win ten metres out with the scrum packed in the centre of the field, Zane Harrison ran to his left and after drawing in the Newcastle right winger Zane Harrison put Noah Waldock over three metres in from the left corner post.
Zane Harrison recorded his second try assist in the 20th minute when after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball from Ayden Byrnes whilst eighteen metres out, Zane Harrison initially moved to his right before stopping on the spot and chipping back inside into the in-goal with Ayden Byrnes winning the race to score ten metres to the right of the posts. Zane Harrison then stepped up to convert the try.
Zane Harrison made it a hat trick of try assists in the 46th minute with a pass that any NRL halfback would be proud of. With the Northern Rivers Titans on the attack twenty metres out and just to the left of the uprights, Zane Harrison took possession of the ball two passes to the right of the play the ball and after running the ball towards the defensive line, Zane Harrison timed his pass perfectly to bypass one support runner and put the ball onto the chest of Creedence Donovan as he burst into a huge gap to score two metres in from the right corner post. No description could do the pass justice, it was that good! Zane Harrison then converted the try from the touch line.
Zane Harrison came close to scoring himself in the 64th minute when after receiving the ball down a short right blindside twenty metres out Zane Harrison shaped to pass to his right before stepping of his right foot to easily beat three defenders with Zane Harrison accelerating towards the try line with a right foot step by Zane Harrison beating a fourth defender before he was held up over the try line adjacent to the right upright.
Zane Harrison also made a line break in the 11th minute when after the Northern Rivers Titans knocked the ball backwards when bringing the ball out of their own territory, Zane Harrison tracked back to collect the ball thirty two metres out from his own try line and then ran the ball towards the right touchline. Zane Harrison beat one Knights defender before cutting back to the inside beating two defenders with his speed before a Zane Harrison right foot step beat a fourth with Zane Harrison then able to off-load to his fullback thirty metres out from the Newcastle try line.
Zane Harrison made a second line break in the 53rd minute when after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball thirty tow metres out from his own try line Zane Harrison ran the ball down a short blindside dummying to his right before utilising a left arm fend to beat a defender (No. 6) before being tackle forty metres out from the Northern Rivers Titans try line.
Zane Harrison also kicked well against the Knights including in the 15th minute when from eighteen metres out and in the centre of the field Zane Harrison put up a bomb to the right corner which was knocked in by the Newcastle left winger, with Zane Harrison setting up a try in the opposite corner for Noah Waldock from the subsequent scrum.
Zane Harrison put in another smart kick in the 41st minute when from forty two metres out from his own try line and to the right of the play the ball Zane Harrison put in a hard low right foot kick into to the right corner with Zane Harrison chasing his own kick through to be involved I the tackle to trap the Knights player just three metres out from his own try line.
Zane Harrison’s initial impact of the match came inside the opening minute when on the final tackle from the Northern Rivers Titans first set of six tackles, Zane Harrison, from the right of the play the ball and thirty eight metres out from his own try line, put in a long raking right foot kick which the Knights fullback could only retrieve from on his own try line with Zane Harrison the first Northern Rivers Titans defender downfield to execute the tackle still inside the ten metre mark from the Newcastle try line.
Zane Harrison showcased his effort in the 31st minute when he chased through a Callum Bowles grubber into the in-gaol to tackle the Knights fullback there and force a goal line drop-out. Then in the 36th minute Zane Harrison chased back a Knights short kick in behind the Northern Rivers Titans defensive line to retrieve the ball ten metres out from his own try line with Zane Harrison then able to return the ball twelve metres to get the ball out of the twenty metre area.
Zane Harrison was also named at halfback for Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters with Zane Harrison kicking three conversions from four attempts as the Northern Rivers Titans held on to win 22 -20.
Zane Harrison kicked the first of his three conversions in the 10th minute to convert Creedence Donovan’s try seven metres to the right of the uprights. Then from directly in front Zane Harrison converted Creedence Donovan’s second try in the 25th minute before Zane Harrison’s third and final conversion came in the 45th minute when he converted Riley Buchanan’s try from just to the right of the uprights.
Zane Harrison was heavily involved in Creedence Donovan’s try in the 10th minute when from thirty metres out and in the centre of the field Zane Harrison put in a high bomb towards the right side of the field which came down two metres from the try line. Northern Rivers Titans right winger Noah Waldock contested the ball and after it was knocked on by the Roosters left winger the ball fell perfectly for Creedence Donovan to score seven metres to the right of the uprights. Zane Harrison then converted the try.
Zane Harrison ran the ball smartly himself in the 33rd minute when after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball and six metres inside his own territory down a wide right blindside Zane Harrison dummied to his outside before stepping off his right foot to get the ball nine metres inside Central Coast territory.
Zane Harrison was also named at halfback for Round Three against the South Coast Dragons with Zane Harrison converting Taylor Whittington’s 55th minute try from in fron of the posts.
Zane Harrison continued at halfback and captain in Round Four against the Northern Tigers with Zane Harrison kicking two conversions, the first of which came in the 13th minute to convert Taylor Whittington’s try from five metres to the right of the uprights. Then in the 43rd minute Zane Harrison converted Ayden Byrnes outstanding solo try from four metres to the left of the uprights.
Zane Harrison also made a great tackle on the Northern Tigers left second rower (No. 12) thirty metres out from his own try line with Zane Harrison’s heavy initial tackle forcing the ball loose.
Zane Harrison also started at halfback and captain in Round Five against the North Coast Bulldogs with Zane Harrison scoring a try and kicking four conversions in the Titans big win.
Zane Harrison scored in the 43rd minute when from eight metres out from the try line and to the right of the play the ball Zane Harrison dummied to both his inside and outside before running himself to force his way through to defenders to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.
Zane Harrison kicked his first conversion in the 21st minute to convert Levi Dangerfield’s try from ten metres in from the left touchline. Zane Harrison kicked his second conversion in the 43rd minute when he converted his own try from mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field. Zane Harrison kicked his third conversion in the 48th minute converting Ayden Byrnes 48th minute try from five metres to the right of uprights before kicking his final conversion in the 60th minute to convert Brady Turner’s try eight metres to the right of the uprights.
Zane Harrison recorded a line break in the 53rd minute when after receiving an off-load from Brady Turner Zane Harrison made a twenty metre line break through the centre of the field. Zane Harrison was then awarded a penalty for being held down too long in the tackle.
Zane Harrison also recorded a line break assist in the 4th minute when after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball Zane Harrison continued to run the ball in the same direction before throwing a smart inside pass to his fullback from twelve metres out with his team mate being brought to ground less than two metres from the try line.
Zane Harrison recorded a second line break assist in the 35th minute when from twenty five metres out and to the right of the play the ball Zane Harrison threw hard flat cut-out pass to his right to put Creedence Donovan immediately on the outside of his direct opponent and away down the right touchline.
Zane Harrison ran the ball well himself in the 28th minute when after taking possession twenty metres away from the try line and to the right of the play the ball Zane Harrison dummied to his inside before stepping his way past three defenders before being tackled less than a metre from the try line.
Defensively Zane Harrison did well in the 9th minute with a driving tackle on the North Coast left winger twenty metres out from the try line. Zane Harrison made an even better tackle in the 33rd minute with a try saving effort in the right corner with Zane Harrison racing across the field in cover defence to force the ball loose as the North Coast left winger was attempting to ground the ball with a diving effort.
Recently two two of our Keebra Park Rugby League Academy students Qubin Anderson and Harvey Smith, travelled to New Zealand to represent Tahiti in the Oztag Oceanic Cup U16s mixed team with their team winning the Grand Final whilst going through their nine matches undefeated.
Round Seven of the CC Cup against the Wide Bay Bulls saw Keebra Park SHS student Royal Tiato start from the bench for the Ipswich Jets and after coming on to play on the left wing, Royal Tiato scored in the 46th minute when after receiving the ball six metres out Royal Tiato maintained his running line after being hit by one defender to get the ball down in the left corner
Tavake Tau’a’alo came off the bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the Round Seven CC Cup local derby against the Burleigh Bears with Tavake Tau’a’alo scoring a strong try after coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 15th minute.
Tavake Tau’a’alo scored in the 36th minute when after a Seagulls play the ball two metres out from the try line on the left side of the field the dummy half ran to his right with Tavake Tau’a’alo running back inside to take the inside pass and crash over mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.
Tavake Tau’a’alo had made an earlier strong run in the 24th minute from five metres inside Burleigh territory with Tavake Tau’a’alo receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball and getting the ball to the thirty one metre mark with around 70% of those metres being post contact.
Tavake Tau’a’alo also did well in the 20th minute when after the Burleigh right winger made a line break through the centre of the Seagulls defensive line, Tavake Tau’a’alo chased and caught him still five metres from the halfway mark.
Burleigh’s David Bryenton continued at right centre in the Round Seven CC Cup local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with David Bryenton scoring an outstanding double.
David Bryenton scored his opening try in the 33rd minute when from twenty six metres out David Bryenton was able to get on the outside of his direct opponent and raced away to dive over to score in the right corner.
David Bryenton completed his double in the 42nd when from two passes to the right of a Burleigh scrum win David Bryenton once again got on the outside of his opposing defender and race ten metres to score in the right corner.
David Bryenton had almost scored earlier in the match in the 17th minute when after receiving the ball on the right side of the field and ten metres out from the try line David Bryenton cut inside away from the touchline before stepping off his right foot to head back towards the right corner with David Bryenton holding off one defender with a straight left arm to get over the try line only to be held up by three defenders three metres in from the right corner post.
David Bryenton was also heavily involved in Isaac Cullen’s 27th minute try when after receiving the ball ten metres out from the try line David Bryenton engaged a number of defenders to create an overlap and get the ball away with a further pass leading to Isaac Cullen scoring in the right corner.
David Bryenton had made the first of multiple strong charges in the 10th minute when from his own twenty metre mark David Bryenton made twelve metres down the right channel. Then in the 37th minute when twenty metres out from his own try line David Bryenton ran to his right out of dummy half and was able to make fourteen metres.
David Bryenton continued his strong match in the 41st minute when a run to the right of the play the ball when twenty two metres out from the try line David Bryenton cut inside on three occasions to get the ball five metres out and in front of the posts before off-loading the ball to his hooker.
David Bryenton also made a strong run in the 53rd minute when from twelve metres out from his own try line David Bryenton received the ball to the right of a Burleigh scrum win and after cutting back towards the centre of the field David Bryenton broke three tackles as he promoted the ball to the forty metre mark.
The 24th minute saw David Bryenton run the ball to the left of the play the ball from five metres from his own try line and in the centre of the field with David Bryenton spinning counter clockwise to gain separation and then when seventeen metres out from the try line get an off-load away to his left winger.
David Bryenton showed that he will also do the little things from his team in the 46th minute when he chased that an attacking Burleigh kick with David Bryenton tackling the Seagulls fullback in the in-goal to force a goal line drop-out.
Titans contracted Luke Jones also started at left second row for the Burleigh Bears in the Round Seven CC Cup local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Luke Jones recording a try assist in the 61st minute with a superb catch and pass to his left under heavy pressure when twelve metres out from the try line to put Seth Gundry into a gap and over to score wide out on the left.
Luke Jones made the first of his strong runs in the 11th minute when he cut inside one of his halves to take the ball five metres inside his own territory and after breaking four tackles Luke Jones got the ball eight metres inside Tweed Heads territory.
Luke Jones was also outstanding defensively including in the 25th minute when Luke Jones chased through an attacking Burleigh kick and after grabbing the Seagulls fullback Luke Jones rag dolled him back inside his own twenty metre mark.
In the 50th minute Luke Jones grabbed hold of the Seagulls left winger and dragged him back into the in-goal as he was trying to return a kick to force a goal line drop-out. Then in the 54th minute along with Zac Murphy, Luke Jones held up the giant Seagulls front rower No. 8 over the try line under the posts before forcing him back into the field of play.
Orlando Meturkia continued on the right wing in the Round Seven local derby against the Burleigh Bears with Orlando Meturkia scoring a double in a big Seagulls victory.
Orlando Meturkia scored his opening try in the in the 38th minute when from the right of the dummy half and eleven metres out Zane Harrison put in a right foot chip kick into the in-goal with the kick perfectly placed for Seagulls right winger Orlando Meturika to race through to take the kick on the full in the in-goal and get the ball down in the right corner.
Orlando Meturkia completed his double in the 57th minute when he flew twelve metres down the right touchline to cross the try line in the right corner after receiving a cut-out pass from his inside from Zane Harrison with Orlando Meturkia then bringing the ball around to put it down seven metres to the right of the uprights.
Burleigh’s Waaka Hepi started from the bench in the Round Seven MM Cup local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Waaka Hepi coming onto the field in the 21st minute and almost immediately Waaka Hepi made a great front on tackle on the Seagulls No. 14 who was returning a kick-off with Waaka Hepi hitting him front on just ten metres out and in front of the goal posts.
Then in the 36th minute Waaka Hepi ran onto the ball to the left of the play the ball from thirty three metres out from his own try line to five metres of the halfway mark.
Titan Oscar Laffranchi came off the bench for the Burleigh Bears in the Round Seven MM Cup local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Oscar Laffranchi coming onto the field to play in the front row late in the first half.
Oscar Laffranchi made a strong run in the 36th minute from twenty two metres out from his own try line and to the left of the play the ball with Oscar Laffranchi making twelve metres to the thirty four metre mark.
Harry Chadburn made his MM Cup debut at five eight for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the Round Seven local derby against the Burleigh Bears with Harry Chadburn recording a line break assist in the 63rd minute when from thirty five metres out from his own try line Harry Chadburn took the ball to the defensive line and threw a cut-out pass to his left to put winger Matthew Barrow away down the left touchline before he was tackled on the halfway mark.
In the 28th minute Harry Chadburn put up a high right foot bomb towards the left wing from the centre of the field and twenty five metres out with the Bears winger knocking the ball on for the Seagulls to get the ball back just ten metres out from the try line.
Titans contracted Sam Stephenson started at left centre for the Burleigh Bears in the Round Seven MM Cup local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Sam Stephenson recording a line break (well I am calling it a line break anyway) in the 66th minute when Burleigh put in a short kick-off to the left side of the field and just after the ball travelled the requisite ten metres Sam Stephenson jumped high after racing through at full speed to take the short kick-off on the full and as his as his feet hit the ground Sam Stephenson continued downfield at full speed and after stepping off his left foot back towards the centre of the field Sam Stephenson was finally brought to ground just five metres out from the try line and directly in front of the goal posts.
Sam Stephenson also did well in the 67th minute when after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball thirty four metres out from his own try line Sam Stephenson got the ball to within two metres of the halfway mark.
Titan Bailey McConnell started at halfback for the Burleigh Bears in the Round Seven MM Cup local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Bailey McConnell recording a try assist in the 4th minute when from sixteen metres out and to the right of the uprights, Bailey McConnell put in a right foot chip kick towards the right corner with Nayte Saaga racing through to take the kick on the full and score three metres in from the right corner post.
Bailey McConnell also recorded a line break assist in the 47th minute when after receiving the ball from the back of a Burleigh scrum win in the centre of the field and thirty metres out, Bailey McConnell ran to his right and after drawing one defender out of the defensive line Bailey McConnell got a good ball away to his right to send Sunny Kama away down the right touchline.
Earlier in the 2nd minute Bailey McConnell was able to get another set of six for Burleigh when from ten metres inside his own territory Bailey McConnell drove a hard flat and low right foot kick into Seagulls territory with the ball knocked on ten metres inside Tweed Heads territory.
Bailey McConnell put in another smart kick in the 30th minute from the right of the play the ball and twenty five metres out Bailey McConnell put in a right foot chip kick towards the right wing with the Seagulls fullback trapped less than a metre out from his own try line.
Then in the 55th minute along with Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu, Bailey McConnell smashed the Tweed Heads player who was returning a drop-out forcing him backwards before driving him into the ground on his back.
Titans contracted Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu started at right second row for the Burleigh Bears in the Round Seven MM Cup local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu recording a line break in the 61st minute
Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu did very well in the 11th minute to collect cleanly and low down a Seagulls grubber kick just two metres from his own try line.
Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu did even better in the 37th minute when along with Sunny Kama he was able to hold up the Seagulls left centre over the try line five metres in from the right corner post. Then in the 55th minute along with Bailey McConnell, Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu smashed the Tweed Heads player who was returning a drop-out forcing him backwards before driving him into the ground on his back.
From an attacking perspective Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu made a strong run in the 52nd minute with Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu’s run starting thirty eight metres out from his try line and getting the ball five metres inside Seagulls territory.
Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu made a line break down the right channel in the 61st miute when after receiving the ball from his left forty three metres out Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu broke two tackles and carried a few more defenders downfield as he charged to within ten metres of the try line.
Titans contracted Matthew Barrow continued on the left wing for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the Round Seven MM Cup local derby against the Burleigh Bears with Matthew Barrow scoring in the 43rd minute when after receiving the ball on the left touchline six metres out, Matthew Barrow was able to power his way over to score in the left corner.
Matthew Barrow also recorded a line break in the 63rd minute when from thirty five metres out from his own try line Harry Chadburn took the ball to the defensive line and threw a cut-out pass to his left to put winger Matthew Barrow away down the left touchline before he was tackled on the halfway mark.
Then in the 67th minute Matthew Barrow came off his wing with the ball deep inside Seagulls territory with Matthew Barrow taking the hit-up to the left of the play the ball twelve metres out from his own try line and in the centre of the field with Matthew Barrow rumbling to twenty nine metres out as he carried a number of defenders more than 50% of the way.
Titans contracted Sunny Kama started at right centre for the Burleigh Bears in the Round Seven MM Cup local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Sunny Kama making a line break in the 6th minute of the match when from twenty two metres out Sunny Kama was able to break through the Seagulls defensive line down a short right blindside with Sunny Kama able to get the ball six metres into Seagulls territory.
Sunny Kama made another line break in the 47th minute when to the right of a Burleigh scrum win in the centre of the field and thirty metres out Sunny Kama ran onto a good ball from his inside from Bailey McConnell with Sunny Kama then able to get on the outside of his opposing centre before being tackled seven metres out, Sunny Kama then was awarded a penalty when he was dragged over the right touchline after the tackle was completed. Sunny Kama then took the penalty tap from ten metres out to get the ball to two metres out from the try line.
Sunny Kama did well from a defensive perspective in the 37th minute when along with Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu he was able to hold up the Seagulls left centre over the try line five metres in from the right corner post.
Sunny Kama also did well defensively in the 52nd minute when whilst facing an overlap when defending on his own try line Sunny Kama decisively flew out off his try line and hit the Seagulls left centre just as he was receiving the ball five metres out from the try line to stop the attacking movement in its tracks.
Titans contracted Isaiah Scanlon continued at lock for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the Round Seven local derby against the Burleigh Bears with Isaiah Scanlon making a strong run in the 11th minute when from the right of the play the ball and seventeen metres from the try line Isaiah Scanlon bustled his way to within two metres of the try line and just to the right of the uprights.
Then in the 18th minute from a Seagulls penalty tap restart, Isaiah Scanlon charged straight at the defensive line from five metres inside his own territory and was able to get the ball six metres inside Burleigh territory.
Isaiah Scanlon engaged the Burleigh defensive line once again in the 65th minute when from two metres inside his own territory and to the right of the play the ball Isaiah Scanlon cut across field to his right using his left arm to fend off a number of attempted tackles before Isaiah Scanlon drew a defender towards him and threw a good short ball to his right to a straight charging Jett Jackson who made a further ten metres.
In 2022 Tuakana Rangihaeata had an outstanding season for the Freemantle Roosters in the Western Australian First Grade competition and in 2023 in tall half or fullback will line up for the Burleigh Bears Hastings Deerings Colts squad.
The Burleigh Bears 2023 HDC side contains a big strong new centre in former Future Warrior Mahaki-Jay Hetet-Wairau who is set to make his mark in the Colts competition that starts in a fortnight.
Powerhouse New Zealand born lock/front rower Tyson Davies had a great 2022 season including startign at lock for the Akarana Falcons in their NZRL U20 Grand Final victory and in 2023 he will look to continue his rugby league career as part of the Burleigh Bears HDC squad.
Titans contracted Ryder Williams started at five eight for the Burleigh Bears in the Round Seven MM Cup local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Ryder Williams scoring an outstanding solo try in the 68th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball Ryder Williams ran the ball two metres over the halfway mark before putting in a right foot chip kick over the defensive line for himself with Ryder Williams collecting the ball after its first bounce just in front of the oncoming Seagulls fullback. After rounding the fullback by veering to his right Ryder Williams raced towards the try line and after being caught by the fullback just short of the try line Ryder Williams was able to twist over the try line with the fullback beneath him and reach his right arm around to get the ball down five metres to the right of the uprights.
Ryder Williams also kicked a good short kick-off in the 66th minute with a high short kick-off to his left which just travelled the requisite ten metres and landed perfectly for Sam Stephenson to take the ball on the full and charge to within five metres of the try line.
Titans contracted Nayte Saaga started at hooker for the Burleigh Bears in the Round Seven MM Cup local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Nayte Saaga scoring a hat trick and kicking a last minute conversion from just to the right of the uprights to convert Ryder Williams’s smart solo try.
Nayte Saaga scored his first try in the 4th minute when Nayte Saaga chased through a Bailey McConnell chip kick towards the right corner with Nayte Saaga taking the ball on the full and diving over to score three metres in from the right corner post.
Nayte Saaga scored his second try in the 7th minute with a great solo effort when after moving in dummy half with the play the ball twelve metres out and just to the left of the uprights, Nayte Saaga dummied to his left before running to his right and just prior to the defensive line Nayte Saaga put in a left foot grubber kick which hit the left upright and rebounded into Nayte Saaga’s hands for him to score under the posts.
Nayte Saaga completed his hat trick in the 48th minute when Nayte Saaga ran to his right out of dummy half from two metres out after Nayte Saaga had dummied to his left to get the down ten metres to the left of the uprights.
The Titans have snared Stretton State College Year Ten student Jahzayis Penenara-Livapulu to a three year contract.
Jahzayis Penenara-Livapulu was recently named in the Met West U15 School Boy Rugby League squad and even though he was still U15 eligible he started at left centre in all of the Brisbane Tigers U16 CC Cup matches this season.
Titans contracted Zane Harrison moved to halfback for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the Round Seven MM Cup local derby against the Burleigh Bears with once again Zane Harrison putting in a player of the match performance on the way to recording four try assist and kicking four conversions in a big Tweed Heads victory.
Zane Harrison recorded his first try assist in the 19th minute and it was one of the strangest ones that I have ever seen, when from nineteen metres out and just to the right of the uprights Zane Harrison put in a right foot grubber kick towards the right corner. Then the Burleigh winger kicked the ball across field and into the arms of Seagulls fullback Mason Barber who literally fell over the try line to score next to the right upright.
Zane Harrison recorded a second try assist in the 23rd minute when after a long Tweed Heads intercept when defending their own try line, Zane Harrison received the ball from the dummy half twenty metres out and after running the ball down a short right blindside Zane Harrison summed the situation up and then drew the last Bears defender to put his centre over to score in the right corner.
Zane Harrison’s third try assist came in the 38th minute when from the right of the dummy half and eleven metres out Zane Harrison put in a right foot chip kick into the in-goal with the kick perfectly placed for Seagulls right winger Orlando Meturika to race through to take the kick on the full in the in-goal and get the ball down in the corner.
Zane Harrison rounded out his try assists in the match with his fourth try assist in the 57th minute when after receiving the ball around thirteen metres from the try line and to the right of the play the ball, Zane Harrison initially continued to run to his right and after showing the ball to a ball runner back in his inside Zane Harrison accelerated quickly to his right and threw a hard flat cut out pass to his right to his right winger Orlando Meturika who flew twelve metres down the touchline to cross the try line in the right corner before bringing the ball around closer to the goal post for the second try the two of them had combined to score in the match.
Zane Harrison crossed the try line himself in the 29th minute when a great step off his right foot from ten metres out to score ten metres from the right goal post however the referee ruled that one of the Bears defenders was obstructed thus ruled no try.
Zane Harrison also came close to scoring in the 13th minute when from twenty seven metres out and in the centre of the field Zane Harrison took the Burleigh defensive line on and after spinning away from the Bears left second rower Zane Harrison broke three more tackles before being tripped up from behind with the try line just seven metres in from of him.
Zane Harrison also made a line break in the 37th minute when from twenty five metres out and to the left of the play the ball Zane Harrison slowly ran the ball to his left parallel to the defensive line and then Zane Harrison after dummying to his left, exploded through a gap but was caught by the desperate Bears cover defence just two metres from the try line and ten metres to the left of the uprights.
Then in 43rd minute from twenty five metres out and to the left of the play the ball Zane Harrison stepped off his right foot to break through the defensive line only to be tackled two metres out. Zane Harrison was then awarded a penalty for being held down too long.
Zane Harrison made a further line break in the 53rd minute from thirty metres out from the try line and to the right of the dummy half with Zane Harrison stepped off his right foot to split the defensive line and break three tackles as Zane Harrison got the ball two metres into Burleigh territory.
Good to see Keebra Park SHS student and Souths Magpies junior VJ Letalu for his selection in the South Coast School Boy U15 Representative side.
Well done to Kwinn Wolfe for being receiving the 2023 Northern Rivers Titans Andrew Johns Cup Coaches Award.
Titans contracted Jimmy McCombie was recently named the 2023 Northern Rivers Titans Andrew Johns Cup Players Player Award winner.
Titans contracted Majah Peachey started at left second row for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in Round Seven of the CC Cup against the Redcliffe Dolphins however Majah Peachey moved to right second row in the early minutes of the second half before switching back to the left not long after.
The 9th minute saw Majah Peachey record a line break and try assist in relation to the same run. After receiving the ball from on off-load on his inside three metres inside Redcliffe territory near the left touchline, Majah Peachey was then able to use a left arm fend to get on the outside of the Dolphins eight winger and then charge down the left touchline. After getting to within thirteen metres of the try line Majah Peachey was engaged by the Redcliffe fullback and another defender but Majah Peachey was able to get his right arm free and after raising it above his head Majah Peachey was able to get an off-load away to his left for his winger to score in the left corner.
Majah Peachey almost scored himself in the 23rd minute only to be held up over the try line mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field after Majah Peachey had received the ball ten metres out and stepped off his left foot to beat one defender before being held up over the try line by three more.
Majah Peachey recorded another line break in the 36th minute when after taking possession of the ball twenty seven metres out from the try line and down a left blindside Majah Peachey burst through the attempted tackle of two defenders before charging down the left touchline to within eleven metres of the try line.
Majah Peachey recorded his third line break in the 53rd minute when after receiving the ball from his right and forty metres out from his own try line Majah Peachey burst through the gap between two defenders and charged down the left channel and only being brought to ground twenty five metres out from the try line.
Majah Peachey’s first strong hit-up of the match came in the 4th minute when from a Wynnum Manly penalty tap restart five metres inside his own territory with Majah Peachey then stepping off his right foot to beat a charging defender as Majah Peachey got the ball five metres into Dolphins territory.
Majah Peachey engaged the Redcliffe right sided defensive line once again in the 45th minute when after receiving the ball twenty metres out two passes to the left of the play the ball Majah Peachey was hit by two defenders almost immediately but Majah Peachey was able to extract himself from their attempted tackles and continue his run down the left channel with Majah Peachey then able to get his left arm free above his head a execute a flick off-load to his left winger.
Alex Leapai started all of the Souths Logan Magpies 2023 MM Cup matches in the front row and Alex Leapai was also a prolific try scorer for the Magpies crossing the try line on five occasions.
Alex Leapai scored his first try of the 2023 MM Cup season in Round Two against the Burleigh Bears when in the 50th minute Alex Leapai charged onto the ball to the left of the play the ball when ten metres out from the try line with Alex Leapai stepping off his left foot and carrying three Bears defenders over the try line to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.
Alex Leapai scored twice in Round Five against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Alex Leapai’s opening try coming in the 2nd minute of the match when on the final tackle Alex Leapai charged onto the ball from five metres out and to the right of the play the ball with Alex Leapai spinning counter clockwise to gain separation from two defenders are get the ball down next to the left upright.
Alex Leapai completed his double in the 45th minute when he crashed over from five metres out and to the right of the dummy half after running underneath his dummy half had had run to his right with Alex Leapai getting the ball down two metres to the left of the uprights.
Alex Leapai also scored a double in Round Six against the Brisbane Tigers, scoring on the first occasion in the 10th minute when after initially lining up to the right of the play the ball, Alex Leapai ran to the right side of the ruck as the ball was being played and after receiving the ball from the dummy half Alex Leapai straightened up his run and then carried three Tigers defenders over the try line to get the ball down ten metres in from the left corner post.
Alex Leapai scored his second try in the 16th minute when he crashed over to score under the posts after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball and four metres out from the try line.
2023 will also saw Alex Leapai line up for Mabel Park SHS in the School Boy Langer Cup competition after playing in the front row in the Langer Cup for Mabel Park SHS in 2022.
In 2023 Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki part of the Souths Logan Magpies MM Cup squad with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki named on the bench in Round Two against the Burleigh Bears.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki also started from the bench in Round Three against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki coming off the bench in the 23rd minute to operate at left centre.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki also started from the bench in Round Five against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki coming onto the field in the 19th minute to operate at left centre.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki, in the 25th minute ran onto the ball to the left of the play the ball forty metres from the try line with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki carrying two Tweed Heads defenders on his back in the final fifteen metres of his run that ended just sixteen metres short of the try line.
Then in the 36th minute Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki made fourteen metres down the left channel to get within ten metres of the halfway mark. The 39th minute then saw Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki, from thirty eight metres from his own try line broke five tackles in a powerful and winding run to ten metres inside Tweed Heads territory with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki then able to get an off-load away.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki continued off the bench in Round Six against the Brisbane Tigers and almost immediately after coming onto the field to operate in the dummy half role, Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki was heavily involved in Israel Leota’s 29th minute try when from deep inside his own territory Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki ran to his right out of dummy half and burst straight through the heart of the Tigers defensive line and then after drawing the fullback Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki passed to his left to his halfback who then got the ball away for Israel Leota to score.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki made another strong run in the 56th minute when to the left of the dummy half and five metres from the halfway mark, Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki initially shaped to pass to his right before stepping off his right foot to beat two defenders before a Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki right foot step beat another. From there Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki easily bumped off two additional defenders as he got the ball to thirty metres out from the try line.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki also started from the bench in Round Seven against the Norths Devils.
In early October 2022 Harrison Doherty was named in the 2023 Tweed Heads Seagulls U16 Cyril Connell Cup squad after a strong 2022 campaign which was also Harrison Doherty’s first season on the Gold Coast.
Harrison Doherty’s first match in 2023 came in late January when he lined up for the Tweed Heads Seagulls CC Cup squad in their first 2023 trial against the Souths Logan Magpies CC Cup side at the Logan Metro Sports Complex.
Harrison Doherty was then part of the Seagulls squad for their second trial against the Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup side at Burleigh Juniors as part of the Titans Annual Super Saturday.
After Tweed Heads had a Round One bye Harrison Doherty was named at halfback in Round One of the 2023 U16 Cyril Connell Cup against the Brisbane Tigers with Harrison Doherty converting Dylan Watkins try in the 41st minute from directly in front of the posts.
Harrison Doherty then started from the bench in Round Six against the Norths Devils with Harrison Doherty coming onto the field in the 15th minute to operate in the dummy half role.
Harrison Doherty scored a smart try out of dummy half in the 41st minute when after moving into dummy half with the play the ball nine metres from the try line and less than a metre in from the left touchline, Harrison Doherty initially shaped to pass out of dummy half to hir right before catching the defence completely off guard to dart down the left blindside to dive over untouched in the left corner.
Harrison Doherty then started at hooker in the Round Seven local derby against the Burleigh Bears with Harrison Doherty almost creating something out of nothing in the final minute of the match when from a Seagulls scrum feed thirty metres out and in the centre of the field, Harrison Doherty picked the ball up from the back of the scrum and after running to his right Harrison Doherty put in a right foot chip kick and seemed certain to get the ball back before a Burleigh hand knocked the ball into touch to end the match.
In late 2022 Keebra Park SHS student Christian Mikaele was named in the 2023 Ipswich Jets U16 Cyril Connell Cup squad.
Round Three of the 2023 U16 Cyril Connell Cup competition saw Christian Mikaele named on the bench for the Ipswich Jets against the Western Clydesdales.
Christian Mikaele was then named to move into the Jets starting line-up at five eight in Round Four against the Wide Bay Bulls with Christian Mikaele scoring in the 59th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball eighteen metres out, Christian Mikaele ran the ball to his left shaping to pass both to his left and right before Christian Mikaele stepped off his right foot before crashing through three defenders to score seven metres in from the left corner post untouched.
Christian Mikaele also recorded two try assists against the Bulls with the first coming in the 25th minute when from the right of the play the ball, eleven metres out and down a short right blindside, Christian Mikaele put up a high right foot chip kick which was ideally weighted and went over the out stretched arm of the Bulls left winger and into the waiting arms of the Jets left winger in the in-goal to score.
Christian Mikaele recorded his second try assist of the match early in the second half in the 34th minute when to the right of the play the ball and twelve metres out from the try line Christian Mikaele ran the ball down a short right blindside and after taking the ball deep into the defensive line Christina Mikaele, from eight metres out, put in a right foot grubber kick into the in-goal with his right winger winning the race to ground the ball in the in-goal three metres in from the right corner post.
As a result of his exceptional performance Christian Mikaele was named at five eight in the 2023 Courier Mail Cyril Connell Cup Round Four Team of the Week.
Christian Mikaele continued at five eight in Round Five against the Sunshine Coast Falcons with Christian Mikaele scoring one try and setting up another.
Christian Mikaele scored in the 6th minute when he ran to his left from dummy half to crash over from six metres out to ground the ball mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.
Christian Mikaele recorded his try assist in the 29th minute when from around ten metres out and in the centre of the field Christina Mikaele put in a right foot chip kick towards the left corner which was perfectly weighted and landed in the arms of the Jets left winger in the in-goal to score.
Christian Mikaele continued at five eight in Round Six against the Western Clydesdales with Christian Mikaele scoring in the 29th minute of a 40 – 20 Jets victory.
In the 30th minute the Jets made a line break down the right touchline from deep inside their own territory and after backing up on the inside Christian Mikaele received the pass from his right winger who had drawn the fullback with Christian Mikaele having a twenty five metre run to dive over to score five metres to the right of the uprights.
Christian Mikaele also started at five eight in Round Seven against the Wide Bay Bulls.
In late March 2023 Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu signed a three year contract with the Titans.
Even though he was still U15 eligible in 2023 Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu started all of the Brisbane Tigers U16 Cyril Connell Cup matches at left centre with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu scoring on three occasions.
Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu scored his first 2023 CC Cup try in Round Two against the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the 3rd minute when after receiving the ball from his inside when twenty two metres out from the try line, Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu charged towards the left corner holding one defender off with a strong right arm fend with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu then getting the ball down two metres in from the left corner post.
Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu scored his second try in Round Four against the Redcliffe Dolphins in the 53rd minute when from two metres from the try line Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu ran to his left out of dummy half to crash over mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.
Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu added a third try in the 55th minute of the Round Six match against the Souths Logan Magpies when after receiving the ball around five metres out on the left side of the field Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu initially juggled the ball before taking clean possession and driving over to score two metres in from the left corner post.
In early 2023 Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu was named in the Met West U15 School Boy Representative side.
2023 also sees Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu playing for the Souths Magpies in the GBJRL U15 Division One competition.
In early October 2022 Brodie Saunders was named in the 2023 Tweed Heads Seagulls U16 Cyril Connell Cup squad after a strong 2022 rugby league campaign.
Brodie Saunders’s first match in 2023 came in late January when he lined up for the Tweed Heads Seagulls CC Cup squad in their first 2023 trial against the Souths Logan Magpies at the Logan Metro Sports Complex. A week later Brodie Saunders lined up for the Seagulls in their second trial against the Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad at Burleigh Juniors at the Annual Titans Super Saturday series of matches.
After Tweed Heads had a Round One bye Brodie Saunders was named at lock in Round Two of the 2023 U16 Cyril Connell Cup competition against the Brisbane Tigers as well as in Round Three against the Redcliffe Dolphins.
Brodie Saunders also started at lock in Round Four against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Brodie Saunders making a strong tackle twenty metres from the try line to force the ball loose. Then in the 13th minute Brodie Saunders made a strong front on tackle on the Wynnum Manly No. 10.
Brodie Saunders also started at lock in Round Six against the Norths Devils with Brodie Saunders taking the fourth hit-up of the match to get the ball five metres into Norths territory.
In late September 2022 Ruben Dixon was named in the talented 2023 Burleigh Bears U16 Cyril Connell Cup representative squad with Ruben Dixon being part of the Bears first 2023 CC Cup trial against the Souths Logan Magpies at Burleigh Juniors at the Annual Titans Super Saturday series of matches.
Round Four of the 2023 U16 Cyril Connell Cup competition saw Ruben Dixon named as the Burleigh Bears 18th man against the Norths Devils however a late change saw Ruben Dixon start from the bench and after coming onto the field in the second half Ruben Dixon scored in the 44th minute.
With the play the ball three metres out from the try line and five metres to the right of the uprights Ruben Dixon ran a hard a straight crash line onto the ball to the left of the play the ball and after crashing into two defenders Ruben Dixon initially was knocked onto his back less than a metre out from the try line but Ruben Dixon had the presence of mind to spin counter clock-wise to his right and put the ball down three metres to the right of the uprights.
Ruben Dixon also came off the bench in Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins before also coming off the bench late in the first half in the Round Seven local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls.
In early October 2022 Jonah Rangiwai was named in the 2023 Tweed Heads Seagulls U16 Cyril Connell Cup squad after a strong 2022 rugby season for both The Southport School (TSS) and the Queensland Reds U15 Rugby Academy.
Jonah Rangiwai’s first match in 2023 came in late January when he lined up for the Tweed Heads Seagulls CC Cup squad in their first 2023 trial against the Souths Logan Magpies at the Logan Metro Sports Complex with Jonah Rangiwai making some strong charges into the heart of the giant Magpies forward pack.
Jonah Rangiwai then started in the front row in the Seagulls second trial against the Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup side at Burleigh Juniors as part of the Titans Annual Super Saturday with Jonah Rangiwai once again proving to be a difficult proposition for the opposition defence to bring him to ground.
After Tweed Heads had a Round One bye Jonah Rangiwai was named on the bench in Round One of the 2023 U16 Cyril Connell Cup against the Brisbane Tigers however a late change saw Jonah Rangiwai start the match in the front row.
Jonah Rangiwai also started in the front row in Round Three against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Jonah Rangiwai making a great charge from the second hit-up of the match with Jonah Rangiwai initially receiving the ball ten metres out and in the centre of the field with Jonah Rangiwai proving to be a real handful for the Dolphins defence as he carried numerous defenders out to the thirty one metre mark with at least 75% of those metres being post contact.
Jonah Rangiwai also started in the front row in Round Five against the Souths Logan Magpies with Jonah Rangiwai held up over the try line in the 46th minute six metres in from the right corner post.
Jonah Rangiwai also started in the front row in Round Six against the Norths Devils with Jonah Rangiwai scoring in the 7th minute when from a Tweed Heads penalty tap restart ten metres out and ten metres in from the right touchline, Jonah Rangiwai charged over the top of a number of Devils defenders to crash over to score.
Earlier Jonah Rangiwai had taken the second hit-up of the match to get the ball to the thirty two metre mark. Then in the 49th minute from the right of the play the ball Jonah Rangiwai charged onto the ball thirty five metres out from the try line and was able to get the ball to the twenty metre mark.
Jonah Rangiwai continued in the front row in the Round Seven local derby against the Burleigh Bears with Jonah Rangiwai taking the second hit-up of the match to get the ball thirty two metres away from the try line with Jonah Rangiwai then awarded a penalty for being held down too long in the tackle.
In early October 2022 Harrison Doherty was named in the 2023 Tweed Heads Seagulls U16 Cyril Connell Cup squad after a strong 2022 campaign which was also Harrison Doherty’s first season on the Gold Coast.
Harrison Doherty’s first match in 2023 came in late January when he lined up for the Tweed Heads Seagulls CC Cup squad in their first 2023 trial against the Souths Logan Magpies CC Cup side at the Logan Metro Sports Complex.
Harrison Doherty was then part of the Seagulls squad for their second trial against the Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup side at Burleigh Juniors as part of the Titans Annual Super Saturday.
After Tweed Heads had a Round One bye Harrison Doherty was named at halfback in Round One of the 2023 U16 Cyril Connell Cup against the Brisbane Tigers with Harrison Doherty converting Dylan Watkins try in the 41st minute from directly in front of the posts.
Harrison Doherty then started from the bench in Round Six against the Norths Devils with Harrison Doherty coming onto the field in the 15th minute to operate in the dummy half role.
Harrison Doherty scored a smart try out of dummy half in the 41st minute when after moving into dummy half with the play the ball nine metres from the try line and less than a metre in from the left touchline, Harrison Doherty initially shaped to pass out of dummy half to hir right before catching the defence completely off guard to dart down the left blindside to dive over untouched in the left corner.
Harrison Doherty then started at hooker in the Round Seven local derby against the Burleigh Bears with Harrison Doherty almost creating something out of nothing in the final minute of the match when from a Seagulls scrum feed thirty metres out and in the centre of the field, Harrison Doherty picked the ball up from the back of the scrum and after running to his right Harrison Doherty put in a right foot chip kick and seemed certain to get the ball back before a Burleigh hand knocked the ball into touch to end the match.
Round One of the 2023 NRRRL First Grade competition sees Tupou Lolohea start from the bench for the Ballina Seagulls against the Cudgen Hornets.
The powerful youngster had an extraordinary 2019 season in the NRRRL competition for the Ballina Seagulls across all three senior grades and had moved to Canberra to play rugby prior to the cessation and subsequent cancellation of football for all codes across the Australian (and world) landscape.
Tupou Lolohea started off the 2019 season in the NRRL U18 competition, before progressing through the NRRRL Reserve Grade competition all the way to the NRRRL First Grade competition with Ballina.
Tupou Lolohea made his First Grade debut in the 2019 NRRRL competition for Ballina in Round One against Kyogle and scored his first tries in Round Seven when he scored a double after starting on the wing against the Tweed Coast Raiders. Tupou Lolohea made his NRRRL First Grade debut after playing in the U18 match earlier in the day.
In total in the 2019 NRRRL First Grade regular season competition Tupou Lolohea played in three matches scoring three tries including his Round Seven double against the Tweed Coast Raiders noted above and also scoring in Round Eight against Northern United.
Tupou Lolohea made his Reserve Grade debut in Round Four scoring against Murwillumbah after playing in the U18 match earlier in the day and he added a double against the Tweed Coast Raiders in early August to have a 100% strike rate in his three 2019 Reserve Grade matches.
In total in the 2019 NRRRL regular season U18 Grade competition Tupou Lolohea played in fifteen matches scoring thirteen tries to finish the regular season with a 86.67% strike rate and was Ballina’s leading try scorer.
Tupou Lolohea scored hat tricks in consecutive rounds being Rounds Two and Three against Casino RSM and Tweed Heads Seagulls respectively and scored at least a try a match through the opening seven rounds, including a Round One double against Kyogle. Tupou Lolohea also scored in Round Seventeen against Tweed Coast.
In Week Two of the NRRRL U18 Finals Tupou Lolohea was part of the Ballina side, starting at right second row that defeated Cudgen 26 – 20 to progress directly to the Grand Final.
In the 2019 NRRRL U18 Grand Final Tupou Lolohea started in the right second row position and terrorised his Cudgen opponents continually throughout the match as Ballina won 24 – 6 drawing away in the second half after a tight first half.
In addition to playing rugby league in the NRRRL competition in 2019 Tupou Lolohea played in the Far North Coast First Grade Rugby competition for Ballina. Playing primarily either right wing (No. 11) or outside centre (No. 13) Tupou Lolohea scored multiple tries including doubles in Rounds Two, Seven, Nine and Fourteen against Southern Cross University , Bangalow, Casino and Casino respectively.
Tupou Lolohea also scored in Round Eight against Byron Bay and Round Ten against Wollongbar Alstonville and Round Seventeen against Byron Bay once again.
In the Far North Coast First Grade Rugby Major Semi-final Tupou Lolohea started at outside centre and was one of Ballina’s try scorers as they went down 55- 14 to Wollongbar Alstonville.
In the Far North Coast First Grade Rugby Preliminary Final Tupou Lolohea was once again at try scorer from outside centre as Ballina bowed out one win short of a Grand Final berth losing to Casuarina.
2019 also saw Tupou Lolohea selected to represent the U20 New South Wales Country Colts Cockatoos.
Tupou Lolohea also played ten matches in the Far North Coast First Grade Rugby competition in 2018, starting nine and coming off the bench in the other and like this season normally lining up for Ballina on the right wing but spent more and more time at outside centre as the 2018 season reached its conclusion.
Tupou Lolohea in 2019 and for that matter 2018 regularly played rugby for Ballina in the Far North Coast Rugby First Grade competition on the Saturday before backing up on Sunday for Ballina in the NRRRL Rugby League competition and then normally starting the U18 match before backing up for either the First Grade (on the majority of occasions) or Reserve Grade match as well.
In March 2023 Qwayde Whakatihi was named in the Gold Coast Touch Association U16A Representative Squad.
The local junior plays for the Southport Tigers in the Gold Coast Junior Rugby League competition and also attends Titans partnered Keebra Park State High School as part of the Elite Rugby League Academy program.
Qwayde Whakatihi represented the South Coast U15 School Boy Touch side at the 2022 Queensland Championships and was subsequently named in the Queensland side for the Australian Championships.
2021 saw Qwayde Whakatihi represent Queensland in the National Indigenous Touch Championships.
In 2020 Qwayde Whakatihi played for Keebra Park State High School in the school boy Bronco’s Old Boys Cup Rugby League competition, starting in the final against Marsden State High School, with Keebra Park going down 26 – 6 to their fellow Titans partnered school.
In 2020 Qwayde Whakatihi also played touch and was part of the SQBD Sharks U12 side that took part in the 2020 NYC Boys Tournament and was part of the Sharks side that won the Final 4 – 3 against the BC Cobra’s, scoring one of the Sharks tries in the Final.
In addition to his try in the Tournament Final, Qwayde Whakatihi scored in Round One against the CQ Bulls, Round Two against the SWQ Swans and Round Four against the NQ Cyclones.
In 2022 Ryder Nelson played for the Mullumbimby Giants in the Group 18 U14 competition with Ryder Nelson being named the 2022 Mullumbimby Giants U14 Best Attacking Player after a stellar campaign which saw Ryder Nelson one of the top if not the top try scorer in the entire Group 18 U14 competition.
Ryder Nelson also played rugby league for Mullumbimby High School in 2022 and in the U14 Buckley Shield School Boy Rugby League Competition Ryder Nelson recorded an eighty metre intercept try against Newcastle’s Kurri Kurri High School.
Ryder Nelson also represented Mullumbimby High School and with fellow 2022 Titans JTS U14 Group 18 Elite Academy squad member Aiden Gersh was a member of the winning U14 4 x 100 relay team at the North Coast Athletics Carnival. Ryder Nelson along with Aiden Gersh then went on to run the U14 4 x 100 metre relay event at the New South Wales Schools Athletic Championships.
Ryder Nelson also played for the Mullumbimby Giants in 2021 in the Group 18 U13 competition with Ryder Nelson receiving the Best and Fairest Award at the 2021 Mullumbimby Colts U13 Awards Presentation. Like in 2022 Ryder Nelson was also one of the top try scorers in the 2021 Group 18 U13 competition.
In early March 2023 Rory McInnes was named at halfback in the Lismore Diocesan U15 School Boy Rugby League Representative Team to attend the Northern Country selection trials at South West Rocks out of Casino.
Rory McInnes played the 2022 season with Casino RSM in the Group One U14 competition with Rory McInnes starting the Grand Final at halfback and captain with Rory McInnes leading from the front and scoring a smart try as Casino RSM defeated the Ballina Seagulls 32 – 20 in the hotly contested Premiership decider.
In addition to his Grand Final try in 2022 in the Group One U14 competition Rory McInnes also scored against the Marist Rams Lismore in Round Six of the 2022 Group One U14 competition.
Rory McInnes also played for Casino RSM in 2021 in the Group One U13 competition with Rory McInnes finishing the season with an individual points haul of forty six points from ten tries and three conversions which Rory McInnes kicked in Round Two against the Kyogle Turkeys, Round Five against the Clarence Coast Magpies and Round Ten against the Marist Rams.
Rory McInnes scored a hat trick in Round Three against the Marist Rams and added a double in Round Seven against the Clarence Coast Magpies. Rory McInnes also scored against the Kyogle Turkeys in Rounds Two and Nine, against the Marist Rams in Rounds Six and Ten and in Round Five against the Clarence Coast Magpies.
Rory McInnes also played at halfback for Casino RSM in the 2020 Group One U12 competition with Rory McInnes scoring against the South Grafton Rebels in Rounds Six and Ten with Rory McInnes also scoring in Round Six against the Clarence Coast Magpies.
Rory McInnes also kicked two conversions in 2020 with the first of those conversions coming in Round One against the Ballina Seagulls with Rory McInnes’s other conversion coming in Round Six against the Kyogle Turkeys.
Good to see Titans contracted Jeriah Vagana-Malaitai named on the Ipswich Jets extended bench for their MM Cup semi-final against the Townsville Blackhawks.
After Ipswich had a Round One bye Jeriah Vagana-Malatai was named on the Jets extended bench for Round One of the 2023 U18 Mal Meninga Cup competition against the Sunshine Coast Falcons as well as in Round Three against the Western Clydesdales with a late change seeing Jeriah Vagana-Malatai starting the Round Three match on the wing.
Jeriah Vagana-Malatai was then named on the Jets extended bench for Round Four against the Wide Bay Bulls however a late change saw Jeriah Vagana-Malatai start at fullback in the Jets strong win.
Gold Coast Titans contracted Devin Bates-Wellington was recently named in the 2023 Gold Coast Touch Association U16B representative side.
I am a big proponent of young players playing multiple sports to develop their all-round skill set.
Cooper Young is a young front rower originally from Beenleigh SHS is currently on a Rugby League Scholarship at the Titans partnered Marsden SHS with Cooper Young recently named in the Met East U15 QSSRL School Boy Rugby League squad.
Even though he is still U15 eligible in 2023 Cooper Young started the season off as part of the Wynnum Manly Seagulls U16 Cyril Connell Cup squad with Cooper Young starting Round One from the bench against the Burleigh Bears.
Cooper Young, after also coming off the bench in Round Two, made his first start in Round Three against the Souths Logan Magpies when Cooper Young started in the front row. Cooper Young then maintained his place in the Seagulls starting side in the front row for the next two rounds before Cooper Young finished the 2023 CC Cup competition coming off the bench in Round Seven against the Redcliffe Dolphins.
Cooper Young celebrated his Round Three starting debut by scoring for Wynnum Manly in the 36th minute of Round Three against the Souths Logan Magpies when after receiving an off-load from his halfback from his left, Cooper Young crashed over from six metres out between two Magpies defenders to get the ball down three metres to the left of the goal posts.
2023 also sees Cooper Young play for Marsden SHS in the Walters Cup School By Rugby League competition.
. 2023 will see Eli Tuli likely start the season in the Tweed Heads Seagulls Hastings Deering’s Colts squad after Eli Tuli played a number of matches in the Colts competition for the Seagulls in 2022, but Eli Tuli is also spent parts of the 2022/23 off-season training with the Seagulls Queensland Cup squad. Impressively Elu Tuli is also Colts eligible for the 2024 season.
In late 2022 Eli Tuli was named in the 2023 Tweed Heads Seagulls Hastings Deering’s Colts squad after playing a number of Colts matches towards the end of the season for the Seagulls in 2022 when Eli Tuli was still U18 MM Cup eligible.
The powerfully built, hard running front rower or second rower was in late 2021 named in the 2022 Tweed Heads Seagulls U18 MM Cup squad.
Round One of the 2022 MM Cup competition saw Eli Tuli named at right second row for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Souths Logan Magpies with Eli Tuli making a strong run of twelve metres down the right channel to get the ball around thirty metres from the Seagulls try line in the 58th minute.
Eli Tuli was also named at right second row for Round Two against the Redcliffe Dolphins and after the Seagulls had a Round Three bye, Eli Tuli moved to the bench for Round Four against the Easts Tigers with Eli Tuli coming onto the field mid-way through the first half to operate at right second row and in the 23rd minute made a great line break when he ran a great inside shoulder route from a good short ball from his right from Reico Ratana, going straight through two defenders and got over the line directly under the posts but three defenders held him up.
The 44th minute saw another strong run from Eli Tuli when down the left channel he made sixteen metres to get the ball to ten metres out from the try line. Eli Tuli then made another great eighteen metre charge from the kick-off to Will Saunders 45th minute try, getting the ball to the twenty metre line and then two tackles later Eli Tuli made a further twelve metres to get the ball to the halfway mark.
Eli Tuli was also named on the bench for Round Five against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls coming on mid-way through the first half to play left second row and also was named to come off the bench in Round Six against the Norths Devils but in a tactical change Eli Tuli moved into the starting side in the front row late in the week.
Eli Tuli had easily his best match of the season with some great charges including in the 45th minute when from the right of the dummy half Eli Tuli charged onto the ball forty metres out from the line and was able to get the ball within twenty five metres of the try line before the Devils defence was eventually able to get him to ground.
Eli Tuli made a further great charge in the 49th minute when he ran back underneath Josh Lynn from thirty five metres out to get the ball inside the attacking twenty metre mark and directly in front of the posts after beating two tackles along the way.
As a result of his outstanding performance Eli Tuli was named on the bench in the MM Cup Round Six Courier Mail Team of the Week in Round Six.
Eli Tuli was then named in the front row in the Round Seven local derby against the Burleigh Bears with Eli Tuli taking the first hit-up of the match from the kick-off to get the highly competitive match underway.
Eli Tuli made some great charges in the match with one of the best coming in the 66th minute when Eli Tuli made a tough twenty five metres that started with a crafty left foot step with Eli Tuli getting to within twelve metres of the try line before being brought to ground by multiple Burleigh defenders.
The just three minutes later in the 69th minute Eli Tuli was at it again making nineteen more metres by way of two left foot steps with the run starting just twenty metres out from his own line.
Eli Tuli also had an outstanding defensive match including in the 14th minute when he along with Reico Ratana hit one of the Burleigh forwards front on in a crunching tackle just ten metres out from the try line with the heavy initial contact forcing the ball loose.
Deservedly Eli Tuli was named on the bench in the Round Seven Courier Mail MM Cup Team of the Week.
Eli Tuli made his Hastings Deering’s Colts debut in Round Twelve of the 2022 competition when he came off the bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Redcliffe Dolphins coming onto the field to operate at right second row in the 27th minute of the match.
Eli Tuli played his second Colts match when he also started from the bench for the Seagulls in Round Seventeen against the Easts Tigers.
Week One of the 2022 Hastings Deering’s Colts Final saw Eli Tuli start from the bench in the Elimination Final against the Easts Tigers once again with Eli Tuli coming close to scoring in the 39th minute when Eli Tuli was held up five metres to the left of the uprights after a strong charge with the ball from around eight metres out.
Then in the 48th minute Eli Tuli made a great charge from the kick-off to Jaylan De Groot’s try with Eli Tuli getting the ball over the thirty metre mark. Eli Tuli then made another strong charge in the 56th minute to the left of the play the ball with Eli Tuli able to make thirteen metres to get the ball to within twenty metres of the try line.
In May 2022 Eli Tuli played for the South Coast U18 Representative School Boy side at the QSSRL Championships and finished as South Coast’s leading try scorer with three tries across two matches.
Round One of the 2022 Langer Cup School Boy Rugby League competition saw Eli Tuli start in the front row Keebra Park State High School against Ipswich State High School.
Eli Tuli was then named on the bench for Round Two against Coombabah State High School with Eli Tuli coming on to operate in the front row in the 17th minute with Eli Tuli’s first run coming almost immediately when he took the second hit-up after a Keebra Park SHS try.
Eli Tuli scored in the 21st minute when from thirty metres out he ran an underneath route from the from the right of the play the ball cutting back to the area behind the play the ball and running straight over the top of the Coombabah SHS fullback to score three metres in from the left corner.
Eli Tuli could easily have scored a second try in the 24th minute but after running a straight crash line from close range Eli Tuli was held up over the line.
Eli Tuli was also involved in Xavier Asi’s 34th minute try when after good work to his right from Arama Hau Eli Tuli executed a lightening quick catch and pass to his left to put Xavier Asi space who then raced thirty metres to score in the left corner.
Eli Tuli was also named to continue off the bench in Round Three against Marsden State High School with Eli Tuli coming onto the field in the 18th minute, scoring around a metre later in the 19th minute when he charged onto the ball from the dummy half from close range with Eli Tuli spinning counter clockwise right on the try line to get the ball down four metres to the right of the uprights.
Eli Tuli then recorded a 28th minute line break of forty five metres after Eli Tuli was put through a gap thirty metres out from his own try line by way of a great inside ball from Wailer Whaiapu with Eli Tuli’s run coming to an end twenty metres out and directly in front of the posts.
Eli Tuli’s performance against Marsden SHS was such that Eli Tuli was named on the bench in the Courier Mail School Boy Langer Cup Round Three Team of the Week.
Eli Tuli moved into the starting side in the front row in Round Four against Wavell State High School in a match that was played as a curtain raiser to the Titans v Bronco’s NRL match with Eli Tuli scoring a powerhouse try in the 48th minute when Eli Tuli took possession ten metres out and to the left of the paly the ball with Eli Tuli then stepping off his left foot to cut back towards the play the ball and power his way towards the try line. Initially Eli Tuli as held up over the try line but Eli Tuli as able to spin around onto his back and get the ball down with his right arm.
Eli Tuli also started in the front row in Round Five against Redcliffe State High School as well as in the Round Six local derby against PBC SHS with Eli Tuli making a twelve metre run down the left channel in the 58th minute to get the ball deep into PBC SHS territory.
Round Seven of the Langer Cup competition saw Eli Tuli start from the bench against Mabel Park SHS with Eli Tuli coming desperately close to scoring in the 18th minute when after backing up a line break through the centre of the field by Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki, Eli Tuli looked certain to score but the ball was knocked out of Eli Tuli’s hands as he was diving over the try line under the posts.
Eli Tuli then started in the front row in Keebra Park SHS’s Langer Cup Quarter Final against Marymount College with Eli Tuli making a strong run of ten metres in the 3rd minute from a Keebra Park SHS penalty tap restart through the centre of the field.
Eli Tuli also started in the front row in the 2022 Langer Cup Semi-Final against PBC SHS with Eli Tuli scoring a great solo try in the 42nd minute when from two passes to the left of the play the ball and twenty two metres out, Eli Tuli burst onto the ball charging through a gap. Eli Tuli then stepped off his left foot and ran straight over the top of the PBC SHS fullback to get the ball down seven metres to the left of the uprights.
At the 2022 Keebra Park SHS Rugby League Specialisation Awards, Eli Tuli was named on the bench in the 2022 Keebra Park SHS Rugby League Team of the Year.
Eli Tuli made an immediate impact in the Seagulls Black and White when Eli Tuli was involved in the Seagulls first trial of 2022 when Tweed Heads took on the Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad at Pizzey Park.
Eli Tuli then started at right second row for Burleigh’s early February 2022 trial against the Burleigh Bears with Eli Tuli taking the Seagulls opening hit-up of the match from a penalty restart after Jett Forbes had been hit high returning a kick after the Magpies had kicked downfield after the opening set of six tackles after the kick-off.
Eli Tuli started the 2021 season as a seventeen year old as part of the Souths Logan Magpies U18 MM Cup squad, starting Round One against The Burleigh Bears on the bench. Eli Tuli also started from the bench in Rounds Two and Three against the Tweed Heads Seagulls and Ipswich Jets respectively.
Eli Tuli broke into the Souths Logan starting line-up in the second row in Round Four against the Burleigh Bears. After missing Round Five against Tweed Heads Eli Tuli also started in the second row in Round Six against the Ipswich Jets and scored his first try of the season when he crossed in the 46th minute.
2021 also saw Eli Tuli play for Titans partnered Marsden State High School in the school boy Langer Cup competition with some devastating results including an inspired performance against Wavell State High School in Round Three of the Langer Reserve competition, all most single handedly leading Marsden State High School to an 18 -12 victory with Eli Tuli powering his way over the try line early in the second half.
In 2020 Eli Tuli was contracted to the Parramatta Eels, attending a number of Development Camps with the Eels and in 2019 Eli Tuli represented Met East at the U15 QSSRL Championships in the second row and was subsequently named in the Queensland Maroon representative side for the U15 ASSRL Championships also in the second row.
Round Three of the 2022 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition saw Taine Ujdur-Berghan named on the Tweed Heads Seagulls extended bench for their Round Three away match against the Townsville Blackhawks however late in the week, Taine Ujdur-Berghan was promoted to the starting side at five eight with Taine Ujdur-Berghan scoring six of the Seagulls ten points from a try and a conversion from the right side line in the first half to convert a Jake Field intercept try.
Taine Ujdur-Berghan literally scored from the final play of the match when from thirty five metres out Taine Ujdur-Berghan ran onto an inside pass from Chalrie Murray and subsequently bursting through the defensive line. To beat the fullback Taine Ujdur-Berghan dimmied to his left before diving over ten metres in from the left corner post.
Round Four against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls saw Taine Ujdur-Berghan on the move to start at hooker and also started at hooker in Round Six against the Northern Pride.
Taine Ujdur-Berghan also started at hooker in the rescheduled Round One match against the Norths Devils and scored in the 14th minute when after moving into dummy half five metres out and five metres in from the right touchline Taine Ujdur-Berghan ran to his right and forced his way over.
Taine Ujdur-Berghan made multiple good runs out of dummy half including in the 11th minute when he ran to his right making fourteen metres before being tackled right on the halfway mark.
Round Eight against the Western Clydesdales saw Taine Ujdur-Berghan start at hooker before he started Round Nine against the Ipswich Jets at lock before starting Round Ten against the Mackay Cutters at halfback.
Taine Ujdur-Berghan moved back to hooker for the rescheduled Round Seven match against the Souths Logan Magpies.
Taine Ujdur-Berghan was on the move once again for Round Eleven against the Central Queensland Capra’s starting at five eight and scoring in the 39th minute when after lock Jordan Lewis put in a great short chip kick from forty five metres out down a very short right blindside, Malakhi Donovan took possession near the right touchline and got the ball inside to Taine Ujdur-Berghan who immediately cut back towards the touchline to get the ball over the try line in the left corner.
Taine Ujdur-Berghan also recorded a try assist in the match when in the 42nd minute he back up a Jotham Russell line break to receive the off-load before drawing the Capra’s fullback and passing to Jaylan De Groot who raced twenty metres to score under the posts.
Taine Ujdur-Berghan then moved to halfback for Round Twelve against the Redcliffe Dolphins.
Taine Ujdur-Berghan was on the move again in Round Thirteen against the Sunshine Coast Falcons starting the match at five eight and kicking three conversions in a tight four point loss.
In 2021 Taine Ujdur-Berghan was part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls Hastings Deering’s Colts squad and started from the bench in the No. 1 jersey in their final 2021 trial against the Burleigh Bears. When Taine Ujdur-Berghan came into the match late in the first half he moved into the dummy half role.
Round Two of the 2021 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition saw Taine Ujdur-Berghan start at half for the Seagulls as they defeated Burleigh in the local derby 32 – 24.
Taine Ujdur-Berghan wasted no time becoming involved in the match being involved with Caleb Hodges in Burleigh’s first tackle of the match when they tackled Bears five eight Byron Vaovosa who was returning the Seagulls first kick.
Taine Udjur-Berghan’s next involvement was even more telling when in the 5th minute in put up a high bomb from thirty metres out which Jojo Fifita took on the full to scramble over to score in the left corner.
Taine Udjur-Berghan also started at halfback in Round Three against the Redcliffe Dolphins and in Round Four against the Ipswich Jets, a match which saw him score in the Seagulls 24 – 12 victory.
Taine Udjur-Berghan moved to five eight for Round Five against the Northern Pride before starting on the bench in Round Eight against the Mackey Cutters and Taine Udjar-Berghan also started on the bench in Round Nine against Wynnum Manly.
After missing a number of rounds, Taine Udjur-Berghan came off the bench in Round Fourteen against the Western Mustangs and also came off the bench in the Seagulls Week One Final against the Souths Logan Magpies.
Taine Ujdur-Berghan started Round One of the 2020 MM Cup competition for the Tweed Heads Seagulls at half back against the Northern Pride and scored in the Seagulls big first up victory, which unfortunately ended up being the only round of the 2020 season after the MM Cup competition was cancelled due to Covid 19.
Also in 2020 Taine Ujdur-Berghan was part of the PBC Langer Cup Open A squad, where he operated in the starting side, primarily in the dummy half role. In PBC’s first trial after the Covid 19 pandemic, Taine Ujdur-Berghan started at five eight for the PBC A side that played against the PBC B side.
Taine Ujdur-Berghan started Round One of the Langer Cup at hooker as PBC took on Ipswich State High School but is his second stint on the field in the second half spent time playing as a running forward on the right side of the field.
Taine Ujdur-Berghan also started at hooker in Round Two against Wavell State High School and in Round Three against St Mary’s Toowoomba, in the Round Four local derby against Keebra Park and in Round Five against Marsden State High School.
Taine Ujdur-Berghan also started at hooker for PBC as they qualified for the 2020 Langer Cup final on the back of an impressive 34 – 6 victory over Ipswich State High School scoring late in the second half.
With PBC on the attack on the left side of the field, Taine Ujdur-Berghan got into dummy half twelve metres out from the line, darting out of dummy half to his right catching the defence back peddling. Taine Ujdur-Berghan got down low when he was close to the line burrowing down low to get the ball down under pressure from two defenders.
Taine Ujdur-Berghan started the 2020 Langer Cup Grand Final at hooker for PBC as they defeated Keebra Park 16 – 8 in a high quality match.
In the Queensland School Boys Final against Kirwan State High School Taine Ujdur-Berghan started at hooker as PBC travelled to take on their North Queensland based opponents only to go down 24 – 20 in a tough match.
Taine Ujdur-Berghan started Round One of the 2019 GCRL U18 Division One competition for Nerang but with their demise moved to Burleigh, starting with their U18 Division Two side, spending time at fullback, hooker and half over the course of the 2019 season.
Taine Ujdur-Berghan made his first start for the Burleigh U18 Division Two side in Round Two against Tugun, scoring in their draw. In total Taine Ujdur-Berghan played in eight 2019 U18 Division Two regular season matches and three Division One matches.
In addition to his debut try in Round Two, Taine Ujdur-Berghan also scored in Rounds Three and Eight against the Runaway Bay Seagulls and Currumbin Eagles respectively in the 2019 U18 Division Two competition.
In Week Two of the 2019 GCRL U18 Division Two Finals Taine Ujdur-Berghan started at hooker against Currumbin and then was on the bench for the Burleigh U18 Division One side in their Week Two Final win against Southport and also started at hooker in the Grand Final as Burleigh defeated Robina.
For the 2019 Burleigh U18 Division One side Taine Ujdur-Berghan primarily came off the bench playing in a variety of roles including in the halves (half and five eight) and hooker, in total playing three matches in that competition for the Bears with those matches coming against Helensvale, Runaway Bay and Bilambil.
Taine Ujdur-Berghan was also a more than solid performer for the PBC Open rugby league side in 2019 including starting at five eight in the Langer Cup local derby against Keebra Park and also starting at five eight in PBC’s heart breaking Gold Point GIO Cup Queensland semi-final 23 – 22 loss to Marsden State High School.
Late in 2018 Taine Ujdur-Berghan was part of the Titans U16 squad that played matches in September against PNG and New South Wales Country U16 sides in northern New South Wales, finishing with one win and one loss.
Taine Ujdur-Berghan started Round One of the 2018 GCRL U16 Division One competition at five eight for Nerang as they defeated Runaway Bay 60 – 0 with centre Trey Peni scoring four tries in that match. Fellow PBC Year Ten student Jaiden West also scored for Nerang in the Round One match.
Post that Round One match, Taine Ujder-Berghan played in an additional eight matches for Nerang scoring two regular season tries, with the first coming in Round Six in a 32 – 8 win over Helensvale. Taine Ujdur-Berghan’s other try came two rounds later against Runaway Bay.
Taine Ujder-Berghan missed a portion of the GCRL U16 Division One Finals series but did start at five eight for the Roosters in the Grand Final as they defeated Currumbin 24 – 8.
In 2017 Taine Ujdur-Berghan played in thirteen matches in the GCRL U15 Division One competition for the Nerang Roosters scoring a solitary try which came around mid-season against the Currumbin Eagles.
Nash Brackenrig has moved up from Canberra where he played for Goulburn Stockmen and this weekend will start in the front row for the Tweed Heads Seagulls NRRRL U18 side in Round One against the Casino Cougars.
Titans contracted Noah Waldock who earlier this year played a number of matches for the Titans U17 side on the right wing will start at five eight for the Ballina Seagulls in this weekend's Round One of the NRRRL U18 competition against the Casino Cougars.
Micah Leaupepe-Perkins will start at fullback this weekend in Round One of the NRRRL U18 competition for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Casino Cougars.
This young man is absolutely electric.
Damon Somerville, the former Titans Development Squad member is lining up for the Burleigh Bears in the 2023 season.
In mid-February 2022 Damon Somerville started from the bench for the Burleigh Queensland Cup side in the Bears first 2022 trial against the Fiji Silktails at Pizzey Park.
Round One of the 2022 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition saw Damon Somerville named at left centre for the Burleigh Bears as they got their season underway against the Redcliffe Dolphins and was also named to start at left centre in the Round Seven local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls however Damon Somerville was a late scratching from the match.
After missing a number of rounds Damon Somerville was back at left centre in the Round Fourteen local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Damon Somerville scoring in the 29th minute when after receiving the ball twelve metres out, Damon Somerville was able to get on the outside of his opposite number and then hold him off with Damon Somerville scoring in the left corner.
Damon Somerville’s first 2022 hit-out came in the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts sides first trial in late January when he started in at left centre in a trial match against a Titans U19 side at Pizzey Park.
Damon Somerville also started at left centre in Burleigh’s first official 2022 trial against the Tweed Heads Seagulls recording a try assist in the 25th minute when after he engaged the defensive line around thirty five metres out, Ezra Ubaldino got a great left arm off-load away whilst still engaged with a defender toi his support to put them over under the posts.
After missing significant time through injury it was great to see Damon Somerville start on the right wing for the Burleigh Bears Hastings Deering’s Colts side in their 2021 Round Seventeen victory against Ipswich with Damon Somerville celebrating has return with a double.
Damon Somerville only had to wait until the 5th minute to cross the line. The play that led to Damon Somerville’s opening try started inside Bureigh territory when Tuvalli Khan-Pereira burst through the Ipswich left sided defensive line. It initially looked as if Tuvalli Khan-Pereira was going to pass to his inside but at the last minute passed to his right to Damon Somerville. Damon Somerville skipped out of a tackle metres from the right corner post and then was able to bring the ball around to put it down under the posts.
Damon Somerville’s second try came in the 50th minute and it will be one of the easier ones that he scores. Tuvalli Khan-Pereira did well on the inside, drawing in the Ipswich left winger and passing to Damon Somerville who jogged over from seven metres out, putting the ball down under absolutely no pressure.
The match also saw Damon Somerville record a try assist in the 23rd minute for Cameron Brown. In fact Cameron Brown started the movement from just inside his own territory when he threw a cut-out pass to his right to put Tuvalli Khan-Pereira into a gap. Tuvalli Khan-Pereira subsequently got the ball away to Damon Somerville who then passed inside to Cameron Brown who raced away to score under the posts.
Damon Somerville also made a line break in the 38th minute when from a Burleigh scrum win, Damon Somerville looped around to the left side of the field, breaking through the line before getting the ball away to Cameron Brown who subsequently off-loaded to Tony Francis who made twenty metres down the left touchline.
Damon Somerville then moved to left centre for the rescheduled Round Thirteen match against the Sunshine Coast Falcons with Damon Somerville scoring in the 22nd minute of the match.
Damon Somerville continued at left centre in Round Fourteen against the Northern Pride setting up one try and making a long line break.
In the 12th minute Damon Somerville ran the ball down the left side of the field after a Burleigh scrum win, getting on the outside of his opposite number before drawing the Northern Pride right winger to put Tony Francis over in the left corner.
Damon Somerville almost set up another Burleigh try in the 29th minute when after making a break down the left touchline he kicked back inside before going into touch but the ball just went dead in goal before the Burleigh chasers could get to it.
Damon Somerville’s line break came in the 38th minute. With the Northern Pride on the attack they moved the ball to their right with Damon Somerville coming out of the line to take an intercept ten metres from his own line and raced sixty metres downfield before being tackled from behind with unfortunately coming loose when he hit the ground.
Damon Somerville’s first hit out of the 2020 season was when was involved for the Burleigh MM Side in their trial against the Easts Tigers. Damon Somerville was probably Burleigh’s best in the trial where he played in the centres, primarily left centre.
Damon Somerville started Round One of the 2020 MM Cup competition for the Burleigh Bears at left centre against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with the Bears going down 28 – 16 to Wynnum Manly in what ended up being the one and only MM Cup Round of the 2020 season.
Also in 2020 Damon Somerville was part of the PBC Langer Cup Open A school boy rugby league squad, where he operated primarily at right centre. Damon Somerville was in fact the PBC rugby league captain.
In late 2019 Damon Somerville was named in the 2020 U18 Queensland Emerging Origin Squad highlighting his ability and standing in the game.
Damon Somerville started the 2019 season with Burleigh in the MM Cup competition, playing in all six of their matches, spending time at both centre and second row. Damon Somerville started in the centres in Rounds One and Five against Norths and Souths Logan respectively, starting in the second row in his remaining four fixtures.
Damon Somerville ended the 2019 MM Cup campaign with two tries with those tries coming in Round Two against Ipswich and Round Four against the Townsville Blackhawks.
Damon Somerville also was part of the South Coast U18 QSSRL side but unfortunately was injured in the QSSRL U18 Championships.
Damon Somerville was also part of the Burleigh U18 Division One side this season but only played a limited number of matches as a result of the arm injury suffered playing for South Coast.
Damon Somerville started in the centres in his first U18 Division One match of the 2019 season in Round Ten and scoring against Currumbin. Damon Somerville moved to fullback for Round Eleven against Runaway Bay, scoring as well in that match and made it three from three when he scored in Round Twelves whilst playing in the centres against Helensvale.
Damon Somerville moved to the second row for Round Thirteen against Bilambil but that did not scoring his scoring run scoring for the 4th match in a row.
In Week Two of the U18 Division One Finals series Damon Somerville started in the centres for Burleigh in their victory 34 – 8 against Southport to progress directly to the Grand Final contributing a try to the dominating victory.
Damon Somerville was outstanding from the right second row position in the Grand Final for Burleigh scoring an outstanding solo try that showcased power running and a strong fend as he beat at least four Southport defenders to score. Burleigh went on to win the Grand Final 28 – 12.
Thirty metres out from the Southport line Damon Somerville received the ball from Titan Ryan Rivett and immediately straightened up his running line and then stepped off his left foot to create space to his right and on the outside of the immediate Tigers defender, breaking the attempted jersey tackle by the Southport left centre and then immediately stepping to beat a second defender and then beating a third with strength before dragging two defenders over the line with him to score an outstanding solo try ten metres in from the left touch line.
With his finals tries and those in his three U18 Division One regular season rounds, Damon Somerville scored a try in each of his six 2019 matches.
The 2018 Queensland U16 Emerging Origin Squad member was part of the PBC Rugby League Excellence Program and has been a Burleigh Heads Junior his entire career. Damon Somerville’s younger brother Kaden is contracted to the Titans.
Damon Somerville was an ever present for the PBC side in 2018 playing a key role for the PBC Open side that won the National GIO Cup competition. Damon Somerville primarily came off the bench for PBC playing left second row when he came on.
Damon Somerville in 2018 played four matches in the GCRL U16 Division One competition for Burleigh and certainly made an impact on his way to scoring five tries, including a hat trick against Mudgeeraba and tries against Nerang and Currumbin.
Damon Somerville also played one match at the U17 Division One level which was against Mudgeeraba in May 2018. In that match Damon Somerville was one of the Burleigh try scorers.
Damon Somerville first wore a Titans jersey in 2014 when he started at five eight for the Titans U13 Development Squad in a match against a Toowoomba U14 selection and that morning at Pizzey park he cut Toowoomba apart including scoring a try under the posts with a great show and go splitting the Toowoomba defence from about 40 metres out.
Earlier in the 2018 season Damon Somerville was part of the Gold Coast Vikings side that played in the South East Queensland U16 pre-season competition. In 2017 Damon Somerville was part of the South Coast U15 side that competed in the U15 QSSRL competition, playing four matches in the centres and from there was selected in the U15 Queensland Maroon side for the U15 ASSRL Championships.
For the Queensland Maroon U15 ASSRL side, Damon Somerville played in four matches and scored against Queensland White and ACT.
In 2014 Damon Somerville was part of the Queensland Rugby League U12 side which was the first of many representative sides that Damon Somerville has made. A team mate in that side was Titans contracted and fellow PBC student Ediq Ambrosyev. Damon Somerville has also represented Gold Coast Viking at the U13 and U14 levels to round out an extensive representative junior rugby league resume.
Shallin Fuller, the former Titans Development contracted player is lining up for the Burleigh Bears in the 2023 season.
Impressively Shallin Fuller on 1 November 2021 commenced the 2022 NRL pre-season with the Titans NRL squad and was due to spend the following two seasons training full-time with the Titans NRL squad as part of his Titans NRL Development contract however Shallin Fuller ultimately spent time training with the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs.
Shallin Fuller started the Titans first 2022 NRL trial against the Brisbane Bronco’s at Cbus Stadium from the bench coming on at halftime to play in the halves.
In the 50th minute Shallin Fuller recorded a try assist when from ten metres out he took the ball to the right before cutting quickly back towards the play the ball and pass in the same direction to put Esan Marsters over.
In total in his forty metres on the field Shallin Fuller ran for eighteen metres, played the ball at an average speed of 5.12 seconds and made seven tackles.
Shallin Fuller was named on the bench for the Burleigh Bears in late February 2022 in their first Queensland Cup trial against the Easts Tigers also starting from the bench for the Burleigh One side in their early March trial against the Tweed Heads Seagulls. Unfortunately Shallin Fuller suffered a serious leg injury in the match and was out for an extended period of time.
In 2021 Shallin Fuller split time between the Burleigh Bears Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade side and the Burleigh Bears Queensland Cup side.
For Burleigh in the Queensland Cup Shallin Fuller played in twelve matches after making his debut at halfback in Round Eight against the Townsville Blackhawks with his final match of the 2021 Queensland Cup season coming in Round Twenty Two when he came off the bench.
In total in his twelve 2021 Queensland Cup matches, Shallin Fuller scored seven tries (58.33% strike rate), ran for 828 metres at an average of sixty eight metres per game, made 140 tackles at a solid tackling efficiency of 88% and 11.6 tackles per game and kicked for 1 763 metres at an average of 147 metres per game. Shallin Fuller also broke eighteen tackles, had fourteen try assists, twelve line break assists and impressively also forced seven line drop outs.
Below is a description of Shallin Fuller’s 2021 Queensland Cup tries for Burleigh to enable an understanding of what Titans fans can expect from Shallin Fuller in 2022:
In the 45th minute against the Norths Devils When defending on the right side of the Burleigh defensive line, Shallin Fuller correctly anticipated a pass from Devils hooker Dani Levi, intercepting the pass fifty two metres out and then Shallin Fuller was simply too fast and raced away to score under the posts.
In the 60th minute against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls Shallin Fuller backed up on the inside and to the right of a Burleigh break but the pass was low, instead of trying to make an impossible catch, Shallin Fuller kicked the ball through to regather. As he approached the Seagulls fullback and with the cover defence converging on both side, Shallin Fuller dummied to both his left and right and then was able to reach out to get the ball down with his right arm in a tackle from the fullback with Shallin Fuller getting the ball down five metres from the right goal post.
Against the Ipswich Jets Shallin Fuller whilst operating on the right received the ball twenty five metres out and put in a right foot grubber kick to his right. The ball took a perfect bounce to the left just as the Jets fullback was looking to retrieve the ball two metres from the try line and Shallin Fuller was able to run through, collect the ball and dive over.
Shallin Fuller also scored from a grubber kick for himself against the Easts Tigers when from fifteen metres out and once again on the right, Shallin Fuller was able to collect the ball in space and put the ball down under the posts.
It was the same again against the PNG Hunters but this time Shallin Fuller was operating on the left when he put through a short grubber kick from eighteen metres out for himself with Shallin Fuller once again first to the ball and was able to dive over ten metres in from the left corner.
Against the Central Queensland Capra’s Shallin Fuller backed up a break out of dummy half by Pat Politini to the left of the play the ball with Shallin Fuller receiving the off-load fifteen metres out. Shallin Fuller then stepped off his left to beat the Capra’s fullback and then he was able to bring the ball around to score under the posts.
Shallin Fuller’s seventh try of the 2021 Queensland Cup season came against the Townsville Blackhawks when he followed through a Josh Rogers grubber kick. The ball came off the foot of a Blackhawks defender still ten metres from the line but Shallin Fuller picked the ball up off the ground at full speed and was able to dive over under the posts.
Below is a description of some of Shallin Fuller’s 2021 Queensland Cup try assists for Burleigh:
Against the Ipswich Jets Shallin Fuller was operating on the left side of the field and received the ball ten metres from the line and threw a long cut-out over the top pass to put his left winger over in the corner.
Against the Central Queensland Capra’s Shallin Fuller set up two tries for Josh Rogers. The first was as a result of Shallin Fuller running the ball to his left and when he was twenty metres out, Shallin Fuller double pumped when looking to pass to his left to put Josh Rogers over. In the same match Shallin Fuller put in a short grubber kick inside the Burleigh attacking twenty metre zone and Josh Rogers was on the spot to collect the ball and cross the line.
Against the Souths Logan Magpies in the 72nd minute Shallin Fuller received the ball around ten metres out to the right of the play the ball and as he approached the defensive line diagonally, Shallin Fuller grubber kicked back across the body to his left with the Burleigh chaser on hand to collect the ball and dive over under the posts.
Against the Redcliffe Dolphins Shallin Fuller received the ball two passes to the left of the play the ball on the left side of the field and when he was twenty metres out threw a long high cut-out pass to put his left winger into space and the winger was able to dive over in the left corner under heavy pressure from the Dolphins cover defence.
Shallin Fuller added another try assist against the Ipswich Jets when whilst operating on the left Shallin Fuller from fifteen metres out, took the ball to the line and popped a good short ball to his left to put his left second rower over ten metres in from the left corner.
The against the Easts Tigers on the right side of the field Shallin Fuller put in a grubber kick back to across his body to his left with Kurtis Rowe able to retrieve the ball and score eight metres to the right of the uprights.
Shallin Fuller added a further try assist from a grubber kick against the Souths Logan Magpies when from ten metres out Shallin Fuller put in a grubber kick to his left for Josh Rogers to score under the posts.
Another try assist came against the Redcliffe Dolphins when he was on the end of a backline movement, receiving the ball seventy metres out and burst down the left touchline. Shallin Fuller then drew the Dolphins fullback to put his five eight over towards the left corner.
In 2021 for Burleigh in the Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade competition Shallin Fuller scored thirty points from four tries and seven conversions with three of those tries coming in Round two against the Helensvale Hornets.
Shallin Fuller’s hat trick against Burleigh were in fact the first three tries that Burleigh scored in their victory.
The first try of Shallin Fuller’s hat trick came in the 16th minute when after Burleigh attacked down a short left blindside Shallin Fuller received an off-load around two metres out and dived over in the left corner to get the ball down under pressure.
Shallin Fuller added his second try in the 35th minute when from twenty metres out Shallin Fuller took the ball from an errant pass that was knocked back by Burleigh and immediately ran back to the area behind the play the ball. Shallin Fuller then stepped off his left foot to beat the Hornet’s fullback before bursting past three defenders to get the ball down two metres to the right of the uprights.
Shallin Fuller competed his hat trick in the 45th minute and the try was certainly worth the wait. Shallin Fuller received the ball from an off-load sixty metres out from the line, producing a goose step and a counter clockwise spin to beat two defenders before pulling away from a third who had tried to tackle Shallin Fuller high. Shallin Fuller then rounded the Helensvale fullback by veering to his right and then raced away to score near the right corner post.
Shallin Fuller also scored in the 67th minute in Round Three against the Mudgeeraba Redbacks and what an outstanding try it was. After some good work on his inside Shallin Fuller received the ball on the right side of the field twelve metre out. Shallin Fuller then stepped off his left to create space and took off towards the line. Just as he was about to be tackled three metres out, Shallin Fuller dropped the ball onto his right foot with the grubber going about a metre to get past one defender, Shallin Fuller then retrieved the ball a metre from the line and spun counter clockwise to score mid-way between the corner post and goal posts on the right side of the field.
The live wire young halfback originally from Woodenbong in Northern New South Wales had been an impressive player for the Beaudesert Kingfishers for the last couple of seasons in both the Gold Coast Rugby League U19 and Doug Lipp Cup competitions after moving up from the Kyogle Turkeys for the start of the 2016 season.
It was great to see Shallin Fuller start at five eight for Burleigh in Round One of the 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition in the Bears 24 all draw with Norths.
Shallin Fuller spent the majority of the 2019 season being twenty games in the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts competition crossing for ten tries starting eighteen matches at five eight and two from the bench and was one of the key attacking threats for the Bears.
A description of some of Shallin Fuller’s 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts tries for the Bears are detailed below:
Against the Northern Pride Shallin Fuller received the ball on the bounce on the right side of the field around ten metres out and immediately cut back to his left back towards the goal posts. After breaking a tackle after being spun around by the jersey Shallin Fuller beat three more defenders as a result of two left foot steps before Shallin Fuller dived over to score next to the right upright with three Northern Pride defenders in contact.
Also in the same match against the Northern Pride Shallin Fuller received an off-load thirty metres out in space and easily beat the Pride fullback by way of a left foot step to score under the posts untouched.
Shallin Fuller also scored against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls when after receiving the ball ten metres out on the left side of the field, Shallin Fuller dummied to his left before stepping off his left to completely fool the defence to comfortably score fifteen metres to the left of the uprights.
Shallin Fuller scored another outstanding solo try against the Norths Devils when he received the ball forty metres out from the line and beat the Devils initial defensive line with an outstanding left foot step then Shallin Fuller put in a perfect right foot chip over the onrushing Norths fullback with the ball bouncing perfectly for Shallin Fuller to retrieve the able and score.
Shallin Fuller scored off a kick of his own once again against the Redcliffe Dolphins. Shallin Fuller kicked from forty metres out with the ball coming to a stop in the in-goal, both the Redcliffe fullback and Burleigh half Cameron Brown missed the ball which left Shallin Fuller to come through and get downward pressure on the ball to score just to the left of the up-rights.
Shallin Fuller showed his speed to score against the Western Mustangs when he burst onto an off-load sixty metres from the line. As he approached the fullback Shallin Fuller shaped to pass to support on his right but when the Western Mustangs fullback moved in that direction, Shallin Fuller pulled the ball back into his body and from there no one was going to stop Shallin Fuller to score untouched.
Shallin Fuller added a further try against the Ipswich Jets when he charged at the try line from ten metres out and beat two Ipswich forwards before reaching out to slam the ball down under the posts with his right arm with two more Jets defenders trying in vain to stop him from scoring.
In the same match against the Ipswich Jets as the try noted above Shallin Fuller scored a second try when Shallin Fuller was operating on the right and after taking the ball to the line double pumped to his left (both dummy’s) before stepping off his left foot to score from ten metres out.
Shallin Fuller continued his try scoring exploits against the Tweed Heads Seagulls when after receiving the ball fifteen metres out Shallin Fuller ran to his left, dummying in the same direction before stepping off his left to score five metres from the left goal post.
Shallin Fuller made it a double against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with a stunning solo try. When he was twelve metres out from the line, Shallin Fuller received the ball on the left side of the field and after having to reach behind him to take the pass Shallin Fuller pushed off two defenders before a counter clockwise spin beat a third. Shallin Fuller then ran back to his left towards centre field, stepping off his left to beat another defender before straightening up with a right foot step to break between two defenders. Shallin Fuller was then able to get over the line to get the ball down under the posts.
Shallin Fuller had a great 2019 season against the Easts Tigers scoring on three occasions. The first of Shallin Fuller’s three tries against the Tigers was scored when Shallin Fuller received the ball on the left side of the field twenty five metres out. Shallin Fuller then ran at the defensive line before dummying to his left and then Shallin Fuller sliced through the defensive line to put the ball down with his left hand near the left corner.
Shallin Fuller’s second try against the Easts Tigers came when he backed up a break from Jayden Campbell, receiving the ball from an inside pass and running forty metres untouched to put the ball down under the posts.
Shallin Fuller then crossed off another off-load, on this occasion a right arm flock pass eight metres out from Tony Francis with Shallin Fuller diving over eight metres in from the left corner post. It should be noted that Shallin Fuller in fact threw a long cut out pass to put Tony Francis into space and then backed up on the inside to receive the off-load and score.
In 2020 Shallin Fuller played for the Burleigh Bears in the Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade competition including starting at five eight for the Bears in their 22 -14 Grand Final loss to the Runaway Bay Seagulls.
In the 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts Player of the Year Award tally Shallin Fuller finished with six votes and was awarded the Burleigh 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts Players Player award.
Shallin Fuller also played five matches for Burleigh in the GCRL First Grade regular season competition starting at fullback in the majority of his games there. In those matches Shallin Fuller scored two tries with those tries coming against Bilambil and Runaway Bay.
In the 2018 GCRL U19 competition Shallin Fuller finished the season equal third on the try scoring list, finished with 12 tries from 13 matches, including scoring a hat trick against Mudgeeraba in July and a double against Runaway Bay, add in eight goals including three in a match against Burleigh in June and Shallin Fuller finished the U19 season with 64 points.
In the 2018 Doug Lipp Cup competition Shallin Fuller finished the season as the competitions second leading try scorer with a 100% strike rate through sixteen matches.
Shallin Fuller had a big Round One scoring a hat trick against Southport and also has three doubles which have come in Rounds Three, Four and Six against Tugun, Currumbin and Ormeau respectively. Shallin Fuller also scored a hat trick against Helensvale late in the season.
This season Shallin Fuller was also part of the Gold Coast Vikings U19 squad that won the South East Queensland U19 Challenge with the live wire young half outstanding including a dominant performance against Ipswich and recently was selected in the SEQ U18 squad as a result.
For the U19 Kingfishers in the 2017 season Shallin Fuller has scored a competition leading sixteen tries from just twelve matches and over a four week span from late June to late July he scored ten tries, including four tries on Sunday against Tugun and doubles against Southport, Bilambil and Burleigh.
Earlier in the 2017 season, Shallin Fuller also scored doubles against Burleigh in Round One and Runaway Bay in Rounds Four. Shallin Fuller has also played two matches for Beaudesert in the Doug Lipp Cup scoring in his debut against Southport backing up after the U19 fixture where he also scored.
The young half who is also a talented touch player participated in the National Youth Touch Competition last year. In the 2016 season for the Kingfishers in the U17 Division One GCJRL competition, Shallin Fuller scored thirteen tries from just eleven matches including a hat trick against Nerang and four doubles which came against Burleigh on two separate occasions, Nerang and Currumbin.
In the 2015 season Shallin Fuller played in the U16.5 competition for Kyogle alternating between half back and five eight, but due to other commitments he only played in seven matches scoring two tries and kicking three goals for a total points tally of 14 for the season, the tries he scored were against Ballina and Lismore Marist Brothers. He also played schoolboy rugby league for Woodenbong Central High School.
After a tough 2022 season impacted by injury Xavier Stowers commenced the 2023 season training with the Burleigh Bears Hastings Deering’s Colts side with Xavier Stowers also being Colts eligible in 2024.
In late January 2022 Xavier Stowers started from the bench for the Titans U19 side in a match at Pizzey Park against the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts side with Xavier Stowers coming off the bench halfway through the first half.
Xavier Stowers had a strong final five minutes of the first half starting in the 35th minute when he ran onto a pass to the right of the dummy half around ten metres from the line and then cut back to his left, powering his way towards and over the line with five Burleigh players hanging off him. Once he forced his way over the line, Xavier Stowers fought to get the ball down which he eventually did but referee abjudged that it took Xavier Stowers too long to get the ball to ground and ruled that he had been held up.
Then in the 37th minute Xavier Stowers charged back into the Burleigh defensive line from a Bears goal line drop-out, receiving the ball from Jaylan De Groot fifty five metres out and got the ball back to the thirty five metre line with four Burleigh defenders having to commit to the tackle to bring him to ground.
Xavier Stowers then backed that run up two tackles later to make a further ten metres to get the ball within ten metres of the try line. Then to cap off a great couple of minutes Xavier Stowers carried the ball back strongly in the 39th minute from the kick-off after Immanuel Kalekale had scored late in the first half.
Impressively in late July 2022 Xavier Stowers was named on in the front row in the Courier Mail Marsden SHS Team of the 2020’s.
In 2022 Xavier Stowers played for the Souths Magpies in the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition starting Round One in the front row against the Sunshine Coast Falcons. Xavier Stowers also was named to start in the front row in Round Two against the Norths Devils however he was a late scratching from the match.
In October 2021 Xavier Stowers was named in the 2021 Queensland Maori U18 representative side for the 2021 QPICC Cultural Carnival with Xavier Stowers coming off the bench Queensland Maori’s Match Three against Tonga and Match Four against PNG, a match that saw Xavier Stowers scoring in a tough two point Maori loss.
2021 saw Xavier Stowers move from Ipswich Grammar School to attend Titans partnered Marsden State High School for his final year of school with the move paying significant dividends for both Xavier Stowers and Marsden SHS.
Round One of the 2021 Langer Cup School Boy Rugby League competition saw Xavier Stowers start in the front row against Keebra Park producing a number of strong runs in Marsden’s 38 – 0 shutout victory, none better than in the 5th minute when Xavier Stowers made fifteen metres right through the Keebra Park forward pack after cutting back towards the play the ball to get to within twenty five metres out from the line.
Xavier Stowers showcased his off-loading skills in the 10th minute when after a hard straight run, bumping off one defender, Xavier Stowers was able to get an off-load away to his right.
As a result of his outstanding performance in the match, Xavier Stowers was awarded one point in the Marsden Man of the Match points tally.
Xavier Stowers also started in the front row in Round Two against Ipswich State High School and made his first significant contribution in the 4th minute when he made ten metres to get to near centre field before popping a great short off-load to his left for the paly to continue. Xavier Stowers then made a further twelve metres from another strong charge in the 10th minute.
Xavier Stowers continued his hard charging efforts in the 41st minute with a twelve metre charge that got him to within eight metres of the line after a hit-up to the left of the play the ball and then in the 47th minute, Xavier Stowers rumbled eighteen metres downfield before off-loading to his right to promote the ball further.
Xavier Stowers started once again in the front row in Round Three against Wavell State High School with the giant young man scoring the opening try of the match in the 8th minute when he crashed over from three metres out on the right side of the field and to the right of the play the ball.
Xavier Stowers continued his strong ball running in the 50th minute with a twelve metre effort that incorporated a clockwise spin to gain separation from one would be defender.
Xavier Stowers was equally effective defensively in the match as he was running the ball, including making a big tackle on the Wavell SHS lock in just the 2nd minute, forcing him back four metres and Xavier Stowers smashed the same player again just three minutes later.
Xavier Stowers continued in the front row in the Round Four blockbuster against PBC State High School recording a great try assist in the 43rd minute when after he had run an underneath route off his halfback, Xavier Stowers whilst in contact with three PBC defenders, was able to get away a right arm offload to his front row partner who rumbled twenty five metres to score directly under the posts.
Xavier Stowers also produced an outstanding try saving tackle in the 7th minute when he smashed PBC hooker Oskar Bryant less than a metre from the line with Xavier Stower’s tackle forcing the ball loose from Oskar Bryant’s grasp.
Xavier Stowers once again started in the front row in Round Five against Mabel Park State High School and was one Marsden SHS’s try scorers in their hard fought win with Xavier Stowers scoring in each half.
Xavier Stowers opening try came inside the first two minutes of the match when from three metres out Xavier Stowers charged onto the ball, receiving a wide pass to the left of the play the ball to score easily next to the right upright.
In the 36th minute, Xavier Stowers charged onto the ball from close to the line and to the left of the play the ball. Even though he initially contracted the defensive line still and couple of metres from the line, Xavier Stowers continued to fight in the tackle and in fact backed his way to the line for the last metre or two and at the last moment was able to twist his way over the line to get the ball down adjacent to the left upright.
After the competition was suspended for a number of weeks due to a Covid 19 lock down, Xavier Stowers was named in the front row for Marsden State High School in their semi-final against Ipswich State High School.
Xavier Stowers put in a Player of the Match performance and Xavier Stowers also scored with literally seconds to go in the match to break a ten all score line when he charged onto the ball to the left of the play the ball with Xavier Stowers reaching out with his left arm to get the ball down adjacent to the right upright.
Xavier Stowers had almost scored just minutes prior in the in the 48th minute when after a great ten metre charge, Xavier Stowers was held up directly under the posts.
Xavier Stowers could not have gotten into the match any earlier when he took the opening hit-up of the match from the kick-off and then from the 4th hit-up in the same set of six tackles, after another strong charge Xavier Stowers was able to once again take the line on and then produce the first of a number of good off-loads with still engaged with the defensive line.
Xavier Stowers continued his strong match in the 3rd minute when after a strong run to the left of the play the ball and beating two tackles, Xavier Stowers was once again produce a great off-load however on that occasion the ball went to ground.
In the 34th minute Xavier Stowers produced another strong charge from a kick-off after Marsden SHS’s second try bumping off the first Ipswich SHS defender who tried to effect the tackle.
Then in the 47th minute with the match on the line, Xavier Stowers made a strong fifteen metre run that ended just two metres from the try line and two tackles later Xavier Stowers charged at the line once again, getting away another off-load.
In the 2021 Langer Cup Grand Final against PBC State High School, Xavier Stowers was named to start in the front row for Marsden SHS and made the opening tackle of the match after Marsden SHS had gotten the game underway. Xavier Stowers took his first hit-up in just the second minute of the match when he rumbled sixteen metres downfield.
At the 2021 Marsden State High School Rugby League Excellence Awards, Xavier Stowers was named in the front row in the Marsden State High School Team of the Year.
Post the completion of the 2021 Langer Cup competition, Xavier Stowers was named in the front row in the Courier Mail’s 2021 Langer Cup Team of the Season.
In January 2021 Xavier Stowers played his first match in a Titans jersey when he started from the bench for the Titans U19 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights 40 - 6. When he was in the field, Xavier Stowers played in the centre of the ruck and had some good moments including a late second half offload to his right.
Xavier Stowers also recorded two huge tackles in a row including one when he caught the Newcastle player from behind, stopping him in his tracks when the Knights player looked odds on to score. It was an impressive effort by Xavier Stowers who refused to give up and through sheer force of will got himself to the right spot to make an outstanding tackle.
Xavier Stower’s endurance and determination came to the fore in the 25th minute of the second half. Newcastle were on the attack ten metres from the line and sent the ball to the right with the Knights playmaker putting in an attacking kick back behind the play the ball. Xavier Stowers who was initially defending on the opposite side of the ruck, tracked the play across field, was perfectly placed to eliminate the threat. Xavier Stowers however did not just take the tackle, after breaking two tackles, Xavier Stowers off-loaded with his right arm to his right to Thomas Weaver who made an additional twenty metres down field.
Xavier Stowers desperation was also highlighted earlier in the second half when he held on to the Burleigh hooker with only his right arm, eventually dragging him to the ground. If Xavier Stowers had not held on to the hooker, he would have had a free run to the Titans fullback with plenty of support as well.
Of all the good moments that I have noted in relation to Xavier Stowers first match in a Titans jersey, another one for me at least optimises who Xavier Stowers is as a player. In the 31st minute of the second half Xavier Stowers took a regulation hit-up mid-field. The Knights defensive line got up quickly, making initial contact with Xavier Stowers just two metres into his run, but through strength and determination, Xavier Stowers was able to make an additional seven metres post contact. Not many players would have been able to maintain their balance and body control after the type of initial contact that he was subject to and still make additional ground, Xavier Stowers however is definitely one of the few that can.
A week after the match against the Newcastle Knights Xavier Stowers once again lined up for the Titans U19’s as they took on a Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts squad at Burleigh Juniors, coming off the bench with the Titans winning once again, this time 32 – 20 in a match that saw no conversions attempted.
Xavier Stowers had a huge match when he was on the field producing a number of damaging charges including a great run off the Bears kick off from Reef Sommerville’s second try of the match with the run a great twenty metre surge, with the majority of the metres made post contact.
In early May 2021 a Titans U19 side travelled to North Queensland to play an U19 Cowboys selection in a curtain raiser to a Cowboys v Broncos NRL match with Xavier Stowers starting the match on the bench for the Titans.
In Round One of the 2021 MM Cup competition, Xavier Stowers was named to start on the bench for the Ipswich Jets against the Tweed Heads Seagulls but ended up starting the match in the front row and in fact was involved in the first tackle of the match after Ipswich kicked the ball off.
The 9th minute saw the damage that Xavier Stowers can do running with the ball when he charged onto the ball to the right of the dummy half bustling his way twelve metres before eventually being brought down just ten metres away from the try line.
Xavier Stowers was at it again just a minute later when he took the ball from a Tweed Heads drop out charging thirty five metres to get inside the Seagulls twenty before being forced to play the ball. The 23rd minute saw yet another strong run from Xavier Stowers shewing up a further twelve metres (eight post contact) to get within five metres of the Tweed Heads line.
Defensively over the course of the match, Xavier Stowers defence was just as strong as his ball running with probably his best moment from a defensive perspective coming in the 57th minute when he came out of the line and monstered Seagulls five eight Harrydon Wilson. Xavier Stowers had crunched Wilson before he even knew what was going on and with Tweed Heads just ten metres out from the line, Xavier Stowers tackle completely shut down all of the momentum.
Xavier Stowers was immediately back on his feet at marker and moved to his right to tackle Seagulls front rower Jack Cullen around the legs with a copy book low tackle.
Xavier Stowers also started in the front row in Round Two against the Burleigh Bears, scoring the Jets first try in their tough loss and had a huge opening few minutes including scoring a powerhouse try in just the 6th minute of the match.
Xavier Stowers try showcased everything that is good about his game, that being size, strength, speed and power. Ipswich restarted from a penalty ten metres out from the Bears line, just to the left of the uprights. Xavier Stowers received the ball ten metres out, running directly at the defensive line before cutting back towards the uprights, pushing off one Bears defender before spinning counter clockwise to beat two more defenders before carrying three more Burleigh defenders across the line to smash the ball down a metre to the left of the uprights.
Xavier Stowers first major contribution to the game came in just the 3rd minute with a strong ten metre charge to get Ipswich into the Burleigh forty metre area. Xavier Stowers then made significant ground in just the 5th minute. Xavier Stowers initially ran to the left of the play the ball before offloading to his left. Xavier Stowers then backed up and get the ball back from the Jets player that he had passed to, making fifteen more metres before offloading for the second time in the same movement this time to his hooker who was trailing the play through the centre of the field.
Xavier Stowers continued to make ground running the ball including in the 39th minute when he made eleven metres to get Ipswich inside the Burleigh twenty metre area.
It was not just running with the ball that made Xavier Stowers so impressive in the match, defensively he was also very strong, including a heavy tackle where he monstered Syris Schmidt who was taking a hit-up in his own territory. Xavier Stowers literally engulfed Syris Schmidt and forced the fullback backwards a number of metres.
The in the 64th minute Xavier Stowers put a massive hit on Burleigh second rower Delihia Wigmore twenty metres out from the line with the Burleigh player taking a bit of time to recover from the big hit. Then just two minutes later Xavier Stowers smashed Burleigh Jaxon Yow as he was running across field just outside the Burleigh forty metre area.
Xavier Stowers was named on the interchange bench in Round Three against the Souths Logan Magpies and in Round Four against the Tweed Heads Seagulls. Xavier Stowers came into the match at half time, wasting no time getting involved by taking the first hit-up of the second half after Tweed Heads kicked off the second half to get the ball out to near the twenty metre mark.
Only two minutes later in the 38th minute, Xavier Stowers once again broke tackles after making thirteen metres from a hit-up to the left of the dummy half to get two metres over the halfway mark.
Then in the 43rd minute Xavier Stowers once again ran to the left of the dummy half before cutting back towards the play the ball to make thirteen metres. Xavier Stowers bounced quickly to his feet but was dragged back down and subsequently was awarded a penalty. From the next set of six after the penalty restart, Xavier Stowers was back in the action, getting to within ten metres of the try line before twisting and offloading with his right arm to Josiah Pahulu who got within two metres of the line before finally being stopped.
Even though Ipswich were out of the match with ten minutes to go, that did not dissuade Xavier Stowers from his task and in the 62nd minute, Xavier Stowers made eleven metres from a hit-up to the right of the play the ball with more than 50% of the metres that he made from the run were post contact.
Round Five against the Burleigh Bears saw Xavier Stowers named on the Jets extended bench however he ended up starting the match from the bench and he also started from the bench in Round Six against the Souths Logan Magpies.
At the end of the 2021 season, Xavier Stowers was named at No. 22 in the Courier Mail Top 60 school boys from the GPS Rugby, AIC Rugby and Langer Cup school boy competitions.
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 squad after making his GPS First XV debut as a 16 year old in 2019.
When I am noting below the rounds of the 2020 GPS school boy rugby First XV competition, I am more referring to the order of games, as due to Covid 19 issues, what were going to be the opening two rounds of the competition ended up being “official trials”.
Round One of the 2020 GPS school boy rugby First XV competition saw Xavier Stowers line up at No. 8 against Toowoomba Grammar School 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), Anglican Church Grammar School (Round Four), Brisbane State High School (Round Five), The Southport School (Round Six) and Gregory Terrace in Round Seven.
Whilst Xavier Stowers did not score any tries in 2020 he was heavily involved in two tries over the course of the abridged 2020 GPS school boy First XV season. In Round Four against Anglican Church Grammar School (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 just as he was being tackled (in fact he threw the pass under the body of the defender who had engaged him) to his half who was brought down centremetres short but Ipswich Grammar School 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. The speed at which Xavier Stowers had picked up the ball and charged to his right, parallel to the TSS defensive line froze the defenders and enabled Xavier Stowers to put his runner into the gap with a good short pass.
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 as well when once again his size/speed combination was noted by the articles authors.
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 College (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 at the Shark Tank against TSS when Xavier Stowers charged at the line from close range after receiving a pass off the back of 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 continue to pump his legs to get the ball down right on the goal line midway between the corner post and goal post on the left side of the field.
In 2019 in addition to playing for the Ipswich Grammar School Boy Rugby First XV, Xavier Stowers represented the Queensland Maroon U16 representative side at the National U16 Rugby Championships, starting for the Maroon side at No. 8 in their series of Championship matches.
To cap off an exceptional 2019, Xavier Stowers, at just 16 years of age, played one match in the Brisbane Premier Colts III competition, starting at outside centre for Logan City and scoring in Round Fifteen against Southern Suburbs.
Xavier Stowers already has some representative rugby league experience under his belt, 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.
2023 sees Arjay-Troy Sharrock playing touch football and in March 2023 he was named in the 2023 Gold Coast Touch Association U14 representative side.
He is a talented Keebra Park SHS 2022 Renouf Cup School Boy Rugby League player Arjay-Troy Sharrock and also stood out at the 2022 Titans All Schools Touch Championships with Arjay-Troy Sharrock playing in the Keebra Park SHS U13 Touch side at the Championships.
For Keebra Park SHS in the 2022 Renouf Cup School Boy side Arjay-Troy Sharrock operated primarily off the bench in the No. 14 jersey, including their Grand Final victory against Marsden State High School.
Also in 2022 Arjay-Troy Sharrock played for the Easts Tigers in the GBJRL U13 Division One competition with Arjay-Troy Sharrock starting all of the Easts Tigers matches at fullback with Arjay-Troy Sharrock scoring a double in the rescheduled Round Six match against the Norths Devils. Arjay-Troy Sharrock also scored in Round Nine against West Arana Hills and Round Eleven against Albany Creek.
Arjay-Troy Sharrock moved over to Keebra Park State High School from Western Australia for the 2022 season after being a member of the Western Australian U12 Representative Rugby League side in 2021.
Round Four of the 2022 U18 Mal Meninga Cup competition saw Jayviah Nomotu named on the Burleigh Bear extended bench against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls and whilst he was not in the final game Day Seventeen it was a sign of the high esteem that Jayviah Nomotu is held in.
Jayviah Nomotu made his MM Cup debut in Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins when he started at right centre with Jayviah Nomotu having some good moments in his debut including a strong run of ten metres in the 28th minute down a wide right blindside off a Burleigh scrum win near halfway.
Jayviah Nomotu made a further strong run in the 54th minute when he was able to make twelve metres down a short right blindside.
Jayviah Nomotu was also named at right centre in the Round Seven local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls as well as in the rescheduled Round One match against the Easts Tigers with Jayviah Nomotu taking the Bears first run of the match in the second minute from a Burleigh tap restart after the Bears fullback was tackled whilst still in the air while taking a bomb after the Tigers opening set of six tackles.
Jayviah Nomotu made a twenty two line break to get within the eight metres of the try line after receiving an off-load from Arama Hau. Jayviah Nomotu made another line break in the 61st minute when an errant Tigers passed was pick up by the Burleigh right winger who immediately got the ball away to Jayviah Nomotu who made a twenty three metre line break. Once he was finally put to ground, Jayviah Nomotu was on his feet in a flash with Burleigh scoring a long range try on the opposite side of the field with Jayviah Nomotu’s quick play the ball being a key reason for Burleigh being able to break the Tigers line and score.
Jayviah Nomotu is also MM Cup eligible in 2023 and the experience that he gained in 2022 playing in the Burleigh MM side squad will be a huge benefit for Jayviah Nomotu’s future.
In 2021 Jayviah Nomotu started at left centre in all three of the Burleigh Bears U16 Cyril Connell Cup matches which were against the Souths Logan Magpies (Round One), the Tweed Heads Seagulls (Round Three) and against the Ipswich Jets in Round Five with Jayviah Nomotu scoring in the 6th and 15th minutes in a big Burleigh victory in a match that was a curtain raiser to the Titans v Knights NRL match.
Jayviah Nomotu scored his first try in the 7th minute when he received the ball in space twenty metres out and ten metres in from the left touchline. Jayviah Nomotu stepped off his left foot to beat his immediate opponent before stepping off his right to beat the Jets fullback and score twelve metres in from the left corner post.
Jayviah Nomotu completed his double in just the 15th minute with a long range 70 metre try. The ball found Jayviah Nomotu in acres of space and ran untouched to the Jets fullback. As he approached the fullback Jayviah Nomotu moved the ball into both running with the ball out in front of his body with support both on the inside and out. When the Ipswich fullback cheated to cover the support on the inside, Jayviah Nomotu ran past him to score.
2023 sees Will Taylor part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls Hastings Deering’s Colts squad with Will Taylor starting at lock for the Seagulls in their late February trail against the Burleigh Bears.
Will Taylor had a strong match defensively including a heavy driving front on tackle in the 8th minute on the Burleigh right winger twenty metres out and in the centre of the field with the Burleigh winger losing the ball forward as a result of Will Taylor’s strong tackle.
In early November 2021 Will Taylor was named in the 2022 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad.
Round One of the 2022 MM Cup competition saw Will Taylor named on the bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Souths Logan Magpies with Will Taylor coming off the bench and into the dummy half role mid-way through the first half. Will Taylor also spent time in the second row for portions of the match.
Will Taylor was also named to start from the bench for Round Two against the Redcliffe Dolphins coming on in a running forward role in the 17th minute of the match and after the Seagulls had a Round Three bye, Will Taylor moved into the starting side at right second row for Round Four against the Easts Tigers and was involved in the opening minute with a strong tackle (the third of the match) to force a knock on with the Seagulls scoring through Cooper Camby in the set of six from the scrum.
Will Taylor scored himself in the 4th minute when he ran onto a good ball from his right from Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa to race thirty five metres to dive over in the left corner.
Will Taylor also executed a great tackle along with Nicholas Hilton on the Easts Tigers left winger who was returning a kick with the ball being forced loose. Jett Forbes then scored from the subsequent scrum win by Tweed Heads in the 59th minute
Will Taylor then in the 73rd minute did well from an East Tigers short kick-off after Jett Forbes first try with Will Taylor getting above the Tigers chasers to secure possession for the Seagulls.
Such was the quality of Will Taylor’s performance that he was named on the bench in the Courier Mail’s MM Cup Round Four Team of the Week.
Will Taylor continued at right second row in Round Five against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls, making his best run of the match in the 55th minute with a sixteen metre run through the centre of the ruck to get the ball within thirty five metres of the Tweed Heads try line.
Will Taylor also did well defensively in the 42nd minute when along with Will Saunders and Reico Ratana he was on hand to hold put the Wynnum Manly lock who under tried to burst over under the posts.
Will Taylor continued at right second row in Round Six against the Norths Devils with Will Taylor making the opening tackle of the match. Through the opening six rounds of the 2022 U18 Mal Meninga Cup competition Will Taylor had made eighty two tackles.
Will Taylor then continued at right second row in the Round Seven local derby against the Burleigh Bears and made an outstanding line break in the 20th minute when after charging into the ball to the right of the play the ball just ten metres out from his own try line, Will Taylor burst through the Burleigh defensive line and raced over the halfway mark before getting away a great left arm around the corner pass to Jett Forbes.
Will Taylor’s speed was on display once again in the 14th minute when he turned and chased a Burleigh line break down their left touchline with Will Taylor racing back around fifty metres to tackle the fullback and save what appeared to be a certain try.
Will Taylor also made a great tackle in the 75th minute when he crunched the Burleigh five eight who had tried to dart through the line for what would have been the match winning try but Will Taylor was having none of that.
Will Taylor really did showcase a plethora of skills in the match including in the 48th minute when he took the ball deep into the Burleigh defensive line down the left channel, getting away a great off-load to a flying Jett Forbes but unfortunately the winger was brought down just short of the try line.
Will Taylor was still chasing everything in the 37th minute when he chased through a grubber kick from five eight Jackson Le Pou, Will Taylor, along with Le Pou got the Burleigh fullback initially holding him of the ground before forcing him back six metres into the in-goal to win his side a goal line drop-out.
Deservedly Will Taylor was named at right second row in the Round Seven Courier Mail MM Cup Team of the Week.
Will Taylor also started from the bench for Tweed Heads February 2022 trial against the Burleigh Bears, coming on mid-way through the first half to play as a running backrower.
In March 2022 Will Taylor was selected in the South Coast School Boy Rugby League U18 Representative side after successfully negotiating the trials with Keano Kini starting Match One against Northern from the bench with Will Taylor coming on late in the first half to operate as a running forward.
Will Taylor also started from the bench in Match Two against Met North coming on to operate as a running backrower in the 12th minute.
Round One of the 2022 Langer Cup School Boy competition saw Will Taylor start at right second row for PBC State High School against Marsden State High School with Will Taylor making a strong low tackle in the 9th minute to prevent an early Marsden SHS try on the lock who had broken through the PBC SHS line just ten metres out.
Will Taylor made a good line break in the 45th minute when from the right of the play the ball Will Taylor broke through the defensive line near the halfway mark, breaking two tackles to get the ball to within thirty two metres of the try line.
Will Taylor was then named at right second row for Round Two against Redcliffe State High School.
Will Taylor then moved to lock in Round Three against Coombabah State High School before starting Round Four against Ipswich State High School at right second row with Will Taylor making the second hit-up of the match.
Then in the 11th minute Will Taylor made a strong tackle, driving his left shoulder through his opposite number of force the ball loose as Ipswich SHS were trying to bring the ball out of their own twenty metre area.
Will Taylor then swapped to left second row in Round Five against Mabel Park SHS with Will Taylor making a strong eighteen metre charge, breaking three tackles with Will Taylor getting the ball to twenty two metres out from the try line. Will Taylor then made a further fifteen metres down the left channel to get the ball to forty metres from the PBC SHS try line.
Will Taylor also started at left second row in the Round Six local derby against Keebra Park SHS with Will Taylor in the match immediately by taking the second hit-up of the match.
Will Taylor then made a great tackle in the 46th minute when Will Taylor drove his right shoulder through the Keebra Park SHS left winger who was trying to bring the ball out of his own twenty metre area.
Will Taylor continued at left second row in Round Seven against Wavell SHS.
Will Taylor continued at left second row in PBC SHS’s Langer Cup Quarter Final against Mabel Park SHS with Will Taylor scoring twice as PBC SHS qualified for the semi-finals.
Will Taylor’s opening try came in the 20th minute when from twenty metres out Will Taylor charged onto a short ball from his right from Keano Kini with Will Taylor bursting between two defenders before steeping off his left foot to beat the Mabel Park SHS fullback to score under the posts from twenty metres out.
Will Taylor scored his second try in the 32nd minute when Will Taylor chased through a Josh Lynn righty foot grubber kick from thirty five metres out down a short left blindside and after the Mabel Park SHS right centre overran the ball, Will Taylor was on the spot to dive on the ball in the in-goal to score in the left corner.
Will Taylor executed a smart play in the 38th minute with a one on one strip of the ball forty metres out from his own try line with Will Taylor then able to make eighteen metres downfield. Will Taylor also did well in the 53rd minute when he took a Mabel Park SHS short kick-off in the full after the kick-off had travelled just over the required ten metres with Will Taylor taking the ball on the full running back towards the try line.
In the 48th minute along with Keano Kini, Will Taylor made a great covering tackle on the Mabel Park SHS hooker (No. 9) as he charged at the try line just to the left of the uprights.
Will Taylor was then named at left second row for PBC SHS in the 2022 Langer Cup Semi-final against Keebra Park SHS with Will Taylor taking the second hit-up of the match after Keebra Park SHS had kicked off to get the match underway.
Will Taylor then made a strong driving tackle in the 25th minute on Keebra park SHS right second rower Seth Nikotemo twenty metres out from his own try line.
Will Taylor started at left second row in the 2022 School Boy Langer Cup Grand Final against Ipswich SHS and in the 54th minute along with Isaiah Scanlon, Will Taylor made a desperate try saving tackle on the Ipswich SHS No. 14 directly in front of the goal posts a metre out.
At the completion of the 2022 School Boy Langer Cup competition Will Taylor was named on the bench in the 2022 Courier Mail Langer Cup Team of the Season. Will Taylor was also named as one of the best players outside the Top 30 best School Boy Rugby League or Rugby player in the 2022 Courier Mail Top 30 school boys.
Post the 2022 MM Cup competition Will Taylor once again played for the Bilambil Jets in the NRRRL U18 competition starting at lock and captain in Round One against the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Will Taylor making a good run of sixteen metres to the right of the dummy half in the 13th minute to get the ball into Murwillumbah territory.
Will Taylor also started at lock in Round Three against Northern United with Will Taylor scoring in the 28th minute when he ran out of dummy half to his left to crash over from close range with Will Taylor getting the ball down ten metres in from the right corner post.
Will Taylor also made two line breaks in the match with the first of the two coming in the 31st minute when after receiving the ball from his right from the dummy half and just ten metres out from his own line, Will Taylor executed a great right foot step to wrong foot a defender and burst through into the backfield, racing thirty metres downfield before he was taken down by the Northern United fullback.
Will Taylor made the second of his line breaks in the 38th minute when after taking the ball to the left of the play the ball Will Taylor charged at the defensive line from twenty metres out from his own line and making eighteen metres.
Will Taylor continued at lock in Round Six against Casino RSM and scored in the 333rd minute when from thirteen metres out Will Taylor stepped his way past a number of Kyogle defenders to score adjacent to the left upright.
Will Taylor made his presence felt in the opening minute when whilst taking the third hit-up of the match Will Taylor from the left of the play the ball and twenty five metres from his own line Will Taylor burst through the RSM defensive line and after drawing the fullback passed to his left to put his hooker away to score under the posts.
Will Taylor recorded a second try assist in the 47th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball Will Taylor was able to get halfway through the defensive line and then got away a left arm off-load to put his hooker away to score. Will Taylor then took the hit-up from the resultant kick-off making twenty five metres.
Will Taylor also did well in the 6th minute when after picking up a Turkeys dropped ball six metres out from the line Will Taylor was able to get the ball twenty metres away from the Jets line before he was taken to ground.
Will Taylor made another strong run in the 26th minute when from a Jets penalty tap restart Will Taylor was able to fifteen metres after taking possession twenty metres out from his own try line. Just four minutes later in the 30th minute Will Taylor was at it again on that occasion making twenty metres from twenty five metres out from his own try line, breaking two tackles along the way.
Will Taylor then started at lock in Round Seven against the Cudgen Hornets with Will Taylor’s initial strong run coming in the 7th minute when after running onto the ball to the right of the paly the ball, Will Taylor got the ball eight metres into Cudgen territory after receiving the ball on his own forty metre mark.
Will Taylor also executed a great tackle in the 12th minute when he picked up the Cudgen five eight and drove him back five metres before dumping him on his back heavily.
Will Taylor continued at lock in Round Eight against the Lower Clarence Magpies with Will Taylor having a big match scoring two tries and setting up another.
Will Taylor’s opening try came in the 32nd minute when he received the ball in space three passes to the right of the play the ball and thirty five metres out and proved to be far too quick for the Magpies cover defence with Will Taylor diving over to score in the right corner.
Will Taylor scored his second try just four minutes later in the 36th minute when he dived over in the right corner from close range after Bilambil ran the ball down a very short right blindside.
Will Taylor then recorded a try assist in the 45th minute but I will start the description with the play prior. After taking possession to the right of the play the ball thirty five metres from his own line Will Taylor took the ball into the defensive line bumping off the initial defender who had looked to engage Will Taylor front on. From there Will Taylor burst between two more defenders right on halfway before whilst engaged with another got a pass away to his right to five eight Hasley McDonald who was tackled fifteen metres downfield.
Willa Taylor was up off the ground in a heartbeat and ran onto the ball from the Hasley McDonald paly the ball and ran fifteen metres before getting his right arm free in a tackle and found his hooker backing up on his left to dive over to score mis-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.
Will Taylor continued at lock in Round Nine against the Byron Bay Devils and took the fourth hit-up of the match.
Will Taylor also recorded two try assists with the first coming in just the 4th minute when after Will Taylor charged onto the ball to the right of the play the ball forty metres out from his own try line, Will Taylor stepped off his left foot to beat two defenders and after being engaged by one defender five metres into Devils territory, Will Taylor produced an exceptional left arm around the corner pass to five eight Hasley McDonald who easily outpaced the Byron Bay cover defence to score.
Will Taylor recorded his second try assist in the 21st minute when once again Will Taylor ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball from around forty metres from his own line and when he was near the halfway mark Will Taylor popped a great short ball to his right to a flying Tyrese Bowman who raced away to score.
Will Taylor was also strong defensively against the Devils with one of his best defensive efforts coming in the 42nd minute with a heavy front on tackle on the Byron Bay right second rower (No. 12) who was taking a hit-up from a penalty restart near halfway with Will Taylor’s initial contact rocking his bigger opponent backwards.
After starting at lock in the U18 NRRRL match earlier in the day Will Taylor made his NRRRL First Grade debut off the bench in Round One against the Murwillumbah Mustangs and also came off the bench in Round Seven against the Evans Head Bombers.
Will Taylor also started from the bench in Round Ten against Lismore Marist Brothers before starting at right second row in the rescheduled Round Five match against the Kyogle Turkeys.
Will Taylor then started from the bench for the Bilambil Jets in the 2022 Major Semi-final victory against the Murwillumbah Mustangs.
The 2022 NRRRL First Grade Grand Final saw Will Taylor start from the bench for the Bilambils Jets against the Evans Head Bombers.
Will Taylor was due to start from the bench for the Northern Rivers Titans in Round One of the 2020 U16 Andrew Johns Cup against the Parramatta Eels at Cudgen but the match was cancelled.
Will Taylor started Round Two of the U16 Andrew Johns Cup from the bench against the Newcastle Knights in Ballina coming on the play in the dummy half role and also started from the bench in Round Three against the Central Coast Roosters.
After missing Round Four, Will Taylor was back on the bench for the Round Five local derby against North Coast once again providing a spark when he came on to play in the dummy half role just prior to half time.
Will Taylor played the 2020 season with the Bilambil Jets in the Group 18 U16 competition, in fact Will Taylor was the Jets Junior Club Captain. In the 2020 Group 18 U16 regular season, the Bilambil Jets won five matches, scoring 152 points and conceding 118 to finish with a +34 points differential.
The young is from the Bilambil Jets club in Northern New South Wales and captained the Group 18 U15 side at the 2019 New South Wales Country Age Championships held in Port Macquarie in September starting at hooker in all of Group 18’s matches.
After the completion of the Championships Will Taylor was named the 2019 Group 18 U15 representative season’s Best and Fairest player in recognition of his outstanding Championship performances.
Will Taylor started from the bench for the Titans U15 side that defeated a Balmain Tigers U15 Touring side 34 – 16 in early October coming on to play in the dummy half role and crossed the try line in the left corner in the math, but the final pass was called forward.
In 2019 Will Taylor played for the Bilambil Jets in the Group 18 U15 competition and was part of the Grand Final winning side that defeated Byron Bay/Lennox Head in a thriller.
Will Taylor was also part of the PBC School Boy program in 2019 representing his school in a number of school boy competitions including co-captaining the PBC Year Nine Hancock side that erased a 12 – 6 half time deficit to win the final of the Hancock Cup 24 – 18 against Coombabah State High School with Will Taylor playing five eight in the final and operating primarily on the left side of the field for PBC.
I must admit that it was strange seeing both sides wearing old Broncos jersey’s (jerseys only, the teams wore their school shorts and socks) rather than their total school playing strip but it was a Broncos school boy competition so I guess they can do whatever they want even though it was a very strange situation to be sure, for spectators at least.
In late 2022 Cooper Camby was selected in the Tweed Heads Seagulls Hastings Deering’s Colts squad after playing a number of Colts matches for the Seagulls when still U18 eligible in 2022 and Cooper Camby is also Colts eligible in 2024.
Cooper Camby played well in the Tweed Heads Seagulls opening 2023 trial against the Souths Logan Magpies. Cooper Camby then started at right centre in the Seagulls late February 2023 trial against the Burleigh Bears.
In early November 2021 Cooper Camby was named in the 2022 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad.
Round One of the 2022 MM Cup competition saw Cooper Camby named at right centre for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Souths Logan Magpies with Cooper Camby on hand in the 59th minute when he chased through a Michael Roberts kick and first holding up the Souths Logan fullback and then being involved in forcing him back into the in-goal in the right corner.
Cooper Camby was also named at right centre for Round Two against the Redcliffe Dolphins and after the Seagulls had a Round Three bye, Cooper Camby started at right centre in Round Four against the Easts Tigers with Cooper Camby scoring one of the fastest tries of the season regardless of the competition in the 2nd minute when he dived over from dummy half from less than a metre out after he dived to his right.
Cooper Camby could have had a second try in the 23rd minute when he dived over in the left corner but the referee after originally looking like he was going to award a try in the end penalised Cooper Camby for a double movement.
Cooper Camby also did well defensively including in the 12th minute when he along with Keano Kini he produced a try saving tackle on the Easts left second rower who had run a straight crash line from close range.
Cooper Camby continued at right centre in Round Five against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls as well as in Round Six against the Norths Devils and the Round Seven local derby against the Burleigh Bears.
Cooper Camby started at right centre in the Seagulls opening trial when they took on the Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad and Cooper Camby crashed over in the right corner after the final siren to break a 12 all deadlock and give the Seagulls a first up trial victory.
Cooper Camby also started in the Seagulls next trial against the Burleigh Bears.
Cooper Camby made his Hastings Deering’s Colts debut in Round Ten of the 2022 competition when he started on the left wing against the Mackay Cutters with Cooper Camby doing exceptionally well in the 14th minute when he leapt high to take a bomb to his wing on the full two handed above his head just out from his own line and was then awarded a penalty for being tackled whist still in the air.
Cooper Camby moved to the right wing in Round Twelve against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Cooper Camby scoring the first Hastings Deering’s Colts try of his career in the 50th minute after Jotham Russell took a Oskar Bryant bomb on the full just out from the line on the right side of the field, he got an off-load away to Cooper Camby who received the ball near the right touchline. Cooper Camby then from ten metres out cut inside before straightening up and going past two defenders and then Cooper Camby was able to bring the ball around to score eight metres to the right of the goal posts.
Cooper Camby did well in the 34th minute when he tracked back to cleanly take a hard grubber kick just in the field of play and then was able to break two tackles and get the ball back to near the twenty metre mark.
Cooper Camby showcased his defensive skills in the 45th minute when he came out of the defensive line and executed a strong tackle on the big Redcliffe left centre to stop a near certain try. Cooper Camby then executed a very similar tackle on the same opponent once again with the same result just a minute later.
Round One of the 2022 Langer Cup School Boy competition saw Cooper Camby start at right centre for PBC State High School against Marsden State High School with Cooper Camby recording a line break assist in the 41at minute with a catch and pass to his right to put Jett Forbes away down the right touchline.
Cooper Camby then did well in the 44th minute when he came forward to take a short Marsden SHS kick-off on the full knowing full well that he would be smashed by the oncoming defenders, which he was.
Cooper Camby was then named at right centre for Round Two against Redcliffe State High School with Cooper Camby recording a try assist in the 57th minute when after receiving the ball from his inside Cooper Camby was able to draw in the outside Redcliffe SHS defender and get the ball away to his right to put Jett Forbes over in the corner.
Cooper Camby executed a smart piece of play in the 33rd minute after being hemmed in near the right touchline around five metres out from the line, Cooper Camby put in a short right foot grubber kick into the in-goal that had to be forced in-goal by Redcliffe SHS to force a goal-line drop-out.
Cooper Camby then made a great play from a defensive perspective in the 37th minute when he came out of the PBC SHS defensive line to smash the Redcliffe SHS fullback around seventeen metres from the try line with PCB SHS facing an overlap.
Cooper Camby was also named to continue at right centre in Round Three against Coombabah State High School with Cooper Camby scoring in the 46th minute when Zane Harrison ran the ball to his right and threw a good pass to his right to Cooper Camby who cut off his right foot and crash over to score ten metres in from the right corner.
After the mid-season break, Cooper Camby continued at right centre in Round Four against Ipswich State High School and in the 20th minute threw the final pas to his right for Jett Forbes to score in the corner.
Cooper Camby continued at right centre in Round Five against Mabel Park SHS with Cooper Camby scoring a double in a big PBC SHS victory.
Cooper Camby’s opening try came in the 45th minute when after receiving a pass from Jett Forbes, Cooper Camby raced seventy five metres down the right touchline which included a left arm fend to beat the fullback with Cooper Camby putting the ball down mid-way between the corner post and goal post on the right side of the field.
Copper Camby completed his double in the 60th minute when after Zane Harrison put in a kick to the right corner, Jett Forbes took the kick on the full whilst still on the air and being pushed over the touchline Jett Forbes got the ball back inside to Cooper Camby who dived over to score in the righty corner.
Cooper Camby also executed an outstanding try saving tackle in the match when in the 35th minute along with Keano Kini, Cooper Camby hit the Mabel Park SHS left centre literally right on the try line, stopping him dead and knocking him to the ground just inches short of the try line.
Cooper Camby could not have been in the match earlier when he ran back the ball from the opening kick-off.
Cooper Camby also started at right centre in the Round Six local derby against Keebra Park SHS as well as in Round Seven against Wavell SHS with Cooper Camby making strong one on one tackle on the Wavell SHS fullback five metres out from the try line to halt a Wavell SHS try scoring opportunity.
Cooper Camby then did well in the 32nd minute to chase a Zane Harrison chip through with Cooper Camby getting above the Wavell SHS defenders to take the ball on the full on the final tackle ten metres out from the try line.
Cooper Camby continued at right centre in PBC SHS’s Langer Cup Quarter Final against Mabel Park SHS with Cooper Camby scoring a try and recording a try assist as PBC SHS qualified for the semi-finals.
Cooper Camby scored in the 39th minute when after running to his right Zane Harrison passed the ball to Cooper Camby who was running an underneath route with Cooper Camby running the requisite ten metres to scored ten metres to the left of the uprights. Initially Cooper Camby was held up by a number of defenders over the line but Cooper Camby was able to get the ball down in his right hand.
Cooper Camby recorded his try assist in the 30th minute when after Cooper Camby took a Josh Lynn bomb on the full ten metres out and five metres in from the right touchline in his two hands above his head, Cooper Camby was able to get the ball away to his inside as the defence converged on him to Zane Harrison who was able to bring the ball around to put it down under the posts.
Cooper Camby was then named at right centre for PBC SHS in the 2022 Langer Cup Semi-final against Keebra Park SHS with Cooper Camby recording a try assist in the 52nd minute when after receiving the ball near the right touchline and around ten metres out, Cooper Camby engaged the Keebra Park SHS left winger and got a great right arm flick off-load away to Jett Forbes who was able to dive over in the right corner to seal the PBC SHS victory and propel then into the 2022 Langer Cup Grand Final.
Then in the 56th minute Cooper Camby picked up a dropped Keebra Park SHS pass just twenty five metres out from the try line with Cooper Camby then running thirty metres downfield before getting an off-load away just over the halfway mark to his left.
Cooper Camby started at right centre for PBC SHS in the 2022 School Boy Langer Cup Grand Final against Ipswich SHS with Cooper Camby making a smart defensive play in the 32nd minute when with Ipswich SHS on the attack around ten metres out from the try line they spun the ball to Cooper Camby’s side of the field and when facing an overlap Cooper Camby darted forward to take an intercept to snuff out a dangerous Ipswich SHS attacking move.
Then in the 47th minute with Ipswich SHS deep on the attack once again Cooper Camby came out of the defensive line and smashed the Ipswich SHS fullback to force the ball loose.
The 2022 NRRRL U18 competition saw Cooper Camby play for the Cudgen Hornets and after the Hornets had a Round One bye Cooper Camby start Round Two at left centre against the Tweed Heads Seagulls being swapping to the right side in the second half.
Cooper Camby’s initial positive impact on the match came inside the opening minute with a strong twenty metre run down the left channel to get the ball within twenty eight metres of the try line. Then in the 17th minute Cooper Camby made a strong right shoulder driving tackle on his opposite number.
Cooper Camby then started at left centre in Round Six against the Byron Bay Devils and in the 4th minute engineered a line break assist when after getting the ball thirty metres away from his own line Cooper Camby was able to make ten metres down the left touchline before off-loading to his left to his winger who was able to promote the ball a further twenty five metres.
Cooper Camby also recorded a 49th minute try assist when after bursting away down the left touchline Cooper Camby drew the fullback and passed inside to put Max Liles over to score.
In the 31st minute Cooper Camby took advantage of a great Stevie O’Connor catch and pass to his left to put Cooper Camby into a gap with the left centre breaking three tackles whilst making twenty metres to get the ball into Byron Bay territory.
Cooper Camby then started at left centre in Round Seven against the Cudgen Hornets and made inroads into the Jets defensive line in as early as the 4th minute when he made a fifteen metre run down a short left blindside to get the ball into Bilambil territory. Cooper Camby was then awarded a penalty for a swinging arm in the tackle by one of the Bilambil defenders.
Cooper Camby also did well in the 12th minute when from a Hornets scrum win with Cooper Camby running the ball to the left from ten metres from his own line and after beating two Jets defenders was able to off-load to left to send his left winger on an eighteen metres run down the left touchline.
Cooper Camby continued at right centre in Round Thirteen against the Ballina Seagulls with Cooper Camby doing well in the 6th minute from a defensive perspective. Cooper Camby was faced with a two man overlap around ten metres out from the try line and after holding his defensive positioning as the play unfolded in front on him, Cooper Camby raced out of the line and was able to knock down a pass when without Cooper Camby’s intervention, Ballina would surely have scored.
From an attacking perspective Cooper Camby was heavily involved in Stevie O’Connor’s 32nd minute try when Cooper Camby made a line break down the right side of the field near the halfway mark with Cooper Camby throwing a great right arm around the corner off-load to Jett Forbes who then sent Stevie O’Connor away to score under the posts.
Cooper Camby made a line break of his own in the 48th minute when after passing to his right winger just twenty metres out from his own try line, Copper Camby got the ball back from his winger and raced forty metres down the right touchline before passing back inside to his winger. It was an impressive interchange of passing.
Cooper Camby also did well in the 28th minute with he took a Ballina short kick-off on the full and after seemingly being held after a five metre run, Cooper Camby has able to break three tackles to progress the ball to within five metres of the halfway mark.
Cooper Camby then moved to left centre for the rescheduled Round Five match against the Byron Bay Devils with Cooper Camby scoring in the 45th minute when from a Cudgen scrum on the opposite side of the field Cooper Camby received the ball thirty metres out and wide out on the left with Cooper Camby using a left arm fend to beat one tackle and then run thirty metres to score in the left corner.
Cooper Camby added a second try in the 47th minute when he chased through a Jett Forbes kick down a short left blindside with Cooper Camby taking the ball on the bounce above his head five metres out with Cooper Camby then able to bring the ball around to within five metres of the left upright.
Cooper Camby also made a smart play in the 14th minute when he chased through a Hornets attacking grubber kick with Cooper Camby grabbing hold of the Byron Bay fullback three metres out from the line with Cooper Camby forcing him back into the in-goal area to force a goal line drop-out.
Cooper Camby then started at left centre for the Cudgen Hornets in the 2022 NRRRL Major Semi-final against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Cooper Camby recording a try assist in the final minute of the match when after Tweed Heads put in a short goal line drop-out with Cooper Camby taking the ball on the full with Cooper Camby then passing to his left to put his left second rower over in the left corner.
The 2022 NRRRL U18 Grand Final saw Cooper Camby named at start at left centre for the Cudgen Hornets against the Ballina Seagulls with Cooper Camby scoring in the 57th minute when from dummy half and four metres out from the try line and three metres in from the left touchline, Cooper Camby ran to his right to force his way over to score just in from the left corner.
Cooper Camby made the first of his two line breaks in the 13th minute when from just five metres out from his own try line Cooper Camby from the left side of the field received the ball to the right of the play the ball with Cooper Camby executing a right foot step to beat three defenders with Cooper Camby promoting the ball thirty five metres downfield before he was brought to ground.
Cooper Camby recorded a second line break in the 54th minute when Cooper Camby took a Ballina short kick-off on the bounce near the left touchline just after the ball had crossed the ten metre plane with Cooper Camby then racing fifty five metres downfield before he was tackled into touch just five metres out from the try line.
In March 2022 Cooper Camby was selected in the South Coast School Boy Rugby League U18 Representative side after successfully negotiating the trials with Cooper Camby starting Match One against Northern at right centre.
Cooper Camby produced a great try assist in the 27th minute when he produced a great right arm flick off-load while he was going to ground to put Jett Forbes over in the right corner from close range.
Cooper Camby also started at right centre in Match Two against Met North.
In June 2021 the centre from the Cudgen Hornets was part of a Titans U18 Northern Rivers squad that played the Titans U17 JTS squad at Cbus Stadium in a curtain raiser to the Titans Round Fourteen NRL match against the Sydney Roosters.
Cooper Camby played the 2021 season with the Cudgen Hornets in the NRRRL U18 competition starting Round One at left centre against the Tweed Coast Raiders and was one of the Hornets try scorers in their big victory.
Cooper Camby’s try came in just the 4th minute of the Round One match when he ran through a gap down the left channel from five metres out in get the ball down five metres in from the left corner post.
Cooper Camby continued at left centre in Round Three against Casino RSM, scoring a double in Cudgen’s 40 – 18 victory.
Cooper Camby’s opening try came in the 9th minute when he ran into a gap on the left from six metres out, with Copper Camby spinning counter clockwise right on the try line to gain separation from the fullback to get the ball down nine metres in from the left corner.
Cooper Camby scored his second try of the match in the 18th minute when initially he was defending twenty metres from his own line. The Casino RSM halfback put in a grubber kick to the left side of the field with Cooper Camby taking the ball over his right shoulder and then outpaced the defence to run eighty metres down the left wing and then was able to bring the ball around to place the ball under the posts.
Cooper Camby also started at left centre in Round Four against the Bilambil Jets, scoring a double once again in Cudgen’s victory against their closest rivals.
Cooper Camby’s opening try came in the 5th minute when he was on the end of a Hornets passing movement to the left and received the ball in space and was able to comfortably run ten metres to score in the left corner. Cooper Camby added his second try in the 38th minute when he was put into a gap by Harvey Moase and ran twenty metres to score easily.
Cooper Camby continued at left centre in Round Five against the Byron Bay, once again scoring a double. Cooper Camby’s opening try came in the 6th minute of the match when he burst thirty metres down the left touchline and was able to hold off the Byron Bay halfback with left arm, maintaining his balance to get the ball over the line in the left corner.
Cooper Camby scored his second try in the 45th minute when after receiving the ball, Cooper Camby stepped off his left to beat one defender before a second left foot step beat another. As he ran at the fullback, Cooper Camby looked to his left to his support but instead he dummied in that direction with that deception fooling the fullback and then Cooper Camby brought the ball around to score under the posts.
Cooper Camby continued at left centre in Round Seven against the Marist Brothers Rams and in Round Eight against the Kyogle Turkeys where in the 48th minute Cooper Camby made a fifty metre break down the left touchline.
Cooper Camby continued at left centre in Round Ten against the Murwillumbah Mustangs and scored in the 50th minute when he received a great right arm off-load from Darcy Townsend eight metres from the line and Cooper Camby was able to get the ball down in the left corner.
Cooper Camby finished the abridged 2021 NRRRL U18 regular season as the competitions equal leading try scorer with eight tries alongside Damon Coldwell and Michael Roberts.
Cooper Camby also continued to play for PBC in 2021, playing primarily in the Langer Reserve competition and had an exceptional match in Round Four against Marsden State High School when from his left centre position he was one of PBC’s try scorers when he was able to reach out to get the ball down.
Cooper Camby also started at left centre in Round Six against Keebra Park with Cooper Camby scoring PBC’s opening try of the match in just the 2nd minute of the match when after PBC, on the last tackle, spun the ball to their right, the ball came back to Cooper Camby on the left around eight metres out. Cooper Camby was confronted immediately by a defender and subsequently put in a short grubber kick for himself, regathering the ball just short of the line and getting the ball down near the left corner.
Cooper Camby also started at left centre in the final round after the Covid 19 hiatus against Wavell State High School, scoring PBC’s second try of the match.
Cooper Camby scored in the 29th minute when after receiving the ball fifteen metres out, Cooper Camby was able to get the ball down in the left corner. Cooper Camby also had a long sixty metre line break in the match. In the 16th minute Cooper Camby raced sixty metres down the left touchline after receiving an off-load from Bailey McConnell.
In late 2022 EJ Finau was named in the 2023 Burleigh Bears Hastings Deering’s Colts squad after playing a number of matches for the Bears in the Colts competition with EJ Finau still U18 eligible in 2022.
EJ Finau started in the front row in the Bears late February 2023 Hastings Deering’s Colts trial against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Ej Finau making the opening run of the match from the Seagulls kick-off with Ej Finau getting the ball twenty five metres away from his own try line. Ej Finau made another strong run in the 5th minute from the kick-off from Burleigh opening try of the match with Ej Finau once again getting the ball to the twenty five metre mark.
EJ Finau made a further strong charge in the 42nd minute to the left side of the field with EJ Finau engaging the defensive line and spinning 360 degress clockwise before getting an off-load away to his left with the Bears scoring in the left corner with Ej Finau’s off-load a key reason for the subsequent try.
The in the next set of six tackles in the 43rd minute EJ Finau charged onto the ball twenty metres out from his own try line to the left of the play the ball with Ej Finau making sixteen metres, at least 50% of which were post contact metres.
EJ Finau also made a strong tackle in the 20th minute when whilst defending on his own try line EJ Finau made astrong driving tackle with his right shoulder on the Seagulls right centre driving him onto his back.
In late January 2022 EJ Finau started at right second row for the Titans U19 side in a match at Pizzey Park against the Burleigh Bears Hastings Deering’s Colts side with EJ Finau being involved in the opening tackle of the match after Tom Weaver kicked off for the Titans to get the match underway.
EJ Finau made a strong hit-up in the 14th minute when he made ten metres down the right channel to get the ball to thirty metres out from his own line. Perhaps EJ Finau’s best run of the match came in the 22nd minute when from a Titans penalty restart EJ FInau made a great twenty two metres, a majority of which were post contact metres to get six metres into Burleigh territory.
EJ Finau’s defensive game was also on song in the match when in the 67th minute he produced a great covering tackle racing to his right and stopping the Burleigh attacker not far out from the try line.
In mid-December 2021 EJ FInau had the opportunity to train with the Titans NRL squad in a joint training session between the Titans NRL squad and the Titans JTS Program Squads where EJ FInau spent a fair portion of the joint session working with David Fifita.
In late October 2021 EJ Finau was named in the Burleigh Bears 2022 U18 MM Cup squad after playing the 2021 MM Cup season with the Souths Logan Magpies.
Round One of the 2022 MM Cup competition saw EJ Finau named at left second row for the Burleigh Bears against the Easts Tigers however the match was rained out due to extreme weather conditions.
EJ Finau was then named to start at left second row for Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies with EJ Finau produced a good off-load to his left in the 46th minute with Xavier Asi diving over in the left corner as a result of EJ FInau’s good work on Xavier Asi’s inside.
EJ Finau also started at left second row in Round Three against the Norths Devils scoring a strong try in the 24th minute when he charged onto a ball to the left of the dummy half around seven metres out down a short left blindside with EJ FInau proving far too big and strong for the Devils right sided defensive line with EJ Finau crashing over five metres in from the left corner post.
EJ Finau’s initial impact came in just the 3rd minute of the match when after packing into a scrum at lock just ten metres out from the try line, EJ Finau ran the ball to the left of the scrum, getting the ball out to the twenty four metre mark.
EJ Finau also made a strong charge just a minute before his 24th minute try with a twelve metre effort down the left channel and then in the 69th minute EJ FInau made a strong kick return from a Norths goal line drop-out with EJ Finau making sixteen metres.
EJ Finau then continued at left second row in Round Four against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls as well as in Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins however EJ Finau was a late scratching from the match.
EJ Finau was back at left second row for the Bears in the Round Seven local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls taking the Bears 2nd and 4th hit-ups from their opening set of six tackles in the match.
EJ Finau showed his defensive technique and strength in the 26th minute when he along with Wailer Whaiapu executed a big front on hit on one of the Burleigh front rowers, forcing him back five metres to near the halfway mark.
EJ Finau was also named to start on the bench in the rescheduled Round One match against the East Tigers coming into the match around the Twenty Two minute mark, and to saw EJ Finau make a strong start to the match would be a big understatement starting in the 24th minute when his first run of the match came when he received the ball to the left of the dummy half twenty two metres out and his hard charging run got EJ Finau all of the way to forty metres out.
Two minutes later in the 26th minute made a further twelve metres down the left channel with the Bears attacking inside Tigers territory. EJ Finau continued his torrid start to his time on the field in the match when in the 29th minute EJ Finau picked up the ball from the back of the scrum after packing in at lock and from twenty metres out ran to his left, running over one would be defender to get the ball to withing ten metres of the try line.
EJ FInau’s impressive ten metres before halftime continued in the 33rd minute when he ran onto the ball to the left of the play the ball and made fourteen metres to get the ball thirty metres away from his own try line.
The half time break did not slow done EJ FInau as could be seen in the 37th minute when he flew onto a short pass from Bailey McConnell, bursting straight through the line and it was only a desperate cover defending tackle that stopped EJ Finau from scoring when he was brought down just four metres short of the try line.
EJ Finau was named at left second row for the Burleigh Bears second 2022 trial against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with EJ Finau making his first run of the match in the 2nd minute making ten metres to get the ball over the halfway mark.
EJ Finau also started at left second row in Burleigh’s final trial against the Western Clydesdales with EF Finau taking the fifth hit-up of the match to the left of the dummy half with EJ Finau making twelve metres to get the ball to the halfway mark.
EJ Finau made another strong run in the 7th minute when he charged ten metres down the left channel and then EJ FInau was awarded a penalty for a leg pull. Then in the 28th minute EJ FInau was at it again with an eighteen metre effort out of his own twenty metre area.
In late April 2022 EJ Finau was named in the 2022 Queensland Rugby League U18 Emerging Origin Squad.
In late May 2022 EJ Finau also represented South Coast in the U18 QSSRL School Boy Championships starting Match One against Northern at left second row and producing an outstanding effort that resulted in two tries.
EJ FInau’s opening try came in the 37th minute when he burst onto the ball from an inside pass from Jye Gray to crash over from around thirteen metres out around ten metres to the left of the uprights.
EJ Finau completed his double in the 40th minute when from ten metres out he came back underneath the dummy half who had run to his right to crash over mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.
In fact EJ FInau took the hit-up from the kick-off, getting the ball over the twenty metre mark and subsequently winning a penalty for South Coast. EJ FInau also made a strong charge from a kick-off return in the 34th minute, getting the ball well over the twenty metre mark.
EJ Finau also started at left second row in Match Two against Met North and scored in the 8th minute when he charged over under the posts from eight metres out.
Round One of the 2022 Langer Cup School Boy competition saw EJ Finau start at left second row for Keebra Park State High School against Ipswich State High School with EJ Finau making a strong twelve metre charge in the 32nd minute from a Keebra Park SHS penalty restart.
EJ Finau also started at left second row in Round Two against Coombabah State High School and in the 11th minute EJ Finau picked up the ball from the back of a Keebra Park SHS scrum feed and ran to his left to make fourteen metres, getting the ball into Coombabah SHS territory as a result.
EJ Finau scored a strong try in the 25th minute when scored five metres in from the left corner post and forcing his way over from dummy half with the play the ball five metres from the try line.
EJ Finau almost scored a second try in the 46th minute but he was held up over the line from a straight crash running line from close range.
EJ Finau continued at left second row in Round Three against Marsden State High School with the first of a number of strong runs from EJ FInau coming in the 12th minute when EJ FInau packed in at lock for a scrum with a Keebra Park SHS feed ten metres inside Marsden SHS territory with EJ FInau running to his left and making twelve metres from the base of the scrum.
EJ Finau continued at left second row in Round Four against Wavell State High School in a match that was played as a curtain raiser to the Titans v Bronco’s NRL match.
Impressively in Round Eleven of the 2022 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition EJ Finau was named on the Burleigh Bears extended bench for their away match against the Northern Pride. EJ Finau was also named on the Burleigh Bears extended bench in Round Thirteen against the Townsville Blackhawks.
EJ Finau also started at left second row in Round Five against Redcliffe State High School with EJ Finau scoring in the 8th minute when he fought his way over from dummy half after running to his right from a play the ball around three metres out with EJ Finau getting the ball down under heavy pressure six metres in from the left corner.
EJ Finau also made a line break in the 41st minute when EJ Finau received the ball from his inside around twenty metres out from his own try line with EJ Finau charging fifty metres downfield and when he was brought to ground around thirty metres out from the line, EJ Finau did well to stay in the field of play.
EJ Finau continued at left second row in the Round Six local derby against PBC SHS with EJ Finau making a strong charge of sixteen metres to get the ball to the halfway mark after EJ Finau charged onto the ball to the right of the play the ball.
Round Seven of the Langer Cup competition saw EJ Finau start at left second row against Mabel Park SHS.
EJ Finau then started at left second row in Keebra Park SHS’s Langer Cup Quarter Final against Marymount College with EJ Finau along with Arama Hau making the opening tackle of the match after Keebra Park SHS had kicked off.
Then in the 3rd minute EJ Finau made twelve metres down the left channel from a standing start with EJ Finau able to get the ball within ten metres of the try line. EJ Finau made another strong run down the left channel in the 26th minute with EJ Finau able to make sixteen metres to get the ball to twenty metres from the try line.
EJ Finau also started at left second row in the 2022 Langer Cup Semi-Final against PBC SHS.
EJ Finau made his Hastings Deering’s Colts debut when he started from the bench in Round Fifteen of the 2022 season for the Burleigh Bears against the Mackay Cutters with EJ Finau coming off the bench to operate in the middle of the field in the 28th minute. EJ Finau’s first run of the ball just a minute or so later saw EJ Finau send one of the Cutters defenders fly backwards after EJ Finau had bumped him up near the halfway mark.
EJ FInau then started from the bench in Round Sixteen against the Western Clydesdales before moving into the Bears starting side at left second row in Round Seventeen against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.
In January 2021 EJ Finau started in the front row for the Titans U17 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights and was his usual hard charging, hard tackling self as the Titans emerged from the match impressive 32 - 20 victors.
EJ Finau’s first action of the match came in just the second tackle after the Titans kicked off when he along with Nicholas Hilton smashed the Knights second rower who was taking just the second hit-up of the match.
EJ Finau also showcased his off-loading skills in the match, with a good off-load early in the second half, as he took a hit-up EJ Finau was spun around so that he was facing his own goal line but with three Knights defenders in contact with him, EJ Finau was still able to get both arms free and off-load to front row partner Joseph Shannon.
In 2021 EJ Finau was part of the Souths Logan U18 MM Cup squad, starting Round One against the Burleigh Bears in the left second row position. EJ Finau made his first telling contribution in the match with a strong twenty metre charge from a hit-up to the left of the play the ball with the hit-up being the second from a Burleigh goal line drop out to restart play. EJ Finau broke two tackles in the run with more than 50% of EJ Finau’s metres being made post contact.
EJ Finau produced another powerful run in the 25th minute, when from a hit-up from a penalty restart, he charged straight at the set Burleigh defensive line and made thirteen metres to get within 30 centremetres of the line through sheer determination and leg drive.
EJ Finau was at his barnstorming best once again late in the first half when he cut in behind the play the ball from a hit-up surging fifteen metres to get Souths Logan to within ten metres of the Burleigh line.
Half time did not halt EJ Finau’s momentum as in the 42nd minute, he once again charged onto the ball bustling his way to a ten metre gain before offloading to his support to keep the ball moving for Souths Logan.
Just five minutes later in the 47th minute another EJ Finau charge resulted in sixteen more metre gained for South Logan down the left by EJ Finau.
In the 52nd minute, EJ Finau took advantage of a good off-load from Sione Fotuaika to gain an additional twenty metres from inside Souths Logan’s own territory.
EJ Finau also started at left second row in Round Two against the Tweed Heads Seagulls and was one of the Magpies best in their tough eight point loss. EJ FInau was in the match early, taking the second hit-up of the match, making twelve hard tough metres.
EJ FInau also produced a strong charge from the kick-off to Souths Logan’s first try scored by Princton Esera. From the kick-off EJ FInau, in the 15th minute, threw himself at the defensive line forcing his way forward.
Just a minute later, EJ Finau scored a strong try on the left side of the field. EJ Finau received the ball eleven metres out and ran straight over the top of Harrydon Wilson and dragged three Seagulls defenders over the line to put the ball down three metres in from the left corner post to put the Magpies in front in the match.
EJ FInau continued his strong match in the second half with a run that made ten hard fought metres to get Souths Logan with ten metres of the try line.
EJ Finau was named at left second row once again in Round Three against the Souths Logan Magpies and in Round Four against the Burleigh Bears as well as in Round Five against the Tweed Heads Seagulls.
Round Six being the final regular season round of the 2021 MM Cup competition saw EJ Finau named to line up at left second row against the Ipswich Jets however he was a late scratching from the match.
In late May 2021 EJ Finau was part of the Met East QSSRL U18 Open School Boy representative side and came off the bench to slot in at left second row in their Day One match against Sunshine Coast producing a strong run in the 14th minute when he was able to make twenty metres down the left channel.
Round One of the 2021 Langer Cup School Boy Rugby League competition saw EJ FInau start on the bench for Marsden State High School against Keebra Park.
In late August 2021, EJ Finau was named in the Queensland City U17 squad for a match against a Queensland U17 Country squad with EJ Finau being named on the City extended bench for the match.
In late February 2021 EJ Finau represented the Queensland U19 7’s Boy’s rugby side, starting in their Battle of the Border match against New South Wales. Unfortunately Queensland went down in the match 34 – 21.
The hard hitting front rower or second rower was part of the Titans U16 side for their annual match against the Newcastle Knights Harold Matthews Cup (U16) side in Coffs Harbour in January 2020. The Titans came away from the match with an 18 – 14 victory in wet and slippery conditions.
In 2020 EJ Finau attended Marsden State High School as part of their Rugby League Excellence Program playing the majority of the school boy rugby league season with the Marsden State High School Langer B side, where he spent time both in the front row and second row.
EJ Finau made his Langer Cup debut in Round Five of the 2020 school boy rugby league competition from the bench against PBC coming off the bench mid-way through the first half and made some telling defensive hits in his time on the field.
Also in 2020 EJ Finau moved back to play for Logan Brothers in the GBJRL U16 Division One competition scoring an incredible six tries is his first match back in Logan’s Green and Yellow against Redlands.
In fact it could have been seven but the touch judge ruled that EJ Finau had gone into touch when he dive over in the left corner in the second half, I must admit that it looked like EJ Finau had gotten the ball down before he went into touch, but six tries in a match is one heck of an effort.
EJ Finau spent time in the match, at both left centre and in the second row. EJ FInau’s first try of the match came when he followed through a grubber kick towards the right corner post to get to the ball first. EJ Finau’s second try came when he was operating at left centre, receiving the ball twelve metres out at the dressing room end of Civic Park and with a right foot step got on the outside of his immediate defender and beat another with pace to dive over in the left corner.
Whilst EJ Finau’s first half was impressive with two tries, his four try second half was even better and started when once again he was first through to dive on a Logan Brothers grubber kick, this time to the left side of the field. EJ Finau added a fourth try when ran out of dummy half to the left of the play the ball, diving over with four defenders trying in vain to stop him.
EJ Finau’s fifth try came when he cut underneath his play maker, cutting back behind the play the ball barging over after a ten metres run carrying two defenders with him. EJ Finau’s sixth and final try of the match came on the left side of the field once again, when he received the ball two passes off the play the ball, immediately cutting to the outside around three Redlands defenders to score five metres in from the left corner post.
EJ Finau did not just play rugby league in 2020 but rugby as well as the Sunnybank Dragons and even though he was still U16 eligible EJ FInau started at outside centre in the U18 Brisbane Rugby Grand Final recently scoring the first try of the match when he took the ball on the right side of the field twenty metres out, charging into the defence, it looked like EJ Finau was held by two Souths defenders but he broke clear charging the remaining fifteen metres to score under pressure from two further Souths Defenders.
In Sunnybank's Grand Final win EJ FInau also set up the Dragons second try when he broke clear down the left side of the field drawing the fullback and sending his left winger away down the left touch line to score in Sunnybank's big 48-20 Grand Final victory.
EJ FInau’s first match for Sunnybank came late in the season against the Ipswich Rangers when he started at outside centre, and before the Grand Final also started at outside centre against Wests Colts and Souths.
The superbly talented young forward is a rare combination of size, strength, speed and power on a football field and all of those attributes were on display for the Titans U15’s early in 2019 at Mudgeeraba against the Western Mustangs and another Titans U15 development squad.
In one of the Titans round robin matches EJ Finau scored an outstanding try against the Western Mustangs in the last half of one of the U15 matches. EJ Finau stood on the left side of a scrum with a Titans feed about twenty metres out, he received the ball two passes wide of the scrum and simply powered his way over to score mid-way between the posts and the touch line after easily disposing of a Western Mustangs attacker on the way to the try line.
Subsequent to that match the Titans were able to secure EJ Finau to a two year contract, a deal which will I am sure will pay huge dividends for the Titans in future years leading all of the way up to the NRL level and potentially beyond in relation to this outstanding young talent.
In early October 2019 EJ Finau was part of the Titans U15 side that played a Balmain Tigers U15 side at Piggabeen in Northern New South Wales with the Titans winning 34 – 16 in impressive fashion and EJ Finau putting on a damaging and powerful display starting in the second row and making significant ground through the centre of the ruck, a lot of which were post contact metres.
For the 2019 GBJRL U15 Division One season EJ Finau moved from Logan Brothers to Redcliffe starting Round One in the left second row position for Redcliffe White making an immediate impact against Mitchelton scoring a double on debut and also producing a man of the match performance against Mitchelton later in the season.
EJ Finau’s first try came when after Redcliffe received a penalty around forty metres out from the line, he took the first hit-up and burst through the defensive line before using his speed to easily beat the fullback to score.
EJ Finau’s second try was from a play closer to the Mitchelton line, the ball was delivered to Redcliffe’s left for EJ Finau to receive the pass when running a straight crash line to break through the defensive and then just prior to the line, spun 360 degrees to score whilst dragging three defenders with him.
EJ Finau also had an outstanding game late in the season, Round Fourteen in fact against Redlands where in my opinion was clearly the best player on the field, by far.
The former Logan Brothers product and former Marsden State High School student in 2018 was a key member of the Logan Brothers GBJRL U14 Premier Division side and also represented South East Queensland Green at the Queensland U14 Age Championships, starting all four of their matches in the front row including the final against SEQ White which ended in a 16 all draw.
In 2018 EJ Finau was a standout member of the Marsden U14 Michael Hancock Cup side after moving from Wavell State High and in 2016 represented Queensland at the U12 level, in the second row I believe in his first taste of representative rugby league.
2018 was EJ Finau’s final season with Logan Brothers and he certainly made the most of it playing for the Logan Brothers U14 Premier Division side including scoring a long range ninety five metre try when after a Carina forward dropped the ball EJ Finau took a short pass from his Logan Brothers team mate and sprint away to score and to be fair no Carina player made any ground on EJ Finau in the chase at all.
In 2017 for the Logan Brothers U13 Premier Division side EJ Finau was simply outstanding scoring more than one try in multiple matches that I was lucky enough to attend. EJ Finau also stood out for Marsden State High School in 2017 including a memorable match against Keebra Park where amongst other things, with Keebra Park on the attack, EJ Finau took an attacking Keebra Park kick that was kicked hard and directed straight at him on the full a minute out from his own line right in front of the goal post before rumbling 60 metres up field before he was eventually dragged down by the Keebra Park fullback.
For Logan Brothers in 2017 EJ Finau had a number of outstanding matches including scoring a double against Albany Creek including his second try of the match when EJ Finau received the ball off the dummy half to the right of the play the ball rounding one defender before rumbling thirty metres to score.
To score his first try in that match, EJ FInau lined up one pass off the scrum to the left. EJ Finau actually knocked the ball backwards when it was passed from the back of the scrum. EJ FInau after going back and collecting the ball, under pressure mind you from an Albany Creek defender, broke to the outside of the Albany Creek defensive line charging sixty metres down the left touch line to score in the corner, showcasing outstanding speed for such a big strong young player.
In a 2017 match against Redcliffe EJ FInau was once again a multiple try scorer in the match including a short range try in the second half when after Logan Brothers received a penalty two metres out from the Redcliffe line, EJ Finau came off a long run up to crash over five metres in from the left corner.
Another try that EJ FInau scored in the Redcliffe match was an outstanding individual effort. In the first half EJ FInau took a Redcliffe drop out on the full thirty five metres out from the Redcliffe line, when running the ball back, EJ FInau easily broke through the tackle of the Redcliffe right winger to score in the left corner.
EJ Finau’s third and final try of the match came when EJ FInau once again took a hit-up receiving the ball off the dummy half charging ten metres to score near the left corner of Logan Brothers home ground at Civic Park.
In another multiple try scoring game in 2107 this time against Aspley, EJ FInau’s first try came when he took a hit-up bumping off the Aspley fullback after a fifty metre charge down the left touch line and also dragged a further defender across the line.
EJ FInau’s second try of the match EJ FInau produced a twenty five metre run, once again down the left touch line breaking three tackles to score in the left corner to cap an outstanding effort against the North Brisbane based side.
After Tweed Heads had a Round One bye Dylan Watkins was named at right centre in Round Two of the 2023 U16 Cyril Connell Cup against the Brisbane Tigers with Dylan Watkins scoring the Seagulls only try of the match in the 41st minute. Dylan Watkins moved into dummy half with the play the ball twelve metres out and mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field and ran to his left out of dummy half. As the Tigers markers moved with him, Dylan Watkins stepped off his left foot to beat him with Dylan Watkins then accelerating to full speed in an instant and burst between two defenders near the try line and then Dylan Watkins was able to bring the ball around to score under the posts.
Dylan Watkins could not have been in the match earlier after making the opening tackle of the match after Tweed Heads had kicked off.
Dylan Watkins also started at right centre in Round Three against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Dylan Watkins making a smart run in the 6th minute from the right of the dummy half making ten metres and getting the ball to the halfway mark.
Dylan Watkins also did well in the 22nd minute with an eighteen metre run down a short right blindside with Dylan Watkins then cutting back towards the area behind the play the ball as he got within a metre of the try line.
Then in the 47th minute Dylan Watkins when from two passes to the right of a Seagulls scrum win ten metres out from his own try line Dylan Watkins ran to his right and after getting to the twenty metre mark Dylan Watkins cut off his right foot back towards the centre of the field and after making another five metre downfield was able to get an off-load away to his left.
Dylan Watkins also started at right centre in Round Four against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Dylan Watkins making a good play in just the 2nd minute of the match when Dylan Watkins chased through a Seagulls kick from near the halfway mark with Dylan Watkins tackling the Wynnum Manly fullback just five metres from the try line. Dylan Watkins made a further strong tackle in the 40th minute on the Wynnum Manly left second rower on his own try line to stop a near certain try.
Then in the 12th minute Dylan Watkins from forty metres out and two passes to the right of a Seagulsl scrum in the centre of the field with Dylan Watkins beating one defender to get the ball within twenty metres of the try line.
Then in the 29th minute Dylan Watkins made a twenty metre run down the right channel to get the ball within thirty four metres of the try line. Dylan Watkins made a further strong run in the 57th minute when after gong over to the left side of the field Dylan Watkins took the ball on the halfway mark and was able to get the ball thirteen metres into Wynnum Manly territory before being held down too long in the tackle to receive a penalty.
Dylan Watkins then moved to fullback for Round Five against the Souths Logan Magpies with Dylan Watkins recording three line breaks in a strong overall performance.
Dylan Watkins recorded his opening line break in the 25th minute when after taking possession of the ball from a Magpies clearing kick just ten metres out and in the centre of the field Dylan Watkins ran to his right to get to the touchline and burst twenty metres down field before Dylan Watkins cut inside and then Dylan Watkins broke two tackles by spinning 360 degrees clockwise to get the ball within six metres of the halfway mark before being tackled.
Dylan Watkins added a second line break in the 39th minute when after moving into dummy half on the halfway mark Dylan Watkins ran himself to his right with Dylan Watkins speed taking him straight through the centre of the still back peddling Magpies defensive line with Dylan Watkins getting to within sixteen metres of the try line before he was able to get on off-load away to his left to his halfback.
The 45th minute saw Dylan Watkins break through the Magpies defensive line for the third time when whilst stationary thirty metres out from his own try line Dylan Watkins received the ball and then exploded off the mark and straight through the defensive line with Dylan Watkins then veering to his right to round the Magpies fullback before Dylan Watkins cut back to his left before being dragged to ground less than ten metres from the try line.
Earlier in the 31st minute from the right of the play the ball and five metres inside his own territory Dylan Watkins was able to promote the ball eight metres inside Magpies territory.
Dylan Watkins also did well inside the opening minute when he raced from the left side of the field to his right to field a Souths Longa grubber kick cleanly and under pressure in front of his own gaol posts.
Dylan Watkins did well once again in the 16th minute when after chiming into the Seagulls backline around twenty five metres from the try line and to left the left side of the field Dylan Watkins juggled the pass and just as the ball was about to hit the ground Dylan Watkins dived forward and knocked the ball backwards for Tweed Heads to keep possession and prevent a knock on being called.
Dylan Watkins then moved to the left wing for Round Six against the Norths Devils with Dylan Watkins scoring a double in a big Seagulls victory.
Dylan Watkins scored his opening try in the left corner in the 19th minute after receiving a great off-load from his inside from Levi Rusin.
Dylan Watkins completed his double in the 51st minute when Dylan Watkins chased through a grubber kick towards his wing by Caleb Creswell with Dylan Watkins grounding the ball centremetres from the dead ball line and just in from the left in-goal line.
Earlier in the 14th minute Dylan Watkins made a good run from the right of the play the ball from thirty metres out to eighteen metres out. Then in the 49th minute Dylan Watkins raced back to the twenty metre mark to take a quick tap restart with Dylan Watkins making fifteen metres then Dylan Watkins stayed alive to take an off-load from the dummy half who had run himself with Dylan Watkins making nine more metres as a result.
Dylan Watkins made a great take of the ball in the 11th minute when he leapt high to take a bomb on the full ten metres out from the try line and twelve metres in from the right touchline. Dylan Watkins was then awarded a penalty for being tackled whilst still in the air.
Towards the end of the second half after moving to fullback Dylan Watkins made a good one on one tackle in space on the Hooker who had burst through the centre of the ruck but as he tried to beat him, Dylan Watkins moved to his right to bring him to ground. Dylan Watkins was also involved in the next tackle as well on the Devils right second rower No. 11.
Then in the 67th minute Dylan Watkins made a great tackle near the try line and ten metres in from his right touchline on the Devils left centre No. 3 who stepped inside to beat multiple defenders but not Dylan Watkins who stooped him in his tracks and also from scoring.
Dylan Watkins continued on the left wing in the Round Seven local derby against the Burleigh Bears
Ryan McCann was named on the bench in Round One of the 2023 U18 Mal Meninga Cup competition for the Souths Logan Magpies against the Redcliffe Dolphins however Ryan McCann was a late scratching from the Magpies side.
Ryan McCann was also named on the bench in Round Two against the Burleigh Bears.
Ryan McCann then moved into the Magpies starting line-up at fullback in Round Three against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Ryan McCann scoring in the 50th minute when after chiming into the backline on the right side of the field Ryan McCann received the ball twelve metres out and after straightening up his run, Ryan McCann stepped off his left foot to get on the outside of his opposing defender and sprinted over to score ten metres in from the tight corner post.
Ryan McCann also started on the left wing in Round Five against the Tweed Heads Seagulls.
In early October 2022 Benji Quinlan was named in the 2023 Tweed Heads Seagulls U16 Cyril Connell Cup squad after a strong 2022 school boy rugby league campaign for Mabel Park SHS.
Benji Quinlan’s first match in 2023 came in late January when he lined up for the Tweed Heads Seagulls CC Cup squad in their first 2023 trial against the Souths Logan Magpies at the Logan Metro Sports Complex. Benji Quinlan then lined up for the Seagulls in their second trial against the Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup side at Burleigh Juniors as part of the Titans Annual Super Saturday series of matches.
After Tweed Heads had a Round One bye Benji Quinlan was named at right second row in Round One of the 2023 U16 Cyril Connell Cup against the Brisbane Tigers.
Benji Quinlan also started at right second row in Round Three against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Benji Quinlan taking the third hit-up of the match after the kick-off.
To say that Benji Quinlan showcased a wide ranging skill set against the Dolphins would be an understatement including in the 15th minute when from forty metres out and to the right of the play the ball Benji Quinlan put in a right foot chip kick which was regained by the Seagulls just five metres out from the try line. Then in the 52nd minute from thirty five metres out from his own try line and in the centre of the field Benji Quinlan put up a high floating Matt Burton type of bomb that was too much for the Redcliffe right winger who dropped the ball cold thirty five metres away from his try line.
The first of multiple strong hit-ups from Benji Quinlan came in the 6th minute with a strong fifteen metre run to the halfway mark from the left of the play the ball. Then in the 44th minute from two passes to the left of the dummy half Benji Quinlan charged twenty metres through the centre of the field to get the ball twelve metres from the try line.
Benji Quinlan continued to run hard the entire match including in the 59th minute when from the left of the play the ball and thirty eight metres from his own try line Benji Quinlan was able to get the ball five metres into Redcliffe territory breaking four tackles along the way.
Benji Quinlan was equally impressive defensively against the Dolphins including in the 19th minute when Benji Quinlan nearly cut the Redcliffe winger (No. 2) as he was bring the ball out of his own twenty metre area. Then from the play the ball Benji Quinlan drove the Redcliffe No. 3 backwards as a result of another strong tackle.
In the 31st minute Benji Quinlan hit the Dolphins No. 12 on the halfway from the right side as Benji Quinlan moved to his eight dropping him immediately. Then in the 55th minute Benji Quinlan made yet another strong tackle when he drove the Redcliffe five eight metres backwards from his own thirty two metre mark as a result of another text book front on tackle. Just two minutes later in the 57th minute Benji Quinlan crunched the Redcliffe five eight once again as Benji Quinlan moved to his left to drive him backwards.
Benji Quinlan’s great performance saw him named at right second row in the Courier Mail 2023 CC Cup Round Three Team of the Week.
Benji Quinlan also started at right second row in Round Four against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Benji Quinlan making a strong run in the 58th minute when after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball Benji Quinlan made twenty five metres to get the ball withing twenty one metres of the try line.
Benji Quinlan then moved back to lock in Round Five against the Souths Logan Magpies with Benji Quinlan making the opening tackle of the match. Then in the 20th minute Benji Quinlan made a strong run from eighteen metres out from his own try line to thirty metres out after running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball.
In the 31st minute Benji Quinlan from thirty metres out from his own try line and in the centre of the field Benji Quinlan cut back underneath his halfback who was running to his right with Benji Quinlan rumbling his way to within five metres of the halfway mark.
In the 34th minute from five metres inside Magpies territory and to the right of the play the ball Benji Quinlan broke two tackles as he made twelve metres with around 60% of them post contact.
Benji Quinlan then moved to the front row for Round Six against the Norths Devils with Benji Quinlan taking the opening hit-up of the match from the kick-off and was able to get the ball to the twenty metre mark. Benji Quinlan also made a strong hit-up from the kick-off after the Seagulls opening try of the match that came inside the opening minute.
In general play Benji Quinlan made a strong run in the 6th minute from the right of the play the ball and forty metrws out with Benji Quinlan making fifteen metres downfield. Benji Quinlan added another strong run in the 44th minute with a run from thirty eight metres out to twenty three metres out after receiving the ball from the dummy half to the left of the play the ball.
Benji Quinlan’s strong match continued in the 54th minute when from the left of the dummy half Benji Quinlan from thirty metres out was able to get the ball to just twelve metres from the try line. Then a minute later in the 55th minute Benji Quinlan once again charged onto the ball from the left of the play the ball from thirty five metres out with Benji Quinlan only tackled after he had gotten to eleven metres from the try line.
Benji Quinlan continued in the front row in the Round Seven local derby against the Burleigh Bears with Nemji Quinlan coming off the back fencec to take the opening hit-up of the match from the kick-off getting the ball twenty two metres away from the try line. Then in the 2nd minute Benji Quinlan received an inside pass when thirty five metres out from the try line and after breaking two tackles got the ball to within sixteen metres of the try line.
In late September 2022 Tavake Tau’a’alo was named in the 2023 Tweed Heads Seagulls U16 Cyril Connell Cup squad.
Tavake Tau’a’alo’s first match in 2023 came in late January when he lined up for the Tweed Heads Seagulls CC Cup squad in their first 2023 trial against the Souths Logan Magpies at the Logan Metro Sports Complex.
Tavake Tau’a’alo was then part of the Seagulls squad for their second trial against the Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup side at Burleigh Juniors as part of the Titans Annual Super Saturday.
After Tweed Heads had a Round One bye Tavake Tau’a’alo was named on the bench in Round One of the 2023 U16 Cyril Connell Cup against the Brisbane Tigers.
Tavake Tau’a’alo then started in the front row in Round Four against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Tavake Tau’a’alo making the opening tackle of the match on the Wynnum Manly No. 10 from the Tweed Heads kick-off.
Tavake Tau’a’alo made some exceptional runs in the match but there was none better than his charge in the 59th minute from a Wynnum Manly goal line drop-out return. Tavake Tau’a’alo received the ball forty metres out and charged at the defensive line and punching through the line to get within two metres of the try line.
One of Tavake Tau’a’alo’s first strong runs of the match came in the 21st minute when from the left of the play the ball and twenty metres out from the try line Tavake Tau’a’alo cut back behind the play the ball and got to less than a metre out from the try line before multiple Wynnum Manly defenders had to commit to the tackle to stop Tavake Tau’a’alo from scoring a powerhouse try.
Then in the 45th minute, Tavake Tau’a’alo from a Tweed Heads penalty tap restart burst onto the ball twenty metres out from his own try line to make eighteen metres. Then in the 51st minute from the left of the play the ball and forty metres from his own try line Tavake Tau’a’alo carried a number of Wynnum Manly ten metres inside their own territory.
Tavake Tau’a’alo then started from the bench in Round Five against the Souths Logan Magpies with Tavake Tau’a’alo coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 14th minute of the match.
Tavake Tau’a’alo also started from the bench in Round Six against the Norths Devils with Tavake Tau’a’alo coming onto the field to operate in the front row mid-way through the first half.
The first of a number of strong runs from Tavake Tau’a’alo came in the 21st minute from an underneath route from thirty metres out and to the right of the play the ball with Tavake Tau’a’alo able to get the ball within seven metres of the try line. Then in the 24th minute Tavake Tau’a’alo ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball and was able to get the ball from eight metres inside his own territory to nine metres inside Devils territory.
Then in the 44th minute from the left of the play the ball and twenty three metres from the try line Tavake Tau’a’alo was able to get to five metres from the try line before getting an off-load away to a trailing Harrison Doherty.
Tavake Tau’a’alo made a strong return from a Norths goal line drop-out with Tavake Tau’a’alo receiving the ball forty five metres out and getting the ball to eighteen metres out with Tavake Tau’a’alo then able to get a right arm off-load away to his left to his fullback. Then in the 47th minute from the kick-off return after a Seagulls penalty goal Tavake Tau’a’alo was able to get the ball twenty three metres away from his own try line.
Tavake Tau’a’alo also came off the bench in the Round Seven local derby against the Burleigh Bears with Tavake Tau’a’alo scoring a strong try after coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 15th minute.
Tavake Tau’a’alo scored in the 36th minute when after a Seagulls play the ball two metres out from the try line on the left side of the field the dummy half ran to his right with Tavake Tau’a’alo running back inside to take the inside pass and crash over mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.
Tavake Tau’a’alo had made an earlier strong run in the 24th minute from five metres inside Burleigh territory with Tavake Tau’a’alo receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball and getting the ball to the thirty one metre mark with around 70% of those metres being post contact.
Tavake Tau’a’alo also did well in the 20th minute when after the Burleigh right winger made a line break through the centre of the Seagulls defensive line, Tavake Tau’a’alo chased and caught him still five metres from the halfway mark.
In early October 2022 Titans contracted Jahkayis Mabbell was named in the 2023 Tweed Heads Seagulls U16 Cyril Connell Cup squad with Jahkayis Mabbell moving over from Western Australia to take advantage of the great opportunity to impress the Titans JTS staff right in their own backyard.
Jahkayis Mabbell’s first match in 2023 came in late January when he lined up for the Tweed Heads Seagulls CC Cup squad in their first 2023 trial against the Souths Logan Magpies at the Logan Metro Sports Complex. Jahkayis Mabbell then lined up for the Seagulls in their second trial against the Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup side at Burleigh Juniors as part of the Titans Annual Super Saturday series of matches.
After Tweed Heads had a Round One bye Jahkayis Mabbell was named on the bench in Round Two of the 2023 U16 Cyril Connell Cup against the Brisbane Tigers in Brisbane.
Jahkayis Mabbell then moved into the Seagulls starting line- up at hooker in Round Three against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Jahkayis Mabbell making a smart run out of dummy half in the 32nd minute when from forty metres out from his own try line Jahkayis Mabbell ran to his right out of dummy half and was able to get the ball ten metres inside Redcliffe territory.
Jahkayis Mabbell made an even better run in the 50th minute from forty five metres out from the try line and after running out of dummy half to his right Jahkayis Mabbell got all of the way down to the ten metre mark.
Jahkayis Mabbell also started at hooker in Round Five against the Souths Logan Magpies with Jahkayis Mabbell scoring a smart solo try in the 18th minute when from dummy half Jahkayis Mabbell ran to his right from fourteen metres out and just to the left of the goal posts with Jahkayis Mabbell when ten metres from the try line stepping off his right foot and then his left to beat two defenders before Jahkayis Mabbell easily shrugged off the Magpies fullback to dive over to score next to the right upright.
Jahkayis Mabbell also recorded a try assist in the 4th minute when from dummy half with the play the ball less than a metre from the try line Jahkayis Mabbell threw a flat pass to his left for Ethan Jackson to crash over two metres to the right of the uprights.
Round Three of the 2023 U16 Cyril Connell Cup competition saw Titans contracted Devin Bates-Wellington named on the bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in their home match against the Redcliffe Dolphins and after coming off the bench to operate at left second row in the 17th minute Devin Bates-Wellington made the defensive hit of the match in the 57th minute when whilst defending right on his own try line and directly under the posts Devin Bates-Wellington smashed into a giant charging Dolphins front rower (No. 10) with Devin Bates Wellington’s hit re-directing the font rowers momentum to his left and away from the try line.
Almost immediately after coming onto the field in the 17th minute made his first hit-up which made nine metres out of his own twenty metre mark. Then in the 39th minute Devin Bates-Wellington from two passes to the left of the play the ball and forty metres out from his own try line Devin Bates-Wellington stepped off his left foot twice as he got the ball to near the halfway mark.
Devin Bates-Wellington had made an earlier strong tackle on a stepping Redcliffe halfback ten metres from the try line with Devin Bates-Wellington’s strong initial contact forcing the halfback to lose the ball in the tackle.
Devin Bates-Wellington then started from the bench in Round Five against the Souths Logan Magpies with Devin Bates-Wellington coming onto the field to operate at left second row in the 20th minute.
Devin Bates-Wellington immediately produced a strong run from the kick-off from Jahkayis Mabbell’s try with Devin Bates-Wellington able to get the ball to nineteen metres out from the try line.
Devin Bates-Wellington made a further strong run in the 24th minute when from thirty eight metres out from his own try line and to the left of the play the ball Devin Bates-Wellington broke three tackles as he got the ball to within five metres of the halfway mark before getting an off-load away to his right to Benji Quinlan.
Then in the 30th minute from to the from the opening six of six tackles of the second half Devin Bates-Wellington ran the ball from the left of the play the ball and six metres inside his own territory to get the ball eight metres inside Magpies territory.
Devin Bates-Wellington continued his strong match in the 34th minute when from the right of the play the ball and thirty three metres from the try line Devin Bates-Wellington broke two tackles and when he had got to twenty metres from the try line Devin bates-Wellington got a right arm off-load away.
Devin Bates-Wellington came close to scoring in the 48th minute when after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball from fifteen metres out and in the centre of the field, Devin bates-Wellington cut back behind the play the ball with his momentum finally stopped within centre metres of the try line even though multiple Magpies defenders could not get Devin Bates-Wellington to the ground.
Then in the 52nd minute from the left of the play the ball and five metres inside his own territory Devin Bates-Wellington stepped off his left foot to beat a Souths Logan defender who had rushed out of the defensive line to get eight metres inside Magpies territory before Devin bates-Wellington was able to get an off-load away to his right.
Devin Bates-Wellington produced a smart piece of play in the 23rd minute when whilst defending ten metres out from his own try line Devin Bates-Wellington blocked a Magpies grubber kick with his right foot and then raced forward to take possession and get the ball twenty two metres away from his own try line.
Devin Bates-Wellington’s performance saw him deservedly named on the bench in the Courier Mail 2023 CC Cup Round Five Team of the Week.
Devin Bates-Wellington then made his first start of the season at right second row for Round Six against the Norths Devils with Devin Bates-Wellington recording a try assist inside the opening minute of the match when after the Seagulls had put up a bomb towards the right side of the field, Devin Bates-Wellington was on hand to take possession from his right centre after Norths had lost the kick forward with Devin Bates-Wellington then charging down the right side of the filed before drawing the Devils fullback to put his winger over to score in the right corner.
Devin Bates-Wellington also recorded a line break in the 32nd minute from the left of the play the ball Devin Bates-Wellington, from thirty metres out from his own try line and in the centre of the field, Stepped off his left foot twice to break through the Devils defensive line and get the ball to the halfway mark before Devin Bates-Wellington was able to get an off-load away to his right to a trailing Harrison Doherty.
The 6th minute saw Devin Bates-Wellington run onto the ball to the right of the play the ball from five metres inside his own territory with Devin bates-Wellington getting the ball ten metres inside Devils territory. The in the 39th minute from the right of the paly the ball thirty two metres from the try line Devin Bates-Wellington cut back behind the play the ball and after getting within eighteen metres of the try line, Devin Bates-Wellington was awarded a penalty after being subjected to a dangerous tackle.
Devin Bates-Wellington also made a strong run in the 50th minute from on the halfway mark and to the left of the dummy half with Devin Bates-Wellington able to promote the ball eleven metres.
Devin Bates-Wellington was also outstanding defensively against Norths including a try saving tackle in the 25th minute on the Norths lock right on his own try line with Devin Bates-Wellington’s initial contact stopping the Norths player in his tracks.
Devin Bates-Wellington continued at right second in the Round Seven local derby against the Burleigh Bears with Devin Bates Wellington making a strong run in the 53rd minute when after running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball and twenty metres from the try line, Devin Bates-Wellington stepped back towards his right and got to within five metres of the try line before being tackled, Devin Bates-Wellington was then awarded a penalty and took the hit-up from the resultant restart.
Devin Bates-Wellington’s first match on Austalian soil came in late January when he lined up for the Tweed Heads Seagulls Cyril Connell Cup squad in their first 2023 trial against the Souths Logan Magpies at the Logan Sports Complex.
Devin Bates-Wellington then started in the second row in the Seagulls second trial against the Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup side at Burleigh Juniors as part of the Titans Annual Super Saturday series of matches.
Devin Bates-Wellington then started at right second row in Tweed Heads final 2023 CC Cup trial against the Seagulls local rivals the Burleigh Bears.
In late September 2022 William Semu was named in the 2023 Tweed Heads Seagulls U18 MM Cup squad however ultimately William Semu played the 2023 season with the Soutsh Logan Magpies MM Cup squad with Willima Semu starting the final two quarters of the Magpies second 2023 trial against the Burleigh Bears with William Semu scoring in the fourth quarter of the Magpies victory in the Tians annual Super Saturday series of matches at Burleigh Juniors.
William Semu was named on the left wing in Round One of the 2023 U18 Mal Meninga Cup competition for the Souths Logan Magpies against the Redcliffe Dolphins.
William Semu was also named on the left wing in Round Two against the Burleigh Bears with William Semu’s opening strong run coming in the 3rd minute with William Semu making ten metres from the right of the play the ball to withing forty two metres of the try line.
William Semu made a further strong run in the 15th minute when from the left of a Souths Logan scrum win nineteen metres out from his own try line William Semu carried a number of Bearrs defenders out to the thirty one mtre mark.
William Semu was then named on the bench for Round Three against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with William Semu coming onto the field in the 24th minute with William Semu making a strong run almost immediately to the left of the play the ball with William Semu taking the pass twelve metres inside his own territory with William Semu getting the ball to the halfway mark.
Then in the 26th minute from a Magpies penalty tap restart from thirty one metres and in the centre of the field with William Semu carrying the ball to within sixteen metres of the Magpies try line.
Then in the 33rd minute from the left of the play the ball and twenty six metres away from the try line William Semu charged onto the ball and after engaging a Seagulls defenders still sixteen metres from the try line William Semu spun 360 degrees clockwise to break contact and then William Semu was able to break an additional three defenders are William Semu surged to his left and was only brought down by multiple defenders just five metres out from the try line.
Half time certainly did not slow William Semu down with William Semu making a great charge from Wynnum Manly’s second half kick-off with Williams Semu skittling defenders in all directions as he smashed his way to twenty six metres away from his own try line.
Then in the 67th minute William Semu charged onto the ball to the left of the play the ball from forty metres out from the try line with Williams Semu making eleven tough metres.
William Semu also had some good moments defensively against the Seagulls including in the 37th minute with a strong tackle on the Wynnum Manly right centre (No. 4) with William Semu forcing him backwards three metres before driving him onto his back still twelve metres inside Seagulls territory.
William Semu also started from the bench in Round Five against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with William Semu coming onto the field to play right second row in the 16th minute with William Semu the Magpies best in his time on the field.
William Semu made a great line break in the dying minutes of the match in the 65th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball and thirty three metres out from his own try line William Semu, after bursting between defenders in the initial Seagulls defensive line William Semu beat the third defender with his speed before William Semu looked to beat the fullback by veering to his left but as the Seagulls fullback looked to corral him against the left touchline, William Semu stepped off his left foot to beat the fullback before William Semu was able to get an off-load away to his right when twenty metres out from the try line.
William Semu’s best sequence of carries of the ball came in the 36th minute when from the right of the play the ball and just ten metres out from his own try line William Semu produced two right arm fends as he ran to his left to get the ball fifteen metres downfield. Then after the next play the ball William Semu charged onto the ball thirty five metres out from the try line with William Semu bursting through two attempted tackles and he got the ball six metres inside Magpies territory.
Earlier in the 16th minute William Semu charged onto the ball to the left of the play the ball with William Semu getting the ball from his own forty metre line to three metres inside Seagulls territory. Then in the 24th minute to the right of the play the ball and on the halfway mark William Semu made eleven metres with approximately 60% being post contact.
Then in the 62nd minute William Semu from the left of the play the ball and forty five metres from the try line continued to his left and after beating one defender cut back towards the centre of the field before finally being tackled in the centre of the field and thirty two metres from the try line.
William Semu continued off the bench in Round Six against the Brisbane Tigers with William Semu coming onto the field to operate at left second row late in the first half with William Semu making a great charge in the 38th minute when from forty two metres out from his own try line and to the left of the dummy half, William Semu broke through two tackles and then William Semu carried another defender as he charged ten metres inside Tigers territory.
Then in the 59th minute from thirty five metres out from his own try line and to the left of the dummy half William Semu charged onto the ball and after crashing through two attempted tackles William Semu got a great left arm off-load away to a support runner with the Magpies ultimately scoring from the play as a direct result of William Semu’s strong run and great one arm off-load.
J ake Lateo started at halfback for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in their second 2023 MM Cup trial against the Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup side at Burleigh Juniors as part of the Titans Annual Super Saturday series of matches.
Playing the opening two quarters Jake Lateo was outstanding scoring one try and setting up another in the Seagulls trial victory. Jake Lateo scored in the first quarter against the Northern Rivers Titans when after a long Seagulls break down the left side of the field, the abll was spun to the right and afer taking possession in a lot of space Jake Lateo ran at the backpeddling defensive line and then put in a right foot grubber kick for himself with jake Lateo regaining possession and crossing to score seven metres in from the right corner post.
Jake Lateo also recorded a second quarter try assist when from ten metrs out Jake lateo drew in one defender before throwing a long cut-out pass to put his right winger over to score in the right corner.
After Tweed Heads had a Round One bye Jake Lateo was named at halfback in Round Two of the 2023 U18 Mal Meninga Cup against the Brisbane Tigers with Jake Lateo forcing a goal line drop-out in the 24th minute when from twelve metres out and to the right of the uprights Jake Lateo put in a smart right foot grubber kick into the in-goal with the Tigers fullback unable to get the ball back into the field of play.
Then in the 46th minute Jake Lateo made a strong try saving tackle on his opposite number right on his own try line mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.
Jake Lateo was also heavily involved in the Seagulls 68th minute try when from the right of the play the ball Jake Lateo threw a cut-out pass to his right and even though the ball was touched by a Tigers out stretched hand the ball found his right winger on the bounce who then raced twenty five metres to score in the right corner.
Jake Lateo’s performance saw him named at halfback in the 2023 Courier Mail MM Cup Round Two Team of the Week.
Jake Lateo also started at halfback in Round Three against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Jake Lateo recording a try assist in the 36th minute when from twenty metres out from the try line Jake Lateo ran the ball down a right blindside dummying to his right before stepping off his right foot and after engaging the defensive line just short of the try line Jake Lateo was able to get an off-load away for his right second rowered to score just in from the corner post.
Jake Lateo also threw the final pass for Jiale Litidamu’s 68th minute try.
Jake Lateo continued at halfback and captain in Round Four against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.
Jake Lateo also started at halfback and captain in Round Five against the Souths Logan Magpies with Jake Lateo putting up a high floating bomb from the centre of the field and thirty five metres out with Jake Lateo’s bomb dropped cold by the Magpies fullback just three metres from his own try line and just to the left of the goal posts.
Jake Lateo did well in the 60th minute when from thirty metres out Jake Lateo ran the ball down a short right blindside and as he was approaching the defensive line Jake Lateo put in a right foot chip kick and then raced down to affect the tackle on the Magpies left second rower (No. 11) just a metre out from the try line.
Defensively Jake Lateo did well in the 22nd minute when he was able to hold up the Magpies hooker who had tried to force his way over from dummy half but Jake Lateo was able to prevent him from scoring ten metres to the left of the uprights. Jake Lateo made another try saving tackle in the 56th minute once again on the Magpies starting hooker with Jake Lateo forcing the ball loose over the try line and under the posts and gain a twenty metre restart from the Seagulls.
Jake Lateo also made a strong tackle in the 42nd minute when after chasing through a Seagulls kick Jake Lateo made a good low tackle on the Magpies right winger in the centre of the field and twelve metres from the try line. Jake Lateo was also involved in the next tackle from the marker position.
Jake Lateo continued at halfback and captain in Round Six against the Norths Devils with Jake Lateo scoring a smart try in the 17th minute when after running to his right after taking possession from the dummy half Jake Lateo put in a right foot grubber kick when twelve metres out and after the Norths left winger had kicked the ball across the field in the in-goal Jake Lateo won the race to get downward pressure on the ball ten metres to the right of the uprights.
Jake Lateo made a strong tackle in the 4th minute when forty metres out from his own try line he drove his left shoulder through his opposite number forcing the Devils halfback backwards a number of metres before driving him onto his back.
Just two minutes later in the 6th minute Jake Lateo made a try saving tackle two metres from the try line on the giant Norths front rower No.10 to stop him from scoring mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.
Jake Lateo’s performance saw him named in the 2023 Courier Mail MM Cup Round Six Team of the Week.
In late September 2022 Zac Murphy was named in the talented 2023 Burleigh Bears U16 Cyril Connell Cup representative squad with Zac Murphy part of the Seagulls side that played the Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad in a trial at Burleigh Juniors as part of the Titans Annual Super Saturday series of matches.
Zac Murphy was named to start at five eight in Round One of the 2023 U16 Cyril Connell Cup competition for the Bears against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Zac Murphy operating on the right side of the field in the first half.
Zac Murphy then moved to the bench for Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies.
Zac Murphy was on the move once again in Round Three against the Brisbane Tigers with Zac Murphy starting at lock and making a significant contribution inside the opening minute of the match when after receiving an off-load from his inside around thirty six metres from his own try line Zac Murphy burst through the centre of the field to three metres inside tiger territory before getting away a great off-load to his left to Kallen Boss to continue the charge downfield.
As a result of his strong performance Zac Murphy was named in the Courier Mail CC Cup Round Three Team of the Week.
Zac Murphy also started at lock in Round Four against the Norths Devils with Zac Murphy recording a try assist in the 55th minute when after moving into dummy half with the play the ball two metres from the try line and just to the right of the uprights Zac Murphy ran to his left out of dummy half and threw a good short ball in the same direction for one of his front rowers to crash over to score under the posts.
Earlier in the 47th minute Zac Murphy chased through a Burleigh grubber kick into the in-goal with Zac Murphy along with David Bryenton getting to the Norths fullback three metres after he had run the ball back into the field of play. From there Zac Murphy and David Bryenton were able to hold him off the ground and force him back into the in-goal for a Devils goal line drop-out.
Zac Murphy also started at lock in Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Zac Murphy scoring in the 11th minute when Zac Murphy chased through a Marley McLaren bomb with Zac Murphy in the ideal position to collect the ball that was dropped by the Redcliffe fullback with Zac Murphy taking possession three metres out and darting over to score to his right ten metres in from the right corner post.
Then in the 14th minute Zac Murphy from twenty metres out from his own try line and to the right of the play the ball, Zac Murphy was able to carry the ball to thirty five metres out.
Zac Murphy continued at lock in Round Seven against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Zac Murphy making good ground in the 16th minute when from the right of the play the ball Zac Murphy received the ball eight metres inside his own territory and promote the ball to eight metres inside Seagulls territory.
Then in the 54th minute along with Luke Jones, Zac Murphy held up the giant Seagulls front rower No. 8 over the try line under the posts before forcing him back into the field of play.
Titan Isaiah F@galilo was named to start at hooker in Round One of the 2023 U18 Mal Meninga Cup competition for the Bears against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.
Isaiah F@galilo also started at hooker in Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies with Isaiah F@galilo making a line break in the 26th minute when from the centre of the field and thirty metres out from his own try line Isaiah F@galilo ran to his right out of dummy half and after going straight through the centre of the Magpies defensive line Isaiah F@galilo when he was three metres inside his own territory was able to get an off-load away to his right to Bailey McConnell who was able to get the ball over the halfway mark.
Isaiah F@galilo also recorded a 20th minute line break assist when from forty metres out from his own try line and in the centre of the field Isaiah F@galilo ran to his right out of dummy half and when he ran to the halfway mark Isaiah F@galilo was able to isolate a Magpies defender and get a smart ball away to Cooper Bai who surged downfield and was only caught when he was a metre or two from the try line.
Isaiah F@galilo showed as game awareness and positional sense in the 15th minute when Isiah F@galilo did very well to retrieve a rebounding Souths Logan grubber kick towards the in-goal with Isaiah F@galilo gaining possession for the Bears just three metres out from his own try line and neat the left corner.
Isaiah F@galilo continued at hooker in Round Three against the Brisbane Tigers with Isaiah F@galilo scoring a try and also recording two try assists.
Isaiah F@galilo scored a smart solo try in the after playing the ball ten metres out and in front of the posts Isaiah F@galilo stayed in the match and after receiving an off-load from his right from Austin Marsters who had run to his right out of dummy half, Isaiah F@galilo was confronted by a Tiges straight defensive line but quick thinking saw Isaiah F@galilo put in a short right foot grubber kick into the in-goal with Isaiah F@galilo chasing the kick through and was the first to the ball to get downward pressure to score two metres to the right of the uprights.
Literally a minute prior to scoring Isaiah F@galilo had almost scored but he was held up under the goal posts after a three metre run to his left out of dummy half. It was from the subsequent play the ball from ten metres out that saw Isaiah F@galilo score his smart solo try.
Isaiah F@galilo recorded his first try assist with a smart set play out of dummy half in the 8th minute, With the play the ball a metre out from the try line and directly in front of the posts, after picking up the ball Isaiah F@galilo dummied to his left before running parallel to the Tigers defensive line to his right with Isaiah F@galilo then throwing an inside pass to a charging Jack Schmidt who crashed over to score under the posts.
Isaiah F@galilo recorded his second try assist of the match in the 65th minute which was almost initial to his first half try assist. Once again Isaiah F@galilo moved to dummy half with the play the ball less than a metre from the try lien and twelve metres from the left touchline. After picking up the ball Isaiah F@galilo ran to his right and then threw an inside pass to a charging Wailer Whaiapu who crashed between two defenders to score thirteen metres in from the left corner post.
Isaiah F@galilo then started ar hooker in Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Isaiah F@galilo moving to his right out of dummy half and putting in a right foot kick from two metres inside his own territory into the right corner with Isaiah F@galilo the first Bears player dewnfield to tackle the Redcliffe fullback ten metres out from his own try line.
Isaiah F@galilo did well in the 28th minute when aftger Burleigh were attacked the try line they lost the ball and after the ball was picked up on the fly by one of the Redcliffe outside backs, Isaiah F@galilo was able to chased the Dolphins player down from behind and affect the tackle.
In late September 2022 Daniel Rakena was named in the 2023 Burleigh Bears U16 Cyril Connell Cup representative squad after an outstanding 2022 season at both club and school boy level with in the main Daniel Rakena playing against opposing players who were a year older than him.
Daniel Rakena started at five eight for the Bears in the final two quarters in their opening trial against the Souths Logan Magpies at Burleigh Juniors as part of the Titans Annual Super Saturday. Daniel Rakena also played in the Bears second trial CC Cup against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Daniel Rakena operating at five eight on the left side of the field against the Bears local rivals.
Daniel Rakena was named to start on the bench in Round One of the 2023 U16 Cyril Connell Cup competition for the Bears against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Daniel Rakena coming on at halftime at five eight to operate on the right side of the field.
Daniel Rakena added a new dimension to the Bears attack including a 56th minute try assist when after receiving the ball twenty metres out and to the left of the play the ball Daniel Rakena took the ball to the defensive line before throwing a long cut out pass to his left to put his winger over to score to get Burleigh back into the match.
Daniel Rakena also recorded a line break assist in the 39th minute when to the left of the play the ball and forty five metres out from his own try line Daniel Rakena took the ball deep into the Wynnum Manly defensive line before throwing a hard flat cut-out pass to his left to put centre Isaac Cullen in a gap.
Daniel Rakena almost did it again in the 49th minute with a smart cut-out pass to his left on the halfway mark with Isaac Cullen once again the recipient but just as he was accelerating Isaac Cullen was caught from behind by the back of his jersey.
Daniel Rakena showcased his kicking skills in the 50th minute when from just outside his forty metre area Daniel Rakena drove a right foot kick into touch sixteen metres out from the Wynnum Manly try line.
Daniel Rakena’s performance saw him named on the bench in the 2023 CC Cup Round One Team of the Round.
Daniel Rakena moved into the Bears starting side at five eight for Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies with Daniel Rakena recording an important try assist in the 43rd minute when after receiving the ball to his right and on the left side of the field Daniel Rakena ran the ball to his left and after putting doubt into the Magpies defensive line as to whether he would run the ball or pass Daniel Rakena threw a good short ball to his left to a charging Luke Jones who ran through a gap to score untouched eight metres in from the left corner post.
Daniel Rakena showcased his strong kicking game in the 7th minute when from forty metres out from own try line Daniel Rakena put in a hard low right foot kick into the in-goal in the in-goal with the Magpies fullback barely able to get the ball out of his in-goal area.
Daniel Rakena put in a further good kick in the 51st minute when from the right of the play the ball and thirty five metres out from his own try line Daniel Rakena went for a 40/20 kick towards the right touchline with the kick putting the Magpies winger under pressure with the winger taking the ball into touch twenty one metres out from the try line with the Bears scoring from the subsequent set of six tackles.
Daniel Rakena made a good low tackle in the 22nd minute on a charging Magpies No. 15 just twelve metres out from his own try line just in front of the left upright. Daniel Rakena smart defensive play in the 23rd minute when after the Magpies put in a kick towards the left corner Daniel Rakena smartly waited until the ball was batted back to the Magpies right centre Daniel Rakena grabbed him just as he took possession with Daniel Rakena taking him into touch just out from the try line to effect a change over.
Daniel Rakena also started at five eight in Round Three against the Brisbane Tigers with Daniel Rakena scoring in the 57th minute. Daniel Rakena received the ball to the left of the play the ball and in the centre of the field around twelve metres out and immediately ran the ball to his left and after throwing a dummy to his left Daniel Rakena stepped off his left foot and raced ten metres to dive over to score twelve metres in from the left corner post. Daniel Rakena then was able to convert his own try.
Daniel Rakena also recorded a line break assist in the 8th minute when from thirty five metres out Daniel Rakena threw a hard flat pass to his left that put Luke Jones on the outside of his immediate defender with the second rower then able to race twenty metres downfield.
In addition to converting his own try Daniel Rakena, from almost the identical spot on the field converted Jax Damro’s earlier 39th minute try.
Daniel Rakena continued at five eight in Round Four against the Norths Devils with Daniel Rakena kicking six conversions from as many attempts in a big Bears victory.
Daniel Rakena kicked the first of his six conversions in the 4th minute from five metres to the left of the uprights then the next three of Daniel Rakena’s conversions coming from directing in front of the goal posts in the 9th, 24th and 29th minutes. Daniel Rakena kicked a fifth conversion in the 44th minute to convert Ruben Dixon’s try from three metres to the right of the uprights before once again converting from in front of the posts in the 55th minute for his sixth conversion.
Daniel Rakena also forced a Norths goal line drop-out in the 48th minute when from six metres out and to the left of the play the ball Daniel Rakena put a short right foot grubber kick into the in-goal with the Norths fullback unable to get back into the field of play.
As a result of his performance Daniel Rakena was named at five eight in the 2023 Courier Mail CC Cup Round Four Team of the Week.
Daniel Rakena continued at five eight in Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Daniel Rakena kicking two conversions from three attempts with the first of Daniel Rakena’s conversions coming in the 10th minute when Daniel Rakena converted Zac Murphy’s try from ten metres in from the right corner post. Daniel Rakena kicked his second conversion in the 50th minute to convert David Bryenton’s try from ten metres in from the left corner post.
Daniel Rakena had a strong defensive moment in the 39th minute when along with Luke Jones, Daniel Rakena picked up the Dolphins fullback ten metres out from his own try line and drove him back to within a metre of the try line before the referee called held.
Daniel Rakena continued at five eight in Round Seven in the local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Daniel Rakena kicking the Bears opening two conversions of their big 40 – 4 victory including a 19th minute conversion from the left touchline.
Daniel Rakena put up a good high bomb in the 56th minute when from the centre of the field and thirty metres out Daniel Rakena directed the bomb towards the left corner with the ball knocked on by the Tweed Heads right winger for the Bears to immediately go back onto the attack.
In late September 2022 Titans contracted Izayah Petrichvich was named in the 2023 Burleigh Bears MM Cup Squad and Izayah Petrichvich is also MM Cup eligible in 2024.
Izayah Petrichvich was named on the Bears extended bench for Round One of the 2023 U18 Mal Meninga Cup competition against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.
Izayah Petrichvich then started at fullback in Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies with Izayah Petrichvich scoring in the 37th minute when after chiming into the Bears backline on the right side of the field Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy, at near full speed threw a long hard flat cut-out pass to Izayah Petrichvich who carried two Magpies over the line to score a metre in from the right corner post. Izayah Petrichvich initially received the ball ten metres out on the right touchline and cut inside before engaging the two Magpies defenders with Izayah Petrichvich forcing them backwards to get the ball down.
Izayah Petrichvich was also heavily involved in Austin Marsters 46th minute try when after Bailey McConnell had put in a long right foot kick into the right corner Izayah Petrichvich chased the kick through and the pressure that Izayah Petrichvich put on the Magpies left winger forced him to lose the ball backwards into the in-goal with Austin Marsters subsequently grounding the ball ten metres in from the right corner post.
Whilst Izayah Petrichvich started the match at fullback he switched to the left wing mid-way through the first half with Izayah Petrichvich also spending time on the right wing in the match.
Izayah Petrichvich made the first of his strong runs in the 2nd minute with a fifteen metre effort to the left of the play the ball and just sixteen metres away from his own try line. Izayah Petrichvich made another strong run in the 10th minute when after receiving the ball two passes to the left of the play the ball and twenty metres out from his own try line Izayah Petrichvich took the Magpies right sided defensive line on and made fifteen strong metres out to the thirty five metre mark.
Izayah Petrichvich moved back to the right wing for Round Three against the Brisbane Tigers with Izayah Petrichvich scoring in the 26th minute when he backed up a Bailey McConnell line break from forty five metres from the try line off a great Sunny Kama off-load with Bailey McConnell then drawing he Tigers fullback when still twenty metres from the try line and throwing a pass to his right to put Izayah Petrichvich over to score eleven metres in from the right corner post.
Izayah Petrichvich did well in the 24th minute when he chased a Bailey McConnell put in a right foot hard driving kick to the Bears right corner from forty five metres out from the try line in the 24th minute with Izayah Petrichvich chasing hard and forcing the Tigers fullback to concede the tackle three metres away from the right corner post.
Izayah Petrichvich showed his determination in the 31st minute when along with Bailey McConnell and Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy, they chased down the Tigers right winger who had made a long line break down his left touchline from deep inside his own territory.
Izayah Petrichvich then started on the left wing in Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins.
As a consequence of moving to the Gold Coast David Bryenton was named in the 2023 Burleigh Bears U16 Cyril Connell Cup squad with David Bryenton being part of the Bears first 2023 CC Cup trial against the Souths Logan Magpies at the Annual Titans Super Saturday series of matches at the Burleigh Juniors ground.
David Bryenton was named to start on the right wing in Round One of the 2023 U16 Cyril Connell Cup competition for the Bears against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with David Bryenton almost scoring with his first touch in just the 2nd minute but his dive towards the right corner was thwarted by the Seagulls cover defence just short.
David Bryenton’s second touch of the ball in the 4th minute was even better, with Burleigh trapped in their left corner less than ten metres out from his own try line, David Bryenton came across from his right wing to receive the ball near the centre of the field around ten metres out and immediately ran to his right and after getting on the outside of the last Wynnum Manly left sided defender David Bryenton beat three Seagulls defenders with his speed down the right touchline with David Bryenton then stepping back to his inside to beat the Wynnum Manly fullback thirty metres out from the try line with David Bryenton then able to off-load to his inside to Nelson Makaafi.
David Bryenton made another line break in the 32nd minute when from five metres inside his own territory David Bryenton took possession to the right of the play the ball and after beating one defender with a left arm fend David Bryenton was able to promote the ball to eithin thirty three metres of the try line.
David Bryenton made an outstanding try saving tackle in the 46th minute when after the Seaguls fullback chimed into the backline thirty metres out and on the left side of the field with with the fullback seemingly destined to score in the left corner only for David Bryention to came off his wing and crunch him two metres short of the try line with David Bryenton’s great initial contact stopping his momentum completely.
David Bryenton’s performance saw him named on the wing in the 2023 Cyril Connell Cup Round One Team of the Round.
After missing Round Two David Bryenton started Round Three at right centre against the Brisbane Tigers with David Bryenton scoring in the 8th minute when David Bryenton tracked the ball to the left side of the field and from fourteen metres out got an off-load down a left blindside and then produced a huge left foot step to beat two defenders before straightening up and dive over to score twelve metres in from the left corner post.
After taking the second hit-up of the match from the Tigers kick-off David Bryenton made a strong run in the 24th minute from forty metres out from the try line with David Bryenton getting the ball to twelve metres out before off-loading to his left.
David Bryenton also started at right centre in Round Four against the Norths Devils with David Bryenton scoring a good solo try in the 29th minute when from the right of a Burleigh scrum win forty metres out David Bryenton charged onto a pass from the back of the scrum and stepped off his left foot and then his right to break through the Devils initial defensive line and beating the fullback with a right foot step and then race away to score under the posts.
David Bryenton also recorded a try assist in the 9th minute when after receiving the ball twelve metres out and to the right of the play the ball David Bryenton stepped back inside and when held by two defenders five metres out from the ty line David Bryenton got an off-load away to his front rower who crashed over to score under the posts.
Then in the 12th minute from forty two metres out and on the right side of the field David Bryenton made ground post contact to get the ball six metres inside Norths territory. The 51st minute saw David Bryenton execute a stepping run that saw him promote the ball from his own forty metre mark to six metres into Norths territory.
In the 47th minute David Bryenton chased through a Burleigh grubber kick into the in-goal with David Bryenton along with Zac Murphy getting to the Norths fullback three metres after he had run the ball back into the field of play. From there Zac Murphy and David Bryenton were able to hold him off the ground and force him back into the in-goal for a Devils goal line drop-out.
As a result of his performance David Bryenton was named in the centres in the 2023 Courier Mail CC Cup Round Four Team of the Week.
David Bryenton also started at right centre in Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins with once again David Bryenton scoring an outstanding solo try in the 50th minute when after lining up to the left of a Burleigh scrum in the centre of the field and twenty five metres out, David Bryenton charged straight at one defender before stepping off his right foot at the last moment to beat them, David Bryenton then easily shrugged off two defenders before exploding away to dive over to score ten metres in from the left corner post.
David Bryenton also recorded a try assist in the 52nd minute when after running the ball down the left side of the field drew in the Dolphins right winger and when twelve metres out David Bryenton threw the pass to his left to put his left winger over to score.
David Bryenton also made a line break in the 10th minute when from a Burleigh scrum win in the centre of the field and ten metres from his own try line, David Bryenton received the ball two passes from the back of the scrum and ran to his right and after getting on the outside of the final Redcliffe defender David Bryenton got the ball out to the thirty metre mark after racing twenty metres down the right touchline.
David Bryenton added a line break assist in the 3rd minute when after running onto the ball in the centre of the field and five metres out from his own try line, David Bryenton ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball and after taking the ball over the ten metre mark, David Bryenton was able to get his left arm free and get an off-load away to Seth Gundry who was able to make twenty more metres downfield.
Whilst operating at fullback in the 40th minute David Bryenton made a strong kick return when after tracking back to take possession from a long Norths clearing kick seventeen metres out from his own try line, David Bryenton ran at the defensive line before stepping off his left foot and then he was able to kick out of a tackle, before a second left foot step beat two more defenders with David Bryenton eventually was tackled five metres short of the halfway mark.
David Bryenton made a strong run in general play in the 20th minute from forty metres out and to the right of the play the ball with David Bryenton beating two defenders as he ran to his left to get the ball to the halfway mark. Then two passes to the left of a Burleigh scrum win in the centre of the field and thirty five metres out David Bryenton ran the ball to his left making nineteen metres in the process.
David Bryenton’s performance saw him named in the 2023 Courier Mail CC Cup Round Six Team of the Week.
David Bryenton continued at eight centre in the Round Seven local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with David Bryenton scoring an outstanding double.
David Bryenton scored his opening try in the 33rd minute when from twenty six metres out David Bryenton was able to get on the outside of his direct opponent and raced away to dive over to score in the right corner.
David Bryenton completed his double in the 42nd when from two passes to the right of a Burleigh scrum win David Bryenton once again got on the outside of his opposing defender and race ten metres to score in the right corner.
David Bryenton had almost scored earlier in the match in the 17th minute when after receiving the ball on the right side of the field and ten metres out from the try line David Bryenton cut inside away from the touchline before stepping off his right foot to head back towards the right corner with David Bryenton holding off one defender with a straight left arm to get over the try line only to be held up by three defenders three metres in from the right corner post.
David Bryenton was also heavily involved in Isaac Cullen’s 27th minute try when after receiving the ball ten metres out from the try line David Bryenton engaged a number of defenders to create an overlap and get the ball away with a further pass leading to Isaac Cullen scoring in the right corner.
David Bryenton had made the first of multiple strong charges in the 10th minute when from his own twenty metre mark David Bryenton made twelve metres down the right channel. Then in the 37th minute when twenty metres out from his own try line David Bryenton ran to his right out of dummy half and was able to make fourteen metres.
David Bryenton continued his strong match in the 41st minute when a run to the right of the play the ball when twenty two metres out from the try line David Bryenton cut inside on three occasions to get the ball five metres out and in front of the posts before off-loading the ball to his hooker.
David Bryenton also made a strong run in the 53rd minute when from twelve metres out from his own try line David Bryenton received the ball to the right of a Burleigh scrum win and after cutting back towards the centre of the field David Bryenton broke three tackles as he promoted the ball to the forty metre mark.
The 24th minute saw David Bryenton run the ball to the left of the play the ball from five metres from his own try line and in the centre of the field with David Bryenton spinning counter clockwise to gain separation and then when seventeen metres out from the try line get an off-load away to his left winger.
David Bryenton showed that he will also do the little things from his team in the 46th minute when he chased that an attacking Burleigh kick with David Bryenton tackling the Seagulls fullback in the in-goal to force a goal line drop-out.
In late September 2022 Titans contracted Jack Schmidt was named in the 2023 Burleigh Bears MM Cup Squad and Jack Schmidt is also MM Cup eligible in 2024.
After missing Round One Jack Schmidt was named in the front row for Round Two of the 2023 U18 Mal Meninga Cup for the Bears against the Souths Logan Magpies with Jack Schmidt making a strong run in the 41st minute which accounted for eighteen metres with Jack Schmidt’s run from near his own twenty metre mark with the last ten metres of Jack Schmidt’s run coming when he was moving backwards and engaged with three defenders.
Jack Schmidt made another strong run in the 49th minute from the kick-off to Austin Marsters try with Jack Schmidt getting the ball over the twenty metre mark.
Jack Schmidt continued in the front row in Round Three against the Brisbane Tigers with Jack Schmidt scoring in the 9th minute with a smart set play out of dummy half. With the play the ball a metre out from the try line and directly in front of the posts, after picking up the ball from dummy half Isaiah F@galilo dummied to his left before running parallel to the Tigers defensive line to his right with Isaiah F@galilo then throwing an inside pass to a charging Jack Schmidt who crashed over to score under the posts.
Jack Schmidt also started in the front row Round Four against the Norths Devils with Jack Schmidt scoring in the 56th minute when with the play the ball less than a metre from the try line and ten metres to the right of the goal posts Nayte Saaga ran to his left out of dummy half and Jack Schmidt cut back to receive an inside pass and crash over the line to score ten metres to the right of the uprights.
Jack Schmidt’s initial impact in the match came in the 2nd minute when after charging onto the ball to the right of the play the ball four metres inside his own half with Jack Schmidt getting the ball ten metres inside Norths territory before he was brought to ground by multiple Devils defenders. Jack Schmidt was then awarded a penalty for being held down too long in the tackle.
Jack Schmidt made another strong run in the 54th minute when from fifteen metres out from his own try line and to the left of the play the ball Jack Schmidt made thirteen metres through the centre of the field.
Jack Schmidt then started in the front row in Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Jack Schmidt along with Zac Kumbamong making the opening tackle of the match.
In late September 2022 Luke Jones was named in the 2023 Burleigh Bears U16 Cyril Connell Cup representative squad with Luke Jones starting in the Bears first 2023 CC Cup trial against the Souths Logan Magpies at the Annual Titans Super Saturday.
Luke Jones was named to start from the bench in Round One of the 2023 U16 Cyril Connell Cup competition for the Bears against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Luke Jones coming onto the field to operate at left second row in the 11th minute.
Luke Jones had a strong match from a defensive perspective in the 15th minute with a diving tackle on the Wynnum Manly right winger who was trying to run across field on a kick return with Luke Jones tracking him across field to make the tackle and force a knock on just two metres out to put Burleigh in great field position.
Then in the 18th minute made heavy initial contact on the Wynnum Manly No. 10 thirty metres out from his own try line with Luke Jones stopping the much larger front rower in his tracks.
Luke Jones moved into the Bears starting side at left second row in Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies with Luke Jones scoring a key try in the 43rd minute when he charged through a gap six metres out from the try line off a Daniel Rakena pass to dive over untouched to score eight metres in from the left corner post.
Luke Jones highlighted his hard work and effort in the 26th minute with a great chance of a Burleigh clearing kick with Luke Jones tackling the Souths Logan fullback five metres out from his own try line and in the centre of the field just after the fullback took the ball on the full.
Luke Jones also started at left second row in Round Three against the Brisbane Tigers with Luke Jones making a line break in the 8th minute when from thirty five metres out from the try line Luke Jones ran onto a Daniel Rakena ball and charged downfield to get within fourteen metres of the try line.
Luke Jones then recorded a line break assist in the 59th minute when after receiving the ball on the left side of the field around forty metres from his own try line, Luke Jones drew the tigers right winger and got an off-load away to his left to Isaac Cullen who broke away down the left touchline.
Luke Jones continued at left second row in Round Four against the Norths Devils.
Luke Jones then started at left second row in Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Luke Jones taking the second hit-up of the match when to the right of the play the ball Luke Jones took possession twelve metres out from his own try line and getting the ball to twenty six metres out.
Luke Jones was outstanding defensively against the Dolphins including in the 7th minute when whilst defending from a Redcliffe scrum ten metres from the Dolphins try line the right centre ran the ball from the scrum but Luke Jones hit him front on and drove him back to just four metres form the try line. Luke Jones was then involved in the next two tackles from the marker position.
Then in the 16th minute Luke Jones drove his right shoulder through the Redcliffe lock (No. 13) eighteen metres out from the try line. Luke Jones had another strong defensive moment in the 39th minute when along with Daniel Rakena, Luke Jones picked up the Dolphins fullback ten metres out from his own try line and drove him back to within a metre of the try line before the referee called held.
Luke Jones’s performance saw him named in the 2023 Courier Mail CC Cup Round Six Team of the Week.
Luke Jones also started at left second row in the Round Seven local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Luke Jones recording a try assist in the 61st minute with a superb catch and pass to his left under heavy pressure when twelve metres out from the try line to put Seth Gundry into a gap and over to score wide out on the left.
Luke Jones made the first of his strong runs in the 11th minute when he cut inside one of his halves to take the ball five metres inside his own territory and after breaking four tackles Luke Jones got the ball eight metres inside Tweed Heads territory.
Luke Jones was also outstanding defensively including in the 25th minute when Luke Jones chased through an attacking Burleigh kick and after grabbing the Seagulls fullback Luke Jones rag dolled him back inside his own twenty metre mark.
In the 50th minute Dylan Watkins grabbed hold of the Seagulls left winger and dragged him back into the in-goal as he was trying to return a kick to force a goal line drop-out. Then in the 54th minute along with Zac Murphy, Luke Jones held up the giant Seagulls front rower No. 8 over the try line under the posts before forcing him back into the field of play.
In late September 2022 Titans contracted Cooper Bai was named in the 2023 Burleigh Bears U18 MM Cup Squad and Cooper Bai is also MM Cup eligible in 2024.
Cooper Bai started at lock in the Bears third and final trial against the Brisbane Tigers with Cooper Bai taking the second hit-up of the match. Cooper Bai recorded a line break assist in the 63rd minute when after taking the ball from the left of the play the ball Cooper Bai took the ball to the Tigers defensive line just twenty metres from his own try line and popped a great short ball to his left to a charging Waaka Hapi who burst away to set up Zyroam Taurara-Herlihy to score.
Cooper Bai was named to start at lock in Round One of the 2023 U18 Mal Meninga Cup competition for the Bears against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Cooper Bai making a heavy tackle on his opposite number in just the 2nd minute of the match just inside his own territory with the Seagulls lock knocking the ball on as a result of Cooper Bai’s strong initial contact.
Cooper Bai made another strong tackle in the 35th minute when along with Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy, Cooper Bai smashed the Wynnum Manly right centre taking him over the side line just out from the Bears left corner post to save a try.
Cooper Bai also started at lock in Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies with Cooper Bai recording a try assist in the 68th minute when after taking possession eight metre inside his own territory Cooper Bai broke through three attempted tackles and when three metres inside Magpies territory Cooper Bai got away a right arm off-load to his left whilst being tackled to bailey McConnell who raced away to score ten metres to the left of the uprights.
Cooper Bai made a line break of his own in the 20th minute line break when from forty metres out from his own try line and in the centre of the field Isaiah F@galilo ran to his right out of dummy half and when he ran to the halfway mark Isaiah F@galilo was able to isolate a Magpies defender and get a smart ball away to Cooper Bai who surged downfield beating the Magpies fullback and Cooper Bai was only caught when he was a metre or two from the try line and in front of the left goal post.
Cooper Bai continued at lock in Round Three against the Brisbane Tigers with Cooper Bai making a strong run to five metres inside Tigers territory in the 21st minute after taking possession from a Bears off-load still ten metres inside his own territory.
Cooper Bai made a strong run in the 44th minute from thirty metres from his own try line with Cooper Bai making twelve metres on the left side of the field before getting an off-load away to his left to Sam Stephenson who was able to get the ball to the halfway mark.
Cooper Bai also started at lock Round Four against the Norths Devils with Cooper Bai recording a try assist in the 63rd minute when after running onto the ball from fifteen metres out and to the right of the play the ball Cooper Bai made his way to three metres from the try line directly in front of the posts Cooper Bai whilst being held by multiple defenders was able to force an off-load behind him which was picked up on the first bounce by Nayte Saaga who darted over to score three metres to the left of the uprights.
Cooper Bai also made a strong run in the 8th minute when from the right of the play the ball and eighteen metres out Cooper Bai carried the ball to within two metres of the try line and in front of the right upright.
In the 48th minute Cooper Bai along with Kanititeiti Sikahele made a strong try saving tackle when defending on their own try line on the Norths No. 10 directly under the goal posts. Cooper Bai made another strong tackle in the 58th minute on that occasion on the Norths No. 14 who had charged onto the ball from close range with Cooper Bai stopping the Norths player less than a metre from try line.
Cooper Bai then started at lock in Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Cooper Bai making a strong run in the 25th minute from the right of the play the ball and twenty two metres out with Cooper Bai able to get the ball to within twelve metres from the halfway mark before Cooper Bai was able to get an off-load away to his left to his trailing fullback.
In late September 2022 Nelson Makaafi was named in the 2023 Burleigh Bears U16 Cyril Connell Cup representative squad.
Nelson Makaafi was named to start at right second row in Round One of the 2023 U16 Cyril Connell Cup competition for the Bears against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Nelson Makaafi making a number iof strong defensive efforts including in the 31st minute with a driving tackle on the Wynnum Manly No. 16 driving him back five metres near the halfway mark. Then in the 41st minute Nelson Makaafi made another strong driving tackle, on this occasion against the Seagulls No. 17 moving to his right with Nelson Makaffi’s initial contact significantly altering the Seagulls players forward momentum.
Nelson Makaafi’s performance saw him named in the second row in the 2023 CC Cup Round One Team of the Round.
Nelson Makaafi also started at right second row in Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies with Nelson Makaafi twice inside the opening twenty minutes engaging the Souths Logan left sided defensive line and getting an off-load away.
Nelson Makaafi made a line break in the 30th minute when from twenty metres out from his own try line Nelson Makaafi took possession to the right of the play the ball with Nelson Makaafi using his speed to run around the Magpies left sided defensive line with Nelson Makaafi charging twenty four metres for the right touchline before cutting inside to prevent being taken into touch.
Nelson Makaafi also made a strong run in the 24th minute down the right channel with Nelson Makaafi taking possession on his own thirty and breaking two tackles as he promoted the ball to forty five metres out from his own try line.
Nelson Makaafi then took a strong hit-up being the second hit-up of the second half with Nelson Makaafi getting the ball twenty eight metres from his own try line after Nelson Makaafi’s run started inside his own twenty metre mark.
Then in the 39th minute Nelson Makaafi charged eleven metres also down the right channel making eleven metres to get to twenty one metres out from the try line. Then in the 56th minute Nelson Makaafi received the ball to the right of the play the ball twenty one metres out from his own try line with Nelson Makaafi making thirteen metres with at least 60% of those being post contact.
Nelson Makaafi’s performance earned him a sport in the second row in the Courier Mail Cyril Connell Cup Round Two Team of the Week for the second round in a row.
Nelson Makaafi also started at right second row in Round Three against the Brisbane Tigers with Nelson Makaafi making a strong twenty metre run down the right channel in the 38th minute to get the ball ten metres inside Tigers territory.
Then in the 44th minute Nelson Makaafi made a strong tackle on the Tigers No. 8 that forced a Tigers knock on.
Nelson Makaafi then started at right second row in Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Nelson Makaafi making his first strong run of the match in the 4th minute when Nelson Makaafi charged down the right channel from his own thirty metre mark out to within seven metres of the halfway mark.
Then in the 11th minute Nelson Makaafi, from thirty five metres out from his own try line, ran the ball to the left of the dummy half with Nelson Makaafi able to get the ball to within four minutes of the halfway mark.
Nelson Makaafi also made his mark against the Dolphins defensively including a great try saving one on one try saving tackle on the Redcliffe No. 15 just three metres out from the try line and in front of the right upright.
In late September 2022 Kanititeiti Sikahele was named in the exceptionally powerful 2023 Burleigh Bears U18 MM Cup squad with Kanititeiti Sikahele part of the Bears squad for their opening trial against the Souths Logan Magpies side at Burleigh Juniors as part of the Titans Annual Super Saturday.
Kanititeiti Sikahele was named to start from the bench in Round One of the 2023 U18 Mal Meninga Cup competition for the Bears against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Kanititeiti Sikahele scoring in the 33rd minute adjacent to the left goal post after he had stepped off his left to foot when six metres out with Kanititeiti Sikahele then getting low and forcing his way over the line to get the ball down under heavy pressure.
Kanititeiti Sikahele then moved to the bench for Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies with Kanititeiti Sikahele coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 17th minute.
Kanititeiti Sikahele’s performance saw him named in the front row in the 2023 Courier Mail MM Cup Round Two Team of the Week.
Kanititeiti Sikahele also started from the bench in Round Four against the Norths Devils with Kanititeiti Sikahele coming onto the field in the 15th minute with Kanititeiti Sikahele making a strong run in the 43rd minute from the left of the play the ball and forty metres from his own try line with Kanititeiti Sikahele able to get the ball five metres into Norths territory.
In the 48th minute Kanititeiti Sikahele along with Cooper Bai made a strong try saving tackle when defending on their own try line on the Norths No. 10 directly under the goal posts.
Kanititeiti Sikahele then came off the bench in Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Kanititeiti Sikahele coming onto the field to operate in the front row.
Kanititeiti Sikahele then at lock in the Round Seven local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Kanititeiti Sikahele making the opening tackle of the match along with Zac Kumbamong.
Kanititeiti Sikahele made a strong run with the ball in the 27th minute from the right of the play the ball and sic metres from the halfway mark with Kanititeiti Sikahele and to get the ball nine metres inside Seagulls territory.
In late September 2022 Will Saunders was named in the 2023 Tweed Heads Seagulls U18 MM Cup squad for the second season in a row with Will Saunders starting at hooker and captain for the Seagulls in their second trial against the Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup side at Burleigh Juniors as part of the Titans Annual Super Saturday.
After Tweed Heads had a Round One bye Will Saunders was named at hooker in Round One of the 2023 U18 Mal Meninga Cup against the Brisbane Tigers with William Saunders scoring in just the second minute of the match when he dived over from dummy half from close range and to the let of the paly the ball to score ten metres to the left of the uprights.
Will Saunders made the first of a number of line breaks out of dummy half in the 32nd minute when from five metres inside his own territory Will Saunders ran to his right and after running straight through the centre of the field Will Saunders was caught thirty eight metres out but his pass to his right went to ground.
Then in the 36th minute Will Saunders from forty metres out from his own try line and in the centre of the field Will Saunders ran to his right and after holding the ball out of front of his body in two hands Will Saunders broke the Tigers defensive line and made thirty eight metres downfield.
Will Saunders ran out of dummy half again in the 42nd minute on that occasion to his right with Will Saunders making fifteen metres to twenty metres out from the try line in the centre of the field with Will Saunders then awarded a penalty when he was not allowed to his feet to play the ball in a timely fashion.
Will Saunders continued his strong running out of dummy half in the 55th minute when from the centre of the field on the halfway mark Will Saunders ran to his left making fifteen metres.
Will Saunders’s effort in the 40th minute highlighted his hand/eye co-ordination and quick reaction time with a smart take of a hard Tigers grubber kick near his own try line mid-way between the try line and corner post on the left side of the field.
Will Saunders also started at hooker in Round Three against the Redcliffe Dolphins and made the first of his trade mark dummy half runs in the 14th minute with a drat to his left from his own forty metre mark to get the ball two metres inside Redcliffe territory. Then in the 24th minute Will Saunders ran out of dummy half once again on this occasion to his right from thirty five metres out from his own try line with Will Saunders able to get the ball eight metres into Dolphins territory.
Will Saunders did exceptionally well defensively in the 34th minute when he was able to hold up the giant Redcliffe front rower No. 10 three metres to the right of the uprights.
As a result of his strong performance Will Saunders was named on the bench in the Courier Mail MM Cup Round Three Team of the Week.
Will Saunders continued at hooker in Round Four against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.
Will Saunders then moved to the bench for Round Five against the Souths Logan Magpies with Will Saunders coming onto the field in the 15th minute to operate in the dummy half role and score in the 30th minute when from ten metres out Will Saunders ran to his left out of dummy half and burst between two defenders on the try line to score mid-way between the goals posts and corner post on the left side of the field.
Defensively Will Saunders did well in the 21st minute when along with Isaac Scanlon, he stopped the Magpies No. 15 from scoring with a strong hit on the try line mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field. Will Saunders made another try saving tackle in the 64th minute when he came from behind to hit the Magpies left second rower over the top when he was over the ty line to force the ball loose before he could get the ball to the ground.
Will Saunders then moved to the bench for Round Six against the Norths Devils with Will Saunders coming onto the field to operate in the dummy half role late in the first half.
Will Saunders also came off the bench in the Round Seven local derby against the Burleigh Bears with Will Saunders coming onto the field to play at dummy half in the 22nd minute.
Will Saunders recorded a line break in the 27th minute when Will Saunders ran to his right out of dummy half after dummying to his right with the play the ball on the halfway mark with Will Saunders slipping as he came to the Bears fullback twenty metres away from the try line.
Will Saunders then made a good play in the 55th minute when after chasing through a Seagulls attacking kick Will Saunders grabbed hold of the Bears left winger when he was bringing the ball out of the in-goal with Will Saunders then forcing him back into the in-goal to force a Bears goal line drop-out.
Defensively Will Saunders made a strong tackle in the 63rd minute with heavy initial front on contact on the Burleigh lock twenty metres out from his own try line with the ball knocked on by the Bears player as soon as Will Saunders drove into him.
In late September 2022 Waaka Hepi was named in the powerful 2023 Burleigh Bears U18 MM Cup squad with Waaka Hepi part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls side that played a Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad in a trial at Burleigh Juniors as part of the Titans Annual Super Saturday series of matches.
Waaka Hepi started in the front row in the Bears third and final trial against the Brisbane Tigers with Waaka Hepi recording a try assist and line break in the 63rd minute when from twenty metres out from his own try line Waaka Hepi burst through a gap in the Tigers defensive line off a pass from Cooper Bai with Waaka Hepi taking the ball into Tigers territory before drawing the fullback and passing to his left to Zyraom Taurara-Herlihy who raced away to score untouched.
Waaka Hepi did well in the 11th minute when after charging onto the ball to the right of the play the ball and around forty metres out Waaka Hepi was able to get an off-load away when in contact with two defenders to Ryder Williams.
Waaka Hepi then made a strong charge over the twenty metre mark in the 14th minute from the Tigers kick-off from Zac Kumbamong’s try with Waaka Hepi subsequently being awarded a penalty for being held down too long in the tackle.
Waaka Hepi was named to start in the front row in Round One of the 2023 U18 Mal Meninga Cup competition for the Bears against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls however Waaka Hepi was a late scratching from the match.
Waaka Hepi was then named on the bench for Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies however once again Waaka Hepi was a late scratching from the Bears side.
Round Three against the Brisbane Tigers saw Waaka Hepi start from the bench and come on to operate in the front row in the 29th minute. Waaka Hepi was heavily involved in Sam Stephenson’s 37th minute try when after engaging the Tigers defensive line ten metres from the try line Waaka Hepi whilst engaged with two defenders was able to get a right arm off-load away behind him to Nayte Saaga who subsequently ran to his left to put Sam Stephenson over to score his second try of the match in the 37th minute.
Then in the 52nd minute Waaka Hepi charged onto the ball to the right of the play the ball from thirty five metres out and in the centre of the field with Waaka Hepi carrying the ball to four metres inside Brisbane Tigers territory.
Waaka Hepi also started from the bench in the Round Seven local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Waaka Hepi coming onto the field in the 21st minute and almost immediately Waaka Hepi made a great front on tackle on the Seagulls No. 14 who was returning a kick-off with Waaka Hepi hitting him front on just ten metres out and in front of the goal posts.
Then in the 36th minute Waaka Hepi ran onto the ball to the left of the play the ball from thirty three metres out from his own try line to five metres of the halfway mark.
In late September 2022 Sam McAlister was named in the 2023 Burleigh Bears U18 MM Cup squad for the second season in a row with Sam McAlister starting in the front row in the Bears first 2023 MM Cup trial against the Souths Logan Magpies at the Annual Titans Super Saturday.
Sam McAlister also started in the front row in the Bears third and final trial against the Brisbane Tigers with Sam McAlister taking the opening kick-off the match from the Tigers kick-off.
Sam McAlister was named to start in the front row in Round One of the 2023 U18 Mal Meninga Cup competition for the Bears against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.
Sam McAlister also started in the front row in for Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies with Sam McAlister taking the opening hit-up of the match off the kick-off.
Sam McAlister continued in the front row in Round Three against the Brisbane Tigers as well as in Round Four against the Norths Devils and Round Seven against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Sam McAlister making a strong kick-off return in the 6th minute to get the ball two metres over the twenty metre mark.
In the 10th minute along with Zac Kumbamong, Sam McAlister saved a try when they were able to prevent the Tweed Heads hooker from forcing his way over from dummy half from close range and three metres to the right of the uprights.
Austin Marsters is a 2022 Auckland U16 Rugby League Representative lock forward who played his club rugby league in New Zealand with the outstanding and exceptionally well regarded Marist Saints Rugby League in Auckland and in 2023 Austin Marsters has moved over to Australia and is part of the 2023 Burleigh Bears U18 MM Cup squad. Austin Marsters will also be MM Cup eligible in 2024.
Austin Marsters first game for the Bears was in their opening 2023 MM Cup trial against the Souths Logan Magpies at Burleigh Juniors as part of the Titans Annual Super Saturday series of matches.
Austin Marsters started from the bench in the Bears third and final trial against the Brisbane Tigers with Austin Marsters coming onto the field to operate in the dummy half role in the 20th minute.
Austin Marsters was named to start from the bench in Round One of the 2023 U18 Mal Meninga Cup competition for the Bears against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Austin Marsters coming onto the field to operate at dummy half in the 27th minute.
Austin Marsters scored a strong solo try out of dummy half in the 41st minute when from thirteen metres from the try line Austin Marsters ran to his right out of dummy half down a right blindside. After being engaged by one defender Austin Marsters was spun around and when facing his own try line Austin Marsters kept backing up and even with four defenders on him, Austin Marsters was able to spin to his left (left going backwards) and get the ball down three metres in from the right corner post.
In the second half of the match Austin Marsters had some outstanding defensive moments including in the 38th minute when along with Zyroam Tauruwa-Herlihy and Bailey McConnell, Austin Marsters made a strong try saving tackle right on the try line on the Wynnum Manly right second rower (No. 12) to stop him from scoring mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.
Then in the 66th minute the same three players once again produced a further try saving tackle on the Wynnum Manly halfback also right on the try line and on the right side of the field after the Seagulls halfback had tried to step his way through the Bears defensive line.
Austin Marsters was back to his feet immediately and then from the marker position moved to his right and smashed the Wynnum Manly No. 11 to execute yet another try saving tackle.
Austin Marsters also started from the bench in Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies with Austin Marsters coming onto the field to operate as a running back rower in the 24th minute.
Austin Marsters scored in the 46th minute when after the Magpies left winger lost a Bailey McConnell kick backwards into the in-goal Austin Marsters raced through to ground the ball ten metres in from the right corner post.
The match also saw Austin Marsters kick a conversion from his only attempt in the 68th minute when he converted Bailey McConnell’s second try of the match from ten metres to the left of the goal posts.
Austin Marsters continued off the bench in Round Three against the Brisbane Tigers but literally found himself in the match inside the opening minute as a result of a Bears HIA from the opening kick-off.
Austin Marsters was involved in Isaiah F@galilo’s 16th minute try when after Isaiah F@galilo played the ball ten metres out and in front of the posts Austin Marsters ran the ball out of dummy half to his right before getting the ball back to Isaiah F@galilo who then put in a grubber kick into the goal to score next to the right upright.
Austin Marsters did exceptionally well from a defensive perspective in the 31st minute when he raced to his right to make a great try saving low legs tackle on the Tigers left winger who seemed set to score in the corner.
Austin Marsters then moved to five eight for Round Four against the Norths Devils.
Austin Marsters then came off the bench in Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Austin Marsters coming onto the field in the second half to operate in the dummy half role.
Austin Marsters came close to scoring in the 49th minute when from three metres out from the try line Austin Marsters ran to his right out of dummy half only to be held up over the try line adjacent to the right upright.
Austin Marsters also started from the bench in the Round Seven local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Austin Marsters coming on to operate in the dummy half role in the 18th minute.
In late September 2022 Titan Oscar Laffranchi was named in the powerful 2023 Burleigh Bears U18 Maal Meninga Cup Squad and Oscar Laffranchi is also MM Cup eligible in 2024.
Oscar Laffranchi started from the bench in the Bears third and final trial against the Brisbane Tigers with Oscar Laffranchi coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 20th minute.
Oscar Laffranchi recorded a line break assist in the 49th minute when whilst engaged with multiple Tigers defenders twenty five metres from the try line, Oscar Laffranchi got a smart right arm off-load away to Ryder Williams who darted away and was only caught two metres from the try line.
Oscar Laffranchi was named to start from the bench in Round One of the 2023 U18 Mal Meninga Cup competition for the Bears against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.
Oscar Laffranchi also started from the bench in Round Four against the Norths Devils with Oscar Laffranchi coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 30th minute with Oscar Laffranchi then recording a line break assist in the 38th minute when after engaging the Devils defensive line around forty metres out from his own try line Oscar Laffranchi got a right arm off-load away to his left to Gary Whare-Herlihy who burst twenty metres through the centre of the field.
Oscar Laffranchi also made a strong run from a kick-off in the 42nd minute with Oscar Laffranchi getting the ball twenty two metres away from his own try line.
Oscar Laffranchi also came off the bench in Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins as well as in the Round Seven local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Oscar Laffranchi coming onto the field to play in the front row late in the first half.
Oscar Laffranchi made a strong run in the 36th minute from twenty two metres out from his own try line and to the left of the play the ball with Oscar Laffranchi making twelve metres to the thirty four metre mark.
In late September 2022 Titan Jaylen Taewa was named in the 2023 Tweed Heads Seagulls U18 MM Cup squad.
Jaylen Taewa’s first match in 2023 came in late January when he started in the front row for the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup side in their first trial against the Souths Logan Magpies at the Logan Sports Complex.
Jaylen Taewa played the first two questers in the Seagulls trial victory with Jaylen Taewa dominating the ruck for large stretches of his time on the field especially from a defensive perspective with Jaylen Taewa making multiple crunching tackles which sent some of the Magpies forwards reeling backwards.
Jaylen Taewa then started in the front row for the Seagulls for their second trial against the Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup side at Burleigh Juniors as part of the Titans Annual Super Saturday.
After Tweed Heads had a Round One bye Jaylen Taewa was named on the bench in Round Two of the 2023 U18 Mal Meninga Cup against the Brisbane Tigers with Jaylen Taewa coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 23rd minute.
Jaylan Taewa made a strong line break in the 38th minute when after receiving an off-load from his left when thirty eight metres out from his own try line, Jaylen Taewa rumbled downfield and got to withing twenty eight metres of the try line.
Jaylen Taewa also did well in the 58th minute when he held up the Tigers front rower No. 8 over the try line and then from the subsequent play the ball Jaylen Taewa hit the Tigers No. 3 with a great tackle.
Jaylen Taewa also started from the bench in Round Three against the Redcliffe Dolphins and came onto the field to operate in the front row in the 14th minute with Jaylen Taewa doing well in the 18th minute when whilst defending at the marker position less than a metre from his own try line Jaylen Taewa was able to stop the Redcliffe hooker in his tracks next to the right uprights able he had tried to burrow his way over from dummy half.
Jaylen Taewa continued off the bench in Round Four against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Jaylen Taewa coming off the bench to operate in the front row in the 17th minute. Jaylen Taewa’s best run of the match came in the 36th minute when from seventeen metres out and to the left of the play the ball Jaylen Taewa was able to promote the ball to the thirty metre mark from the second hit-up after the second half kick-off.
Jaylen Taewa was then named to make his first 2023 of the 2023 MM Cup season in the front row in Round Five against the Souths Logan Magpies with Jaylen Taewa making a heavy tackle on the Magpies lock in the 11th minute thirty metres out from the try line.
In the 58th minute Jaylen Taewa charged onto the ball to the right of the play the ball from five metre out from his own try line to get the ball to within one metre of the halfway mark.
Jaylen Taewa continued in the front row in Round Six against the Norths Devils as well as in Round Seven against the Burleigh Bears with Jaylen Taewa making the opening hit-up of the match from the kick-off.
In late September 2022 Titans contracted Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu was named in the 2023 Burleigh Bears MM Cup squad for the second season in a row.
Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu started at right second row in the Bears third and final trial against the Brisbane Tigers with Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu taking the third hit-up of the match.
Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu scored in the 34th minute of the trial with a hard straight run from twelve metres out from a Bailey McConnell pass from his inside with Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu crashing over mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.
Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu also made a strong run in the 48th minute when he made sixteen metres down the right channel from ten metres out from his own try line after running the ball to the right of the play the ball.
Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu also did well in the 51st minute when he chased through a Bailey McConnell kick into the right corner with Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu retrieving the kick and getting a pass inside to maintain possession for the Bears inside the attacking ten metre zone as the defence was trying to force Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu over the sideline.
Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu was named to start at left second row in Round One of the 2023 U18 Mal Meninga Cup competition for the Bears against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.
Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu also started at right second row in Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies as well as Round Three against the Brisbane Tigers with Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu coming desperately close to scoring in the 33rd minute when he did well to stay onside and chase through a Ryder Williams grubber kick into the in-goal but just at the last second the ball took a horror bounce that took the ball away from a desperate lunge by Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu.
Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu made a good run in the 29th minute when he made sixteen metres down the right channel to get the ball withing forty metres of the try line.
Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu continued at right second row in Round Four against the Norths Devils with Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu making a one on one steal in the 39th minute when the ball was thirty eighty metres out from the Bears try line with Philip Hakaraia-Ngamuto then able to make ten metres downfield after the strip of the ball.
As a result of his performance Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu was named on the bench in the 2023 Courier Mail CC Cup Round Four Team of the Week.
Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu then started at right second row in Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu making a strong run in the 15th minute when from twelve metres out and down the right channel Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu able to get the ball thirty two metres away from his try line.
Earlier in the match in the 9th minute Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu hit the Redcliffe fullback with a driving tackle inside his own half with Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu forcing the fullback back over the opposite side of the halfway mark.
Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu also started at right second row in the Round Seven local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu recording a line break in the 61st minute
Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu did very well in the 11th minute to collect cleanly and low down a Seagulls grubber kick just two metres from his own try line.
Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu did even better in the 37th minute when along with Sunny Kama he was able to hold up the Seagulls left centre over the try line five metres in from the right corner post. Then in the 55th minute along with Bailey McConnell, Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu smashed the Tweed Heads player who was returning a drop-out forcing him backwards before driving him into the ground on his back.
Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu made a line break down the right channel in the 61st minute when after receiving the ball from his left forty three metres out Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu broke two tackles and carried a few more defenders downfield as he charged to within ten metres of the try line.
From an attacking perspective Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu made a strong run in the 52nd minute with Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu’s run starting thirty eight metres out from his try line and getting the ball five metres inside Seagulls territory.
In late September 2022 Titans contracted Zac Kumbamong was named in the powerful 2023 Burleigh Bears U18 Mal Meninga Cup Squad and Zac Kumbamong is also MM Cup eligible in 2024.
Zac Kumbamong started at left second row in the Bears third and final trial against the Brisbane Tigers with Zac Kumbamong scoring in the 12th minute when after receiving the ball from his right, Zac Kumbamong charged twelve metres to cross the try line wide out on the right with Zac Kumbamong then able to bring the ball around a further ten metres.
Zac Kumbamong was named to start at right second row in Round One of the 2023 U18 Mal Meninga Cup competition for the Bears against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls however a late change saw Zac Kumbamong start the match in the front row with Zac Kumbamong making a strong sixteen metre run in the 66th minute with around 75% of the metres made being post contact.
Zac Kumbamong them moved to start at left second row for Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies with Zac Kumbamong making a strong front on tackle on the Souths Logan right second rower (No. 11) with the hit rocking the Magpies second rower backwards on his own twenty metre mark.
Zac Kumbamong made a strong run in the 30th minute from the right of the play the ball from thirty two metres out from the try line with Zac Kumbamong able to get the ball to the twenty metre mark with Zac Kumbamong then effecting a lightning quick play the ball.
In the 68th minute Zac Kumbamong made a further twelve metre charge down the left channel to get the ball within three metres of the halfway mark.
Zac Kumbamong then started in the front row in Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Zac Kumbamong along with Jack Schmidt making the opening tackle of the match.
The 17th minute saw Zac Kumbamong get a good off-load away to his hooker when five metres inside Redcliffe territory with Isaiah F@galilo able to make a fifteen metres line break as a result.
Zac Kumbamong also started in the front row in the Round Seven local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Zac Kumbamong making the opening tackle of the match along with Kanititeiti Sikahele.
Then in the 10th minute along with Sam McAlister, Zac Kumbamong saved a try when they were able to prevent the Tweed Heads hooker from forcing his way over from dummy half from close range and three metres to the right of the uprights.
In late September 2022 Titan Bailey McConnell was named in the 2023 Burleigh Bears MM Cup Squad for the second season in a row with Bailey McConnell starting at halfback and captain in the Bears first 2023 MM Cup trial against the Souths Logan Magpies at the Annual Titans Super Saturday series of matches.
Whilst Bailey McConnell played the opening two quarters at halfback he moved to fullback for the final two quarters with Bailey McConnell scoring a double in the Bears tight loss. Bailey McConnell scored his opening try mid-way through the opening quarter when he backed up a break to receive a pass from his left and dart eight metres to score next to the left upright.
Bailey McConnell scored his second try in the third quarter when he ran to his right out of dummy half from fifteen metres out with Bailey McConnell’s speed out of dummy half catching the Magpies defence still on their own try line with Bailey McConnell accelerating between two defenders to get the ball down mid-way between the corner post and goal posts on the right side of the field.
Bailey McConnell also started at halfback in the Bears third and final trial against the Brisbane Tigers with Bailey McConnell scoring in the 10th minute when he backed up a line break by halves partner Ryder Williams with Ryder Williams getting away a great right arm flick off-load to Bailey McConnell who ran eight metres to dive over next to the right upright.
Bailey McConnell then threw the final pass when twelve metres out on the right side of the field with Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu crashing over mid-way between the goal posts and corner post.
Bailey McConnell made his first strong run of the trial in the 3rd minute when from a Bears scrum win on the halfway mark, Bailey McConnell received the ball to the right of the scrum and beat two defenders as he made twenty metres downfield.
Bailey McConnell also did well in the 11th minute when after backing up a good run from Ryder Williams, Bailey McConnell received the ball from his right and beat three defenders at get the ball to within sixteen metres of the try line.
Bailey McConnell produced a smart piece of play in the 24th minute when with the Tigers on the attack their halfback put in a hard kick towards the in-goal but Bailey McConnell took the ball on the full into his stomach just ten metres from his own try line and to the right of the posts. Bailey McConnell immediately after taking possession ran towards the centre of the field and then was able to off-load to his left to Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy who was able to promote the ball sixteen metres downfield.
Bailey McConnell put in a smart right foot kick from forty metres out into the right corner with the ball sitting up for Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu was able to get to the ball to maintain possession for the Bears.
Bailey McConnell was named to start at halfback and captain in Round One of the 2023 U18 Mal Meninga Cup competition for the Bears against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Bailey McConnell making a winding run in the 10th minute when from a Burleigh scrum win in the centre of the field and twenty three metres out, bailey McConnell ran the ball to the right and after breaking away from a tackle where the back of his jersey was being held, bailey McConnell produced a left foot step to gain separation from a defender and was only brought down when he was within five metres of the try line.
In the second half of the match Bailey McConnell had some outstanding defensive moments including in the 38th minute when along with Zyroam Tauruwa-Herlihy and Austin Marsters, Bailey McConnell made a strong try saving tackle right on the try line on the Wynnum Manly right second rower (No. 12) to stop him from scoring mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.
Then in the 66th minute the same three players once again produced a further try saving tackle on the Wynnum Manly halfback also right on the try line and on the right side of the field after the Seagulls halfback had tried to step his way through the Bears defensive line.
Bailey McConnell also started at halfback in Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies with Bailey McConnell scoring a double in a big Burleigh victory.
Bailey McConnell scored his opening try in the 59th minute when after receiving the ball from his left from Nayte Saaga nine metres out from the try line Bailey McConnell immediately spun 360 degrees counter clockwise to beat an on-rushing magpies defender before darting over to get the ball down ten metres in from the right corner post.
Bailey McConnell added his second try in the 68th minute when Bailey McConnell received an off-load from his right from Cooper Bai just inside Souths Logan territory then thirty two metres away from the try line Bailey McConnell veered to his left to round the Magpies fullback with Bailey McConnell then racing away to score ten metres to the left of the uprights.
Bailey McConnell as also was heavily involved in Austin Marsters 46th minute try when from the left of the play the ball and on the halfway mark Bailey McConnell put in a right foot kick towards the left corner with Austin Marsters diving on the ball in the in-goal after it was lost back into the in-goal by the Magpies left winger.
In the 25th minute Bailey McConnell made a great try saving tackle when after racing across to his right in cover defence Bailey McConnell made a desperate try saving tackle on the Magpies left centre with Bailey McConnell grabbing the centre less than two metres out from the try line with Bailey McConnell spinning the centre around and forcing a forward pass.
Bailey McConnell’s performance saw him named at halfback in the 2023 Courier Mail MM Cup Round Two Team of the Week.
Bailey McConnell continued at halfback in Round Three against the Brisbane Tigers with Bailey McConnell scoring in the 68th minute when after receiving the ball from the back of a Bears scrum win in the centre of the field and ten metres out Bailey McConnell ran to his left and literally just kept running to slice between back peddling Tigers defenders to score five metres in from the left touchline.
Bailey McConnell also recorded a try assist in the 26th minute when after exploding onto a Sunny Kama off-load forty five metres from the try line that saw him burst through the remnants of the Tigers defensive line Bailey McConnell drew the Tigers fullback when still twenty metres from the try line and threw a pass to his right to put Izayah Petrichvich over to score eleven metres in from the right corner post.
Bailey McConnell put in a good right foot hard driving kick to the Bears right corner from forty five metres out from the try line in the 24th minute with the Tigers fullback forced to concede the tackle three metres away from the right corner post.
Bailey McConnell showed his determination in the 31st minute when along with Izayah Petrichvich and Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy, they chased down the Tigers right winger who had made a long line break down his left touchline from deep inside his own territory.
It was an interesting afternoon for Bailey McConnell as he was forced from the field for a HIA after hitting his head whilst taking the opening kick-off in the in-goal area. Thankfully bailey McConnell was able to return to the field and then due to injury Bailey McConnell spent a large portion of the match at fullback and impressively Bailey McConnell was named at fullback in the Courier Mail MM Cup Round Three Team of the Week.
Bailey McConnell then started at halfback in Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Bailey McConnell forcing a Redcliffe goal line drop-out in the 46th minute when to the right of the play the ball and sixteen metres out Bailey McConnell put in a right foot grubber kick into the in-goal and towards the right corner with the Redcliffe left winger knocking the ball over the dead ball line.
Bailey McConnell also started at halfback in the Round Seven local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Bailey McConnell recording a try assist in the 4th minute when from sixteen metres out and to the right of the uprights, Bailey McConnell put in a right foot chip kick towards the right corner with Nayte Saaga racing through to take the kick on the full and score three metres in from the right corner post.
Bailey McConnell also recorded a line break assist in the 47th minute when after receiving the ball from the back of a Burleigh scrum win in the centre of the field and thirty metres out, Bailey McConnell ran to his right and after drawing one defender out of the defensive line Bailey McConnell got a good ball away to his right to send Sunny Kama away down the right touchline.
Earlier in the 2nd minute Bailey McConnell was able to get another set of six for Burleigh when from ten metres inside his own territory Bailey McConnell drove a hard flat and low right foot kick into Seagulls territory with the ball knocked on ten metres inside Tweed Heads territory.
Bailey McConnell put in another smart kick in the 30th minute from the right of the play the ball and twenty five metres out Bailey McConnell put in a right foot chip kick towards the right wing with the Seagulls fullback trapped less than a metre out from his own try line.
Then in the 55th minute along with Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu, Bailey McConnell smashed the Tweed Heads player who was returning a drop-out forcing him backwards before driving him into the ground on his back.
In late September 2022 Titans contracted Jac Finnigan was named in the 2023 Burleigh Bears U18 MM Cup Squad and Jac Finnigan is also MM Cup eligible in 2024.
Jac Finnigan was named to start from the bench in Round One of the 2023 U18 Mal Meninga Cup competition for the Bears against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls however a late change saw Jac Finnigan start the match at left second row.
After missing Round Two Jac Finnigan also started at left second row in Round Three against the Brisbane Tigers with Jac Finnigan scoring in the 12th minute when after backing up a Sam Stephenson line break down the left touchline Jac Finnigan received a pass from his left after Sam Stephenson had drawn the Tigers fullback with Jac Finnigan then having an uninterrupted twenty run to score five metres in from the left corner post.
Jac Finnigan also recorded a line break assist (very nearly a try assist) in the 29th minute with an exceptional catch and pass under extreme pressure to his left to Sam Stephenson who made a line break down the left touchline before being adjudged to have put his left foot into touch just prior to getting the ball down in the left corner.
Jac Finnigan also did well in the 8th minute when along with Sam Stephenson and Matari Donovan, Jac Finnigan trapped the Tigers fullback in his in-goal from a Ryder Williams kick from forty metres out to force a goal line drop-out.
Jac Finnigan did well from a defensive perspective in the 23rd minute when he was able to individually hold up the Tigers lock over the try line mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field after the Tigers lock had tried to crash over from close range.
Jac Finnigan made another try saving tackle in the 62nd minute with a desperate tackle on the Tigers giant No. 10 less than a metre from the try line and directly in front of the goal posts.
Jac Finnigan also started at left second row Round Four against the Norths Devils with Jac Finnigan along with Sunny Kama making the opening tackle of the match to force the Devils player back a number of metres.
Jac Finnigan made a strong run in the 46th minute when after charging onto the ball to the left of the play the ball Jac Finnigan ran onto the ball from a penalty tap restart forty metres away from his own try line with Jac Finnigan eventually tackled eight metres inside Norths territory.
Jac Finnigan then started at left second row in Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins as well as in Round Seven against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Jac Finnigan doing well in the 43rd minute when he chased the Tweed Heads fullback who had made a line break through the centre of the field with Jac Finnigan running him down from behind forty metres from the try line.
In late 2022 Titans contracted Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy was named in the 2023 Burleigh Bears U18 Mal Meninga Cup squad.
Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihly started at fullback in the Bears third and final trial against the Brisbane Tigers with Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihly scoring in the 63rd minute when he backed up a line break by front rower Waaka Hepi to race away to put the ball down ten metres in from the left corner post completely untouched.
Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy converted Bailey McConnell’s try just to the right of the uprights in the 10th minute. Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihly then converted Zac Kumbamong’s try 12th minute try from ten metres in from the right corner post.
Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy then kicked his best conversion of the match in the 23rd minute with an outstanding kick to convert Xavier Tauaifaiga’s try from the left touchline. Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy then converted Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu’s 34th minute try from mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field. Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy then converted Nayte Saaga’s solo try in the 57th minute from ten metres in from the right touchline.
Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy then converted Sam Stephenson’s run away try in the 60th minute from ten metres to the left of the uprights, before finishing the afternoon by converting his own try from ten metres in from the left corner post.
Running the ball Zyroam Taurawa-Herilhy did well in the 24th minute when from eighteen metres out from his own try line and in the centre of the field Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy did well to make sixteen metres after receiving an off-load from his right from Bailey McConnell.
Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy made a strong kick-return in the 50th minute when after tracking back to collect a Tigers long clearing kick in the centre of the field eighteen metres out from his own try line, Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy ran the ball to his right beating one defender with a right arm fend before being tackled ten metres from the halfway mark.
Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy was named to start at fullback in Round One of the 2023 U18 Mal Meninga Cup competition for the Bears against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy kicking three conversions from as many attempts. Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy came in the 19th minute when he converted Matari Donovan’s try from ten metres in from the left corner post.
Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy also converted Kanititeiti Sikahele’s try in the 33rd minute from just to the left of the goal posts with Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy then kicking a great conversion from four metres in from the right touchline to convert Austin Marsters great 41st minute solo try out of dummy half.
Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy came close to scoring himself in the 3rd minute when from eight metres out Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy ran a straight crash line off a Ryder Williams pass from his inside only to be held up ten metres in from the left corner post.
In the second half of the match Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy had some outstanding defensive moments including in the 38th minute when along with Austin Marsters and Bailey McConnell, Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy made a strong try saving tackle right on the try line on the Wynnum Manly right second rower (No. 12) to stop him from scoring mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.
Then in the 66th minute the same three players once again produced a further try saving tackle on the Wynnum Manly halfback also right on the try line and on the right side of the field after the Seagulls halfback had tried to step his way through the Bears defensive line.
Earlier in the second half in the had prevented another Seagulls try with a strong tackle in conjunction with Cooper Bai when the pair smashed the Wynnum Manly right centre taking him over the side line just out from the Bears left corner post to save a try.
Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy’s performance saw him named at fullback in the 2023 MM Cup Round One Team of the Round.
Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy then started on the right wing for Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies with Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy then moving to fullback mid-way through the first half.
Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy recorded a try assist in the 37th minute when after chiming into the Bears backline on the right side of the field Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy, at near full speed threw a long hard flat cut-out pass to Izayah Petrichvich who carried two Magpies over the line to score a metre in from the right corner post.
Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy as also involved in Matari Donovan’s try in the 65th minute with a great catch and pass off-load to his left when thirty seven metres out from the try line to Sam Stephenson who burst down the left side of the field and when ten metres from the try line Sam Stephenson drew the Magpies fullback and got the ball away to his left to Matari Donovan show scored in the left corner.
Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy almost fashioned another try of the Bears in the 34th minute when he ran down a short right blindside and when twenty metres away from the try line Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy put in a chip kick which was mis-handled and knocked on by the Magpies two metres out from the try line and a metre in from the right touchline.
Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy kicked three conversions the first of which he kicked in the 30th minute from ten metres to the left of the uprights to convert the first of Sam Stephenson’s two tries. Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy then converted Sam Stephenson’s second try from eight metres to the left of the uprights in the 35th minute. Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy then kicked his third and final conversion in the 59th minute to convert Bailey McConnell’ try ten metres in from the right corner post.
Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy put in another smart kick in the 37th minute when after taking possession ten metres out from the try line and five metres in from the left touchline, Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy initially stepped back inside before putting in a right foot grubber kick towards the left corner with the Magpies defence forced to take the ball over the touchline just two metres out from the try line.
Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy also did well in the 36th minute to ensure that both of his feet were in the in-goal to take a high Souths Logan bomb on the full. Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy then raced to the twenty metre mark for the tap restart with Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy running to his left to make twenty three metres.
Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy was then back at fullback for Round Three against the Brisbane Tigers with Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy kicking five conversions, the first of which came in the 9th minute to convert Jake Schmidt’s try from directly in front. Zyroam Taurawa-Herily’s second conversion was a great effort from five metres from the left touchline to covert Jac Finnigan’s 12th minute try before Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy converted Isaiah F@gailio’s 16th minute try from two metres to the right of the uprights.
Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy’s fourth conversion was another great kick from five metres in from the left touchline to convert Sam Stephenson’s second try before Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy added a fifth conversion in the 37th minute to convert Sam Stephenson’s second try from five metres in from the left corner post.
Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy showed his courage in the 23rd minute when whilst defending on his own try line Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy ran to his left to dive on a Tigers grubber kick with the ball a metre from the try line and Tigers players chasing the ball hard.
Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy made a strong kick return in the 25th minute when after fielding a long Tigers kick in the centre of the field and ten metres in front of the posts Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy ran to his left at full speed and was able to get the ball to within nine metres of the halfway mark before he confronted the defensive line.
Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy made a good run out of dummy half in the 49th minute when with the play the ball sixteen metres out from his own line Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy ran to his right getting to the twenty eight metre mark before being tackled in the centre of the field.
Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy showed his determination in the 31st minute when along with Bailey McConnell and Izayah Petrichvich, they chased down the Tigers right winger who had made a long line break down his left touchline from deep inside his own territory.
Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy continued at fullback in Round Four against the Norths Devils with Zyroam Taurawa-Herhily converting Jake Schmidt’s 56th minute try from mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.
Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy recorded a try assist in the 41st minute with Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy chiming into the Bears backline on the right side of the field and after engaging one Devils defender Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy got away a good right arm flick off-load to his right to put his centre over from ten metres out.
Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy recorded a line break assist in the 32nd minute when after chiming into the Bears backline on the right side of the field and forty metres out, Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy threw a cut-out pass to his right to put his right winger on a twenty metre run down the right touchline.
Impressively Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy also kicked a 40/20 in the 55th minute when after some confusion on the Bears final tackle Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy put in a right foot kick off one step from just inside his own forty metre mark with the ball going into touch over the right touchline eleven metres out from the try line.
Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy continued at fullback in Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins.
Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy also started at fullback in the Round Seven local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy kicking the Bears first two conversions, the first of which came from in front of the posts in the 7th minute to convert Nayte Saaga’s second try of the match. Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy then kicked his second conversion in the 48th minute from ten metres to the left of the uprights to convert Nayte Saaga’s third try of the match.
Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy showed his speed in the 23rd minute when with Burleigh attacking five metres out from the try line, Tweed Heads took an intercept but Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy turned and chased and caught the winger from behind twenty metres out from the try line.
Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy then did well in the 55th minute when he positioned himself well to field cleanly a Seagulls attacking grubber kick just inside his in-gaol with Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy then smartly getting to the ground just in the field of play to prevent being dragged into the in-goal.
In late September 2022 Titans contracted Matthew Barrow was named in the 2023 Tweed Heads Seagulls U18 MM Cup squad for the second season in a row.
After Tweed Heads had a Round One bye Matthew Barrow was named on the left wing in Round Two of the 2023 U18 Mal Meninga Cup against the Brisbane Tigers with Matthew Barrow scoring in the eight minute with a ten metre run down the left touchline to score in the left corner.
Matthew Barrow also did well in the 34th minute when he came off his wing to take a hit-up to bring the ball out of his own territory with Matthew Barrow able to make ten metres through the centre of the field from the left of the play the ball to the forty metre mark.
Matthew Barrow also started on the left wing in Round Three against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Matthew Barrow making a line break in the 5th minute when he raced down the left touchline from thirty two metres out and Matthew Barrow almost beat the Redcliffe fullback on the outside but was brought down just two metres out.
Matthew Barrow made another line break in the 47th minute when after receiving an off-load from his fullback when forty three metres out from the try line Matthew Barrow charged ten metres down the left touchline where he was brought to ground but Matthew Barrow was not held and smartly got to his feet quickly to make another thirteen metres downfield.
In the 15th minute Matthew Barrow came off his left wing to the centre of the field to make fifteen metres from a hit-up that originated inside his own twenty metre area. Matthew barrow came off his left again in the 24th minute once again to the centre of the field and from just ten metres from his own try line Matthew Barrow was able to make ten metres against an on-rushing Redcliffe defensive line. Then a tackle later Matthew barrow made another six metres from a second hit-up in the same set of six tackles.
Matthew Barrow continued on the left wing in Round Four against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Matthew Barrow coming off his wing to take a hit-up to the left of the play the ball and through the centre of the field with Matthew Barrow making twelve metres to thirty five metres out from his own try line.
Matthew Barrow also started on the left wing in Round Five against the Souths Logan Magpies with Matthew Barrow scoring in the left corner from close range in the 16th minute after receiving a great cut-out pass from his inside from five eight Jack Hudson.
Matthew Barrow crossed the try line again in the 50th minute in the left corner however the cut-out pass from his inside from Jack Hudson was ruled to have gone forward.
In the 11th minute Matthew Barrow came off his left wing to take a hit-up in the centre of the field from three metres inside his own territory with Matthew Barrow able to get the ball seventeen metres inside Magpies territory with 60% of his metres gained being post contact.
To the left of the play the ball in the 25th minute and three metres from his own try line and ten metres in from the left touchline Matthew Barrow did exceptionally well to break two tackles and he got the ball twenty seven metres out from his own try line.
Then in the 32nd minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball and eighteen metres out from his own try line Matthew barrow carried the ball to thirty metres out with 60% of his metres gained being post contact.
Matthew Barrow, in the 53rd minute ran the ball to the right of the play the ball through the centre of the field from thirty three metres out from his own try line to within seven metres of the halfway mark. Then in the 59th minute when twenty metres out from his own try line Matthew Barrow ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball to get to the thirty one metre mark with 50% of Matthew Barrow’s metres gained being post contact.
Defensively whilst operating at fullback Matthew Barrow did well in the 54th minute when after the Magpies left winger made a line break through the centre of the field he tried to beat Matthew Barrow by running to his left but Matthew Barrow stayed with him to make the tackle twenty two metres out and near the right touch line.
Matthew Barrow’s performance saw him deservedly named on the wing in the Courier Mail 2023 MM Cup Round Five Team of the Week.
Matthew Barrow continued on the left wing in Round Six against the Norths Devils with Matthew Barrow scoring a strong try in the 52nd minute when after some good work on his inside from Zane Harrison Matthew Barrow burst down the left touchline from twenty metres out and when confronted by the Norths fullback still three metres from the try line, Matthew Barrow literally just ran straight over the top of him to get the ball down in the left corner for what turned out to be the match winning try of the Seagulls.
The 26th minute saw Matthew Barrow make a strong run from the right of the play the ball from twenty five metres from his own try line with Matthew Barrow’s run and 360 degree counter clockwise spin enabling Matthew Barrow to make fifteen metres. Then in the 69th minute with the match still in the balance Matthew Barrow was able to make ten metres against a desperate defensive line from ten metres from his own try line and to the left of the play the ball.
Matthew Barrow continued on the left wing in the Round Seven local derby against the Burleigh Bears with Matthew Barrow scoring in the 43rd minute when after receiving the ball on the left touchline six metres out, Matthew Barrow was able to power his way over to score in the left corner.
Matthew Barrow also recorded a line break in the 63rd minute when from thirty five metres out from his own try line Harry Chadburn took the ball to the defensive line and threw a cut-out pass to his left to put winger Matthew Barrow away down the left touchline before he was tackled on the halfway mark.
Then in the 67th minute Matthew Barrow came off his wing with the ball deep inside Seagulls territory with Matthew Barrow taking the hit-up to the left of the play the ball twelve metres out from his own try line and in the centre of the field with Matthew Barrow rumbling to twenty nine metres out as he carried a number of defenders more than 50% of the way.
In late September 2022 Titans contracted Nayte Saaga was named in the 2023 Burleigh Bears MM Cup Squad and Nayte Saaga is also MM Cup eligible in 2024.
Nayte Saaga started at hooker in the Bears third and final trial against the Brisbane Tigers with Nayte Saaga recording a great solo try in the 57th minute when from twenty eight metres out and in the centre of the field Nayte Saaga ran to his left out of dummy half before stepping off his left foot to beat the Tigers fullback and then Nayte Saaga stepped off his left once again to beat a second defender and then diving over to score ten metres in from the right corner post.
Nayte Saaga made a great try saving tackle in the 7th minute right on his own try line when he moved to his right to hit and stop the Tigers front rower No. 10 literally right on the try line and just to the right of the uprights.
Nayte Saaga made a line break in the 14th minute when after front rower Waaka Hepi was awarded a penalty for being held down twenty five metres out from his own try line after a Tigers kick-off Nayte Saaga took a quick tap and exploded downfield and threatened to totally beak away but Nayte Saaga was ankle tapped from behind and went to ground five metres inside Tigers territory.
Nayte Saaga was named on the Bears extended bench for Round One of the 2023 U18 Mal Meninga Cup competition against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.
Nayte Saaga was then named on the bench for Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies with Nayte Saaga coming off the bench into the dummy half role in the 28th minute.
Nayte Saaga made a line break in the 58th minute when from forty metres out from his own try line and in the centre of the field Nayte Saaga ran to his right out of dummy half with Nayte Saaga dummying to his right before surging forward to get the ball five metres into magpies territory.
Nayte Saaga did well in the 46th minute when with the Magpies in the attack twenty five metres from the Bears try line Nayte Saaga was able to anticipate a pass to get in between the Magpies players and intercept the pass.
Nayte Saaga continued off the bench in Round Three against the Brisbane Tigers with Nayte Saaga coming onto the field in the dummy half role in the 31st minute. Nayte Saaga recorded a try assist in the 37th minute when after running back towards his own try line to take possession of the ball from a Waaka Hepi off-load when ten metres out from the try line, Nayte Saaga ran the ball to his left and after getting the Tigers right centre to commit to him Nayte Saaga got a short off-load away to Sam Stephenson who crashed over to score five metres in from the left corner post.
Just three minutes later in the 40th Minute Nayte Saaga almost set up a another try for Sam Stephenson when from dummy half Nayte Saaga threw a flat hard cut-out pass to his left destined for Sam Stephenson four metres from the try line but the last Tigers defender got his hand to the ball to stop a certain try.
Almost immediately after coming onto the field in the dummy half role Nayte Saaga darted out of dummy half to his right from thirty metres out with Nayte Saaga then able to draw a number of defenders before getting an off-load away to his right to Cooper Bai.
Then in the 34th minute Nayte Saaga made a great cover defending tackle down the Bears left touchline take bring down the Tigers No. 17 who had made a line break down his right side of the field.
Nayte Saaga then moved into the starting line-up at hooker for Round Four against the Norths Devils with Nayte Saaga scoring in the 63rd minute when after Cooper Bai had gotten away an off-load when he was three metres out and directly in front of the posts, Nayte Saaga collected the ball on the first bounce and after running to his right Nayte Saaga crashed through two defenders to score three metres to the right of the uprights.
Nayte Saaga also recorded a 56th minute try assist when with the play the ball less than a metre from the try line and ten metres to the right of the goal posts Nayte Saaga ran to his left out of dummy half and Jack Schmidt cut back to receive an inside pass and crash over the line to score ten metres to the right of the uprights.
Nayte Saaga made a near immediate impact on the match in just the 2nd minute when after Burleigh were awarded a penalty forty metres out from the try line Nayte Saaga took a quick tap and was able to make fifteen metres before the Devils defence could regroup and make the tackle.
Nayte Saaga then started at hooker in the Round Seven local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Nayte Saaga scoring a hat trick and kicking a last minute conversion from just to the right of the uprights to convert Ryder Williams’s smart solo try.
Nayte Saaga scored his first try in the 4th minute when Nayte Saaga chased through a Bailey McConnell chip kick towards the right corner with Nayte Saaga taking the ball on the full and diving over to score three metres in from the right corner post.
Nayte Saaga scored his second try in the 7th minute with a great solo effort when after moving in dummy half with the play the ball twelve metres out and just to the left of the uprights, Nayte Saaga dummied to his left before running to his right and just prior to the defensive line Nayte Saaga put in a left foot grubber kick which hit the left upright and rebounded into Nayte Saaga’s hands for him to score under the posts.
Nayte Saaga completed his hat trick in the 48th minute when Nayte Saaga ran to his right out of dummy half from two metres out after Nayte Saaga had dummied to his left to get the down ten metres to the left of the uprights.
In late September 2022 Titans contracted Isaiah Scanlon was named in the 2023 Burleigh Bears U18 MM Cup squad then in early October Isaiah Scanlon was also named in the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad as well. Ultimately Isaiah Scanlon was a member of the Tweed Heads Seagulls 2023 U18 MM Cup squad.
After Tweed Heads had a Round One bye Isaiah Scanlon was named in the front row and captain of the Seagulls side in Round Two of the 2023 U18 Mal Meninga Cup against the Brisbane Tigers in Brisbane with Isaiah Scanlon scoring in the 47th minute when he ran onto a good short ball from his left from Jett Jackson with Isaiah Scanlon running six metres to dive over to score three metres to the left of the uprights.
Isaiah Scanlon had almost scored earlier in the match in just the second minute of the match when after charging onto the ball to the right of the play the ball from ten metres out Isaiah Scanlon cut back behind the play the ball but Isaiah Scanlon was held up over the try line ten metres in from the right corner post.
Isaiah Scanlon took the second hit-up of the match after the Tigers had kicked off to get the math underway with Isaiah Scanlon able to get the ball over the twenty metre mark. Then in the 10th minute Isaiah Scanlon made a strong run from the kick-off from Matthew Barrow’s try with Isaiah Scanlon getting the ball over the twenty metre mark with Isaiah Scanlon then being awarded when he was not allowed to his feet in a timely fashion. Isiah Scanlon then took the hit-up from the subsequent penalty tap re-start.
In the 45th minute Isaiah Scanlon ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball from twenty metres out from his own try line with Isaiah Scanlon making ten strong metres. Then just two minutes later in the 47th minute Isaiah Scanlon from the right of the play the ball and thirty metres out from the try line Isaiah Scanlon engaged the defensive line and after making fourteen metres Isaiah Scanlon was able to get an off-load away to his right to Jett Jackson.
Then in the 52nd minute from ten metres out from his own try line and in the centre of the field Isaiah Scanlon was able to make twelve metres with the majority of his metres being of the post contact variety.
Isaiah Scanlon also started in the front row in Round Three against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Isaiah Scanlon making a strong run in the 3rd minute from ten metres out and to the right of the play the ball with Isaiah Scanlon able to get the ball to thirty metres away from his ow try line against heavy Redcliffe resistance.
Isaiah Scanlon made another strong run in the 11th minute when from eight metres out from his own try line and to the right of the play the ball Isaiah Scanlon was able to make eleven metres against a determined and set defensive line. Then in the 14yth minute two passes to the right of a Seagulls penalty tap restart Isaiah Scanlon was able to make fourteen metres over the twenty metre mark before getting an off-load away to his right.
Isaiah Scanlon continued his strong match in the 26th minute when from thirty metres from his own try line and to the right of the play the ball Isaiah Scanlon was able to charge through the centre of the field to get the ball within seven metres of the halfway mark. Isaiah Scanlon then made another strong charge in the 36th minute Isaiah Scanlon made a great kick-off return from the Dolphins second half kick-off to get the ball twenty two metres away from his own try line.
Isiah Scanlon rounded out his strong match in the 65th minute with a charge to the left of the play the ball from his own twenty seven metre mark to the forty metre mark.
Defensively in the 11th minute made a smart tackle on the Redcliffe hooker who had run out of dummy half but Isaiah Scanlon reacted quickly and ran to his right to make a try saving tackle just out from the try line as the Dolphins looked set to score.
As a result of his strong performance Isaiah Scanlon was named on the bench in the Courier Mail MM Cup Round Three Team of the Week.
Isaiah Scanlon continued in the front row in Round Four against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Isaiah Scanlon scoring through a strong run in the 59th minute.
Isaiah Scanlon had almost scored ten minutes earlier in the 49th minute when from ten metres out and to the left of the play the ball Isaiah Scanlon was able to get over the try line five metres to the left of the goal posts however the referee ruled that Isaiah Scanlon knocked the ball on as he was trying to get the ball down.
Isaac Scanlon then moved to start at lock in Round Five against the Souths Logan Magpies with Isaac Scanlon making the fourth hit-up of the match to the left of the play the ball with Isaac Scanlon receiving the ball thirty five metres out from his own try line making ten metres.
Isaac Scanlon made another strong run in the 18th minute from twelve metres out from his own try line and to the left of the play the ball with Isaac Scanlon able to get the ball twenty four metres out from his own try line.
In the 53rd minute from the left of the play the ball and from his own twenty metre mark Isaac Scanlon was able to promote the ball thirteen metres. Then in the 54th minute from five metres from his own try line Isaac Scanlon got the ball to nineteen metres out after running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball.
In the 57th minute Isaac Scanlon ran onto the ball to the left of the play the ball from thirty two metres from his own try line with Isaac Scanlon getting the ball to within four metres of the halfway mark.
Defensively Isaac Scanlon did well in the 21st minute when along with Will Saunders, he stopped the Magpies No. 15 from scoring with a strong hit on the try line mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.
Isaiah Scanlon continued at lock in Round Six against the Norths Devils with Isaiah Scanlon making a strong run to the left of the play the ball in the 20th minute from forty three metres out from his own line to four metres inside Devils territory.
Isaiah Scanlon continued at lock in the Round Seven local derby against the Burleigh Bears with Isaiah Scanlon making a strong run in the 11th minute when from the right of the play the ball and seventeen metres from the try line Isaiah Scanlon bustled his way to within two metres of the try line and just to the right of the uprights.
Then in the 18th minute from a Seagulls penalty tap restart, Isaiah Scanlon charged straight at the defensive line from five metres inside his own territory and was able to get the ball six metres inside Burleigh territory.
Isaiah Scanlon engaged the Burleigh defensive line once again in the 65th minute when from two metres inside his own territory and to the right of the play the ball Isaiah Scanlon cut across field to his right using his left arm to fend off a number of attempted tackles before Isaiah Scanlon drew a defender towards him and threw a good short ball to his right to a straight charging Jett Jackson who made a further ten metres.
In late September 2022 Titans contracted Sunny Kama was named in the 2023 Burleigh Bears U18 MM Cup Squad and Sunny Kama is also MM Cup eligible in 2024.
Sunny Kama was named to start at right centre in Round One of the 2023 U18 Mal Meninga Cup competition for the Bears against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Sunny Kama making a strong run of sixteen metres down the right channel in the 39th minute to get the ball twenty eight metres out from the Wynnum Manly try line.
Sunny Kama made a great try saving tackle in the 26th minute when he smashed his opposite number to prevent what appeared to be a certain try in the Bears right corner with Sunny Kama’s strong initial contact around the chest stopping the Wynnum Manly attacked in his tracks.
Sunny Kama also started at right centre in Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies with Sunny Kama making a number of line breaks with the first coming in the 12th minute when from twenty five metres out from his own try line and to the left of the play the ball Sunny Kama ran straight through the centre of the Souths Logan defensive line and got all of the way to the halfway mark before being brought to ground.
Sunny Kama made a further line break in the 16th minute when after receiving pass from his left twenty metres out from his own try line Sunny Kama got on the outside of his corresponding Magpies defender with Sunny Kama then racing thirteen metres down the right touchline before cutting back inside with Sunny Kama then able to made a further four metres downfield.
Sunny Kama made a further strong run in the 54th minute when to the left of a Burleigh scrum win thirty four metres out from his own try line Sunny Kama carried the ball to three metres inside Magpies territory.
Sunny Kama also did well in the 2nd minute when he raced out of the defensive line to pouch on a poor Magpies pass ten metres out from the try line with Sunny Kama then able to make a further six metres away from his try line.
Sunny Kama’s performance saw him named in the centres in the 2023 Courier Mail MM Cup Round Two Team of the Week.
Sunny Kama continued at right centre in Round Three against the Brisbane Tigers with Sunny Kama recording a line break assist in the 26th minute when after taking possession on the right side of the field forty metres from his own try line, Sunny Kama carried a number of defenders to five metres inside Tigers territory and then as he was going to ground Sunny Kama got both arm free and got a two handed off-load away behind him to Bailey McConnell who then made a line break and ultimately put Izayah Petrichvich over to score.
Sunny Kama made a further strong run in the 37th minute when from thirty metres out and on the left side of the field Sunny Kama ran to his left after receiving the ball from the dummy half and as he ran towards the Tigers right sided defensive line Sunny Kama shaped to pass to his left before taking the line on himself and getting to the halfway mark. Sunny Kama was then awarded a penalty for a high tackle.
Sunny Kama then moved to left centre for Round Four against the Norths Devils with Sunny Kama scoring a great solo try in the 29th minute when after receiving the ball on the left side of the field and fifty five metres out from the try line Sunny Kama continued to run to his left and after shaping to pass to his left Sunny Kama burst between two defenders before easily rounding the Devils fullback to score in the left corner.
Sunny Kama made a strong run in the 8th minute from the left of a Bears scrum win with Sunny Kama carrying the ball from thirty metres out to twenty metres out from the try line. Then in the 12th minute Sunny Kama ran the ball to the right of the play the ball with Sunny Kama running through the centre of the field from ten metres out from his own try line to twenty six metres out.
In the 14th minute Sunny Kama made a further strong ten metre run from ten metres out from his own try line and to the left of a Burleigh scrum win. After being brought to ground Sunny Kama was awarded a penalty when he was held down too long in the tackle.
Sunny Kama along with Jac Finnigan made the opening tackle of the match to force the Devils player back a number of metres. Sunny Kama also made a strong defensive effort in the 22nd minute when whilst defending close to his own try line, Sunny Kama came out of the Bears defensive line and hit his opposite number around the chest stopping his opponent in his tracks just ten metres out from his own try line.
Sunny Kama then started at right centre in Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Sunny Kama making the first of his strong runs in just the 2nd minute when after receiving the ball two passes to the right of the play the ball just two metres from his own try line Sunny Kama was able to get on the outside of his opposing centre and make a thirty one metre line break down the right touchline, breaking two tackles in the process.
Sunny Kama made a further line break in the 61st minute when after Redcliffe dropped the ball whilst attacking four metres out from the try line, Sunny Kama swooped on the ball and burst thirty three metres downfield before being caught from behind.
Also in the 21st minute to the left of a Burleigh scrum win twelve metres out from his own try line Sunny Kama charged to thirty two metres out and then after playing the ball Sunny Kama stayed alive and took an off-load from the dummy half and extended the ball to within seven metres of the halfway mark.
Then in the 25th minute from ten metres inside his own territory Sunny Kama ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball with Sunny Kama able to promote the ball to fifteen metres inside Dolphins territory.
Sunny Kama’s performance saw him named in the 2023 Courier Mail MM Cup Round Six Team of the Week.
Sunny Kama also started at right centre in the Round Seven local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Sunny Kama making a line break in the 6th minute of the match when from twenty two metres out Sunny Kama was able to break through the Seagulls defensive line down a short right blindside with Sunny Kama able to get the ball six metres into Seagulls territory.
Sunny Kama made another line break in the 47th minute when to the right of a Burleigh scrum win in the centre of the field and thirty metres out Sunny Kama ran onto a good ball from his inside from Bailey McConnell with Sunny Kama then able to get on the outside of his opposing centre before being tackled seven metres out, Sunny Kama then was awarded a penalty when he was dragged over the right touchline after the tackle was completed. Sunny Kama then took the penalty tap from ten metres out to get the ball to two metres out from the try line.
Sunny Kama did well from a defensive perspective in the 37th minute when along with Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu he was able to hold up the Seagulls left centre over the try line five metres in from the right corner post.
Sunny Kama also did well defensively in the 52nd minute when whilst facing an overlap when defending on his own try line Sunny Kama decisively flew off his try line and hit the Seagulls left centre just as he was receiving the ball five metres out from the try line to stop the attacking movement in its tracks.
In late September 2022 Titans contracted Ryder Williams was named in the 2023 Burleigh Bears MM Cup Squad and Ryder Williams is also MM Cup eligible in 2024.
Ryder Williams started at five eight in the Bears third and final 2023 MM Cup trial against the Brisbane Tigers. With Ryder Williams recording an outstanding try assist in the 10th minute. With the Bears on the attack the Tigers defence knocked down a Cooper Bai off-load with Ryder Williams swooping on the dropped ball twenty five metres out and in the centre of the field and burst away beating the fullback with a right foot step but when he was eight metres out from the try line but as he was going to ground Ryder Williams got away a superb right arm flick off-load to his right to a trailing Bailey McConnell who dived over to score next to the right upright.
Ryder Williams recorded a second try assist in the 16th minute when Ryder Williams threw a great long flat pass to his right from twelve metres out to put Sam Stephenson into space to score in the left corner.
Ryder Williams then recorded a line break assist in the 11th minute when from thirty two metres out from his own try line and to the left of the play the ball Ryder Williams threw another hard flat pass to his left to put Sam Stephenson on a twenty metre run down the left touchline.
Ryder Williams recorded a line break of his own in the 49th minute when after receiving an off-load from Oscar Laffranchi in the centre of the field and twenty five metres out Ryder Williams raced towards the try line only to be brought down two metres short of scoring.
Ryder Williams threw another outrageous right arm flick off-load in the 27th minute when after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball around thirty five metres out, Ryder Williams stepped off his left foot twice to beat defenders before throwing the flick off-load to his right to Bailey McConnell.
Ryder Williams also did well in the 11th minute when after receiving an off-load from Waaka Hepi Ryder Williams beat two defenders with left and right foot steps before getting an off-load away to his right to a trailing Bailey McConnell.
Ryder Williams was named to start at five eight in Round One of the 2023 U18 Mal Meninga Cup competition for the Bears against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Ryder Williams recording a try assist in the 19th minute when after receiving the ball twelve metres out from the try line and to the left of the play the ball Ryder Williams ran parallel to the Seagulls defensive line and then at the last minute Ryder Williams put in a grubber kick with the outside of his right foot with Matari Donovan then racing through to get the ball down just before the dead ball line and mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.
Ryder Williams also recorded an earlier try assist in the 3rd minute when from eight metres out and on the left side of the field Ryder Williams ran to his left and threw a good short ball to Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy who ran a straight crash line only to be held up ten metres in from the left corner post.
Ryder Williams recorded a line break in the 34th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball from the dummy half Ryder Williams ran at the oncoming defensive line before stepping off his left to beat the initial defender with Ryder Williams then skipping out of another attempted tackle. After racing thirty five metres down the centre of the field Ryder Williams was able to draw the fullback and get a pass away to his right to Austin Marsters.
Ryder Williams recorded a line break assist in the 8th minute when from thirty five metres out from his own try line Ryder Williams ran the ball down a short left blindside and after running ten metres towards the Wynnum Manly defensive line Ryder Williams threw a great hard flat cut-out pass to put left winger Matari Donovan away down the left touch line.
Ryder Williams also started at five eight in for Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies with Ryder Williams initial impact in the match coming after just twelve seconds (yes seconds) when from the second play of the match Ryder Williams received the ball to the left of the dummy half inside his own twenty metre area and then threw a cut-out pass to his left to put left centre Sam Stephenson on a twenty metre run down the left side of the field.
Ryder Williams then recorded a try assist in the 30th minute when from nine metres out and to the left of the uprights Ryder Williams threw a hard flat cut-out pass to his left to put Sam Stephenson on the outside of the last Magpies right sided defender with Sam Stephenson crossing the try line wide out on the right before bringing the ball around and putting it down ten metres to the left of the uprights.
Ryder Williams recorded a line break assist in the 41st minute when from on the halfway mark Ryder Williams threw a cut-out pass to his left to put Matari Donovan on a fifteen metre burst down the left touchline.
Ryder Williams ran the ball himself in the 56th minute from thirty five metres out from his own try line down a short left blindside with Ryder Williams stepping his way to within three metres of the try line.
Ryder Williams did well in the 11th minute when he chased through a Bears clearing kick and smashed the Magpies fullback with a heavy front on tackle as the fullback was returning the kick with Ryder Williams initial contact rocking the fullback back onto his heals.
Ryder Williams continued at five eight in Round Three against the Brisbane Tigers with Ryder Williams converting Wailer Whaiapu’s 65th minute try from thirteen metres in from the left corner post.
Ryder Williams recorded a line break assist in the 12th minute when whilst operating on the left side of the field down a wide blindside Ryder Williams took the ball deep into the defensive line before throwing a hard flat cut-out pass to Sam Stephenson to make a line break down the left touchline with Sam Stephenson getting an off-load away to his inside after drawing the fullback for Jac Finnigan to score.
Ryder Williams forced a Tigers goal line drop-out in the 8th minute when to the left of the play the ball and forty metres from the try line Ryder Williams put in a hard low driving right foot kick which pulled up two metres from the dead ball line with the ensuing Burleigh chase trapping the fullback in-goal.
Ryder Williams made a smart run in the 7th minute when to the left of the play the ball and thirty six metres from his own try line Ryder Williams initially looked to pass the ball to his left but after seeing the Tigers right sided defence coming up quickly Ryder Williams ran the ball himself, stepping off his left foot to get the ball withing to metres of the halfway mark.
Ryder Williams came close to setting up a try for Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu in the 33rd minute when from twelve metres out and in front of the posts Ryder Williams put a right foot grubber kick into the in-goal but a horror bounce saw the ball bounce agonisingly away from Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu’s grasp.
Ryder Williams highlighted his defensive intelligence in the 23rd minute when whilst defending ten metres out from his own try line Ryder Williams sensed that the Bears left sided defence were facing a two man overlap and came out of the defensive line and tackle the Tigers halfback just as he received the ball to immediately eliminate the attacking threat.
Ryder Williams then moved to halfback for Round Four against the Norths Devils with Ryder Williams recording a line break in the 38th minute when Ryder Williams backed up a line break by Gary Whare-Herlihy to get an off-load from the dummy half forty two metres out with Ryder Williams winding his way to twenty five metres out from the try line before he was brought down from behind.
Ryder Williams then anticipated a Norths attacking grubber kick in the 46th minute with Ryder Williams initially knocking the ball up in the air backwards with the ball just in the field of play and then Ryder Williams tracked the ball back to take possession in the in-goal area with Ryder Williams able to get the ball back into the field of play by three metres before Ryder Williams was brought to ground.
After Burleigh had a Round Five bye, Ryder Williams moved back to five eight for Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Ryder Williams setting up the Bears only try of the match in the 22nd minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball ten metres out, Ryder Williams ran the ball down a wide left blindside and after he had drawn a defender out of the defensive line Ryder Williams got a good ball away to his left to put Sam Stephenson over to score six metres in from the left touchline.
Ryder Williams came close to scoring himself in the 50th minute only to be held up over the try line five metres in from the left corner post after running out of dummy half to his left from two metres out.
Ryder Williams also forced a Dolphins goal line drop-out in the 11th minute when from the left of the play the ball and ten metres out Ryder Williams put in a right foot stab kick into the in-goal with the kick having to be taken dead by the Dolphins defenders.
Ryder Williams put up a high bomb from twenty five metres out and in the centre of the field towards the left corner with the ball knocked on by the Dolphins fullback and then picked up in an offside position by another Redcliffe player for Burleigh to be awarded a penalty.
Ryder Williams also started at five eight in the Round Seven local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Ryder Williams scoring an outstanding solo try in the 68th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball Ryder Williams ran the ball two metres over the halfway mark before putting in a right foot chip kick over the defensive line for himself with Ryder Williams collecting the ball after its first bounce just in front of the oncoming Seagulls fullback. After rounding the fullback by veering to his right Ryder Williams raced towards the try line and after being caught by the fullback just short of the try line Ryder Williams was able to twist over the try line with the fullback beneath him and reach his right arm around to get the ball down five metres to the right of the uprights.
Ryder Williams also kicked a good short kick-off in the 66th minute with a high short kick-off to his left which just travelled the requisite ten metres and landed perfectly for Sam Stephenson to take the ball on the full and charge to within five metres of the try line.
In late September 2022 Titans contracted Cooper Bai was named in the 2023 Burleigh Bears U18 MM Cup Squad and Cooper Bai is also MM Cup eligible in 2024.
Cooper Bai started at lock in the Bears third and final trial against the Brisbane Tigers with Cooper Bai taking the second hit-up of the match. Cooper Bai recorded a line break assist in the 63rd minute when after taking the ball from the left of the play the ball Cooper Bai took the ball to the Tigers defensive line just twenty metres from his own try line and popped a great short ball to his left to a charging Waaka Hapi who burst away to set up Zyroam Taurara-Herlihy to score.
Cooper Bai was named to start at lock in Round One of the 2023 U18 Mal Meninga Cup competition for the Bears against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Cooper Bai making a heavy tackle on his opposite number in just the 2nd minute of the match just inside his own territory with the Seagulls lock knocking the ball on as a result of Cooper Bai’s strong initial contact.
Cooper Bai made another strong tackle in the 35th minute when along with Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy, Cooper Bai smashed the Wynnum Manly right centre taking him over the side line just out from the Bears left corner post to save a try.
Cooper Bai also started at lock in Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies with Cooper Bai recording a try assist in the 68th minute when after taking possession eight metre inside his own territory Cooper Bai broke through three attempted tackles and when three metres inside Magpies territory Cooper Bai got away a right arm off-load to his left whilst being tackled to bailey McConnell who raced away to score ten metres to the left of the uprights.
Cooper Bai made a line break of his own in the 20th minute line break when from forty metres out from his own try line and in the centre of the field Isaiah F@galilo ran to his right out of dummy half and when he ran to the halfway mark Isaiah F@galilo was able to isolate a Magpies defender and get a smart ball away to Cooper Bai who surged downfield beating the Magpies fullback and Cooper Bai was only caught when he was a metre or two from the try line and in front of the left goal post.
Cooper Bai continued at lock in Round Three against the Brisbane Tigers with Cooper Bai making a strong run to five metres inside Tigers territory in the 21st minute after taking possession from a Bears off-load still ten metres inside his own territory.
Cooper Bai made a strong run in the 44th minute from thirty metres from his own try line with Cooper Bai making twelve metres on the left side of the field before getting an off-load away to his left to Sam Stephenson who was able to get the ball to the halfway mark.
Cooper Bai also started at lock Round Four against the Norths Devils with Cooper Bai recording a try assist in the 63rd minute when after running onto the ball from fifteen metres out and to the right of the play the ball Cooper Bai made his way to three metres from the try line directly in front of the posts Cooper Bai whilst being held by multiple defenders was able to force an off-load behind him which was picked up on the first bounce by Nayte Saaga who darted over to score three metres to the left of the uprights.
Cooper Bai also made a strong run in the 8th minute when from the right of the play the ball and eighteen metres out Cooper Bai carried the ball to within two metres of the try line and in front of the right upright.
In the 48th minute Cooper Bai along with Kanititeiti Sikahele made a strong try saving tackle when defending on their own try line on the Norths No. 10 directly under the goal posts. Cooper Bai made another strong tackle in the 58th minute on that occasion on the Norths No. 14 who had charged onto the ball from close range with Cooper Bai stopping the Norths player less than a metre from try line.
Cooper Bai then started at lock in Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Cooper Bai making a strong run in the 25th minute from the right of the play the ball and twenty two metres out with Cooper Bai able to get the ball to within twelve metres from the halfway mark before Cooper Bai was able to get an off-load away to his left to his trailing fullback.
In late September 2022 Titans contracted Sam Stephenson was named in the 2023 Burleigh Bears U18 MM Cup Squad and Sam Stephenson is also MM Cup eligible in 2024.
Sam Stephenson started at left centre in the Bears third and final trial against the Brisbane Tigers with Sam Stephenson scoring in the 16th minute when after receiving a good ball out in front of him from Ryder Williams, Sam Stephenson had a twelve metre run to score in the left corner.
Sam Stephenson scored his second try of the trial in the 60th minute when with the Tigers attacking just twenty metres out from the Bears line, Sam Stephenson picked up an errant Tigers pass and ran eighty metres down the left touchline to put the ball down ten metres in from the right corner post.
Then Sam Stephenson made a line break in the 11th minute when after receiving a cut-out pass from Ryder Williams Sam Stephenson made a twenty metre burst down the left touchline before being brought to ground forty two metres out from the try line.
Sam Stephenson made another line break in the 48th minute when from twenty five metres out from his own try line and to the right of the play the ball Sam Stephenson burst through the centre of the Tigers defensive line and was only caught from behind five metres short of the halfway mark.
Sam Stephenson made his first strong run of the match in just the 2nd minute with an eighteen metre burst down the left touchline to get the ball twenty metres away from the try line. Then in the 5th minute from the left of the play the ball and just ten metres out from his own try line Sam Stephenson cur to his right and was able to get the ball to twenty five metres out.
Sam Stephenson was named to start at left centre in Round One of the 2023 U18 Mal Meninga Cup competition for the Bears against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with the first of strong runs for Sam Stephenson coming in the 3rd minute when from the left of a Burleigh scrum win in the centre of the field and twenty metres out from the try line Sam Stephenson ran a hard straight line and got to seven metres out from the try line with three Seagulls forced to commit to the tackle to stop Sam Stephenson’s forward progress.
Then in the 6th minute with Burleigh deep inside their own twenty metre area Sam Stephenson looped around from the left to the right to take the ball off the dummy half with Sam Stephenson able to get the ball twenty two metres out from his own try line.
Four minute later in the 10th minute Sam Stephenson once again ran a hard straight running line from the left of a Burleigh scrum win three metres inside his own territory with Sam Stephenson bulldozing his way twelve metres inside Wynnum Manly territory dragging multiple defenders behind him as he went. Sam Stephenson was then awarded a penalty when the Wynnum Manly defenders would not allow Sam Stephenson to his feet in a timely fashion.
Sam Stephenson added a line break to his strong match in the 38th minute when with Wynnum Manly on the attack within twenty metres of the Burleigh try line, Sam Stephenson scooped up an errant Seagulls pass and broke two tackles as Sam Stephenson got to within ten metres of the halfway line.
Sam Stephenson also started at left centre in Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies with Sam Stephenson scoring a double in a big Burleigh victory.
Sam Stephenson scored his opening try in the 30th minute when from nine metres out and to the left of the uprights Ryder Williams threw a hard flat cut-out pass to his left to put Sam Stephenson on the outside of the last Magpies right sided defender with Sam Stephenson crossing the try line wide out on the right before bringing the ball around and putting it down ten metres to the left of the uprights.
Sam Stephenson added his second try in the 35th minute when after receiving the ball two passes to the left of a Bears scrum win twenty metres out, Sam Stephenson stepped off his left foot to easily beat the opposing defender with Sam Stephenson then beating two more defenders as he raced to score eight metres to the left of the uprights.
Sam Stephenson also recorded a try assist in the 65th minute when after receiving a great catch and pass off-load from his inside from Zyroam Tauwara-Herlihy when thirty seven metres out from the try line Sam Stephenson burst down the left side of the field and when ten metres from the try line Sam Stepehsnon drew the Magpies fullback and got the ball away to his left to Matari Donovan show scored in the left corner.
Sam Stephenson’s first strong run of the match came after just twelve seconds (yes seconds) when from the second play of the match Ryder Williams received the ball to the left of the dummy half inside his own twenty metre area and then threw a cut-out pass to his left to put left centre Sam Stephenson on a twenty metre run down the left side of the field. Sam Stephenson was then able to draw a Magpies defender and get the ball away to Matari Donovan who flashed down the left wing but unfortunately put a foot on the touchline near the halfway mark.
Sam Stephenson made another strong run in just the 2nd minute with a fourteen metre run on the left side of the field from his own thirty metre mark to get the ball over the forty metre mark. Then in the 26th minute Sam Stephenson ran a straight crash line from his own eighteen metre mark to the left of the play the ball with Sam Stephenson getting the ball thirty metres away from his own try line.
Then in the 33rd minute from a Bears penalty tap restart from five metres inside his own territory Sam Stephenson took the centre of the Souths Logan defensive line on and got the ball ten metres into Magpies territory.
Sam Stephenson’s performance saw him named in the centres in the 2023 Courier Mail MM Cup Round Two Team of the Week.
Sam Stephenson continued at left centre in Round Three against the Brisbane Tigers with Sam Stepheson scoring a double for the second round in a row.
Sam Stephenson scored his first try in the 35th minute when whilst defending his own try line Sam Stephenson swooped on a Tigers dropped ball with Sam Stephenson picking up the ball cleanly and racing ninety five metres untouched to put the ball down five metres to the left of the uprights.
Sam Stephenson completed his double in the 37th minute when from eight metres out Sam Stephenson ran a hard straight crash line off a good ball from his right from Nayte Saaga to burst between two defenders who were stuck on the ty line to score five metres in from the left corner post.
In fact Sam Stephenson could have scored twice more in the first half, with the first of those instances being in the 16th minute when after a strong twenty metre run Sam Stephenson was stopped agonisingly short of the try line five metres in from the left corner post. Then in the 29th minute Sam Stephenson crashed over the top of the Tigers fullback to get the ball down in the left corner but the touch judge adjudicated that Sam Stephenson had put his left foot into touch about a metre out from the try line.
Just three minutes later in the 40th Minute Sam Stephenson came close to scoring once again when from dummy half Nayte Saaga threw a flat hard cut-out pass to his left destined for Sam Stephenson four metres from the try line but the last Tigers defender got his hand to the ball to stop a certain try.
Sam Stephenson came close to scoring once again in the 65th minute when from the left of a Bears scrum win ten metres out from the try line Sam Stephenson made a hard straight charge onto the ball only to be held up less than a metre from the try line by four Tigers defenders ten metres in from the left corner post.
Sam Stephenson also recorded a try assist in the 12th minute when after receiving a cut-out pass from his inside from Ryder Williams on the halfway mark, Sam Stephenson raced thirty metres down the left touchline and when he got to twenty metres out Sam Stephenson drew the Tigers fullback and passed the ball to his inside to Jac Finnigan who had an uninterrupted twenty metre run to score left metres in from the left corner post.
In addition to his try scoring and try assist exploits Sam Stephenson recorded a line break in the 6th minute when after receiving the ball from his inside thirty metres out from his own try line Sam Stephenson got on the outside of his opposing centre and burst away down the left but unfortunately his off-load to his left on the halfway mark when to ground.
The 24th minute highlighted that Sam Stephenson will roll his sleeves up and make some of the hard metres when from two metres out from his own try line Sam Stephenson ran the ball to the right of the play the ball with Sam Stephenson able to get the ball sixteen metres out from the Bears try line.
Sam Stephenson also did well in the 8th minute when along with Jac Finnigan and Matari Donovan, Sam Stephenson trapped the Tigers fullback in his in-goal from a Ryder Williams kick from forty metres out to force a goal line drop-out.
In the 48th minute Sam Stephenson made a great try saving tackle when whilst defending eight metres out from his own try line the Brisbane Tigers right centre got on the outside of Sam Stephenson but Sam Stephenson tracked back to grab the Tigers centre from behind and then flip onto his back as he crossed the try line to hold him up in the Bears left corner.
Sam Stephenson continued to do well in the 67th minute when he did well to take a short Tigers kick-off to his side of the field on the full when under pressure to maintain possession for the Bears.
Sam Stephenson’s performance saw him named at left centre in the 2023 Courier Mail MM Cup Round Three Team of the Week for the second week in a row.
Sam Stephenson then started at left centre in Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Sam Stephenson scoring the Bears only try of the match in the 22nd minute when Sam Stephenson ran onto a good short ball from his right from Ryder Williams to have a four metre run to score six metres in from the left corner post.
Sam Stephenson also made a number of line breaks against the Dolphins including in the 34th minute when from a Burleigh scrum win in the centre of the field and ten metres out from his own try line Sam Stephenson ran onto the ball to the left of the scrum with Sam Stephenson breaking through the defensive line and getting within seven metres of the halfway mark before being caught from behind.
Sam Stephenson made a further line break in the 48th minute when after receiving an off-load on the halfway mark Sam Stephenson made a line break down the left channel to get to twenty two metres out from the try line.
Sam Stephenson made another line break in the 61st minute when from forty metres out from their own try line, Burleigh spun the ball to the left and after Sam Stephenson received the ball on the end of the movement Sam Stephenson shrugged off two defenders to get within seventeen metres of the try line.
Sam Stephenson made a strong run in the 4th minute when from the right of a Burleigh scrum win Sam Stephenson was able to get the ball from thirteen metres out from his own try line to twenty three metres out. Then in the 21st minute from five metres inside his own territory Sam Stephenson was able to get the ball ten metres inside Redcliffe territory.
Sam Stephenson also started at left centre in the Round Seven local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Sam Stephenson recording a line break (well I am calling it a line break anyway) in the 66th minute when Burleigh put in a short kick-off to the left side of the field and just after the ball travelled the requisite ten metres Sam Stephenson jumped high after racing through at full speed to take the short kick-off on the full and as his as his feet hit the ground Sam Stephenson continued downfield at full speed and after stepping off his left foot back towards the centre of the field Sam Stephenson was finally brought to ground just five metres out from the try line and directly in front of the goal posts.
Sam Stephenson also did well in the 67th minute when after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball thirty four metres out from his own try line Sam Stephenson got the ball to within two metres of the halfway mark.
Keebra Park SHS student Christian Rivers was named to start in the front row in Round One of the 2023 U16 Cyril Connell Cup competition for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls against the Burleigh Bears with Christian Rivers along with Majah Peachey making the opening tackle of the match after Wynnum Manly had kicked off to get the season underway.
Christian Rivers made another strong run in the 47th minute when from ten metres out from the try line and to the left of the play the ball Christian Rivers rumbled forward to get within a metres of the try line mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on he left side of the field.
Christian Rivers’s performance saw him named in the front row in the 2023 CC Cup Round One Team of the Round.
Christian Rivers was also named in the front row in Round Two against the Norths Devils however he was a late scratching from the match.
Christian Rivers then started at lock in Round Three against the Souths Logan Magpies with Christian Rivers making a desperate try saving tackle in the 2nd minute on the Magpies hooker a metre out from the try line mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field after the hooker had tried to sneak over from dummy half.
Christian Rivers made another tackle in the 11th minute charge back in cover defence to tackle the Souths Logan five eight from behind ten metres out from the try line after a thirty metre line break.
Christian Rivers executed another strong tackle in the 18th minute when with Souths Logan on the attack just ten metres out from the Seagulls try line, Christian Rivers raced out of the defensive line and smashed his opposite number just as he received the ball directly in front of the goal posts.
Christian Rivers produced a smart piece of play when lined up at marker in the 8th minute when he reached around the Magpies player who played the ball to hit the hands of the dummy half and force a knock on.
Christian Rivers then moved to the bench for Round Four against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Christian Rivers coming onto the field to operate in the front row once again.
Christian Rivers also started from the bench in Round Seven against the Redcliffe Dolphins and aftger coming onto the field to operate in the front row late in the first half.
Christian Rivers made a strong run in the 26th minute from the right of the play the ball three metres inside Dophins territory with Christian Rivers making twelve metres against a set Dolphins defensive line.
Tawa-Dean Simpkins was named to start at fullback in Round One of the 2023 U16 Cyril Connell Cup competition for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls against the Burleigh Bears with Tawa-Dean Simpkins making a strong run in the 9th minute to the left of a Seagulls scrum win near the halfway mark with Tawa-Dean Simpkins making fourteen metres.
Tawa-Dean Simpkins made a further strong run in the 44th minue when from thirty five metres from the Burleigh try line Tawa-Deann Simpkins picked up a Bears dropped ball and made twenty metres and was then awarded a penalty when he was not afforded the opportunity for a quick play the ball.
Tawa-Dean Simpkins came close to scoring in the 46th minute when he chimed into the Wynnum Manly backline thirty metres out and on the left side of the field with Tawa-Dean Simpkins seemingly destined to score in the left corner only to be hit in a good tackles two metres short of the try line.
Tawa-Dean Simpkin’s performance saw him named at fullback in the 2023 CC Cup Round One Team of the Round.
Tawa-Dean Simpkins was also named at fullback in Round Two against the Norths Devils with Tawa-Dean Simpkins named at fullback in the Courier Mail Cyril Connell Cup Round Two Team of the Week for the second round in a row.
Tawa-Dean Simpkins then started at right centre in Round Three against the Souths Logan Magpies with Tawa-Dean Simpkins making a try saving tackle inside the opening minute of the match when along with Majah Peacehy they tackled the Souths Logan left centre just two metres out from the ty line and ten metres in from the right corner post.
Tawa-Dean Simpkins made another try saving effort in the 51st minute when he chased the Magpies halfback who had made a line beak through the centre of the field with Tawa-Dean Simpkins able to ankle tap the halfback from behind twenty metres out from the try line.
In the 40th minute Tawa-Dean Simpkins from the left of a Seagulls scrum win ten metres out from his own try line broke three tackles as he got the ball over the twenty metre mark. Then in the 59th minute Tawa-Dean Simpkins made twenty metres from the right of a Seagulls scrum win to thirty metres out from his own try line on the final play of the match.
Tawa-Dean Simpkins made a strong one on one tackle in space in the 27th minute and just three metres out from his try line on the Magpies left centre and then from the marker position Tawa-Dean Simpkins ran to his right to stop the Souths Logan fullback from scoring after he had tried to dart over from dummy half down the blindside.
Tawa-Dean executed a smart piece of play in the 52nd minute when Taw-Dean Simpkins chased through a short Wynnum Manly kick-off with Tawa-Dean Simpkins retrieving the ball thirty metres out from the try line and after cutting back towards the centre of the field Tawa-Dean Simpkins was able to get within six metres of the try line in front of the posts.
Tawa-Dean Simpkins’s performance saw him named in the centres in the 2023 Courier Mail CC Cup Round Three Team of the Week for the second week in a row.
Tawa-Dean Simpkins then moved back to fullback in Round Four against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Tawa-Dean Simpkins scoring in the 6th minute when after chiming into the backline on the left centre of the field from twenty six metres out, Tawa-Dean Simpkins continued to run to his left and after beating two defenders Tawa-Dean Simpkins ran over the top of the Tweed Heads fullback to score three metres in from the left corner post.
Tawa-Dean Simpkins also made a line break in the 13th minute when whilst forty metres out from his own try line, Tawa-Dean Simpkins received an inside pass before bursting through the centre of the ruck and after getting into Tweed Heads territory Tawa-Dean Simpkins was tripped up by the fullback but got to his feet quickly and when twenty five metres out from the try line Tawa-Dean Simpkins was able to get an off-load away to his halfback.
Tawa-Dean Simpkins first run of the match came inside the opening set of six from the kick-off with Tawa-Dean Simpkins getting the ball to his own forty five metre mark.
Tawa-Dean Simpkins made a further strong run in the 46th minute when from the right of a Wynnum Manly scrum win thirty eight metres out from the try line Tawa-Dean Simpkins ran to his right and after breaking four tackles was only dragged down by multiple defenders fourteen metres out from the try line after an outstanding run.
Tawa-Dean Simpkins also started at fullback in Round Seven against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Tawa-Dean Simpkins recording a try assist in the 45th minute when from ten metres from the try line and to the left of the play the ball Tawa-Dean Simpkins threw a long hard flat cut-out pass to his left to put his left winger on the outside of his opposing winger and over to score to the left of the uprights.
Tawa-Dean Simpkins made an outstanding one on one tackle in the 29th minute to hold up the Redcliffe lock over the try line ten metres in from the left corner post.
Tawa-Dean Simpkins performances over the course of the 2023 U16 Cyril Connell Cup season saw Tawa-Dean Simpkins named in the centre in the 2023 Courier Mail Cyril Connell Cup White Team of the Season.
Titans contracted Majah Peachey was named to start at right second row in Round One of the 2023 U16 Cyril Connell Cup competition for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls against the Burleigh Bears with Majah Peachey making a line break in the 53rd minute when from forty two metres out from the try line Majah Peachey picked up a dropped Burleigh ball and ran to his right with majah Peachey using a left arm fend to comprehensively get rid of one defender before charging down the right touchline before being tackled just sixteen metres out.
In the 19th minute Majah Peachey from two passes to the right of a Wynnum Manly scrum win and forty metres out Majah Peachey after receiving the ball easily beat the initial Bears defender with a left arm fend before carrying three more defenders ten metres downfield.
Majah Peachy made a further strong run in the 33rd minute when from twenty eight metres out from his own try line Majah Peachey charged onto the ball to the right of the play the ball and carried a number of defenders thirteen metres downfield.
From a Wynnum Manly penalty tap in the 41st minute forty metre out from the try line Majah Peachey took the responsibility of taking the hit-up with Majah Peachey making ten metres, seven of which were post contact.
Majah Peachey made another thirteen metres in the 44th minute with a strong run to the left of the play the ball that ended when Majah Peachey was tackled forty one metres out from his own try line.
Majah Peachey along with Christian Rivers made the opening tackle of the match after Wynnym Manly had kicked off to get the season underway. Majah Peachey then back up to run to his right from marker to also make the next tackle.
Then in the 21st minute Majah Peachey made a smart play whilst at marker with Majah Peachey getting around the Bears player who had played the ball to disrupt the Bears dummy half forcing him to knock the ball on thirty two metres away from his own try line.
After missing Round Two Majah Peachey was named at right second row in Round Three against the Souths Logan Magpies with Majah Peachey making a try saving tackle inside the opening minute of the match when along with Tawa-Dean Simpkins they tackled the Souths Logan left centre just two metres out from the try line and ten metres in from the right corner post.
In addition to his 1st minute try saving tackle Majah Peachey made another strong tackle in the 8th minute on the Magpies left centre from a Magpies scrum win thirty metres out. Majah Peachey was momentarily wrong footed but he quickly regained his balance to make a strong one on one tackle.
Majah Peachey made another defensive effort in the 29th minute when after one of the Magpies players made a long line break through the centre of the field Majah Peachey chased back and tackled the attacker from behind just ten metres out from the Seagulls try line.
Majah Peachey continued his strong defensive match in the 48th minute when after being isolated on the right side of the ruck against the South Logan halfback Majah Peachey did a great job mirroring the movements of the quick stepping halfback to bring him to ground twelve metres out from the try line.
Then in the 51st minute Majah Peachey raced back to make a try saving tackle just ten metres out from the Seagulls try line with Majah Peachey tackling the attacker from behind after he had initially been ankle tapped.
Impressively after playing the entire match in the extreme heat and with the game already lost Majah Peachey still made three tackles in a row in the 57th minute with the Magpies deep on the attack.
Majah Peachey’s initial strong run of the match came in the 6th minute with a fifteen metre run down the right channel from twenty five metres out to ten metres out with 67% of Majah Peachey’s metres being post contact metres.
Then in the 9th minute Majah Peachey ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball from forty metres out from his own try line with Majah Peachey bumping off two defenders to get seven metres inside Magpies territory. Then in the 15th minute Majah Peachey made ten metres to the right of a Wynnum Manly scrum win in the centre of the field and ten metres out from their own try line with Majah Peachey’s speed catching the Magpies defence off-side with a penalty ensuing.
In the 18th minute from the second hit-up after a Seagulls penalty tap restart Majah Peachey charged onto the ball thirty two metres out from his own try line with Majah Peachey able to poke his nose through the Magpies defensive line as he surged eight metres inside Magpies territory with 50% of Majah Peachey metres being post contact metres.
Then in the 19th minute from five metres inside his own territory Majah Peachey ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball and got the ball ten metres inside Magpies territory after running straight over the top of the Souths Logan lock.
Just a minute later in the 20th minute from a Wynnum Manly twenty metre tap restart Majah Peachey charged onto the ball and was engaged by the Magpies defensive line after making eight metres. At that point all bar one of the Magpies defenders dropped off the tackle as one tried a one on one steal but Majah Peachey was able to hold onto the ball and then break away from the defender and make ten more metres.
Majah Peachey made another strong run in the 33rd minute from twenty metres out from his own try line and after running into the ball to the right of the play the ball Majah Peachey was able to make sixteen metres against a set Magpies defensive line. Then after a penalty later in the same set of six tackles Majah Peachey ran off the back fence from the penalty tap restart from five metres inside Magpies territory with Majah Peachey getting to thirty two metres out from the try line.
Then in the 41st minute from the left of the play the ball and twenty metres from his own try line Majah Peachey made sixteen metres off the back of Majah Peachey refusing to submit in the tackle with Majah Peachey continuing to pump his legs to make additional metres.
Then in the 45th minute from a Wynnum Manly penalty tap restart eight metres inside his own territory Majah Peachey punched the ball twelve metres inside Souths Logan territory.
Majah Peachey’s performance saw him named at right second row in the 2023 Courier Mail CC Cup Round Three Team of the Week.
Majah Peachey then moved to left second row in Round Four against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Majah Peachey scoring in the 4th minute when after receiving the ball on the left side of the field and eight metres from the try line Majah Peachey carried two defenders over the try line to get the ball down five metres in from the left corner post.
Majah Peachey almost scored a second try in the 49th minute only to be held up over the try line when after receiving the ball three metres out from the try line and to the left of the play the ball Majah Peachey ran the ball back to his right before being held up mid-way between the goal post and corner post on the left side of the field.
Majah Peachey first strong run of the match came in just the 3rd minute from a Wynnum Manly penalty tap restart Majah Peachey charged onto the ball two metres inside his own territory with Majah Peachey breaking five tackles as he got the ball within twenty eight metres of the try line.
Then in the 5th minute from the first hit-up from the kick-off after his own try Majah Peachey ran the ball back to the twenty metre mark before stepping off his right foot to get on the outside of his opposite defender with Majah Peachey then making a twenty metre line break down the left touchline.
Majah Peachey continued his strong match in the 23rd minute with a charge from the left of the play the ball and ten metres out from his own try line with Majah Peachey running the ball towards the centre of the field and after shrugging off the Tweed Heads five eight Majah Peachey straightened up his run through the centre of the field to get the ball up to the twenty metre mark.
In the 27th minute Majah Peachey charged onto the ball from a Wynnum Manly penalty tap restart thirty four metres out from his own try line with Majah Peachey eventually being tackled on the halfway mark.
Majah Peachey made a try saving tackle in the 26th minute on the Tweed Heads halfback with as the halfback was diving over to score under the posts, from his back right quadrant Majah Peachey came over the top with his right hand hitting the ball and forcing it loose just centre metres from the ground.
Majah Peachey then produced a smart piece of play in the 48th minute when from the marker position Majah Peachey was able to harass the Tweed Heads dummy half forcing him to knock the ball on and turning the ball over to put Wynnum Manly immediately on the attack.
Majah Peachey continued at left second row in Round Five against the Brisbane Tigers with Majah Peachey scoring an outstanding solo try in the 19th minute when from two passes to the left of a Wynnum Manly scrum win in the centre of the field and twenty metres out, Majah Peachey received the ball and stepped off his right foot to beat the Tigers right centre (No. 3) with pace before a left arm fend beat the Tigers right winger with Majah Peachey then racing down the left touchline to dive over to score in the left corner.
Then from the second hit-up from the subsequent kick-off, from twenty metres out from his own try line Majah Peachey charged onto the ball to the right of the play the ball and then immediately cut back to his right with Majah Peachey breaking two tackles as Majah Peachey rumbled twenty metres down the left touchline.
Majah Peachey also recorded a try assist in the 39th minute when after receiving the ball six metres out and on the left side of the field, Majah Peachey drew in two defenders and got an off-load away to his left for his winger to score in the corner.
From the subsequent kick-off Majah Peachey took the first hit-up and after charging over the top of one defender and holding another off with a left arm fend the ball was stripped from Majah Peachey’s grasp after he had gotten to the thirty metre mark.
Majah Peachey also recorded a line break assist in the 53rd minute when from a play the ball twenty metres out from the Wynnum Manly try line and in the centre of the field Majah Peachey received the ball to the right of the play the ball and after running to his right to get on the outside of one defender Majah Peachey stepped off his left foot to beat another defender before drawing the Tigers left winger and passing to his right to put his winger away down the right touchline.
Majah Peachey was in the match in the opening seconds when he was involved in the opening tackle of the match after Wynnum Manly had kicked off.
The first of Majah Peachey’s strong runs in the match came in the 7th minute when two passes to the left of a Wynnum Manly scrum win Majah Peachey received the ball ten metres from his own try line and after Majah Peachey broke three tackles he was forced onto his knees but as he was not held Majah Peachey got back to his feet quickly and beat another two defenders to get within five metres of the halfway mark.
Majah Peachey did very well defensively in the 52nd minute when after the Tigers left centre (No. 4) made a line break through the centre of the field Majah Peachey chased him down from behind to bring him to ground forty metres out from the Tigers try line.
Majah Peachey made a smart play in the 45th minute by way of a one on one strip in the centre of the field with the Tigers on the attack just twenty metres out from the try line. Majah Peachey, after stripping the ball was able to make five metres downfield.
Majah Peachey also started at left second row in Round Seven against the Redcliffe Dolphins however Majah Peachey moved to right second row in the early minutes of the second half before switching back to the left not long after.
The 9th minute saw Majah Peachey record a line break and try assist in relation to the same run. After receiving the ball from on off-load on his inside three metres inside Redcliffe territory near the left touchline, Majah Peachey was then able to use a left arm fend to get on the outside of the Dolphins eight winger and then charge down the left touchline. After getting to within thirteen metres of the try line Majah Peachey was engaged by the Redcliffe fullback and another defender but Majah Peachey was able to get his right arm free and after raising it above his head Majah Peachey was able to get an off-load away to his left for his winger to score in the left corner.
Majah Peachey almost scored himself in the 23rd minute only to be held up over the try line mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field after Majah Peachey had received the ball ten metres out and stepped off his left foot to beat one defender before being held up over the try line by three more.
Majah Peachey recorded another line break in the 36th minute when after taking possession of the ball twenty seven metres out from the try line and down a left blindside Majah Peachey burst through the attempted tackle of two defenders before charging down the left touchline to within eleven metres of the try line.
Majah Peachey recorded his third line break in the 53rd minute when after receiving the ball from his right and forty metres out from his own try line Majah Peachey burst through the gap between two defenders and charged down the left channel and only being brought to ground twenty five metres out from the try line.
Majah Peachey’s first strong hit-up of the match came in the 4th minute when from a Wynnum Manly penalty tap restart five metres inside his own territory with Majah Peachey then stepping off his right foot to beat a charging defender as Majah Peachey got the ball five metres into Dolphins territory.
Majah Peachey engaged the Redcliffe right sided defensive line once again in the 45th minute when after receiving the ball twenty metres out two passes to the left of the play the ball Majah Peachey was hit by two defenders almost immediately but Majah Peachey was able to extract himself from their attempted tackles and continue his run down the left channel with Majah Peachey then able to get his left arm free above his head a execute a flick off-load to his left winger.
Majah Peachey’s performances over the course of the 2023 U16 Cyril Connell Cup season saw Majah Peachey named on the bench in the 2023 Courier Mail Cyril Connell Cup Maroon Team of the Season.
Titans contracted Jimmy McCombie, even though he is still U16 eligible made his NRRRL U18 debut in Round Four on the weekend when he started at halfback for the Byron Bay Devils against the Cudgen Hornets.
Great to see Tians contracted 17 year old Riley Buchanan make his NRRRL 1st grade debut recently off the bench for the Bilambil Jets.
Titans contracted Dallas Ingram recently came off the bench for the Southport School (TSS) First XV in their 25-0 internal trial victory against a TSS Second XV squad.
In the 2023 MM Cup competition Titan Isaiah F@galilo recorded four try assists and five line break assists.
Good to see Bo Peisley start at halfback for the Murwillumbah Mustangs in their 30-26 NRRRL First Grade victory against the Evans Heads Bombers last weekend.
The 2023 MM Cup season saw Titans contracted Jac Finnigan make ninety nine tackles for the Tweed Heads Seagulls at a per game average of 19.8 tackles.
Great effort by Aaron Singh-Goesel for his NRRRL First Grade debut off the bench for the Murwillumbah Mustangs on the weekend against the Evans Head Bombers.
In the 2023 MM Cup competition Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu made 127 tackles at an average of 21.17 tackles per match.
Harvey Moase's great goal kicking start to the 2023 season continued on the weekend when he kicked five from five for the Cudgen Hornets in their NRRRL First Grade victory against the Byron Bay Devils.
In the 2023 MM Cup competition Titans contracted Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy recorded two try assists and six line break assists.
Great effort by Titans contracted Beau Hartmann for being part of the NSW Country U16 side that took on NSW City recently.
Matthew Barrow finished the 2023 MM Cup season running for 606 metres and made five line breaks.
Matthew Barrow’s performances saw him named on the wing in the 2023 Courier Mail MM Cup II Team of the Year.
Cornelius Kelsall has made a strong start to his time at Keebra Park SHS since his move from Victoria with the young man named in the South Coast School Boy U15 Rugby League squad.
For Keebra Park SHS Cornelius Kelsall has started in the centres in the opening two rounds of the School Boy Hancock Cup competition with those matches being against Wavell SHS and Ipswich SHS.
Keebra Park SHS's Jesse Soric started the 2023 season playing for the Byron Bay Devils in the U18 NRRRL competition but last weekend in Round Four he partnered with Todd Carney in the halves against the Cudgen Hornets in the NRRRL First Grade competition.
The 2023 MM Cup season saw Cooper Bai make 122 tackles for the Tweed Heads Seagulls at a per game average of 24.4 tackles.
Earlier this season Titans contracted Kaleb Smith was one of the Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squads best and now Kaleb Smith is playing for the Murwillumbah Mustangs U18 NRRRL Cup side coming off the bench in recent matches.
Talented Keebra Park SHS's Deshawn Compton started at hooker and scored in Round ONe of the School Boy Renouf Cup against Wavell SHS.
Giant young front rower Alex Leapai in early 2023 signed a three year deal with the Titans in a major coup to bring him to the Gold Coast after Alex Leapai spent a number of seasons playing for the Sydney Roosters Junior Development sides.
Alex Leapai started all of the Souths Logan Magpies 2023 MM Cup matches in the front row and Alex Leapai was also a prolific try scorer for the Magpies, scoring on five occasions from his six matches to recorded a strike rate of 83.33%.
Alex Leapai scored his first try of the 2023 MM Cup season in Round Two against the Burleigh Bears when in the 50th minute Alex Leapai charged onto the ball to the left of the play the ball when ten metres out from the try line with Alex Leapai stepping off his left foot and carrying three Bears defenders over the try line to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.
Alex Leapai scored twice in Round Five against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Alex Leapai’s opening try coming in the 2nd minute of the match when on the final tackle Alex Leapai charged onto the ball from five metres out and to the right of the play the ball with Alex Leapai spinning counter clockwise to gain separation from two defenders are get the ball down next to the left upright.
Alex Leapai completed his double in the 45th minute when he crashed over from five metres out and to the right of the dummy half after running underneath his dummy half had had run to his right with Alex Leapai getting the ball down two metres to the left of the uprights.
Alex Leapai also scored a double in Round Six against the Brisbane Tigers, scoring on the first occasion in the 10th minute when after initially lining up to the right of the play the ball, Alex Leapai ran to the right side of the ruck as the ball was being played and after receiving the ball from the dummy half Alex Leapai straightened up his run and then carried three Tigers defenders over the try line to get the ball down ten metres in from the left corner post.
Alex Leapai scored his second try in the 16th minute when he crashed over to score under the posts after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball and four metres out from the try line.
Alex Leapai finished the 2023 MM Cup season running for 750 metres at an average of 125 metres per game and made five line breaks.
Alex Leapai’s performances saw him named in the front row in the 2023 Courier Mail MM Cup Tema of the Year.
Titans contracted Xhai Waerea is back at Keebra Park SHS in 2023 and started Round One of the School Boy Hancock Cup in the second row against Wavell SHS before coming off the bench in Round Two against Ipswich SHS.
Sunny Kama finished the 2023 MM Cup season running for 773 metres and an average of 129 metres per game.
The 2023 MM Cup season saw Sam Stephenson run for 982 metres (second in the competition) at a competition leading 192 metres per game. Sam Stephenson also finished second in the competition in total line breaks with eight.
Sam Stephenson’s performances saw him named in the centres in the 2023 Courier Mail MM Cup Team of the Year.
Round Six of the 2023 Mal Meninga Cup competition saw Zane Harrison start at five eight for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Norths Devils with Zane Harrison kicking one conversion from three attempts with Zane Harrison converting Orlando Meturika’s 23rd minute try from the right touchline. To be fair to Zane Harrison however the second conversion that he missed was from the left touchline in the 52nd minute and his missed conversion of Jake Lateo’s 17th minute try looked to me as if it had snuck inside the right goal post however the two touch judges disagreed.
Zane Harrison also recorded a try assist in the 52nd minute when after taking possession of the ball off the dummy half twenty five metres out and down a wide left blindside, Zane Harrison continued to run the ball to his left dummying to an inside runner before Zane Harrison straightened the attacking vector up and threw a great cut out pass to his left to put Matthew Barrow away down the left touchline to run over the top of the Norths fullback and score in the left corner.
Zane Harrison also recorded a line break assist in the 22nd minute when whilst operating to the left of the play the ball Zane Harrison ran the ball deep into the defensive line and got a good ball away to his left to put his second rower away from twenty two metres out to the ten metre mark.
Zane Harrison also forced a Norths goal line drop-out in the 33rd minute when from eight metres out Zane Harrison put in a right foot grubber kick as he ran the ball down a short left blindside with the ball having to be kicked dead by the Devils cover defence.
Zane Harrison made one of the best try saving tackles that I have seen in the 42nd minute when as the Norths right winger looked set to score in the corner Zane Harrison came out of nowhere to hit him just before the try line with Zane Harrison then flipping the winger on his back to execute a ridiculously impressive try saving tackle.
Earlier in the match in the 29th minute Zane Harrison had made another try saving tackle when whilst defending on the left side of the field Zane Harrison drove his left shoulder through the Norths No. 10 to stop the giant front rower from close range.
Zane Harrison made a truly intelligent decision in the 68th minute when with the Seagulls down to twelve men and leading by just four points Zane Harrison dropped back out of the defensive line and was perfectly placed to take a Norths grubber kick cleanly on his own try line and next to the left upright with Zane Harrison then able to get the ball out to the ten metre mark to relieve the pressure.
Zane Harrison moved to halfback in the Round Seven local derby against the Burleigh Bears with once again Zane Harrison putting in a player of the match performance on the way to recording four try assist and kicking four conversions in a big Tweed Heads victory.
Zane Harrison recorded his first try assist in the 19th minute and it was one of the strangest ones that I have ever seen, when from nineteen metres out and just to the right of the uprights Zane Harrison put in a right foot grubber kick towards the right corner. Then the Burleigh winger kicked the ball across field and into the arms of Seagulls fullback Mason Barber who literally fell over the try line to score next to the right upright.
Zane Harrison recorded a second try assist in the 23rd minute when after a long Tweed Heads intercept when defending their own try line, Zane Harrison received the ball from the dummy half twenty metres out and after running the ball down a short right blindside Zane Harrison summed the situation up and then drew the last Bears defender to put his centre over to score in the right corner.
Zane Harrison’s third try assist came in the 38th minute when from the right of the dummy half and eleven metres out Zane Harrison put in a right foot chip kick into the in-goal with the kick perfectly placed for Seagulls right winger Orlando Meturika to race through to take the kick on the full in the in-goal and get the ball down in the corner.
Zane Harrison rounded out his try assists in the match with his fourth try assist in the 57th minute when after receiving the ball around thirteen metres from the try line and to the right of the play the ball, Zane Harrison initially continued to run to his right and after showing the ball to a ball runner back in his inside Zane Harrison accelerated quickly to his right and threw a hard flat cut out pass to his right to his right winger Orlando Meturika who flew twelve metres down the touchline to cross the try line in the right corner before bringing the ball around closer to the goal post for the second try the two of them had combined to score in the match.
Zane Harrison crossed the try line himself in the 29th minute when a great step off his right foot from ten metres out to score ten metres from the right goal post however the referee ruled that one of the Bears defenders was obstructed thus ruled no try.
Zane Harrison also came close to scoring in the 13th minute when from twenty seven metres out and in the centre of the field Zane Harrison took the Burleigh defensive line on and after spinning away from the Bears left second rower Zane Harrison broke three more tackles before being tripped up from behind with the try line just seven metres in from of him.
Zane Harrison also made a line break in the 37th minute when from twenty five metres out and to the left of the play the ball Zane Harrison slowly ran the ball to his left parallel to the defensive line and then Zane Harrison after dummying to his left, exploded through a gap but was caught by the desperate Bears cover defence just two metres from the try line and ten metres to the left of the uprights.
Then in 43rd minute from twenty five metres out and to the left of the play the ball Zane Harrison stepped off his right foot to break through the defensive line only to be tackled two metres out. Zane Harrison was then awarded a penalty for being held down too long.
Zane Harrison made a further line break in the 53rd minute from thirty metres out from the try line and to the right of the dummy half with Zane Harrison stepped off his right foot to split the defensive line and break three tackles as Zane Harrison got the ball two metres into Burleigh territory.
Zane Harrison finished the 2023 MM Cup season recording four try assists and three line break assists.
Christian Mikaele finished the 2023 CC Cup season scoring four tries and recording four try assists.
Round One of the 2023 GCRL U18 Division One competition saw Oscar Laffranchi start in the front row for the Burleigh Bears against the Southport Tigers with Oscar Laffranchi scoring in the 60th minute from a straight hard charge from four metres out and to the left of the play the ball with Oscar Laffranchi scoring under the posts.
Oscar Laffranchi then started from the bench in Round Three against the Helensvale Hornets with Oscar Laffranchi coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 21st minute with Oscar Laffranchi making a strong run from the kick-off to the second half to get the ball over the twenty metre mark.
Titans contracted Zac Kumbamong started at right second row for the Helensvale Hornets in Round Two of the 2023 GCRL U18 Division One competition against the Southport Tigers with Zac Kumbamong scoring in the 54th minute when after receiving the ball ten metres out wide out on the right, Zac Kumbamong stepped off his right foot to move away from the right touchline with Zac Kumbamong crashing through three defenders to get the ball down ten metres in from the right corner post.
Zac Kumbamong did well defensively in the 48th minute with a try saving tackle on the Tigers left second rower to hold the ball up over the try line.
Zac Kumbamong then moved to left second row in Round Three against the Burleigh Bears with Zac Kumbamong coming close to scoring for the second week in a row in the 15th minute only to be held up mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field after a six metre run.
Zac Kumbamong made a strong run in the 7th minute from a penalty tap restart with Zac Kumbamong running the ball from his own twenty metre mark and getting the ball thirty four metres away from the try line.
Then in the 10th minute Zac Kumbamong made fifteen metres down the left channel before getting a right arm off-load away to his left when twenty metres out from the try line.
Round One of the 2023 School Boy Hancock Cup competition saw Tyrell Schwenke start in the front row in Round One for Keebra Park SHS against Wavell SHS. Tyrell Schwenke also started in the front row in Round Two against Ipswich SHS.
Tyrell Schwenke played the 2022 season with the Keebra Park SHS Renouf Cup School Boy Rugby League side and impressively Tyrell Schwenke was named in the front row in the 2022 Keebra Park SHS Rugby League Team of the Year after playing all of Keebra Park SHS’s Renouf Cup matches in the front row including the Grand Final victory against Marsden SHS.
Daniel Rakena finished the 2023 CC Cup season recording three try assists and three line break assists.
Damon Somerville, the former Titans Development Squad member is lining up for the Burleigh Bears in the 2023 season with Damon Somerville named on the bench for the Burleigh Bears in Round One of the Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade competition against the Southport Tigers.
Damon Somerville then moved into the starting side at right centre in Round Two against the Runaway Bay Seagulls with Damon Somerville scoring in the 54th minute when Damon Somerville ran a hard straight crash line from ten metres out. Damon Somerville was actually brought down short of the try line but was not held and smartly rolled to get the ball down over the try line mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.
Damon Somerville also started at right centre in Round Three against the Helensvale Hornets.
Round One of the Gold Coast Rugby League Doug Lipp Cup Competition saw Cooper Camby start at left centre of the Tugun Seahawks against the Runaway Bay Seagulls with Cooper Camby scoring twice.
Cooper Camby scored his opening try in the 24th minute when after moving into dummy half with the play the ball a metre from the try line Cooper Camby ran out of dummy half to his left and after being engaged by a defender on the try line, Cooper Camby spun clockwise to ground the ball five metres in from the left corner post.
Cooper Camby scored his second try of the match in the 48th minute when after receiving the ball ten metres out and in space, Cooper Camby stepped off his left foot to beat the Seagulls fullback and then was able to bring the ball around to score under the posts.
Cooper Camby moved to right centre in Round Two against the Currumbin Eagles with Cooper Camby scoring in the 20th minute when after receiving a pass from his left when eight metres out Cooper Camby charged towards the try line and then spun clockwise on the try line and got the ball down five metres in from the right corner post.
Cooper Camby was promoted to the Tugun GCRL First Grade side at right centre in Round Three against the Southport Tigers with Cooper Camby scoring a double.
Cooper Camby scored his opening try in the 6th minute from five metres out with Cooper Camby diving over to get the ball down in the right corner.
Cooper Camby completed his double in the 45th minute when Cooper Camby backed up a James Torrens line break down the right touchline with Cooper Camby receiving the ball twenty metres out and scoring mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.
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