My take on our top juniors [Archive] - Page 5

mdrew

20-09-19, 01:07 PM

James Pere. The powerhouse young forward was outstanding this season both in club rugby league and school boy rugby, playing for the TSS U16A side in the GPS rugby competition.

In late 2018 James Pere was named in the Burleigh Bears 2019 MM Cup squad however he did not play in any matches for Burleigh in the 2019 MM Cup.

James Pere started the 2019 schoolboy rugby season off as part of the TSS First XV side that played Toowoomba Grammar School in a trial as a curtain raiser to a Classic Wallabies match at Moree in Northern New South Wales in March.

In late April when James Pere was part of the TSS Second XV side that defeated touring New Zealand School New Plymouth Boys High 36 – 0, starting the match at No. 8. James Pere was then on the bench for the TSS First XV side that drew 29 all.

In TSS’s second last trial before the GPS school boy rugby season starts, James Pere started at No. 8 for the TSS Second XV as they defeated Ipswich Grammar School 47 – 0 and then backed up to come off the Bench in the First XV match which also ended in a big TSS victory.

James Pere also started from the bench for the TSS First XV’s final trial against Sunshine Coast Grammar School which TSS won 10 – 5.

James Pere started Round One of the GPS School Boy rugby competition at No.8 in the TSS Second XV against Nudgee College. He also started at No. 8 against Churchie in Round Two, Brisbane State High School in Round Three,

In Round Three against Brisbane State High School, James Pere came on in the second half for the TSS First XV and was an effective ball runner from No. 8 as the TSS forwards dominated.

In Round Four James Pere started at No. 8 for the TSS Second XV against Toowoomba Grammar School and was then on the bench for the First XV as he was in Round Five against Brisbane Grammar School.

James Pere had a big game in Round Six against BBC in a tough Second XV loss and was an unused First XV substitute in the First XV match. James Pere was once again in the thick of the action in Round Seven for the TSS second XV against Gregory Terrace.

James Pere also started from the bench for the Second XV when TSS had a Round Nine bye, but in essentially a trial match played against Toowoomba’s Downlands College First XV.

Even though he was U16 eligible in 2018 James Pere played the 2018 GCRL season in the U17 Division Two competition with Coomera playing in nine matches including the U17 Division Two Finals series.

In Week Two of the U17 Division Two finals James Pere started in the centres and scored for Coomera as they went down 28 – 16 to Currumbin.

In the Preliminary Final James Pere scored a try after starting in the centres as Coomera qualified for the Grand Final on the back of a 62 – 4 victory over Jimboomba.

In the U17 Division Two Grand Final James Pere started in the centres as Coomera went down 24 – 18 to Currumbin.

In addition to his two finals tries, James Pere scored ten in the U17 Division Two regular season competition. James Pere scored a hat trick against Jimboomba, doubles against Currumbin in two separate matches and Jimboomba and also scored against Beaudesert.

Early in the 2018 season James Pere represented Gold Coast Vikings Yellow in the South East Queensland U16 Challenge.

For the TSS U16A side this season James Pere played in seven matches missing only Round Two as a result of an injury suffered in Round One against Churchie. James Pere started all seven matches at No. 8.

James Pere scored three GPS U16A tries in 2018, scoring in Round Four against Brisbane Grammar School, Round Seven as a result of a pick and drive against Ipswich Grammar School and Round Nine against Churchie.

Prior to the GPS U16A season proper James Pere started in six of the U16A TSS trial matches starting at No. 8 in five and on the bench in the other which was against Ipswich Grammar School. Trial matches that James Pere played in included matches against Riverview College (Sydney), Somerset College and Ambrose Treacy College.

Prior to heading to TSS James Pere attended Keebra Park and 2016 represented the Gold Coast Vikings at the U14 level and was also selected in one of the South East Queensland U14 representative sides.

In 2016 James Pere was a dominant player for Keebra in the U14 Hancock Cup school boy competition, including scoring a hat trick in a match against Marsden State High School where in the first half he was almost unstoppable running off 2018 Queensland U16 representative Reece Walsh.

James Pere also scored a hat trick the week prior as well against Wavell. After being down 12 – 0 early to Wavell James Pere crashed over to score Keebra’s first try and then produced two more barnstorming runs in the second half to help Keebra Park close out the game 30 – 18. James Pere understandably was also awarded the man of the match honours in that game.

James Pere also represented the Vikings and South East Queensland at the U13 level in 2015.

James Pere is a big powerful young man who whilst using his size to his advantage by running hard and straight, he does have quite decent footwork prior to the defensive line, which he uses to cut back behind the play the ball to take advantage of defenders who are slow to get back into the defensive line.

Where James Pere’s game has really developed over the last couple of seasons his ability to play wider of the ruck, which is where he is primarily playing for the Northern Pride this season. With his size and strength wider of the ruck James Pere attracts defenders and thus is in a position to use his ball skills to set up his outside supports early in a match.

When defences start to try to anticipate that James Pere is going to pass then he can use his size and power to cash through the defensive lien as no defender is going to be able to handle him one on one by themselves.

In defence James Pere uses his size and strength to make very solid initial contact and certainly can take on all opposing forwards one on one. James Pere is not adverse to looking for the big hit but does have a good front on defensive technique, maintaining decent leverage and reasonable agility and lateral movement when looking to tackle smaller opponents on the edge of the ruck, although clearly he is more effective in the centre of the ruck, as most front rowers are.

James Pere will be part of the Burleigh Bears MM Cup side in 2020 and post that competition will line up for Coomera in the GCRL U18 Division One competition as well as pushing for the No. 8 position in the TSS First XV side for the 2020 GPS Rugby School Boy competition.

If everything comes together for James Pere is potential is almost limitless and he can dominate games both from an attacking perspective and a defensive one.

At an imposing 188cm and 102kg James Pere is the ideal size for a rugby league second rower, but it is his above average speed for his size, and undoubted strength and physical nature that screams that he can be a dominant player at the NRL level and maybe even above that into the representative arena.

James Pere reminds me of St George Dragon’s aggressive second rower Tariq Sims. Like Sims, James Pere is a giant of a man and plays with more than a touch of aggression and makes sure everyone on the opposition knows that he is on the field especially defensively.

mdrew

20-09-19, 07:32 PM

Lachlan West. The talented young Casino RSM fullback was for me the clear best player in the NRRRL U18 competition this season and also progressed to make his NRRRL First Grade debut Mullumbimby in June and followed that up in early August against Evans Head. What a second NRRRL First Grade match Lachlan West had scoring a hat trick and kicking a conversion for a fourteen point haul.

Lachlan West was also in action in Week Two of the NRRRL First Grade Finals series starting on the right win scoring a double for Casino RSM as they eliminated the 2018 Premiers being the Tweed Coast Raiders 18 -14.

Lachlan West’s first try was relatively straight forward, if such a thing is possible, when he dived on a kick into the in-goal in the first half with plenty of time to spare. In saying that though Lachlan West still had to ensure that he stayed onside and not press the issue and ground the ball correctly.

If his first try was routine, Lachlan West’s second try in the second half was the absolute opposite. Inside of him the Casino RSM five eight put in two kicks, the second a long kick towards the corner post on Lachlan West’s wing, for all money it looked like it was going to go touch in goal, but Lachlan West dived full length to somehow get the ball down with his right hand just as the ball was about to go into touch. It was simply a stunning piece of skill, anticipation and athleticism by Lachlan West after turned the game in Casino RSM’s favour.

Lachlan West also started in the right wing for Casino RSM in their NRRRL First Grade Preliminary Final loss 26 – 10 to Murwillumbah and whilst he did not get too many opportunities with the ball defused a bomb with a great over hear take in the first half and produced two try saving tackles in the second. The first of those was on a big forward running directly at him, the second on his opposite winger, on each occasion Lachlan West as able to get the opponent into touch to prevent a try being scored displaying resilience and determination on both occasions.

In the 2019 NRRRL U18 competition, Lachlan West finished as the regular season’s leading point’s scorer with 138, the equal leading try scorer with sixteen and the fourth leading goal kicker with thirty seven goals. In fact Lachlan West scored in each of his fifteen 2019 NRRRL U18 matches.

Lachlan West scored a hat trick against Evans Head and doubles against Evans Head, Tweed Coast, Cudgen and Lower Clarence and also scored in matches against Tweed heads Seagulls, Lower Clarence, Murwillumbah and Kyogle twice.

With the boot Lachlan West kicked six in a mid-May match against Evans Head and kicked four goals on three other occasions being against Tweed Heads, Lismore Marist Brothers and Tweed Coast.

As you would anticipate Lachlan West had some big matches from an individual point’s scoring perspective including 20 points against Evans Head (two tries and four goals), eighteen against Evans Head (three tries and three goals) and sixteen against Tweed Coast (two tries and four goals).

In early 2019 Lachlan West played the opening three rounds of the U18 Laurie Daley Cup for the Northern Rivers Titans starting Rounds One and Two against the Newcastle Knights Development Squad and Parramatta Eels at fullback and Round Three against the North Coast Bulldogs on the wing.

In 2018 Lachlan West started the season playing for Casino RSM in the Group One U16.5 competition playing in eleven matches and scoring ten tries including consecutive hat tricks in early season rounds against Clarence Coast and Ballina.

Lachlan West then as a 16 year old moved up to play in three NRRRL U18 matches for Casino RSM making his debut in July 2018 against Lismore Marist Brothers and scoring his first try in the NRRRL U18 competition in just his second match which was against Tweed Coast.

Lachlan West started at Keebra Park this season and in addition to rugby league performed well in the triple jump and javelin athletic disciplines.

Lachlan West is exceptionally quick off the mark and when the ball is being brought out of his teams half he is always around the forwards looking for off loads, or taking the ball up himself, as evidenced in the U18 NRRRL competition this season where on multiple occasions he took advantage of tiring forwards to make ground in the centre of the ruck. For Casino RSM Vikings he also came in regularly to take a run out of dummy half to give his forwards a rest.

It is not just his speed off the mark that is so impressive, it is the extended distance that he can maintain his top speed. I would not say that Lachlan West’s speed would be in the plus category but certainly could be considered above average. Once Lachlan West is through the initial defensive line, he has an extra gear as well to outpace any cover defence.

Making his speed even more difficult to deal with for defences is his foot work, Lachlan West is able to change direction very quickly which enables him to take advantage of a staggered defensive line when returning kicks. In the instances when he runs, Lachlan West will dummy, step and accelerate quickly. I can see no discernible difference in relation to the quality of his step regardless of what foot he steps off.

Defensively Lachlan West is an aggressive defender who will look to come forward when a break has been made to cut down the decision making time of the attacking team he will hit hard in the tackle. He also will not take a dummy either.

Lachlan West uses the sideline very well from a defensive stand point. Lachlan West will always stay inside the attacker presenting him with the sideline and then once the attacker has committed to the side line, he will use his speed and momentum to force the attacker into touch.

Lachlan West is also an outstanding goal kicker and certainly has the skill and temperament to be his side’s primary goal kicker regardless of the level of competition.

It is scary to think that Lachlan West is still U18 eligible in 2020 and it will be interesting to see whether Lachlan West plays for the Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup side for the second year in a row or looks to be involved in the MM Cup with either Tweed Heads or Burleigh.

Post either the U18 Laurie Daley Cup or the MM Cup Lachlan West, if he continues to play in the NRRRL competition, even though he will be still U18 eligible should easily be in a position to expand on his NRRRL First Grade matches that he played this year.

Lachlan West is also likely to be a standout member of Keebra Park’s Super Six and GIO Cup school boy rugby league sides in 2020 and now with the increased association between the Titans and Keebra Park Lachlan West will have more opportunities to showcase his skill set.

Lachlan West spent time in the halves early in his career but at fullback where he can see the entire field and be able to pick and choose where he can inject himself appears from my perspective to be his best position going forward.

In saying that however, his late season play on the right wing for Casino RSM in the NRRRL First Grade competition proved without a doubt that Lachlan West is also an outstanding prospect in the centres or on the wing.

Lachlan West is a natural on a rugby league field with his ability to size up a situation and invariably take the correct option. To that extent for me he has a playing style similar to that of Cronulla Sharks and former New South Wales State of Origin representative Matt Moylan, (although Lachlan West is taller), is an appropriate comparison as a silky smooth player who has all of the skills and temperament to be able to turn a game on its head with a scintillating piece of play and make difficult tasks look deceptively easy.

mdrew

24-09-19, 09:05 AM

Kurtis Dark. A very interesting recruit for the Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup side in 2019 was former Newcastle Knights U20 goal kicking second rower Kurtis Dark.

Kurtis Dark started the 2019 season off in the Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup side coming off the bench in Round One against the PNG Hunters.

Interestingly Kurtis Dark spend time at hooker in the match and in his 47 minutes on the field, Kurtis Dark ran for 109 metres from nine runs, 33 of those metres post contact with an average play the ball speed of 3.42 seconds.

Kurtis Dark also had a line break and his one kick made 49 metres for the Seagulls. Defensively Kurtis Dark had a tackling efficiency of 95.24% making 20 effective tackles, missing only one.

Round Three saw Kurtis Dark continue to play different positions for Tweed Heads when he started at half back against Burleigh, playing the entire 80 minutes there. In that time Kurtis Dark ran for 61 metres (11 post contact), had a line break and try assist, played the ball at an average of 4.54 seconds and made sixteen tackles.

In total in the 2019 Queensland Cup competition for Tweed Heads Kurtis Dark played in five matches starting Round Three at half against Burleigh and Round Five against Wynnum Manly at hooker. Kurtis Dark came off the bench in his other three matches.

In 2019 Kurtis Dark played a total of 236 minutes, playing all 80 minutes in Round Three against Burleigh. In that time Kurtis Dark broke eight tackles, had a line break assist, offloaded the ball six times, forced one drop out, made 100 tackles (20 per match) at a tackling efficiency of 87.5% and ran for 290 metres (59.6 metres per game).

Also in 2019 Kurtis Dark played for Currumbin in the Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade competition playing in regular season eight matches splitting time between hooker and second row, scoring two tries coming from a Round Fourteen double against Bilambil and Kurtis Dark also kicked a field goal in April against Runaway Bay.

In the GCRL First Grade Finals series Kurtis Dark started Currumbin’s Preliminary Final match in the second row against Southport with Eagles falling one match short of a Grand Final appearance.

Kurtis Dark was with Newcastle from the age of 15 and played his last two seasons there in their U20 side, but in 2018 did make his NSW Intrust Super Cup debut when he started in the second row in Round 17 against Newtown in.

In the match, Kurtis Dark played his usual left second row position, playing the entire 80 minutes, running for a touch over 120 metres and made an impressive 38 tackles at a tackling efficiency of 82.6%, not a bad debut at all for an at the time 20 year old against some NRL veterans.

Kurtis Dark kicked one goal from two attempts with the goal being an outstanding goal from right on the left touch line, with the kick being even more impressive in that he is a left foot kicker and thus it was from his non-preferred side. He also had one general play kick which went for in excess of fifty six metres.

Kurtis Dark played all bar one of Newcastle’s U20 Jersey Flegg matches in 2018 (the only match he missed was when he was promoted to the NSW Intrust Super Cup), playing in a total of twenty two matches including three finals, starting all in the second row.

Kurtis Dark scored four tries which came against the Wests Tigers in Round Two, the Cronulla Sharks in Round Six, the Parramatta Eels in Round 20 and the Warriors in Round 22.

With the boot, Kurtis Dark was outstanding in 2018 kicking 87 goals from 105 attempts for a 2018 conversion percentage of 82.86%.

On three occasions in 2018 Kurtis Dark kicked nine goals in a match, being against Manly in Round One (9 from 10), the Warriors in Round Fifteen (9 from 9) and the Warriors again in Round Twenty Two (9 from 10).

Kurtis Dark is a second rower who whilst has played primarily on the left also has the ability to play on the right as well as he did on a number of occasions for the Newcastle Knights U20 Jersey Flagg side last season.

Kurtis Dark runs a good outside shoulder line and his excellent footwork enables him to step off either foot to enable him to cut back against the movement of the defensive line to take advantage of gaps back on the inside of his direct opponent.

For a big strong young man, Kurtis Dark also has above average speed, not just off the mark but also when he is in clear space, when he makes a break Kurtis Dark is more than capable of going the distance and normally easily out paces the cover defence.

Kurtis Dark is not just a strong runner of the ball he as noted above has excellent footwork prior to the line and also some very good short passing both before the line and when in contact with a defender. Kurtis Dark in schoolboy rugby league and junior age groups was a magnet for defenders and is adept at identifying when multiple defenders are vectoring towards him and identifying the appropriate force to be applied to his passing.

Kurtis Dark also waits until the last possible second to off load the ball and most of the time he does not telegraph his pass to enable defences the readjust before the ball is passed.

On a lot of his runs Kurtis Dark rather than trying to step his opposite number will really look to initiate the contact and then use his strength to hold the defender off his body to either push through the tackle or draw in the next defender to create space for his outside support.

Defensively Kurtis Dark has a hard edge to his play and his initial contact is more than sufficient to redirect the momentum of the ball carrier. Kurtis Dark sets a very good base which he uses to explode into the ball carrier looking to use their own momentum against them.

His good situation awareness also enables him to be well positioned when he is defending against smaller quicker opponents and he endeavours to minimise the time available for the opposing attacker to generate speed and to utilise their footwork.

Kurtis Dark is also able to change direction quickly to adjust to the directional changes of the attacker especially when he is marking up against multiple attackers running in his direction where he will hold his ground to let the play to develop in front of him before committing to a specific defensive course of action.

Kurtis Dark will play the 2020 season with the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the Queensland Cup as he looks to push for an NRL opportunity.

With his size, speed and impressive left hand off load, Kurtis Dark looms as an intriguing second row/hooker prospect and it is great to see that he has chosen to move to the Gold Coast in an effort to continue his rugby league career.

mdrew

25-09-19, 05:08 PM

Taanei Heu. (Revised) After starting Round One of the 2019 GCRL U18 Division One competition with Nerang Taanei Heu moved to the Currumbin Eagles with his first match for his new club coming in Round Three against Bilambil when he started from the bench.

In total for Currumbin in the GCRL U18 Division One regular season competition, Taanei Heu played in eight matches starting the vast majority in the front row and scoring his first and only try of the season in Round Thirteen against Tugun.

In early June of this year Taanei Heu went over to New Zealand to play in the New Zealand Maori Rangatahi Tournament for Te Arawa and in fact was named in the All Tournament U17 team in the second row.

In late 2018 Taanei Heu was named in the initial Burleigh MM Cup squad but did not make the final squad.

The tall strong young front rower played the 2018 season for Nerang in the U16 Division One competition playing in nine matches including the finals series.

In Week Two of the U16 Division One Finals, Taanei Heu started in the front row and scored as Nerang progressed with a 32 – 22 win over Currumbin.

Taanei Heu also started in the front row in the U16 Division One 2018 Grand Final once again against Currumbin and once again Nerang prevailed winning 24 – 8.

In the 2018 U16 Division One regular season, Taanei Heu scored an additional two tries the first of which came in Round One against Runaway Bay and Taanei Heu scored again against Runaway Bay late in the regular season.

Taanei Heu was also part of the Gold Coast Vikings White side that took part in the South East Queensland U16 Challenge and from there was selected in the South East Queensland White side for the Queensland Age Championships, playing all four of those matches including the Championship Final against South East Queensland Green.

Taanei Heu’s other matches for South East Queensland Green at the Queensland Age Championships were against SEQ White in the qualifying rounds, Central and Northern.

For the Nerang Roosters U15 Division One side in 2017 Taanei Heu played in eleven matches including their Grand Final victory over Helensvale and scored against Southport early in the season for his sole try of the season. Taanei Heu also played one match up in the U16 Division Two competition which came against the Ormeau Shearers in early July.

The PBC student was part of the South Coast Maori representative side as well in 2017.

Taanei Heu is quite a tall front rower with plus speed for a front rower, in fact his speed would be above average for a forward of any position. Taanei Heu uses this speed to impact the defensive at top speed. He does not necessarily get back deep, but his plus speed off the mark as well as plus top speed enables him to still fit the line hard.

Taanei Heu runs very front on but will lower his body into the defenders as the commit to the tackle, and through a combination of size, speed and determination regularly bumps the first defender off when they try to tackle Taanei Heu around the chest area.

Once he impacts the defensive line Taanei Heu also is adept at redirecting his momentum to address the next defender who is coming in the defend him. Taanei Heu’s core body strength also enables him to make significant ground after contact dragging defenders with him.

In defence Taanei Heu regularly is the first player up to target the ball carriers, even though he is one of the bigger forwards in his team and will make solid initial contact as well as having the ability of defending one on one.

Taanei Heu is not averse to looking for the big hit but does have a good front on defensive technique and decent agility and lateral movement when looking to tackle smaller opponents, his technique is also quite decent for a taller player and he gets low in defence to look to mitigate the possibility of his tackles slipping up around the hard and neck area of shorter opponents.

His calling card though is the strength and power to effectively engage the opposing forward early in their run and use his natural strength to win the forward battle in the centre of the ruck. Taanei Heu can defensively handle any one on one battle that presents itself. At times in games he really does prevent opposing gaining any ground at all through the centre of the ruck.

Taanei Heu is MM Cup eligible again in 2020 and will be part of the Burleigh side come the start of the competition in 2020. Post the MM Cup competition in 2020 Taanei Heu will play for Currumbin in the GCRL U18 Division One competition and may also get some time for the Eagles in their GCRL U20 side.

I must admit that I am not wedded to the idea of Taanei Heu being strictly a front rower. With his elite size, strength, speed and power operating wider of the ruck would seem to be the ideal use is his immense skill set. Whilst he may well end up in the front row in the long term it is equally possible for Taanei Heu to make a career in the second row as he moves towards the senior rugby league ranks.

For me a current NRL player who has an eerily similar playing style to Taanei Heu is is soon to be Parramatta Eel and former New South Wales State of Origin player Reagan Campbell-Gillard as a young front rower who does not just hit the defensive line hard but makes a lot of ground post contact because of his strength and determination to make as much ground as possible on each and every carry of the ball. Also like Campbell-Gillard Taanei Heu just exudes strength and power.

mdrew

26-09-19, 04:06 PM

Izayah Petricevich. One player in the Titans U13 side that defeated the Western Mustangs 40 – 12 in February was Nerang Rooster Izayah Petrichvich when he played left centre and scored two tries. In the match Izayah Petricevich also spent some time in the second half on the left wing.

Early in the 2019 season Izayah Petricevich was named in the Gold Coast Vikings U13 squad and played left centre in the Championships including scoring in the Vikings first match on Day one diving over in the left corner against Brisbane Red.

Izayah Petricevich started the 2019 GCRL club season for Nerang in their Round One match against Ormeau.

Izayah Petricevich moved to five eight for Round Four scoring as Nerang went down 68 – 10 to Burleigh.

In total for Nerang, Izayah Petricevich played in three GCRL U13 Division One matches scoring against Burleigh as noted above.

With the movement in the U13 competition, Izayah Petricevich also played in five U13 Division Two matches scoring seven tries (140% strike rate) including a hat trick against Mudgeeraba in Round Eleven and a Round Twelve double against Helensvale. Izayah Petricevich’s other 2019 U13 Division two regular season tries came against Burleigh White and Jimboomba.

In 2018 Izayah Petricevich finished the Gold Coast Rugby League U12 Division One competition as the second leading try scorer with nine tries from ten matches, playing primarily in the second row.

Izayah Petricevich scored hat tricks against Currumbin and Coomera, a double against Burleigh Marron, with his other try coming in Round Two against Mudgeeraba.

In 2019 Izayah Petricevich was also a key member of the Coombabah State High School Year 8 Renouf Cup school boy side including scoring a 90 metre long range half try as Coombabah overcame a six point half time deficit to defeat Forest Lake State School 36 – 16 in the Renouf Cup Grand Final.

Izayah Petricevich started the match at left centre and scored when in the second half. Forest Lake State High School spun the ball to the left but the ball was dropped out wide when they were on the attack.

From a standing start Izayah Petricevich retrieved the ball and took off down the left touch line, at one point it appeared that the Forest Lake fullback would get to him but Izayah Petricevich was able to put on an extra burst of speed to break the jumper grab to score.

Even though he does not necessarily plus top end speed (It is certainly in the above average category though but probably just falls a touch below the plus category) Izayah Petrichvich is quick enough to take advantage of any space that he is given down the touchline by opposing outside backs.

Izayah Petrichvich’s bread and butter play in the centres is a good in an away to hold the defender and beat him on the outside, Izayah Petrichvich then has the ability to draw and pass to his winger if the opposing winger looks to come in, thus creating an overlap on the outside.

When playing on the wing Izayah Petrichvich always seems to stick to the sideline which means his inside attackers will know where he is at all times, thus allowing them to confidently off load the ball if an overlap is created.

When defending in the centres, Izayah Petrichvich really does look to come out of the line and hit his opposing centre as hard as possible to cut off the attacking play before it has time to fully develop, his timing in those situations is quite good to the extent that he does not often over comment thus allowing his opponent to get on his outside.

Izayah Petrichvich does not let the play unfold in front of him, he looks to disrupt as early as possible and usually does so effectively.

With his size and defensive tendencies when defending in the centres, Izayah Petrichvich is more suited to an up and in defensive methodology compared to a sliding system, where quicker opposing centres look to get on his outside and try to use their pace against him although he is not necessarily a slouch in that department.

Izayah Petricevich will play the 2020 season with Nerang in the U14 age group on the Gold Coast and I would anticipate continue to make junior representative sides on the Gold Coast for years to come starting with the Gold Coast Vikings side in 2020.

Izayah Petricevich will also play for Coombabah State High School in their U14 school boy rugby league side.

Izayah Petricevich is a tall young who played very well at left centre for both the Titans and Vikings U13 sides this season, a position that I would anticipate that he will continue to play for the foreseeable future.

I appreciate that Izayah Petricevich this season played a number of other positions for Nerang in 2019 including at five eight but I personally believe that his skill set plays perfectly at left centre.

A current NRL player with a similar playing style to Izayah Petricevich is for me Parramatta Eels and New South Wales State of Origin Blake Ferguson, like Izayah Petricevich is a very good kick returner and has the size, strength and speed to be a real handful for an opponent’s three quarter line, especially when he looks to run straight at the defensive line.

mdrew

27-09-19, 04:32 PM

Xavier Tauaifaiga. The young Helensvale Hornets winger was part of the Titans U13 side that played a Western Mustangs U13 selection at Mudgeeraba in February, that afternoon playing on the left wing.

Xavier Tauaifaiga moved to Helensvale this season after playing the 2018 season U12 Division One season with Runaway Bay.

Xavier Tauaifaiga also played on the left wing for the 2019 Gold Coast Vikings U13 side at the Hill Stumer scoring the U13 Vikings first try of the competition in their first match against Brisbane Red.

After the completion of the competition, Xavier Tauaifaiga was selected in the South East Queensland U13 training squad.

Whilst he has been playing on the left wing for the Titans and in the representative arena, Xavier Tauaifaiga has primarily operated in the centres, specifically left centre for Helensvale in the GCRL U13 Division One competition this season.

Over the course of the 2019 regular season Xavier Tauaifaiga played in twelve matches for the Hornets in the U13 Division One competition and scored twelve tries amongst others against Southport (Round One), Runaway Bay (Round Four) Nerang (Round Five), Runaway Bay (Round Eleven), Currumbin (Round Thirteen) and Burleigh (Round Fourteen).

In Round Six Xavier Tauaifaiga scored a double as Helensvale defeated Ormeau 54 – 6, he also scored a Round Nine double against Southport and added another double in Round Twelve against Coomera.

In Week two of the GCRL U13 Division One Finals series Xavier Tauaifaiga started at left centre against Ormeau, scoring in the match which propelled Helensvale directly to the Grand Final.

In the U13 Division One Grand Final against Burleigh Xavier Tauaifaiga started the match at right centre scoring in the 26th minute of the first half when he dived over from dummy half from close range diving to his right out of dummy half. Helensvale went on to win the U13 Division One Grand Final 26 – 22 against Burleigh.

In the Grand Final Xavier Tauaifaiga also made an outstanding try saving tackle late in the first half on Burleigh centre Sam Stephenson.

Xavier Tauaifaiga made his GCRL U14 Division One debut from the bench in Round Nine against Beaudesert after scoring a double in the U13 Division One fixture earlier in the day. Xavier Tauaifaiga made his first U14 Division One start in Round Thirteen against Ormeau on the wing after starting in the centres in the U13 Division One match directly prior.

In total in the GCRL U14 Division One competition in 2019 Xavier Tauaifaiga played in five matches, on each occasion backing up from playing in the U13 Division One fixture earlier in the round (read day).

In 2018 Xavier Tauaifaiga played in thirteen U12 Division One matches for Runaway Bay scoring 32 points from seven tries and two conversions.

For his build, Xavier Tauaifaiga is very quick down the sidelines with a good in and away to beat defenders on the outside and will not get caught from behind if he gets into open space. Whilst his speed off the mark cannot be considered explosive Xavier Tauaifaiga has good top end speed once he gets moving.

In addition to his speed Xavier Tauaifaiga seems to have the ability to “freeze” his direct opponent with his ability to step off both feet before accelerating around them usually on the touchline side.

On the wing, with his low centre of gravity Xavier Tauaifaiga is able to come in and take runs through the centre of the ruck, and effective runs at that. Xavier Tauaifaiga will take off from dummy half and use his elite foot work make a lot of the “tough” yards.

Defensively the area that Xavier Tauaifaiga has impressed me the most is his ability to defend against any size opponent, from small quick outside backs to big strong powerful backrowers running wide of the ruck.

Xavier Tauaifaiga seemingly has more strength that his size would indicate, and he uses this strength to move up and hit around the area where the ball is usually held, redirecting the momentum of the ball carrier and thus eliminating the attacking threat in the short term.

Xavier Tauaifaiga will play the remainder of the 2019 season with Helensvale in the GCRL U13 Division One competition.

Whilst Xavier Tauaifaiga has played in the centres, specifically left centre, for the Helensvale U13 Division One side this season, I would suggest that where he has played for the Titans, Vikings and Helensvale u14 Division One this season, that being on the left wing, is where his future ultimately lies.

On the wing I like his ability to run out of dummy half and he just seems to know where the sideline is intuitively when he is looking to take advantage of space down the side line.

For me Xavier Tauaifaiga has a playing style akin that that of Manly Seagulls left winger Jorge Taufua, both are solid players with the ability to make an impact in many facets of the game in a way that many may over look but certainly not their team mates or coaches.

mdrew

01-10-19, 05:16 PM

Matthew Wilton-Waldron. (Revised) He is a local front rower/second rower who attends Coombabah State High School as part of their Rugby League Excellence program and was also part of the Titans U15 side that played a Balmain U15 side at Cudgen late in 2017.

Matthew Wilton-Waldron was also involved in the Titans U13 development squad at the end of the 2015 as an invited player in a match against a Toowoomba U14 selection.

Matthew Wilton-Waldron this season played for Helensvale in the GCRL U18 Division One competition playing in twelve regular season matches scoring his sole try of the season against Ormeau in June.

Matthew Wilton-Waldron also started both of Helensvale’s finals matches in the second row including their Week Two Finals loss 34 – 26 to eventual premiers Ormeau.

In 2018 Matthew Wilton-Waldron was part of the Gold Coast Vikings Yellow U16 side that competed in the South East Queensland U16 Challenge.

From that competition Matthew Wilton-Waldron was selected in the South East Queensland White U16 side for the Queensland Age Championships starting primarily from the bench for his side including in the Championship final which SEQ White lost 30 – 18 to South East Queensland Green.

In the 2018 GCRL U16 Division One competition, Matthew Wilton-Waldron lined up for Helensvale in 2018 playing in nine matches including the finals series. Matthew Wilton-Waldron started in the second row in Week One of the finals as Helensvale defeated Southport 44 – 4 and also started in the second row in Week Two as Helensvale were knocked out as a result of a tough 24 – 18 loss to Burleigh.

Matthew Wilton-Waldron played the 2017 season for Helensvale in the GCJRL competition in the U15 Division One competition. Matthew Wilton-Waldron played in sixteen matches for the Hornets including starting in the second row in their 34 – 10 Grand Final loss to Nerang.

Over the course of his sixteen matches in 2017 Matthew Wilton-Waldron scored three tries including an early season double against Currumbin and he also scored in Helensvale’s finals victory over Burleigh.

In 2017 Matthew Wilton-Waldron has also played one match up at the U16 Division One Level for Helensvale.

In 2016 Matthew Wilton-Waldron was part of the U14 Gold Coast Vikings side that went through the 2016 Hill Stumer Championships undefeated and from there was selected in the U14 South East Queensland Training squad.

Matthew Wilton-Waldron is a hard running player who never seems to just put his head down and runs straight, he always uses a slight step prior to contacting the defensive line, coupled with the fact that he drops his shoulder into defenders, means that he is a bit of a handful to tackle and he is not often knocked back onto his heals. Matthew Wilton-Waldron is also good at maintaining his momentum after impacting the defensive line.

Matthew Wilton-Waldron has a high work rate and I would suggest that he would normally be at or near the top of his team’s statistics in terms of the number of hit ups he makes and on occasion runs a very good inside shoulder route to supplement his other attacking attributes.

Matthew Wilton-Waldron has also shown flashes of the ability to off-load when he impacts the defensive line and I am sure that this will be focus going forward in terms of understanding when to off-load and when to maintain possession, and this will only come from playing more matches.

Defensively Matthew Wilton-Waldron aims hits very hard and usually hits around the top of the ball region and is certainly someone opposing forwards look for when running the ball up and is adept at making sure the opposition do not get quick play the balls by using wrestling techniques well.

Over the last season or two Matthew Wilton-Waldron’s his speed and mobility seemed to have increased and as a consequence he was better able to mirror the opposition attackers more effectively from a defensive stand point.

Matthew Wilton-Waldron will probably not make a large amount of hits that are going to knock opposing forwards backwards, but opposing forwards are going to feel everyone and start to look out for where he is in the defensive line.

In 2020 Matthew Wilton-Waldron will play for Helensvale in the GCRL U18 Division One competition as well as for Coombabah State High School in their various School boy competitions including the GIO Cup. In late September Matthew Wilton-Waldron was also selected in the 2020 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad.

In terms of position, I am aware that over the last couple of seasons he has alternated between front row and second row but I think that in the long term he will end up in the second row and one that has more than reasonable mobility and speed for his size and position.

Matthew Wilton-Waldron has a variety of skills at his disposal when he plays and the next couple of years are simply about gaining experience and allowing his skills to develop at the appropriate pace. A current NRL player with similar qualities from my perspective is Newcastle Knights second rower Lachlan Fitzgibbon.

mdrew

01-10-19, 05:27 PM

Jordan Lewis (Stewart-Lewis). The talented Ormeau Shearers youngster has moved around a bit from a position perspective over the last couple of seasons including representing the Gold Coast Vikings at the U13 level in the back row, in 2017 at half and the last two seasons at five eight.

Jordan Lewis played the 2018 season for Ormeau Shearers in the GCRL U16 Division One competition playing in fifteen matches including starting the Grand Final at five eight and kicking the winning penalty goal in Golden Point as Ormeau defeated Coomera 22 – 20.

In total in his fifteen matches, including finals, Jordan Lewis scored 98 points from five tries and 39 goals. His five tries came in separate matches against Currumbin and Coomera, twice and also against Helensvale.

With the boot this season Jordan Lewis kicked eight goals in Round Three against Southport and five on two occasions being against Currumbin and Burleigh.

In the 2018 Gold Coast Rugby League U15 Division One competition for Ormeau, Jordan Lewis finished as both the competitions leading goal kicker with 40 goals and point’s scorer with 116 points.

Over the course of the 2018 Jordan Lewis scored nine tries including doubles against Mudgeeraba and Runaway Bay and also scored in matches against Helensvale, Southport, Coomera and Runaway Bay twice.

With the boot Jordan Lewis kicked six goals in a match on three occasions being against Mudgeeraba (he also scored two tries to finish the match with twenty points), Southport and Coomera.

Jordan Lewis started at five eight in Week One of the U15 Division One Finals series scoring a try and kicking two goals and Ormeau defeated Runaway Bay 28 – 12.

In Week Two of the Finals Jordan Lewis also started at five eight as Ormeau qualified for the Grand Final with a 44 – 6 victory over Coomera with Jordan Lewis contributing a try and six goals.

In the U15 Division One Grand Final Jordan Lewis, once again started at five eight as Ormeau finished a great season by defeating Runaway Bay 38 – 20 in the decider with Jordan Lewis once again at the forefront contributing a try and five goals.

In 2017 the young man had an outstanding season finishing with 117 points from ten tries, thirty eight goals and a field goal in the GCJRL U14 Division One competition including starting at half back, scoring a try, kicking three conversions and a field goal in the U14 Division One Grand Final against victory over Burleigh.

From a try scoring perspective, Jordan Lewis scored four tries in a match in early June kicking five goals in that match to finish with 26 points as well and in May against Runaway Bay in May he scored a hat trick and kicked seven goals for 26 points as well. Jordan Lewis also kicked seven conversions in a victory over Nerang in Round One of the competition and five goals against Runaway Bay in the Preliminary Final.

In 2017 Jordan Lewis represented the U14 Gold Coast Vikings side where he was selected at hooker and from there he was selected in the South East Queensland U14 White side for the Queensland Age Championships which were held in Toowoomba in July 2017.

In 2016 Jordan Lewis primarily came off the interchange bench for the U13 Vikings side including scoring on Day Two in a 58 – 6 victory over the Ipswich Diggers a match in which Titans linked front rower Brody Smitka was outstanding. After those Championships which were held at Carina Jordan Lewis was selected to represent South East Queensland Green at the Queensland Age Championships.

Jordan Lewis is not necessarily the quickest half running around but he does have some reasonable speed off the mark, which is complemented by the fact that he runs at the right moment, for example when he is drifting across field he will dummy and run when defenders anticipate the pass rather than focussing on him running the ball. Jordan Lewis’s ability to put runners into holes complements his ability to run with the ball.

Jordan Lewis’s defence for a half is very good for a smaller forward he is a hard hitter and can defend effectively one on one against far larger forwards, he sets a good base with his lower body and explodes upwards with his shoulders into his opponent and is also very good at slowing the play the ball down. His intensity means that he will track the play across and thus is in a good position when the ball is passed back inside.

Jordan Lewis will play the upcoming 2020 season once again with Ormeau Shearers in the GCJRL U18 Division One competition and in late September Matthew Wilton-Waldron was also selected in the 2020 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad.

A final position perspective is an interesting one, in previous seasons Jordan Lewis spent a fair bit of time in the second row but this season he played in various positions including half back and hooker making a good fist of them as well. On that basis it is hard to go past Jordan Lewis staying at half for at least the short term.

Jordan Lewis may also get an extended opportunity to make his mark at hooker over the coming years. Dare I saw it, but Jordan Lewis looks like the perfect NRL interchange player with his developing ability to play in the halves, at hooker and as a running back rower.

From a rugby league player comparison perspective, I think that the play of Canterbury Bulldogs and New Zealand International five eight Keiran Foran is a good comparison for Jordan Lewis, as a solidly built, strong running, hardworking half with under rated play making skills.

mdrew

01-10-19, 06:03 PM

Tahne Robinson. (Revised) The young Tweed Coast Raiders half has already donned a Titans jersey in a number of Titans junior development matches a couple of years ago and may well do so again in the future if his play in the last two years is any guide at all.

After moving at the start of 2019 to be part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls Colts side, Thane Robinson started Round One at half against the Western Mustangs.

Tahne Robinson’s Round Six try against the Mackay Cutters which was played as a curtain raiser to the Cowboys – Storm NRL clash resulted from an outstanding piece of play. Tahne Robinson moved across field to his left with Tweed Heads on the attack and it was literally a show and go that split the defence for Tahne Robinson to score.

Thane Robinson also scored in Round Eight against the Ipswich Jets. Thane Robinson operating on the left sent a pass out second rower Reece Butler who passed the ball back inside to Tahne Robinson who produced two outstanding steps off his left foot in short order to score under the posts untouched.

Round Ten against the Easts Tigers saw Tahne Robinson with a try assist when he threw a great cut out ball to his left for Callum Boomer to crash over.

Tahne Robinson also had a try assist in Round Eleven against the Northern Pride. Tahne Robinson ran the ball to a short blind side close to the Northern Pride line taking the ball right to the line before putting in a great short left kick for Harley Wood to score in the corner.

In the match, Thane Robinson also kicked a field goal. It looked like he was going to continue the move to the right but stepped back off his right foot to slot a left footed field goal from right in front.

In total for Tweed Heads in the 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition, Tahne Robinson played in eighteen matches, including their Elimination Final loss to Mackay, starting all bar Round Twenty Two against Souths Logan when he started from the bench at half and captaining the side on a number of occasions.

In addition to the tries noted above in Rounds Six and Eight, Tahne Robinson also scored in Round Five against Wynnum Manly.

After moving to the Tweed Coast Raiders NRRRL side at the start of the 2018 season Tahne Robinson made every post a winner.

For the Raiders in the NRRRL First grade competition in 2018 Tahne Robinson was been involved in fifteen matches including the final’s series.

In the regular season of the NRRRL First Grade competition, Tahne Robinson scored fourteen tries and kicked forty eight goals to finish with 152 points.

Tahne Robinson had big matches in Round Four against Lismore Marist Brothers when he scored a double and kicked four goals and in Round Five against Mullumbimby when he also scored a double but in that match kicked five goals. Round Nine in a Raiders 60 – 0 win over Evans Head also saw Tahne Robinson score a double and kick two goals in the big win.

Round Ten saw Tahne Robinson play in the U18 fixture against Lower Clarence and then back up in the NRRRL First Grade match kicking eight goals from ten attempts in a Tweed Coast Raiders 56 – 28 victory over Lower Clarence.

In Round Twelve against Northern united, Tahne Robinson scored a try and kicked seven goals and Round Fourteen saw Tahne Robinson score a double and kick six goals against Byron Bay.

Tahne Robinson’s other tries in 2018 have come against Northern United on two occasions, Murwillumbah(on two occasions), Cudgen and his 2017 club Casino RSM.

In the Round Eight top of the table clash against Cudgen, Thane Robinson kicked three goals from three attempts to lead the raiders to a two point win. In relation to the particular match against Cudgen Tahne Robinson was backing up the day after playing in the New South Wales Country U23 Championship Final.

In the Preliminary Final Tahne Robinson kicked two first half goals as Tweed Coast held on to defeat Murwillumbah to progress to the NRRRL First Grade Grand Final against Ballina.

In the NRRRL First Grade Grand Final Tahne Robinson started at half back against Ballina with Tweed Coast winning in convincing style 24 – 4 against Ballina with Tahne Robinson kicking four goals, including three conversions and a second half penalty goal.

The local paper the Northern Star, in their NRRRL Grand Final write-up gave Tahne Robinson’s performance an 8.5/10 and noted that he kept Ballina off balance the entire game.

Tahne Robinson set up Tweed Coast first try of the Grand Final in just the second minute when he put in a deft left foot chip which Ballina scored from. In the Grand Final Tahne Robinson regularly took the ball to the field and was also very good defensively.

In 2018 Tahne Robinson also played in six NRRRL U18 matches for the Tweed Coast Raiders.

Over the course of 2018 season Tahne Robinson played for the Norther Rivers U23 representative side in the New South Wales Country U23 Championships starting at half back in all three of their matches, including the Championship Final recently in a 26 – 22 wing over Monaro, a match that saw Tahne Robinson kick three goals.

Thane Robinson’s other two matches for Northern Rivers in the New South Wales Country U23 Championships were against North Coast and the Greater Northern Tigers starting both at half back.

In 2017 Tahne Robinson was a standout for Casino RSM in the NRRRL First Grade competition even though he was still eligible for U18’s. Unfortunately for Tahne Robinson and his Casino RSM team mates they were defeated 32-20 in their NRRRL semi-final by his new team the Tweed Coast Raiders. Tahne Robinson towards the end of last year was named the NRRRL Rookie of the season.

The former St Mary’s College Casino student was also selected in the MCC 18 years Presidents Rugby League team in 2017. Tahne Robinson over his junior career has made numerous Group One Junior Representative sides as well.

Tahne Robinson only played in one U18 NRRRL match in 2017 season but he made the most of it, scoring 18 points from a try and seven goals against Mullumbimby in April. Tahne Robinson played thirteen 2017 Novaskills NRRRL First Grade matches scoring nine tries and a conversion over those matches. In addition to the double in the final regular season round against his new team being the Tweed Coast Raiders, Tahne Robinson scored a double in mid-July against Mullumbimby.

Earlier in 2017 season Tahne Robinson was named at half back for the East Coast Dolphins U18 side in the New South Wales Country Championships. Tahne Robinson played the 2016 season in the U18 NRRRL Competition with Casino RSM and finished as the leading points scorer in the competition with 106 points which came from four tries and 45 goals.

Tahne Robinson is only slight of build even when up against players in his own age group but looks even smaller against men. Do not take his lack of size in any way as a lack of ability or courage, Tahne Robinson has a lot of both, which is on display each time he runs onto the field.

With the ball Tahne Robinson is a very good distributor and will take the ball to the line in an effort to set up his supports. Tahne Robinson is particularly adept at using the blind side when he sees an opportunity.

Tahne Robinson has an exceptional show and go and step has scored a number of tries in 2017 in first grade using these traits including his first try against the Tweed Coast Raiders late in the 2017 season. Once he is open space his above average speed off the mark allows him to gain separation from the defence and enables him the time to make the correct decision with the ball.

From kicking perspective Tahne Robinson has a very good short tactical kicking game especially in relation to grubber kicks into the in goal area where he is able to weight the ball well, the try he set up in the Grand Final is testament to his very good left foot.

Being left footed is a great advantage for Tahne Robinson moving forward as it allows a team to have a kicker either side of the ruck that is kicking using their preferred angle.

From a goal kicking perspective Tahne Robinson displays both range and accuracy and has the opportunity going forward to be a team’s first choice goal kicking option. Even from right on the touch line, Tahne Robinson’s left foot has the power and accuracy to be a good chance of kicking the goal.

In defence, due to his size Tahne Robinson is obviously not going to come up with the big hit but reads the play well and can hold his own when defending much bigger players and against players with similar size is very aggressive when finishing off his tackles. He is also very vocal on the field always talking and encouraging his side to move up in a straight line and make hard initial contact with the ball runner.

Tahne Robinson will be part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls Colts squad once again in 2020.

Tahne Robinson always has been and always will be a half back when playing rugby league although he would likely be able to full in at hooker should the need arise.

From a player comparison perspective for Tahne Robinson think of someone like the Titans own Ashley Taylor as a young play maker who whilst having all the skills necessary for a future at half back, also shows the ability to alter his game based on what his team needs during the course of a match and whose kicking game can have a major impact.

One aspect where Tahne Robinson is a touch different to Taylor is that he is constantly looking to take the line on as often as possible, I am not saying that he is reckless running the ball, more that Tahne Robinson is very confident in his ability to run the ball and looks to do so on a regular basis.

Tahne Robinson’s improvement this season has been nothing short of incredible and was in no way out of his depth as an 18 year old playing for the Northern Rivers U23 side in 2018 and was unlucky not to be selected in the New South Wales Country U23 side such was the quality of his performances over the course of the 2018 season.

mdrew

01-10-19, 06:56 PM

Bailey Martin. (Revised) He is a local young backrower from the Burleigh Bears junior rugby league club on the Gold Coast who is a Titans contracted player.

Bailey Martin has already played in a number of matches in Titans colours, the first being when he started at lock for the Titans U15 side in their late 2018 match against the Balmain Tigers at Cudgen. Bailey Martin was awarded the Titans best forward award that night.

In early 2019, Bailey Martin played his second match in Titans colours starting once again at lock for the Titans U16’s against Newcastle. Bailey Martin was the Titans vice-captain for the match.

In addition to once again confirming that he is an outstanding worker in both attack and defence, Bailey Martin also highlighted his developing ball playing skills. In the second half when the Titans were coming out of their own half, Bailey Martin took the ball for a hit-up but instead of just running into the Newcastle defensive line, he popped a great short ball to his right to Joseph Shannon who charged down the field on a fifty metre run.

In the lead up to the play you could see Bailey Martin pointing to the gap that he wanted Joseph Shannon to run into and then threw the great ball exactly as he had indicated.

Bailey Martin also displayed his toughness during the match. He got hit with a high tackle in the second half, but shook it off to take the first hit-up from the penalty restart.

Speaking of restarts Bailey Martin had an incredible start to the second half, taking two hit-ups in the Titans first set of six and then made two or three tackles in a row the first time Newcastle had the ball.

In short Bailey Martin had an outstanding match and must have been at or near the top in terms of the most tackles and hit-ups for the Titans in the match.

Early in the 2019 season Bailey Martin represented the Gold Coast Vikings Yellow U16’s scoring on Match Day Four against Brisbane Green in a big 44 – 4 victory for the Gold Coast side. Post that competition Bailey Martin was named in the South East Queensland U16 train on squad.

Subsequently Bailey Martin was named in the 2019 South East Queensland Green U16 side for the Queensland Age Championships starting for them at lock. Post those Championships Bailey Martin was selected at lock in the Queensland City U16 side to play Queensland Country U16’s.

Unfortunately Bailey Martin only lasted twenty five minutes before a shoulder injury forced him off the field, but he made the most of his time on the field including a great second effort with the ball which almost led to him scoring under the posts in the opening minutes.

In his twenty five minutes on the field, Bailey Martin ran for thirty two minutes (six post contact), had a line break assist, broke a tackle and made fifteen tackles at a tackling efficiency of 88.24%.

Bailey Martin was named to start Round One of the GCRL U16 Division One competition in the front row for Burleigh in their match against Coomera but due to injuries started in the second row as he did in Round Two.

In total in the 2019 GCRL U16 Division One regular season competition, Bailey Martin played in six regular season matches alternating between the front row and the second row scoring against Helensvale in late May.

In Week One of the 2019 Finals series, Bailey Martin came off the bench around the twenty minute mark (he had come off the bench for PBC in their GIO Cup Queensland quarter final win three days prior) and scored a double as the Bears defeated Helensvale 42 – 20.

Bailey Martin made his GCRL U18 Division One debut in Round Six against Runaway Bay starting from the bench as the Bears won 28 – 6. Bailey Martin came on around the 15 minute mark, playing the remainder of the match at lock for the Bears.

Impressively for Bailey Martin he was selected on the bench for the PBC Open A side for their first Langer Cup match against Wavell State High School, not bad at all for a 16 year old. Bailey Martin came on in the first half in the dummy half role and played exceptionally well in his approximately 45 minutes on the field, including setting up a try when he darted out of dummy half before giving a good short ball to his front rower. He also made a good twenty break when he took advantage of a back peddling Marsden defensive line.

Round Two of the Langer Cup saw Bailey Martin start the afternoon playing lock for the PBC Reserve Grade side but after playing impressively and scoring Bailey Martin was removed from the game in preparation for the Open A match.

In the Open A match Bailey Martin came on at half time in PBC’s 18-12 and was his typical self, tackling everything that moved with his outstanding tackling technique.

Defensively Bailey Martin stood up to every challenge that the big Marsden forwards threw at him, he really did defend well and for he Bailey martin has the best defensive technique in the Titans development system.

Bailey Martin was also involved off the bench for the PBC Opens Round Three and Four Langer Cup matches against Ipswich State High School and Wavell State High School.

Bailey Martin also deservedly started from the bench in the Langer Cup derby against Keebra Park in June scoring PBC’s final try as they prevailed 34 – 26, coming on late in the first half. Bailey Martin also scored PBC’s final try of the match to seal the result for PBC.

Bailey Martin took a hit up from around ten metres out from the line to the left of the play the ball, running with the ball in two hands out in front of his body, this essentially froze the Keebra Park defenders on their try line which Bailey Martin exploited to dive over near the left upright with just six minutes left in the match.

Bailey Martin also started from the bench for PBC in their Queensland GIO Cup quarter final win over St Mary’s High School Toowoomba 50 – 6 coming into the match late in the first half initially playing in the backrow.

Bailey Martin started from the bench for PBC in their GIO Cup Queensland Cup semi-final against Marsden State High School and scored a first half try but unfortunately PBC went down in golden point 23 – 22. In a sign of how highly he is thought up, Bailey Martin was brought back onto the field in the dying minutes and extra time.

Getting back to his try, Bailey Martin showed outstanding speed to score over forty metres, receiving an inside pass from Toby Sexton and producing a great left arm fend on the initial Marsden defender before showing the Marsden fullback a clean pair of heels to score adjacent to the right upright.

Bailey Martin after a stellar 2018 QSSRL U15 Championships where he starred for South Coast at lock picking up a number of Player of the Match awards and was subsequently selected in the Queensland Maroon side for the ASSRL U15 Championships in July.

Bailey Martin was named at lock for Queensland Green who went through the competition undefeated with Bailey Martin involved in each of Queensland Green’s four matches including the Championship final against NSW CCC.

Bailey Martin also started at lock for PBC in their 2018 Walters Cup match against rivals Keebra Park at Pizzey Park with PBC winning 22 – 16 in a tough match where the last ten minutes or so was particularly willing to say the least. I could not see what happened to set it off from where I watched the game but it got very willing especially between both sets of forwards with the game in the balance.

Bailey Martin was also involved in PBC’s 22 – 18 win over Ipswich State High School and their 18 – 16 loss against Marsden at Waterford where the PBC just could not finish Marsden off in the final ten minutes or so of the match.

In the final ten minutes against Marsden Bailey Martin pulled off some outstanding front on tackles against the Marsden forwards and was the PBC forward urging his side on.

Bailey Martin was part of the 2018 U15 Queensland Emerging Origin squad and attended a couple of the camps including one on the Sunshine Coast in February where the U15 squad played a simulated match against the U16 Emerging Origin squad.

Bailey Martin is also part of the 2019 Queensland U16 Emerging Origin squad, with the squad completing their first camp of the year recently. At that camp in the opposed session was on the same side as Kaleb Ngamanu and Orlando Swain.

In previous seasons Bailey Martin has been part of Brisbane Broncos junior development squads but has now signed a contract with his home town NRL club in what can only be considered a coup for the Titans.

For the 2018 season Bailey Martin is once again played for the Burleigh Bears in the Gold Coast Junior Rugby League competition this season at the U15 Division One level and is also represented PBC in their various school boy competitions including against St Mary’s a on the Gold Coast when he started at lock in a tough loss for the Gold Coast school against a well drilled opponent.

In total in the 2018 U15 Division One competition Bailey Martin played in ten matches including the Finals series, scoring three tries in the process. Bailey Martin scored in his first U15 Division One match of the season being Round One against Helensvale and also scored in the regular season against Southport.

In Week One of the 2018 U15 Division One Finals series, Bailey Martin started at lock and scored his third try of the season as Burleigh dismantled Southport 72 – 2.

On Week Two of the Finals Bailey Martin and his Burleigh team mates bowed out on the back of a 34 – 24 loss to Runaway Bay.

In 2018 Bailey Martin also played one match up in the U16 Division One competition with that match being against Currumbin in August.

In 2017 Bailey Martin played for the Burleigh Bears at the U14 Division One level. Bailey Martin was also a member of the dominant U14 Gold Coast Vikings representative who went through the Hill Stumer Championships undefeated after victories against Stingers Red and White and Ipswich.

As a result of his play for the U14 Vikings Bailey Martin was selected in the South East Queensland White side where he was selected in the second row. Bailey Martin also played for PBC in terms of his schoolboy rugby league where they had some good battles against Keebra Park in the U14 age group.

For Burleigh in the U14 Division Side in 2017 Bailey Martin played in ten matches including starting in the front row and scoring for Burleigh in their 31 – 16 Grand Final loss to the Ormeau Shearers. In mid-July Bailey Martin scored a double against Runaway Bay and earlier in the year scored against Runaway Bay again and his first try of the season came in Round Three against Nerang. Bailey Martin also kicked a conversion against grand final opponents Ormeau mid-season. Bailey Martin was also on the bench for one of Burleigh’s U15 Division One semi-finals.

Bailey Martin is a hard running backrower who is impressive at running the right line including both and inside shoulder and outside shoulder line and consistently hits the pass off either the dummy half or play maker flat thus generating his best possible speed and momentum to hit the defensive line.

Where he really excels though is his footwork, Bailey Martin has very good late and quick foot work which enables him to change direction quickly allowing him to readjust where he is running to take advantage of either a late developing hole in the defensive line or where the defensive line is repositioning late.

A try against Ipswich in the U13 Hill Stumer Championships in 2016 was a perfect example of this. Receiving the ball off the dummy half around 10 metres out, Bailey Martin cut back in towards the ruck and was easily able to break through the set Ipswich defensive line to score a well thought out try by the young man. The try may have looked easy but Bailey Martin identified that the Ipswich defensive line was not moving up in a uniform manner and Bailey Martin was able to quickly identify this and exploit it to his advantage all in a split second.

Even when he is taking a hit up in the centre of the ruck, Bailey Martin’s feet are always moving and he is constantly making slight adjustments to his running angle and he is also able to maintain his speed regardless of the multiple directional changes. He seems just to run at a faster pace than other forwards on the field. These attributes lead to a number of line breaks and he has the speed to convert them into tries himself in eth main.

Bailey Martin’s speed is probably a bit above average for a forward but it is the speed that he is able to generate from only a few paces which makes it play faster from a defenders perspective as he gets to the defensive line quicker than the defenders anticipate and thus they are unable to set themselves properly for the initial contact meaning Bailey Martin can bend the line back regularly.

Defensively he hits very hard and had the best pure defensive technique of the U14 players at the U14 Hill Stumer Championships bar none. Bailey Martin’s technique revolves around timing and execution. Bailey Martin’s head is always correctly positioned and he always drives with his shoulder and never just jersey grabs.

Bailey Martin also tackles with both shoulders equally effectively as well. The impressive thing for me also is that Bailey Martin never seems to bounce off the ball when he makes a front on tackle meaning his target area and the ability to hit the area on a regular basis is exceptional. This is no fluke this is clearly as a result of an outstanding technique as well as determination and dedication to his craft.

Another defensive aspect that I noted during the 2017 season and to date this season especially with the South Coast U15 side is that Bailey Martin does not just make one tackle at a time, he makes a series of tackles one after another all as clinical and effective as the one immediately prior.

Bailey Martin’s lateral speed and mobility is quite good due to his quick twitch feet and thus he is effective at defending against smaller dynamic runners out of dummy half as well as half backs and five eights running of the fringes looking to isolate forwards. For me Bailey Martin is the best defender in his age group in Queensland bar none especially in defending on the fringes of the ruck whether he is operating as the A or B defender.

Bailey Martin will play for Burleigh in the U18 Division One competition in 2020 as well as playing for PBC and once again there should be some very good battles in that age group with Keebra Park. With the confidence that the PBC coaching staff have in him it would not surprise if Bailey Martin has a senior leadership role in the PBC Open side come the 2020 school boy campaign.

Bailey Martin will start the 2020 season as part of the Burleigh MM Cup side and should immediately push for a spot in the starting side if not certainly on the bench as a utility player who can play in the back row or lock as well as spending some time at hooker.

From a long term position perspective, I believe that he will continue to play in the back row when all is said and done. I appreciate that Bailey Martin played a number of matches in the front row in 2017 but he has too much skill and foot work to be considered as a bash and barge type of player in that position.

I will admit however that his play at hooker for the PBC Open side has me very intrigued. With his speed off the mark and already decent ball skills (additional repetitions at hooker would only enhance them) and the ability to tackle all day that may well be just where Bailey Martin’s future lies.

From an NRL player comparison perspective, with his touch above average speed and quick late footwork that Bailey Martin has displayed over recent seasons I think that an appropriate player comparison is Sydney Roosters lock Victor Radley with the potential to be a lot more on top of that as well.

Like Radley, Bailey Martin is also developing the ability to fill in at dummy half if and when the need arises.

Bailey Martin is not the flashiest player running around in his age group by a long shot but there is no junior rugby league player on the Gold Coast or in Queensland for that matter that has improved as much as he has over the last couple of seasons and rewards for his hard work and dedication and now deservedly starting to shine through for the Gold Coast local with his contract with the Titans.

Bailey Martin has always been an outstanding defender, I believe that he is currently the best defender for his age in Queensland if not all of all junior age groups in Queensland but it his attack has really come on over the last two seasons or so, especially in relation to his late footwork and the outstanding lines that he runs especially in relation to the inside shoulder line that he executes flawlessly.

No one is more deserving of success both on and off the field than this talented young man.

mdrew

08-10-19, 04:57 PM

Larry Siala. The big strong young front rower was one of a number of standouts for the Titans U14 side that defeated the Western Mustangs 32 – 8 in February at Mudgeeraba and also started in the front row for the Titans U14 side that defeated a Titans NRRRL U14/15 Invitational side 32 – 10 last Thursday night.

On that extremely hot Saturday in February at Mudgeeraba Larry Siala had a simply outstanding match constantly making ground with the ball through the centre of the ruck and as a result of his late footwork prior to the line made major metres post contact and also got away a few more than impressive off-loads usually one handed right ones at that.

I can also recall a couple of huge hits that he put on a couple of Western Mustangs forwards with a couple forcing the ball loose as a result of the contact by Larry Siala. Larry Siala really did stand out as a young player on the rise in that match.

Larry Siala was selected in the 2019 Ipswich Diggers U14 representative side for the Hill Stumer Championships playing both in the second row and front row in the Diggers three matches.

After the completion of the competition, Larry Siala was selected in the South East Queensland Green U14 squad for the Queensland Age Championships. At the Championships, Larry Siala was named on the interchange bench. Over the course of his four games at the Championships, Larry Siala highlighted his aggressiveness especially in defence.

The St Edmunds College (Ipswich) student plays in the Ipswich Rugby League competition, in 2019 playing for Norths in the U14 age group.

In the 2019 U14 pre-season Larry Siala played in three matches scoring five tries, including a hat trick against Goodna Black in Round Three and a Round Two hat trick against Brothers Ipswich White. His five tries were enough to finish the pre-season as the competitions equal second leading try scorer.

Larry Siala started Round One of the Ipswich Rugby League U14 competition in the front row, scoring for Ipswich Norths in their 14 – 10 loss to Goodna Black. Larry Siala backed that up by also scoring in Round Two against Springfield as Norths won 44 – 0.

Larry Siala made it three tries from as many matches when he scored again in Round Three as Norths defeated Brothers Ipswich 24 – 8. Larry Siala also scored in Round Six against Goodna and Round Eight against Ipswich Brothers.

In total in the 2019 Ipswich Rugby League U14 regular season competition, Larry Siala played in twelve matches scoring eight tries for a 67% strike rate.

In Week One of the Ipswich Rugby League U14 Finals Series Larry Siala started in the front row for Norths against Goodna with Norths going down 20 -10. Larry Siala also started in the front row in Week Two of the Finals against Brothers Ipswich being their Preliminary Final victory.

In the U14 Ipswich Rugby League Grand Final Larry Siala started in the front row against Goodna Black with Ipswich Norths going down 14 - 12.

Larry Siala made his Ipswich Rugby League U15 debut in Round Nine against Swifts Bluebirds celebrating the occasion by scoring in Norths big 58 – 8 win.

Larry Siala started in the front row in the 2018 U13 Ipswich Grand Final and scored a try as Norths prevailed 26 – 22 in a close contest against Goodna Black.

In total in the 2018 U13 season, Larry Siala played in fourteen matches scoring twenty one tries for a strike rate of an impressive 150%.

In 2017 Larry Siala represented Met West in the QSSRL U12 Championships.

Larry Siala is a tallish front rower with plus speed for a front rower, in fact his speed would be above average for a forward regardless of position. Larry Siala uses this speed to impact the defensive at top speed. He does not necessarily get back deep, but his plus speed off the mark as well as plus top speed enables him to still fit the line hard.

Larry Siala runs very front on at present but will lower his body into the defenders as the commit to the tackle, and through a combination of size, speed and determination regularly bumps the first defender off when they try to tackle Larry Siala around the chest area.

Once he impacts the defensive line Larry Siala also is adept at redirecting his momentum to address the next defender who is coming in the defend him.

In defence Larry Siala is regularly is the first player up to target the ball carriers, even though he is one of the bigger forwards in his team and will make solid initial contact as well as having the ability of defending one on one and win the wrestling battle to slow down the play the ball.

Larry Siala is not averse to looking for the big hit but does have a good front on defensive technique and decent agility and lateral movement when looking to tackle smaller opponents, his technique is also quite decent for a taller player and he gets low in defence to look to mitigate the possibility of his tackles slipping up around the hard and neck area of shorter opponents.

Larry Siala will play the 2020 season for Ipswich Norths in the Ipswich U15 competition. In relation to school sport, Larry Siala will play school boy rugby for St Edmunds College in the AIC U15A competition and also likely play rugby league for St Edmunds College in Term Three of 2020 in the AIC school boy rugby league competition.

Larry Siala is a big strong powerful young man with outstanding attributes such as size, strength, speed, mobility and power and as such seems destined to stay in the front row for the duration of what should be a long and prosperous rugby league career.

Joe Ofahenguae of the Brisbane Broncos and Queensland State of Origin side is a solid NRL player comparison for Larry Siala in my opinion, both are hard running forwards and both are more athletic and skilful than they are given credit for by casual watchers of rugby league.

Larry Siala understandably has a long way to go to get to the NRL (as does every player in the U14 age group for that matter) but wow he really made me sit up and take notice with his performance for the Titans U14 side in February against the Western Mustangs, he was simply dominant and even in the hot conditions played a significant portion of the match without being interchanged.

Larry Siala really is an outstanding talent and the more games that he gets under his belt the more comfortable and confident he will become with that added experience. This year’s representative exposure with the Ipswich Diggers and South East Queensland Green U14 sides in their respective Championships as well as his two matches for the Titans will hold him in good stead for his future endeavours on a rugby league field

mdrew

09-10-19, 04:38 PM

Hayden Mills. Big strong young Hayden Mills started in the front row for Southport in Round One of the GCRL U18 Division One competition, his first match on the Gold Coast since moving from Moree in Northern New South Wales.

For Southport in the GCRL U18 Division One regular season competition Hayden Mills played in fourteen matches including finals over the course of the 2019 season moving between starting in the front row or at lock and scored his first try in Round Thirteen against Mudgeeraba.

In the U18 Division One Grand Final against Burleigh Hayden Mills started in the front row and toiled hard against a mobile Burleigh forward pack in Southport’s 28 – 12 loss.

In 2018, for the Moree Boars in the Group 19 competition, Hayden Mills played in both the U16 and U18 competitions.

In the 2018 Group 19 U18 competition, Hayden Mills played in six matches, not bad at all for a 16 year old. In the 2018 Group 19 U16 competition Hayden Mills was impressive in the eight matches that he played, scoring seven tries.

Hayden Mills scored doubles against the Inverell Hawks and Glen Innes Magpies and also scored in other matches against the Glenn Innes Magpies twice and the Warialda Wombats.

In previous seasons, Hayden Mills has been a regular Group 19 under age representative sides including at the U14 and U15 levels.

From an attacking perspective Hayden Mills is a big young man who will run straight and hard, but at this stage of his junior career he does not have a great deal of footwork to utilise prior to the line to prevent defences from focussing on him without the threat of late changes of direction. Due to his size however Hayden Mills can absorb a lot of punishment and continue to make ground.

Where he does show flashes of ability is in relation to offloads, during games Hayden Mills will pop some very good passes to his supports but he will continue to work on being more selective in his offloads. Regardless he does not shirk contact and seems the more physical the contest the more Hayden Mills enjoys himself.

In defence Hayden Mills is not an overly big hitter but definitely makes solid initial contact and is very effective at targeting the football in order to reduce the possibility of off loads. For a front rower his lateral movement is solid meaning that he can make tackles against smaller attackers running out of dummy half or on the back of off loads.

Due to his aerobic fitness and relentless attitude, Hayden Mills covers inside well when balls are turned back inside on the fringe of the ruck, even late in games when Hayden Mills has every right to be worn out, but he somehow wills himself to get there and make the tackle when needed.

When at marker Hayden Mills works hard and always gets out of marker quickly to put pressure on the kicker, but then will be one of the first forwards back to take his turn to bring the ball out from his own territory.

Hayden Mills is also disciplined in his defensive attitude and rarely gets penalised for holding down or having his hands on or near the football. His aim is to win the defensive battle and then be ready to make the next tackle.

Hayden Mills played the 2019 season with the Southport Tigers in the GCRL U18 Division One competition and is U18 eligible once again in 2020 and I am sure will look to break into either the Tweed Heads or Burleigh MM Cups squads.

From a position perspective, from what I understand has spent essentially his entire junior rugby league career in the front row or lock and therefore that is likely where he will stay in the middle of the field for the duration.

I did not see a great deal of Hayden Mills prior to this season but for me his playing style is similar to that of Titan Jai Whitbread. Both have some size about them as well as good footwork and will tackle everything that moves in the centre of the ruck at a high tackling efficiency percentage.

mdrew

11-10-19, 01:52 PM

Dillon Pinder. For me one of the most impressive players in the NRRRL U18 competition this season was Cudgen left second rower Dillon Pinder. In last weekend’s NRRRL U18 Grand Final, Dillon Pinder was one of Cudgen’s best as they went down 24 – 6 to Ballina.

Dillon Pinder played matches for Cudgen across all three senior grades in the NRRRL competition in 2019 being First Grade, Reserve Grade and U18’s.

In the NRRRL U18 competition, including finals Dillon Pinder played in thirteen matches scoring seven tries most of the barnstorming variety.

In addition to a semi-final hat trick against Ballina, Dillon Pinder also scored tries against Lismore Marist Brothers in Round One and against Lower Clarence and Lismore Marist Brothers on three separate occasions.

Dillon Pinder also played in two reserve grade matches, his debut coming against Lismore Marist Brothers in March and also played in a match against Northern United.

Dillon Pinder made his NRRRL First Grade debut in April against Murwillumbah going on to play in nine First Grade matches overall, scoring in three of those. Dillon Pinder’s first NRRRL First Grade try came in just his 4th first grade match against Evans Head and he also scored against Mullumbimby and Kyogle.

Dillon Pinder also played in the NRRRL U18 competition in 2018 playing in eleven matches scoring six tries including a double in the last round of the regular season against Tweed Coast. Dillon Pinder’s other tries were against Kyogle, Lower Clarence, Murwillumbah and Tweed Coast.

2018 also saw Dillon Pinder play for the Northern Rivers U18 side in the inaugural U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition.

Dillon Pinder made his NRRRL U16 debut as a 16 year old in 2017, playing fifteen matches that season and scoring three tries.

In 2015 and 2016 Dillon Pinder represented Group 18 at the U14 and U16 level respectively at the New South Wales Country Age Championships.

Dillon Pinder is a powerfully built young second rower, which makes him quite difficult to tackle as he is also adept at dropping his shoulder into defenders as he impacts the defensive line.

There is no subtlety to his game, he runs straight and hard, with the only concession to this being a slight step off his left foot in occasion prior to impacting the defensive line. One thing that Dillon Pinder does do will however is continuing to pump his legs once his initial momentum is halted by the defensive line.

Dillon Pinder makes more metres than he should as a result and also forces defending teams to commit multiple defensive assets to stopping his forward progress. Dillon Pinder is also adept at getting a quick play the ball regardless of the number of defenders that are involved in tackling him.

Like his attacking game, Dillon Pinder’s defensive methodology is simply constructed and enacted. Dillon Pinder moves up and hits the ball carrier as hard as he can, as often as he can, full stop. Dillon Pinder is best suited to defending in the centre of the ruck and that is where you will almost always find him and for a powerfully built young player.

Dillon Pinder moves well in terms of moving up and back in defence. His lateral movement is also actually quite reasonable for a big second rower as well.

Dillon Pinder’s U18 eligibility is complete and in 2020 I would like to see him give the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition a real crack and I think that he would push for immediate playing time in that competition with the Tweed Heads Seagulls.

Dillon Pinder is a big strong powerful young man who has been dominant at left second row over the last two years for Cudgen in the NRRRL U18 competition and for that matter in the NRRRL First Grade competition and that is surely where his future lies.

The NRL player comparison for Dillon Pinder is one of the easiest I have ever considered with his game eerily similar to that of North Queensland Cowboy Coen Hess, both a tall powerfully built players with outstanding speed for their size.

I think that sometimes big powerful players like Hess and Dillon Pinder are unfairly critiqued if they don’t make breaks or score every time that they touch the ball heck opposing teams are always keyed into the danger that they pose and adjust accordingly

mdrew

12-10-19, 07:18 AM

Jayden Campbell. (Revised) The young Titans contracted goal kicking fullback, five eight or winger started at fullback for the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts side in Round One in their 24 all draw with Norths with Jayden Campbell kicked three from four conversions and a last minute penalty goal to tie the match up and finish an outstanding Burleigh comeback after they found themselves 24 – 6 down.

Jayden Campbell scored his first try of the 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts 2019 campaign in Round Three against Tweed Heads when in the second half he sliced through the Seagulls defence to score near the right corner post. Jayden Campbell had received the ball when he chimed into the back line and sliced through the back peddling defensive line with ease.

After spending two rounds in the Gold Coast Rugby League U20 competition, and starring with five tries, Jayden Campbell moved back into the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts side on the right wing in Round Eight against the Western Mustangs staring on the wing and scoring a hat trick and kicking two goals as Burleigh ran riot to win 52 – 10.

Jayden Campbell was simply outstanding in the match, his first try came when he flashed down the right touchline to score untouched, it was not that simple however, the pass to put him in space, was not the best and it bounced about a metre away from Jayden Campbell who scooped it up without breaking momentum to score. If Jayden Campbell slowed down to take the ball the opportunity would have been lost.

Jayden Campbell’s second try came as a result of a cross field kick from Burleigh five eight Shallin Fuller, Jayden Campbell put pressure on the Western Mustangs winger who could not take the ball cleanly and Jayden Campbell was on the spot to dive on the ball.

Jayden Campbell’s third and final try was a piece of sheer brilliance. Burleigh had a scrum feed coming out of their own area, Jayden Campbell took the pass off the back of the scrum on the left side of the field and instead of just taking the hit-up produced two magical steps (reminiscent of his father) off his left foot to break after the Western Mustangs defence and then sprinted sixty metres up field to score under the posts. Let’s be clear the Western Mustangs defence turned and chased but Jayden Campbell was already long gone.

Jayden Campbell continued his rich vein of try scoring form in Round Nine of the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition scoring a hat trick as the Bears defeated Redcliffe 50 – 6. One his tries was down the right touch line when from good work inside he had a corridor to cross.

Another one of Jayden Campbell’s tries highlighted his ability to linger in the centre of the ruck waiting for an opportunity, Shallin Fuller made a break and Jayden Campbell was on hand on his inside to sprint fifty metres to score under the posts.

Jayden Campbell also had two try assists in the match, for the first Jayden Campbell threw a great cut-out ball for Reece Tapine to cross in the left corner and second was when he drew the Redcliffe fullback this time on the right to set up Colts debutant Trey Peni to score.

In Round Ten of the Colts competition, Jayden Campbell once again started at fullback for the Bears and once again scored as well as kicking three conversions in a big Burleigh win. His try was not the typical Jayden Campbell 2019 breathtaking effort.

Early in the match, Jayden Campbell found himself at dummy half about a metre out from the Pride line, and took the ball himself to his left to score out wide on the right.

Jayden Campbell did produce an individual piece of business in the match however. Late in the first half, the Northern Pride put in a kick which for all money looked like it was going to be a 40/20 but Jayden Campbell got to the ball just as it was going to go out, throwing the ball in the air back in the field of play, and kicking back in field to take the ball on the full.

Jayden Campbell continued his outstanding form in Round Eleven against the Central Queensland Capra’s scoring a brilliant try once again, had a try assist and converted two tries.

Jayden Campbell was playing up in the line and received the ball in space on Burleigh’s left around twelve metres out from the Capra’s line. Jayden Campbell produced two outstanding steps both off his left foot to beat four defenders to get sight of the try line and then dived over with two Capra’s defenders unable to stop him.

Jayden Campbell’s try assist resulted in a try to Colts debutant Will Evans, Jayden Campbell joined the Burleigh backline when the ball went to their right side and then threw a great cut-out pass to Will Evans who crossed untouched.

Jayden Campbell continued his points scoring exploits in Round Twelve against Sunshine Coast, scoring a first half try, kicking a conversion and kicking the game winning field goal in the second last minute of the match.

Jayden Campbell’s try against Sunshine Coast was once again a piece of individual brilliance. The Falcons put up a mid-field bomb, after the ball bounced Jayden Campbell kicked the ball through before retrieving the ball and easily out sprinting the cover defence over fifty metres to score under the posts.

Jayden Campbell was calm and composed kicking the field from in front about thirty metres out. After some good work down the right side of the field including a line break by Will Evans, Jayden Campbell received the ball two quick play the balls later to slot the game winning field goal.

Jayden Campbell may not have scored in Round Thirteen against the Easts Tigers but that does not mean that he was any less dangerous. In particular Jayden Campbell had two outstanding line breaks. The first was when he flashed through the centre of the ruck to take a great off-load from fellow Titan Luke Maiden and run fifty metres downfield breaking a number of tackles.

Jayden Campbell’s other impressive play in the match came when he took a clearing kick on the full. He broke through the initial line but then was corralled and pushed back by three defenders, somehow he broke free from those defenders and made fifteen more metres before being finally tackled.

Round Sixteen of the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition saw Jayden Campbell add two tries (both in the first half) and a conversion to his burgeoning 2019 Colts points tally. Jayden Campbell’s first try was as a result of him supporting through the centre of the field and receiving the ball after second rower Eli Morgan had made a break and after drawing the fullback passed to Jayden Campbell to score under the posts untouched.

Jayden Campbell was also untouched when he scored his second try of the day. Once again Jayden Campbell was loitering in the centre of the field and after receiving an inside pass from Shallin Fuller, accelerated through a gap before putting on an outstanding right foot step to easily beat the fullback to once again score under the posts.

Jayden Campbell also had a try assist when late in the match he ran across field to his right before putting right centre Will Evans into a big gap.

Jayden Campbell also scored in Round Seventeen against Tweed Heads when he flew onto a good pass from five eight Shallin Fuller around forty metres out and veering to his right to score untouched.

Jayden Campbell had a huge Round Nineteen match from fullback for Burleigh scoring a hat trick and kicking four goals as the Bears defeated Redcliffe 46 – 12.

Jayden Campbell scored his first try in intriguing circumstances, Redcliffe made a break from deep inside their own territory, the Redcliffe ball runner had a support player on his inside, but Jayden Campbell kept on his inside and as he passed to his support, Jayden Campbell stepped forward to intercept the pass and run sixty five metres to score untouched.

Jayden Campbell did not just score his second try he set up the break that led to it. Jayden Campbell, operating on the left side threw a great cut out pass to his right for Braden Amundsen to run down the right touch line and then backed up on the inside to receive the pass back from Braden Amundsen to score with the try spanning sixty five metres.

Like his second try, Jayden Campbell set up the break that led to the try and then scored it, Jayden Campbell threw a great cut out pass to his left to fellow Titan Lofi Khan-Periera ran thirty metres down the left touch line before kicking back inside for Jayden Campbell to dive on the ball in the in goal.

Jayden Campbell also had a try assist in the first half that spanned 110 metres, Jayden Campbell retrieved the ball literally on the dead goal line, before exploding down field and then produced a great left arm off load whilst being tackled by two defenders to Lofi Khan-Periera who had backed up on the inside to run fifty metres to score.

Jayden Campbell had yet another stellar match in Round Twenty against the Western Mustangs scoring a double and kicking six goals.

It would come as no surprise to find out that Jayden Campbell’s first try was the result of a piece of individual brilliance. Jayden Campbell received the ball on the left side of the field about fifty five metres out from the Mustangs line and proceeded to carve up the defence executing three steps off his left foot in quick succession before a sublime right foot step put Jayden Campbell in space and his speed did the rest.

In relation to his second try, Jayden Campbell took the ball off the dummy half running down a reasonably short blind side down the right side of the field, the ensuing right foot step from Jayden Campbell put him in space and then Jayden Campbell accelerated between two defenders coming across to score under the posts.

Jayden Campbell also had two try assists in the match, the first coming when he spilt the Mustangs defence on a kick return in the first half and after beating the fullback it looked like he would run seventy five metres to score but instead he passed to Cameron Brown who had loomed up on his left for Cameron Brown to run away to score.

Jayden Campbell’s second try assist came in the second half when he found space down the right side of the field, sending a great long pass to unmarked Burleigh right winger Trey Peni to cross untouched.

Jayden Campbell added a further try and four goals in Round Twenty One against the Northern Pride off a set play late in the match. With Burleigh on the attack, Shallin Fuller received the ball to the right of the play the ball and immediately put in a high chip kick back behind the ruck. Jayden Campbell clearly knew it was coming and glided through the centre of the ruck before jumping and taking the kick one handed with his right hand in the in goal to score.

Jayden Campbell scored once again in Round Twenty Two against the Sunshine Coast Falcons to maintain his unbelievable try scoring streak, he also added a conversion in the match and scored yet another try and kicked three conversions in Round Twenty Three against Central Queensland.

Jayden Campbell’s try can be put down directly to sleight of hand and deception. Jayden Campbell floated around the back of the ruck and started to follow the ball as it was passed out to the right, Jayden Campbell’s running line was directly behind the Bears, five eight.

At the last second Jayden Campbell changed his line to run less an a metre to the right of the five eight to receive a short ball and explode through the line before the defence even knew he was there. From there Jayden Campbell ran fifty metres at an around 45 degree angle to score in the right corner showing his elite speed.

Jayden Campbell added a further try, as well as three conversions and a field goal right on half time in Burleigh’s Week One major Semi-final loss to Wynnum Manly. In relation to his try, Jayden Campbell went into dummy half, passing the ball to his right to Shallin Fuller who split the defence before passing back inside to Jayden Campbell who had an uninterrupted twenty metre to score under the posts.

In Week Two of the Finals, Jayden Campbell scored eighteen of Burleigh’s forty two points from a try and seven goals from as many attempts. Jayden Campbell scored the first try of the match from what looked like a set move.

Burleigh five eight Shallin Fuller received the ball to the right of the play the ball close to the try line and immediately kicked back to the play the ball. Jayden Campbell ran through the ruck to swoop on the ball and after almost colliding with the left goal post scored yet another try.

Jayden Campbell’s incredible 2019 season came to an end in Burleigh’s 23 – 16 Preliminary Final loss to the Sunshine Coast Falcons. Starting in his usual fullback position Jayden Campbell scored yet another try and also added two conversions.

As usual Jayden Campbell’s try was a spectacular one, initially it looked like Sunshine Coast may be the team that would score when they made a break down the left side of the field but a pass went to ground. Jayden Campbell retrieved the ball forty eight metres out from the line and proceeded to run around the Falcons defence to score in the left corner.

In total in the 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition Jayden Campbell played in twenty matches (missing only Rounds Five and Six) scoring 198 points from twenty three tries and fifty three goals with Jayden Campbell finishing as the competitions leading try scorer and overall point’s scorer.

Jayden Campbell’s performance led to him finishing with a 115% strike rate and an average of 9.9 points per game.

Whilst a number of his tries are noted above, below is a table noting his tries and goals per game.

Round Opponent Tries Goals Total

One Norths 1 3 10

Two Ipswich 1 7 18

Three Tweed Heads 1 4 12

Four Townsville Blackhawks 1 2

Eight Western Mustangs 3 2 16

Nine Redcliffe 3 1 14

Ten Northern Pride 1 3 10

Eleven Central Queensland 1 2 8

Sixteen Souths Logan 2 1 10

Seventeen Tweed Heads 1 3 10

Nineteen Redcliffe 3 4 20

Twenty Western Mustangs 1 6 16

Twenty One Northern Pride 1 4 12

Twenty Two Sunshine Coast 1 1 6

Twenty Three Central Queensland 1 3 10

Final One Wynnum Manly 1 3 10

Final Two Norths 1 7 18

Preliminary Final Sunshine Coast 1 2 8

TOTAL 23 53 198

Jayden Campbell was also a 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts Player of the Year nominee as a result of his outstanding season finishing second in the voting with twenty six points, two behind the eventual winner of the award.

After starting the 2019 season off playing in the Burleigh Colts side at fullback, Jayden Campbell moved back to the GCRL U20 competition for Round Three against Runaway Bay starting at half for Helensvale and quickly proving he was too good for that competition after a dominant display which saw him score a hat trick and kick two goals as the Hornets defeated Runaway Bay 28-22.

Jayden Campbell’s first try was down to his outstanding footwork. With Helensvale on the attack the ball as spun out to the left to Jayden Campbell who stepped off his left foot to split the Runaway Bay defence, he then basically stopped on the spot in front of the fullback to freeze him in place then dived over the line near the left upright.

Jayden Campbell’s second try came in the second half. Helensvale had the ball on around the half way mark, Jayden Campbell took the ball from the dummy half and moved across field to the left with the ball held out in front in both hands, Jayden Campbell them accelerated through a gap and rounded the fullback with more of a swerve than a step to score an outstanding try.

Jayden Campbell’s third try and certainly his most visually outstanding came late in the match, when he backed up in the middle of the field around seventy metres out from Runaway Bay’s line, receiving the pass he exploded up field and then without missing a stride chipped the fullback to score a great try.
Jayden Campbell also had a second half try assist when he kicked to the left corner for a Helensvale try to Hornets centre Ben Glutz.

In Round Five of the GCRL U20 competition Jayden Campbell started at five eight and was a key reason that Helensvale came back from 24 – 0 down to defeat Burleigh 28 – 24, scoring two tries and kicking four goals in the process.

In relation to his first try, Jayden Campbell received the ball off the dummy half on a short blind side on the left side of the field, he sprinted at the line and the last minute put in a kick which rebounded off the chest of Burleigh right centre George Santos-Motuapuaka back into his hands. Jayden Campbell sprinted through the dis-organised defence and then ran straight through the Burleigh fullback to score, with the try coming in the first half.

Jayden Campbell’s second try came in the second half and once again on the left side of the field (Helensvale’s left side). Jayden Campbell initially took the line on himself, after palming off the first Burleigh defender Jayden Campbell skipped back to his right to give himself separation from the defensive line both from a space and time perspective. Jayden Campbell then put in a grubber kick which rebounded off the legs of one of the Burleigh defenders back into his arms.

Like in his first half try the ball rebounded perfectly into Jayden Campbell’s arms, after exploding through the line, Jayden Campbell produced a wicked left foot step to comprehensively beat Burleigh fullback O’Shea Hannaway to score.

Even though all Hastings Deering’s Colts sides had a Bye in Round Fourteen, Jayden Campbell suited up for Helensvale in Round Twelve of the GCRL U20 competition at five eight. He may not have scored in the Hornets win but ended the match with three try assists.

All three of his try assists came in the first half, with the first being when he chipped for himself around sixty metres out and after retrieving the ball drew the fullback and passed to his right to send Brent Barnes away.

Another try assist was a set play from a scrum, Jayden Campbell received the ball from the back of the scrum and immediately kicked behind the Mudgeeraba defensive line from twenty metres out for Brent Branes to retrieve and put the ball down.

Jayden Campbell’s other try assist resulted when he followed through a chip kick from hooker Alex Drewe, Jayden Campbell rounded the fullback who just had hold of his jersey. There is no doubt that Jayden Campbell could have pulled away to score but instead passed to his left winger to score.

During the Hasting Deering’s Colts Round Eighteen bye week, Jayden Campbell was back in the Helensvale U20 side starting at five eight and added to his try scoring tally with another try as the Hornets defeated Runaway Bay 32 – 26 in Round Fifteen. The try in fact was the game winning try with Jayden Campbell chasing through a grubber kick to easily be the first to the ball to score under the posts and seal the Hornets victory.

Jayden Campbell then backed up to start Round Sixteen of the Dou Lipp Cup at five eight scoring two tries as Helensvale went down 30 – 20 to Tugun.

Jayden Campbell’s first try was a long range intercept over ninety five metres, with Jayden Campbell streaking away for score under the posts with no chasers in sight after taking the intercept as Tugun spun the ball to their left.

Jayden Campbell scored his second try when he recovered a Helensvale bomb which bounced back towards the Hornets and straight into Jayden Campbell’s hands, from there Jayden Campbell ran to his right literally around the Tugun defence to score to the right of the up rights.

Jayden Campbell also scored a double in Round Seventeen of the GCRL U20 competition against Runaway Bay.

Jayden Campbell had an exceptional 2018 Season starting in the MM Cup competition for Burleigh and his subsequent elevation to the Bears Hastings Deering’s Colts side.

As a result Jayden Campbell has been brought into the Titans U18 Development set-up playing a number of matches for the Titans including matches against PNG and New South Wales Country U18’s a match that saw him score one of the Titans tries. From a trivia perspective, Jayden Campbell is the son of one of the Titans favourite sons being Preston Campbell.

Jayden Campbell started the 2018 season in the MM Cup competition, playing in all six of Burleigh’s matches. Jayden Campbell started three matches on the wing being Rounds One, Two and Four, one at fullback being Round Three against Tweed Heads and Rounds Six and Seven at five eight.

Through those six matches Jayden Campbell scored 50 points from four tries and seventeen goals. Jayden Campbell scored a double in Round One against Sunshine Coast and also scored against the Western Mustangs in Round Six and Victoria in Round Seven. In Round One against the Sunshine Coast Jayden Campbell had a big day with the boot kicking eight goals.

Jayden Campbell came into the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts side in Round Sixteen in the local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls starting on the left wing. Hayden Campbell played on the left wing in three other matches before moving back to fullback for Burleigh’s Round 21 match against Wynnum Manly.

Jayden Campbell also started Round 23 at fullback against the Townsville Blackhawks and has been named at start at fullback in Round Twenty Four on Saturday against the Easts Tigers in the final regular season round.

In his six matches to date, Jayden Campbell has scored two tries and kicked eight goals, coming from two goals in four different matches. The matches were in Round Seventeen against Norths, Round Twenty against Victoria, Round Twenty-One against Wynnum Manly and in Round Twenty Three against Townsville.

Jayden Campbell’s two tries both came in the final ten minutes of the Round Twenty Three match against the Townsville Blackhawks and he converted both of his own tries in that match.

Between the completion of the MM Cup competition and his elevation to the Burleigh Colts side, Jayden Campbell played a number of matches in the Gold Coast Rugby League competition with the Helensvale Hornets, normally playing in the U19 competition and then backing up for the Doug Lipp Cup match where he played alongside his father on a number of occasions.

In the 2018 U19 competition, Jayden Campbell played in eleven matches scoring seven tries and kicking 41 goals for a total point’s haul of 110 points. Jayden Campbell scored doubles against Ormeau and Bilambil and has also scored against Ormeau, Currumbin and Burleigh.

With the boot, Jayden Campbell has had a couple of big games including kicking seven against Beaudesert in his first U19 match of the season and kicked six goals in a late May match against Currumbin as well as five in Round Sixteen against Runaway Bay.

In the 2018 Doug Lipp Cup competition, Jayden Campbell played in seven matches for a 57% try scoring rate and also kicked eleven goals for a 38 point haul. Jayden Campbell’s first three tries came in his first three Doug Lipp Cup matches of the season which were against Currumbin, Southport and Ormeau. His fourth try came in Round Sixteen against Runaway Bay when Jayden Campbell partnered his father Preston in the halves.

In 2017 in the U17 Division One competition on the Gold Coast playing for Helensvale, Jayden Campbell had a great season including starting at fullback and kicking seven goals in their Grand Final victory. As a result of his form this season Jayden Campbell has been named in the Burleigh Bears MM Cup training squad for the 2018 version of the competition.

Over the course of the 2017 U17 Division One competition Jayden Campbell scored exactly 100 points from 44 goals and three tries to finish as the competitions leading point’s scorer. In Helensvale’s first final against Bilambil Jayden Campbell scored two tries and kicked six goals for 20 points in the match.

Earlier in the 2017 season, Jayden Campbell scored his other try which came against Southport and he also kicked six goals in that match. Jayden Campbell’s biggest match with the boot came against Ormeau in the depths of winter when he kicked eight goals in a match.

Jayden Campbell also played two matches for Helensvale in the U17 Division Two competition scoring two goals and kicking three goals. He scored all of his U17 Division Two points against Southport in May of this year.

Jayden Campbell is an agile ball runner who relies on his decent speed and elusiveness to make it difficult for larger opponents to line him up rather than brute strength. When lining up at fullback he always makes himself available for offloads in the centre of the ruck where his quick twitch feet can cause some damage as opposing forwards start to tire.

Jayden Campbell has decent speed but not absolute blazing speed, relying instead on his positioning to compensate. When he retrieves the ball Jayden Campbell makes a decision quickly about where to look to run around a staggered defensive line or to run straight in an effort to take the yards on offer.

In a late 2018 season match for Burleigh Jayden Campbell had to turn and chase a kick retrieving the ball facing his own try line under intense pressure, Jayden Campbell who was only two or three metres from the side line, faked turning towards the centre of the stepped back towards the sideline outsmarting the defence and proceeded to sprint down the left touch line and draw the fullback for Burleigh to score against the run of play.

An aspect of his play that is very good is Jayden Campbell’s ability to chime into the back line and use his elusiveness to slip through the line, when he comes into the back line, it seems to be mainly when the attacking play is being directed towards the left hand side of the field. I note also that as soon as he breaks into space Jayden Campbell starts working through his options in relation to whether he should run himself or look to set up his support players.

Also his hands at fullback are safe for a young player regardless of the type of kick put towards him. His other calling card is his positioning, he always seems to be the right place at the right time, to defuse bombs, attacking short kicks, potential 40/20 kicks etc. Jayden Campbell can on occasion get caught a little shallow but relies on his timing and anticipation to compensate when tracking balls that have been kicked when the intention of going over his head.

From a goal kicking perspective, Jayden Campbell has outstanding leg strength and outstanding accuracy which suggests that he will likely to be his side’s primary goal kicking option regardless of level. I would equate his goal kicking to that of current Titans first choice goal kicker Michael Gordon.

Jayden Campbell will take a hit defensively when needing to make the tackle in the last line of defence and will focus exclusively on the ball carrier, forcing the attacking player to make the decision of what to do with the ball, rather than proving the attacker the avenue to make an easier decision.

Jayden Campbell is also adept at using the sideline to restrict the attacking options of any opponent who makes a break. To be more effective defensively Jayden Campbell will need to add additional muscle to his frame as he only has a slight build at present, although he does have some height and seemingly has the body type to add muscle mass without compromising his speed and elusiveness.

Jayden Campbell does also have decent hands when short attacking kicks are put in and is elusive enough when he retrieves the ball to get out of the touch in goal when it appears that that task is unlikely, in fact once or twice this season Jayden Campbell took the ball from his own in goal the length of the field.

Jayden Campbell has a year of U20 Colts eligibility remaining in 2020 but it is hard to see a circumstance where Jayden Campbell is not permanently in the Burleigh Queensland Cup squad or dare I saw it in the Titans NRL side such is his talent and maturity.

I will admit that prior to this season, I thought that Jayden Campbell would ultimately end up on the wing, but his play at fullback in the MM Cup competition in 2018 and 2019 and how he has played for Burleigh in the Colts competition in 2019 has forced a rethink and Jayden Campbell seems destined to end up as a lightning quick elusive fullback with more than enough ball skills to play as a second receiver in attack.

Jayden Campbell is bigger than his father, especially in relation to height and also in overall size but outside of that there are similarities in terms of playing style, courage and tenacity between them. For me however a comparison to Parramatta Eels winger Bevan French is more than appropriate and also very accurate although again Jayden Campbell is probably a touch taller.

Both have strength and courage that belie their size and both just have an amazing knack of finding the try line on a regular basis as well as making the impossible look routine, something that Jayden Campbell has done in almost every game that he has played his this season.

Like his father Jayden Campbell does not let his smaller statute define him and he attacks all aspects of the game with a fearless attitude no matter what the circumstance or situation.

Jayden Campbell has serious speed and if there was a sprint race between Josh Addo Carr, James Roberts and Jayden Campbell, I would bet my house on young Jayden Campbell.

mdrew

16-10-19, 09:09 AM

David Neller. The young Ipswich based fullback had a very good match for the Titans U14 side in February at Mudgeeraba that defeated the Western Mustangs 32 – 8. Mdmg18126

David Neller did not necessarily have to do a lot of work defensively as a result of the Titans dominance but returned the ball well from kicks when the opportunity presented itself and also insured that he was available in the centre of the ruck to receive any off loads from the dominant Titans forward pack.

The Ipswich Grammar School student (formerly from Mossman State High School in Queensland’s north) started the 2019 season off well in the Ipswich Rugby League U14 pre-season competition scoring twenty two points from just two matches, with all of those points coming in Round Two of the pre-season against Brothers Ipswich White when he scored two tries and kicked seven goals.

David Neller’s 2019 pre-season stats were enough to see him finish as the competitions equal leading goal kicker (seven) and fourth leading points scorer (twenty two).

David Neller started Round One of the Ipswich Rugby League U14 competition at fullback, scoring for Ipswich Norths and kicking one from two conversions in their 14 – 10 loss to Goodna Black.

David Neller had a big night in Round Two against Springfield scoring a double and kicking five goals for an individual point’s haul of eighteen.

Round Three saw David Neller in the points once again scoring a try and kicking four goals as Norths defeated Brothers Ipswich 24 – 8.

To say that David Neller had a huge match last week in Round Four would be an understatement.
He scored 60% of his sides points in their 58 – 0 win over Redbank from four tries and seven goals.

David Neller continued his points scoring feats in Round Six scoring a try and kicking three goals against Goodna. Round Eight saw David Neller kick five goals from six attempts against Ipswich Brothers.

David Neller added a further ten points to his competition leading points tally when he kicked five from five in Round Thirteen against the Springfield Panthers.

In total in the Ipswich U14 regular season competition, David Neller played in eleven matches scoring 127 points from eleven tries, forty one goals and a Round Eleven field goal against Goodna Black.

His 127 total points meant that David Neller was the Ipswich Rugby League U14 competitions leading points scorer in the fourteen Round regular season as well as the leading goal kicker and third leading try scorer.

In Week One of the Ipswich Rugby League U14 Finals Series David Neller started at fullback for Norths against Goodna with Norths going down 20 -10 and also started at fullback and scored a try and kicked a goal as Norths defeated Ipswich Brothers in the Preliminary Final.

In the Ipswich Rugby League U14 Grand Final David Neller started at fullback against Goodna Black with Ipswich Norths going down 14 – 12 with David Neller kicking two from two.

David Neller was also selected in the Ipswich Diggers U14 side for the 2019 Hill Stumer Championships where he started at fullback in Game One against the Gold Coast Vikings. In the match David Neller, before going off with injury, pulled off some impressive plays including a grubber early in the second half which almost led to a Diggers try and a try saving tackle on Vikings left centre Andrew Brennan as he raced down the left touchline only for David Neller to bring him down in a great cover defending tackle.

After the completion of the competition, David Neller was selected in the South East Queensland U14 White squad for the Queensland Age Championships where he spent time both on the wing and at fullback.

In 2019 David Neller also played school boy rugby for Ipswich Grammar School in the GPS U14A competition playing primarily on the right wing including an impressive match in Round Five against Brisbane Boys College at Toowong and scoring in Round Eight against TSS. The Ipswich Grammar School U14A side ended up as joint premiership winners with two other GPS schools.

David Neller started at fullback in the 2018 U13 Ipswich Grand Final and scored a try and kicked three conversions as Norths prevailed 26 – 22 against Goodna Black in a tight contest.

In total in the 2018 U13 season, David Neller played in fourteen matches scoring seventeen tries (121% strike rate) and kicking thirty nine goals to finish the season with a total points tally of 146 and an average of just over ten points per game.

In 2017 David Neller represented Peninsula at the QSSRL U12 Championships prior to his move to Ipswich for the 2018 season.

When he runs the ball, David Neller is exceptionally quick and explosive, with exceptional speed, both off the mark and when he gets into open space, teams in his age group in Ipswich last season just could not handle him when he had the ball in his hands.

David Neller also can step off both feet exceptionally well and also has a great swerve whilst maintaining top speed. There is nothing that David Neller cannot do running the ball and it is only now about developing his ball playing skills, which to be fair improved exponentially as this season has progressed to make his footwork and running ability even more lethal.

In addition David Neller also has the ball playing skills to set up his support runners and get them lines to run into when defenders came out of the line to negate his time with the ball in hand. In terms of running the ball back from kicks, David Neller’s timing and anticipation means that he gets to a lot of balls on the full and makes a quick decision whether to run the ball flat out back into the oncoming defenders or look to create an opportunity by running across field. Regardless David Neller is an absolute handful to tackle with his speed and evasion skills when returning kicks.

Defensively in the fullback position he does not make a huge amount of tackles but the ones he makes are the ones that need to be made. If an attacker runs directly at him, David Neller will come forward to cut down the time the attacker has to make a decision and he will hit very hard and does not fall for a dummy in those situations instead focussing all of his energy on the immediate threat being the ball carrier.

An impressive attribute that David Neller does have is ability to force attackers who are in open space to try to beat him down the side line. He will stay inside the attacker and force him in the required direction and then use his timing, closing speed and anticipation to make the tackle, regularly forcing the attacker into touch.

David Neller will play the 2020 season for Ipswich Norths in the Ipswich U15 competition. In relation to school sport, David Neller will play schoolboy rugby for Ipswich Grammar School in the GPS competition in their U15A side as they will look to build on their positive 2019 GPS school boy U14A season.

There is no doubt that David Neller could play a number of positions on a rugby league field in addition to fullback, being wing (as he has done for Ipswich Grammar School), centre and even five eight, but how he has performed at fullback this year in both club and representative rugby league sides would suggest that staying in the custodian role is the most likely scenario.

In relation to a player that you can compare David Neller’s skill set and playing style to, you need to look no further than Parramatta Eels fullback or winger Bevan French, he just looks so classy and assured every time he is near the ball and constantly maintains his composure under pressure.

mdrew

18-10-19, 07:13 AM

Coby Black. The young Helensvale Hornets five eight played very well for the Titans U13 side in their 40 – 12 win over the Western Mustangs at Mudgeeraba early this year leading the Titans around the field well.

Starting at five eight Coby Black had a very good game and also recorded a try assist. Coby Black was operating on the left side of the field one off the ruck when he received the ball and subtly stepped off his left to push through the first defensive line and then as he was being tackled provided a great ball to Titans centre Juwann-Claude Wetere who ran around sixty metres to score an outstanding try.

Early in the 2019 season Coby Black was named in the Gold Coast Vikings U13 squad starting their three matches at five eight and for me was one of their best. In the Championships Coby Black put on a goal kicking master class including two superb efforts from the left touch line in Game One on Day One against Brisbane Red . For me regardless of age group Coby Black was easily the best goal kicker on display in the Championships.

After the completion of the competition, Coby Black was selected in the South East Queensland U13 training squad.

Coby Black started at five eight for Helensvale against Southport in Round One of the U13 Division One competition and had a huge game scoring a double and kicking five goals as Helensvale defeated Southport 56 – 6.

In Round Two as Helensvale defeated Nerang, Coby Black was in the points once again scoring a try and kicking an astounding fifteen goals as the Hornets prevailed 90 – 0.

Coby Black continued to show why he was asked to start at five eight for the Titans U13 side earlier this season in Round Three scoring two tries and kicking two goals as his Helensvale side defeated Coomera 28 - 10.

Round Four was also no impediment to Coby Black scoring three tries and kicking seven goals for Helensvale as they defeated Runaway Bay 50 – 10.

In Round Five against Runaway Bay, Coby Black scored an incredible thirty eight points from four tries and eleven goals in a big 104 – 8 win for the Hornets.

In Round Six Coby Black continued his outstanding form, scoring a try and kicking seven goals against Ormeau.

After missing two rounds due to representative commitments Coby Black made his return to the Helensvale side at five eight in Round Nine against Southport and picked up where he left off scoring a double and kicking four goals and in Round Ten against Ormeau added a try and a conversion to his individual points tally.

Coby Black had a big day with the boot in Round Eleven kicking eight goals as the Hornets had a big win against Runaway Bay. Amazingly the match was the first of the season where Coby Black did not score but regardless he had a huge impact on the result, proving that there is a lot more to rugby league than just scoring tries.

In Round Twelve against Coomera, Coby Black scored twenty of Helensvale’s forty eight points (41.67%), from two tries and six goals against Coomera.

Coby Black continued to score in bunches in Round Thirteen scoring a try and kicking six goals as Helensvale smashed Currumbin 78 – 0. Coby Black then added two conversions in Round Fourteen against Burleigh.

In total in the GCRL U13 Division One regular season competition, Coby Black played in twelve matches scoring a staggering 224 points from nineteen tries (third leading try scorer in the competition) and seventy four goals to average 18.67 points per game in what can only be described as an outstanding season for the young play maker. Coby Black was also by far the leading point’s scorer in the U13 Division One competition as well as the leading goal kicker.

In the 2019 GCRL U13 Division One Grand Final Coby Black kicked three conversions from four attempts, with his only miss hitting the goal post from the right touch line.

Unfortunately Coby Black had to leave the field in the Grand Final late in the match with what looked like a shoulder injury but helping to ease the pain was the fact that Helensvale won the Grand Final 26 – 22 over Burleigh.

Whilst I have noted the three conversions that Coby Black kicked in the Grand Final there were two plays that deserve mention that in many ways were far not noteworthy. The first was with Helensvale under pressure after a Burleigh try, Coby Black angled the ball expertly from the kick off to find touch and get Helensvale the ball back immediately.

The second key play was also when Helensvale were under pressure, Burleigh grubber kicked into the in-goal and it looked like they were going to get a repeat set before Coby Black got to the ball first and instead of conceding the tackle produced a great run to get out of his in-goal ensure Helensvale finished the first half in front.

In 2019 Coby Black was also a key member of the Coombabah State High School Year 8 Renouf Cup school boy side starting at half and scoring a second half try as Coombabah overcame a six point half time deficit to defeat Forest Lake State School 36 – 16 in the Renouf Cup Grand Final.

Coby Black was operating on the left side of the field and took the ball one off the ruck, running at the defence with the ball out in front in both hands. Cody Black then dummied to his left and broke through an arm tackle to run fifteen metres to score under the posts.

In 2018 Coby Black was a key member of the Helensvale Hornets U12 Division One side that won the premiership as a result of a 28 – 6 Grand Final win over Burleigh White with Coby Black starting the match at five eight and contributing a conversion in the win.

In total in the U12 Division One competition in 2018 Coby Black played in nine matches scoring 30 points from four tries and seven goals. All four of Coby Black’s four tries came in separate matches against Nerang, Mudgeeraba and Burleigh White in two separate matches including week two of the finals. All seven of Coby Black’s goals were also kicked in separate matches.

2018 was the second season in a row that Coby Black had played in the U12 age group. In 2017 even though he was still U11 eligible he played the season in the Helensvale U12 Division Two side amassing forty six points from nine tries (100% strike rate) and five goals.

Coby Black scored four tries in a late May 2017 match against Ormeau and scored a double a fortnight prior against Runaway Bay.

Coby Black will play the 2020 GCRL season with the Helensvale U14 Division One side as well as being a likely Gold Coast Vikings U14 representative and a key member of the Coombabah Year Nine rugby league side.

It is hard to put in words just how talented Coby Black is in terms of running the ball, he has outstanding speed both off the mark which I would consider in the plus plus category and top end speed which must be considered above average regardless of position.

Coby Black with his speed is able to exploit even small gaps in the defensive line with an exceptional step off either foot and incredible acceleration as well as outstanding body control. It is that speed trait which opens up his incredible ball playing skills as well.

Teams start to focus heavily on Coby Black when he has the ball with outside defenders looking to come in to assist that they open up holes wider out in the defensive line that Coby Black can exploit.

Coby Black has exquisite timing on his passes and is able to weight them perfectly as well and can do so from either side of his body. Adding in this is that Coby Black can stop on a dime even travelling at full speed and pop the short pass, thus it looks for all money that he is going to run the ball thus the defence converges and then the ball is delivered to a support runner who is through a hole before the defensive line can react and readjust.

Coby Black also runs with the ball in both hands which is another reason why the defensive line is unable to determine exactly what Coby Black is going to do.

Like when he has the ball in his hands, there is nothing that Coby Black cannot do in relation to kicking the ball. Coby Black is an exceptional tactical kicker with range and accuracy, he can put up pin point bombs and perfectly weighted grubber kicks into the in goal. In short if you can name a type of rugby league kick, Coby Black can execute it with precision.

Defensively Coby Black is a very strong young man with exceptional functional strength to go along with an innate understanding of the attacking strategies of rugby league thus he is able to anticipate what an attacking side is looking to do with the ball and then be in the best position to negate it.

Coby Black has a very good low tackling technique which is simple and repeatable and effective against all size opponents and thus there is no need for a defensive minder on Coby Black’s side of the field. In short just like his attacking play Coby Black is an outstanding defender.

Another area where Coby Black has a plus attribute is in relation to his leaderships skills. He is a strong confident personality and that translates to a leader on and off the field and you can see that the other players gravitate towards him.

This is a trait that you cannot teach, you either have it or you don’t. Even if he is not the nominated captain on the field Coby Black is a leader regardless of which team he is lining up for and acts accordingly both on and off the field.

When you have a player with the ability to see a number of plays ahead of what is currently happening and has the ball playing and game management skills to take advantage of that you put them in a position to have the balls in their hands as much as possible. Coby Black is one such player and therefore playing five eight seems to be the ideal position for him into the future.

This young man can do it all run, pass, kick and tackle all whilst seemingly having all the time in the world to make a decision. Coby Black plays two or three plays ahead of everyone on the field and at a different level as well. Coby Black is also an outstanding competitor to go along with his outstanding skill set.

After taking a deep breath, I still cannot get away from thinking of NRL immortal Andrew Johns (with some Darren Lockyer traits thrown in as well) every time that I see Coby Black play.

Like Johns, Coby Black is just a class apart in every aspect and is just a natural rugby league player as well as an outstanding on field play maker and leader.

mdrew

20-10-19, 07:31 AM

Arama Hau. The powerful second rower took the field for the Titans in February for one of their U15 sides at Mudgeeraba that played round robin matches against each other and the Western Mustangs.

As a result of his performance in that game and over recent seasons, Arama Hau, in early 2019 deservedly signed a contract with the Titans which will keep him with the club for the next couple of seasons at least.

Over the off season Arama Hau transferred from Helensvale to the Nerang Roosters, starting from the bench in their U15 Division One Round One match against Ormeau but coming into the starting side in Round Two in the second row.

In total in the GCRL U15 Division One regular season competition in 2019 Arama Hau played in eleven matches for the Roosters playing the vast majority in the second row scoring three tries, with those tries coming against Helensvale in two separate matches and Ormeau.

In Week Two of the GCRL U15 Division One Finals series Arama Hau started in the second row against Runaway Bay and also started in the second row in the Preliminary Final as Nerang defeated Helensvale 22 – 18.

In the 2019 GCRL U15 Division One Grand Final Arama Hau was simply outstanding starting at left second row scoring two tries as Runaway Bay prevailed in a hard 36 – 22 win over Runaway Bay. For me Arama Hau was clearly the best player on the field in the Grand Final.

Arama Hau’s first try came in the first half after he received the ball as Nerang threw the ball out to the left, Arama Hau cut back inside as the Runaway Bay defence slid across but they could not stop a great charge from Arama Hau who scored under the posts dragging two defenders with him.

Arama Hau scored his second try in the second half, after he made a long break down the right touchline passing back inside before going into touch. Arama Hau moved into dummy half from the resultant play the ball to dive over down a short blind side from about a metre out.

2019 also saw Arama Hau represent South Coast at the QSSRL U15 Championships in Ipswich with South Coast going through undefeated, with Arama Hau scoring against Met East on Day Three of the Championships when he was able to score under the posts after a typically powerful hit-up which saw Arama Hau drag a number of defenders over the line with him.

Arama Hau was also a stand-out performer for Coombabah State High School in their various schoolboy rugby league competitions in 2019 which resulted in his selection in the South Coast side.

In 2018 Arama Hau started in the front row in the Gold Coast Rugby League U14 Division One Grand Final and was on the victorious side as the Hornets defeated Coomera 29 – 12 along with a number of others Titans players.

In the 2018 U14 Division One competition in total, Arama Hau played in eleven matches, scoring his sole try in Round One against Beaudesert and kicked two goals, including one in the match against Beaudesert (converting his own try from memory) to finish the season with eight points.

In 2018 Arama Hau was part of the Helensvale Hornets U14 side that took part in the Tassell Trophy competition in Northern Queensland and scored a try in the final as Helensvale won the competition courtesy of a 40 – 6 win over the Western Lions in the final.

Arama Hau also made a number of representative sides in 2018, including playing for the Gold Coast Vikings U14 side in the South East Queensland Age Championships where he played primarily in the second row and scored against the Ipswich Diggers.

Arama Hau scored one try in the 2018 U14 Championships scoring on Day One as SEQ Green defeated SEQ White 20 – 14, fellow Titans that also scored in that match were Joseph Shannon and Nicholas Hilton.

That was the second occasion Arama Hau had represented the Vikings after being part of the U13 squad in 2017.

Post the South East Queensland U13 Championships in 2017, Arama Hau was selected in the South East Queensland Green side for the Queensland Age Championships and played four matches from the bench including the final against South East Queensland White.

Arama Hau is a powerful runner of the ball who runs with a slight jink, usually off his right foot, in his step prior to impacting the defensive line and from when he receives the ball until he hits the defensive line Arama Hau is able to build up significant momentum.

Arama Hau shows some reasonable pace when in the clear for a player his size and certainly in terms of his speed off the mark Arama Hau has some decent speed for a front rower. Also when he has impacted the defensive line he continues to pump his legs and gain extra metres after contact.

Like is footwork Arama Hau will show flashes of the ability to off load the ball and with experience this attribute will continue to develop both in terms of when he has impacted the defensive line and prior to contact.

His lateral movement is reasonable for a front rower and he is powerful enough to combat the largest of opponents looking to run through the centre of the ruck yet has the mobility to be an effective defender on the fringes of the ruck as well.

Another impressive aspect of Arama Hau’s play from a defensive stand point is the speed at which he gets around the field, for a player of his size, Arama Hau has more than decent speed and mobility.

For the 2020 Gold Coast Rugby League U16 Division One season, Arama Hau will play for the Nerang Roosters and will also surely be a member of one of the two Gold Coast Vikings U16 sides that will contest the South East Queensland U16 pre-season competition.

Arama Hau spent time in the second row in 2018 at the U14 representative level but even though I am sure that he will continue to be able to play well in the second row over the next couple of seasons, I am of the opinion that Arama Hua’s ultimate future lies in the front row.

From an NRL player comparison perspective for Arama Hau I would consider a player comparison with Penrith Panthers destructive left second rower Viliame Kikau as more than appropriate. Both are exceptionally destructive on the fringes of the ruck on the left side and take a power of stopping by defences.

mdrew

22-10-19, 06:10 PM

Larryon Tevita. (Revised) The New Zealand born youngster moved over to the Gold Coast in January 2018 and played for the Burleigh Bears MM Cup side for the 2018 season before being promoted to the Burleigh Colts side as well as progressing through the ranks of the Gold Coast Rugby League competition all the way to the First Grade competition with Burleigh.

Larryon Tevita started the 2019 season with the Burleigh U20 side in the local Gold Coast Rugby League competition but came back into the Hastings Deering’s Colts side from the bench for their Round Four match against the Central Queensland Capra’s.

In total for Burleigh in the 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition Larryon Tevita played in nineteen matches including Burleigh’s three finals and scored his sole try against the Western Mustangs in Round Twenty.

Larryon Tevita started twelve in his 2019 Colts matches from the bench, five in the second row and the remainder in the front row, breaking into the starting side in Round Fifteen in the second row against the Ipswich Jets.

Late in the match against the Western Mustangs with Burleigh on the attack, Bears dummy half Lachlan Turnbull took off out of dummy half to the right of the paly the ball perpendicular to the defensive line and brought Larryon Tevita underneath for the front rower to crash over.

In Week Two of the Finals Larryon Tevita started at left second row in Burleigh’s 42 – 12 win against Norths.

Larryon Tevita’s 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts season came to an end when he started on the interchange bench for Burleigh as they went down 23 – 16 to Sunshine Coast in the Preliminary Final.

Larryon Tevita took the opportunity to play for Burleigh in the GCRL U20 competition during Burleigh’s Hastings Deering’s bye weeks and had a big match in Round Sixteen scoring a double against Runaway Bay.

For Burleigh in the GCRL U20 competition Larryon Tevita played in just three matches but scored five tries, including a hat trick in June against Runaway Bay and then adding a double against Runaway Bay in July. In an interesting aside, all three of Larryon Tevita’s GCRL U20 matches were against Runaway Bay.

Larryon Tevita came into the Bears 2018 MM side in Round Three being the local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls in Burleigh’s tough 36 – 6 loss with the young man starting in the front row.

Larryon Tevita also started on the interchange bench in Round Four against the South’s Logan Magpies a match that Burleigh lost 34 – 20. In total in the 2018 MM Cup for Burleigh this season, Larryon Tevita played in four matches, starting in the front row on two occasions and from the bench in the other two.

Post the MM Cup competition, Larryon Tevita played in seven matches for Burleigh in the regular season in the 2018 Gold Coast Rugby league U19 competition. On debut in Round Three of the U19 Gold Coast Rugby League competition, Larryon Tevita scored a double against Beaudesert and also started from the bench in Round Four in a tough 31 – 18 loss to Southport when Southport’s Titans Rookie Squad centre Callum Boomer was close to unstoppable, in Round Five also scored in Burleigh’s 26 – 22 victory over Currumbin.

In Week One of the GRCL U19 finals series Larryon Tevita started in the second row and scored for Burleigh in their tough 32 – 26 loss against Mudgeeraba.

Larryon Tevita also played in one Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade match, making his debut coming off the interchange bench in July.

Larryon Tevita made his Doug Lipp Cup debut for Burleigh in Round 16 against Bilambil when he came off the bench in their ten point loss and was backing up after starting in the front row in the U19 match that preceded his Doug Lipp Cup debit.

In Round Eleven and Thirteen of the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition, Larryon Tevita was named on the extended bench for the Burleigh Bears side however did not make the final 17 for either match.

Larryon Tevita made his deserved U20 Hastings Deering’s Colts debut in Round Sixteen against Tweed Heads starting from the bench and scoring an impressive double and he broke into the starting line-up in Round Twenty when he started in the second row against Victoria and in Round Twenty-One maintained his starting spot when he started in the front row against Wynnum Manly and in Round 23 against the Townsville Blackhawks.

In total in 2018 Larryon Tevita played in seven Hastings Deering’s Colts matches, starting four (three in the front row and one in the second row) and coming off the bench on the other three occasions.

In late 2018 Larryon Tevita played for Samoa in the U18 QPIIC tournament and in fact was named the Samoan U18 Best and Fairest at the tournament.

The former Kelston Boys High School student was rewarded for a solid season in late 2017 when he was named at lock in the 2017 SAS College team of the year. The majority of players named in the 2017 SAS College team of the year are now in NRL aligned U20 squads so Larryon Tevita’s inclusion certainly highlights his ability on the field against quality opposition and opposition in the main at least a year older than him.

2018 Burleigh Bears U20 Colts recruit Mikey Williams was named in the centres in the SAS College team of the year as well as the competitions leading try scorer with eight tries to his name.

In 2017 Larryon Tevita played for the Auckland based Glenora Rugby League club, playing a number of matches in the Open U17 competition and also one match in the SAS Fox Memorial Premier First Grade Competition, not bad at all for a 17 year old.

Larryon Tevita also represented Kelston Boys High at the 2017 New Zealand National Secondary Schools Premier Tournament starting at lock in all five of their matches which were against Southern Cross Campus twice including the Championship final, Wesley College, Rotorua Boys High School and St Thomas of Canterbury College.

From an attacking perspective Larryon Tevita is a big young man who will run straight and hard, but at this stage of his junior career he does not have a great deal of footwork to utilise prior to the line to prevent defences from focussing on him without the threat of late changes of direction. Due to his size however he can absorb a lot of punishment and continue to make ground, but he is a little susceptible to gang tackles.

Where Larryon Tevita does show flashes of ability is in relation to offloads. During games he will pop some very good passes to his supports but he will continue to work on being more selective in his offloads. Regardless he does not shirk contact and seems the more physical the contest the more he enjoys himself.

Defensively as you would anticipate from a big strong young player Larryon Tevita also had a big impact in games. He engages attacker’s front on and with the strength in his legs and core was able to regularly drive attackers backwards. Larryon Tevita drives hard with his legs and always uses his shoulder and core body strength to drive into his opponent.

Larryon Tevita sets a strong lower base by setting his legs and generating force by driving through the tackle with his lower body, gaining leverage and momentum through his core.

Larryon Tevita will play the 2020 season for the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts side and will also be pushing towards the Queensland Cup level or higher prior to the expiration of that period.

I would also anticipate that in 2020 Larryon Tevita will also get a number of matches for Burleigh in the Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade competition to add to his one match in 2018.

A discussion in relation to an ultimate position is an interesting one in relation to Larryon Tevita, he has the size to play in the front row but the speed and foot work to operate wider out on the edges of the ruck.

To that end I can envisage Larryon Tevita alternating between front row and second row for the next couple of seasons before finally settling in the front row long term.

From a player comparison perspective for Larryon Tevita, I would consider a player along the lines of current Titans forward and captain Ryan James (he is a bit shorter and stockier though) as a big strong hard working player who looks to get a quick play the ball every time he takes a hit up and also ones that tries to dominate in defence in relation to each and every tackles that he is involved in.

I really like the speed that Larryon Tevita hits the line, he was certainly up there with the hardest runners in the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition over the last two seasons.

mdrew

23-10-19, 05:41 PM

Caleb Barker. He is a young centre who is adept at both Rugby League and Rugby Union, making representative teams for both codes over the last few seasons.

Caleb Barker made his 2019 First Grade debut for Grafton in Round Six of the Group Two competition as the Ghosts defeated Macksville 54-4 and in fact that was his only Group Two First Grade match of 2019.

In addition he played in two Reserve Grade matches with those matches being against Sawtell and Woolgoolga and three U18 matches for the Ghosts over the course of the 2019 season.

Caleb Barker finished with a 100% strike rate from his three 2019 Group Two U18 matches scoring a double against Coffs Harbour in May and following that up with a try a week later against Woolgoolga.

Caleb Barker was part of the 2019 NSW Combined High Schools Schoolboy rugby side that went to South Africa to take part in the St Johns College Easter Rugby Festival being named NSW CHS Best Back of the tournament.

On Day One NSW CHS defeated St Albans College 22-7 and on Day Two they defeated Noordheuwel High School 39 – 19 with their Day Three match abandoned due to lightning.

After an injury interrupted year or two, Grafton Ghost Caleb Barker was back on the field in 2018 with a team mate being Titan’s contracted Ben Liyou. In fact Caleb Barker has also pulled on a Titans jersey when he lined up for the Titans alongside Ben Liyou for a Titans U14 side in 2015 against Samoa with Caleb Barker starting that match in the centres.

In 2018 for the Ghosts, Caleb Barker played in nine Toohey’s Group Two U18 matches scoring tries against Coffs Harbour and Belligen.

Caleb Barker also made his Group Two First Grade debut in 2018 when he played against Sawtell in June and played his second First Grade match in early July against Macksville.

Caleb Barker also has a junior rugby background representing New South Wales Country U16’s in 2017 and touring New Zealand with that side.

In 2015 Caleb Barker played his Rugby League at the U14 level for the Grafton Ghosts in Group One competition, where he scored on average almost two tries per game, including a five try effort in one game against Ballina. He also scored a double in their 46-6 Grand Final victory recently. In fact the Grafton Ghosts U14 side went through the season undefeated. Whilst he played the majority of the season in the centres, he did play a couple of games in the back row.

He has already represented NSW at the U12 level in league and was man of the match when South Grafton High won the Under-14 Daily Examiner Shield, which is a schoolboy competition for schools in the Northern NSW Region. He will be playing for our U14 Development squad in their match against Samoa at Burleigh shortly, after be involved in our Development Squad in the Grafton/Lismore area this year and also representing Group One at the U14 level in the NSW Country age championships where he played in the centres. He has represented NSW Country U14 in Rugby Union, after only taking up union around two years ago. He has even represented NSW North Coast in AFL.

Caleb Barker is a tall young man at around 188cm, approximately 6 2” in the old scale, but he is exceptionally quick, with a lot of his tries coming from long range efforts originating from his own territory, as once he gets into the clear he is unlikely to be caught by the opposition cover defence. Due to his size and speed he is almost impossible to stop one on one in the competitions that he has played in so far in his career, with his favourite move being an in and away to beat his opposing number on the outside and then using his acceleration to break the game apart.

Caleb Barker does not just have top end speed, he has very good acceleration off the mark as well. His fend is decent and as he puts on more muscle it will become more effective due to his long reach, meaning opposing defensive players cannot get close enough to combat him one on one before defensive help arrives.

With his height and reach Caleb Barker should also be able to develop the ability to offload in tackles, making him even harder to defend. Obviously as a result of his height he is good under the high ball both in attacking and defensive situations.

Defensively Caleb Barker is solid at wrapping the ball up and just needs to refine his technique as he progresses and also when to come out of the line in an effort to limit the time and space of the opposition as well as ensuring that due to his height he keeps his tackles down against opposing centres who are usually not as tall.

Caleb Barker does however slide well in defence and has the speed to cover opposition line breaks very well. He will need to continue to get stronger and maintain his speed to stay at centre, and potentially become a legitimate strike centre, but there is nothing in his performances to date that suggests that he will not be able to.

Due to the dominance of his club side and his physical attributes, he has stood out in his junior football, both in league and from what I have been told union (Please note that I have not seen him play any rugby)but obviously is a hard working young man to play multiple sports so well.

Caleb Barker has two year of Colts eligibility commencing in 2020 and I would love to see him test himself with Tweed Heads in the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition.

If he stays in Grafton Caleb Barker should be an ever present in the Grafton Ghosts First Grade side with the only issue being whether Grafton play in the Group Two competition or move to the NRRRL competition.

At this stage, I cannot see any reason that he will not continue to develop as a centre. From a player comparison perspective someone like Shaun Kenny Dowell of the Roosters springs to mind as someone who will be an attacking weapon in any team that he plays for, another player with whom he has some similarities to, from my perspective is Mark Gasnier, although he probably has a bit more speed than the former Dragon centre.

mdrew

24-10-19, 05:25 PM

Callum Boomer. (Revised) The hard working winger started the 2019 season with the Tweed Heads Seagulls Hastings Deering’s Colts squad, playing in sixteen matches for the Seagulls after coming into the side in Round Three on the bench against Burleigh.

In 2019 Callum Boomer had eighty six points come his way from six tries and thirty one goals.

Callum Boomer had a try scoring double in Round Eleven against the Northern Pride and also scored in Rounds Ten, Twelve, Fifteen and Twenty against Easts, Souths Logan, Townsville and Ipswich respectively.

With the boot Callum Boomer kicked five goals in Round Thirteen against Souths Logan and kicked four goals in a match on four occasions.

Positionally Callum Boomer started his first six 2019 Colts matches in 2019 on the wing, seven in the centres the first being against the Northern Pride in Round Eleven and started two matches at lock with those matches being against Wynnum Manly in Round Thirteen and Ipswich in Round Twenty.

At the late September 2019 Tweed Heads Seagulls Presentation Night Callum Boomer was awarded the 2019 Tweed Heads Seagulls Hastings Deering’s Colts Coaches Award.

Callum Boomer made his deserved Queensland Cup debut in Round Seventeen of 2019 in the derby against Burleigh playing the entire match on the right wing, almost scoring on debut when he was held up early in the second half but also saved a try when he held up the Burleigh left centre and then with Tremain Spry pushed him into touch in goal.

In his debut Callum Boomer ran for fifty one metres (12 post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 4.83 seconds and had a tackling efficiency of 100%.

Callum Boomer started the 2018 season playing in the Gold Cost Rugby League First Grade competition for the Southport Tigers starting on the wing in the first two rounds against Currumbin and Tugun and kicked a conversion in each of those matches.

In total for Southport in the Gold Coast First Grade competition Callum Boomer played in four matches scoring twelve points from the two tries mentioned above and two conversions.

In Round Three after being named earlier that week on an extended bench for the Burleigh Colts side Callum Boomer played in the U19 Gold Coast Rugby League competition. Callum Boomer started in the centres and scored a try and kicked three goals in a 22 all draw with the Bilambil Jets.

Round Four saw Callum Boomer once again start in the centres for the Southport Tigers U19 side in their clash against Burleigh which they won 31 - 18. Callum Boomer had a day out in the win over Burleigh when he scored 19 of Southport’s 31 points. Callum Boomer scored two tries, kicked five goals and a field goal. Through his first two U19 games this season, Callum Boomer scored 29 points from three tries eight goals and the field goal.

After a couple of matches for the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s U20 Colts side Callum Boomer was back in the Southport U19 side for Round Seven and starting at centre kicked three goals as the Tigers fell to a 28 – 28 defeat to Mudgeeraba.

Southport progressed all of the way to the Gold Coast Rugby League U19 Grand Final with Callum Boomer starting the Grand Final at fullback and scoring two tries and kicking two conversions as Southport went down 34 – 20 to Currumbin.

In total for Southport in the U19 competition Callum Boomer played in ten matches scoring 93 points from seven tries, thirty two goals and a field goal (against Burleigh). In addition to the two tries that he scored in the Grand Final Callum Boomer also scored doubles against Burleigh and Mudgeeraba and also scored against Bilambil in his first U19 match of the season.

Callum also had some big matches with the boot in the U19 competition this season including kicking six in a match against Mudgeeraba (he also scored a double in the match) and five goals in matches against Ormeau, Mudgeeraba and Burleigh. In Week One of the U19 Finals Callum Boomer kicked three goals as Southport progressed with a 34 – 8 win over Burleigh.

Callum Boomer made his deserved Hastings Deering’s U20 Colts debut for Burleigh in their Round Eleven match against Easts, starting in the centres and kicking seven from seven in a 42 – 4 victory for the Bears.

Callum Boomer maintained his place in the Burleigh Colts side for their match against the Mackay Cutters starting on the wing as Burleigh won 14 - 6. Callum Boomer kicked three from three and through his first two Hastings Deering’s Colts matches Callum Boomer has kicked ten from ten.

Round Sixteen saw Callum Boomer score his first career Colts try when he crossed against Tweed Heads. In the match Callum Boomer also kicked eight goals.

In total for Burleigh in the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition Callum Boomer played in eight matches scoring the try against Tweed heads and kicked twenty goals to finish with fifty two points.

Callum Boomer started five of those matches on the wing and three in the centres.

In 2017 Callum Boomer played for the Burleigh Bears MM Cup squad having a great Round One when he scored two tries, one in each half and kicked three goals in Burleigh’s tough two point loss to Redcliffe at Dolphin Oval whilst playing on the right wing. Post the MM Cup competition, Callum Boomer also played a number of matches for Burleigh in the U20 Colts Challenge side playing primarily on the right wing.

For Burleigh in the 2017 MM Cup competition Callum Boomer started in all six of Burleigh’s matches on the right wing scoring 56 points including five tries and 18 goals. In addition to his double in Round One against Redcliffe, Callum Boomer also scored double in Round Four against Souths Logan and he also scored in Round Six against Tweed Heads. Kicking wise, Callum Boomer kicked eighteen goals from twenty eight attempts for a goal kicking conversion rate of 64.28%.

For Burleigh in the 2017 U20 Colts Challenge competition, Callum Boomer played a total of nine matches scoring three tries which came in Rounds six, seven and eight against Tweed Heads, Ipswich and Redcliffe respectively. Callum Boomer started Round One on the wing against the Sunshine Coast Falcons and in total played five matches on the wing and four at fullback.

Callum Boomer also played a number of matches in the Gold Coast Rugby League competition in 2017 for Runaway Bay. He played one match in the GCRL U19 competition and what a match it was. Against Ormeau Callum Boomer scored 22 points from a try and nine conversions in a dominant Runaway Bay performance.

Callum Boomer also played two matches for Runaway Bay in the Doug Lipp Cup competition, both matches being finals matches starting both on the wing. In his debut match (final) against Beaudesert Callum Boomer kicked four conversions and a fortnight later started on the wing in the Doug Lipp Cup Grand Final and kicked a conversion in a 13 – 6 loss to Beaudesert. A team mate for runaway Bay in the Grand Final was fellow Titans Rookie Squad member Lochlyn Sheldon who started in the front row and an opponent Charlie Gee.

The former Coombabah State High School student had a successful 2016 season, including kicking a late penalty goal which propelled the Queensland GIO Cup final between his Coombabah side and Keebra Park into golden point territory, unfortunately for Callum Boomer and his team mates Keebra Park kicked a golden point field goal to progress to the 2016 National GIO Cup final.

Callum Boomer played for Runaway Bay in the 2016 U17 Division One competition on the Gold Coast in 2016, finishing as one of the leading points scorers with 110 points which came from 10 tries and 35 goals from just eleven matches. Callum Boomer scored a hat trick against Beaudesert late in the season and also a double against Currumbin. In terms of goal kicking Callum Boomer twice kicked five goals in a match, on both occasions against Currumbin and in both of those matches, Callum Boomer also scored at least one try, meaning 32 of his 110 points came in just two matches against Currumbin.

Whilst in does not have a great deal of speed off the mark, Callum Boomer does have decent top end speed once he gets moving and can break tackles by using a very good fend, when he gets to the outside, this prevents defenders from getting he under his ribs and thus he can maintain his running line under defensive pressure.

When engaged with the defensive line he also has a reasonable offload and when Callum Boomer breaks through the main defensive line he is also very effective at setting up his outside support, by drawing the fullback.

Callum Boomer also has a decent right foot step which led directly to his first or two tries in Round One of the 2017 MM Cup competition against Redcliffe when he received the ball near the try line and stepped immediately to beat his direct opponent and score in the corner.

Callum Boomer also has a decent in and away to complement his other attacking attributes and is effective when attacking close to the try line and knows which routes to run to take advantage of situations where the defensive line has not come up off the try line and thus he is able to push through the defensive line and carry defenders over to score. He is just a solid attacking player and before you realise he has made a number of breaks and scored multiple tries.

Callum Boomer is also adept at keeping his spacing on the wing and that attribute led to his second try for Burleigh on the weekend where he stayed outside his direct opponent on the blind side and thus was in a very good position to score from close range before his opposite winger could react.

Defensively the area that Callum Boomer has impressed me the most is his ability to defend against any size opponent, from small quick outside backs to big strong powerful backrowers running wide of the ruck. He seemingly has more strength that his size would indicate, and he uses this strength to move up and hit around the area where the ball is usually held, redirecting the momentum of the ball carrier and thus eliminating the attacking threat in the short term.

Purely from a skill and physical attribute perspective he seems more suited to a sliding defensive methodology rather than an up and in style, but this is more conjecture from me rather than a fact based argument. Like with his attacking attributes Callum Boomer is just solid defensively there is really no other word to describe it.

Callum Boomer is also a very good goal kicker with both good range and accuracy as positive traits. I would suggest that he is likely to be his side’s primary goal kicker regardless of the level that he progresses to into the future.

Callum Boomer will continue to press his claims for playing time in the Burleigh Bears Queensland Cup side in 2020 and if he is not in the game day seventeen for any given match he will play for Southport in the Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade competition.

For me with his above average speed and elusiveness in the confined space near the touch line, Callum Boomer is the ideal modern day winger. I appreciate that he started the Grand Final for the U19 Southport side at fullback in 2018 but this season he has played exclusively on the wing including in his Queensland Cup debut and thus I think that his future is more likely than not on the wing.

Campbell Graham the former Australian School Boy and boom South Sydney Rabbitohs rookie for me has a similar playing style to that of Callum Boomer. Both have good straight line speed, know their way to the try line and have a willingness to take the ball into the centre of the ruck to take some pressure off their forward pack when coming out of their own area.

mdrew

25-10-19, 02:00 PM

Shallin Fuller. (Revised) The live wire young halfback originally from Woodenbong in Northern New South Wales has 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.

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 he 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.

In attack he has plus to plus plus speed off the mark, it really is quite exceptional but does not necessary have an extra gear in open space, but he is able to sustain his top speed over considerable distance.

In confined space, he has very good footwork, including a good step off both feet. He can beat defenders in the inside with a step and if the defensive line is staggered a dummy and go, presents multiple headaches for the opposition’s defensive strategies.

The majority of his tries do not come from long breaks, they come from either darting close to the line with the opposition defensive line back peddling or backing up a forward and exploding through the defensive line and outpacing the fullback.

At present, one area for him to continue to develop is his play making skills, including putting his runners, whether they are backrowers or centres into holes. With experience and in a stronger overall competition however there is nothing to suggest that these type of play making skills will not develop over time. As games progress he is very good at identifying tired forwards in the defensive line, and he will target them accordingly.

Presumably as a result of his time playing touch football, he is more comfortable with playing what is in front of him rather than just play to a set game plan. Playing a more structured type of game does on occasion cause him issues as this is not his natural inclination, thus he did struggle a little playing five eight for Kyogle but it was also a reason why he was very successful when he came off the bench as an impact player.

As noted he is by no means a big player and is more of an instinctive player than one that thrives under a structured game plan but if he can settle into a team that allows him to take the line on when he sees an opportunity I think that he can really thrive. Obviously there is a balance between running himself and distributing the ball but if he can find that balance, which is not easy, he will do well.

I think that he has found the perfect place with the U19 Kingfishers side, their solid forward pack has enabled Shallin Fuller to operate behind a forward pack that consistently has the opposition moving backwards. He also does not mind at all putting in short attacking kicks for himself regardless of where he is on the field.

In defence, due to his size Shallin Fuller is obviously not going to come up with the big hit but reads the play well enough and can hold his own when defending much bigger players. When confronted with forwards running directly at him on the edge of the ruck, he will get in front of them and use his shoulder in an effort to contain them until defensive help arrives.

I have mentioned his size, but Shallin Fuller looks like he has put on some muscle over the last season or so which has had a positive impact defensively.

Due to his speed off the mark Shallin Fuller is also a very good cover defender as he tracks the ball across the field and is also very good at tracking back to defend against short attacking kicks put in behind his team’s defensive line.

Shallin Fuller will play the 2020 season looking to break into the Burleigh Queensland Cup squad where I would anticipate that he will be given every opportunity to cement a spot.

If he does not make a Queensland Cup squad, Shallin Fuller will be one of the most exciting attacking prospects running around in the 2020 Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade competition.

Shallin Fuller has seemingly has found a home at five eight for Burleigh this season and that is where he is likely to stay however Shallin Fuller obviously can also play half and potentially even fullback at a high level as well.

A player comparison for Shallin Fuller is an interesting one and for a good comparison I am going back a while but for the people that saw former Gold Coast Seagull and Manly halfback Paul Shaw play you have someone in Fuller who is similar as a player who was dynamic when running the ball but also someone who was not as effective in a structured environment.

Obviously with the changes to the inter change Shallin Fuller is not going to be able to play as a Super Sub like how Paul Shaw made his name, but as noted if he can find a balance between being a game manager and distributor and playing on instinct, he will do very well.

mdrew

26-10-19, 07:34 AM

Simon Pratt. The Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad this season was very young one with a number of players from the successful 2018 U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad moving up this season.

One player was outstanding St Johns College Woodlawn second rower Simon Pratt from the Casino RSM club who started Round One of the competition at lock against the Newcastle Knights Development Squad. In the match, Simon Pratt who captained the side was heavily involved throughout both in attack and defence.

After missing Round Two Simon Pratt was back in his customary lock position for the Round Three match against the Northern Coast Bulldogs and also started there in Round Four against the Central Coast Roosters and Round Five against the Greater Northern Tigers.

In Round Five, Simon Pratt scored the Titans first try when he ran onto a good pass from hooker Zac Hicks to crash over from close to the line.

In April 2019 Simon Pratt was selected in the New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges (CCC) Lismore Diocese U18 side for the NSW CCC selection trials held in Sydney in May.

After the completion of the Laurie Daley Cup competition Simon Pratt started for Casino RSM in the NRRRL U18 competition, playing in eight matches scoring against Tweed Heads and Kyogle.

Simon Pratt made his deserved NRRRL U18 debut at just 17 years old in Round Sixteen against Lismore Marist Brothers and also played in First Grade in Round Seventeen against Evans Head.

Simon Pratt made his first NRRRL First Grade Finals appearance when he started in the second row in Week One of the Finals in a 40 – 6 loss to Murwillumbah. Simon Pratt also came off the bench in Week two of the Finals as Casino RSM progressed to the Preliminary Final on the back of an 18 – 14 win over the Tweed Coast Raiders.

Simon Pratt was also part of the Casino RSM side that bowed out of the competition after losing their Preliminary Final to Murwillumbah in an intense spiteful match that included a sending off and a sin binning for foul play.

In 2018 Simon Pratt played in five matches for Northern Rivers in the Andrew Johns Cup competition, scoring one try.

Post that competition Simon Pratt played in eleven matches for Casino RSM in the Group One U16.5 competition scoring eight tries, including scoring doubles against Ballina in two separate matches. He also scored against Lismore Marist Brothers in two matches, Kyogle and Clarence Coast.

Simon Pratt also played two matches for the New South Wales Country U16 side in 2018 with those matches being against PNG and Lismore and a Titans U16 side in Cudgen.

In 2017 Simon Pratt played eight matches, including the Grand Final for Casino RSM in the U15 Group One Junior Rugby League competition scoring just the once which came against Lismore Marist Brothers mid-season. Simon Pratt started in the second row in all eight of his matches.

2017 also saw Simon Pratt represent Group One at the U15 level in the New South Wales Country Age Championships starting all three of his matches in the second row and from St Johns College Woodlawn was selected in the New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges U15 Northern Region squad once again in the second row. A team mate in the NSW CCC U15 side was Titans contracted outstanding young half back Thomas Weaver.

In 2017 Simon Pratt played eight matches, including the Grand Final for Casino RSM in the U15 Group One Junior Rugby League competition scoring just the once which came against Lismore Marist Brothers mid-season. Simon Pratt started in the second row in all eight of his matches.

2017 also saw Simon Pratt represent Group One at the U15 level in the New South Wales Country Age Championships starting all three of his matches in the second row and from St Johns College Woodlawn was selected in the New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges U15 Northern Region squad once again in the second row. A team mate in the NSW CCC U15 side was Titans contracted outstanding young half back Thomas Weaver.

The young hard running backrower usually lines up on the right hand side of the field and runs with speed into the defensive line. Even though he is not small Simon Pratt is not the biggest young backrower you will ever see, but he is all effort in attack and will constantly run the ball into the heart of the opposition forward pack regardless of how big they are.

Simon Pratt is a smart runner though to the extent that he does use good foot work prior to the defensive line to help negate his lack of size and he also has very good leg drive once initial contact has been made. Simon Pratt also fights hard when tackled to ensure he gets a quick play the ball to maintain the momentum for his side.

Defensively Simon Pratt looks to wrap up the ball on initial contact, he will not constantly come up with big hits, but is certainly capable of hitting hard when the opportunity presents itself, but will rarely miss tackles and also covers across the field very well, meaning he is always in a good position to make a tackle if the ball is turned back inside and also to make cover defending tackles if breaks are made wider out.

Simon Pratt is equally adept at defending in the centre of the ruck as he is defending on the fringes and his initial contact is more than sufficient to make an impact on the ball carrier. His lateral speed is very good due to his quick twitch feet and thus he is effective at defending against smaller dynamic runners out of dummy half as well as half backs and five eights running of the fringes looking to isolate forwards and Simon Pratt is able to effectively mirror their movements to wrap them up in the tackle.

Simon Pratt will still be eligible for the U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition in 2020 but it would not surprise to see Simon Pratt play in the MM Cup in Queensland or head down to Sydney to play in the U18 SG Ball competition, if not he will no doubt be a leader in the Northern Rivers Titans U18 laurie Daley Cup squad.

From an ultimately position perspective with his combination of size, speed and strength Simon Pratt seemingly has the ideal skill set to be a very effective second rower as he progresses up the junior rugby league ranks.

From a player comparison perspective if you watch the Brisbane Broncos Alex Glenn play he hopefully get an appreciation of how Simon Pratt plays, that being of a hole running tough tackling second rower.

mdrew

26-10-19, 06:29 PM

Tyrin Ona-Murphy. The former New Zealand hooker was part of the 2019 Burleigh Bears Hastings Deering’s Colts squad but played the season with the Burleigh Bears in the GCRL U20 competition playing in fourteen matches and scoring six tries.

One of his tries came in Round Ten against Mudgeeraba when Tyrin Ona-Murphy found himself at first received around ten metres out from the line and after receiving the ball dummied to his right before stepping back inside his immediate defender into a giant hole to score ten metres from the left upright.

Tyrin Ona-Murphy started on the bench in Round Sixteen but when he came on added enthusiasm where culminated in the dummy half crossing in Burleigh’s 40-14 victory over Runaway Bay.

Tyrin Ona-Murphy started at hooker in Round Nineteen against Helensvale and scored his 5th try of the season when he used his size and power to barge his way over from a metre or so out from the line when he ran to the left of the play the ball to score mid-way between the goal posts and the left touch line.

In addition to the tries noted above Tyrin Ona-Murphy also scored in Round One against Runaway Bay and Round Fourteen against Helensvale.

In Week One of the GCRL U20 Finals Series Tyrin Ona-Murphy moved from hooker to start the match in the left second row position and was one of Burleigh’s try scorers as they defeated Mudgeeraba 30 – 24.

Tyrin Ona-Murphy’s try came in the second half. It appear that Tyrin Ona-Murphy was going to be the decoy runner as Burleigh looked to sweep the ball wide to the left from around fifteen metres out from the Mudgeeraba but at the last second Tyrin Ona-Murphy received a flat pass to slide through a gap and then rounded the fullback and brought the ball around from the left to ultimately score under the posts.

The young former Manurewa Marlins Auckland Junior Rugby League hooker played the 2018 MM Cup season with the Northern Pride but post that competition moved down to the Gold Coast to complete the 2018 season.

Tyrin Ona-Murphy played Round Two of the Gold Coast Rugby League U19 competition with the Burleigh Bears where he started at hooker against the Ormeau Shearers. Round Five saw Tyron Ona-Murphy come off the bench when Burleigh defeated Currumbin 26 – 22 in a closely contested match.

The 19 year old former St Pauls College (Auckland) student played in three matches for the 2018 Northern Pride MM Cup Side scoring a try in Round two against the Souths Logan Magpies. Tyrin Ona-Murphy started at hooker in all of his MM Cup matches this season.

In New Zealand prior to moving over to Australia, Tyrin Ona-Murphy made a number of representative sides, including representing the U17 Counties Manukau Stingrays in the 2017 National Championships and scored in their national Final victory over the Akarana Falcons starting at match at hooker.

In relation to his school boy rugby league in New Zealand Tyrin Ona-Murphy played for St Pauls College in Auckland where a team mate was new Burleigh Bears Colts centre Mikey Williams. He was involved in their SAS College Championship side as well last year.

In 2015 Tyrin Ona-Murphy was also involved in the National Championships this time at the U15 level when he represented the U15 Auckland Development Squad. In 2015 Tyrin Ona-Murphy was also named in the New Zealand Maori U15 merit side at hooker.

In terms of his distribution out of dummy half, Tyrin Ona-Murphy is extremely efficient in his passing and there is no wasted movement or energy as he passes in one motion off the ground rather than two distinct movements like many hookers where they first stand first then pass.

Where he is also extremely effective is leading his forwards onto the ball, Tyrin Ona-Murphy passes in front of the forward ensuring no loss of momentum to the run. In short he is a very good game manager from the hooking position.

Where Tyrin Ona-Murphy really stands out in terms of attacking play, is his speed out of dummy half, he is extremely quick and has good footwork to take advantage of tiring forwards, using a step usually off his right foot, although he does not necessary run much out of dummy half.

Once in open space he does not appear to have the speed required to finish things off himself but he invariably will make the right decision with the ball in terms of whether to take the tackle or pass to a support player as he works progressively through the options that are available to him.

Tyrin Ona-Murphy’s defence for a hooker is very good, for a hooker his size his initial contact is more than solid and he can defend effectively one on one against far larger forwards, he sets a good base with his lower body and explodes upwards with his shoulders to drive into opposing forwards. His intensity and continuous effort means that he will track the ball across the field and thus is in a good position when the ball is passed back inside.

Tyrin Ona-Murphy literally looks to tackle everything that moves in the centre of the ruck and displays a solid repeatable defensive technique and is able to make multiple tackles in any given defensive set of six tackles and make them effectively.

Tyrin Ona-Murphy will play the 2020 season looking to break into the Burleigh Bears Hastings Deering’s Colts squad and if not will play the season with the Burleigh GCRL U20 side.

In New Zealand through his school boy and representative career as well as with both the Northern Pride MM and Burleigh in 2018 and 2019, Tyrin Ona-Murphy has played at hooker but with his solid low to the ground build I really think that he will ultimately end up in the second row.

From a player comparison perspective for Tyrin Ona-Murphy think of someone along the lines of New Zealand International and Melbourne Storms Kenny Bromwich as a hard working forward who will be a solid player but will also on occasion flash some plus skills akin to Jesse Bromwich.

Like Kenny Bromwich, Tyrin Ona-Murphy is solidly built player with a low centre of gravity making him a difficult proposition to defend against.

mdrew

27-10-19, 06:44 AM

Cooper Many. The Lower Clarence Magpie started the 2019 season as part of the Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad, his second season in that competition.

Round One saw Cooper Many start in the right centre position for the Northern Rivers Titans in their match against the Newcastle Knights Development Squad.

In Round Two Cooper Many started the match against the Parramatta Eels in the second row and also started in the second row in Round Three against the North Coast Bulldogs and scored a good second half try when he ran a good inside shoulder route from around fifteen metres out to score neat the left upright.

Post the U18 Laurie Daley Cup, Cooper Many transitioned to the NRRRL U18 competition with the Lower Clarence Magpies, his second season in that competition and opened his try scoring account in Round Three scoring a double as the Magpies defeated Kyogle 44 – 0.

Cooper Many had a huge match in Round Fourteen scoring four tries in a big win against Evans Head and also scored a Round Sixteen double against Kyogle.

In total in the NRRRL U18 competition, Cooper Many played in fifteen matches scoring twelve tries to finish as the competitions fifth highest try scorer.

In addition to his Round Three and Round Fourteen tries, Cooper Many aslo scored d ouble against Lismore Marist Brothers and Kyogle and also scored against Casino RSM and the Tweed Heads Seagulls.

Cooper Many started the 2018 season as part of the Northern Rivers Laurie Daley Cup U18 side, playing in four matches, starting all in the second row with those matches coming against the Newcastle Knights Development Squad, North Coast, Central Coast Roosters and the Greater Northern Tigers.

From a club perspective in 2018, Cooper Many linked up in the second row for the Lower Clarence Magpies in the U18 NRRRL competition, progressing all the way to the Preliminary Final before falling to the Ballina Seagulls 30 - 14.

Cooper Many played in sixteen U18 NRRRL matches for the Magpies in 2018 including finals and scored eight regular season tries. Each of Cooper Many’s tries came in individual games including games against Lismore Marist Brothers, Ballina, Murwillumbah, Casino RSM, Cudgen and Evans Head.

In 2017 Cooper Many played for the Clarence Coast Magpies in the U16.5 competition and finished as the competitions leading try scorer with ten tries from just twelve matches. Cooper Many scored a hat trick against Ballina and a double against Lismore Marist Brothers.

Cooper Many has previously represented Group One at the U14 and U15 levels in 2015 and 2016 respectively.

Cooper Many is a hard running forward who is very good at running the right line including both and inside shoulder and outside shoulder line and consistently hits the pass off either the dummy half or play maker flat thus generating his best possible speed and momentum to hit the defensive line at full speed.

Where he really excels though is his footwork, Cooper Many has very good late and quick foot work which enables him to change direction quickly allowing him to readjust where he is running to take advantage of either a late developing hole in the defensive line or where the defensive line is repositioning late.

Cooper Many is adept at cutting back behind the play the ball area when the markers do not work hard and make ground as a result. When Lower Clarence were in the attacking area, Cooper Many was regularly used to draw the defence into the centre of the ruck thus stretching the defensive line out wide to allow the backline more room to move.

Even when he is taking a hit up in the centre of the ruck, Cooper Many’s feet are always moving and he is constantly making slight corrections to his running vector and he is also able to maintain his speed regardless of those multiple directional changes. He seems just to run and think at a faster pace than other forwards on the field.

These attributes lead to a lot of line breaks and he has the speed to convert them into tries himself. Cooper Many’s speed is probably a bit above average but it is the speed that he is able to generate from only a few paces which makes it play faster from a defenders perspective.

Defensively he hits very hard and had one of the better defensive technique s in the NRRRL U18 competition this season. Cooper Many’s technique revolves around timing and execution. Cooper Many’s head is almost always correctly positioned and he always drives with his shoulder and never just jersey grabs.

From the matches that I have seen Cooper Many also tackles with both shoulders equally effectively. The impressive thing for me also is that Cooper Many never seems to bounce off the ball when he makes a front on tackle meaning his target area and the ability to hit the area on a regular basis is quite exceptional for a reasonably inexperienced forward.

Another defensive aspect that I noted during the 2018 season was that Cooper Many does not just make one tackle at a time, he makes a series of tackles one after another all as clinical and effective as the one before.

Cooper Many’s lateral speed and mobility is quite good due to his quick twitch feet and thus he is effective at defending against smaller dynamic runners out of dummy half as well as half backs and five eights running of the fringes looking to isolate forwards.

Cooper Many’s U18 eligibility has come to an end thus he will either play in the NRRRL First Grade or Reserve Grade competitions in 2020 or look to break into a Hastings Deering’s Colts side.

Cooper Many has a number of traits that certainly lend themselves to a player comparison to Titans and Queensland State of Origin backrower Jai Arrow. Both are hardworking forwards who will impress rugby league followers with their skill and effort.

mdrew

27-10-19, 10:04 PM

Lewis Cooper. (Revised) He is a young front rower who moved with his older brother and former Titans junior development squad member Austin “Aussie” Cooper to the Sawtell Panthers from the South Grafton Rebels in the Tooheys New Group Two competition in Northern New South Wales for the 2018 season but after spending time training with the Canterbury Bulldogs Jersey Flegg side in the offseason, including playing in the opening trials found himself back in the Group Two competition playing for the South Grafton Rebels.

Upon his return from Sydney Lewis Cooper played eight Group Two First Grade matches for the Rebels scoring tries against the Grafton Ghosts, Macksville (when he converted his own try) and Sawtell.

Lewis Cooper who played a number of U14 matches for the Titans junior development squads was named in the North Coast Dolphins 2018 U18 side starting in the front row (wearing the No. 17 jersey) for Round One of the Laurie Daley Cup competition against the Sydney Roosters aligned Central Coast Centurions being Round Two after having a Round One bye. Lewis Cooper also started in the front row in Round Three against Northern Rivers in Coffs Harbour a match that North Coast won 36 – 6 over their fierce local rivals.

Lewis Cooper scored a double for the North Coast U18 side in their 40 – 20 win in Round Two against Central Coast, the first try coming inside the first two minutes and the second coming in the 54th minute. In fact Lewis Cooper could have had two more tries but was brought down inches short of the try line directly under the posts in the second half twice just prior to his second try.

Lewis Cooper did not impact the score board in Round Three against Northern Rivers like he did in Round Two but still had a couple of highlights, including a great right arm off load in the eight minute when he shook off a defender who went to tackling him around the chest, a huge collision with Titans linked Northern Rivers front rower Jordan Tauali’i which shook the entire ground and in the second half made a run of about 20 metres where after smashing through the Northern Rivers defensive line dragged a number of defenders with him as a result of sheer strength and power and the ability to keep his legs pumping even under extreme duress.

A team mate in the North Coast side is Titans contracted standout second rower Ben Liyou. Lewis Cooper also represented the East Coast Dolphins at the U16 level in 2016 and was named in the U18 East Coast Dolphins 2017 squad but did not play any matches that season.

For the Sawtell Panthers in the 2018 Toohey’s Group Two competition Lewis Cooper played matches in all three grades.

In ten regular season Group Two U18 matches, Lewis Cooper finished as the equal leading try scorer with ten tries from nine games in the regular season and he was only kept from scoring in two of those matches. Lewis Cooper scored doubles against the Grafton Ghosts, South Grafton Rebels and Bellingen. Lewis Cooper’s other tries came against Macksville in two separate matches, Coffs Harbour and Grafton.

Lewis Cooper and his U18 Sawtell Panthers were defeated in the Group Two Grand Final 16 – 12 against Macksville.

Lewis Cooper also played one Group Two Reserve Grade regular season match this season scoring a double in that match against South Grafton in May.

Lewis Cooper made his Group Two First Grade debut for Sawtell in in April of this year against his former club the Grafton Ghosts (Lewis Cooper played eight First Grade matches for Grafton in 2017) scoring against his former team mates. Lewis Cooper also scored a late season double against Grafton, clearly Lewis Cooper thrived on playing against his former team mates. Lewis Cooper’s other 2018 Group Two First Grade try came against Nambucca heads in Round Two.

In total in the 2018 Group Two First Grade regular season, Lewis Cooper played in seven regular season matches scoring the above mentioned four tries.

Lewis Cooper played the 2017 season with the South Grafton Rebels playing in both the first Grade and U18 competitions and was a key contributor to the success of both sides.

In the U18 Durbridge Family Trophy competition in 2017, Lewis Cooper scored five tries from as many matches including doubles against Coffs Harbour and Sawtell and in the Group Two Tooheys New Shield Lewis Copper scored a single try from eight matches with the try coming against Orara Valley in early July.

Lewis Cooper played the 2016 season in the Group One U16.5 competition, playing in nine matches and averaging just under two tries a match to pace the competition from a try scoring perspective. Only in the final game of the season was an opposition side able to keep him try less, that opponent being Casino RSM.

Lewis Cooper scored four tries in a match against Kyogle in August and he also crossed for a hat trick against Marist Brothers in May 2016. Lewis Cooper also crossed for four doubles being against Kyogle, Clarence Coast, Ballina and Casino RSM.

Lewis Cooper also played rugby in 2016, including making the Mid North Coast Axemen representative side and from there he was selected in the New South Wales Country Cockatoos U16 side. In rugby he played both centre and No. 8 and apparently even played some fullback as well.

In 2016 Lewis Cooper was also selected in the New South Wales Combined High School’s Open Schoolboy rugby side that toured South Africa for the St John’s College Annual Easter Rugby Festival, a great achievement considering that he missed the trials with injury.

On the 2016 South African tour Lewis Cooper played in all four of NSW CHS’s matches, starting the first two from the interchange and coming into the starting line-up for the final two matches, including playing against South African side Paarl Boys High who have not lost a match in four years that includes matches against the top New Zealand School Boy sides.

From his four matches on the South African tour, Lewis Cooper was named Man of the Match in two and was also named as the NSW CHS Best Back of the tour, an impressive feat as a 16 year old.

In short Lewis Cooper is a big strong young man with surprising speed for his size both in terms of the initial burst and extended straight line speed. When he runs the ball, and I will mainly refer to play in the forwards as that is where I think that he ultimately ends up, Lewis Cooper is like a wrecking ball, he has a strong upper body which allows him to shrug off tacklers who look to go high and whilst he does not use a great deal of foot work prior to the line has shown enough to suggest that this will be able to be incorporated into his game as he progresses.

Both of Lewis Cooper’s two tries in Round Two of the Laurie Daley Cup highlighted the strength and power discussed above. On both occasions he took the ball from around ten metres out and just charged through a set defensive to score. In fact Lewis Cooper’s first three runs were all outstanding. His first try scoring run was his first run of the game, his second came from the third hit-up from the kick off from his try and his third was in the next set of six that North Coast had.

In terms of his speed, once Lewis Cooper gets past the initial contact, he really move and his speed would be considered as plus for a front rower of his size and to be fair it is also at the above average for a centre.

Defensively defence Lewis Cooper uses his size and strength to make very solid initial contact and certainly can take on all opposing forwards one on one. He is not averse to looking for the big hit but does have a good front on defensive technique, maintaining decent leverage and reasonable agility and lateral movement when looking to tackle smaller opponents on the edge of the ruck, although clearly Lewis Cooper is more effective in the centre of the ruck, but he has the speed and lateral mobility to defend wider out as well.

The 2020 season will be an interesting one for Lewis Cooper as he is no longer U20 eligible, post the season. If he stays in Grafton Lewis Cooper is a certainty to play a key role for the South Grafton First Grade side, if he chooses to try his luck in the U20 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition with either Tweed Heads or Burleigh it is hard to see that he would not make an immediate impact with his combination of size, strength speed and mobility.

From an ultimate position perspective, due to his combination of size and speed playing in the front row seems the most plausible position projection for Lewis Cooper.

The power and intensity of Canterbury Bulldog, New South Wales State of Origin and Australian International forward David Klemmer is mirrored by Lewis Cooper he is just an intimidating presence on a football field and a young player who will only to continue to get better and better as he gains more experience there is certainly a lot of raw ability and untapped potential to work with.

If Lewis Cooper can continue to work on his endurance, functional strength and mobility he really does have an extraordinary set of skills both from a physical perspective as well as a rugby league skill attribute perspective.

Obviously luck is also involved as well, his brother Austin had a similar skill set but unfortunately multiple knee and ankle injuries severely affected his development although he is now fit and performing very well in the Group Two First Grade competition.

mdrew

28-10-19, 05:12 PM

Cooper Woods. (Updated) Classy young Grafton Ghosts fullback Cooper Woods lined up for his fourth season in First Grade at the age of 20.

In the 2019 Group Two First Grade competition Cooper Woods finished in the competitions top five from a try scoring perspective with eleven tries from just twelve matches.

In 2018 Cooper Woods played fourteen matches at fullback under coach and former NRL player Danny Wicks scoring nine tries.

Cooper Woods scored a Round One hat trick against local rivals South Grafton with his other six tries coming in separate matches. He scored in three consecutive matches in June against South Grafton, Sawtell and Macksville and also scored in other matches against Macksville and twice against Nambucca Heads.

The classy young Grafton Ghosts fullback had a great 2017 campaign for the Grafton Ghosts starring for the U18 Group Two side as well as playing a number of first grade matches primarily on the wing in the Danny Wicks coached side which was awarded the Claytons Cup as the most outstanding New South Wales Country Rugby League Club.

In the Group Two U18 Durbridge Family Trophy Cooper Woods finished the regular season as the leading try scorer and points, scoring 118 points in total from twelve tries and 35 goals. Cooper Woods scored a hat trick against Bellingen and doubles against Coffs Harbour and Macksville. Against Coffs Harbour in late July Cooper Woods scored a try and kicked eight goals in the match.

Cooper Woods played just the one first grade match in the 2017 season which came against Macksville in July when he started on the wing and also scored in a solid Grafton win and he also played four reserve grade matches scoring against Orara Valley and against Woolgoolga kicked seven goals. The 2017 season is the third season that Cooper Woods has played in the U18 competition after he made his U18 debut whilst still eligible for U16’s in early 2015 against the Sawtell Panthers including scoring on debut going on to score four tries that season.

Cooper Woods is no stranger to playing up in competition level after making his Group Two Tooheys New Shield First Grade debut for the Ghosts in May 2016 against Sawtell, going on to play five first grade matches in total. In 2016 Cooper Woods also played four Reserve grade matches scoring 30 points from tries against Coffs Harbour and Woolgoolga a match in which he also kicked five goals. In the U18 competition in 2016, Cooper Woods scored 82 points from seven tries and 27 goals.

Cooper Woods is an athletic fullback with an effortless running style who presents as a gifted athlete with speed and also an understanding of where the gap is going to be. Due to his elusiveness and speed he seems almost impossible to stop one on one with his ability to change direction very quickly without the loss of any forward momentum. Cooper Woods is also developing the ability to play as a second five eight and sweep around the back of the ruck and either take the line on himself or pass to his outside support when he receives the ball “out the back”.

In addition Cooper Woods is always around the centre of the ruck when his side is coming out of their own half looking to take the pressure off his own forward pack where he uses his exceptional footwork to target the gaps between the forwards. Cooper Woods’ positioning enables him to field a lot of kicks on the full and then he accelerates towards the defensive lien where he normally looks to gain as much ground as possible rather than looking to run around the defensive line. When the opposition puts in a short attacking kick, Cooper Woods will attack the ball rather than wait to see what happens and invariably he makes the right decision.

Defensively in the fullback position Cooper Woods makes the tackles that need to be made. If an attacker runs directly at him, he will come forward to cut down the time the attacker has to make a decision and he will hit very hard. An impressive attribute that he does have he is ability to force attackers in the clear to try to beat him down the side line. Cooper Woods will stay inside the attacker and force him in the needed direction and then use his timing and anticipation to make the tackle, usually forcing the attacker into touch.

2019 was Cooper Woods last year of Colts eligibility but as happened with former Grafton Ghost Anthony Don you do not have to make it by the time you are twenty to still get to the NRL thus Cooper Woods can either say in Grafton and be a key member of the Ghosts side or look to make a name for himself in a competition like the Gold Coast competition and look to attract the attention of a Queensland Cup or New South Wales side from there..

Even though Cooper Woods has spent some time in the centres and on the wing in first and reserve grade I like his game at fullback where he can see the entire field and judge where and when he can best impact the game.

For me an NRL player with a similar playing style of Cooper Woods is Melbourne Storm fullback Cameron Munster. Like Munster Cooper Woods presents as a near complete fullback, he can chime into the backline between the centres, play as a second five eight and also use his footwork through the centre of the ruck. In addition he is a talented defender both on terms of cover defence as well as taking attackers front on in open space.

mdrew

28-10-19, 09:02 PM

James Torrens. He started off the 2019 season on the bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup side in their Round One match with the Western Mustangs with James Torrens contributing a try in a big 58 – 18 Seagulls win.

When he came on James Torrens played on the left side of the field and that is where he scored his try, the Titans worked a blind side play with James Torrens receiving the ball literally on the try line and was able to just bend down to score probably the easiest try he ever will.

In total in the 2019 MM Cup competition, James Torrens played in all nine of Tweed Heads matches starting all from the bench including their semi-final and Grand Final victory over Wynnum Manly as well as the National U18 Championship victory over Illawarra.

If there was a more improved player for Tweed Heads over the course of their 2019 MM Cup campaign I did not see them. When he came on in the MM Cup James Torrens played in the forwards and on each occasion ran with intensity and purpose, he was to put it simply very impressive in each of his nine outings in the MM Cup this season.

In the final against Wynnum Manly James Torrens provided a real spark off the bench immediately making some powerful charges in the centre of the ruck. Over the course of the season, when he came on James Torrens played in the second row.

James Torrens started at right second row for PBC in their Round Two Langer Cup win over St Mary and taking into account his heavy MM Cup schedule played big minutes for PBC and for me he was their best player regularly making big post contact metres, he also had a running battle with the St Mary’s No. 12.

James Torrens also started in the front row for PBC in their Queensland GIO Cup quarter final win over St Mary’s High School Toowoomba 50 – 6 and started in the front row and scored the last minute try to pushed the GIO Cup Queensland semi-final to Golden Point when he used a late change of angle to score mid-way between the left corner post and left upright.

After the completion of the MM Cup competition, James Torrens played for Tugun in the Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition, making his first appearance off the bench for the Seahawks in Round Four against Mudgeeraba.

James Torrens also came off the bench in Round Six of the GCRL U18 Division One competition scoring a double against Helensvale. James Torrens also scored in Round Thirteen against Currumbin.

James Torrens played in a total of xx U18 Division One matches in 2019 for Tugun and after starting from the bench in his first two matches moved into the starting side in the second row.

James Torrens also represented South Coast at the U18 QSSRL Championships where he was named on the bench. On Day One of the Championships against Northern James Torrens was particularly impressive, in one instance splitting the line from a Northern line drop out, after James Torrens effected a quick play the ball the ball was spun to the right for fellow Titan Trey Peni to score.

At just 17 years old, James Torrens made his Hastings Deering’s Colts debut in Round Nineteen when he started in the second row against the Mackay Cutters.

The tough young centre/second rower was impressive throughout the 2018 season for Northern Rivers in the U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition as well as in the NRRRL competition for Ballina for whom he played across all three grades of the NRRRL competition including an outstanding NRRRL First Grade debut.

James Torrens started off the 2018 season, performing solidly for Northern Rivers in the inaugural U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition starting in the centres in four matches against the Newcastle Knights Development Squad, North Coast, Central Coast Roosters and the Greater Northern Tigers.

For the Ballina Seagulls in the NRRRL U18 competition, James Torrens finished the regular season playing in eleven matches and scoring twelve tries. Of those twelve tries, James Torrens scored ten of those in a six game period from late May to late July.

In that span James Torrens scored a hat trick against Murwillumbah, doubles against Casino RSM and Cudgen and tries against Tweed Coast, Kyogle and Lower Clarence.

With his twelve try tally James Torrens finished equal second on the U18 NRRRL try scoring list equal with Tweed Coast forward Oscar Clarke and five behind Cudgen centre Liam Cusack.

James Torrens was part of the 2018 Ballina U18 NRRRL Grand Final side that won 30 – 4 to Cudgen with James Torrens starting the Grand Final in his usual left centre position. Throughout the Grand Final James Torrens was a handful for the Cudgen defence, scoring a good try and also making a long break when he fielded a Cudgen grubber kick on his own line and charging downfield on a 60 metre run before the cover defence converged.

In the Grand Final James Torrens had the responsibility of taking the first hit up from every one of Ballina’s scrum wins, regularly bending the Cudgen defence back and putting the Seagulls on the front foot.

James Torrens made his NRRRL Reserve Grade debut in June 2018, against Casino RSM and in 2018 went on to play in six Reserve Grade matches in total scoring three tries, including a double against Lower Clarence and also scoring in his second Reserve Grade game against Mullumbimby.

James Torrens made his NRRRL First Grade debut in late July 2018 against Lower Clarence and what a debut he had, scoring a double on a memorable afternoon. James Torrens had scored a double in the earlier Reserve Grade match as well as scoring in the U18 match that same day.

In 2017 James Torrens represented the East Coast Dolphins in the New South Wales Country U16 Championships and in 2016 represented Group One at the U15 New South Wales Junior Country Championships.

James Torrens just oozes class on the field he is able to break tackles at will but also understands when it is more appropriate to draw his opponent and pass. He has used this skill set on multiple occasions on the right side of the field. He has a very strong right hand fend which prevents opposing centres getting in on him and forcing him towards the sideline.

Over the course of the entire season, both at club and representative level James Torrens was outstanding at left centre.

Even though he has size, strength and power in the centre position, he does look for his outside support when confronted with the fullback, even though he is more than capable of beating fullbacks one on one if need be.

James Torrens also has very good hands, on a number of occasions for Ballina in the U18 NRRRL competition this season, he picked up a number of passes from either low down or above his head and then can use his speed off the mark to look to create something for either himself or his team mates.

Defensively James Torrens hits very hard with above average initial contact being more than sufficient to halt the forward momentum of the ball carrier. James Torrens is constantly is in a position to disrupt the attacking movement of the opposition.

Extrapolating his skill set to the NRL, I would suggest that James Torrens would be more than capable to adapt and excel in either an up and in or sliding methodology.

The other point I will make is that James Torrens certainly does not shirk contact, both in attack or defence and seems to revel in the physical aspects of defending.

James Torrens is MM Cup eligible again in 2020.

James Torrens is a solidly built young man but has the speed, mobility, skill set and mentality to be a representative level second rower for the duration of his rugby league career.

From a player comparison perspective for James Torrens think of a young version of Brisbane Bronco Alex Glenn, as a powerfully built second rower who is an aggressive player and one who looks to physically dominate his opposite number in defence as well as being more than effective from an attacking perspective.

mdrew

29-10-19, 05:13 PM

Tyler Kent. The young Tingha Tigers second rower moved up to the Gold Coast and was named in the Burleigh Bears 2019 MM Cup side and came off the bench in their final match of the season.

Post the MM Cup competition Tyler Kent started Round One of the GCRL U18 Division One competition in the front row for Burleigh in their match against Currumbin.

In total for Burleigh in the GCRL U18 Division One competition, Tyler Kent played in ten matches but did not cross the try line.

In Week Two of the U18 Division One Finals series Tyler Kent started in the front row for Burleigh in their victory 34 – 8 against Southport to progress directly to the Grand Final after a dominating victory.

Tyler Kent came off the bench for Burleigh in the Grand Final that the bears won 28 – 12 against Southport.

Tyler Kent made his one and only GCRL U20 regular season appearance when he came off the bench for Burleigh in Round Nineteen against Helensvale a match that Burleigh won 24 – 22.

Impressively in Week One of the GCRL U20 Finals series Tyler Kent started from the bench for Burleigh as they progressed on the back of a 30 – 24 win over Mudgeeraba. Tyler Kent was also on the bench in the Grand Final against Currumbin as Burleigh wet down 14 -6.

Tyler Kent played the 2018 season in the New South Wales Country Group 19 competition for Tingha spending time in both the U18 and First Grade competitions, for all intents and purposes playing in the U18 match and then backing up to start in the First Grade match every weekend.

Tyler Kent started the 2018 season as part of the Greater Northern Tigers U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad playing all five of their matches including their tough 32 – 26 semi-final loss to Group 9. Tyler Kent started all five matches from the interchange bench.

For Tingha in the U18 Group 19 competition, Tyler Kent played in twelve matches scoring five tries and kicking a goal (against Inverell) to finish the season with 22 points.

Tyler Kent started in the second row in the U18 Group 19 Grand Final and scored as the Tigers went down 28 – 18 to the Moree Boomerangs.

In addition to his U18 Grand Final try Tyler Kent scored in the regular season against the Moree Boars in two separate matches, the Glenn Innes Magpies and the Armidale Rams, with the last two tries coming in consecutive rounds mid-way through the season.

Tyler Kent played in eleven Group 19 First Grade matches scoring on debut against the Moree Boars and also kicked a conversion against the Moree Boomerangs.

Tyler Kent has also represented Group 19 in previous years in the U14, U15 and U16 age groups.

Tyler Kent is a big strong powerful aggressive young man and uses these attributes when he runs with the ball, he will take the line on and look to drop his shoulder into the defender who is looking initiate contact.

Tyler Kent can also off load the football both before the line and when he is being tackled, he seems to be one of those players with the innate ability to get his hands free, or more accurately his right hand free.

Tyler Kent is always the player standing back deep from kick ups to take the first hit up and will charge straight at the line. Tyler Kent also is quite quick for a big strong young bloke, both in terms of explosive speed off the mark and agile from a footwork perspective but also with speed over an extended distance.

In defence, Tyler Kent can certainly hit very hard and for a solidly built barrel chested player has quite decent endurance thus allowing him to get back quickly into the defensive line play after play. Where he is also very good, due to his good athletic skills is for a front rower is effectively tackling smaller attackers in the centre of the ruck. Tyler Kent does not fall for dummies and is difficult to step as he mirrors the lateral movement of the attacker to effectively wrap up the opposing player.

Tyler Kent will play the 2020 season in the U20 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition most likely with the Burleigh Bears and is Colts eligible again in 2021.

I believe that Tyler Kent’s future lies in the second row when you take into account his size, strength and speed combination although there is no doubt that he could fill in in the front row if the need arises.

Tyler Kent reminds me of former Titans NYC and Burleigh Queensland Cup player and budding referee Sam Swift in terms of his playing style. Like Swift, Tyler Kent has more than decent speed and mobility for a forward and is also a more than effective defender.

mdrew

30-10-19, 07:07 AM

Vinncent Takataka. The former Canterbury Bankstown junior moved up to South East Queensland at the start of 2018 and has had an exceptional start to his rugby league career in South East Queensland over the course of the 2018 season.

Vinncent Takatake came into the Tweed Heads Seagulls U20 Hastings Deering’s Colts side for their Round Two match against the Townsville Blackhawks starting from the bench and maintained his place in the local derby against the Burleigh Bears starting at lock and scoring his sole try of the season.

In total in the 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition Vinncent Takatake played in thirteen matches including their Elimination Final loss to Mackay. Vinncent Takatake started six matches in 2019, four at lock and two in the second row with his first match in the second row coming in Round Nineteen against the Mackay Cutters.

Vinncent Takatake made his Gold Coast Rugby League Doug Lipp Cup debut from the bench in Round Twelve against Currumbin.

Vinncent Takataka also played three GCRL U20 matches for Runaway Bay in 2019 with his total of two points coming when he kicked a conversion against Southport in May.

Vinncent Takataka represented South’s Logan in the 2018 MM Cup competition starting a number of the Magpies matches including their MM Cup Grand Final against North’s and their National Final against Penrith. Earlier in 2018 the former Canterbury Bankstown junior represented South Coast at the U18 QSSRL Championships in Toowoomba where South Coast was defeated by Met East in the Championship final.

In the 2018 MM Cup competition for South’s Logan as noted Vinncent Takataka played in four South’s Logan’s matches. Vinncent Takataka broke into the South’s Logan MM side in Round Three against North’s from the inter change bench and also played off the bench in Round Four against Burleigh. Vinncent Takataka started Round Five against Wynnum Manly in the front row and started the MM Cup Grand Final and U18 National Final in the second row, scoring in the National Final against the Penrith Panthers.

Post those feats, Vinncent Takataka made his debut in the Gold Coast Rugby League U19 competition when he started in the second row for Runaway Bay in Round Eight in their 32-24 win over the Ormeau Shearers. In Round Nine Vinncent Takataka started in the second row once against and scored a double as his Runaway Bay side defeated Beaudesert 32 – 20.

In total in the Gold Coast Rugby League U19 competition in 2018, Vinncent Takataka played in six matches and in addition to the previously mentioned double against Beaudesert also scored against Burleigh and Helensvale in consecutive matches in August 2018.

Vinncent Takataka, prior to his move to Queensland was part of the Canterbury Bulldogs Junior Development set-up for a numbers of years, joining the Bulldogs in their U15 Development Squad in 2015 and progressing to playing for the Bulldogs U16 Harrold Matthews Cup side in 2016. Vinncent’s Takataka’s junior rugby league club in Sydney was the Bankstown Sports Club where he started his rugby league journey in the U12’s.

Vinncent Takataka is a powerfully built second rower with a solid frame and a low centre of gravity, but for his size has above average balance, speed and footwork operating normally on the left side of the ruck.

Vinncent Takataka’s style of play is that of a powerful wide running back rower with above average speed for the position. I would actually argue that in fact a better definition of his speed would be well above average to plus. Vinncent Takataka is quite quick off the mark, but what makes him even more impressive from a speed perspective is that when he gets into space, he has an extra gear again which is a plus attribute for such a strong powerful second rower, making it almost impossible for the cover defence to catch him once he is open space.

Couple those two aspects with a very good fend and you have a big strong powerful young player who can cause nightmares for any defensive line. Vinncent Takataka seems to line up on the left side of the field more so than the right, but I have no doubt moving forward that he will be able to play on either side of the field, he seems to be just so skilful.

For a backrower of his size, he runs with pace, strength and power every time he touches the ball during a game. For a young player, Vinncent Takataka seems to have a good understanding of when to off load the ball, currently most of his off loads occur when he is part way through the defensive line and can get his right arm free to pass to his outside support runners.

Vinncent Takataka is aggressive in defence whether he is defending in the centre of the ruck or on the fringes, and due to his natural strength is more than capable of defending one on one and can and will stop even the biggest opposing forwards in their tracks and targets the area around where the attackers carry the football. His speed and lateral movement means that he will not be beaten by light stepping halves trying to take advantage of tiring forwards or the opposition running out of dummy half.

Vinncent Takataka will play the 2020 season as part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls Colts side for the second season in a row.

With his above average to plus speed and foot work for a solidly built player Vinncent Takataka shapes as a second rower for the duration of his rugby league career.

This should be no real surprise as Vinncent Takataka has been playing almost exclusively in the second row since starting in the second row for the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs in Round One of the 2016 Harrold Matthews U16 Cup competition. I do note that he did start one MM Cup match this season in the front row for South’s Logan.

Vinncent Takataka has the look of a very talented player with a playing style similar to that of St George Dragons, New South Wales State of Origin and Australian International second rower Tyson Fizzell as a powerful and devastating runner on the fringes of the ruck.

Like Fizzell what makes Vinncent Takataka such a handful is his outstanding foot work that compliments his speed and power with a low centre of gravity perfectly.

mdrew

30-10-19, 01:31 PM

Jack Kearton. The young front row moved down from Mackay State High School to attend PBC at the start of 2018 and was part of the Titans U16 squad played against PNG and New South Wales Country U16 sides in September 2018. The match against PNG will be held at Pizzey Park Burleigh and the New South Wales Country match at Cudgen.

Jack Kearton played one match for Burleigh in the MM Cup competition in 2019 with that match being in Round Five when he came off the bench in Round Five against Souths Logan.

In 2019 Jake Kearton played his club rugby league on the Gold Coast for Burleigh in the GCRL U18 Division One competition playing ten regular season matches, primarily starting at lock and scored four tries including a Round Nine double against Currumbin just days after the PBC/Keebra Langer Cup match. Jack Kearton also scored against Ormeau earlier in the season and against Mudgeeraba in Round Fourteen.

In Week Two of the GCRL U18 Division One Finals series, Jake Kearton started at lock as Burleigh defeated Southport 34 – 4 to progress directly to the Grand Final.

Jack Kearton started at lock in Burleigh’s 28 -12 U18 Division One Grand Final win over Southport 28 -12 and had strong stints in each half.

Jake Kearton in 2019 was also part of the PBC Open A rugby league side including starting from the bench (he had been named to start) in the Langer Cup derby against Keebra Park in June and was heavily involved when he came on.

Jake Kearton was also part of the PBC side for their Queensland GIO Cup quarter final win over St Mary’s High School Toowoomba 50 – 6 coming off the bench in that match and also came off the bench in PBC’s semi-final loss to Marsden State High School.

Jack Kearton, even though he was eligible for the U16 age group played for the Mudgeeraba Redbacks U17 Division One side in 2018, starting in the second row in their Round One match against Currumbin.

In 2017 Jake Kearton was part of the Capricornia U15 side that took part in the QSSRL U15 championships. In those Championships he played primarily in the second row but has played in the front row for PBC this season in their Year Ten side although he did miss the recent Walter Cup match won by PBC against Keebra Park by two points through illness.

Running with the football, Jack Kearton has good footwork prior to the line and does not often just put his head down and run straight, but uses his solid footwork to try to work the gaps between defenders rather than trying to simply run over them although you can see that when he gets fired up all subtlety and thoughts of self-preservation goes out the window and he becomes a giant wrecking ball.

Jack Kearton does not have great speed off the mark or necessary great high end speed, but he will work hard and make the most of his ability. Jack Kearton actually does have a decent off load usually with his right hand when he has impacted the defensive line as well and regularly showcases this in game situations.

Defensively Jack Kearton can certainly hit very hard, usually aiming for just under the ribs and first intention is to lock up the ball to prevent offloads. He can however on occasion try to tackle too front on which can lead to situations where the opposing forward can bounce off him, but I have no doubt with the Colts coaching that he will be getting they will have this corrected in short order.

Jack Kearton has quite reasonable lateral mobility for a larger forward and due to the fact that he bends his hips when looking to make a tackle he is usually is able to wrap up the smaller attackers without his tackles slipping up to around the head or neck, and thus giving away penalties. Jack Kearton can however get fired up and really cause havoc defensively.

Jack Kearton will play the 2020 season with the Burleigh Bears in the U18 Division One competition and play for PBC in their various School Boy Rugby League competitions a swell as being part of the Burleigh MM Cup squad.

Jack Kearton has spent time in both the front row, lock and second row this season and last and even though I anticipate that he will continue to play both positions for the next couple of seasons, I believe that as he continues to mature physically Jack Kearton will ultimately end up in the front row on a full time basis.

From a player comparison perspective in relation to Jake Kearton, consider someone along the lines of the St George Dragons and new New South Wales State of Origin front rower Paul Vaughan as a big strong mobile forward who hits the defensive line hard when he runs as well as the opposition when they are running the ball.

mdrew

30-10-19, 07:50 PM

Adyn Anguna. (Revised) The big strong powerful young front rower had a great first season on the Gold Coast for the Burleigh Bears in 2017 after moving over from the Cook Islands to attend PBC State High School as part of their Rugby League Excellence Program after starring in a PBC rugby league trial in late 2016 and continued to make strides over the course of the 2018 season.

I initially believed that Aydn Anguna was going to play rugby in 2019 and beyond but it was pleasing to see the powerful front rower or second rower start at lock for the Tweed Heads Seagulls Hastings Deering’s Colt side in their Round One win over the Western Mustangs 18 – 14.

In total for Tweed Heads in the 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition, Adyn Anguna played in seven matches. In addition to starting Round One at lock, Adyn Anguna started at lock in Round Fifteen against Townsville and started in the front row in Round Two against Townsville. Adyn Anguna started from the bench in his other four matches in 2019.

Adyn Anguna also played a number of matches in the 2019 GCRL U20 competition for Runaway Bay coming into the side in Round Seven on the wing and then backed up to start the following Doug Lipp Cup match on the wing. In total in the 2019 GCRL U20 regular season competition Adyn Anguna played in five matches.

In Week One of the GCRL U20 Finals series, Adyn Anguna started from the bench as Runaway Bay defeated Helensvale 27 – 20 to progress to Week Two.

Adyn Anguna made his Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade debut for Runaway Bay when he came off the bench in Round Ten against Burleigh and also came off the bench in Round Thirteen against Bilambil and again in Round Nineteen against Currumbin.

Adyn Anguna also played in six regular season Doug Lipp Cup matches making his debut in May against Ormeau.

In 2018 Adyn Anguna concentrated primarily on school boy rugby league for PBC playing in the majority of their matches from the interchange bench including starting their in the Queensland GIO Cup Final against Kirwan State High School and in the National GIO Cup Final against Patrician Brothers College Blacktown with PBC running out 20 – 12 winners.

In addition to playing for PBC Adyn Anguna played in three matches for Currumbin in the Gold Coast Rugby League U19 competition in 2018 scoring in his first match in that competition this season against Helensvale. Adyn Anguna played against Helensvale twice with his other match against Burleigh.

In late 2017 Adyn Anguna was also selected in the Tweed Heads Seagulls 2018 MM Cup squad but he did not play any of Tweed’s MM Cup matches this season.

In 2017 Adyn Anguna who is already around 101kg and 188cm played in eight matches for Burleigh in the U17 Division One competition scoring two tries which came in consecutive weeks in July against Mudgeeraba and Helensvale. Adyn Anguna also played two matches for Burleigh in the U17 Division Two competition.

Adyn Anguna’s style of play is that of a wide running back rower with above average speed for the position. He is quite quick off the mark, but what makes him even more impressive from a speed perspective is that when he gets into space, he has an extra gear again which is a plus attribute for such a strong powerful back rower, making it almost impossible for the cover defence to catch him once he is open space.

When he runs on the fringes of the ruck and Adyn Anguna uses his foot work to beat defenders with a variety of moves, including a decent step off both feet and a very good in and away as well as simply running over people. Couple those two aspects with a very good fend and you have a strong young player who can cause issues for any defensive line.

Adyn Anguna is an aggressive defender whether he is defending in the centre of the ruck or on the fringes, and due to his natural strength is more than capable of defending one on one and can and will stop even the biggest opposing forwards in their tracks when he is able to set his base. His speed and lateral movement means that he will not be beaten by light stepping halves trying to take advantage of tiring forwards or the opposition running out of dummy half.

Once the 2018 MM Cup competition is completed I expect Adyn Anguna to play for Burleigh in the Gold Coast U19 competition and also be a key member of the PBC Open Rugby League side in their Super Six and GIO Cup Schoolboy competitions. Adyn Anguna should also be in line for selection in the South Coast U18 school boy side for the 2018 QSSRL Championships.

In 2020 Adyn Anguna is still Colts eligible in 2020 and should push for a spot once again in the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition with Tweed Heads.

Even though Adyn Anguna spent a fair bit of time in the centres prior to coming over to Australian I believe that he has all of the attributes to develop into an outstanding rugby league front rower (even though he played some wing this season). Adyn Anguna is a touch raw by Australian standards but he is making incredible progress and looks to be a real player of the future.

For me a current NRL player how has an eerily similar playing style to Adyn Anguna is Penrith Panther and New South Wales State of Origin front rower Reagan Campbell-Gillard as a young front rower who does not just hit the defensive line hard but makes a lot of ground post contact because of his strength and determination to make as much ground as possible on each and every carry of the ball.

mdrew

31-10-19, 05:06 PM

Braden Amundsen. (Revised) The centre/second rower started the 2019 season with Helensvale in the GCRL U20 competition.

In total in the GCRL U20 competition in 2019 Braden Amundsen played in ten matches scoring four tries including an impressive Round Eleven try.

Playing right second rower, Braden Amundsen took the ball around ten metres out from the Mudgeeraba line, fending off the first attempted tackle before being corralled by three defenders. He then spun around 270 degrees to break free and score under the posts.

Braden Amundsen also scored against Burleigh in Round Ten and also against Southport in March and Runaway Bay in July.

Braden Amundsen made his 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts debut in Round Twelve when he started at left centre for Burleigh against the Sunshine Coast Falcons scoring late in the first half on debut.

Braden Amundsen received the ball about ten metres out from the Falcons line pushing past his opposite defender before taking on the fullback front on and after disposing of him through sheer strength scored near the left corner.

In total for the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts side in 2019, Braden Amundsen played in nine matches including Burleigh’s first finals.

Braden Amundsen split time between starting on the right wing and right centre in 2019, starting five matches on the wing and four in the centres.

Braden Amundsen started the 2018 season as part of the Burleigh MM Cup side progressing through the local U19 competition with Helensvale before getting a late season opportunity with the Burleigh Colts side.

For Burleigh in the 2018 MM Cup competition Braden Amundsen playing five of Burleigh’s six matches, starting the opening four rounds in the centres and coming off the bench in Round Seven against Victoria. Round Seven also saw Braden Amundsen score his sole try of the 2018 MM Cup season.

Braden Amundsen came into the Burleigh Colts squad in Round Twenty Three against Townsville starting on the wing and also started on the wing in Round Twenty Four against Easts.

In the GCRL U19 competition of Helensvale Braden Amundsen finished third on the try scoring list with twelve tries from just fourteen matches. After scoring a double against Currumbin and following that up the following round against Ormeau, Braden Amundsen exploded scoring eight tries in a three round span.

In that span Braden Amundsen scored hat tricks against Bilambil and Mudgeeraba and a double against Burleigh. Braden Amundsen’s final try of the season came against Bilambil late in the season.

Braden Amundsen was a solid performer for the Helensvale Hornets U17 Division side in the 2017 GCJRL competition and as a result has caught the attention of the Titans as well as being selected in the Burleigh Bears MM Cup training squad for the 2018 season.

Braden Amundsen started in the centres for Helensvale in their 34 – 20 Grand Final victory over Ormeau and over the course of the 2017 season scored five tries from his fourteen matches in the Yellow and White of Helensvale. All five of Braden Amundsen’s tries came in individual games including a try against Bilambil in their first 2017 final’s match. Braden Amundsen’s tries other tries came against Southport, Mudgeeraba, Runaway Bay and Bilambil in a match during the regular season.

Braden Amundsen is reasonably quick down the sidelines with a good in and away to beat defenders on the outside and will only get caught by the quickest of defenders from behind if he breaks into open space. I would not say that he has blazing speed but he does have decent top end speed I would think that it would just fall into the above average category.

Braden Amundsen’s best attribute from an outside back perspective is his ability to keep his width and be available for his team mates, when the opposing defender cheats inside. When the ball is moved out the back line, he stays on his line. He is not and likely never will be a player who scores a great amount of tries.

When playing in the centres Braden Amundsen looked to draw in the winger to try to create space down the touch line for the attackers outside him, but he does have enough pace, when he is able to get outside his opposing defender and make line breaks when the defensive winger stays out. Thus from what I have seen he has very good situational awareness in attack from the centre position and his Helensvale Hornets team mates benefitted from these attributes.

In defence, Braden Amundsen is not the strongest player but will certainly look to hold his line defensively and he does not hesitate to commit to the tackle regardless of the size of the opponent. I did not often see him come in when he did not need to, preferring to stay on his oppose number and trusting his teams inside and outside defenders in his Hornets team. From my perspective at least, his skill set in defence is more suited to a sliding defence structure rather than an up and in one.

Braden Amundsen will be part of the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts side once again in 2020 where he will push for a spot in the centres and will also likely play a number of Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade matches in 2020.

Positionally Braden Amundsen has the skill and physical attributes to stay in the centres for the duration of his rugby league career, but he could certainly also play on the wing at a high level. I must admit also that I was intrigued at how Braden Amundsen went in the second row in 2019 for Helensvale and it will be interesting to see if he gets further opportunities there in future seasons.

Braden Amundsen is just a solid classy player who seems to be able to break tackles even against far bigger opponents and has a touch of class with his passing game thus from a comparison perspective I can see aspects of the play of Penrith Panthers centre Dean Whare (Braden Amundsen is a bit bigger however) when watching Braden Amundsen play, he is just an effective player who has slipped under the radar a little in recent seasons.

mdrew

31-10-19, 07:45 PM

Carl Lolohea. The giant powerful young Ballina Seagulls front rower is another youngster from the Group One region in northern New South Wales making his mark in rugby league.

Carl Lolohea started the 2019 season of starting from the interchange bench in Round One for the Northern Rivers Titans in the U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition against the Newcastle Knights Development Squad.

Round Two of the 2019 Laurie Daley Cup competition saw Carl Lolohea once again start the match from the interchange bench in their match against Parramatta.

Carl Lolohea moved into the starting line-up for the Round Three clash against the North Coast Bulldogs starting the match in the front row and maintained his starting front row spot in Round Four against the Central Coast Roosters where he made some impressive runs making good ground post contact.

As a result of his earlier performances in the U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition Carl Lolohea also started in the front row in Round Five against the Greater Northern Tigers and was rewarded for an outstanding match scoring a powerful try late.

Carl Lolohea took the ball from around twelve metres out from the try line to the left of the play the ball and cut back off his left foot to surge over near the left upright dragging a couple of defenders over the line with him.

Post the U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition Carl Lolohea played in the U18 NRRRL competition playing for Ballina. Carl Lolohea started the U18 NRRRL season off with a bang starting in the front row and scoring in Round One in a 44 - 8 Ballina win over Kyogle and he also scored in Round Two against Casino RSM in another big Ballina victory.

Carl Lolohea also had a big match in Round Eleven scoring a hat trick against Evans Head in a 54 – 4 Ballina victory.

In total in the NRRRL U18 regular season competition in 2019 Carol Lolohea scored nine tries from fifteen appearances. In addition to the tries noted above Carl Lolohea also scored against Cudgen and Kyogle and finished the regular season with a bang scoring against Byron Bay.

In Week Two of the NRRRL U18 Finals Carl Lolohea was part of the Ballina side that defeated Cudgen 26 – 20 to progress directly to the Grand Final.

In the 2019 NRRRL U18 Grand Final Carl Lolohea started in the left second row position and terrorised his Cudgen opponents continually throughout the match as Ballina drew away in the second half to win 24 – 6 after the scores were locked 2 all at half time.

Carl Lolohea made his deserved NRRRL Reserve Grade debut in Round Seven for Ballina against the Tweed Coast.

Carl Lolohea started the 2018 season as part of the Northern Rivers U16 Andrew Johns Cup side playing in four matches, including games against the Newcastle Knights Development Squad, the Central Coast Roosters, the Greater Northern Tigers and the Western Rams which featured recent Titans signing Jack Smith.

Carl Lolohea also played for Ballina in the Far North Coast U16 Rugby competition starting seven matches in the centres with his first match being in Round Three against Brunswick Valley. IN his seven matches he scored two tries both coming in Round Thirteen against Lismore.

In 2017 Carl Lolohea represented the Group One U15 side in three matches at the New South Wales Country U15 Age Championships.

In the Group One U16.5 competition in 2018 Carl Lolohea played in thirteen matches for Ballina scoring five tries. Each of his tries came in individual matches and came against Lismore Marist Brothers twice, Casino RSM twice and Clarence Coast.

At this stage of his career Carl Lolohea is primarily a hard straight runner with little subtlety or footwork prior to contact with the defensive line but there has been just a few signs this season, including playing for the Group One U16 side against the Western Mustangs U16’s that his footwork is slowly but surely developing nicely.

Carl Lolohea has continued to get bigger and stronger over the last few years and impressively has also been able to maintain has above average speed and mobility for his position, in fact I would consider his speed for a front rower to be in the plus category as is his mobility.

Defensively Carl Lolohea regularly is the first player up to target the ball carriers, even though he is one of the bigger forwards in his team and will make solid initial contact as well as having the ability of defending one on one.

Carl Lolohea is not averse to looking for the big hit but also does have a good front on defensive technique and decent agility and lateral movement when looking to tackle smaller opponents. Carl Lolohea has the size, strength and power to seal off sections of the field in defence and impressively can sustain that dominance for the entire match regularly.

Carl Lolohea will also be eligible to play in the U18 competition in 2020 but should also make his NRRRL First Grade debut for Ballina as well as be part of the Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad for the second season in a row come 2020.

Carl Lolohea is a big strong young man still growing into his frame and should continue to do so over the coming years without compromising his outstanding athletic abilities. As he continues to develop his skills and grows physically there would appear to be no doubt that Carl Lolohea will stay in the front row.

Carl Lolohea has outstanding physical attributes and a rapidly developing skill set and it is just a matter of time for him to figure out how best to use them to dominate on a rugby league field and when he does opposition teams regardless of quality should look out.

From an NRL player comparison perspective I would consider a player comparison for Carl Lolohea with Penrith Panthers destructive second rower Viliame Kikau as more than appropriate. Both are exceptionally destructive on the fringes of the ruck and take a power of stopping by defences.

mdrew

01-11-19, 06:16 AM

Lochlyn Sheldon. (Revised) The talented front rower or lock missed the opening rounds of the 2019 season with injury but came back into the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts side for their Round Eight ANZAC Day match against the Western Mustangs starting at lock for the Bears. Lochlyn Sheldon also started at lock in Rounds Nine and Ten against Redcliffe and the Northern Pride respectively.

In a Gold Coast Rugby League bye week, Lochlyn Sheldon was back in the Burleigh Colts side for Round Sixteen against Souths Logan, starting at lock and scoring his first Colts try of the year. Close to the Souths Logan line, Burleigh hooker Lachlan Turnbull ran to his right and Lochlyn Sheldon ran back towards the play the ball on an underneath route and crashed over after he received the inside pass.

Lochlyn Sheldon also started at lock in Round Seventeen against Tweed Heads scoring Burleigh’s first try of the match when he ran onto a short pass from his left from hooker Lachlan Turnbull to easily crash over from close range.

Lochlyn Sheldon added a further try in Round Nineteen against Redcliffe when he was on hand to receive an inside ball from Tristian Powell to score under the posts from about ten metres out.

Starting at lock in Round Twenty One Lochlyn Sheldon added another try when he cut back underneath Burleigh dummy half Lachlan Turnbull to crash over from close range, it was simply that Lochlyn Sheldon wanted to score more than the defence wanted to stop him.

Lochlyn Sheldon also had a big part in the first half try for Shallin Fuller, running to the right of the play the ball Lochlyn Sheldon took the ball right to the line before popping a great short ball to his right to put Tristian Powell into a gap, who then found Shallin Fuller to score under the posts.

Lochlyn Sheldon scored again in Round Twenty Three against Central Queensland, he received the ball on the right of the play the ball, dummied to the right to break through the initial defensive line before stepping off his right foot to easily beat the fullback to score under the posts.

Lochlyn Sheldon scored again in Burleigh’s Week One Major Semi-final loss to Wynnum Many. Lochlyn Sheldon ran an outside shoulder route to the right of the final the ball and after receiving a pass from Cameron Brown got on the outside of his opponent scoring from fifteen metres out about half way between the corner post and goal post on the left side of the field.

In Week Two of the Finals Lochlyn Sheldon scored in Burleigh’s 42 – 12 win against Norths after starting the match at lock. After a play to the left broke down Cameron Brown brought the ball back towards the centre of the field and found Lochlyn Sheldon running into a gap. Lochlyn Sheldon then produced a fend with each hand to run twelve metres to score under the posts.

Lochlyn Sheldon’s 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts season came to an end when he started at lock for Burleigh as they went down 23 – 16 to Sunshine Coast in the Preliminary Final.

In total in the 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition, Lochlyn Sheldon played in fifteen matches including Burleigh’s finals starting all at lock and scoring seven tries.

At the end of season Awards night, Lochlyn Sheldon was named 2019 Burleigh Sportsman of the Year and also was awarded the 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts Coaches Award.

Lochlyn Sheldon in 2019 received a quick promotion to the Burleigh GCRL First Grade side making his 2019 GCRL First Grade debut from the bench as the Bears defeated Currumbin 22 – 20 in Round Nine.

Lochlyn Sheldon moved into the Burleigh GCRL First Grade starting line-up in the left second row position for their Round Ten match against Runaway Bay scoring a double which were in fact the first two tries that Burleigh scored.

For his first try Lochlyn Sheldon received the ball down a short left blind side to dive over a couple of metres from the left corner post. Lochlyn Sheldon showed some outstanding pace for his second try a few minutes later. Burleigh made a break on the half way mark and Lochlyn Sheldon showed impressive pace to loom up on the inside to take the ball and run twenty metres to score.

In total in the 2019 GCRL First Grade competition, Lochlyn Sheldon has played in six matches scoring the two tries noted above.

Lochlyn Sheldon was an ever present in the front row for the Burleigh Bears early in the Hastings Deering’s U20 Colts side in 2018, starting in the front row in their first nine of their matches before being promoted to the Gold Coast Rugby League Burleigh First Grade side.

Lochlyn Sheldon is not going to score many tries but did score in Round Three of 2018 in the local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls.

In 2018 Lochlyn Sheldon made his Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade debut for Burleigh starting from the bench in Round Six when the Bears defeated Bilambil 40 – 10. Lochlyn Sheldon played eight matches for Burleigh in the Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade competition in 2018.

Lochlyn Sheldon had a very good 2017 season on the field for Burleigh in the MM Cup competition and for Runaway Bay across multiple grades in the Gold Coast Rugby League competition. In addition, Lochlyn Sheldon played one match for the Burleigh Bears U20 Colts Challenge side which was in Round Fourteen against the Ipswich Jets, that afternoon Lochlyn Sheldon made his debut from the interchange bench and scored a second half try in a positive debut Colts match.

For Burleigh in the 2017 MM competition, Lochlyn Sheldon captained the side and started in five of their six matches in the front row and came off the interchange bench in Round Three. Lochlyn Sheldon crossed for three tries over the six matches, scoring in Round One against Redcliffe, in Round Three against North’s and also in Round Six in the local derby against Tweed Heads Seagulls a match in which Burleigh won and a match that also included a number of Tians linked players on both sides.

For Runaway Bay in the Gold Coast Rugby League Competition, Lochlyn Sheldon played twelve matches in the U19 competition, eleven in the Doug Lipp Cup including starting the Grand Final at lock (Unfortunately Runaway Bay were defeated 13 – 6 by Beaudesert) and one match in the A grade making his A Grade debut in August against Ormeau.

Across his twelve matches in the 2018 U19 competition, Lochlyn Sheldon scored five tries all coming in a stellar four game period mid-season where he scored double against Mudgeeraba and also tries in that period against Beaudesert, Burleigh and Bilambil.

Lochlyn Sheldon made his Doug Lipp Cup debut in June 2018 against Bilambil and went on to make eleven appearances for Runaway Bay in that competition scoring three tries which came against Ormeau, Tugun and Bilambil. In five of his eleven Doug Lipp Cup matches, Lochlyn Sheldon played in the U19 contest and then backed up to play the Doug Lipp Cup fixture immediately after the conclusion of the previous match.

Lochlyn Sheldon was named player of the carnival for the 2016 Confraternity Shield as well as being named in the second row for the Queensland Independent Colleges (QIC) Secondary Schools rugby league side after playing for Gold Coast based Aquinas College in the carnival which was held in September 2016.

Fellow Aquinas College student Lachlan Douglas was also named in the all carnival side in the front row. Lachlan Douglas is currently part of the 2018 Burleigh U20 Hastings Deering’s squad.

Previously Lochlyn Sheldon has made multiple representative sides, including the Queensland U13 side, South Coast U15’s where he was named player of the match on Day Two against Darling Downs, Qld Marron U15’s from which he made the U15 Australian Merit Team with Titans linked Konrad Edwards and also the Queensland U16 side in 2015, which also contained Titans Ben Thomas and Darius Farmer.

Lochlyn Sheldon was part of the Brisbane Broncos elite development squad for a number of years, but unfortunately for him he was not able to gain a contract with the Broncos, which was good news for the Titans.

Running with the football, Lochlyn Sheldon has good footwork prior to the line and does not often just put his head down and run straight, but uses his solid footwork to try to work the gaps between defenders rather than trying to simply run over them.

Lochlyn Sheldon does not have great speed off the mark or necessary great high end speed, but he will work hard and make the most of his ability. He actually does have a decent off load when he has impacted the defensive line as well.

Where there has been a clear development in Lochlyn Sheldon’s game has been he is ability to off load prior to contact with the defensive line in a 2017 Round Three MM match against the North’s Devils Lochlyn Sheldon popped a great short ball to Noah Lolesio off his right hip who crossed untouched for one of his four tries that afternoon at Pizzey Park.

Defensively Lochlyn Sheldon is not a big hitter, usually aiming for just under the ribs and first intention is to lock up the ball to prevent offloads. One area where is quite effective whether he is defending on the fringes of the ruck or in the centre of the ruck including when he is defending at marker, is against smaller attackers who look to use their foot work.

Lochlyn Sheldon has quite reasonable lateral mobility for a forward and due to the fact that he also is not that tall, usually is able to wrap up the smaller attackers without his tackles slipping up to around the head or neck, and thus giving away penalties. His ability to successfully defend against these type of attackers as well as having the technique to defend against larger forwards is one of a number of reasons that I consider that a future in the second row is probable.

Lochlyn Sheldon will probably not stand out during a game but will work hard both in attack and defence and leave all the eye catching things like big hits, line breaks and one handed off loads to other forwards who will benefit from his hard working style.

Lochlyn Sheldon push for a spot in the Burleigh Queensland Cup side in 2020 and I would not bet against him making an impact in that competition.

Whilst he has alternated between second row and front row over previous junior seasons, I would anticipate that based on his build and skill set that starting as early as next season Lochlyn Sheldon will likely transition to the second row full time. Lochlyn Sheldon likely could play front row in an emergency type situation but second row seems like a more natural fit for him from my perspective at least.

From a player comparison perspective, one player with a similar playing style from my perspective is former Titans second rower and current Titans coaching staff member Anthony Laffranchi, as a solid hard working forward who will probably never be a star but will be a solid contributor to a team’s forward pack.

Likely there will be players with more natural ability that will not go as far in rugby league as Lochlyn Sheldon will, simply because he will make the most of the ability he has through sheer hard work and effort.

mdrew

01-11-19, 09:07 PM

Kel Sheather. (Revised) Ballina Seagulls 19 year old half Kel Sheather started Round One of the New South Wales Country U23 competition at half for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Central Coast Roosters.

In the match, Kel Sheather did not have too many chances with the ball but was outstanding defensively, especially in relation to two plays in the first half. The first was when faced with a big overlap, he flew out of the line at the Central Coast half forcing a mistake and saving a try.

In the second instance, Kel Sheather tracked a Titans clearing kick and hit the Central Coast fullback in an outstanding front on tackle, jolting the ball loose, with the Titans scoring in the next set of six.

In the match Kel Sheather kicked one conversion which was a great kick from the left touchline.

In Round Two against the Greater Northern Tigers Kel Sheather also started at half once again and kicked three conversions in a good Northern Rivers Titans win. He also started at half in the Northern Rivers Titans U23 side’s semi-final against the South Coast Dragons finishing the match kicking three conversions form four attempts in their twenty point loss.

As in previous seasons, Kel Sheather played for the Ballina Seagulls in the NRRRL First competition but due to the presence of Jamie Lyon as captain/coach and five eight, Kel Sheather in fact started in the centres in Round One against Kyogle and contributed a try to Ballina’s 40 – 18 victory over the Turkey’s.

With Jamie Lyon coming on board as Ballina’s NRRRL First Grade captain/coach, Kel Sheather has moved to the centres for the majority of the season playing in fourteen matches regular season matches scoring seven tries. Kel Sheather has missed a number of matches due to injury but came back into the Ballina First Grade side in time for the Final’s series in Round Eighteen against Byron Bay.

Kel Sheather scoring a final regular season round (Round 18) double against Byron Bay with the remainder of his tries coming in separate matches against Kyogle twice, Lismore Marist Brothers, Northern United and Cudgen.

Kel Sheather added a further try in Week Two of the NRRRL First Grade Finals when he scored for Ballina as they defeated Murwillumbah 30 – 20 to progress directly to the 2019 NRRRL First Grade Grand Final.

In the NRRRL First Grade Grand Final Kel Sheather started at right centre and scored one of Ballina’s tries when he ran into a gap to score from twenty metres out as Ballina defeated Murwillumbah 38 – 18.

The talented young half was still eligible to play in the MM Cup competition in 2108 and in fact was named in the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad but in fact has by-passed the U18 competition all together and commenced the 2018 season as the starting half back for the Tweed Heads Seagulls U20 Colts side and scored a good try in Round One against the North’s Devils when he split the North’s defence from around ten metres out when operating on the left side of the field.

Kel Sheather also started Rounds Two where he had a try assist and Three against Victoria and Burleigh respectively at half back. Kel Sheather has primarily played on the left side of the field so far this season for the Tweed Heads Seagulls.

Round Three against Burleigh once again saw Kel Sheather lead Tweed Heads around the field well especially in the second half with the Seagulls coming from behind to beat their local rivals by four points with two late tries.

In total for Tweed Heads in the 2018 Colts competition, Kel Sheather played in eleven matches scoring two tries. In addition to the try noted above against Victoria, Kel Sheather also scored against Wynnum Manly in Round Six.

Kel Sheather started his first eight U20 Hastings Deering’s Colts matches at half back, the last being in Round Eight against the Western Mustangs. In his other three matches being against Ipswich in Round Ten, Redcliffe in Round Thirteen and Wynnum Manly in Round Seventeen, Kel Sheather has started from the interchange bench.

Kel Sheather also played a number of matches in the 2018 NRRRL competition for Ballina making his NRRRL First Grade debut in June and scoring against Casino RSM. In his eight NRRL First Grade regular season matches in 2018 Kel Sheather scored 32 points from four tries and eight goals.

Kel Sheather was also heavily involved in 2018 Ballina’s NRRRL First Grade final’s series, culminating in Ballina playing the Tweed Coast Raiders in the 2018 NRRRL First Grade Grand Final with Ballina going down 24 – 4 against the Tweed Coast Raiders in a physical contest in Ballina.

Kel Sheather started the Grand Final at five eight and operated primarily on the right side of the field for Ballina. He did not get too many chances in attack but acquitted himself well defensively against a Tweed Coast forward pack that sent a lot of traffic his way.

Kel Sheather had a huge match late in the regular season against Lower Clarence in Round Seventeen scoring two tries and kicking eight goals for an individual point’s haul of 24. Kel Sheather’s other regular season tries came in Round Seventeen against Lismore Marist Brothers and Round Seven against Casino RSM.

Kel Sheather also played one 2018 NRRRL U18 match being in May against the Tweed Coast Raiders and that day he then backed up for the First Grade match later in the afternoon.

The 2018 season was the second season in which Kel Sheather has been involved in the NRRRL First Grade competition after playing in nine matches in 2017, scoring one try.

The St Johns College Woodlawn half back in 2017 plyed his trade for the Ballina Seagulls in the NRRRL Northern Rivers Rugby League competition playing both first grade and U18’s this season as well as playing for St College Woodlawn in a number of Schoolboy competitions including the GIO Cup. Kel Sheather set up a great try in the semi-finals of the New South Wales Catholic Cup schoolboy competition when a great kick of his in the wet found the chest of centre Jordan Sly but a late try resulted in a 14 – 10 loss to Sydney’s Holy Cross Ryde.

Kel Sheather also scored a 100 metre try and was singled out for special praise by his coach in Woodlawn’s New South Wales GIO Cup Grand Final victory over Patrician Brothers Fairfield in Sydney in late August 2017.

Kel Sheather in 2017 played ten matches in the U18 NRRRL competition scoring 52 points from five tries and sixteen goals. All of his tries have been scored in different games and came against Tweed Coast on two separate occasions, Byron Bay, Casino RSM and Kyogle. Kel Sheather also played nine NRRRL first grade matches and scored his sole try in his third ever first grade match against Byron Bay.

In 2016 Kel Sheather started from the bench for the Northern Country Combined Catholic College side in the NSW CCC trials. Over the last couple of years, the young halfback has not played a great deal of club rugby league for his club side the Ballina Seagulls but has played a fair amount of matches, including the National GIO Cup competition with St Johns College Woodlawn.

Kel Sheather came to prominence in the green of Woodlawn in 2017 when he was part of the NSW CCC Cup Woodlawn side that made the semi-finals of that competition last year. That side included former Titan Sam Elliot and Zac Beecher who has previously played in the MM Cup competition of the Gold Coast.

In attack his initial burst of speed off the mark is the first attribute that you will notice when you see him play, he has a dynamic initial burst however he does not have an extra gear to move to when he is in open space. Coupled with a very good step off both feet, although he seems to step off his right foot on a more regular basis, Kel Sheather’s speed enables him to make breaks however his lack of plus top end speed does impact on his ability to score from his own breaks.

Kel Sheather’s initial burst off the mark was the primary reason for his try in Round One against the North’s Devils. He received the ball on the left side of the play the ball about ten metres out from the North’s line. Kel Sheather ran across field with the ball out in front of him in both hands and when the North’s defensive line hesitated not knowing whether he would run or pass, Kel Sheather stepped off his left foot and exploded through a small gap to score with the North’s fullback trying in vain to make the tackle as Kel Sheather dived across the line to score near the left upright.

Kel Sheather can and will beat defenders in the inside with a step and if the defensive line is staggered a dummy and go, presents multiple headaches for the opposition’s defensive strategies and also backs up well.

It is these attributes that means Kel Sheather is a threat to run every time he is at dummy half and opposing defences must that that into account, for if the markers do but work hard or there are slow moving forwards he has the ability to exploit that on each occasion, like he did against North’s.

A good left foot step in Round Two against the Victorian Thunderbolts highlighted the effectiveness of his step to create opportunities. With a couple of minutes to go in the match, Kel Sheather took the ball on the field (where he has primarily played) stepped off his left foot to elude a defender who had rushed out of the line and then popped a good short inside ball to Ben Thomas who scored near the posts. The try from Kel Sheather’s perspective involved good footwork in limited space and then appropriate timing, direction and weight on his pass to set up Ben Thomas for the try.

In previous year’s he has run quite a lot but last year and so far this season he has seemingly taken a step back and become more of an organising type of halfback, but he still takes on the line when he sees an opportunity as was evidenced in Round One against North’s.

At present, one area for him to continue to develop is his play making skills, including putting his runners holes gaps. I am not suggesting that play making skills are currently under developed but an improvement in that area will enable his speed and footwork to play better in game situations as defensive lines start to focus in his runners and thus leave more space for him.

Kel Sheather continues to refine his passing especially to his left and has thrown a number of good passes this season, none more so than a good long spiral to left centre Lee Turner which put him outside his defender and then Lee Turner just had to draw the winger and pass Gerard Ah Nau for his first try in the left corner and his first in Seagulls colours since his move from Group 20.

From a goal kicking perspective, he is very effective near the posts, his strike rate last year was a touch above 90% and will have his moments where he kicks then in bunches from the sideline as well. I am not sure whether he will be a team’s primary goal kicker going forward, but it is certainly not out of the question that he will not be either.

In defence, due to his size he is obviously not going to come up with the big hit but reads the play well enough and can hold his own when defending much bigger players. When confronted with forwards running directly at him on the fringes of the ruck he will get in front of them and use his shoulder in an effort to contain them until defensive help arrives. He does have an aggressive streak in him when defending and this holds him in good stead when defending against wide running back rowers.

Kel Sheather’s Colts eligibility is now completed and his next step will likely be either stay with Ballina in the NRRRL First Grade competition or test himself on the Gold Coast likely starting in the First Grade competition before looking for a Queensland Cup opportunity.

From a position perspective, Kel Sheather made a good fist of half back with the Tweed Heads Seagulls Colts side in 2018 and in the NRRRL First Grade competition and clearly has made great strides in his game management and ball playing skills and thus there is no reason to consider a move from half back.

Whilst Kel Sheather has played in the centres this season for Ballina in the NRRRRL First Grade competition with Jamie Lyon coming on board, his future certainly lies closer to the action.

With his evolving game management and ball playing skills to compliment his running game a player comparison to young Melbourne Storm half back Brody Croft is not unwarranted. Like Croft Kel Sheather is also a very good goal kicker as well as tactical kicker.

Kel Sheather certainly has an intriguing skill set and has come on in leaps and bounds this season in Colts and has adapted to the size and speed of the older players he is up against very quickly indeed.

Kel Sheather certainly has had to deal with a very steep learning curve this season in the centres but he has handled it with aplomb which bodes well for the future.

mdrew

02-11-19, 01:35 PM

Terry-Jack Smart. The young man from the Northlands region of New Zealand (the area north of Auckland) will be heading over to Australia to look to fulfil his rugby league dream starting with being selected in the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad in 2019. Terry-Jack Smart however did not play in any of Tweed Heads matches in their successful 2019 campaign.

Terry-Jack Smart arrived in Australia with an outstanding junior resume including selection in Northlands U15 and U17 sides that played in the New Zealand National Championships and selection in multiple merit sides.

Terry-Jack Smart had a successful start to his time in Australia starting in the front row and scoring a hat trick for Southport in the GCRL U18 Division One competition, however his Southport side went down 16 – 14 to Helensvale.

Terry-Jack Smart moved to the second row for Round Two against Currumbin scoring a double in their 18 – 10 win and also scored a double in Round Eleven against Currumbin playing in the second row.

In total in 2019 Terry-Jack Smart played in thirteen U18 Division One matches for Southport and in addition to his tries noted above also scored in Round Four against Burleigh and Round Nine against Mudgeeraba as well as adding a double later in the season against Currumbin.

Terry-Jack Smart also started in the front row and scored a double for Southport as they progressed to the Grand Final on the back of a 28 – 20 Preliminary Final win over Ormeau.

In the Grand Final Terry-Jack Smart started in the front row as Southport went down 28 – 12 against Burleigh in a physical forward contest.

In 2019 Terry-Jack Smart was also part of the Keebra Park Langer Cup squad including starting in the front row in the Gold Coast derby against PBC.

Terry-Jack Smart also started in the front row for Keebra Park in their Queensland GIO Cup quarter final win over Coombabah State High School 42 – 12.

2019 also saw Terry-Jack Smart also play one Kennards Hire Debbie Marzella Competition match against Robina in June.

In 2018 in New Zealand, Terry-Jack Smart played in two competitions in the Northlands Region being the U17 Sam McKendry Cup and the Adam Blair Northtec Schoolboy Cup.

In the 2018 Sam McKendry Cup Competition, Terry-Jack Smart played for the Takahiwai Rugby League Club and scored an impressive sixteen tries from just nine matches (178% strike rate) to finish the competition’s leading point scored by a staggering eight tries.

Included in his sixteen tries were five in a match against the Hikurangi Stags and also a hat trick against the Stags late in the season, Terry-Jack Smart also scored a late season double against the Stags and an early season double against Nga Tama Toa.

In the Adam Blair Northtec Schoolboy competition, Terry-Jack Smart led Bream Bay College to an 18 – 16 win in the Competition Final starting at five eight and scoring as Bream Bay College defeated Whangarei Boys High School in just their second year in the competition.

In total in the School Boy competition Terry-Jack Smart played in six matches and scored eight tries to also lead that competitions try scoring list. In the opening two rounds Terry-Jack Smart scored hat tricks with those matches coming against Tauraroa Area School/Otamatea High School and Dargaville High School. In addition to his try in the final Terry-Jack Smart also scored against Whangarei Boys High School in a pool match.

Terry-Jack Smart represented the Northern Swords U17 side this season at the North Islands District U17 Tournament and was in fact named in the Tournament Merit Team for the second time after being named in the U15 Tournament merit side in 2016.

Terry-Jack Smart was named in the Northern Swords U17 side that contested the 2018 U17 New Zealand National Youth Tournament which started on October 1, with the Northern Swords in Group D and played round robin matches against the Akarana Falcons, the South Island Scorpions and the Central Vipers.

In Round One Terry-Jack Smart started at lock for the U17 Northern Swords who went down 46 – 0 to the Akarana Falcons. Round Two saw Terry-Jack Smart start once again at lock as the Northern Swords took on the Southern Zone Scorpions with the Northern Swords going down 56 – 10.

Round Three saw Terry-Jack Smart start at lock for the third match (and day) in a row as the Northern Swords defeat the Central Vipers 28 – 20 to record their first win of the tournament.

The win propelled the Northern Swords U17’s to the 5th to 8th play-offs with their first match being against the Wai-Coa Bay side with Terry-Jack Smart named on the bench in the 28 – 20 loss.

In the Northern Swords 7th against 8th play-off match against the Central Vipers, Terry-Jack Smart started at lock as the Northern Swords U17 side finished the Tournament with a 26 – 14 loss.

Terry-Jack Smart has also previously represented the Northern Swords at the U15 level including winning a number of plyer of the match awards at the 2016 U15 New Zealand National Youth Tournament.

You do not often find a young player who is equally at home running on both sides of the ruck but that is what a team has with Treey-Jack Smart, he runs a very good outside shoulder line and his above average footwork enables him to step off either foot to enable him to cut back against the movement of the defensive line to take advantage of gaps back on the inside of his direct opponent if an inside defender is slow to come across in defence.

For a big strong young man, Treey-Jack Smart also has above average speed, not just off the mark but also when he is in clear space, when he makes a break Treey-Jack Smart is more than capable of going the distance and normally out paces the cover defence on the way to the try line.

Treey-Jack Smart is not just a strong runner of the ball he as noted above has excellent footwork prior to the line and also some very good short passing both before the line and when in contact with a defender. Treey-Jack Smart in schoolboy rugby league in New Zealand was a magnet for defenders and is adept at identifying when multiple defenders are vectoring towards him and identifying the appropriate force to be applied to his passing.

On a lot of his runs Treey-Jack Smart rather than trying to step his opposite number will really look to initiate the contact and then use his strength to hold the defender off his body to either push through the tackle or draw in the next defender to create space for his support players.

Defensively Treey-Jack Smart has a hard edge to his play and his initial contact is more than sufficient to redirect the momentum of the ball carrier. Treey-Jack Smart sets a very good base which he uses to explode into the ball carrier looking to use their own momentum against them.

His good situation awareness also enables him to be well positioned when he is defending against smaller quicker opponents and he endeavours to minimise the time available for the opposing attacker to generate speed and to utilise their footwork.

Treey-Jack Smart is also able to change direction quickly to adjust to the directional changes of the attacking play especially when he is marking up against multiple attackers running in his direction where he will hold his ground to let the play to develop in front of him before committing to a specific defensive course of action.

Terry-Jack Smart will I am sure be part of either the be part of either the Tweed Heads Seagulls or Burleigh Bears Hastings Deering’s Colts squad in 2020 and will also be Colts eligible in 2021.

In New Zealand Terry-Jack Smart played either lock or five eight this season and even played a match or two on the wing and this season he played in the front row for both Southport and Keebra Park.

To be honest I am not sure whether he has the size to stay at lock or front row or the ball playing skills to play five eight but for me Terry-Jack Smart has the intensity and desire to forge a rugby league career in the second row where he might be a touch undersized compared to some but will make up for it through intensity and sheer hard work and effort.

Terry-Jack Smart for me has a similar playing style to 2019 Parramatta Eels second rower Tepai Moeroa who will make the move to the New South Wales Waratah’s in 2020. Both just work all day and have an effective front on running style.

mdrew

02-11-19, 09:17 PM

Daniel Shannon. (Revised) He is a local Titan’s linked young front rower who this season continued to develop his game for the Burleigh Bears Hastings Deering’s Colts side and with Southport in the Gold Coast Rugby League competition.

In the 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition, Daniel Shannon played in fifteen matches including finals and scored his first Colts try of the season in Round Twenty against the Western Mustangs.

Daniel Shannon came into the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts side in Round Nine against Redcliffe starting from the bench and also started from the bench in his other fourteen matches.

In relation to his try against the Western Mustangs Daniel Shannon received the ball from dummy half Zac McCormack close to the line with heavy defence in front of him, but he used his footwork to cut back towards the play the ball where the defence had not moved off the line and Daniel Shannon used his size and power to crash over.

Daniel Shannon’s 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts season came to an end when he started on the interchange bench for Burleigh as they went down 23 – 16 to Sunshine Coast in the Preliminary Final.

Daniel Shannon played the last rounds of the 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition alongside younger brother Samuel in the Burleigh side.

In the Gold Coast Rugby League U20 competition Daniel Shannon played in eight matches including starting in the front row in Round Eleven against Burleigh when he scored a double which were his first tries of the 2019 season.

Daniel Shannon’s first try was a short range effort when he took the ball about three metres out from the line on the right side of the ruck to crash over. His second try came from around ten metres out this time on the left side of the ruck when he ran a good outside shoulder route and was put through a big gap.

Daniel Shannon also had a try assist in the match when he split the Burleigh line thirty metres out from his own line on the left side of the field, charging forty metres before drawing the fullback to send his support over untouched.

One thing that I did notice in the match was that Daniel Shannon ball played a lot before the line, on every occasion on the right side of the ruck.

Daniel Shannon’s other 2019 Gold Coast Rugby League U20 try came later in the season against Mudgeeraba.

In 2019 Daniel Shannon also made his Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade debut when he started in the front row against Bilambil in Round Two.

Daniel Shannon also played in two QTOP Doug Lipp Cup matches in 2019 for Southport with those matches being against Burleigh in June and Mudgeeraba in late August.

In 2019 Daniel Shannon was also selected in the Gold Coast Vikings U20 side for the South East Queensland U20 Challenge.

For Burleigh in the 2018 MM Cup competition, Daniel Shannon played in all six matches starting five in the front row and coming off the bench in Round Three in the local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls.

Daniel Shannon scored just the one try in the MM Cup this season which was against Redcliffe in Round Two in an impressive Burleigh win at Pizzey Park.

Post the MM Cup competition, Daniel Shannon played for Southport and played in nine matches in the U19 competition and three in the Doug Lipp Cup competition.

Daniel Shannon came into the Southport U19 side in Round Three starting in the front row in a 22 all draw against Bilambil and also started in the front row in seven other matches before his Colts promotion. In Round 16 with the Burleigh Colts side having a bye Daniel Shannon lined up in the front row against Currumbin in a tough 26 – 16 loss.

Daniel Shannon scored two U19 GCRL regular season tries, the first came in early July against Currumbin and then Daniel Shannon scored his second try in the following round against Mudgeeraba.

In Week One of the GCRL U19 Finals series, Daniel Shannon started in the front row for Southport as they defeated Bilambil 34 – 8.

In Week two of the GCRL U19 Finals series, Daniel Shannon once again started in the front row for Southport against Currumbin with the Tigers winning 20 - 14.

In the U19 Grand Final Daniel Shannon started once again in the front row for Southport against Currumbin but unfortunately Southport went down 34 – 20, Daniel Shannon however was very good for the Tigers that Sunday afternoon.

Daniel Shannon made his Doug Lipp Cup debut in Round Three this year when he started in the second row for Southport against Bilambil. Daniel Shannon also started in Round Five in fact starting in the centres on that occasion against Helensvale and also played against Mudgeeraba in June.

It has been an impressive effort from Daniel Shannon to start in the front row in the U19 match in Rounds Three and Five and them back up to start in the Doug Lipp Cup matches immediately after.

Daniel Shannon was deservedly promoted to the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts side for their Round 17 match against Norths starting the match from the bench on a tough day for Burleigh.

In total in the 2018 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition to date, Daniel Shannon played in four matches, all from the bench.

Daniel Shannon has also recently been selected in the 2018 Queensland Indigenous U18 side for the QPIIC Championships to be held in October.

In 2017 Daniel Shannon played for the Southport Tigers in the Gold Coast Rugby League competition specifically at the U17 and U19 levels. Daniel Shannon also represented the Queensland Indigenous side in 2017 at the QPICC carnival at Beenleigh in October.

Daniel Shannon has alternated between the U17 Division Two and U19 levels for Southport in 2017, playing six matches in each competition and had a very busy weekend. On Saturday Daniel Shannon lined up for the Southport U19 side coming off the interchange bench in their semi-final loss 21 – 14 to Currumbin and on Sunday started in the front row for Southport in their 21 – 14 Grand Final loss to Burleigh. In the 2017 U17 Division Two competition, Daniel Shannon crossed for two tries on the season, the first coming against Coomera in July and the second in early August against Helensvale.

In 2016 Daniel Shannon was part of the Gold Coast White CC side for this season, starting the last two matches off the bench. He played the 2015 season with the Mudgeeraba Redbacks where he scored three tries across the ten matches that he played at the U15 Division One level and he also played seven matches up at the U16 Division Two level, where he mainly came off the bench.

Daniel Shannon also represented Murri United in the Queensland Murri tournament in late 2015 and was in fact selected in the Queensland U15 Murri side which toured Fiji and won all three of their matches on that tour alongside Jesse Brasslin.

Running with the football, Daniel Shannon has good footwork prior to the line and does not often just put his head down and run straight, but uses his solid footwork to try to work the gaps between defenders rather than trying to simply run over them. He does not have great speed off the mark or necessary great high end speed, but he will work hard and make the most of his ability.

Daniel Shannon has a decent off load when he has impacted the defensive line as well although to date in U20 Colts competition he has not shown it much, concentrating more on making ground in the centre of the ruck.

The key to his running is his ability to drop his shoulder into the defenders at the right moment, to go along with his late foot work. These attributes make Daniel Shannon very difficult to tackle and he can rarely be stopped one on one. Throw in a decent turn of pace off the mark and you have a player who is difficult for a defensive line to combat.

Defensively Daniel Shannon hits very hard and usually aims for just under the ribcage and is certainly someone opposing forwards look for when running the ball up and is adept at making sure the opposition do not get quick play the balls, read that Daniel Shannon is very good at winning the wrestling battle in the ruck.

Daniel Shannon defends in the centre of the ruck and seems best suited in the long run defending there and adds a degree of intimidation to any forward pack he plays for.

Daniel Shannon really does know how to tackle effectively, as he sets a strong base to create the necessary leverage to defend against larger forwards and then explodes through his core. Throw in a touch of aggression and you have someone who can dominate a game defensively and is able to seal off one side of the ruck on his own.

For a front rower his lateral movement is more than reasonable. Daniel Shannon is also quite effective when defending at marker, and does not use it as a chance to have a break and will chase hard from the position.

Come 2020 Daniel Shannon will be in the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts squad for the second season in row.

Due to his size and strength he I believe will continue to play his football in the front row in the long term although he could likely play in the second row for the next couple of years adequately.

From a player comparison perspective, think of someone along the lines of New Zealand Warriors and New Zealand International second rower/front rower Adam Blair as a solid hard working forward who has a more than decent off load in him as well as extremely aggressive tackling and running styles.

mdrew

03-11-19, 12:44 PM

Sam Stone. The 21 year old former local junior (Burleigh Bears) and Junior Kangaroo was a mid-season signing from Newcastle and is contracted to the Titans until the end of the 2020 season after signing his eighteen month contract.

Sam Stone made his NRL debut with the Newcastle Knights in 2017, playing in sixteen matches, he added two more NRL matches in 2018 to take his total to date to eighteen.

In his sixteen NRL matches in 2017, Sam Stone ran for 585 metres (36.6 metres per game), scored two tries, had two line breaks and made 353 tackles (22 per match) at a tackling efficiency of 92.89%.

In his two NRL matches in 2018, Sam Stone ran for 101 metres (50.5 metres per game) and made forty tackles (twenty per game) at a tackling efficiency of 95.24%.

Prior to signing with the Titans, Sam Stone played for Newcastle in the New South Wales Canterbury Cup side alternating between starting in the second row or from the bench.

After signing with the Titans in late June Sam Stone began his time back on the Gold Coast starting in the second row for Burleigh in Round Fifteen of the Queensland Cup against Townsville.

In the match, Sam Stone played all 80 minutes, running for 91 metres (36 post contact), broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 4.85 seconds and made twenty seven tackles at an impressive tackling efficiency of 96.49%.

In Round Sixteen of the Queensland Cup Sam Stone started from the bench for Burleigh against Souths Logan scoring his first career Queensland Cup try and his first since signing with the Titans when he was on hand to dive on a loose ball after the Souths Logan defence could not mop up a kick into their in goal.

Sam Stone played thirty minutes in the match, at right second row, running for forty five metres (fourteen post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 3.5 seconds and made nine tackles at a 90% tackling efficiency.

Sam Stone also came off the bench in Round Seventeen against Tweed Heads. In the derby Sam Stone played forty six minutes at right second row, running for ninety one metres, an impressive forty six of which (50.55%) were post contact, played the ball at an average speed of 3.87 seconds, broke a tackle and made twenty tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

Sam Stone was promoted to the Titans NRL side, coming off the bench in Round Eighteen against the Melbourne Storm for his first Titans appearance coming on in the 21st minute and playing the remaining 59 minutes at right second row.

In that time Sam Stone ran for 88 metres (25 post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 3.65 seconds and made thirty tackles at an 85.71% tackling efficiency.

Sam Stone made his first NRL start for the Titans when he started at right second row in Round Nineteen against the Brisbane Broncos, playing seventy minutes.

In that time, Sam Stone, ran for twenty eight metres (eight post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 2.79 seconds and made 33 tackles at a tackling efficiency of 89.19%.

Sam Stone moved to left second row in Round Twenty away to the Sydney Roosters playing 63 minutes including to right second row in the second half.

In that time Sam Stone ran for 65 metres (24 post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 4.11 seconds and made forty three tackles at a 94.56% tackling efficiency.

Sam Stone moved back to start at right second row in Round Twenty One against St George, playing 60 minutes. In that time he ran for 101 metres (45 post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 3.63 seconds and made twenty three tackles at a tackling efficiency of 92%.

Sam Stone moved back to left second row in Round Twenty Two against the Parramatta Eels playing 51 minutes on that side of the field. In that time he ran for 47 metres (22 post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 3.5 seconds and made thirty three tackles at a tackling efficiency of 89.19%.

In Round Twenty three away to the Melbourne Storm Sam Stone played all 80 minutes at left second row running for 84 metres (37 post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 3.78 seconds and made thirty five tackles at a 92.1% tackling efficiency.

The Titans were away to Newcastle in Round Twenty Four with Sam Stone starting and playing all 80 minutes at left second row. Sam Stone ran for 38 metres (twelve post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.72 seconds and made 32 tackles at a 86.5% tackling efficiency.

Sam Stone also started at left second row in the Titans last NRL match of the season being Round Twenty Five against the St George Dragons once again playing the entire match.

In his 80 minutes on the field, Sam Stone ran for 105 metres (an impressive 48 of which were post contact), broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.48 seconds and made forty three tackles at a 95.56% tackling efficiency.

In total in his eight NRL games in 2019 Sam Stone played 543 minutes, offloaded the ball four times, ran for 560 metres and made 272 tackles at a tackling efficiency of 88.2%.

Sam Stone’s per game averages included playing 67 minutes, running for seventy metres and making thirty four tackles.

The table below compares Sam Stone’s 2017, 2018 and 2019 per game averages:

2017 NRL* 2018 NRL* 2019 Q Cup 2019 NRL

Games played 16 2 1 8

Minutes per game 32.42 37.5 30 67

Runs per game 5 6 6 7.3

Metres made per game 36.6 50.5 45.4 70

Tackles per game 22 20 9 34

· Playing for the Newcastle Knights

The pace and power in terms of how Sam Stone runs the ball is the outstanding feature of his game, he takes the ball to the line with speed, but he does not just put his head down and rush forward, he uses quick and subtle footwork prior to the line and seems to targets the gaps between defenders and will actively seek out opposing forwards who are slow to move up.

When the opposition are on the back foot Sam Stone will target the smaller defenders on the edge of the ruck and burst through and for a young bloke he has very good speed over the medium term and has the strength to drag defenders with him.

I would consider that Sam Stone’s speed would be considered above average for a backrower but plays faster as a result of him timing his runs so well that the dummy half can present a flat pass to him and also as a result of the power that he runs at.

Sam Stone’s offloading ability is also improving as he refines his game. Earlier in his junior career, he was almost too good at offloading compared to his team mates as he would pop some passes that they were not expecting but as he has matured and the quality of the opposition and his own team has increased so has the selective nature of his offloading.

The defensive side of Sam Stone’s game is similarly impressive, He does not just charge wildly up looking for a huge hit, but is calculating in where and when to hit. Sam Stone drives hard with his legs and always uses his shoulder and core body strength to drive into his opponent.

Sam Stone sets a strong lower base by setting his legs and generating force by driving through the tackle with his lower body, gaining leverage and momentum to complete the tackle.

Sam Stone is contracted to the Titans until the end of the 2020 and thus like everybody else will be looking to impress new coach Justin Holbrook in the off-season. One thing is for certain and that is that most spots will be up for grabs and Sam Stone will be in the mix to start in the second row come Round One of the 2020 NRL competition and add to his eight NRL matches in 2019 and twenty six in his career to date.

Sam Stone’s 194 cm, 102 kg frame is ideal for him to continue playing in the second row where he has played his entire career, including his twenty six career NRL matches to date. An off season under new coach Justin Holbrook may just be what Sam Stone needs to add some additional weight to his frame without compromising his speed and mobility.

A current NRL player with a similar playing style for me is Sam Stone’s former team mate being Newcastle Knights second rower Lachlan Fitzgibbon. Like Fitzgibbon Sam Stone shapes as a talented young second rower who just needs the right opportunity to highlight his burgeoning skill set.

Sam Stone showed flashes of the ability to be an NRL regular for a number of years in 2019 and with an offseason with the Titans under his belt should continue to progress in 2020 under new coach Justin Holbrook.

mdrew

03-11-19, 05:17 PM

Jai Whitbread. (Revised) The former Gold Coast Titans and Northern Rivers junior was signed late in 2017 by the Titans on a Top 30 two year contract and recently signed a new two year NRL deal deservedly so after standout performances for the Brisbane Broncos NYC side in 2016 and 2017 as well as a storied school boy rugby career with the Southport School (TSS) in the GPS First XV School boy rugby competition where he played primarily at outside centre.

As a local junior it was great to see Jai Whitbread make his NRL debut for the Titans in 2018 when he came off the bench in Round 18 against the Sydney Roosters making a more than positive impression in limited minutes on the field.

In total in his NRL debut in 2018 Jai Whitbread played 18 minutes running for 32 metres, 10.5 of those post contact and made nine tackles at a tackling efficiency of 81.8% in a solid debut for the 186cm 107kg Titans junior and South Tweed Bears product.

Jai Whitbread’s second NRL match came in Round Five of 2019 season against Penrith and he played a key role in the Titans 30 – 24 victory. In his 38 minutes on the field Jai Whitbread ran for 93 metres, 34 post contact, played the ball at an average speed of 3.13 seconds and made 23 tackles at a tackling efficiency of 95.8%.

Jai Whitbread was also on the bench for the Titans in Round Six against the Newcastle Knights, playing 39 minutes, running for 130 metres (37 post contact), broke three tackles and made twenty two tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

In Round Seven against the Wests Tigers, starting from the bench again Jai Whitbread played thirty five minutes, ran for 66 metres (29 post contact) and made thirty tackles at a tackling efficiency of 96.77%.

Jai Whitbread was back in the Titans NRL side for their Round Ten match against Canterbury, once again starting on the bench. In his 27 metres on the field, Jai Whitbread ran for 95 metres (41 post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 3.27 seconds and made eighteen tackles at a tackling efficiency of 81.81%.

In his first career NRL start (he started at lock), Jai Whitbread had a very solid outing in Round Eleven against Manly playing 35 minutes. In that time he ran for 106 metres (41 post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an exceptional average of 2.96 seconds and made twenty two tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

Jai Whitbread made his second career NRL start in Round Twelve at lock in a two point loss to North Queensland, playing just 18 minutes. In those 18 minutes Jai Whitbread ran for 37 metres (eleven post contact) and made seventeen tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

Jai Whitbread was back on the bench for Round Thirteen against the Brisbane Broncos but continued his impressive form in his 41 minutes on the field. In those minutes, he ran for 73 metres (13 post contact), broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.12 seconds and made twenty nine tackles at a tackling efficiency of 96.67%.

Jai Whitbread also started from the bench in Round Fourteen against the New Zealand Warriors, playing thirty metres, running for 74 metres (34 post contact), breaking a tackle, playing the ball at an average speed of 3.42 seconds and making twenty five tackles at a tackling efficiency of 92.59%.

In his third NRL start in Round Fifteen against Manly when he started at lock, Jai Whitbread played 39 minutes, running for 83 metres (twenty five post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.23 seconds and made thirty two tackles at a tackling efficiency of 91.93%.

Round Seventeen of the NRL saw Jai Whitbread move back to the bench for the match against Penrith and playing twenty nine minutes after coming on at half time. In that time, Jai Whitbread ran for 97 metres (38 post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.33 seconds and made twenty tackles at an impressive tackles efficiency of 96.26%.

Jai Whitbread resumed his starting lock position in the NRL in Round Eighteen against the Melbourne Storm playing 53 minutes where he ran for 94 metres (23 post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.4 seconds and made twenty eight tackles at a tackling efficiency of 93.33%.

Jai Whitbread moved back to the bench for Round Nineteen against the Brisbane Broncos, playing forty nine minutes, running for 99 metres (34 post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed for 2.94 seconds and made thirty four tackles at a tackling efficiency of 87.18%.

Jai Whitbread started at lock in Round Twenty away to the Sydney Roosters playing 65 minutes, running for 113 metres (45 post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.41 seconds and made forty tackles at an impressive 97.56% tackling efficiency.

Round Twenty One against the St George Dragons saw Jai Whitbread start in the front row, playing 58 minutes, running for 109 metres (48 post contact), playing the ball at an average speed of 3.15 seconds and making an exceptional forty three tackles at a 97.72% tackling efficiency.

Jai Whitbread started from the bench in Round Twenty Two against Parramatta playing 37 minutes, running for 79 metres (31 post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.31 seconds and made twenty three tackles at a tackling efficiency of 95.8%.

In Round Twenty three against the Melbourne Storm Jai Whitbread came off the bench once again playing thirty two minutes, running for 31 metres (fourteen post contact, played the ball at an average of 2.87 seconds and made seventeen tackles at a 94.4% tackling efficiency.

Away to the Newcastle Knights in Round Twenty Four Jai Whitbread came off the bench to play fifty minutes, running for 94 metres (39 post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.11 seconds and made 37 tackles at a perfect 100% tackling efficiency.

Jai Whitbread also started from then bench for the Titans last NRL match of the season being Round Twenty Five against the St George Dragons playing just twenty three minutes.

In that time Jai Whitbread ran for 66 metres (25 post contact), played the ball at an average speed for 2.99 seconds and made seventeen tackles at a 94.4% tackling efficiency.

In total in the NRL in 2019, Jai Whitbread played eighteen matches, playing 792 minutes, running for 1 547 metres, broke seventeen tackles, off loaded the ball twice and made 477 tackles at a tackling efficiency of 93.2%.

Jai Whitbread’s 2019 NRL per game averages included playing 44 minutes, running for 86 metres from 9.1 hit ups and making 26.5 tackles.

Jai Whitbread started the 2019 season proper coming off the bench for the Burleigh Queensland Cup side in their 10 – 0 win over PNG. In his 38 minutes on the field Jai Whitbread took ten carries for 116 metres, 57 post contact (49.14%), broke two tackles and had a play the ball average of a more than decent 3.22 seconds.

Defensively Jai Whitbread had a tackling efficiency of 95.24% making 20 effective tackles, missing only one.

Jai Whitbread also came off the bench in Round Two against the Ipswich Jets and had a big game including scoring a first half try. Jai Whitbread showed some good speed off the mark to take the ball around twelve metres out from the line and showed good speed off the mark to split the Jets defence to score under the posts.

In his forty six minutes on the field, Jai Whitbread ran for 111 metres (29 post contact, had a team leading two line breaks, broke four tackle, played the ball at an average of 3.1 seconds all whilst making eleven tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

In Round Three of the Queensland Cup against Tweed Jai Whitbread started from the bench for the third match in a row but made the most of his 34 minutes on the field, in that time Jai Whitbread made 81 metres (34 post contact) from nine hit-ups, broke a tackle, played the ball in an average time of 2.9 seconds and made an impressive 29 tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

After being in the 21 man Titans NRL squad for a number of weeks, Jai Whitbread made his first Queensland Cup start of the season in Round Five when he started at lock in their 38 - 22 win against Souths Logan and scored his second 2019 try in the process.

Jai Whitbread played a season high 63 minutes, ran for 153 metres (51 post contact), broke the line on two occasions, broke a team leading nine tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.19 seconds and made a team leading twenty six tackles at a tackling efficiency of 96.30%.

In relation to his try, Jai Whitbread received the ball from the dummy half about ten metres out from the Souths Logan line, when he made contact with the defensive line, Jai Whitbread spun clock wise 360 degrees to break through the initial contact before he pushed past the Magpies fullback to score just to the right of the goal posts.

After his performances in the opening two rounds of the 2019 Queensland Cup for Burleigh Jai Whitbread was deservedly rewarded by being named on the Titans extended bench for Round Two in the NRL against the Cronulla Sharks.

In total in the Queensland Cup in 2019, Jai Whitbread played 189 minutes in four matches, scored two tries, broke sixteen tackles, ran for 464 metres and made 86 tackles at a tackling efficiency of 96.2%.

Even though Jai Whitbread was still eligible to play U20’s in 2018 he started the season with the Burleigh Bears Queensland Cup side, starting ten of his 12 matches to date from the interchange and starting two being Rounds 13 and 14 against Ipswich and the Northern Pride respectively.

Jai Whitbread scored his sole try to date in Round Three against Tweed Heads and also getting a try assist in that match when he broke through the Tweed Heads defensive line before passing to half back Jamal Fogerty to score.

Jai Whitbread broke the Tweed Heads line right through the middle of the ruck on about his own 20 metre line and showed quite good pace especially on the wet and muddy field to draw the fullback and pass to his right to Fogerty near the half way line.

Jai Whitbread’s try against the Tweed Heads Seagulls can be put down solely to perservence. A long break was made and the ball spun wide late in the first half but Jai Whitbread, who once again showed quite decent speed kept up with the play nicely and was rewarded for his efforts when he received an inside pass from Jamal Fogerty, Jai Whitbread had the presence of mind to also bring the ball around to score close to the left upright.

In Round Four against the South’s Logan Magpies, Jai Whitbread suffered concussion like symptoms and had to be replaced when he was hit by a shoulder charge by Souths Logan interchange and Brisbane Bronco’s contracted front rower, Thomas Flegler who was immediately sent off. Jai Whitbread was however named for Burleigh’s Round Five match against the Central Queensland Capra’s.

Over the course of the recent off-season, Jai Whitbread started on the interchange bench in all of the Titans NRL trials and was one of the Titans best in their NRL trial loss to the Brisbane Bronco’s in Toowoomba as well as a solid performer against the Warriors on the Sunshine Coast a fortnight later.

In the Queensland Cup in 2018 season through his thirteen matches Jai Whitbread played 444 minutes for Burleigh, making 1 092 metres, 357 of those post contact (32.69%) and made 220 tackles at a tackling efficiency of 90.1%.

Jai Whitbread averaged 34 minutes, just over seven hit-ups for 78.8 metres and 17 tackles. Jai Whitbread has also been credited with fifteen tackle breaks and a line break (the one that led to Jamal Fogerty’s try in Round Three) a try assist this season and four offloads.

Jai Whitbread had a standout match in Round Thirteen against the Ipswich in his first starting appearance having career highs (at that time) in multiple categories including minutes (70), running metres (166) and tackles (31).

In Round 19 a week after his NRL debut Jai Whitbread was outstanding for the Bears as they defeated Central Queensland 24 – 14. Starting from the bench Jai Whitbread played 36 minutes, running for a career high 146 metres, 57 post contact, also a career high, broke three tackles and made 16 tackles at a tackling efficiency of a perfect 100%.

In Round One of 2018 against the Sunshine Coast Falcons in his debut Queensland Cup match, Jai Whitbread played 32 minutes, making 57 metres from six hit-ups, 13 of those post contact and sixteen tackles at a tackling efficiency of 88.89%.

In Round Two against the Redcliffe Dolphins, Jai Whitbread played 33 minutes, making 94 metres from twelve hit-ups, 34 of those post contact and fifteen tackles at a tackling efficiency of 88.25%.

In addition to his try and try assist in Round Three against the Tweed Heads Seagulls, Jai Whitbread played 33 minutes, making 79 metres from six hit-ups, 16 of those post contact and fifteen tackles at a tackling efficiency of 100% in a more than solid display in wet and windy conditions at Tweed Heads in a solid Burleigh victory 32 – 12 where fellow Titans NRL contracted youngster Tyrone Roberts-Davis also scored for Burleigh.

In Round Four Jai Whitbread started on the interchange bench for the fourth match in a row this time against a giant South’s Logan Magpies pack and played 34 minutes, running for 77 metres, twenty two of those post contact on nine carries and made 13 tackles at a tackling efficiency of 92.86%, yet another solid game for the South Tweed junior even taking into account being knocked out by a deemed shoulder charge. Jai Whitbread was also credited with one tackle break.

The table below compares Jai Whitbread’s 2018 and 2019 per game averages:

2018 Q Cup 2018 NRL 2019 Q Cup 2019 NRL

Games played 13 1 4 18

Minutes per game 34.25 18 47.3 44

Runs per game 7.8 6 9.2 9.1

Metres made per game 84 32 116 86

Tackles per game 16.92 9 20.5 26.5

In 2017 Jai Whitbread was the 18th man for the New South Wales U20 State of Origin side and in 2018 was named in the starting side but withdrew as a result of a hand injury. Jai Whitbread in addition to his rugby league commitments is studying a Bachelor’s Degree in Clinical Phycology so he is also a very intelligent young man.

Jai Whitbread who originally hails from the Tamworth region of New South Wales and played his junior rugby league with the South Tweed Bears in the Group 18 junior rugby league competition and played a First Grade trial with the Broncos in February 2017 when he came off the bench against the Ipswich Jets in Ipswich.

In 2017 Jai Whitbread played in twenty three matches for the Broncos NYC side including their finals matches, starting twenty one of those matches in the front row and the other two matches being Rounds Four and Five from the interchange bench. On those matches Jai Whitbread scored two tries which came against the Wests Tigers in Round Eleven and against Newcastle in the Bronco’s first final match this season.

Jai Whitbread’s 2017 per match averages included 118 running metres on 12 hit-ups and 26 tackles (90% tackling efficiency) in just over 55 minutes. On sixteen occasions Jai Whitbread ran for more than 100 metres including an incredible effort in Round Eleven against the Wests Tigers when he ran for 201 metres. On sixteen occasions also Jai Whitbread made more than twenty tackles including Round Eleven against Wests Tigers when he made 47 tackles. Over the course of the 2017 NYC season Jai Whitbread also made six line breaks and off loaded the ball on seven occasions.

In 2016 whilst still U18 eligible, in fact he represented New South Wales U18 that year, Jai Whitbread made twenty one NYC appearances for the Broncos starting in the front row thirteen matches and coming off the interchange bench in eight more. His 2016 per match season averages included 78 running metres on 8.5 hit ups and 21 tackles (92% tackling efficiency) in 45 minutes.

Jai Whitbread’s two 2016 NYC tries came in Round Eight against the Rabbitohs and Rounds Twenty Six against the Sydney Roosters. His best running metre performance in 2016 was in Round Twenty Two against the Dragons and defensively Jai Whitbread in Round Seventeen made 35 tackles with no misses against the Melbourne Storm.

The 186cm 107kg Jai Whitbread was a former Titans contracted junior from just south of the Border and played for New South Wales at the U16 and U18 levels and also CC and MM Cup for Gold Coast based squads in previous seasons. At the start of the 2016 season Jai Whitbread was signed by the Broncos after a successful GPS rugby career with the Southport School where he played three years in the school’s First XV and making a number of GPS representative sides. Interestingly Jai Whitbread played school boy rugby in the centres but in rugby league has played either front row, lock or second row exclusively.

Jai Whitbread is a hard running forward who is very good at running the right line including both and inside shoulder and outside shoulder line and consistently hits the pass off either the dummy half or play maker flat thus generating his best possible speed and momentum to hit the defensive line at full speed.

Where he really excels though is his footwork, Jai Whitbread has very good late and quick foot work which enables him to change direction quickly allowing him to readjust where he is running to take advantage of either a late developing hole in the defensive line or where the defensive line is repositioning late.

Jai Whitbread’s try in Round Two of the 2019 Queensland Cup competition against the Ipswich Jets perfectly illustrated the analysis noted above.

Jai Whitbread is adept at cutting back behind the play the ball area when the markers do not work hard and make ground as a result. When the Broncos NYC side were in the attacking area, Jai Whitbread was regularly used to draw the defence into the centre of the ruck thus stretching the defensive line out wide to allow the backline more room to move. Jai Whitbread also accepted the responsibility of regularly taking the first hit-up from kick offs and was regularly the first forward to take a hit-up after an opposition tactical kick.

Even when he is taking a hit up in the centre of the ruck, Jai Whitbread’s feet are always moving and he is constantly making slight corrections to his running vector and he is also able to maintain his speed regardless of those multiple directional changes. He seems just to run and think at a faster pace than other forwards on the field. These attributes lead to a lot of line breaks and he has the speed to convert them into tries himself.

Jai Whitbread’s speed is probably a bit above average but it is the speed that he is able to generate from only a few paces which makes it play faster from a defenders perspective. Obviously playing high level school boy rugby for TSS has assisted in the development of this particular attribute.

Defensively he hits very hard and had one of the better defensive technique s in the NYC competition this season. Jai Whitbread’s technique revolves around timing and execution. Jai Whitbread’s head is almost always correctly positioned and he always drives with his shoulder and never just jersey grabs. From the matches that I have seen Jai Whitbread also tackles with both shoulders equally effectively.

The impressive thing for me also is that Jai Whitbread never seems to bounce off the ball when he makes a front on tackle meaning his target area and the ability to hit the area on a regular basis is quite exceptional for a reasonably inexperienced forward.

Another defensive aspect that I noted during the 2019 season was that Jai Whitbread does not just make one tackle at a time, he makes a series of tackles one after another all as clinical and effective as the one before. His lateral speed is quite good due to his quick twitch feet and thus he is effective at defending against smaller dynamic runners out of dummy half as well as half backs and five eights running of the fringes looking to isolate forwards.

In addition Jai Whitbread continues to display the leadership attributes that you like to see in a player/person, not just in junior rugby league, but across any level of our game and the community. He shapes as someone who has the attributes to be not just an NRL captain but also a club captain one day and a well-respected one at that. A better role model you will not find.

As noted Jai Whitbread has signed a Top 30 contract and cemented a spot in the Titans top Seventeen this season and with the improvement that he showed in his first NRL season there is no reason to suggest that he will not play an expanded role in 2020 under Justin Holbrook.

Even though I would still prefer to see Jai Whitbread spend some time in the second row it seems almost certain that Jai Whitbread is considered a front row/lock and with his mobility, work ethic, foot work and intelligence in the above average category for all attributes.

In many respects Jai Whitbread has a similar playing style to that of two other former Gold Coast youngsters who are now back on the Gold Coast after stints with the Broncos that being Jai Arrow and Keegan Hipgrave.

Like both Keegan Hipgrave and Jai Arrow, Jai Whitbread is a mobile yet powerful forward who is not just a tackling machine but also a player who has far more to his attacking game than just putting his head down and running straight into the defensive line.

Make no mistake the three mentioned including Jai Whitbread and the outstanding Moeaki Fotuaika are the future of the Gold Coast Titans forward pack for the next ten years or so. They are all hard working, skilful young men with leadership skills who you can look to build an NRL club around.

mdrew

04-11-19, 05:20 PM

Tupou Lolohea. The powerful youngster had an extraordinary 2019 season in the NRRRL competition for the Ballina Seagulls across all three senior grades.

Tupou Lolohea started off the season in the NRRL U18 competition, before progressing through the NRRRL Reserve Grade competition all the way to the NRRRL First Grade competition.

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.

I am not sure that I can characterise in words just how hard Tupou Lolohea runs, he just flies at the line at full speed (which is significant) and drops his shoulder into the first defender who looks to engage him and then he keeps pumping his legs, which enables him to break through the initial tackle or at worst gain significant ground post contact.

These traits and the fact that Tupou Lolohea can absorb significant punishment and maintain his running line and balance I think is one of the reasons (plus his speed of course) that coaches want Tupou Lolohea on the wing or at outside centre in rugby.

For me however Tupou Lolohea is fat more than a player who just runs straight and hard, he has good late footwork prior to the defensive line, which is why he is so damaging on the fringes of the ruck and also is developing his off-loading skills on an exponential curve.

For his size Tupou Lolohea has above average to plus speed and when he breaks through the defensive line has the speed to convert his own breaks into tries on a regular basis as was evidenced this season both in rugby league and rugby.

Defensively Tupou Lolohea has a very good front on tackling technique with his shoulder and rarely gets caught front on in relation to the initial contact. From his time on the wing in both rugby and rugby league Tupou Lolohea has developed the requisite skills to work through his progressions when defending one on one against smaller players on the fringes of the ruck.

In those instances Tupou Lolohea maintains his balance and does not rush forward but waits until the attacker commits to a course of action and then mirrors the action to effect the tackle.

2019 saw the end of Tupou Lolohea’s time in the U18 ranks but clearly he has the skill, temperament and physical capabilities to go a long way in the game as a consequence it would be great to see him the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition came the start of the 2020 season although to be fair rugby is also certainly a career option for him.

Tupou Lolohea was outstanding regardless of what position that he played in 2019 in rugby league, whether it be in the centres or second row in the U18 competition or on the wing in the First Grade and Reserve Grade competitions.

From a rugby perspective in 2019 Tupou Lolohea played almost exclusively at outside centre (No.13) for the Ballina First Grade side in the Far North Coast Rugby competition although he did play a number of matches on the left wing.

Whilst I can understand why it wold be tempting to have on the wing in rugby league, with his ability to return the ball with power and handle a lot of punishment, I think that he has an incredible career in front of him in the second row with his size, speed and power best utilised there.

From an NRL player comparison perspective I would consider a player comparison with Penrith Panthers and Fijian International destructive second rower Viliame Kikau as more than appropriate. Both are exceptionally destructive on the fringes of the ruck and take a power of stopping by defences and are rarely after to be tackled effectively by just one defender due to their power running and offloading ability.

It is patently unfair to say that Tupou Lolohea has come from nowhere this season but his development this season has exponentially increased in both rugby league and rugby. The sky is the limit for this powerhouse young man and all he needs is more game time on the field.

mdrew

05-11-19, 05:36 PM

Ziah Piggott. The young Titans linked fullback was one of the players that represented one of the Titans U15 squads that played each other and a Western Mustangs selection at Mudgeeraba in February.

Ziah Piggot played the 2019 season with Kyogle in the Group One competition, playing in both his regular U15 age group and also playing a number of matches “up” in the U16.5 competition.

In the 2019 Group One U15 competition Ziah Piggott played nine regular season matches for Kyogle scoring fourteen tries (156% strike rate) including a big match in Round Four when he scored four tries against Lismore Marist Brothers in a 36 – 14 win for the Turkeys. In fact Ziah Piggott finished five tries clear on the Group One U15 top try scorers list such was the outstanding season that Ziah Piggott had.

Ziah Piggott also had a big Round Six match scoring four tries for Kyogle as they defeated Clarence Coast 38 - 12.

Ziah Piggott’s other 2019 Group One regular season U15 tries included a double against Casino RSM and he also scored against came against Ballina, Lismore Marist Brothers, Casino RSM and Clarence Coast.

Ziah Piggott added a further U15 try in Week One of the Group One finals series but unfortunately Kyogle fell 26 – 10 to Ballina.

Ziah Piggott’s 2019 season came to an end when Kyogle went down 18 – 12 to Clarence Coast in the 2019 Group One U15 Preliminary Final.

Ziah Piggott in 2019 also represented the Group One U15 representative side at the New South Wales Country Age Championships starting all three of their matches in the centres scoring three tries including a double in his second match of Day One against Group 19. Ziah Piggott also scored on Day Two against Central Coast.

In the 2018 Group One U16.5 competition Ziah Piggott played in nine matches, his debut being against Clarence Coast in Round Two scoring on debut. In addition to his Round Two try, Ziah Piggott also scored against Lismore Marist Brothers Blue in Round Four and he also scored a double against Lismore Marist Blue in Round Twelve.

In relation to all of his 2019 Group One U16.5 matches, Ziah Piggott played in the fixture after playing in the U15 match earlier in the day.

Ziah Piggott was named in the centres for the 2019 Group One U15 Taipans for the New South Wales Country Age Championships that were held in Port Macquarie in late September. Ziah Piggott scored a double in Group One’s Northern Plate 40 – 10 win over Group 19 and scored again in Group One’s Northern Plate semi-final loss 38 – 12 to Central Coast.

In 2018, Ziah Piggott played fifteen matches including starting the Grand Final at fullback in the Group One U14 competition, scoring twenty tries (133% strike rate), including scoring a hat trick in Round Two against Clarence Coast.

Mid-season in 2018, Ziah Piggott had an incredible string of five straight games where he scored a double in each match with those matches coming in order against Grafton, Ballina, Casino RSM, Lismore Marist Brothers and Clarence Coast.

2018 also saw Ziah Piggott play one match in the Group One U15 competition scoring a double on debut against the South Grafton Rebels in July after playing in the U14 fixture earlier in the day.

Ziah Piggott represented the Group One U14 representative side in 2018, starting at fullback in all five of their matches in the New South Wales Country U14 Age Championships including scoring in their Plate Final victory against Group Nine 22 – 18, with Ziah Piggott’s try the one that gave the lead to Group One for good late in the second half.

For a taller fullback Ziah Piggott is very quick off the mark and when the ball is being brought out of his teams half he is always around the forwards looking for off loads but as evidenced by one of his tries he also can play the way a lot of the current fullbacks play when they receive the football “out the back” from the half or five eight.

Ziah Piggott presents as a silky smooth player, who looks like he glides across the field picking and choosing his time to get involved and wants to have the ball in his hands when the game is on the line.

In terms of his defence, one thing that stood out to me when have seen him play is when the opposition makes a break Ziah Piggott moves forward looking to cut down the time of the attacking player, which is quite impressive for such a young player. Due to his length, Ziah Piggott is good also at defending the high ball.

Ziah Piggott will play the 2020 season with Kyogle in the Group One U16.5 competition and may well also feature in a number of matches for Kyogle in their U18 NRRRL squad. Ziah Piggott has already left school and is working full time thus he has a maturity level probably higher than the majority of players his age.

2020 should see Ziah Piggott as part of the Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad who will be looking to repeat their 2019 success.

Ziah Piggott has been a fullback his entire junior rugby league career to date and whilst that is likely to continue to as least the medium term it would not surprise if Ziah Piggott moves to the wing or even to the centres as he nears the senior rugby league ranks.

On the wing Ziah Piggott’s length, balance and body control would be a great asset in terms of the ability of modern day wingers to score the incredible try or two and it is a similar situation in the centres.

From a player comparison perspective for Ziah Piggott, I would say a reasonable comparison to Josh Duggan of the Cronulla Sharks would be fair as a player who is a very good runner of the football and who has the confidence to back himself in both attack and defence regardless of the situation of the game. Like Duggan, Ziah Piggott can more than comfortably handle playing both at fullback and in the centres.

As harsh as it sounds though, Ziah Piggott is far more durable that Josh Duggan though and will more than likely continue to be as his career progresses.

mdrew

06-11-19, 04:48 PM

Henry Lee. The young second rower from the Lismore Marist Brothers club in the Group One Junior Rugby League competition had an outstanding season in the U16.5 culminating in him being named Lismore Marist Brothers U16.5 Player of the Year. Henry Lee is currently part of the Titans Group One Development Squad.

Henry Lee started off the 2019 season as part of the all-conquering U16 Andrew Johns Northern Rivers Titans squad. When he came on (or started) Henry Lee operated at right second row.

Henry Lee started Round One of the Andrew Johns Cup on the bench against the Newcastle Knights Development squad. After missing Rounds Two and three Henry Lee started Round Four against the Central Coast Roosters in the second row before reverting back to the bench for Round Five against the Greater Northern Tigers, the Andrew Johns Cup semi-final win over Penrith and the Grand Final victory 18 – 6 against the Western Rams.

Henry Lee’s sole try of the campaign came in Round Five against the Greater Northern Tigers when he chased through a bomb from Thomas Weaver and after the ball was dropped by the fullback, Henry Lee was on hand to dive on the ball before it went dead in goal.

For Lismore Marist Brothers club in the 2019 Group One U16.5 Junior Rugby League competition Henry Lee played in nine regular season matches scoring seven tries for a strike rate of 77.77%. Henry Lee scored doubles against Lismore Marist Brothers Gold and Casino RSM as well as scoring in matches against Kyogle, Ballina and Lismore Marist Brothers Gold.

In Week One of the Group One U16.5 Finals series, Henry Lee scored for Lismore Marist Brothers Gold as they qualified for the Grand Final by defeating South Grafton 32 – 0. Unfortunately for Henry Lee his side lost the Grand Final to Ballina 21 – 14.

Some of Henry Lee’s tries this season were quite outstanding including a ninety one metre effort against Kyogle. Henry Lee took the ball to the right of the play the ball which initially looked like a simple hit-up to get Lismore Marist Brothers out of trouble, but three right foot steps later and a sixty metre run down the left touch line produced an outstanding try.

Henry Lee also scored an outstanding try against Lismore Gold when he took the ball fifty metres out down a short left side blind side, bursting through two initial attempted tackles before stepping inside the fullback to score with the fullback vainly attempting to tackle him.

Playing five eight Henry Lee also scored two impressive tries against Casino RSM. Henry Lee’s first try came down the left of the field when he ran into a gap forty metres out and was able to round the Casino RSM fullback to bring the ball around to put it down near the left goal post.

Henry Lee’s second try against Casino RSM came after a ten metre run when he took the ball off the dummy half near the Casino RSM line. On his way to scoring midway between the corner post and goal post on the left side of the field, Henry Lee broke three tackles and dragged additional defenders across the line.

In 2018 in the Group One U15 competition for Lismore Marist Brothers Henry Lee ended the season with a strike rate of 100% from twelve matches. Henry Lee scored doubles against South Grafton in two separate matches. Henry Lee amongst others also scored against Clarence Coast, Ballina, South Grafton and Kyogle twice.

The pace of Henry Lee when he runs the ball is the outstanding feature of his game, he takes the ball to the line with speed, but he does not just put his head down and rush forward, he uses quick and subtle footwork prior to the line and seems to targets the gaps between defenders and will actively seek out opposing forwards who are slow to move up.

When the opposition are on the back foot Henry Lee will target the smaller defenders on the edge of the ruck and burst through and for a young bloke he has very good speed over the medium term and has the strength to drag defenders with him.

I would consider that Henry Lee’s speed would be considered above average for a backrower but plays faster as a result of him timing his runs so well that the dummy half can present a flat pass to him and also as a result of the power that he runs at.

Henry Lee’s impressive speed was showcased on multiple occasions in 2019. In addition to his 19 metres try discussed previously, Henry Lee showcased his speed when he backed up his five eight against Ballina, receiving an inside pass to score next to the right upright, with the try spanning sixty five metres.

Henry Lee’s offloading ability is also improving as he refines his game. Earlier in his junior career, he was almost too good at offloading compared to his team mates as he would pop some passes that they were not expecting but as he has matured and the quality of the opposition and his own team has increased so has the selective nature of his offloading.

The defensive side of Henry Lee’s game is similarly impressive, He does not just charge wildly up looking for a huge hit, but is calculating in where and when to hit. Henry Lee drives hard with his legs and always uses his shoulder and core body strength to drive into his opponent.

Henry Lee sets a strong lower base by setting his legs and generating force by driving through the tackle with his lower body, gaining leverage and momentum to complete the tackle.

Henry Lee is eligible to play in the Group One U16.5 competition again in 2020 but will likely spend a significant portion of the season playing in the NRRRL U18 competition for Lismore Marist Brothers.

After playing for the Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup side in 2019, Henry Lee will likely progress to the Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad in 2020 which whilst young should be a skilful, competitive squad and he will also U18 eligible in 2021.

Henry Lee is not necessarily the biggest second rower running around but has the tenacity and body shape to add weight without compromising his speed and mobility thus I can see Henry Lee continuing in the second row (he currently spends time both on the left and the right) in coming years but it also would not surprise if he spends time in the centres as well.

Henry Lee did spend time at five eight this season for Lismore Marist Brothers and that can only help in the long term from a skills and game management perspective.

Henry Lee reminds me of Titans second rower Sam Stone, both are similar from a body shape perspective as well as the way that they play rugby league

mdrew

07-11-19, 05:24 PM

Lachlan Offley. The scintillating Ballina fullback had an incredible 2019 season in the Group One U14 competition including being part of their Grand Final winning side, a side that were named the Group One Junior Rugby League Team of the Year.

In early in October Lachlan Offley was part of a Titans U14/15 NRRRL Invitational side that played the Titans U14 Gold Coast/Brisbane Academy side in a development match at Tweed Heads playing well as the NRRRL side went down 32 – 10 in an entertaining and high quality match.

This season for the outstanding Ballina side that went through the 2019 season undefeated Lachlan Offley scored a staggering 122 points from just ten matches to average 12.2 points per game.

Lachlan Offley scored twenty seven tries scoring in every match to finish with a ridiculous strike rate of 270% to finish the season as the competitions leading try scorer (five ahead of Titan Kye Cooper) and second leading point’s scorer overall.

Lachlan Offley scored an incredible five tries in a midseason match against Kyogle and scored six doubles, including doubles in each of the first three rounds of the competition which were against South Grafton, Casino RSM and Clarence Coast. His other hat tricks came against Clarence Coast and Lismore Marist Brothers.

Lachlan Offley added a double against South Grafton late and also scored against Grafton on two occasions. With the boot Lachlan Offley primarily converted his own tries including kicking two conversions in Round Two against Casino RSM (one of his hat trick matches).

Lachlan Offley also played in five Group One U15 matches this season and was not overawed by playing up an age group as in those five matches he finished with a strike rate of 140%.

Lachlan Offley scored in his Group One U15 debut against Clarence Coast in May and then scored doubles in his final three U15 matches of the season which were against Lismore Marist Brothers, Kyogle and Clarence Coast.

Post the Group One season, Lachlan Offley was named at fullback for the Group One U14 representative side that played in the New South Wales Country Age Championships at Port Macquarie with Lachlan Offley scoring in Group One’s 14 all draw against Maitland on Day One, match that saw Group One progress as a result of scoring first in the match.

In 2018 Lachlan Offley proved that his 2019 season was not an isolated occurrence by finished the Group One U13 season with 110 points from twenty one tries and thirteen goals.

Lachlan Offley scored four tries twice in 2018 being against Clarence Coast and Casino RSM. Lachlan Offley also scored a late season hat trick against Kyogle and scored doubles against Grafton, South Grafton and Clarence Coast. Lachlan Offley’s remaining 2018 tries came against Kyogle, Grafton, Casino RSM and Lismore Marist Brothers.

With the boot in 2018 Lachlan Offley kicked three goals in Round Two against South Grafton (scored a double in the match also) and kicked two in four other matches which were against Casino RSM and Lismore Marist Brothers twice against each, with his remaining goals coming against Kyogle and Grafton.

Lachlan Offley is exceptionally quick and explosive, with exceptional speed, both off the mark and when he gets into open space, teams in the Brisbane Premier Colts Competition just could not handle him when he had the ball. He also can step off both feet exceptionally well and also has a great swerve whilst maintaining top speed.

On many occasions when he made a break, Lachlan Offley’s support could not keep up and thus he used his incredible footwork and speed to beat the opposing fullback by himself. There is nothing that he cannot do running the ball and it is only now about developing his ball playing skills to make his footwork and running ability even more lethal, in attack he also played up in the line quite often.

In addition Lachlan Offley also has the ball playing skills to set up his support runners and get them lines to run into when defenders came out of the line to negate his time with the ball in hand. He obviously was a key target for defences but Lachlan Offley understands that he cannot do it all himself and thus became adept at drawing defenders out of the line and putting his support runners into the subsequent hole. As his play making skills continue to evolve, the attacking possibilities are endless.

In terms of running the ball back from kicks, Lachlan Offley’s timing and anticipation means that he gets to a lot of balls on the full and makes a quick decision whether to run the ball flat out back into the oncoming defenders or look to create an opportunity by running across field. Regardless he is an absolute handful to tackle with his speed and evasion skills.

Defensively in the fullback position Lachlan Offley understandably he does not make a huge amount of tackles but the ones he makes are the ones that need to be made. If an attacker runs directly at him, he will come forward to cut down the time the attacker has to make a decision and he will hit very hard and does not fall for a dummy in those situations.

An impressive attribute that Lachlan Offley does have is ability to force attackers who are in open space to try to beat him down the side line. He will stay inside the attacker and force him in the required direction and then use his timing, closing speed and anticipation to make the tackle, usually forcing the attacker into touch.

Lachlan Offley will play the 2020 season with Ballina in the Group One U15 competition where they will the team to beat once again and will likely get a couple of U16.5 matches as well which he is more than equipped to handle comfortably.

From a representative perspective Lachlan Offley should represent Group One once again being in the U15 age group in 2020.

Regardless of the number on his back Lachlan Offley is an exciting runner of the ball combining speed, elusiveness, evasion, balance and body control. To that extent I believe that ultimately Lachlan Offley’s best position is at fullback where he will get the ball with space to work with prior to the defensive line and look to exploit any gaps that he identifies as he works through his options.

Lachlan Offley just looks like he is playing at a pace far quicker than the players around him and dare I say it I can see similar attributes to that of Newcastle Knights and Queensland State of Origin star fullback Kayln Ponga in the play of Lachlan Offley.

Lachlan Offley has the same explosiveness off the mark as Ponga and his sense of timing, anticipation and plus top end speed present as similar to Ponga as well, he is just as natural on a rugby league field

mdrew

08-11-19, 02:39 PM

Patrick McGinn. One of the better young rugby league players currently running around in Queensland is Pittsworth’s outside back Patrick McGinn.

Patrick McGinn had a coming out party in 2019 starring for the Western Mustangs MM Sup side before graduating to the Western Mustangs Hastings Deering’s Colts side for the final two regular season rounds.

The 2019 Pittsworth SHS School Captain Started all six of the Western Mustangs MM Cup matches in 2019, starting the first four rounds on the left wing before moving to fullback for the final two rounds of the competition.

Patrick McGinn ended his 2019 MM Cup campaign with a 100% strike rate including an impressive hat trick against the Northern Pride in Round Two. Patrick McGinn also scored in Round Three against Sunshine Coast, Round Four against the Easts Tigers and Round Six against Central Queensland.

Patrick McGinn’s first try of his hat trick against the Norther Pride was a seventy metre sprint down the left touch line after he received the ball outside his direct opponent, at one stage being just as he crossed the half way mark, it looked like Patrick McGinn would be caught by the Northern Pride fullback, but he put on an extra burst of speed at the right moment just as the fullback was reaching out. From there Patrick McGinn had a direct passage to the try line.

Patrick McGinn’s second try was an impressive piece of individual brilliance. The Western Mustangs put up a bomb to Patrick McGinn’s wing. At full pace, Patrick McGinn jumped into the air on the Northern Pride’s wingers inside, easily getting above the winger to take the ball on the full. Impressively when he landed Patrick McGinn did not miss a beat and he sprinted the twelve metres to score.

Patrick McGinn’s third and final try against the Northern Pride resulted from a good piece of deception. Patrick McGinn received the ball right on the touch line about thirteen metres out from the line. Around six metres out, as the defence was coming across, Patrick McGinn momentarily slowed, looking like he was going to cut back inside. This subtle movement froze the defenders momentum. Just as this occurred, Patrick McGinn accelerated down the side line to score in the left corner.

Patrick McGinn made his Hastings Deering’s Colts debut in Round Twenty Two starting on the wing and scoring in the 36th minute against Redcliffe and also started on the wing against Sunshine Coast in Round Twenty Three being the final regular season round.

In between the conclusion of the MM Cup and his Colts appearances, Patrick McGinn played for Pittsworth in the Toowoomba Rugby League U18 competition playing nine matches, finishing with fifteen tries, twenty nine goals and a field goal (kicked against Goondiwindi mid-season) to account for his season points tally of 119.

Patrick McGinn scored in eight of his nine matches, only not scoring his the final regular season round being Round Eighteen against South Burnett, but he did kick three conversion that day to have scored in every Toowoomba Rugby League U18 match that he played in.

Patrick McGinn scored hat tricks against Toowoomba Brothers and Wattles and scored doubles against Oakey, Goondiwindi and Highfields, with his other tries coming against Highfields, Toowoomba Souths and Gatton.

From a goal kicking perspective, Patrick McGinn kicked six goals against Wattles and five in his first TRL U18 match of the 2019 season against Oakey.

Patrick McGinn finished the Toowoomba Rugby League U18 competition with some big individual points tallies in games including scoring twenty four points late in the season against Wattles (three tries and six goals), twenty against Brothers mid-season (three tries and four goals) and early in the season he scored eighteen points against Oakey (two tries and five goals).

In the Toowoomba Rugby League U16 competition in 2018 Patrick McGinn played in fifteen matches for Pittsworth scoring seventy points from twelve tries and eleven goals including a hat trick against Oakey and doubles against Highfields and Souths.

Patrick McGinn played in two age groups over the course of the 2016 rugby league season. He played the entire year in his “correct” age group being the U14’s but also played seven matches up at the U15 age group and acquitted himself well in those matches. For Pittsworth at the U14 level he scored 15 tries to finish fourth on the try scoring list for the U14 competition and when you add three conversions, Patrick McGinn finished with 56 points on the season.

At the U14 level he finished with four hat tricks which came against Brothers on three separate occasions and also against Highfields, thus 60% of his seasons tries came against Brothers. Of the seven matches that Patrick McGinn also played in the U15 competition he backed up from his U14 match on six of those occasions. In his seven matches at the U15 level he scored three tries which came against South’s, Highfields and Valleys. He mainly played five eight at the U14 level and centre at the U15 level.

Patrick McGinn has also represented the South West Mustangs over the last few seasons, being U13’s in 2015 and U14’s in 2016, on both occasions he was selected in the centres for the Central Division Championships, this year he scored a solitary try in those championships against the Wide Bay Bulls. He was also a previous cross country age champion at Pittsworth State High School for his age group.

The reason Patrick McGinn is so successful on a football field is his exceptional speed and elusiveness, he is the fastest player I have ever seen on a field and when you add in his elusiveness, he is a nightmare for opposing defences. In relation to his elusiveness the thing that makes it play even better is his ability to change direction with no loss of speed, this enables him to use the sideline exceptionally well with an in and away.

When the opposing defender’s momentum slows just for a split second, Patrick McGinn is away down the sideline and will not get caught and also regularly also beats the fullback who no matter how fast they are cannot recover the ground.

Patrick McGinn also has a very good leap as was evidenced against the Northern Pride in Round Two of the MM Cup competition when he leapt above the fullback. When he gets an uninterrupted run at the ball, few opposing fullbacks will out leap him.

In defence against the bigger outside backs running around, Patrick McGinn looks to cut down the time that they have to gain momentum thus eliminating the size differential as a defensive aspect to take into consideration.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, this season in the MM Cup competition Patrick McGinn was also up against fellow speedster’s and he was similarly effective against those type of players as well.

It is scary to think that Patrick McGinn is MM Cup eligible once again in 2020 and is likely to start the 2020 season there before quickly progressing to the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition with the Western Mustangs.

Patrick McGinn has spent time at fullback, centre and wing in 2019 but with his straight line speed and ability to maintain his balance and body control along the side line I think that ultimately he will play on the wing but I would think that for at least the next couple of seasons, Patrick McGinn will continue to play both at fullback and in the centres and gain valuable experience in those positions.

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Patrick McGinn. One of the better young rugby league players currently running around in Queensland is Pittsworth’s outside back Patrick McGinn.

Patrick McGinn had a coming out party in 2019 starring for the Western Mustangs MM Sup side before graduating to the Western Mustangs Hastings Deering’s Colts side for the final two regular season rounds.

The 2019 Pittsworth SHS School Captain Started all six of the Western Mustangs MM Cup matches in 2019, starting the first four rounds on the left wing before moving to fullback for the final two rounds of the competition.

Patrick McGinn ended his 2019 MM Cup campaign with a 100% strike rate including an impressive hat trick against the Northern Pride in Round Two. Patrick McGinn also scored in Round Three against Sunshine Coast, Round Four against the Easts Tigers and Round Six against Central Queensland.

Patrick McGinn’s first try of his hat trick against the Norther Pride was a seventy metre sprint down the left touch line after he received the ball outside his direct opponent, at one stage being just as he crossed the half way mark, it looked like Patrick McGinn would be caught by the Northern Pride fullback, but he put on an extra burst of speed at the right moment just as the fullback was reaching out. From there Patrick McGinn had a direct passage to the try line.

Patrick McGinn’s second try was an impressive piece of individual brilliance. The Western Mustangs put up a bomb to Patrick McGinn’s wing. At full pace, Patrick McGinn jumped into the air on the Northern Pride’s wingers inside, easily getting above the winger to take the ball on the full. Impressively when he landed Patrick McGinn did not miss a beat and he sprinted the twelve metres to score.

Patrick McGinn’s third and final try against the Northern Pride resulted from a good piece of deception. Patrick McGinn received the ball right on the touch line about thirteen metres out from the line. Around six metres out, as the defence was coming across, Patrick McGinn momentarily slowed, looking like he was going to cut back inside. This subtle movement froze the defenders momentum. Just as this occurred, Patrick McGinn accelerated down the side line to score in the left corner.

Patrick McGinn made his Hastings Deering’s Colts debut in Round Twenty Two starting on the wing and scoring in the 36th minute against Redcliffe and also started on the wing against Sunshine Coast in Round Twenty Three being the final regular season round.

In between the conclusion of the MM Cup and his Colts appearances, Patrick McGinn played for Pittsworth in the Toowoomba Rugby League U18 competition playing nine matches, finishing with fifteen tries, twenty nine goals and a field goal (kicked against Goondiwindi mid-season) to account for his season points tally of 119.

Patrick McGinn scored in eight of his nine matches, only not scoring his the final regular season round being Round Eighteen against South Burnett, but he did kick three conversion that day to have scored in every Toowoomba Rugby League U18 match that he played in.

Patrick McGinn scored hat tricks against Toowoomba Brothers and Wattles and scored doubles against Oakey, Goondiwindi and Highfields, with his other tries coming against Highfields, Toowoomba Souths and Gatton.

From a goal kicking perspective, Patrick McGinn kicked six goals against Wattles and five in his first TRL U18 match of the 2019 season against Oakey.

Patrick McGinn finished the Toowoomba Rugby League U18 competition with some big individual points tallies in games including scoring twenty four points late in the season against Wattles (three tries and six goals), twenty against Brothers mid-season (three tries and four goals) and early in the season he scored eighteen points against Oakey (two tries and five goals).

In the Toowoomba Rugby League U16 competition in 2018 Patrick McGinn played in fifteen matches for Pittsworth scoring seventy points from twelve tries and eleven goals including a hat trick against Oakey and doubles against Highfields and Souths.

Patrick McGinn played in two age groups over the course of the 2016 rugby league season. He played the entire year in his “correct” age group being the U14’s but also played seven matches up at the U15 age group and acquitted himself well in those matches. For Pittsworth at the U14 level he scored 15 tries to finish fourth on the try scoring list for the U14 competition and when you add three conversions, Patrick McGinn finished with 56 points on the season.

At the U14 level he finished with four hat tricks which came against Brothers on three separate occasions and also against Highfields, thus 60% of his seasons tries came against Brothers. Of the seven matches that Patrick McGinn also played in the U15 competition he backed up from his U14 match on six of those occasions. In his seven matches at the U15 level he scored three tries which came against South’s, Highfields and Valleys. He mainly played five eight at the U14 level and centre at the U15 level.

Patrick McGinn has also represented the South West Mustangs over the last few seasons, being U13’s in 2015 and U14’s in 2016, on both occasions he was selected in the centres for the Central Division Championships, this year he scored a solitary try in those championships against the Wide Bay Bulls. He was also a previous cross country age champion at Pittsworth State High School for his age group.

The reason Patrick McGinn is so successful on a football field is his exceptional speed and elusiveness, he is the fastest player I have ever seen on a field and when you add in his elusiveness, he is a nightmare for opposing defences. In relation to his elusiveness the thing that makes it play even better is his ability to change direction with no loss of speed, this enables him to use the sideline exceptionally well with an in and away.

When the opposing defender’s momentum slows just for a split second, Patrick McGinn is away down the sideline and will not get caught and also regularly also beats the fullback who no matter how fast they are cannot recover the ground.

Patrick McGinn also has a very good leap as was evidenced against the Northern Pride in Round Two of the MM Cup competition when he leapt above the fullback. When he gets an uninterrupted run at the ball, few opposing fullbacks will out leap him.

In defence against the bigger outside backs running around, Patrick McGinn looks to cut down the time that they have to gain momentum thus eliminating the size differential as a defensive aspect to take into consideration.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, this season in the MM Cup competition Patrick McGinn was also up against fellow speedster’s and he was similarly effective against those type of players as well.

It is scary to think that Patrick McGinn is MM Cup eligible once again in 2020 and is likely to start the 2020 season there before quickly progressing to the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition with the Western Mustangs.

Patrick McGinn has spent time at fullback, centre and wing in 2019 but with his straight line speed and ability to maintain his balance and body control along the side line I think that ultimately he will play on the wing but I would think that for at least the next couple of seasons, Patrick McGinn will continue to play both at fullback and in the centres and gain valuable experience in those positions.

mdrew

08-11-19, 08:55 PM

Christian Kiri. A young player who I knew nothing about prior to the commencement of the 2019 Gold Coast Rugby League season was Coomera Cutters U16 Division One left second rower Christian Kiri.

In 2019 Christian Kiri played sixteen matches for Coomera scoring just the one try which came against Burleigh in May but his contribution and skill set on display, including an outstanding U16 Division One Grand Final display far exceeded his try scoring tally.

Unfortunately Coomera went down in the Grand Final 22 – 20 as a result of an Ormeau penalty goal kicked in golden point after the scores were locked 20 all at the conclusion of the match in regular time.

In addition to playing rugby league in 2019, Christian Kiri played for the Helensvale Hogs in the 2019 Gold Coast Rugby U16 competition and also represented the Gold Coast Cyclones U16 representative rugby side.

Prior to playing for Coomera in the GCRL U16 Division One competition in 2019 Christian Kiri played in the 2018 Ipswich Rugby League U15 competition for the Springfield Panthers scoring six tries and kicking one conversion in ten matches.

In 2017 in the Ipswich Rugby League U14 competition, Christian Kiri played limited matches but had a huge season in 2016 in the Ipswich Rugby league U13 Development Cup competition scoring seventeen tries from eleven matches and scored seven tries from four matches in the Ipswich Rugby League U13 competition.

Christian Kiri is a powerful runner of the ball who runs with a slight jink, usually off his right foot, in his step prior to impacting the defensive line and from when he receives the ball until he hits the defensive line Christian Kiri is able to build up significant momentum.

Christian Kiri shows some more than reasonable pace when in the clear for a player his size and certainly in terms of his speed off the mark Christian Kiri has some decent speed for a front rower. Also when he has impacted the defensive line he continues to pump his legs and gain extra metres after contact.

As noted he is a solidly built young second rower with outstanding footwork Christian Kiri and also shows will show flashes of the ability to off load the ball and with experience this attribute will continue to develop both in terms of when he has impacted the defensive line and prior to contact.

His lateral movement is outstanding for a big second rower and he is powerful enough to combat the largest of opponents looking to run through the centre of the ruck yet has the mobility to be an effective defender on the fringes of the ruck as well.

Another impressive aspect of Christian Kiri’s play from a defensive stand point is the speed at which he gets around the field, for a player of his size, Christian Kiri has more than decent speed and mobility.

Christian Kiri will play the 2020 season in the Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition once again for the Coomera Cutters and is U18 eligible again in 2021. Christian Kiri will also more than likely continue to play rugby in 2020 including club, representative and school boy rugby on the Gold Coast.

With his size, speed and power, Christian Kiri shapes as the ideal rugby league second rower as he progresses up the Gold Coast Junior rugby league ranks towards senior rugby league.

From an NRL player comparison perspective for Christian Kiri would consider a player comparison with Penrith Panthers destructive left second rower and Tongan International Viliame Kikau as more than appropriate. Both are exceptionally destructive on the fringes of the ruck on the left side and take a power of stopping by defences no matter how organised their defensive pattern is.

mdrew

08-11-19, 10:28 PM

LT Anae. Over the course of the 2019 Gold Coast Rugby League season one player who impressed me as much as anybody else when I saw him play was Ormeau Shearers left second rower LT Anae including a great performance in Ormeau’s 22 - 20 U16 Division One Grand Final victory over Coomera in golden point as a result of a penalty goal from right next to the goal posts.

LT Anae who started the 2019 season in the Gold Coast Vikings U16 set up played in fifteen GCRL U16 Division One matches this season scoring six tries with those tries coming individually in matches against Southport, Mudgeeraba, Helensvale (two matches), Burleigh and Coomera.

In 2018 LT Anae also played for Ormeau playing in the GCRL U15 Division One competition and finishing his eleven matches with four tries including a mid-season double against Southport and also tries against Runaway Bay and the Robina Raptors.

From the games that I have seem play LT Anae normally runs to the left side of the field, and will run wider out and look to come back on the inside shoulder of the opposition defence on the edge of the ruck, looking for situations where the opposition inside defenders are slow to come across. His determination is one aspect that enables him to be in the right place at the right time.

Another key aspect of his running game is that he runs fast into the defensive line. I know all forwards run hard (well most) but in addition to that, LT Anae runs fast and does not slow down when he impacts the defensive line. From my perspective this is a critical trait and one that is all too rarely seen, even in a lot of first grade games it looks like forwards are running up to the defensive line in slow motion, LT Anae is not one of those forwards. An example of what I mean is that if you look at say the Roosters forward pack they run at speed and it makes a huge difference to the ground that can be made through the centre of the ruck.

LT Anae is a hard runner and does not give up on the run until the opposition puts him on the ground, as a consequence, he makes a lot more metres for his team than he has a right to and with his determination he will also on occasion break clear of the defenders totally. I would consider that he runs ‘tough’.

LT Anae’s calling card from a defensive perspective is his strength and power to effectively engage the opposing forward early in their run and use his natural strength to win the forward battle in the centre of the ruck.

LT Anae can defensively handle any one on one battle that presents itself, especially early in games and in fact will dominate the centre of the ruck in stretches of games with power coupled with a simple, effective front on technique.

LT Anae will play the 2020 season in the Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition once again for the Ormeau Shearers and is U18 eligible again in 2021 when he will be pushing hard for an MM Cup spot with either Tweed Heads or Burleigh.

With his size, speed and power, LT Anae shapes as the ideal rugby league second rower as he progresses up the Gold Coast rugby league ranks.

From an NRL player comparison perspective, LT Anae has more than a passing similarity from a playing perspective to Manly Sea Eagles second rower Curtis Sironen, both are hard straight runners of the ball who play with intensity in both attack and defence.

mdrew

09-11-19, 10:21 AM

Isaac Lee. (Revised) He is a tall rangy centre/second rower originally from Lismore Marist Brothers in the Northern River Regional Rugby League and originally signed with the Titans round the age of 15.

After spending the 2019 season as part of the Newcastle Knights U20 Jersey Flegg side, Isaac Lee is moving back to Northern new South Wales where he will play for the Lismore Marist Brothers Rams, his junior club, with his father, former Cronulla Sharks front rower Danny Lee the new Rams first grade coach. Isaac Lee’s young brother Henry Lee is a Titans linked player who will play for Marist Brothers in the U18 NRRRL competition in 2020.

For Newcastle in the 2019 Jersey Flegg competition, Isaac Lee played in six matches, starting three in the second row, the first of which was in Round Two against Penrith and three from the bench. Isaac Lee’s sole try in the competition came in Round Twenty Two against Norths Sydney.

Isaac Lee also played in one match in the Newcastle Rugby League First Grade competition in 2019 with that match against Lakes United in May when he was playing for South Newcastle.

In 2018 Isaac Lee was a key member of the Tweed Heads Seagulls U20 Hastings Deering’s Colts side and over the last half of the season was in outstanding form operating in the left centre position.

In 2018 for the Seagulls Colts side Isaac Lee was involved in sixteen matches, coming into the side in Round Three on the interchange bench against the Burleigh Bears. After Tweed Heads had a Round Four bye, Isaac Lee was in the starting line for Round Five and has there ever since. In Rounds Five and Seven Isaac Lee started in the second row but in Rounds Six Wynnum Manly Isaac Lee moved to the centres and has been there ever since.

In 2018 Isaac Lee has scored seven tries including in Round Five against the Townsville Blackhawks and in Round Seven against the Easts Tigers when he scored after making a break down the left side of the field and in Round Ten in a 52 – 22 wing against the Ipswich Jets.

Isaac Lee has hit a purple patch of form towards the end of the season and in a three match span from Rounds Twenty to Twenty Two scored four tires, including a double against the Mackay Cutters and tries against Easts and Victoria.

Late in the Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade season Isaac Lee made his First Grade debut for Tweed Heads against Southport starting on the interchange bench in Round Thirteen as the Seagulls prevailed 26 – 22.

Isaac Lee made his GCRL First Grade starting debut in the final round of the regular season, being Round Seventeen when he started in the centres for Tweed Heads in a 32 – 16 loss to Runaway Bay.

Isaac Lee also started in the centres in the opening week of the finals for Tweed Heads as they went down 37 – 16 to Runaway Bay.
From a trivia perspective he is the son of former Cronulla Sharks front rower Danny Lee, all be it he is a completely different body shape and playing style to his front row father.

For the 2017 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup side Isaac Lee started in the centres in all six matches and scored against Victoria in Round Two, against the Western Mustangs in Round Three and in Round Six scored against local rivals the Burleigh Bears.

Upon completion of the 2017 MM Cup competition, Isaac Lee transitioned immediately to Tweed Heads U20 Colts Challenge side and a had great Round One scoring a hat trick inside 20 minutes in the first half against Souths Logan in Round One. Isaac Lee also started in the centres in Round Two before he missed Rounds Three to Six with injury before coming back into the side in Round Seven starting in the centres.

In addition to his hat trick in Round One, Isaac Lee scored a double in Round Ten against the Burleigh Bears and also scored in Rounds Thirteen to Sixteen against Easts, Redcliffe, the Western Mustangs and South Logan respectively.

Isaac Lee was also involved in all three of the Seagulls 2017 finals matches starting on the interchange in Week One of the finals against Redcliffe and on the wing in Weeks two and Three of the finals against Easts and Norths. In those two finals matches Isaac lee scored a double against Norths and also scored Easts in Week Two. In total in the Colts competition in 2018 for Tweed Heads Isaac Lee scored twelve tries to average a try a match.

Isaac Lee started five matches in the centres, four in the second row, two on the wing and one from the interchange bench highlighting his versatility. Isaac Lee had previously spent some time at fullback in the NRRRL competition in previous seasons.

In the NRRRL competition in 2016, Isaac Lee played for the Lismore Marist Brothers Rugby League club at both the U18 and Novaskill NRRRL First Grade level. In the U18 competition where Isaac Lee alternated between centre and fullback, he scored ten tries from twelve matches including doubles against the Murwillumbah Colts and the Ballina Seagulls.

Isaac Lee made his First Grade debut on June 5 2016 against Cudgen and played in four other matches scoring a try against the Tweed Coast Raiders in his third match in the top grade. In the First Grade competition Isaac Lee alternated between fullback, wing and centre in his five matches.

Isaac Lee also represented NSW Combined Catholic Colleges Northern U18’s in 2016 and played for St Johns College Woodlawn in numerous Schoolboy competitions throughout New South Wales. In addition to starting at centre in the late 2015 U16 development squad game against Samoa, he also played in the U15 development squad game against the Balmain Tigers late in 2014, where he was named best back by Balmain Tigers coaching and development staff in their loss.

Over the course of the last couple of years you can see the difference, additional size has made, not in relation to the style of play but to Isaac Lee’s effectiveness as a hard running centre. He has always been a straight running centre, who is not afraid to run over rather than around his opponent, but with increased size and strength his effectiveness has increased exponentially.

Isaac Lee regularly gets half way through the line and with his length is very effective in getting his hands free to off load, including offloading with one hand and has a decent fend to complement his offloading abilities.

Normally though due to his length and speed he regularly attracts multiple defenders leaving opportunities for him to set up his outside support. Due to his length, he is effective both in attacking high attacking kicks as well as defusing them. He is better with high kicks rather than kicks along the ground.

Defensively his increased strength has meant that he is even more effective in the defensive aspects of the game, and can handle one on one situation’s against wide running opposition backrowers as well as smaller faster opposition backline players with his combination of strength and speed.

Isaac Lee seems to rarely over commit in defence allowing the play to develop in front of him before committing to any particular defensive strategy.

The above paragraph would suggest that Isaac Lee is more suited to a sliding defensive methodology, but he is also able to defend using an up and in style of defensive strategy just as effectively. This ability to alternative between the two key defensive methodologies, depending on, the state of the game and where the game is situated on the field is an invaluable attribute for a potential NRL player to have.

Isaac Lee will play the 2020 season with the Lismore Marist Brothers Rams in the NRRRL First Grade competition and it will be interesting to see if in a year or so he looks to break into the Queensland Cup competition with the Tweed Heads Seagulls.

Isaac Lee spent a significant portion of his junior rugby league career in the centres and even spent some time at fullback in the NRRRL First Grade competition in 2016 but over the last two seasons has played almost exclusively in the second row and looks certain to stay there in the long term.

For me a current NRL player with a similar skill set and playing style is to Isaac Lee is Penrith Panthers young gun Isiah Yeo as a multi-talented player who continues to develop his game through shear hard work.

mdrew

09-11-19, 12:50 PM

Aiden Kennedy. (Updated) The giant young front rower who spent part of the 2019 season with the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition will move back to where is junior rugby league career started when he lines up alongside twin brother Lachlan for Lismore Marist Brothers in the NRRRL First Grade competition in 2020.

After a settling in season for the Western Mustangs in 2018 Aiden Kennedy played his first match for the Tweed Heads Seagulls Colts side in Round Twenty, coming off the bench and scoring against Ipswich.

The try was a typical Aiden Kennedy try, with Tweed Heads close to the line, Aiden Kennedy charged onto the ball to the right of the play the ball and the Ipswich defence had no hope of stopping him from there.

Aiden Kennedy made his first Hastings Deering’s Colts start of 2019 when he started in the front row against Souths Logan, scoring a double in the Seagulls big win in Round Twenty One. Aiden Kennedy took the first hit up of the match from the kick off and things continued to go well for the remainder of the match, scoring a try in each half.

Aiden Kennedy’s first half try was a relatively straight forward affair. He ran onto the ball from close range to the left of the play the ball and then was able to spin counter clock wise when the Souths Logan defence was trying to hold him up to get the ball down under the posts.

Aiden Kennedy’s second try was as a result of a twenty metre run. Tweed Heads sent the ball to the left of the play the ball then the Tweed Heads half passed inside to Aiden Kennedy who ran through a huge gap. When he got to the fullback, Aiden Kennedy threw a huge exaggerated dummy to his left which the Souths Logan fullback fell for and Aiden Kennedy was able to rumble the remainder of the way to the try line to score adjacent to left upright.

Aiden Kennedy had an interrupted 2019 season playing only a handful of matches in the NRRRL competition for Byron Bay before his Hastings Deering’s Colts debut. Aiden Kennedy played his first NRRRL First Grade match of 2019 in May against Kyogle and scored his first NRRRL try in Reserve Grade against Murwillumbah in early August.

For the Western Mustangs U20 Colts squad in 2018, Aiden Kennedy played in ten matches, coming into the side in Round Twelve against the Townsville Blackhawks. Aiden Kennedy played a further four matches from the bench before breaking into the starting side in the front row in Round Eighteen against the Northern Pride celebrating his elevation with a double. Aiden Kennedy also scored in Round Twenty One against Victoria.

Prior to making his Colts debut for the Western Mustangs in 2018, Aiden Kennedy also played in one Toowoomba Rugby League First Grade match when he ran on for Pittsworth against Dalby in March 2018.

The young front rower from Northern New South Wales has had a solid 2017 in the U18 NRRRL competition averaging a try a match in the nine matches that he played for Lismore Marist Brothers, including scoring a hat trick in April against Byron Bay and also a double in June against Cudgen.

Aiden Kennedy also played in four NRRRL First Grade matches in 2017, making his debut in late July against the Byron Bay Devils scoring two tries which came against Lower Clarence in his second First Grade gam and also against Murwillumbah in his fourth. In the 2016 season Aiden Kennedy scored nineteen tries in sixteen matches including four tries in a late season match against Murwillumbah and a hat trick against Lower Clarence.

He is another St Johns College Woodlawn student and thus played matches in various school boy competitions with them including the National GIO Cup competition. Aiden Kennedy along with his twin brother started in the front row for St Johns College Woodlawn in their tough 14 – 10 loss to Sydney School Holy Cross Ryde in the semi-final of the New South Wales Catholic Cup.

From St Johns College Woodlawn Aiden Kennedy represented New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges in the 2016 and 2017 ASSRL U18 Championships and also represented NSWCCC in the U15 age group previously.

Aiden Kennedy is a hard running player who never seems to just put his head down and runs straight, he always uses a slight step prior to contacting the defensive line, coupled with the fact that he drops his shoulder into defenders, means that he is a bit of a handful to tackle and he is not often knocked back onto his heals. He is also good at maintaining his momentum after impacting the defensive line.

Aiden Kennedy seems to have a high work rate and I would suggest that he would normally be at or near the top of his team’s statistics in terms of the number of hit ups he makes and on occasion runs a very good inside shoulder route to supplement his other attacking attributes. He does not off-load the ball much however and probably never be one based on how he asked to play the game.

Defensively Aiden Kennedy aims hits very hard and usually hits around the top of the ball region and is certainly someone opposing forwards look for when running the ball up and is adept at making sure the opposition do not get quick play the balls by using wrestling techniques well. Last year his speed and mobility seemed to have increased and as a consequence he was better able to mirror the opposition attackers more effectively.

Aiden Kennedy will probably not make a large amount of hits that are going to knock opposing forwards backwards, but opposing forwards are going to feel everyone and start to look out for where he is in the defensive line.

2019 was Aiden Kennedy’s last being U20 eligible and as noted previously will line up for the Lismore Marist Brothers Rams in the 2020 NRRRL First Grade competition where he will be coached by former Cronulla Shark Danny Lee.

From a position perspective, Aiden Kennedy seems to have the skill attributes and mentality to stay in the front row as he moves through the upper echelons of junior rugby league towards senior rugby league competitions.

Aiden Kennedy is a big strong tough rugby league front rower with a touch of aggressiveness in his game and therefore from an NRL player comparison perspective, I would suggest that a better player comparison for Aiden Kennedy would be Titans and Queensland State of Origin front rower Jarrod Wallace as a front rower who will continue to take the ball up all day long and also be very effective at it as well and one who is a touch underrated defensively in terms of how hard his initial contact is in defence.

mdrew

09-11-19, 08:35 PM

Allan Lockwood. (Revised) He is a former fullback or centre who is originally from the Kempsey area, but moved to the Gold Coast to continue his career with the Titans at the start of 2016 as a part of the Titans High Performance Unit.

Allan Lockwood started Round One of the 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition in the second row for Burleigh and scored a second half try as Burleigh came from the clouds to draw 24 all with Norths at Bishop Park, Nundah.

After also playing in the second row in Round Two, in Round Three Allan Lockwood started at right centre scoring in a big Burleigh win against the Tweed Heads Seagulls. Allan Lockwood got outside his direct opponent ten metres out from the line and put on a solid left arm fend to create separation with the defender and then powered to the line to score out wide.

Allan Lockwood scored a similar try to the one noted above in Round Four against Townsville, on that occasion Allan Lockwood once again playing right centre got the ball early from half Cameron Brown and straightened up the attack “freezing” his direct opponent before cutting to the outside and holding his opponent off with a powerful left arm fend to score out wide.

Allan Lockwood was on the score board again in Round Ten against the Northern Pride. Operating at right centre Allan Lockwood received the ball around ten metres out from the Pride line with a lot of defence in front of him. Allan Lockwood was able to break through the initial contact and barge over dragging a defender with him.

Allan Lockwood also had a try assist in the Round Ten match when he drew the Northern Pride left side defence to send Kea Pere over in the right corner untouched.

Allan Lockwood added a further try in Round Nineteen against Redcliffe. Playing right centre, Allan Lockwood made a long break down the right touchline of about fifty metres after beating his direct opponent on the outside. After a quick play the ball the ball was spun to the other side of the field and then back again with Allan Lockwood on hand to finish the work that he had started moments before.

Allan Lockwood also scored in Round Twenty against the Western Mustangs when he received the ball in space at right centre and took advantage of a back peddling defence to easily score out wide near the right corner post.

In Week Two of the Finals Allan Lockwood started at right centre in Burleigh’s 42 – 12 win against Norths.

Allan Lockwood’s 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts season came to an end when he started at right centre for Burleigh as they went down 23 – 16 to Sunshine Coast in the Preliminary Final.

In total, including Finals, Allan Lockwood played in twelve Hastings Deering’s Colts matches for Burleigh, splitting time between right centre, right second row and the bench.

Impressively in 2019 Allan Lockwood made his International debut when he started in the centres for Lebanon against a Fiji side full of NRL players in June. Allan Lockwood played the entire 80 minutes, running for 86 metres (19 post contact), broke four tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.5 seconds and made twenty three tackles at an impressive tackling efficiency of 92%.

In 2018 Allan Lockwood alternated between playing for Burleigh in the U20 Hastings Deering’s Cup and the Bears Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade side.

Allan Lockwood started the 2018 season in the Burleigh Colts side playing in twelve matches in totals and scoring three tries. Allan Lockwood scored a double in Round Fourteen against the Northern Pride and also scored in Round Twenty Three against Townsville.

Allan Lockwood started the opening two rounds at fullback. After missing Round Four Allan Lockwood was back in the Burleigh Colts side in Round Five against Souths Logan starting on the wing and also playing on the wing in Rounds Six and Seven.

After playing a number of matches for the Burleigh GCRL First Grade side, Allan Lockwood came back into the Burleigh Colts side in Round Thirteen against Ipswich, starting in the centres and stayed in the centres for the remainder of the season.

Allan Lockwood made his Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade debut against Tweed Heads in April. Over the course of the 2018 GCRL First Grade competition, Allan Lockwood played eight matches for Burleigh scoring three tries which came against Ormeau, Bilambil and Runaway Bay.

The 2017 season saw Allan Lockwood play for Burleigh in the MM Cup competition and upon competition of that competition, the talented youngster made a successful transition to the Burleigh Colts side playing a number of matches at fullback and in the centres. Allan Lockwood also played a number of matches in Gold Coast Rugby League competition for the Bilambil Jets.

For Burleigh in the 2017 MM competition, Allan Lockwood played in five of their six matches missing only Round Three. Allan Lockwood started the first two rounds at fullback and then played in the centres in Rounds Four, Five and Six. Allan Lockwood came into the Burleigh Colts side in Round Two starting at fullback.

For the Burleigh Bears in the U20 Colts Challenge competition in 2017, Allan Lockwood played in thirteen of Burleigh’s fifteen matches scoring three tries the first of which came in Round Five against the Sunshine Coast Falcons.

Allan Lockwood’s other two tries came in consecutive matches in Round Nine against the Western Mustangs and Round Ten against Tweed Heads. Allan Lockwood started at fullback in his first four Colts matches and then transitioned to the centres for his remaining matches in that competition.

For Bilambil in the Gold Coast U19 competition, Allan Lockwood played in eight matches including starting in the centres in Bilambil’s 34 – 20 Grand Final victory over Tugun. In those eight matches Allan Lockwood scored five tries which all came in two consecutive matches the first when he scored a hat trick against Currumbin and in his next U19 match Allan Lockwood scored against Mudgeeraba. Allan Lockwood made his Gold Coast Rugby League A Grade debut in August against Burleigh.

Allan Lockwood played the 2016 season with the Burleigh Bears in the U17 Division One competition and started at fullback in their 18 – 12 Grand Final victory. Over the course of the season for Burleigh, Allan Lockwood played in ten matches, scoring seven tries including a double against Currumbin in Round One and a double against Grand Final opponents Runaway Bay mid-way through the season. Allan Lockwood also played for Gold Coast White in the CC Cup competition where he played both at five eight and in the centres scoring two tries in the process.

In early 2016 he captained the NSW Koori’s U16 side in their annual Murri v Koori U16 interstate clash, with the match finishing in a 16 all draw. For young Lockwood this was the second year in a row that he represented NSW Kurri in this annual match. From a trivia perspective, he is related to Greg Inglis, a cousin I believe.

Allan Lockwood is a silky smooth runner of the ball who seems to glide across the field effortlessly and certainly has an extra gear in relation to the speed he possesses as well as plus speed off the mark. In the centre position, he has the ability to stand up his direct opposite and then beat him with pace on the outside, something that is becoming increasingly rare in the modern game.

When he gets the ball early from his inside play makers, Allan Lockwood is incredibly difficult to deal with one on one, as whilst his speed has already been noted, he is also a powerful runner who has the power to also break tackles through sheer power and not just rely on his speed to beat his opponent.

The one thing Allan Lockwood also seems to be able to do well, is to step back inside without the loss of his speed or forward momentum, opposing defenders seem to push out quickly when he has the ball expecting him to look to beat them on their outside, if they come across to far, he has a very good step back side and if the inside defenders are not quick enough to cover across he has the speed to make a clean break in those circumstances.

Similarly when an opposing defender looks to come out of the line quickly to put pressure on him, his quick twitch feet means that he can step off either foot quickly to negate the attempt to cut down his time. In short he is a very talented attacking player who looks to beat his opponent with speed and guile rather than purely by brute strength.

From the games that I have seen of his, you can just sense the uncertainty in the defensive line when Allan Lockwood receives the ball with space to manoeuvre. Allan Lockwood must be a half/five eight’s dream in that teams will look to get up onto him quickly, potentially leaving space for them to dummy and run.

Also when the team is struggling Allan Lockwood can just make something happen out of nothing even against a set defensive line, he can just drift across the field and then explode into any gaps that he can see develop.

Defensively Allan Lockwood was quite impressive last season and you could see that his physical development of the last couple of seasons has paid dividends. He has always had a solid tackling technique but with additional muscle mass, his initial contact is a lot stronger and he really can redirect the momentum of the ball carrier.

At fullback Allan Lockwood will come forward when a break is made and force the attacking player to make a quick decision as to what to do, if they try to take him on, Allan Lockwood will make them pay for it.

Allan Lockwood Colt’s eligibility came to an end at the conclusion of this season and it appears that Allan Lockwood is on the move and will play the 2020 season with the Whitsunday Brahaman’s.

From a position perspective, even though he played some five eight in CC in previous seasons and fullback for Burleigh in both MM and Colts competitions and even a match to two this season in the backrow, for me I believe that he has the ability to play in the centres long term and develop into a smooth moving elusive runner of the ball and quite an effective defender.

Obviously any time that he spends at five eight or fullback will only enhance his ball skills and assist in creating space for his support players.

Allan Lockwood obviously also has leadership skills to be selected as the NSW U16 Koori captain. The quote below is from U16s Indigenous All Stars chairman of selectors and former Gold Coast Seagull centre Scott Mieni.
“He has always shown outstanding leadership and his ability is second to none and that is why he has also been selected to captain the side.”

From a player comparison perspective, think of someone also the lines of former, Bronco, Qld State of Origin and Australian centre Steve Renouf in the context of how Allan Lockwood plays the game, being that of an exceptionally talented attacking player and a dedicated, hardworking person all around.

mdrew

10-11-19, 06:46 AM

Connor Te Kani. (Revised) He is a local young centre who played his club rugby league on the Gold Coast with the Coomera Cutters in the 2019 GCRL U16 Division One competition.

For the Cutters Connor Te Kani played thirteen matches, including starting the Grand Final at five eight and kicked four goals as the Cutters went down in heart breaking fashion in golden point 22 – 20 to Ormeau.

In his thirteen matches Connor Te Kani scored seventy three points from three tries, thirty goals and a field goal which he kicked in Round Two against Ormeau. Connor Te Kani’s tries came in matches against Ormeau in Round Two and also in matches against Helensvale and Burleigh.

With the boot Connor Te Kani kicked six goals in week on of the U16 Division One Finals Series against Burleigh and five mid-season against Helensvale, he also scored in those two matches. Connor Te Kani added three further goals in Coomera’s Preliminary Final victory over Currumbin.

Connor Te Kani started all eight of Brisbane Grammar Schools GPS First XV matches at No. 10 (fly half) making his debut In Round Two against Ipswich Grammar School after Brisbane Grammar School had a Round One bye. In his eight matches Connor Te Kani kicked seven conversions with his first coming in Round Three when he kicked a pressure conversion in the last minute to lock the scores up at 17 all against Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie).

Connor Te Kani kicked two conversions in Round Seven and Eight against Nudgee and Brisbane State High School respectively and also kicked a conversion in Round Six against Gregory Terrace and in Round Nine against Toowoomba Grammar School.

In the 2019 QPICC Connor Te Kani represented the Cook Islands U16 side playing in all four of their matches at half and had an outstanding final scoring two tries and kicking three goals as the Cook Islands defeated Tonga 14 – 6 in the Final.

For the Cutters (he had previously played for Runaway Bay) Connor Te Kani played in eleven matches in the 2018 GCRL U15 Division One competition, including points and finished as one of the competitions leading point scorers with 84 from ten tries and twenty two goals.

In Round Two of the U15 Division One Final’s series, Connor Te Kani started at five eight and kicked a conversion as Coomera went down 44 – 6 to eventual Grand Final winners Ormeau.

In the U15 Division One Preliminary Final Connor Te Kani once again started at five eight, scoring a try and kicking a conversion as Coomera bowed out of the competition on the back of a 58 – 14 loss to Runaway Bay.

In addition to his finals try, Connor Te Kani scored four doubles which came in matches against Currumbin (in two matches), Mudgeeraba and Ormeau. Connor Te Kani’s other try came late in the season against Mudgeeraba.

Connor Te Kani had some big matches from a goal kicking perspective in 2018 including six goals in a match against Currumbin (he also scored a double in the same match) and five against Mudgeeraba late in the season.

In addition Connor Te Kani was co-captain of the Griffith University Colleges U15 rugby side that won their Grand Final, which was played as a curtain raiser to the Wallabies against Argentina test 47 – 19 against the Helensvale Hogs with Connor Te Kani starting the Grand Final at fullback.

In total for Griffith University Colleges Connor Te Kani played in fourteen matches, starting six at fullback, two from the interchange bench, two at fly half (No. 10), two at inside centre and two at outside centre.

Connor Te Kani scored three tries and kicked eight conversions, including three in Round Fourteen against the Gold Coast Eagles. Connor Te Kani’s tries came in Round Nine against the Gold Coast Eagles, Round Twelve against Bond University and in Round Fifteen against the Surfers Dolphins.

Connor Te Kani was also part of the Queensland Red side that won the Australian Gold Cup (U15) Championships starting at outside centre in the final as Queensland Red were victorious 17 – 5 against NSW Gen Blue I. Connor Te Kani also started at outside centre in the semi-final.

In 2016 the season Connor Te Kani was also yet another member of the exceptionally talented U13 Gold Coast Vikings side that went through the Hill Stumer Championships undefeated. From those championships, Connor Te Kani was selected in the centres for the South East Queensland White team for the Queensland Age Championships. Connor Te Kani kicked five goals on Day One in wins against Brisbane Red and Brisbane White.

Unfortunately for Runaway Bay even though they finished the U14 Division One 2016 season proper as the minor premiers, they were defeated 34 – 22 in the Grand Final by the Ormeau Shearers, with Connor Te Kani starting in the centres and kicking three conversions.

Over the course of the 2016 season, Connor Te Kani scored 13 tries from just nine matches and also kicked 18 goals to finish with 88 points in the season. In a four games stretch during June and July 2016, Connor Te Kani scored nine tries including two hat tricks which came against Jimboomba and Helensvale and also in that same stretch scored a double against Jimboomba. Earlier in the season, he also scored a double against Nerang. Connor Te Kani also averaged two tries a game across seven matches in the U13 pre-season grading competition.

With the boot, Connor Te Kani had two big games when he kicked seven against Ormeau and six against Jimboomba (the same day he scored three tries for 30 points in the game). Connor Te Kani also played one match at the U14 Division One level which was against Nerang.

During the 2015 season, he also made the Qld U12 side that won the national U12 championships with a 4 – 0 victory against NSW in the final. During the course of the U12 National championships, he scored two tries in the pool matches, against Western Australia and ACT and also scored in Queensland’s semi-final victory against Victoria.

Connor Te Kani is a big strong super quick centre with an effortless running style with a classic centres build with the ability to stand up his direct opposite and then beat him with pace on the outside, something that is rare in the modern game. His has used this skill set on multiple occasions on the right side of the field. Right centre is the only position that I have seen him play for his club side.

Connor Te Kani has a very strong left hand fend which prevents opposing centres getting in on him and forcing him towards the sideline. Even though he has size, strength and power in the centre position, he does look for his outside support when confronted with the fullback, even though he is more than capable of beating fullbacks one on one if need be and certainly does on occasion when he outpaces his support players.

When the defence is sliding he will cut inside and when the defence is playing an up and up style he has the plus speed and agile footwork to get on the outside of his direct opponent and beat him for speed to exploit the gap created. In terms of his speed, in all aspects it would be considered at the plus level in terms of speed off the mark, top end speed and sustainability.

Another aspect where he is also very good is his ability to run out of dummy half. Connor Te Kani’s size strength speed and power coupled with his plus footwork enables him to make a significant amount of ground out of dummy half and also give his forward a breather.

Defensively his game is built on intimidation, he will come in when the opportunity presents itself and hit very hard around the chest, you can see the opposing centre looking where he was positioned as the ball was moved out to the back line also his plus speed enables him to recover if he is beaten on the outside.

Currently Connor Te Kani is better to an up and in defensive methodology but I would argue that is more to do with how coaches want him to play rather than any concern that he cannot be effective in a sliding defensive scheme. With his speed, timing and strength, why not take advantage of his ability to intimidate his opposing centre.

Moving to the 2020 season Connor Te Kani will/should play for the Coomera Cutters in the GCRL U18 Division One competition and will once again start at fly half for the Brisbane Grammar School First XV in the GPS school boy rugby competition.

Connor Te Kani has also been named in both the Burleigh and Tweed Heads MM Cup squad for 2020 so that duplication will be something that is addressed shortly.

For me Connor Te Kani a strong powerful centre with plus speed and footwork and has the skills to stay at centre in the long term and more than that has the skills to potentially become a legitimate strike centre and they are a rare breed to say the least.

Connor Te Kani has played a lot of five eight recently both for Brisbane Grammar School in rugby and Coomera in the GCRL U16 Division One competition and whilst I still believe that on the balance of probabilities that he will end up in the centres, his play at five eight is definitely cause for pause on my assessment.

The skills and experience that he is picking up at five eight especially in rugby for the Brisbane Grammar School First XV is going to be of huge benefit going forward even if Connor Te Kani ends up in the centres in the long term.

Regardless of the age group or level, you do not often see a player with such a combination of his speed, size, strength and power compared to his peers, couple that with an innate understanding of how to play rugby league and you have a young player with immense potential waiting to be tapped in the coming years.

With his outstanding skill set coupled with his size and speed combination Connor Te Kani is simply a player of immense potential and the play of Parramatta Eels boom rookie Dylan Brown is a more than fair comparison.

Both have the ability to play to a set game plan as well as playing what is in front of them and unlike some current NRL halves have the youthful courage to look to win the match rather than trying not to lose it.

Many young players pop up with incredible potential but few are able to work hard enough to harness and exploit it, few would argue that Connor Te Kani will do everything possible to not just make it to the NRL but dominate once he gets there.

mdrew

10-11-19, 12:57 PM

Karl Oloapu. The outstanding five eight/ centre was one of numerous stand out Titans U14 players in their match earlier this season against the Western Mustangs at Mudgeeraba.

In the match that the Titans won 32 – 8 (no conversions were taken), Karl Oloapu played in the left centre position and formed a lethal combination on the left with left second rower William Semu.

Impressively in early 2019 Karl Oloapu started at five eight for the Met East U15 side at the QSSRL U15 Championships, including starting their in the final against South Coast. Not bad at all for a young man playing against players a year older and at such as high level.

Karl Opoapu played the 2019 season for Redcliffe in the GBJRL U14 Division One competition.

Post the GBJRL competition Karl Opoapu was named in the U14 Queensland Samoa side for the 2019 QPICC Championships starting all four of Samoa’s matches at five eight including their 8 – 6 final loss to PNG. Karl Opoapu scored a try in Round Three against PNG and added a goal in Round One against Tonga.

Karl Opoapu also represented the Brisbane Red U14 side at the 2019 Hill Stumer Championships playing at half back and scored an impressive try in their Day One match against Brisbane Blue. He was operating on the left, after receiving the ball, Karl Opoapu stepped off his left foot and then crashed through three defenders to score under the posts.

After the completion of the competition, Karl Opoapu was selected in the South East Queensland U14 Green squad for the Queensland Age Championships.

Karl Oloapu played for SEQ Green at the Championships at five eight and was simply outstanding across all four of their matches, recoding multiple try assists with his ability to see the entire field from five eight as well as always being a couple of steps of the opposition, both figuratively and literally.

In 2018 Karl Oloapu played in the GBJRL U13 Premier Division for the Redcliffe Dolphins and started at five eight in their tough 26 – 12 Grand Final loss to Carina who had in their line-up William Semu.

In late 2018 Karl Oloapu represented Queensland Maori U14’s at the QPICC carnival and the former Wellington New Zealand youngster was also selected in the U13 South East Queensland Merit side.

In attack Karl Oloapu’s plus speed off the mark is the first attribute that you will notice when you see him play live. He also has an extra gear once he is through the defensive line, and has the ability to maintain his speed over a long distance.

In short with his plus speed, Karl Oloapu can make a break himself and then has the speed to finish the break off by himself because his support players have a heck of a time trying to stay with him when he is in open space.

Karl Oloapu can and will beat defenders in the inside or outside with a step off either foot and if the defensive line is staggered a dummy and go, presents multiple headaches for the opposition’s defensive strategies and back-ups well.

Put simply Karl Oloapu is a very difficult proposition for any defence that comes up against him.

As you would expect, due to his size and strength, Karl Oloapu is a very good defender regardless of position. Karl Oloapu will not necessarily hit hard but is definitely aggressive and he is very good at mirroring the movement of the opposing centre and wrapping him up ball and all.

Karl Oloapu is also quick enough to recover and chase if the opposing centre gets on the outside and his long reach is also a positive attribute in those situations.

From a team defensive methodology stand point, Karl Oloapu seems to be very comfortable in a sliding defensive scheme where he can use his speed and body control to their best advantage in though he can be an intimidating presence when he comes out of the line.

Karl Oloapu will play the 2020 season with Redcliffe in the GBJRL U15 Division One competition and will without doubt also be part of the QSSRL U15 Championships.

Even though Karl Oloapu played the majority of his club rugby league in 2018 at five eight for the Dolphins, he played in the centres for the Titans U14 side against the Western Mustangs and by the barest of margins that is where that I believe his best position will be on a rugby league field even though I must admit that his play for South East Queensland Green at five eight may cause my opinion to alter back and forth on a regular basis.

Karl Oloapu’s playing style resembles that of Melbourne Storm, Queensland State of Origin and Australian International Cameron Munster.

Both are explosive players equally effective in both attack and defence and in most respects it does not matter what number jersey they are wearing, they are just outstanding players.

mdrew

10-11-19, 05:55 PM

William Semu. The outstanding young second rower proved to be almost unstoppable on the left side of the field for the Titans U14 side in February in their 32 – 8 win over the Western Mustangs at Mudgeeraba.

In addition to starting the match in the second row, William Semu scored an outstanding try and was awarded the award as the Titans player in the match. In the match William Semu formed a lethal left side combination with centre Karl Oloapu.
William Semu is currently playing for Carina in the GBJRL U14 Division One competition where a team mate is fellow Titans U14 player Hayden Miller.

The GBJRL U14 competition features a number of boys with Titans links including Jacob Tinsley (Logan Brothers), Xavier Atoa (Souths Acacia Ridge) and Karl Oloapu (Redcliffe).

William Semu was due to represent the Brisbane Blue U14 side at the 2019 Hill Stumer Championships due was forced to miss the Championships where he was named in the second row due to injury.

William Semu made his return from injury in Round Ten of the GBJRL U14 Division One competition against Souths Acacia Ridge and started the match in the No. 7 jersey. Throughout the match, William Semu operated on the left side both in attack and defence and made some good plays, including one outstanding run down the left touch line which looked like leading to an outstanding long range individual try but unfortunately William Semu just put his foot on the touch line.

With Carina in front late in the game against the previously undefeated South Acacia Ridge side, William Semu also pulled off some outstanding defence on his own try line, constantly turning back the Souths attack.

William Semu was heavily involved in Carina’s U14 GBJRL Finals series including their Major Semi-final victory over Souths Acacia Ridge and started at left second row in the Grand Final once again against Souths Acacia Ridge but unfortunately Carina went down 28 – 4.

Post the GBJRL competition William Semu was named in the U14 Queensland Samoa side for the 2019 QPICC Championships. William Semu started in the U14 Final for Samoa as they went down 8 – 6 to PNG but scored a double in Round Three (one try in each half) also against PNG.

In 2018 William Semu played for Carina in the GBJRL U13 Premier Division competition and started in the second row in the Grand Final with his Carina side coming away victorious 26 – 12 against a Redcliffe side that contained fellow Titans U14 player Karl Oloapu who started the match at five eight for the Dolphins.

2018 also saw the Marsden State High School student represent Brisbane Blue in the U13 trials and in 2017 William Semu represent Met East at the Queensland U12 Championships were he was selected in the centres.

William Semu is an athlete and this can be seen when be he is running with the football. In his carries he rarely takes a hit up without movement, he uses foot work prior to the line to look to break through as well as cutting either cutting back in behind the play the ball or cutting out towards the smaller defenders on the fringes of the ruck.

William Semu runs ‘fast’ into the defensive and his foot work prior to the line enables him to get partly through the line quite often, certainly more so than you would expect for a backrower taking the ball through the centre of the ruck. One reason for this is that he is a smart footballer, he does not try to run over defenders, but he runs at the gaps between defenders and uses his running speed to break through if defenders only use their arms on the tackle.

William Semu does not necessarily have a great top end speed, but he is certainly fast enough to get through to the full back prior to the arrival of the cover defence.

Playing on the left hand side of the field seemingly more often, means that his left foot step and his fending using his right hand are the effective attributes, but based on his physical attributes, his skill set and his understanding of how to play the game means that I have no doubt that these attributes are transferrable to playing on the left hand side of the field.

In defence William Semu regularly is the first player up to target the ball carriers, even though he is not one of the bigger forwards in his team and will make solid initial contact as well as having the ability of defending one on one.

When the opportunity presents William Semu has the ability to hit very hard, by setting a good base and driving through his lower body and core into his opponent. Ultimately though he is a strong defender with a good front on technique and good lateral movement to track and defend against smaller opponents either on the fringes or centre of the ruck.

William Semu will play the 2020 season in the U14 GBJRL Division One competition with Carina but potentially may move to the Souths Acacia Ridge Magpies.

For me, with his physical attributes and skill set indicates that William Semu will settle into the back row as his long term position with no need for a positional switch and will be a representative level second rower for many years to come. I appreciate that William Semu also spent time in the halves for Carina in the GBJRL U14 Division One competition this season but I firmly believe that second row is his ideal position moving forward.

From a style perspective think of a someone along the lines of Brisbane Bronco and Queensland State of Origin second rower David Fifita as an intense aggressive well-rounded backrower with the ability to break the line by himself or as a result of running a good line, William Semu then has enough speed to break into space prior to looking for his support players.

Like Fifita, William Semu is also an extremely efficient and effective defender who will hit hard when the opportunity presents itself and looks to always dominate his opponents both mentally and physically in all aspects of the game. Similarly both William Semu and Fifita play the left second row position.

Put simply William Semu is just an outstanding talent in both rugby (both fifteen man and 7’s) and rugby league and the sky is the limit in terms of just how far he could go in his career.

mdrew

11-11-19, 06:43 PM

Beau Frazer. The young Beaudesert Kingfishers front rower/second rower started from the bench of the Titans U13 Invitational side early this year in their 40 – 12 win over the Western Mustangs. In the match Beau Frazer took the ball up well and was also solid defensively in the centre of the ruck in his first match in Titans colours.

In 2019 Beau Frazer played for Beaudesert in the GCRL U13 Division Three competition appearing in fourteen matches for the Kingfishers.

In 2019 Beau Frazer also played in seven U14 Division One matches and two U14 Division Three matches regularly playing in two matches over the course of a particular round. In fact in Round One of the 2019 season against Mudgeeraba in April, Beau Frazer played in his U13 Division Three match before making his debut in both the U14 Division One and Division Three competitions against the Redbacks.

In 2018 Beau Frazer played eleven matches for Beaudesert in the GCRL U12 Division Two competition including starting the Grand Final in the second row, but unfortunately Beaudesert lost 24 – 12 to Helensvale.

In his eleven matches Beau Frazer scored a late July try against Coomera for his sole try of the season and also kicked a conversion in late June against Ormeau to account for his six points.

Impressively Beau Frazer also played four matches for Beaudesert in the 2018 U13 Division One competition making his debut against Burleigh in June. His other three U13 Division One matches were against Runaway Bay, Mudgeeraba and Currumbin and on each occasion including his debut Beau Frazer was backing up after playing for his U12 side earlier in the day.

Running with the football, Beau Frazer has good footwork prior to the line and does not often just put his head down and run straight, but uses his solid footwork to try to work the gaps between defenders rather than trying to simply run over them.

Beau Frazer does not have great speed off the mark or necessary great high end speed, but he will work hard and make the most of his ability. Beau Frazer actually does have a decent off load usually with his right hand when he has impacted the defensive line as well and regularly showcased this in game situations over the course of the 2019 season.

In defence Beau Frazer is not an overly big hitter but definitely makes solid initial contact with the ball carrier and is very effective at targeting the area around the football in order to reduce the possibility of off loads occurring.

For a front rower his lateral movement is reasonable and Beau Frazer is also quite effective when defending at marker, and does not use it as a chance to have a break and will chase hard from the position targeting the next ball runner or putting pressure on the opposing kicker.

Beau Frazer will play the 2020 season with Beaudesert in the GCRL U14 age group and will push for Gold Coast Vikings U14 representative selection.

Beau Frazer has spent a fair bit of the last two seasons playing in the front row but for me he is a little undersized there and will likely settle in the second row in the coming years.

From a player comparison perspective for Beau Frazer, one player with a similar playing style from my perspective is former Titans front rower/second rower and current Titans coaching staff member Anthony Laffranchi, as a solid forward who will may never be a star but will be a solid contributor to a team’s forward pack both from an attacking and defensive perspective and someone who will give nothing less than his best every time that he runs onto the field

mdrew

12-11-19, 05:49 PM

Hayden Miller. The young Carina five eight was a more than solid performer for the Titans U14 side that defeated the Western Mustangs 32 – 8 at Mudgeeraba in February of this year providing a positive link between the forward pack and outstanding back line that the Titans fielded that day. Unfortunately Hayden Miller broke his arm in the match missing the start of the 2019 season proper.

Hayden Miller played the 2019 season with Carina in the GBJRL U14 Division One competition although his season was interrupted by injury on a number of occasions.

Hayden Miller was heavily involved in Carina’s U14 GBJRL Finals series including their Major Semi-final victory over Souths Acacia Ridge and started at half back in the Grand Final once again against Souths Acacia Ridge but unfortunately Carina went down 28 – 4.

Hayden Miller also represented the Brisbane Blue U14 side at the 2019 Hill Stumer Championships playing five eight and operating on the left side of the field and was Brisbane Blue’s primary goal kicker and tactical kicker as well.

After the completion of the competition, Hayden Miller was selected in the South East Queensland U14 training squad.

In 2018 Hayden Miller also played for Carina in the GBJRL U13 Division One competition.

In 2018 Hayden Miller was selected in the South East Queensland U13 squad and in 2017 he represented Met East in the Queensland Primary School U12 age group competition.

Hayden Miller’s calling card from an attacking perspective is his passing and game management abilities. He seems to have the ability to drift across the field and a wait for opportunities to develop as a defender on the edge of the ruck over commits causing gaps to develop in the defensive line. Once a gap develops Hayden Miller’s has quick hands and timing to provide a weighted pass to his support runners.

In relation to his speed Hayden Miller does not appear to be overly quick, but he does have some reasonable speed off the mark, which is complemented by the fact that he runs at the right moment, for example when he is drifting across field he will dummy and run when defenders anticipate the pass rather than focussing on him running the ball.

For a five eight I would agree that his speed when be considered average for a five eight, but if Hayden Miller transitions to the back row I would consider it to be above average for that position. Hayden Miller does not appear to have an extra gear when he gets into open space.

Hayden Miller’s kicking game is very accurate, and he can generate very good distance on his kicks whilst at the same time not losing too much accuracy, thus he has the ability to find the ground regularly for a lot of his kicks allowing his teams chasers more time to get down field and thus gaining an advantage in relation to field position.

Hayden Miller also has the ability to kick very high bombs, allowing plenty of time for his chasers to get to the ball. Hayden Miller is also a very good goal kicker and has the potential to be his team’s primary goal kicking and tactical kicking option moving into the next stage of his rugby league career.

Defensively Hayden Miller tackles well low and that is seemingly his main tactic against wide running forwards rather than trying to tackle them ball and all but due to his size and strength Hayden Millers initial contact is strong and he will not shirk his defensive responsibilities.

Hayden Miller will play the 2020 season with Carina in the GBJRL U15 Division One competition.

Hayden Miller is currently playing five eight at a high level but is a bigger type of five eight thus a move to the second row to be a ball playing second rower may be possible in the future, and the distant future at that, potentially like the career progression of Wade Graham that being a talented five eight who over time has transitioned to a representative level second rower.

In relation to the style of play of Hayden Miller I would consider that a current NRL player with a similar playing style is former Penrith Panthers five eight Travis May. Both a bit bigger than a traditional five eight, but both have very good passing games and both can surprise defences with their burst of speed if defenders are not paying attention to what is happening in front of them.

Hayden Miller’s play for the U14 Titans side at five eight earlier this season certainly made me sit up and take notice

mdrew

13-11-19, 04:56 PM

Michael Roberts. In early in October the young entre was named in a Titans U14/15 Invitational NRRRL side that played the Titans U14 Gold Coast/Brisbane Academy side in a development match at Tweed Heads. Although unable to play Michael Roberts selection for the match shows the high regard he is held in by the Titans.

Michael Roberts was part of the Group 18 U15 side that played at the 2019 New South Wales Country Age Championships held in Port Macquarie in September. In those Championships Michael Roberts scored doubles in Group 18’s two matches on Day One which were against Central Coast and Group Three.

Michael Roberts was also part of the Group 18 side that drew 18 all with Newcastle on Day Two. As a result of his two doubles, Michael Roberts finished the Championships as Group 18’s leading try scorer and in the top five of the U15 Championships overall.

In late 2019 Michael Roberts headed to Sydney to trial for the 2020 New South Wales Koori U16 side with fellow Titan Kai Smallwood.

Michael Roberts also represented Group 18 in 2018 at the U14 New South Wales Country Age Championships and had a big match on Day One scoring a try and kicking two goals against Group 21.

Michael Roberts played the 2019 club rugby league season with Byron Bay/Lennox Head in the Group 18 U15 competition and was part of their side that went down in the Grand Final against Bilambil.

Michael Roberts has good size and on his day is a powerful and determined runner who will crash through tackles with sheer force of will. He runs with power and even though he does run straight on he will drop his body into the first defender and will bump off the first tackler regularly with limited loss of momentum.

In terms of speed, Michael Roberts has what I would consider above average speed for a for centre and whilst he does not have an extra gear when he breaks into open space, Michael Roberts has the ability to sustain his speed for the duration of his runs.

In terms of beating a defender other than with power, Michael Roberts has a good in and away and can hold defenders off his body with a strong fend with either hand and is also able to drift across the field looking to set up his support runners if/when a hole develops in the defensive.

In relation to the defensive aspects of rugby league, Michael Roberts is an aggressive defender who focusses heavily on the physical contact of the defensive side of the game. He has a hard tough streak and will definitely not shirk contact. The majority of time Michael Roberts is an aggressive defender who aims to dominate his immediate opponent when they have the ball.

Michael Roberts will play the 2020 season with Byron Bay/Lennox Head in the Group 18 U16 competition and will also push for a spot in the U16 Andrew Johns Cup Northern Rivers Titans side.

Michael Roberts is just a talented athlete with size and speed and as he fills out his strength and power will continue to develop. Michael Roberts has a frame that can add a fair degree of muscle mass yet maintain his speed, a potent combination.

Michael Roberts is ideally suited to playing in the centres, especially with his speed and projects as a strike centre moving forward.

From a player comparison perspective, I will once again qualify my comments that when I am making a player comparison I am talking about a playing style rather than potential career path. For me Michael Roberts has a little bit of former South Sydney Rabbitoh, Queensland State of Origin captain and Australian Test centre Greg Inglis in his game. On his day, which are increasingly more frequent he can be a bullocking runner who can just break a game open individually

mdrew

14-11-19, 05:15 PM

Lachlan Offley. The Ballina Seagulls flyer’s 2019 season can favourably be compared to anybody’s in the entire Group One Junior Rugby League competition and for that matter all of Northern New South Wales.

For Ballina in the 2019 Group One U14 competition Lachlan Offley finished the season scoring in all of his ten matches and finishing as the competitions leading try scorer with twenty seven tries for an out of this world strike rate of 270%. Lachlan Offley also kicked seven conversions to finish as the competitions leading point’s scorer as well with 122 points to average more than twelve points per match.

In addition to scoring five tries against Kyogle in June Lachlan Offley scored five hat tricks including in each of his first three 2019 Group One U14 matches against South Grafton, Casino RSM and Clarence Coast respectively. Lachlan Offley added hat tricks against Clarence Coast and Lismore Marist Brothers later in the season.

Lachlan Offley also scored a finals double against South Grafton and tries against Grafton in two separate matches.

Lachlan Offley also played in five Group One U15 matches in 2019 and once again showcased his try scoring prowess scoring seven tries (140% strike rate) including a Grand Final double against Clarence Coast, unfortunately Ballina went down 14 – 10 in a tight encounter.

In addition to his Grand Final double, Lachlan Offley also scored U15 doubles against Lismore Marist Brothers and Kyogle as well as scoring on his Group One U15 debut against Clarence Coast in May.

In late 2019 Lachlan Offley started at fullback in all three of the Group One U14 representative sides matches at the New South Wales Country U14 Age Championships scoring on Day One against Maitland. On Day Two Lachlan Offley started at fullback in matches against Group 21 and Central Coast.

To prove that his try scoring feats in 2019 were no fluke Lachlan Offley scored twenty one tries and kicked thirteen goals in Ballina in the 2018 Group One U13 competition to record 110 points.

It is hard to put in words just how talented Lachlan Offley is in terms of running the ball, he has
outstanding speed both off the mark which I would consider in the plus plus category and top end
speed which must be considered plus regardless of position. Lachlan Offley with his speed is able to
exploit even small gaps in the defensive line with an exceptional step off either foot and incredible
acceleration as well as outstanding body control.

It is that speed trait which opens up his ball playing skills as well. Teams start to focus heavily on Lachlan Offley when he has the ball with outside defenders looking to come in to assist that they open up holes wider out in the defensive line that he can exploit.

Lachlan Offley has good timing on his passes and is able to weight them perfectly as well and can do so from either side of his body. Adding in this is that Lachlan Offley can stop on a dime even travelling at full speed and pop the short pass, thus it looks for all money that he is going to run the ball thus the defence converges and then the ball is delivered to a support runner who is through a hole before the defensive line can readjust. Lachlan Offley also runs with the ball in both hands which is another reason why the defensive line is unable to determine exactly what he is going to do.

Defensively Lachlan Offley is a stronger young man than he appears with exceptional functional strength to go along with an innate understanding of the attacking strategies of rugby league thus he is able to anticipate what an attacking side is looking to do with the ball and then be in the best position to negate it.

Lachlan Offley has a very good low tackling technique which is simple and repeatable and effective against all size opponents and thus there is no need for a defensive minder on his side of the field if he is defending in the line

Lachlan Offley will play the 2020 season in the Group One U15 competition with Ballina and may also get an opportunity in the U16.5 competition as well and should also be part of the Group One U15 representative side for the 2020 New South Wales Country Age Championships after being heavily involved in the U14 side this season.

From my perspective, a talented, unselfish attacking player with similar rugby league attributes to Lachlan Offley is North Queensland Cowboys and former Melbourne Storm fullback Scott Drinkwater. Like Drinkwater, Lachlan Offley has great acceleration and top end speed to go along with a wicked sidestep and the play making skills to make opposition teams pay if defences look to focus too much on him whether he is returning kicks, or chiming into the back line on a block play or looking for an offload or inside pass through the centre of the ruck.

mdrew

15-11-19, 01:51 PM

Patrick Gray. The Titans linked second rower was part of the Titans U15 development squad and was involved in their matches against each other and a Western Mustangs U15 side at Mudgeeraba in February 2019.

The Mount St Patrick College Murwillumbah student was selected in the New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges (CCC) Lismore Diocese U15 side for their for the NSW CCC selection trials that were held in Sydney in May 2019. The end result of those selection trials was that Patrick Gray was selected in the 2019 New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges U15 Country side.

2019 also saw Patrick Gray represent Group 18 in the U15 age group at the 2019 New South Wales Country Age Championships held late in the year at Port Macquarie when he started in the second row. Late in the 2019 season Patrick Gray was named the 2019 Group 18 U15 representative season’s best forward.

The Murwillumbah second rower represented the Group 18 U14 representative side in 2018 in the New South Wales Country Age Championships and post those Championships was selected as part of the Titans 2018/19 Group 18 U15 Development Squad.

In the U14 New South Wales Country Age Championships for Group 18 Patrick Gray played in all three of Group 18’s matches which were against Group’s Twenty One, Four and Two starting all three in the second row.

Patrick Gray is a hard running all effort player who runs not just with speed into the defensive line but with intelligence as well. Once he has gained speed, Patrick Gray will look to target the gaps between forwards rather than looking to initiate contact, what Patrick Gray will do is look to isolate a particular forward in the defensive line and at the last minute change the axis of his run with a slight step off either foot to look to throw off the timing of the defender this is why Patrick Gray makes so many half breaks and post contact metres.

Defenders either side of the one that he has targeted incorrectly anticipate that he will be tackled by the defender immediately in from of him only to find Patrick Gray actually running into the gap which they should have been covering. From an overall speed perspective Patrick Gray’s speed can be considered in the above average to plus category for a second rower and plays faster as a result of the effort and intensity that he puts into every run.

In relation to the defensive aspects of his game Patrick Gray is an exceptional cover defender. With his above average to plus speed for his position he is able to track the ball across the field and be in a position to make the cover defending tackle if breaks are made.

From a front on tackling perspective for a player that plays with so much intensity and enthusiasm he actually has a solid repeatable technique which he can use against attackers of any size. The keys to his technique are his timing and anticipation as well as correct head placement.

So many defenders in either rugby or rugby league have no idea about head placement but Patrick Gray is not one of them. Another impressive aspect from a defensive stand point for Patrick Gray is the fact that he came make multiple tackles one after another and then still be in position to track the ball across the field, he has exceptional stamina from an aerobic capacity stand point including the ability to consistently sprint short distances time and again in a short time span whilst maintaining his positioning on the field.

Patrick Gray will play the 2020 season with Murwillumbah in the Group 18 U16 competition and push for a spot in the U16 Andrew Johns Cup Northern Rivers Titans side as well as playing for Mount St Patrick College in multiple school boy rugby league competitions across Northern New South Wales.

With his speed and skill combination it is hard to envisage Patrick Gray playing anywhere but second row as his rugby league career progresses even though he will not be the biggest second rower running around no matter which team he is playing for.

From a player comparison perspective for Patrick Gray one current NRL player really does stand out as being an ideal comparison from a playing style perspective and that is Mitch Aubusson of the Sydney Roosters as a hard working player with a touch of speed and class about him that you may not appreciate until you see him play on a number of occasions.

mdrew

15-11-19, 08:48 PM

Izayah Lewis. The youngster from the Tweed Heads Seagulls Junior Rugby League club in Northern New South Wales started on the wing for the Titans U14/15 NRRRL Invitational side that went down 32 – 10 to a Titans U14 side in early October at Piggabeen Sports Complex in a thoroughly entertaining match.

2019 saw Izayah Lewis represent Group 18 at the New South Wales Country U14 Age Championships playing two matches on the wing being against Group Four and Central Coast with both matches occurring on Day One.

For his build, Izayah Lewis is very quick down the sidelines with a good in and away to beat defenders on the outside and will not get caught from behind if he gets into open space. Whilst his speed off the mark cannot be considered explosive Izayah Lewis has good top end speed once he gets moving.

In addition to his speed Izayah Lewis seems to have the ability to “freeze” his direct opponent with his ability to step off both feet before accelerating around them usually on the touchline side.

One thing that I have noticed a couple of times is the use of a stutter step to stop the momentum of the opposing defender and then accelerate to the outside forcing the defender to chase from a standing start. For his size, he is also quite good in the air, both in terms chasing attacking kicks and defending them.

On the wing, with his smaller frame Izayah Lewis is able to come in and take runs through the centre of the ruck, and effective runs at that. Izayah Lewis will take off from dummy half and use his elite foot work make a lot of the “tough” yards.

Defensively the area that Izayah Lewis has impressed me the most is his ability to defend against any size opponent, from small quick outside backs to big strong powerful backrowers running wide of the ruck.

Izayah Lewis seemingly has more strength that his size would indicate, and he uses this strength to move up and hit around the area where the ball is usually held regardless of the size of the opponent running at him.

I did not often see Izayah Lewis come in when he did not need to, preferring to stay on his oppose number and trusting his teams inside defenders.

Izayah Lewis will play the 2020 season with the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the Group 18 U15 competition and should also represent Group 18 for the second season in a row in the 2020 New South Wales Country U15 Age Championships to be held in late 2020.

Izayah Lewis is nippy and elusive and is also quick out of dummy half (read – regularly makes the first defender miss) and as a result I think that his future ultimately lies on the wing as his career progresses.

From a player comparison perspective for Izayah Lewis think of someone along the lines of former St George Dragons and New Zealand International winger Jason Nightingale as a winger who may not be the biggest physically but has the speed and elusiveness to regularly find the try line especially in situations where it looked highly likely that he had no chance of getting the ball over the line

mdrew

16-11-19, 07:35 AM

Zac Toole. The hard working Ballina Seagull was part of the Titans 2018/19 Group One Development Squad after a number of solid seasons for Ballina in the Group One competition.

Zac Toole played the 2019 season with Ballina in the Group One U15 competition, playing in twelve matches for the Seagulls including starting in the second row in their Grand Final loss to the Clarence Coast Magpies.

Zac Toole scored four tries in 2019, with the first coming in Round Four against Clarence Coast, Zac Toole also scored in Round Eight also against Clarence Coast and added a double in Round Thirteen against Lismore Marist Brothers.

Zac Toole was named on the interchange bench for the Group One U15 Taipans for the New South Wales Country Age Championships that were held in Port Macquarie in late September. In the Championships Zac Toole played in all three of Group One’s matches being against Maitland and Group 19 on Day One and Central Coast on Day Two.

2018 saw the Ballina Coast High School student represent Group One at the U14 New South Wales Country Age Championships playing in all five of their matches that year.

For Ballina in the 2018 U14 Group One competition, Zac Toole played in fourteen matches crossing for tries against Lismore Marist Brothers and Clarence Coast.

In the U14 New South Wales Country Age Championships for Group One Zac Toole played in all four of Group One’s matches including the Northern Plate Final against Group 19 which Group One won 38 – 12. The other games that he played in the Championships were against Group’s Nine and Four and Newcastle.

Zac Toole an old style, hardworking, effective forward. He is just solid at all aspects and also has good size for a forward and has the physical attributes to add more muscle mass without compromising his speed, lateral movement or aerobic endurance at all.

Zac Toole is a hard working forward who understands how to run the right the right line including both and inside shoulder and outside shoulder line and consistently hits the pass off either the dummy half or play maker flat thus generating his best possible speed and momentum to hit the defensive line.

Where Zac Toole really excels though is his footwork, he has very good late and quick foot work which enables him to change direction quickly allowing him to readjust where he is running to take advantage of either a late developing hole in the defensive line or where the defensive line is repositioning late.

Even when he is taking a hit up in the centre of the ruck, Zac Toole’s feet are always moving and he is constantly making slight corrections to his running direction and he is also able to maintain his speed regardless of the multiple directional changes.

Zac Toole also excels is his ability to generate quick play the balls. He fights to get to his feet quickly and then executes the quick play the ball whilst the opposition defensive lines is still resetting.

His technique revolves around timing and execution. Zac Toole’s head is always correctly positioned and he always drives with his shoulder and never just jersey grabs. From the matches that I have seen Zac Toole also tackles with both shoulders effectively as well.

The impressive thing for me also is that Zac Toole never seems to bounce off the ball when he makes a front on tackle meaning his target area and the ability to hit the area on a regular basis is very impressive.

Zac Toole will play the 2020 season with the Ballina Seagulls in the Group One U16.5 competition and will be in line to be part of the U16 Andrew Johns Cup Northern Rivers Titans side. Zac Toole will also be a key member of the Ballina Coast High School Open Rugby League side in 2020 in their multiple school boy competitions.

Zac Toole has the hard working mentality and body type to stay in the second row as his rugby league career develops.

Zac Toole has a similar playing style to that of Titans second rower and New Zealand International Kevin Proctor as a second rower who can defend either in the centre of the ruck or a little wider out as a foil for his half or five eight.

mdrew

16-11-19, 02:06 PM

Reece Noble. The hard working second rower is currently part of the Titans 2018/19 Group One Development Squad after a sold season for Ballina in the 2018 Group One U14 competition.

Reece Noble played the 2019 season once again with Ballina in the Group One U15 competition, playing in twelve matches for the Seagulls including starting in the second row in the Grand Final but unfortunately Ballina went down 14 – 10 to Clarence Coast.

From his twelve matches Reece Noble scored two tries and kicked one goal which came against Lismore Marist Brothers when he converted his own try. His other try came six weeks later against Casino RSM.

Reece Noble was named on the interchange bench for the Group One U15 Taipans for the New South Wales Country Age Championships that were held in Port Macquarie in late September 2019. In the Championships Reece Noble played in all three of Group One’s matches being against Maitland and Group 19 on Day One and Central Coast on Day Two.

2018 also saw the Ballina Coast High School student represent Group One at the U14 New South Wales Country Age Championships playing in all five of their matches that year.

For Ballina in the 2018 U14 Group One competition, Reece Noble played in thirteen matches crossing for six tries. Reece Noble scored a mid-season double against Grafton and also scored against Lismore Marist Brothers in two separate matches, Clarence Coast and Casino RSM.

In the 2018 U14 New South Wales Country Age Championships for Group One Reece Noble played in all four of Group One’s matches including the Northern Plate Final against Group 19 which Group One won 38 – 12. Reece Noble in fact scored in the Final after starting the match in the second row.

Reece Noble’s style of play is that of a wide running back rower with quite good speed for the position. Reece Noble is quick off the mark and can maintain his top speed over a reasonable distance and also has a good fend and can step off both feet both in space and in tight situations.

The side step he has is not a big step but is quick and subtle enough to keep defenders off balance. Reece Noble will also continue to pump his legs once he makes initial contact with the defensive line and will fight for every yard. Once his momentum is stopped, Reece Noble will fight for a quick play the ball to maintain his team’s momentum.

Reece Noble is an aggressive defender whether he is defending in the centre of the ruck or on the fringes, and due to his natural strength is more than capable of defending one on one and can stop even the biggest opposing forwards in their tracks and targets the area around the chest after setting a solid base to project his momentum into the ball carrier. Reece Noble also has decent lateral mobility and thus will not be over matched against smaller agile opponents.

Reece Noble will play the 2020 season with the Ballina Seagulls in the Group One U16.5 competition and will be in line to be part of the U16 Andrew Johns Cup Northern Rivers Titans side. Reece Noble will also be a key member of the Ballina Coast High School Open Rugby League side in 2020 for their multiple school boy rugby league competitions in Northern New South Wales.

Reece Noble is solid in all aspects, he is a hard working runner of the ball and has a solid and repeatable defensive technique with both coming together to highlight a solid rugby league second rower both now an into the future.

The game of New Zealand Warrior and New Zealand International second rower and occasional centre Tohu Harris is probably a reasonable comparison from a playing style perspective for the talented Reece Noble.

mdrew

16-11-19, 08:27 PM

Tuki Seiuli. Tuki Seiuli has been a jack of all trades for the Ormeau Shearers across the GCRL Division Ones competitions in recent seasons playing a variety of positions from hooker, second row and even some five eight. From a rugby perspective you can add in outside centre and even left wing in 2019.

In the 2019 GCLR U18 Division One competition Tuki Seiuli normally started at hooker. In his nine U18 Division One matches this season Tuki Seiuli scored thirty points made up of six tries and three goals.

Tuki Seiuli’s first three matches of the 2019 season saw him score four tries including a double against Tugun and tries against Runaway Bay and Burleigh. Later in the season Tuki Seiuli added tries against Currumbin and Mudgeeraba.

Two of Tuki Seiuli’s three goals came on June 1 against Currumbin (he also scored in that match) with his other coming earlier in the season against Tugun, he also scored in that match too.

In 2019 Tuki Seiuli also played a number of rugby matches for the Bond University Colts Ii side including starting Round One on the bench against Brothers before starting on the left wing against University of Queensland in Round Two and also starting at outside centre in Round Four against Easts.

In 2018 Tuki Seiuli played twelve matches for the Shearers in the GCRL U17 Division One competition scoring twenty six points which was made up of four tries and five goals. Tuki Seiuli scored a final’s double against Runaway Bay and added tries earlier in the season against Helensvale and Tweed Heads.

In the match against Helensvale Tuki Seiuli kicked three of his five goals with his two other goals coming in matches against Burleigh and Tweed Heads.

Tuki Seuili was part of the Burleigh MM Cup side in 2018.

Tuki Seiuli who was a standout performer in late 2015 for the Titans U14 Development Squad in a match at Pizzey Park against Samoa, has played seven matches in the U16 Division One competition and seven more including Friday nights semi-final in the U17 Division One competition. In the U16 Division One competition, Tuki Seiuli has scored four tries including a double against Helensvale and also tries against Helensvale against in late July and against Currumbin early in the season. In the U17 Division One competition his sole try some far came in his second match in that age group against the powerful Bilambil Jets line-up.

Tuki Seiuli has had some previous representative experience including playing for the U16 Gold Coast Vikings U16 side in the 2017 U16 pre-season competition going on to be named in the U16 South East Queensland train-on squad and in 2015 Tuki Seiuli started in the front row for the South East Queensland U14 side. Tuki Seiuli in 2015 was named on the interchange bench in Keebra Park’s team of the year.

Regardless of where he is playing Tuki Seiuli is a hard runner who really does look to run straight over people and is best running on the fringes of the ruck, rather than straight up the centre. Tuki Seiuli also has developed the art of running with the ball in two hands thus presenting a different look to the defensive line and creating doubt as to whether he is going to run or pass.

Tuki Seiuli still has decent to above average top end speed but he does take a little bit of time to get up to his top speed. I would suggest his speed is a tick above average for a back rower. Tuki Seiuli also has a very good right hand fend to add to his stocky frame and good strength. His low centre of gravity and power make him a difficult proposition to defend against, regardless of where he lines up in attack.

Defensively Tuki Seiuli hits very hard and is adept at making sure the opposition do not get quick play the balls. He also has a touch of aggression in his play and definitely finishes off each tackle that he is involved in. He is equally adept at defending in the centre of the ruck as he is defending on the fringes and his initial contact is more than sufficient to make an impact on the ball carrier. Tuki Seiuli set a good stable base with his lower body, which he them used to explode into the attacker.

Tuki Seiuli has two years of Hastings Deering’s Colts eligibility commencing in 2020 but may also continue to play rugby for Bond University.

To be honest when I saw Tuki Seiuli play a couple of season ago I was certainly that he was going to be a second rower moving forward, but in recent seasons he has played in multiple positions doing well in all. I still think that he will ultimately end up in the second row but still be a very versatile player who could fill a number of roles for a team over the course of a match including at dummy half.

Due to his versatility and varied skill set, I believe that an appropriate NRL player comparison for Tuki Seiuli is current Canberra Raiders interchange forward and Tongan International hooker Siliva Havili

mdrew

17-11-19, 07:37 AM

gcboyz

17-11-19, 10:13 AM

I remember when he first came under notice from the Titans NYC side.
He was hailed as ex Hip Hop dancer to be the next big thing.
To be fair he was stuck behind some very talented Fijians at Parra. Looking forward to seeing how he has progressed.

T0ken

18-11-19, 04:53 PM

https://www.titans.com.au/news/2019/11/18/jts-rip-into-pre-season/

Good to see our juniors looking like pros and getting the treatment too. A few kids here from the U16s AJ cup that will go into MM with tweed this year I believe

mdrew

18-11-19, 05:55 PM

Seth Nikotemo. The big strong young Titans contracted forward had a more than solid 2019 season for both Runaway Bay and Keebra Park State High School as well as for the Titans U15 side in their matches which book ended Seth Nikotemo’s 2019 season.

Seth Niketemo started in the second row of the Titans U15 side that defeated a Balmain Tigers U15 touring side 34 – 16 in early October performing strongly in the impressive Titans win and was near, if not the Titans best on the night.

For Runaway Bay in the 2019 GCRL U15 Division One competition Seth Nikotemo played in eleven regular season matches scoring his first try in Round Thirteen against Ormeau and following that up with a try in Round Fourteen being the last regular season round against Helensvale.

Seth Niketemo also kicked two goals from as many attempts in the regular season with both coming against Helensvale in early June in a Seagulls victory with from my recollection both goals coming in the second half.

In Week Two of the GCRL U15 Division One finals Seth Nikotemo started for Runaway Bay against Nerang teaming with fellow Titan Joseph Shannon in the front row as Runaway Bay progressed to the Grand Final on the back of a 20 – 0 Friday night win.

In the 2019 GCRL U15 Division One Grand Final Seth Nikotemo started the match in the front row once again with Joseph Shannon, scoring an outstanding first half try for the Seagulls. In the end though Runaway Bay went down 36 – 22 to Nerang in a tense physical encounter especially in the forwards.

In relation to his try Seth Niketemo charged onto the ball off the dummy half around eighteen metres out from the try line to the right of the play the ball cutting back behind the play the ball a fraction and such was his speed that he broke through the initial defensive line before it could start to move up in a coherent fashion and the fullback was no match for him either as Seth Niketemo crashed over mid-way between the left corner post and goal posts.

Seth Nikotemo made his GCRL U16 Division One debut in Round Fourteen against Helensvale when he came off the bench after playing and scoring in the U15 Division One match earlier in the evening. Seth Niketemo handled the step up in age group with aplomb.

2019 also saw Seth Nikotemo represent the South Coast U15 side that played in the QSSRL U15 Championships held in Ipswich with South Coast going through the Championships undefeated and Seth Nikotemo played a key role in that positive outcome.

In 2018 the former 2016 Queensland U12 representative started the season for Runaway Bay in the Gold Coast Rugby League U14 Division One competition before moving to the U15 Division One competition with the Seagulls before the half way mark of the season.

In the GCRL U14 Division One competition in 2018, Seth Nikotemo played in seven matches scoring in the final regular season round against Ormeau and also late in the season kicked a conversion against Burleigh.

Seth Nikotemo made his 2018 U15 Division One debut in June of that year against Burleigh and went on to play in ten matches. Seth Nikotemo started all of Runaway Bay’s U15 Division One Finals matches on the bench including the Grand Final and scored as the Seagulls went down 38 – 20 to a powerful Ormeau Shearers side.

Running with the football, Seth Nikotemo has good footwork prior to the line and does not often just put his head down and run straight, but uses his solid footwork to try to work the gaps between defenders rather than trying to simply run over them although you can see that when he gets fired up all subtlety and thoughts of self-preservation goes out the window and he becomes a giant wrecking ball.

Seth Nikotemo does not have great speed off the mark or necessary great high end speed, but he will work hard and make the most of his ability. Seth Nikotemo actually does have a decent off load usually with his right hand when he has impacted the defensive line as well and regularly showcases this in game situations.

In game situations Seth Nikotemo is also showcasing his ability to offload prior to the defensive line, a skill that he has developed and incorporated is recent seasons.

Defensively Seth Nikotemo can certainly hit very hard, usually aiming for just under the ribs and first intention is to lock up the ball to prevent offloads.

Seth Nikotemo has more than reasonable lateral mobility for a forward and due to the fact that he bends his hips when looking to make a tackle he is usually is able to wrap up the smaller attackers without his tackles slipping up to around the head or neck, and thus giving away penalties. Seth Nikotemo can however get fired up and really cause havoc defensively.

Seth Nikotemo will play the 2020 Gold Coast Rugby League season with the Runaway Bay Seagulls at the U16 Division One level and should also be a key member of one of the two Gold Coast Vikings sides for the 2020 South East Queensland U16 preseason challenge come February 2020.

Seth Nikotemo will also be a key member of the Keebra Park side in their school boy competitions in 2020 specifically the GIO and Langer Cups. Of course the closer relationship now between the Titans and Keebra Park cannot but help keep Seth Nikotemo a Titan for the long haul with that certainly being a very desirable scenario.

Seth Nikotemo has been a front rower a fair bit this season but with his ability to hit the defensive line with speed and power along with similar attributes in defence, I think that Seth Niketomo has a real chance of playing second row into the future.

From an NRL player comparison perspective in relation to Seth Nikotemo, consider someone along the lines of the St George Dragons and New South Wales State of Origin front rower Paul Vaughan as a big strong tough mobile front rower who hits the defensive line hard when he runs as well as the opposition when they are running the ball.

Like Vaughan, Seth Nikotemo is a throwback to the old style of forward who does not try to be too fancy, just effective, very effective. With his hard working attitude, Seth Nikotemo also has the leadership skills to be a potential NRL captain one day.

mdrew

19-11-19, 05:14 PM

Kobie Mackey-Taylor. The young Helensvale Hornets fullback, winger or centre signed a multi-year contract with the Titans early in 2019 after a stellar campaign with the Hornets in 2018 in the GCRL U14 Division One competition as well as for the Gold Coast Vikings U14 representative side.

Kobie Mackay-Taylor played the 2019 season with Helensvale in the GCRL U15 Division One competition playing in six regular season matches for the Hornets scoring three tries including a double against Ormeau in May and also scoring in a match against Runaway Bay mid-season to finish with a 50% strike rate.

In Week One of the 2019 Finals series Kobie Mackay-Taylor started in the centres and scored as the Hornets defeated Ormeau 20 – 14 to progress to the Preliminary Final.

Week Three of the U15 Division One Finals saw Kobie Mackay-Taylor start in the centres but unfortunately his Helensvale Hornets side were defeated in the Preliminary Final 22 – 18 by Nerang to end their season one win short of a Grand Final berth.

2019 also saw Kobie Mackay-Taylor represent the South Coast U15 QSSRL side that went through the Championships undefeated and as a result was selected in the Queensland White side for the ASSRL U15 Championships.

At the ASSRL U15 Championships Kobie Mackay-Taylor played primarily on the left wing for the Queensland White side including scoring on Day One in a good win against ACT 20 – 4. Kobie Mackay-Taylor’s try was as a result of him backing up a long break from the Queensland White left centre.

Kobie Mackay-Taylor stayed on his left wing and correctly positioned himself to take the pass four metres out from the try line when his centre was caught by the ACT cover defence. Kobie Mackay-Taylor was then able to bring the ball around a touch once he had gotten into the in-goal area.

Kobie Mackay-Taylor also played for Coombabah State High School in their various school boy rugby league competitions in 2019.

In 2018 Kobie Mackay-Taylor represented South East Queensland White U14’s in the Queensland Age Championships finishing as the competitions leading point scorer with thirty points from his four matches including three tries and nine goals playing on the wing.

In Round One Kobie Mackay-Taylor kicked a goal against SEQ Green, Round Two saw him score a try and kick three goals against Central and in Round Three Kobie Mackay-Taylor scored a double and kicked three goals against Northern. Kobie Mackay-Taylor then started on the wing in the final kicking two conversions in a 16 all draw against SEQ Green.

For the Helensvale Hornets U14 Division One side in 2018, Kobie Mackay-Taylor played primarily at fullback including in their 29 – 12 Grand Final victory over Coomera, playing in ten matches overall. Team mates in the Grand Final winning side were fellow Titans contracted players, second rower Zac Johnson and centre Te Haeta Takamore.

Kobie Mackay-Taylor was also part of the Helensvale U14 side that won the Tassell Trophy in 2018 scoring in the Hornets 40 – 6 Tournament final victory over the Western Lions.

Even though he does not have great top end speed Kobie Mackay-Taylor is quick enough to take advantage of any space that he is given down the touchline by opposing outside backs. His bread and butter play in the centres is a good in an away to hold the defender and beat him on the outside, Kobie Mackay-Taylor then has the ability to draw and pass to his support if the opposing winger looks to come in, thus creating an overlap either on the outside or the inside.

When playing on the wing Kobie Mackay-Taylor always seems to stick to the sideline which means his inside attackers will know where he is at all times, thus allowing them to confidently off load the ball if an overlap is created. I have not seen him score any highlight reel tries that seem to be the norm for modern day wingers but Kobie Mackay-Taylor will score the tries that he needs to and the team needs him to.

In terms of defence, Kobie Mackay-Taylor is solid and seemingly understands the attributes of his opposite number to the extent that he alters his defensive positioning if he is against speedy, elusive wingers and against larger wingers.

His time at fullback has clearly helped Kobie Mackay-Taylor in situations where positioning in defence is critical in terms of when to tackle low compared to looking to when to wrap up the attacking player with a ball and all tackle. Kobie Mackay-Taylor has the size to handle both tackling low as well as defending in a ball and all fashion.

Kobie Mackay-Taylor is already an outstanding goal kicker and there is little doubt that he has the ability to be any team’s first choice goal kicker regardless of the level of the competition that he is playing in. Kobie Mackay-Taylor has an effortless clean kicking action which is simple and repeatable and generates distance as well as accuracy.

Kobie Mackay-Taylor will play the 2020 Gold Coast Rugby League season in the U16 Division One competition for Helensvale and is also a likely selection in one of the two Gold Coast Vikings U16 squads for the 2020 South East Queensland U16 pre-season Challenge.

Kobie Mackay-Taylor will also be a key member of the Coombabah State High School Rugby League side in their school boy rugby league competitions in 2020, likely including their GIO Cup Open team.

Kobie Mackay-Taylor has played on the wing or in the centres almost exclusively in club and representative sides and whilst he has played a couple of matches at fullback in recent seasons in representative rugby league sides I believe that his future likely lies on the wing.

On the wing Kobie Mackay-Taylor can use his size to maintain his running line and balance under pressure and also use it to come in off his wing and take hit-ups either running from dummy half or taking the ball off the dummy half when his side is bringing the ball out from their own territory.

Kobie Mackay-Taylor is also very safe under the high ball utilising a controlled jumping technique not dis-similar to that of Anthony Don in terms of the timing and height that Kobie Mackay-Taylor gets on his leap.

From a player comparison perspective in relation to Kobie Mackay-Taylor of someone along the lines of North Queensland Cowboy, Australian Nine’s representative s and former Queensland State of Origin winger Kyle Feldt as a solid winger who will score his fair share of tries by being in the right place at the right time rather than individual heroics or spectacular plays per say and not make simple unforced errors to place his side under undue pressure.

Like Feldt, Kobie Mackay-Taylor also has the size to run the ball effectively out of dummy half and make ground especially when his team is bringing the ball out of their own territory.

mdrew

20-11-19, 04:44 PM

Te Haeta Takamore. The young Helensvale Hornets strike centre/fullback deservedly signed a multi-year contract with the Titans early in 2019.

For the Hornets in the GCRL U15 Division One competition Te Haeta Takamore played in ten matches scoring five tries (50% strike rate) playing both in the centres and at fullback for the Hornets.

Te Haeta Takamore’s 2019 tries included a Round Three double against Ormeau and also scored in another match against Ormeau as well as against Nerang and Runaway Bay in consecutive mid-season matches.

In Week One of the U15 Division One Finals series Te Haeta Takamore stated in the centres as Helensvale progressed as a result of defeating Ormeau.

Week Three of the U15 Division One Finals being the Preliminary Final saw Te Haeta Takamore score a double from the centre position but Helensvale were knocked out by Nerang going down 22 – 18 to fall just short of a Grand Final appearance.

2019 also saw Te Haeta Takamore represent South Coast at the U15 QSSRL Championships where South Coast went through undefeated to win the Championships and subsequently Te Haeta Takamore was named in the Queensland Whites side for the U15 ASSRL Championships.

At the ASSRL U15 Championships Te Haeta Takamore played primarily at fullback for the Queensland White side, including scoring and being named player of the match on Day One against ACT in a good Queensland White win 20 – 4.

Te Haeta Takamore was everywhere in the match, including scoring a long range fifty metre try when he received the ball early on the left from a Queensland White scrum win, he got outside his direct opponent and outpaced the cover defence to score untouched.

Te Haeta Takamore also had a try assist early in the match on the right when he drew a defender to send the Queensland right centre over and also had a big hand in the try scored by fellow Titan Kobie Mackay-Taylor and to cap off an outstanding match produced a great try saving tackle mid-way through the first half.

For the Helensvale Hornets U14 Division One side in 2018, Te Haeta Takamore played primarily in the centres including in their 29 – 12 Grand Final victory over Coomera. Team mates in the Grand Final winning were fellow Titans contracted players, second rower Zac Johnson and fullback Kobie Mackey-Taylor.

In total of the Helensvale U14 Division One side in 2018 Te Haeta Takamore played in twelve matches, including the Grand Final and finished as his sides leading try scorer with ten tries including doubles against Beaudesert and Ormeau.

Te Haeta Takamore also played in three U15 Division Two matches in 2018 scoring once with the first match being against Jimboomba in that Division.

In 2018 Te Haeta Takamore also had the honour of being named on the wing in the Keebra Park Team of the Year and was also named Keebra Park Year 8 Player of the Year, deserved honours for the talented young man.

Te Haeta Takamore was also part of the Helensvale U14 side that won the Tassell Trophy in 2018 scoring in the Hornets 40 – 6 Tournament final victory over the Western Lions to go through the competition undefeated.

To cap off his 2018 season Te Haeta Takamore was part of the Queensland Nga-Hua U14 side that took part in the QPICC tournament.

In attack, when the ball is given to Te Haeta Takamore early in seems just to have all the time in the work to make a determination of what to do and also he just seems to have a lot of room at his disposal, something that Te Haeta Takamore has already exploited this season.

In Round Three of the GCRL U15 Division One competition, against Ormeau, Te Haeta Takamore got the ball early and expertly stepped the opposing centre on the inside and out paced the cover defence to the try line and that was just one of his two tries on the night.

Whilst he is a big strong powerful young centre, Te Haeta Takamore also has a myriad of attacking moves, including a great in and away, and also being able to cut back on the inside of his defender if they over commit to the outside.

I would consider that Te Haeta Takamore’s speed would in the plus category for a centre, add his power and strong fend and you really have a young centre who could develop in anything on a football field

Te Haeta Takamore’s spacing, line running and ability to beat his opposite number on the inside seems to be purely instinctive. Te Haeta Takamore must be a play maker’s dream, when he gets the ball early he seems to cause real havoc for the defensive line.

Defensively Te Haeta Takamore hits very hard and constantly is in a position to disrupt the attacking movement of the opposition. I would suggest that he would be more than capable to adapt and excel in either an up and in or sliding methodology.

The other point I will make is that Te Haeta Takamore certainly does not shirk contact, both in attack or defence.

Te Haeta Takamore will play the 2020 Gold Coast Rugby League season in the U16 Division One competition for Helensvale and is also a likely selection in one of the two Gold Coast Vikings U16 squads for the 2020 South East Queensland U16 pre-season Challenge.

Te Haeta Takamore will also be a key member of the Keebra Park State High School Rugby League side in their school boy rugby league competitions and is a legitimate chance to be part of their Open A Langer Cup and GIO Cup school boy campaigns such is his skill and maturity level. Of course the closer relationship between the Titans and Keebra Park cannot but help keep Te Haeta Takamore a Titan for the long haul which of course is a very attractive scenario.

There is no doubt in my mind that Te Haeta Takamore has the size, strength, speed and ability to stay in the centres long term and be an exceptionally talented one at that.

I must admit however that I was exceptionally impressed with how Te Haeta Takamore played at fullback for the Queensland White U15 side at the U15 ASSRL Championships and to that extent acknowledge that Te Haeta Takamore having an outstanding rugby league career at fullback definitely cannot be overlooked or discounted in any way.

Joseph Manu of the Sydney Roosters and New Zealand International is a good NRL comparison in relation to the play of Te Haeta Takamore as a big strong powerful young man who will not be beaten in a one on one contest in attack or defence but fairly or not is noted almost exclusively for his attacking credentials.

Te Haeta Takamore is just a powerful young man learning the how to translate that power consistently and when he does the sky is the limit.

mdrew

21-11-19, 04:49 PM

Shannon Subritzky-Stewart. The Norths Devils centre signed a contract with the Titans early in 2019 after being part of the one of the Titans two U15 sides that played each other and a Western Mustangs selection at Mudgeeraba in February of this year.

In 2019 Shannon Subritzky-Stewart is part of the Norths Devils GBJRL U15 Division One side and started at right centre in their grand Final against the Easts Tigers. In the Grand Final Shannon Subritzky-Stewart kicked seven conversions from ten attempts, including a few from right on the side line and had an outstanding second half try assist as Norths ran away in the second half to defeat Easts 51 – 14 after the scores were locked up 14 all at the half to avenge their 2018 Grand Final defeat to Easts.

Shannon Subritzky-Stewart’s try assist came in the second half. He received the ball early about seventy five metres out from the line and as a result of him getting the ball early Shannon Subritzky-Stewart was able to get on the outside of the Easts left winger as a result of sheer pace and run forty metres down the right touch line unhindered.

As the Easts fullback came across in cover defence, Shannon Subritzky-Stewart veered towards him to freeze him place and eliminate all of the momentum that the defender had before producing a right armed off load to his trailing five eight who scored under the posts.

Shannon Subritzky-Stewart was a member of the 2019 U15 Emerging Origin squad and in 2018 was part of the South East Queensland White U14 side that took part in the Queensland U14 Age Championships, scoring in Round Two in a South East Queensland White 22 – 12 win over Central.

In 2018 Shannon Subritzky-Stewart played for the Norths Devils in the GBJRL U14 Premier Division competition including starting in the centres for the Nundah based side in the Grand Final but unfortunately they went down 26 – 20 to an Easts Tigers side that included fellow 2019 Titans U15 signee, winger Antioch Faitala-Mariner.

The outstanding feature of the attacking game of Shannon Subritzky-Stewart is his ability to continue to make ground after contact with the defensive line especially when he isolates a defender and attacks him in a one on one situation.

Shannon Subritzky-Stewart will continue to pump his legs post contact and if a defender looks to engage him around the chest Shannon Subritzky-Stewart has the core strength to shrug off the defender and continue with limited loss of momentum.

A solid hard straight fend is also a key component of his ability to make ground after contact. Shannon Subritzky-Stewart’ s speed off the mark and for that matter his speed overall can probably be consider a tick above average but plays faster as a result of his strength, power and the aggressiveness when he runs the ball. Shannon Subritzky-Stewart is certainly not shy in relation to initiating contact with the defensive line.

The best strategy for defending against Shannon Subritzky-Stewart is for the defence to get up on him before he has the opportunity to generate momentum, the flip side of that is that Shannon Subritzky-Stewart has the ability to skip outside if the defensive is not on him as he receives the ball. If he has time and space, Shannon Subritzky-Stewart can be devastating when running with the ball.

Defensively Shannon Subritzky-Stewart can defend against any size opponent, from small quick outside backs to big strong powerful backrowers running wide of the ruck. Shannon Subritzky-Stewart is more than strong enough to handle his defensive duties on a one on one basis.

Shannon Subritzky-Stewart uses this strength to move up and hit just under the ribcage, redirecting the momentum of the ball carrier and thus eliminating the attacking threat in the short term. Defending out in the centres, he sets a good base and uses his leg strength to direct his strength through the core of his body into his opponent.

Shannon Subritzky-Stewart is also an outstanding goal kicker with both accuracy and range (especially considered that he only takes three or four steps into the kick) as was evidenced by the seven goals that he kicked in the GBJRL U15 Division One Grand Final and looms as any sides primary goal kicking option moving forward.

2020 will see Shannon Subritzky-Stewart play for the Norths Devils in the GBJRL U16 Division One competition and is also a likely selection in one of the three Brisbane Stingers U16 squads for the 2020 South East Queensland U16 pre-season Challenge where he will line up against multiple fellow Titans contracted players from Ipswich, other Brisbane Stingers teams and of course the two Gold Coast Vikings sides.

For all intents and purposes Shannon Subritzky-Stewart has been a centre for the duration of his junior rugby league career and there is nothing in his play to suggest that that will change anytime soon.

New Zealand International Joseph Manu from the Sydney Roosters for me has a similar skill set to Shannon Subritzky-Stewart as a young right centre who has all of the skill and physical attributes, specifically speed and strength to succeed in rugby league

mdrew

22-11-19, 01:39 PM

Irvine Tiomai. The Coomera Cutters front rower/ second rower is a Titans U15 player who could not have had a better 2018 season and commenced the 2019 season starting for one of the Titans U15 sides at Mudgeeraba.

In 2019 Irvine Tiomai played in thirteen regular season matches for the Coomera Cutters in the U16 Division One competition, including scoring in Round Five against Southport, Round Seven against Runaway Bay and Round Twelve against Mudgeeraba.

In Week One of the GCRL U16 Division One Finals Irvine Tiomai started in the front row as Coomera went down 38 – 24 to Currumbin.

Week two of the Finals saw Coomera play Burleigh in an Elimination Final with Irvine Tiomai starting in the front row as Coomera prevailed to book their place in the Grand Final.

In the 2019 GCRL U16 Division One Grand Final Irvine Tiomai started in the front row and was outstanding for Coomera against a far larger Ormeau Shearers forward pack but unfortunately Coomera went down 22 – 20 in controversial circumstances in golden point in a pulsating and thoroughly exciting and enjoyable game of rugby league.

For me Irvine Tiomai was one of the best players on the field in the Grand Final an impressive feat when you consider that he was a year younger and a touch smaller than the giant forwards that populated both the Coomera and Ormeau teams.

Irvine Tiomai also played rugby in 2019 including being named in the U15 Gold Coast Cyclones representative side.

In addition to playing multiple matches for the Coomera Cutters in both the U14 and U15 Division One competitions in 2018, Irvine Tiomai represented the Gold Coast Vikings U14 side and from there was part of the South East Queensland White U14 side that participated in the 2018 Queensland Age Championships.

In those Championships, Irvine Tiomai started all four of SEQ White’s matches in the second row, including the final against SEQ Green which ended in a 16 all draw.

To cap off a great year, in late 2018 Irvine Tiomai was named in the Queensland 2019 U15 Emerging Origin squad.
Irvine Tiomai is a powerful runner of the ball who runs with a slight jink, usually off his right foot, in his step prior to impacting the defensive line and from when he receives the ball until he hits the defensive line Irvine Tiomai is able to build up significant momentum.

Irvine Tiomai displays outstanding speed both off the mark and over an extended distance when in the clear for a player his size. Also when he has impacted the defensive line he continues to pump his legs and gain extra metres after contact.

As noted he is a solidly built young front rower with a low centre of gravity, which makes him quite difficult to tackle. Like his footwork Irvine Tiomai will show flashes of the ability to off load the ball and with experience this attribute will continue to develop both in terms of when he has impacted the defensive line and prior to contact.

His lateral movement is outstanding for a front rower and he is powerful enough to combat the largest of opponents looking to run through the centre of the ruck. Xx also has the functional strength to combat attackers on a one on one basis. His initial contact is outstanding as is his ability to quickly and effectively put any size attacker on the ground and effectively slow down the speed of the play the ball.

Another impressive aspect of Irvine Tiomai ’s play from a defensive stand point is the speed at which he gets around the field, in the games that I have seen him play, he is always in and around the ball, constantly getting low to disrupt the momentum of the attackers.

In 2020 Irvine Tiomai will surely be part be of one of the Gold Coast Vikings U16 sides for the South East Queensland pre-season Challenge. In relation to club rugby league in 2020, Irvine Tiomai has been playing one age group up for the last couple of seasons but I would assume that in 2020 he will at least start the season in the U16 Division One age group rather than play in the U18 Division One competition, but I would not put anything past this outstanding talent and what he can do.

Irvine Tiomai has played the majority of the last couple of seasons in the front row as a solidly built powerful young man, but with his speed, both off the mark and over extended distances definitely in the plus category for a forward I think that Irvine Tiomai has the attributes to be very effective in the second row (likely on the left side) for a number of years if not for the duration of his rugby league career.

From a player comparison perspective for Irvine Tiomai, think of someone along the lines of New Zealand International and Melbourne Storms Kenny Bromwich as a hard working forward who will be a solid player but will also on occasion flash some plus skills and speed akin to older brother Jesse Bromwich

mdrew

23-11-19, 12:48 PM

Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu. The powerful young second rower made a big splash for Burleigh in the GCRL U14 Division One competition this season, his first on the Gold Coast since his move down from Brisbane. In addition to playing for Burleigh Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu attends Keebra Park and is part of their junior age school boy program which is now linked to the Titans.

After performing well for the Gold Coast Vikings U14 side at the Hill Stumer Championships held at Ipswich, Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu started in the second row, specifically right second row for the South East Queensland White side at the Queensland U14 Age Championships.

At those Championships, Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu started all four of South East Queensland White’s matches in the second row and scored a double in their third against fourth victory against Central.

For Burleigh in the GCRL U14 Division One regular season competition Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu started the majority of his twelve matches at right second row and scored eleven tries including a big four try effort in Round Eleven against Ormeau.

Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu’s remaining seven tries came in separate matches against Currumbin twice, Mudgeeraba twice, Helensvale, Ormeau and Beaudesert.

In Week Two of the U14 Division One Finals series, Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu started from the bench against Runaway Bay in a 40 – 6 win that that propelled Burleigh directly into the Grand Final.

In the 2019 U14 Division One Grand final Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu started at right second row and formed a lethal combination with Kalahni Lawrence and was rewarded with a try when he came back under his five eight to charge through a number of defenders to score adjacent to the right upright with the run accounting for fifteen metres.

At the late September Gold Coast Rugby League Presentation Night, Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu was named as the 2019 U14 GCRL Player of the Year.

In early October Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu was named on the bench for the 2019 Nga Hau e Wha Maori Tournament U14 Boys Merit Team after his impressive performances in the tournament.

Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu is a powerful aggressive ball runner who is adept at using late and quick footwork just prior to contact line which he hits with power and force in absolutely every hit up that he makes dropping his shoulder into the first defender that is looking to make the initial contact.

Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu ’s ability to get low to engage the defenders with his shoulder rather than allowing them to get in and under his ribs and also a substantial leg drive means that he drives defenders backwards even after they had engaged him with significant force rather than allowing them to impact on his momentum.

In terms of ball skills, Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu was able to regularly get his right hand free to deliver offloads when engaged with the defensive line especially when he was running one pass up the ruck and deliver some very good offloads to his support runners.

Once he is in space, Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu actually has very good speed, I would consider it above average when analysing his speed from a rugby league forward’s perspective, to add to the difficulties for the defensive line, he runs with a high knee lift and also has a powerful fend.

Whilst his ball running skills are the first thing that you will likely notice when seeing Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu his defence is equally effective even though it may not be as noticeable at first glance. Defensively Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu has a hard edge to his play and his initial contact is more than sufficient to redirect the momentum of the ball carrier either in the centres or when defending in the forwards.

Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu sets a very good base with his lower body which he uses to look to use his opponents their own momentum against them.

Defensively Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu hits very hard and is adept at making sure the opposition do not get quick play the balls. Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu also has a touch of aggression in his play and definitely finishes off each tackle that he is involved in.

Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu is set to play the 2020 season with Burleigh in the GCRL U15 Division One competition as well as continue to play for Keebra Park in their school boy competitions and is also a likely starter, barring injury of course, with the South Coast U15 QSSRL School Boy representative side.

Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu spent some time in the front row in the GBJRL U13 competition in 2018 but since his move to the Gold Coast has spent the majority of his time in the second row. With his size, speed and mobility I would think that he, whilst certainly being able to play in the front row, is more suited to the second row where he can use his speed and footwork to terrorise defenders on the fringes of the ruck.

I can certainly see aspects of the play of Sydney Roosters forward Siosuia Taukeiaho when I have watched Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu on the field, both a hard running, hard tackling forwards with some real skill in their game on the fringes of the ruck which on occasion is somewhat unfairly overlooked.

mdrew

24-11-19, 12:10 PM

Matari Donovan. He is a young centre who starred in his first year on the Gold Coast after moving from the Penrith region of Sydney and was an outstanding attacking force for Burleigh in the GCRL U14 Division One competition in 2019.

For Burleigh in the GCRL U14 Division One regular season competition Matari Donovan played in eleven matches scoring twenty two tries (200% strike rate) including scoring six tries in Round Seven against Helensvale and five more in Round Nine against Currumbin.

Matari Donovan also scored four doubles with those coming against Ormeau twice, Mudgeeraba and Beaudesert. Matari Donovan remaining three regular season tries were scored one each in the opening three rounds against Runaway Bay, Currumbin and Helensvale.

Understandably as a result of the scoring figures noted above Matari Donovan finished the U14 Division One season as the competitions leading try scorer four ahead of his nearest rival being fellow Burleigh centre Kalahni Lawrence.

Matari Donovan also kicked two goals over the course of the regular season with both of those goals coming in Round Seven when he converted two of his own tries against Helensvale when he finished that particular match with an individual point’s haul of twenty eight when you add in his six try haul.

In the match against Helensvale in Round Seven when he scored six tries, Matari Donovan was also afforded the opportunity to convert two of those tries.

Matari Donovan started the GCRL U14 Division One Grand Final on the bench, coming on to play left centre where he was a constant menace and had a second half try assist when he threw a great one arm around the corner pass with his left arm to his left for his winger to have a clear passage to the line.

Matari Donovan also played for PBC in various school boy rugby league competitions in 2019 including starting at right centre and scoring a barnstorming try to put PBC in front in the Year Nine Hancock Cup Grand Final. In the final PBC erased a 12 – 6 half time deficit to win the final 24 – 18 against Coombabah State High School.

In the final Matari Donovan took the ball from the dummy half about ten metres out from the Coombabah State High School line on the right of the play the ball and stormed over dragging three Coombabah defenders with him.

Matari Donovan has very good speed off the mark, which I would consider above average for a centre and can break to the outside quickly, couple that with long arms, which he uses to great effect with a powerful fend makes him difficult to tackle.
When opposing centres are able to get hold of him, Matari Donovan usually is able to maintain his balance and keeps an arm free, looking to offload to either his inside or outside support.

Matari Donovan has more tools though than just an in and away, he will also use his size and strength to run straight over smaller opposing centres as well as also having the skill to step back inside of the defender if he is pushing to the outside too early.
Matari Donovan also has a powerful fend which has served him well this season with his natural strength is just another impressive attribute in his ****nal.

A real positive for me is that Matari Donovan can also run a good inside shoulder line due to the fact that he maintains his spacing in the back line and will quickly identify where his direct opponent is ling up to determine whether it is appropriate to run an inside or outside shoulder line or a “crash” line for that matter, he certainly has the courage to run that line regularly which not everybody has.

As you would expect, due to his size and strength, Matari Donovan is a very good defender regardless of position. He will not necessarily hit hard but is definitely aggressive and he is very good at mirroring the movement of the opposing centre and wrapping him up ball and all.

Matari Donovan is also quick enough to recover and chase if the opposing centre gets on the outside and his long reach is also a positive attribute in those situations.

From a team defensive methodology stand point, Matari Donovan seems to be very comfortable in a sliding defensive scheme where he can use his speed and body control to their best advantage in though he can be an intimidating presence when he chooses to come out of the line to interrupt the attacking movement immediately prior to its development.

Matari Donovan is set to play the 2020 season with Burleigh in the GCRL U15 Division One competition as well as continue to play school boy rugby league and is also a likely starter, barring injury of course, with the South Coast U15 QSSRL School Boy representative side. Matari Donovan will also be part of the PBC rugby League Excellence Program once again in 2020.

Matari Donovan is a centre full stop and an outstanding one at that, thus for me there is absolutely no reason a coach would even consider moving him to another position now and for the foreseeable future.

At the start of the season it would be fair to say that no one really could accurately predict how Matari Donovan’s 2019 season would turn out but very quickly it was clear that Matari Donovan is an outstanding talent.

For me, when he is fit and firing Sydney Roosters and New South Wales State of Origin’s Latrell Mitchell is the best centre in the game at present and therefore is a more than apt comparison for Matari Donovan.

They both play at left centre (although Matari Donovan did also spend time at right centre this season) and the skill set, power and sheer potential are eerily equilivant and like Mitchell Matari Donovan has a bit of mongrel in his game when the occasion warrants.

mdrew

25-11-19, 05:11 PM

Reece Tapine. (Revised) The former Sydney Roosters U18 SG Ball outside back made every post a winner in his first two seasons on the Gold Coast being 2018 and 2019.

In 2019 Reece Tapine started the season as part of the Burleigh Bears Hastings Deering’s Colts side but quickly progressed to the Burleigh Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade side.

Reece Tapine was back in the Burleigh Colts side for Round Five against Souths Logan scoring a double from the left win in an outstanding display. His first try came when he gathered a cross field kick and the second when he was on hand to score untouched as a result of a Burleigh backline move.

Outside of the tries, two pieces of play stood out for me, the first when Souths Logan had a big overlap and looked certain to score, but Reece Tapine came out of the line to smash the Magpies centre to break up the movement and with Burleigh under pressure on their own line, Reece Tapine took the ball off a scrum and bustled his way thirty metres up field in a strong determined run to relive the pressure on his side.

Reece Tapine scored a double in Round Nine against Redcliffe to continue his outstanding try scoring record, his first try came when he stayed wide on his left wing to dive over from a long cut out pass, and his second was a long range effort, left centre Kea Pere took an intercept ten metres out from his own line, running forty metres before Reece Tapine loomed up in his left to receive the ball and run the remaining fifty metres to score.

Reece Tapine scored again in Round Eleven against the Central Queensland Capra’s when he pounced on a Cameron Brown grubber into the in-goal and also three the last pass for Lofi Khan-Periera to score his first Colts try in just his second match in the competition.

Reece Tapine added another try in Round Sixteen against Souths Logan when he received the ball on the left before dummying outside and diving over from close range.

In Week Two of the Finals Reece Tapine started on the right wing in Burleigh’s 42 – 12 win against Norths.

In total for the Burleigh Colts side Reece Tapine played in twelve matches scoring a total of eight tries to finish with a 66.67% strike rate. From a position perspective Reece Tapine played two of his twelve matches in the centres with the remainder on the wing.

Reece Tapine also played in twelve matches for the Burleigh GCRL First Grade side in 2019, including finals, scoring seventy points including kicking six goals in Round Eleven against Bilambil and four goals in Round Ten against Runaway Bay and scoring a double in Round Seventeen against Bilambil. Reece Tapine added a try and five goals in Round Twenty against Ormeau.

In Burleigh’s GCRL Grand Final qualifying final against Currumbin, Reece Tapine scored a try and kicked three goals from the left wing. In relation to his try, Burleigh spun the ball to the left wing with Reece Tapine receiving the ball in a stationary position, he then cut back inside before stepping off his right foot to split the defence and he then was able to bring the ball around to put it down under the goal posts with a celebratory arm raised to the crowd at the dressing room end of Pizzey Park for good measure.

Reece Tapine also started on the left wing and kicked two conversions as Burleigh won the GCRL First Grade Grand Final by defeating Southport 30 -12.

Reece Tapine made his deserved Queensland Cup debut for Burleigh in the Queensland Cup Outback Round starting on the wing against the Townsville Blackhawks.

Reece Tapine played all 80 minutes in the match, running for 46 metres (fifteen post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.85 seconds and recorded a 100% tackling efficiency.

In 2018 Reece Tapine was rewarded with a starting spot on the left wing for the Burleigh Bears U20 side for their Round One matches against the Sunshine Coast Falcons.

Reece Tapine’s debut was a good one scoring in Burleigh’s big 52 -22 victory over the Sunshine Coast Falcons. Reece Tapine also started on the left wing for Burleigh’s Round Two match against the Redcliffe Dolphins on the Gold Coast and once again scored to have a 100% strike rate after the first two rounds of the 2018 season.

In total in the 2018 Hastings Deering’s U20 Colts competition, Reece Tapine played in seventeen matches scoring eight tries. Reece Tapine scored doubles in Round Six against the Western Mustangs and in Round Eleven against Easts.

Reece Tapine’s other four tries came in Rounds One, Two, Eight and Thirteen against Sunshine Coast, Redcliffe, Central Queensland and Ipswich.

Reece Tapine started his first seven U20 Colts matches this season on the wing before moving to the centres in Round Eight against Central Queensland and remaining there for the remainder of the 2018 season.

Late in the 2018 season Reece Tapine was promoted to the Burleigh Bears Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade side scoring on debut against Bilambil in Round Sixteen and also scored in his second and first GCRL First Grade match of the season against Tugun the following round being Round Seventeen. Reece Tapine started both of those matches in the centres.

The former Springfield Panthers junior rugby league player played in two matches for the Sydney Roosters in the 2017 U18 SG Ball competition. In that competition the former Trinity College Beenleigh student played in matches against the Cronulla Sharks and the Penrith Panthers starting both matches being Rounds One and Two on the left wing.

The Sydney Roosters signed Reece Tapine from the Ipswich region where he played for the Springfield Panthers with his last year there being the 2016 season representing the Panthers in the Ipswich U17 competition scoring eleven tries from just thirteen matches. For the Springfield Panthers, Reece Tapine spent the vast majority of his playing time in the centres.

Reece Tapine also represented Trinity College with distinction across a number of seasons including at the Open level in the 2015 QISSRL Confraternity Shield Division Two competition as a 16 year old starring against St Joseph’s Assumption College when he scored a double starting in the centres.

Reece Tapine’s Round One try against the Sunshine Coast Falcons came as a result of him maintaining his position and spacing. It was not a spectacular try in the context of a dive for the corner and so forth but as the ball went to the left through the hands of Titans five eight Taine Tuaupiki and former Titan in left centre Jaxon Paulo, Reece Tapine stayed on his wing and did not over run the ball to make it easy for Jaxson Paulo (who was outstanding on the day and on the season for that matter) to draw and pass to send Reece Tapine over in the left corner untouched.

Reece Tapine’s try in Round Two against the Redcliffe Dolphins can also be put down to his positioning. After a long break by Burleigh and with the Redcliffe defence all over the place it would have been easy for Reece Tapine to come in from the left wing looking to be the hero, but instead he stayed on his wing.

Burleigh half back Harry Fitzhugh got the ball from the dummy half and seeing Reece Tapine out wide to the left unmarked put in a deft chip which Reece Tapine took easily on the full to cross untouched and was even able to bring the ball around to near the posts to make the conversion a lot easier for Jaxson Paulo.

Whilst in does not have a great deal of speed off the mark, Reece Tapine does have above average top end speed once he gets moving and can break tackles by using a very good fend, when he gets to the outside, this prevents defenders from getting he under his ribs and thus he can maintain his running line under defensive pressure.

When engaged with the defensive line Reece Tapine also has a reasonable offload and when he breaks through the main defensive line he is also very effective at setting up his support players, by committing the fullback before off-loading.

Reece Tapine also has a more than decent in and away to complement his other attacking attributes and is effective when attacking close to the try line and knows which routes to run to take advantage of situations where the defensive line has not come up off the try line and thus he is able to push through the defensive line and carry defenders over to score. Reece Tapine is just a solid attacking player and before you realise he has made a number of breaks and scored multiple tries.

Reece Tapine is also adept at keeping his spacing on the wing and that attribute led to his second try for Burleigh on the weekend where he stayed outside his direct opponent on the blind side and thus was in a very good position to score from close range before his opposite winger could react.

Reece Tapine seemingly has more strength that his size would indicate, and he uses this strength to move up and hit around the area where the ball is usually held, redirecting the momentum of the ball carrier and thus eliminating the attacking threat in the short term.

Purely from a skill and physical attribute perspective Reece Tapine seems more suited to a sliding defensive methodology rather than an up and in style, but this is more conjecture from me rather than a fact based argument. Like with his attacking attributes Reece Tapine is just solid defensively there is really no other word to describe it.

Reece Tapine will look to break into the Burleigh Bears Queensland Cup side on a permanent basis in 2020.

Whilst he has spent some of his junior rugby league career in the centres I think that where Reece Tapine is playing for Burleigh Colts, being the left wing is his best position in terms of the utilisation of his key skills being his straight line speed and discipline in terms of the positioning and spacing.

From a player comparison perspective for Reece Tapine, think of someone like Brisbane Broncos fullback or centre Jordan Kahu as an extremely competent winger who may not make highlight reel plays on a regular basis but quietly does what needs to be done in terms of safe hands, positioning spacing and scoring when the opportunity presents.

Reece Tapine is a quietly effective player will not make mistakes either with his hands or his positioning and will also be a regular contributor on the score board from a try scoring perspective whether playing in the centres or on the wing.

Reece Tapine is definitely not a flashy winger like say former Canberra Raiders winger Jordan Rapana but Reece Tapine is an effective one none the less.

mdrew

26-11-19, 06:28 PM

Cameron Brown. (Revised)He is a talented young half who was heavily involved late in the 2018 season with the Burleigh Bears Colts side and played just as well in the 2019 Colts competition for Burleigh this season.

Cameron Brown played in all twenty two of Burleigh’s Hastings Deering’s Colts matches including their three finals this season scoring twelve tries for a 54.45% strike rate. Prior to Round Ten (tries post that noted below) Cameron Brown scored in Round One against Norths, Round Eight against the Western Mustangs and Round Nine against Redcliffe.

One of Cameron Brown’s tries came in Round Ten against the Northern Pride. Cameron Brown had come off the bench to play the dummy half role and was able to dive over from close range to his right in the second half to score.

Cameron Brown also scored in Round Eleven against the Central Capra’s when he followed through his own bomb and retrieved the ball after it was mishandled to score under the posts for Burleigh’s first try.

Cameron Brown had an outstanding match in Round Fifteen against Ipswich constantly sniping at the Jets defensive line and scored a try of his own when he intercepted a pass to run ninety metres to score, with no defender able to keep up with him over the journey.

Cameron Brown also recorded another try assist when he grubbered for Reece Tapine to score and was also heavily involved in tries for Lofi Khan-Periera and Will Evans.

Cameron Brown also scored in Round Seventeen against Tweed Heads as a result of a good individual effort. He received the ball to the right of the play the ball around fourteen metres out from the line and after shaping to pass to his backline to his right, stepped off his right foot to get through the initial defensive line and then used another right foot step to round the fullback to score under the posts.

Cameron Brown added a further try in Round Nineteen against Redcliffe when after sending a great ball to his left to allow Will Evans to get outside his man, he backed up on the inside to get the pass back from Will Evans to score untouched.

Cameron Brown maintained his try scoring pace in Round Twenty against the Wester Mustangs when he backed up a break by fullback Jayden Campbell to score a long range try.

Cameron Brown also had a try assist in the match when he grubbered into the in goal for the Burleigh left winger to dive on the ball. The kick was a lot harder than it looked as when he kicked it with the outside of his right foot Cameron Brown was running directly towards the left touch line.

Cameron Brown scored for the third match in a row when he scored in Round Twenty One against the Northern Pride when he was on hand to dive on a Zac McCormack kick. Zac McCormack took a couple of steps to his left out of dummy half close to the line and put in a deft left foot kick into the in goal for Cameron Brown to dive on it after it bounced off the legs of a few Northern Pride defenders.

Cameron Brown added a double in Round Twenty Three against the Central Queensland Capra’s. Cameron Brown’s first try (and the first of the match) resulted from him following through a short attacking kick from Shallin Fuller to get to the ball first about a metre from the dead goal line.

Cameron Brown’s second try (and last of the match)was an opportunist one, Central Queensland were throwing the ball around with less than a minute to go and as they threw it out to their left, Cameron Brown was on hand to take the intercept and run twenty metres to score.

Cameron Brown also had a try assist in the match and a spectacular one at that. Central Queensland were on the attack and put through a short grubber kick about twenty metres out, Cameron Brown trapped the ball with his left foot, picking it up and running seventy metres before the defence converged, Cameron Brown evaded the defence long enough for Will Evans to loop around behind him and score in the left corner.

In Week Two of the Finals Cameron Brown started at half in Burleigh’s 42 – 12 win against Norths.

Cameron Brown’s 201919 Hastings Deering’s Colts season came to an end when he started at half for Burleigh as they went down 23 – 16 to Sunshine Coast in the Preliminary Final

Cameron Brown played a number of positions for Burleigh in the 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition starting eighteen at half, two at hooker, being Rounds Two and Three against Ipswich and Tweed Heads, one at five eight being Round Five against Souths Logan and Round Ten against the Northern Pride from the bench.

In addition to the tries noted above Cameron Brown has also scored against Norths in Round One, the Western Mustangs in Round Eight and Redcliffe in Round Nine.

From a position perspective so far this season, Cameron Brown has played half, five eight (one match being Round Five against Souths Logan), hooker and came off the bench in one match being Round Ten against the Northern Pride.

Cameron Brown started at half in Round One against Norths, before moving to hooker for Rounds Two and Three against Ipswich and Tweed Heads respectively.

In total Cameron Brown has started eleven matches at half, one at five eight, one from the bench and the other two matches at hooker.

In an early season Hastings Deering’s Colts competition bye week, Cameron Brown, instead of having the weekend off started at five eight for Helensvale in their GCRL Round Seven U20 match against Mudgeeraba and scored in the Hornets 38 – 32 victory.

Cameron Brown also started at five eight in Round 12 of the GCRL U20 competition, scoring a double against Currumbin. Both tries highlighted Cameron Brown’s ability to run the ball and he also had a try assist when he put Brent Barnes through a gap on the right side of the field.

During the Hasting Deering’s Colts Round Eighteen bye week, Cameron Brown was back in the Helensvale U20 side at half and added to his try scoring tally with another try as the Hornets defeated Runaway Bay 32 - 26.

The try was a long range intercept. Cameron Brown flew out of the line as Runaway Bay were throwing the ball around taking the intercept and running ninety metres to score under the posts. As soon as he took the intercept it was shut the gate, no one was going to catch him.

Cameron Brown came into the Burleigh Colts side in Round Eleven of 2018 against Easts starting from the interchange bench and went on to play an additional nine Colts matches, splitting time between starting in the halves and from the interchange bench. Cameron Brown started five matches, the first being in Round Twelve against the Mackay Cutters.

Cameron Brown scored four Colts tries in 2018, including a Round Twenty Four double against Easts and tries in Round Twenty and Eighteen against Victoria and Redcliffe respectively. Whether or not it really means anything, all of Cameron Brown’s tries came in matches where he started.

Cameron Brown has played for Helensvale for a number of seasons and this year was no different lining up for the Hornets in the GCRL U19 competition. In the U19 competition, Cameron Brown played in nine matches, scoring seven tries.

Cameron Brown had an outstanding start to the U19 competition this season, scoring in his first five matches including a double against Southport and tries against Beaudesert, Currumbin and Ormeau in two separate matches. Cameron Brown also scored a late season try against Bilambil.

Late in 2017 Cameron Brown was named in the Burleigh 2018 MM Cup squad but he did not play in any MM Cup matches this season.

For Helensvale in the 2017 GCRL U17 Division One competition Cameron Brown played in thirteen matches in total including starting at half back in the Hornets 34 – 20 Grand Final win over Ormeau scoring to cap off a great match. In addition to his try in the Grand Final Cameron Brown scored another ten tries to finish third on the try scoring ladder for the U17 Division One competition including scoring a hat trick against Mudgeeraba in May and a double in June against Grand Final opponents Ormeau. Cameron Brown also scored in Helensvale’s other finals match which was against Bilambil.

Cameron Brown is only slight of build but do not take his lack of size in any way as a lack of ability or courage, he has a lot of both, which is on display each time he runs onto the field. With the ball he is a very good distributor and will take the ball to the line in an effort to set up his supports. Cameron Brown is adept at drawing an opposing defender out of the defensive line and then putting his support runner through the resulting gap.

In terms of his speed, I would suggest that an appropriate definition of Cameron Brown’s speed would be that he is quick off the mark but does not have an extra gear when he breaks into open space.

Cameron Brown will back his judgement and take the game on especially when the game is on the line. Assisting his play is the fact that Cameron Brown makes the decision what to do with the ball quickly thus enabling the ball to get out wide quickly.

In previous seasons when I have seen him play he sometimes took the line on himself too much, but the times that I have seen him play this season Cameron Brown has become more selective about when to pass and when to run. His passing game is solid but seems to be slightly better when he is passing to the right side of the field.

Cameron Brown has a good short kicking game but he does not have the strongest leg in terms of kicking deep but is accurate and regularly finds the ground to enable the chasers to get down field to enhance his team’s field position.

Defensively I like the way that he takes the line on, Cameron Brown is aggressive and attacks the ball carrier rather than waiting for the attackers to come to him. He clearly looks to limit the time opposition players have to generate momentum before they get to him.

Against players similar in size or reasonably close to it, Cameron Brown is very aggressive and makes sure that he finishes off every tackle in an effort to win every one on one individual battle against his opponent.

Cameron Brown is U20 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition once again in 2020 and will also likely get an opportunity with the Burleigh GCRL First Grade side in 2020.

I would think that regardless of what level of competition rugby league takes Cameron Brown that he will be in a No. 7 jersey as a tough feisty half back. Gaining experience at hooker however can only be a positive for Cameron Brown as he would a coach’s dream in terms of being able to cover multiple positions effectively.

For me a current NRL player with a similar playing style to that in Cameron Brown is Sydney Roosters five eight Luke Keary being that of a solid talented all round half who will surprise a defensive line with some very good short balls when it looks for all money like he is going to run himself.

Also like Keary, Cameron Brown has more speed that defensive lines give him credit for and that is a recipe for disaster.

mdrew

27-11-19, 04:55 PM

Apiata Neoma-Matenga (Revised) He is a local young second rower who has had a solid 2017 NYC campaign with the Titans and was rewarded with being selected on an extended bench for the Titans final NRL match of that season against the Sydney Roosters. He did not however make his NRL debut that afternoon late last year. Apitia Neoma-Matenga also had the honour of captaining the Titans NYC side in 2017 and spent the pre-Christmas off-season that year training with the Titans NRL squad.

Apitia Neoma-Matenga made his Queensland Cup debut in Round One of the 2019 season starting in the second row and playing the entire 80 minutes against Norths scoring on debut. Apitia Neoma-Matenga also scored in Round Twenty Four against Wynnum Manly to finish with two tries from his ten games, all of which were from the bench other than his debut in Round One.

In total in the 2019 Queensland Cup competition Apitia Neoma-Matenga played 305 minutes, ran for 540 metres (203 post contact), made a line break, had a line break assist, offloaded the ball once, had two line breaks and made 101 tackles at am 86.1% tackling efficiency. Apitia Neoma-Matenga’s per game averages included playing 30.5 minutes, running for fifty four metres and making 10.1 tackles.

Apitia Neoma-Matenga’s best match was his debut in Round One against Norths when he ran for 109 metres and made thirty one tackles as well as a line break and a line break assist.

Apitia Neoma-Matenga also started from the bench for Burleigh in their tough last minute loss to Newtown on NRL Grand Final day. In the match Apitia Neoma-Matenga played thirty three minutes, ran for sixty metres (twenty two post contact) broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.53 seconds and made twenty six tackles at a tackling efficiency of 96.3%.

Post the season Apitia Neoma-Matenga was named the Burleigh 2019 Queensland Cup Rookie of the Year.

Apitia Neoma-Matenga was part of the Burleigh Bears U20 Colts side in 2018 playing in seven matches starting all in the second row and scoring in Rounds Two, Six and Seven against Redcliffe, the Western Mustangs and Victoria respectively.

Apitia Neoma-Matenga was also named in the 2018 Queensland U20 Emerging Origin Squad with Titan AJ Brimson.

Apitia Neoma-Matenga’s try in Round Two of 2018 against Redcliffe came purely as a result of a powerful barn storming run. Apitia Neoma-Matenga who has been lining up on the right side and took a pass off Burleigh five eight Taine Tuaupiki and simply steam rolled over the couple of Redcliffe defenders score just to the right of the goal posts.

Apitia Neoma-Matenga’s try assist also in Round Two of 2018 came once again on the right side of the field. Running a good inside shoulder route Apitia Neoma-Matenga took a great flat pass off Taine Tuaupiki once again, going through the Redcliffe line untouched about twenty metres out, Apitia Neoma-Matenga could have easily taken on the fullback himself but instead he drew the fullback and passed back to his left to Taine Tuaupiki who was backing up for the young five eight to score under the posts to extend the Burleigh lead.

Apitia Neoma-Matenga has already established a very good combination with Taine Tuaupiki on the right hand side of the field and over the course of this season there is no doubt both will benefit greatly from it, as will the entire Burleigh Bears Colts team.

Over the course of the 2017 NYC season Apitia Neoma-Matenga played in 23 of the Titans 26 matches scoring five tries which came against the Parramatta Eels in Round Three, the Cowboys in Rounds Four, against the Raiders in Round Six, and in Rounds Sixteen and Seventeen against the Wests Tigers and St George respectively. Of the 23 matches that he featured in Apitia Neoma-Matenga started every match in the second row except for two matches where he started at lock being Rounds Four and Ten.

In total Apitia Neoma-Matenga spent 1,657 minutes on the field for the Titans NYC side in 2018 which equates to a per game average of approximately 72 minutes per game with Apitia Neoma-Matenga playing the entire 80 minutes on 18 occasions. Apitia Neoma-Matenga was on the field for every minute from Rounds Seventeen to Twenty-five inclusive.

Apitia Neoma-Matenga’s 2017 season per game averages included 74 run metres on eight carries and 21 tackles at a tackling efficiency of just over 80%. On six occasions in 2018 Apitia Neoma-Matenga ran for in excess of 100 metres in a match with his “best” effort coming against the Wests Tigers in Round Twenty-One when he ran for 151 metres on just nine carries. From a defensive perspective in Round Seventeen against the Dragons Apitia Neoma-Matenga made 35 tackles.

Apitia Neoma-Matenga made his NYC debut in Round 17 of the 2016 season against the New Zealand Warriors from the inter change bench, playing 33 minutes in his debut and taking a heavy knock to the head. Apitia Neoma-Matenga then kept his position in the 17 for the remainder of the season, playing five matches off the inter change bench and the other four matches starting at lock.

Apitia Neoma-Matenga scored his first and only NYC try for the year in Round 19 against Parramatta. Apitia Neoma-Matenga in his nine NYC matches averaged just on 40 minutes per game with the most minutes being against the Penrith Panthers in Round 25 when he played the remainder of the match after coming off the inter change bench in the 19th minute of the first half.

In his nine matches in 2016 Apitia Neoma-Matenga averaged 62.5 run metres per match on 5.5 hit ups and 17.5 tackles. His best match purely from a total run metre perspective came on his debut when he ran for 117 metres and tackling wise in his starting debut in Round 19 against St George, he made 28 tackles. Apitia Neoma-Matenga however did miss 31 tackles but I would agree that had more to do with his over enthusiasm rather than a defensive positioning or technique deficiency.

For Gold Coast White in the 2016 MM competition, Apitia Neoma-Matenga played in all of Gold Coast White’s matches including their quarter and semi-finals scoring one try which came against the Ipswich Jets in the big quarter final win. Apitia Neoma-Matenga started his first five matches at lock before moving to the second row in Round Seven and then staying in the second row for the two finals matches.

Over the course of his junior football the former PBC student made numerous representative sides including the Vikings, Kookaburras, South East Queensland, Queensland Maroon and South Coast at the U15 and U18 level. Apitia Neoma-Matenga attended PBC and was part of their GIO Cup side that lost the Queensland Grand Final, however they did defeat Keebra Park in the Queensland quarter finals in a high quality contest in front of a crowd of around 5,000.

Other Titans linked PBC team mates in that game included former NYC team mate and current tweed Heads Seagull Ethan Roberts. In the Keebra side that day was Titans NRL contracted AJ Brimson. Previously Apitia Neoma-Matenga was part of the Broncos Elite Player Development Squad and was so for a number of years before signing with his local NRL club three years ago.

Apitia Neoma-Matenga is a hard running backrower who really does look to run straight over people, especially when he played in the centres, towards the end of the year, in the back row, he did use more footwork prior to the line and was best running on the fringes of the ruck, rather than straight up the centre. Apitia Neoma-Matenga still has decent to above average top end speed but he does take a little bit of time to get up to his top speed these days.

I would suggest his speed is above average for a back rower however. Apitia Neoma-Matenga also has a very good left hand fend to add to his stocky frame and good strength. His low centre of gravity and power make him a difficult proposition to defend against, regardless of where he lines up in attack.

Apitia Neoma-Matenga now is best suited to defending in the centre of the ruck and that is where you will almost always find him and for a solidly built young player, he moves well in terms of moving up and back in defence. Another impressive aspect of his play from a defensive stand point is the speed at which Apitia Neoma-Matenga gets around the field to be always in and around the ruck.

Towards the end of the 2018 year, Apitia Neoma-Matenga’s defensive technique in the forwards had improved immensely, especially as he transitioned to the NYC ranks and he set a good stable base with his lower body, which he them used to explode into the attacker. Apitia Neoma-Matenga’s aggression can on occasion get the best of him but he certainly does make an impact defensively.

It is clear from his selection on the extended First Grade bench for Round Twenty-Six last year and spending the off-season training with the NRL side that Apitia Neoma-Matenga is highly thought of by the Titans.

Apitia Neoma-Matenga will be part of the Burleigh Bears Queensland Cup squad for the second season in a row in 2020.

From an ultimate position perspective, Apitia Neoma-Matenga’s transition from centre to the back row is now complete and Apitia Neoma-Matenga has now firmly established himself as a powerful young backrower with a low centre of gravity and aggressive attitude.

From a style perspective, a player that stands out with a similar playing style, especially in terms of attack is former Titan Greg Bird as a tough nuggetty back rower with decent footwork prior to the line to add to sold speed for a backrower and someone who is aggressive (very aggressive) in defence. With Apitia Neoma-Matenga in a team, that team will definitely not lack aggression in both attack and defence on the right hand side of the field.

mdrew

28-11-19, 05:29 PM

Kalahni Lawrence. The Burleigh and Keebra Park youngster has been one of the best players in his age group of the last couple of seasons on the Gold Coast and wider for that matter and this year was no different with Kalahni Lawrence being a stand out for Burleigh in the GCRL U14 Division One competition, for the Gold Coast Vikings U14 representative side and for South East Queensland Green in the Queensland U14 Age Championships.

For Burleigh in the GCRL U14 Division One competition this season Kalahni Lawrence played in eleven matches scoring eighteen tries (164% strike rate) including scoring four tries in Rounds Two and Ten against Helensvale and Beaudesert respectively to finish the regular season as the competitions second leading try scorer.

Impressively Kalahni Lawrence scored at least one try in each of his first eleven regular season matches in the U14 Division One competition. In addition to the four tries noted above, in his first eleven matches, Kalahni Lawrence also scored doubles against Mudgeeraba and Currumbin and also scored in matches against Runaway Bay (twice), Helensvale, Beaudesert and Ormeau (twice).

In Week two of the U14 Division One Finals series, Kalahni Lawrence started at right centre against Runaway Bay scoring a double in their 40 – 6 win that propelled Burleigh directly to the Grand Final.

In the 2019 U14 Division One Grand final Kalahni Lawrence started at right centre in Burleigh’s convincing 38 – 10 win over Runaway Bay.

For both the U14 Gold Coast Vikings side and the U14 South East Queensland Green side Kalahni Lawrence started at right centre dominating that side of the field in both attack and defence and aggressive defence at that.

Kalahni Lawrence started at right centre in all four of South East Queensland Green’s four matches at the Queensland U14 Age Championships including their 26 – 4 Championship Final victory against Northern.

In early October Kalahni Lawrence was named on the bench for the 2019 Nga Hau e Wha Maori Tournament U14 Boys Merit Team.

Kalahni Lawrence’s main ability when you see him play is his foot work, it is absolutely outstanding at right centre. He can step off both feet and put multiple combinations of steps together in a short space of time and a small radius to get out of difficult situations and still make ground.

Kalahni Lawrence’s speed off the mark would have to be considered above average and whilst his top end speed may not necessarily be elite he can sustain it over an extended distance. He also has a solid low centre of gravity type build and also a decent fend complicating the task of defending against him.

Regardless of where Kalahni Lawrence receives the ball he is a sound attacking player. If he gets an off load from a forward through the middle he is through the gap before the defence can react, if he gets the ball in space out wide he makes it difficult for the opposing defender to get a clean shot at him. Seemingly like all modern day outside backs Kalahni Lawrence has exceptional body control enabling him to score some impressive tries along the touchline as a result of outstanding balance and body control.

Defensively Kalahni Lawrence uses his size to good effect, he drives with his shoulder into his opponent and has very good timing in terms of when to come out of the line and certainly has the speed to readjust and chase if his timing is slightly off and his opposing centre gets on his outside.

Kalahni Lawrence has the body control to redirect quickly and mirror the movement of the opposing attackers and anticipate what vector the attack comes from and understands when to allow the attacking play to develop in from of him and when to come out of the line to disrupt the attacking play prior to its formation and execution.

Kalahni Lawrence is set to play the 2020 season with Burleigh in the GCRL U15 Division One competition as well as continue to play for Keebra Park in their school boy competitions and is also a likely starter, barring injury of course, with the South Coast U15 QSSRL School Boy representative side. The Titans new link with Keebra Park can only be of benefit to help to get young players like Kalahni Lawrence into their JTS program.

Kalahni Lawrence is a centre pure and simple and an outstanding one at that, thus for me there is absolutely no reason a coach would even consider moving him to another position now and for the foreseeable future.

Kalahni Lawrence is already some type of player let alone what he may become as he continues to grow and develop his game, thus when you are trying to identify an appropriate NRL player comparison for him, all you really need to do is to look at the best centres running around in the NRL to get an accurate comparison.

For me Kalahni Lawrence’s style of play remains me of Penrith and New Zealand International centre Dean Whare. Like Whare Kalahni Lawrence is an outstanding strike centre and a very good defensive one as well which even at the NRL level is a difficult combination to find.

Kalahni Lawrence is just a class rugby league player and is as good as any one currently in the Gold Coast Junior Rugby League regardless of age group or for that matter position.

mdrew

29-11-19, 02:42 PM

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa. The big strong young Southport front rower was in devastating form this season for the Tigers in the GCRL U14 Division One competition.

For Southport in the GCRL U14 Division One regular season competition Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa played in nine matches scoring eleven tries (122% strike rate) including a Round Three hat trick against Currumbin and doubles in Round Ten and Round Twelve against Ormeau and Mudgeeraba respectively.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa also scored in matches against Runaway Bay twice, Helensvale and Beaudesert to account for his eleven tries.

In Week One of the Finals series Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa started in the front row in Southport’s 26 - 22 loss to Runaway Bay.

In Week two of the U14 Division One Finals series, Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa started in the front row and scored a hat trick against Mudgeeraba as Southport progressed to the Preliminary Final.

In the Preliminary Final against Runaway Bay Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa once again started in the front row and scored a double as Southport fell 22 – 16 to Runaway Bay to end their season one win short of the Grand Final.

After performing well for the Gold Coast Vikings U14 side at the Hill Stumer Championships held at Ipswich this season, Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa started in the front row for the South East Queensland White side at the Queensland U14 Age Championships where he was a handful for opposing defences in each of SEQ Whites matches.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa started all four of South East Queensland White’s matches in the front row and scored when he crashed over against Central on Day Two of the Championships.

In early October 2019 Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa was named on the bench for the 2019 Nga Hau e Wha Maori Tournament U14 Boys Merit Team at the completion of the tournament.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa is a hard running big strong front rower who is very good at running the right line including both and inside shoulder and outside shoulder line and consistently hits the pass off either the dummy half or play maker flat thus generating his best possible speed and momentum to hit the defensive line at full speed.

Where he really excels though is his footwork, Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa has very good late and quick foot work which enables him to change direction quickly allowing him to readjust where he is running to take advantage of either a late developing hole in the defensive line or where the defensive line is repositioning late.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa is adept at cutting back behind the play the ball area when the markers do not work hard and make ground as a result. When the Broncos NYC side were in the attacking area, Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa was regularly used to draw the defence into the centre of the ruck thus stretching the defensive line out wide to allow the backline more room to move.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa also accepted the responsibility of regularly taking the first hit-up from kick offs and was regularly the first forward to take a hit-up after an opposition tactical kick.

Even when he is taking a hit up in the centre of the ruck, Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa ’s feet are always moving and he is constantly making slight corrections to his running vector and he is also able to maintain his speed regardless of those multiple directional changes.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa ’s speed is probably a bit above average but it is the speed that he is able to generate from only a few paces which makes it play faster from a defenders perspective.

Defensively he hits very hard and had one of the better defensive technique s in the GCRL U18 Division One competition this season. Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa ’s technique revolves around timing and execution. Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa ’s head is almost always correctly positioned and he always drives with his shoulder and never just jersey grabs at an opponent. From the matches that I have seen Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa also tackles with both shoulders equally effectively.

The impressive thing for me also is that Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa never seems to bounce off the ball (or the man) when he makes a front on tackle meaning his target area and the ability to hit the area on a regular basis is quite exceptional for a reasonably inexperienced forward. That aspect of his play means that Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa has a solid and repeatable defensive technique.

Another defensive aspect that I noted during the 2017 season was that Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa does not just make one tackle at a time, he makes a series of tackles one after another all as clinical and effective as the one before.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa lateral speed is quite good for a front row prospect due to his quick twitch feet and thus he is effective at defending against smaller dynamic runners out of dummy half as well as half backs and five eights running of the fringes looking to isolate forwards.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa is set to play the 2020 season with Southport in the GCRL U15 Division One competition as well as continue to play school boy rugby league and is also a likely starter, barring injury of course, with the South Coast U15 QSSRL School Boy representative side.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa will also be a key member of the Coombabah State High School U15 school boy rugby league side in 2020 in their various competitions.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa is a big strong powerful young man with outstanding mobility for his size, who has been a standout front rower in both club and representative sides over the last two years on the Gold Coast and seems destined to be an NRL calibre, if not higher, front rower in coming years.

Like most front rowers Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa also has a touch of aggression in his game and looks to dominate opposing forward packs both physically and mentally on every occasion in both attack and defence.

The way that Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa handles himself on the football field reminds me of Sydney Roosters and New Zealand International enforcer Jarrod Warera-Hargraves as a big strong front rower with a skill set that belies the intimidating presence that he projects on the field in the most demanding position on a football field, a good mix all round talent and plenty of raw talent to work with.

The scary thing is that I do not believe that Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa is even close to reaching his potential, a scary thought indeed for opposition sides in coming years.

mdrew

30-11-19, 10:47 AM

Kai Smallwood. In early in October 2019 the quick stepping young half or five eight was part of a Titans U14/15 NRRRL Invitational side that played the Titans U14 Gold Coast/Brisbane Academy side in a development match at Tweed Heads Seagulls Piggabeen ground with Kai Smallwood’s side going down 32 – 10 in an exciting and entertaining match.

Kai Smallwood was part of the Group 18 representative U15 side that played at the 2019 New South Wales Country Age Championships held in Port Macquarie in September. In those Championships Kai Smallwood started in the halves in all three of Group 18’s matches and scoring eighteen points in the process to finish as Group 18’s leading point’s scorer at the Championships.

Kai Smallwood scored on Day Two against Newcastle, kicking three goals in that match as well to finish with ten points in an 18 all draw. On Day One Kai Smallwood kicked three goals against Central Coast and then backed that up by kicking a conversion later in the day against Group Three.

Late in the 2019 season Kai Smallwood was named the 2019 Group 18 U15 representative teams best back.

Kai Smallwood played the 2019 club rugby league season with Bilambil in the Group 18 U15 competition and in fact was named player of the Grand Final as Bilambil defeated Byron Bay/Lennox Head in a high quality encounter.

In late 2019 Kai Smallwood headed to Sydney to trial for the 2020 New South Wales Koori U16 side with fellow Titan Michael Roberts.

Kai Smallwood also represented Group 18 in 2018 at the U14 level at the New South Wales Age Championships. In 2018 Kai Smallwood scored a double in Group 18’s first match against Group 21.

From an attacking perspective at this stage of his career Kia Smallwood is more of a runner of the ball rather than necessarily being an organiser but certainly there are flashes that show Kia Smallwood is more than capable of being an organiser and leading his side around the field.

Kia Smallwood’s regularly looks to take the line on himself with above average to near plus speed off the mark as well as exceptional evasive skills to complement his speed off the mark, Kia Smallwood is especially effective later in halves when the big forwards start to visibly fatigue.

In the second half of last year, Kia Smallwood started to balance his game more and started to become more of a distributor and play maker. Kia Smallwood has always had this ability but as he has progressed up in age groups you can see that his understanding the game and his role in it with a more balanced approach to strategy and the game plan.

Defensively Kia Smallwood is a feisty young man whose attitude and effectiveness in defence defies his size. He will take on any size opponent and even against the biggest of opponents will get in front of them and aim to fit them as hard as possible. Against opponents closer to his size Kia Smallwood will aggressively make the tackle and let his opponent know about it.

From a position perspective, Kia Smallwood is only small in stature but with his organisational skills developing and speed off the mark nearing the plus category I believe that his best position as he transitions to senior rugby league is in the half back position. It would be interesting to see how Kia Smallwood would go at fullback with his elusive running style however.

Kai Smallwood will play the 2020 season with Bilambil in the Group 18 U16 competition and will also push for a spot in the 2020 U16 Andrew Johns Cup Northern Rivers Titans side.

For me Kai Smallwood has a similar playing style to that of former Titan and current English Super League player Albert Kelly. Like Kelly Kai Smallwood has the speed off the mark to be able to exploit gaps and also has a bit of unpredictability about him which keeps defensive lines honest especially when he runs with the ball in two hands.

With continued development of his play making and passing skills Kai Smallwood has intriguing potential for the future. Kia Smallwood is a solid goal kicker as well and a developing tactical kicker who has the potential to be his side’s first choice kicker in both disciplines in future seasons.

mdrew

01-12-19, 01:02 PM

Reshawn Anderson. Goal kicking front rower Reshawn Anderson started his 2019 campaign in impressive fashion scoring two tries and kicking a conversion for Ballina as they defeated Casino RSM 54 – 4 in Round Two in the Group One U14 competition, Ballina had a Round One bye.

In Round Three Reshawn Anderson continued his impressive form scoring a try and kicking two conversions as Ballina defeated Clarence Coast 44 – 8. Reshawn Anderson also scored a Round Six double against Lismore Marist Brothers. In Round Twelve against Grafton Reshawn Anderson added a try and a goal to his season’s points tally.

Reshawn Anderson had a huge Round Thirteen match against Lismore Marist Brothers scoring three tries and kicking three goals to finish the match with eighteen points.

In total in the 2019 Group One U14 regular season competition Reshawn Anderson played in eight matches for Ballina scoring sixty two points from nine tries (113% strike rate) and thirteen goals to average just under eight points per game.

In Week One of the Finals series, Reshawn Anderson scored as Ballina progressed on the back of a 34 – 6 win over South Grafton and was also a member of the Grand Final winning side and fact was named the Player of the Match in the Grand Final.

Post the Grand Final Reshawn Anderson’s Group One U14 Ballina side was named Team of the Group One Junior Rugby League competition for their unbeaten season. On an individual level Reshawn Anderson was also named 2019 Group One U14 Representative Player of the Year.

Reshawn Anderson in 2019 also played two matches in the Group One U15 competition, making his debut against Casino RSM and scored his first try in that competition in Round Thirteen against Lismore Marist Brothers.

Reshawn Anderson was named in the front row for the Group One U14 Taipans for the New South Wales Country Age Championships that were held in Port Macquarie in late September. In Group One’s first qualifying match Reshawn Anderson kicked two conversions as Group One drew 14 all with Newcastle and added a try and a conversion in Group One’s Northern Cup semi-final.

In early in October Reshawn Anderson was part of a Titans U14/15 NRRRL side that went down 32 – 10 to the Titans U14 Gold Coast/Brisbane Academy side in a development match at Tweed Heads a match for me at least Reshawn Anderson was one of the NRRRL sides best.

Reshawn Anderson also represented Ballina Coast High School in multiple school boy competitions in 2019 including being part of the Ballina Coast High School side that won the 2019 U15 Titans Cup when they won all four of their matches on the day.

Ballina Coast’s wins were against Alstonville High School 11 – 10 in Round One, St Joseph’s Banora Point 20 – 4 in Round Two, Woodlawn College 12 – 6 in the semi-final and Alstonville 18 – 6 in the Grand Final.

The powerful Ballina Seagulls junior had a great season in the 2018 Group One U13 competition where he scored seven tries and kicked seven goals to finish with 42 points from his eleven matches.

In 2018 Reshawn Anderson scored doubles against South Grafton and Casino RSM and also scored in other matches against South Grafton, Kyogle and Lismore Marist Brothers over the course of the season.

With the boot Reshawn Anderson kicked two conversions in a late season match against Clarence Coast in 2018 with the remainder of his seven goals coming from individual matches over the course of the season as well.

Reshawn Anderson is a big strong powerful young man and uses these attributes when he runs with the ball, he will take the line on and look to drop his shoulder into the defender who is looking initiate contact.

Reshawn Anderson can also off load the football both before the line and when he is being tackled, he seems to be one of those players with the innate ability to get his hands free, or more accurately his right hand free.

Whilst this can lead to some mistakes, usually Reshawn Anderson is very selective about when to pass. With his offloading skills, one aspect that Reshawn Anderson should develop as he progresses is in relation to short passes to supporting forwards.

Reshawn Anderson also is quite quick for a big young bloke, both in terms of explosive speed off the mark and agile from a footwork perspective but also with speed over an extended distance. Once he gets into space, it is only going to be backs that will catch him.

In defence, Reshawn Anderson can certainly hit very hard and for a big boy he has quite decent endurance thus allowing him to get back quickly into the defensive line. Where he is also very good, due to his good athletic skills is for a front rower is effectively tackling smaller attackers on the edge of the ruck.

Reshawn Anderson does not fall for dummies and is difficult to step as he mirrors the lateral movement of the attacker to effectively wrap up the opposing player.

Reshawn Anderson is also quite a good goal kicker who gets a lot of distance with his kicking to go with good accuracy. You do not see many goal kicking front rowers but Reshawn Anderson is legitimately a very solid goal kicker, although it is unlikely that he will be a first choice goal kicker for a side, but it is quite rare to see a front rower kick for goal.

Reshawn Anderson Ferguson will play the 2020 season with the Ballina Seagulls in the Group One U15 competition and will be in line to represent Group One in the U15 age group at the 2020 New South Wales Country Age Championships.

Reshawn Anderson will also be involved in the Ballina Coast High School Rugby League Excellence Program over the next couple of seasons which the school is running as an outstanding joint initiative with the Titans and is already producing exceptional results.

Reshawn Anderson is a big strong powerful young man with outstanding attributes such as size, strength, speed, mobility and power and as such seems destined to stay in the front row for the duration of what should be a long and prosperous rugby league career.

In saying that however, I believe that Reshawn Anderson definitely has the mobility and speed to spend time in the second row over the next couple of seasons before he moves to the front row on a permanent basis.

For me Reshawn Anderson’s game has some similarities to Cronulla and former New South Wales State of Origin front row Andrew Fifita. Both have running styles that are difficult for defences to address due to the constant movement and momentum and directional changes as well as knees and elbows moving in unique directions and both are tough, hard and aggressive in all aspects of their game.

mdrew

02-12-19, 05:57 PM

Lachlan Turnbull. The outstanding young hooker originally from Ipswich has been a great addition to the Burleigh Bears 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts squad making an immediate impression in his first game being Round Five against Souths Logan when he started at hooker and scored in his first match in Burleigh’s maroon and white.

Lachlan Turnbull also started at hooker in Round Six for Burleigh the following week in their big 50 – 20 win against Wynnum Manly with Lachlan Turnbull making it two tries from as many matches when he scored in the 21st minute of the first half and also kicked seven conversions from nine attempts to finish the match with an individual points tally of eighteen points.

Round Eight against the Western Mustangs saw Lachlan Turnbull starring once again for the Bears scoring a double and kicking four goals as Burleigh ran riot to win 52 – 10. Both of Lachlan Turnbull’s two tries were typical Lachlan Turnbull tries .

From a quick play the ball close to the Western Mustangs try line, Lachlan Turnbull exploded out of dummy half to his left and simply was too quick for the Mustangs defence to have any chance of stopping for his first try and in relation to his second he ran out of dummy half to his right.

Round Nine saw Lachlan Turnbull once again in the points, when he kicked six from eight attempts as Burleigh defeated Redcliffe 50 – 6.

In Round Ten against the Northern Pride Lachlan Turnbull kicked three more goals and kicked two goals in Round Eleven against Central Queensland and in Round Twelve against the Sunshine Coast including a penalty goal in the 59th minute that tied the scores at 22 all.

Lachlan Turnbull also scored in Round Seventeen against Tweed Heads when he ran down a short blind side twenty metres out from the Tweed Heads line. As he took off to his right with the ball in both hands, it looked like he was going to pass but instead, Lachlan Turnbull sprinted through the resultant gap to score out wide untouched near the right corner flag leaving a disorganised defensive line behind him.

In Round Twenty against the Western Mustangs, Lachlan Turnbull added a try assist to his body of work in 2019. Late in the match with Burleigh on the attack, Lachlan Turnbull took off out of dummy half to the right of the play the ball perpendicular to the defensive line and brought Burleigh front rower Larryon Tevita underneath him for the front rower to crash over.

Lachlan Turnbull was credited with another try assist in Round Twenty One against the Northern Pride. The try assist was in fact almost identical to his one in Round Twenty, Lachlan Turnbull took off out of dummy half to the right of the play the ball perpendicular to the defensive line and brought lock Lochlyn Sheldon underneath him for him to crash over.

After a number of matches where he was the creator, Lachlan Turnbull scored himself in Round Twenty Two against the Sunshine Coast Falcons as well as kicking a conversion. Close to the Falcons line, Lachlan Turnbull took off out of dummy half to his right and dummied one or twice to Like Maiden who was running a crash line and then as the defence focussed on Maiden, Lachlan Turnbull took the opportunity to dive over.

Lachlan Turnbull was one of Burleigh try scorers in their Week One Hastings Deering’s Colts Major Semi-final loss to Wynnum Manly. Lachlan Turnbull scored when he chased through an attacking kick but five eight Shallin Fuller to scored adjacent to the right upright.

In Week Two of the Finals Lachlan Turnbull started at hooker in Burleigh’s 42 – 12 win against Norths.

Lachlan Turnbull’s 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts season came to an end when he started at hooker for Burleigh as they went down 23 – 16 to Sunshine Coast in the Preliminary Final.

In total in the 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition Lachlan Turnbull played in eighteen matches for Burleigh including their three finals starting all at hooker, scoring 110 points from seven tries and forty one goals with the tries noted in the above paragraphs.

When Lachlan Turnbull came into the Burleigh side he immediately became their primary goal kicker but towards the end of the season Lachlan Turnbull shared the goal kicking duties with Jayden Campbell.

In the 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts Player of the Year Award tally Lachlan Turnbull finished with four votes.

Lachlan Turnbull came to Burleigh after an outstanding 2018 season for the Ipswich Jets that saw him play in both the MM Cup and Hastings Deering’s Colts competitions for the Jets. In fact Lachlan Turnbull finished third in the 2018 MM Cup Player of the Year voting just behind now Brisbane Broncos NRL player David Fifita.

Lachlan Turnbull started in all six of Ipswich’s 2018 MM Cup matches at hooker, scoring three tries and kicking six goals to finish the competition with twenty four points.

Lachlan Turnbull’s tries came in Round Two against Townsville, Round Four against Wynnum Manly and Round Seven against the Sunshine Coast Falcons. With the boot Lachlan Turnbull kicked four goals in a Round Three match against the Western Mustangs and kicked his other two goals in Round Six against the Mackay Cutters.

Against Townsville in Round Two Lachlan Turnbull scooted out of dummy half to his right, dummied and then stepped back to the left and break the defensive line and score under the posts. Lachlan Turnbull’s try was as a result of a hard straight run. Ipswich had the ball about five metres out from the Wynnum try line, Lachlan Turnbull took the ball off the dummy half on the right side of the field and crashed over adjacent to the right upright.

Lachlan Turnbull’s try against Sunshine Coast in Round Seven highlights his game to a tee, with Ipswich attacking close to the Falcons line, Lachlan Turnbull darted out of dummy half down a short blind side and ran at the line with the ball out in front of his body in both hands which put the defensive on the back foot, he then used his outstanding speed to slide between two defenders to score near the right corner from close range.

In the 2018 MM Cup competition, Lachlan Turnbull had multiple try assists including one memorable one when he ran out of dummy half against the Western Mustangs and after a forty metre run, drew the fullback for his half back to score a long range try.

Upon completion of the 2018 MM Cup competition, Lachlan Turnbull moved directly to the Ipswich Jets Colts side playing his first match in that Division in Round Ten against Tweed Heads scoring a try and kicking three goals on debut. Like in all of his Colts matches for the Jets in 2018 Lachlan Turnbull started the match in the second row.

Lachlan Turnbull’s debut Colts try in 2018 came when he followed through a short chip kick and got to the ball first to score under the posts.

In total in the 2018 Colts competition, Lachlan Turnbull played in twelve matches scoring fifty points from five tries and fifteen goals.

In addition to his try on debut in Round Ten, Lachlan Turnbull scored a double in Round Twenty One against Sunshine Coast and also scored in Rounds Eleven and Twenty Two against Norths and Central Queensland respectively.

Lachlan Turnbull’s Round Eleven try against Norths was like his debut try against Tweed Heads one where he chased through an attacking grubber kick to score close to the right upright. On both occasions Lachlan Turnbull was not the favourite to get to the ball first but he just wanted it more than his opposition.

Also in the 2018 Colts competition, Lachlan Turnbull had an outstanding match against the Western Mustangs recording two try assists. For the first Lachlan Turnbull broke through the defensive line running from dummy half before off-loading under pressure. His second try assist against the Western Mustangs was even more impressive.

The Western Mustangs fullback put up a mid-field bomb, kicking it from his own 40 metre line, Lachlan Turnbull ran back with the flight of the ball and after taking the ball on the full, spun around breaking three or four tackles of the Western Mustangs chasers, before drawing the fullback to put his winger away for a spectacular try.

With the boot Lachlan Turnbull kicked three goals in a match on three occasions being his debut in Round Ten, in Round Thirteen against Burleigh and in Round Seventeen against the Mackay Cutters.

From an attacking stand point, Lachlan Turnbull has solid distribution skills in relation to his passing skills to either side of his body and uses a solid, repeatable passing technique to ensure consistency, thus enabling his forwards and play makers have confidence that his passes will find the mark with the appropriate velocity attached on every occasion.

From a speed perspective I would consider that his speed when running out of dummy half is above average for a hooker, but plays faster as he has become adept at running at the right time and focusses heavily when the markers are out of position, thus Lachlan Turnbull either makes ground putting his team on the front foot or draws a penalty, in both scenario’s he generates momentum for his side through the skill and intelligence he has.

The impressive thing about when Lachlan Turnbull runs out of dummy half is the fact that he does not run to the same side all of the time, he will make a judgement on where the defence is the weakest and respond accordingly as was evidence in Round Nine of the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition this season when he scored tries by running on both sides of the ruck.

From a defensive perspective Lachlan Turnbull is a very solid tackler who makes good initial contact and is able to generate momentum through his core and drive into his opponent with enough force to redirect the momentum of the ball carrier. He has both a solid low tackling technique as well as having the functional strength to make ball and all tackles effectively against the biggest of forwards looking to target him in the defensive line.

Lachlan Turnbull is also very quick out of the marker position and will get to forwards how are running one out before they can generate any momentum. In short he defends like a backrower and certainly if he finds himself on the fringes of the ruck, Lachlan Turnbull has the lateral movement and anticipation to also defend against smaller quicker halves looking to exploit a perceived speed advantage.

Lachlan Turnbull also has an intensity about his play which cannot be coached, one example is his chasing of kicks, in addition to his two tries in 2018 from chasing attacking kicks, Lachlan Turnbull is also always the first defender down field in relation to tactical kicking, and against Norths in the 2018 Colts competition somehow managed to get to the Norths winger and tackle him in the in goal when the winger seemed to have a lot of time to get to the ball and get into the field of play.

Lachlan Turnbull is also able to combine his intensity with intelligence. On two occasions in 2018 being against Tweed Heads and Wynnum Manly Lachlan Turnbull took short kick-offs retrieving both and then on both occasions made substantial ground.

I am not talking about high short kick off towards the touch line in my examples, I am talking about situations where Lachlan Turnbull has identified that the defence has switched off in the middle of the field and after identifying this he has grubbered the ball to just over the ten metre line and retrieving it.

To add to his impressive skill repertoire Lachlan Turnbull is also an outstanding kicker of the ball both in terms of goal kicking as was evidenced by him kicking seven from nine in Round Six of the 2019 Colts competition and also from a tactical kicking perspective.

In 2018 Lachlan Turnbull kicked two forty twenties with those coming against The Western Mustangs and Townsville Blackhawks. On both occasions Lachlan Turnbull stepped out from dummy half to his right and off one step gut impressive length and direction on his kicks.

Lachlan Turnbull will play the 2020 season for Burleigh in the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition and for me Lachlan Turnbull is a real chance to break into the Queensland Cup competition in early 2020 and by 2021 season’s end even possibly the NRL such is his skill level, intensity and will to succeed.

Lachlan Turnbull has been outstanding to date in 2019 in the dummy half role for the Burleigh U20 Hastings Deering’s Colts side and with his speed out of dummy half and his aggressive nature, hooker is his ideal position moving forward. Lachlan Turnbull is Colts eligible once again in 2020.

For completeness however it should be noted that Lachlan Turnbull has spent a fair bit of time in the second row as early as last season when playing for the Ipswich Jets in the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition.

Lachlan Turnbull with his speed out of dummy half and his ability to make the right decision in terms of when to run and when to pass reminds me of South Sydney and New South Wales State of Origin hooker Damien Cook, although Lachlan Turnbull has a bigger body shape and thus more power in his game than Cook but probably a touch less speed off the mark.

Both Cook and Lachlan Turnbull however have the ability to change the game in a heartbeat with a decisive run out of dummy half whether that be to run themselves or to seek to pass to a support player running onto a gap which significantly alters the games momentum.

The Mole

03-12-19, 02:33 AM

Hey mdrew do you know what the club's plan for Ioane Seiuli is? He started off in the backs with tweed and was going great there imo. He was equally as impressive when he moved to second row and while that may be the position he'll end up growing into eventually I really hope he's considered a wing option to partner Sami in 2020. I think he has all the makings of a big strong modern winger.
He offers something we've been lacking for a while and definitely has the talent for it.
Maybe you don't know what position he'll primarily play as well but I figured if anyone knew on this forum it'd be you. I'm sure I said before that the club should just copy and paste your detailed write ups on their website and pay you royalties for it haha.

Anyway I'd been keen to know if you have an answer as well as what your opinion is of him playing wing in first grade thanks.

mdrew

03-12-19, 05:36 PM

Hi mate, Ioane Seuili’s ultimate position is an interesting one.

Prior to this season I certainly was of the opinion that he would be a centre long term and he had some more than impressive matches for Tweed Heads at left centre and right wing, including outstanding matches at left centre in Rounds Six, Seven and Nine against Mackay, Redcliffe and Norths and probably his best match in 2019 being Round Twelve against Souths Logan when he scored his career first Queensland Cup try.

I can relate when you say that Ioane Seuili would provide something in the NRL for the Titans on the wing and I believe that you are correct. He could certainly play a role similar to what Corey Oates plays for the Broncos and his experience for Tweed Heads on the right wing this season and further back at fullback for Souths Logan in the Cyril Connell Cup would hold him in good stead both defensively and defending against kicks.

In saying that however, I was really impressed with Ioane Seuili when he moved to the second row for Tweed Heads in Round Twenty against Ipswich and beyond until his shoulder injury brought his season to an end Week One of the Finals against Redcliffe when he was having a barnstorming match scoring Tweed Heads opening two tries. Probably his best match in the second row was in Round Twenty Two against Souths Logan his former club, he obviously likes playing them.

It will be interesting to see where Ioane Seuili plays in the NRL trials in 2020 as that will be a signpost to what the Titans are thinking, my gut feeling is second row but who knows.

I have been to a few NRL sessions this off season and Ioane Seuili certainly looks fit and strong and is set for a big 2020. I am going to go out on a limb and say that Ioane Seuili will make his NRL debut before the 2020 NRL season runs its course.

You are absolutely correct when you say that Ioane Seuili had a big 2019, for the sake of completeness Ioane Seuili actually made his Queensland Cup debut when he was still U18 eligible in 2018 for Souths Logan against Redcliffe in Round 18 when he started on the wing.

In total in the Queensland Cup in 2019, Ioane Seuili played in twenty Three matches for Tweed Heads playing 1 753 minutes out of a possible 1 840 being 95.27%. Ioane Seuili played the entire eighty minutes on nineteen occasions including one second row start.

In his twenty three matches, Ioane Seuili scored nine tries, ran for 2 329 metres, had five try assists, broke fifty four tackles, broke the line on twelve occasions, made 221 tackles at a tackling efficiency of 74.9% and impressively his tackling efficiency increased when he moved into the second row.

Ioane Seuili’s 2019 Queensland Cup per game averages included playing 76.22 minutes, running for 101.3 metres and making 9.61 tackles.

To add to his 2019 season Ioane Seuili was named in the New Zealand U19 side to play the Australian School boys on the Queensland Cup Grand Final day at Redcliffe Oval, but his shoulder injury forced his withdrawal prior to the match.

It should also be noted that Ioane Seuili is a former Ormeau Shearers junior and that makes him a local junior in my eyes.

The most impressive thing for me when I was reading your thoughts mate and responding was that Ioane Seuili is still U20 eligible in 2020!!!

Hey mdrew do you know what the club's plan for Ioane Seiuli is? He started off in the backs with tweed and was going great there imo. He was equally as impressive when he moved to second row and while that may be the position he'll end up growing into eventually I really hope he's considered a wing option to partner Sami in 2020. I think he has all the makings of a big strong modern winger.
He offers something we've been lacking for a while and definitely has the talent for it.
Maybe you don't know what position he'll primarily play as well but I figured if anyone knew on this forum it'd be you. I'm sure I said before that the club should just copy and paste your detailed write ups on their website and pay you royalties for it haha.

Anyway I'd been keen to know if you have an answer as well as what your opinion is of him playing wing in first grade thanks.

mdrew

03-12-19, 09:09 PM

Troy Duckett. The flying Titans linked youngster moved up to the Gold Coast from Coffs Harbour midway through the 2018 season and made an immediate impact in the GCRL U16 Division One competition for Currumbin and as a result was selected in the Tweed Seagulls MM Cup squad for the 2019 season.

In Round One of the 2019 MM Cup season Troy Duckett started on the left wing for the Tweed Heads Seagulls as they defeated the Western Mustangs 18 – 14.

In total in the 2019 MM Cup competition, Troy Duckett played in all nine of Tweed Heads matches starting all on the right wing bar one including their semi-final victory over Souths Logan. In Round Five against Wynnum Manly Troy Duckett made his sole start away from the right wing when he started at fullback.

Troy Duckett also started both the Queensland MM Cup Grand Final against Wynnum Manly and the National U18 Grand Final against the Illawarra Steelers on the right wing coming out on the winning side in both matches.

In the National Final (Tweed Heads won 48 – 14) Troy Duckett played the entire seventy minutes running for sixty five metres (eighteen post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 3.78 seconds and made four tackles at an 80% tackling efficiency.

Troy Duckett made his club rugby league debut in Round Eight of the GCRL U18 Division One competition starting at fullback and scoring as his Currumbin side defeated Helensvale 16 – 10. Troy Duckett moved to the wing for the next two rounds adding his second try of the season in Round Ten against Bilambil.

In total in the 2019 GCRL U18 Division One regular season competition Troy Duckett played in five matches scoring the a fore mentioned two tries.

Troy Duckett was also part of the PBC Open A rugby league side in 2019 including starting on the left wing in the Langer Cup derby against Keebra Park in June.

Troy Duckett also started on the right wing for PBC in their heart breaking Gold Point GIO Cup Queensland semi-final 23 – 22 loss to Marsden State High School and came close to scoring the first try of the match but he was unable to ground the ball after suffering a horror bounce in the right corner after a Toby Sexton kick.

In late September Troy Duckett was named in the Tweed Heads Seagulls 2020 MM Cup squad for the second season in a row.

2019 also saw Troy Duckett take part in the 2019 Koori Knockout Rugby League Championships held in Tuggerah on the Central Coast of NSW, playing in the U17 Division for the Kempsey Sharks team.

Playing at fullback Troy Duckett had a successful first day with Kempsey who defeated both Koori Brothers United 28 - 0 and 2829 CAB Next Gen Coonamble 24 - 0 and progress to the semi-finals. In the semi-final Kempsey were up against previously undefeated Wijadjuri United, but were successful once again winning 20 - 12 to progress the Grand Final.

In the Grand Final Kempsey upset the Western Koori Eels side 12-10 to become 2019 Under 17s Koori Knockout Champions.
In late 2018 Troy Duckett started in the centres for the Titans U16 side and scored a hat trick as the Titans defeated PNG 60 – 10 with the youngster running rampant is slippery conditions at Pizzey Park.

Troy Duckett started the 2018 season as part of the North Coast U16 Andrew Johns Cup side, playing in three matches in that competition, starting each at fullback with those matches coming against Central Coast, Northern Rivers and the Newcastle Knights Development Squad.

In the GCRL U16 Division One competition with Currumbin playing a total of twelve matches including finals matches and scoring nine tries. Troy Duckett scored doubles against Southport on two separate occasions and also against Burleigh. Troy Duckett’s other three tries came against Mudgeeraba in two separate matches and Runaway Bay.

Earlier this season Troy Duckett started on the bench for the New South Wales U16 Kurri side in their annual match against Queensland Murri with Queensland prevailing on that occasion.

In 2017 Troy Duckett represented Group Two at the U15 level playing three matches and scoring against Group 21.

From a running perspective, Troy Duckett just seems to glide across the field and it appears effortless, no matter who is chasing him, they will not catch Troy Duckett, I am talking James Roberts type of pace but he has a much more effortless running style to that of the current Brisbane Bronco.

Troy Duckett does not necessarily have a side step per say, it is more of a swerve and he has a number of variations, with the scary part being that there is absolutely no loss of speed at all, making him incredibly difficult to stop when he is in open space and is moving towards a fullback who is near stationary.

Troy Duckett’s passing skills are also developing into those of the highest quality, he can pass equally well from either side of his body and can throw every type of pass imaginable, he can chime into a back line at full pace and then decelerate quickly to maintain his balance a pop a good short ball to his supports, he can throw a great spiral pass to his backline or he can quickly anticipate the numbers a throw a great cut out pass to exploit over laps.

Defensively Troy Duckett also stands out, with his closing speed and recovery speed he makes an impact on that side of the ball as well. With his speed, Troy Duckett has the luxury of being able to stand a touch deeper than some fullbacks yet still be able to close quickly to negate breaks by reducing the decision making time of the attacking player.

Similar to the attributes that make Troy Duckett such an effective defender, Troy Duckett is as you would expect a great returner of the ball. His sense of timing, speed and anticipation means that he gets to a lot of kicks on the full and then accelerates looking to exploit any gaps on the kick chase.

Troy Duckett exceptional lateral movement and sure hands means that he is a danger to make a large amount of ground from short attacking kicks by the opposition as he comes forward at full speed and retrieves with absolutely no loss of momentum and then will surprise the attacking team well before they can reorganise the defensive line.

Troy Duckett will be part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad in 2020 and post that competition will play for the Currumbin Eagles in the Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition. It also would not surprise if Troy Duckett found himself in the Tweed Heads Seagulls Hastings Deering’s Colts side on a number of occasions as the 2020 season progresses.

Prior to moving to the Gold Coast Troy Duckett spent a lot of time at fullback but played some matches for Currumbin on the wing post his arrival as well as one game in the MM Cup with Tweed Heads. I will admit that with his speed and guile I think that Troy Duckett has an opportunity to play at fullback in the long term even though there is no doubt he would make a more than solid try scoring winger.

The play of Troy Duckett reminds me of how former Titan Kevin Gordon played when he first came into first grade and was able to exploit his speed advantage over the opposition before injuries cruelled his career and forced his early retirement

mdrew

04-12-19, 04:45 PM

Keenan Palasia. (Revised)The young former Titans junior and PBC student spent the 2015 to 2017 (NYC) and then 2019 seasons with the Brisbane Broncos and in 2017 was a solid member of their forward pack which played so well throughout the season including deep in the finals series.

On a disappointing note, Keenan Palasia did an ACL last week and has already undergone surgery and will likely be out for most if not the entire 2020 season.

Keenan Palasia was a Titans junior through to 17 years old including captaining Gold Coast White in the CC Cup a number of seasons ago before its demise.

Keenan Palasia made his NRL debut in 2019 for the Broncos when he came off the bench in Round Sixteen against Cronulla playing twenty eight minutes, running for thirty seven metres (twelve post contact) and made seven tackles at a100% tackling efficiency).

Keenan Palasia’s second career NRL was against the Titans in Round Nineteen when he once again came off the bench playing twenty six minutes. In that time he ran for forty two metres (twelve post contact) and made eight tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

In the Queensland Cup for Wynnum Manly in 2019 Keenan Palasia played in twenty five matches, starting seven in the second row, two in the front row, five from the interchange and eleven at lock, scoring in Round Five against Tweed Heads and Round Eighteen against the Mackay Cutters.

In his twenty five matches Keenan Palasia ran for 2 693 metres, had fourteen offloads, broke three tackles, had a line break assist and made 514 tackles at an 84.6% tackling efficiency.

On thirteen occasions Keenan Palasia ran for in excess of 100 metres including 187 metres in Round Twenty Six against the Townsville Blackhawks and 163 metres in Round Six against Burleigh.

In sixteen matches in 2019 Keenan Palasia made more than twenty tackles in a match including thirty one tackles in Round Twenty Two against Townsville.

In 2018 Keenan Palasia has joined the Wynnum Manly Seagulls and split his time between the Queensland Cup and the Brisbane A Grade competition with the Seagulls.

In the 2018 Queensland Cup competition Keenan Palasia played in twelve matches alternating between starting and coming off the bench. In those matches he ran for 1 064 metres at an average of 88.69 metres per game and made 212 tackles at an average of 17.67 per match and a tackling efficiency of 88.33%.

In 2017 Keenan Palasia represented the U20 Queensland side alongside four Titans played in their annual clash against the New South Wales. In 2015 Keenan Palasia started from the bench for the Queensland U18 side against New South Wales U18’s.

In 2017 for the Brisbane Broncos Keenan Palasia played in sixteen NYC matches including starting eleven in the second row two in the front row and three from the interchange bench. Keenan Palasia played in all of the Broncos matches to and including Round Nineteen against the Newcastle Knights and scored five tries.

Keenan Palasia’s tries came in Round two against Cronulla, Round Eight against the Rabbitohs, Round Eleven against the Wests Tigers, Round Sixteen against the Raiders and Round Seventeen against the Melbourne Storm.

The 192 cm 110 kg Keenan Palasia’s 2017 NYC per game season averages included 103 running metres on 10.5 hit ups and 24.5 tackles (tackling efficiency of 90%)in 55 minutes. In total Keenan Palasia ran for 1 651 metres from 169 hit ups, made five line breaks, eighteen off loads and 391 tackles. On nine occasions Keenan Palasia played all eighty minutes in a match including a seven match stretch from Round Eight against the Rabbitohs to Round Sixteen against the Raiders.

On nine occasions Keenan Palasia ran for in excess of 100 metres including Round Eighteen against the Storm when he ran for 160 metres and on twelve occasions he made in excess of twenty tackles in a match including making 36 in a Round Ten match against Manly.

When contracted to the Titans Keegan Palasia played the 2013 season in the CC Cup competition for Gold Coast Green, captaining the side and scoring two tries and in 2014 he played in the MM Cup competition for Gold Coast Green scoring a try on the season.

Keenan Palasia runs exceptionally hard and there is little subtlety to his running, it is straight and hard and another positive is that he will not just run upright, he will drop his should into the defender making it difficult if not impossible for him to be stopped easily or by a single defender. His running style means that he throws self-preservation out of the window, and fires up his team mates with his charges at full speed into a set forward defensive line.

Keenan Palasia will on occasion take advantage of slow defenders by angling back behind the play the ball, but outside of that he just flat out runs full throttle every time he touches the ball and runs fast and will fight for a quick play the ball every time.

If anything Keenan Palasia is more effective in the second half of games where his running style begins to wear down the opposition. Keenan Palasia runs very much front on and perpendicular to the defensive line and uses his strong lower body to power through tackles.

With the power that he has in his legs when opposing defenders try to tackle him around the legs, it is almost impossible for them to bring Keenan Palasia down quickly which enables him to either break the tackle completely or to off load to his support runners as he pushes through the defensive line. When they look to tackle him around the chest Keenan Palasia’s upper body strength enables him to absorb the initial contact and also to maintain his balance and momentum.

Defensively Keenan Palasia is able to engage and defeat opposing attacker one on one regardless of size. He does not just charge up trying to hit attacker’s chest on but Keenan Palasia is clinical about how and where he hits the opponent and sets a solid base with his legs and drives directly into their body. In short Keenan Palasia is a difference marker with his defence.

Even though Keenan Palasia does not necessary have great straight speed, his lateral movement is very good and on the majority of occasions is able to mirror the movement of smaller attacker looking to exploit a perceived speed and/or mobility difference.

Keenan Palasia defends in the centre of the ruck and is best suited in the long run defending there and adds a degree of intimidation to any forward pack he plays for. Like with his attack his functional strength and his height with its associated leverage benefits aids his defensive game by being able to generate leverage in his tackles and he can therefore quickly get the attacker off balance.

Keenan Palasia is currently contracted to the Brisbane Broncos for the 2020 NRL season but post that it wold be great to bring the young man back to the Gold Coast where he would certainly add to the Titans NRL forward stocks.

Unfortunately Keenan Palasia recently ruptured his ACL and likely will be out of action for the entire 2020 season.

In terms of position, Keenan Palasia has the size and power to be a key contributor in the front row for a team but also shows enough speed and skill not to be purely just a battering ram but a front rower who can create opportunities on the fringes of the ruck and create opportunities for his team overall both in attack and defence.

Keenan Palasia has benefitted greatly from being part of the Broncos NRL squad where he has been able to hone his skills and continue to get stronger and certainly has the potential to be a solid contributor at the NRL level in a couple of seasons once he recovers from his ACL injury.

Cronulla Sharks front rower Ava Seumanu***a for me has a similar playing style to that of Keenan Palasia, both are big strong powerful front rowers who are slowly but surely building up their strength, power and stamina to push themselves further into NRL calculations in the front row in coming seasons.

mdrew

05-12-19, 01:34 AM

Emery Pere. The giant Huntly New Zealand born 21 year old youngster is currently contracted to the North Queensland Cowboys and played the 2019 season for the Northern Pride in the Queensland Cup.

Emery Pere is a former Titans Junior Development Squad member and a three year First XV standout No. 8 for TSS in the GPS School Boy rugby competition where he played alongside Titans NRL Top 30 contracted Jai Whitbread.

I appreciate that there were some issues between Emery Pere and the Titans but that was under the previous regime and it would certainly benefit the Titans to bring this beast of a young man back into the Titans fold.

After playing the 2018 Queensland Cup season with the Northern Pride Emery Pere played the 2019 season with the Mackay Cutters. Emery Pere played in twenty two matches for the Cutters starting twenty one in the front row and one bring Round Six against Wynnum Manly.

In his twenty two matches Emery Pere scored against Souths Logan in Rounds Two and Fifteen, Round Nine against the Northern Pride and in Round Twenty Two against the Ipswich Jets.

In total in the 2019 Queensland Cup competition Emery Pere ran for 2 019 metres (714.6 post contact), broke sixty four tackles, made three line breaks, offloaded on sixteen occasions and made 433 tackles at an 87% tackling efficiency. Emery Pere’s 2019 per game averages included running for 91.8 metres and making 19.68 tackles.

On six occasions Emery Pere ran for in excess of 100 metres including a 163 metre effort in Round Sixteen against the Townsville Blackhawks and on nine occasion he made more than twenty tackles including making twenty five tackles in Round Eighteen against Wynnum Manly.

After an outstanding career for the Cowboys in the 2017 NYC competition, Emery Pere in 2018 graduated to the Queensland Cup with the Northern Pride. In total in the 2018 Queensland Cup season, Emery Pere played in twenty four matches, running for 1 775 metres (165 post contact), broke forty six tackles, offloaded the ball on eight occasions and made 452 tackles at a tackling efficiency of 89.15%.

Emery Pere’s junior rugby league career was nothing short of outstanding including being named as the U14 Queensland Player of eth Carnival and he also represented South Coast at the school boy level and Gold Coast in the MM and MM competitions before heading to North Queensland. In his first season Emery Pere represented the Townsville Blackhawks MM Cup side that won the competition and then was part of their MM side that played Parramatta in the National U18 final prior to making his NYC debut the same season.

In relation to School Boy rugby Emery Pere played three seasons in the TSS First XV which is no mean feat and in almost every match was as near to unstoppable as you can get. It was in the crowd at TSS First XV matches that I first heard the phrase “beast mode” linked to Emery Pere. It was accurate back then and before his career is done, it will be said a lot more times by people who are watching him play.

Emery Pere is a big powerful young man who whilst using his size to his advantage by running hard and straight, he does have quite decent footwork prior to the defensive line, which he uses to cut back behind the play the ball to take advantage of defenders who are slow to get back into the defensive line.

Where Emery Pere’s game has really developed over the last couple of seasons his ability to play wider of the ruck, which is where he is primarily playing for the Northern Pride this season. With his size and strength wider of the ruck Emery Pere attracts defenders and thus is in a position to use his ball skills to set up his outside supports early in a match. When defences start to try to anticipate that Emery Pere is going to pass then he can use his size and power to cash through the defensive lien as no defender is going to be able to handle him one on one by themselves.

In defence Emery Pere uses his size and strength to make very solid initial contact and certainly can take on all opposing forwards one on one. Emery Pere is not adverse to looking for the big hit but does have a good front on defensive technique, maintaining decent leverage and reasonable agility and lateral movement when looking to tackle smaller opponents on the edge of the ruck, although clearly he is more effective in the centre of the ruck, as most front rowers are.

It is also clear from how his team mates respond to him that Emery Pere is a leader on the field.

Emery Pere’s NRL contract with the North Queensland Cowboys expires at the conclusion of the 2020 season, a season in which he may just make his NRL debut.

If everything comes together for Emery Pere is potential is almost limitless and he can dominate games both from an attacking perspective and a defensive one.

At an imposing 195cm and 107kg Emery Pere is the ideal size for a rugby league second rower, although I appreciate that he has played the majority of his forty six games in his Queensland Cup career to date in the front row, but it is his above average speed for his size, and undoubted strength and physical nature that screams that he can be a dominant player at the NRL level.

Emery Pere reminds me of St George Dragon’s and New South Wales State of Origin aggressive second rower Tariq Sims. Like Sims, Emery Pere is a giant of a man and plays with more than a touch of aggression and makes sure everyone on the opposition knows that he is on the field especially defensively.

Also like Sims, Emery Pere has occasions when he sails a bit close to the line from an aggression perspective, but age and maturity has worked to temper that for Sims and there is no reason to suggest that the same will not apply to Emery Pere in due course.

The first time that I saw Emery Pere play in a Titans jersey was in a Titans U13 Development Squad match at Richlands in Brisbane seven or eight years ago now. That day he tore his older opposition to shreds it would be great to see him back in a Titans jersey doing the same once again. Hey dreaming is free!

mdrew

05-12-19, 05:12 PM

Tyrese Walker. (Revised) The young half or five eight started for the Titans U18 side against a PNG U18 side at Pizzey Park late in 2018.

This season Tyrese Walker played for Burleigh in the GCRL U18 Division One competition, playing his first match of the competition on the bench before coming into the starting side at half back in Round Five against Southport.

In total in the GCRL U18 Division One regular season competition for Burleigh, Tyrese Walker played in ten matches scoring four tries including a try in Rounds Seven and Eleven against Runaway Bay, Round Twelve against Helensvale and a try and two goals in Round Fourteen against Mudgeeraba to finish the U18 Division One regular season with twenty points.

Tyrese Walker started at five eight for Burleigh in their 34 -4 U18 Division One Week Two Finals victory over Southport 34 – 4 to progress directly to the Grand Final.

Tyrese Walker came off the bench in the second half, spending time in the halves and operating primarily on the right as Burleigh defeated Southport 28 – 12 in the U18 Division One Grand Final.

Tyrese Walker made his 2019 GCRL U20 debut in Round Ten from the bench for Burleigh as they defeated Southport 26 – 22 celebrating the occasion by scoring in the Bears win. Tyrese Walker scored his second ty of the season in the U20 competition in Round Eleven against Southport and also scored in Rounds Fourteen against Helensvale and Seventeen against Mudgeeraba.

His Round Eleven try was an impressive solo effort. Tyrese Walker received the ball playing on the right about thirty five metres out from the Southport line, dummying both inside and outside and breaking two tackles before rounding the fullback to score under the posts.

I note above that Tyrese Walker’s Round Eleven try was an outstanding individual effort but his try in Round Fourteen against Helensvale was even better. Tyrese Walker received the ball twenty metres out from his own try line on the right side of the field. After splitting the defence when he charged through a gap between two defenders, Tyrese Walker beat the Helensvale fullback with a deft right foot step before outpacing the cover defence.

Tyrese Walker’s Round Seventeen was also a good individual effort. He received the ball on the left of the ruck around twenty metres out. After engaging the line, Tyrese Walker bumped off the first defender before pushing through a gap to his right and then scoring to the left of the uprights under pressure from the Mudgeeraba fullback.

Tyrese Walker scored again in Round Eighteen of the GCRL U20 competition when he provided another sole effort taking the ball to the line and defeating the immediate defender himself with a strong right arm palm before crossing from around twelve metres out.

Tyrese Walker was also heavily involved in the ty scored by Burleigh right second rower Jock Sullivan. The ball initially went to the left side of the field but some good interplay between Burleigh half Blake Leary and Tyrese Walker meant the ball quickly came back to the right with Tyrese Walker sending a pass to his right to find Jock Sullivan running in a hole in the Southport defensive line.

In total in the GCRL U20 regular season competition for Burleigh, Tyrese Walker played in six matches scoring five tries for a strike rate of 83.33% with details of the tries noted above.

In Week One of the GCRL U20 Finals Series Tyrese Walker started at five eight and was one of Burleigh’s try scorers as they defeated Mudgeeraba 30 – 24 and has been the case on a number of occasions this season the try was a piece of individual brilliance from Tyrese Walker.

Tyrese Walker received the ball on the left of the play the ball dummying back on the inside before accelerating through a gap about twenty five metres out from the Mudgeeraba line. One of eh Mudgeeraba defenders had hold of his jersey with one hand but Tyrese Walker continued to pump his legs to break the grip and then he swerved to his left around the fullback to score adjacent to the left upright.

In the Gold Coast Rugby League U20 Grand Final Tyrese Walker started at five eight against Currumbin as Burleigh went down 14 - 6.

Tyrese Walker moved to the Gold Coast early in the 2018 season and played the 2018 season for the Burleigh Bears in the U19 Gold Coast Rugby League competition and through the regular season rounds finished as the leading try scorer in the competition with fourteen.

Tyrese Walker made his debut on the Gold Coast in Round Five of the 2018 season against the Currumbin Eagles when he started from the interchange bench but moved into the starting line-up at five eight in Round Six against Mudgeeraba.

Tyrese Walker played in eleven U19 regular season matches scoring fourteen tries for a strike rate of 127% whilst splitting his time between starting at five eight and in the centres for the Bears. Tyrese walker scored in his second U19 fixture which was in Round Six against Mudgeeraba and he has not stopped scoring ever since.

Tyrese Walker scored four tries to announce himself to the Gold Coast public in Round Seven against Beaudesert an scored a hat trick in late June against Beaudesert once again. Tyrese Walker scored a double in Round Fourteen against Helensvale and in that match also kicked four goals.

Tyrese Walker’s other tries have come against Helensvale, Southport and Ormeau and from late May to mid-July this year scored in every match that he was involved in including the seven tries in the two matches against Beaudesert.

In Week One of the GCRL U19 Finals series, Tyrese Walker started at five eight for Burleigh as they went down 32 – 26 to Mudgeeraba kicking a conversion in the hard fought loss.

As a 17 year old Tyrese Walker played the 2018 SG Ball season with the North Sydney Bears after playing for the Bears in the 2017 U16 Harold Matthews Cup competition.

For the Bears in the SG Ball competition, earlier this season, Tyrese Walker played in six matches scoring two tries which both came in Round Seven in a 26 – 12 loss to the Cronulla Sharks. Tyrese Walker came into the North Sydney Bears side in Round Two off the interchange bench against the Western Pirates. Tyrese Walker played five matches from the inter change bench but did start at half back in Round Five against Souths Sydney.

In the 2017 U16 Harrold Matthews Cup competition Tyrese Walker played in eight matches for Norths Sydney starting seven from the interchange bench. Tyrese Walker’s start was in Round Four against the Illawarra Steelers when he started at half back.

Tyrese Walker scored two tries in the 2017 U16 Harrold Matthews Cup competition with both tries coming in Round Five against the Canberra Raiders.

In 2017 in addition to playing in the Harold Matthews Cup competition for North Sydney, Tyrese Walker played club rugby league for the Asquith Magpies in the 2017 Sydney Northern U16 Silver competition. In that competition, Tyrese Walker scored an impressive fourteen tries from just sixteen matches. Tyrese Walker started the Grand Final at half back however Asquith lost 28 – 26 to the Mona Vale Raiders.

Tyrese Walker scored a hat trick against the Avalon Bulldogs in the Preliminary Final and earlier in the year scored a double against Five Docks RSL. The remainder of his tries came singularly in different games.

Tyrese Walker is quite an elusive runner of the ball and some good foot work in confined space. He will take on the line regularly and has a very good step off both feet but his left foot step seems to be the preferred step based on the games that I have seen at least. Tyrese Walker is always around the ball and thus is always available to back up a break by a forward or when they get their hands free.

His passing game is what I would consider a tough above average and he will drift across the field looking for runners to run into holes and has the ability to hold the defensive line in place as he develops the play in front of them, making to easier for his support runners to get a clear passage through the line, especially when a defender comes out of the line and commits to Tyrese Walker instead of maintaining the defensive lines integrity.

Tyrese Walker will also wait until the last possible moment to release the football. His best attribute in his passing game is the speed, timing and accuracy when he passes to his outside backs. He gets a very good spiral on the ball from both sides of his body and leads his outside attackers into the ball, enabling them to maintain the momentum of their run.

A key attribute to how Tyrese Walker plays is his ability to organise and direct his team around the field as well as adjusting his game to the specific situations within a game that he is confronted with.

Defensively Tyrese Walker has a real dig. Regardless of the size of the opponent running at him, he will get in front of him and make as hard contact as possible hold his ground waiting for help to arrive. When defending against players his own size, Tyrese Walker has no issuing handling them on a one on one basis.

Tyrese Walker has been an outstanding addition to the Gold Coast Rugby League ranks over the last two seasons and will play the 2020 season for the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts side and possibly even get a match or two for the Burleigh GCRL First Grade side. Tyrese Walker is also U20 Colts eligible in 2021.

I envisage that Tyrese Walker will play half back moving forward even though he will be able to fill in in other positions if the need arises, including five eight and hooker and possibly even centre or fullback.

With his skill set, it would be interesting to see how Tyrese Walker would go at hooker and fair or not shapes as a possible super sub type of player, who could came on either in the halves positions or as a back-up hooker and even fullback and provide a spark with his quickness intensity and enthusiasm regardless of position.

Tyrese Walker is no monster on the field and but is quick, tough, tricky and courageous. To that extent I can see similarities from a playing style perspective with former Titan and now New Zealand Warriors utility Karl Lawnton.

Both Tyrese Walker and Lawnton are nippy, competitive and combative players who can play a variety of positions and bring a deal of enthusiasm and hard work to their side.

Another player with similar attributes would be Titans interchange hooker Mitch Rein in terms of his immediate impact off the bench.

mdrew

06-12-19, 01:45 PM

Kayah Riggs-Noble. The big strong young 18 year old front rower came from the clouds a touch in 2018 not just breaking into the Coombabah State High Side but by seasons end being one of their better performers alongside Titan Carsil Vaikai. Kayah Riggs-Noble started for Coombabah in their 17 – 16 win over Marymount College to qualify for the Queensland GIO Cup quarter finals.

In 2019 Kayah Riggs-Noble played in three matches for Souths Logan in the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition, all off the bench with those matches being Rounds Nine, Fifteen and Twenty One against Sunshine Coast, the Mackay Cutters and Ipswich respectively.

In 2019 Kayah Riggs-Noble also played two matches for Mudgeeraba in the GCRL U18 Division One competition with those matches coming in consecutive mid-season rounds against Runaway Bay and Ormeau.

Kayah Riggs-Noble played the 2018 season with the Mudgeeraba Redbacks in the Gold Coast Rugby League U17 Division One competition, playing in five matches in that grade with those matches coming against Currumbin, Tweed Heads, Burleigh, Ormeau and Runaway Bay.

Kayah Riggs-Noble also played in one U19 GCRL match in 2018 that match occurring in Week Two of the Finals. Kayah Riggs-Noble started from the bench as Mudgeeraba were knocked as a result of a 54 – 26 loss to Bilambil.

Kayah Riggs-Noble also played one MM Cup match and one Hastings Deering’s Colts match in 2018. He made his MM Cup debit in Round Seven against Victoria from the bench and in an impressive feat for a 17 year old made his U20 Hastings Deering’s Colts debit in Round Twenty Four from the bench against the Easts Tigers in a big 52 – 12 win for Burleigh in the competitions final round.

Kayah Riggs-Noble is a powerful runner of the football, who knows only one way and that is straight ahead and can offload once he has impacted the defensive line or has crashed through it. There is no subtlety to his running, it is straight and hard and another positive is that he will not just run upright, he will drop his should into the defender making it difficult if not impossible for him to be stopped one on one.

Kayah Riggs-Noble does have quite foot speed when/if he gets into space, probably above average for a front rower but any tries that he scores will come as a result of power running close to the line, with the added benefit that if he does not crash over, Kayah Riggs-Noble will draw in the defence meaning that there will be space out wide for his side.

In defence Kayah Riggs-Noble uses his size and strength to make very solid initial contact and certainly can take on all opposing forwards one on one. Kayah Riggs-Noble has a good front on defensive technique, maintaining decent leverage when defending against opposing forwards and reasonable agility and lateral movement when looking to tackle smaller opponents on the edge of the ruck.

Kayah Riggs-Noble will play the 2020 season with Souths Logan in the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition and is Colts eligible also in 2021.

Kayah Riggs-Noble has played in the front row or lock for the majority of his rugby league career and exclusively there this season and on that basis I cannot see him moving from there into the future.

For me a solid NRL comparison for Kayah Riggs-Noble is current Brisbane Broncos and Queensland State of Origin’s Joe Ofahangue as a front rower who regularly crashes head long into the defensive line but does have some subtle footwork which seems to get largely over looked. As for that matter does his solid defensive technique.

Kayah Riggs-Noble has made rapid improvement over the last few seasons and I will be following him closely in coming years to see how his career progresses.

mdrew

07-12-19, 09:15 AM

Will Taylor. The young Titans linked hooker 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.

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.

Will Taylor is an extremely talented all round hooker, who excels at all three critical aspects of the modern day hooker, those being his distribution out of dummy half, selective running out of dummy half and defending in the centre of the ruck.

In terms of his distribution out of dummy half, Will Taylor is efficient in his passing and there is little wasted movement as he passes in one motion off the ground rather than two distinct movements like many hookers where they first stand then pass.

In the games that I have seen there is no discernible difference between his passing from either side of his body, and his passes are crisp and flat and also he can pass a reasonable distance off the ground when the first receiver is standing a little wider of the play the ball.

Where Will Taylor is also extremely effective is leading his forwards onto the ball, he passes in front of the forward ensuring no loss of momentum to the run. In short he is a very good game manager from the hooking position.

Where Will Taylor really stands out in terms of attacking play, is his speed out of dummy half, he is extremely quick and has exceptional footwork to take advantage of tiring forwards, using a step off both feet. He wins a lot of penalties by running at forwards who are offside, if the offside forward is called out of the play Will Taylor has the speed to break into open space and has the pace to make it difficult for the cover defence to get to him.

Around the try line Will Taylor is also very good at making the right decision whether the go himself for the try line or pass, where he gets down low and drives with his legs. Due to the pace that he plays the game at and his speed he is always available in terms of backing up in the centre of the ruck, when forwards get their arms free.

Will Taylor’s defence for a hooker is exceptional, for a smaller forward he is a hard hitter and can defend effectively one on one against far larger forwards, he sets a good base with his lower body and explodes upwards with his shoulders to drive opposing forwards backwards and is also very good at slowing the play the ball down.

Will Taylor‘s effort and intensity means that he will track the play across field and thus is in a good position when the ball is passed back inside. Will Taylor literally tackles everything that moves in the centre of the ruck.

Will Taylor will play the 2020 season with Bilambil in the Group 18 U16 competition and will also push for a spot in the U16 Andrew Johns Cup Northern Rivers Titans side. Will Taylor will also be part of the PBC rugby League Excellence Program once again in 2020 and thus will be involved in their multiple school boy rugby league competitions including the Langer Cup.

With his organisational skills and speed out of dummy half it is hard to envisage Will Taylor playing anywhere but hooker as his rugby league career progresses although I note that he performed well at five eight for PBC this season specifically in the victorious Hancock Cup side.

A current player with a similar playing style to Will Taylor for me is recently resigned Melbourne Storm NRL Top 30 squad member and 2019 Sunshine Coast Falcon Harry Grant, both have the talent, skill set and motivation to go a long way from a rugby league career perspective even though they are both very young and still learning their craft.

mdrew

07-12-19, 05:39 PM

Kaleb White. The talented young Titans linked fullback, winger or centre from the Runaway Bay Seagulls Junior Rugby League club on the Gold Coast started on the right wing for the Titans U16 side in their match against PNG at Pizzey Park in early October 2019.

Kaleb White was one of multiple Titans try scorers that Friday night when he came off his right wing about five metres out from the try line breaking one tackle before diving over in another tackle near the right corner.

In 2019 Kaleb White played for Runaway Bay in the GCRL U16 Division One competition, playing in eight matches and scoring seven tries to finish with a 87.5% strike rate. Impressively Kaleb White scored two hat tricks including in Round One against Mudgeeraba and later in the season against Southport. Kaleb White’s other try came against Southport in Round Two.

Kaleb White also played in one U18 Division Two match for Runaway Bay this season, with that match coming against Tugun in early August.

In early 2019 Kaleb White represented Gold Coast Vikings U16 Yellow in the South East Queensland U16 pre-season challenge including scoring against Ipswich.

Early in 2018 Kaleb White was selected in the centres for the South Coast U15 QSSRL side at the completion of a number hard fought trials. Kaleb White currently attends PBC and usually started in the centres for their 2018 Year Ten side in school boy competitions such as the Walters Cup.

Kaleb White started the 2018 season with Runaway Bay in the U15 Division One competition starting Round One at fullback in their big 54 – 2 win over Robina. In total in the 2018 U15 Division One competition, Kaleb White played in twelve matches scoring seven tries and kicking one goal which was kicked against Ormeau when he converted one of his three tries to finish the 2018 season with thirty points.

In addition to his Ormeau hat trick, Kaleb White also scored a double against Ormeau as well as a double against Coomera in 2018.

Over the course of the 2017 GCJRL season, Kaleb White represented Runaway Bay in both the U14 Division One and U15 Division Two competitions. In the U14 Division One competition, Kaleb White played in eleven matches scoring two tries (18% strike rate) which came against Ormeau and Burleigh playing primarily at fullback for the Seagulls.

Kaleb White had a 100% strike rate across his four matches in the 2017 GCJRL U15 Division Two competition, and scored doubles against Ormeau and Helensvale Green in games two and four of his four match stint.

Kaleb White is a smooth runner of the ball who seems to glide across the field effortlessly and certainly has an extra gear in relation to the speed he possesses as well as plus speed off the mark. When returning kicks, he has the ability to stand up his direct opposite and then beat him with pace on the outside, something that is becoming increasingly rare in the modern game.

The one thing Kaleb White also seems to be able to do well, is to step back inside without the loss of his speed or forward momentum, opposing defenders seem to push out quickly when he has the ball expecting him to look to beat them on their outside, if they come across to far, Kaleb White has a very good step back inside especially off his right foot when running to the left and if the inside defenders are not quick enough to cover across he has the speed to make a clean break in those circumstances.

Similarly when an opposing defender looks to come out of the line quickly to put pressure on him, Kaleb White’s quick twitch feet means that he can step off either foot quickly to negate the attempt to cut down his time. In short he is a very talented attacking player who looks to beat his opponent with speed and guile rather than purely by brute strength.

In addition Kaleb White also has the ball playing skills to set up his support runners and get them lines to run into when defenders came out of the line to negate his time with the ball in hand. He obviously was a key target for defences but Kaleb White understands that he cannot do it all himself and thus became adept at drawing defenders out of the line and putting his support runners into the subsequent hole.

In terms of running the ball back from kicks, his timing and anticipation means that he gets to a lot of balls on the full and makes a quick decision whether to run the ball flat out back into the oncoming defenders or look to create an opportunity by running across field.

In defence Kaleb White has good strength, and certainly looks to come forward to stop the attack before it has time to fully develop once a break has been made. Kaleb White also has the ability to show the attacker the sideline and is confident that his speed will enable him to get across to make the tackle which he invariably does.

Defensively if an attacker runs directly at him, Kaleb White will come forward to cut down the time the attacker has to make a decision and he will hit very hard. An impressive attribute that he does have he is ability to force attackers in the clear to try to beat him down the side line.

Kaleb White will stay inside the attacker and force him in the needed direction and then use his timing and anticipation to make the tackle, usually forcing the attacker into touch.

Kaleb White has played both fullback and centre in his junior rugby league career to date and even though I am sure that he could handle playing in the centres or on the wing, fullback seems to be his ideal position going forward.

Versatility is never a bad think in relation to junior rugby league players and being able to alternate between the centres, fullback and the wing will not hurt Kaleb White’s future prospects at all in terms of his ultimate position and his ability to immediately contribute.

Kaleb White will play the 2020 season with Runaway Bay in the GCRL U18 Division One competition as well as playing for PBC in their Langer Cup and GIO Cup school boy competitions.

Nick Meaney of the Canterbury Bulldogs is similar to Kaleb White in relation to his playing traits, both move well across the ground being gifted ball runners with above average speed and evasive traits as well as being solid defensively even though they certainly are not the biggest players running around in any given match. Both can also play a variety of positions in the back line and play then at a high level.

mdrew

08-12-19, 09:05 AM

Thomas (Tom) Neale. The Titans linked local has won the Titans jersey on a number of occasions already in his career including for the Titans early this season against the Newcastle Knights in Coffs Harbour.

Tom Neale started the 2019 season as part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad, coming into the side in Round Four when he started from the bench against Central Queensland, Tom Neale also started from the bench in Rounds Five and Six against Wynnum Manly and the Mackay Cutters respectively.

From a club perspective, Tom Neale played for Burleigh in the GCLR U18 Division One competition including starting the Grand Final at half and scoring as the Bears defeated Southport 28 – 12 in a tough encounter.

In total in the GCRL U18 Division One competition in 2019 Tom Neale played in eleven matches scoring eighteen points from four tries and a late season conversion against Mudgeeraba. In addition to his Grand Final try Tom Neale also scored against Ormeau, Runaway Bay and Helensvale.

In 2018 Tom Neale played in twelve matches for Burleigh in the GCRL U17 Division One competition scoring three tries across the journey with those tries coming against Helensvale, Bilambil and Ormeau.

Tom Neale is a slightly built half/hooker who is more of an organising type of player rather than a running player at this stage of his career. He can be seen directing his forwards when and where to run and seemingly makes it clear that Tom Neale is in charge of directing the team around the field and adhering to the game plan.

Tom Neale’s passing from both sides of his body is crisp and accurate and when passing to the left side generates good spin and distance whilst maintaining accuracy.

Tom Neale does not take the line on that often, but based on his play in the MM Cup and for Burleigh this season, he can and will take on forwards when he sees that they are isolated in the edges of the ruck, although his passing percentage would be much higher than his running percentage, at an estimate I would say 85% passing, 15% running.

Tom Neale just seems to have a knack of knowing when to pass, what type of pass to throw and also be able to weight the pass very well from either dummy half or one off the ruck.

Tom Neale seems to be quite quick off the mark and seems to have a good right foot step, when he gets into space he really does work progressively though his options as he does not seem to have the top end speed to finish off breaks himself.

Where Tom Neale projects very well is in the defensive aspects of rugby league, in essence he is a very good defender for the half back position and by extrapolation hooker, this includes against opposing halves who will try to use footwork and evasion to beat him or against big wide running forwards. Against forwards running directly at him, Tom Neale has a good compact low tackling technique and rarely looks to tackle above the waist.

Tom Neale will play the 2020 season in the U20 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition and will be Colts eligible again in 2021.

Tom Neale is a rare player to the extent that going forward I believe that he will be able to play two positions equally as well as each other, being half and hooker and at this stage I cannot really make a call as to where he is best suited, but one thing that is certain, until he nails down a specific position Tom Neale may be the perfect interchange player.

From an NRL player comparison perspective for Tom Neale think maybe someone like the St George Dragons and Australian International hooker or half Ben Hunt, especially in terms of his passing game.

mdrew

08-12-19, 03:48 PM

Travis May. The Northern New South Wales based youngster started at five eight and scored an outstanding long range individual solo try as the Titans U15 side defeated Balmain 34 – 16 in Northern New South Wales in early October 2019.

Travis May received the ball from the dummy half on the left side of the field fifty five metres out from the line and ran at the Tigers line with the ball in two hands before producing a deft left foot step to slice through the initial defensive line before producing another left foot step to beat the fullback comprehensively and outpace the Balmain cover defence to score under the posts.

The 2019 Bilambil Jets U15 played represented the Group 18 U15 side at the New South Wales Country U15 Age Championships in Port Macquarie being named at lock. At the Championships Travis May played in three matches scoring against Central Coast in Group 18’s opening match.

In attack Travis May has above average to plus speed off the mark (as was on display for his long range individual try against Balmain) but does not necessary have an extra gear in open space, but Travis May is able to sustain his top speed over considerable distance.

In confined space, he has very good footwork, including a good step off both feet. Travis May can beat defenders in the inside with a step and if the defensive line is staggered a dummy and go thus presenting multiple headaches for the opposition’s defensive strategies.

As games progress Travis May is very good at identifying tired forwards in the defensive line, and he will target them accordingly. A great trait that Travis May already displays is that he will play what is in front of him rather than just play to a set game plan, which is a sign of a young player with a good understanding of the game and his role within it’s framework.

Travis May is also an underrated ball player who will take the ball right to the ball before looking to put his ball runners in gaps or holding the ball up and getting it out to his backline.

When confronted with forwards running directly at him on the edge of the ruck, Travis May will get in front of them and use his shoulder in an effort to contain them until defensive help arrives. Due to his speed off the mark Travis May is also a very good cover defender as he tracks the ball across the field and has a solid low tackling technique from the side.

Travis May has played both lock and five eight this season but primarily as a result of his outstanding display for the Titans U15 side against Balmain I think that Travis May will get every opportunity to play five eight in coming seasons.

In 2020 Travis May will play for Bilambil in the Group 18 U16 competition and from a representative perspective Travis May will likely also push for a spot in the 2020 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad.

Travis May has a playing style akin to that of Penrith Panthers and Samoan International five eight Jarome Luai. Both are nippy runners of the ball who also are good at putting players through gaps and are also just bundles of energy on the field, always moving around looking for an opening in the defensive line.

I did not know a great deal about Travis May prior to the Titans U15 match against the Balmain Tigers in October 2019, but his performance in that match (and his try of course) really made me sit up and take notice.

mdrew

09-12-19, 11:06 AM

Devonte Vaivela. The powerful centre or second rower from the Souths Acacia Ridge club in Brisbane’s South West started at left second row for the Titans U14 side that defeated a Titans Invitational U14/15 NRRRL side 32 – 10 in early October at Tweed Heads Seagulls Piggabeen home ground.

Devonte Vaivela scored in the first half when he held off the NRRRL right winger to score in the left corner with a one handed put down. After the match Devonte Vaivela was named Titans best a situation that I agreed with, for what that is worth although to be fair there were quite a number of Titans players who were outstanding in the match but none more so than the ultra-impressive Devonte Vaivela.

Devonte Vaivela had an outstanding season for the Souths Acacia Ridge Magpies in 2019 including starting at left centre in their GBJRL U14 Division One 28 – 4 Grand Final win over Carina. Over the course of the 2019 GBJRL U14 Division One season Devonte Vaivela played in fifteen matches, including finals scoring team leading sixteen tries to finish with an impressive strike rate of 107% to pace his Grand Final winning team.

Devonte Vaivela was in fact named as the 2019 U14 Best Back at the South Acacia Ridge Junior Rugby League Awards night in last September and also was named the 2019 GBJRL U14 Representative Player of the Season. Considering the quality of team mates of Devonte Vaivela at Souths Acacia Ridge in the GBJRL U14 competition and in the Brisbane Junior Rugby League U14 competitions in general, Devonte Vaivela’s awards were no small feat.

I was fortunate enough to see about half of the U14 Division One Souths Acacia Ridge’s matches in 2019 (mainly at Brandon Park but a few away matches as well, including a great come back by Souths at Logan Brothers) and in virtually every match Devonte Vaivela was an absolute stand out and whilst his try scoring strike rate was in excess of 100% he set up many more tries when his hard running down the left side of the field led to breaks and his subsequent quick play the ball meant the oppositions defensive line was shattered and could not get into any semblance of order before Souths Acacia Ridge scored on the next play, quite often with the ball being spun out to the other side of the field where there was space aplenty.

Devonte Vaivela also represented South East Queensland Green U14’s at the 2019 Queensland Age Championships playing in all four of their matches and scoring an outstanding hat trick in their 26 – 4 Grand Final win against Northern with his tries coming in the 9th minute of the first half and the 18th and 24th minutes of the second half. Devonte Vaivela also scored earlier in the Championships against Northern.

In 2019 Devonte Vaivela also represented Samoa U14’s at the QPICC Carnival starting in the centres in all four of Samoa’s matches including their 8 – 6 Final loss to PNG. Devonte Vaivela scored in Round Three against PNG.

In 2017 Devonte Vaivela played in the centres for the Met West U12 side from Ipswich State High School and played for Goodna in the Ipswich U12 Junior Rugby League competition.

Devonte Vaivela is a quick powerful centre with a fluid running style with a classic centres build with the ability to stand up his direct opposite and then beat him with pace on the outside. In term of his play, the in and away is his bread and butter play, Devonte Vaivela has very good speed off the mark and can break to the outside quickly, couple that with long arms, which he uses to great effect with a powerful fend makes him difficult to tackle.

These traits were on display on multiple occasions in 2019 in the U14 Division One GBJRL competition and I can recall two matches in particular at their home ground at Brandon Park, Acacia Ridge that Devonte Vaivela utilised those traits with those matches being against Easts and Carina. Devonte Vaivela was also outstanding in an away match against Logan Brothers when he was the catalyst for the Souths Acacia big second half comeback victory.

When opposing centres are able to get hold of him, Devonte Vaivela is usually is able to maintain his balance as well as his running line and keeps an arm free, looking to offload if presented with the opportunity.

Devonte Vaivela has far more tools though than just an in and away, he will also use his size and strength to run straight over smaller opposing centres as well as also having the skill to step back inside of the defender if he is pushing to the outside too early.

What Devonte Vaivela is also adept at doing is timing his pass to his outside supports if the outside defender looks to come in and help defend him allowing an overlap to develop on the outside.

Due to his size and strength, Devonte Vaivela is a very good defender regardless of position. He will not necessarily hit hard, but he is very good at mirroring the movement of the opposing centre and wrapping him up ball and all. Devonte Vaivela is also quick enough to recover and chase if the opposing centre gets on the outside and his long reach is also a positive attribute in those situations.

From a team defensive methodology stand point, Devonte Vaivela seems to be very comfortable in a sliding defensive scheme where he can use his speed and body control to their best advantage by allowing the play to develop in front of him before committing to an appropriate course of action to shut it down.

Devonte Vaivela will play the 2020 season with Souths Acacia Ridge in the GBJRL U15 Division One competition and he will also look to push for a spot in the Met West U15 side for the 2020 QSSRL U15 school boy Championships.

Devonte Vaivela is a versatile player who can play both left centre and left second row at a high level. Interestingly for Souths Acacia Ridge Devonte Vaivela played exclusively left centre but for South East Queensland Green U14’s and the Titans U14 side he played left second row at a very high level including being named Player of the Match for the Titans.

On that basis I am going to sit on the fence in terms of position and just acknowledge that regardless of position Devonte Vaivela is an outstanding talent with a huge future and not just on the left side of the field either.

In relation to a current NRL player with a similar playing style to Devonte Vaivela my observations would suggest that Brisbane Broncos and Tongan International centre Ketone Staggs is similar. Taking into account that they operate on opposite sides of the field at present , they both are tough, quick, aggressive and deceptively strong ball runners who know the way to the try line and get there with regularly. Similarly both are outstanding defenders with a technique first approach to that aspect of rugby league.

Devonte Vaivela is just a natural footballer who just oozes class, skill and confidence on a rugby league field and for me is right up there as one of the best junior rugby league players that I have ever seen, the sky is the limit for this outstanding naturally gifted and outstanding rugby league talent.

mdrew

10-12-19, 01:10 PM

Rene Bagon. The powerful front rower from the Souths Acacia Ridge rugby league club in Brisbane’s South West started from the interchange bench for the Titans U14 side that defeated a Titans Invitational U14/15 NRRRL side 32 – 10 in early October 2019 at Tweed Heads.

Rene Bagon scored late in the first half for the Titans U14 side when he took the ball from a standing start two passes off the ruck to the right of the play the ball. Rene Bagon ran to his right before straitening up ten metres out and dragged three NRRRL players over the line with him to score ten or so metres from the right upright in an impressive display of raw strength, determination, speed and power.

Rene Bagon had an outstanding season for the Souths Acacia Ridge Magpies in 2019 including starting in the front row in their GBJRL U14 Division One 28 – 4 Grand Final win over Carina a match that with Rene Bagon’s considerable presence dominated throughout.

Over the course of the 2019 GBJRL U14 Division One season Rene Bagon played in fifteen matches scoring six tries to finish with a 40% strike rate with the majority of his tries coming through charges at the try line from within fifteen metres or so into a compressed opposition forward pack.

2019 was Rene Bagon’s first season in the black and white of Souths Acacia Ridge after moving over from Carina where he had played his earlier junior rugby league.

The Marsden State High School student also represented South East Queensland Green U14’s at the 2019 Queensland Age Championships playing in all four of their matches and scoring in the 21st minute of their 26 – 4 Championship Grand Final win against Northern.

In late 2019 Rene Bagon was also part of the Cook Islands U14 side that participated in the QPICC Carnival at Beenleigh starting in the front row in all four of the Cook Islands matches including in their 28 – 10 win in the third against fourth play-off match against Tonga.

Rene Bragon scored three tries at the Championships including a Round One double against PNG, with both tries coming in the second half and he also scored in Round Three against Tonga.

In 2018 Rene Bagon was part of the U13 Brisbane Stingers Blue side and in 2017 represented Met East in the front row at the U12 level going on to be selected in the front row in the Queensland U12 side and that year was named on the bench for the 2017 Marsden State High School Team of the Season.

As noted Rene Bagon is a big strong front rower who is a powerful runner of the football, who knows only one way and that is straight ahead and has shown flashes of the ability to offload once he has impacted the defensive line or has crashed through it.

For a big front rower Rene Bagon does actually have quite decent speed and footwork, certainly well above average for a player of his size and age. This good footwork enables him to step prior to the line, usually back towards the centre of the ruck targeting the area behind the play the ball, creating little half breaks which enhances the ability to off-load the football.

Rene Bagon’s core body strength also enables him to make significant ground after contact dragging defenders with him and if an opposition does not get hold of his legs, Rene Bagon is apt to break free of the initial defenders all together.

With his size and speed combination Rene Bagon also is adept at getting a quick play the ball once he is brought down, he literally just pushes away the defenders and gets to his feet and gets on with the game through the play the ball.

In defence Rene Bagon is happy to go for the big hit often but not to the detriment to his team he is actually quite selective about when to go for the big hit as against making sure the tackle is completed.

Rene Bagon is obviously suited to defending in the centre of the ruck rather that the fringes and will understandably have some trouble with nippy runners out of dummy half although his lateral movement is quite good for a front rower.

His calling card though is the strength and power to effectively engage the opposing forward early in their run and use his natural strength to win the forward battle in the centre of the ruck. Rene Bagon can defensively handle any one on one battle that presents itself.

At times in games Rene Bagon really does prevent opposing gaining any ground at all through the centre of the ruck. It is now a matter of extending the duration of his ruck dominance.

Rene Bagon will play the 2020 season with Souths Acacia Ridge in the GBJRL U15 Division One competition as well as playing for Marsden State High School where he will look to push for a spot in the Met East U15 side for the 2020 QSSRL U15 school boy Championships.

There is no doubt with his size and strength Rene Bagon will continue to play in the front row for the duration of his rugby league career no matter where it takes him.

Rene Bagon is not the most vocal or animated player when he is on the field that is just seemingly just not the type of person he is, he just goes about his role and does it very effectively indeed.

With his height and running style I believe a player comparison with North Queensland Cowboys and former New South Wales State of Origin and Australian International front rower Jordan McLean is more than appropriate for Rene Bagon.

Both are big powerful runners of the ball who run very much front on into the defensive line but do drop their body into the first defender that confronts them enabling them to make significant post contact metres before being brought down, a circumstance that is usually requiring of more than one defender to accomplish appropriately and for their size both are able to generate quick play the balls.

Big strong young front rowers who also have very good mobility from both a speed and lateral perspective are difficult to find regardless of age group but the Titans have certainly found one in Rene Bragon

mdrew

11-12-19, 01:53 PM

Bryton Nimo. The young Titans contracted former Chinchilla Five eight has had a horror run of injuries in recent seasons, including two dislocated hips but has continued forward and been rewarded with a two year contract with the Titans and in 2020 will part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad.

In early October 2019 Bryton Nimo started from the bench for the Titans U16 side that defeated PNG U16’s 44 – 12 at Burleigh’s Pizzey Park on a great Friday night of rugby league. The match was Bryton Nimo’s first of hopefully many in Titans colours.

In 2019 Bryton Nimo played for Chinchilla in the Roma and Districts Junior Rugby League competition, starting the U16 Grand Final at five eight and scoring a double as Chinchilla defeated Red Bulls 30 – 28 in an exciting Grand Final with Chinchilla coming back from a 20 – 6 deficit to ultimately win the Grand Final.

In addition to his Grand Final double, Bryton Nimo also scored a double against Mitchell in Round One of the Roma and Districts U16 competition. Bryton Nimo also played in the U16 Roma and Districts Junior Rugby League competition in 2018.

In 2019 Bryton Nimo represented South West at the QSSRL U18 Championships at Roma and that is where I believe that he was first spotted by the Titans.

I really like the way that Bryton Nimo plays in attack, he will try different things and play what is in front of him rather than stick to the same tactics over and over again. In many respects Bryton Nimo is very unpredictable when he gets the ball, he is adept at running himself when presented with an appropriate opportunity and has a very good turn of speed off the mark and similarly can throw some superb passes to his support runners if they find themselves running into a gap.

Currently Bryton Nimo is probably a touch better runner of the ball then ball player and can step off both feet and is quite strong for his size and will shrug off larger defenders if they try to go high and try to wrap up the ball without committing to the tackle properly or with an incorrect tackling technique.

Bryton Nimo is able to drift across field and then just takes off through any gaps in a staggered defensive line. When he looks to take advantage of an overlap on the blind side and is adept at drawing in outside defenders to give his winger a clear path to the line by creating a two on one situation.

Bryton Nimo has exquisite timing on his passes and is able to weight them perfectly as well and can do so from either side of his body. Adding in this is that Bryton Nimo can stop on a dime even travelling at full speed and pop the short pass, thus it looks for all money that he is going to run the ball thus the defence converges and then the ball is delivered to a support runner who is through a hole before the defensive line can readjust.

Bryton Nimo also runs with the ball out in front of his body in both hands which is another reason why the defensive line is unable to determine exactly what he is going to do before the play is executed or develops in front of them.

Defensively Bryton Nimo is a very strong young man with exceptional functional strength to go along with an innate understanding of the attacking strategies of rugby league thus he is able to anticipate what an attacking side is looking to do with the ball and then be in the best position to negate it. Bryton Nimo has a very good low tackling technique which is simple and repeatable and effective against all size opponents and thus there is no need for a defensive minder on his side of the field.

Defensively Bryton Nimo uses his size to good effect, he drives with his shoulder into his opponent and has very good timing in terms of when to come out of the line and certainly has the speed to readjust and chase if his timing is slightly off and his opposing centre gets on his outside.

Bryton Nimo on an individual level has the body control to redirect quickly and mirror the movement of the opposing attackers and anticipate what vector the attack comes from and innately understands when to allow the attacking play to develop in from of him and when to come out of the line to disrupt the attacking play prior to its formation.

Bryton Nimo will be part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad in 2020 and post that competition will play in the highly competitive Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition. Bryton Nimo will also be MM Cup eligible in 2021.

Bryton Nimo will also join PBC as part of their Sports Specialisation Program in 2020 adding to their already impressive looking side for the Langer Cup and GIO Cup school boy rugby league competitions.

Whilst Bryton Nimo played primarily five eight for Chinchilla this season, he also seemingly has the ability to play in the centres as well as in the second row both immediately and into the future so it will be fascinating to see what position he starts the 2020 MM Cup season in.

With his intriguing skill set the NRL player I can see from a playing comparison perspective (certainly not size though as Bryton Nimo is a far smaller build) in relation to Bryton Nimo is North Queensland’s versatile forward John Asiata although Bryton Nimo is not as big physically.

Both have intriguing skills especially in relation to their ball playing skills in traffic, a willingness to take the ball right to the line before offloading and a hardness to their play (in terms of contact not silly stuff) that compels others to follow their lead because of their actions not words.

After overcoming multiple serious injuries in a short span of time which would have ended the careers of a lot of junior rugby league players, Bryton Nimo is really a great feel good story and he is one young Titans player that I will be keeping a close one on in coming seasons, starting next season in the MM Cup competition with the Tweed Heads Seagulls and at PBC in the Langer and GIO Cup school boy rugby league competitions.

mdrew

12-12-19, 10:46 AM

Joshua Donovan-Skinner. The young Grafton Ghosts fullback or centre is part of the Titans 2020 Group One Academy squad that is training on a weekly basis in Ballina in Northern New South Wales Ghosts team mate Lockie McLaughlin is also part of the Titans JTS squad based in Group One in Northern New South Wales.

The Grafton High School student played the 2019 Group One U13 season with the Grafton Ghosts and started in his sides 24 – 16 Grand Final victory over Clarence Coast scoring in the premiership victory.

In the 2019 Group One U13 competition Joshua Donovan Skinner played in twelve matches in the Ghosts blue and white colours including the finals scoring an impressive ninety four points comprised from fifteen tries (125% strike rate) and seventeen goals. Joshua Donovan-Skinner as a consequence finished the 2019 season as the Group One U13 equal leading try scorer (equal with Clarence Coast’s Tyrelle Waters, also in the Titans Group One Academy squad), leading goal kicker and leading points scorer.

Joshua Donovan-Skinner scored a hat trick against Kyogle in late June and also scored three doubles which came against Kyogle, South Grafton and Ballina. As well as his Grand Final try, Joshua Donovan-Skinner also scored in matches against Clarence Coast (two matches in the regular season), Casino RSM, Lismore Marist Brothers and in the Preliminary Final against South Grafton.

With the boot Joshua Donovan-Skinner kicked five goals in a match on two occasions which were against Lismore Marist Brothers and Kyogle mid-season. In the match against Kyogle, Joshua Donovan-Skinner also scored a hat trick to finish the match with an individual point’s haul of twenty two points.

In 2019 Joshua Donovan-Skinner also played one match in the Group One U14 competition which was against Lismore Marist Brothers. Earlier that day Joshua Donovan-Skinner scored twenty two points in the U13 match to cap a great day for the young man.

In 2018 Joshua Donovan-Skinner played fourteen matches in the Group One U12 competition finishing the season with thirty eight points from four tries and eleven goals with his tries coming in separate matches against South Grafton twice, Casino RSM and Clarence Coast.

Cutting to the chase, when Joshua Donovan-Skinner runs the ball, he is exceptionally quick and explosive, with exceptional speed, both off the mark and when he gets into open space, teams in his age group in the Group One junior competition just could not handle him when he had the ball. He also can step off both feet exceptionally well and also has a great swerve whilst maintaining top speed.

On many occasions when he makes a break, his support could not keep up and thus he used his incredible footwork and speed to beat the opposing fullback by himself. There is nothing that Joshua Donovan-Skinner cannot do running the ball and it is only now about developing his ball playing skills to make his footwork and running ability even more lethal. In attack Joshua Donovan-Skinner also played up in the line quite often and was his team’s primary attacking option.

In addition Joshua Donovan-Skinner also has the ball playing skills to set up his support runners and get them lines to run into when defenders came out of the line to negate his time with the ball in hand. He obviously was a key target for defences but he understands that he cannot do it all himself and thus became adept at drawing defenders out of the line and putting his support runners into the subsequent hole. As his play making skills continue to evolve, the attacking possibilities are endless.

In terms of running the ball back from kicks, Joshua Donovan-Skinner’s timing and anticipation means that he gets to a lot of balls on the full and makes a quick decision whether to run the ball flat out back into the oncoming defenders or look to create an opportunity by running across field. Regardless Joshua Donovan-Skinner is an absolute handful to tackle with his speed and evasion skills.

Joshua Donovan-Skinner can also kick in general play, more so tactical kicks to gain ground rather than attacking kicks such as grubber kicks or bombs. I do not think that Joshua Donovan-Skinner will be necessarily a team’s primary general play kicker, although that is not set in stone, but has the skill set to be at the minimum and very good secondary option when the primary kicker is under pressure.

Like his tactical kicking I do not think that Joshua Donovan-Skinner ends up as a primary goal kicker but is effective enough to be a secondary option, where he is accurate from close range but his accuracy suffers the wider out the kicks are from as it does for the vast majority of goal kickers.

Defensively in the fullback position Joshua Donovan-Skinner understandably he does not make a huge amount of tackles but the ones he makes are the ones that need to be made. If an attacker runs directly at him, he will come forward to cut down the time the attacker has to make a decision and he will hit very hard and does not fall for a dummy in those situations.

An impressive attribute that Joshua Donovan-Skinner does have is ability to force attackers who are in open space to try to beat him down the side line. He will stay inside the attacker and force him in the required direction and then use his timing, closing speed and anticipation to make the tackle, usually forcing the attacker into touch.

From other positions in the back line Joshua Donovan-Skinner commits to the tackle and makes it count but impressively does not recklessly come out of the line but maintains his positioning until the paly develops to a point sufficient that he conceptually understands what will occur and responds accordingly with the appropriate action.

Joshua Donovan-Skinner will play the 2020 season in the Group One U14 competition with the Grafton Ghosts as well as playing for Grafton High School in various Northern New South Wales High School boy rugby league competitions including the DEX Shield. Joshua Donovan-Skinner should also be part of the Group One U14 representative side for the 2020 New South Wales Country Age Championships held late in the year.

At this stage of his young rugby league career, Joshua Donovan-Skinner can play a variety of positions such as fullback, centre and even five eight at a high level and will likely to continue to gain experience in multiple positions for the foreseeable future, but ultimately I think that Joshua Donovan-Skinner will settle in the centres as an outstanding attacking threat and under rated defensive one.

From a player comparison perspective, I will once again qualify my comments that when I am making a player comparison I am talking about a playing style rather than potential career path. For me Joshua Donovan-Skinner has a little bit of former South Sydney Rabbitoh, Queensland State of Origin captain and Australian Test centre Greg Inglis in his game.

On his day, which are becoming increasingly more frequent Joshua Donovan-Skinner can be a damaging ball runner who can just break a game open with a piece of individual brilliance.

mdrew

13-12-19, 04:25 PM

Lockie McLaughlin. The young Grafton Ghosts second rower is part of the Titans 2020 Group One Academy squad that is training on a weekly basis in Ballina in Northern New South Wales, Ghosts team mate Joshua Donovan-Skinner is also part of the Titans squad.

The Grafton High School student played the 2019 Group One U13 season with the Grafton Ghosts and started in his sides 24 – 16 Grand Final victory over the Clarence Coast Magpies scoring in the Premiership victory when he burst down the left side of the field and outpaced the Magpies cover defence to score . As a result of his outstanding performance in the match Lockie McLaughlin was deservedly named Player of the Grand Final.

In the 2019 Group One U13 competition Lockie McLaughlin played in eleven matches including the finals series scoring twelve tries (109% strike rate) and kicked a conversion when he converted his own try against South Grafton in early June. His twelve tries meant that Lockie McLaughlin finished the 2019 Group One U13 season as the competitions fifth highest try scorer and second highest try scoring forward.

Lockie McLaughlin scored a Round One hat trick against Lismore Marist Brothers and added a further hat trick against Lismore Marist Brothers later in the season. Lockie McLaughlin also scored a double against South Grafton as well as scoring in matches against Ballina, Casino RSM and against South Grafton in the 2019 Preliminary Final.

In 2018 Lockie McLaughlin played in thirteen matches in the Group One U12 competition finishing the season with twenty four points comprising of four tries and the same number of goals with his four tries coming from doubles against Casino RSM and South Grafton.

The pace of Lockie McLaughlin when he runs the ball is the outstanding feature of his game, he takes the ball to the line with speed, but he does not just put his head down and rush forward, he uses quick and subtle footwork prior to the line and seems to targets the gaps between defenders and will actively seek out opposing forwards who are slow to move up.

When the opposition are on the back foot Lockie McLaughlin will target the smaller defenders on the edge of the ruck and burst through and for a young bloke he has very good speed over the medium term and has the strength to drag defenders with him.

I would consider that Lockie McLaughlin ’s speed would be considered above average for a backrower but plays faster as a result of him timing his runs so well that the dummy half can present a flat pass to him and also as a result of the power that he runs at.

The defensive side of Lockie McLaughlin ’s game is similarly impressive, He does not just charge wildly up looking for a huge hit, but is calculating in where and when to hit. Lockie McLaughlin drives hard with his legs and always uses his shoulder and core body strength to drive into his opponent.

Lockie McLaughlin sets a strong lower base by setting his legs and generating force by driving through the tackle with his lower body, gaining leverage and momentum to complete the tackle.

Lockie McLaughlin will play the 2020 season in the Group One U14 competition with the Grafton Ghosts as well as playing for Grafton High School in various Northern New South Wales High School boy rugby league competitions including the DEX Shield. Lockie McLaughlin should also be part of the Group One U14 representative side for the 2020 New South Wales Country Age Championships that will be held late in the year.

Lockie McLaughlin has the frame to add additional muscle without compromising his speed and shapes as an impressive second row prospect as his junior rugby league career develops.

Lockie McLaughlin reminds me of Titans second rower Sam Stone, both are similar from a body shape perspective as well as the way that they play the game and both still have room and time to add muscle and grow into their frame’s without losing any of their speed or mobility overall which is a hall mark in their game.

mdrew

14-12-19, 08:35 AM

Makau Waiapu. The young Coomera Cutters forward was part of the Titans U13 side that defeated the Western Mustangs 40 – 12 at Mudgeeraba in February in hot and steamy conditions.

Early in the 2019 season Makau Waiapu was named in the Gold Coast Vikings U13 squad for the South East Queensland Hill Stumer Championships where he started in the front row.

Makau Waiapu started the opening three rounds of the GCRL U13 Division One competition in the front row for Coomera.

In total in the GCRL U13 Division One regular season competition Makau Waiapu played in eleven matches primarily in either the front row or second row, scoring ten tries including scoring four tries in Round Nine against Runaway Bay and a Round Fourteen double also against Runaway Bay.

Makau Waiapu also scored in Round Two against Ormeau, Round Twelve against Helensvale.

In the first week of the Finals series, Makau Waiapu started in the second row and scored as Coomera defeated Southport 46 – 24.

Makau Waiapu also started in the second row in Week Two of the Finals against Burleigh with the Cutters season coming to an end with their loss.

2018 saw Makau Waiapu play in the Gold Coast Rugby League U12 Division One competition for the Coomera Cutters, playing primarily in the second row. In his thirteen matches, including finals, Makau Waiapu amassed sixteen points from three tries and two goals.

Makau Waiapu’s three tries came in the opening three rounds against Mudgeeraba, Currumbin and Burleigh Maroon. In the Round One match Makau Waiapu kicked his first conversion and kicked his second in June against Burleigh White.

Makau Waiapu does not necessarily get back deep to run onto the ball but uses his above average speed off the mark to generate significant speed and momentum to hit the defensive line with. When he breaks into open space Makau Waiapu has above average to plus top end speed for his position and will not try to get too fancy in open space, if he does not have support to draw and pass to, Makau Waiapu will take the fullback on and look to run directly over him and if he is tackled look to get a quick play the ball rather than to try for a spectacular play.

When standing a little wider of the ruck, Makau Waiapu can run multiple routes including both an inside or outside shoulder route depending on the defensive methodology of the opposition and also uses his lateral mobility to cut back on the inside of his play maker to great effect if the central ruck defenders do not track the ball across field. Even when running in the centre of the ruck however Makau Waiapu ’s feet are always moving and he never sets himself up as an easy target for the defensive line to target.

Defensively the best way that I can describe his tackling style is that he tackles hard, Makau Waiapu has an exceptional front on tackling technique in relation to both his head and body placement and he is able to generate significant force into his opponents body, he really does explode into the ball carrier and is aware of his fellow defenders and if one is going low he will go high and visa versa.

When defending against smaller nippier runners on the edge of the ruck, Makau Waiapu gets low and mirrors their lateral movement aiming the subsequent tackle around the waist rather than the chest area where it is easy for tackles to slip up to around the head area.

Makau Waiapu will play the 2020 season with the Coomera Cutters in the GCRL U14 Division One competition and will also be in line for selection in the 2020 Gold Coast Vikings U14 representative side.

With his size and speed combination to is hard to envisage Makau Waiapu playing anywhere but the second row as his rugby league career goes from strength to strength.

I would argue that former Brisbane Broncos, Queensland State of Origin and Australian International back rower Matt Gillett is a very good comparison with the way that Makau Waiapu plays. Like Gillett Makau Waiapu is a hard running hard tackling young man with great leadership skills and a tough hard aggressive clinical edge to every aspect of his game.

mdrew

14-12-19, 04:38 PM

Brady Turner. The Murwillumbah youngster is currently part of the Titans 2018/19 Group 18 U14 Development Squad after playing the 2018 season in the Group 18 U13 competition.

Brady Turner started in the second row for a Titans NRRRL U14/15 Invitational side that went down 32 – 10 to a Titans U14 side at Tweed Heads in an entertaining and high quality match.

In September 2019 Brady Turner was named the Group 18 U14 Player of the year after an outstanding campaign in the Group 18 U14 competition and in early in October was part of a Titans U14/15 NRRRL side that played the Titans U14 Gold Coast/Brisbane Academy side in a development match at Tweed Heads Piggabeen ground.

Brady Turner played the 2019 season with Murwillumbah in the Group 18 U14 competition and was selected in the Group 18 for the U14 age group at the 2019 New South Wales Country Age Championships held in Port Macquarie starting in the second row for the Group 18 U14 side with Brady Turner scoring in Group 18’s second match of Day One as they went down 26 – 20 to Group Four.

Seeming running more to the left side of the field, Brady Turner runs a very good outside shoulder route and rather than trying to step his opposite number will really look to initiate the contact and then use his strength to hold the defender off his body to either push through the tackle or draw in the next defender to create space for his outside support.

Brady Turner also has very good late and quick foot work which enables him to change direction quickly allowing him to readjust where he is running to take advantage of either a late developing hole in the defensive line or where the defensive line is repositioning late. His speed could probably be considered above average for a centre but when he plays in the back row.

Defensively Brady Turner has a hard edge to his play and his initial contact is more than sufficient to redirect the momentum of the ball carrier either in the centres or when defending in the forwards. Brady Turner sets a very good base which he uses to explode into the ball carrier looking to use their own momentum against them.

Brady Turner’s good situation awareness also enables him to be well positioned when he is defending against smaller quicker players and he endeavours to minimise the time available for the opposing attacker to generate speed and to utilise their footwork, he is also able to change direction quickly to adjust to the directional changes of the attacker especially when Brady Turner is marking up against multiple attackers running in his direction where he will hold his ground to let the play to develop in front of him before committing to a specific defensive course of action.

Brady Turner will play for Murwillumbah in the 2020 Group 18 U16 competition and push for a spot in the 2020 U16 Northern Rivers Titans Andrew Johns Cup squad that once again should be an outstanding side.

With his size and speed combination to is hard to envisage Brady Turner playing anywhere but the second row as his rugby league career progresses towards its ultimate destination.

In relation to identifying an NRL player that compares favourably from a playing comparison perspective for Brady Turner you need to look no further than Sydney Roosters and New South Wales State of Origin second rower Angus Creighton as a player who will look to run into gaps in the defensive line with speed and timing and who can defend either in the centre of the ruck or a little wider out as a foil for his half and five eight, a defensive minder if you will.

mdrew

15-12-19, 07:38 AM

Bo Peisley. The South Tweed youngster was part of the Titans U14 squad that played a Western Mustangs selection in February at Mudgeeraba and also in 2019 was part of the Group 18 U14 representative side being named at half back for the 2019 New South Wales Country Age Championships with Bo Peisley kicking two conversions in Group 18’s second match of Day One as they went down 26 – 20 to Group Four.

Late in the 2019 season Bo Peisley was named the 2019 Group 18 U14 representative season’s best back at the Group 18 Presentation Night.

In attack Bo Peisley’s calling card is his organisational and passing skills more so than his running game. His speed would probably considered average to a tick above for a half/five eight but he will throw a dummy and run when opposing defences are focussed on his support runners and provide him with opportunities.

Bo Peisley also does necessarily not have quick twitch feet, thus his step is more average but is effective as he is selective about when he uses it. Bo Peisley maintains his composure on the field at all times and does not yell or scream but obviously gets his message across to his team mates with a calm assured presence.

Bo Peisley also has a good long passing game thus enabling the ball to get out to his back line quickly when they are set deep. Bo Peisley develops a good spiral on the ball and is able to lead his outside backs onto the ball through putting the ball out in front of them.

Bo Peisley will also take the ball to the line and delay the pass as long as possible to his support runners when necessary. Bo Peisley looks to dictate what the defensive line needs to do to combat his sides attack rather than waiting to see how the opposition is looking to defend at a particular time in a game.

Defensively whilst not being the biggest player running around, Bo Peisley is effective as a result of his sound low tackling technique where he can quickly bring down attackers due to the fact that he will go in low, he is also adept at tracking the ball across field to be in the right place if outside attackers cut back inside.

Bo Peisley will play the 2020 season with the South Tweed Bears in the Group 18 U15 competition and should also represent Group 18 at the U15 level in 2020.

From a position perspective, Bo Peisley has spent his entire career in the halves and will surely continue there for the foreseeable future although he could also potentially fill in at hooker if the need arises.

For me a current NRL player with a similar playing style to that of Bo Peisley is current English Super League and former Penrith Panther, New South Wales State of Origin and Australian International five eight James Maloney, being that of a solid talented organising five eight or half who will surprise a defensive line with some very good short balls when it looks for all money like he is going to run himself.

In would argue however that Bo Peisley is a better defender and less agitating version of James Maloney though.

mdrew

15-12-19, 02:00 PM

Tyrelle Waters. One of the most impressive young players in the 2019 Group One U13 competition was Clarence Coast Magpie Tyrelle Waters who finished the season as the competitions equal leading try scorer with fifteen tries from just thirteen matches (115% strike rate) equal with fellow Titan Joshua Donovan-Skinner. Joshua Donovan-Skinner also kicked two goals (against South Grafton and Casino RSM) to finish the 2019 season with a total points haul of 64.

Tyrelle Waters is part of the Titans 2020 Group One Academy squad that is training on a weekly basis in Ballina in Northern New South Wales.

Tyrelle Waters scored a mid-season hat trick against Kyogle and added doubles against Lismore Marist Brothers and Kyogle in Rounds One and Two and scored a further double against Casino RSM later in the season. Tyrelle Waters also scored in matches against South Grafton and Grafton twice, Ballina and Casino RSM.

In 2018 Tyrelle Waters played in fourteen matches in the Group One U12 competition finishing with a 100% strike rate with fifteen tries. He also kicked three goals in finish the 2018 U12 Group One season with sixty six points. Included in his try scoring tally in 2018 were hat tricks against South Grafton and Ballina and two doubles against Lismore Marist Brothers.

Tyrelle Waters was also one of Clarence Coast’s try scorers in the 2018 Group One U12 Grand Final as the Magpies defeated Lismore Marist Brothers in a 20 -18 thriller with Tyrelle Waters starting the match in the second row.

In 2018 Tyrelle Waters also played in one U13 match which came against Lismore Marist Brothers in late May.

Tyrelle Waters style of play is that of a wide running back rower with above average speed for the position. I would actually argue that in fact a better definition of his speed would be well above average to plus, and I am talking the speed of an outside back not a backrower.

Tyrelle Waters is exceptionally quick off the mark, but what makes him even more impressive from a speed perspective is that when he gets into space, he has an extra gear again, making it almost impossible for the cover defence to catch him once he is open space.

Defences had all sorts of trouble trying to contain him in his club football over the last couple of seasons, both in terms of him taking the ball up into the centre of the ruck, but he was almost untouchable when he ran on the fringes of the ruck and uses his foot work to beat defenders with a variety of moves, including a step off both feet and a very good in and away as well as simply running over people. Couple those two aspects with a very good fend and you have a young player in Tyrelle Waters who causes nightmares for a defensive line.

Tyrelle Waters runs with pace, strength and power every time he touches the ball during a game. I have not seen a great deal of him off loading the football to date, but the ball skills that he possess would suggest this particular will develop into a plus skill over time, although at this stage of his career it is not a necessity. Tyrelle Waters attention to detail would also strongly suggest that he will continue to develop his off-loading and ball skills across the board.

Tyrelle Waters is aggressive in defence whether defending in the centre of the ruck or on the fringes or even wider out and due to his natural strength is more than capable of defending one on one and can and will stop even the biggest opposing forwards in their tracks and targets the area around where the attackers carry the football.

Tyrelle Waters speed and lateral movement means that he will not be beaten by light stepping halves trying to take advantage of tiring forwards or the opposition running out of dummy half. I have noted that he is aggressive, but not to the extent that he will give away penalties, he just wants to win every one on one contest. Tyrelle Waters is also a very good cover defender as a result of his speed and tenacity.

Due to his speed and athleticism and for that matter hard work and determination Tyrelle Waters covers across the field well, thus putting him in a good position to make the tackle when the ball is turned back inside from the halves as is the case so often in the modern game.

Tyrelle Waters will play the 2020 season in the Group One U14 competition with the Clarence Coast Magpies and should also be part of the Group One U14 representative side for the 2020 New South Wales Country Age Championships.

In relation to an NRL player that compares favourably to Tyrelle Waters from a playing style comparison perspective a smaller framed version of former Brisbane Bronco, Queensland State of Origin and Australian Test Player Sam Thaiday may well be apt. Like Thaiday Tyrelle Waters plays rugby league with almost reckless abandon is certainly is an all effort type of player with deceptive speed for a forward and a big motor.

mdrew

16-12-19, 04:34 PM

Keaton Stutt. The South Grafton Rebels hooker is currently part of the Titans 2020 Group One Academy squad that is training on a weekly basis in Ballina in Northern New South Wales.

In the 2019 Group One U14 competition Keaton Stutt played in ten matches for the South Grafton Rebels, including their Grand Final loss to Ballina, scoring a total of 46 points, made up of three tries and seventeen goals. Keaton Stutt scored a mid-season double against Casino RSM and added a try against the Clarence Coast Magpies later in the season.

Keaton Stutt’s seventeen goals were enough for him to finish second on the Group One U14 goal kicking tally. Keaton Stutt kicked five goals in a match on two occasions, coming in consecutive matches in June against the Lismore Marist Brothers Rams and Casino RSM. In the match against Casino RSM Keaton Stutt also scored a double to finish the match with an individual point’s tally of eighteen, his highest of the 2019 season.

2019 also saw Keaton Stutt represent the Group One Taipans at the New South Wales Country U14 Age Championships at Port Macquarie starting all three of the Taipan’s matches at hooker and scoring in Group One’s first match of Day Two against Group 21. Keaton Stutt’s other matches at the Championships were against Maitland on Day One and Central Coast in Group One’s second match of Day Two.

In 2018, the Grafton High School student played in ten matches for the South Grafton Rebels finishing the season with thirty six points from three tries and twelve goals. All three of his tries came in separate matches being against Clarence Coast, Lismore Marist Brothers and Grafton and with the boot Keaton Stutt kicked four goals in July 2018 against Kyogle.

Keaton Stutt is a multi-sport athlete who is also a state level field hockey player for New South Wales and has played soccer at a high level in the past as well.

Keaton Stutt is an extremely talented all round hooker, who excels at all three critical aspects that a modern day hooker must have to be successful, those being his distribution and game management out of dummy half, selective running out of dummy half and defending in the centre of the ruck where he is far more effective than people would think when they first see him play.

Keaton Stutt may be small but he certainly defends well above his weight. Some people and opponents may look at Keaton Stutt and immediately discount him because of his size, which would be a serious error for anybody to make.

In terms of his distribution out of dummy half, Keaton Stutt is extremely efficient in his passing and there is no wasted movement or energy as he passes in one motion off the ground rather than two distinct movements like many hookers where they first stand first then pass.

There is no discernible difference that I have been able to identify between his passing from either side of his body, and his passes are crisp and flat and also Keaton Stutt can pass a more than reasonable distance off the ground when the first receiver is standing a little wider of the play the ball looking to stretch the defensive line.

Where Keaton Stutt is also extremely effective is leading his forwards onto the ball, he passes in front of the forward enabling them to run onto the ball ensuring no loss of momentum to the run. In short Keaton Stutt is a very good game manager from the hooking position. Keaton Stutt is also a good communicator on the field, he is constantly encouraging his team both in attack and defence as well as of course leading the way in both aspects.

Keaton Stutt does not yell and scream on the field, like the other parts of his game, he is calm and composed and seems to use positive reinforcement rather than yelling and screaming to get his point across to team mates but he does make it clear that he is in charge however.

Where Keaton Stutt really stands out in terms of attacking play, is his speed out of dummy half, he is extremely quick and has good footwork to take advantage of tiring forwards, using a step usually off his right foot, although he does not necessary run much out of dummy half. The times that Keaton Stutt does run though, Keaton Stutt targets forwards who are offside or slow getting back into the defensive line, if the offside forward is called out of the play he has the speed to break into open space.

Once in open space Keaton Stutt does not usually have the speed required to finish things off himself (although he cannot be considered slow by any means) but he invariably will make the right decision with the ball in terms of whether to take the tackle or pass to a support player.

Keaton Stutt’s defence for a hooker is very good for a smaller framed player, he is certainly on the small side but that is no hindrance to how he currently plays the game, nor to his ability to reach his long term potential. Keaton Stutt does not necessarily hit hard but due to his very good low tackling technique he can defend effectively one on one against far larger forwards, Keaton Stutt sets a good base with his lower body and explodes upwards with his shoulders to drive into opposing forwards.

His intensity and continuous effort means that Keaton Stutt will track the ball across the field and thus is in a good position when the ball is passed back inside. Keaton Stutt literally tackles everything that moves in the centre of the ruck even though he is always the smallest forward on the field. He is also very good at getting out of dummy half quickly to put pressure on the opposing teams kickers in all parts of the field.

Keaton Stutt will play the 2020 season in the Group One U15 competition with the South Grafton Rebels as well as playing for Grafton High School in various Northern New South Wales High School boy rugby league competitions including the long running and important DEX Shield.

Keaton Stutt should also be part of the Group One U15 representative side for the 2020 New South Wales Country Age Championships held late in the year representing Group One for the second year in a row.

Keaton Stutt is not big from a body frame perspective but has big heart to go along with speed out of dummy half, the ability to distribute effectively out of dummy half to both sides and tenacity in defence that cannot be taught. It is for those reasons that I see Keaton Stutt maintaining his current hooking position as his career progresses although he could potentially spend time at half back if the need arises as well.

Keaton Stutt is just an all action type of player, no attacker is too big or too fast to tackle, no defender is too big to run at and no effort is too hard or too small to make. Through sheer heart and determination Keaton Stutt has a real opportunity to make an impact in rugby league let alone the skill that he also has at his disposal.

From a player comparison perspective for Keaton Stutt, due to his distribution, running, defence and intensity that he plays the game at, a playing style and comparison akin to the hooking version of former Manly Sea Eagle, New South Wales State of Origin and Australian International Geoff Toovey is appropriate even down to his size with less arguing with officials however but the same all-out intensity, effort and will to win.

mdrew

17-12-19, 04:44 PM

Antioch Faitala-Mariner. The winger was part of a Titans U15 side that played against another Titans U15 side and a Western Mustangs U15 selection at Mudgeeraba in February of this year and subsequent to those matches signed a contract linking the winger to the Titans for the next couple of seasons at least.

The powerful young winger hails from the Easts Tigers club in Brisbane’s East and played one match for the GBJRL U15 Division One Tigers side this season before moving up to play the remainder of the 2019 season with the Tigers in the GBJRL U16 Division One side scoring two tries in his thirteen matches in that competition.

To be selected to move up to the U16 Division One side is a real feather in Antioch Faitala-Mariner’s cap as the U15 Division One side went all the way to the Grand Final but the Easts Tigers hierarchy identified that he could handle the step up in age and they were proved correct with their assessment over the course of the 2019 season.

Antioch Faitala-Mariner also played rugby in 2019, playing for Brisbane State High School in the GPS U15A competition and was also selected in the Queensland Maroon side for the 2019 Queensland Junior U15 Gold Cup competition.

Antioch Faitala-Mariner played for the Easts Tigers in the 2018 GBJRL U14 Premier Division competition in 2018 including starting in the Grand Final that Easts won 26 – 20 against a Norths Devils side that included fellow Titan contracted U15 player, centre Shannon Subritzky-Stewart.

In 2018 Antioch Faitala-Mariner was also part of the South East Queensland Green U14 side that took part of the Queensland U14 Age Championships and started on the wing in the final that ended in a 16 all draw against South East Queensland White. In total for the 2018 South East Queensland U14 Green side, Antioch Faitala-Mariner played in all four of their matches starting all of them on the wing.

In rugby Antioch Faitala-Mariner represented Met East in the Queensland U12 Rugby Championships in 2016 and was named as their player of the match against Sunshine Coast on Day Two of those Championships.

Plus plus straight line speed with outstanding balance and body control are the primary attributes that Antioch Faitala-Mariner possesses on a football field. It would be extremely unfair to purely put Antioch Faitala-Mariner’s success down to purely his speed, he is also has a very good in and away with a solid right fend.

One thing that Antioch Faitala-Mariner also does well is change the axis of the attack just prior to receiving the ball, when at full speed Antioch Faitala-Mariner would adjust the angle of his run immediately prior to receiving the ball and target the gap between his opposition winger and the outside centre and with his speed Antioch Faitala-Mariner was regularly able to explode through the resultant gap. When returning kicks Antioch Faitala-Mariner hunt’s across field before cutting back and looking to exploit a fractured defensive line with speed and power.

Regardless of where he receives the ball Antioch Faitala-Mariner is an exceptional attacking player. If he gets an off load from a forward through the middle he is through the gap before the defence can react, if he gets the ball in space out wide he is make it very difficult for the opposing defender to get a clean shot at him and if Antioch Faitala-Mariner gets the ball from a kick, if the defensive line is not straight in the chase he can make significant ground both before and after contact.

Seemingly like all modern day outside backs Antioch Faitala-Mariner has exceptional balance, spacial awareness and body control enabling him to score some amazing tries along the touchline with for all intent sand purposes the only part of his body in the field up play is the hand that he uses to put the ball down.

With his speed off the mark and elusiveness Antioch Faitala-Mariner should also be very productive running out of dummy half where he can gain immediate separation from the marks with his speed and then gain momentum with his power and make ground as a result through the centre of the ruck, especially when brining the ball out of his own territory.

Defensively Antioch Faitala-Mariner uses his size to good effect, he drives with his shoulder into his opponent and has very good timing in terms of when to come out of the line and certainly has the speed to readjust and chase if his timing is slightly off and his opposing centre gets on his outside. Other defenders keyed off him in terms of whether to use an up and in methodology and slide to the outside.

Antioch Faitala-Mariner on an individual level has the body control to redirect quickly and mirror the movement of the opposing attackers and anticipate what vector the attack comes from and innately understands when to allow the attacking play to develop in from of him and when to come out of the line to disrupt the attacking play prior to its formation.

2020 will see Antioch Faitala-Mariner play for the Easts Tigers in the GBJRL U16 Division One competition and is also a likely selection in one of the three Brisbane Stingers U16 squads for the South East Queensland U16 pre-season Challenge commencing in February 2020 where the Brisbane Stingers sides will play in matches against two Gold Coast Vikings U16 sides as well as an Ipswich Diggers selection.

In relation to rugby in 2020 Antioch Faitala-Mariner will line-up for the Brisbane State High School U16A side in the GPS school boy rugby competition and may also get an opportunity the school’s First XV side such is skill set and maturity both physically and mentally.

I am a real fan of the GPS school boy rugby competition and Antioch Faitala-Mariner’s rugby league development can only be enhanced with his involvement in that outstanding competition.

With his speed and try scoring ability Antioch Faitala-Mariner seems destined to be an outstanding rugby league winger who has the potential to be an NRL regular reasonably quickly and potentially a representative one as well if things break his way.

In many respects potentially the best NRL player comparison for Antioch Faitala-Mariner is the Titans own recently resigned Phillip Sami. Like Sami, Antioch Faitala-Mariner is an exciting ball runner who should also be a prolific try scorer at the NRL level including multiple exciting spectacular and long range ones as well as being an outstanding kick returner and under rated defender on the wing

mdrew

18-12-19, 04:05 PM

Nic Torrens. The young front rower started for the Titans U14/15 Invitational side went down 32 – 10 to a Titans Brisbane/Gold Coast based U14 side in early October and was one his sides best in the high quality match at Tweed Heads.

For Clarence Coast in the 2019 Group One U15 competition Nic Torrens played in thirteen matches including finals scoring forty eight points from eight tries and an identical number of goals with two of those tries coming in Clarence Coast’s 14 – 10 Grand Final win over Ballina. Nic Torrens was in fact named player of the Grand Final such was his dominance throughout the match.

In addition to his Grand Final double Nic Torrens also scored doubles in three separate matches against Casino RSM. With the boot Nic Torrens kicked three goals late in the season against Lismore Marist Brothers.

Nic Torrens also had an outstanding 2019 season with MacLean High School dominating in the DEX Shield competition including one match against Grafton High School in which Nic Torrens was as close to unstoppable as I have seen a player be in a match.

2019 also saw Nic Torrens represent Group One at the NSW Country U15 Age Championships playing three matches in the front row, scoring against Group 19 in Group One’s second match of a busy Day One of the Championships.

In November 2019 Nic Torrens travelled to Sydney to take part in the New South Wales U16 Talented Aboriginal Athlete Program.

In 2018 in the Group One U14 competition Nic Torrens played in fifteen matches for Clarence Coast scoring sixty two points from three tries and twenty five goals. Nic Torrens tries included tries in Round One and two against Casino RSM and Kyogle respectively and a try in Clarence Coast’s 26 – 24 Preliminary Final loss to Ballina.

From a goal kicking perspective Nic Torrens kicked four goals in a match on three occasions including in Rounds One and Two and towards the conclusion of the season against Grafton.

In 2018 Nic Torrens also played four matches in the Group One U15 competition making his debut and scoring in Round One against Casino RSM. Nic Torrens other 2018 U15 Group One matches were against Ballina, South Grafton and Lismore Marist Brothers. On each occasion that Nic Torrens played a Group One U15 match in 2018 he had played in the U14 fixture earlier in the day.

Nic Torrens is a big strong powerful young man and uses these attributes when he runs with the ball, he will take the line on and look to drop his shoulder into the defender who is looking initiate contact.

Nic Torrens can also off load the football both before the line and when he is being tackled, he seems to be one of those players with the innate ability to get his hands free, or more accurately his right hand free.

Nic Torrens is always the player standing back deep from kick ups to take the first hit up and will charge straight at the line asking for and giving no quarter. Nic Torrens also is quite quick for a big young bloke, both in terms of explosive speed off the mark and agile from a footwork perspective but also with speed over an extended distance. Once he gets into space, it is only going to be backs and the quickest of those that will catch him.

Defensively for a taller young player Nic Torrens is adept at getting low and setting a good base so that he can drive with his legs into the attacker. For his taller height he is quite disciplined in terms of not hanging an arm out when defending against a smaller quicker attacker and uses his outstanding lateral movement to mirror the attacker’s movement and make the tackle in a ball and all fashion.

Nic Torrens is not a big hitter per say but will drive with his legs to stop the momentum of the ball carrier effectively in the centre of the ruck. In short his initial contact and technique is very effective against opponents of all sizes.

In 2020 Nic Torrens will play for Clarence Coast in the Group One U16.5 competition and may also get a run or two for the Lower Clarence Magpies in the NRRRL U18 competition.

From a representative perspective Nic Torrens has been named in the twenty five player 2020 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad and come the start of that competition early in 2020 should be one of the team’s prime movers.

Nic Torrens played a lot of rugby league in the front row this season both in club and representative rugby league but I am not convinced that he should be pigeon holed there. Nic Torrens, yes is a big strong young man, but he has outstanding speed and athleticism and a burgeoning skill set and as a consequence I believe that Nic Torrens has an opportunity to next a career in rugby league in the second row.

With his size, speed and skill combination, Nic Torrens has a similar playing style to South Sydney Rabbitohs (former North Queensland Cowboy) and Queensland State of Origin second rower Ethan Lowe, both and big and strong but have the speed, agility and mobility over all to be outstanding representative level second rowers.

The Northern New South Wales region is a hot bed of rugby league talent which the Titans have certainly tapped into and made their own in recent seasons and Nic Torrens is certainly one reason why the region is held in such high regard by not just Titans JTS staff but the entire NRL scouting network

mdrew

19-12-19, 05:32 PM

Mason Moloney. The Northern New South Wales youngster was part of the Titans U14 squad that played a Western Mustangs selection in February at Mudgeeraba, starting the match at five eight and also in 2019 was part of the Group 18 U14 representative side being named at five eight for the 2019 New South Wales Country Age Championships.

Mason Moloney started at five eight in both of Group 18’s matches on Day One against Central Coast and Group Four. Mason Maloney also played the 2019 season in the Group 18 U14 competition with the Bilambil Jets.

In attack Mason Moloney’s calling card is his organisational and passing skills more so than his running game. His speed would probably considered average for a half/five eight but he will throw a dummy and run when opposing defences are focussed on his support runners and provide him with opportunities.

Mason Moloney also does not have quick twitch feet, thus his step is more average than say a plus side step like AJ Brimson’s but when you run at the right time like Mason Moloney invariably does it is equally effective.

Mason Moloney also has a good long passing game thus enabling the ball to get out to his back line quickly when they are set deep. Mason Moloney develops a good spiral on the ball and is able to lead his outside backs onto the ball through putting the ball out in front of them. He will also take the ball to the line and delay the pass as long as possible to his support runners when necessary.

Assisting his play is the fact that Mason Moloney makes the decision what to do with the ball quickly thus enabling the ball to get out wide or when the ball needs to be turned back inside. In short Mason Moloney looks to dictate what the defensive line needs to do to combat his sides attack rather than waiting to see how the opposition is looking to defend at a particular time in a game.

Mason Moloney is not a giant on the field and in fact in the majority of the matches that he is involved with he is one of the smallest but defensively he is quite aggressive and tries to get up quickly when confronted with a wide running forward, looking to initiate contract prior to the forward gaining too much momentum. Mason Moloney will not necessarily hit them hard but is effective at slowing the attack and then he gets back into the line quickly.

Against players his own size, read the opposing halves Mason Moloney is more than effective at cutting down their time and space and does not let them get on his outside and in those instances handles his defensive assignments more than adequately.

Mason Moloney will play the 2020 season with the Bilambil Jets in the Group 18 U15 competition and should also once again represent Group 18 this time at the U15 level in 2020 at the New South Wales Age Championships.

Mason Moloney seems ideally suited to playing in the halves (either five eight or half) with his ability to direct his side around the field quickly and efficiently and also to adhere to the game plan prescribed by the coaching staff.

Mason Moloney has a similar playing style and traits to new Huddersfield Giant and former Titan and Canberra Raider Aiden Sezer in his game, both a solid players from a skill perspective who can move their side around the field efficiently and players who have deceptive speed off the mark that they utilise to great effect when the running option is the most appropriate or when the opposition assumes that Mason Moloney will pass rather than consider running the ball.

mdrew

20-12-19, 02:14 PM

Noah Waldock. 2018 New South Wales U12 rugby league representative Noah Waldock (from St Francis Xavier College Ballina) continued his rise in the junior rugby league ranks in 2019 with a great season for the Ballina Seagulls in the Group One U13 competition finishing his impressive season third on the try scoring list with thirteen tries from eleven matches (118% strike rate), second on the goal kicking tally (thirteen goals) and second overall from a points scoring perspective (seventy eight points).

Noah Waldock is currently part of the Titans 2020 Group One Academy squad that is training on a weekly basis in Ballina in Northern New South Wales and hopefully this is just the start of a long and fruitful association with the Titans.

Noah Waldock had a great 2019 Group One U13 Round One scoring a hat trick and kicking a conversion against South Grafton and followed that up with a Round two double against Casino RSM. Noah Waldock added further doubles against Clarence Coast and Casino RSM later in the season as well as scoring in matches against Lismore Marist Brothers (three separate matches including finals) and Kyogle.

From a goal kicking perspective, Noah Waldock kicked three goals against Lismore Marist Brothers and kicked two conversions in matches against Casino RSM, Clarence Coast and Grafton over the course of the 2019 season.

In 2019 Noah Waldock also played five matches in the Group One U14 competition making his debut in May against Clarence Coast. Noah Waldock played in the U13 match immediately prior to all five of his U14 appearances this season.

In 2018 Noah Waldock Scored thirty six points from seven U12 Group One matches scoring eight tries (114% strike rate) and kicking two goals. Six of his tries came from doubles against Lismore Marist Brothers, Casino RSM and Grafton.

Noah Waldock is an agile ball runner who relies on his outstanding speed and elusiveness to make it difficult for larger opponents to line him up rather than brute strength. When lining up at fullback he always makes himself available for offloads in the centre of the ruck where his quick twitch feet can cause some damage as opposing forwards start to tire.

Noah Waldock has above average speed but not absolute blazing speed, relying instead on his positioning to compensate. When he retrieves the ball Noah Waldock makes a decision quickly about where to look to run around a staggered defensive line or to run straight in an effort to take the yards on offer.

An aspect of his play that is very good is Noah Waldock’s ability to chime into the back line and use his elusiveness to slip through the line, when he comes into the back line, it seems to be mainly when the attacking play is being directed towards the left hand side of the field. I note also that as soon as he breaks into space Noah Waldock starts working through his options in relation to whether he should run himself or look to set up his support players.

Also his hands at fullback are safe for a young player regardless of the type of kick put towards him. His other calling card is his positioning, he always seems to be the right place at the right time, to defuse bombs, attacking short kicks, potential 40/20 kicks etc. Noah Waldock can on occasion get caught a little shallow but relies on his timing and anticipation to compensate when tracking balls that have been kicked when the intention of going over his head.

From a goal kicking perspective, Noah Waldock has outstanding leg strength and outstanding accuracy which suggests that he will likely to be his side’s primary goal kicking option regardless of level. I would equate his goal kicking to that of current Titans first choice goal kicker Michael Gordon.

Noah Waldock will take a hit defensively when needing to make the tackle in the last line of defence and will focus exclusively on the ball carrier, forcing the attacking player to make the decision of what to do with the ball, rather than proving the attacker the avenue to make an easier decision.

Noah Waldock is also adept at using the sideline to restrict the attacking options of any opponent who makes a break. To be more effective defensively Noah Waldock will need to add additional muscle to his frame as he only has a slight build at present, although he does have some height and seemingly has the body type to add muscle mass without compromising his speed and elusiveness.

Noah Waldock does also have exceptional hands when short attacking kicks are put in and is elusive enough when he retrieves the ball to get out of the touch in goal when it appears that that task is unlikely in fact once or twice in 2019 Noah Waldock took the ball from his own in goal nearly the length of the field.

Noah Waldock will play the 2020 season in the Group One U14 competition with the Ballina Seagulls and should also be part of the Group One U14 representative side for the 2020 New South Wales Country Age Championships to be held in late 2020.

With his outstanding timing and speed Noah Waldock is a lock to play in the back line in rugby league with the only question of whether that is in the centres, wing or fullback. From a purely personally perspective, I believe that he is ultimately best suited to playing at fullback with his decisive running in relation to kick returns and his outstanding acceleration when he is hunting through the centre of the ruck.

The player comparison is not perfect from a purely style perspective (especially running style) but Noah Waldock has the top end speed, acceleration, positioning and elusiveness of Sydney Roosters, New South Wales State of Origin and Australian International fullback James Tedesco.

Like Tedesco when Noah Waldock gets the ball you sit up just that much straighter just waiting to see what he will do and you are rarely disappointed with what Noah Waldock produces at any given time. I do note again that their running styles are fundamentally different however but the results are certainly not.

mdrew

21-12-19, 11:22 AM

Tyreece Bowman. The Bilambil Jets youngster was part of the Titans U14 squad that played a Western Mustangs selection in February at Mudgeeraba and also in 2019 was part of the Group 18 U14 representative side being named at fullback for the 2019 New South Wales Country Age Championships.

In the New South Wales Country Age Championships Tyreece Bowman started both of Group 18’s U14 matches at fullback with both of those matches played on Day One of the Championships being against Central Coast and Group Four.

In 2019 Tyreece Bowman played for the Bilambil Jets in the Group 18 Junior Rugby League U14 competition.

For a rangy type of player Tyreece Bowman is very quick off the mark and when the ball is being brought out of his teams half he is always around the forwards looking for off loads but as evidenced by one of his tries he also can play the way a lot of the current fullbacks play when they receive the football “out the back” from the half or five eight.

In those circumstances, currently he runs more than he passes, but he is playing at the U14 level and I have no doubt that his passing skills will improve as he maturing and gets more experience in older age groups and possible representative games.

Tyreece Bowman presents as a silky smooth player, who looks like he glides across the field picking and choosing his time to get involved and wants to have the ball in his hands when the game is on the line, as evidenced by the match against Marsden where he was the match winner on that day.

In terms of his defence, one thing that stood out to me is when the opposition makes a break Tyreece Bowman moves forward looking to cut down the time of the attacking player, which is quite impressive for such a young player. Due to his height, he is good also at defending the high ball.

Tyreece Bowman will play the 2020 season with the Bilambil Jets in the Group 18 U15 competition and should also represent Group 18 once again at the U15 level in late 2020.

Tyreece Bowman is a talented player whether he is playing at fullback or in the centres but with his size and speed combination potentially his best position will ultimately be at fullback but that is definitely not set in stone.

I initially thought Tyreece Bowman would be a very good centre, and I am sure with his natural ability he would/will be, but with the skills he possesses and the way the modern game of rugby league is played, fullback seems to be his best position into the future but as noted above that is not a given by any means.

Tyreece Bowman obviously has a long way to go, but I am looking forward to seeing him play over the coming years and seeing how he progresses as he possesses all of the skills and physical attributes to be a very good rugby league player both now and down the track.

From a player comparison perspective, I will once again qualify my comments that when I am making a player comparison I am talking about a playing style rather than potential career path. For me Tyreece Bowman has a little bit of recently retired South Sydney Rabbitoh, Queensland State of Origin and Australian Test centre/fullback Greg Inglis in his game.

Like Inglis Tyreece Bowman has speed and power when running the ball (and defensively for that matter) as well has just having the uncanny knack of making the initial defender miss the first up tackle on a regular basis.

mdrew

21-12-19, 09:55 PM

Zac Johnson. The young Helensvale Hornets five eight or second rower (or occasional front rower) backed up his outstanding 2018 campaign with further assured performances in 2019.

For Helensvale in the 2019 Gold Coast Rugby League U15 Division One regular season competition, Zac Johnson played in five matches spending time both in the second row and in the front row as well as five eight late in the season, scoring two tries and also kicking a field goal against Ormeau and another against Runaway Bay. Zac Johnson also kicked a field goal in 2018, three field goals over two seasons is an impressive achievement in any grade or age group.

In Week One of the U15 Division One Finals series Zac Johnson started at five eight and scored as the Hornets defeated Ormeau 20 – 14 and added three conversions from as many attempts as Helensvale went down 22 – 18 to Nerang in the Preliminary Final in their season finale.

For the Helensvale Hornets U14 Division One side in 2018, Zac Johnson played primarily in the second row including in their 29 – 12 Grand Final victory over Coomera. Team mates in the 2018 Grand Final winning side were fellow Titans contracted players, fullback/centre Kobie Mackey-Taylor and fullback/centre Te Haeta Takamore just like they were in the U15 Division One Preliminary Final this season.

In total for the Helensvale Division One U14 side in 2018, Zac Johnson played in thirteen matches finishing with thirty one points from three tries, nine goals and the field goal, one of three mentioned previously which was kicked late in the 2018 season against the Ormeau Shearers.

In 2018 Zac Johnson also played in one U15 Division Two match which was against Currumbin in late June and two U15 Division One matches the first being against the Jimboomba Thunder in late July.

Zac Johnson was also part of the Helensvale U14 side that won the Tassell Trophy in 2018 scoring a try and kicking a conversion in the Hornets 40 – 6 Tournament final victory over the Western Lions. In fact Zac Johnson was named Player of the Final after a dominant display for the Hornets.

On the basis that ultimately I believe that Zac Johnson will end up in the second row, that is where my analysis is focussed.

Zac Johnson is a wide hard running backrower who runs a good line on the fringes of the ruck and constantly picks the right holes to run into thus making the play makers on his team look good. Where he really excels though is his footwork, obviously playing in the backline has assisted greatly.

Zac Johnson also has very good late and quick foot work which enables him to change direction quickly allowing him to readjust where he is running to take advantage of either a late developing hole in the defensive line or where the defensive line is repositioning late.

Even when he is taking a hit up in the centre of the ruck, Zac Johnson’s feet are always moving and he is constantly making slight corrections to his running direction and he is also able to maintain his speed regardless of the multiple directional changes.

As you would expect, due to his size and strength, Zac Johnson is a very good defender regardless of position. He will not necessarily hit hard, but he is very good at mirroring the movement of the opposing attacker and wrapping him up ball and all. Zac Johnson is also quick enough to recover and chase if the opposing players gets on the outside.

From a team defensive methodology stand point, Zac Johnson seems to be very comfortable in a sliding defensive scheme where he can use his speed and body control to their best advantage.

Zac Johnson will play the 2020 Gold Coast Rugby League season in the U16 Division One competition for Helensvale and is also a likely selection in one of the two Gold Coast Vikings U16 squads for the 2020 South East Queensland U16 pre-season Challenge commencing next February against Brisbane and Ipswich sides.

Zac Johnson played a number of positions this season for Helensvale, including five eight and even in the front row but for me Zac Johnson will ultimately settle in the second row but the experience that he is gaining at five eight is invaluable in terms of his future progression no matter in which position he ultimately establishes himself.

From a player comparison perspective for Zac Johnson, think along the lines of someone like Cronulla Sharks, New South Wales State of Origin and Australian International second rower Wade Graham as a player who played some junior rugby league at five eight before settling in the second row and developing into a solid ball playing forward who can pop a short pass to his supports both prior to the line or when engaged with the defensive line a sell as a solid defender on the fringes of the ruck.

mdrew

22-12-19, 08:46 AM

Deniro Seumanutafa. The giant Nerang Roosters and Keebra Park front rower had a huge season in the Gold Coast Rugby League U15 Division One competition this season culminating in a Grand Final hat trick as the Roosters defeated Runaway Bay 36 – 22 in an intense high quality and hard fought forward battle.

Over the course of the 2019 GCRL U15 Division One competition Deniro Seumanutafa scored thirteen tries from eleven matches (118% strike rate) to finish as the competitions leading try scorer, one ahead of his nearest rival.

In addition to his 2019 Grand Final hat trick Deniro Seumanutafa scored doubles against Ormeau in Round One and Runaway Bay in Round Three. Later in the 2019 season in consecutive matches in June Deniro Seumanutafa added doubles against Helensvale and Runaway Bay with his remaining two tries coming in matches against Ormeau and Runaway Bay. Invariably when Deniro Seumanutafa scored his first try in 2019 a second would invariably follow at some point later in the match.

In 2018, his first on the Gold Coast after his move down from Brisbane Deniro Seumanutafa scored twelve tries from fourteen matches including a mid-season hat trick against Ormeau. Deniro Seumanutafa finished the 2018 season on a roll scoring in each of his last five matches, starting that span with a double against Burleigh and then added tries in matches against Mudgeeraba, Coomera, Ormeau and Coomera once again this time in the U14 Division One Finals series.

Earlier in the 2018 season Deniro Seumanutafa scored a double against Beaudesert for his first tries on the Gold Coast and then followed that up a week later by scoring against Burleigh.

In Brisbane prior to his move to the Gold Coast Deniro Seumanutafa played for the Norths St Joseph’s Junior Rugby League Club in Brisbane’s northern suburbs representing them for a number of seasons in the front row.

Running with the football, Deniro Seumanutafa has decent footwork prior to the line and does not often just put his head down and run straight, but uses his footwork to try to work the gaps between defenders rather than trying to simply run over them. Deniro Seumanutafa does reasonably decent speed off the mark and that assists in his ability to hit the defensive line hard and with momentum.

Deniro Seumanutafa does not have another gear once through the defensive line but continues to pump his legs and fights for every metre and does have has decent off load when he has impacted the defensive line as well. Due to his power Deniro Seumanutafa is able to break free of any wrestling on the ground from the defensive side, regularly able to generate a quick play the ball for his team to feed off and maintain momentum that he generated.

Deniro Seumanutafa knows only one way and that is straight ahead and can offload once he has impacted the defensive line or has crashed through it, in addition he is quite effective when his team is attacking close to the try line. He can either take the ball himself, and when Deniro Seumanutafa gets low he is very difficult to stop or he can run as a decoy and attract defenders away from the real axis of attack.

For a big front rower Deniro Seumanutafa does actually have quite decent speed and footwork, certainly well above average for a player of his size. Deniro Seumanutafa does however seem to carry the ball in his right hand away from his body which whilst it can make offloading easier once he engages the defensive line it can lead to a number of dropped balls when opposing defenders engage him.

The key to his running is that Deniro Seumanutafa stays low and does not present himself to be an easy target for defences and will drop his shoulder into the defensive line, but his all out running style does mean Deniro Seumanutafa can fatigue on occasion but regardless he can be absolutely devastating.

Another area that people can overlook is in relation returning kick offs, and this is another area that Deniro Seumanutafa excels in. Deniro Seumanutafa is good at timing his run when his team mate takes the kick off, usually able to be in time for a flat pass and then just charges into the oncoming defensive line, bending it backwards and invariably crossing the twenty metres line to give his side good starting field position for their set of six tackles.

To put it simply Deniro Seumanutafa just literally just wears opposing defensive lines down with his constant hard running into the defensive line. The effort opposing forwards (multiple at a time on may occasions) have to put into tackling him over the course of a match simply starts to break them both physically and mentally as time and again they have to confront Deniro Seumanutafa as he charges at them with the same ferocity that he did at the start of the match. Clearly while this situation favours Deniro Seumanutafa it also favours his entire team, both from a motivation and results perspective.

Defensively Deniro Seumanutafa hits very hard and usually aims for around the area where the upper edge of the ball is carried and can lead to a number of dropped balls. Deniro Seumanutafa defends in the centre of the ruck and seems best suited in the long run defending there and adds a degree of intimidation to any forward pack he plays for.

Deniro Seumanutafa really does know how to tackle effectively, as he sets a strong base to create the necessary leverage to defend against larger forwards and then explodes through his core into his opponent.

Deniro Seumanutafa is obviously suited to defending in the centre of the ruck rather that the fringes and will understandably have some trouble with nippy runners out of dummy half. His calling card though is the strength and power to effectively engage the opposing forward early in their run and use his natural strength to win the forward battle in the centre of the ruck.

Deniro Seumanutafa can defensively handle literally any one on one battle that presents itself. At times in games he really does prevent opposing gaining any ground at all through the centre of the ruck as a result of bone rattling defence. My mind boggles at what damage Deniro Seumanutafa could have done before shoulder charges were understandably eliminated from the game.

Deniro Seumanutafa will play the 2020 season with the Nerang Roosters in the Gold Coast Rugby League U16 Division One competition as well as being a likely selection in one of the two Gold Coast Vikings U16 sides for the 2020 South East Queensland U16 pre-season challenge.

Deniro Seumanutafa will also represent Keebra Park in 2020 in the South East Queensland Langer Cup competition and will also push for a spot in the Open A side for Keebra Park’s 2020 GIO Cup campaign.

Deniro Seumanutafa is a big, strong powerful young man who has outstanding speed and mobility (including lateral mobility) for his size as well as stamina and will continue to ply his trade on a rugby league field in the front row s his career progresses and develops.

Deniro Seumanutafa’s older brother Devontai is currently contracted to the Bulldogs and played in the 2019 Jersey Flegg U20 competition in the front row as well as one match in the Canterbury Cup when he came off the bench but with the Titans new association with Keebra Park it is more likely than not that players like Deniro Seumanutafa and his brother will line up for the Titans in coming seasons and that is an extremely desirable outcome to say the absolute least.

It is not the ideal playing style comparison but there are certainly aspects to the play of Deniro Seumanutafa that line up rather nicely with Melbourne Storm and New Zealand International front rower Jesse Bromwich.

Both Bromwich and Deniro Seumanutafa are big strong powerful players who can just dominate opposing big strong powerful front rowers in attack and defence regardless of the competition level and for their size are explosive and exceptionally mobile front rowers with surprising stamina, a lethal combination for a front rower in modern day rugby league with its limited interchange and interpretation and strict adherence to the ten metre rule.

mdrew

22-12-19, 01:26 PM

Isaac Matalavea-Booth. The giant young front rower from Auckland New Zealand headed over to the Gold Coast in early November 2019 chasing his rugby league dream and to play for the Burleigh Bears MM Cup side in 2020 and well as attend Keebra Park for his senior year of school.

Not long after arriving in Australia Isaac Matalavea-Booth signed a one year contract with the Titans to immediately become part of the impressive Junior Titans system (JTS).

Isaac Matalavea-Booth was outstanding in 2019 for Auckland’s Pakuranga College and at the 2019 SAS College Rugby League Awards Night was named in the front row in the 2019 Premier First XIII Team of the Year which was a deserved acknowledgement of his performances for Pakuranga College and even more meritorious considering Isaac Matalavea-Booth was just 17 years old throughout the season.

From a club rugby league perspective in 2019 in New Zealand, Isaac Matalavea-Booth played for the Manurewa Club in the Auckland U17/18 Open competition playing in thirteen matches scoring five tries and kicking a conversion to finish the 2019 season with twenty two points.

One of his thirteen games one was the Auckland Rugby League U17/18 Grand Final with Isaac Matalavea-Booth starting in the front row for Manurewa, but unfortunately they went down 22 – 14 to the Marist Saints in a high quality physical (very) encounter.

Isaac Matalavea-Booth also represented the Tao Samoa U18 side this season in their annual match against the New Zealand U18’s starting in the front row and also started in the front row for the Tao Samoa U16’s against New Zealand U16’s in 2018. In fact the first time that Isaac Matalavea-Booth represented Tao Samoa was at the U13 level in 2014 and also represented Tao Samoa at the U15 level in 2016 I believe.

In 2019 Isaac Matalavea-Booth who previously was part of the New Zealand Warriors Development Academy represented the Auckland based Counties Manukau Stingrays representative side in the New Zealand National Youth U17 Tournament starting in the front row in all five of their matches including their semi-final victory over the Akarana Falcons and the U17 National Youth Final victory 24 – 20 against the South Island Scorpions.

Isaac Matalavea-Booth scored two tries in the pool portion of the 2019 U17 National Youth Tournament with those tries coming in Match One against the Wellington Orcas and Match Three against the Northern Swords.

In 2017 Isaac Matalavea-Booth represented Counties Manukau at the U15 National Youth Tournament starting in the front row in his two matches for the Stingrays.

The tall strong young front rower runs hard and straight and does not take a backward step, for example for the Tao Samoa U18 late this season, Isaac Matalavea-Booth constantly ran into the heart of the New Zealand U18 forward pack who were huge and were hitting very hard in the tackle. One thing that did impress me was that he did not just put his head down and run into the first defender he saw.

On a number of occasions Isaac Matalavea-Booth cut back behind the play the ball to take advantage of defenders who were slow to get back into the defensive line, similarly he also ran wider on occasion to target the smaller New Zealand U18 defenders, when New Zealand started to compress their defensive line when Tao Samoa had the momentum on their side.

With his size and height Isaac Matalavea-Booth has an outstanding ability to off-load the ball particularly when he is running to his left. Isaac Matalavea-Booth is able to regularly get his right arm free and get it out in front and above his head and pop the ball to runners coming through on his left.

On a number of occasions when he was playing for the Tao Samoa U18 side this season against New Zealand U18’s Isaac Matalavea-Booth used the skill set noted above to producing outstanding offloads, including one leading directly to a Tao Samoa try and another when the support runner was dragged down just short. Both of the offloads noted occurred around forth metres out from the New Zealand line.

Isaac Matalavea-Booth continually put his hand up all day to take the ball up and has a very quick play the ball so that his team can maintain the momentum he is able to generate.

Isaac Matalavea-Booth has continued to get bigger and stronger over the last few years and impressively has also been able to maintain has above average speed for his position, in fact I would consider his speed for a front rower of his height and size to be impressively nearing the plus category, certainly above average.

Defensively Isaac Matalavea-Booth regularly is the first player up to target the ball carriers, even though he is one of the bigger forwards in his team and will make solid initial contact as well as having the ability of defending one on one.

Isaac Matalavea-Booth is not averse to looking for the big hit but also does have a good front on defensive technique and decent agility and lateral movement when looking to tackle smaller opponents. Isaac Matalavea-Booth has the size, strength and power to seal off sections of the field in defence and impressively can sustain that dominance for the entire match regularly.

As noted Isaac Matalavea-Booth will play for the Burleigh Bears MM Cup side in 2020 and has already started training with the Bears as well as attending Keebra Park State High School and will be part of their Langer Cup and GIO Cup school boy rugby league campaigns. At this stage I am not sure which Gold Coast Rugby League club Isaac Matalavea-Booth will play for in the 2020 GCRL U18 Division One competition which is shaping as a very strong competition.

It also would not surprise if Isaac Matalavea-Booth gets a call up at some stage of the 2020 season to the Burleigh U20 Hastings Deering’s Colts squad, he certainly would not look out of place in that competition from a size or skill perspective.

For a young player Isaac Matalavea-Booth already has garnered a fair bit of representative rugby league experience at a high level through representing Tao Samoa at the U16 and U18 levels as well as playing for Counties Manukau in multiple New Zealand National Youth Competitions.

This experience will stand him in good stead in Australia with Burleigh in the 2020 MM Cup competition as well as Keebra Park‘s big school boy matches including the local rivalry against PBC as well as against emerging power Coombabah State High School.

It is players like Isaac Matalavea-Booth and the other young Titans players that are already at Keebra Park that should make the recent association between the Titans and Keebra Park so exciting for Titans fans both now and into the future. There is no doubt that the association between the two entities will help to “future proof” the Titans and help get the best juniors on the Gold Coast to continue to link with the Titans.

Isaac Matalavea-Booth has spent his entire rugby league career in New Zealand encompassing club, school boy and representative rugby league in the front row and that will not change when the 193cm, 107kg powerhouse of a young man plays on the Gold Coast next season for the Titans, Burleigh and Keebra Park.

From an NRL playing comparison style perspective for Isaac Matalavea-Booth, think along the lines of the Regan Campbell-Gillard of the Parramatta Eels (former Penrith Panther) and former New South Wales State of Origin and Australian International as a big tall front rower with good footwork both in attack and defence.

Isaac Matalavea-Booth is also a leader on the field who can set the direction and tempo for his team by leading from the front through his powerful hit-ups in the most demanding position on a football field with a calmness and assurance that belies his age.

Young players like Isaac Matalavea-Booth take a leap of faith when they move countries and back their ability to break into an NRL sides Development System and already Isaac Matalavea-Booth has been able to attract the attention of the Titans who have gotten in and signed Isaac Matalavea-Booth before he gets a lot more attention from other NRL clubs when the 2020 MM Cup competition kicks off in February 2020.

When people see Isaac Matalavea-Booth for the first time up close, they will see a giant of a young man but they will be even be more impressed with just how good he is when they see him on a rugby league field

mdrew

23-12-19, 03:56 PM

JT (John Thomas) Manuofetoa. (Updated) He is a powerful young centre or second rower from the Ormeau Shearers junior rugby league club on the Gold Coast who was part of the Shearers U16 Division One Grand Final winning side in 2019, scoring a double in the victory. JT Manuofetoa was named to start the Grand Final on the bench end ended up starting and starring at right centre.

JT Manuofetoa is currently with the Brisbane Bronco’s but with the Titans doing such a great job in bringing young local junior back into the fold, anything is certainly possible.

In 2019 JT Manuofetoa moved to Brisbane Grammar School and started all eight of their GPS school boy rugby matches at outside centre (No. 13) with his debut in Round Two against Ipswich Grammar School after Brisbane Grammar School had a Round One bye.

In 2018 JT Manuofetoa was named to start in the second row for U16 Queensland City side for their match against Queensland City but was unfortunately ruled out of the match in the end.

In early 2018 JT Manuofetoa started at left centre for the Titans U15 side in their six tries to three victory over the Western Mustangs at Nerang. Over the course of the match JT Manuofetoa combined well with Kaleb Ngamanu.

JT Manuofetoa was also part of the Ormeau U14 Division One side in 2017 that defeated Burleigh in the 2017 Grand Final 31 – 16. JT Manuofetoa actually started the Grand Final at five eight.

Over the course of the 2017 GCJRL U14 Division One season, JT Manuofetoa played in thirteen matches for the Shearers, scoring eight tries including a final’s double against Runaway Bay. JT Manuofetoa had a great end to the regular season scoring in each of the last four rounds.

In 2016 JT Manuofetoa played at fullback for the all-conquering U13 Gold Coast Vikings side as well as being named in the centres for South East Queensland Green U13’s.

For the Ormeau Shearers in the U13 Division One competition in 2016, JT Manuofetoa played in ten matches and scored an impressive 17 tries for the season to finish third on the try scoring tally behind Shearers team mate Syris Schmidt who topped the list. At a team level, Ormeau had a very successful year culminating in a 34 – 22 Grand Final victory over Runaway Bay.

JT Manuofetoa started the Grand Final at fullback. As noted JT Manuofetoa scored seventeen tries including an incredible span of five matches where he scored 14 tries alone including four against Helensvale, hat tricks against Helensvale again and Nerang and doubles Currumbin and Burleigh Heads. Earlier in the 2016 season he also scored a double against Jimboomba.

Previous seasons has seen JT Manuofetao make a number of representative sides, for example in 2014 he represented the South Coast U11 QPSRL side which won the Queensland championships and scored two tries against Wide Bay and in 2015 he played for the Queensland Invitational side which finished third in the Australian U12 championships, and across the pool matches scored four tries, one each against ACT, WA, SA and NT.

JT Manuofetoa is a tall, rangy exceptional athlete and this can be seen when be he is running with the football. In his carries he rarely takes a hit up without movement, he uses foot work prior to the line to look to break through as well as cutting either cutting back in behind the play the ball or cutting out towards the smaller defenders on the fringes of the ruck.

Like one or two others mentioned recently he runs ‘fast’ into the defensive and his foot work prior to the line enables him to get partly through the line quite often, certainly more so than you would expect for a backrower taking the ball through the centre of the ruck.

JT Manuofetoa does not try to run over defenders, but he runs at the gaps between defenders and uses his running speed to break through if defenders only use their arms on the tackle. He does not necessarily have a great top end speed, but he is certainly fast enough to get through to the full back prior to the arrival of the cover defence.

There are a few big strong fast young centres/backrowers in his age group on the Gold Coast and JT is right up there in terms of speed. If anything he looked like his speed had improved over the course of the 2016 season meanly that the opportunity to continue in the outside backs rather than any future transition to the back row is potentially lessened.

Playing on the right hand side of the field seemingly more often, means that his right foot step and his fending using his left hand are the more effective attributes, but based on his physical attributes, his skill set and his understanding of how to play the game means that I have no doubt that these attributes are transferrable to playing on the left hand side of the field.

Where his greatest impact on a game is going to be is his defence. JT Manuofetoa has a great tackling technique and a hard hitting aggressive style to go with it. I think that in every game that I have seen him play, including representative games he has made a huge impact defensively. It is not a reckless style where he runs in trying to pull off the biggest hit possible, it is a calculating style where he uses a great technique to hit the opposition just under the rib cage to devastating effect.

Moving to the 2020 JT Manuofetoa has been named in the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad and post that competition will continue to play for the Ormeau Shearers in the GCRL U18 Division One competition.

JT Manuofetoa will also continue to play GPS First XV rugby for Brisbane Grammar School.

From a long term position perspective, I believe that he will continue to alternate between centre and second row in the short to medium term but when all is said and done I think that he will develop into a big strong powerful runner of the ball with an intimidating defensive mindset most likely in the second row but that is certainly not set in stone.

From a player comparison perspective, a player who could be considered to have a similar playing style is Brisbane Broncos backrower Matt Gillett as a skilled 80 minute backrower who stands out due to his determination and intensity both with the ball and defensively. This young guy is a very talented young rugby league player (and rugby player for that matter) with a very bright future ahead of him.

mdrew

23-12-19, 07:51 PM

Boaz Kapua. The young Burleigh Bears centre or second rower (and occasional winger) was a member of the Titans outstanding U14 side that accounted for the Western Mustangs 32 – 8 in Mudgeeraba in very hot conditions earlier this year.

Boaz Kapua started Round One of the U14 Division One for Burleigh from the interchange bench but moved into the starting side on the wing for Round Two against Currumbin before moving to the second row in Round Three.

In total Boaz Kapua played in ten regular season U14 Division One matches in 2019, scoring three tries and kicked one conversion. Boaz Kapua’s three tries came in matches against Currumbin in Round Two and later in the season against Beaudesert in matches in May and June. Boaz Kapua’s sole 2019 regular season conversion came against Currumbin in late June.

In Week two of the U14 Division One Finals series, Boaz Kapua started in the second row against Runaway Bay kicking a conversion in their 40 – 6 win and Boaz Kapua also started in the second row for Burleigh as they defeated Runaway Bay 38 – 10 in the U14 Division One Grand Final.

In 2018 Boaz Kapua played for Burleigh in the GCRL U13 Division One competition, playing in six matches and scoring a try and kicking two conversions to finish the season with eight points. Boaz Kapua’s try came midway through the season against Runaway Bay and he also converted his own try to account for six of his eight points in that match alone.

Boaz Kapua’s other conversion was in the 2018 U13 Division One Grand Final in a Burleigh 42 – 22 win over Southport. Boaz Kapua started the match from the interchange bench and also came off the bench in Week Two in the Finals in a 22 - 18 Burleigh win once again against the Southport Tigers.

2018 also saw the PBC student named in the South East Queensland U13 Merit side after preforming well for the Gold Coast Vikings U13 side. In 2017 Boaz Kapua represented South Coast in the U12 age group playing a number of matches at fullback and that same year was awarded a PBC Regional Representation Sports Award.

Boaz Kapua has played the majority of his football this year in the back row and is a strong runner of the football. Whilst in does not have blinding speed off the mark, he does have decent speed overall but I would not consider it at the plus level and can break tackles by running over his direct opposite defender as well as using a very good fend, when Boaz Kapua gets to the outside, this prevents defenders from getting he under his ribs and thus he can maintain his running line under defensive pressure.

One skill that Boaz Kapua does possess when playing out wide is a decent in and away and he will wait until the last possible minute to step to commit the defender before getting on his outside and is then able to hold his running line down the touch line.

When Boaz Kapua plays second row previously, he has got very good feet, in terms of not just charging straight at the set defensive line. He uses foot work before and after the defensive line to assist in breaking tackles and he is adept at offloading in traffic.

In terms of his defence, Boaz Kapua he obviously during the course of this year, defended almost exclusively in the second row but obviously his skill set indicates that defending wider out in the centres does not cause him too many issues.

Boaz Kapua’s initial contact is more than solid and is more than enough to stop the momentum of the ball carrier. Boaz Kapua is also effective at wrapping the ball up and preventing offloads.

Boaz Kapua will play the 2020 season with Burleigh in the U15 Division One competition and also look to be part of the South Coast U15 side for the QSSRL U15 Championships as well as representing PBC in their various South East Queensland school boy rugby league competitions in South East Queensland.

Over the last couple of seasons Boaz Kapua has played a variety of positions, including fullback, wing and second row and to be honest I am conflicted as to where he ultimately establishes himself but potentially second row may just (by the barest of margins) be Boaz Kapua’s best position as he heads towards the senior ranks of rugby league on the Gold Coast .

Boaz Kapua will not be a big second rower by any means, not big at the other positions that he could potentially play for into the future but he is tenacious and determined enough to overcome the potential size differential that he would encounter in the majority of matches.

Newcastle Knights second rower Sione Mata’utia is probably an appropriate player comparison for Boaz Kapua as an undersized second rower who is successful through shear grit and determination and can also play a variety of positions both in the forwards and in the backline.

mdrew

24-12-19, 07:43 AM

Zac Windle. The Tweed Heads Seagulls youngster was part of the Titans U14 squad that played and defeated a Western Mustangs selection in February at Mudgeeraba and also in 2019 was part of the Group 18 U14 representative side being named in the front row for the 2019 New South Wales Country Age Championships.

In the New South Wales Country Age Championships Zac Windle started both of Group 18’s U14 matches in the front row with both of those matches played on Day One of the Championships against Central Coast and Group Four.

Zac Windle played the 2019 season with the Tweed Heads Seagulls U14 side that played in the Group 18 junior rugby league competition just south of the border.

Zac Windle is by no means the biggest second rower running around but he really does throw himself into the defensive line. Zac Windle’s normal running line seems to be on a slight angle away from the ruck and as noted on occasion he will veer back towards the ruck, I would not call it a step but more of a change to his running angle rather than a specific change of running direction.

Zac Windle can also run a very good outside shoulder route and rather than trying to step his opposite number will really look to initiate the contact and then use his strength to hold the defender off his body to either push through the tackle or draw in the next defender to create space for his outside support.

Zac Windle also has very good late and quick foot work which enables him to change direction quickly allowing him to readjust where he is running to take advantage of either a late developing hole in the defensive line or where the defensive line is repositioning late. Zac Windle’s speed can certainly be considered above average for a backrower.

Whilst his ball running skills are the first thing that you will likely notice when seeing Zac Windle play, his defence is equally effective even though it may not be as noticeable at first glance. Defensively Zac Windle has a hard edge to his play and his initial contact is more than sufficient to redirect the momentum of the ball carrier either in the centres or when defending in the forwards.

Zac Windle sets a very good base which he uses to explode into the ball carrier looking to use their own momentum against them. Zac Windle is also adept at finishing off the tackle and slowing the subsequent play the ball down.

Zac Windle good situation awareness also enables him to be well positioned when he is defending against smaller quicker players and he endeavours to minimise the time available for the opposing attacker to generate speed and to utilise their footwork.

Zac Windle is also able to change direction quickly to adjust to the directional changes of the attacker especially when he is marking up against multiple attackers running in his direction where Zac Windle will hold his ground to let the play to develop in front of him before committing to a specific defensive course of action.

Zac Windle will play the 2020 season with the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the Group 18 U15 competition and should also represent Group 18 for the second season in a row at the U15 level in 2020 in the New South Wales Country Age Championships.

Zac Windle played in the front row for the Group 18 U14 representative side this season but I would prefer to see him operate a touch wider of the ruck and thus believe that second row is ultimately Zac Windle’s best position going forward.

Recently retired Brisbane Broncos, Queensland State of Origin and Australian International forward Matt Gillett is a good NRL player comparison for Zac Windle, both are just hard players in both attack and defence it is just as simple as that.

mdrew

24-12-19, 01:01 PM

Jay Blazek. The Titans linked Helensvale Hornets lock started from the bench for the Titans U16 side in their early October match against PNG U18’s at Burleigh’s Pizzey Park ground with the Titans winning 44 – 12 on the Friday night in ideal conditions for rugby league.

In the 2019 season Jay Blazek played twelve matches for the Hornets in the GCRL U16 Division One competition scoring three tries including a double in a Week One Finals loss 42 – 20 to Burleigh. Jay Blazek’s other try came in Round Twelve against Runaway Bay as he finished the season with a 25% strike rate.

Early in 2019 Jay Blazek was part of the Gold Coast Vikings U16 train on squad and then represented the Gold Coast Vikings White side in the South East Queensland U16 Pre-season Challenge against sides from Ipswich, Brisbane (three teams) and Gold Coast Vikings Yellow.

In 2018 Jay Blazek played eleven matches for Helensvale in the U15 Division One competition scoring five tries (45.45% strike rate) including a double against Mudgeeraba and also scored against Currumbin in two separate matches to account for the majority of his five tries.

Running with the football, Jay Blazek has good footwork prior to the line and does not often just put his head down and run straight, but uses his solid footwork to try to work the gaps between defenders rather than trying to simply run over them and uses his solid frame to his advantage.

Jay Blazek does not have great speed off the mark or necessary great high end speed but seems to be able to sustain his top speed over a reasonable distance, but Jay Blazek will work hard and make the most of his ability in that aspect.

Jay Blazek actually does have a decent off load when he has impacted the defensive line as well. Where Jay Blazek is very effective is close to the opposition try line where gets down low and charges into the defensive line and has the strength to carry multiple defenders across the line.

Defensively Jay Blazek is not a big hitter, usually aiming for just under the ribs and first intention is to lock up the ball to prevent offloads. One area where Jay Blazek is quite effective whether he is defending on the fringes of the ruck or in the centre of the ruck including when he is defending at marker, is against smaller attackers who look to use their foot work.

Jay Blazek has quite reasonable lateral mobility for a solid forward and due to the fact that he also is not necessarily that tall, Jay Blazek is usually is able to wrap up the smaller attackers without his tackles slipping up to around the head or neck, and thus giving away penalties and thus field position.

Jay Blazek will probably not stand out during a game but will work hard both in attack and defence and leave all the eye catching things like big hits, line breaks and one handed off loads to other forwards who will benefit from his hard working style doing all of the little things in a match.

Jay Blazek will play the 2020 season for Helensvale in the Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition and has also been named in the Burleigh Bears MM Cup squad for the 2020 version of that competition which commences in February 2020. Jay Blazek will also be MM Cup (U18) eligible in 2021.

Jay Blazek just looks a natural playing in the centre third of a rugby league field and with his above average lateral mobility and speed in general I can see a developing lock or second rower with some very good footwork prior to the defensive line as well as being a strong dependable defender in the centre third of the field as well.

With his solid frame and functional strength Jay Blazek reminds me from a player comparison perspective of New Zealand Warriors and New Zealand International forward Leeson Ah Mau although Jay Blazek is not as big as Ah Mau and has a touch better lateral mobility but a similar all effort running style and mentality.

Both are strong and tough and lot quicker from a speed perspective than people on occasion give them credit for. Also both Ah Mau and Jay Blazek do not submit in tackles easily, constantly pumping their legs gaining substantial post contact metres and then trying to get as quick a play the ball that they can by fighting the oppositions wrestling tactics on the ground.

mdrew

24-12-19, 03:19 PM

Jahream Bula. The PNG born and raised young man moved over to Australia to attend Keebra Park State High School at the start of 2018 and since then has showcased his elite athleticism both on a rugby league field as well as on a basketball court for Keebra Park.

As a result Jahream Bula has recently signed a multi-year contract with the Titans and will play for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the 2020 MM Cup competition as well as completing his senior year of schooling at Keebra Park and being part of the JTS Program with the Titans.

In his two years of playing rugby league for Keebra Park, Jahream Bula has played primarily for the Langer Reserve side but in both 2018 and 2019 played two Langer A Cup matches with the Keebra Park Open A side including scoring against PBC in their local derby this season.

In his first year at Keebra Park being 2018 Jahream Bula was named the Langer Cup Reserve Most Valuable Player and was also awarded the Most Valuable Player at the Year 11 level at the Keebra Park Rugby League Sports Specialisation Awards night towards the end of that year.

As noted Jahream Bula also played basketball for Keebra Park in both 2018 and 2019, playing in five matches each year in the CBSQ Boys Fourth Division competition. In 2019 Jahream Bula averaged a team leading 11.6 points from his five games including scoring a career high twenty two points in the final game of the season against Mt Maria College. Jahream Bula added twelve points in matches against Brisbane Bayside State College (Game One) and Pacific Pines State High School (Game Three).

In 2018 in the CBSQ Fourth Boys Division competition Jahream Bula averaged a team leading (again) twelve points a game including scoring fifteen points in the final game of the 2018 season against Springfield Central State High School.

Impressively in 2018 Jahream Bula scored in double figures in each of his five matches. In addition to his season high fifteen point match noted above Jahream Bula also scored in double figures in 2018 against Alexandra State High School, Pacific Pines State High School, Immanuel Lutheran College and St Andrews Catholic College.

In 2019 Jahream Bula played for the Hurricanes in the North Coast Basketball Association in the U17 – U20 competition.

In 2018 Jahream Bula also represented North Gold Coast at the U18 Boys Division Three Queensland State Championships scoring fifty six points from seven matches at an average of eight points per game made up of twenty five two point shots and six free throws. Jahream Bula scored thirteen points (six two point shots and a free throw) in Game Three against Redlands and added twelve (six two point shots) in Game Six against the Trojans.

Jahream Bula has some height about him and is exceptionally quick and explosive, with outstanding speed, both off the mark and when he gets into open space and also can step off both feet exceptionally well and also has a great swerve whilst maintaining top speed when he is in space.

There is nothing that Jahream Bula cannot do when running the ball and it is only now about developing his ball playing skills to make his footwork and running ability even more lethal, in attack he also played up in the line quite often.

In terms of running the ball back from kicks, Jahream Bula’s timing and anticipation means that he gets to a lot of balls on the full and makes a quick decision whether to run the ball flat out back into the oncoming defenders or look to create an opportunity by running across field. Regardless Jahream Bula is an absolute handful to tackle when he has the time to use his speed and evasion skills.

Jahream Bula is what you can consider to be a quick twitch athlete and exceptional hand eye co-ordination and outstanding balance, spatial awareness and has the ability to take in a lot of information about his surrounds and invariably make the correct decision in terms of how to proceed.

Seriously I cannot think of a current NRL player who can as high off the ground as Jahream Bula and to make things harder for the opposition Jahream Bula can comfortably take the ball when he jumps with his arms extended over his head, thus no-one and I mean no-one else has got a chance to get near the ball.

Thus from both an attacking and defensive perspective in relation to kicks Jahream Bula is going to be a godsend for his side. When they are on the attack kickers can put the ball up high to where Jahream Bula is running to and it is guaranteed that Jahream Bula will get the first shot at it. Similarly from a defensive aspect no one is going to get above Jahream Bula when he is looking to defuse a high kick as long as he gets a fair shot at the ball.

In terms of Jahream Bula’s defence, one thing that has stood out to me, is when the opposition makes a break he moves forward looking to cut down the time of the attacking player, which is quite impressive for such a young player.

An impressive attribute that Jahream Bula does have is ability to force attackers who are in open space to try to beat him down the side line. Jahream Bula will stay inside the attacker and force him in the requisite direction and then use his timing, closing speed and anticipation to make the tackle, usually forcing the attacker into touch.

As noted above Jahream Bula has signed a contract with the Titans and is part of the Junior Titans System (JTS) and has been named in the Tweed Heads Seagulls 2020 MM Cup squad. Jahream Bula will also be returning to Keebra Park for his senior year and will surely add to his four Keebra Park Open A matches in both the Langer Cup and GIO Cup school boy rugby league competitions in 2020.

Jahream Bula, since his move from PNG has played primarily fullback for Keebra Park and whilst that is likely where he will play for Keebra Park in 2020 and in the 2020 GCRL U18 Division One competition, I am of the opinion that for Tweed Heads in the 2020 MM Cup competition Jahream Bula will start the season on the wing, just to give him some time and space to build into his rugby league career.

In 2021 when he most likely hits the Hastings Deering’s U20 Colts competition Jahream Bula I am sure would have transitioned to fullback permanently.

Jahream Bula has outstanding speed, strength, power and leaping ability but has probably played less rugby league than most if not all of the other players in the JTS regardless of age. That is not necessarily a bad situation as that may just mean Jahream Bula has less “bad habits” for coaches to address and rectify. Jahream Bula is a fresh canvass for coaches and development staff to work with, if you will.

In 2020 however Jahream Bula will play a lot of matches starting with the MM Cup and then going onto the Langer Cup and GIO Cup school boy competitions all of the way most likely to playing club rugby league for the first time since his arrival on the Gold Coast in the GCRL U18 Division One competition.

From an NRL player comparison perspective, with his speed from the fullback position potentially the best player comparison I can think of his former Canberra Raider/ Sydney Roosters, New South Wales State of Origin and Australian International fullback/centre Brett Mullins as an outstanding athlete who was an even better rugby league player when he put it all together.

Certainly a job well done to the Titans staff for seeing the exceptional athletic ability of Jahream Bula (and his rugby league skills which are probably over shadowed a touch at present, fairly or not) and bringing him into the JTS system.

Jahream Bula does not have the resume of a lot of the current players in the JTS but he is an exceptional athlete with a leap that has to be seen to be believed as well as incredible speed and power as well as outstanding hand eye co-ordination from playing basketball as well as just pure natural athletic talent.

The only thing that is holding Jahream Bula up is rugby league experience and as noted above he will play a lot of rugby league in 2020 as well as getting a steady dose of outstanding coaching through Keebra Park Rugby league Sports Specialisation Program which now has links to the Titans, the Tweed Heads MM Cup squad and of course Jamie McCormack and company through the outstanding JTS.

It may take a year or two for Jahream Bula to really explode onto the rugby league scene on the Gold Coast but I can guarantee you that it will be worth the wait for Titans fans if/when it occurs.

Jahream Bula’s explosiveness and athleticism would even now stand out in the NRL now highlighting just how impressive it is. As fans however, we just need to be patient and allow young men like Jahream Bula to grow and mature as individuals off the field as well as rugby league players at their own pace.

mdrew

25-12-19, 09:27 AM

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui. The 197cm, 107kg Orange born giant who played his junior rugby league on the Sunshine Coast is an outstanding signing for the Titans for the 2021 season and beyond. On the same day that he signed with the Titans for 2021 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui was named in the 2020 Queensland U20 Emerging Origin Squad.

To suggest that Tino Fa’asuamaleaui had a stellar 2019 would be an understatement, in addition to making his NRL debut for the Storm, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui represented the Junior Kangaroo’s against France, played for the Australian Prime Minister’s XIII against Fiji and made his senior International debut for Samoa against Fiji starting in the second row.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui made his NRL debut in Round Sixteen of the 2019 NRL season when he started from the bench against St George. In his debut Tino Fa’asuamaleaui played twenty seven minutes, running for eighty four metres (thirty two post contact) and made fifteen tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

In Round Eighteen Tino Fa’asuamaleaui also started from the bench against the Titans playing twenty minutes. In those minutes Tino Fa’asuamaleaui ran for thirty three metres (nine post contact) and made seventeen tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui came off the bench again in Round Twenty One against Souths Sydney playing thirty minutes running for eighteen metres (six post contact) and made twenty two tackles at a tackling efficiency of 91.67%. The two tackles that Tino Fa’asuamaleaui missed in the match where the first of his NRL career and the only ones that he missed in the NRL in 2019.

In Round Twenty Two against the Raiders, from the bench Tino Fa’asuamaleaui played twenty minutes running for fourteen metres (four post contact) and had a 100% tackling efficiency whilst making fifteen tackles.

In his final NRL match of the 2019 season against Manly Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, once again from the bench, ran for seventy seven metres (twenty seven post contact) and made eight tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency in his sixteen minutes on the field.

In total in the NRL in 2019 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui played 113 minutes, ran for 196 metres, 78 of which were post contact (38.4%) and made 77 tackles missing only two, both coming in the same game. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui’s per game averages included playing twenty three minutes, running for 39.1 metres and making 15.4 tackles at a 97.47% tackling efficiency, not missing a tackle in four of his five 2019 NRL matches.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui started in the second row in his International debut for Samoa against Fiji but his side went down 44 – 18. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui played the entire 80 minutes, running for seventy six metres (twenty one post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.83 seconds and made twenty six tackles at a 92.9% tackling efficiency.

For the Australian Prime Ministers XIII in 2019 in a 52 – 10 win over Fiji Tino Fa’asuamaleaui started from the interchange bench playing forty four minutes, running for 108 metres (forty four post contact), broke four tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.07 seconds and made nine tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

For the Australian Junior Kangaroo’s against France in their big victory Tino Fa’asuamaleaui started from the interchange bench playing thirty seven minutes, running for 142 metres (fifty nine post contact), from thirteen hit-ups, broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.98 seconds and made seven tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

In addition to all of the matches above, in 2019 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui played in fourteen matches for the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the Queensland Cup scoring in Round Eight against the Mackay Cutters and Round Twelve against Burleigh.

In his fourteen matches, three of which were Finals matches Tino Fa’asuamaleaui played 749 out of a possible 1 120 minutes (66.88%), running for 1 857 metres (705 post contact), made three line breaks, offloaded the ball four times, broke fifty eight tackles and made 288 tackles at an 87% tackling efficiency.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui’s 2019 Queensland Cup per game averages included playing 53.5 minutes, running for 132.7 metres and making 20.57 tackles.

Of his fourteen 2019 Queensland Cup matches Tino Fa’asuamaleaui started eight from the bench, two in the second row beings Rounds Thirteen and Fourteen against Tweed Heads and Wynnum Manly, Round Nineteen at lock against Central Queensland and his remaining three matches in the front row including Sunshine Coast’s Preliminary Final loss to Burleigh.

Interestingly the two games that Tino Fa’asuamaleaui started in the second row in 2019 were also the only two games that he played the entire eighty minutes.

In eleven of his fourteen 2019 Queensland Cup matches Tino Fa’asuamaleaui ran for in excess of 100 metres including twice gaining more than 200 metres, including running for 231 metres in Round Thirteen against Tweed Heads and 202 metres in Week One of the Finals against the Townsville Blackhawks.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui certainly proved a handful for Queensland Cup defensives in 2019 as was evidenced by the fact that he broke nine tackles in Week One of the Finals against the Townsville Blackhawks and eight in Round Nineteen against the Central Queensland Capra’s.

Defensively in seven of his fourteen matches Tino Fa’asuamaleaui made in excess of twenty tackles including his last six matches including the three finals. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui’s “best” defensive match came in the Preliminary Final against when he made thirty four tackles at a 97.14% tackling efficiency. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui also made twenty eight tackles in Round Six against the Easts Tigers at a 100% tackling efficiency.

2019 was the second season that Tino Fa’asuamaleaui played in the Queensland Cup after making his debut as an 18 year old in 2018. In 2018 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui played in fourteen matches for the Easts Tigers, scoring once, broke the line on two occasions, offloaded the ball four times, ran for 1 185 metres at an average of 84.69 per match and made 212 tackles at a tackling efficiency of 87.6%.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui also started in the second row for the Queensland State of Origin U20 side in 2019 and impressively started from the bench for the Queensland U20 side in 2018 after playing in the U18 Interstate match that year as well when he started in the second row scoring Queensland first try of that match. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui also represented the Queensland U18 side in 2017 and the Queensland U16 side in 2016.

Rarely can you find a young player who is equally at home running on both sides of the ruck but that is what a team has with Tino Fa’asuamaleaui , he runs a superb inside or outside shoulder line and his excellent footwork enables him to step off either foot to enable him to cut back against the movement of the defensive line to take advantage of gaps back on the inside of his direct opponent.

For a big strong young man, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui also has above average (to plus) speed, not just off the mark but also when he is in clear space, when he makes a break Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is more than capable of going the distance and normally easily out paces the cover defence.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is not just a strong runner of the ball he as noted above has excellent footwork prior to the line and also some very good short passing both before the line and when in contact with defenders.

On a lot of his runs Tino Fa’asuamaleaui rather than trying to step his opposite number will really look to initiate the contact and then use his strength to hold the defender off his body to either push through the tackle or draw in the next defender to create space for his outside support.

Whilst his ball running skills are the first thing that you will likely notice when seeing Tino Fa’asuamaleaui play his defence is equally effective even though it may not be as noticeable at first glance.

Defensively Tino Fa’asuamaleaui has a hard edge to his play and his initial contact is more than sufficient to redirect the momentum of the ball carrier either in the centres or when defending in the forwards. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui sets a very good base which he uses to explode into the ball carrier looking to use their own momentum against them.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui good situation awareness also enables him to be well positioned when he is defending against smaller quicker players on the fringes of the ruck and he endeavours to minimise the time available for the opposing attacker to generate speed and to utilise their footwork.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is also able to change direction quickly to adjust to the directional changes of the attacker especially when he is marking up against multiple attackers running in his direction where he will hold his ground to let the play to develop in front of him before committing to a specific defensive course of action.

When you look at what he has already achieved in his career in rugby league it is scary to think that Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is still U20 eligible in 2020.

It will be interesting to see where Tino Fa’asuamaleaui plays in 2020, do the Melbourne Storm play him in the NRL knowing that he will be joining the Titans in 2021 or will he play in the Queensland Cup with either Easts or Sunshine Coast, time will tell I guess.

At 197cm and 107kg Tino Fa’asuamaleaui has the size to play in the front row but the speed and mobility to play in the second row, which is where I hope that Titans fans will see the best of him in 2021 and beyond.

For people who have not yet seen Tino Fa’asuamaleaui play, for me he sits somewhere between Brisbane Broncos Payne Hass and David Fifita. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is bigger than Fifita but smaller than Haas, but has the same type of explosiveness, speed and mobility as the two Australian Internationals mentioned.

mdrew

25-12-19, 02:31 PM

Isreal (Izzy) Higgins. (Revised) He is a local young centre or second rower from the Currumbin Eagles junior rugby league club on the Gold Coast as well as PBC who has recently signed a multi-year contract with the Titans, moving over from the Sydney Roosters who he was with for a number of seasons.

Isreal Higgins has previously worn a Titans jersey when he started in the second row for the U13 Titans development squad against a Toowoomba U14 selection in late 2015 at Burleigh’s Pizzey Park. In that match Isreal Higgins scored a strong try under the posts when he charged through the Toowoomba forward pack from about ten metres out off a pass from the dummy half at the dressing room end of the ground.

Isreal Higgins had a standout 2019 season which saw him play for the U18 National Championship winning Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup side as well as representing Queensland at the ASSRL U18 School Boy Championships from PBC after representing South Coast at the QSSRL U18 School Boy Championships that were held in Toowoomba.

In the MM Cup for Tweed Heads in 2019 Isreal Higgins played in all eight of Tweed Heads matches including starting from the bench in their 28 – 24 Grand Final hard fought victory over the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.

Isreal Higgins started Round One against the Western Mustangs in the second row, scoring his sole ty of the season before moving to the bench for Rounds Two and Three against Townsville and Burleigh respectively. Isreal Higgins started Rounds Four and Five in the centres against Central Queensland and Wynnum Manly before moving back to the bench for the remainder of the season including the Queensland semi-final against Souths Logan and the a fore mentioned fiercely contested Queensland Final against Wynnum Manly.

In the National U18 Championship Final against the Illawarra Steelers, Isreal Higgins started from the bench for Tweed Heads in their 48 – 14 victory. In the match, Isreal Higgins played thirty one minutes, ran for eighty three metres (thirty nine post contact, being an impressive 48.99% of his total running metres) on nine hit-ups, broke a tackle and made eleven tackles at a perfect 100% tackling efficiency including a couple of brutal front on hits.

Also in 2019 Isreal Higgins started in the second row for South Coast in the U18 QSSRL School Boy Championships, from there being named in the Queensland U18 School Boys side for the U18 ASSRL Championships playing a number of matches for Queensland at left centre including scoring in the Championship Final as Queensland defeated NSW Combined Catholic Schools 34 – 10.

To cap off an outstanding 2019 season Isreal Higgins has recently been named in the 2020 U18 Queensland Emerging Origin Squad with fellow Titans Ediq Ambrosyev and Samuel Shannon.

Isreal Higgins was also been a key member of the PBC Open rugby league side over the last couple of seasons including starting in the second row in 2019 in the Langer Cup Final victory and in 2018 was part of the PBC National GIO Cup winning side.

In 2018 Isreal Higgins represented the Queensland U16 side in their annual match against New South Wales starting the match in the second row as the Maroons went down 28 – 14. Prior to his Queensland U16 selection Isreal Higgins started in the second row for the U16 South East Queensland Green side in the Queensland Age Championships.

Also in 2018 Isreal Higgins represented Gold Coast Vikings Yellow in the 2018 South East Queensland U16 Challenge, starting the first four rounds in the second row. Isreal Higgins was also part of the 2018 U16 Queensland Emerging Origin Squad alongside Titans contracted jack of all trades Ediq Ambrosyev.

In 2017 Isreal Higgins played in the U15 age group in the 2017 season for the Currumbin Eagles. Isreal Higgins also represented South Coast at the U15 level in 2017.

Isreal Higgins was only able to play one match for the Currumbin Eagles U15 side in 2017 which was against Southport in April but was selected in the South Coast U15 side for the QSSRL competition after playing well for PBC and them went on to be named in the Queensland White team for the U15 ASSRL Championships.

In 2016 Isreal Higgins represented the Gold Coast Vikings at the U14 level where he was selected at lock for the U14 South East Queensland Age Championships.

For Currumbin in the U14 Division One competition in 2016 Isreal Higgins played in eight matches scoring six tries along the way. Isreal Higgins had a big day out in June 2016 when he scored a hat trick against Mudgeeraba and he also scored in the next two club matches that he played in which were against Burleigh Heads and Coomera. Isreal Higgins other try on the season came against Nerang in the first round of the U14 Division One season proper.

In 2015 Isreal Higgins also was part of the U13 Gold Coast Vikings representative side and also made the South East Queensland U13 side for the Queensland Age Championships where he was selected on the inter change bench.

Isreal Higgins is a quick powerful centre or second rower with a fluid running style with a classic centres build with the ability to stand up his direct opposite and then beat him with pace on the outside. In term of his play, the in and away is his bread and butter play, Isreal Higgins has very good speed off the mark and can break to the outside quickly, couple that with long arms, which he uses to great effect with a powerful fend makes him difficult to tackle.

When opposing centres are able to get hold of him, Isreal Higgins is usually is able to maintain his balance as well as his running line and keeps an arm free, looking to offload if presented with the opportunity.

Isreal Higgins has far more tools though than just an in and away, he will also use his size and strength to run straight over smaller opposing centres as well as also having the skill to step back inside of the defender if he is pushing to the outside too early.

What Isreal Higgins is also adept at doing is timing his pass to his outside supports if the outside defender looks to come in and help defend him allowing an overlap to develop on the outside.

Due to his size and strength, Isreal Higgins is a very good defender regardless of position. He will not necessarily hit hard, but he is very good at mirroring the movement of the opposing centre and wrapping him up ball and all. Isreal Higgins is also quick enough to recover and chase if the opposing centre gets on the outside and his long reach is also a positive attribute in those situations as he can quickly disrupt the running line of his opponent.

From a team defensive methodology stand point, Isreal Higgins seems to be very comfortable in a sliding defensive scheme where he can use his speed and body control to their best advantage by allowing the play to develop in front of him before committing to an appropriate course of action to shut the play down prior to any damage being done.

Isreal Higgins has been named in the 2020 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM squad and post the completion of that competition should move directly to the Tweed Heads U20 Hastings Deering’s Colts squad and is a real chance at being selected in the 2020 Queensland U18 side come the representative season next year.

I don’t envisage that Isreal Higgins will play many matches (if any) for the Currumbin Eagles in 2020 but if he does it will likely be across both the GCRL U18 Division One and U20 competitions.

Isreal Higgins has spent significant time both in the centres and in the second row in recent seasons (including 2019) and whilst I ultimately believe that he will end up in the second row long term, I am of the firm belief that for the next couple of seasons (at least), Isreal Higgins will play a lot of rugby league in the centres as well as in the second row. If anything I anticipate that Isreal Higgins will operate in the centres (likely left centre) more so than the second row for the next two or three years before a permanent transition to the second row eventuates.

In relation to a current NRL player with a similar playing style to Isreal Higgins my observations over the last couple of seasons would suggest that Brisbane Broncos and Tongan International centre Kotoni Staggs has a similar playing style to the new Titans signing.

Taking into account that they operate on opposite sides of the field at present, both Staggs and Isreal Higgins are tough, quick, aggressive and deceptively strong ball runners who know the way to the try line and get there with regularity.

The number of tackles that both Isreal Higgins and Staggs break is just amazing to be honest. For whatever reason defensive lines just seem to underestimate both of them when they are running with the ball and thus regularly are made to pay for their oversight.

Similarly both Staggs and Isreal Higgins are outstanding defenders with a technique first approach to that critical aspect of rugby league but also initiate hard initial contact and some added mongrel if and when necessary to put an exclamation point on the tackle.

It is great to see another outstanding young Gold Coast Junior commit to the Titans long term and another one that has a real opportunity to get to the NRL in a relatively quick time frame. The future is certainly looking bright for the Titans with the young players already in place.

With the signing of Isreal Higgins, the Titans continue to fulfil their promise of “buying back the farm” with the goal to field a local junior heavy NRL Titans side representing the Gold Coast and Northern New South Wales, that goal is well on the way of coming to fruition

mdrew

26-12-19, 09:47 AM

Zac Johnston. The Murwillumbah Colts centre represented the Group 18 U14 side in 2018 in the New South Wales Country Age Championships and post those Championships was selected as part of the Titans 2018/19 Group 18 U15 Development Squad.

Late in the 2019 season Zac Johnston once again represented Group 18 at the U15 New South Wales Country Age Championships being named in the centres. Zac Johnston started all three of Group 18’s matches in the centres, being against Central Coast and Group Three on Day One and Newcastle on Day Two.

In the 2018 U14 New South Wales Country Age Championships for Group 18 Zac Johnson played in all three of Group 18’s matches which were against Group’s 21, Four and Two.

In relation to the 2019 Group 18 Junior Rugby League competition Zac Johnston played for Murwillumbah in the U15 age group operating primarily in the centres.

Zac Johnston is a tall young man but he is exceptionally quick, with a lot of his tries coming from long range efforts originating from his own territory, as once he gets into the clear Zac Johnston is unlikely to be caught by the opposition cover defence.

Due to his size and speed Zac Johnston is very difficult to stop one on one in the competitions that he has played in so far in his career, with his favourite move being an in and away to beat his opposing number on the outside and then using his acceleration to break the game apart.

Zac Johnston does not just have top end speed, he also has very good acceleration off the mark as well. His fend is decent and as Zac Johnston puts on more muscle it will become more effective due to his long reach, meaning opposing defensive players cannot get close enough to combat him by impacting on his balance and running line in one on one situations before defensive help arrives.

With his height and reach Zac Johnston should also be able to refine his ability to offload the ball in tackles, making him even harder to defend against . Obviously as a result of his height he is good under the high ball both in attacking and defensive situations and for his height is comfortable fielding the ball low to the ground from grubber kicks into or through the line.

Defensively Zac Johnston is solid at wrapping the ball up and will continue to refine his technique as he progresses and also when to come out of the line in an effort to limit the time and space of the opposition as well as ensuring that due to his height he keeps his tackles down against opposing centres who are usually not as tall. Zac Johnston does however slide well in defence and has the speed to cover opposition line breaks very well.

Zac Johnston will play the 2020 season with Murwillumbah in the Group 18 U16 competition and will push for a spot in the U16 Andrew Johns Cup Northern Rivers Titans side.

Zac Johnston has a bit of height and pace about him and as long as he can maintain his speed as he physically develops there is no reason why Zac Johnston would have to move away from the centres to have an outstanding rugby league career.

From a player comparison perspective someone like former St George centre Mark Gasnier springs to mind as someone who will be an attacking weapon in any team that he plays for although Zac Johnston probably has a bit more speed than the former Dragon, New South Wales State of Origin and Australian International centre and of course former French club rugby player.

mdrew

26-12-19, 07:15 PM

Elliott Speed. The McCauley Catholic College Grafton student had an outstanding 2019 season in the blue and white of the Grafton Ghosts in the Group Two U18 competition finishing the season being named the 2019 Group Two U18 Player of the Year as well as finishing as the competition’s leading point’s scorer and goal kicker. Elliott Speed also finished in the top five of the competition from a try scoring perspective.

The award and points scoring feats noted above are more impressive when you consider that 2019 was Elliott Speed’s first year in senior rugby league (U18 level and above) and he is U18 eligible again in 2020.

Included in the performances of the half/five eight prospect in the Group Two U18 competition in 2019 was a hat trick against the Sawtell Panthers in Round Three and a Round Five double against Woolgoolga.

From a goal kicking perspective, Elliott Speed kicked nine goals in Round Five against Woolgoolga to finish that match with an individual point tally of twenty six and mid-season kicked six goals in a another match against Woolgoolga. Elliott Speed also had a twelve point haul in a late July derby against the South Grafton Rebels when he scored a try and kicked four goals in a keenly contested “Battle of Grafton”.

Elliott Speed was also outstanding at five eight for McCauley College in the 2019 DEX Shield competition but unfortunately they went down in the Final to McLean High School who won the shield for the third season in a row.

Elliott Speed is also an outstanding hockey player representing New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges and New South Wales in that sport across multiple age groups and earlier in 2019 was named in the 2019-20 Hockey NSW Athlete Acceleration Program (AAP) Boys Squad. Northern New South Wales is actually a bit of a hot spot for hockey as an aside.

Elliott Speed is just a superb mover seemingly gliding across the field effortlessly with outstanding balance, body control and exquisite hand eye co-ordination which has been aided by playing hockey at a very high level. Seriously Elliott Speed’s running style looks just effortless and perfectly balanced.

It is hard to put in words just how talented Elliott Speed is in terms of running the ball, he has outstanding speed both off the mark which I would consider in the plus plus category and top end speed which must be considered plus regardless of position.

Elliott Speed with his pace is able to exploit even the smallest of gaps in the defensive line with an exceptional step off either foot and incredible acceleration as well as outstanding balance and body control. When Elliott Speed steps, regardless of the size of the step or in which direction there is absolutely no loss of speed or momentum as he moves to his new vector and continues on.

It is that speed trait which opens up his incredible ball playing skills as well. Teams start to focus heavily on Elliott Speed when he has the ball with outside defenders looking to come in to assist that they open up holes wider out in the defensive line that Elliott Speed can exploit.

Elliott Speed has exquisite timing on his passes and is able to weight them perfectly as well and can do so from either side of his body. Adding in this is that Elliott Speed can stop on a dime even travelling at full speed and pop the short pass, thus it looks for all money that he is going to run the ball thus the defence converges and then the ball is delivered to a support runner who is through a hole before the defensive line can readjust.

Elliott Speed also runs with the ball in both hands out in front of his body which is another reason why the defensive line is unable to determine exactly what Elliott Speed is going to do with the ball at any given time.

Elliott Speed just seems to have all of the time in the world to do what he wants on a rugby league field and is just so calm and composed and seemingly always two or three plays ahead of the opposition and his own team mates on occasion to be honest.

Like when he has the ball in his hands, there is nothing that Elliott Speed cannot do in relation to kicking the ball. Elliott Speed is an exceptional tactical kicker with range and accuracy, he can put up pin point bombs and perfectly weighted grubber kicks into the in goal. In short if you can name a type of rugby league kick, Elliott Speed can execute it with precision.

Defensively Elliott Speed is a very strong young man with exceptional functional strength to go along with an innate understanding of the attacking strategies of rugby league thus he is able to anticipate what an attacking side is looking to do with the ball and then be in the best position to negate it.

Elliott Speed has a very good low tackling technique which is simple and repeatable and effective against all size opponents and thus there is no need for a defensive minder on Elliott Speed’s side of the field. In short just like his attacking play Elliott Speed is an outstanding defender.

Elliott Speed is also an outstanding goal kicker with range and accuracy in a repeatable, technically simple and consistent goal kicking action and has the ability to be a primary goal kicking option at the NRL level.

Elliott Speed will play the 2020 season once again with the Grafton Ghosts in the Group Two U18 competition but without doubt will make his Group Two First Grade debut for the Ghosts probably sooner than later in the 2020 season where I believe that he will make an immediate impact in the top grade in the blue and white of the Grafton Ghosts.

Elliott Speed also has been named in the North Coast U18 side for the 2020 Laurie Daley Cup competition. It is a strange set up as South Grafton Rebels players are playing for the Northern Rivers Titans but not Grafton Ghosts players.

Undoubtly Elliott Speed will also continue to play hockey (and at a very high level as well, including state level) but fingers crossed that he decides in the end to choose rugby league when the inevitable crunch between the two sports occurs for this talented dual sport athlete.

Elliott Speed from what I understand played exclusively at five eight or half this season in school boy and club rugby league and I can really see him making a name for himself at five eight in particular over the next season or two in the Group Two First Grade competition for the Grafton Ghosts.

In saying that however with his speed, body control, elusiveness and ball skills from playing in the halves regularly I would really like to see how Elliott Speed’s skills and athletic ability would translate to the fullback position where he would have more room to move and be in a position to be the second receiver when the ball is played out the back by the half or five eight. I think that Elliott Speed would be dynamic in the custodian role.

From my perspective, a talented, unselfish attacking player with similar attributes to Elliott Speed is North Queensland Cowboys and former Melbourne Storm fullback Scott Drinkwater. Like Drinkwater, Elliott Speed has great acceleration to go along with a wicked sidestep off both feet, and the play making skills to make opposition teams pay if defences look to focus too much on him rather than his support runners or if individual defenders come out of the line too quickly.

Also like Drinkwater, Elliott Speed has the skill set to play multiple positions and play them very effectively over the course of a match or season.

mdrew

27-12-19, 06:57 AM

Ricco Watititi. The Tweed Heads Seagulls youngster was part of the Titans U14 squad that played a Western Mustangs selection in February at Mudgeeraba and also in 2019 was named in the Group 18 U14 representative side named in the centres for the 2019 New South Wales Country Age Championships.

In early in October Ricco Watititi was part of a Titans U14/15 NRRRL side that played the Titans U14 Gold Coast/Brisbane Academy side in development match at Tweed Heads Piggabeen complex with the NRRRL side going down 32 – 10 in a competitive match.

Ricco Watititi played the 2019 season with the Tweed Heads Seagulls U14 side that played in the Northern New South Wales Group 18 junior rugby league competition.

For a centre, Ricco Watititi is a big strong young man who does not rely just on his size and speed and using his natural running gait and balance to either engage the opposing defenders and off load, run either an inside or outside shoulder route or an in and away to slow the forward momentum of the defender and accelerate on the outside.

For a player of his size, Ricco Watititi also has a very good passing game, when the ball is passed out to the back line, Ricco Watititi is very good at straitening up the attacking vector of his team and pass to his outside supports if they have room to move further out wide as a result of the defence pushing in.

From a speed perspective Ricco Watititi has above average speed for both his size and position and when he breaks into open space, he will not be caught from behind other than from only the fastest of opponents and he is also very good at positioning his support players when he gets to the fullback. The only possible question about Ricco Watititi ’s speed is whether it will stay at or near the plus category as he matures and inevitably fills out.

Defensively Ricco Watititi uses his size to good effect, he drives with his shoulder into his opponent and has very good timing in terms of when to come out of the line and certainly has the speed to readjust and chase if his timing is slightly off and his opposing centre gets on his outside.

For me when I have seen him play for Tweed Heads Ricco Watititi was the defensive leader of the three quarter line and other defenders keyed off him in terms of whether to use an up and in methodology and slide to the outside.

Ricco Watititi on an individual level has the body control and anticipation to redirect quickly and mirror the movement of the opposing attackers and anticipate what vector the attack will come from and innately understands when to allow the attacking play to develop in from of him and when and if to come out of the line to disrupt the attacking play prior to its formation.

Ricco Watititi will play the 2020 season with the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the Group 18 U15 competition and should also represent Group 18 at the U15 level in 2020 at the New South Wales Country Age Championships for the second season in a row.

Ricco Watititi is a big strong young man and would be considered a “big” centre but has the speed and mobility to stay in the centres long term, but if not he would seemingly be able to transition to the second row seamlessly.

Ricco Watititi has an eerily similar playing style to Titans NRL Development contracted Ioane Seuili for me as an outstanding centre prospect. Interestingly in the second half of the 2019 season in the Queensland Cup Ioane Seuili transitioned to the second row, but only time will tell if Ricco Watititi’s career follows a similar path, he has the size, speed and strength to handle such a move if it eventuates but that would be a way away yet I believe if it happens at all.

mdrew

27-12-19, 01:16 PM

Jaimen Jollife. The front rower has moved up from Sydney to the Gold Coast signing with the Burleigh Bears for the 2020 Queensland Cup season.

The Wagga junior has moved around a bit chasing his rugby league dream with his first stop being in Canberra as part of the Raiders 2014 U18 SG Ball side before moving to Sydney to be part of the Cronulla Sharks program, including playing one or two NRL trials in previous seasons and finally to play for the Newtown Jets in the New South Wales Canterbury Cup competition.

After an outstanding season in 2019 with Newtown that included being named on the bench in the 2019 Canterbury Cup Team of Year, a Premiership and then an NRL State Championship after Newtown defeated Burleigh in the last seconds of their interstate match that preceded the 2019 NRL Grand Final.

For Newton in the 2019 Canterbury Cup competition Jaimen Jollife played in all twenty six of Newtown’s matches including Finals and the Canterbury Cup Grand Final win over Wentworthville of course scoring just the one try which came in Round Fourteen against the Mounties.

Jaimen Jollife started twenty five of his twenty six Canterbury Cup matches in 2019 in the front row and came off the bench in his other match which was against Penrith in Round Twenty One.

In total in the 2019 Canterbury Cup competition Jaimen Jollife ran for the third highest number of metres in the competition being 3 885, 1 262 were post contact which was also the third highest in the competition, engaged the line on 373 occasions, once again the third highest in the competition, broke fifty three tackles, off-loaded the ball on five occasions and made the fourth highest number of tackles in the Canterbury Cup in 2019 with 760 tackles at a tackling efficiency of 90.5%.

Jaimen Jollife’s 2019 Canterbury Cup per game averages included running for 137.9 metres per game (48.54 post contact) and making 29.23 tackles. On twenty occasions in 2019 Jaimen Jollife ran for in excess of 100 metres including 193 metres in Round Nineteen against the Wentworthville Magpies.

Defensively in twelve of his matches Jaimen Jollife made more than thirty tackles including an incredible effort in Round Eighteen which saw him make forty seven tackles against the New Zealand Warriors.

In the NRL State Championship Final Jaimen Jollife started in the front row against Burleigh playing forty three minutes in Newtown’s 20 – 16 last minute victory. He ran for 140 metres (forty post contact) from sixteen hit-ups, broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.34 seconds and made nineteen tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

2019 was the fourth season that Jaimen Jollife had played for Newtown after making his debut as a 20 year old in 2016.

Running with the football, Jaimen Jollife has good footwork prior to the line and does not often just put his head down and run straight, but uses his solid footwork to try to work the gaps between defenders rather than trying to simply run over them. Jaimen Jollife does not have great speed off the mark or necessary great high end speed, but he will work hard and make the most of his ability. Jaimen Jollife actually does have a decent off load when he has impacted the defensive line as well.

Defensively Jaimen Jollife is a solid hitter, usually aiming for just under the ribs and first intention is to lock up the ball to prevent offloads. One area where is quite effective whether he is defending on the fringes of the ruck or in the centre of the ruck including when he is defending at marker, is against smaller attackers who look to use their foot work.

Jaimen Jollife has quite reasonable lateral mobility for a front rower and due to the fact that he also is not that tall, and is usually is able to wrap up smaller attackers without his tackles slipping up to around the head or neck too often.

As noted above Jaimen Jollife has moved up from Sydney and will play the 2020 season with Burleigh in the Queensland Cup competition and at 23 still has a chance to break into the NRL with a good 2020 season.

At 185cm and 108kg Jaimen Jollife is solidly built and will stay in the front row for the remainder of his rugby league career.

From a player comparison perspective for Jaimen Jollife, one player with a similar playing style from my perspective is Parramatta Eels front rower Nathan Brown, as a solid forward who will probably never be a star but will be a solid contributor to a team’s forward pack none the less.

mdrew

27-12-19, 06:27 PM

Jesse Cronin. The former Parramatta Eels lock or front rower will play the 2020 season with the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the Queensland Cup competition after attracting the Titans/Tweed Heads Seagulls eye with his performances with the Parramatta Eels Jersey Flegg side in 2018 and 2019 and in the NSWRL U18 SG Ball competition in 2017, the same year that he represented the Australian School Boys Rugby League side against New Zealand, a team mate in the side that defeated the New Zealand School Boys side was Titans NRL Top 30 player Tannah Boyd who excelled on the right side of the field that day.

The 2017 Australian School Boys representative originally signed with the Eels as a 15 year old in 2014 from the Newcastle region moving to Sydney to finish his schooling at Hills Sports High a school from where he was selected in 2017 to play for the Australian School Boys side.

In 2019 Jeese Cronin captained the Parramatta Eels in the New South Wales U20 Jersey Flegg competition playing in sixteen matches scoring seven tries (43.75% strike rate). Jesse Cronin scored a double in Round Fourteen against the Warriors and also scored in Rounds Seven, Nine, Sixteen, Eighteen and Twenty against Newcastle, Penrith, Victoria, Canberra and the Warriors respectively.

Jesse Cronin started the first five of Parramatta’s matches at lock, but after missing Round Six through injury started the next three rounds from the bench before coming back into the starting side in Round Twelve against Souths Sydney once again at lock maintaining his place at lock for the remaining matches that he played in 2019 except for Round Twenty when Jesse Cronin started in the second row against the New Zealand Warriors.

In 2018 Jesse Cronin was also part of the Parramatta U20 Jersey Flegg side playing in nineteen matches including starting from the bench in their Week One Finals loss to Canterbury. Jesse Cronin started the first two matches of the 2018 season on the bench before making his starting debut in the front row in Round Three against Newcastle, going on to start in eleven matches, nine at lock, one in the front row being his debut and Round Fifteen against the Sydney Roosters in the second row.

Jesse Cronin’s sole try of the 2018 Jersey Flegg season came in Round Twelve against the North Sydney Bears.

Jesse Cronin became an International rugby league player in 2018 when he started at lock for Malta in their 30 – 24 loss against South Africa in a rugby league World Cup qualifying match when he played alongside his older brother.

In 2017 Jesse Cronin was prominent for the Parramatta U18 SG Ball side and was in fact named as the Player of the Year for the Eels in that competition. Jesse Cronin played in ten matches, missing only one including starting at lock in both the SG Ball Grand Final win over Cronulla and Parramatta’s U18 National Grand Final 48 – 12 win over the Western Mustangs.

Jesse Cronin started nine games at lock and one in the front row being in Round Five against the Wests Tigers with his sole try coming in Round Six against the North Sydney Bears.

Jesse Cronin started his SG Ball career in 2016 when he played two matches for the Eels starting Rounds One and two on the interchange bench.

In his first season with Parramatta being 2015 Jesse Cronin captained the Eels U16 Harold Matthews side starting in ten of their eleven matches including starting in the front row in their Grand Final loss to Cronulla. That season Jesse Cronin started nine matches in the front row and one match being Round Six at lock against Souths Sydney.

2015 also saw Jesse Cronin named in the initial New South Wales U16 Pathways squad but he missed out when the final seventeen was named for the interstate match against Queensland.

Previously Jesse Cronin captained the New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges U15 side at the ASSRL U15 National Championships whilst still in the Hunter region. It was at these Championships where ultimately he was spotted by the Eels.

Running with the ball, Jesse Cronin has good footwork prior to the line and does not often just put his head down and run straight, but uses his solid footwork to try to work the gaps between defenders rather than trying to simply run over them.

Jesse Cronin does not have great speed off the mark or necessary great high end speed, but he will work hard and make the most of his ability. He actually does have a decent off load when he has impacted the defensive line as well.

Defensively Jesse Cronin is not a big hitter, usually aiming for just under the ribs and first intention is to lock up the ball to prevent offloads. One area where is quite effective whether he is defending on the fringes of the ruck or in the centre of the ruck including when he is defending at marker, is against smaller attackers who look to use their foot work.

Jesse Cronin has more than reasonable lateral mobility for a forward and due to the fact that he also is not that tall, usually is able to wrap up the smaller attackers without his tackles slipping up to around the head or neck, and thus giving away penalties.

His ability to successfully defend against these types of attackers as well as having the technique to defend against larger forwards is one of a number of reasons that I consider that a future in the higher echelons of senior rugby league feasible.

Jesse Cronin will probably not stand out during a game but will work hard both in attack and defence and leave all the eye catching things like big hits, line breaks and one handed off loads to other forwards who will benefit from his hard working style.

Jesse Cronin will play the 2020 season with the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the Queensland Cup competition as he looks to attract the attention of NRL clubs (read Titans).

At 181cm and 98kg Jesse Cronin is certainly not the biggest lock or front rower running around but with his intensity of effort and toughness and hardness Jesse Cronin is an NRL prospect not to be discounted lightly. Whilst Jesse Cronin played a match or two in the second row in both 2018 and 2019 ultimately Jesse Cronin is a player who is best suited to staying in the centre third of a rugby league field.

Jesse Cronin has also half way through an apprenticeship so he is not just heading to the Gold Coast to make up the numbers but to have a real go at getting into the NRL with the Titans.

From an NRL player comparison perspective, one player with a similar playing style from my perspective to Jesse Cronin is Parramatta Eels front rower or lock Nathan Brown, as a solid forward who is not the biggest on the field and who will probably never be a star but will be a solid contributor to a team’s forward pack and one that team mates will enjoy playing with every time that they run onto the field together.

Likely there will be players with more natural ability that will not go as far in rugby league as Jesse Cronin will, simply because he will make the most of the ability he has through sheer hard work and effort.

In saying all of that however Jesse Cronin is a tough, skilful rugby league lock or front rower who has neat crisp footwork and a more than decent off load for a player of his size which is a touch less than the average NRL lock or front rower but I would argue that the skill level is a touch higher than your average NRL lock or front rower.

mdrew

28-12-19, 07:46 AM

Reico Ratana. The powerful Titans linked front rower or second rower was part of the Titans U15 side that defeated the Balmain Tigers 34 – 16 at Piggabeen in early October after being in camp for the couple of days prior to the annual match in Northern New South Wales.

The PBC student played for the Nerang Roosters in the GCRL U15 Division One competition in 2019 playing in eleven regular season matches and scoring in late July against Runaway Bay for his sole try of the season but his impact on the competition and his Runaway Bay side was worth far more than just that one try.

In Week Two of the GCRL U15 Division One Finals Reico Ratana started in the front row for Nerang as they went down 20 – 0 to Runaway Bay. Reico Ratana also started in the front row for Nerang in their 22 – 18 Preliminary Final victory over Helensvale to progress to the Grand Final.

In the GCRL U15 Division One Grand Final Reico Ratana once again started in the front row as Nerang avenged their Week Two finals defeat by Runaway Bay to win a fiery Grand Final 36 – 24.

2019 also saw Reico Ratana play for PBC in various Queensland based school boy competitions including producing a Player of the Match performance in the Year Nine Hancock Cup Grand Final win 24 – 18 against Coombabah State High School.

Reico Ratana started PBC’s fight back after they well behind 18 – 6 early in the second half when he scored a barn storming try. Reico Ratana took the ball from the dummy half around ten metres out from the line and cut back against the grain to score near where the ball was played skittling multiple Coombabah defenders along the way.

After the season Reico Ratana was awarded the Year Nine PBC Future Reds Award at the PBC Sports Award Night held in November 2019.

In 2019 Reico Ratana was also part of the all-conquering U15 South Coast that went through the QSSRL U15 school boy Championships undefeated.

Late in the 2019 season Reico Ratana was named in the Queensland Maori U16 QPICC side and was named in the front row in the 2019 Nga Hau e Wha Māori Tournament U16 Boys Merit Team.

In 2018 for Nerang in the GCRL U14 competition Reico Ratana played in fourteen matches, including finals, scoring three tries which all came against Coomera in three separate matches.

In late 2018 Reico Ratana was part of the Queensland Maori U14 side that competed in the QPICC carnival and was in fact named as Queensland Maori U14’s Most Valuable Player.

Reico Ratana has been a Gold Coast representative regular in recent seasons. In addition to representing South Coast U15’s this season, Reico Ratana represented the Gold Coast Vikings U14 side in 2018 playing three matches and scoring on Day One against the Ipswich Diggers. Reico Ratana also played three matches for the Gold Coast Viking sU13’s in 2017 starting those matches in the centres in fact.

The young Nerang Roosters lock has had a great start to the 2017 junior rugby league season, successfully trialling for a spot in the 25 player 2017 Gold Coast Vikings U13 squad after playing the 2016 GCJRL season at the U12 Division One level for Nerang.

Reico Ratana played ten matches in the U12 Division One competition in 2016, scoring three tries and kicking a single goal which came against Jimboomba in June. Reico Ratana scored his tries against Burleigh, Currumbin and Southport with all three tries coming in the second half of the season.

Reico Ratana very late in the season played one match in the U13 Division Three competition which was against Burleigh Heads 3 which was on the weekend after his U12 commitments for 2016 were completed.

Reico Ratana is a big powerful young man who whilst using his size to his advantage by running hard and straight, does have quite decent footwork prior to the defensive line, which he uses to cut back behind the play the ball to take advantage of defenders who are slow to get back into the defensive line.

An area where Reico Ratana has really improved over the last two season is in relation to his off-loads in previous seasons he did not off load too much but this season he really has been able to get his arms free and get away some telling off-loads. Reico Ratana continually put his hand up all day to take the ball up and has a very quick play the ball so that his team can maintain momentum

One area that Reico Ratana is continuing to develop based on his size, skills and footwork is the ability to off load before the line, an example of what I am meaning is how the Canterbury Bulldogs forward pack uses those small offloads prior to the line. Reico Ratana has shown glimpses of having the skills to utilise the same skills if the opportunities arise, developing this skill with only enhance his effectiveness.

In defence Reico Ratana uses his size and strength to make very solid initial contact and certainly can take on all opposing forwards one on one. He is not averse to looking for the big hit but does have a good front on defensive technique, maintaining decent leverage and reasonable agility and lateral movement when looking to tackle smaller opponents on the edge of the ruck, although clearly he is more effective in the centre of the ruck, as most front rowers are.

Reico Ratana’s raw natural strength and power means that he is also dominant when looking to slow the play the ball down from a wrestling perspective and for that matter looking to beat the wrestling tactics of the opposition when trying to get to his feet for a quick play the ball.

Reico Ratana will play the 2020 season for the Nerang Roosters in the GCRL U16 Division One competition and should also be part of one of the two Gold Coast Vikings U16 representative squads for the U16 South East Queensland Pre-season Challenge commencing in February 2020.

Reico Ratana will also continue to be part of the PBC Rugby League Sports Specialisation Program and be included in their multiple school boy competition sides and will push for playing time in a stacked PBC Langer B squad in 2020.

Reico Ratana played primarily in the front row for Nerang this season but with his power and late quick footwork, I think that Reico Ratana is best suited to the second row where he played for PBC for the short term at least.

From a player comparison perspective I would consider a less bulky version of former Penrith Panther, Parramatta Eel, Canterbury Bulldog and New Zealand International Frank Pritchard as someone with a similar style to Reico Ratana, being that of a damaging running back rower with underappreciated offloading skills and a tough hard defensive mentality.

mdrew

28-12-19, 04:27 PM

Rewiti Brown. The powerful New Zealand born front rower or second rower is a player with intriguing potential and in 2020 is still U18 eligible thus has a lot of growth and development left in his already impressive skill set.

In 2019 Rewiti Brown was part of the Wai-Coa Bay Stallions U17 representative side that took part in the New Zealand National Youth U17 Tournament, starting all four of the Stallions matches in the front row with those matches being against the Akarana Falcons, Auckland Vulcans and the Central Vipers in the pool rounds and once again against the Akarana Falcons in the Finals of the Tournament.

Rewiti Brown also represented the Wai-Coa Bay Stallions in 2017, on that occasion in the New Zealand National Youth U15 Tournament, playing three matches for the Stallions primarily operating in the front row as well.

In 2019 Rewiti Brown was also part of the U17 Bay of Plenty representative side that participated in the North Island Development Tournament and was part of the Bay of Plenty side that went down 20 – 10 to Manawatu in the Tournament Final. At the conclusion of the Tournament Rewiti Brown was named on the interchange bench in the U17 North Island Development All Tournament Merit Team.

In 2017 Rewiti Brown also took part in the North Island Tournament playing for Bay of Plenty at the U15 level and was part of the Bay of Plenty side that defeated Taranaki in the U15 Final and was also named in the second row in the 2017 U15 All Tournament Merit Team.

In 2018 Rewiti Brown represented Tokoroa High School in the New Zealand National Secondary Schools tournament scoring against Otahuha College in a 22 all draw in Round Two of the Finals.

Rewiti Brown’s Tokoroa High School played in Pool B in the pool rounds of the Tournament which included a match against powerhouse New Zealand school Kelston Boys High. Rewiti Brown and Tokoroa High School also played against another powerhouse New Zealand school in Westlake Boys High later in the tournament.

Due to a nation-wide health crisis (measles I think) no National Secondary Schools tournament took place in 2019 in New Zealand.

In addition to rugby league Rewiti Brown also played rugby for Tokoroa High School and in 2018 was pre-selected for the Super Rugby’s Waikato Chiefs U16 squad highlighting just how talented Rewiti Brown is at both rugby and rugby league and certainly has been recognised as such.

In attack Rewiti Brown is a straight runner of the football and there is little subtly to his game, it is get the ball and run straight ahead to gain as much ground as possible and get a quick play the ball. On occasion Rewiti Brown does use some footwork prior to the line but in the main it is head down and run straight.

If defences do not target his legs Rewiti Brown will drag defenders with him as he continues to pump his legs and continue to fight until the tackle is finished, then he will fight to get a quick play the ball. In short Rewiti Brown gains a lot of ground post contact.

Rewiti Brown can off load the football and certainly will do when the opportunity is there. Rewiti Brown’s hands are actually more than decent and thus I think that he has some untapped potential to ball play a little more as his career and skill set develops.

In defence Rewiti Brown is a solid hitter and definitely makes solid initial contact with the ball carrier and is very effective at targeting the area around the football in order to reduce the possibility of off loads occurring.

For a front rower Rewiti Brown’s lateral movement is quite reasonable and he is also quite effective when defending at marker, and does not use it as a chance to have a break and will chase hard from the position. Rewiti Brown also has very good overall stamina for his size.

Rewiti Brown is U18 eligible in 2020 and will be a more than handy player in that age group next season in school, club and representative sides.

Rewiti Brown has spent his entire rugby league career in either the front row or second row and certainly over the next couple of seasons will likely continue to play in both positions although in the short term at least I think that he can certainly spend a fair bit of time in the second row before ultimately moving to the front row permanently at some point in the future.

From a player comparison perspective for Rewiti Brown, think of someone along the lines of a young version of New Zealand Warriors and New Zealand International front rower Adam Blair as a solid hard working front rower or second rower who is effective in his required role doing a lot of the small things, which are sometimes overlooked by everyone but team mates, on a rugby league field quietly and efficiently.

mdrew

29-12-19, 06:58 AM

Zinzan Kahu. The young half is a recent arrival on the Gold Coast moving up from Melbourne with his family to pursue his rugby league dream on the Gold Coast as part of the Keebra Park 2020 Open rugby league squad, a squad which is already training a couple of times a week and have been for a number of weeks in preparation for next season’s Langer Cup and GIO Cup School Boy Rugby League competitions.

In 2019 the young half played a lot of rugby league including representing Victoria in both the U15 ASSRL Pool B school boy Championships and at the U15 New South Wales Country Age Championships, Southern Zone. Zinzan Kahu also played for the Waverley Panthers in the NRL Victoria U15 club rugby league competition.

For the U15 Victorian school boys side in the 2019 U15 ASSRL Championships, Zinzan Kahu started at half in all four of Victoria’s matches including the Pool B final against the ASSRL ATSI Invitational side, unfortunately Victoria went down 20 – 14 in the final.

In his four matches at the U15 ASSRL Championships Pool B competition for Victoria Zinzan Kahu finished with a 50% strike rate from his four matches, scoring in Game One against the ASSRL ATSI Invitational side and Game Three against the Northern Territory. Zinzan Kahu was named Victoria’s best against the ASSRL ATSI Invitational side in Game One of the Championships.

Post the Championship Final the former Keysborough College Melbourne student (now Keebra Park State High School student of course) was named at half in the U15 ASSRL Pool B Merit Team.

2019 was the second season that Zinzan Kahu represented the U15 Victorian side at the ASSRL U15 Championships after also being part of the 2018 side when he played four matches at hooker as a 14 year old.

Late in 2019 Zinzan Kahu started at half in all four of NRL Victoria’s matches at the New South Wales Country U15 Age Championships kicking a conversion on Day One against Illawarra.

On Day Two Zinzan Kahu played in matches against Group Six and Group Seven and the following week was part of the NRL Victoria side that went down in their Final series match against Group Three.

In 2017 Zinzan Kahu played five matches for NRL Victoria at the New South Wales Country U14 Championships even though he was still U13 eligible that year.

In amongst his representative duties for Victoria in 2019, Zinzan Kahu also played for the Waverley Panthers in the NRL Victorian U15 club competition, playing a total of ten matches including starting the Grand Final at half, but the Panthers went down 12 – 9 to the wonderfully named Sunshine Cowboys side.

Over the course of the 2019 season in his ten matches Zinzan Kahu scored nine points from two tries and a field goal which he kicked in late July against the Northern Thunder. Zinzan Kahu’s tries came early in the season against the Werribee Bears and Hume City Bulldogs.

As noted above Zinzan Kahu has been a regular Victorian rugby league representative for a number of seasons, with his first taste coming in 2016 when he represented the Victorian U12 side at the National U12 Championships and scored in Victoria’s opening three matches against Western Australia on Day One, the ACT on Day Two and Northern Territory on Day Three a match which also saw him kick a conversion.

In attack, Zinzan Kahu generally plays an understated role, focussing more on the distribution and game management aspects of his role as a half. A key attribute to how Zinzan Kahu plays is his ability to organise and direct his team around the field as well as adjusting his game to the specific situations encountered within a game and where and when they occur on the field.

Zinzan Kahu will though take the line on when the opportunity arises however, but as noted his best attribute is that of a game manager with the ability to draw defenders out of the line and put his runners into the subsequent hole that is generated. Zinzan Kahu has decent speed off the mark and quick twitch feet in confined space but does not have explosive acceleration or high top end speed.

From a kicking perspective Zinzan Kahu has a solid kicking game, with reasonable distance and accuracy on all types of kicks, from kicking for field position or from an attacking perspective as well as tactically for field position. I am sure that moving forward focussing on his kicking skills will be a key focus area both from a distance and accuracy perspective.

In defence, due to his size Zinzan Kahu is obviously not going to come up with the big hit but reads the play well and can hold his own when defending much bigger players through sheer force of will. Zinzan Kahu is also very vocal on the field always talking and encouraging his side both in attack and defence.

In 2020 Zinzan Kahu will be looking to immediately break into the Keebra Park Langer Cup A side and subsequently play for Keebra Park in the GIO Cup.

Outside of a couple of matches at hooker for Victoria at the U15 level in 2018 when he was just 14 years of age Zinzan Kahu has settled into the half back role very comfortably and seems set to stay there for the duration of his rugby league career. Without doubt however if required Zinzan Kahu could slot back in and cover the dummy half role if the situation requires and potentially even cover at fullback as well such is his skill set in relation to game management and ball distribution.

I am going back a few years but a player with a similar playing style and skill attributes to Zinzan Kahu for me is former Penrith great, New South Wales State of Origin and Australian International Greg Alexander. Both make the task of managing the game plan and directing their team around the field from the half back position look easy and natural and both seemingly have as much time as they need to accomplish the required task expertly.

mdrew

29-12-19, 01:06 PM

Jeremaiah Tamepo. The young centre from Auckland New Zealand is on his way over to the Gold Coast to continue his schooling at Keebra Park and will be part of their Open Rugby League program and will push for a spot in their Langer Cup and GIO Cup school boy sides come the 2020 season.

In 2019 Jeremaiah Tamepo represented the Countries Manukau Stingrays representative side at the New Zealand National Youth U15 tournament starting in the centres in all four of the Stingrays matches which were against the Auckland Vulcans, one being the Tournament Final which Counties Manukau lost 18 – 6 with the other a pool match, the Wai-Coa Bay Stallions and the South Island Scorpions.

In the 2019 Auckland Rugby League U15 club competition Jeremaiah Tamepo played eight matches for the Manurewa Force scoring five tries over the course of the season to finish with a 62.5% strike rate.

Also in 2019 Jeremaiah Tamepo played for Counties Manukau Maori in the New Zealand Maori U15 tournament and at the completion of that tournament was named in the All-Tournament team in the centres.

In 2019 Jeremaiah Tamepo was also a key performer for the Wesley College U15 side in their Auckland school boy rugby league competitions.

Also in 2019 the former New Zealand Warriors Development Squad player was part of the U15 Auckland Vulcans Development Trial representing the U15 Open South side and in 2018 represented the U14 Open South side at the 2018 U14 Auckland Vulcans Development Trial.

From an attacking perspective Jeremaiah Tamepo is a straight hard runner when he has the ball in hand, he runs a “crash” line if you will. Jeremaiah Tamepo has also shown the ability to run both an inside and outside shoulder route and he runs both with pace and power and attracts multiple defenders to try to bring him down, a quick play the ball is also a key feature of his play.

When he impacts the defensive line Jeremaiah Tamepo drops his shoulder into the defenders and regularly bumped off multiple defenders in a single run. Another key attribute which was mentioned earlier is that he is also a talented all be it an underrated distributor.

Jeremaiah Tamepo understands that his style of play means that he attracts multiple defenders and he has become adept at delayed sleight of hand passes right at the defensive line which meant that the defensive line could not react to the aspect change in time to prevent ground being made by the support runner.

Due to his strength and fend Jeremaiah Tamepo regularly gets on the outside of his opposite defender forcing the winger to make a decision as to whether to come in on him or stay with his direct opponent. If he comes in, Jeremaiah Tamepo has the quick hands to get the pass away prior to contact, but also is big and strong enough as well as having very good core strength and balance to absorb the contact and still get the pass to his winger.

If the opposing winger stays out, Jeremaiah Tamepo is definitely quick enough to break into open space although I would not say that he has plus speed, he is quick enough to gain separate from the cover defence. When you look at Jeremaiah Tamepo’s build he may not look like he has a lot of speed, but he definitely does. Jeremaiah Tamepo may not necessarily be the quickest off the mark but has very good acceleration once he is moving and can sustain his top pace over an extended period.

Devastating would be the appropriate way to describe the defensive style of Jeremaiah Tamepo, he regularly comes out the line to literally smash the attacker coming at him. When an attacker is running directly at Jeremaiah Tamepo he will explode quickly out of his stance coming forward quickly thus preventing the opposing defender from either getting a pass wider out or for that matter bracing himself for the upcoming contact.

A lot of bigger outside backs attempt to come out of the line a few occasions a match when the opportunity presents itself but Jeremaiah Tamepo seemingly does it four or five times a match. As a result of his timing and anticipation it is not often that an attacking can either skip to the outside or get a pass away to a support runner. Jeremaiah Tamepo just seems to have that knack of arriving just as his opponent receives the ball.

In saying what I have above however when necessary Jeremaiah Tamepo is able to slide out and wait for the play to develop in front of him and is able to hold his momentum to the outside well in case his direct opponent looks to cut back inside as he is sliding out. Either way Jeremaiah Tamepo has a solid defensive technique in relation to side on tackles and can also turn and chase in cover defence if necessary.

As noted above in 2020 Jeremaiah Tamepo will be part of the Keebra Park Open rugby league squad (that is already training a couple of mornings per week) and will line up in the Langer Cup in either the Reserve or A squads as he pushes also for a GIO Cup berth for Keebra Park later in the 2020 season.

Jeremaiah Tamepo is a powerful ball runner with speed and the ability to break tackles and thus can be an impact centre in coming seasons but if not shapes as a power running winger but I am sure that Jeremaiah Tamepo will be given every opportunity to stay in the centres for the duration of his rugby league career, top notch centres are just too difficult to find.

With the Titans association with Keebra Park, Jeremaiah Tamepo is in the perfect place to make a mark in rugby league on the Gold Coast starting as early as next year through school boy rugby league and at just 16 years of age in 2020 will get plenty of opportunities to open the eyes of the powers that be at both the Titans and Keebra Park.

Joseph Manu of the Sydney Roosters and New Zealand International is a good NRL comparison in relation to the play of Jeremaiah Tamepo as a big strong powerful young man who will not be beaten in a one on one contest in attack or defence but fairly or not is noted almost exclusively for his attacking credentials even though the defensive aspects of his game are equally impressive.

mdrew

29-12-19, 07:30 PM

David Torrens. The lightning quick will of the wisp half back from the Clarence Coast Magpies in Northern New South Wales is currently part of the Titans Group One Junior Academy Squad that is training on a weekly basis at Ballina on Tuesday afternoons.

After an outstanding 2019 season for the Magpies in the Group One U13 competition David Torrens was deservedly named the competitions Best and Fairest Player.

For Clarence Coast in the Group One U13 competition in 2019 David Torrens was part of their Grand Final side that went down 24 – 16 to Grafton and amongst his try scoring feats was a Round Twelve Double against Casino RSM in late August.

In 2018 the McLean High School student represented the U12 North Coast Rugby League side at the New South Wales State Trials that were held in Mudgee.

When David Torrens runs the ball, he is exceptionally quick and explosive, with outstanding plus speed, both off the mark and when he gets into open space, teams in his age group in the Group One junior competition teams just could not handle him when he ran the ball.

David Torrens also can step off both feet exceptionally well and also has a great swerve whilst maintaining top speed. On many occasions when he made a break, his support could not keep up and thus David Torrens used his incredible footwork and speed to beat the opposing fullback by himself.

There is nothing that David Torrens cannot do running the ball and it is only now about developing his ball playing skills to make his footwork and running ability even more lethal. In attack David Torrens also played up in the line quite often and was his team’s primary attacking option.

In addition David Torrens also has the ball playing skills to set up his support runners and get them lines to run into when defenders came out of the line to negate his time with the ball in hand. David Torrens obviously was a key target for defences but he understands that he cannot do it all himself and thus became adept at drawing defenders out of the line and putting his support runners into the subsequent hole. As David Torrens play making skills continue to evolve, the attacking possibilities are endless.

Defensively David Torrens is stronger than he looks and when you couple that with a naturally aggressive defensive mentality you have a very good defender on your hands. David Torrens has a very good low tackling technique, including head placement when defending against big forwards running on the fringes of the ruck and has good initial contact.

Against opposing halves David Torrens will quickly get up into their face when they run the ball and physically and mentally dominate them making them experience the full effects of every tackle that he makes. David Torrens also works very hard out of the marker position in defence and does not take that fact that he is at marker as an opportunity to have a rest.

David Torrens is also very quick at putting pressure on opposing kickers whether that be sprinting out of the marker position at the kicker or flying out of the defensive line when it is evident that a kick is in the offing.

David Torrens will play the 2020 season with the Clarence Coast Magpies in the Group One U14 competition and will also represent McLean High School in the 2020 DEX Shield School Boy Rugby League competition and will also be in line to represent the Group One U14 representative side at the 2020 New South Wales Country Age Championships.

David Torrens has played primarily at half back in his fledgling rugby league career and where whilst that is likely where he will end I think that David Torrens would make an outstanding fullback where from his vantage point at the back he can see the entire field and be able to pick and choose where and when to inject himself into the game.

From a player comparison perspective, the one player that does spring to mind is from a player comparison perspective for David Torrens is newly resigned South Sydney Rabbitohs and New South Wales State of Origin five eight Cody Walker. Both are exceptional attacking talents who can do almost anything on a football field from an attacking perspective, make it look east and are exciting to watch, when they gets the ball the level of anticipation rises as you cannot wait to see what they is going to do with the ball.

David Torrens, simply put is just a natural when it comes to playing rugby league and his potential is just about unlimited and he has as much chance of any junior I have ever seen at achieving his dream of playing in the NRL in years to come.

mdrew

30-12-19, 11:17 AM

Reece Warburton. The young flyer from the Clarence Coast Magpies is currently part of the Titans Group One Academy Squad that is training on a weekly basis at Ballina on Tuesday afternoons.

Reece Warburton played in ten matches in the Group One U14 competition this season and scored in all of them to finish with eighteen tries on the season for an exceptional 180% try scoring strike rate. Reece Warburton also kicked fifteen goals to break through the 100 point mark, finishing with 102.

Reece Warburton’s season started with a bang scoring five tries and kicking two goals in Round One against Lismore Marist Brothers and went from strength from strength from there. He added a late season hat trick against South Grafton as well as a double against Ballina.

Reece Warburton’s remaining tries came in separate matches against Kyogle, South Grafton, Casino RSM twice and Grafton twice.

This season Reece Warburton was also part of the McLean High School U14 side that defeated Grafton High School in the U14 DEX Shield Final.

Reece Warburton also played touch for McLean High School in 2019 and was part of their U15 side that went through the Northern Rivers Zone competition undefeated and as a consequence made the Northern Rivers Zone team.

The MacLean High School student’s 2019 was no fluke as was evidenced by his 2018 season. In 11 Group One U13 matches in 2018 he averaged two tries per game (200% strike rate) and also kicked 14 goals to finish the season with 116 points.

Reece Warburton scored five tries in a June match against Kyogle and added four in Round One against Casino RSM. In addition he scored hat tricks against Lismore Marist Brothers and South Grafton, going on to score in ten of his eleven matches.

In 2018 he also played in eight Group One u14 matches for Clarence Coast scoring in four of them being against Lismore Marist Brothers, Kyogle and Grafton in two matches. He also kicked four goals including three in June against the Kyogle Turkeys.

In terms of his attacking play Reece Warburton is a smooth runner of the ball who has above average to plus top end speed and good evasiveness to get on the outside of his opposing defender with a decent fend that enables him to keep opposing defenders at a distance and away from his body. Reece Warburton is also adept at straitening up the axis of attack to ensure his outside supports have room to move and exploit any advantages identified.

Reece Warburton has quite a good step, predominately off the left foot, so he certainly has the skills to adjust his running line as required.

Reece Warburton does not have the size or strength to run over the top of opposing defenders thus he needs to use his speed and guile to make an impact and the earlier he gets the ball the better but as noted just needs to straighten up the attack on occasion.

Defensively Reece Warburton has a very good low tackling technique, he is by no means a big player but his defensive low tackling technique is very good, he can defend opposing centres one on one, and is one of the better low tacklers I have seen in junior rugby league. Tackling around the legs seems to have become a lost art, but when done right it is in my opinion it is still the most effective way of defending.

Reece Warburton will play the 2020 season with the Clarence Coast Magpies in the Group One U15 competition and will also represent McLean High School in the 2020 DEX Shield School Boy Rugby League competition and will also be in line to represent the Group One U15 representative side at the 2020 New South Wales Country Age Championships. Reece Warburton will also continue to play touch for McLean High School in 2020.

Reece Warburton has blazing speed as well as outstanding balance and body control and whilst he is only slightly built can absorb a lot of punishment and keep pushing through. With his speed and elusiveness Reece Warburton has the ability to play multiple position sat very high level including fullback, wing and centre.

Ultimately I believe that Reece Warburton likely ends up on the wing but that is absolutely no sure thing and a future at either centre or fullback certainly cannot be ruled out.

From a player comparison perspective for Reece Warburton, think of someone along the lines of the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Queensland State of Origin centre Dane Gagai as a smooth moving try scoring outside back who is elusive and difficult to defend against as a result. Like Gagai, Reece Warburton is also a solid defender without necessarily standing out per say in that aspect of rugby league.

Reece Warburton is a flyer, pure and simple and one thing is for certain speed is something that you cannot teach, you either have it or you don’t and Reece Warburton has it in spades and more importantly knows how to use it on the field.

Similarly Reece Warburton just seems to have a knack of knowing when a try scoring opportunity is about to eventuate and be in the right place at the right time to take advantage of it. His statistics from this season’s Group One U14 competition and previous seasons for that matter certainly bear that out.

mdrew

30-12-19, 04:32 PM

Malik Elabbasi. The powerful lock from the Clarence Coast Magpies is currently part of the Titans Group One Academy Squad that is training on a weekly basis at Ballina each Tuesday afternoon.

In 2019 Malik Elabbasi played for the Magpies in the Group One U14 competition and also played for McLean High School in the U14 DEX (Daily Examiner) Shield school boy rugby league competition leading his side to Final’s success in the long running and vitally important regional school boy competition and was deservedly named 2019 U14 Player of the competition.

In 2019 Malik Elabbasi also represented Group One at the U14 New South Wales Country Age Championships, starting at lock in all three of the Taipan’s matches.

There is no denying that Malik Elabbasi is a big strong young man, but there is also no denying the skills that he displays on a football field either. Malik Elabbasi’s style of play is that of a wide running back rower with above average speed for the position. I would actually argue that in fact a better definition of his speed would be well above average to plus, and I am talking the speed of an outside back not a backrower where he currently plays.

Malik Elabbasi is exceptionally quick off the mark, but what makes him even more impressive from a speed perspective is that when he gets into space, he has an extra gear again, making it almost impossible for the cover defence to catch him once he is open space.

Defences had all sorts of trouble trying to contain him in his club, school boy football and representative rugby league this year, both in terms of him taking the ball up into the centre of the ruck, but he was almost untouchable when he ran on the fringes of the ruck and he used his foot work to beat defenders with a variety of moves, including a step off both feet and a very good in and away as well as simply running over people. Couple those two aspects with a very good fend and you have a young player who causes nightmares for a defensive line.

For a player of his size, Malik Elabbasi runs with pace, strength and power every time he touches the ball during a game. For a young player, he seems to have a good understanding of when to off load the ball, currently most of his off loads occur when he is part way through the defensive line and can get his right arm free to pass to his outside support runners.

Malik Elabbasi is an aggressive defender whether he is defending in the centre of the ruck or on the fringes, and due to his natural strength is more than capable of defending one on one and can and will stop even the biggest opposing forwards in their tracks and targets the area around where the attackers carry the football.

Malik Elabbasi’s speed and lateral movement means that he will not be beaten by light stepping halves trying to take advantage of tiring forwards or the opposition running out of dummy half, he also does a very good job of keeping his hands down in situations where he is tracking smaller, quicker players. Malik Elabbasi also has a quite a good defensive technique and thus does not use purely brute strength but timing and technique as well to be effective in defence.

Malik Elabbasi will play the 2020 season with the Clarence Coast magpies in the Group One U15 competition and will also represent McLean High School in the 2020 DEX Shield School Boy Rugby League competition and will also be in line to represent the Group One U15 representative side at the 2020 New South Wales Country Age Championships.

Malik Elabbasi actually spent some time at fullback in previous seasons but seemingly has made the transition to the backrow a permanent one with his performances this season in club, representative and school boy rugby league and to be honest with his speed and size combination the move can only be seen as a master stroke and one that will play a great dividends for Clarence Coast and the Titans in coming years.

For me with his lanky (although a rapidly being filled in one) frame and above average speed Malik Elabbasi has a playing style similar to former Titan and current Penrith Panther Jed Cartwright. Like Cartwright Malik Elabbasi started his career off in the back line before making a successful move to the back row.

I can recall seeing Malik Elabbasi play for the first time in the Group One U12 competition in 2017 when he played at fullback and he was a talented player then and since has continued to grow and develop both physically and skill wise into an outstanding rugby league prospect in the subsequent years.

mdrew

31-12-19, 08:52 AM

Peniata Jnr (PJ) Poutasi. The powerful youngster started at Keebra Park in 2019 making an immediate impact after previously playing in the Ipswich region.

Even though he was still U15 eligible PJ Poutasi played in the Ipswich Rugby League U16 competition for the Springfield Panthers in 2019, playing in ten matches scoring three tries and kicking three goals for a total of eighteen points on the season.

2019 also saw PJ Poutasi represent Met West in the U15 QSSRL Championships and in 2018 PJ Poutasi played from the bench for U14 South East Queensland Green side in the Queensland Age Championships.

PJ Poutasi also played rugby in the Ipswich area, playing for the Springfield Lakes Hawks and in 2017 was named U13 Player of the Year. In rugby in Ipswich PJ Poutasi primarily played blind side flanker (No. 6) from what I understand.

The pace and power in terms of how he runs the ball is the outstanding feature of PJ Poutasi’s game, whether in rugby or rugby league, he takes the ball to the line with speed, but he does not just put his head down and rush forward, he uses quick and subtle footwork prior to the line and seems to targets the gaps between defenders and will actively seek out opposing forwards who are slow to move up. Put simply for a big young man PJ Poutasi has some more than decent foot speed.

When the opposition are on the back foot PJ Poutasi will target the smaller defenders on the edge of the ruck and burst through and for a big young bloke he has very good speed over the medium term and has the strength to drag defenders with him.

I would consider that PJ Poutasi’s speed would be considered about average for a backrower but plays faster as a result of him timing his runs so well that the dummy half can present a flat pass to him and also as a result of the power that he runs at. In terms of when he operates in the front row his speed would be considered above average for that position.

PJ Poutasi is also very effective close to the opposition try line with his ability to burst through tackles. If the defenders do not rush off their line he will just drag them across the try line with brute force and power.

With his continued development of which running lines he can utilise, such as running an inside shoulder line when close to the opposition try line PJ Poutasi will become even more effective and will be an asset to the entire team as defences compress to combat his running thus leaving more room our wide for his play makers to exploit.

The defensive side of his game is similarly impressive, PJ Poutasi does not just charge wildly up looking for a huge hit, but is calculating in where and when to hit. Quite a few of his tackles resulted in a knock on by the opposition as the ball came loose as a result of the impact of the tackle, he just hits so hard.

PJ Poutasi drives hard with his legs and always uses his shoulder and core body strength to drive into his opponent. With his strength and technique he should likely always be considered a plus defender regardless of the quality of opponent that he is up against.

In 2020 PJ Poutasi will play for Keebra Park School Boy competition and push for a spot in their GIO Cup squad.

PJ Poutasi has spent time in the second row in previous season but I believe going forward that he will find his niche at either lock or in the front row and be a dominant one at that.

PJ Poutasi is as near a carbon copy for Brisbane Broncos forward and Samoan International Tevita Pangai Jnr as I have ever seen, if anything he is a touch bigger. Both are unbelievably powerful players who can smash through a defensive line themselves and then have the outstanding speed and mobility to convert their own breaks.

In defence both have strength, power and an outstanding front on tackling technique which means an opposition player will know that they have been hit and hit hard. Equally impressively both can make multiple hard tackles in a row and both shown the ability to completely take over matches on their own in both attack and defence.

mdrew

31-12-19, 06:35 PM

Anthony (AJ) Hickling. The young man from the Clarence Coast Magpies is currently part of the Titans Group One Academy Squad that is training on a weekly basis at Ballina every Tuesday afternoon.

In 2019 AJ Hickling played in the Group One U13 competition with the Magpies, including scoring in their Grand Final Qualifying Final against Lismore Marist Brothers when he split the Rams defence on the right side of the field and was able to bring the ball around to score under the posts with a number of defenders trailing in his wake.

AJ Hickling was also part of the Magpies Group One U13 Grand Final side that went down 24 – 16 to the Grafton Ghosts in the decider. AJ Hickling also scored in the Grand Final getting Clarence Coast back in the match before Grafton pulled away again after scoring their third try of the match.

AJ Hickling on his day is a powerful and determined runner who will crash through tackles with sheer force of will alone. AJ Hickling runs with power and even though he does run straight on he will drop his lead shoulder into the first defender and will bump off the first tackler regularly with limited loss of forward speed and momentum.

In terms of speed, AJ Hickling has what I would consider above average to plus speed for his position and whilst he may not necessarily have an extra gear when he breaks into open space, AJ Hickling has the ability to sustain his speed for the duration of his runs. AJ Hickling is just quick, it is as simple as that.

In terms of beating a defender other than with power, AJ Hickling has a good in and away and can hold defenders off his body with a strong fend with either hand meaning that his running line is not disrupted.

Defensively AJ Hickling has a hard edge to his play and his initial contact is more than sufficient to redirect the momentum of the ball carrier. AJ Hickling sets a very good base which he uses to explode into the ball carrier looking to use their own momentum and lack of leverage against them.

AJ Hickling’s good situation awareness also enables him to be well positioned when he is defending against smaller quicker opponents and he endeavours to minimise the time available for the opposing attacker to generate speed and to utilise their footwork.

AJ Hickling is also able to change direction quickly to adjust to the directional changes of the attacking play especially when he is marking up against multiple attackers running in his direction where he will hold his ground to let the play to develop in front of him before committing to a specific defensive course of action. Impressively for a young player AJ Hickling is rarely drawn out of the line thus assisting to maintain his team defensive lines integrity.

AJ Hickling will play the 2020 season with the Clarence Coast Magpies in the Group One U14 competition and will also represent McLean High School in the 2020 DEX Shield School Boy Rugby League competition and will also be in line to represent the Group One U14 Taipan’s representative side at the 2020 New South Wales Country Age Championships to be held late next year.

AJ Hickling is a lanky young man for his age group who has the type of frame that over time can add muscle mass without him losing any of his speed or mobility both of which are key attributes that AJ Hickling uses to great effect on the field. As a result I would anticipate that AJ Hickling has the potential and skill set to be an outstanding performer either in the centres or second row in future years.

From a player comparison perspective for AJ Hickling, think of someone along the lines of former South Sydney centre or second rower Kyle Turner as a solid all round type of centre or backrower who whilst not necessarily the biggest player runs at the defensive line with speed and a hard approach and regularly makes good ground.

AJ Hickling also has an uncanny knack of getting across the try line with a significant portion seemingly coming from long range after splitting the opposition defensive line as a result of speed, power and guile and once AJ Hickling breaks through the line he will not be caught.

mdrew

01-01-20, 10:25 AM

Alofiana (Lofi) Khan-Periera. (Revised) The young Burleigh Bears winger and former Keebra Park student in 2018 signed a new three year Development contract with the Titans after the expiration of his initial two year contract and is spending at least part of the current off-season training with the Titans NRL squad where his speed has already caught the attention of seasoned NRL players such as Ryan James who has commented that Lofi Khan-Periera is easily the fastest player in the Titans NRL pre-season training squad.

Lofi Khan-Periera started for the Titans U18 side in their match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights SG Ball side in January of this year and was also part of the Titans side that easily accounted for PNG in October at Pizzey Park.

Lofi Khan-Periera was in late 2018 selected in the 2019 U18 Queensland Emerging Origin Squad with fellow Titans Will Evans, Tristian Powell and Juwan Compain all of whom are also training with the Titans NRL squad this off-season.

Subsequently Lofi Khan-Periera was selected in the 2019 Queensland U18 side for their annual match against their New South Wales U18 counter parts in a Game One State or Origin curtain raiser starting on the left wing and scoring Queensland’s second try of the match.

The ball was moved out to the left to Lofi Khan-Periera who had to jump up to take the ball well above his head in both hands before sprinting the twelve metres to the left corner, diving the last couple of metres to score. Interestingly Lofi Khan-Periera dived with the ball in his right hand instead of his left (similar to how Corey Oates scored later in the night in the State of Origin match).

In the Interstate match against New South Wales, Lofi Khan-Periera played the entire seventy minutes of the match on the left wing, running for 77.9 metres (nine post contact), broke three tackles, made a line break which resulted in his try and had a 100% tackling efficiency.

Lofi Khan-Periera started the 2019 MM Cup season for Burleigh on the wing but moved to fullback for Round Three against the Tweed Heads Seagulls where he stayed for Round Four against the Townsville Blackhawks. In total in the 2019 MM Cup competition Lofi Khan-Periera played in four matches for Burleigh starting two on the wing and two at fullback.

Post the MM Cup Lofi Khan-Periera was named on an extended bench for the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts side for their Round Ten match against the Northern Pride. In fact Lofi Khan-Periera ended up starting the match on the right wing and almost scored with his first touch, when he took a great cut out pass from Jayden Campbell to flash down the right touch line only to be brought down three metres out from the right corner.

Lofi Khan-Periera switched sides in Round Eleven starting on the left wing against the Central Queensland Capra’s scoring his first try in the Colts competition. Lofi Khan-Periera’s first Colts try will be one of the easier ones that he scores when he was able to dive over untouched after receiving a pass from Reece Tapine around two metres out from the Capra’s line.

Lofi Khan-Periera continued on the left wing in Round Fifteen against Ipswich, including a great run of around fifty metres down the left touch line, showing great hands to take the pass but unfortunately his pass inside just could not reach Jayden Campbell.

Lofi Khan-Periera scored his second Colts try in Round Sixteen against Souths Logan when he scooted out from dummy half to the left of the play the ball from around three metres out to dive over.

Lofi Khan-Periera scored his third Hastings Deering’s Colts try of the 2019 season in the Round Seventeen local derby against Tweed Heads when he stayed on his left wing and after receiving the ball streaked past his opposite winger who was defending a couple of metres inside him and outpaced the cover defence to score in the left corner in an impressive piece of running.

Lofi Khan-Periera scored his first Hastings Deering’s Colts double in Round Nineteen scoring Burleigh’s first two tries against Redcliffe.

Lofi Khan-Periera’s first try was an opportunist one, Cameron Brown put up a midfield and when it was mishandled by the Redcliffe fullback, Lofi Khan-Periera was on hand to scoop the ball up and run thirty five metres untouched to score.

Lofi Khan-Periera’s second try spanned 110 metres, Jayden Campbell retrieved the ball literally on the dead goal line, before exploding down field and then off loaded to Lofi Khan-Periera who had backed up on the inside to run fifty metres to score once again untouched.

Lofi Khan-Periera also had a try assist in the match in the second half when after he made a break down the left wing, put in a deft banana kick back inside with his right foot into the in-goal area for Jayden Campbell to dive on it to score.

Lofi Khan-Periera maintained his try scoring purple patch in Round Twenty against the Western Mustangs when he was on hand to dive on a Cameron Brown kick into the in goal for the Bears first try of many in the match.

Lofi Khan-Periera’s purple patch hit a new high in Round Twenty One against the Northern Pride when he scored a hat trick.

For his first try which came in the first half Lofi Khan-Periera was on the end of a chain of short passes by Burleigh and he raced over in the left corner after a ten metre run to score under pressure from the Northern Pride fullback.

Lofi Khan-Periera’s second try and first of the second half resulted from him using his speed to back up a break from Will Evans who was able to off-load for Lofi Khan-Periera to score in the corner untouched.

Lofi Khan-Periera’s third try was also scored in the left corner, Lofi Khan-Periera received the ball in an overlap situation and came inside a fraction as the Easts fullback was coming over in cover defence, Lofi Khan-Periera’s movement was enough to slow the fullback, once that occurred Lofi Khan-Periera swerved back to the outside to score highlighting his outstanding speed and acceleration.

Lofi Khan-Periera almost scored four tries in the match. He made a long break after taking the ball for what looked like a hit up to bring the ball out of their own territory but he used his speed and footwork to split the defence through the middle going on a sixty metre run before being brought down.

Lofi Khan-Periera scored once again in Round Twenty Two against the Sunshine Coast Falcons to maintain his unbelievable try scoring streak. After a chain of passing that ended with Lofi Khan-Periera is space down the left touchline, Lofi Khan-Periera put in a grubber kick to prevent going into touch and then showed outstanding speed to get to the ball around the Falcons fullback who was trying to shield the ball just as it was about to go touch in goal.

In total in the 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition for Burleigh Lofi Khan-Periera played in nine matches, starting all on the wing scoring eleven tries for a strike rate of 122%.

To cap off an outstanding 2019 season Lofi Khan-Periera, in late December was named in the 2020 Queensland U20 Emerging Origin Squad.

Lofi Khan-Periera started on the wing for the Titans U18 side in their late 2018 victory over the PNG U18 side at Burleigh and also started there and scored one of the Titans three tries as they defeated NSW Country U18’s the flowing week at Cudgen.

In the match against New South Wales Country U18’s Lofi Khan-Periera started on the right wing with his try being an intercept try which covered approximately 98 metres.

Lofi Khan-Periera represented South Coast at the QSSRL U18 Championships in Toowoomba in 2018 scoring a number of long range tries from the left wing and was in my eyes an unlucky omission from the Queensland U18 QSSRL side.

Lofi Khan-Periera played a number of matches for Keebra Park in 2018 season including matches against PBC which they lost by two, points, and in wins over Wavell State High School and St Mary’s College who Keebra Park defeated 24 – 18. Keebra Park were knocked out at the Queensland Quarter Final stage by Marsden State High School in a bit of an upset.

Lofi Khan-Periera also played one or two matches for the Keebra Park B side and was awarded one point in the Open B Best Player Award race.

Lofi Khan-Periera started the 2018 season off in the MM Cup competition with the Burleigh Bears, playing in all six of Burleigh’s matches, starting four on the wing and two at fullback. Lofi Khan-Periera started the Bears first four matches on the wing before moving to fullback for the Round Six match against the Western Mustangs.

In his six matches Lofi Khan-Periera scored five tries including a Round Six double against the Western Mustangs. Lofi Khan-Periera also scored tries in Rounds One, Three and Four against the Sunshine Coast, Tweed Heads and South’s Logan respectively.

Post the MM Cup, Lofi Khan-Periera played in one match for the Burleigh U17 Division One side this season and made the most of it by scoring a hat trick against Helensvale.

Lofi Khan-Periera had a great 2017 season culminating in starting on the wing for Keebra Park in their National GIO Cup Finals success and representing Queensland Murri U16’s in their annual clash against New South Wales Kurri with former Titans linked hooker Jesse Brasslin being a team mate in the match.

In the interstate clash held in Newcastle Lofi Khan-Periera scored a double as Queensland Murri went down 16 – 14 in a tight clash. 2017 also saw Lofi Khan-Periera as part of the 2017 U16 Queensland Academy of Sport squad and he also won the Keebra Park 2017 Year 11 Sport Specialisation student of the year award.

In 2017 Lofi Khan-Periera finished on top of the try scoring list in the U16 Division One competition in 2017, finishing with eight tries from twelve matches. Unfortunately for Lofi Khan-Periera he missed the U16 Division One Grand Final with injury as Burleigh were defeated 34 – 4.

Lofi Khan-Periera had a great start to the U16 Division One season scoring all eight of his tries through the first five rounds including four tries in a match against Ormeau and a Round One double against Helensvale.

A the commencement of the 2017 season Lofi Khan-Periera represented the Gold Coast Vikings in the U16 South East Queensland pre-season competition and from there made the South East Queensland White U16 side for the Queensland Age Championships.

In those Championships, Lofi Khan-Periera had an outstanding campaign, scoring a double on Day Two against Centre and a try on Day Three against South East Queensland Green. Lofi Khan-Periera also scored in each of SEQ Whites finals, including against Northern in a semi-final and against SEQ Green in the final which White won 42 – 30.

As a result of his play over the last couple of season Lofi Khan-Periera was identified by both the Titans and the Broncos but has signed a deal with the Titans after being in both NRL team’s development squads.

Lofi Khan-Pereira has also represented Samoa on multiple occasions including being named Samoan U14 player of the tournament in 2015 at the QPICC championships.

Lofi Khan-Periera was also named in the Queensland Murri Probables side after the 2016 Queensland Murri championships.
One of the reasons Lofi Khan-Pereira is so successful on a football field is his exceptional speed and elusiveness, he is the fastest player I have ever seen on a field and when you add in his elusiveness, he is a nightmare for opposing defences. In relation to his elusiveness the thing that makes it play even better is his ability to change direction with no loss of speed, this enables him to use the sideline exceptionally well with an in and away, all three of his first half tries against Ipswich in Round Thirteen last weekend are a testament to this skill.

When the opposing defender’s momentum slows just for a split second, Lofi Khan-Pereira is away down the sideline and will not get caught and also regularly also beats the fullback who no matter how fast they are cannot recover the ground.

Lofi Khan-Pereira is also adept at making ground out of dummy half. Once he has picked the ball up he simply explodes out of there and targets a gap between opposing forwards and looks to accelerate through it. If the defenders look to jersey grab or make an arm tackle, Lofi Khan-Pereira simply bursts through it and into the space behind the ruck.

Lofi Khan-Pereira is not a big player at all and the obvious question is whether he is strong enough to handle the defensive side of rugby league at the higher levels, I would argue that the answer is absolutely yes. In defence against the bigger outside backs running around, Lofi Khan-Pereira looks to cut down the time that they have to gain momentum thus eliminating the size differential as a defensive aspect to take into consideration.

At the opposite end of the spectrum when opposing a quick winger, Lofi Khan-Pereira will show them the side line and use his speed advantage to force the opponent towards the touch line, with their only real option to slow and try to come back inside towards Lofi Khan-Pereira and the cover defence.

From a courage stand point Lofi Khan-Pereira also passes any objective measurement that can be considered when evaluating this criterion. He will stand his ground under the high ball and is one of the first players to take a run out of dummy half when the ball needs to be brought out of his side’s own end.

Lofi Khan-Pereira also has the speed to show his opponent the sideline and cut him down and has the recovery speed to turn and chase if a break is made either on his side of the field or for that matter the other side.

Lofi Khan-Periera will be a key part of the Burleigh side in the 2020 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition and will also likely get an opportunity for Burleigh in the Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade competition as the 2020 season progresses.

Whilst I have no doubt that Lofi Khan-Periera could also play in the centres and fullback, but his straight line speed, elusiveness and power does project well on the wing and that is where I think that he ultimately ends up even if Lofi Khan-Periera does spend some time in the centres or at fullback over the course of the next couple of seasons.

I note that Lofi Khan-Periera played a number of matches in 2017 at fullback for Burleigh in the U16 Division One competition and one match in the MM Cup this season for Burleigh and I can understand why coaches would want him there to bring the ball back in relation to returning kicks with dash and flair or hunting around the centre of the ruck for offloads from his forwards, in those instances he certainly could use his speed and foot work to great advantage.

Valentine Holmes who recently signed with the Northern Queensland Cowboys, Queensland State of Origin and Australian International sides (and for a time on the practice squad of the New York Jets NFL side) is a very good playing comparison for Lofi Khan-Pereira in terms of a straight running exceptionally quick winger who is difficult to tackle every time he takes possession of the ball and from both a technical and positional perspective is solid defensively as well.

Like Holmes, Lofi Khan-Pereira is just exciting to watch when he is running with the ball in relation to flying down the side line and also like Holmes will score plenty of highlight reel tries which will be played over and over again before his career is done and dusted.

Lofi Khan-Pereira just tackles every aspect of rugby league with vigour, skill courage and confidence, the last of which is an extremely underrated quality for a young rugby league player. I am talking confidence but definitely not over confidence or cockiness from Lofi Khan-Pereira.

Lofi Khan-Pereira does not wait for the game to come to him, he just attacks it full force invariably coming out on top on the vast majority of occasions due to the confidence that he has in himself.

mdrew

02-01-20, 05:05 PM

Damon Coldwell. The outstanding young Lismore Marist Brothers flyer played an incredible amount of football in 2019, a situation which was the same as the one that he faced in 2018.

Late in 2019 Damon Coldwell played for a Titans combined U14/U15 NRRRL Invitational side against a Titans U14 Gold Coast/Brisbane based side with the Titans U14 side prevailing 32 – 10 in a high quality encounter.

Damon Coldwell was a solid contributor to the Titans U15 side that played a fellow Titans side and Western Mustangs side at Mudgeeraba in February 2019.

2019 also saw Damon Coldwell name in the Australian Secondary School U15 side for the ASSRL U15 Championships, starting Day One from the bench coming on to score a second half double as the Invitational side defeated Northern Territory 36 – 6.

Both tries came with Damon Coldwell playing right centre, his first when he got outstanding his direct opponent near the line and he was able to stretch out his right arm to score in the right corner.

In relation to his second try of the match, Damon Coldwell ran a great straight line to split the defence from around twelve metres out and easily round the Northern Territory fullback to score midway between the uprights and the right corner post.

Damon Coldwell’s 2019 Group One U15 rugby league campaign got off to an impressive start in Round One when he scored a double for Lismore Marist Brothers as they defeated Clarence Coast 20-14.

In total for Lismore Marist Brothers in the 2019 Group One U15 competition Damon Coldwell played in seven matches scoring nine tries for a season total point’s tally of 36 and a strike rate of 129%.

In addition to his Round One double, Damn Coldwell also scored doubles against Casino RSM on two separate occasions and also scored in matches against Kyogle and Ballina in the regular season.

Damon Coldwell also scored in Week One of the Finals series as Lismore Marist Brothers went down 42 – 10 to Clarence Coast.

Damon Coldwell also played four regular season matches in the Group One U16.5 competition, scoring his first try in that competition in Round Eleven against Clarence Coast.

Damon Coldwell added a further U16.5 try in Week One of the Finals in a 32 – 0 Lismore Marist Brothers victory over South Grafton but unfortunately was on the losing side as Marist Blue went down 12 – 4 to Ballina in the Grand Final.

Damon Coldwell was named on the interchange bench for the Group One U15 Taipans for the New South Wales Country Age Championships that were held in Port Macquarie in late September. Damon Coldwell scored in Group One’s Northern Plate 40 – 10 win over Group 19 and scored again in Group One’s Northern Plate semi-final loss 38 – 12 to Central Coast.

In May 2019 Damon Coldwell was named in the NSW Country U15 Gold side for the NSW Rugby Age Championships after representing the Far North Coast Dolphins in the 2019 NSW Country Championships held in Lismore.

Damon Coldwell also represented Ballina Coast High School in multiple school boy competitions in 2019 including being part of the Ballina Coast High School side that won the 2019 U15 Titans Cup when they won all four of their matches on the day and in fact Damon Coldwell was named player of the day.

Ballina Coast’s wing were against Alstonville High School 11 – 10 in Round One, St Joseph’s Banora Point 20 – 4 in Round Two, Woodlawn College 12 – 6 in the semi-final and Alstonville 18 – 6 in the Grand Final.

2018 saw Damon Coldwell represent Group One in the 2018 U14 New South Wales Country Age Championships.

From a club rugby league perspective, Damon Coldwell played the 2018 season with Lismore in the U14 Group One competition, finishing as the competitions fourth highest try scorer with 17 tries from just fourteen matches finishing with a 121% strike rate.

Damon Coldwell scored a late season hat trick against Grafton and doubles against Casino RSM, Kyogle, Grafton and Ballina two matches in consecutive matches in July 2018. Damon Coldwell also scored in matches against Ballina, Kyogle and Clarence Coast.

In addition Damon Coldwell played in three Group One U16.5 matches in 2018, making his debut against Kyogle in May and also playing in matches against South Grafton and Casino RSM over the course of the season.

In the U14 New South Wales Country Age Championships for Group One Damon Coldwell played in all four of Group One’s matches including the Northern Plate Final against Group 19 which Group One won 38 – 12. In the Final Damon Coldwell scored an outstanding hat trick and also scored earlier in the Championships against Newcastle, a try which he scored with five minutes to go to seal the victory for Group One.

Damon Coldwell also played club rugby in 2018 in two separate competitions being the U14 Far North Coast competition for Wollongbar/Alstonville where a team mate was fellow Titans Development Squad member and Ballina Coast High School student Desmond Ferguson and the Gold Coast U15 rugby competition also for Wollongbar/Alstonville with Desmond Ferguson once again being a team mate.

In the 2018 U14 Far Norther Coast competition, Damon Coldwell played in eight matches, including starting the Grand Final in the centres in their 15 – 0 loss against Casuarina/Tweed and scored sixteen tries.

Damon Coldwell scored four tries in Round Ten against Lismore, hat tricks against Lennox Head in Rounds Five and Nine and also scored doubles in matches against Lismore in Rounds Four and Seven and against Lennox Head in the first week of the Finals.

Damon Coldwell came into the U14 Wollongbar/Alstonville side in Round Four against Lismore starting on the bench. He started on the right wing in Round Five against Lennox Head for his first start before starting on the bench again in Round Seven against Lismore.

Damon Coldwell broke into the starting side for good in Round Eight against Casuarina/Tweed when he started in the centres where he stayed for the remainder of the season.

In 2018, Damon Coldwell also played eight matches for Wollongbar/Alstonville in the Gold Coast Rugby U15 competition playing his first match in Round Two against the Helensvale Hogs celebrating with a try after starting the match on the right wing.

Damon Coldwell also scored a double in Round Nine against Casino and also scored in Rounds Three and Eight against the Gold Coast Eagles and PBC Alleygators respectively.

Damon Coldwell played four matches on the right wing, one on the left wing (Round Three against the Gold Coast Eagles) and three at outside centre in Rounds Eight to Ten against PBC Alleygators, Casino and Surfers Dolphins respectively.

2018 also saw Damon Coldwell represent Far North Coast region in touch alongside Titans contracted Rowan Mansfield.

From a running perspective, Damon Coldwell just seems to glide across the field and it appears effortless, no matter who is chasing him, they will not catch Damon Coldwell, I am talking James Roberts type of pace but he has a much more effortless running style to that of the current Brisbane Bronco.

Damon Coldwell does not necessarily have a side step per say, it is more of a swerve and he has a number of variations, with the scary part being that there is absolutely no loss of speed at all, making him incredibly difficult to stop when he is in open space and is moving towards a fullback who is near stationary.

Damon Coldwell’s passing skills are also developing into those of the highest quality, he can pass equally well from either side of his body and can throw every type of pass imaginable, he can chime into a back line at full pace and then decelerate quickly to maintain his balance a pop a good short ball to his supports, he can throw a great spiral pass to his backline or he can quickly anticipate the numbers a throw a great cut out pass to exploit over laps.

Defensively Damon Coldwell also stands out, with his closing speed and recovery speed he makes an impact on that side of the ball as well. With his speed, Damon Coldwell has the luxury of being able to stand a touch deeper than some fullbacks yet still be able to close quickly to negate breaks by reducing the decision making time of the attacking player.

Similar to the attributes that make Damon Coldwell such an effective defender, Damon Coldwell is as you would expect a great returner of the ball. His sense of timing, speed and anticipation means that he gets to a lot of kicks on the full and then accelerates looking to exploit any gaps on the kick chase.

Damon Coldwell exceptional lateral movement and sure hands means that he is a danger to make a large amount of ground from short attacking kicks by the opposition as he comes forward at full speed and retrieves with absolutely no loss of momentum and then will surprise the attacking team well before they can reorganise the defensive line.

Damon Coldwell will play the 2020 season with Lismore Marist Brothers in the Group One U16.5 competition and may also get a match or two in the NRRRL U18 competition. Damon Coldwell will also be a key member of the Ballina Coast High School Open Rugby League side this season.

The 2018 season saw Damon Coldwell play in the centres and on the wing in both rugby and rugby league but with his outstanding speed, body control and balance, I would think that he will be given every opportunity to stay in the centres long term.

If for whatever reason a move away from centre is considered, Damon Coldwell projects as an outstanding try scoring winger who if he gets the ball early will tear opposing defences apart, you just have to consider what he did in the New South Wales Country U14 Plate Final as an indicator of Damon Coldwell’s immense potential.

Damon Coldwell is an exciting try scoring outside back with exceptional speed, balance and body control and thus can be favourably compared to Broncos and New South Wales State of Origin centre James Roberts.

mdrew

03-01-20, 01:19 PM

Kye Cooper. The exciting young Lismore Marist Brothers fullback is an outstanding addition to the Titans JTS Program and is another outstanding junior from Northern New South Wales making his mark with the Titans.

Late in 2019 Kye Cooper played for a Titans U14/U15 NRRRL Invitational side against a Titans U14 Gold Coast/Brisbane side at Piggabeen starting the match at five eight with the result being that the NRRRL side went down 32 - 10.

Kye Cooper started the 2019 Group One U14 competition off in outstanding form scoring two tries and kicking two goals for Ballina in their 34 – 6 win in Round One against the South Grafton Rebels.

Kye Cooper was on fire once again in Round Two scoring five tries and kicking two conversions as Ballina defeated Casino RSM 54 – 4.

Kye Cooper continued his try scoring feats in Round Three scoring a double as Ballina defeated Clarence Coast 44 – 8.

In Round Five against Lismore Marist Brothers Kye Cooper finished with an individual points tally of twelve from two tries and two goals in a big win against Lismore Marist Brothers.

Round Seven saw Kye Cooper continue to add points to his season tally when he kicked two conversions in a 38 – 0 win over Kyogle.

In Round Ten against Casino RSM continued his outstanding season by scoring a hat trick and kicking two goals.

Round Twelve against Grafton saw Kye Cooper add two tries and three goals to his already impressive 2019 points tally.

Kye Cooper added a hat trick and four goals in finish the Round Thirteen match against Lismore Marist Brothers with an individual point’s tally of twenty.

In total in the Group One U14 regular season Kye Cooper scored 112 points from nine regular season matches, from nineteen tries and eighteen goals.

In Round One of the Finals series, Kye Cooper scored a try and kicked five goals as Ballina defeated South Grafton 34 – 6 and was also a member of the Ballina side that won the Grand Final.

Post the Grand Final Kye Cooper’s Group One U14 Ballina side was named team of the Group One Junior Rugby League competition for their unbeaten season. On an individual level Kye Cooper was named Group One U14 Player of the Season.

Kye Cooper made his Group One U15 debut in Round Thirteen against Lismore Marist (he had scored twenty points in the preceding U14 match)kicking a late conversion in a 32 – 18 Ballina win.

The St Johns College Woodlawn student was selected in the New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges (CCC) Lismore Diocese U15 side for their for the NSW CCC selection trials that were held in Sydney commencing 25 May, very impressive for a 14 year old.

The result was that Kye Cooper was selected in the New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges U15 Country side.

Kye Cooper was named at five eight for the Group One U14 Taipans representative side for the New South Wales Country Age Championships that were held in Port Macquarie in late September and kicked a conversion in Group One’s 26 – 10 Northern Cup Final loss to Central Coast.

Kye Cooper had an outstanding 2018 season for Lismore Marist Brothers in the New South Wales Group One U13 competition, scoring in all thirteen of his matches to finish the season as the competitions, leading point’s scorer, leading goal kicker and second leading try scorer.

All told Kye Cooper scored 240 points from just thirteen matches (18.5 points per game average). He scored 40 tries (308% strike rate) and also kicked 40 goals.

Kye Cooper scored five tries in a match on two occasions, being against Kyogle in May 2018 and Clarence Coast in August. He also scored four tries in four matches which came against Casino RSM, Clarence Coast, South Grafton and Kyogle.

Kye Cooper scored hat tricks against South Grafton and Ballina and doubles against Grafton in two matches and Ballina. Grafton and Ballina were the only teams able to keep Kye Cooper to one try in a game.

With the boot, Kye Cooper kicked nine in a July match against Kyogle and eight the following round against Clarence Coast. In those two matches Kye Cooper finished with impressive individual totals. In the match against Kyogle, along with his nine goals he scored four tries to points the match with 34 points and in addition to his eight goals scored five tries to finish the match against Clarence Coast with 36 points.

Let’s cut to the chase, when Kye Cooper runs the ball, he is exceptionally quick and explosive, with exceptional speed, both off the mark and when he gets into open space, teams in his age group in the Group One junior competition just could not handle him when he had the ball. He also can step off both feet exceptionally well and also has a great swerve whilst maintaining top speed.

On many occasions when he made a break, his support could not keep up and thus he used his incredible footwork and speed to beat the opposing fullback by himself. There is nothing that he cannot do running the ball and it is only now about developing his ball playing skills to make his footwork and running ability even more lethal. In attack Kye Cooper also played up in the line quite often and has been his team’s primary attacking option.

In addition he also has the ball playing skills to set up his support runners and get them lines to run into when defenders came out of the line to negate his time with the ball in hand. Kye Cooper obviously was a key target for defences but he understands that he cannot do it all himself and thus became adept at drawing defenders out of the line and putting his support runners into the subsequent hole. As his play making skills continue to evolve, the attacking possibilities are endless.

In terms of running the ball back from kicks, his timing and anticipation means that he gets to a lot of balls on the full and makes a quick decision whether to run the ball flat out back into the oncoming defenders or look to create an opportunity by running across field. Regardless Kye Cooper is an absolute handful to tackle with his speed and evasion skills.

Defensively in the fullback position Kye Cooper understandably he does not make a huge amount of tackles but the ones he makes are the ones that need to be made. If an attacker runs directly at him, he will come forward to cut down the time the attacker has to make a decision and he will hit very hard and does not fall for a dummy in those situations.

An impressive attribute that Kye Cooper does have is ability to force attackers who are in open space to try to beat him down the side line. He will stay inside the attacker and force him in the required direction and then use his timing, closing speed and anticipation to make the tackle, usually forcing the attacker into touch.

The upcoming 2020 season will see Kye Cooper line up once again in Lismore Marist Brothers colours in the Group One U15 competition and Kye Cooper should also be one of the first players selected in the Group One U15 representative side in the 2019 New South Wales Country Age Championships if he looks to obtain a place in the side.

Kye Cooper will also be involved in St Johns College Woodlawn’s various school boy rugby league competitions.

Regardless of the number on his back Kye Cooper is an exciting runner of the ball combining speed, elusiveness, evasion, balance and body control. To that extent I believe that ultimately his best position will be at fullback where he will get the ball with space to work with prior to the defensive line and look to exploit any gaps that he identifies.

From my perspective, a talented, unselfish attacking player with similar attributes to Kye Cooper is North Queensland Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater. Like Drinkwater, Kye Cooper has great acceleration to go along with a wicked sidestep and the play making skills to make opposition teams pay if defences look to focus too much on him.

Similarly like, Drinkwater Kye Cooper can play in the halves as well as fullback like he did for the Titans U14/15 Invitational side in early October 2019 against the Titans U14 Gold Coast/Brisbane squad.

mdrew

04-01-20, 08:25 AM

Jamal Laurie. Exciting young South Grafton Rebels centre is part of the Titans 2018/19 Group 18 U15 Development Squad after a 2018 season which saw him play the entire year up in the U15 age group even though he was still U14 eligible. Jamal Laurie has been playing “up” an age group for the last couple of seasons in fact.

In 2019 Jamal Laurie was selected in the Australian Secondary Schools U15 Invitational side for the ASSRL U15 Championships starting on the wing including on Day One in a 36 – 6 win over the Northern Territory.

Jamal Laurie started the 2019 season once again up an age group being the Group One U16.5 competition for South Grafton and was part of their Round One side that defeated a Ballina side containing Titans contracted Rowan Mansfield 26 – 4.

Jamal Laurie was also part of the U16.5 South Grafton Rebels side that played Casino RSM in Round Three as a curtain raiser to the Titans NRL match at Canterbury. Hopefully not the last time that Jamal Laurie plays on the ground.

Jamal Laurie scored his first points of the Group One U16.5 season when he kicked two conversions in Round Eleven against Kyogle.

Jamal Laurie’s 2019 season came to an end when South Grafton went down 21 – 14 to Ballina in the Group One U16.5 Preliminary Final.

In 2019 Jamal Laurie also represented the mid-North Coast U15 rugby league side from South Grafton High School and after those trials was selected in the North Coast U15 Rugby League representative side.

Jamal Laurie was named at fullback for the Group One U15 Taipans for the New South Wales Country Age Championships that were held in Port Macquarie in late September.

At the Championships Jamal Laurie started all three of Group One’s U15 matches at fullback with those matches being against Maitland and Group 19 on Day One and Central Coast on Day Two.

For South Grafton in the 2018 Group One U15 competition, Jamal Laurie played in fifteen matches finish with eleven tries which was good enough to finish the season as the competitions fourth leading try scorer. Not a bad effort at all considering Jamel Laurie was U14 eligible.

Jamal Laurie scored doubles against Kyogle and Clarence Coast and also scored against Lismore Marist Brothers in four separate matches and also scored against Casino RSM in two matches and also against Clarence Coast.

Jamal Laurie also represented Group One at the U14 level at the New South Wales Country Age Championships in 2018. In those Championships Jamal Laurie played in all four of Group One’s matches scoring in all of them including the Northern Plate Final against Group 19 which Group One won 38 – 12.

Jamal Laurie’s other three tries came against Groups Nine and Four as well as Newcastle. To say that Jamal Laurie had an outstanding U14 New South Wales Country Age Championships would be an understatement.

Jamal Laurie is a quick centre with a fluid running style with a classic centres build with the ability to stand up his direct opposite and then beat him with pace on the outside. In term of his play, the in and away is his bread and butter, he has very good speed off the mark and can break to the outside quickly.

Couple that with long arms, which he uses to great effect with a powerful fend makes Jamal Laurie difficult to tackle. When opposing centres are able to get hold of him, Jamal Laurie usually is able to maintain his balance and keeps an arm free, looking to offload.

Jamal Laurie has more tools though than just an in and away, he will also use his size and strength to run straight over smaller opposing centres as well as also having the skill to step back inside of the defender if he is pushing to the outside too early.

What Jamal Laurie is also adept at doing is timing his pass to his outside supports if the outside defender looks to come in and help defend him allowing an overlap to develop.

Due to his size and strength, Jamal Laurie is a very good defender regardless of position. He will not necessarily hit hard, but he is very good at mirroring the movement of the opposing centre and wrapping him up ball and all. Jamal Laurie is also quick enough to recover and chase if the opposing centre gets on the outside and his long reach is also a positive attribute in those situations.

From a team defensive methodology stand point, Jamal Laurie seems to be very comfortable in a sliding defensive scheme where he can use his speed and body control to their best advantage.

Jamal Laurie will play the 2020 season in the Red and White of the South Grafton Rebels in the Group One U16.5 competition and may also get a match or two in the Group Two U18 competition for the Rebels as well.

In the modern version of rugby league, teams prefer size and power in the centres, two qualities that Jamal Laurie possesses and as a consequence, I envisage that he will be given every opportunity to stay there in the long term.

I really like the way the Jamal Laurie operates on a rugby league field especially in attack where he can utilise his size and speed to be a real handful.

Jamal Laurie has the opportunity to be a rare breed of rugby league player, that being a legitimate strike centre and to that extent a playing style comparison to Titans NRL centre Brenko Lee is definitely warranted.

mdrew

04-01-20, 02:13 PM

Brody Smitka. (Revised) The local young front rower signed a two year contract with the Titans in 2018 and started the 2019 season off as part of the Gold Coast Vikings Yellow squad.

Starting in the front row for Gold Coast Yellow on Match Day One of the U16 South East Queensland Challenge, Brody Smitka scored as GC Yellow defeated Brisbane Red 32 – 10 at Mudgeeraba.

Brody Smitka started in the front row in the Titans U15 Invitational side that defeated a Western Mustangs Invitational side in March 2018 at Nerang and also started in the front row for the Titans in their match against a Newcastle U16 side in Coffs Harbour in January of this year.

Brody Smitka was one of the Titans try scorers that hot Sunday afternoon, when he took a pass on the right side of the field and barged his way across the try line from about twelve metres out in the second half.

Brody Smitka’s most recent match for the Titans was when he started from the interchange for the Titans U16 squad in their early October match against PNG at Pizzey Park with the Titans winning 44 - 12.

Brody Smitka played the 2019 GCRL season with Helensvale in the U16 Division One competition, playing in twelve matches starting all at either lock or in the second row. Brody Smitka scored his first try of the season in Round Six against Mudgeeraba and also scored against Currumbin in Round Seven.

Brody Smitka made his GCRL U18 Division debut for the Hornets in Round Seven coming off the bench against Bilambil and came off the bench in Week One of the Finals series in Helensvale’s 24 – 20 win over Currumbin.

Brody Smitka started in the second row for Helensvale in their U18 Division One Week two Finals loss to Ormeau 34 – 26.

Brody Smitka was named in the 2019 South East Queensland White U16 side for the Queensland Age Championships starting in the front row for the representative side. Post those Championships Brody Smitka was selected to start in the front row in the Queensland City U16 side.

In the match Brody Smitka played thirty six minutes, running for thirty nine metres (ten post contact), broke a tackle and made twelve tackles at a tackling efficiency of 85.71%.

The Coomera Anglican College student in 2018 was selected in the U15 Queensland White side for the U15 ASSRL National Championships after performing solidly for the South Coast U15 side for whom he started in the front row in the QSSRL U15 Championships held in Townsville in April 2018.

Even though he was still eligible for the U15 competition in 2018, Brody Smitka just like he has done in previous seasons has started the current season “up” an age group. Brody Smitka has played the opening four rounds in the GCRL U16 Division One competition starting each match at lock.

Late in 2018 Brody Smitka was part of the Titans U15 Invitational side that played their annual match against a Balmain Tigers selection in Cudgen late in the year and also was named in the Queensland U15 2018 Emerging Origin Squad and has already attended a number of camps including camp in February on the Sunshine Coast where on the last day they played a simulated match against the U16 side who were also present at the camp.

Brody Smitka is also part of the 2019 Queensland U16 Emerging Origin squad, with the squad completing their first camp of the year recently. On the last day of the camp the squad was split into two sides for an opposed session. Flynn Daniel started in the centres for one of the squads that contained fellow Titans Flynn Daniel and Caleb Gould-Waiariki.

The local young front rower from the Helensvale Hornets junior rugby league on the Gold Coast was part of the U14 Gold Coast Vikings side that went through the 2017 Hill Stumer championships undefeated after victories against Stingers Red and White sides and the Ipswich Diggers.

Post those championships Brody Smitka was selected in the U14 South East Queensland Green side for the Queensland Age Championships which were played in Toowoomba and scored on Day Three in a big win over South East Queensland White.

The U14 Vikings was the third representative side that Brody Smitka has made, after he was part of the dominant U13 Vikings side in 2016 and the South Coast U12 schoolboys side in 2015 which also went through their competition undefeated, he made the South Coast U12 side from Coomera Anglican College. Also this season Brody Smitka was part of the 2017 Gold Coast Academy of Sport Rugby League Excellence Program.

Brody Smitka played the 2017 Gold Coast Junior Rugby League season with the Helensvale Hornets primarily in the U15 Division One side although he did play one match for Helensvale in the U14 Division Two competition in July where he dominated Nerang to score a double.

In the U15 Division One competition in 2017, Brody Smitka started in sixteen matches including starting in the front row in their 34 – 10 Grand Final loss to Nerang. In those sixteen matches Brody Smitka scored five tries including a great first two rounds of the season when he scored four of his five tries including a hat trick in Round two against Southport and scoring against Burleigh in the season opener. In the U15 Division One Preliminary Final also against Burleigh Brody Smitka scored his fifth try of the year.

Brody Smitka is a reasonably tall young guy but when he runs he does look to put his shoulder into the defensive line rather than just straight up which would make him susceptible to being driven back, aiding in his running style is that he actually gets back and runs onto the ball hard rather than looking only to get to top pace once he has received the ball. Brody Smitka is always on of the first forwards to take the hit up and works hard while he is on the field.

In 2016 and 2017 for Helensvale Brody Smitka seemed to play a little wider of the ruck which enables him to off load the ball more. For the Titans U15 Invitational side earlier this season Brody Smitka had some outstanding off-loads.

One in particular caught my attention, it was in the second half of the match. Brody Smitka took the hit-up to the left of the dummy half angling back behind the play the ball. He hit the defensive line at full speed pushing back the defenders on initial contact.

Instead of just looking for the quick play the ball, Brody Smitka was able to get his right arm free and offload a great ball to half and fellow Titans contracted youngster Thomas Weaver as he was heading towards the ground. A play or two later winger Kaleb Ngamanu crossed in the left corner for an outstanding Titans try which would not have been possible but for a piece of sublime skill from Brody Smitka earlier in the set of six.

Brody Smitka got another right arm off load in the second half. He was hit by three defenders but was still able to get an offload away to the back-up Titans hooker who crashed over when he ran into the gap created by Brody Smitka when he had hit the defensive line.

Defensively for a taller young player he is adept at getting low and setting a good base so that he can drive with his legs into the attacker. For his taller height he is quite disciplined in terms of not hanging an arm out when defending against a smaller quicker attacker and uses his reasonable lateral movement to look to mirror the attacker’s movement and make the tackle. Brody Smitka is not a big hitter but will drive with his legs to stop the momentum of the ball carrier effectively in the centre of the ruck.

Brody Smitka has been named in Burleigh Bears MM Cup squad for 2020 and will also be MM Cup eligible in 2021.

In 2020 Brody Smitka will also play for Helensvale in the GCRL U18 Division One competition and be in contention for a spot in the South Coast Open representative school boy rugby league side from Coomera Anglican College where he will be pushing for a U18 QSSRL spot and then an Australian School Boys jersey.

Where Brody Smitka ultimately ends up from a position perspective is an intriguing question. At present he has the height and size to play in the front row, but he shows flashes of the ability to play as a second rower I would argue mainly because he has above average speed for a front rower and whilst he has a bit of height, I am not sure whether he will be able to put on the bulk needed to play in the front row long term.

Also with the solid ball skills that Brody Smitka has I can see a compelling argue to suggest that his ultimate position will be in the second row as a big tall reasonably quick second rower or even at lock depending on how a coach wants his lock to play.

I will admit I was a touch surprised to see Brody Smitka playing lock through the opening rounds this year, but thinking about it I believe that it is an inspired move by the coach. Brody Smitka has far more to offer than just putting his head down trying to gain metres and get a quick play the ball.

At lock he has more freedom in terms of what lines he can run and has more opportunities to off-load the ball. Thinking about it, locks seems to be the perfect position for him. Well done to the coaching staff, it is a move which will reap rewards for both Brody Smitka and his team and of course the Titans as it will advance his development as a player exponentially.

I have said the same thing for the last two years in relation to Brody Smitka but I am going to say it again this year. He seems to have increased his speed and mobility compared to what it was the year before. I am not saying he has plus speed but for a big strong young forward he is quite quick, certainly off the mark and this and the intensity of his runs means that he invariably generates positive post contact metres on each of his hit-ups.

The continued development of both his skill set and physical attributes such as speed and mobility is a sure sign of a young man possessing the motivation and determination to succeed in his chosen sport.

If you look at the play of Titan Bryce Cartwright, (the second row or lock version that is), I think you will get an appreciation of how Brody Smitka plays his football in that he will stay in the centre of the field defensively but in attack he has the skills to operate on the edge of the ruck and has outstanding off-loading skills if the opportunities present.

mdrew

05-01-20, 11:46 AM

Jedd Windle. The Byron Bay/Lennox Head backrower represented the Group 18 U14 side in 2018 in the New South Wales Country Age Championships and post those Championships was selected as part of the Titans 2018/19 Group 18 U15 Development Squad and was involved in the Titans U15 sides that took on another Titans side as well as the Western Mustangs in February at Mudgeeraba.

Late in the 2019 season Jedd Windle represented Group 18 at the U15 New South Wales Country Age Championships in Port Macquarie being named in the front row for the 2019 New South Wales Country Age Championships.

In May 2019 Jedd Windle was named in the NSW Country U15 Gold side for the NSW Rugby Age Championships after representing the Far North Coast Dolphins in the 2019 NSW Country Championships held in Lismore.

Jedd Windle also represented the Northern region NSW CCC U15 rugby league side at their trials held in May in Sydney after the Ballina Coast High School student stood out for the Far North Coast side in the Northern Trials.

In the 2018 U14 New South Wales Country Age Championships for Group 18 Jedd Windle played in all three of Group 18’s matches which were against Group’s 21, Four and Two.

In 2018 Jedd Windle also played rugby for Lennox Head in the Far Norther Coast U14 competition playing in twelve matches including their semi-final loss to Wollongbar/Tweed. He started all bar one match, being Round Eleven against Lismore when he started from the bench at No. 8 and was outstanding on his way to scoring thirteen tries and kicking twelve conversions.

Jedd Windle scored hat tricks against Lismore in Rounds Six and Eight and scored doubles against Lismore in Round two and Wollongbar/Tweed in Round Twelve. Jedd Windle’s other tries came against Wollongbar/Tweed in Rounds Three, Five and Nine.

With the boot Jedd Windle kicked three conversions against Lismore in Round Two and against Wollongbar/Tweed in Round Twelve.

Jedd Windle is by no means the biggest second rower running around but he really does throw himself into the defensive line. Jedd Windle’s normal running line seems to be on a slight angle away from the ruck and as noted on occasion he will veer back towards the ruck, I would not call it a step but more of a change to his running angle rather than a specific change of running direction.

Jedd Windle can also run a very good outside shoulder route and rather than trying to step his opposite number will really look to initiate the contact and then use his strength to hold the defender off his body to either push through the tackle or draw in the next defender to create space for his outside support.

Jedd Windle also has very good late and quick foot work which enables him to change direction quickly allowing him to readjust where he is running to take advantage of either a late developing hole in the defensive line or where the defensive line is repositioning late. Jedd Windle’s speed can certainly be considered above average for a backrower.

Whilst his ball running skills are the first thing that you will likely notice when seeing Jedd Windle play his defence is equally effective even though it may not be as noticeable at first glance. Defensively Jedd Windle has a hard edge to his play and his initial contact is more than sufficient to redirect the momentum of the ball carrier either in the centres or when defending in the forwards.

Jedd Windle sets a very good base which he uses to explode into the ball carrier looking to use their own momentum against them. Jedd Windle is also adept at finishing off the tackle and slowing the subsequent play the ball down.

Jedd Windle good situation awareness also enables him to be well positioned when he is defending against smaller quicker players and he endeavours to minimise the time available for the opposing attacker to generate speed and to utilise their footwork.

Jedd Windle is also able to change direction quickly to adjust to the directional changes of the attacker especially when he is marking up against multiple attackers running in his direction where Jedd Windle will hold his ground to let the play to develop in front of him before committing to a specific defensive course of action.

Jedd Windle will play the 2020 season with Byron Bay/Lennox Head Hornets in the Group 18 U16 competition as well as being heavily involved in Ballina Coast High School’s various school boy rugby league competitions.

Jedd Windle’s game is not just about his size and speed, he has an indefinable quality about the way he plays in terms of his ability to understand what his team needs over the course of the match and respond accordingly, whether that is a straight run into the defence or a big tackle to fire up his team mates.

From a style perspective think of a someone along the lines of Brisbane Bronco, Queensland State of Origin and Australian backrower Matt Gillett as an intense aggressive well-rounded backrower with the ability to break the line by himself or as a result of running a good line.

Like Gillett, Jedd Windle is also an extremely efficient and effective defender who will hit hard when the opportunity presents itself and looks to always dominate his opponents physically in all aspects of the game

mdrew

05-01-20, 08:52 PM

Joseph Shannon. The giant young forward who signed a contract with the Titans in early 2019 has been one of a number of standouts of his age group on the Gold Coast over the last couple of seasons. Joseph Shannon’s old brothers Samuel and Daniel both have links with the Titans as well making it a family affair around the dinner table in the Shannon house hold.

Joseph Shannon recently spent a session training alongside the Titans NRL squad with his fellow Titans contracted junior players.

In January of this year Joseph Shannon started on the interchange bench for the Titans U16 (he is still U15 eligible in 2019) side in their match against the Newcastle Knights. When he came on he had a huge impact especially running with the ball making positive metres on each of his hit-ups.

In the first half Joseph Shannon also showcased his off-loading skills, when he threw a good left hand pass when engaged with the defensive line to Noah Johassnnsen who was able to continue down field into the Knights twenty metre line.

A couple of his first half carries were very impressive especially when he was bringing the ball away from the Titans line. It was also great to see Joseph Shannon support his team mates, after a minor scuffle, Joseph Shannon made sure that the Newcastle Knights forward did not take advantage of the Titans player on the ground.

Joseph Shannon also found himself at dummy half on a few occasions but handled the situation well and got the ball to half Thomas Weaver quickly and efficiently.

In the second half, Joseph Shannon made a fifty metre break from his own half when he ran a great line to the right of the field with Bailey Martin popping him a great ball for Joseph Shannon to charge down the field.

Defensively Joseph Shannon also made his presence felt with a number of telling tackles including one outstanding front on tackle in the second half when he monstered the Knights replacement half who tried to beat him with a left foot step.

Joseph Shannon played the 2019 club rugby league season with Southport in the GCRL U15 Division One competition, playing in a total of nine matches and scoring five tries including opening his tally in Round One against Helensvale, scoring a double in Round Thirteen against Ormeau and also coring in matches against Ormeau once again and Nerang.

In Week two of the GCRL U15 Division One Finals series, Joseph Shannon started against Nerang teaming with fellow Titan Seth Nikotemo in the front row scoring as Runaway Bay progressed directly to the Grand Final on the back of a 20 – 0 win.

In the GCRL U15 Division One Grand Final Joseph Shannon started in the front row for Runaway Bay as they went down 26 – 22 in a fiery forward battle against Nerang.

Joseph Shannon made his GCRL U16 Division One debut in Round Fourteen against Helensvale when he came off the bench after playing in the corresponding U15 Division One match earlier in the evening.

2019 also saw Joseph Shannon represent South Coast at the U15 QSSRL Championships where South Coast went through undefeated to win the Championships and subsequently Joseph Shannon was named in the Queensland Maroons side for the U15 ASSRL Championships.

Joseph Shannon started in the front row for Queensland Maroon in their matches including on Day two when he scored in just the 5th minutes in a win against New South Wales Combined High Schools. Joseph Shannon ran a good straight line three metres out from the line and after receiving the ball dived over near the left upright.

Unfortunately Joseph Shannon took a knock and was not able to play out the Championships but he was certainly destructive when he was on the field.

Joseph Shannon was also a stand-out performer for Coombabah State High School in their various U15 schoolboy rugby league competitions in 2019.

For the 2018 season, Joseph Shannon transferred from Southport to the Coomera Cutters for whom he played the U14 Division One season. Through eleven matches in that competition including finals matches, Joseph Shannon scored six tries and kicked five conversions to finish the U14 Division One season with 34 points.

Joseph Shannon scored doubles in consecutive rounds mid-season against Beaudesert and Helensvale and also scored against Ormeau and Nerang. Four of Joseph Shannon’s goals came in a match against Beaudesert (he also scored a double in that match) with the other against Runaway Bay.

Joseph Shannon also played in one U15 Division One match this season for Coomera when he lined up against Currumbin in late July.

Joseph Shannon at the start of this season represented the Gold Coast Vikings U14 side starting at lock in three matches and scored a double in Match Two of the South East Queensland U14 Championships in a win against Brisbane Red. His other match was against Ipswich.

Post those Championships Joseph Shannon was selected at lock for South East Queensland White and scored against South East Queensland Green on Day One of the Queensland Age Championships.

In 2019 Joseph Shannon was also selected in the Queensland Academy of Sport U15 Emerging Origin squad.

Joseph Shannon also represented the Gold Coast Vikings in 2017 at the U13 level, playing three games in the 2017 Hill Stumer Championships.

Rarely can you find a young player who is equally at home running on both sides of the ruck but that is what a team has with Joseph Shannon, he runs a superb outside shoulder line and his excellent footwork enables him to step off either foot to enable him to cut back against the movement of the defensive line to take advantage of gaps back on the inside of his direct opponent.

For a big strong young man, Joseph Shannon also has above average speed, not just off the mark but also when he is in clear space, when he makes a break Joseph Shannon is more than capable of going the distance and normally easily out paces the cover defence.

Joseph Shannon is not just a strong runner of the ball he as noted above has excellent footwork prior to the line and also some very good short passing both before the line and when in contact with a defender.

Joseph Shannon in schoolboy rugby and junior age groups is a magnet for defenders and is adept at identifying when multiple defenders are vectoring towards him and identifying the appropriate force to be applied to his passing when off-loading.

On a lot of his runs Joseph Shannon rather than trying to step his opposite number will really look to initiate the contact and then use his strength to hold the defender off his body to either push through the tackle or draw in the next defender to create space for his outside support.

Defensively Joseph Shannon has a hard edge to his play and his initial contact is more than sufficient to redirect the momentum of the ball carrier. Joseph Shannon sets a very good base which he uses to explode into the ball carrier looking to use their own momentum against them.

Joseph Shannon’s good situation awareness also enables him to be well positioned when he is defending against smaller quicker opponents and he endeavours to minimise the time available for the opposing attacker to generate speed and to utilise their footwork.

Joseph Shannon is also able to change direction quickly to adjust to the directional changes of the attacker especially when he is marking up against multiple attackers running in his direction where Joseph Shannon will hold his ground to let the play to develop in front of him before committing to a specific defensive course of action.

Joseph Shannon will play the 2020 season with Runaway Bay in the GCRL U16 Division One competition and surely will be a U16 Gold Coast Vikings representative for the U16 South East Queensland pre-season challenge.

Joseph Shannon will also be a key member of the Coombabah State High School Open Rugby League side for their 2020 GIO Cup school boys’ campaign as well as their other school boy competitions.

Joseph Shannon is a big strong powerful young man but he also has good speed and mobility and for that reason I believe that Joseph Shannon’s ideal spot on a rugby league field is in the second row where he can use his physical attributes and skill set a bit wider of the ruck.

Joseph Shannon is a rare combination of size, power, incredible athletic ability and an exceptional understanding of timing and anticipation on a football thus to that extent for me Joseph Shannon has a young Ryan James athletic ability, football intelligence and aggressiveness.

This young man is an extraordinary talent and is as good as any other player that the Titans have in their JTS program.

mdrew

06-01-20, 04:58 PM

Syris Schmidt. (Revised) He is a local young five eight originally from the Ormeau Shearers club on the Gold Coast who after attending Keebra Park High School for a number of years took up a rugby scholarship with TSS in 2018 year playing in their U15A side and this year played for the Gold Coast based School in their First XV in the GPS school boy rugby competition with a team mate being Titans contracted centre Kaleb Ngamanu.

Syris Schmidt started at half for the Titans U16 squad in their early October match against PNG at Pizzey Park. In the match Syris Schmidt was instrumental in a number of tries, including a good flat pass to his left for Orlando Swain to score in the second half.

After starting the majority of TSS’s First XV 2019 GPS trials at fly half (No. 10), Syris Schmidt started there in Round One against Nudgee College and had a solid game in their heart stopping after the final siren one point win.

Syris Schmidt also started at five half in Round Two against Churchie producing an assured performance highlighted by some deft short passing and some raking left foot tactical kicking. For his performance, Syris Schmidt was awarded one point in the 2019 TSS First XV Rounds Two points’ award by the First XV coach.

Syris Schmidt continued his solid form in Round Three once against starting at No. 10 against Brisbane State High and was very effective defensively and also started at No. 10 in Round Four against Toowoomba Grammar School, producing an assured display.

Round Five against Brisbane Grammar School also saw Syris Schmidt in the No. 10 jersey for the TSS First XV scoring his career first GPS First XV try in the match.

In the critical Round Six match against BBC Syris Schmidt had limited ball playing time due to the rushing defence but more than held his own as TSS remained undefeated on the back of a 23 – 20 away win.

Syris Schmidt added a try assist in Round Seven in a big 54 – 24 win against Gregory Terrace when he put up a pin point left foot kick which literally went the entire width of the field and was perfectly weighted.

Syris Schmidt started the critical Round Eight match against Ipswich Grammar School once again at fly half as TSS won the GPS First XV Premiership after drawing 29 all.

Syris Schmidt post the 2019 GPS First XV competition was named at fly half in the fam nominated Courier Mail GPS First XV Team of Year after receiving 34.4% of the votes for the fly half (no. 10) position.

Syris Schmidt started the 2019 season representing the Gold Coast Vikings U16 White side in the South East Queensland U16 Pre-season Challenge. Playing in all of their matches. Syris Schmidt had a big Round One match when he scored and kicked a conversion against Brisbane Green and also kicked conversions against Ipswich and Brisbane Blue.

In 2018, in relation to club rugby league on the Gold Coast, Syris Schmidt played for Ormeau in the U15 Division One competition, playing ten matches and finishing with a strike rate of 90%. To cap off his 2018 season Syris Schmidt was named U15 Division One Player of the Grand Final in the Shearers victory.

Syris Schmidt scored a hat trick in Round Five of 2018 against Coomera and added a Round Four double against Mudgeeraba. Syris Schmidt, in 2018, also scored in Rounds Six, Seven, Nine and Eleven against Runaway Bay, Robina and Runaway Bay twice more.

Syris Schmidt represented South Coast in the 2018 QSSRL U15 Championships and has been named in the U15 Queensland White side for next week’s ASSRL U16 Championships where team mates were Titans contracted Ezra Ubaldino and Brody Smitka.

Syris Schmidt played the GPS 2018 season with the TSS U15A side spending time at inside centre, outside centre and fly half playing in all of TSS’s matches.

In the 2017 GPS rugby season for the TSS U14A side, Syris Schmidt played in seven matches. Syris Schmidt started the season on the bench for the TSS U14A side making his TSS Rugby debut in Round One against Brisbane Stet High School.

Syris Schmidt broke into the TSS U14A starting line-up in Round Eight against St Joseph’s Nudgee College starting the match at No. 10 (fly half) and was named Best Back in his starting debut. Syris Schmidt also started in Round Nine this time at inside centre against Churchie.

In 2017 for the Ormeau Shearers, Syris Schmidt played eight matches in the U14 Division One competition, scoring seven tries and kicking a conversion to finish with 26 points. Syris Schmidt scored four tries in a match against Runaway Bay and a double against Nerang.

Syris Schmidt represented Keebra Park in the Renouf Cup competition in 2016. Syris Schmidt also represented the U13 Vikings side that went through the Hill Stumer Championships undefeated and also represented South East Queensland Green at the U13 level in the Queensland Age Championships which were held in Toowoomba.

In 2015 Syris Schmidt represented Queensland at the U12 level. For the Queensland U12 side, he scored two tries across the competition that Queensland won, including scoring a try against Western Australia in their round 3 victory and another against Victoria in their 52 – 0 semi-final victory.

For Ormeau in the U13 GCJRL competition in 2016, Syris Schmidt finished as the leading try scorer with 22 tries from ten matches, two in front of Keebra Park team mate Tuvallo-Afoa Khan Pereira. Syris Schmidt scored six tries in a match against Currumbin and also scored two hat tricks which came against Jimboomba and Runaway Bay.

For South East Queensland Green in the Queensland Age Championships in 2016, Syris Schmidt scored four tries, including a hat trick on Day Two in a big 44 – 4 win over the Northern Marlins and he also scored on Day Three in a 40 – 10 victory over SEQ White.

For the U13 Vikings, he played an under stated role leading his team around the field but on Day Two against Ipswich, after mainly setting up his support runners, he started to run more in the second half including a superb play late in the match where he drifted across the field and threw a great dummy before accelerating through the Ipswich defensive line to score under the posts.

In relation to Schoolboy rugby league, Syris Schmidt also had a great year in 2015 for Keebra Park culminating in him being selected at five eight in the Keebra Park team of the year. Playing for the U13 Renouf Cup side, Syris Schmidt scored five tries across the Rounds, including against Ipswich SHS in Round Two, two tries against Marsden in Round Five, a try against local rivals PBC in Round Six and in the Round of 16 had a great game against Ipswich once again when he split the line to score from 40 metres out with his first touch and also late in the match popped a great ball to Tuvallo-Afoa Khan-Pereira to score.

In attack, he is a five eight who is a dynamic runner of the football who excels in taking on the defensive line with deft footwork around the ruck, looking to seek out bigger slower forwards when they are caught on the edge of the ruck.

Syris Schmidt also has a very good dummy which continues to be effective regardless of the frequency of its use as it is indistinguishable in process from when he is going to actually pass the ball.

Syris Schmidt does not however have blinkers on, and when his backline is set deep, he can see an overlap or a another play developing he will get the ball out quickly and effectively, using his solid passing skills from both sides of his body, where he will put the football out in front of his runners. Syris Schmidt is able to impart a good spin on the ball, thus can get good distance on his passes whilst maintaining accuracy from both sides of his body.

Assisting his play is the fact that Syris Schmidt makes the decision what to do with the ball quickly thus enabling the ball to get out wide quickly. One aspect that is notable when you see him play is how he directs the team around the field, he is in charge of when and where the forwards run and also when he wants the ball to spread it out wide to his backline.

For his age group, he has a prodigious kick on him and seemingly also has good accuracy and presents as a future 40/20 threat. Also his prodigious boot generates significant height on his bombs, and I mean they are huge bombs and again are seemingly quite accurate, his ceiling is that of his team’s primary tactical kicker moving forward, both from a field position and attacking perspective. Being a left foot kicker only enhances Syris Schmidt’s value to a side in relation to his tactical kicking.

It also helps that Syris Schmidt is a left foot kicker and his time at No. 10 in rugby has developed his kicking skills to the plus category quickly and he also has a quick release mitigating the possibility of a charge down. Syris Schmidt has an NRL ready kicking game now.

Defensively he has decent size for a five eight, a facet which assists in him being a very effective defender for his position, in fact he is an asset to his team’s defensive pattern to the extent that he has the strength and technique to more than hold his own one on one against wide running forwards.

Playing no. 10 or at inside centre in school boy rugby has also assisted his defensive development. Loose forwards come off the back of the ruck or maul and traditionally target the channel defended by either the inside centre or fly half, where obviously Syris Schmidt is stationed the majority of the time.

Moving to the 2020 season, Syris Schmidt will barring injury be the No. 10 once again for the TSS First XV side as they look to defend their 2019 GPS First XV Premiership.

It is great to see Syris Schmidt continue to play both codes as the skills he is developing in both codes is no doubt immensely assisting in his development in both codes as the skills are complementary in nature, especially around tactical kicking and game management. Playing a high level of school boy rugby at either No. 10 or inside centre can only enhance and accelerate his rugby league developmental curve (if he chooses rugby league of course).

Syris Schmidt plays his football currently at the five eight position both in terms of club and representative football and certainly has the skills to stay there long term. He has all of the skills that you would want from your five eight, he can run the ball very well, he is a very good distributor and game manager and is also a very good general play kicker.

From a player comparison perspective, I am going to make a big call but he really does play the game like Darren Lockyer with more speed than when Darren Lockyer moved to five eight. Syris Schmidt really does present on the field as a natural gifted young player who does not take his natural ability for granted.

mdrew

07-01-20, 05:06 PM

Oskar Bryant. The young hooker signed a contract with the Titans after an outstanding season with the 2019 Andrew Johns Cup premiership winning U16 Northern Rivers Titans side and his subsequent selection in the New South Wales Country U16 side.

Oskar Bryant’s first match for the Titans was when he started on the interchange bench for the Titans U16 squad in their early October 2019 match against PNG at Pizzey Park with the Titans running out big winners in the match.

In the 2019 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition, Oskar Bryant started at hooker in all of the Northern Rivers Titans matches also scoring four tries including a double against the Greater Northern Tigers and tries against Central Coast and Newcastle.

Post that competition, Oskar Bryant was selected at hooker in the New South Wales Country U16 side and started at hooker for them as they took on the U16 New South Wales Harold Matthew Cup representative side in a curtain raiser to the Penrith/Warriors NRL match at Penrith Park.

Oskar Bryant was Country’s sole try scorer in the match when he dived over from close range in the second half to the Country within two points. Oskar Bryant also received the Players Player Award post-match.

After that match, Oskar Bryant was selected in the New South Wales U16 side that defeated a U16 Pasifika team 36 – 6 at Belmore Sports Ground on Sunday 9 June with Oskar Bryant starting the match on the bench.

Oskar Bryant was part of the New South Wales Country U16 side that embarked on a three match tour of the United Kingdom flying out in mid-November from Sydney. In Game One of the tour Oskar Bryant started at hooker and had a try assist as NSW Country defeated the Community Lions 62 – 0.

In the first half Oskar Bryant took off from dummy half splitting the defence directly down the middle from around seventy metres out from the line and drew the fullback before sending a pass away to his left to send the NSW fullback away to score under the posts. Oskar Bryant also started Game Two at hooker as the NSW Country side defeated the Leeds Rhino’s 32 – 10.

Oskar Bryant also started at hooker in Game Three of the New South Wales Country U16’s tour of the UK as they finished undefeated on the back of a 62 – 6 victory over a British Community Lions squad consisting of players from the Lancashire and Cumbria region of England.

Post the 2019 Andrew Johns Cup competition, Oskar Bryant moved directly to the NRRRL U18 side even though he was still U16 eligible, starting from the bench in Round Three and scoring a double against Murwillumbah to cap an outstanding debut. Oskar Bryant also scored in Round Five against Ballina when once again he started from the bench.

Oskar Bryant made his first NRRRL U18 start in Round Fourteen against Byron Bay starting the match against the Devils at hooker and scoring as well and added a further try in Round Sixteen against Murwillumbah.

Oskar Bryant kicked his first NRRRL U18 goals in Round Eleven when he kicked three goals for as many attempts for Cudgen as they drew 18 all with Casino RSM.

In total in the 2019 NRRRL U18 regular season competition this season Oskar Bryant played in eight matches, scoring twenty two points from four tries and three goals.

Oskar Bryant was also part of the dominant Cudgen 2019 U16 Group 18 side that won their Grand Final 44 – 6 against Byron Bay/Lennox Head.

Prior to 2019 Oskar Bryant represented Group 18 twice, at the U15 level in 2018 and in the U14’s in 2017.

Oskar Bryant was also part of the St Joseph’s College Benora Point school boy rugby league side in 2019 and picked up a couple of Player of the Match awards in their matches.

Oskar Bryant is an extremely talented all round hooker, who excels at all three critical aspects of the modern day hooker, those being his distribution out of dummy half, selective running out of dummy half and defending in the centre of the ruck.

In terms of his distribution out of dummy half, Oskar Bryant is efficient in his passing and there is little wasted movement as he passes in one motion off the ground rather than two distinct movements like many hookers where they first stand then pass.

In the games that I have seen there is no discernible difference between his passing from either side of his body, and his passes are crisp and flat and also Oskar Bryant can pass a reasonable distance off the ground when the first receiver is standing a little wider of the play the ball.

Where Oskar Bryant is also extremely effective is leading his forwards onto the ball, he passes in front of the forward ensuring no loss of momentum to the run. In short Oskar Bryant is a very good game manager from the hooking position.

Where Oskar Bryant really stands out in terms of attacking play, is his speed out of dummy half, he is extremely quick and has exceptional footwork to take advantage of tiring forwards, using a step off both feet.

Oskar Bryant wins a lot of penalties by running at forwards who are offside, if the offside forward is called out of the play he has the speed to break into open space and has the pace to make it difficult for the cover defence to get to him.

Around the try line Oskar Bryant is also very good at making the right decision whether the go himself for the try line or pass, where he gets down low and drives with his legs. Due to the pace that Oskar Bryant plays the game at and his speed he is always available in terms of backing up in the centre of the ruck, when forwards get their arms free.

His defence for a hooker is exceptional, for a smaller forward Oskar Bryant is a hard hitter and can defend effectively one on one against far larger forwards, he sets a good base with his lower body and explodes upwards with his shoulders to drive opposing forwards backwards and is also very good at slowing the play the ball down.

Oskar Bryant’s intensity means that he will track the play across and thus is in a good position when the ball is passed back inside. Oskar Bryant literally tackles everything that moves in the centre of the ruck.

Oskar Bryant will move to PBC in 2020 and will be a key piece in their Langer Cup and GIO Cup school boy rugby league campaigns and in relation to representative rugby league will play for the Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup side. Oskar Bryant is also U18 eligible in 2021.

Oskar Bryant is an outstanding dummy half both in terms of his distribution and his running and there is no doubt that he will stay there long term.

Oskar Bryant is by no means a big rugby league player but is a tough, hard all effort type of dummy half and on that basis a player comparison to Cronulla Sharks hooker Blayke Brailey is a more than fair and appropriate one from my perspective

mdrew

08-01-20, 09:44 PM

Matt Buttenshaw. The Crafty half back is a Titans linked player who when he was just 18 years old made his NRRRL First Grade debut over the course of the 2018 season.

Due to injury Matt Buttenshaw did not make his 2019 debut until late in the season when he started at five eight for Runaway Bay in the GCRL U20 competition against Helensvale in Round Seventeen.

Matt Buttenshaw, after one match back in the GCRL U20 competition played his first match in the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition when he started at five eight for Tweed Heads against the Ipswich Jets in Round Twenty.

Matt Buttenshaw also started at five eight in Round Twenty One against the Easts Tigers before moving to half for Round Twenty Two against Souths Logan a match that saw him captain the Tweed Heads side.

Matt Buttenshaw also started at half and captained the side in Round Twenty Three against the Northern Pride in a win which solidified their finals place.

Matt Buttenshaw moved to fullback for Tweed Heads Week One Elimination Final loss to the Mackay Cutters 23 – 10 which saw the Seagulls successful season come to an end.

In the 2019 Queensland Rugby League Hastings Deering’s Colts Player of the Year Award tally Matt Buttenshaw finished with three votes, not a bad result at all considering the limited number of matches that he was involved in after coming back from injury late in the season.

Matt Buttenshaw started off the 2018 season playing for Northern Rivers in the inaugural New South Wales Country U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition starting in a different position in each of his three games. In Round One he started at half, in Round Three at fullback against North Coast and Round Four saw Matt Buttenshaw start at five eight against the Greater Northern Tigers, a match that saw him score in the 26th minute of the first half in a tough Northern Rivers loss.

For Ballina in the 2018 NRRRL U18 competition, Matt Buttenshaw played in six matches, in his third year in the competition after making his U18 debut as a 16 year old in 2016. Matt Buttenshaw was one of the try scorers for Ballina as they defeated Cudgen in the 2018 U18 NRRRL Grand Final 30 - 4.

Matt Buttenshaw made his NRRRL First Grade debut in April 2018 against Cudgen post the completion of the 2018 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition.

In 2018 and prior seasons Matt Buttenshaw has had success at the schoolboy level for St Johns College Woodlawn, including in 2018 when St John’s College Woodlawn defeated Newman Technical College Port Macquarie 4 – 0 in the New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges Plate Final and in 2017 when St John’s College Woodlawn won the New South Wales GIO Trophy.

In attack Matt Buttenshaw’s calling card is his organisational and passing skills more so than his running game. His speed would probably considered average for a half/five eight but he will throw a dummy and run when opposing defences are focussed on his support runners and provide him with opportunities.

Matt Buttenshaw also does not have quick twitch feet, thus his step is more average. He seems like he maintains his composure on the field and does not yell or scream but obviously gets his message across to his team mates with a calm presence.

Matt Buttenshaw also has a good long passing game thus enabling the ball to get out to his back line quickly when they are set deep. Matt Buttenshaw develops a good spiral on the ball and is able to lead his outside backs onto the ball through putting the ball out in front of them.

Matt Buttenshaw will also take the ball to the line and delay the pass as long as possible to his support runners when necessary. Matt Buttenshaw looks to dictate what the defensive line needs to do to combat his sides attack rather than waiting to see how the opposition is looking to defend at a particular time in a game.

Defensively whilst not being the biggest player running around, Matt Buttenshaw is effective as a result of his sound low tackling technique where he can quickly bring down attackers due to the fact that he will go in low, he is also adept at tracking the ball across field to be in the right place if outside attackers cut back inside.

Matt Buttenshaw moved up to the Gold Coast for the 2019 season and in 2020 will be part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls U20 Hastings Deering’s Colts squad once again. Matt Buttenshaw may also get an opportunity for Runaway Bay in the Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade competition in 2020.

As was evidenced in the U18 Laurie Daley Cup in 2018 as well as for the Tweed Heads Colts side this season, Matt Buttenshaw can play a variety of positions including half, fullback and five eight, but with his scheming nature, tactical kicking ability and ability to set up his support runners, as well as his combative nature I believe that Matt Buttenshaw will ultimately end up at half back.

For me, Matt Buttenshaw has a playing style similar to that of Manly, Queensland State of Origin and Australian International half Daly Cherry-Evans as a half who is able to steer his side around the field and even though Matt Buttenshaw is not necessarily fast he can make a break himself if opposition defences make the incorrect assumption that he will rarely ever run himself and only ever pass or kick.

mdrew

09-01-20, 06:31 PM

George Etuale-Noa. (Revised) In early 2019 He signed a two year deal with the Titans and in January 2019 was part of the Titans U18 side that took on a Newcastle Knights U18 squad in Coffs Harbour.

George Etuala-Noa started in the second row for the Burleigh Bears MM Cup side in 2018, playing in all six MM Cup matches for the Bears.

George Etuala-Noa’s first career MM Cup try came in Round Four against the Central Queensland Capra’s in a tough away match for the Bears. Playing left second row George Etuala-Noa ran into a gap in the Townsville line and was rewarded by receiving a good ball from front rower and fellow Titan Tristian Powell.

Post the MM Cup competition George Etuala-Noa was part of the Burleigh U18 Division One side making his debut off the bench in Round Five against Southport before moving into the starting line-up in the second row in Round Six against Runaway Bay. Whilst he played primarily in the second row George Etuala-Noa did spend some time in the front row including starting there in Round Thirteen against Bilambil.

George Etuala-Noa scored his first try of the season in Round Ten against Southport and also scored in Round Eleven against Runaway Bay. In Round Twelve against Helensvale George Etuala-Noa had an outstanding match scoring a double.

In total in the GCRL U18 Division One regular season competition, George Etuala-Noa played in seven matches scoring four tries, with those tries noted above.

In Week Two of the U18 Division One Finals series George Etuala-Noa started in the front row for Burleigh in their victory 34 – 8 against Southport to progress directly to the Grand Final contributing a try to the dominating victory.

George Etuala-Noa started in the front row in Burleigh 28 -12 U18 Division One Grand Final win over Southport 28 -12 and had strong stints in each half.

To say that George Etuale-Noa had a good 2018 season would be an absolute understatement. For the Coomera Cutters in the U17 Division Two competition he was simply outstanding leading his side all of the way to the Grand Final.

Over the course of the 2018 U17 Division Two season George Etuale-Noa played in fourteen matches for Coomera including the finals series scoring a competition leading twenty seven tries at an impressive strike rate of 193%.

In the regular season George Etuale-Noa scored six tries in a late season match against Jimboomba (he scored four against them in the finals) and hat tricks against Jimboomba who must have been sick of the sight of him by seasons end and Currumbin, with those hat tricks coming in consecutive rounds. George Etuale-Noa also scored regular season doubles against Beaudesert and of course Jimboomba.

In four matches against Jimboomba this season including one finals match George Etuale-Noa scored fifteen tries for a strike rate against the Thunder of 375%.

In Week Two of the U17 Division Two finals series George Etuale-Noa started at lock for Coomera scoring a try as the Cutters went down 28 – 16 to Currumbin.

In Week Three of the U17 Division Two finals series the Cutters bounced back from their previous week’s finals loss to put Jimboomba to the sword in the Preliminary winning 62 – 4 with George Etuale-Noa started in the front row and scoring four tries.

In the Grand Final George Etuale-Noa started in the front row and scored a hat trick but could not prevent Coomera going down 24 – 18 to Currumbin.

George Etuale-Noa also had an outstanding 2017 campaign with the Coomera Cutters playing in two different age groups and was also selected in the 2018 Burleigh Bears MM Cup training squad.

George Etuale-Noa started off the 2017 season in the U17 Division Two competition playing in seven matches scoring against Burleigh Heads and Nerang. Around mid-season, George Etuale-Noa started playing more for the Cutters in the U16 Division Two competition where he was near unstoppable averaging a try a match through eight games.

George Etuale-Noa started off his time in the U16 Division Two competition with a double against Nerang and finished it with a hat trick against Nerang as well. In between George Etuale-Noa scored a double against Helensvale and he also scored against Ormeau to account for his eight tries in the U16 Division Two competition.

George Etuale-Noa is a hard running player who never seems to just put his head down and runs straight, he always uses a slight step prior to contacting the defensive line, coupled with the fact that he drops his shoulder into defenders, means that he is a bit of a handful to tackle and he is not often knocked back onto his heals. George Etuale-Noa is also good at maintaining his momentum and body control after impacting the defensive line.

George Etuale-Noa seems to have a high work rate and I would suggest that he would normally be at or near the top of his team’s statistics in terms of the number of hit ups he makes and on occasion runs a very good inside shoulder route to supplement his other attacking attributes. He does not off-load the ball much however and probably never be one based on how he asked to play the game.

Defensively George Etuale-Noa aims hits very hard and usually hits around the top of the ball region and is certainly someone opposing forwards look for when running the ball up and is adept at making sure the opposition do not get quick play the balls by using wrestling techniques well.

Last year his speed and mobility seemed to have increased and as a consequence he was better able to mirror the opposition attackers more effectively. George Etuale-Noa will make opponents feel every tackle that he makes.

George Etuale-Noa will be part of the Burleigh Bears Hastings Deering’s Colts squad in 2020 and he will also be Colts eligible in 2021.

From a position perspective, George Etuale-Noa seems to have the skill attributes and mentality to stay in the front row or at lock as he moves through the senior rugby league competitions.

From a player comparison perspective, I would consider a player along the lines of current Titans front rower and captain Ryan James as a big strong tough hard working front rower who looks to get a quick play the ball every time he takes a hit up and also ones that looks to dominate in defence in relation to each and every tackles he makes.

The Titans really have a good player on their hands with George Etuale-Noa

mdrew

10-01-20, 08:00 PM

Jack Smith. The young utility late in 2018 signed a scholarship with the Titans from the Forbes Spacemen after playing for the New South Wales Country U16 side against a Titans U16 squad at Cudgen in late 2018 in wet and miserable conditions.

Jack Smith started from the bench for the New South Wales Country side in the match with New South Wales Country running out 30 – 10 winners. Jack Smith was also part of the New South Wales Country U16 side that defeated PNG U16’s a couple of days earlier in Ballina in Northern New South Wales as a precursor to the match against the Titans.

Jack Smith in June 2019 was part of the Titans U18 side that played North Queensland in a curtain raiser to the Titans/Warriors NRL match at Cbus stadium starting that particular match at fullback.

Jack Smith started Round One of the 2019 GCRL U18 Division One at fullback for his new club being the Currumbin Eagles in their match against Burleigh where he was opposed by fellow Titan Will Evans.

In total Jack Smith played in seven regular season matches for Currumbin in the 2019 GCRL U18 Division One competition, playing the majority at fullback although he did play a number of matches at centre, his first being in Round Nine against Helensvale.

Jack Smith also played centre in Round Ten, scoring a hat trick against Bilambil (he converted one of his tries in that match as well) and also from the centre position scored sixteen points from a try and six goals in Round Twelve against Runaway Bay.

Jack Smith also played a number of matches for PBC in their Open A side including starting at fullback in their Langer Cup derby against Keebra Park in June, scoring in the second half of PBC’s victory. Jack Smith moved into dummy half around ten metres out from the line and threw a big dummy to his left and then took off for the line scoring adjacent to the left upright.

Initially Jack Smith was held up by three defenders but instead of submitting to the tackle spun counter clock wise separating himself from the defenders and falling to his knees. Jack Smith had the presence of mind to note that his arm holding the ball had not touched the ground and thus reached out to put the ball down beside the left upright.

Jack Smith also started at fullback for PBC in their Queensland GIO Cup quarter final win over St Mary’s High School Toowoomba 50 – 6 and was once again at fullback, pulling off two try saving tackles in the GIO Cup semi-final loss to Marsden State High School in heart breaking fashion.

In November 2019 Jack Smith was named the PBC Open Rugby League Most Improved Player at the PBC Sport Awards Night.

Playing in the Group 11 competition for the Parkes Spacemen in 2018 Jack Smith played in both the U16 and U18 competitions over the course of the 2018 season. In the U16 competition Jack Smith spent time at fullback including starting the Grand Final at fullback. Jack Smith also played eight U18 matches scoring a hat trick in his first career U18 match against Dubbo Macquarie.

Jack Smith was also part of the 2018 victorious Western Rams U18 Laurie Daley Cup side and started at lock as they defeated Illawarra South Coast Dragons in the final. Jack Smith started all seven of the matches that he was involved in and scored three tries, including a double against the Wests Tigers and in Round Two he scored against the Riverina Bulls.

In 2017 Jack Smith was selected at fullback for the New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges side from Red Bend Catholic College starting all of the matches that he played in during the ASSRL U15 Championships.

Jack Smith is a hard ball runner who is adept at using late and quick footwork just prior to contact line which he hits with power and force in absolutely every hit up that he makes dropping his shoulder into the first defender that is looking to make the initial contact.

His ability to get low to engage the defenders with his shoulder rather than allowing them to get in and under his ribs and also a substantial leg drive means that he drives defenders backwards even after they had engaged him with significant force rather than allowing them to impact on his momentum.

Whilst his ball running skills are the first thing that you will likely notice when seeing Jack Smith his defence is equally effective even though it may not be as noticeable at first glance. Defensively Jack Smith has a tough edge to his play and his initial contact is more than sufficient to redirect the momentum of the ball carrier when defending in the forwards. Jack Smith sets a very good base defensively as well and uses it to maintain his balance when setting up for a tackle.

Defensively Jack Smith hits very hard and is adept at making sure the opposition do not get quick play the balls. He also has a touch of aggression in his play and definitely finishes off each tackle that he is involved in.

Jack Smith is equally adept at defending in the centre of the ruck as he is defending on the fringes and his initial contact is more than sufficient to make an impact on the ball carrier’s momentum.

Whilst his stamina is very impressive, so is his initial contact, he uses his strength and leverage to hit the ball carrier hard forcing momentum changes to the ball carrier. Jack Smith is also adept at wrapping up the ball and preventing offloads as Jack Smith uses his functional strength to engage ball carriers. Defensively in a covering role Jack Smith has very good catch up speed and a solid low tackling technique from a side aspect.

Jack Smith’s good situation awareness also enables him to be well positioned when he is defending against smaller quicker players and he endeavours to minimise the time available for the opposing attacker to generate speed and to utilise their footwork.

Jack Smith is also able to change direction quickly to adjust to the directional changes of the attacker especially when he is marking up against multiple attackers running in his direction where Jack Smith will hold his ground and let the play to develop in front of him before committing to a specific defensive course of action.

In 2020 Jack Smith will be part of the Tweed Heads MM Cup squads as well as continue to attend PBC where he should be part of their Open A side once again in the Langer Cup and GIO Cup School Boy competitions. Of course Jack Smith will also play in the U18 Division One competition for the second season in a row with the Currumbin Eagles.

Jack Smith played a number of positions this season including fullback, five eight and lock but ultimately I believe that he will end up being an old style skilful second rower.

For me Jack Smith has a playing style akin to that of another youngster hailing from the same region being Brisbane Bronco’s 2018 NRL debutant Kotoni Staggs. Both players just exhibit a feel and desire for the game of rugby league that just cannot be taught and can also play multiple positions equally effectively.

Jake Smith is just a natural rugby league player it really is just that simple.

mdrew

11-01-20, 12:54 PM

Ziah Piggott. The young Titans linked fullback was one of the players that represented one of the Titans U15 squads that played each other and a Western Mustangs selection at Mudgeeraba in February 2019.

Ziah Piggot played the 2019 season with Kyogle in the Group One competition, playing in both his regular U15 age group and also playing a number of matches “up” in the U16.5 competition.

In the 2019 Group One U15 competition Ziah Piggott played nine regular season matches for Kyogle scoring fourteen tries (156% strike rate) including a big match in Round Four when he scored four tries against Lismore Marist Brothers in a 36 – 14 win for the Turkeys. In fact Ziah Piggott finished five tries clear on the Group One U15 top try scorers list such was the outstanding season that Ziah Piggott had.

Ziah Piggott also had a big Round Six match scoring four tries for Kyogle as they defeated Clarence Coast 38 - 12.

Ziah Piggott’s other 2019 Group One regular season U15 tries included a double against Casino RSM and he also scored against came against Ballina, Lismore Marist Brothers, Casino RSM and Clarence Coast.

Ziah Piggott added a further U15 try in Week One of the Group One finals series but unfortunately Kyogle fell 26 – 10 to Ballina.

Ziah Piggott’s 2019 season came to an end when Kyogle went down 18 – 12 to Clarence Coast in the 2019 Group One U15 Preliminary Final.

Ziah Piggott in 2019 also represented the Group One U15 representative side at the New South Wales Country Age Championships starting all three of their matches in the centres scoring three tries including a double in his second match of Day One against Group 19. Ziah Piggott also scored on Day Two against Central Coast.

In the 2018 Group One U16.5 competition Ziah Piggott played in nine matches, his debut being against Clarence Coast in Round Two scoring on debut. In addition to his Round Two try, Ziah Piggott also scored against Lismore Marist Brothers Blue in Round Four and he also scored a double against Lismore Marist Blue in Round Twelve.

In relation to all of his 2019 Group One U16.5 matches, Ziah Piggott played in the fixture after playing in the U15 match earlier in the day.

Ziah Piggott was named in the centres for the 2019 Group One U15 Taipans for the New South Wales Country Age Championships that were held in Port Macquarie in late September. Ziah Piggott scored a double in Group One’s Northern Plate 40 – 10 win over Group 19 and scored again in Group One’s Northern Plate semi-final loss 38 – 12 to Central Coast.

In 2018, Ziah Piggott played fifteen matches including starting the Grand Final at fullback in the Group One U14 competition, scoring twenty tries (133% strike rate), including scoring a hat trick in Round Two against Clarence Coast.

Mid-season in 2018, Ziah Piggott had an incredible string of five straight games where he scored a double in each match with those matches coming in order against Grafton, Ballina, Casino RSM, Lismore Marist Brothers and Clarence Coast.

2018 also saw Ziah Piggott play one match in the Group One U15 competition scoring a double on debut against the South Grafton Rebels in July after playing in the U14 fixture earlier in the day.

Ziah Piggott represented the Group One U14 representative side in 2018, starting at fullback in all five of their matches in the New South Wales Country U14 Age Championships including scoring in their Plate Final victory against Group Nine 22 – 18, with Ziah Piggott’s try the one that gave the lead to Group One for good late in the second half.

For a taller fullback Ziah Piggott is very quick off the mark and when the ball is being brought out of his teams half he is always around the forwards looking for off loads but as evidenced by one of his tries he also can play the way a lot of the current fullbacks play when they receive the football “out the back” from the half or five eight.

Ziah Piggott presents as a silky smooth player, who looks like he glides across the field picking and choosing his time to get involved and wants to have the ball in his hands when the game is on the line.

In terms of his defence, one thing that stood out to me when have seen him play is when the opposition makes a break Ziah Piggott moves forward looking to cut down the time of the attacking player, which is quite impressive for such a young player. Due to his length, Ziah Piggott is good also at defending the high ball.

Ziah Piggott will play the 2020 season with Kyogle in the Group One U16.5 competition and may well also feature in a number of matches for Kyogle in their U18 NRRRL squad. Ziah Piggott has already left school and is working full time thus he has a maturity level probably higher than the majority of players his age.

2020 should see Ziah Piggott as part of the Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad who will be looking to repeat their 2019 success.

Ziah Piggott has been a fullback his entire junior rugby league career to date and whilst that is likely to continue to as least the medium term it would not surprise if Ziah Piggott moves to the wing or even to the centres as he nears the senior rugby league ranks.

On the wing Ziah Piggott’s length, balance and body control would be a great asset in terms of the ability of modern day wingers to score the incredible try or two and it is a similar situation in the centres.

From a player comparison perspective for Ziah Piggott, I would say a reasonable comparison to Josh Duggan of the Cronulla Sharks would be fair as a player who is a very good runner of the football and who has the confidence to back himself in both attack and defence regardless of the situation of the game. Like Duggan, Ziah Piggott can more than comfortably handle playing both at fullback and in the centres.

As harsh as it sounds though, Ziah Piggott is far more durable that Josh Duggan though and will more than likely continue to be as his career progresses.

mdrew

11-01-20, 08:04 PM

Jake Lenard. (Updated) The young second rower from the Clarence Coast Magpies club in Northern New South Wales was part of the Titans U15’s that played against another Titans and Western Mustangs sides at Mudgeeraba in February 2019.

Jake Lenard missed a number of rounds of the Group One U15 competition due to injury but bounced back in a big way in Round Twelve scoring a hat trick against Casino RSM.

In Week One of the Group One U15 Finals series, Jake Lenard had a big hand in Clarence Coast’s 42 – 10 win over Lismore Marist Brothers contributing a double to the win and also started in the Grand Final as Clarence Coast defeated Ballina 14 - 10.

Jake Lenard was named on the interchange bench for the Group One U15 Taipans representative side for the New South Wales Country Age Championships that were held in Port Macquarie in late September and post those Championships was named the Group One U15 Representative Player of the Year.

In 2019 Jake Lenard also represented the Northern region NSW CCC U15 rugby league side at their trials held in May in Sydney after the Maclean High School student stood out for the Northern Rivers side in the Northern Trials.

In 2018, Jake Lenard finished as the Group One U14 competitions second leading try scorer with twenty one tries from just fifteen matches (140%), scoring in all but two of those matches, with those matches being against Ballina and Kyogle.

Jake Lenard scored four tries in a mid-June match against Casino RSM and scored a hat trick against Grafton in July 2018. Jake Lenard also scored four doubles which were against Casino RSM in two separate matches, Kyogle and Grafton.

Jake Lenard also played four matches in the Group One U15 competition in 2018, making his debut against Casino RSM in early April and celebrated by scoring a double. He had also scored a double earlier in the day in the U14 match.

Jake Lenard went on to play a total of six U15 Group One matches in 2018 and in addition to his debut double also scored against Casino RSM once again later in the season and against Kyogle.

Jake Lenard also played in five matches for the Group One U14 representative side in 2018, playing in five matches in their New South Wales Country U14 Championship campaign including starting from the bench in their Plate Final 22 – 18 victory over Group 9.

In 2017 Jake Lenard a few other positions from the Clarence Coast Magpies junior rugby league club in the Group One Junior Rugby League competition in Northern New South Wales continued his outstanding try scoring feats throughout the 2017 Group One JRL U13 competition, where the former U12 New South Wales representative scored a staggering 35 tries in just eleven games. Understandably Jake Lenard leads the try scoring list for his age group.

Jake Lenard scored six tries in a May match against Grafton and five against Ballina in August. In addition Jake Lenard scored four tires twice, coming against Kyogle and Casino RSM and also hat tricks against Casino RSM, Marist Brothers, Ballina and Grafton. Jake Lenard in 2017 played two matches in the U14 Group One JRL competition with those matches being against Ballina and South Grafton.

Scoring tries is not a foreign experience for Jake Lenard as in 2016 at the U12 level he scored 20 tries from ten matches. To round off his points scoring this season, Jake Lenard also converted one of his tries in the Round Two clash against Casino RSM.

Jake Lenard is a very calm player on the field even though he plays the game at a very high speed and is most effective on the edge of the ruck. His style of play is that of a wide running player with above average to plus speed. I would actually argue that in fact a better definition of his speed would be well above average, and I am talking the speed of an outside back not a backrower.

Jake Lenard is exceptionally quick off the mark, but what makes him even more impressive from a speed perspective is that when he gets into space, he has an extra gear again, making it almost impossible for the cover defence to catch him once he is open space.

Jake Lenard is almost untouchable when he runs on the fringes of the ruck and uses his foot work to beat defenders with a variety of moves, including a step off both feet and a very good in and away. Couple those two aspects with a very good fend and you have a young player who causes nightmares for a defensive line.

Jake Lenard is not a player but he runs with pace, strength and power every time he touches the ball. I have not seen a great deal of him off loading the football, but the ball skills that he possess would suggest this particular will develop into a plus skill over time.

Jake Lenard is aggressive in defence whether he is defending in the centre of the ruck or on the fringes, and due to his natural strength is more than capable of defending one on one and can and will stop even the biggest opposing forwards in their tracks and targets the area around where the attackers carry the football.

Jake Lenard’s speed and lateral movement means that he will not be beaten by light stepping halves trying to take advantage of tiring forwards or the opposition running out of dummy half. Due to his speed and athleticism Jake Lenard covers across the field well, thus putting him in a good position to make the tackle when the ball is turned back inside from the halves.

Jake Lenard will play for the Clarence Coast Magpies in the Group One Junior Rugby League U15 competition in 2019 and will also more than likely represent Group One at the U15 level in the New South Wales Country Championships.

From a position perspective I concede that I have no idea where Jake Lenard will actually end up, he can literally play anywhere from centre to second row and a few other positions, but ultimately I would consider that Jake Lenard will end up a devastating second rower in rugby league.

From a player comparison perspective for Jake Lenard, a young Brisbane Bronco’s version of Alex Glen, with more speed, springs to mind as an appropriate comparison, when you see the combination of the skill set he possesses and his athletic ability and of course intensity.

mdrew

12-01-20, 08:06 AM

Ezra Ubaldino. (Revised) He is a local young Titans contracted centre or second rower.

Ezra Ubaldino’s most recent match for the Titans was when he started in the second row for the Titans U16 squad in their early October 2019 match against PNG at Pizzey Park.

In an early 2019 match against the Newcastle Knights in Coffs Harbour for the Titans U16 side Ezra Ubaldino started at left centre and was his usual hard running hard tackling aggressive self. Ezra Ubaldino did not necessarily have too many opportunities with the ball but did make a good run in the second half breaking a number of tackles.

Ezra Ubaldino got the ball early and was able to get outside his direct opponent who looked to tackle him high. Ezra Ubaldino was able to fend him away as he made about thirty metres down the left touch line.

In March of 2018 Ezra Ubaldino started in the second row for a Titans U15 side that defeated a U15 Western Mustangs selection six tries to three, in that match, Ezra Ubaldino was the Titans best in my opinion that day and also scored a strong second half try.

Ezra Ubaldino started Round One of the 2019 GCRL U16 Division One competition in the centres for Burleigh in their match against Coomera.

Ezra Ubaldino played a total in six regular season matches for Burleigh in the GCRL U16 Division One competition splitting time between the centre and second row scoring four tries including scoring in Round Nine against Currumbin, Round Thirteen against Southport and Round Fourteen against Mudgeeraba.

In the Round Twelve match against Southport, Ezra Ubaldino kicked his first goal of the season and in fact for a number of seasons I believe.

In Week One of the U16 Division One Finals series Ezra Ubaldino started in the centres and scored as Burleigh defeated Helensvale 42 – 20. Ezra Ubaldino also started in the centres in Round Two of the Finals against Coomera.

Ezra Ubaldino made his GCRL U18 Division One debut in Round Ten starting from the bench against Southport.

Ezra Ubaldino made his GCRL U18 Division Two debut in Round Ten starting at lock against the Robina Raptors.

Late in 2018 Ezra Ubaldino was named in the Gold Coast Vikings U16 Training Squad for the 2019 U16 South East Queensland Challenge.

In Match Day One of that competition early in 2019 Ezra Ubaldino scored for Gold Coast Vikings U16 White as they defeated Brisbane Green 32 – 10 and also scored on match Day Three.

In the 2018 U16 Division One competition, Ezra Ubaldino played in five matches including the finals scoring four tries. Ezra Ubaldino’s two regular season tries came against Southport and Helensvale.

In week two of the U16 Division One finals series Ezra Ubaldino started in the second row and scored for Burleigh as they overcame a resilient Helensvale side 24 – 18.

In Week Three of the U16 Division One finals series Ezra Ubaldino started in the second row and scored as Burleigh went down 28 – 26 to Currumbin in the Preliminary Final.

In 2018 the PBC student represented South Coast at the U15 ASSRL Championships and from there was selected in the Queensland White side for the ASSRL Championships. In those Championships Ezra Ubaldino played in three matches and achieved a 100% try scoring strike rate after scoring a double against the ACT on Day One and also scoring against the ACT on the final day of the Championships.

In 2017 at the start of this season Ezra Ubaldino transferred from the Currumbin Eagles to the Burleigh Bears where he played in the U15 Division GCJRL competition even though the PBC student was still eligible for the U14 age group. Ezra Ubaldino was part of the Titans U15 side that played a Balmain Tigers selection late in 2017 with the young man being outstanding in that match.

Ezra Ubaldino played nine matches for Burleigh in the GCJRL U15 Division One competition including their semi-final campaign scoring three tries in the process. Ezra Ubaldino scored a double against the Southport Tigers and late in the season also scored against the Coomera Cutters. Ezra Ubaldino also played one match for Burleigh in the U15 Division Two competition against the Ormeau Shearers in May 2017.

2016 saw Ezra Ubaldino represent the Gold Coast Vikings at the U13 level where they went through the Hill Stumer Championships undefeated and from there Ezra Ubaldino was selected in the South East Queensland White side for the Queensland Age Championships. For the Vikings in 2016 Ezra Ubaldino was selected in the centres but for South East Queensland White he was selected in the second row.

At the 2016 Hill Stumer Championships held at Carina, Ezra Ubaldino played in all three of the U13 Vikings matches including scoring a great hat trick in the Sunday game against Ipswich including two long range efforts in a 58 – 6 victory for the Gold Coast youngsters.

In 2014, Ezra Ubaldino represented South Coast in the QPSRL U11 competition, a competition that South Coast dominated and went on to win, scoring 132 and conceding only 12 across the five matches. In those championships, Ezra Ubaldino scored three tries, one each against Capricornia, Sunshine Coast and Met West. Runaway Bay centre Connor Te Kani and Ormeau five eight Syris Schmidt were also part of that South Coast side and all three have continued to take positive steps with their development and look to have a lot of potential to work with moving forward.

The pace and power in terms of how Ezra Ubaldino runs the ball is the outstanding feature of his game, he takes the ball to the line with speed, but he does not just put his head down and rush forward, he uses quick and subtle footwork prior to the line and seems to targets the gaps between defenders and will actively seek out opposing defenders who are slow to move up.

When the opposition are on the back foot Ezra Ubaldino will target the smaller defenders on the edge of the ruck or wider out and burst through and for a big young bloke he has very good speed over the medium term and has the strength and power to drag defenders with him.

I would consider that his speed would be considered above average for a centre but plays faster as a result of him timing his runs so well that the dummy half can present a flat pass to him and also as a result of the power that he runs at. Ezra Ubaldino also has a very powerful fend especially with his right hand.

Against Ipswich in the U13 Hill Stumer Championships in 2016 Ezra Ubaldino made a long break down the left hand touch line with no support, when confronted by the fullback, Ezra Ubaldino smartly changed the ball into his left arm and produced a great right hand fend when the Ipswich fullback went to tackle him high, knocking the Ipswich fullback to the ground with one push. Ezra Ubaldino then continued on to score a great solo try in the left corner, being one of three that he scored on the day.

The defensive side of his game is similarly effective, Ezra Ubaldino does not just charge wildly up looking for a huge hit (well maybe sometimes but not often), but is cold and calculating in where and when he hits. Quite a few of his tackles resulted in a knock on by the opposition as the ball came loose as a result of the impact of the tackle, he just hits so hard.

Ezra Ubaldino drives hard with his legs and always uses his shoulder and core body strength to drive into his opponent and force them off balance or off their running line.

With his strength and technique Ezra Ubaldino should likely always be considered a plus defender regardless of age group or quality of opponent. Ezra Ubaldino also has some aggression in his game which he will need to ensure that he moderates it and channels it correctly which I am sure will come with additional experience.

Ezra Ubildino has been named in the Burleigh MM Cup squad for the 2020 version of the competition and post the MM Cup will play for Burleigh in the GCLR U18 Division One competition after the MM Cup competition concludes.

From a position perspective prior to this season I would have argued that Ezra Ubaldino’s long term future lies in the centres but after his performances in the second row this season playing primarily against players a year older than him, I now have to change my thinking and based on the 2018 season a long term future in the second row is certainly on the cards.

From a player comparison perspective think of New Zealand Warriors tough hard aggressive young second rower Isaiah Pappalli as a good comparison for Ezra Ubaldino, both just charge at the line without fear and really try to hit as hard as possible in every tackle.

People watching Ezra Ubaldino play for the first time may think that he is all speed, power and strength but whilst he does display those attributes there is a lot more to his game revolving around positioning, awareness, timing and anticipation.

With time and maturity the young man could really develop into a special player. Ezra Ubaldino is a very very aggressive player but with experience and maturity there is little doubt that that will develop into a strength of his game.

The future is certainly bright on the Gold Coast with young players like Ezra Ubaldino coming through the ranks.

mdrew

12-01-20, 10:46 PM

Kaden Somerville. (Revised) He is a local young hooker from the Burleigh Bears junior rugby league club on the Gold Coast and recently signed a two year contract with the Titans to be part of their JTS Program.

Kaden Somerville has already played a number of matches in Titans colours including starting at hooker for the Titans U16 side in their match against the Newcastle Knights in January of 2019. Kaden Somerville was very strong over the course of the match, especially defensively, starting both halves before being interchanged around the middle of each half.

When the Titans had the scrum feed, Kaden Somerville packed in at lock so that he was in a position to distribute the ball to the Titans backline or look to exploit a scrum blind side move.

Kaden Somerville’s most recent match for the Titans was when he started at lock for the Titans U16 squad in their early October 2019 match against PNG at Pizzey Park with the Titans coming away big winners on the Friday night.

Kaden Somerville also started at hooker for the Titans U15 side in their late 2018 match against a Balmain Tigers U15 touring side.

Kaden Somerville started Round One of the 2019 GCRL U16 Division One competition at lock for Burleigh in their match against Coomera.

Kaden Somerville played in eleven GCRL U16 Division One matches in 2019 for Burleigh playing hooker, lock and second row. It was his first match in the second row that saw Kaden Somerville scored for the first time in 2019 when he scored a double in Round Nine against Currumbin which ended up being his only tries of the regular season.

Week One of the GCRL U16 Division One Finals series saw Kaden Somerville start at lock for Burleigh as they defeated Helensvale and he also started there in Week Two as Burleigh’s season ended.

Kaden Somerville was also on the bench for the Burleigh U18 Division One Grand Final winning side as they defeated Southport 28 – 12. When he came on in the Grand Final Kaden Somerville spent time in the front row.

Kaden Somerville was also involved in PBC’s Langer Cup Reserve Grade campaign including standing out in their Round Two win over St Mary’s in Toowoomba.

Kaden Somerville was named in the 2019 South East Queensland White U16 side for the Queensland Age Championships after an outstanding series of matches for the Gold Coast Vikings earlier in the season. Kaden Somerville came off the bench for the representative side, spending time both at hooker and in the back row.

In 2018 Kaden Somerville played for the Burleigh Bears U15 Division One side, spending the majority of the season at hooker.

In the GCRL U15 Division One competition Kaden Somerville played in nine matches including Burleigh’s two finals matches scoring two tries, with those tries coming in consecutive matches in late July 2018 against the Robina Raptors and the Mudgeeraba Redbacks.

In Week One of the U15 Division One finals Kaden Somerville started at hooker as Burleigh defeated Southport 72 -2 and also started at hooker in Week Two of the finals as Burleigh were knocked out after going down 34 – 24 against Runaway Bay.

Team mates in Kaden Somerville’s U15 Division One side are fellow Titans contracted youngster the outstanding lock Bailey Martin and Titans U15 Development Squad members such as second rower Flynn Daniel and winger Jayden Wright.

In 2017 Kaden Somerville played the season prior to injury at the U14 Division One level. Unfortunately due to injury Kaden Somerville was only able to play in two U14 Division One contest for Burleigh but did score in both outings which were against Runaway Bay and eventual premiers Ormeau.

In 2014 Kaden Somerville represented South Coast in the U11 QPSRL competition. South Coast went through the competition undefeated easily, with Kaden Somerville scoring a try against Wide Bay in round two of the competition.

Kaden Somerville is an extremely talented all round hooker, who excels at all three critical aspects that a modern day hooker must have to be successful, those being his distribution and game management out of dummy half, selective running out of dummy half and defending in the centre of the ruck where he is more effective than people would think when they first see him play.

In terms of his distribution out of dummy half, he is extremely efficient in his passing and there is no wasted movement or energy as he passes in one motion off the ground rather than two distinct movements like many hookers where they first stand first then pass.

There is no discernible difference between his passing from either side of his body, and his passes are crisp and flat and also he can pass a reasonable distance off the ground, more so to the right when the first receiver is standing a little wider of the play the ball.

Where Kaden Somerville is also extremely effective is leading his forwards onto the ball, he passes in front of the forward ensuring no loss of momentum to the run. In short he is a very good game manager from the hooking position.

Kaden Somerville is also a good communicator on the field, he is constantly encouraging his team both in attack and defence. He does not yell and scream, like the other parts of his game, he is calm and composed and uses positive reinforcement rather than yelling and screaming to get his point across to team mates but he does make it clear that he is in charge however.

Where Kaden Somerville really stands out in terms of attacking play, is his speed out of dummy half, he is extremely quick and has good footwork to take advantage of tiring forwards, using a step usually off his right foot, although he does not necessary run much out of dummy half.

The times that he does run though, Kaden Somerville targets forwards who are offside, if the offside forward is called out of the play he has the speed to break into open space. Once in open space Kaden Somerville does not usually have the speed required to finish things off himself but he invariably will make the right decision with the ball in terms of whether to take the tackle or pass to a support player.

Kaden Somerville’s defence for a hooker is quite good for a young hooker, he does not necessarily hit hard but due to his very good low technique Kaden Somerville can defend effectively one on one against far larger forwards, he sets a good base with his lower body and looks to explode upward with his shoulders to drive into opposing forwards.

His intensity and continuous effort means that he will track the ball across the field and thus is in a good position when the ball is passed back inside. Kaden Somerville literally tackles everything that moves in the centre of the ruck even though he is usually one of the smaller forwards on the field.

Kaden Somerville is also very good at getting out of dummy half quickly to put pressure on the opposing teams kickers in all parts of the field and takes a great deal of pride in it.

Kaden Somerville has been named in the Burleigh MM Cup squad for 2020 and will also play for Burleigh in the U18 Division One competition in 2020 as well as playing for PBC and once again there should be some very good battles in that age group with Keebra Park in the GIO Cup and Langer Cup competitions.

From a position perspective, with his passing skills and quick first step out of dummy half, I believe that Kaden Somerville is already settled in his long term position of hooker noting however that he has spent some time in other positions this year with Burleigh specifically at lock for both Burleigh and PBC as well as some time in the front row.

From a player comparison perspective for Kaden Somerville think someone along the lines of (and I am going back awhile) former Manly and New South Wales State of Origin hooker Jim Sedaris as a bigger type of hooker who can run like a front rower or lock bus still has the ability and distribution skills to play at dummy half.

mdrew

13-01-20, 06:47 PM

Luke Maiden. (Revised) The Toowoomba born and raised front rower, in late 2018 signed a Titans Rookie contract. From a trivia perspective Luke Maiden is the nephew of former Manly, New South Wales State of Origin and Australian International Nic Kosef (thanks for the information mate).

Luke Maiden started the 2019 season in outstanding form in the trails including playing one or two trials for the Burleigh reserve grade side.

Luke Maiden however started the 2019 season proper with the Burleigh Colts U20 Hastings Deering’s side starting the opening rounds in the front row and was particularly dominating in Round Three against the Tweed Heads Seagulls.

Luke Maiden continued his dominance throughout the 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts season including a huge match in Round Twelve against Sunshine Coast when he scored a first half double. Luke Maiden’s first try was quite simple, he was two off the ruck on the left side with Burleigh attacking, hooker Lachlan Turnbull ran out of dummy half to his left and turned the ball back underneath to Luke Maiden to score in a huge gap.

Luke Maiden’s second try in many respects was just as easy, with Burleigh a metre out from the Falcons line, Luke Maiden simply ran at the inside shoulder of the Sunshine Coast defender off a good pass from Zac McCormack to score easily two metres from the left upright.

Luke Maiden also scored in Round Seventeen against Tweed Heads when he ran onto a short pass from hooker Lachlan Turnbull to crash over under the posts from close range. It initially looked like he was going to be held up but Luke Maiden spun and rotated counter clock wise to get the ball down.

In Week Two of the Finals Luke Maiden started from the bench in Burleigh’s 42 – 12 win against Norths.

In total in the 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition, Luke Maiden played in seventeen matches starting all bar Week Two of the Finals in the front row.

In the 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts Player of the Year Award tally Luke Maiden finished with eight votes.

Luke Maiden made his GCRL First Grade debut off the bench for Burleigh in Round Twelve against Southport and also came off the bench in Round Thirteen against Ormeau, Round Fifteen against Tugun, Round Sixteen against Runaway Bay and Round Seventeen against Bilambil.

Luke Maiden’s first GCRL First Grade try came against Bilambil in Round Seventeen.

In total in the 2019 GCRL First Grade competition Luke Maiden played in seven matches starting primarily from the interchange bench including starting their in Burleigh’s 26 - 12 Major Semi-Final victory over Currumbin.

Luke Maiden also started for bench as Burleigh won the GCRL First Grade Grand Final by defeating Southport 30 -12.

After an outstanding MM Cup campaign in 2017, Luke Maiden in 2018 once again played in the MM Cup for the Western Mustangs and just 2017, once that competition concluded he moved immediately to the Western Mustangs Hastings Deering’s U20 Colts squad.

In his second season in the MM Cup with the Western Mustangs Luke Maiden played in all six matches and had a 50% try scoring strike rate. Luke Maiden scored in Rounds One, Five and Seven against Victoria, Sunshine Coast and South’s Logan respectively.

His progression to the Western Mustangs Hastings Deering’s Colts side saw Luke Maiden play in eight matches. Luke Maiden came into the side in Round Eight against Tweed Heads when he started on the interchange bench. Luke Maiden has also started on the interchange bench in Rounds Ten Eleven and thirteen against the Mackay Cutters South’s Logan and the Easts Tigers respectively.

Luke Maiden moved in the starting side in Round Sixteen against Norths starting the match at lock. In total in his eight matches, Luke Maiden started two matches in the front row, one at lock and five from the interchange bench.

Luke Maiden’s sole try of the 2018 Colts season came in Round Fourteen against the Ipswich Jets.

In addition to his Western Mustangs duties at the MM Cup and Colts levels, Luke Maiden also found the time to play for Southern Suburbs in the U18 Toowoomba Rugby league competition including starting in the front row in Round One against Toowoomba Valleys where he scored in Southern Suburbs 26 – 8 victory.

In total for Southern Suburbs in the U18 Toowoomba rugby League competition including the finals series, Luke maiden played in seven matches scoring four tries which came against Toowoomba Valleys, Goondiwindi and South Burnett in the regular season.

In the Preliminary Final against Dalby, Luke Maiden started in the front row and scored a try in the 12th minute of the second half as Southern Suburbs defeated Dalby 44 – 4 to progress to the Grand Final.

In the U18 Toowoomba Rugby League Grand Final against Highfields and Districts Luke Maiden started in the front row in the 38 – 10 win.

In 2018 Luke Maiden also played two Toowoomba Rugby League First Grade matches making his debut against Toowoomba Valleys in late June and also playing against Goondiwindi in late July.

At the Western Mustangs Awards Presentation night in November 2017, Luke Maiden was awarded the Western Mustangs Players Player award.

In 2017 after being part of the Western Mustangs MM Cup winning side early in 2017, Luke Maiden graduated to the Western Mustangs U20 Colts side where he started a number of matches in the front row after starting the MM Cup Grand Final at lock and being a key contributor to the 40 – 30 grand final victory over the South’s Logan Magpies and similarly in the U18 National final against Parramatta.

Luke Maiden has recently signed a Titans Rookie Contract for the next two seasons, which will cover his time in the U20 Colts competition.

In 2017 the St Mary’s Toowoomba High School student started all eight of the Western Mustangs MM Cup matches at lock, scoring in Round Two against the Mackay Cutters and also in Round Eight against the Central Crows.

In 2017 Luke Maiden broke into the Western Mustangs U20 Colts Challenge side in Round Five when he came off the bench against South’s Logan and also started on the bench in Rounds Six and Eight.

Luke Maiden’s first start at the U20 Colts Challenge level was in Round Nine when he started in the front row against the Burleigh Bears. In total in the U20 Colts competition in 2017 for the Western Mustangs, Luke Maiden played in nine matches, starting four from the interchange bench and five in the front row.

Luke Maiden also played a number of matches in the Toowoomba Rugby League competition over the course of the 2017 season for Southern Suburbs in the U18 and First Grade competitions. In the U18 TRL competition Luke Maiden played in two matches scoring in the first of those against Highfields and Districts and made his Hutchies A grade debut Toowoomba Valleys in July 2017.

Luke Maiden is a very solidly built young front rower with a powerful running style and low centre of gravity, which makes him quite difficult to tackle as he is also adept at dropping his shoulder into defenders as he impacts the defensive line. There is no subtlety to his game, he runs straight and hard, with the only concession to this being a slight step off his right foot in occasion prior to impacting the defensive line.

In a one on one battle with an opponent if they look to hit him around the chest area they will struggle to contain Luke Maiden due to his size and the strength in his legs, a defensive line will always need to commit at least two defensive resources to effectively stop him.

One thing that Luke Maiden does well is continuing to pump his legs once his initial momentum is halted by the defensive line, he makes more metres than he should as a result. He does not have a real off load to his attacking game, but that is not his role, Luke Maiden’s role is to take the ball into the heart of the opposition’s defensive line and make as many metres as possible.

Like his attacking game, his defensive methodology is simple and effective in its execution and effectiveness. He moves up and hits the ball carrier as hard as he can, as often as he can, full stop. He is best suited to defending in the centre of the ruck and that is where you will almost always find him and for a solidly built young player.

Luke Maiden moves well in terms of moving up and back in defence. Luke Maiden’s lateral movement is actually more than reasonable for a front rower as for that matter is his overall straight line speed.

In 2020 Luke Maiden will once again line up for the Burleigh Colts side where he will be a key member of the side and should also get more matches for Burleigh in the Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade competition and may even get an opportunity for the Bears in the 2020 Queensland Cup competition.

Luke Maiden is a front rower full stop, no more correspondence needs to be entered into.

Coming up with an NRL player with similar playing attributes to those of Luke Maiden was not that difficult, he has similar playing attributes to those of Manly forward Jake Trbojevic, although Luke Maiden is physically better. Like Trbojevic however Luke Maiden will work hard all day both in attack and defence and will also bring an intense effort every time that he walks onto the field.

mdrew

14-01-20, 04:54 PM

Taine Ujdur-Berghan. The young PBC and Burleigh Bears five eight is not likely to finish near the top of any try scoring list in any given season but that is in no way reflective of his contribution to his side’s success regardless of whether that is at school boy or club level.

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 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 Runaway Bay and Currumbin respectively in the U18 Division Two competition.

In Week Two of the 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 Burleigh U18 Division One side Taine Ujdur-Berghan primarily came off the bench playing in a variety of roles including in the halves 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 played matches in September against PNG and New South Wales Country U16 sides.

Taine Ujdur-Berghan attends PBC as part of their rugby league excellence program and is the regular starting five eight in their Year Ten side.

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 Currumbin.

Taine Ujder-Berghan just has a great passing game in all aspects, he has a very good long passing game and can get the ball out to his centres quickly and he is equally adept at taking the ball to the line and delivering a short pass to hole running backrowers just as the defence is converging on him. There just is not a pass that he cannot throw with timing and precision.

Taine Ujder-Berghan gets a very good spiral on the ball from both sides of his body and leads his outside attackers into the ball, enabling them to maintain the momentum of their run. A key attribute to how he plays is his ability to organise and direct his team around the field as well as adjusting his game to the specific situations within a game.

Taine Ujder-Berghan is not necessarily the quickest five eight running around but he does have some reasonable speed off the mark, which is complemented by the fact that he runs at the right moment, for example when he is drifting across field he will dummy and run when defenders anticipate the pass rather than focussing on him running the ball. Taine Ujder-Berghan’s running skills compliment his ability to put runners into holes rather than the other way around.

Taine Ujder-Berghan’s His kicking game is very accurate, and even though he is not a big player he can generate very good distance on his kicks whilst at the same time not losing any accuracy, thus he finds the ground for a lot of his kicks.

Taine Ujder-Berghan can also kick pin point bombs, allowing plenty of time for his chasers to get to the ball as it is coming down close to the try line. He is also a decent goal kicker but I have not seen enough of him kicking to have an opinion as to whether he can be a front line kicker for his side moving forward.

Taine Ujder-Berghan is a very good defender for the half back position, this includes against opposing halves who will try to use footwork and evasion to beat him or against big wide running forwards. No matter who is running at him, his timing, strength, lateral movement and technique are all well above average even verging on plus, not just for his position but for his age group in general.

Taine Ujdur-Berghan is U18 eligible once again in 2020 and has been named in both the Burleigh and Tweed Heads MM Cup squads with that to be sorted out and will also be a key member of the Burleigh GCRL U18 Division One side post the MM Cup competition.

In 2020 Taine Ujdur-Berghan will also continue to be part of the PBC school boy rugby league program and will push for a spot in their Langer Cup A and GIO Cup side.

Whilst Taine Ujdur-Berghan has played five eight for the majority of his junior rugby league career I was impressed with the way that he played at hooker for Burleigh in 2019 and thus whilst I believe that he will ultimately end up in the halves, a dummy half role is certainly not out of the question.

A current NRL player with similar running and distribution skills is Titans NRL player Tannah Boyd. Both show flashes of outstanding potential and just need experience on the field to continue their current development trajectory.

mdrew

15-01-20, 05:25 PM

Daniel Butterini. (Revised) He is a local young centre originally from just south of the border, who has previously been part of the Titans High Performance Program and is also at PBC State High School as part of their Rugby League excellence program.

In 2019 Daniel Butterini was part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad however did not feature in any of their matches.

Daniel Butterini was on song in Round Two of the GCRL U18 Division One competition scoring a try and kicking five goals for Currumbin as they defeated Bilambil 30-4. He started the match in the centres for the Eagles.

In total for Currumbin in the GCRL U18 Division One competition Daniel Butterini played in six matches before making a move to Murwillumbah in the NRRRL U18 competition.

Daniel Butterini’s first match for Murwillumbah in the U18 NRRRL competition was in Round Thirteen against Lower Clarence with his first NRRRL U18 try coming in Round Fourteen against Ballina and his second in the regular season finale being Round Eighteen against Tweed Heads. In total Daniel Butterini played in five regular season matches.

His 2019 NRRRL U18 campaign ended when Murwillumbah were defeated 26 – 10 by Byron Bay in the Elimination Final.

Daniel Butterini made his NRRRL First Grade debut in Round Seventeen of the 2019 season for Murwillumbah against Byron Bay and added to that in Week One of the NRRRL First Grade Finals series when he came off the bench in a 40 – 6 win over Casino RSM.

Daniel Butterini in 2019 was once again part of the PBC Open A rugby league side including starting from the bench in the Langer Cup A derby against Keebra Park in June.

Daniel Butterini was also part of the Titans U15 squad that played against a Balmain Tigers selection late in 2017 year, in that match Daniel Butterini spent the majority of the game in the centres.

At the start of the 2018 season, Daniel Butterini was part of the Gold Coast Vikings Yellow side that competed in the U16 South East Queensland Challenge and post that competition was called up to be part of the South East Queensland Green side for the Queensland U16 Age Championships playing all four of their matches including the Championship final which SEQ Green won 30 – 18 SEQ White.

Daniel Butterini played his club rugby league this season with Currumbin playing in twelve U16 Division One matches including the finals series scoring three tries in total, including a double against Mudgeeraba and also scored early in the season against Runaway Bay.

Daniel Butterini started for Currumbin in the U16 Division One Grand Final but was on the losing side with Nerang coming out victorious 24 – 8.

Daniel Butterini also played one match this season in the U17 Division One competition with that match coming against the Bilambil Jets late in the 2018 season.

Daniel Butterini was selected this season in the South Coast U15 QSSRL side in 2017. Earlier in the 2017 season Daniel Butterini was also selected in the Group 18 U15 squad after representing Group 18 at the U14 level in 2016 where he played primarily at fullback in the New South Wales Country Age Championships.

In late 2015 Daniel Butterini was named on the wing for the Titans U13 development squad for their match against a Toowoomba U14 selection, but unfortunately he did not participate in the match due to injury. In 2014 Daniel Butterini was named in the New South Wales North Coast U12 rugby league side from the Burringbar Public School in Murwillumbah.

For a centre, Daniel Butterini is a strong young man who does not rely just on his size and speed and using his natural running balance to either engage the opposing defenders and off load, run either an inside or outside shoulder route or an in and away to slow the forward momentum of the defender and accelerate on the outside.

For a player of his size, Daniel Butterini also has a very good passing game especially to his right side. When the ball is passed out to the back line, Daniel Butterini is very good at straitening up the attacking vector of his team and pass to his outside supports if they have room to move further out wide.

From a speed perspective Daniel Butterini has above average speed for both his size and position and when he breaks into open space, he will rarely be caught from behind other than from only the fastest of opponents and he is also very good at positioning his support players when he gets to the fullback. The only possible question about Daniel Butterini’s speed is whether it will stay at or near the above average category as he matures and inevitably fills out.

Defensively Daniel Butterini uses his physical characteristics to good effect, he drives with his shoulder into his opponent and has very good timing in terms of when to come out of the line and certainly has the speed to readjust and chase if his timing is slightly off and his opposing centre gets on his outside.

For me when I saw him play for either PBC or Burleigh Daniel Butterini was the defensive leader of the three quarter line and other defenders keyed off him in terms of whether to use an up and in methodology and slide to the outside.

Daniel Butterini on an individual level has the body control to redirect quickly and mirror the movement of the opposing attackers and anticipate what vector the attack comes from and innately understands when to allow the attacking play to develop in from of him and when to come out of the line to disrupt the attacking play prior to its formation.

Daniel Butterini is U18 eligible again in 2020 but has not been named in either of the Tweed Heads or Burleigh Cup squads to date. He may line-up however for the Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad come early 2020.

Post either competition Daniel Butterini will play for Murwillumbah in the NRRRL U18 competition and I am sure will add to his two match NRRRL First Grade tally from 2019.

Daniel Butterini has played primarily in the centres throughout his junior rugby league career but has spent some time in the second row this season. For me though it is far too early to write Daniel Butterini off in terms of not being able to stay in the centres long term.

A player with a similar playing style for me for Daniel Butterini would be Cronulla Sharks centre Ricky Leutele, they are both around the same size and look to use their size and speed to their advantage to dominate the opponent directly in front of them.

mdrew

16-01-20, 05:20 PM

Dakota Whalan. (Updated) He is a talented hooker who in 2019 was part of the Burleigh U18 Division One side.

Early in the 2019 season Dakota Whalan played one match off the bench for the Burleigh MM Cup side with that match being in Round Five against Souths Logan.

Over the course of the 2019 season, Dakato Whalan started at hooker in all twelve of Burleigh’s matches in the U18 Division One competition scoring five tries including a Round Thirteen hat trick against Bilambil and against Helensvale in Round Two and Runaway Bay in Round Eleven.

In Week Two of the U18 Division One Finals series Dakota Whalan started at hooker for Burleigh in their victory 34 – 8 against Southport to progress directly to the Grand Final contributing a try to the dominating victory.

Dakota Whalan started the 2019 U18 Division One Grand Final at hooker and had a try assist in the second half when he nipped down a short blind side to put Noah Gafa over with a short well timed pass.

Dakota Whalan finished his 2017 rugby league commitments by attending a Titans U16 Elite Performance camp at Lenox Heads and at that camp was part of the Titans side that played against the Western Mustangs side that also attended the camp. Not that it is necessarily relevant but the U16 Titans High Performance Unit won in a high quality match eight tries to two.

The young hooker started in the 2017 season at hooker for the Gold Coast Vikings Green U16 side that played a Western Mustangs U16 selection in Toowoomba recently with the Gold Coast Green side winning the match 24 – 8 against a committed opposition side. As noted the Titans linked youngster represented Gold Coast Green in the South East Queensland U16 pre-season competition and then progressed to the GCJRL U16 Division One competition.

Dakota Whalan started off the U16 Division One season with the Southport Tigers playing in four matches for them before obtaining a clearance to move to the Burleigh Bears. Dakota Whalan made his U16 Division One debut for Burleigh in early June against Ormeau and in total played seven matches in the Burleigh’s maroon and white including starting at hooker in Burleigh’s 34 – 4 Grand Final loss against Currumbin.

Dakota Whalan scored two late season tries while playing for Burleigh with those tries coming in consecutive weeks against Currumbin in the final regular season round and in Burleigh’s first semi-final against Helensvale.

Dakota Whalan played the 2016 season for the Southport Tigers in the U15 Division One competition on the Gold Coast where he scored three tries from seven matches, including a double in the first regular season round against Beaudesert and Dakota Whalan also scored late in the season against the Helensvale Hornets.

Dakota Whalan is a vocal dummy half with a goal to lead his team around the field and determine when the forwards take the ball up and when the ball is directed out to the backline. Dakota Whalan looks to lead his forwards onto the ball and provides a flat pass to enable his forwards to time their run onto the ball. Dakota Whalan aims to be the team’s general from dummy half and control the pace of the match and the axis from which his team directs their attack and also from what part of the field.

Running with the ball Dakota Whalan has reasonable speed off the mark, probably in the average category for a hooker but normally runs off the back of a big run from one of his forwards so that he runs when the defensive line is still retreating back to their 10 metre mark.

Just like he is when he is at dummy half Dakota Whalan is vocal when he is in the defensive line looking to direct his forwards towards where the ball is likely heading and individually identifying which forward defends which attacker. Dakota Whalan certainly has a tough streak and will look to hit opposing forwards regardless of their size as hard as possible and looks to finish off each tackle with aggression. Dakota Whalan is also a solid worker when at marker and will chase and look to harass both ball runners and tactical kickers alike.

Dakota Whalan is U18 eligible again in 2020 but has been named in the Burleigh Colts side. In 2020 Dakota Whalen will play for Burleigh in the U18 Division One competition as they look to go back to back after last season’s success.

Dakota Whalan has spent the last couple of season exclusively at hooker and I can see no justification for an alteration to that particular situation as he moves forward in his rugby league career.

From a player comparison perspective I can see aspects of a playing style similar to that of Sydney Roosters Jake Friend in the play of Dakota Whalan as a hooker who looks to control his forward pack from the dummy half position and lets his team know what he wants from them.

mdrew

18-01-20, 12:54 AM

Blake Campbell. (Revised) The Titans contracted backrower is held deservedly held in high esteem at the club, a club he has been with since he was 13 years old.

In 2019 Blake Campbell was part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls Colts side starting either in the second row or at lock in all of his matches including their Elimination Final loss to Mackay captaining the side on a number of occasions. In total Blake Campbell played in fifteen Colts matches scoring four tries starting all in the second row.

In Round Ten starting at lock Blake Campbell scored a double against the Easts Tigers on both occasions Blake Campbell was on hand to retrieve a Tweed Heads attacking kick to score.

Blake Campbell also scored in Round Eleven when he charged onto the ball from only two metres out to crash over in the first half from what can only be described as a determined run . Blake Campbell also scored in Round Two against the Townsville Blackhawks.

In the 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts Player of the Year Award tally Blake Campbell finished with four votes.

2018 saw Blake Campbell start off captaining the Tweed Heads MM Cup side and then progressing to the Tweed Heads Colts side.

Along the way Blake Campbell was selected in the 2018 Queensland U18 side and came off the bench in that game but unfortunately took a head knock which reduced his playing time on the interstate match.

Blake Campbell captained the 2018 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup side was a standout through the competition including an impressive performance against the North’s Devils in Round One and a dominant individual performance in Victoria against the Thunderbolts which included him scoring a double in a big Tweed Heads victory 42 – 10.

Blake Campbell’s performance in Tweed Heads Round Three win 36 – 6 over the Burleigh Bears was also exceptional.

In total in the 2018 MM Cup competition Blake Campbell started in the second row for all of Tweed Heads seven matches including their final’s loss to Souths Logan. Across the seven matches Blake Campbell scored four tries. In addition to the two tries against Redcliffe previously mentioned, Blake Campbell also scored in Round Five against the Townsville Blackhawks and in Round Six against Wynnum Manly.

At the end of the 2018 season Blake Campbell received the 2018 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup Coaches Award.

Blake Campbell broke into the Tweed Heads Seagulls Colts side in their Round Eleven match against the Northern Pride starting the match in the second row. All told in the Hastings Deering’s Cup to date in the 2018 season, Blake Campbell has played in nine matches and just like his debut has started all of those matches in the second row.

Blake Campbell has scored two tries, the first of which came in Round Eighteen against Souths Logan and he also scored against the Mackay Cutters when he ran a good line (outside shoulder route) on the right side of the field to burst through the defence from around ten to twelve metres out and then outpaced the fullback to score.

In the 2018 GCRL U19 competition this season for Runaway Bay Blake Campbell has played just the three matches as a result of his Queensland U18 and Tweed Heads MM and Colts commitments but in his second U19 game of the season he scored a double against Ormeau and in his third U19 match the following weekend Blake Campbell converted one of Runaway Bay’s tries in a win against Mudgeeraba.

Blake Campbell made his Doug Lipp Cup debut for Runaway Bay against Currumbin in mid-June 2018 after playing in the U19 fixture earlier in the day.

Blake Campbell’s form this season is not a surprise considering his trial form including a standout performance in a trial against the South’s Logan Magpies at Waterford in February. That trial at Waterford was a difficult one for Tweed Heads as they went down to Souths Logan but Blake Campbell was very good that night, and was in every match since.

To round out an outstanding 2017 campaign Blake Campbell was selected in November to be part of the 2018 Queensland U18 Emerging Origin squad which came together from January 21 to 24 this year for their first training camp. Other training camps are scheduled over the course of the 2018 season prior to the annual match against New South Wales.

Over the course of the 2017 season Blake Campbell played a number of matches in the MM Cup competition for Tweed Heads Seagulls and also played for the Runaway Bay Seagulls in the Gold Coast Rugby League competition.

For the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the 2017 MM Cup competition Blake Campbell started all six of Tweed Heads matches in the second row and showed his try scoring ability crossing for four tries including a double in Round One against the Ipswich Jets, a try in Round Three against eventual champions the Western Mustangs and his final try of the MM Cup competition came in Round Six in the local derby against the Burleigh Bears.

In the red, white and blue of Runaway Bay in 2017 Blake Campbell has played eleven matches in the U17 Division One competition and also three matches in the U19 GCRL competition. At the U17 level Blake Campbell scored four tries and kicked four goals for 24 points in total including a Round Two double against Bilambil and also tries late in the season against Helensvale and Mudgeeraba.

Blake Campbell made his U19 debut in May 2017 against Southport and has also played matches at that level against Mudgeeraba and Southport a second time.

In 2016 Blake Campbell played his football at the U16 level both in terms of club rugby league and in the CC Cup during the 2016 season. Blake Campbell as also involved in Coombabah State High School’s great GIO Cup campaign where he actually played on the wing in a number of games including a nationally televised match against Townsville’s Kirwan High School.

Blake Campbell stellar play was rewarded in 2016 when early in the year he was selected in the Queensland Academy of Sport U16 squad, before being named in the interchange bench for the Queensland U16 team in their annual match against New South Wales. Fellow Titans player Laz Sua was also part of the Queensland team that night which took place as a State of Origin curtain raiser. Unfortunately the Queensland side lost 12 – 10.

In the CC competition for Gold Coast White in 2016, Blake Campbell crossed for four tries two of which came against Gold Coast Green in Rounds Two and Five. Blake Campbell also scored a double in GC White’s semi-final loss to the Toowoomba Clydesdales. In all of his matches in the CC competition for Gold Coast White Blake Campbell started in the second row.

On more than one occasion in 2017 Blake Campbell was mentioned by Titans High Performance Junior Co-ordinator Jamie McCormack as being one of his team’s best in the weekly update posted on the Titans Official Site during the CC/MM season.

From a club perspective, Blake Campbell played for Runaway Bay in the U16 Division One competition playing in six matches and contributing seven tries over the course of the 2016 season. Six of his seven tries came from doubles coming against Burleigh on two separate occasions and also against Mudgeeraba, with his seventh try coming against the Helensvale Hornets.

Blake Campbell was been in the Titans junior development system for a couple of years now, and is one of a number of talented backrowers in our system and certainly in the region. He has represented the Vikings and Kookaburra’s on multiple occasions in the different age groups over the last couple of years and is part of the Gold Coast Rugby League Academy program in 2015, and was part of the Titans U14 development side that drew 32 all against a giant Samoan team at the end of 2014 at Burleigh.

Blake Campbell is a wide running backrower with a very good turn of speed once he breaks through the line and will outpace all but the quickest cover defenders. He has the ability to use footwork before the line, especially on the ends of the ruck where he has a good in and away as well as a very good fend to complement his footwork.

On top of those attributes, Blake Campbell is impressive at running good lines on the fringes of the ruck and constantly picks the right holes to run into thus making the play makers on his team look good. Even though Blake Campbell is good on the edge of the ruck, he takes his share of runs in the middle where he uses foot work prior to the line so as not to absorb huge hits against, usually larger forward packs. He is also a disciplined player who rarely gives away penalties and also has good hands.

From a speed perspective his speed would easily be considered above average for a backrower and actually quite close to be considered in the plus category, both in terms of speed off the mark as well as sustainable top end speed. Clearly his pace was one of the reasons that the Coombabah coaches played him on the wing on occasion where he certainly did not let anybody down.

One of Blake Campbell’s tries in Round Two of the MM Cup this season against Victoria highlighted both his strength and speed. Blake Campbell took the ball on the right side of the ruck and took the line on directly, Blake Campbell pushed out of a front on tackle by one of the giant Victorian front rowers and then bounced to the outside, using his speed to get around a number of defenders and also using his speed and a strong left arm fend pushed through a gap between the Thunderbolt left centre and left wing to score an outstanding individual try near the right corner of the field.

Blake Campbell’s second try against the Victorian Thunderbolts came as a result of his speed. Half Tom Dearden put in a good grubber kick, Blake Campbell timed his run perfectly and outpaced the Victorian cover defence to dive on the ball to score a good second half try for the Seagulls.

Defensively Blake Campbell looks to wrap up the ball on initial contact, he will not constantly come up with big hits, but will rarely miss tackles and also covers across the field very well, meaning he is usually in good positions to make a tackle if the ball is turned back inside and also to make cover defending tackles if breaks are made wider out.

Blake Campbell’s strength and mobility also means that he is an effective defender on the fringes (sorry cannot bring myself to use the term edge defender) of the ruck against both big forwards and smaller halves alike.

Blake Campbell is quick enough to get to most outside backs in cover defence. Due to his speed and positional sense he is usually one of the first players down field in relation to kick chase as well. Blake Campbell’s above average speed is also a reason why he is such a good cover defender.

Blake Campbell will be part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls Colts side once again in 2020 and it also would not surprise if he makes his Queensland Cup debut sometime over the course of the 2020 season. It is also likely over the course of the 2020 season that Blake Campbell will play a number of matches for Runaway Bay in the Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade competition.

Even though Blake Campbell spent some time on the wing in schoolboy rugby league for Coombabah in 2016 for me he has played almost exclusively in the second row in 2017 and so far in 2018 and that is where his future lies as a wide running second rower who knows how to get to the try line as well as a player who will do a lot of the little things well, such as chasing kicks, defending inside passes, leading by example, getting quick play the balls etc.

From a style perspective think of a young Ryan Hoffman of the Melbourne Storm and former New South Wales State of Origin player as a player comparison for Blake Campbell as a well-rounded backrower with the ability to break the line by himself or as a result of running a good line and then has the pace to finish things off consistently by himself as well as being just as damaging defensively.

You can also, like Hoffman throw positive leadership skills into the mix when talking about Blake Campbell who certainly has a long NRL (if not higher) career in front of him.

mdrew

18-01-20, 08:39 AM

Jaylan To’o. The outstanding Titans contracted youngster missed the opening two rounds of the 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition, but started Round Three for Tweed Heads against the Burleigh Bears at fullback and maintained his place in the starting line-up at fullback for Round Four against the Central Queensland Capra’s.

Jaylon To’O had a particularly impressive match in Round Eleven from fullback against the Northern Pride recording two try assists. Mid-way through the first half, Jaylon To’O got to dummy half around a metre out from the Northern Pride line, he took two quick steps to his right a popped a great short ball to fellow Titan Blake Campbell to crash over.

Jaylon To’O’s second try assist of the match came right on full time when he threw a great long cut out ball this time to his left right onto the chest of Callum Boomer who burst through the gap to score in the last minute of the match.

Jaylon To’O also scored in Round Nineteen against the Mackay Cutters from the fullback position. After a strong run from fellow Titans Blake Campbell, Jaylon To’O got into dummy half around nine metres out in from of the goal posts.

Taking advantage of a quick play the ball, Jaylon To’O took off out of dummy half to his left running at an approximate 45 degree running with the ball in two hands (I know that carry on about that but it really does put the defence in two minds) he took advantage of a dis organised and back peddling defensive lien to charge over to score mid-way between the left goal post and the touch line.

Jaylon To’O added a further try in Round Twenty Two against Souths Logan from the fullback position and also scored from fullback in Round Twenty Three against the Northern Pride.

In relation to his try against the Northern Pride Jaylon To’O received the ball and ran to the right of the play the ball dummying to his right around seven metres out from the line. After contact with the defence, Jaylon To’O spun around 360 degrees clockwise maintaining his balance whilst doing so putting the ball down about seven metres from the left corner post.

Jaylon To’O also had a try assist in the match, once again on the left side of the field Jaylon To’O drew in the defence before putting a pass to his left on the chest of debutant Caleb Hodges who crashed over around five metres from the left corner post.

Jaylon To’O moved to right centre for Tweed Heads Week One Elimination Final loss to the Mackay Cutters 23 – 10 but was one of two Tweed Heads try scorers in the match. Five eight Toby Sexton took the ball down a short blind side and popped a short ball to Jaylon To’O who cruised through a gap and scored from forty metres out untouched.

In total in the 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition Jaylon To’O played in nineteen matches. Including Tweed Heads Elimination Final scoring six tries. Jaylon To’O started all bar one of his 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts matches at fullback bar Round Ten against the Easts Tigers when he started at five eight.

In the 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts Player of the Year Award tally Jaylon To’O finished with a solid nine votes.

Jaylon To’O made his Gold Coast rugby League first grade debut in Round Thirteen when he started at half for Runaway Bay against Bilambil and also started at half in Round Fifteen against Ormeau.

Jaylon To’O moved to the wing for his second GCRL First Grade match in Round Sixteen against the Burleigh Bears where he was up against fellow Titan Will Evans.

Jaylan To’O also spent some time in the GCRL U20 competition for Runaway Bay in 2019 including starting at left centre and scoring in Round Seventeen against Helensvale. Jaylon To’O had backed up a break down the left touchline line and was on hand to receive the ball inside to run thirty five metres to score untouched.

Jaylon To’O was one of three Titans U18 try scorers as they overcame a determined New South Wales Country U18 side 14 – 12 in Cudgen in wet conditions in early October 2018. In the match Jaylan To’O also converted one of the Titans tries to account for six of the Titans fourteen points.

Starting in the centres for the Titans U18 side Jaylan To’O had a solid match with his try coming in the second half from a powerful run out of dummy half. With the Titans attacking the line, Jaylan To’O moved into dummy half with the Titans on the attack about two metres from the New South Wales Country line, picking up the ball up and ran to his left barging over taking two NSW Country defenders with him.

Jaylon To’O started the 2018 season as part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad playing in all seven of Tweed Heads matches including their Week One Final against South’s Logan.

Jaylan To’O started all seven matches from the interchange bench including Round Seven when he was named to start at hooker against Easts but reverted to the bench for the start of the match.

Post the 2018 MM Cup competition, Jaylan To’O played for Runaway Bay in the Gold Coast Rugby League U19 competition playing a variety of positions including fullback and five eight.

In the U19 competition in 2018 Jaylan To’O played in twelve matches finishing with a 50% strike rate. Jaylan To’O scored an early season double against Ormeau and scored a double later in the season against Currumbin. Jaylan To’O’s other 2018 U19 tries came in matches against Ormeau and Burleigh.

In 2018 Jaylan To’O also played in four GCRL Doug Lipp Cup matches, making his debut in June against Tugun. In just his second Doug Lipp Cup match Jaylan To’O scored against Ormeau (he clearly enjoyed playing against Ormeau).

For Runaway Bay in the 2017 U17 Division One competition Jaylan To’O scored a total of 74 points from six tries and twenty-five goals. Jaylan To’O scored a double in Round One against Ormeau and finished the season scoring in each of the last three rounds which were against Ormeau, Mudgeeraba and Helensvale.

With the boot on four occasions did Jaylan To’O kick four goals in a match which were against Bilambil, Ormeau twice and Mudgeeraba. Jaylan To’O made his U19 debut in July against Mudgeeraba and went on to play five matches in total in the Gold Coast U19 competition.

Jaylan To’O also played five matches in the U19 competition in 2017.

For a centre, Jaylan To’O is a strong young man who does not rely just on his size and speed and using his natural running balance to either engage the opposing defenders and off load, run either an inside or outside shoulder route or an in and away to slow the forward momentum of the defender and accelerate on the outside.

For a player of his size, Jaylan To’O also has a very good passing game especially to his right side. When the ball is passed out to the back line, Jaylan To’O is very good at straitening up the attack and pass to his outside supports if they have room to move further out wide.

From a speed perspective Jaylan To’O has above average speed for both his size and position and when he breaks into open space, he will rarely be caught from behind other than from only the fastest of opponents and he is also very good at positioning his support players when he gets to the fullback. The only possible question about Jaylan To’O’s speed is whether it will stay at or near the above average category as he matures and inevitably fills out.

Defensively Jaylan To’O uses his physical characteristics to good effect, he drives with his shoulder into his opponent and has very good timing in terms of when to come out of the line and certainly has the speed to readjust and chase if his timing is slightly off and his opposing centre gets on his outside.

For me when I saw him play for either PBC or Burleigh Jaylan To’O was the defensive leader of the three quarter line and other defenders keyed off him in terms of whether to use an up and in methodology and slide to the outside.

Jaylan To’O on an individual level has the body control to redirect quickly and mirror the movement of the opposing attackers and anticipate what vector the attack comes from and innately understands when to allow the attacking play to develop in from of him and when to come out of the line to disrupt the attacking play prior to its formation.

His timing and anticipation in defence are one of the reasons that I think that he could also handle playing in the centres as he progresses to the upper echelons of junior rugby league and into senior football.

Jaylan To’O will play the 2020 season with the Tweed Heads Seagulls in their U20 Hastings Deering’s Colts squad for the second season in a row and may also add to the number of Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade matches that he played for Runaway Bay in 2019.

Over the last few seasons Jaylan To’O played a variety of positions including fullback, centre and five eight and even spent some time in the dummy half role but this season bar one game has featured primarily at fullback. Ultimately I think that potentially Jaylan To’O’s best position is at fullback although I am definitely not 100% certain of that as centre is still a more than viable option.

His match for the Titans U18’s last in 2018 against New South Wales Country in the centres has also helped to firm up my belief that that centre is certainly a viable option for Jaylon To’O going forward. What I am certain of however is that regardless of position Jaylan To’O is a very good rugby league player with a bright future.

Jaylon To’O has a similar playing style to former Bronco and Queensland Reds player Karmichael Hunt, as a strong fullback with all of the running and ball playing skills to play the game at a high level who is fearless both in terms of charging into the defensive line and defensively as well as using his skills to the benefit of his team’s ultimate success.

mdrew

18-01-20, 05:43 PM

Tremain Spry. The former Ipswich State High School student spent the 2018 off-season training with the Titans NRL squad looking to secure a coveted NRL Development contract but went one better and signed a two year NRL contract with the Titans which will take him through to the end of the current 2020 season.

Tremain Spry started from the interchange bench in the Titans first 2019 NRL trial this season against the North Queensland Cowboys on the Sunshine Coast. In the NRL trial Tremain Spry had a tough initiation but after that settled down putting in a solid performance in a match not conducive to outside backs due to the weather conditions. Tremain Spry played for the Burleigh Bears Queensland Cup side in their Queensland Cup trial the week prior against the Souths Logan Magpies.

Tremain Spry also started from the bench for the Titans second and final NRL trial when they took on Brisbane on the Gold Coast where his outstanding potential was on display on a number of occasions.

Tremain Spry was also part of the Queensland U20 squad starting the match against New South Wales that was the Third State of Origin curtain raiser on the wing.

In the 2019 season proper Tremain Spry started the season with the Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup side, starting in the centres in Round One against the PNG Hunters at Tweed Heads.

Playing left centre Tremain Spry played the entire 80 minutes taking nine runs for 92 metres, 36 post contact, had an off-load, broke four tackles and had a play the ball average of 3.91 seconds. Defensively Tremain Spry made nine tackles missing only one.

Tremain Spry had a huge match in Round Two scoring a double, and just missing a third. His first try resulted when he took possession after Townsville fullback Zac Santo spilt a grubber under pressure from Keegan Hipgrave for Tremain Spry to dive over under the posts.

Tremain Spry’s second try resulted when he ran into a gap five metres out in the second half and was presented with a good ball by Tweed Heads five eight Lindon McGrady. Late in the match Tremain Spry could have had his third when he took an intercept whilst defending on his own line but was dragged down five metres out after a ninety three metres run.

Playing right centre Tremain Spry ran for a team leading 177 metres, twenty six post contact, and fifteen from dummy half, had a line break, broke three tackles, played the ball at an average of 4.04 seconds, had an offload and made six tackles.

Due to injury Tremain Spry played only 31 minutes of Tweed Head’s Round Three Queensland Cup match against Burleigh. In his time on the field he ran for 31 metres, broke a tackle, had an offload and played the ball in an average time of 4.25 seconds. Tremain Spry also made three tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency whilst once again playing right centre.

After playing only 21 minutes in Round Three and missing Round Four Tremain Spry was back in the Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup side for Round Five and scored the Seagulls only try in their 32-6 loss to Wynnum Manly.

Playing on the right Tremain Spry played the entire 80 minutes running for 115 metres (13 post contact), made a line break, broke two tackles, played the ball at a team leading average speed of 3.01 seconds and made a tackle.

Tremain Spry’s try was one of the easier ones that he will score, he ran into a huge gap around seventy metres out to score under the posts untouched.

In Round Six of the Queensland Cup for Tweed Heads against the Mackay Cutters, Tremain Spry scored his fourth try of the season, when Tweed Heads spread the ball to the right, Tremain Spry got outside of his direct opponent and scored untouched from around twenty metres out.

Playing the full game, Tremain Spry ran for 103 metres (twenty post contact), had a line break, line break assist, a try assist when he set up a try for Taylor Walters, broke a team leading six tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.97 seconds and had an 80% tackling efficiency in the match.

In Round Seven against Redcliffe Tremain Spry started at right centre and played the entire 80 minutes. In that time he ran for 45 metres (twenty post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 2.82 seconds and made thirteen tackles at a tackling efficiency of 81.3%.

In Round Eight of the Queensland Cup Tremain Spry played right centre and scored his fourth try of the season for Tweed Heads against the Ipswich Jets and as usual played the entire 80 minutes. In that time he ran for 84 metres (25 post contact), broke two tackles, had a line break assist, played the ball at an average of 3.05 seconds and made three tackles.

In Round Nine of the Queensland Cup, Tremain Spry started at right centre once again playing the entire 80 minutes against Norths. He ran for 121 metres (43 post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.35 seconds and made thirteen tackles.

Round Ten saw Tremain Spry score a double against the Easts Tigers from right centre. In his 80 minutes on the field, Tremain Spry ran for 142 metres (21 post contact), broke four tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 4.18 seconds and made five tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

Tremain Spry’s first try of the match was a seventy metre effort in the first half. He received the ball early, slicing through the Tigers left side defence before easily rounding the fullback to score under the posts and for his second try Tremain Spry was on the spot to clean up a dropped kick to score untouched in the right corner in the second half.

In Round Eleven Tremain Spry started at right centre once again playing the entire 80 minutes against the Northern Pride. He ran for 55 metres (15 post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.24 seconds and made ten tackles.

In Round Twelve against Souths Logan from the right centre position Tremain Spry in his 80 minutes on the field ran for 92 metres (37 post contact), had a line break assist, broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.6 seconds and made six tackles a 75% tackling efficiency.

In a tough Round Thirteen loss against the Sunshine Coast Falcons, Tremain Spry playing right centre in his 80 minutes, ran for 78 metres (nineteen post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.66 seconds and made eight tackles.

Tremain Spry moved to five eight for Tweed’s Round Fourteen match against the PNG Hunters in Port Moresby scoring his eighth try of the 2019 season. Tremain Spry played the entire 80 minutes, running for 89 metres (eighteen post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average of 4.37 seconds and made eight tackles at an 80% tackling efficiency.

Tremain’s try was an impressive one, he received the ball on the right side of the field, dummied to the immediate Hunters to get through the initial line before popping a great short ball to Kalani Going who charged thirty metres down field before passing back inside to Tremain Spry to score.

Tremain Spry moved back to right centre for Round Fifteen against Ipswich, once again playing the entire 80 minutes. In that time he ran for 97 metres (twenty post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.35 seconds and made seven tackles.

After missing Round Sixteen as a result of the U20 State of Origin match, Tremain Spry was back starting at right centre in Round Seventeen against Burleigh, once again playing all eighty minutes. In that time, Tremain Spry ran for 39 metres (six post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed for 4.57 seconds and made eight tackles at an 80% tackling efficiency.

Tremain Spry started at right centre again in Round Eighteen against the Central Queensland Capra’s playing the entire eight minutes. Tremain Spry ran for 126 metres (38 post contact), had a line break, broke four tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.68 seconds and made three tackles.

Tremain Spry as usual started at right centre in Round Nineteen against the Mackay Cutters again playing all 80 minutes. In that time he ran for 95 metres (41 post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed for 3.42 seconds and had a 100% tackling efficiency whilst making his eleven tackles.

Tremain Spry also started at right centre in Round Twenty against the Ipswich Jets once again playing all 80 minutes. In the match, Tremain Spry ran for 59 metres (22 post contact), broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed for 3.56 seconds and made six tackles at a 75% tackling efficiency.

After missing Round twenty One, Tremain Spry was back at right centre for Round Twenty two against Souths Logan playing the entire match. Tremain Spry ran for 79 metres (fourteen post contact), broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.56 seconds and made fourteen tackles.

Tremain Spry scored his 8th try of the season in Round Twenty Three against the Northern Pride from right centre when he jumped up between two Pride defenders to retrieve the ball and score a relatively easy try.

In addition to his try, Tremain Spry played all 80 minutes, running for 124 metres (36 post contact), broke three tackles, made a line break, played the ball at an average speed of 3.74 seconds and made fourteen tackles.

In total in the Queensland Cup in 2019, Tremain Spry played twenty matches, nineteen of which he played all eighty minutes, Tremain Spry came off injury in the 31st minute of the other match meaning that he was on the field for a total of 1 551 minutes out of a possible 1 600 meaning that Tremain Spry was on the field 97% of the possible time that he could have been on there for.

In those minutes, Tremain Spry scored nine tries, had two try assists, broke fifty two tackles, made six line breaks, made 154 tackles at a tackling efficiency of 73.1% and ran for 1 854 metres.

Tremain Spry’s 2019 Queensland Cup per game averages included playing 77.6 minutes, running for 92.7 metres, making 7.7 tackles and breaking 2.6 tackles. Thus per eighty minutes, Tremain Spry in 2019, ran for 95.57 metres and made 7.94 tackles.

In 2018 Tremain Spry played for the Sydney Roosters in the U20 Jersey Flegg competition, across the season playing in fourteen matches for the Roosters.

Tremain Spry started Round One against the Sharks at fullback and Round Two against the Mounties on the wing before missing a number of rounds with injury coming back for Round Seven on the wing against Manly. Tremain Spry stayed on the wing until Round Thirteen when he moved into the centres against Penrith and stayed there for the remainder of the 2018 season.

Prior to his move to the centres, Tremain Spry scored a single try which came in Round Eight against the Mounties, but post his move to the centres Tremain Spry scored seven tries from eight matches.

Tremain Spry scored doubles in Round Fourteen against the Newcastle Knights and in Rounds Twenty-Three against the Wests Tigers and also scored in Rounds Thirteen, Seventeen and Eighteen against Penrith, North Sydney and Manly respectively.

In Round Twenty in a match against the North Sydney Bears, Tremain Spry was up against former Titans NRL player Jesse Arthurs, Jesse Arthurs was one of the Bears try scorers that afternoon.

In 2017 Tremain Spry started on the wing for the Queensland U18 side in their match against traditional rivals New South Wales. On the opposite wing that night for Queensland was fellow Titans NRL hopeful Kea Pere.

Also in 2017 Tremain Spry was a standout for Ipswich State High School especially in the Langer Cup including scoring a memorable try against Wavell State High School. Leevai Sutton who was part of the Titans U18 side in their late 2018 matches against PNG and New South Wales Country was Ipswich State High School’s fullback that season with Tremain Spry playing in the centres.

2017 also saw Tremain Spry play for the Ipswich Jets in the MM Cup competition where he primarily played at fullback in the Jets six matches.

Tremain Spry has very good speed off the mark, which I would consider above average for a centre and can break to the outside quickly, couple that with long arms, which he uses to great effect with a powerful fend makes him difficult to tackle.
When opposing centres are able to get hold of him, Tremain Spry usually is able to maintain his balance and keeps an arm free, looking to offload to either his inside or outside support.

Tremain Spry has more tools though than just an in and away, he will also use his size and strength to run straight over smaller opposing centres as well as also having the skill to step back inside of the defender if he is pushing to the outside too early.
Tremain Spry also has a powerful fend which served him well in the NYC competition and in fact has been the reason for at least two of his line breaks this season when his opposing centre has gone high and he has just palmed him off with seemingly little effort. His natural strength is just an impressive attribute.

A real positive for me is that Tremain Spry can also run a good inside shoulder line due to the fact that he maintains his spacing in the back line and will quickly identify where his direct opponent is ling up to determine whether it is appropriate to run an inside or outside shoulder line or a “crash” line for that matter, he certainly has the courage to run that line regularly which not everybody has.

As you would expect, due to his size and strength, Tremain Spry is a very good defender regardless of position. He will not necessarily hit hard but is definitely aggressive and he is very good at mirroring the movement of the opposing centre and wrapping him up ball and all. He is also quick enough to recover and chase if the opposing centre gets on the outside and his long reach is also a positive attribute in those situations.

From a team defensive methodology stand point, Tremain Spry seems to be very comfortable in a sliding defensive scheme where he can use his speed and body control to their best advantage in though he can be an intimidating presence when he chooses to come out of the line to interrupt the attacking movement immediately prior to its development.

As noted above Tremain Spry trained the last offseason with the Titans NRL squad and after starting from the bench in the Titans two NRL trials against North Queensland and Brisbane signed a two year deal with the Titans which will see him play a lot of NRL come the 2020 season under new coach Justin Holbrook.

With solid form in the 2020 NRL trials and pre-season training, Tremain Spry will be right in the firing line to make his NRL debut for the Titans in Round One of next year’s Premiership competition away to the Canberra Raiders.

Tremain Spry spent time at fullback, on the wing and in the centres in the Sydney Roosters U20 Jersey Flegg side in 2018 but it is hard to go past how effective that he was when he moved to the centres for both the Roosters in late 2018 and Tweed Heads in 2019 especially from an attacking perspective.

2019 should have dispelled any thought of Tremain Spry being moved, as good centres are such a precious commodity in the NRL in the modern age.

From an NRL player comparison perspective, Tremain Spry has eerily similar traits to Sydney Roosters, New South Wales State of Origin and Australian International star centre Latrell Mitchell. Like Mitchell, Tremain Spry is a big strong powerful centre who will not be beaten in a one on one contest in attack or defence.

They may play on opposite sides of the field but both Latrell Mitchell and Tremain Spry can grab a game by the scruff of the neck and throttle it when they are in the mood to do so.

Tremain Spry is just a powerful young man who is only now learning how to translate and direct that natural strength and power consistently on a rugby league field. Tremain Spry made huge strides to realising his potential in 2019 and there is plenty more to come and all things remaining equal he will have a long and prosperous career in Titans colours starting in 2020.

mdrew

19-01-20, 07:52 AM

Brodyn Gudgeon. The talented young Titans linked half started the 2019 season as part of the Burleigh MM Cup squad as his rugby league career continues to develop.

Brodyn Gudgeon missed Round One of the 2019 MM Cup but was named on an extended bench for Round Two against the Townsville Blackhawks, started Round Three at five eight against Tweed Heads and starred after starting the match at five eight, scoring a double and also having a try assist.

Brodyn Gudgeon operated on the left of the field and for his first try, he took the ball whilst he was stationary around nine metres out from the Seagulls line and just exploded off the mark to slice through the defensive line.

For his second try Brodyn Gudgeon looked like he was going to take the defence on just like his first try but instead stepped off his left foot and accelerating to score mid-way between the right goal post and the touch line.

Brodyn Gudgeon’s try assist was as a result of an outstanding short attacking kick, he went all of the way to the line putting in a deft right foot kick angled towards the in goal area and sat up perfectly for left winger Trey Peni to retrieve and score.

In total in the 2019 MM Cup competition Brodyn Gudgeon started in four of six of Burleigh’s matches at five eight missing only Round One.

Brodyn Gudgeon started at half for Helensvale in their U18 Division One Round One match against Southport.

Over the course of the 2019 GCRL U18 Division One regular season Brodyn Gudgeon played in eight matches scoring two tries, being in Round Eight against Bilambil and in Round Nine against the Ormeau Shearers.

Brodyn Gudgeon started at half in Week One of the Finals as Helensvale defeated Currumbin 24 – 20 and also started at half back and scored for Helensvale in their U18 Division One Week two Finals loss to Ormeau 34 – 26.

Brodyn Gudgeon made his Hastings Deering’s Colts debut when he started at five eight for Burleigh in Round Twelve against the Sunshine Coast Falcons with the Bears winning the match 23 – 22.

Brodyn Gudgeon also started at five eight in Round Thirteen against the Sunshine Coast Falcons, crossing for his first try in the 36th minute of the match. Brodyn Gudgeon shaped to kick on the half way mark but instead sent his left winger down the touchline when a great cut out pass and then backed up on the inside to get the ball back to score untouched.

2019 also saw Brodyn Gudgeon start at five eight for the Titans U18 side in their match against North Queensland that was played as the curtain raiser to the Titans/ Warriors NRL match in June.

Late in 2018 Brodyn Gudgeon started from the bench for the Titans U16 side and scored a second half try as the Titans went down 30 – 10 to the New South Wales Country U16’s at Cudgen on a wet and windy Saturday afternoon in early October.

The try was a result of Brodyn Gudgeon not giving up chasing a short grubber kick from half Ryan Rivett (I believe) and beating the NSW Country defence to the ball in the in goal area.

Brodyn Gudgeon played the 2018 GCRL season in the U16 Division One competition with Helensvale and through his eleven games had a 100% strike rate. Brodyn Gudgeon scored a late season hat trick against Southport and also scored a double against Southport the week prior. Brodyn Gudgeon’s other 2018 double came against Burleigh.

Brodyn Gudgeon also scored against Southport, Currumbin and Burleigh in the first regular season match and also the last to bookend his season.

At the start of the2018 season Brodyn Gudgeon started at half back for the U16 Gold Coast Vikings Yellow side in the South East Queensland U16 Challenge and from there was selected in the South East Queensland Green U16 for the Queensland Age Championships.

In those Championships, Brodyn Gudgeon started at half back in all four matches including the Championship Final against South East Queensland White and in fact scored in that final.

Over the course of the 2017 season the Coombabah State High School student scored eight tries from fourteen matches and started at half back in the 34 – 10 Grand Final loss to Nerang. Brodyn Gudgeon scored an early season hat trick against Coomera and also doubles against Nerang and Southport as well as a try against Burleigh to account for his eight tries over the course of the 2017 rugby league season.

In attack, Brodyn Gudgeon is a young half who is a dynamic runner of the football who excels in taking on the defensive line with deft footwork around the ruck, looking to seek out bigger slower forwards when they are caught on the edge of the ruck, he also has a very good dummy which continues to be effective regardless of the frequency of its use as it is indistinguishable in process from when he is going to actually pass the ball.

Brodyn Gudgeon does not however have blinkers on, and when his backline is set deep, he can see an overlap or a another play developing he will get the ball out quickly and effectively, using his solid passing skills from both sides of his body, where he will put the football out in front of his runners. Brodyn Gudgeon is able to impart a good spin on the ball, thus can get good distance on his passes whilst maintaining accuracy from both sides of his body all be it he seems to gets better distance when passing to the left hand side of the field.

Assisting his play is the fact that Brodyn Gudgeon seems to make the decision what to do with the ball quickly thus enabling the ball to get out wide quickly. One aspect that is notable when you see him play is how he directs the team around the field, he is in charge of when and where the forwards run and also when he wants the ball to spread it out wide to his backline.

Defensively Brodyn Gudgeon has decent size for a half back, a facet which assists in him being a very effective defender for his position, in fact he is an asset to his team’s defensive pattern to the extent that he has the strength and technique to more than hold his own one on one against wide running forwards.

Brodyn Gudgeon is MM Cup eligible again in 2020 and has been selected in the Burleigh MM Cup squad for the second season in a row and post that competition will line up for Helensvale in the GCRL U18 Division One competition.

I would also anticipate that Brodyn Gudgeon will, post the 2020 MM Cup, add to his two 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts matches next season.

Brodyn Gudgeon has played in the halves for most if not all of his junior rugby league career and there is no reason to suggestion that that situation is not the most beneficial for Brodyn Gudgeon to realise his immense potential.

My NRL player comparison for Brodyn Gudgeon is Cronulla Sharks and former New Zealand Warrior and New Zealand International Shaun Johnson. Shaun Johnson has a wicked side step and acceleration and those are two attributes that Brodyn Gudgeon also possesses.

No one can predict the future but how Brodyn Gudgeon’s game develops over the coming years will be something that I will be keeping a very close eye on especially in relation to his ball playing and game management skills

mdrew

19-01-20, 07:36 PM

Tannah Boyd. The outstanding prospect is a Gold Coast junior who is signed to the Titans NRL squad until the end of the 2021 season and moved immediately to the Burleigh Bears Queensland Cup squad.

To cap off an outstanding 2019 season Tannah Boyd, in late December was named in the 2020 Queensland U20 Emerging Origin Squad.

Tannah Boyd made his NRL for the Titans off the bench in Round Twenty Four against the Newcastle Knights coming on to play thirty minutes in the hooking role, kicking for forty four metres and making twenty one tackles at a quite impressive tackling efficiency of 91.3%, including one try saving tackle when he desperately held on to a Newcastle players jersey with his left arm preventing him from scoring from close range.

Tannah Boyd made his first NRL start in Twenty Five against St George which was his “home” debut as well for the Titans and the Titans last match of the season.

In his 80 minutes on the field, Tannah Boyd ran for 58 metres (ten post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.6 seconds, made twenty five tackles at a tackling efficiency of 92.6%, Tannah Boyd also kicked the ball eleven times making 291 metres on those occasions.

In total in his two NRL matches for the Titans in 2019, Tannah Boyd played 110 of a possible 160 minutes (68.75%), running for fifty eight metres, making forty six tackles at a very good tackling efficiency of 87.3% and kicked for 337 metres.

Tannah Boyd’s 2019 NRL per game averages included playing fifty five minutes, running for twenty nine metres, making twenty three tackles and kicking for 168.5 metres. Not a bad effort at all for an 18 year old in his first two career NRL matches. Thus per eighty minutes, Tannah Boyd, in 2019, ran for 42.18 metres and made 33.45 tackles.

Tannah Boyd was also selected in the Queensland U20 squad starting the match against New South Wales that was the Third State of Origin curtain raiser from the inter change bench. When he came on Tannah Boyd added enthusiasm and intensity just when he was needed and spent the majority of his time on the field in the dummy half role.

Tannah Boyd’s first match after signing with the Titans was for Burleigh in the Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade competition when he came off the bench in Round Thirteen against Ormeau.

Tannah Boyd’s first appearance for Burleigh was in Round Fifteen of the Queensland Cup when he played seventeen minutes off the bench against the Ipswich Jets. In that time, Tannah Boyd ran for 41 metres (four post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 4.22 seconds and had a 100% tackling efficiency.

After being named earlier in the week as the Titans 18th man Tannah Boyd started at five eight for Burleigh in Round Eighteen of the Queensland Cup against the Townsville Blackhawks playing all 80 minutes and recording his first Queensland Cup try for the Bears.

In addition Tannah Boyd ran for a team leading 164 metres (22 post contact), broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed for 3.12 seconds and made fourteen tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

In relation to his try, Tannah Boyd spun the ball out the left, and the Burleigh left centre split the defence before passing back inside to Tannah Boyd who sprinted forty metres to score untouched.

After missing a couple of weeks with injury Tannah Boyd started from the bench for Burleigh in Round Twenty One against the Northern Pride, playing at five eight in his 213 minutes on the field. In that time he ran for 10 metres and made ten tackles at an 83.33% tackling efficiency.

Tannah Boyd retained his place on the bench for Burleigh in Round Twenty Two against the Sunshine Coast Falcons playing twenty minutes after coming on playing in the halves.

In the match Tannah Boyd ran for twenty metres (four post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 4.2 seconds and had a 100% tackling efficiency.

In total in the 2019 Queensland Cup competition when you combine his Souths Logan and Burleigh matches, Tannah Boyd played twelve games, ran for 645 metres, made 134 tackles at a tackling efficiency of 82%, had five try assists, four line break assists, three offloads and kicked for 2 203 metres.

Tannah Boyd’s 2019 Queensland Cup per game averages included playing sixty five minutes per match, running for 53.8 metres on five runs and making 11.5 tackles. Thus per eighty minutes, Tannah Boyd, in 2019 in the Queensland Cup, ran for 66.22 metres and made 14.15 tackles.

This season Tannah Boyd prior to signing with the Titans played in eight Queensland Cup matches for the Souths Logan Magpies to go along with his two Queensland Cup matches in 2018.

Tannah Boyd started at half for Souths Logan in Round One of the Queensland Cup of the 2019 season against Central Queensland playing the entire 80 minutes. In the match he ran for 64 metre (11 post contact), kicked for 210 metres, kicked a conversion, forced a drop out, had a try assist and made six tackles.

Round Two against the Mackay Cutters saw Tannah Boyd play the entire 80 minutes at half, running for 72 metres (16 pot contact),kicked for 256 metres, kicked three conversions, forced a drop out, had a try assist, broke two tackles and made thirteen tackles.

In Round Three against Norths Tannah Boyd played the entire match at half, running for 45 metres, kicking two conversions, kicking for 315 metres, forcing a drop out and making thirteen tackles.

In Round Six against the Northern Pride Tannah Boyd played the entire match at half, running for twenty seven metres, kicking for 291 metres, forcing two drop outs and making eighteen tackles.

In Round Seven against the Easts Tigers Tannah Boyd played the entire match at half, running for 100 metres (twenty post contact),had a try assist, broke a tackle, kicked for 193 metres, and making thirteen tackles.

Round Eight against Wynnum Manly saw Tannah Boyd once again play the entire match at half, running for forty metres, record two try assists, break a tackle, kick for 209 metres, and make Seventeen tackles.

In Round Nine against the Sunshine Coast Falcons Tannah Boyd played 59 minutes at half, running for twenty four metres and make ten tackles.

In Round Thirteen against Townsville Tannah Boyd played the entire match at half, running for thirty metres, kick for 316 metres and make sixteen tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

In total in his eight Queensland Cup matches for Souths Logan this season, Tannah Boyd played 619 minutes, run for 406 metres, kick for 2 065 metres, kick nine conversions, record five try assists, broke five tackles, offloaded the ball twice and made 106 tackles.

In 2018 Tannah Boyd made his Queensland Cup debut in Round Seventeen against the Central Queensland Capra’s celebrating by scoring. Tannah Boyd had to get a special dispensation to play in the match as he had not yet turned 18 years old.

The table below compares Tannah Boyd’s 2018 and 2019 per game averages:

2018 Q Cup 2019 Q Cup (BB & SL) NRL

Games played 2 12 2

Minutes per game 80 64 55

Kick metres per game 111 183.6 168.5

Metres per game 87.5 53.6 29

Tackles per game 18 11.4 23

Tannah Boyd has also played three Hastings Deering’s Colts matches for the South Logan Magpies in 2019 before signing with the Titans, playing his first in Round Ten against Ipswich, where he kicked five conversions. Tannah Boyd also kicked five conversions against the Western Mustangs in Round Eleven and scored a ty and kicked a conversion in Round Twelve against Tweed Heads to finish his three 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts matches with twenty six points.

In the 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts Player of the Year Award tally Tannah Boyd finished with five votes.

Tannah Boyd started off the 2018 season with the Souths Logan Magpies in the MM Cup competition, coming into the side in Round Six against Central Queensland starting at half. In fact Tannah Boyd started at half in all five of his 2018 MM Cup matches, including their Grand Final win over Norths and their National U18 final loss to Penrith.

Across those five matches, Tannah Boyd scored 42 points from four tries and thirteen goals. He scored doubles against the Western Mustangs in Round Seven and Tweed Heads in the first week of the 2018 MM Cup finals to account for his four tries. His best game was against Tweed Heads in the final when he also six goals to go with his two tries. Tannah Boyd also kicked four goals in the U18 National Final against Penrith.

Tannah Boyd also played in eight U20 Hastings Deering’s Colts matches in 2018 including their Week One final against the Northern Pride, coming into the side in Round Twelve against the Victorian Thunderbolts at half back.

Tannah Boyd started at half in all eight of his matches scoring 42 points from three tries and fifteen goals. Tannah Boyd had a huge match in Round Twenty Four against Ipswich when he scored two tries and kicked five goals. Tannah Boyd’s other 2018 Colts try came in Round Twenty against the Western Mustangs and in Round Twenty Three he kicked six conversions against the Easts Tigers.

The former Australian School boy International grew up on the Gold Coast attending Keebra Park State High School and playing for Runaway Bay last playing for the Seagulls in 2016 in the U16 Division One competition.

Tannah Boyd is one of the few players that represented Queensland twice at the U18 level, starting at half in both 2017 and 2018, kicking one from two in 2018.

Tannah Boyd with his speed is able to exploit even small gaps in the defensive line with an exceptional step off either foot and impressive acceleration as well as outstanding body control. It is that speed trait which opens up his incredible ball playing skills as well.

Teams start to focus heavily on Tannah Boyd when he has the ball with outside defenders looking to come in to assist that they open up holes wider out in the defensive line that Tannah Boyd can exploit.

Tannah Boyd has exquisite timing on his passes and is able to weight them perfectly as well and can do so from either side of his body. Adding in this is that Tannah Boyd can stop on a dime even travelling at full speed and pop the short pass, thus it looks for all money that he is going to run the ball thus the defence converges and then the ball is delivered to a support runner who is through a hole before the defensive line can react and readjust.

In saying all of that the most impressive part of Tannah Boyd’s passing game is that he will go right to the line committing defenders, he is absolutely fearless in that regard.

Tannah Boyd also runs with the ball in both hands which is another reason why the defensive line is unable to determine exactly what Tannah Boyd is going to do.

Like when he has the ball in his hands, there is nothing that Tannah Boyd cannot do in relation to kicking the ball. Tannah Boyd is an exceptional tactical kicker with range and accuracy, he can put up pin point bombs and perfectly weighted grubber kicks into the in goal. In short if you can name a type of rugby league kick, Tannah Boyd can execute it with precision.

Defensively Tannah Boyd is a very strong young man with exceptional functional strength to go along with an innate understanding of the attacking strategies of rugby league thus he is able to anticipate what an attacking side is looking to do with the ball and then be in the best position to negate it.

Tannah Boyd has a very good low tackling technique which is simple and repeatable and effective against all size opponents and thus there is no need for a defensive minder on Tannah Boyd’s side of the field. In short just like his attacking play Tannah Boyd is an outstanding defender.

His twenty one tackles in his NRL debut away to the Newcastle Knights is testament to that fact.

Another area where Tannah Boyd has a plus attribute is in relation to his leaderships skills. He is a strong confident personality and that translates to a leader on and off the field and you can see that the other players gravitate towards him.

This is a trait that you cannot teach, you either have it or you don’t. Even if he is not the nominated captain on the field Tannah Boyd is a leader regardless of which team he is lining up for and acts accordingly both on and off the field.

Tannah Boyd will spend the 2020 off season training with the Titans NRL and he must be at very short odds to add to his two NRL games in 2019 come the 2020 season even though he will still be Colts eligible. If Tannah Boyd does not make the Titans game day 17 in any particular round of the 2020 NRL premiership season, he will almost certainly be part of the Burleigh Queensland Cup squad for that round.

With what Tannah Boyd showed defensively in his limited time in the NRL in 2019 and his attacking pedigree Tannah Boyd must be at short odds to be in the frame to start in the halves for the Titans come Round One of the 2020 NRL premiership season when the Titans travel to Canberra. If not in the starting line-up, Tannah Boyd, with his ability to fill in at dummy half and fullback Tannah Boyd would be a great interchange option for Justin Holbrook.

Tannah Boyd grew up playing half back including for Keebra Park, Australian School Boys and in the Queensland Cup although I note that he did play a couple of matches in the Queensland Cup at fullback for Souths Logan in 2018 and when he came off the bench for the Queensland U20 side in 2019 actually played very well in the dummy half role.

With his ability to play right at the defensive line, getting the ball in his hands as much as possible is critical therefore for me Tannah Boyd is a natural half and a potential representative level one at that.

I cannot get away from thinking of former Sydney Roosters and former Queensland State of Origin and Australian International Cooper Cronk every time that I see Tannah Boyd play. Like Cronk, Tannah Boyd is just a class apart in every aspect and is just a natural rugby league player as well as an outstanding on field play maker and leader as was evidenced when he played for the 2019 Queensland U20 State of Origin side displaying leadership and determination after coming off the bench

mdrew

20-01-20, 04:54 PM

Keegan Hipgrave. The former Gold Coast and Nerang Roosters junior was a 2017 mid-season acquisition for the Titans from the arch rival Brisbane Broncos, playing a handful of 2017 NYC and Queensland Cup matches before making his NRL debut in the Titans tough final round loss to the Sydney Roosters in late 2017. Since his arrival Keegan Hipgrave has gone on to play in twenty seven NRL matches in Titans colours with the prospect of plenty more to come in 2020 and beyond.

The former Australian School boy representative and Palm Beach Currumbin student had an outstanding NRL debut for the Titans in 2017 running for 123 metres on thirteen hit-ups for a 9.5 metre per carry average and he also made 23 tackles to cap off the young firebrand’s debut.

In 2019 Keegan Hipgrave played just seven NRL matches for the Titans with his first match being against Souths Sydney in Round Three and his last in Round Thirteen against the Broncos. Keegan Hipgrave played his first four NRL matches in 2019 off the bench and his final three starting in the second row with his first 2019 NRL start coming in Round Eleven against Manly.

In total in the NRL in 2019 Keegan Hipgrave played a total of 275 minutes (out of a possible 560), ran for 459 metres (113.1 post contact), broke twelve tackles, had an offload and made 128 tackles at an 82.4% tackling efficiency.

Keegan Hipgrave’s 2019 per game NRL averages included playing 37.3 minutes, running for 65.6 metres and making 19.3 tackles. Thus per eighty minutes, Keegan Hipgrave, in 2019, ran for 140.7 metres and made 41.39 tackles.

In Round Eight against North Queensland Keegan Hipgrave ran for 101 metres and in Rounds Twelve and Thirteen against North Queensland and Brisbane respectively Keegan Hipgrave made twenty eight tackles.

In 2018 Keegan Hipgrave made nineteen appearance in the NRL for the Titans, in those matches running for 1 168 metres (397 post contact), broke nineteen tackles, offloaded the ball on three occasions and made 413 tackles at a tackling efficiency of 87.5%.

Keegan Hipgrave’s 2018 per game NRL averages included running for 61.48 metres and making 24.84 tackles.

The table below compares Keegan Hipgrave’s 2017, 2018 and 2019 NRL per game averages:

2017 NRL 2018 NRL 2019 NRL

Games played 1 19 7

Minutes per game 54 45.3 37.3

Metres made per game 123 61.48 65.6

Tackles per game 23 24.84 19.3

In 2017 along with his NRL debut Keegan Hipgrave played seven matches in the Queensland Cup competition for the Tweed Heads Seagulls and was also awarded the 2017 Players Player award at their Presentation night. Keegan Hipgrave made his Queensland Cup debut for Tweed Heads in Round Sixteen against the Townsville Blackhawks when he came of the inter change bench. In that match Keegan Hipgrave played 67 minutes, ran for 78 metres and made fourteen tackles for a solid Queensland Cup debut.

Of his seven matches in the Queensland Cup in 2017 season Keegan Hipgrave started four at lock and the remaining three from the inter change bench. In total in the Queensland Cup in 2017 Keegan Hipgrave played 370 minutes, ran for 687 metres and made 165 tackles.

Keegan Hipgrave’s per match 2017 Queensland Cup averages included playing 53 minutes, running for 98 metres and making 24 tackles. On four occasions Keegan Hipgrave ran for in excess of 100 metres in a match including a 135 metre performance in Round Twenty Five against the PNG Hunters. On three occasions Keegan Hipgrave made more than 20 tackles in a match including in Round Twenty Two against the Easts Tigers when he made 40 tackles in just 53 minutes of playing time.

When he joined the Titans mid-season in 2017, Keegan Hipgrave played in four NYC matches prior to his elevation to the Tweed Heads Queensland Cup side and then onto his NRL debut. Keegan Hipgrave made his Titans NYC debut against the North Queensland Cowboys in Round Thirteen including scoring after starting from the interchange bench. Keegan Hipgrave started the following week at lock and scored this time against the Warriors.

Prior to moving to the Titans Keegan Hipgrave played in five NYC matches for the Broncos in 2017. Earlier in the 2017 season Keegan Hipgrave was part of the Brisbane Broncos Auckland Nines squad playing in three of their four matches I believe.

Combining his statistics from both the Titans and the Broncos NYC sides in 2017 Keegan Hipgrave played in nine matches, ran for 907 metres, ran the ball 87 times and made 183 tackles at a tackling efficiency of 95%. His 2017 NYC per game averages included running for 101 metres from 10 carries and 20 tackles.

Keegan Hipgrave had an injury interrupted 2016 NYC season with the Broncos playing in only nine matches scoring three tries which came against the Penrith Panthers in Round Three and a double against the Titans in Round Five. In total in the 2016 NYC competition Keegan Hipgrave ran for 980 metres from 91 hit-ups, made four line breaks and 184 tackles. His per game averages included 109 metres from ten runs and twenty tackles.

In 2015 for the Broncos NYC side even though he was still eligible for U18’s Keegan Hipgrave played in twenty five matches running for 2 755 metres and made 536 tackles. He averaged 110 metres and 23 tackles across those twenty five matches.

Keegan Hipgrave has had an outstanding representative rugby league career to date including earlier this season captaining the Queensland U20 State of Origin side, he also made the side in 2016. In 2015 Keegan Hipgrave captained the Queensland U18 side and in 2014 from PBC State High School was an Australian School boy representative. In 2015 Keegan Hipgrave was the joint winner of the Brisbane Broncos Players Player award.

Keegan Hipgrave has also played in both the MM and CC Cups for Gold Coast based sides and also represented the Gold Coast in multiple Vikings under age representative sides over the course of his junior rugby league career.

The 182cm 101kg former Australian Schoolboy is a powerful aggressive ball runner who is adept at using late and quick footwork just prior to contact line which he hits with power and force in absolutely every hit up that he makes dropping his shoulder into the first defender that is looking to make the initial contact. His ability to get low to engage the defenders with his shoulder rather than allowing them to get in and under his ribs and also a substantial leg drive means that he drives defenders backwards even after they had engaged him with significant force rather than allowing them to impact on his momentum.

In terms of ball skills, Keegan Hipgrave was able to regularly get his right hand free to deliver offloads when engaged with the defensive line especially when he was running one pass up the ruck and deliver some very good offloads to his support runners.

Once he is in space, Keegan Hipgrave actually has very good speed, I would consider it above average when analysing his speed from a rugby league forward’s perspective, to add to the difficulties for the defensive line, he runs with a high knee lift and also has a powerful fend.

Whilst his ball running skills are the first thing that you will likely notice when seeing Keegan Hipgrave his defence is equally effective even though it may not be as noticeable at first glance. Defensively Keegan Hipgrave has a hard edge to his play and his initial contact is more than sufficient to redirect the momentum of the ball carrier either in the centres or when defending in the forwards. Keegan Hipgrave sets a very good base which he uses to explode into the ball carrier looking to use their own momentum against them.

Defensively Keegan Hipgrave hits very hard and is adept at making sure the opposition do not get quick play the balls. He also has a touch of aggression in his play and definitely finishes off each tackle that he is involved in. He is equally adept at defending in the centre of the ruck as he is defending on the fringes and his initial contact is more than sufficient to make an impact on the ball carriers momentum.

Defensively the most impressive aspect of Keegan Hipgrave’s play is his ability to make effective tackle after effective tackle. For the Titans over the last two NRL seasons he continually made up to three and four tackles in a row on multiple occasions and still back up looking to take a hit up the next set of six tackles.

Whilst his stamina is impressive, so is his initial contact, he uses his strength and leverage to hit the ball carrier hard forcing momentum changes to the ball carrier. Keegan Hipgrave is also adept at wrapping up the ball and preventing offloads as he uses his functional strength to engage ball carriers. Defensively in a covering role he is also very effective as even though he is a big strong forward he has very good catch up speed and a solid low tackling technique from a side aspect.

Keegan Hipgrave good situation awareness also enables him to be well positioned when he is defending against smaller quicker players and he endeavours to minimise the time available for the opposing attacker to generate speed and to utilise their footwork.

Keegan Hipgrave is also able to change direction quickly to adjust to the directional changes of the attacker especially when he is marking up against multiple attackers running in his direction where he will hold his ground to let the play to develop in front of him before committing to a specific defensive course of action.

Keegan Hipgrave will immediately come into NRL calculations in 2020 in Round One away to the Canberra under new coach Justin Holbrook.

Keegan Hipgrave has essentially played in the front row or at lock for the majority of his career to date outside of three matches in the second row for the Titans in 2019, but I would much prefer the 182cm 101kg power house play a touch more on the fringes of the ruck where he can use his speed and foot work more to his team advantage. Regardless he is a powerful intense aggressive Gold Coast local junior who looms as an outstanding member of the Titans 2020 NRL squad.

mdrew

20-01-20, 05:26 PM

Eli Morgan. (Revised) The Titans linked forward started from the interchange bench for the Burleigh MM Cup side in their 2019 Round One match with the Norths Devils with Eli Morgan contributing a try in in Burleigh’s great second half comeback to draw 38 all with the Devils.

In total in the 2019 MM Cup competition Eli Morgan played in all six matches spending time both in the second row and in the centres as well as coming off the interchange bench in Round One against Norths. Eli Morgan played four matches in the centres with first of which was in Round two against Ipswich and started in the second row in Round Six against Wynnum Manly.

In his six 2019 MM Cup matches Eli Morgan scored three tries which came in Rounds One, Four and Five against Norths, Townsville and Souths Logan respectively.

In Round Four against Townsville Eli Morgan scored his second MM Cup try of the 2019 season when he dived over in the left corner. Playing left centre Eli Morgan was on hand to receive a pass from left winger Trey Peni who had taken a bomb on the full a few metres out from the Blackhawks try line and was able to off-load to his left to Eli Morgan who had looped around.

Almost immediately after the competition of the 2019 MM Cup competition, Eli Morgan moved to the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts side making his debut off the bench in Round Nine against Redcliffe. Eli Morgan moved into the starting line-up in Round Twelve against the Sunshine Coast Falcons starting in the second row.

Eli Morgan’s 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts season came to an end when he started on the interchange bench for Burleigh as they went down 23 – 16 to Sunshine Coast in the Preliminary Final.

In total in the 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition Eli Morgan played in nine matches two of which were finals. Eli Morgan made two starts in the second row, his second coming against Souths Logan in Round Sixteen with the remaining seven of his matches from the bench.

Eli Morgan also played four matches in the 2019 GCRL U18 Division One regular season competition, mostly off the bench for Burleigh and scoring his sole try against Ormeau.

Eli Morgan made his 2019 GCRL U20 debut in Round Nineteen when he started at lock for Burleigh against Helensvale for his sole match in that competition in 2019.

The strong tough hard running young Titans linked second rower was part of the Burleigh MM Cup in 2018 season as well as part of the Keebra Park rugby league side in their various schoolboy competitions including the GIO Cup. In 2017 Eli Morgan started from the interchange bench in Keebra Park’s National GIO Cup triumph.

In the MM Cup competition for Burleigh this season Eli Morgan was involved in three matches. He started Round One in the second row against the Sunshine Coast Falcons, in Round Three against Tweed Heads and in Round Four Eli Morgan started in the second row against Souths Logan.

Eli Morgan only played two matches for Burleigh this season in the Gold Coast Rugby League competition, one in the U17 Division One competition against Helensvale and one in the U19 competition against Bilambil.

In 2017 Eli Morgan was named in the 2017 Gold Coast Green U16 Vikings side for the 2017 season as well as playing for Burleigh in the GCJRL U16 Division One competition and performing strongly for the Keebra Park GIO Cup side including starting the Queensland Final on the wing. Eli Morgan also represented the Queensland U16 side in their tough 22 – 16 loss to New South Wales in a State of Origin curtain raiser.

Eli Morgan started off the 2017 season representing Gold Coast Vikings Green in the South East Queensland U16 pre-season competition scoring against Brisbane Blue. From there Eli Morgan was selected in the South East Queensland U16 side for the Queensland Age Championships. Eli Morgan was a standout scoring a double on Day One against Central, Day Two against Northern, Day Three against South East Queensland White and Eli Morgan also scored in the final in a 42 – 30 loss to SEQ White.

Eli Morgan played for Burleigh in the GCJRL U16 Division One competition, playing eleven matches in total, scoring six tries, including a double in the first match of the season against Helensvale, in Round Two Eli Morgan also scored against Runaway Bay. In a three game span in May Eli Morgan scored in every matches with those matches being against Ormeau, Runaway Bay and Ormeau once again.

From an attacking perspective, Eli Morgan has a wide running mindset for a backrower with a very good turn of speed once he breaks through the line. Like all good running backrowers though, he takes his share of runs in the middle of the ruck but he is impressive at running good lines on the fringes of the ruck and constantly picks the right holes to run into although he is not averse to running straight over people if the need arises either.

His determination is one aspect that enables him to be in the right place at the right time. He is a hard runner and does not give up on the run until the opposition puts him on the ground, as a consequence, he makes a lot more metres for his team than he has a right to and with his determination he will also on occasion break clear of the defenders totally. I would consider that he runs ‘tough’ with the ball in his hands.

For Burleigh, Eli Morgan defended both in the edge of the ruck and well as through the middle. Eli Morgan was quietly effective in both situations from both a quality and quantity perspective. His initial contact is solid and is more than enough to stop the momentum of the ball carrier and effect tackles one on one. He is also effective at wrapping the ball up and preventing offloads.

While Eli Morgan hits he hits hard, but I would not call it aggressive per say, but he is just tough in his approach to his defence. I do not necessarily think that Eli Morgan’s defensive work will stand out because he is not going to come up with a huge hit which will get the crowd on its feet, but Eli Morgan will do a lot of work and will likely always finish at or near the top of the tackle count regardless of the level and standard of football he is playing.

Eli Morgan will play the 2020 with the Burleigh Bears Hastings Deering’s Colts squad and will also be eligible for the Colts competition again in 2021.

I would also anticipate that Eli Morgan will also get an opportunity to play for Burleigh in the GCRL First Grade competition in 2020 a circumstance that the Titans have utilised on a number of occasions in recent seasons to great effect to acclimatise young players to the next level of competition.

Even though Eli Morgan played a couple of matches in the wing for Keebra Park in years past and in the centres in 2019 for Burleigh in both the MM Cup and Colts competitions, I can see no reason that Eli Morgan will move away from the second row position which is where he has played in recent seasons.

From a player comparison perspective for Eli Morgan, someone with a similar playing style that could be used for a comparison perspective would be the Brisbane Broncos backrower Alex Glenn as a strong hard running, hard tackling aggressive and effective backrower who can play for 80 minutes without the need for a break on the interchange bench which is becoming an increasingly rare commodity

mdrew

20-01-20, 05:38 PM

Trey Peni. (Revised) The Titans contracted Keebra Park student originally from the Rockingham Sharks in Western Australia is a classic example of why you should not be concerned about where a young player comes from but be only concerned about their ability on a football field and whether they can reach their full potential, Trey Peni has both area’s covered in spades and the proof is on display each weekend on Gold Coast Rugby League fields.

In late 2018 Trey Peni started in the centres and scored for the Titans U16’s as they defeated PNG 60 – 10 at Pizzey Park and in January of 2019 was part of the Titans U18 squad that played a trial in Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights U18 SG Ball squad.

Trey Peni started the 2019 season as part of the Burleigh Bears MM Cup side coming in to the side on the left wing in Round Three. In the Round Three match against local rivals the Tweed Heads Seagulls Trey Peni scored his first MM Cup try when he pounced on an inch perfect kick from Tweed Heads five eight Brodyn Gudgeon to score close to the left touch line in goal line.

In Round Four against the Townsville Blackhawks Trey Peni recorded a try assist when he took a cross field bomb to his left wing on the full a few metres out from the Townsville line and then under pressure was able to off-load to Eli Morgan who had looped around the back of him to score in the left corner.

In total for Burleigh in the 2019 MM Cup competition, Trey Peni played in four matches starting three on the wing and one, being Round Six in the centres against Wynnum Manly with Burleigh finishing their 2019 MM Cup season off on a high after beating the previously undefeated Seagulls 23 - 22.

Post the 2019 MM Cup competition, Trey Peni played Round One of the 2019 GCRL U18 Division One competition for Nerang scoring in that match as well.

Trey Peni received a deserved call-up to the Burleigh Colts Hastings Deering’s Cup side for their 2019 Round Nine match against Redcliffe and had an outstanding debut scoring a double from the right wing.

In relation to both of his tries, Trey Peni scored by positioning himself well by staying on the side line outside of his direct opponent and as a result having a direct path to the try line. Trey Peni was certainly happy to score his first try, pumping his fist even before crossing the try line. Trey Peni could have had a hat trick but the ball went to Jayden Campbell to score when it could have quite easily have gone to Trey Peni instead.

Trey Peni came back into the Burleigh Colts side starting on the right wing and scoring in Round Twenty against the Western Mustangs when he scored an easy try in the right corner after good work inside by the Burleigh playmakers including Cameron Brown and Jayden Campbell.

In total in the 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts regular season competition for Burleigh Trey Peni played in four matches starting all on the right wing scoring the three tries noted in the paragraph’s noted above.

Trey Peni’s 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts season came to an end when he started on the left wing for Burleigh as they went down 23 – 16 to Sunshine Coast in the Preliminary Final.

Trey Peni also performed well for Keebra Park in 2019, including scoring a double in their Round Two Langer Cup victory over Ipswich State High School and started on the right wing in the Langer Cup derby against PBC also scoring a double in the match with both tries coming in the second half.

Trey Peni’s first try came when he retrieved a chip kick and stepped inside the fullback to score and for his second try Trey Peni flew down the right touch line executing a dive to place the ball down in his right hand in the right corner of the field.

Trey Peni also started on the right wing for Keebra Park in their Queensland GIO Cup quarter final win over Coombabah State High School 42 – 12 and also started on the right wing in their tough loss to Wavell State High School in the their Queensland GIO Cup semi-final.

Trey Peni also represented South Coast at the 2019 U18 QSSRL Championships playing on the right wing at the Championships. Trey Peni scored on Day One against Northern in the right corner after outstanding lead up work by fellow Titan James Torrens on his inside.

South Coast went through the Championships undefeated including coming from behind to defeat Northern in the final 22 – 16. Trey Peni was subsequently named in the 2019 Queensland School boy’s side for the Australian U18 School boy Championships.
At the 2019 ASSRL U18 Championships Trey Peni started all of Queensland matches, including the Championship Final on the right wing, scoring in the 10th minute of the second half in Queensland’s second match of the Championships against New South Wales Combined High Schools.

Trey Peni played the 2018 season with the Nerang Roosters in the GCRL U16 Division One competition after moving in the off season from the Coomera Cutters and has started in the centres in all bar one of their matches, scoring five tries and kicking three goals to finish the season with an individual point’s haul of twenty six.

In Round One Trey Peni had an outstanding match scoring four tries and kicking two goals against Runaway Bay and in Round Four also scored a try against Burleigh.

Trey Peni started in the centres in both of Nerang’s 2018 Finals matches being in Week Two when Nerang defeated Currumbin 32 – 22 with Trey Peni converting one of Nerang’s five tries and the Grand Final which Nerang won defeating Currumbin again 24 – 8.

At the start of the 2017 season Trey Peni moved over to the Gold Coast to continue his flourishing rugby league career with Coomera Cutters in the GCRL U15 Division One competition and in 2018 played for the Gold Coast Vikings U16 white squad. In previous years Trey Peni has represented Western Australia at the U12 National Championships and has been a member of the West Coast Pirates Development Squad for a number of seasons.

For the Cutters in the U15 Division Once competition in 2017 Trey Peni played a number of positions including centre and fullback playing in ten matches scoring eight tries and kicking seven goals to finish with 46 points on the season.

Trey Peni had an outstanding start to the 2017 season, scoring seven of his eight tries in a three game stretch from late April to early May, in that span scoring a hat trick against Helensvale and doubles against Currumbin and Burleigh. Five of his seven goals also came in that period. Trey Peni’s other try came late in the season against Nerang.

The thing that stands out to me is that whilst he may not seem to be moving quickly Trey Peni clearly is, I cannot recall a game in any competition where he has either been run down by defenders or has been unable to support a team mate who has made a break and believe me some of the young backs at Logan Brothers have absolutely outstanding pace.

Receiving the ball early in the back line is where Trey Peni is best suited, when he receives the ball early with space to work with, he is adept at straightening the attack and then skipping to the outside of his opposite number of use his speed to break open the opposing defensive line.

Like his speed his lateral movement is exceptional. I am also impressed by the fact that he will get into dummy half regularly and even though he is running in the centre of the ruck, Trey Peni uses his quick twitch feet to get in between defending forwards and make more ground then you would think possible.

From a defensive perspective, his timing and anticipation are Trey Peni’s best attributes, he has developed an effective tackling technique in terms of coming out of the line to negate the opposition attack, Trey Peni will not aim of the big hit but he is effective at wrapping out the ball and preventing the play from developing further, his natural strength is a key attribute here.

Incredibly Trey Peni is still MM Cup eligible in 2020 and whilst he has been named in the Burleigh MM Cup squad it would not surprise if he bypasses that competition all together and starts the 2020 season with Burleigh in the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition.

Trey Peni’s ultimately position is a bit of an interesting one, he played a fair bit of second row in Western Australia and also when he initially arrived on the Gold Coast. The last couple of seasons however Trey Peni has played almost exclusively on the wing (bar one match in the centres in the 2019 MM Cup competition) and has been absolutely outstanding there. It is for that reason that in the end that wing seems where Trey Peni will stay for the duration of his rugby league career.

From a player comparison perspective for Trey Peni, think of someone along the lines of the South Sydney Rabbitoh and Queensland State of Origin centre or winger back Dane Gagai as a smooth moving player with a try scoring knack who is elusive and difficult to defend against as a result.

Trey Peni is one of a number of young players who have moved over from Western Australia to try their luck on the Gold Coast in recent seasons, including former Titans NYC half back Josh Rogers and 2018 Titans U18 winger Leevai Sutton and Trey Peni has been an outstanding addition to the Junior Rugby league ranks on the Gold Coast and at Keebra Park and has deservedly received NRL recognition from the Titans in their JTS Program as a result of his impressive on field performances over the last two seasons on the Gold Coast.

mdrew

20-01-20, 05:50 PM

Harvey Moase. The young Cudgen Hornets half represented the Group 18 U14 side in 2018 in the New South Wales Country Age Championships and post those Championships was selected as part of the Titans 2018/19 Group 18 U15 Development Squad.

In February 2019 Harvey Moase started at half back for one of the Titans two U15 sides in their round robin matches against each other and the Western Mustangs with the youngster leading his Titans side around well in very hot conditions.

Harvey Moase also started at half back for the Titans U15 side that defeated a Balmain U15 side 34 – 16 in early October producing an outstanding performance in Titans colours.

In September 2019 Harvey Moase was named the Group 18 U15 Player of the year after an outstanding season with the Cudgen Hornets U15 side and was also named the Group 18 Representative Player of the Year.

Late in the 2019 season Harvey Moase represented Group 18 at the U15 New South Wales Country Age Championships in Port Macquarie starting at half.

In 2019 Harvey Moase also represented the Northern region NSW CCC U15 rugby league side at their trials held in May in Sydney after the Kingscliff High School student stood out for the Far North Coast side in the Northern Trials.

In the 2018 U14 New South Wales Country Age Championships for Group 18 Harvey Moase started at half in all three of Group 18’s matches which were against Group’s 21, Four and Two kicking conversion against Group Two.

Harvey Moase has above average speed both off the mark which I would consider in the plus category and top end speed. Harvey Moase with his speed is able to exploit gaps in the defensive line with a very good step off either foot and incredible acceleration as well as outstanding body control.

Harvey Moase has very good timing on his passes and is able to weight them perfectly as well and can do so from either side of his body. Harvey Moase also runs with the ball in both hands which is another reason why the defensive line is unable to determine exactly what Harvey Moase is going to do.

Harvey Moase has a very good kick on him and also has good accuracy to go with the power that he generates. His kicking game suggests he will be a real 40/20 threat as he matures and progresses. Harvey Moase also gets his kicks away quickly thus not allowing the defenders to put an undue amount of pressure on him.

Harvey Moase does have some subtly though in his kicking, he is adept at grubber kicking into the opposition in goal line as well as putting appropriate weight on his chip kicks, in an effort to get a repeat set of tackles. In short he is a very good tactical kicker, who is above average in all aspects and flashes plus ability in a few attributes such as range and weighting of the kicks.

Defensively Harvey Moase is a very strong young man with solid functional strength to go along with an innate understanding of the attacking strategies of rugby league thus he is able to anticipate what an attacking side is looking to do with the ball and then be in the best position to negate it. Harvey Moase also has a very good low tackling technique which is simple and effective against all size opponents.

Harvey Moase will play the 2020 season with the Cudgen Hornets in the Group 18 U16 competition and will be in line to represent the 2020 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad that should once again be a very impressive side.

With his ability to see the entire field as if he has a bird eye view of it and his ability to guide and direct his side around the field, adhering precisely to the game plan, Harvey Moase is ideally to controlling a side from the half back position.

Harvey Moase definitely reminds me of Sydney Roosters five eight Brock Lamb. Like Lamb, Harvey Moase is composed under pressure, with an above average kicking game, both tactical and attacking and underrated running and passing skills

mdrew

20-01-20, 06:20 PM

Carsil Vaikai. (Revised) The big strong young Titans contracted Runaway Bay Seagull second rower or lock continues to develop his game at an exceptional rate over the course of the 2018 rugby league season. From a trivia perspective Carsil Vaikai was earlier this year selected in the Australian Mixed Netball side highlighting his stamina and athleticism.

Carsil Vaikai is contracted to the Titans until the end of the 2021 season and will be part of the Titans Rookie Squad that will play the Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup side in early February.

In January of 2019 Carsil Vaikai started at lock for the Titans U18 side in their Coffs Harbour match against Newcastle and scored an outstanding first half try when he barged over carrying two or three Knights forwards with him from around ten metres out.

Carsil Vaikai also started at lock for the Titans U18 side in their big win over PNG at Pizzey Park in early October.

In May 2019 Carsil Vaikai was selected in the Queensland U18 side for their annual match against their New South Wales counter parts in a State or Origin curtain raiser where he started from the bench coming on late in the first half playing in the backrow.

In the Interstate U18 match Carsil Vaikai played twenty five minutes, running for ten metres and made ten tackles at a 90.9% tackling efficiency.

Carsil Vaikai started at lock in Round One of the 2019 MM Cup competition as Tweed Heads smashed the Western Mustangs 58 – 18 in a one sided affair with Carsil Vaikai being particularly effective defensively.

In total in the 2019 MM Cup competition, Carsil Vaikai captained all eight of Tweed Heads matches starting all in at lock in all including both their semi-final against Souths Logan and Grand Final victory over Wynnum Manly. In the 2019 MM Cup Player of the season voting Carsil Vaikai finished with three votes.

In the Grand Final Carsil Vaikai was simply outstanding leading from the front as he was in the National U18 Grand Final leading Tweed Heads to a big win against the Illawarra Steelers.

Carsil Vaikai played fifty seven minutes in the National Final, running for 145 metres (forty seven post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.64 seconds and made fourteen tackles at a tackling efficiency of 73.7%.

Carsil Vaikai made his Hastings Deering’s Colts debut in Round Eleven of 2019 for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Northern Pride. After originally being named on the bench, Carsil Vaikai in fact started the match at hooker, acquitting himself well in that role for the first twenty minutes before reverting to the backrow for the remainder of the match.

Unfortunately for Carsil Vaikai the match was his only Hastings Deering’s Colts match of the 2019 season.

Carsil Vaikai played for the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup side in 2018 playing in six of their seven matches, including their semi-final loss to eventual champions South’s Logan. Carsil Vaikai started at lock in the Seagulls first four matches, before missing Round Six. Carsil Vaikai came back into the side in Round Seven off the bench and also came off the bench against Souths Logan in Tweed Heads semi-final loss.

Carsil Vaikai scored one try in the MM Cup competition which came in Round Three against the Burleigh Bears. On that occasion, Carsil Vaikai received the ball from the dummy half to the left of the play the ball and crashed over from around ten metres out carrying two Burleigh defenders across the line with him.

Post the MM Cup competition, Carsil Vaikai played for Runaway Bay in the Gold Coast Rugby League U17 Division One completion.

In total in the U17 Division One competition in 2018 Carsil Vaikai played in ten matches four of which were finals matches. Carsil Vaikai started all ten of his U17 Division One matches at lock.

In Week One of the Finals series Runaway Bay defeated Tweed Heads 42 -14 and won again in Week Two 24 – 18 against Ormeau with Carsil Vaikai starting both of those finals at lock.

Carsil Vaikai picked a great time to scored his first and only try of the U17 Division One season when he scored in Runaway Bay’s 34 – 22 Preliminary Final victory over Burleigh.

Unfortunately for Carsil Vaikai and Runaway Bay they ran into a red hot Currumbin side in the U17 Division One Grand Final going down 30 – 10 to an Eagles side that contained amongst others fellow Titans contracted 17 year old Noah Gafa.

Carsil Vaikai was also part of the Coombabah State High School Opens side that made the Queensland Cup Quarter Finals after a one point win over fellow Gold Coast School Marymount College 17 - 16.

Carsil Vaikai moved to Runaway Bay from Helensvale at the start of the 2017 season, and played the majority of the 2017 season with Runaway Bay in the U16 Division One competition, but also played four matches in the U17 Division One competition where he made an immediate impact.

In the U16 Division One competition in 2017 Carsil Vaikai played in fourteen matches scoring his sole try against his former club in July and in the last regular season round Carsil Vaikai converted a late Runaway Bay try.

Carsil Vaikai also played four matches in the 2017 U17 Division One competition and across those four matches scored three tries including a try on debut against Burleigh and also tries against Ormeau and Helensvale. On all four occasions that Carsil Vaikai played in the U17 competition he was backing up after playing in the U16 competition earlier in the night.

Carsil Vaikai was also part of the Gold Coast Vikings Green U16 side that played in the 2017 U16 pre-season competition, scoring against Ipswich in Week Four in a tough 42 – 6 loss. Carsil Vaikai scored in Week Three when Gold Coast Green defeated Brisbane Grey at North Ipswich Reserve.

Carsil Vaikai had a solid season in 2016, at club, schoolboy and representative level, including representing the South Coast U15 side at the QSSRL State U15 championships. For his Helensvale Hornets club side he crossed for three tries in eight matches in the U15 Division One competition, with the tries coming against Runaway Bay, Beaudesert and eventual premiers Burleigh. He also played one match up at the U16 Division One level also against eventual premiers Burleigh in May 2016.

As noted Carsil Vaikai was selected in the 2016 South Coast U15 side that went through the U15 QSSRL competition undefeated through their four matches in the competition. Other Titans linked members of the U15 South Coast side included five eight Jessie Brasslin. Carsil Vaikai also started in the second row when the Titans U15 side were narrowly defeated 22 – 18 by a Balmain Tigers side in a trial game on the Gold Coast.

Carsil Vaikai runs exceptionally hard but with a degree of subtlety to his running style, and he will not just run upright, he will drop his should into the defender making it difficult if not impossible for him to be stopped easily or by a single defender. Due to his speed and size, when he is running on the fringes of the ruck, he as handful and also has a very good fend.

When playing in the second row, Carsil Vaikai seemed from my perspective to play on the left side of the ruck on the majority of occasions, including in representative matches. Whilst he is also very effective taking hit ups in the centre of the ruck, when you have someone with his size and speed, I think that getting him to run a little wider is a more effective utilisation of his skill set both from an individual and team perspective.

Carsil Vaikai also has some off-loading skills both in terms of off-loading prior to contact with the defensive line as well as when he is in contact with it.

In terms of his speed, I would consider it above average for a second rower but it would be considered plus for front rower, in short Carsil Vaikai is a very good athlete, with size, strength, speed and power. If he is not tackled around the legs, Carsil Vaikai’s strength means that he will continue to make ground after contact due to his never say die attitude.

Defensively Carsil Vaikai hits very hard and usually aims for just under the ribs and is certainly someone opposing forwards look for when running the ball up and is adept at making sure the opposition do not get quick play the balls.

Carsil Vaikai defends in the centre of the ruck and seems best suited in the long run defending there and adds a degree of intimidation to any forward pack he plays for as a result of his aggressive tackling style.

Carsil Vaikai really does know how to tackle effectively, as he sets a strong base to create the necessary leverage to defend against larger forwards. Throw in a touch of aggression and you have someone who can dominate a game defensively and is able to seal off one side of the ruck on his own for stretches of a game.

Carsil Vaikai will play the 2020 season in the Tweed Heads U20 Hastings Deering’s Colts side and potentially get an opportunity or two in the Queensland Cup and is U20 eligible again in 2021.

From a long term position perspective I believe that Carsil Vaikai ultimately stays at lock. Carsil Vaikai can certainly play in the front row or second row now, and play very well, but I would much prefer for him to play exclusively at lock or in the second row for the near future to take advantage of his speed and hard running on the fringes of the ruck especially the great outside shoulder route that he has in his attacking ****nal.

I will admit that it was interesting to see Carsil Vaikai play in the dummy half role in his U20 Colts debut against the Northern Pride and whilst not for a second do I believe that he will end up at hooker, if Carsil Vaikai can spend some minutes at hooker over the course of a match, he becomes an even more valuable commodity to the Titans.

From a player comparison perspective, consider someone along the lines of the former St George Dragon, New South Wales State of Origin and Australian International lock Jack De Bellin as a big strong mobile forward who hits the defensive line hard when running the ball as well as the opposition when they are running the ball.

mdrew

20-01-20, 06:39 PM

Noah Gafa. (Revised) The young centre is deservedly part of the Titans JTS program, signing a deal during 2017 and continues to go from strength to strength.

In January of 2019 Noah Gafa started at right centre for the Tians U18’s in their match against the Newcastle Knights. Midway through the first half however when Will Evans moved to fullback, Noah Gafa moved to right centre where he remained for the duration of the match.

Noah Gafa also started at left centre for the Titans U18 side in their big win over PNG at Pizzey park in early October and was one of multiple Titans try scorers in the match when he crossed untouched after running an inside shoulder route from close range (ten metres).

After missing Round One Noah Gafa started Round Two of the 2019 MM Cup competition on the wing for Tweed Heads against the Townsville Blackhawks and certainly made an impact including scoring the final try of the match to ensure that Tweed Heads came away from the game on the winning side.

In the Round Three MM Cup local derby against Burleigh Noah Gafa scored for the second match in a row. Playing left centre Noah Gafa split the Burleigh defence from about fifty five metres out and was just too quick for the cover defence to score out wide for the Seagulls first try of the match in their close victory over their local rivals.

Noah Gafa missed the remainder of the MM Cup competition post the Round Three derby.

After missing a number of weeks through injury Noah Gafa made his way back onto the field in Round Eight of the GCRL U18 Division One competition starting on the bench for Burleigh against Tugun. Noah Gafa made his first start of the season in Round Nine lining up in the centres against Currumbin.

In total for Burleigh in the 2019 GCRL U18 Division One regular season competition Noah Gafa played in five regular season matches scoring his first try and only try in the regular season rounds in Round Thirteen against Bilambil.

Noah Gafa started in the centres for Burleigh in their 34 -4 U18 Division One Week Two Finals victory over Southport 34 – 4 to progress directly to the Grand Final.

Noah Gafa started the Grand Final against Southport at left centres scoring twice in Burleigh’s 28 – 12 win.

Both of Noah Gafa’s tries came from short range in the second half, on each occasions the Burleigh dummy half’s (Try One – Lachlan Adamson, Try Two – Dakota Whalan) took the ball down a short blind side and passed to Noah Gafa who powered onto the ball on both occasions to score, for the first try Noah Gafa was able to bring the ball all of the way around to score under the posts.

Noah Gafa made his first Hastings Deering’s Colts appearance of the 2019 season in Round Nineteen when he started in the centres against the Mackay Cutters and also started in the centres in Round Twenty against the Ipswich Jets and in Round Twenty Three against the Northern Pride when he started at right centre.

Prior to the 2018 Gold Coast Rugby League season proper, Noah Gafa was part of the 2018 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad playing in all seven of their matches including their final against South’s Logan. Noah Gafa started his first five matches in the centres before starting from the interchange bench in Round Seven against Easts and then again in the semi-final against South’s Logan.

In the 2018 MM Cup competition Noah Gafa scored two tries, coming against the Victorian Thunderbolts in Round two and against the Townsville Blackhawks in Round Five.

Noah Gafa made his Hastings Deering’s Colts debut for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in Round Sixteen of the 2018 season against Burleigh starting in the centres and started on the wing in Round Seventeen against Wynnum Manly scoring two tries in an impressive display especially when you are talking about a 17 year old playing against 20 year olds.

Noah Gafa also started on the wing in Round Eighteen against Souths Logan and in the centres in Round Twenty against the Mackay Cutters in round out his four Colts matches this season.

For Currumbin in the 2018 Gold Coast Rugby League U17 Division One competition, Noah Gafa made on outstanding start starting in the centres in each of his six matches and scoring a total of nine tries along the way.

Noah Gafa scored a hat trick against Tweed Heads in Round Five and has also scored against Mudgeeraba, Helensvale, Ormeau and Bilambil in the opening four rounds to lead the U17 Division One try scoring list. Noah Gafa’s other regular season try came against Burleigh in Round Six.

Noah Gafa was heavily involved in Currumbin’s final’s campaign which culminated with Noah Gafa starting in the second row in the Grand Final with Currumbin prevailing 30 – 10 over a Runaway Bay side which was led by fellow Titans contracted youngster Carsil Vaikai.

Noah Gafa scored one of his nine tries in the finals crossing in Week Two of the finals in a 32 – 22 Currumbin win over Burleigh.

Noah Gafa was also in outstanding form for PBC in 2018 including being involved in their matches against Keebra Park 22 – 20 win, Ipswich State High School 24 – 18 win and Marsden State High School 38 – 10 win in the Langer Cup competition when he started at left centre and scored two second half tries.

Noah Gafa was also involved in PBC’s Queensland GIO Cup Quarter Final and semi-final victories, including scoring a double in the semi-final victory over Ignatius Park. Noah Gafa’s first try came early in the first half when he ran an outside shoulder route close to the try line and received a good ball from hooker Jed Edwards to crash over.

Noah Gafa’s second try came late in the second half. After a break from PBC half Thomas Dearden, Noah Gafa backed up to receive the pass from Dearden and outpaced the defence to score untouched.

In the Queensland GIO Cup final against Kirwan State High School Noah Gafa started at left centre, partnering fellow Titans contracted player Will Evans as PBC overcame Kirwan State High School 32 – 26 to qualify for the National GIO Cup Final. In a great sign for the Titans both Noah Gafa and Will Evans scored doubles in the win with one of the tries the two combining for Noah Gafa to cross out wide in the second half.

Noah Gafa started at left centre for PBC in the GIO Cup National Final against Patrician Brothers College Blacktown with PBC becoming National GIO Cup Championships with a 20 – 12 win.
Post the National GIO Cup final Noah Gafa was part of the PBC touring side that went to Fiji and was part of the PBC side that defeated a Fijian U18 side, fellow Titan Will Evans was also in the PBC side that won by around thirty odd points.
In the 2017 U16 GCJRL Division One competition, Noah Gafa scored 38 points for the Currumbin Eagles which has come from eight tries and three goals. All three of Noah Gafa’s goals came in the one match in June against the Ormeau Shearers. From a try scoring perspective, Noah Gafa had a great run of four matches from April 28 to May 26 where he scored in all four matches which, in order, where against Ormeau, Runaway Bay, Helensvale and against Ormeau a second time.

Noah Gafa also scored a hat trick against Burleigh in August against Burleigh and the match prior to that scored against Helensvale. Currumbin were the deserved Grand Final winners in the 2017 GCJRL U16 Division One competition, with Noah Gafa starting in the second row in their 34 – 4 Grand Final victory over Burleigh.

In 2017 Noah Gafa was also a key member of the PBC Open Rugby League side that performed so will in the GIO Cup competition and in fact he scored in their tough Queensland GIO Cup semi-final loss to Marsden State High School 22 – 20.

Earlier in 2017 season, Noah Gafa was selected in the Gold Coast Vikings Green U16 side for their South East Queensland U16 pre-season competition and in 2013 Noah Gafa was selected in the Queensland U12 side with fellow Titan Alofiana Khan-Periera.

For a centre Noah Gafa is a big strong young man who does not rely just on his size and speed and using his natural running balance to either engage the opposing defenders and off load, run either an inside or outside shoulder route or an in and away to slow the forward momentum of the defender and accelerate on the outside.

For a player of his size, Noah Gafa also has a very good passing game especially to his left side. When the ball is passed out to the back line, Noah Gafa is very good at straitening up the attacking vector of his team and pass to his outside supports if they have room to move further out wide.

From a speed perspective has above average to plus speed for both his size and position and when he breaks into open space, he will not be caught from behind other than from only the quickest of opponents and he is also very good at positioning his support players when he gets to the fullback. The only possible question about Noah Gafa’s speed is whether it will stay at or near the plus category as he matures and inevitably fills out.

Defensively Noah Gafa uses his size to good effect, he drives with his shoulder into his opponent and has very good timing in terms of when to come out of the line and certainly has the speed to readjust and chase if his timing is slightly off and his opposing centre gets on his outside.

Other defenders key off Noah Gafa in terms of whether to use an up and in methodology and slide to the outside. Noah Gafa on an individual level has the body control to redirect quickly and mirror the movement of the opposing attackers and anticipate what vector the attack comes from and innately understands when to allow the attacking play to develop in from of him and when to come out of the line to disrupt the attacking play prior to its formation.

Noah Gafa has two years of Colts eligibility starting in 2020 and without a doubt will be one of the first players selected for the Tweed Heads Seagulls Hastings Deering’s Colts squad.

From a position perspective, Noah Gafa has played well in the centres in recent seasons including this season for Tweed Heads in the MM Cup competition and Burleigh where he has played left centre, but there is just something about the way that Noah Gafa plays that suggests that he will ultimately end up in the second row but not necessarily for a few years though.

As a young player Noah Gafa seemingly has it all, size, strength, size and power and uses those attributes to his advantage on a football field. For me a current rugby league player with similar attributes and a similar playing style is Manly’s backrower Joel Thompson, as a big strong player who can transition between centre and second row.

I think that just like Joel Thompson, Noah Gafa’s skill set will ultimately play better in the second row over the long term but that is definitely not set in stone by any stretch of the imagination that Noah Gafa needs to move from the centres, he has certainly provided that this season.

mdrew

20-01-20, 06:52 PM

Ben Liyou. (Revised) He is a young player from the Grafton Ghosts who last year signed a two year deal with the Titans which saw him move to the Gold Coast continue his rugby league career at the start of 2019.

Ben Liyou is currently training with the Tweed Heads Seagulls and will be part of the Titans Rookie Squad that will play the Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup side in early February.

In early 2019 Ben Liyou started from the bench for the Titans U18’s in their match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights U18 SG Ball squad which ended five tries all.

When he came on mid-way through the first half, Ben Liyou started on the left side of the field but moved over to the right side for the second half.

Ben Liyou was more than solid defensively in the match, covering across field well and even though he was not the biggest forward on the field, he initial contact was more than impressive.

With the ball Ben Liyou ran a couple of very good outside shoulder routes when he was operating on the right side of the field in the second half.

Ben Liyou started in the unfamiliar front row position for the 2019 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup side in their 58 – 18 Round One victory over the Western Mustangs.

Ben Liyou’s first 2019 MM Cup try came in Round Three against Burleigh. Tweed Heads five eight Kade Hill put in a grubber kick for Ben Liyou to follow through and dive on to score under the posts with the ball very close to the dead ball line.

In total in the 2019 MM Cup competition, Ben Liyou played in all nine of Tweed Heads matches starting all in the front row including their semi-final and Grand Final victory over Wynnum Manly and their U18 National Final victory against Illawarra 48 – 12 (no head gear in the National Final however that meant it took a minute for me to pick him out).

Ben Liyou played thirty nine minutes in the National Final against Illawarra, running for ninety nine metres (forty post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 3.56 seconds and made a team leading nineteen tackles at a tackling efficiency of an impressive 95%.

Ben Liyou made his Hastings Deering’s Colts debut in Round Eleven against the Northern Pride starting the match in the front row, playing significant minutes in Tweed Head’s 35 – 16 victory and also started in the front row in Round Twelve.

Ben Liyou also started in the in the front row in Round Thirteen against the Sunshine Coast Falcons, scoring his first try when he ran hard and straight to crash over just to the left of the uprights after receiving the ball around nine metres out from the line.

In total in the 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition, Ben Liyou played in twelve matches (in a row) including their Elimination Final loss to Mackay, starting all in the front row and as noted above scored in Round Thirteen against Sunshine Coast.

Impressively Ben Liyou also spent some time training with the Titans NRL side in 2019 which clearly shows the high regard the Titans hold him in. At the 2019 Titans NRL Awards night Ben Liyou was awarded the inaugural Titans TEDS award.

In late 2018 Ben Liyou was part of the Titans U18 side that won matches against PNG and New South Wales Country U18’s starting in the second row on both occasions and in those matches spent some time playing on the left side of the field instead of playing on the right where he played for the Grafton Ghosts and Northern Rivers earlier in 2018.

Early in 2018 Ben Liyou was part of the North Coast U18 Laurie Daley Cup side starting in the second row in all four of their matches and scoring one try which came against Northern Rivers in Round Two.

Ben Liyou was one of the North Coast’s standout players across the Championships constantly challenging the defensive line, normally operating on the right side of the field.

Ben Liyou had been a Grafton Ghosts player throughout his entire career and that did not change in 2018. Ben Liyou started the season in the U18 Group two competition and at just 17 years old made his Tooheys New Group Two First Grade debut in Round Three against the Macksville Sea Eagles.

Ben Liyou made his Group two First Grade debut playing left centre even though he has been playing in the second row exclusively over the last couple of seasons.

Post his debut Ben Liyou made three additional Group Two First Grade appearances and in Round Ten in a big win against Macksville had a try assist late in the first half when he broke through the line and set up half Jake Frame for a try on the cusp of half time.

In the 2018 U18 Group Two competition, Ben Liyou played in eight matches, scoring six tries and kicking two goals for a points tally on the season to date of 28. Ben Liyou scored a double in Round One against local rivals the South Grafton Rebels, also kicking his season’s two goals in the match. He also scored a double against the Rebels in a 33 – 12 Round Nine win.

Ben Liyou’s other two tries came against Bellingen in Round Five and in Round Six against the league leaders and previously undefeated Coffs harbour side.

In October 2017 Ben Liyou was also awarded the Aquinas Titans Sportsperson of the Year award at a gala dinner at the Southport Yacht Club showcasing the esteem that he is held in at the Titans.

Ben Liyou played the 2017 season at the U16.5 level for the Ghosts as well as playing three matches at the U18 level for Grafton in the Group Two U18 competition. Ben Liyou also attended a Titans Elite Academy session that was held at Lennox Heads late in 2017, another Grafton Ghost in centre Jake Martin was also an attendee.

Ben Liyou was also part of the East Coast Dolphins U16 side that performed well at the New South Wales Country Championships making the Championship final and as a result was selected for the U16 New South Wales Country side that played two matches in New Zealand as part of a South Island Tour. The NSW Country U16 side won both of their tour matches.

Previously Ben Liyou has represented the Titans in a number of development squad matches including in 2014 when he came off the bench in a match against a Samoan side playing in the second row.

With his try and two goals in a Grafton Ghosts 24-4 win over Ballina Ben Liyou finished the U16.5 regular season competition as the leading point’s scorer with 62 points from ten matches. Ben Liyou scored eight tries and kicked fifteen goals. From a try scoring perspective Ben Liyou scored doubles against Casino RSM in June and also against Ballina in July. Ben Liyou also started in the second row in Grafton’s two finals matches against Clarence Coast and the Grand Final against Casino RSM.

As a 16 year old Ben Liyou also played three matches for the Grafton Ghosts U18 side in the Group Two competition, with his U18 debut coming in April against the Sawtell Panthers. His other two games were against Sawtell again in June and Coffs Harbour in July 2017.

In the U16 New South Wales Country Championships Ben Liyou scored three tries in their way to the Final where the East Coast Dolphins U16 side lost in extra time to the Western Rams. In that Grand Final Ben Liyou started in the second row and another Titans linked youngster Kade Hill started at half. Ben Liyou scored a double in the East Coast Dolphins 44-0 semi-final win over the Bidgee Bulls and he also scored in Round One against the Central Coast.

In 2016 Ben Liyou was the U15 Group One’s top try scorer with 18 tries from 12 matches to finish five tries clear of the next highest try scorer. Ben Liyou also started at lock for the Group One U15 representative side that had some good wins over the course of the New South Wales Country Age Championships. Ben Liyou has previous experience in a Titans jersey when he came off the bench in late 2015 in a U14 contest against Samoa.

For the Ghosts in the U15 competition, Ben Liyou started off the season with a bang scoring seven tries in the first three rounds, including a four try haul against Kyogle and a double against Minor Premiers Clarence Coast. Over the course of the season, Ben Liyou scored five other doubles which came against Ballina on three separate occasions, Lismore Marist Brothers and Kyogle. In April Ben Liyou also played one match at the U16.5 age group against Kyogle backing up after playing in the U15’s earlier in the day.

Ben Liyou is a tall rangy type of player with a solid passing game, which is understandable due to his experience at five eight, from my perspective his passing to his right hand side is a little better than to his left. Where he excels though is his running with the ball, as noted he is a tall young man who really did dominate opposing backline line defences and regularly carried opposing players with him before off-loading to his support players.

Ben Liyou’s speed is quite good for his height and has the body shape to add additional muscle mass without compromising either his straight line speed or his mobility with or without the ball in his hands.

In an U13 Titans development squad game against Samoa in late 2015 and considering he conceded a lot of weight to the opposition, he was very effective and making ground, mainly on the fringes of the ruck, where he used his footwork to get between defenders and make ground. The development squad game was a tough game and even with the step up in overall class of the game, Ben Liyou did well.

The only issue for his defence is that due to his height he needs to make sure he does not let his tackles slip up too high when defending against smaller opposition and in the Group One competition he had no problem at all dealing with opposition forwards running on the fringes of the ruck.

In the development squad game, he obviously defended in the centre of the ruck and showed a quite decent low tackling technique and held his own even though he conceded weight to the opposing forward pack. The technique that Ben Liyou showed in that game has only been developed and refined in the subsequent years.

Ben Liyou will play the 2020 season in a Tweed Heads Seagulls jersey in the Hastings Deering’s Colts jersey and will also be Colts eligible in 2021. I know that it is a big call but I think that in 2020 Ben Liyou is also a realistic chance of playing in the Queensland Cup and I would think that he may also play in some of the Titans 2020 NRL trials as well such is the regard that he is held in by the Titans and the fact that he will likely spend the upcoming off season training with the Titans NRL squad.

Ben Liyou’s Titans contact expires at the end of the 2020 season but I am sure that he will push for a new contract with his performances come the early rounds of the 2020 season with the Tweed Heads Seagulls in either the Queensland Cup or Hastings Deering’s Colts competitions.

From a position perspective, as noted Ben Liyou played a significant amount of rugby league at five eight in his junior career, but I can really see him moving to the second row as a permanent one into the future.

I note that Ben Liyou played the majority of the 2019 season in the front row but I think that his future definitely lies in the second row.

From a player comparison perspective think along the lines of someone like South Sydney veteran John Sutton as a player who played a lot of their junior football at five eight before transitioning to the back row and developing into a solid ball playing forward who can pop a short pass to his supports both prior to the line and when engaged with the defensive line as well as defending effectively.

Make no mistake however Ben Liyou also has the ability to break the defensive line himself through hard running and just as importantly running the correct line including both an inside shoulder and outside shoulder line as was evidenced against the Newcastle Knights in January 2019.

Ben Liyou also has outstanding leaderships and presents not just as a potential NRL game day captain one day but an NRL overall club or representative level captain as well.

mdrew

20-01-20, 07:22 PM

Caleb Hodges. (Revised) Caleb Hodges is currently training with the Titans Rookie Squad as well as training with the Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup squad for the 2020 seasonand will be part of the Titans Rookie Squad that will play the Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup side in early February.

The centre who is contracted to the Titans until the end of 2021 is one of a number of Titans players who were outstanding for the highly successful 2019 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup side.

Caleb Hodges started at left centre for the 2019 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup side’s Round One victory over the Western Mustangs 58 – 18 with Caleb Hodges scoring a first half try. Caleb Hodges ran fifty metres down the left touchline to score after receiving a great ball from five eight Toby Sexton and then was able to bring the ball around to near the posts.

Caleb Hodges scored the winning try in the last minute in Round Three against Burleigh when he pouched on a great grubber kick by Tweed Heads five eight Kade Hill to score out wide to seal a great Seagulls comeback.

Caleb Hodges also scored a late try in Round Four against the Central Queensland Capra’s when playing at left centre received a cut out lob pass from five eight Kade Hill to score out wide.

Tweed Heads had to win well in their Round Six match against the Mackay Cutters which they did 72 – 0 with Caleb Hodges crossing once again. Playing left centre, Caleb Hodges ran a good line into a gap and was presented with a great pass from left second rower Brendan Paiakura.

In the Tweed Heads Seagulls semi-final win against Souths Logan, Caleb Hodges once again crossed. After good inside work from Solomon Torrens Caleb Hodges took the ball on the left with little room to move, but after getting outside his direct opponent was able to streak down the left touchline to somehow get the ball down right in the left corner under heavy pressure.

Caleb Hodges was also outstanding at left centre in Tweed Heads Grand Final victory over Wynnum Manly, as he was in the National U18 Grand Final against Illawarra when he added another try to his resume. For the try, Caleb Hodges flashed down the left touch line before cutting inside the Illawarra fullback to score out wide on the left of the field.

Caleb Hodges played the entire seventy minutes in the National Final, running for ninety seven metres (twenty eight post contact) broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.33 seconds and made fourteen tackles at a tackling efficiency of 61%.

Caleb Hodges in 2019 was once again part of the PBC Open A rugby league side including starting at left centre in the Langer Cup derby against Keebra Park in June.

Caleb Hodges also started at left centre for PBC in their Queensland GIO Cup quarter final win over St Mary’s High School Toowoomba 50 – 6 scoring an outstanding first half try in the match.

From a set of six after a St Mary’s drop out (Caleb Hodges in fact made the tackle in the in goal to force the drop out) Caleb Hodges ran into a gap around forty metres out with his speed and power far too much for the St Mary’s fullback to handle.

Caleb Hodges was a solid performer for PBC at left centre in their tough Gold Point loss in the Queensland GIO Cup semi-final loss to Marsden State High School.

Caleb Hodges made his Hastings Deering’s Colts debut In Round Twenty Three against the Northern Pride starting at left centre and scoring in the 23rd minute of the match as Tweed Heads qualified for the finals on the back of a 36 – 10 win.

Caleb Hodges ran a straight crash line from his left centre and smashed through one tackle before scoring around five metres from the left corner post. The straight crash line is one of the hardest one to run as it is anticipated that you are going to get hit hard, but Caleb Hodges proved his courage and strength to score on debut.

Caleb Hodges played his second Hastings Deering’s Colts match for Tweed Heads Week One Elimination Final loss to the Mackay Cutters 23 – 10 starting at left centre.

In early 2019 Caleb Hodges was part of the Titans U18’s in their match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights U18 SG Ball squad which ended five tries all.

2019 also saw Caleb Hodges start at left centre for the Titans U18 side in their match against North Queensland that was played as the curtain raiser to the Titans/ Warriors NRL match in June.

Also in 2019 Caleb Hodges was selected in the South Coast U18 side for the QSSRL U18 Championships after playing in the centres in the trials. Caleb Hodges primarily played left centre for South Coast in the U18 QSSRL Championships.

South Coast went through the Championships undefeated including coming from behind to defeated Northern in the final 22 – 16. Caleb Hodges was subsequently named in the Queensland School boy’s side for the Australian School boy Championships.

At the 2019 ASSRL U18 Championships, Caleb Hodges started all of Queensland matches on the left wing including the semi-final against New South Wales Combined Independent Schools when he scored a first half try highlighting his speed and evasive qualities.
The former Group 18 (NSW) centre or winger had an outstanding 2018 season including starting on the wing for the PBC School Boy side that won the GIO Cup National Final against Patrician Brothers College Blacktown.

Caleb Hodges also started from the bench for PBC in the Queensland GIO Cup Final against Kirwan State High School and also having a hand in the success of the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup side in the 2018 season.

Caleb Hodges joined the Tweed Heads MM Cup squad and PBC in 2018 with an impressive pedigree including representing the U16 New South Wales Indigenous side in 2017 where he started in the second row and also representing Group 18 on numerous occasions in the junior age levels.

Caleb Hodges played his club rugby league in the 2017 season for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the U16 Group 18 competition, with a team mate being Jordan Tauali’i.

For the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the MM Cup competition in 2018, Caleb Hodges played in four matches scoring for two tries. Caleb Hodges scored his first try in Round Six against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls and also scored in Tweed Heads semi-final against Souths Logan.

Caleb Hodges was named to start on the interchange bench in Round One but did not make the final 17 but came into the Tweed Heads side in Round Five against the Townsville Blackhawks and stayed in the side for the remainder of the season.

Caleb Hodges started from the interchange bench in Rounds Five and Six and in the centres for Round Seven and the semi-final. Interesting Caleb Hodges was named to start at hooker in Round Six against Wynnum Manly but ended starting from the bench instead in that match.

Caleb Hodges played his club rugby league on the Gold Coast with the Bilambil Jets and in 2018 played in three grades for the Northern New South Wales based club.

In the U17 Division One competition, Caleb Hodges played in four matches for Bilambil scoring against Ormeau. Caleb Hodges also made two appearances in the GCRL U19 competition with those matches being against Burleigh and Currumbin.

Caleb Hodges made his Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade debut in May of 2018 when he came on against Tugun.

Caleb Hodges was a regular for the PBC Open side’s 2018 GIO Cup campaign starting from the bench in their Queensland GIO Cup final victory over Kirwan State High School and moved to the starting side on the left wing for the GIO Cup National Final against Patrician Brothers College Blacktown with PBC running out 20 – 12 winners to be crowned the 2018 GIO Cup National Champions.

Caleb Hodges’s style of play is that of a powerful wide running centre or back rower with above average speed for the position. I would actually argue that in fact a better definition of his speed would be well above average to plus.

Caleb Hodges is quite quick off the mark, but what makes him even more impressive from a speed perspective is that when he gets into space, he has an extra gear again which is a plus attribute for such a strong powerful second rower, making it almost impossible for the cover defence to catch him once he is open space.

Couple those two aspects with a very good fend and you have a big strong powerful young player who can cause nightmares for any defensive line. Caleb Hodges seems to line up on the left side of the field more so than the right, but I have no doubt moving forward that he will be able to play on either side of the field, he seems to be just so skilful.

For a player of his size, he runs with pace, strength and power every time he touches the ball during a game. For a young player, Caleb Hodges seems to have a good understanding of when to off load the ball, currently most of his off loads occur when he is part way through the defensive line and can get his right arm free to pass to his outside support runners.

Caleb Hodges is aggressive in defence whether he is defending in the centre of the ruck or on the fringes, and due to his natural strength is more than capable of defending one on one and can and will stop even the biggest opposing forwards in their tracks and targets the area around where the attackers carry the football.

Caleb Hodges’s speed and lateral movement means that he will not be beaten by light stepping halves trying to take advantage of tiring forwards or the opposition running out of dummy half.

Defensively Caleb Hodges has a very good low tackling technique, he is by no means a big player but his defensive low tackling technique is very good, he can defend opposing centres one on one, and is one of the better low tacklers I have seen in junior rugby league. Tackling around the legs seems to have become a lost art, but when done right it is in my opinion it is still the most effective way of defending.

Caleb Hodges signed a recent deal with the Titans that will keep him on the Gold Coast until the end of the 2021 season. Currently Caleb Hodges is training with the Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup squad and whilst it is likely that he will start the 2020 season with the Seagulls Hastings Deering’s Colts squad, it is also likely that Caleb Hodges will make his Queensland Cup debut over the course of the 2020 season.

Caleb Hodges is perfectly suited to the centres in rugby league and with his speed, elusiveness and positional sense.

From an NRL player comparison perspective for Caleb Hodges think of someone along the lines of the Newcastle Knights and Queensland State of Origin centre Dane Gagai as a smooth moving centre who is elusive and difficult to defend against as a result.

Caleb Hodges just seems to have a natural affinity for rugby league.

mdrew

20-01-20, 08:47 PM

Xavier Atoa. The outstanding centre or fullback (and on occasion five eight in representative sides) was near unstoppable as you can get earlier this season for the Titans U14 side in their big 32 – 8 victory over the Western Mustangs at Mudgeeraba.

In the match played in extremely hot conditions, Xavier Atoa started at right centre and scored a hat trick including two outstanding long range tries, one in each half. For his first try, Xavier Atoa had moved to the right due to a scrum being packed near the left touch line. Xavier Atoa took a pass from the Titans five eight Hayden Miller after a scrum win and split the defence to score from about forty metres out in a scintillating effort.

Xavier Atoa’s try in the second half long range try was one to behold, Xavier Atoa got the ball in space early, slid through the Western Mustangs left side defence about seventy metres away from the try line and then outpaced the defence to score a great try near the right corner post.

Xavier Atoa’s other try was scored in the first half when he chased through a Titans attacking kick and received a great bounce to crash over from short range, he did have a bit of work to do after retrieving the ball and displayed his strength to score.

Xavier Atoa’s second match in Titans colours came in October 2019 when he started at fullback for the Titans U14 side as they defeated a Titans NRRRL U14/15 Invitational side 32 – 10. Xavier Atoa played the first half at fullback before moving to left centre in the second half and was outstanding in both positions for the Titans.

In mid-December was one of a few U14 players who were invited to train with the Titans NRL Squad in a Monday night session. At the session were all of the Titans contracted players from the juniors all of the way through to the NRL squad with a few invited U14 players (players cannot sign until their U15 year), such is the high regard that he is held in by the Titans that Xavier Atoa was on the invite list.

Xavier Atoa started the 2019 season in outstanding fashion for the Souths Acacia Ridge Magpies and in Round Two was electric starting at fullback, scoring three tries and setting up three more as the Magpies accounted for Redcliffe 38 – 18.

Xavier Atoa’s first try came mid-way through the first half, the ball was provided to him on the left side of the field, once he received it Xavier Atoa took off at the back peddling Redcliffe defensive line, impressively Xavier Atoa held the ball out in front of his body in both hands, thus the Redcliffe defence was uncertain as to his intentions. At the last moment Xavier Atoa charged between the back peddling Redcliffe right centre and winger to crash over out wide.

Xavier Atoa’s second try came early in the second half, from a Souths scrum win 20 metres out, Xavier Atoa received the ball this time on the right in space and outpaced the Redcliffe cover defence to score a great try under heavy pressure in the right corner, right in front of the club house for people who know Brandon Park.

Xavier Atoa’s third try was near a carbon copy of his first in terms of the fact that he received the ball in space on the left, once again holding the ball in two hands in front of his body. The only difference was that as Redcliffe defence back peddled and spread wide, Xavier Atoa was able to slice through to score untouched.

As noted Xavier Atoa also had three try assists in the match. His first in the first half and his third and final try assist in the second half were mirror images of each other except for the fact that they were on opposite sides of the field, the first on the left and the third on the right.

On each occasion, Xavier Atoa took the ball right to the line before throwing a beautiful cut out ball to his winger to score untouched. There are few NRL fullbacks who could have thrown those passes let alone one to each side of his body, the passes were simply absolute quality from a player born to play rugby league, you simply cannot teach that type of skill and timing.

Xavier Atoa’s other try assist came down the right side of the field in the second half, the Souths centre (number 3) made a break before passing inside to Xavier Atoa who whilst in heavy traffic summed up the situation perfectly to get a great short ball away to the Magpies five eight to score under the posts.

The situation seems simple when explained like that, but it happened right in front of where I was and I can tell you that nothing about the work of Xavier Atoa was simple, in a fraction of a second he had to evade the Redcliffe defence that were converging on his and get an great short ball away in his inside to his five eight.

Xavier Atoa was also a stand out in Round Five of the GBJRL U14 Division One competition as Souths Acacia Ridge accounted for North Lakes 44 – 10 at Brandon Park. In the contest, Xavier Atoa who started at fullback scored a try (had a second disallowed for a forward pass right on full time), had three try assists and a great cover defending try saving tackle.

Xavier Atoa’s try was a great individual effort, in the opening three minutes, Souths swung the ball out to their left to Xavier Atoa who ran with the ball in both hands, at the last moment he threw the dummy, splitting the North lakes defence before rounding the fullback to score under the posts.

Two of Xavier Atoa’s try assists were essentially identical, like his try he received the ball on the left of the field, running with the ball out in front in both hands, but unlike his try, Xavier Atoa threw perfectly timed passes to his support runners putting them into gaps resulting in tries.

Xavier Atoa’s other try assist was as a result of a great read. There was less than 10 seconds left in the first half and Souths had a backline set to their left. Instead Xavier Atoa called the ball down a VERY short blind, drew the defenders to send his left winger on a 50 metre run to the try line.

As noted Xavier Atoa produced an outstanding try saving tackle as well, late in the first half, North Lakes made a break down the left touch line, but Xavier Atoa moved across to take the winger into touch with a great one on one low tackle. Xavier Atoa was also on hand early in the second half to prevent a Norths Lakes try when he got his body under one of the giant Norths Lakes front rowers who looked destined to score but ultimately held up.

I have noted a couple of outstanding skill based attributes of Xavier Atoa above, but a piece of play early in the second half for me optimises the type of player that Xavier Atoa is. With his side under immense pressure early in the second half after conceding two early tries, Xavier Atoa jumped into dummy half with Souths trying to bring the ball off their own try line, he exploded out of dummy half to his left and then fought hard and won a penalty for Souths when he was interfered with when trying for a quick play the ball to relieve the pressure from the resultant kick for touch.

Xavier Atoa was heavily involved in Souths Acacia Ridge’s U14 GBJRL Finals series including their Preliminary Final victory over Easts and started at fullback in the Grand Final against Carina scoring one of Souths Acacia Ridge’s tries as they defeated Carina 28 - 4.

In September of 2019 Xavier Atoa was also part of the Stretton State College Year 7/8 side that won the National Touch Championship with a 10 – 4 win over Mercy College in the Championship Final.

Xavier Atoa was also part of the Stretton College Year 8 mixed Oztag side that won the silver medal at the Oztag Schools Challenge Cup going down in the Final 4 – 2 to Miami State High School with Xavier Atoa named in the Queensland All Stars Merit Team and also MVP of the tournament.

Xavier Atoa also represented the Brisbane Blue U14 side at the 2019 Hill Stumer Championships playing at right centre. Xavier Atoa did not get too many opportunities over the course of the competition but certainly made the most of them and when the ball was not coming out his way he certainly went inside looking for it including making good ground out of dummy half on a number of occasions, normally running to his left out of dummy half.

After the completion of the competition, Xavier Atoa was selected in the South East Queensland U14 White squad for the Queensland U14 Age Championships.

At the Championships Xavier Atoa started at five eight and made an immediate impact scoring in the first half of Game One on Day One against Northern and what a try it was. Xavier Atoa received the ball around forty metres out from his left after a SEQ White scrum win.

After dumming to his right, Xavier Atoa accelerated through the resultant gap before producing an outstanding stutter step to easily beat the fullback and score under the posts. I do not believe that he was even touched over the course of the electric fifty metre try scoring effort.

Xavier Atoa was also a standout performer for Stretton College in their run to win the Titans Challenge Grand Final 22 – 18 against Coombabah with Xavier Atoa named Player of the match and also captained the Stretton College side throughout the competition.

Xavier Atoa also starred for Stretton College in their knock out victories to make the main draw of the Bronco’s Year Nine school boy competition, captaining Stretton College in that competition as well.

In 2018 Xavier Atoa played for Souths Sunnybank in the GBJRL U13 Premier Division competition playing primarily at fullback and was also selected in the South East Queensland U13 Merit squad.

In 2017 Xavier Atoa represented Met West at the Queensland U12 Rugby League Championships were he played in the centres for the representative side.

The Stretton State College student is more than just a rugby league player however, representing Met West in touch in 2018 and also being a standout Oztag player, including being named in the All Schools Queensland U13 Oztag team and being named the Junior Male Oztag Player of the Year at the Brisbane awards late last year.

Xavier Atoa has very good speed off the mark, which I would consider above average for a centre and can break to the outside quickly, couple that with long arms, which he uses to great effect with a powerful fend makes him difficult to tackle.

When opposing centres are able to get hold of him, Xavier Atoa usually is able to maintain his balance and keeps an arm free, looking to offload to either his inside or outside support.

Xavier Atoa has more tools though than just an in and away, he will also use his size and strength to run straight over smaller opposing centres as well as also having the skill to step back inside of the defender if he is pushing to the outside too early.
Xavier Atoa also has a powerful fend which has served him well over recent seasons including for the Titans U14 side in their match earlier this season against the Western Mustangs. Xavier Atoa’s natural strength is just another impressive attribute in his burgeoning ****nal.

A real positive for me is that Xavier Atoa can also run a good inside shoulder line due to the fact that he maintains his spacing in the back line and will quickly identify where his direct opponent is ling up to determine whether it is appropriate to run an inside or outside shoulder line or a “crash” line for that matter, he certainly has the courage to run that line regularly which not everybody has.

As you would expect, due to his size and strength, Xavier Atoa is a very good defender regardless of position. He will not necessarily hit hard but is definitely aggressive and he is very good at mirroring the movement of the opposing centre and wrapping him up ball and all.

Xavier Atoa is also quick enough to recover and chase if the opposing centre gets on the outside and his long reach is also a positive attribute in those situations.

From a team defensive methodology stand point, Xavier Atoa seems to be very comfortable in a sliding defensive scheme where he can use his speed and body control to their best advantage in though he can be an intimidating presence when he chooses to come out of the line to interrupt the attacking movement immediately prior to its development.

When playing at fullback, Xavier Atoa’s first movement when he break has been made is to move forward to cut down the time the attacker has to make a decision. Then in a sign of his maturity, Xavier Atoa slows down and sets himself for the tackle and holds his palms together in front of his body to ensure he is properly balanced prior to committing to the tackle.

Xavier Atoa played the 2019 season with Souths Acacia Ridge Magpies after moving from Sunnybank in the GBJRL U4 Division One competition and is set for a huge year in 2020 including playing for Souths Acacia Ridge in the GBJRL U15 Division One competition as well as playing in the plethora of U15 school bot rugby league competitions from Stretton College and from there in representative school boy sides starting with the Met West U15 school boy representative side.

Xavier Atoa played fullback in 2019 season for the Souths Acacia Ridge Magpies, but was simply outstanding for the Titans U14’s earlier this year in the centres and ultimately however I believe that in the end Xavier Atoa will become not just an NRL calibre fullback but a representative level one (including International level) as well in future years.

For completeness I note that Xavier Atoa played five eight for South East Queensland White in the ASSRL U15 Championships this season.

In saying that I can absolutely understand why Xavier Atoa is playing in the centres in some matches as he can dictate the play when he receives the ball early and can either run or set up his outside support.

In Round Two of the GBJRL U14 Division One he scored and set up tries on both sides of the field, highlighting just what a ridiculously talented player he is.

Certainly the Souths Acacia Ridge GBJRL U14 Division One side understandably put a lot of faith in Xavier Atoa in terms of setting up their play. From what saw in 2019 Souths Acacia Ridge work towards one side of the field in their first four tackles before spinning the ball to the other side of the field with Xavier Atoa sitting two passes off the ruck. From there Xavier Atoa has the licence to run the ball himself or look to set up his outside supporters. He does both with a high degree of skill and composure.

From an NRL player comparison perspective, Xavier Atoa has similar traits to Souths Sydney Rabbitohs, New South Wales State of Origin and Australian International star centre Latrell Mitchell.

Like Mitchell, Xavier Atoa is a strong powerful young centre or fullback (I note that Latrell Mitchell came into the NRL at fullback before transitioning to a representative level centre) who will not be beaten in a one on one contest in attack or defence but will out point his direct opponent far more often than not.

Xavier Atoa is just a powerful young man now just learning how to translate and direct that natural strength and power consistently on a rugby league field.

Xavier Atoa is already an outstanding rugby league player and it is scary to think that he has not even started to scratch the surface his of his outstanding potential. Xavier Atoa is a star in the making, of that there is no doubt.

It may sound a touch odd but if/when Xavier Atoa graduates to the NRL in four or five years’ time (yes, I am that confident) I think that initially he breaks into the Titans NRL side (Hey I can dream) I think that Xavier Atoa initially breaks in as a centre.

Once he has found his feet there, and that will not take long, I believe that Xavier Atoa will move to fullback where he will be one of his sides chief play makers and without doubt one of their most dangerous ball runners.

Whilst Xavier Atoa is an outstanding athlete in general he is an even better rugby league player

Bayside Titan

21-01-20, 09:44 AM

Does Erin Clarke have the potential to play Hooker for a few years until someone like Eddie comes through at all or who is a young hooker you would look at to replace Peats ?

ja4220

27-01-20, 10:07 PM

Does Erin Clarke have the potential to play Hooker for a few years until someone like Eddie comes through at all or who is a young hooker you would look at to replace Peats ?

I don’t know a lot about Erin, but have seen a bit of Ediq (I assume that’s who you mean) and Jed Edwards.
Look they are talented kids. Ediq especially has taken every opportunity and made a fist of it. Was the back up hooker at PBC and Seagulls Mal Meninga until Jed broke his arm, but played well enough to own the spot and get higher honours!
Are they NRL standard, no not yet. But with a preseason or two, and a bit of development I think they both have an opportunity
To be great.
Ediq is probably at least a couple of seasons away (he will play Mal Meninga again this year then probably move to HDC and possibly Q Cup)
Jed will play HDC and if an opportunity comes up Q Cup.
Also in the mix, although I don’t know his contract status with the Titans is Cole Geyer. Tough, sharp, smart and from a great RugbyLeague family. Will play for Burleigh HDC and possibly get a crack in Q Cup.
So yes we have some great talent in our junior hooking ranks. But they will take time.
Also a few younger boys like Kaden Somerville, and even Bailey Martin that show promise.
Hope that helps

mdrew

31-01-20, 09:20 AM

Great summation mate, I would also add U18’s Oskar Bryant and Caleb Gould-Waiakiri in there as well.

I don’t know a lot about Erin, but have seen a bit of Ediq (I assume that’s who you mean) and Jed Edwards.
Look they are talented kids. Ediq especially has taken every opportunity and made a fist of it. Was the back up hooker at PBC and Seagulls Mal Meninga until Jed broke his arm, but played well enough to own the spot and get higher honours!
Are they NRL standard, no not yet. But with a preseason or two, and a bit of development I think they both have an opportunity
To be great.
Ediq is probably at least a couple of seasons away (he will play Mal Meninga again this year then probably move to HDC and possibly Q Cup)
Jed will play HDC and if an opportunity comes up Q Cup.
Also in the mix, although I don’t know his contract status with the Titans is Cole Geyer. Tough, sharp, smart and from a great RugbyLeague family. Will play for Burleigh HDC and possibly get a crack in Q Cup.
So yes we have some great talent in our junior hooking ranks. But they will take time.
Also a few younger boys like Kaden Somerville, and even Bailey Martin that show promise.
Hope that helps

mdrew

31-01-20, 03:37 PM

Lewis Cooper. (Revised) He is a young front rower who moved with his older brother and former Titans junior development squad member Austin “Aussie” Cooper to the Sawtell Panthers from the South Grafton Rebels in the Tooheys New Group Two competition in Northern New South Wales for the 2018 season but after spending time training with the Canterbury Bulldogs Jersey Flegg side in the offseason, including playing in the opening trials found himself back in the Group Two competition playing for the South Grafton Rebels.

Prior to returning to the New South Wales North Coast, Lewis Cooper played a number of matches for the Moorebank Rams (a Bulldogs feeder club) in the Sydney Shield competition. Lewis Cooper played in the opening four rounds of the Sydney Shield competition starting from the bench in the opening three rounds before starting in the front row in his final match which was against the Asquith Magpies.

Upon his return from Sydney Lewis Cooper played eight Group Two First Grade matches for the Rebels scoring tries against the Grafton Ghosts, Macksville (when he converted his own try) and Sawtell.

Lewis Cooper who played a number of U14 matches for the Titans junior development squads was named in the North Coast Dolphins 2018 U18 side starting in the front row (wearing the No. 17 jersey) for Round One of the Laurie Daley Cup competition against the Sydney Roosters aligned Central Coast Centurions being Round Two after having a Round One bye. Lewis Cooper also started in the front row in Round Three against Northern Rivers in Coffs Harbour a match that North Coast won 36 – 6 over their fierce local rivals.

Lewis Cooper scored a double for the North Coast U18 side in their 40 – 20 win in Round Two against Central Coast, the first try coming inside the first two minutes and the second coming in the 54th minute. In fact Lewis Cooper could have had two more tries but was brought down inches short of the try line directly under the posts in the second half twice just prior to his second try.

Lewis Cooper did not impact the score board in Round Three against Northern Rivers like he did in Round Two but still had a couple of highlights, including a great right arm off load in the eight minute when he shook off a defender who went to tackling him around the chest, a huge collision with Titans linked Northern Rivers front rower Jordan Tauali’i which shook the entire ground and in the second half made a run of about 20 metres where after smashing through the Northern Rivers defensive line dragged a number of defenders with him as a result of sheer strength and power and the ability to keep his legs pumping even under extreme duress.

A team mate in the North Coast side is Titans contracted standout second rower Ben Liyou. Lewis Cooper also represented the East Coast Dolphins at the U16 level in 2016 and was named in the U18 East Coast Dolphins 2017 squad but did not play any matches that season.

For the Sawtell Panthers in the 2018 Toohey’s Group Two competition Lewis Cooper played matches in all three grades.

In ten regular season Group Two U18 matches, Lewis Cooper finished as the equal leading try scorer with ten tries from nine games in the regular season and he was only kept from scoring in two of those matches. Lewis Cooper scored doubles against the Grafton Ghosts, South Grafton Rebels and Bellingen. Lewis Cooper’s other tries came against Macksville in two separate matches, Coffs Harbour and Grafton.

Lewis Cooper and his U18 Sawtell Panthers were defeated in the Group Two Grand Final 16 – 12 against Macksville.

Lewis Cooper also played one Group Two Reserve Grade regular season match this season scoring a double in that match against South Grafton in May.

Lewis Cooper made his Group Two First Grade debut for Sawtell in in April of this year against his former club the Grafton Ghosts (Lewis Cooper played eight First Grade matches for Grafton in 2017) scoring against his former team mates. Lewis Cooper also scored a late season double against Grafton, clearly Lewis Cooper thrived on playing against his former team mates. Lewis Cooper’s other 2018 Group Two First Grade try came against Nambucca heads in Round Two.

In total in the 2018 Group Two First Grade regular season, Lewis Cooper played in seven regular season matches scoring the above mentioned four tries.

Lewis Cooper played the 2017 season with the South Grafton Rebels playing in both the first Grade and U18 competitions and was a key contributor to the success of both sides.

In the U18 Durbridge Family Trophy competition in 2017, Lewis Cooper scored five tries from as many matches including doubles against Coffs Harbour and Sawtell and in the Group Two Tooheys New Shield Lewis Copper scored a single try from eight matches with the try coming against Orara Valley in early July.

Lewis Cooper played the 2016 season in the Group One U16.5 competition, playing in nine matches and averaging just under two tries a match to pace the competition from a try scoring perspective. Only in the final game of the season was an opposition side able to keep him try less, that opponent being Casino RSM.

Lewis Cooper scored four tries in a match against Kyogle in August and he also crossed for a hat trick against Marist Brothers in May 2016. Lewis Cooper also crossed for four doubles being against Kyogle, Clarence Coast, Ballina and Casino RSM.

Lewis Cooper also played rugby in 2016, including making the Mid North Coast Axemen representative side and from there he was selected in the New South Wales Country Cockatoos U16 side. In rugby he played both centre and No. 8 and apparently even played some fullback as well.

In 2016 Lewis Cooper was also selected in the New South Wales Combined High School’s Open Schoolboy rugby side that toured South Africa for the St John’s College Annual Easter Rugby Festival, a great achievement considering that he missed the trials with injury.

On the 2016 South African tour Lewis Cooper played in all four of NSW CHS’s matches, starting the first two from the interchange and coming into the starting line-up for the final two matches, including playing against South African side Paarl Boys High who have not lost a match in four years that includes matches against the top New Zealand School Boy sides.

From his four matches on the South African tour, Lewis Cooper was named Man of the Match in two and was also named as the NSW CHS Best Back of the tour, an impressive feat as a 16 year old.

In short Lewis Cooper is a big strong young man with surprising speed for his size both in terms of the initial burst and extended straight line speed. When he runs the ball, and I will mainly refer to play in the forwards as that is where I think that he ultimately ends up, Lewis Cooper is like a wrecking ball, he has a strong upper body which allows him to shrug off tacklers who look to go high and whilst he does not use a great deal of foot work prior to the line has shown enough to suggest that this will be able to be incorporated into his game as he progresses.

Both of Lewis Cooper’s two tries in Round Two of the Laurie Daley Cup highlighted the strength and power discussed above. On both occasions he took the ball from around ten metres out and just charged through a set defensive to score. In fact Lewis Cooper’s first three runs were all outstanding. His first try scoring run was his first run of the game, his second came from the third hit-up from the kick off from his try and his third was in the next set of six that North Coast had.

In terms of his speed, once Lewis Cooper gets past the initial contact, he really move and his speed would be considered as plus for a front rower of his size and to be fair it is also at the above average for a centre.

Defensively defence Lewis Cooper uses his size and strength to make very solid initial contact and certainly can take on all opposing forwards one on one. He is not averse to looking for the big hit but does have a good front on defensive technique, maintaining decent leverage and reasonable agility and lateral movement when looking to tackle smaller opponents on the edge of the ruck, although clearly Lewis Cooper is more effective in the centre of the ruck, but he has the speed and lateral mobility to defend wider out as well.

The 2020 season will be an interesting one for Lewis Cooper as he is no longer U20 eligible, post the season. If he stays in Grafton Lewis Cooper is a certainty to play a key role for the South Grafton First Grade side, if he chooses to try his luck in the Queensland Cup with either Tweed Heads or Burleigh it is hard to see that he would not make an impact with his combination of size, strength speed and mobility.

From an ultimate position perspective, due to his combination of size and speed playing in the front row seems the most plausible position projection for Lewis Cooper.

The power and intensity of Newcastle Knights, New South Wales State of Origin and Australian International forward David Klemmer is mirrored by Lewis Cooper he is just an intimidating presence on a football field and a young player who will only to continue to get better and better as he gains more experience there is certainly a lot of raw ability and untapped potential to work with.

If Lewis Cooper can continue to work on his endurance, functional strength and mobility he really does have an extraordinary set of skills both from a physical perspective as well as a rugby league skill attribute perspective.

Obviously luck is also involved as well, his brother Austin had a similar skill set but unfortunately multiple knee and ankle injuries severely affected his development although he is now fit and performing very well in the Group Two First Grade competition.

mdrew

31-01-20, 04:27 PM

Ji Van Heerwaarden. The big strong young second rower originally from the Glenn Innes Magpies club in the New England Group 19 competition moved up to the Gold Coast for the 2018 season linking with the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the 2018 MM Cup competition.

In 2019 Ji Van Heerwaarden played primarily for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the Hastings Deering’s Colt competition, playing in nineteen consecutive matches including their Elimination Final loss to the Mackay Cutters after coming into the side in Round Three against Burleigh.

Ji Van Heerwaarden as noted above started from the bench in Round Three and moved into the starting side in the front row in Round Five against Wynnum Manly. Ji Van Heerwaarden maintained his starting spot through to Rounds Twenty Two and Twenty Three against Easts and Souths Logan respectively when he started from the bench.

Ji Van Heerwaarden’s sole 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts try came in Round Sixteen against Wynnum Manly.

Ji Van Heerwaarden also played one match for Currumbin in the GCRL U20 competition including starting from the bench and scoring a double in Round Seventeen against Southport. Both tries were a result of sheer will power, Ji Van Heerwaarden charged at the line and just wanted to score more than the defence wanted to stop him.

Ji Van Heerwaarden made in GCRL First Grade debut in May against Bilambil coming off the bench on that occasion.

In 2018 Ji Van Heerwaarden only played in one MM Cup match last season being in Round One against Norths when he started in the front row.

In the Gold Coast Rugby League competition he played for the Currumbin Eagles and went his first thirteen U19 matches without scoring in the regular season but chose the perfect time to score when he scored a double in Currumbin’s 34 – 20 Grand Final victory over Southport after starting the match in the front row.

In 2018 Ji Van Heerwaarden also made his Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade debut coming off the interchange bench for Currumbin and Round Fifteen against Ormeau. He also came off the bench in Round Sixteen against Tugun.

Ji Van Heerwaarden played the 2017 season in the Group 19 U18 competition where he was one of the standout players. Across the ten matches that he played for Glenn Innes in the U18 competition, Ji Van Heerwaarden scored nine tries including a great end to the season when he scored four tries in his final three matches including a double in Glenn Innes’s final loss.

In the final two rounds of the regular season U18 competition, Ji Van Heerwaarden also scored against the Moree Boomerangs and the Inverell Hawks. Earlier in the season, Ji Van Heerwaarden scored a double against the Moree Boars and also scored in the first two rounds against the Tingha Tigers and Armidale Rans respectively. In June of 2017 Ji Van Heerwaarden made his Group 19 First Grade debut when he started against the Moree Boars after playing in the U18 clash earlier in the day.

Ji Van Heerwaarden is a big powerful young man who whilst using his size to his advantage by running hard and straight, he does have quite decent footwork prior to the defensive line, which he uses to cut back behind the play the ball to take advantage of defenders who are slow to get back into the defensive line.

Where Ji Van Heerwaarden’s game has really developed over the last couple of seasons his ability to play wider of the ruck, which is where he is primarily playing for the U18 Glenn Innes side this season. With his size and strength wider of the ruck Ji Van Heerwaarden attracts defenders and thus is in a position to use his ball skills to set up his outside supports early in a match.

When defences start to try to anticipate that Ji Van Heerwaarden is going to pass then he can use his size and power to cash through the defensive lien as no defender is going to be able to handle him one on one by themselves.

In defence Ji Van Heerwaarden uses his size and strength to make very solid initial contact and certainly can take on all opposing forwards one on one. Ji Van Heerwaarden is not adverse to looking for the big hit but does have a good front on defensive technique, maintaining decent leverage and reasonable agility and lateral movement when looking to tackle smaller opponents on the edge of the ruck, although clearly he is more effective in the centre of the ruck, as most front rowers are.

Ji Van Heerwaarden is Hastings Deering’s Colts eligible once again to 2020 where I would expect that once again he will be a key member of the Tweed Heads side. Based on his maturity and hard work I would also anticipate that in 2020 Ji Van Heerwaarden will also add to the one GCRL First Grade match that he played this year. Ji Van Heerwaarden is training with the Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup side over the current off season thus it is certainly conceivable that he is also in the mix to break into the Seagulls Queensland Cup side over the course of the 2020 season.

Ji Van Heerwaarden has a bit of height to go along with some more than decent speed for a forward and I would anticipate that whilst he will also spend some time in the from row, Ji Van Heerwaarden is for the short to medium term at least, is best suited to staying in the second row.

A current NRL player with a similar playing style for me is Newcastle Knights rookie second rower Lachlan Fitzgibbon. Like Fitzgibbon Ji Van Heerwaarden shapes as a talented young second rower who just needs the right opportunity to highlight his interesting skill set.

mdrew

31-01-20, 07:29 PM

Josh Wilkinson. After a number of seasons with the Canterbury Bulldogs junior representative sides Josh Wilkinson has moved up to the Gold Coast to be part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup squad in 2020.

In 2019 Josh Wilkinson was part of the Bulldogs U20 Jersey Flegg squad and also played a number of matches in the Ron Massey Shield for the Moorebank Rams.

In the 2019 Jersey Flegg competition, Josh Wilkinson played in four matches for the Bulldogs after coming into the side in Round Four against Norths Sydney when he scored a double after starting on the wing. Josh Wilkinson also started on the wing in Round Five before starting in the centres in his other two matches with his first start in the centres coming in Round Twelve against the Canberra Raiders.

In the 2019 Sydney Shield competition, Josh Wilkinson played in six matches for the Moorebank Rams starting all of them in the centres. Josh Wilkinson scored four tries in his six matches including a Round eight doubles against Asquith Magpies and tries in Round Two against Sydney University and Round Seven against the Owls.

In 2018 Josh Wilkinson, in addition to playing a number of matches for the Bulldogs U20 Jersey Flagg Squad also played for the Moorebank Rams in the Sydney Shield competition. The Sydney Shield is the fourth tier of men’s rugby league in the Sydney Metropolitan area.

In 2018 Josh Wilkinson made his Jersey Flegg debut in Round Twenty One when he started at half back against St George and also started at half back in Round Twenty Two against Manly.

In the 2018 Sydney Shield competition, Josh Wilkinson played in eleven matches for the Moorebank Rams coming into the Rams side in Round Four against the Owls starting the matches at fullback. Josh Wilkinson started eight of his eleven matches at fullback and his other three matches in the centres with his first match there in Round Nineteen against the Western Suburbs Magpies. Josh Wilkinson also started in the centres in both of the Rams Finals matches which were against the Saints and EC Eagles.

In his eleven 2018 Sydney Shield matches Josh Wilkinson recorded a strike rate of 63.64%. Josh Wilkinson scored his first Sydney Shield tries in Round Nine against Blacktown when he recorded a double and also scored 2018 regular season tries in Rounds Fifteen, Sixteen and Twenty against the Owls, Brothers and Blacktown respectively. Josh Wilkinson also scored in both of Moorebank’s finals matches.

In 2017 Josh Wilkinson moved down to Sydney and played in one and only U18 SG Ball match of the 2017 season in Round Three when he started at fullback against the Western Suburbs Magpies.

The young fullback was a stand out for Brothers in the U18 Rockhampton junior rugby league competition as well as for the Central Queensland Capra’s Mal Meninga Cup side in 2016. Whilst playing for Brothers White in the 2016 U18 competition, Josh Wilkinson scored nine tries in just five matches, including a hat trick against Yeppoon and doubles against North’s and Yeppoon again. In fact no team was able to keep him from crossing the try line for Rockhampton Brothers White.

For the Capra’s in the 2016 MM Cup competition, Josh Wilkinson came into the side in Round Three at fullback and had an immediate impact scoring four tries on debut against the Northern Pride and followed that performance up the following match against the Townsville Blackhawks with a double. Josh Wilkinson played the remainder of the season at fullback including the quarter final against the North’s Devils.

When he runs the ball, Josh Wilkinson is exceptionally quick and explosive, with exceptional speed, both off the mark and when he gets into open space, teams in his age group in the Rockhampton U18 competition just could not handle him when he had the ball in his hands. Josh Wilkinson also can step off both feet exceptionally well and also has a great swerve whilst maintaining top speed.

On occasions when he made a break, his support could not keep up and thus he used his incredible footwork and speed to beat the opposing fullback by himself. There is nothing that he cannot do running the ball and it is only now about developing his ball playing skills, which to be fair improved exponentially as this season has progressed to make his footwork and running ability even more lethal.

In addition Josh Wilkinson also has the ball playing skills to set up his support runners and get them lines to run into when defenders came out of the line to negate his time with the ball in hand. In terms of running the ball back from kicks, his timing and anticipation means that he gets to a lot of balls on the full and makes a quick decision whether to run the ball flat out back into the oncoming defenders or look to create an opportunity by running across field. Regardless he is an absolute handful to tackle with his speed and evasion skills.

Defensively in the fullback position he does not make a huge amount of tackles but the ones he makes are the ones that need to be made. If an attacker runs directly at him, Josh Wilkinson
will come forward to cut down the time the attacker has to make a decision and he will hit very hard and does not fall for a dummy in those situations.

An impressive attribute that Josh Wilkinson does have is ability to force attackers who are in open space to try to beat him down the side line. He will stay inside the attacker and force him in the required direction and then use his timing, closing speed and anticipation to make the tackle, usually forcing the attacker into touch.

As noted above Josh Wilkinson will be pushing for a spot in the Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup side when the 2020 season kicks off.

From a position perspective, Josh Wilkinson is the ideal fullback for the modern game, with game breaking ability when returning the ball and when hunting for off loads through the middle of the field. Also his ball playing ability has increased exponentially as this season has progressed, and there is no reason to suggest that this trend will not continue.

Whilst he grew up playing fullback in Central Queensland Josh Wilkinson spent a fair portion of the last couple of seasons at the Bulldogs playing in the centres however and certainly made a good fist of the position.

In relation to a player that you can compare Josh Wilkinson’s skill set and playing style to, you need to look no further than former Titans and current Manly fullback/centre/winger Brendan Elliott.

mdrew

31-01-20, 08:40 PM

Brock Hamill. (Updated) He is a young local red headed backrower originally from the Southport Tigers rugby league club and also played for Keebra Park in relation to his schoolboy football and for Burleigh in the MM Cup competition. At the U13 level a number of seasons ago Brock Hamill also played a game or two for the Titans Development Squads at Redlands.

In 2019 Brock Hamill played nine matches for the Bulldogs in the Jersey Flegg competition starting in the front row in Round two against the Parramatta Eels. Brock Hamill also started in Rounds Three and Four when he started at lock against the Wests Tigers and North Sydney Bears respectively. Brock Hamill’s remaining matches were from the bench including the Bulldogs two 2019 finals which were against the Knights and Roosters.

Also in 2019 Brock Hamill played fourteen matches for the Moorebank Rams in the Sydney Shield competition coming into the side in Round Six when he started at hooker against the Bulls. Brock Hamill started his first three 2019 Sydney Shield matches at hooker before starting at lock in Round Eleven against the BR Eagles.

In total Brock Hamill started four in his eleven matches at hooker, nine at lock, including Week Two of the Finals against the Saints and one being Round Nineteen against the Bulls from the bench.

Brock Hamill had a great start to the 2019 Sydney Shield competition scoring in his first four matches including a Round Eleven double against the BR Eagles. His Round Six, Seven and Eight tries were against the Bulls, Owls and Magpies.

In 2018 Brock Hamill was diagnosed with cancer but before his treatment started Brock Hamill made his debut off the bench for the Bulldogs Jersey Flegg side scoring a double against Manly.

From Keebra Park Brock Hamill represented South Coast at the U18 level in 2016 and 2017and in 2017 was selected in the Queensland School boy’s side for the Australian School boys Championships. South Coast won every match by more than 40 points including beating Met North 74 – 4 in the final.

Brock Hamill has also been a key part of the Keebra Park Open side that won the GIO Cup in 2017 including being part of the Keebra Park side that won their Queensland semi-final over the The Cathedral College 74 – 0.

For the Burleigh Bears MM Cup side in 2017, Brock Hamill started in all six of their matches starting Rounds One and Two in the second row, Round Three in the front row and Rounds Four to Six at lock.

Brock Hamill played his club rugby league for the Southport Tigers primarily at the U19 level in 2017 but also played two matches in the Doug Lipp Cup competition, making his debut in that competition in April against Burleigh with his other Doug Lipp Cup match coming in June against Bilambil. In the U19 competition, Brock Hamill to date has played in seven matches, scoring doubles against Runaway Bay and Burleigh and in his first match of the season in that age group scored against Mudgeeraba.

Over the course of his junior career, he has made a number of junior representative sides including U13 and U14 Gold Coast Vikings squads and represented South Coast at the U15 level. He has been named in the U18 South Coast squad for the upcoming QSSRL championships, along with five other Keebra Park team mates.

Running with the football, Brock Hamill has good footwork prior to the line and does not often just put his head down and run straight, but uses his solid footwork to try to work the gaps between defenders rather than trying to simply run over them.

Brock Hamill does not have great speed off the mark or necessary great high end speed, but he will work hard and make the most of his ability. He actually does have a decent off load usually with his right hand when he has impacted the defensive line and regularly showcases this in game situations.

Defensively Brock Hamill can certainly hit very hard, usually aiming for just under the ribs and first intention is to lock up the ball to prevent offloads. He has above average lateral mobility for a forward and due to the fact that he bends his hips when looking to make a tackle he is usually is able to wrap up the smaller attackers without his tackles slipping up to around the head or neck, and thus giving away penalties. His ability to successfully defend against these types of attackers as well as having the technique to defend against larger forwards is one of a number of reasons that I consider that Brock Hamill is a plus defender.

After two seasons with the Canterbury Bulldogs in Sydney playing for their junior representative sides Brock Hamill will be back playing on the Gold Coast in 2020.

From a position perspective even though he spent some time playing in the front row earlier in his junior career, he has spent the last couple of seasons playing in the back row and to a lesser extent hooker, and that is where I would envisage he will stay for the remainder of his rugby league career.

From a player comparison perspective, someone along the lines of former Brisbane Broncos, Queensland State of Origin and Australian International backrower Cory Parker may be a good comparison from a style perspective as a solid back rower who plays the game hard and with all-out effort.

Brock Hamill has overcome a significant health scare already in his life got back on the field so it would be difficult not to cheer for the red headed backrower in the next season or two as he looks to break into the Queensland Cup.

mdrew

31-01-20, 09:20 PM

Vito Sula-Siaosi. The young former Queensland U16 representative and Coombabah State High School student seemingly dropped off the rugby league map over the last couple of seasons but will line up for the Ormeau Shearers in the 2020 Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade competition.

In 2017 Vito Sula-Siaosi played a number of matches for the Burleigh Colts U20 side. Vito Sula-Siaosi played for Gold Coast Green in the MM competition in 2015 and in 2014 being the same year he came off the bench for Queensland U16’s he was named as Gold Coast White CC Player of the year. At around that time Vito Sula-Siaosi was a member of the Titans Junior Development set up.

On a number of occasions, Vito Sula-Siaosi also represented the South Coast in School boy rugby league competitions. Vito Sula-Siaosi also spent some time in New Zealand before returning to the Gold Coast including representing a New Zealand Warriors Invitational side in a number of matches in an U18 New Zealand National competition in 2016. Vito’s younger brother Phransis who was also a former Titans Development Squad member is now in Brisbane playing rugby in the Brisbane Premier Colts I competition.

Vito Sula-Siaosi’s junior club in New Zealand was the Point Chevalier Pirates<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_Chevalier_Pirates>.

Vito Sula-Siaosi is a hard running backrower who really does look to run straight over people and is best running on the fringes of the ruck, rather than straight up the centre. He still has decent to above average top end speed but he does take a little bit of time to get up to his top speed. I would suggest his speed is a tick above average for a back rower. He also has a very good right hand fend to add to his stocky frame and good strength. His low centre of gravity and power make him a difficult proposition to defend against, regardless of where he lines up in attack.

Defensively Vito Sula-Siaosi hits very hard and usually aims for just under the ribs and is adept at making sure the opposition do not get quick play the balls. He also has a touch of aggression in his play and definitely finishes off each tackle that he is involved in. He is equally adept at defending in the centre of the ruck as he is defending on the fringes and his initial contact is more than sufficient to make an impact on the ball carrier.

Vito Sula-Siaosi set a good stable base with his lower body, which he them used to explode into the attacker. This was evidenced by a tackle with about two minutes to go in U16 interstate match when Vito Sula-Siaosi absolutely smashed the New South Wales ball carrier from the kick off with New South Wales only four points behind after Broncos NYC player Koloni Staggs scored for New South Wales. The great tackle caused a knock on which sealed the win for Queensland.

It is great to see Vito Sula-Siaosi back playing on the Gold Coast as part of the Ormeau Shearers CGRL First Grade squad.

Vito Sula-Siaosi has played a variety of positions over his rugby league career to date including hooker and back row but moving forward I envisage him playing more of a back row role for any team that he represents.

I will admit that it is an interesting to see how Vito Sula-Siaosi would go playing in the dummy half role in 2020 for the Ormeau Shearers. If Vito Sula-Siaosi can spend some minutes at hooker over the course of a match, he becomes an even more valuable commodity to his team.

Vito Sula-Siaosi has missed a number of seasons (or parts thereof) but he is only 21 in 2020 and still has time and of course the ability to make an impact in the Queensland Cup and from there he is only one step away from the NRL.

From a style perspective, a player that stands out with a similar playing style, especially in terms of attack is former Melbourne Storm and Penrith Panther Sika Manu as a tough nuggetty back rower with decent footwork prior to the line to add to sold speed for a backrower and someone who is aggressive in defence.

mdrew

31-01-20, 10:19 PM

I would think that where Erin Clark has been training with the NRL squad this offseason that Erin Clark is certainly considered a dummy half option espacillay when you take into account that he can kick out of dummy half.

Does Erin Clarke have the potential to play Hooker for a few years until someone like Eddie comes through at all or who is a young hooker you would look at to replace Peats ?

mdrew

01-02-20, 07:47 AM

Laz Sua. (Revised). Laz Sua started the 2019 season as part of the Souths Logan Hastings Deering’s Colts side playing in five matches for the Magpies before heading back to play in the GCLR First Grade competition with the Ormeau Shearers with his first match being in Round 16 against Currumbin when he came off the bench. Laz Sua also came off the bench in Round Seventeen.

Laz Sua made his first start since coming back to Ormeau in Round Eighteen when he started at hooker against Southport and also came off the bench in Rounds Nineteen and Twenty.

Laz Sau started off the 2019 season with the Souths Logan Magpies U20 Hastings Deering’s Colts side, playing his first match in Round Three against Norths when he started the match in the front row.

In total for Souths Logan Laz Sua played in five Hastings Deering’s Colts matches this season, starting three in the front row, one at lock being Round Five against Burleigh and one from the interchange bench which was in Round Six against the Northern Pride.

The powerful nuggetty young Gold Coast local had an outstanding 2018 season. Even in the 2018 pre-season Laz Sua was in outstanding form. In Tweed Heads MM trial against Souths Logan at Waterford, the Seagulls were on the back foot for the first two quarters but Laz Sua’s introduction made a significant difference and when he was on the field he provided momentum through his hit-ups and defensive starch and that was just a trial!

In the MM Cup season proper in 2018 Laz Sua started in the front row of all seven of Tweed Head’s matches including their semi-final against South’s Logan. Laz Sua did not score any tries in the MM Cup this season, but was rewarded for his outstanding effort in Round Five against the Townsville Blackhawks when he converted Tweed Heads final try in a big 72 – 6 victory.

After Tweed Heads finals elimination, Laz Sua moved directly to the Tweed Heads Seagulls Colts side starting in his debut in the front row in Round Ten against Ipswich and came off the bench in Round Eleven against the Northern Pride who were top of the table at that point. Round Twelve saw Laz Sua once again start on the bench. He was also on the bench for the Seagulls in Rounds Thirteen and Seventeen to Twenty Four.

Laz Sua moved to the Gold Coast Rugby League competition in Round Eight of that competition, coming off the interchange bench for the Ormeau Shearers who unfortunately suffered a 74 – 12 loss to a rampaging Bilambil Jets side. In total Laz Sua played in five GCRKL First Grade matches in 2018.

In 2017 in addition to playing for Keebra Park, Laz Sua was selected in the South Coast U18 side and from there was selected in the Queensland U18 Open Schoolboy side for the ASSRL Championship including scoring a try on Day Three in a 28-18 loss to New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges.

Laz Sua and his Keebra Park Open team mates had an outstanding 2017 GIO Cup campaign with the Gold Coast based school winning the National final with Laz Sua starting the final in eth second row and playing on the left side of the field against Westfield’s Sports High School.

Laz Sua was also a member of the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup side for the 2017 version of that competition and played for Queensland Samoa U18 squad for the QPICC tournament that was held in October 2017.

Laz Sua played in club football in 2017 with the Ormeau Shearers across a number of competitions including the U17 Division One competition, U19’s, the Doug Lipp Cup and five first grade matches. In the U17 Division One competition, Laz Sua played in five matches scoring three tries including a double against Burleigh with his other try coming against Mudgeeraba. In the U19 competition, Laz Sua has played in nine matches scoring against Runaway Bay in June and also kicking a late conversion against Mudgeeraba.

Laz Sua made his Doug Lipp Cup debut in June against Tugun and celebrated by scoring on debut. Playing first grade at any level as a 17 year is no mean feat and Laz Sua achieved that feat on Sunday June 18 2017 when he came on from the interchange bench against Currumbin. His other first grade matches came against Runaway Bay, Bilambil, Currumbin again and Southport.

During the 2016 season Laz Sua was selected as a result of his good form to represent Queensland at the U16 level. Unfortunately for Laz Sua he only got a handful of minutes on the field when he came on late and played in the dummy half role.

In relation to his club rugby league on the Gold Coast in 2016 he played six matches for the Ormeau Shearers club in the U16 Division One competition and scored three tries in limited action, including scoring against eventual premiers Burleigh on two separate occasions and also against Helensvale.

For Gold Coast White in the CC Cup competition in 2016, Laz Sua played in all six of their games, splitting his time evenly between starting at hooker and at lock. He started at hooker in Rounds One, Six and Seven and started at lock in the other three games. He also crossed for two tries which came in Rounds One and Two, against Souths Logan and Gold Coast Green respectively.

In addition, after the completion of the 2016 season he was a late replacement in the Team Toa side where he came off the bench in their loss to a NSW New Zealand side. In 2016 he was also a member of the QAS squad and in 2015 made the Queensland Maroon U15 side for the ASSRL U15 championships after playing a leading role for South Coast at the U15 QSSRL championships where he played the majority of his matches in the centres.

In attack, regardless of the position he is playing, he is quick and strong and has good footwork to beat opposition defenders and then has very good speed, not necessarily speed off the mark, but definitely has good top end speed once he gets moving. In relation to his play at hooker his passing is reasonably crisp, especially to the right side, but on occasion he passes in two movements, the first being a straightening motion with a distinct second motion being the delivery of the pass, on other occasions he does pass directly from the ground in one fluid motion, like he would be doing as a rugby half.

Laz Sua does like to run from dummy half and his strength and speed does compensate if there are no gaps in the defensive line. Once tackled he immediately starts fighting to get a quick play the ball in an effort to maintain momentum.

In terms of wider positions, such as in the back row or at centre, he can and will take on defenders and look to run over them, when he stays wide, like he did for Keebra good things happen for his team.

Defensively Laz Sua is more than strong enough to defend in the middle of the ruck and quick enough to defend on the fridges. In the centre of the ruck he sets a strong base to create the necessary leverage to defend against larger forwards.

When defending out wide, he is better in an up and in type defensive scheme rather than a sliding defensive structure. Laz Sua is also extremely fit thus getting back into the defensive line is no issue for him over the course of the entire game.

Laz Sua is still Colts eligible in 2020 and looks set to line up for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in 2020. In addition to playing for the Tweed Heads Colts side Laz Sua will look to break into the Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup squad in 2020 but if he is not in the Seagulls side for any given round Laz Sua will play with the Ormeau Shearers in the Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade competition.

The big question for he is where Laz Sua’s long term future lies. I know that he played a fair bit of front row in 2019 for Souths Logan and in 2018 in the MM Cup and Colts but there are skills in his game which suggest a future in a wider playing position such as in the back row is the ideal position for him.

Laz Sua has a diverse range of skills to take advantage of and with a reduction of the inter change currently being fore shadowed a player of his type will become very valuable. Regardless of the position that he is playing, Laz Sua also has outstanding endurance and shapes as an 80 minute player now.

He may not be as big as the player I am using as a playing comparison but for me Laz Sua has a playing style similar to North Queensland’s versatile John Asiata. Both have intriguing skills and a hardness to their play that compels others to follow their lead

mdrew

01-02-20, 10:29 AM

Greg (GL) Leleisiuao. It is almost a case of the cult hero returns in relation to Greg Leleisiuao who was a star for the Titans NYC side in 2015 and 2016 before he headed down Parramatta where he won an NYC title in 2017 and was also named on the wing in the National Youth Competitions 2017 Team of the Year before being elevated to the Eels NRL Top 30 squad for the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

Whilst he did not make an NRL appearance for Parramatta Greg Leleisiuao starred for the Wentworthville Magpies Canterbury Cup side especially in 2019 when he led the competition in multiple attacking categories, and led them by a big margin to be honest in each case.

Greg Leleisiuao has signed a two year NRL deal with the Titans that encompasses the 2020 and 2021 NRL seasons. If he is not in the Titans game day squad Greg Leleisiuao will play for the Burleigh Queensland Cup side in 2020.

In 2019 for the Magpies in the New South Wales Canterbury Cup competition Greg Leleisiuao played in all twenty six of the Magpies matches starting all on the right wing, playing 80 minutes in all bar two meaning that in the Canterbury Cup, including finals matches in 2019 Greg Leleisiuao played 2 063 minutes out of a possible 2 080, seventy seven of which were in the Grand Final that the Magpies lost 20 – 15 to the Newtown Jets who went on to narrowly defeated Burleigh in the National Final a week later.

In 2019 Greg Leleisiuao led the Canterbury Cup in four categories being most runs (433), most run metres (4 513), most post contact metres (1 535) and most tackle breaks (196). Greg Leleisiuao also scored twelve tries, eleven in the regular season and also scored in Week One of the Finals against the Penrith Panthers.

In addition to a Round Two double against the Bulldogs, Greg Leleisiuao scored in matches against the Mounties (Rounds Five and Fifteen), Wests Magpies (Round Six), North Sydney (Round Ten), Penrith (Round Eleven), Souths Sydney (Round Twelve), the Warriors (Round Fourteen)and Blacktown (Rounds Sixteen and Twenty Two).

In addition to his Canterbury Cup league leading stats in 2019 that are mentioned above, Greg Leleisiuao also made fifteen line breaks, had two line break assists and a try assist which was in Round Eight against the Dragons.

Defensively Greg Leleisiuao made seventy six tackles at a tackling efficiency of 79.17%. Greg Leleisiuao in fact did not miss his first tackle of the 2019 season until Round Six against the Wests Magpies and in thirteen of his twenty six matches (50%) had a 100% tackling efficiency.

Incredibly in all twenty six of his 2019 Canterbury Cup matches Greg Leleisiuao ran for in excess of 100 metres, with his “lowest” run total being 115 metres in Round Seven against Newcastle, he made up for that later in the season. In thirteen of his matches, Greg Leleisiuao was his team’s leader from a metres gained perspective and led his side in tackle breaks far more frequently than that.

Even more impressive was the fact that Greg Leleisiuao ran for in excess of 200 metres on five occasions being Round Eight against St George (246 metres), Round Sixteen against Blacktown (210 metres), Round twenty against St George (201 metres), Round Twenty Two against Blacktown (211 metres) and in Round Twenty One against the Newcastle Knights Greg Leleisiuao ran for a staggering 283 metres. In the Round Twenty One match against Newcastle 108 of his 283 metres were post contact (38.16%).

On eight occasions in the Canterbury Cup in 2019 Greg Leleisiuao broke at least ten tackles in a match including breaking twelve tackles in his “career” match in Round Twenty One against Newcastle.

On a per match basis in 2019 in the Canterbury Cup Greg Leleisiuao played just over 79 minutes, ran for 173 metres (59 post contact), broke 7.54 tackles on 16.65 runs and made three tackles.

Greg Leleisiuao also played in the Canterbury Cup for the Wentworthville Magpies in 2018. After missing the opening rounds with injury Greg Leleisiuao’s first match of the season was in Round Three when he started on the wing against the Newcastle Knights.

In total in the 2018 Canterbury Cup competition started all twelve of his matches on the right wing, playing the entire 80 minutes in each and scored six tries to finish with a 50% strike rate. In addition to a Round Twenty Four double against the Bulldogs, Greg Leleisiuao scored in four straight matches from Rounds Fifteen to Eighteen against Wyong, Newtown, the Warriors and St George.

In his 960 minutes on the field in the Canterbury Cup competition Greg Leleisiuao ran for 1 495 metres (478 post contact), broke eighty three tackles and made thirty six tackles at a tackling efficiency of 73.47%.

Greg Leleisiuao’s 2018 Canterbury Cup per game averages included running for 124.58 metres and making three tackles.

In eleven of his twelve matches Greg Leleisiuao ran for in excess of 100 metres (in the other game he ran for 99 metres) including running for 174 metres in Round Seven against Penrith. Greg Leleisiuao broke ten or more tackles in three matches including thirteen tackle breaks in Round Seven against Penrith.

Defensively in Round Three against the Knights Greg Leleisiuao made eight tackle at a 88.89% tackling efficiency and in Round Twenty Two against North Sydney he had a 100% tackling efficiency whilst making seven tackles.

In 2017 for Parramatta in the NYC competition Greg Leleisiuao made his first appearance in Round Four against the Cronulla Sharks starting that match on the wing and scoring in his Eels debut. Greg Leleisiuao went on to start on the wing in twenty one NYC matches for the Eels in 2017 including their Grand Final loss to Manly.

Greg Leleisiuao finished the 2017 NYC season with a try scoring strike rate of 95.23%. Included in his twenty tries were a Round Nine hat trick against North Queensland and doubles in Round Ten and Round Eighteen and the first week of the finals against the Roosters, Storm and Sharks respectively.

In addition to Round One in 2017 Greg Leleisiuao also scored in matches against the Warriors (Round Six), Wests Tigers (Rounds Seven and Twenty), Penrith (Round Eight and the Preliminary Final), the Canberra Raiders (Round Eleven), Bulldogs (Rounds Seventeen and Twenty Two) and the Brisbane Broncos in Round Twenty One.

Greg Leleisiuao was a star for the Titans NYC side in 2016 in the first half of the season, starting at centres in the opening eleven rounds of the competition scoring a double in Round Four against the Raiders and adding a further try in Round Seven against the St George Dragons.

Greg Leleisiuao burst onto the NYC scene with the Titans in Round Thirteen of 2015 starting from the bench against the Wests Tigers and scoring on debut. Greg Leleisiuao made his first starting appearance in Round Fourteen against the Bulldogs when he started at fullback and also started at fullback and scored in Round Fifteen against the New Zealand Warriors.

Greg Leleisiuao then moved to the wing for the remainder of his 2015 NYC matches for the Titans (other than Round Twenty Two when he started from the bench). In addition to the tries noted above Greg Leleisiuao also a Round Sixteen double against the Roosters as well as a double in Round Twenty Four against the Raiders and also scored in Round Twenty Five against the St George Dragons.

Greg Leleisiuao is a powerfully built young man who runs with pace and power. It would be unfair to categorise that his game is only built on pace and power though as he has a very good right foot step and left hand fend, he can also draw defenders in to give players outside him room.

If he gets on the outside of his opposing winger Greg Leleisiuao is definitely quick enough to break into open space although I would not say that he has plus speed, he is quick enough to gain separate from the cover defence.

When you look at his build Greg Leleisiuao may not look like he has a lot of speed, but he definitely does. Greg Leleisiuao is not necessarily the quickest off the mark but ha very good acceleration once he is moving and can sustain his top pace over an extended period.

Impressively a lot of Greg Leleisiuao’s metres in 2019 came through the centre of the ruck with Parramatta regularly running down the blind side on his side of the field. If the opposing winger is drawn in Greg Leleisiuao broke down the touch line, if not he would come back inside and bash and barge his way through the centre of the ruck.

Greg Leleisiuao is also very good at running out of dummy half. In relation to kick returns Greg Leleisiuao, on the majority of occasions would not be subtle, he would retrieve the ball and run straight and hard into the oncoming defensive line.

Greg Leleisiuao is always going to be judged on his attacking ability, but he is a solid defender as was evidenced in the Canterbury Cup this season. Greg Leleisiuao has the size and strength for powerful initial contact especially when he come out of the line and also has the speed to turn and chase when required.

Greg Leleisiuao may never be considered an outstanding defender but he has the skill set and physical attributes to be a solid NRL defender both from an individual and team perspective.

As noted above Greg Leleisiuao is currently training with the Titans NRL squad on a train and trial basis and if he does not pick up an NRL contract will play for Burleigh in the 2020 Queensland Cup competition.

Greg Leleisiuao immediately brings power running from the wing position for the Titans NRL squad as well as the ability to break through tackles on a regular basis.

I do not for a second believe that Greg Leleisiuao would recreate his 2019 Canterbury Cup statistics in the NRL should be make his debut for the Titans in 2020 but certainly running with the ball he has a real chance of being a difference maker as well as helping to get supporters excited about the season and thus helping get them to come to home matches.

Earlier in his career Greg Leleisiuao spent time in the centres and at fullback including for the Titans NYC side (and on the wing for the Titans NYC side as well) and even spent time at five eight in the U16 Cyril Connell Cup for Souths Logan in 2013 but moved to the wing permanently when he left for Parramatta and to be fair has not looked back since and at around 99kg and 180cm is the perfect build for a wrecking ball type winger who is just as happy to run over opposing wingers as he is to run around them.

For people who followed the Titans NYC side in 2015 and 2016, Greg Leleisiuao is a bit of a cult figure of sorts as that star youngster who displayed immense ability and potential before heading south, let’s hope that in his second coming Greg Leleisiuao can secure an NRL contract straight off the bat but if not he should be a dominant player for Burleigh come the 2020 Queensland Cup season.

Greg Leleisiuao plays like well Greg Leleisiuao, he is a ball of muscle with speed and a low centre of gravity who is very difficult to tackle and has steadily improved defensively over the last couple of seasons.

For the people that have not seen Greg Leleisiuao possibility a good NRL player comparison is former New Zealand Warrior and New Zealand International centre Solomon Kata that being of a hard running aggressive type of player with a solid build who relishes the contact, the harder the better both in attack and defence and also one that seems to be more than happy to run over his direct opponent rather than beating him with speed and/or guile even though he has both in his attacking ****nal.

mdrew

01-02-20, 03:28 PM

Phillip Sami – (Updated) He is winger originally from Ipswich who signed a new deal with the Titans in late 2019 which will keep him on the Gold Coast until the end of the 2021 NRL season.

In 2019 Phillip Sami played in fourteen matches (he was on the bench for another but did not get on the field) and was on the field for 839 minutes out of a possible 1 120 being 74.91%. On ten occasions Phillip Sami played all eighty minutes.

In those minutes, Phillip Sami ran for 1 799 metres (559 post contact), broke sixty one tackles including twelve in Round Seventeen against Penrith and ten in Round Six against Newcastle, broke the line on eight occasions, forced two drop outs, had a try assist and made forty seven tackles at a tackling efficiency of 61.6%.

Phillip Sami scored doubles in Rounds Fifteen and Twenty One against Manly and St George respectively and also scored Round Six against Newcastle and Round Twenty Five against St George.

Phillip Sami’s 2019 NRL per game averages included playing 59.23 minutes, running for 112.5 metres and making 3.36 tackles. Thus per eighty minutes, Phillip Sami, in 2019, ran for 151.95 metres and made 4.54 tackles.

On eleven occasions Phillip Sami ran for in excess of 100 metres in a match twice exceeding 200 metres including Round Twenty Five when he ran for 206 metres against St George and Round Six against Newcastle when he ran for 219 metres.

In 2018 Phillip Sami played in twenty three NRL matches for the Titans, scoring fourteen tries along the way. In addition he forced a drop out, ran for 3 015 metres, had a try assist, broke the line on thirteen occasions and made seventy tackles at a 81.4% tackling efficiency.

Phillip Sami made his NRL debut in in 2017 Round Fifteen against the South Sydney Rabbitohs and also played the final three rounds of the 2017 season in the NRL with matches against the Parramatta Eels in Round Twenty Four, the Bulldogs in Round twenty Five and Sydney Roosters in Round Twenty Six. Phillip Sami started his first two matches on the wing before starting in the centres in the final two rounds and scored his first NRL try in Round Twenty Five at home against the Bulldogs when he was one of the best Titans players on a tough afternoon.

In total in the NRL in 2017 Phillip Sami played the entire 80 minutes in all four matches, took fifty hit-ups, ran for 451 metres and made 29 tackles with only two misses for a tackling efficiency of 93.5%. Phillips Sami’s 2017 NRL per game averages include 12.5 carries for 113 metres and 7.3 tackles in 80 minutes. Incredibly Phillip Sami ran for over 100 metres in each of his four NRL matches including running for 123 metres in Round Twenty Six. On two occasions Phillip Sami made nine tackles in a match coming in Rounds Twenty Five and Twenty Six and after missing two tackles in his first NRL match did not miss another tackle in the NRL in his final three matches.

In the NYC for the Titans in 2017, Phillip Sami made twenty appearances scoring nine tries including a Round Twenty hat trick against the Penrith Panthers, a double in Round Sixteen against the Wests Tigers and also tries against the Eels in Round Three, the Storm in Round Ten, the Sea Eagles in Round Eleven and against the Warriors in Round Fourteen.

In total in 2017 in the NYC Phillip Sami carried the ball on 347 occasions running for 3 487 metres, made sixteen line breaks, offloaded 33 times and made 120 tackles with a tackling efficiency of 81%. Phillip Sami started thirteen matches in the centres and seven at fullback. His 2017 NYC per game averages included 17.5 carries for a staggering 175 metres and six tackles playing the entire 80 minutes in each of his twenty matches.

In 2017 Phillip Sami also started in the centres for the Queensland U20 side in their annual match against New South Wales U20’s and was named in the centres in the 2017 NYC team of the year.

Over the course of the 2016 NYC season Phillip Sami played in 24 of 26 possible matches and paced the Titans with 11 tries. On four occasions Phillip Sami crossed for doubles which came against the Rooster in Round 10, Raiders in Round 16, and in consecutive weeks in Rounds 22 and 23 against the Warriors and Wests Tigers respectively.

For the Titans NYC side Phillip Sami started on the wing on nine occasions and in the centres on 15 occasions. In total Phillip Sami ran for 2 750 metres on 275 carries and made eleven line breaks. In addition Phillip Sami also made 197 tackles. From a purely statistical perspective, Phillip Sami’s best match with the ball in hand was against Penrith and South Sydney in Rounds Eleven and Twelve respectively when he ran for 190 metres. On 17 occasions Phillip Sami made more than 100 metres in a match.

Defensively Phillip Sami averaged just over eight tackles per match and against the St George Dragons in Round Seven made 20 matches, the most in any match during the 2016 NYC season. Phillip Sami was credited with 28 missed tackles.

The table below compares Phillips Sami’s 2016 and 2017 NYC and 2017 NRL per game averages.

2016 NYC 2017 NYC 2017 NRL 2018 NRL 2019 NRL

Games played 24 20 4 23 14

Minutes per game 80 80 80 73 59.23

Metres made per game 114.6 174.5 113 131.1 112.5

Tackles per game 8.2 7.3 6 3.04 3.23

Phillip Sami’s calling card when you see him play is his foot work, it is absolutely outstanding in the centres. He can step off both feet effortlessly and put multiple combinations of steps together in a short space of time and a small radius to get out of difficult situations and still make ground. He does not just beat larger forwards with his footwork, he will make the fastest of outside backs and fullbacks look silly on occasion as they are left grasping at thin air.

Phillip Sami’s speed off the mark would have to be considered plus and whilst his top end speed may not necessarily be elite he can sustain it over an extended distance. He also has a solid low centre of gravity type build and also a decent fend complicating the task of defending against him.

Regardless of where he receives the ball he is an exceptional attacking player. If he gets an off load from a forward through the middle he is through the gap before the defence can react, if he gets the ball in space out wide he is make it very difficult for the opposing defender to get a clean shot at him and if he gets the ball from a kick, if the defensive line is not straight in the chase he can make significant ground. Seemingly like all modern day outside backs he has exceptional body control enabling him to score some amazing tries along the touchline with long range dives with the ball out in front of his body in one hand.

Defensively Phillip Sami uses his size to good effect, he drives with his shoulder into his opponent and has very good timing in terms of when to come out of the line and certainly has the speed to readjust and chase if his timing is slightly off and his opposing centre gets on his outside. Other defenders keyed off him in terms of whether to use an up and in methodology and slide to the outside.

Phillip Sami on an individual level has the body control to redirect quickly and mirror the movement of the opposing attackers and anticipate what vector the attack comes from and innately understands when to allow the attacking play to develop in from of him and when to come out of the line to disrupt the attacking play prior to its formation.

Phillip Sami also has the speed to turn and chase as was evidenced by his incredible and in some ways iconic effort to catch and tackle Melbourne Storm winger Josh Addo-Carr in 2019. It was one of the plays of the year from my perspective.

Phillip Sami is contracted to the Titans until the end of the 2021 season and for me is currently our most effective winger at the NRL level.

Prior to the 2016 season, being before he started in the NYC competition with the Titans, Phillip Sami played a variety of positions including, fullback, centre, wing and even some halfback when playing schoolboy rugby league for Ipswich State High School and in the NYC competition for the Titans he was outstanding in the centres (including being named there in the 2017 NYC Team of the Year). Phillip Sami however has cemented a position for himself on the wing in the NRL over the last two and a bit seasons and that is where Phillip Sami will stay for the duration of his NRL career.

mdrew

01-02-20, 07:51 PM

Alexander (AJ) Brimson. (Revised). The outstanding young 181cm 89kg flying fullback or half late last year signed a three year NRL deal which will keep him with the Titans until the end of the 2022 season.

In the 2019 NRL competition, AJ Brimson played in twenty one matches for the Titans, starting eleven at fullback, one at half, four at five eight and five from the interchange bench. In those twenty one matches AJ Brimson was on the field for 1 445 minutes out of a possible 1 680 being 86.01%, playing the entire eighty minutes on fourteen occasions scoring four tries along the way which came in Round Eight, Nine, Eleven and Fourteen against North Queensland, Cronulla, Manly and New Zealand respectively.

In addition AJ Brimson ran for 2 274 metres, kicked for 730 metres, forced five drop outs, had seven offloads, assisted in five tries, broke fifty nine tackles including ten in Round Eight against North Queensland and made 200 tackles at a 68.5% tackling efficiency.

AJ Brimson’s 2019 NRL per game averages included playing for 68.81 minutes, running for 108.3 metres and making 9.52 tackles. Thus per eighty minutes, AJ Brimson, in 2019, ran for 125.91 metres and made 11.07 tackles.

On eleven occasions AJ Brimson ran for more than 100 metres and twice that figure exceeded 200 metres including running for 202 metres in Round Twenty One against St George and running for 211 metres in Round Twelve against North Queensland.

In ten NRL matches in 2019 AJ Brimson made twenty tackles or more including twenty six on two occasions with those matches being against Canberra in Round One and St George in Round Twenty Five.

AJ Brimson also made his International debut in 2019 when he started from the bench for the Junior Kangaroo’s as they defeated France 62 – 4. In the International AJ Brimson played forty four minutes, the majority of which was in the dummy half role, ran for eighty one metres, had two line breaks, broke four tackles, had a try assist, kicked for thirteen metres and had a 100% tackling efficiency on the way to making fifteen tackles.

AJ Brimson made his NRL debut in 2018 for the Titans going on to play in fifteen NRL matches scoring seven tries along the way. In total in his fifteen matches AJ Brimson ran for 1 453 metres, kicked for 857 metres, forced four drop outs, had two try assists, offloaded the ball on three occasions and made 229 tackles at a tackling efficiency of 89.12%.

AJ Brimson donned a Titans jersey in two pre-season trials in 2018 including scoring a try in an NRL trial against the Brisbane Broncos in Toowoomba in February when he sliced through the broncos defence on the left side of the field to score midway between the touch line and the uprights.

AJ Brimson was also part of the Queensland U20 Emerging Origin Squad in 2018 after representing Queensland U20’s in 2017 with Titans team mates being Keegan Hipgrave and Phillip Sami.

AJ Brimson started the 2018 season plying his trade in the Queensland Cup with the Tweed Heads Seagulls starting at five eight in Rounds One, Three and Four and at fullback in Rounds Five and Six. AJ Brimson was the travelling 18th man for the Titans when they played New Zealand thus he missed Round two for Tweed Heads. Also in almost every NRL round so far in 2018 AJ Brimson has been named as an emergency for the Titans NRL side.

In the 2018 Queensland Cup competition, AJ Brimson has played a more understated role than in the NYC in 2017 but he was quietly effective, especially in relation to his kicking game, both tactical and attacking. Certainly his move to fullback was a great move as AJ Brimson looked more confident especially in terms of running with the ball.

Against Townsville in his first match at fullback AJ Brimson was a handful for the Blackhawks regularly chiming into the back line on the right side of the field and narrowly being tackled short of the try line after slicing through the defensive line. AJ Brimson also had some good touches on the left especially in terms of getting the out wider to the centres and wingers.

In saying that however in the two games after he moved back to fullback, AJ Brimson has been more prominent including a standout performance against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls on Saturday night when he had an outstanding match, including scoring a good second half try when he came into the backline off an inside pass and outpaced the cover defence to score.

AJ Brimson had to do a lot more tackling in 2018 season but with the added strength from the offseason training with the Titans NRL side he has been effective defensively. Clearly also he is being targeted by sides running big forwards in his direction, which is fair enough as that is what occurred when he came into the NRL.

In the 2018 Queensland Cup competition AJ Brimson was credited with two try assists, two line break assists and forcing a line drop out. He has run for 285 metres and made an impressive 62 tackles at a tackling efficiency of a more than solid 80.8%. On a per game basis AJ Brimson has run for 57 metres, made 12.5 tackles and kicked for 108.3 metres.

In his Queensland Cup debut in Round One against North’s AJ Brismon played the entire 80 minutes, ran for 55 metres, ten of those post contact made fourteen tackles at a tackling efficiency of 97.33% and kicked the ball on four occasions for 137 metres.

In the Round Three rivalry round against the Burleigh Bears AJ Brimson once again played the entire 80 minutes at five eight making 14 metres and 23 tackles at a tackling efficiency of 92.21% as the Bears ran a lot of traffic in his direction in difficult conditions.

In Round Four against the PNG Hunters in Port Moresby, AJ Brimson once again started at five eight and playing 67 minutes making 56 metres (season best), eight of those post contact and 10 tackles at a tackling efficiency of 89% against an aggressive Hunters forward pack that ran a lot of traffic in his direction the entire match. AJ Brimson was also credited with four tackle breaks in the match.

AJ Brimson moved back to fullback in Round Five against the Townsville Blackhawks and played the entire 80 minutes on his way to making 60 metres and seven tackles at a tackling efficiency of 87.5%. AJ Brimson also had a line break assist, a line break and eight tackle breaks and was unlucky not to have scored when he spun his way through the Blackhawks defence only to be pulled down just short of the try line.

AJ Brimson also played fullback in Round Six in Tweed Heads first win of the season over the Wynnum Manly Seagulls, 26 – 22 and having his best match to date in the Queensland Cup. In the match last weekend AJ Brimson once again played all 80 minutes on his way to making an even 100 metres (26 post contact) on eleven runs and eight tackles at a tackling efficiency of 80%. AJ Brimson also had a try assist, two line breaks and three tackle breaks to go along with his second half try.

AJ Brimson has been named at fullback for the third match in a row for the Seagulls for their Round Seven match this afternoon against the Easts Tigers at Tweed Heads.

The table below compares AJ Brimson’s 2016 and 2017 NYC per game averages and his 2018 Queensland Cup averages. It should be noted that in the 2016 season AJ Brimson played six matches at fullback:

2016 NYC 2017 NYC 2018 QCup 2018 NRL 2019 NRL

Minutes per game 72 80* 76 74 68.81

Metres made per game 97 100 63 96.93 108.3

Tackles per game 12 17 12.5 15.27 9.52

*AJ Brimson played 80 minutes in every game bar one when he played 71 minutes.

AJ Brimson was outstanding for the Titans NYC side in 2017 season and was rewarded with being selected on the extended bench for the Titans final NRL match against the Sydney Roosters. In 2017 AJ Brimson was named the Titans NYC player of the season sharing the award with giant young front rower and fellow Titans Top 30 contracted player Moeaki Fotuaika. AJ Brimson was also named in the 2017 NYC team of the year along with fellow Titans Top 30 contracted player Phillip Sami.

AJ Brimson has signed a three year deal with the Titans at will keep him at the club under the end of the 2020 season and in 2018 is part of the Top 30 squad even though he is still eligible to play in the U20 Colts competition.

AJ Brimson’s 2017 season kicked off when he played for the Titans in the Auckland Nine’s where he would have gained invaluable experience playing against NRL calibre players. From a trivia perspective, AJ Brimson’s older brother is Will Brimson who progressed through the Broncos U20 ranks and played for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in the Queensland Cup in 2017.

In the 2017 for the Titans NYC side AJ Brimson played in twenty one matches and averaged just under a try a match with twenty tries. AJ Brimson scored two hat tricks in 2017 which have come against the North Queensland Cowboys in Round Four and against the Manly Sea Eagles in Round Eleven and also doubles against the Newcastle Knights in Round Two and the St George Dragons in Round Seventeen. AJ Brimson scored a try in every match from Rounds Twenty to last weekend’s Round Twenty-five loss to Canterbury.

AJ Brimson’s per game 2017 NYC averages were 100 run metres on ten carries and 17 tackles at a tackling efficiency of around 85%. On seven occasions AJ Brimson has run for more than 100 metres in a match including an exceptional match in Round Eleven against Manly when he ran for 215 metres from just thirteen carries. Defensively AJ Brimson made more than 20 tackles on six occasions with his best tally coming in Round Three against the Newcastle Knights.

For all intents and purposes AJ Brimson was been an 80 minutes player with the Titans NYC side in 2017 as on only one occasion did he not played the entire match that was against the Parramatta Eels in Round Four when he “only” played 71 minutes.

AJ Brimson made his NYC debut in 2016 starting half back against South Sydney in Round 13 then playing every game up to Round 25 when he was injured after 51 minutes. Over the course of the twelve matches that he played AJ Brimson scored three tries on top of running for a total of 1 162 metres on 114 carries. His tries came in Round 15 against Manly, Round 20 in his fullback debut against Parramatta and finally against the Warriors in Round 22. In total AJ Brimson played his first six NYC matches at half back before playing his final six at fullback. The move to fullback was a master stroke by the NYC hierarchy.

AJ Brimson’s 2016 season averages per game included 97 metres on 11 carries and 12 tackles. His best running game came in Round 20 in his fullback debut when he ran for 159 metres against the Wests Tigers and in his NYC debut AJ Brimson made 21 tackles against South Sydney. In addition to the exceptional statistics noted above AJ Brimson also made nine line breaks including three against the Wests Tigers in Round 23 on top of his 159 metres. It was only in Round 25 when he was injured that AJ Brimson did not play the entire 80 minutes in a match.

Surprisingly AJ Brimson only scored two tries in the MM competition in 2016 where he played all of the Gold Coast White’s matches at half back. Upon completion of the MM season, AJ Brimson played a handful of matches with the Tweed Heads Seagulls QCup Colts side before finishing the 2016 in the Titans NYC side where he primarily played fullback. 2016 also saw AJ Brimson made GC White MM Player of the Year and joint MM Player of the year.

In 2016 he also played his schoolboy football for Keebra and made the South Coast QSSRL U18 squad. He also made his QCup Colts debut Tweed Seagulls late in the 2016 season, and scored a try on debut. Understandably he was also a very good touch rugby player.

AJ Brimson started attending Keebra Park State High School in 2013 with absolutely no rugby league experience at all focussing on touch instead including representing the Queensland U15 side at the Australian Touch Championships.

In attack AJ Brimson’s speed off the mark is the first attribute that you will notice when you see him play live. Any video’s, including video’s on the official site does not do his speed off the mark justice, watching him play live, it is great to see when he takes off. AJ Brimson does not seem to have an extra gear once he is through the defensive line, but has the ability to maintain his speed over a long distance, thus the apparent lack of an extra gear in speed has no discernible impact that I have identified.

Coupled with a very good right foot step, AJ Brimson’s speed enables him to make numerous line breaks. He can and will beat defenders in the inside with a step and if the defensive line is staggered a dummy and go, presents multiple headaches for the opposition’s defensive strategies. He also backs up any line breaks and loves to score tries.

AJ Brimson’s try in the February 2018 NRL trial against the Broncos can but put down to the analysis above, he took the ball on the left side and the field, stepped and exploded through a gap to score the Titans first try in their tough trial loss.

The area that for me AJ Brimson has developed the most over the last couple of seasons is in relation to his play making skills, including putting his runners, whether they are backrowers or centres into holes. His enhanced plays making skills has made his speed with his show and go more effective as defensive lines start to focus in his runners and thus leave more space for him.

As games progress AJ Brimson is very good at identifying tired forwards in the defensive line, and he will ruthlessly exploit that when he sees that. Multiple times this season he has left forwards clutching at air as they began to tire, for that matter it has not been just forwards as the Townsville Blackhawks backline can attest to.

AJ Brimson has a good short kicking game but he does not have the strongest leg in terms of kicking deep but is accurate enough and regularly finds the ground to enable the chasers to get down field. He will chase hard and usually is one of the first down field to defend. In terms of his short kicking game, he will back himself and put in little kicks over the top or grubber through the defensive line for himself, which causes all sorts of issues for defences due to his speed and desire to get to the ball first.

In defence, due to his size AJ Brimson is obviously not going to come up with the big hit but reads the play well enough and can hold his own when defending much bigger players. AJ Brimson will also track across field well looking when the ball is turned back inside. When confronted with forwards running directly at him on the edge of the ruck, he will get in front of them and use his shoulder in an effort to contain them until defensive help arrives. Certainly in the Queensland Cup so far this season the weight training that AJ Brimson did with the NRL squad has clearly benefitted him.

AJ Brimson has signed a new deal which will keep him with the Titans for the next couple of seasons and I am sure that we will see of the best of him in 2020 under new coach Justin Holbrook.
All in all with his blinding speed, especially off the mark and his play making skills as well as his ability to create for himself means that AJ Brimson is truly exciting player of the very near future in the NRL for the Titans.

AJ Brimson is a player who whilst known for his amazing speed off the mark, does have some other attributes to his game which can sometimes get be overlooked when people focus purely on his speed. Certainly the key attribute that is developing well in the NRL is in relation to his play making skills which are continuing to develop.

mdrew

02-02-20, 09:03 AM

Moeaki Fotuaika. (Revised) The giant young twenty year old Titans NRL contracted and former South’s Logan and Keebra Park front rower made an immediate impact in the NRL after starting off the 2018 season for the Tweed Heads Seagulls 2018 Queensland Cup side and continued that incredible impact through the entire 2019 NRL season.

Moeaki Fotuaika is so highly regarded at the Titans that he is given the responsibility of taking the first hit-up from the first kick-off or game restarts, clearly designed to get the Titans on the front foot from a momentum perspective to start their set of six tackles coming off their own goal line.

The fact that Moeaki Fotuaika is the only twenty year old in the NRL speaks volumes for his skill and maturity level. When his four year NRL contract with the Titans expires at the end of the 2022 season he will just be coming into his own, which will be scary proposition for opposition forward packs.

In 2019 Moeaki Fotuaika had what can only be described as an incredible year that was capped up by being named the Titans based at the 2019 Awards night.

In 2019 Moeaki Fotuaika played in twenty one NRL matches, starting eleven in the front row and ten from the bench. In his twenty one matches Moeaki Fotuaika was on the field for 988 minutes out of a possible 1 680, being 51.81%, ran for 2 800 metres (1 061 post contact), broke thirty two tackles, offloaded the ball thirteen times and made 563 tackles at a 91.9% tackling efficiency.

Moeaki Fotuaika’s 2019 NRL per game averages included playing 47.05 minutes, running for 133.4 metres and making 26.81 tackles. Thus per eighty minutes, Moeaki Fotuaika, in 2019, ran for 226.82 metres and made 45.59 tackles.

Moeaki Fotuaika played the entire eighty minutes in Round Fourteen against New Zealand and from a post contact metres perspective ran for ninety one metres in Round Eleven against Manly and ninety three metres in Round Twenty Two against Parramatta.

On eighteen occasions Moeaki Fotuaika ran for in excess of 100 metres in a match and on two occasions his running metres exceeded 200 metres, being Round Eleven when he ran for 207 metres against manly and Round Twelve when he ran for 217 metres against North Queensland.

In eighteen NRL matches in 2019 Moeaki Fotuaika made in excess of eighteen tackles in a match and in seven of those matches he recorded more than thirty tackles including thirty nine in Rounds Twelve and Fourteen against North Queensland and New Zealand respectively.

In the 2018 pre-season the 193cm, 110kg Moeaki Fotuaika started from the inter change bench for each of the Titans NRL trials and had a particularly solid NRL trial against the New Zealand Warriors on the Sunshine Coast in wet and windy conditions. Moeaki Fotuaika also had a couple of solid runs in a youthful Titans side in their first NRL trial this year against the Brisbane Broncos in Toowoomba in February.

Moeaki Fotuaika played in sixteen NRL matches in 2018 making his debut in Round Nine against the Raiders in Canberra. Moeaki Fotuaika scored two NRL tries this season the first coming in Round Eighteen against the Sydney Roosters and the second a week later in Round Nineteen against the Newcastle Knights.

In his sixteen matches Moeaki Fotuaika started on the interchange bench in fourteen and he started Rounds Seventeen and Eighteen against Brisbane and the Sydney Roosters in the front row.

In his NRL matches this season Moeaki Fotuaika ran for 1 359 metres (534.9 post contact being 39.36% of his totals metres gained) at a per game average of 85 metres. Moeaki Fotuaika was also credited with nineteen tackle breaks.

Defensively Moeaki Fotuaika made 307 NRL tackles at a per game average of 19.2 and an impressive tackling efficiency of 92.4%.

In Round Twenty Four against the Melbourne Storm Moeaki Fotuaika had an outstanding match, a career match if you will on the way to running for 160 metres and making 25 tackles at a 100% talking efficiency. That match was one of six where Moeaki Fotuaika ran for in excess of 100 metres this season.

At the Tweed Heads Seagulls prior to his NRL call up Moeaki Fotuaika had the ideal coach to help steer his fledgling rugby league career in Ben Woolf who was also his NYC coach in 2017 and the person who first saw him play in the Open NYC trial and who has gone on record to say that he was immediately impressed and got him signed to the Titans NYC that very same day, job well done Ben Woolf.

In Round One this season I thought that Woolf may have started Moeaki Fotuaika off the bench to ease him into the Queensland Cup competition. Ben Woolf was spot on however starting the big strong young man in the front row and Moeaki Fotuaika has not looked back in his matches since. Moeaki Fotuaika was named as Tweed Heads Seagulls best player in Rounds One and two.

In 2018 in the Queensland Cup for Tweed Heads through this seven matches Moeaki Fotuaika ran for 893 metres at an average of 127.6 metres per match and made 158 tackles at an average of 26.4 per game at an outstanding tackling efficiency of 83.3% all whilst playing on average 62.5 minutes per game. Moeaki Fotuaika also has made 325.9 of his running metres post contact, being 36.49% of his total metres, has had twelve off-loads, eleven tackle breaks and one line break.

Defensively Moeaki Fotuaika made 158 Queensland Cup tackles in 2018 at a tackling efficiency of 83.3%.

In Round One against the North’s Devils Moeaki Fotuaika ran for 148 metres, 64 of those post contact on fifteen hit-ups and made twenty eight tackles at a tackling efficiency of 88.75%. Moeaki Fotuaika backed that up in Round Two against South’s Logan by running for 168 metres, 53 of those post contact and making twenty nine tackles at a tackling efficiency of a staggering 96.67% (only one missed tackle), all in just 56 minutes on the field. In Round Two, Moeaki Fotuaika also had two off loads and a line break.

In the Round Three rivalry round against the Burleigh Bears, Moeaki Fotuaika continued his outstanding form on the way to 124 metres, 45 of those post contact on thirteen hit-ups and made 25 tackles at a tackling efficiency of 89.29%. Considering the difficult conditions and the dominance of the Burleigh Bears forward pack that afternoon, Moeaki Fotuaika’s performance was outstanding and received a considerable amount of praise from the Channel Nine commentators including former Gold Coast Charger Scott Sattler.

In the Round Four clash between Tweed Heads and the PNG Hunters Moeaki Fotuaika continued to hold his form against an aggressive Hunters forward pack on their home ground in Port Moresby on his way to running for 87 metres, 30 of those post contact on eleven hit-ups and made 22 tackles at a tackling efficiency of 100%. Moeaki Fotuaika was also credited with one line break and five tackle breaks.

Moeaki Fotuaika also scored his first Queensland Cup try in Round Four when he scored under the posts late in the second half to get Tweed Heads back into the game against the Hunters. Moeaki Fotuaika received the ball from the dummy half standing still about five metres out from the try line with three PNG Hunters forwards directly in front of him.

Moeaki Fotuaika proceeded to get low and barge his way over to score. It was quite an amazing show of strength and power considering that he received the ball with no momentum and was able to push back three Hunters forwards who had set themselves for the tackle but they were still unable to stop the ultra-talented Titans youngster.

Round Five saw Moeaki Fotuaika and his Tweed Heads Seagulls team mates travelled north to play the Townsville Blackhawks where Moeaki Fotuaika ran for 92 metres,30 of those post contact from eleven hit-ups and made 28 tackles at a tackling efficiency of 93.33%. Moeaki Fotuaika was also credited with three line breaks and three off-loads. Tweed Heads lost the match 38 – 4.

The table below compares Moeaki Fotuaika’s 2017 NYC per game averages his 2018 Queensland Cup averages and his 2018 and 2019 NRL seasons:

2017 NYC 2018 QCup 2018 NRL 2019 NRL

Games 22 7 16 21

Minutes per game 64 62.5 32 47.4

Runs per game 14 11.1 7.6 12

Metres made per game 135 127.6 85 133.4

Tackles per game 26 26.4 19.2 26.81

The key take out for me from the table above is that Moeaki Fotuaika, for an twenty year old, development is exceptional from 2017 through to now. Moeaki Fotuaika’s statistics are just outstanding when you are talking about such a young man up against NRL veterans.

Usually when NYC players step up in class, their statistics drop to reflect the difference in skill level and experience of the opposition, the opposite is the case in relation to Moeaki Fotuaika.

For me Moeaki Fotuaika was one of the real success stories out of the Titans NYC squad in 2017, even more incredible was that Moeaki Fotuaika was still eligible for the MM Cup competition throughout the 2017 NYC season. Moeaki Fotuaika attended an Open Titans NYC trial in late 2016 and has been a revelation ever since including being named as the Titans 2017 NYC joint player of the year alongside fellow Titans Top 30 contracted and current Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup team mate youngster AJ Brimson.

For the Titans in the NYC competition in 2017, Moeaki Fotuaika played in twenty two matches starting all of those matches in the front row. Moeaki Fotuaika’s averages per match for the season include 14 hit ups for 135 metres, two offloads and 26 tackles with a 90% defensive efficiency rate. Moeaki Fotuaika has also scored six tries with those tries coming against the Knights on two separate occasions, the Sydney Roosters, New Zealand Warriors and a double in the televised Round Twenty match against the Penrith Panthers.

For a giant young front rower it is an impressive feat that Moeaki Fotuaika played 1 341 minutes to average 64 minutes a match and on four occasions he has played the entire 80 minutes, including against the Broncos in Rounds Twelve and Twenty-Two, the Wests Tigers in Round Sixteen and against the Parramatta Eels late in the season.

Running with the ball Moeaki Fotuaika had some huge matches including in 17 of his 21 matches running for more than 100 metres. His “best” match from a running metres perspective was against the Wests Tigers in Round Sixteen when he ran for 213 metres on 23 hit ups. Moeaki Fotuaika also ran for 199 metres against the Broncos in Round Twenty two and against the Parramatta Eels ran for 166 metres.

From an off-loading perspective Moeaki Fotuaika off loaded the ball against the Cronulla Sharks on six occasions in Round Eight as well as six occasions against the Wests Tigers in Round Sixteen.
Another positive in relation Moeaki Fotuaika is that he has continued to cut down his error rate from the start of last year through this season and is currently averaging well south than an error a match.

Defensively Moeaki Fotuaika made more than 30 tackles in a match on eight separate occasions in the NYC in 2017, three times making 34 tackles coming against the Raiders in Round Six and Broncos in Rounds Twelve and Twenty Two. Against the Parramatta Eels in Round Twenty Four Moeaki Fotuaika made 20 tackles.

Moeaki Fotuaika earlier in 2017 was named with fellow Titans Darius Farmer and Rehiena Marsh as part of the New Zealand Australian residents U18 side for a match in October with a New Zealand Residents U18 side. Moeaki Fotuaika was part of the Queensland Academy of Sport U18 squad earlier in the 2017 season and was named in the New Zealand U20 squad as well in 2017.

The young former Keebra Park student is a giant of a young man who exudes size, strength and power when he plays. In addition to playing in the Keebra Park Open Rugby League sides in 2016, Moeaki Fotuaika started every match in the front row for South’s Logan in the MM Cup and proved to be a handful in that competition for opposing defences.

For the 2016 South’s Logan MM Cup squad, Moeaki Fotuaika bookended the season with two great performances against the Gold Coast MM sides. In Round One against Gold Coast Green Moeaki Fotuaika scored a double within the first 12 minutes of the game and was basically unstoppable and compared favourably that day to Payne Haas.

In the last match of the 2016 season he was just as dominant against Gold Coast White (which was the side with the majority of Titans linked boys) on his way to a hat trick, including scoring two barn storming tries in the second half where he just crashed through the Gold Coast White forward pack which was no mean feat when you consider that he was lined up against the likes of Kobe Tararo and Blake Lenehan, two very good defenders both then and now.

Moeaki Fotuaika is a big powerful young man who whilst using his size to his advantage by running hard and straight, does have quite decent footwork prior to the defensive line, which he uses to cut back behind the play the ball to take advantage of defenders who are slow to get back into the defensive line.

An area where Moeaki Fotuaika has really improved over the last two season is in relation to his off-loads in previous seasons he did not off load too much but this season he really has been able to get his arms free and get away some telling off-loads. Moeaki Fotuaika continually put his hand up all day to take the ball up and has a very quick play the ball so that his team can maintain momentum. Moeaki Fotuaika had an impressive off load in Round Three against the Burleigh Bears.

In the first set of six in the game, in driving rain Moeaki Fotuaika offloaded a great ball with his right hand. The fact that the off load was in the first set of six and only ten metres out from his own line, shows the confidence that Moeaki Fotuaika has in his ability and his team mates.

One area that he did not seem to use too often this year, but does seem to have the capacity to develop based on his size, skills and footwork is the ability to off load before the line, an example of what I am meaning is how the Canterbury Bulldogs forward pack uses those small offloads prior to the line. Moeaki Fotuaika has shown glimpses of having the skills to utilise the same skills if the opportunities arise, developing this skill with only enhance his effectiveness.

In defence Moeaki Fotuaika uses his size and strength to make very solid initial contact and certainly can take on all opposing forwards one on one. He is not averse to looking for the big hit but does have a good front on defensive technique, maintaining decent leverage and reasonable agility and lateral movement when looking to tackle smaller opponents on the edge of the ruck, although clearly he is more effective in the centre of the ruck, as most front rowers are. Moeaki Fotuaika’s raw natural strength means that he is also dominant when looking to slow the paly the ball down.

In Round Three against Burleigh, two tackles that Moeaki Fotuaika made are perfect examples of the impact that he can have in defence. The first tackle that Moeaki Fotuaika made was a brutal front on tackle on Burleigh front rower Luke Page. Luke Page ran straight at the 18 year old youngster. Moeaki Fotuaika set himself and smashed Luke Page front one with a perfectly timed and executed tackle which immediately halted Luke Page’s momentum.

The second tackle that can be critical reviewed was a tackle on Burleigh’s elusive winger Henere Wells. Wells had come off his right wing to take a hit-up in the middle of the ruck. He was able to isolate Moeaki Fotuaika, but Moeaki Fotuaika steadied himself and waited for Henere Wells to make his final move before coming forward and crunching the Burleigh winger in a copy book front one tackle.

In the Round Five match against the Townsville Blackhawks Moeaki Fotuaika also made an outstanding tackle on Townsville half Jalen Feeney. Feeney came back on the inside and looked like scoring but Moeaki Fotuaika had not stopped when the ball went past him and covered across on the inside to prevent an almost certain try and from the next play the ball was on hand to hold up the Townsville dummy half.

Moeaki Fotuaika signed a four year NRL deal in early 2019 with the Titans and multiple reports that came out of the Titans over the off season revolved around his strength and fitness levels stunning his seasoned NRL team mates and coaching staff alike. Clearly the reports were accurate based on his NRL form this season.

At the end of 2017 and through the 2018 pre-season, I expected Moeaki Fotuaika to start the season in the Queensland Cup Colts competition before breaking into the Queensland Cup mid-season before getting a game or two in the later rounds of the NRL. How wrong was I?

I will acknowledge that I thought scrapping the NYC competition was the incorrect decision but seeing Moeaki Fotuaika’s development in the Queensland Cup prior to his NRL call up, and also the play of Jai Whitbread and AJ Brimson, I have to take my lumps and say from a player development perspective the decision appears to be absolutely correct.

Even more amazing for Titans fans is that Moeaki Fotuaika was still eligible to play in the U20 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition in 2019.

In 2020 at just 21 year old Moeaki Fotuaika will be the corner stone of the Titans NRL forward pack and has a ten year NRL and representative career in front of him for sure.

Moeaki Fotuaika has made the front row position his own with the Titans over the last 18 months and that will not change anytime soon. He looks to be a ten year NRL front rower and perennial Tongan International as well. I am glad the Titans hierarchy got this young man signed to a long term deal over the off season.

Based on his performances in the NRL this season I am really struggling to come up with an NRL player comparison for Moeaki Fotuaika.

Moeaki Fotuaika has the size of the Titans own Ryan James, the speed of Brisbane Bronco Matt Gillett, the mobility of giant North Queensland Cowboys front rower Jordan McLean, the power of Canberra’s and soon to be Titan Shannon Boyd and the skill set of Sonny Bill Williams from an off-loading perspective.

I have not EVER seen a young front rower with Moeaki Fotuaika’s physical attributes and skill set all rolled into one. From what I understand Moeaki Fotuaika is also a dedicated hard working young man who has the motivation and dedication to make the most of the opportunity that he has with the Titans. All evidence to date suggests that is absolutely the case and will continue to be so.

I expected Moeaki Fotuaika to play well in 2018 and 2019 but seriously he is that far in front of where I thought that he would be it is not funny. Without trying to put undue pressure on him, Moeaki Fotuaika has the ability, skill set, physical attributes and motivation to redefine how front rowers play rugby league over the coming seasons.

There is a lot of hype about former Titan junior and current Brisbane Bronco front rower Payne Haas (and certainly deservedly so) but Moeaki Fotuaika is easily just as good, both from a skill, power and mobility perspective considering as well that Payne Haas is a year older than the outstanding Titans NRL contracted youngster who also has an inspiring back story making it impossible not to cheer for Moeaki Fotuaika.

mdrew

02-02-20, 10:54 AM

Erin Clark. The New Zealand born utility signed a two year NRL contract with the Titans in early 2020 and shapes as a utility player who can play both in the halves as well as hooker efficiently at the NRL level.

Erin Clark played his junior football for the Manurewa Marlins and Point Chevalier Pirates and attended Manurewa High School before being signed by the New Zealand Warriors.

Erin Clark made his NRL debut for the Warriors in Round Two of the 2017 season against the Melbourne Storm and played for the Junior Kiwis later that same season.

In his NRL debut Erin Clark came off the bench playing only six minutes. Erin Clark made the most of those minutes however, running twice out of dummy half making eighteen metres, seven post contact, and made five tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

Erin Clark joined Canberra mid-season in 2017 but did not add to his one NRL match in his time with the Raiders. Erin Clark in fact returned to New Zealand in late 2017 taking the 2018 season off before lining up in the Sharman Cup for Manurewa in 2019.

In addition to playing in the Sharman Cup in 2019 Erin Clark played two matches for Counties Manakau in the New Zealand National Premiership. Erin Clark started at hooker in Round One and scored in the second half against Waikato and also started at hooker in Round Two against the Akarana Falcons.

In May 2016, Erin Clark played for Samoa against Tonga< in the 2016 Polynesian Cup where he played off the interchange bench in the 18-6 win at Parramatta Stadium. Later in 2016 Erin Clark represented Samoa in an International against Fiji in Apia, playing off the interchange bench in Samoa’s 20 - 18 loss.

Against Tonga Erin Clark played thirty four minutes off the bench running out of dummy half on four occasions for twenty six metres (eight post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 3.85 seconds and made sixteen tackles at a tackling efficiency of 94.1%.
Against Fiji Erin Clark played thirty two minutes, running four times for thirty two metres (eight post contact) with three of those being runs out of dummy half, played the ball at an average speed for 2.42 seconds and made sixteen tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

After moving over from the New Zealand Warriors Erin Clark completed the 2017 season as part of the Canberra Raiders NYC side as well as two matches in the Canterbury Cup for the Mounties.

For the Raiders in the 2017 NYC competition Erin Clark came into the team in Round Sixteen starting at hooker against the Brisbane Broncos going on to play in ten matches. Erin Clark started at hooker in the first six matches that he played for the Raiders before moving in Round Twenty Three starting at half against the Sharks. After that match Erin Clark started the next two matches also at half before starting from the bench in Round Twenty Six against the Storm.

Erin Clark scored three tries after moving to the Raiders with his first coming in Round Seventeen against North Queensland. Erin Clark also scored in Round Twenty One against Souths Sydney and Round Twenty Two against the Sharks.

Erin Clark also played in two matches for the Mounties in 2017 with his first match coming in Round Twenty Five when he started at half against the Sea Eagles. Erin Clarke played the entire 80 minutes of the match, running for seventy seven metres (thirty four post contact), had three try assists, three line break assists, broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed for 3.34 seconds, kicked for seventy six metres and made eighteen tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

Erin Clarks second Canterbury Cup match came in Week One of the 2017 Finals series when he started at half and played the entire eight minutes against St George. In his time on the field, Erin Clark ran for sixty eight metres, had a line break assist, broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed for 3.9 seconds, kicked for 148 metres and made twenty tackles at a 95% tackling efficiency.

In his 160 Canterbury Cup minutes in 2017 Erin Clark ran for 145 metres, had three try assists, four line break assists, broke five tackles , kicked for 224 metres and made thirty eight tackles at a 97.44% tackling efficiency. Therefore Erin Clarkes per game totals included running for 72.5 metres, kicking for 112 metres and making nineteen tackles.

For the Warriors in the 2017 NYC competition before his move to the Canberra Raiders mid-season Erin Clark started eight matches at hooker scoring in Round Eleven against St George.

In the 2016 season, Erin Clark was part of the Warriors NYC side for the second season playing in twelve matches after coming into the side in Round Seven against the Bulldogs starting at five eight. Ove the course of the 2016 NYC season Erin Clark made ten starts at five eight and two at lock being Round Sixteen against the Cronulla Sharks and Round Seventeen against the Titans.

From his twelve matches Erin Clark scored in Round Eight against the Melbourne storm, Round Ten against Penrith and Round Fifteen against the Roosters.

In 2015, even though he was still U18 eligible Erin Clark was part of the Warriors NYC squad and was the only player in the Junior Warriors’ squad to appear in all 27 matches that season, including finals.

Erin Clark played the majority of the 2017 NYC season at half, but also started four matches at hooker, including the Warriors Preliminary Final loss to Penrith which ended their season. Erin Clark’s first start at hooker came in Round Twenty Two against St George.

In his twenty seven 2015 NYC matches Erin Clark scored eight tries with his first try of the season coming in Round Two against the Raiders. Erin Clark also scored against the Wests Tigers (Rounds Six and Twenty Five), Cronulla Sharks (Round Eight), Melbourne Storm (Round Eighteen) St George (Round Twenty Two), North Queensland (Round Twenty Four), Bulldogs (Round Twenty Six) and the Brisbane Broncos (Week Two of the Finals).

In his NYC career for both Canberra and the Warriors Erin Clark played in fifty three NYC matches scoring sixteen tries to account for his sixty four points.

Erin Clark represented the New Zealand Residents U18s and the New Zealand Secondary Schools in 2014 (as a 17 year old) and that same year won the major rugby league accolade at the 2014 ASB Young Sportsperson of the Year Awards.

With the ball Erin Clark is a very good distributor and will take the ball to the line in an effort to set up his supports. Erin Clark is adept at drawing an opposing defender out of the defensive line and then putting his support runner through the resulting gap. In terms of his speed, I would suggest that an appropriate definition of his speed would be that he is quick off the mark but does not have an extra gear when he breaks into open space.

Regardless of the state of the game Erin Clark will back his judgement and take the game on. Assisting his play is the fact that he makes the decision what to do with the ball quickly thus enabling the ball to get out wide quickly.

Erin Clark’s passing game is solid but seems to be slightly better when he is passing to the right side of the field. His ability to dummy and go also seems slightly more effective when he is running to the right side of the field.

Erin Clark has a good short kicking game but he does not have the strongest leg in terms of kicking deep but is accurate and regularly finds the ground to enable the chasers to get down field. Erin Clark also has developed the ability to get his kick away defensively and thus can kick out of dummy half which is a great skill in his ****nal to have.

Erin Clark is also very vocal on the field always talking and encouraging his side both in attack and defence.

Defensively like the way that he takes the line on, Erin Clark is aggressive and attacks the ball carrier rather than waiting for the attackers to come to him and clearly looks to limit the time opposition players have to generate momentum before they get to him. Against players similar in size or reasonably close to it, Erin Clark is very aggressive and makes sure that he finishes off every tackle in an effort to win every one on one individual battle against his opponent.

From a kicking perspective Erin Clark has range and accuracy in relation to his tactical kicking with another positive being that he gets his kicks away quickly. When he was playing at hooker in the NYC competition I can recall instances when he kicked from dummy half and even in that environment where he have limited time and space was able to generate distance whilst maintaining accuracy. Few players have the ability to kick out of dummy half well but the Titans have one such player in Erin Clark.

Erin Clark has signed a two year NRL deal with the Titans which will keep on the Gold Coast until the end of the 2021 season. Erin Clark has obviously impressed Justin Holbrook and the other coaches with his work ethic in the offseason but his role in 2020 will ultimately be determined by how he performs in the 2020 NRL trials.

For the Titans I believe that Erin Clark will operate as a utility type of player primarily from dummy half but will also spend time in the halves. Dare I saw it but Erin Clark’s best opportunity to break into the Titans NRL side in 2020 is off the bench, where he can cover both the dummy half role and in the halves should an injury occur there.

The fact that Erin Clark is also a solid tactical kicker who has the ability to kick out of dummy half will also work in his favour in terms of being a valuable member of the Titans NRL side in 2020 and 2021 whether that is in relation to starting or coming off the bench.

From an NRL player comparison perspective for Erin Clark, I can really see aspects of the play of former Titan and Manly NRL utility Cameron Cullen as a player who provides a spark in both attack and defence when he is on the field with his feisty and aggressive take no prisoner’s nature in the way that he plays.

Erin Clark since leaving Canberra and heading back to New Zealand was for all intents and purposes off the radar from a rugby league perspective but he has clearly worked hard and trained exceptionally well to be offered a two year NRL deal by the Titans.

mdrew

02-02-20, 12:52 PM

Solomon Torrens. (Revised) The Titans contracted powerful forward has had an impressive start to his career in Titans colours being involved in late 2018 in matches for the Titans against PNG and New South Wales Country and also was part of the Titans U18 side in January 2019 that played against the Newcastle Knights.

Currently Solomon Torrens is training with the Titans Rookie Squad as well as training with the Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup squad and will be part of the Titans Rookie Squad that will play the Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup side in early February.

In March 2019 Solomon Torrens was selected in the South Coast U18 side for the 2019 QSSRL U18 Championships and started in the front row for South Coast in the QSSRL U18 Championships. One Day One of the Championships, Solomon Torrens was his typical hard charging self, scoring when he collected a grubber kick that had bounced around through a number of feet to score near the right upright.

South Coast went through the Championships undefeated including coming from behind to defeated Northern in the final 22 – 16.

Solomon Torrens was subsequently named in the Queensland School boy’s side for the Australian School boy Championships and in fact was named Player of the Tournament.

Solomon Torrens was the captain of the 2019 Queensland U18 ASSRL side playing in all of his Queensland’s matches starting in either the front row or second row although he did some matches with an injury.

Solomon Torrens played in all eight matches for the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup side in 2019 and was particularly outside in their semi-final win against Souths Logan including being heavily involved in the Seagulls first try.

Operating on the left, Solomon Torrens used impressive late footwork to get outside of the Magpies right second rower and get the ball to the outside, leading directly to a try for fellow Titan, centre Caleb Hodges.

In the 2019 MM Cup Grand Final against Wynnum Manly Solomon Torren was one of Tweed Heads best and scored the match sealing try late in the second half when he cut back in after receiving he ball and crashing over for an outstanding try.

Solomon Torrens was also at his rampaging best in the National U18 Grand Final against Illawarra proving to be a real handful for the Steelers defence every time he took the ball up.

Solomon Torrens played thirty six minutes in the National Final, running for an incredible 150 metres (forty six post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.83 seconds and made fourteen tackles at a tackling efficiency of 87.5%.

Solomon Torrens started Round Two of the Langer Cup for PBC on the bench against St Mary’s but when he was injected into the match mid-way through the first half, Solomon Torrens put PBC on the front foot with some big charges through the middle and started at lock against Keebra Park.

2019 also saw Solomon Torrens start in the front row for the Titans U18 side in their match against North Queensland that was played as the curtain raiser to the Titans/ Warriors NRL match in June 2019.

The powerfully built young forward has moved up in 2018 from Northern New South Wales and has made an immediate impression at PBC State High School and for me was the best player on the field when PBC defeated Keebra Park 26 – 22 in the Langer Cup (Open Age Group) recently. The match was a high quality affair but Solomon Torrens was a class apart with his powerful running on the fringes of the ruck for PBC.

Solomon Torrens started that match at lock and was dominant throughout regularly making metres through the centre of the ruck as well as on the right side of the ruck. For me Solomon Torrens performance on the Wednesday night against Keebra Park was the best performance I have seen from a school boy since watching Ryan James destroying everyone when he was in his senior year also at PBC seven or eight years ago now.

The former Casino RSM youngster generated a lot of buzz around him as a result of his great season in the U16.5 Group One junior rugby league competition in2017 and it was certainly deserved. As a result Solomon Torrens was selected in the Tweed Heads Seagulls U18 MM Cup squad for the 2018 version of the competition.

For Tweed Heads in the MM Cup competition Solomon Torrens played in two matches being Rounds One and Two against Norths and Victoria respectively coming off the inter change bench on both occasions.

When the 2018 MM Cup competition reached its conclusion, In addition to playing for PBC Solomon Torrens played for the Bilambil Jets in the Gold Coast Rugby League U17 Division One competition. Round One saw Solomon Torrens start in the front row as the Jets lost 20 – 18 to the Tweed Heads Seagulls. An opponent in that match but a team mate for PBC in the Langer Cup match against Keebra Park was giant Titans linked front rower Jordan Tauali’i .

Solomon Torrens was back in the U17 Division One competition in Round Three when he came off the interchange bench. In Round Four Solomon Torrens started from the interchange bench for Bilambil and scored in their tough 18 – 10 loss to Currumbin.

In Round Five of the Gold Coast Rugby League competition, Solomon Torrens deservedly made his GCRL First Grade debut when he started in the centres for the Bilambil Jets in their 26 – 18 loss to the Tugun Seahawks. Making your GCRL First Grade debut at just 17 is an impressive feat.

For Casino RSM in the 2017 U16.5 Group One JRL competition, Solomon Torrens averaged just under a try a match on his way to scoring nine tries from just eleven matches including a great first two rounds when he scored a hat trick in Round One against Ballina and a Round Two double against Lismore Marist Brothers.

Prior to his move to Casino RSM, Solomon Torrens played for the Kyogle Turkeys including at 2016 at the U15 level where he scored five tries across 10 ten matches, including a hat trick against Clarence Coast, and also tries against Marist Brothers on two separate occasions. Unfortunately his U15 side has had a difficult season and finished last. Solomon Torrens also played eight matches up in the U16.5 age group, scoring two tries in the process, one being in his first match in that age group against Grafton and the second against Casino RSM.

Running with the football, Solomon Torrens has good footwork prior to the line and does not often just put his head down and run straight, but uses his solid footwork to try to work the gaps between defenders rather than trying to simply run over them.

Solomon Torrens has very good speed off the mark but not necessarily great high end speed, but he will work hard and make the most of his ability. The key to his running is his ability to drop his shoulder into the defenders at the right moment, to go along with his late foot work. These attributes make Solomon Torrens very difficult to tackle and he can rarely be stopped one on one.

Throw in a decent turn of pace off the mark and you have a player who is difficult for a defensive line to combat. Keebra Park had all sorts of trouble defending against him and he seemed to break at least one tackle every time he ran the ball that Wednesday night. He was just an absolute powerhouse over the course of the entire match.

Defensively Solomon Torrens hits very hard and usually aims for just under the ribcage and is certainly someone opposing forwards look for when running the ball up and is adept at making sure the opposition do not get quick play the balls, read that Solomon Torrens is very good at winning the wrestling battle in the ruck, he is a naturally strong young man.

Solomon Torrens defends in the centre of the ruck and seems best suited in the long run defending there and adds a degree of intimidation to any forward pack he plays for. Against Keebra Park he dominated their giant forward pack for large stretches of the match.

Solomon Torrens really does know how to tackle effectively, as he sets a strong base to create the necessary leverage to defend against larger forwards and then explodes through his core. Throw in a touch of aggression and you have someone in Solomon Torrens who can dominate a game defensively and is able to seal off one side of the ruck on his own.

He will need to continue to work on his strength and lateral movement as he progresses but his work ethic is such that continued hard work is not an issue for Solomon Torrens.

Solomon Torrens signed a recent deal with the Titans that will keep him on the Gold Coast until the end of the 2021 season. Currently Solomon Torrens is training with the Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup squad and whilst it is likely that he will start the 2020 season with the Seagulls Hastings Deering’s Colts squad, it is also likely that Solomon Torrens will make his Queensland Cup debut over the course of the 2020 season.

Solomon Torrens likely could also play in the second row, but with his ability to make ground through the centre of the ruck and also establish a defensive presence in the same area, a future at lock would seem the most likely scenario from my perspective.

From a player comparison perspective for Solomon Torrens, someone that I think that he has a similar playing style to is North Queensland Cowboy and New Zealand International Jason Taumalolo as a wrecking ball of a forward who can break open and dominate a game on his own.

Solomon Torrens just oozes class and the scary thing is that I do not think that he has even come close to realising his potential and likely will not until he plays at a higher level on a more regular basis. Playing in the MM Cup this season and for PBC as well as in the GCRL First Grade competition is a great base for him to excel with the outstanding coaching and experience available to him.

Solomon Torrens 2018 and 2019 season for both the Tweed Heads MM Cup side and PBC has been nothing short of absolutely outstanding and he still has a lot of potential that is yet to translate into production but it will and when it does opponents are in a world of trouble both in terms of how he attack them and hit them defensively.

I have seen Solomon Torrens play over the last couple of seasons where he was good, but this season he has taken yet another step in his development with the promise of plenty more to come.

mdrew

02-02-20, 05:26 PM

Te Ahurei Epapara. The giant young New Zealander had an outstanding career in both rugby and rugby league across the ditch but has headed over to the Gold Coast and will look to cement a spot in the Burleigh Bears Hastings Deering’s Colts squad this season. Te Ahurei Epapara is also U20 eligible in 2021.

In 2019 Te Ahurei Epapara played school boy rugby for the powerhouse New Zealand school Rotorua Boys High playing primarily at lock (loosely equates to second row in rugby league) in their talented First XV side. Te Ahurei Epapara also played a number of First XV matches at No. 8 including a key match against Tauranga Boys College.

In 2019 Te Ahurei Epapara also played 7’s rugby for Rotorua Boys High including the U19 Bay of Plenty 7’s tournament where Te Ahurei Epapara was named Rotorua Boys High best forward.

Prior to the 2019 season Te Ahurei Epapara played a significant amount of rugby league including representing the Wai-Coa Bay Colts in the New Zealand U17 National Youth Tournament in 2018 starting all five of their matches at lock with those matches being against the Auckland Vulcans, Wellington Orca’s twice, Counties Manukau Stingrays and Northern Swords.

In 2018 Te Ahurei Epapara represented the Bay of Plenty side at the U17 Northern Districts Rugby League Tournament and in 2015 was an Upper Central Zone U15 representative. In the Bay of Plenty area Te Ahurei Epapara played for the Pikiao Warriors club.

Te Ahurei Epapara will attack the edge of the ruck looking to isolate a defender and keep his right arm free to off load. If his support runner is on his inside he has the strength to maintain contact with the defensive line and pop a short pass. If his support is on his outside Te Ahurei Epapara is adept at flicking the ball out of the back of his hand a la Sonny Bill Williams.

Te Ahurei Epapara runs with the primary intention to engage the defensive line front one, he does not over complicate the task and runs straight and hard getting his shoulders down low just prior to contact. His broad shoulders and strong frame back him a difficult proposition to handle.

As noted he looks to isolate a defender, if that defender goes low Te Ahurei Epapara will off load with his right arm and if the defender looks to tackle him around the chest, Te Ahurei Epapara will initiate the contact and continue to pump his legs to either gain as much ground as possible or to break the tackle completely through sheer force of will.

In addition Te Ahurei Epapara to above average speed with a high knee lift and the constant pumping of his legs Te Ahurei Epapara will break through the initial defensive line more often than you think likely. Te Ahurei Epapara also has outstanding mobility which enables him to get to his feet quickly once he has been tackled aiding in the continuation of the momentum that he has established for his team.

Defensively the aggressive nature of the initial contact made by Te Ahurei Epapara is the primary component of his defensive methodology, in short Te Ahurei Epapara attacks opposition runners front on. Te Ahurei Epapara looks for the big front on hit as often as possible but does actually have a good front on defensive technique, maintaining leverage and balance when looking to tackle smaller opponents on the edge of the ruck.

Te Ahurei Epapara looks to obtain both physical and mental dominance over his opponents in all aspects of the game and as you would except with an aggressive player of his size Te Ahurei Epapara will also win the ground wrestle on the vast majority of occasions.

Te Ahurei Epapara has moved over to the Gold Coast and is part of the 2020 Burleigh Bears Hastings Deering’s Colts squad for the upcoming season and is also Colts eligible in 2021.

Te Ahurei Epapara is a giant of a young man but for his size has outstanding speed and mobility and as you would expect from New Zealand school boys who have played No. 8 in their schools First XV also has exceptional ball skills and a hardness and toughness about them as well as outstanding leadership attributes.

Te Ahurei Epapara will also certainly start in the second row for Burleigh this season and projects to be a great hard running, wide running, offloading runner with very good athletic skills and the heart and desire to succeed no matter what, down the track however a move to the front row is not out of the question for the talented New Zealander.

mdrew

02-02-20, 07:38 PM

Jack Glossop. The former North Queensland Cowboys NYC and Townsville Blackhawks front rower/lock is set to line up for the Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup side in 2020.

Jack Glossop has been on the radar of NRL clubs since he was just 15. Jack Glossop at that age was part of both the North Queensland Cowboys and Brisbane Bronco’s Development programs but ultimately made the decision to sign with the Cowboys, moving to Townsville once the former Gladstone Valley’s junior finished his schooling at St Brendon’s Yeppoon.

In 2019 Jack Glossop was part of the Townsville Blackhawks Queensland Cup but did not make his debut, he was however named to start from the bench in Round Seventeen but ultimately did not debut.

In 2018 Jack Glossop played in the Hastings Deering’s Colt’s competition for Townsville playing in the Blackhawks first eleven matches before missing the remainder of the season. In his eleven matches Jack Glossop scored four tries including a Round Two double against Ipswich and also scored in Round One against the Mackay Cutters and Round Eight against the Victoria Thunder.

Jack Glossop started seven of his 2018 Colts matches at lock, one in the front row, being Round Eleven against Wynnum Manly and the remainder from the interchange bench.

In 2017 Jack Glossop was part of the North Queensland Cowboys NYC squad, making his debut in Round Two against Manly, starting from the bench and scoring on debut as well as being named the Cowboys best in the match.

In total in the NYC competition in 2017 Jack Glossop played in sixteen matches, starting fourteen off the bench including their Week One Finals loss to Manly. Jack Glossop made his first NYC start when he started at lock in Round Eight against the Newcastle Knights and also started at lock in Round Nine.

In 2015 and 2016 Jack Glossop was part of the Townsville Blackhawks MM Cup squad’s and in 2016 was also part of the Blackhawks squad that took on the Penrith Panthers in the U18 National Final.

Running with the football, Jack Glossop has good footwork prior to the line and does not often just put his head down and run straight, but uses his solid footwork to try to work the gaps between defenders rather than trying to simply run over them. Jack Glossop does not have great speed off the mark or necessary above average high end speed, but he will work hard and make the most of the ability he possesses. Jack Glossop actually does have a decent off load when he has impacted the defensive line as well.

Defensively Jack Glossop is a solid hitter, usually aiming for just under the ribs and first intention is to lock up the ball to prevent offloads rather than just trying to belt the opposition. One area where is quite effective whether he is defending on the fringes of the ruck or in the centre of the ruck including when he is defending at marker, is against smaller attackers who look to use their foot work.

Jack Glossop has quite reasonable lateral mobility for a front rower and due to the fact that he also is not that tall, and is usually is able to wrap up smaller attackers without his tackles slipping up to around the head or neck too often.

In 2020 Jack Glossop will be part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup squad and he will be looking to make his debut after coming so close in 2019 with the Townsville Blackhawks. Obviously Jack Glossop is also looking to impress the powers that be at the Titans as he looks to get a look in at the NRL level in coming seasons.

For his entire rugby league career to date including juniors and school boys Jack Glossop has played either lock or in the front row and with his playing style and size, there is no reason to indicate that that situation will alter any time soon.

From a player comparison perspective for Jack Glossop, one player with a similar playing style from my perspective is Parramatta Eels front rower Nathan Brown, as a solid forward who will probably never be a star but will be a solid contributor to a team’s forward pack and overall team success none the less

mdrew

02-02-20, 08:34 PM

Cole Geyer. (Revised) The young hooker was outstanding in 2018in both the MM Cup competition and for Currumbin in the U17 Division One competition and Cole Geyer also got an opportunity in the GCRL U19 competition as a result.

Cole Geyer started the 2019 season off with the Burleigh MM Cup side for the second year in a row in the MM Cup (Cole Geyer played for the Tweed Heads MM Cup side in 2018), playing in all six matches, starting five at hooker and one, being Round Five against Souths Logan at lock.

In the final round against the previously unbeaten Wynnum Manly Seagulls Cole Geyer scored in a tight 23 – 22 Burleigh win. With Burleigh right on the Wynnum Manly line, they were spread out to the right, instead Cole Geyer threw what could only be described as an extravagant dummy to score from close range from dummy half. Cole Geyer also scored two tries against Norths in Round One.

At the end of season awards, Cole Geyer was named 2019 Burleigh MM Cup Players Player.

Post the MM Cup competition Cole Geyer moved back to play for Currumbin in the GCRL competition, bypassing the U18 Division One competition all together to start in the U20’s. Cole Geyer came off the bench in Round Six before moving into the starting side in Round Seven at hooker, scoring a hat trick as Currumbin defeated Burleigh 52 – 28.

Two of his tries were simply outstanding individual efforts. In the first half, Cole Geyer took the ball from dummy half running to his left around forty metres out from the Burleigh line, he broke through the initial defensive line as a result of a dummy (Cole Geyer ran with the ball out in front of his body in two hands) and a step.

As he was coming to the fullback Cole Geyer showed outstanding speed by literally running around him and then did the same to the Burleigh left winger who came back to try to tackle him to score in the right corner. The paly started on the left side of the field, highlighting Cole Geyer’s speed.

Cole Geyer’s try in the second half was no less impressive, Cole Geyer packed in at lock in a scrum with a Currumbin feed around sixty metres out from the Burleigh line. Cole Geyer picked up the ball from the back of the scrum running to his right.

Once again Cole Geyer ran with the ball out in front of his body in two hands, putting the defence in doubt as to his intentions. As he was coming to the defensive line Cole Geyer just took off through a gap and then outpaced the cover defence in a sixty metre sprint to the try line to score out wide on the right.

Cole Geyer also scored in Round Eight when he came off the bench for Currumbin in their 26 – 24 loss to Runaway Bay. Cole Geyer’s try was the final one of the match, with Currumbin behind and attacking the Runaway Bay line, Cole Geyer shaped to pass to his left but instead ran to his right with the ball out in front in two hands (I know that I harp on it but so few players do it) but instead of passing cut off his right foot on an approximately 45 degree angle with score under the posts.

Cole Geyer also had two try assists in the match, in relation to the first, with Currumbin a metre out from the Runaway Bay line, Cole Geyer shaped to throw a long pass behind his forward running what looked like just run through but instead Cole Geyer double pumped throwing a soft pass, in a great sleight of hand to his forward to score near the right upright.

Cole Geyer’s second try assist was no less impressive, Cole Geyer shaped to pass to his left, where Currumbin had a backline spread out, but instead ran down a short blind side (maybe four metres) and put in a grubber from around thirty five metres out for his right winger to dive on. Both try assists came in the first half.

Cole Geyer also came off the bench in the GCRL U20 major Semi-final as Currumbin fell 26 – 12 to Burleigh and also started from the bench in the Preliminary Final against Runaway Bay with the Eagles prevailing 20 – 16 to progress to the Grand Final against Burleigh.

In total in the GCRL U20 competition, including finals Cole Geyer played in six matches scoring the four tries noted above.

Across the 2019 season Cole Geyer also played in five GCRL U18 Division One matches for Currumbin, scoring against Mudgeeraba in late May.

Cole Geyer made his Hastings Deering’s Colts debut when he started at lock for Burleigh in Round Twelve against the Sunshine Coast Falcons.

Cole Geyer also started at hooker for the Titans U18 side’s early October match at Pizzey Park against PNG scoring a long range individual try out of dummy half. Cole Geyer ran out of dummy half to the right of the play the ball, running right through the centre of the PNG ruck before outpacing the cover defence to score under the posts in the first half.

In the 2018 MM cup competition for the Tweed Heads Seagulls Cole Geyer started at hooker for Tweed Heads opening three matches against Norths, Victoria and Burleigh. His sole MM Cup try of the season came in Round Two against Victoria.

Post the MM Cup competition Cole Geyer transitioned back to the U17 Division One competition and was outstanding over the course of the regular season playing in nine matches and scoring nine tries for a 100% strike rate through the regular season.

Cole Geyer scored three doubles which were against Ormeau, Tweed Heads and Burleigh in the final round of the U17 Division One regular season being Round Eleven. Cole Geyer also scored against Mudgeeraba, Bilambil and Runaway Bay.

In Round One of the GCRL U17 Division One Finals series, Cole Geyer started once again at hooker and was dominant throughout scoring a double as Currumbin defeated Ormeau 18 – 8 in the Qualifying Final to continue their progress towards U17 Division One Premiership success.

In the second round of the GCRL U17 Division One Finals series, started at hooker and made it three tries from two finals matches as he led Currumbin to a 32 – 22 win over Burleigh in a match of exceptional quality.

In the 2018 U17 Division One Grand Final against Runaway Bay, Cole Geyer started at hooker for Currumbin as they overcame the Seagulls to win 30 – 10 in an outstanding display by the Eagles.

Cole Geyer made his U19 debut for Currumbin in June against Bilambil and played his other U19 match in July against Helensvale.

The Marymount College Burleigh Heads student has represented his school with distinction this season including leading Marymount to victory in the Titans School Boy Open competition and in fact Cole Geyer was named Player of the Competition.

Marymount College defeated Keebra Park C 52 – 6 in the final with Cole Geyer scoring the first try of the game to give Marymount College the lead which they never relinquished.

Cole Geyer also represented Marymount College at the 2018 Confraternity Shield and was the Spirit Award winner for Marymount College in the competition. Cole Geyer started at hooker in all six of Marymount College’s matches.

In the Qualifying rounds Marymount College defeated Marist College Ashgrove 24 – 10 in Round One and Rockhampton Grammar School 17 – 10 in Round Two before drawing 18 all with St Brendan’s College Yeppoon in Round Three.

They lost their Qualifying final 24 – 16 to Cathedral College before bouncing back to defeated St Augustine’s College Cairns 24 – 6 and in their final match of the competition suffered a 24 – 22 defeated to Rockhampton Grammar School.

The talented young Currumbin Eagles hooker had an outstanding 2017 rugby league season both from a club and school boy perspective. For his Currumbin side Cole Geyer started at hooker in their 34 – 4 grand Final win over Burleigh scoring a try and also proudly represented his school side being Marymount College in a number of school boy competitions including the GIO Cup when they lost in the last minute to Redbank Plains State High School in a great match which easily could have ended in Marymount’s favour.

Over the course of the 2017 U16 Division One season for Currumbin Cole Geyer played in twelve matches scoring eight tries. Cole Geyer had an outstanding start to the season scoring in each of his five games against Southport, Ormeau, Runaway Bay, Helensvale and Ormeau again. In the match against Helensvale, Cole Geyer in fact crossed for a double. Later in the season Cole Geyer also scored against Runaway bay and as noted scored against Burleigh in the U16 Division One Grand Final.

At the 2017 Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Rugby League (QISSRL) Carnival held at Padua College in Brisbane, Marymount College in fact were the Bob Linder trophy winners beating fellow Gold Coast School Aquinas College in the final and also the QRL Referees Fair Play Award Winners. In the QISSRL Carnival, Cole Geyer played in all six of Marymount’s matches scoring in a tough 16 – 8 loss to St Augustines College Cairns.

Cole Geyer’s best attribute is his passing skills from the dummy half position. His passing is effective from both sides of his body and leads his forwards onto the ball by putting the ball out in front of his runners so that they can maintain momentum.

Cole Geyer does not have an overly long pass but his passing is accurate regardless of whether he is passing to a forward running the ball up or the half back looking to get the ball out wider. The standout feature is the speed in which he gets the ball out of his hands at dummy half.

Cole Geyer is not a huge threat to run the ball out of dummy half but will take what he is given if the defence does not consider him a threat at any particular time. His initial burst off the mark is reasonable and he has decent feet to enable him to create space, but Cole Geyer does not have the top end speed to break clear of the defensive line if he gets through a gap either by accepting an off load or by exploiting a gap in the defensive line.

Cole Geyer’s first thought when coming into dummy half is to distribute the ball effectively to his support players. When close to the line Cole Geyer will dummy and get down low to the line when the opportunity presents but again this is a secondary consideration as he progressively works through his options in that part of the field.

In relation to his defence, Cole Geyer will get in front of opposing forwards and look to slow their momentum with solid initial contact. Cole Geyer is tenacious and courageous, because even at the U16 level there are some huge boys running around.

Cole Geyer has very good endurance and projects as a hooker who will be able to play the full match without interchange something that he is already used to doing with his club side and School Boy sides regularly playing two or more matches in any given week.

Cole Geyer will be part of the Burleigh Bears Hastings Deering’s Colts side in 2020 where he should get an extended run and will likely also get a number of matches against men in the Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade competition for the Currumbin Eagles. Cole Geyer is also Colts eligible in 2021.

Cole Geyer is probably a fraction taller than your typical hooker but it has not stopped him at all being a very good distributor at dummy half and also being a more than solid defender. It is these attributes as well as his determination that has me convinced that Cole Geyer can develop into a very good hooker at the NRL level in coming seasons.

It should be noted for completeness however that Cole Geyer has spent some time at lock this season and it is not inconceivable that he could operate there or in the second row for short spurts to take advantage of his ball playing skills wider of the ruck especially down blind sides.

From a NRL playing comparison perspective Cole Geyer has a similar playing style to that of Melbourne Storm, Queensland State of Origin and Australian Test Captain Cameron Smith, in that he is a leader on the field, is very good at leading his team around the field and a very good defender on top of all of his other attributes.

Like Smith Cole Geyer just seems to have all the time in the world when he has the ball to do whatever he wants and that always leads to positive outcomes for his side. Over the course of this season Cole Geyer just seems to be far more assured and confident within himself and that is translating to outstanding performances on the field.

Cole Geyer is not just a future NRL captain but a future representative level and club captain and a person that any NRL club would be proud to have their brand associated with.

mdrew

07-02-20, 03:58 PM

Levon Pure. The young New Zealander is a Titans linked player from Auckland who started in the halves (five eight) for the Titans U16 side that defeated the Newcastle Knights U16 Harold Matthews side in Coffs Harbour in January 2020, 18 -14 in wet, steamy and slippery conditions.

In the match Levon Pure operated on the left side of the field with fellow New Zealander and halves partner Keano Kini on the right. Levon Pure was acknowledged for his performance by Titans JTS Co-ordinator Matt Srama in his review of the match in a video on the Titans Official Site after the match especially taking into account that Levon Pure had only two or three field sessions with the rest of the Titans team prior to the match.

In 2019 Levon Pure played for the Northcote and Birkenhead Tigers Junior Rugby League club in the Auckland U16 competition even though he was still U15 eligible. In his eight matches in that competition in 2019 Levon Pure scored two tries to finish the 2019 season with a 25% strike rate.

2019 also saw Levon Pure named in the Auckland Vulcans U15 representative side for the New Zealand National Youth Tournament.

I really like the way that Levon Pure plays in attack, he will try different things and play what is in front of him rather than stick to the same tactics over and over again. In many respects Levon Pure is very unpredictable when he gets the ball, he is adept at running himself when presented with an appropriate opportunity and has a very good turn of speed off the mark. Similarly Levon Pure can throw some superb passes to his support runners if they find themselves running into a gap.

Currently Levon Pure is probably a touch better runner of the ball then ball player (but only a touch) and can step off both feet and is quite strong for his size and will shrug off larger defenders if they try to go high and try to wrap up the ball without committing to the tackle properly or target him with an incorrect tackling technique.

Levon Pure is able to drift across field and then just takes off through any gaps in a staggered defensive line. When he looks to take advantage of an overlap on the blind side and is adept at drawing in outside defenders to give his winger a clear path to the line by creating a two on one situation.

Levon Pure has exquisite timing on his passes and is able to weight them perfectly as well and can do so to either side of his body. Adding in this is that Levon Pure can stop on a dime even travelling at full speed and pop the short pass, thus it looks for all money that he is going to run the ball thus the defence converges and then the ball is delivered to a support runner who is through a hole before the defensive line can re-adjust.

Levon Pure also runs with the ball out in front of his body in both hands which is another reason why the defensive line is unable to determine exactly what he is going to do before the play is executed or develops to its ultimate conclusion front of them. I know that I carry on about this but it is just something that constantly makes defensive lines uncertain about what is coming at them, which is the goal of any attacking side.

Defensively Levon Pure is a very strong young man with exceptional functional strength to go along with an innate understanding of the attacking strategies of rugby league thus he is able to anticipate what an attacking side is looking to do with the ball and then be in the best position to negate it.

Levon Pure has a very good low tackling technique which is simple, repeatable and effective against all size opponents and thus there is no need for a defensive minder on his side of the field.

Defensively Levon Pure uses his size to good effect, he drives with his shoulder into his opponent and has very good timing in terms of when to come out of the line and certainly has the speed to readjust and chase if his timing is slightly off and his opposite number gets on his outside.

Levon Pure on an individual level has the body control to redirect quickly and mirror the movement of the opposing attackers and anticipate what vector the attack comes from and innately understands when to allow the attacking play to develop in from of him and when to come out of the line to disrupt the attacking play prior to its formation.

Levon Pure will continue to play in New Zealand in 2020 and will be in line to represent the Auckland Vulcans in the 2020 U17 New Zealand National Youth Tournament late in the year. Levon Pure is also U17 eligible in 2021.

Levon Pure will also continue to play for the Northcote and Birkenhead Tigers Junior Rugby League club in 2020 in the Auckland competition most likely in the U16 age group although he may play some matches in the U17/18 competition as well.

I was impressed with the way that Levon Pure played in the halves for the Titans U16 side against Newcastle in January 2020 and based on that match plus a few other views from matches in New Zealand I can see no reason why Levon Pure would need to move positions into the future

mdrew

07-02-20, 07:22 PM

Blake Forder. The Northern New South Wales youngster is a Titans contracted player who was outstanding for the Titans U16 side that defeated the Newcastle Knights U16 Harold Matthews side 18 – 14 in Port Macquarie in January 2020 in wet and slippery conditions.

Blake Forder started the match at fullback and was heavily involved in two of the Titans tries, one in each half and one on each side of the field. As a result of the performance, Blake Forder was named the Titans best back in the match. Blake Forder was also acknowledged for his outstanding performance by Titans JTS Co-ordinator Matt Srama in his review of the match in a video on the Titans Official Site after the match.

Blake Forder’s first try assist came early in the first half when he chimed into the Titans backline on the left side of the field and threw a long cut out pass to his left to his left winger Kobie Mackay-Taylor who was able to dive over in the corner after beating one Knights defender on the way to the line.

In the second half, Blake Forder’s try assist impressively come on the right side of the field. Blake Forder received the ball whilst running on an angle to his right and straightened up the attack just a fraction before stepping off his left foot to enable him to run parallel the Knights defensive line for just a fraction to draw in two defenders before popping a great ball to his right to the Titans right centre to charge over near the right corner post.

In 2019 Blake Forder who attends Benora Point High School was selected at fullback for the Lismore Diocese Northern Country U15 rugby league representative side for the NSW CCC trials that were held in Sydney and subsequently was selected in the NSW CCC for the U15 ASSRL Championships that were played at Redcliffe. Blake Forder played a number of matches for the NSW CCC side on the wing in the National Championships and was part of the NSW CCC Championship winning side.

Blake Forder also represented the Group 18 U15 representative side in 2019, starting at fullback in all of their matches at the 2019 New South Wales Country Age Championships. Blake Forder also represented Group 18 in 2018 at the U14 NSW Country Championships.

From a club rugby league perspective, Blake Forder played for the Murwillumbah Colts in the 2019 Group 18 U15 competition after moving over from the Bilambil Jets for whom he played for in the Group 18 U14 competition in 2018.

Blake Forder is an agile runner of the football who relies on his decent speed and elusiveness to make it difficult for larger opponents to line him up. When lining up at fullback Blake Forder always makes himself available for offloads in the centre of the ruck.

One thing that impresses me is that Blake Forder does not jog after the ball when it is kicked down field, he will flat out sprint to get there either on the full or as quickly as possible, thus eliminating the effectiveness of the oppositions kicking game.

When he retrieves the ball Blake Forder makes a decision quickly about where to look to run around a staggered defensive line or to run straight in an effort to make as much ground as possible. Blake Forder really does pay attention to details and is rarely if ever out of position.

Blake Forder also has the ability to sweep around the back of the ruck and also pop up in supporting in the middle of the ruck, either running himself or looking for offloads from his forwards and use his footwork against big tiring forwards.

Blake Forder’s passing game is outstanding and he drifts across the field looking for runners to run into holes and has the ability to “freeze” the defensive line, making to easier for his support runners as was evidenced in the Titans U16 victory against Newcastle in January 2020.

Also Blake Forder’s hands at fullback are quite safe and dependable when collecting kicks whether taking the ball on the full or retrieving the ball along the ground. In both instances Blake Forder makes an immediate decision on what to do next and never second guesses himself.

Blake Forder is not the biggest or necessarily strongest player but will take the hit when needing to make the tackle in the last line of defence and uses the sideline well to redirect the opposition towards the sideline. Blake Forder just has a knack of being at the right place at the right time in a defensive sense and continually tracks the oppositions play across the field and positions himself accordingly.

Blake Forder is also effective at forcing the attacker to make a decision with the football rather than allowing them the time and opportunity to progressively work through their options.

Blake Forder will continue to play for Murwillumbah in the Group 18 U16 competition in 2020 and will represent St Joseph’s Benora Point in multiple New South Wales school boy competitions. Blake Forder may also play a match or two for the Murwillumbah Mustangs in the 2020 NRRRL U18 competition such is his maturity and skill level.

Blake Forder can play a variety of back line positions, including fullback, wing and potentially centre, but with his ball playing skills and passing ability to both sides of his body which were evidenced in the Titans U16’s in January 2020, fullback seems to be Blake Forder’s ideal position.

With his ability to gain separation from his opponent and sound positional sense, I see aspects of the game of former Titans fullback, former Palm Beach Currumbin student and soon to be Tweed Coast Raider Michael Gordon in the play of Blake Forder.

I would argue however that the “out the back” ball playing skills that Blake Forder currently possesses already have reached and surpassed those that Michael Gordon had at his disposal when he retired from the NRL at the end of the 2019 season.

mdrew

08-02-20, 03:42 AM

Beau Fermor. The Dalby born and raised second rower joins the Titans NRL squad on a three year deal in 2020 after two outstanding seasons with the Newcastle Knights in the U20 Jersey Flegg and Canterbury Cup competitions. Beau Fermor sought and gained a release from his NRL Development contract to sign with the Titans.

In 2019 Beau Fermor was outstanding for the Knights Canterbury Cup side and as a result started in the second row for the New South Wales Residents against their Queensland Resident counterparts in a State of Origin curtain raiser.

In the 2019 Canterbury Cup competition, Beau Fermor played in fifteen matches starting the first thirteen in the second row and his final two matches including Round Twenty One, when he suffered a serious knee injury from the bench.

On eleven occasions, including his first eight 2019 Canterbury Cup matches of the 2019 season, Beau Fermor played the entire 80 minutes of the match. In total Beau Fermor was on the field in the 2019 Canterbury Cup for 1 095 out of a possible 1 200 minutes being 91.25%. An impressive statistic considering Beau Fermor sustained a serious knee injury early in Round Twenty One.

In his 1 095 minutes on the field Beau Fermor ran for 1 797 metres (587 post contact, being 32.67%), broke thirty three tackles including eight in Round Three against the Mounties, offloaded the ball on ten occasions, broke the line on four occasions, had a line break assist and made 454 tackles at an impressive tackling efficiency of 91.6%.

Beau Fermor finished the 2019 Canterbury Cup season with a try scoring strike rate of 26.67% after scoring in Rounds One, Three, Five and Seven against the Newtown Jets, Mounties, Blacktown Workers and the Western Suburbs Magpies respectively.

Beau Fermor’s 2019 Canterbury Cup per game averages included playing 73 minutes, running for 119.8 metres and making 30.27 tackles. Thus per eighty minutes, Beau Fermor, in 2019, ran for 131.29 metres and made 33.17 tackles.

On eleven occasions in 2019 Beau Fermor ran for in excess of 100 metres, including a 175 metres effort against Blacktown in Round Five and 160 metres in Round Three against the Mounties. On nine occasions Beau Fermor made in excess of thirty tackles in 2019 including making forty tackles in Round Three against the Mounties and Round Fourteen against the Magpies and a season high forty three tackles in Round Thirteen against the Rabbitohs.

For the New South Wales Residents representative side in 2019 Beau Fermor started in the second row in the interstate match against Queensland Residents playing 67 minutes. In that time, Beau Fermor ran for 95.5 metres (twenty eight post contact), scored and made thirty two tackles at an 88.9% tackling efficiency.

Beau Fermor made his Canterbury Cup debut for Newcastle in 2018 playing in six matches scoring twice. In the 2018 Canterbury Cup competition, Beau Fermor ran for 531 metres, broke the line on three occasions, offloaded the ball five times and made 145 tackles at a solid tackling efficiency of 85.8%.

Thus Beau Fermor in 2018 in the Canterbury Cup ran for 88.5 metres and made 24.17 tackles per game whilst playing approximately 65 minutes. Thus per eighty minutes, Beau Fermor, in 2018, ran for 108.92 metres and made 29.75 tackles.

Beau Fermor had an outstanding first season in 2018 with the Newcastle Knights U20 Jersey Flegg squad, including not just being named Newcastle Knights 2018 Jersey Flegg Player of the Year but also the New South Wales Rugby League 2018 Jersey Flegg Player of the Year.

In the 2018 U20 Jersey Flegg competition for the Knights, Beau Fermor started in the second row in all seventeen of his matches including Newcastle’s three Finals matches. Beau Fermor finished the 2018 Jersey Flegg season with an impressive strike try scoring rate of 76.47%.

Included in his thirteen tries was a Round Six hat trick against the Cronulla Sharks and a Round Twenty One double against the Mounties. Beau Fermor also scored in Round One (Manly), Round Two (Wests Tigers), Round Three (St George Dragons), Round Eight (Norths Sydney Bears), Round Eleven (Canterbury Bulldogs), Round Twenty (Parramatta Eels), Round Twenty Two (New Zealand Warriors) and Week One of the Finals against the Mounties.

Beau Fermor also started in the season row for the Queensland U20 State of Origin side in 2018 in the annual U20 State of Origin interstate match. Team mates in the Queensland side in their 36 – 10 win were AJ Brimson who started at five eight and 2021 Titans NRL signing Tino Fa’asuamaleaui who started from the bench.

In 2017 Beau Fermor was part of the Melbourne Storm NYC squad starting in the second row in all twenty two NYC matches that he played in 2017. Beau Fermor finished the 2017 NYC season with seven tries including a Round Fifteen double against the North Queensland Cowboys.

Beau Fermor also scored in Round Four (Wests Tigers), Round Five (Cronulla Sharks), Round Eighteen (Broncos), Round Twenty One (Manly Sea Eagles) and in Round Twenty Four against the Newcastle Knights.

In 2016 Beau Fermor played for the Sunshine Coast Falcons and even though he was still U18 eligible was named the Falcons Colts best forward.

For the Sunshine Coast Falcons Beau Fermor played in fourteen matches, commenced the season on the bench before coming into the falcons starting line-up in the second row in Round Six against the Burleigh Bears. In 2016 Beau Fermor also started four of his fourteen matches in the centres with his first coming in Round Thirteen against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.

In total Beau Fermor, in the 2016 Queensland Colts competition started six matches in the second row, four in the centres and the remaining four from the bench.

Beau Fermor finished the 2016 Queensland Colts season with a try scoring strike rate of 50%, including a Colts debut double in Round One against Souths Logan. Beau Fermor also scored in Round Five (Redcliffe), Round Eight (Ipswich), Round Nine (Norths), Round Twenty Three (Western Mustangs) and Round Twenty Five against the Easts Tigers.

In 2016 Beau Fermor also kicked two conversions with both coming in Round Fourteen against the Souths Logan Magpies for his only two goals kicked in the senior rugby league ranks.

The speed and power in terms of how Beau Fermor runs the ball is the outstanding feature of his game, he takes the ball to the line with speed, especially off the mark, but he does not just put his head down and rush forward, he uses quick and subtle footwork prior to the line and seems to targets the gaps between defenders and will actively seek out opposing forwards who are slow to move up.

When the opposition are on the back foot Beau Fermor will target the smaller defenders on the edge of the ruck and burst through and for a young bloke he has very good speed over the medium term and has the strength to drag defenders with him.

I would consider that Beau Fermor’s speed would be considered above average for a backrower but plays faster as a result of him timing his runs so well that the dummy half can present a flat pass to him and also as a result of the power that he runs at. What is in the above average to plus category in relation to Beau Fermor is his speed off the mark.

Beau Fermor’s offloading ability is also improving as he refines his game. Earlier in his junior career, he was almost too good at offloading compared to his team mates as he would pop some passes that they were not expecting but as he has matured and the quality of the opposition and his own team has increased so has the selective nature of his offloading.

The defensive side of Beau Fermor’s game is similarly impressive, He does not just charge wildly up looking for a huge hit, but is calculating in where and when to hit. Beau Fermor drives hard with his legs and always uses his shoulder and core body strength to drive into his opponent.

Beau Fermor sets a strong lower base by setting his legs and generating force by driving through the tackle with his lower body, gaining leverage and momentum to complete the tackle. Beau Fermor is also comfortable making contact with either shoulder and maintains good head position regardless of the type of tackles he makes.

Beau Fermor is now part of the Titans NRL Top 30 squad for 2020 and beyond but he may miss the early rounds of the NRL season after suffering a knee injury (ACL) whilst playing for the Newcastle Knights Canterbury Cup side in late 2019.

On a number of occasions in 2019 Beau Fermor was considered very close to making his NRL debut for the Newcastle Knights but his NRL debut will surely come in 2020 with the Titans, it is a case of when not if.

At 189cm and 99kg with the capacity to add additional weight without compromising speed and mobility Beau Fermor is the ideal size for a modern day NRL second rower and with his burst of speed particularly off the mark Beau Fermor certainly has the potential to be a representative level second rower as well.

I appreciate that Beau Fermor played a number of matches in the centres for the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the Queensland Colts competition in 2016 but I think that his centre days are now surely in the distant past as he heads towards the NRL.

Beau Fermor shapes as a key member of the Titans NRL forward pack over the coming seasons if not as early as the 2020 season and is one of a number of talented young forwards that the Titans are currently stockpiling for their push up the NRL ladder in the coming seasons as his NRL career progresses with the Titans. Barring injury I would argue that Beau Fermor would have been a near certainty to be part of the Titans squad for Round One of the 2020 NRL season against Canberra.

A current NRL player with a similar playing style for me in relation to Beau Fermor is Newcastle Knights second rower Lachlan Fitzgibbon. Like Fitzgibbon Beau Fermor shapes as a talented young modern day second rower who just needs the right opportunity to highlight his burgeoning skill set and insatiable determination to succeed. Another player with a similar playing style is Sydney Roosters representative second rower Angus Crichton.

I would argue however that Beau Fermor is a touch calmer on the field and a touch quicker, especially off the mark than Lachlan Fitzgibbon but has the capacity to be as equally effective in the NRL as his former Newcastle Knights team mate.

mdrew

08-02-20, 12:08 PM

Reef Sommerville. The young second rower or centre made his Titans debut in early 2019 when he started from the bench for the Titans U16 side in their match against the Newcastle Knights Harold Matthews U16 squad in Coffs Harbour.

Reef Sommerville came onto the field in the match towards the end of the first half, playing in the second row and also at times during the match spent some time in the centres when starting centre Ezra Ubaldino was having a spell.

Reef Sommerville was also part of the Titans U18 side in their annual match against the Newcastle Knights SG Ball (U18) side in Coffs Harbour.

Reef Sommerville started in the second row for the Titans U16 squad in their early October 2019 match against PNG at Pizzey Park with the Titans running out 44 – 12 victors on the Friday night.

Late in 2018 Reef Sommerville was selected in the talented Northern Rivers Titans U16 side for the 2019 Andrew Johns Cup competition. Fellow Titans linked players in the Northern Rivers Titans U16 side were Jack Cullen, Ryan Foran, Keegan Pace, Riley Lack, Thomas Weaver, Noah Johannsen and Rowan Mansfield.

In Round One of that competition in 2019 Reef Sommerville started from the bench for the Northern Rivers Titans in their match against the Newcastle Knights Development Squad. When he came on Reef Sommerville operated on the right side of the field both in the centre and in the second row and scored an impressive try when he took a flat pass from the dummy half, Jordan Gallagher and caught the Newcastle defence back peddling and was able to break a number of tackles in a thirty metre run to the try line.

Round Two of the 2019 Andrew Johns Cup competition saw Reef Sommerville once again start from the interchange bench in the Northern Rivers Titans match against Parramatta and once again he was a handful for the opponent’s defensive line on the right side of the field.

Reef Sommerville deservedly broke into the Northern Rivers starting line-up in Round Three against the North Coast Bulldogs starting the match at right centre and went very close to score the Titans first try when he was dragged down just short of the try line in the opening minutes.

Reef Sommerville made amends however in the second half scoring a powerful try when he smashed through the North Coast defence in a typically powerful try on the right of the ruck.

In Round Four even though he was not named in seventeen, Reef Sommerville started from the bench and made a big impact when he came on in jumper 23.

In Round Five against the Greater Northern Tigers Reef Sommerville started at right centre for the Northern Rivers Titans and as usual proved to be a handful for the opposition defence.

Reef Sommerville was named to start at right centre in the Northern Rivers Titans semi-final against Penrith but in fact started from the bench in the Titans 26 – 14 victory. When he came on, Reef Sommerville, playing on the right made a difference including pouncing on a grubber kick late in the first half from five eight Riley lack and late in the match when Penrith were pressing Reef Sommerville took an outstanding hit up making around twenty metres most of that was in relation to post contact metres to get the Titans well out of their own territory and put Penrith on the back foot.

In the 2019 U16 Andrew Johns Cup Grand Final against the Western Rams Reef Sommerville started at right centre in the Northern Rivers Titans outstanding 18 – 6 victory.

In the match Reef Sommerville had some big moments including two big runs down the right one of which was a seventy metre run which almost lead to an outstanding long range try.

Post the victory Reef Sommerville was named in the centres for the New South Wales Country U16 side for their November 2019 three match tour of the United Kingdom flying out in mid-November from Sydney.

Reef Sommerville started at right centre in Game One of the tour scoring New South Wales Country U16’s second try of the match (and tour) in their big 62 – 0 win over the U17 Community Lions. The ball went through hands to the right for NSW Country before Reef Sommerville ran a straight hard line to break the initial defensive line around ten metres out from the line and power over from there.

Reef Sommerville also started in the centres and scored his second try from as many matches in Game Two as New South Wales Country U16’s defeated the Leeds Rhino’s 32 – 10, Reef Sommerville scored when Leeds failed to take a bomb cleanly early in the second half with Reef Sommerville retrieving the ball and powering his way over with two defenders hanging off him as he surged to the try line to extend the NSW Country lead to 24 – 6.

Reef Sommerville also started at right centre in Game Three of the New South Wales Country U16’s tour of the UK as they finished undefeated on the back of a 62 – 6 victory over a British Community Lions squad consisting of players from the Lancashire and Cumbria region of England.

The New South Wales Country U16 side played a New South Wales U16 Harold Matthews squad as a curtain raiser to the Penrith/Warriors NRL match on a Friday night at Penrith Park in May 2019. Reef Sommerville started the match at right centre.

After that match, Reef Sommerville was selected in the New South Wales U16 side that played a U16 Pasifika team at Belmore Sports Ground on Sunday 9 June 2019. In the match that the New South Wales U16 side won 36 – 6, Reef Sommerville started on the right wing.

Reef Somerville was also part of the dominant Cudgen 2019 U16 Group 18 side that won their Grand Final 44 – 6 against Byron Bay/Lennox Head.

In 2018 the St Joseph’s College Tweed Heads student played for the Group 18 U15 side in the New South Wales Country U15 Championships, playing in matches against Groups Two, Four and Twenty One crossing against Group Twenty One.

2018 was the second season in a row that Reef Sommerville had represented Group 18 after playing three U14 matches in 2017 at the New South Wales Country Age Championships, scoring against Group One.

2018 also saw Reef Sommerville named in the centres for the Lismore Dioceses U15 Northern Country Representative side for the New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges (CCC) trials and post those trials was named in the NSW CCC U15 Country Tour side, being named in the second row.

After the completion of the 2018 season Reef Sommerville and fellow Group 18 U15 team mates headed overseas to play in the Battlefield Challenge to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the end of World War I, a competition that the side won including victories against Emory Moor 12 – 6 and Leigh East 18 – 12.

In a warm up match in England prior to the Tournament they defeated a Hemel Stags U16 side and post the Tournament defeated French side Aude Cat hare. A number of other Titans players were also involved in the tour including Thomas Weaver, Keegan Pace, Jack Cullen, Ryan Foran, Riley Lack, Byron Jones and Bailey Cox.

Reef Sommerville is a wide hard running backrower who runs a good line on the fringes of the ruck and constantly picks the right holes to run into thus making the play makers on his team look good. Where he really excels though is his footwork, obviously playing in the backline has assisted greatly.

Reef Sommerville also has very good late and quick foot work which enables him to change direction quickly allowing him to readjust where he is running to take advantage of either a late developing hole in the defensive line or where the defensive line is repositioning late, just as he did for his try in Round One of the Andrew Johns Cup this season against Newcastle.

Even when he is taking a hit up in the centre of the ruck, Reef Sommerville’s feet are always moving and he is constantly making slight corrections to his running direction and he is also able to maintain his speed regardless of the multiple directional changes.

As you would expect, due to his size and strength, Reef Sommerville is a very good defender regardless of position. He will not necessarily hit hard, but he is very good at mirroring the movement of the opposing attacker and wrapping him up ball and all. Reef Sommerville is also quick enough to recover and chase if the opposing players gets on the outside.

From a team defensive methodology stand point, Reef Sommerville seems to be very comfortable in a sliding defensive scheme where he can use his speed and body control to their best advantage.

Reef Somerville will move to PBC in 2020 and will be a key piece in their Langer Cup and GIO Cup school boy rugby league campaigns and in relation to representative rugby league will play for the Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup side which whilst young will be an immensely talented side. Reef Sommerville will also be U18 eligible in 2021.

With his build and speed I think that Reef Sommerville can continue to play in the second row and the centres over the next couple of seasons, but by the time that Reef Sommerville reaches the senior rugby league ranks I would anticipate that Reef Sommerville will have made the transition to the second row full time.

With his mobility and hardworking mentality Reef Sommerville’s playing style reminds me of recent Penrith Panthers signing and former Cronulla Sharks second rower and reasonably regular centre Luke Capewell who it should be remembered has been 18th man for the Queensland State of Origin side on a number of occasions.

Both are hardworking players who give everything they have every time that they step onto a rugby league field doing a lot of the little things well and will sometimes be unfairly overlooked by everyone but their team mates.

mdrew

08-02-20, 02:52 PM

Brock Priestley. The former Northern Territory youngster moved down to the Gold Coast midway through the 2017 season playing the 2018 season in the GCRL U15 Division One competition for the Ormeau Shearers and enjoyed success straight off the bat, starting the U15 Division One Grand Final in the centres and scoring as the Shearers defeated Runaway Bay 38 – 20 to make it two from two Grand Finals since his arrival on the Gold Coast.

Brock Priestly converted that success into an opportunity with the Titans U15 Development squad and was part of the side that played against a Balmain Tigers U15 touring side in 2018 with the Titans winning 16 - 10.

As a result of his performances Brock Priestley late in 2018 signed a Titans contract to join an outstanding crop of 2019 U16 players who are contracted to the Titans.

In January of 2019 Brock Priestley started from the interchange bench for the Titans U16 side in their match against the Newcastle Knights U16 Harold Matthews squad and once on the field showcased his ability with an outstanding display especially defensively.

On at least three occasions that I recall, Brock Priestley flew out of marker and got to the Newcastle ball runner prior to them making any ground at all. I am not sure whether I was just not paying attention or not but on each of the occasions that I have noted above, Brock Priestley exploded out of the marker position to his right.

The first involvement that Brock Priestley had in the game was also a moment to remember, Brock Priestley had come on after the Knights had scored their first try and on the subsequent kick return, Brock Priestley and Nicholas Hilton lined up the Knights forward returning the kick-off and hit him front on in an outstanding tackle.

Running with the ball in the match, Brock Priestley showcased some neat and subtle footwork prior to impacting the Newcastle defensive line and on more than one occasion looked to target the area behind the Knights play the ball either by stepping back towards the ruck or by running an inside shoulder route.

On each of the occasions that he used this tactic Brock Priestley made ground and was also in a position for a quick play the ball because by using his footwork and targeting sparely populated areas of the Knights defence he was not gang tackled and thus was able to generate the quick play the ball.

Brock Priestley’s most recent match for the Titans was when he started at right second row for the Titans U16 squad in their early October match against PNG at Pizzey Park.

Brock Priestley started Round One of the 2019 GCRL U16 Division One competition in the second row for Ormeau against Currumbin.

In total in the GCRL U16 Division One competition for Ormeau Brock Priestley played in nine regular season matches including a big Round Nine match when he started at lock and scored two tries and kicked a conversion against Helensvale.

Brock Priestley also scored against Helensvale in Round Thirteen and in Round Fourteen against Coomera.

In Week two of the U16 Division One Finals series, Brock Priestley started at lock against Currumbin as Ormeau progressed directly to the Grand Final with a solid win.

In the GCRL U16 Division One Grand Final against Coomera, Brock Priestley started at lock had was having a very good game until injury struck late in the match. His Ormeau side went on to win the U16 Division One Grand Final in golden point 22 -20.

This season also saw Brock Priestley play for the Somerset College First XV in the Associated Private Schools competition, being a group of eight schools across the Gold Coast including starting in the Grand Final against All Saints Anglican School. For the first time in the competitions history the Grand Final ended in a 17 all draw with Brock Priestley prominent in attack especially in the second half.

Post the season Brock Priestley was named the Somerset College First XV Best Forward and was also named the 2020 Rugby Captain.

Brock Priestley was named in the 2019 South East Queensland Green U16 side for the Queensland Age Championships starting in the second row for the representative side scoring a first half double on Day Three against South East Queensland White. Post those Championships Brock Priestley was selected in the second row in the Queensland Country U16 side.

Brock Priestley had an outstanding match for Country as they defeated City 44 – 4 with Brock Priestley playing fifty five minutes at right second row. In his fifty five minutes on the field, Brock Priestley ran for 121 metres (thirty four post contact), had a line break early in the second half and made five tackles, one of which was an outstanding tackle early in the first half when he used a perfect technique to smash fellow Titan Brody Smitka just as he received the ball.

For Ormeau in the U15 Division One competition in 2018, including finals matches, Brock Priestley played in twelve matches scoring six tries for a solid 50% strike rate.

In Week One of the U15 Division One of the Finals Brock Priestley started in the centres and scored as Ormeau defeated Runaway Bay 28 – 12. Brock Priestly backed that up in Week Two starting in the centres and scoring once again as the Shearers qualified for the Grand Final with a 44 – 6 win over Coomera.

In addition to his three finals tries (from three finals matches), Brock Priestly scored three U15 Division One regular season tries including a double against Robina and a late June try against Southport.

To cap off an outstanding 2018 season Brock Priestley was named in the Gold Coast Vikings U16 Training Squad of the 2019 U16 South East Queensland Challenge and as a result of his play in that competition Brock Priestley was named in the South East Queensland U16 train on squad.

In addition to playing rugby league for Ormeau in 2018 Brock Priestley also played club rugby on the Gold Coast for the Griffith University Colleges U15 side who won the Grand Final which ended in a 47 – 19 victory over the Helensvale Hogs in a match that was curtain raiser to the Wallabies v Argentina test at Cbus stadium. Brock Priestley started the match at lock.

In total for the Griffith University Colleges U15 side Brock Priestley played in eight matches including the Grand Final starting five and coming off the bench in the remaining three.

Brock Priestley’s first match with the Griffith University Colleges U15 side was in Round Eleven when he started at lock against Wollongbar/Alstonville with his first match from the interchange bench being in Round Fourteen against the Gold Coast Eagles.

Brock Priestley scored two tries for the Griffith University Colleges side, the first coming in Round Fourteen against the Gold Coast Eagles with his second try coming in their semi-final victory over the Helensvale Hogs.

Brock Priestley played his first rugby league game in the Gold Coast in late June 2017 after his move down from the Northern Territory. Brock Priestley played one U14 Division Three match in 2017 for Ormeau scoring a try and kicking two goals against Mudgeeraba.

Brock Priestley in 2017 also played in six U14 Division One matches and scored his first try in that age group actually in the Grand Final when he started a lock as Ormeau overcame Burleigh 31 – 16.

In 2017 prior to his Gold Coast move, Brock Priestley played for the Litchfield Rugby League club in the Harvey Norman U14 competition in Darwin, playing in seven matches and scoring eight tries and kicking nine goals to finish his abridged 2017 season with 50 points, scoring in each of his matches.

Brock Priestley scored doubles against the Palmerston Raiders and the Nightcliff Dragons and also scored against South Darwin in two matches, Darwin Brothers and Litchfield Red.

Brock Priestley in 2017 impressively also played in four U16 matches and scored in just his second match against the Nightcliff Dragons after making his U16 debut a fortnight earlier against the Northern Sharks.

Brock Priestley also played some representative rugby league in the Northern Territory including in 2017 representing the Northern Territory in the U14 Norther Queensland Junior Championships.

Brock Priestley played for the Good Shepherd Lutheran College including being named their Most Valuable Player in the final of the 2015 Palmerston with Good Shephard defeating Bakewell 28 – 12 in the final.

The outstanding feature of the attacking game of Brock Priestley is his ability to continue to make ground after contact with the defensive line especially when he isolates a defender and attacks him in a one on one situation.

Brock Priestley will continue to pump his legs post contact and if a defender looks to engage him around the chest Brock Priestley has the core strength to shrug off the defender and continue with limited loss of momentum.

A solid hard straight fend is also a key component of his ability to make ground after contact. Brock Priestley’ s speed off the mark and for that matter his speed overall can probably be consider a tick above average but plays faster as a result of his strength and power.

The best strategy for defending against Brock Priestley is for the defence to get up on him before he has the opportunity to generate momentum, the flip side of that is that Brock Priestley has the ability to skip outside if the defensive is not on him as he receives the ball. If he has time and space, Brock Priestley can be devastating when running with the ball.

Defensively Brock Priestley can defend against any size opponent, from small quick outside backs to big strong powerful backrowers running wide of the ruck. Brock Priestley uses this strength to move up and hit just under the ribcage, redirecting the momentum of the ball carrier and thus eliminating the attacking threat in the short term. Defending out in the centres, Brock Priestley sets a good base and uses his leg strength to direct his strength through the core of his body into his opponent.

Brock Priestley will play the 2020 season with Ormeau in the U18 Division One competition and is also part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls 2020 MM Cup squad.

Brock Priestley will also continue to play for the Somerset College First XV in 2020 and in fact will be their Rugby Captain next year.

In the Northern Territory Brock Priestley played primarily in the front row but this season with Ormeau in the U15 Division One competition this season played primarily in the centres. I envisage that he can stay in the centres for the next couple of seasons due to the fact that he knows his way to the try line and his solid one on one defence but ultimately I believe that he will end up in the second row in the long term.

A player comparison for Brock Priestley is an interesting one as few players even at the NRL level have the same combination of raw skill, strength, power and intensity that Brock Priestley displays. I guess however a player who as least has a degree of similarity from a playing perspective is Sydney Roosters backrower Nat Butcher.

mdrew

08-02-20, 11:58 PM

Caleb Gould-Waiariki. (Revised) Titans contracted Caleb Gould-Waiariki has already played a number of matches in Titans colours including starting at hooker for the Titans U18 side in their annual match against the Newcastle Knights SG Ball (U18) side in Coffs Harbour in January 2020.

Caleb Gould Waiariki started from the bench for the Titans U16 side in their match against the Newcastle Knights in January 2019.

Caleb Gould-Waiariki came off the bench to play in the dummy half role mid-way through the first half spelling Kaden Somerville and made an immediate impact with his speed out of dummy half.

In the second half Caleb Gould-Waiariki made an outstanding run out of dummy half after a quick play the ball from left winger Dayton To’a.

Caleb Gould-Waiariki’s most recent match for the Titans was when he started at hooker for the Titans U16 squad in their early October 2019 match against PNG at Pizzey Park scoring an outstanding try in the first half. Caleb Gould-Waiariki dated out of dummy half to his left sixty metres out from the line, running right through the centre of the PNG ruck before swerving to his left to round the fullback to score in the left corner in a display of individual brilliance and some impressive speed both off the mark and sustaining it for the duration of his run to the try line.

The local young hooker also started from the bench for the Titans U15 side as they defeated a U15 Balmain Tigers touring side 16 – 10 in late 2018.

Caleb Gould-Waiariki came onto the field mid-way through the first half moving into the dummy half role and in his first run made 20 metres or so from dummy half splitting the Tigers defence right down the middle through the centre of the ruck.

Later in the first half Caleb Gould-Waiariki played his part in the Titans second try with a great long pass out of dummy half to his right to Titans five eight Riley Lack who threw an equally good long pass to winger Timothy Seilaff-Burns to score in the left corner.

Caleb Gould-Waiariki had an outstanding start to the 2019 season in the South East Queensland U16 Challenge when he scored a hat trick and kicked a conversion on Match Day One as his Gold Coast Vikings Yellow side defeated Brisbane Red 32 – 10 at Mudgeeraba.

Caleb Gould-Waiariki also scored on Match Day Three against Brisbane Red and added a fifth try in Round Four as his Gold Coast Vikings Yellow side defeated Brisbane Green 44 – 4.

Caleb Gould-Waiariki is also part of the 2019 Queensland U16 Emerging Origin squad, with the squad completing their first camp of the year recently on the Sunshine Coast. On the last day of the camp the squad was split into two sides for an opposed session. Flynn Daniel started in the centres for one of the squads that contained fellow Titans Brody Smitka and Flynn Daniel.

Caleb Gould-Waiariki started at hooker in Round One of the 2019 GCRL U16 Division One for Runaway Bay against Mudgeeraba.

In total for Runaway Bay, Caleb Gould-Waiariki who also played a fair bit of five eight, played in six matches scoring five tries and kicking a solitary goal against Burleigh to finish the regular season with twenty two points.

Caleb Gould-Waiariki scored doubles against Mudgeeraba and Southport and also scored in the regular season against Burleigh.

Caleb Gould-Waiariki was named in the 2019 South East Queensland Green U16 side the for the Queensland Age Championships starting for them at hooker. Post those Championships Caleb Gould-Waiariki was selected at hooker in the Queensland City U16 side for their match against Queensland City U16’s.

Caleb Gould-Waiariki played the entire sixty minutes of the match running for forty three metres (twelve post contact), broke a tackle when he dashed twenty metres through the centre of the ruck from dummy half in the first half and made a team leading twenty one tackles at a tackling efficiency of 95.28%.

Caleb Gould-Waiariki finished the 2018 GCRL U15 Division One season with Runaway Bay as the competitions equal leading try scorer with fifteen, a feat he accomplished from just twelve matches. Caleb Gould-Waiariki also kicked two conversions in the competition, both coming in a late season match against Coomera to finish with sixty four points.

Caleb Gould-Waiariki had a huge match in early August when he scored five tries in a match against Currumbin, scored a hat trick against Burleigh and also scored a double against Helensvale. Caleb Gould-Waiariki’s other tries came in matches against Mudgeeraba, Ormeau and then in a three match span scored against Burleigh, Coomera and Ormeau in consecutive weeks.

In Week One of the U15 Division One Finals series, Caleb Gould-Waiariki started at hooker as Runaway Bay went down 28 – 12 to Ormeau. With Caleb Gould-Waiariki once again at hooker, Runaway Bay bounced back in Week Two of the finals defeating Burleigh 34 – 24 with Caleb Gould-Waiariki scoring in the win.

Caleb Gould-Waiariki also started at hooker in the U15 Division One Preliminary Final scoring a try and kicking two goals as Runaway Bay qualified for the Grand Final courtesy of a 58 – 14 victory over Coomera,

In the Grand Final Caleb Gould-Waiariki started at hooker but could not prevent Runaway Bay going down 38 – 20 to the Ormeau Shearers. Caleb Gould-Waiariki did however cross for one of Runaway Bay’s four tries in the Grand Final.

In addition to his club duties with Runaway Bay in the GCRL U15 Division One competition, Caleb Gould-Waiariki played four matches of club rugby on the Gold Coast with the Griffith University Colleges U15 side.

Caleb Gould-Waiariki’s first game was in Round Nine against the Gold Coast Eagles when he started from the bench and he also started from the bench in Round Eleven against Wollongbar/Alstonville.

Round Thirteen saw Caleb Gould-Waiariki start at fly half (No.10) against the PBC Alleygators and he also started at fly half in Round Sixteen against Casino.

Caleb Gould Waiariki is also an outstanding touch player, making numerous representative sides including being named in the 2020 Australian U18 Mixed Touch side that will play in the 2020 Youth Trans-Tasman Touch competition.

In 2017 Caleb Gould Waiariki played for the South Queensland Sharks in the Queensland U14 Touch Championships, being named Player of the Final and subsequently was named in the U14 Titans representative touch side.

In 2015 Caleb Gould Waiariki played for the South Queensland Sharks in the Queensland U12 Touch Championships and was named Player of the Competition.

Caleb Gould-Waiariki is quite an elusive runner of the ball and some good foot work in confined space. He will take on the line regularly and has a very good step off both feet but his left foot step seems to be the preferred step based on the games that I have seen at least.

Caleb Gould-Waiariki’s passing game is what I would consider above average and he will drift across the field looking for runners to run into holes and has the ability to hold the defensive line in place as he develops the play in front of them, making to easier for his support runners to get a clear passage through the line, especially when a defender comes out of the line and commits to Caleb Gould-Waiariki.

Caleb Gould-Waiariki will also wait until the last possible moment to release the football. His best attribute in his passing game is the speed, timing and accuracy when he passes to his outside backs. Caleb Gould-Waiariki gets a very good spiral on the ball from both sides of his body and leads his outside attackers into the ball, enabling them to maintain the momentum of their run.

Caleb Gould-Waiariki’s defence for a hooker is very good, for a hooker his size his initial contact is more than solid and he can defend effectively one on one against far larger forwards, he sets a good base with his lower body and explodes upwards with his shoulders to drive into opposing forwards.

Caleb Gould-Waiariki’s intensity and continuous effort means that he will track the ball across the field and thus is in a good position when the ball is passed back inside. Caleb Gould-Waiariki literally tackles everything that moves in the centre of the ruck and displays a solid repeatable defensive technique and is able to make multiple tackles in any given defensive set of six tackles.

Caleb Gould-Waiariki has been named in the 2020 Burleigh MM Cup side and post that competition will play for Runaway Bay in the GCLR U18 Division One competition. Caleb Gould-Waiariki is also MM Cup eligible in 2021.

Prior to the last season or two I was of the opinion that Caleb Gould-Waiariki would ultimately find himself at half back in rugby league but playing the last couple of seasons at hooker he has been quite outstanding and as a consequence may just have found his ideal position in that role.

Based on my observations of Caleb Gould-Waiariki playing at hooker, I would suggest that a current NRL player with a similar playing style would be new St George signing and former New Zealand Warriors and New Zealand International hooker Isaac Luke. Like Isaac Luke, Caleb Gould-Waiariki is a more than capable runner out of dummy half and a very solid defender with developing distribution skills.

mdrew

09-02-20, 09:21 AM

Keegan Pace. The Cudgen Hornets and PBC centre linked with the Titans in early 2019.

Keegan Pace was part of the Titans U18 side for their annual match against the Newcastle Knights SG Ball (U18) side in Coffs Harbour in January 2020.

Keegan Pace’s first match in a Titans jersey was against a Newcastle Knights select U16 side in Coffs Harbour, in January 2019.

In the match Keegan Pace started on the right wing for the Titans and was solid defensively and took a number of runs from dummy half to give his forwards a deserved break in the hot difficult conditions on New South Wales mid North Coast.

Keegan Pace also showed solid positional sense in the match, dropping back at the correct time and fielding a number of the Newcastle Knight’s clearing kicks on the full and then running the ball back with vigour.

Keegan Pace also played for the Titans was when he started on the wing for the Titans U16 squad in their early October 2019 match against PNG at Pizzey Park which resulted in a big Titans victory on the Friday night.

Late in 2018 Keegan Pace was selected in a talented Northern Rivers Titans U16 side for the 2019 Andrew Johns Cup competition. Fellow Titans linked players in the Northern Rivers Titans U16 side are Bailey Cox, Jack Cullen, Ryan Foran, Reef Sommerville, Byron Jones, Riley Lack, Thomas Weaver and Rowan Mansfield.

In Round One of that competition in 2019, Keegan Pace partnered fellow Titans Rowan Mansfield in the centres in their match against the Newcastle Knights Development Squad with Keegan Pace operating on the right. In the match Keegan Pace was one of the Titans try scorers when he took a pass from fullback Jaylan DeGroot to crash over near the right corner from close range.

Round Two of the 2019 Andrew Johns Cup competition saw Keegan Pace once again line up in the right centre position in their match against Parramatta. In the match, Keegan Pace did not see too much of the ball but threw the last pass to one of the Titans tries. In a set play from a scrum, Keegan Pace doubled around to the left, creating an overlap and drew the Parramatta winger to send Jack Field away to score.

After being rested in Round Three, Keegan Pace started at left centre in Round Four against the Central Coast Roosters and had an outstanding first half scoring a hat trick. His first and third tries were almost identical.

With Titans half Thomas Weaver drifting across field causing the Central Coast defensive line to backpedal, Keegan Pace ran a crash line and when Keegan Pace received the ball from Thomas Weaver and was just too big and strong for the defence on both occasions.

Keegan Pace’s second try came through backing up. Thomas Weaver made a huge break from around twenty metres out from his own line, Keegan Pace backed up and received an inside pass from Thomas Weaver when he was approaching the fullback to score untouched under the posts.

To cap off an outstanding match, Keegan Pace, converted the Titans final try after the final siren to push the score out to 52 – 0. In the match Keegan Pace also was involved in forcing a Central Coast line drop out when he chased a Thomas Weaver kick in the first half to pin the Central Coast fullback in his own in-goal after a fifty metre chase.

After his Round Four hat trick, Keegan Pace started Round Five against the Greater Northern Tigers from the bench and played right centre when he came onto the field making his presence felt with some telling runs especially when he was bringing the ball out of his own territory both from dummy half and one off the ruck.

In the 2019 U16 Andrew Johns Cup semi-final against Penrith Keegan Pace had been named on the bench but started the match at right centre and whilst he did not get too many opportunities with the ball held up well defensively against the big Penrith Panthers centres.

In the 2019 U16 Andrew Johns Cup Grand Final against the Western Rams Keegan Pace started from the inter change bench in their outstanding 18 – 6 victory with Keegan Pace playing right centre when he came on.

Post the victory Keegan Pace was named on the interchange bench for the New South Wales Country U16 side for their November 2019 three match tour of the United Kingdom flying out for the tour from Sydney in mid-November.

Keegan Pace started on the interchange bench in Game One of the tour scoring New South Wales Country U16’s second try of the match in their big 62 – 0 win over the U17 Community Lions.

Keegan Pace started Game Two of the tour in the centres scoring in each half as his Country U16 side defeated the Leeds Rhino’s 32 – 10. Keegan Pace scored Country’s first try of the match in the corner after some good ball movement and also scored their last when scooped up an errant Leeds pass to score a simple try.

Keegan Pace started on the bench in Game Three of the New South Wales Country U16’s tour of the UK as they finished undefeated on the back of a 62 – 6 victory over a British Community Lions squad consisting of players from the Lancashire and Cumbria region of England. Keegan Pace converted New South Wales Country’s tenth try of the match which was scored by Thomas Weaver with four minutes remaining to round out his scoring on the highly successful overseas tour.

The New South Wales Country U16 side played a New South Wales U16 Harold Matthews squad as a curtain raiser to the Penrith/Warriors NRL match on a Friday night at Penrith Park in May 2019. Keegan Pace started the match on the interchange bench for the Country side.

Keegan Pace made his NRRRL U18 debut in Round Five for Cudgen from the bench as they defeated Ballina 18 – 12 and made his starting debut in the NRRRL U18 competition from the wing in Round Eleven and maintained his starting spot for Round Twelve against Lismore Marist Brothers.

Keegan Pace’s first NRRRL U18 points came when he scored a try and kicked two conversions in Round Fourteen against the Byron Bay Devils.

Keegan Pace had a day out in Round Fifteen scoring a hat trick after starting the match against Kyogle on the wing in a big 64 – 0 Cudgen victory.

Keegan Pace maintained his rich vein of form in Round Sixteen when he came off the bench to score a try and kick three goals against Murwillumbah.

Keegan Pace rounded off the NRRRL U18 regular season by scoring a hat trick in Round Eighteen in a 46 – 4 win over the Tweed Coast Raiders.

In total in the 2019 NRRRL U18 regular season competition Keegan Pace played in ten matches scoring thirty eight points from seven tries (70% strike rate) and five goals with the tries noted above.

Keegan Pace was also part of the Cudgen side that defeated Lismore Marist Brothers 24 – 10 in Week One of the NRRRL U18 Finals series and was also involved in Week Two of the Finals as Cudgen went down 26 – 20 against Ballina.

In the Week Three Final, being the Preliminary Final, Keegan Pace scored a try and kicked a conversion as Cudgen booked their place in the U18 NRRRL Grand Final against Ballina with a 24 – 4 win over Byron Bay.

Keegan Pace started the NRRRL U18 Grand Final on the right wing scoring all of Cudgen’s points as they went down 24 – 6 to Ballina. Keegan Pace scored the first points of the Grand Final when he kicked a penalty goal early in the match from around thirty metres out, just to the right of the goal posts, and scored early in the second half when, after a good Cudgen backline move, flashed down the left touch line to score in the left corner showcasing his speed and balance.

Keegan Pace was also part of the dominant Cudgen 2019 U16 Group 18 side that won their Grand Final 44 – 6 against Byron Bay/Lennox Head.

In late 2018 the PBC student represented Group 18 in the U15 age group at the New South Wales Country Age Championships, starting all three of their matches against Groups 21, Two and Four in the centres.

After the completion of the 2018 season Keegan Pace and fellow Group 18 U15 team mates headed overseas to play in the Battlefield Challenge to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the end of World War I, a competition that the side won including victories against Emory Moor 12 – 6 and Leigh East 18 – 12.

In a warm up match in England prior to the Tournament they defeated a Hemel Stags U16 side and post the Tournament defeated French side Aude Cathare. A number of other Titans players will also be involved in the tour including Tom Weaver, Jack Cullen, Ryan Foran, Byron Jones and Bailey Cox.

Keegan Pace also represented Group 18 in 2017 on that occasion in the U14 age group and scored against Newcastle in one of his three matches in those Championships.

In terms of his attacking play Keegan Pace is a smooth runner of the ball who has above average to plus top end speed and good evasiveness to get on the outside of his opposing defender with a decent fend that enables him to keep all but the strongest outside backs at a distance and away from his body.

Keegan Pace has quite a good step, predominately off the right foot, so he certainly has the skills to adjust his running line as he gains more experience and develops a better rapport with his teams play makers and progresses to a higher level in competition.

When defending in the centres, Keegan Pace really does look to come out of the line and hit his opposing centre as hard as possible to cut off the attacking play before it has time to fully develop.

Keegan Pace does not let the play unfold in front of him, he looks to disrupt as early as possible. With his size and defensive tendencies when defending in the centres, he is more suited to an up and in defensive methodology compared to a sliding system.

Keegan Pace will play the 2020 season as part of the Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup side and post that competition will line up for Cudgen once again in the Hornets U18 NRRRL side.

Keegan Pace will also be involved in the various rugby league school boy competitions that PBC is involved with over the course of the 2020 season including the Langer Cup and GIO Cup with PBC looking to continue their success of recent years at both the State and National level.

With his speed and elusiveness, Keegan Pace has the skill set to play effectively on the wing or in the centres however ultimately I believe that his best opportunity to progress his career in relation to the best possible outcome is on the wing.

In many respects the way Keegan Pace plays on a rugby league field resembles that of Titans NRL outside back Brian Kelly as a speedy, elusive player with some size about him and with some real potential moving forward in both attack and defence as well as a bit of an aggressive streak when the occasion warrants.

Like Kelly, I believe that Keegan Pace’s defence is definitely under-rated as is his ability to field bombs as was evidenced in Round One of the 2019 season’s Andrew Johns Cup against Newcastle.

mdrew

09-02-20, 10:28 AM

Riley Lack. The young Murwillumbah five eight, centre or fullback is a Titans contracted player who started from the bench for the Titans U18 side in their annual match against the Newcastle Knights SG Ball (U18) side in Coffs Harbour in January 2020.

Riley Lack had an outstanding 2018 season including playing for the Titans U15 Invitational side in a match against the Western Mustangs in March 2018 when he started at fullback.

Riley Lack has played in additional matches for the Titans since then starting a number at five eight, the first being against the Balmain Tigers in late 2018 (Riley Lack spent some time at fullback in the second half of that match) and in January of 2019 when he started at five eight against the Newcastle Knights in Coffs Harbour.

Against the Knights Riley Lack primarily operated on the right side of the field with half Thomas Weaver playing on the left. Riley Lack had a solid match and even though he had the No. 6 on his back fed the ball into the scrum for most of the match but on occasion packed in at lock when the Titans had the scrum feed so that he could distribute the ball from the back of the scrum immediately.

Riley Lack also showed his rugby league intelligence in the match, in the second half a Knights second rower ran at him and was dragging Riley Lack with him, Riley Lack got his hands around the ball and stole it in a one on one strip around the half way mark to give the Titans good field position. Riley Lack also had a try assist when he threw the inside ball to Brody Smitka for the big front rowers second half try.

On the Thursday Night match at Cudgen in September 2018 against the Balmain Tigers Riley Lack recorded a try assist when late in the first half he threw a great long pass to Titans right winger Timothy Seilaff-Burns who was able to freeze the Balmain defender and then beat him on the outside to score in the right hand corner from close range.

Riley Lack’s most recent match for the Titans was when he started at five eight for the Titans U16 squad in their early October 2019 match against PNG at Pizzey Park.

In Round One of the 2019 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition Riley Lack started at five eight for the Northern Rivers Titans in their match against the Newcastle Knights Development Squad and just like for the Titans U16’s operated on the right with Thomas Weaver on the left and showcased his footwork on a number of occasions.

Round Two of the 2019 Andrew Johns Cup competition saw Riley Lack once again line up at five eight in their match against Parramatta having an outstanding game including throwing the last pass for two of the Titans tries. In the first half Riley Lack took the ball to his left inside his own half and sliced through the Parramatta defence before getting the ball away on his inside to fullback Jaylan DeGroot to score.

Late in the second half, Riley Lack had his second try assist of the match when once again operating on the right, he threw a great cut-out pass to winger Jake Coleman to score untouched in the right corner.

In the match Riley Lack also showed some good kicking skills including forcing a line drop out from a deft right foot kick.

For the third week in a row, Riley Lack started at five eight against the North Coast Bulldogs in Round Three, setting up two tries and kicking two from three conversions, with his only miss being from right on the left touch line.

Riley Lack’s first try assist came in the first half when he took the ball right to the defensive line before popping a good short ball to his left to send second rower Nicholas Troy over. In the second half with the Titans pressing Riley Lack took a pass high above his body with the North Coast defence converging, Riley Lack was able to bring the ball down and pop a good short pass almost instantaneously to his left, under extreme pressure to fullback Jaylan DeGroot who scored under the posts.

In Round Four against the Central Coast Roosters Riley Lack started in his customary five eight position scoring once again and split the Central Coast defence from about forty metres out on the left side of the field in the first half.

Riley Lack also started at five eight in Round Five against the Greater Northern Tigers scoring the first try of the match when he pounced on a deft kick from Thomas Weaver. Riley Lack also added a conversion from the left touch line after Ryan Foran had scored out wide.

Riley Lack really did display outstanding game management skills in the match. When Thomas Weaver was sent to the sin-bin, Riley Lack took over the running of the side and controlled play very well.

Riley Lack had another try assist in the Northern Rivers Titans 26 – 14 semi-final victory over Penrith which came from a first half attacking kick down the right side of the field with Reef Sommerville able to dive on the ball to ensure that the Titans went into half time with a two point lead.

In the 2019 U16 Andrew Johns Cup Grand Final against the Western Rams Riley Lack started at five eight in the Northern Rivers Titans outstanding 18 – 6 victory.

Riley Lack was a major contributor to the victory including one towering bomb which the Western Rams fullback could not handle in the first half, with Rowan Mansfield scoring from the resultant scrum.

Post the victory Riley Lack was named at five eight for the New South Wales Country U16 side for their November 2019 three match tour of the United Kingdom and was also named in the New South Wales U16 36 man train on squad and was one of only four New South Wales Country players in the squad, two others being fellow Titans Thomas Weaver and Ryan Foran.

Riley Lack started at five eight in Game One of the UK tour scoring New South Wales Country U16’s second try of the match in their big 62 – 0 win over the U17 Community Lions. Riley Lack also started at five eight in Game Two as NSW Country ran out 32 – 10 winners against the Leeds Rhino’s and operated primarily on the right of the field.

Riley Lack also started at five eight and scored a double in Game Three of the New South Wales Country U16’s tour of the UK as they finished undefeated on the back of a 62 – 6 victory over a British Community Lions squad consisting of players from the Lancashire and Cumbria region of England. Riley Lack’s first try came three minutes from half time when he darted over after a probing run from ten metres out to score near the right upright.

Riley lack’s second try came in the second half from a scrum move. Riley Lack fed the ball into the scrum and shaped to pick the ball up from the base of the scrum but instead backed away to his right on a wide blind side on that side of the field. The lock picked up the ball drawing the Lions half for Riley Lack to score wide out in the right corner.

The New South Wales Country U16 side played a New South Wales U16 Harold Matthews squad as a curtain raiser to the Penrith/Warriors NRL match on a Friday night at Penrith Park in May 2019. Riley Lack started the match at five eight and put in a couple of good kicks two of which resulted in line drop outs.

Riley Lack made his NRRRL U18 debut in Round Ten for Murwillumbah in their 28 – 10 victory over the Tweed Coast Raiders and also played in Round Eighteen, being the last regular season round against Tweed Heads when he kicked three goals from as many attempts to score his first career NRRRL U18 points.

Riley Lack was selected in the 2018 New South Wales Combined High Schools U15 side for the U15 ASSRL National Championships. He was named to start from the bench but started a number of matches.

Titan’s team mates in the NSW CHS side were fullback Rowan Mansfield and second rower and fellow Murwillumbah High School student Ryan Foran and was one of nine Titans contracted U15 players that participated in the U15 ASSRL Championships.

On Day Three in a semi-final against NSW CCC, Riley Lack started the match and kicked two from two including converting a 9th minute try from fellow Titans contracted player Ryan Foran. Unfortunately after leading 8 – 0, NSW CHS went down 10 – 8.

On the final day of the Championships being Day Five, Riley Lack started against NSW CIS kicking two conversions in a 12 – 0 victory for his NSW CHS side.

After the completion of the 2018 season Riley Lack and fellow Group 18 U15 team mates headed overseas to play in the Battlefield Challenge to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the end of World War I, a competition that the side won including victories against Emory Moor 12 – 6 and Leigh East 18 – 12.

In a warm up match in England prior to the Tournament they defeated a Hemel Stags U16 side and post the Tournament defeated French side Aude Cathare. A number of other Titans players were involved in the tour including Tom Weaver, Keegan Pace, Jack Cullen, Ryan Foran, Byron Jones and Bailey Cox.

In 2017 Riley Lack represented Group 18 at the U14 level in the New South Wales Country Age Championships, playing three matches in the centres and scoring against Group One.

Riley Lack is a quick centre with a fluid running style with a classic centres build with the ability to stand up his direct opposite and then beat him with pace on the outside. In term of his play, the in and away is his bread and butter, he has very good speed off the mark and can break to the outside quickly, couple that with long arms, which he uses to great effect with a powerful fend makes him difficult to tackle. When opposing centres are able to get hold of him, he usually is able to maintain his balance and keeps an arm free, looking to offload.

Riley Lack has more tools though than just an in and away, he will also use his strength to run straight over smaller opposing centres as well as also having the skill to step back inside of the defender if he is pushing to the outside too early. What Riley Lack is also adept at doing is timing his pass to his outside supports if the outside defender looks to come in and help defend him allowing an overlap to develop.

Riley Lack will not necessarily hit hard in defence, but he is very good at mirroring the movement of the opposing centre and wrapping him up ball and all. He is also quick enough to recover and chase if the opposing centre gets on the outside and his long reach is also a positive attribute in those situations.

From a team defensive methodology stand point, Riley Lack seems to be very comfortable in a sliding defensive scheme where he can use his speed and body control to their best advantage.

In 2020 Riley lack will line up for the Northern Rivers Titans in the U18 New South Wales Country Laurie Daley Cup competition. Post either the U18 Laurie Daley Cup Riley Lack will be a stand out in the NRRRL U18 competition for Murwillumbah.

Riley Lack can play either five eight, centre or fullback, but I am leaning more towards a permanent spot at five eight over centre or fullback for the Northern New South Wales youngster, but only just.

For me with his ability to slip through gaps in the defensive line especially close to the line and a solid repeatable defensive technique, Riley Lack has a playing style similar to that of Penrith Panthers rookie five eight Matt Burton as a solid reliable player who finds his way to the try line on a regular basis.

Like Burton, Riley Lack however will display tantalising flashes of exquisite skill whether that is in relation to a deft kick, scything run or beautiful pass at a time that is pivotal to his side’s success.

Riley Lack is just a footballer’s footballer.

mdrew

09-02-20, 11:43 AM

Orlando Swain. The Ipswich youngster signed with the Titans in 2018 after a standout campaign with the Queensland Maroon side at the U15 ASSRL Championships. A team mate in the Queensland Maroons side was fellow Titans contracted youngster the outstanding Burleigh lock Bailey Martin.

Orlando Swain’s most recent match for the Titans was when he started at left centre for the Titans U16 squad in their early October 2019 match against PNG U16’s at Pizzey Park scoring in the second half when he ran onto a straight pass from Syris Schmidt to crash over out wide.

In January of 2019 Orlando Swain started at right centre for the Titans U16 side in their match against the Newcastle Knights in Coffs Harbour. Orlando Swain did not keep too many opportunities with the ball in space but was effective none the less in terms of bringing the ball out of the Titans territory.

Orlando Swain also started in the centres for the Titans U15 side in their match against a Balmain Tigers U15 touring squad. Like in the Newcastle match Orlando Swain was partnered in the centres by the equally talented Ezra Ubaldino.

Orlando Swain is also part of the 2019 Queensland U16 Emerging Origin squad, with the squad completing their first camp of the year recently. At that camp, in the opposed session was on the same side as Kaleb Ngamanu and Bailey Martin.

Early in 2019 Orlando Swain was part of the Ipswich side that contested the South East Queensland U16 Championships scoring on Match Day Four in a tough 14 – 4 loss against Gold Coast Vikings White and subsequently was named in the 2019 South East Queensland White U16 side the for the Queensland Age Championships starting in the centres.

Post those Championships Orlando Swain was selected to start at right centre in the Queensland City U16 side in a match that was the curtain raiser to the 2019 Queensland Cup Grand Final but had only limited chances as City went down 44 – 4 to Country. Orland Swain did however make eight tackles at a tackling efficiency of 88.89% as well as running for seventy five metres.

Orlando Swain started in the centre in Round One of the Ipswich Rugby League U16 competition for Norths Ipswich scoring against Fassifern in a 34 – 22 victory and backed that up by scoring a double in Round Two against West End as Norths prevailed 40 – 12.

After missing Round Three Orlando Swain scored again in Round Four as his Norths side defeated Ipswich Brothers 78 – 4.

Orlando Swain also scored in Round Six against the Springfield Panthers and Rounds Nine, Ten and Twelve against West End, Rosewood and Redbank Plains respectively and kicked his only two goals of the season in Round Six against Springfield.

In total in the 2019 Ipswich Rugby League U16 regular season competition, Orlando Swain played in twelve matches scoring eight tries to finish with a 67% strike rate.

In the Ipswich Rugby League U16 Grand Final Orlando Swain started at right centre against Redbank Plains with Norths winning 34 – 26 and Orlando Swain contributing a try to the Premiership victory.

At the late September 2019 Norths Ipswich Junior Rugby League Awards Night, Orlando Swain was awarded the Rod Kelly Junior Representative Player of the Year Award.

Orlando Swain was also part of the Ipswich Grammar School U16A GPS school boy rugby side this season but made his deserved First XV debut on the right wing in Round Eight of the 2019 season against TSS on the Gold Coast.

Orlando Swain had a great debut including a first half try assist when he threw a left arm over the head flick pass to Roosters bound Sam Walker to score in the first half. Even though he was playing on the right wing, Orlando Swain had a licence to roam on the match, regularly chiming into the backline on the left side of the field after set pieces.

Orlando Swain played his second GPS First XV match in Round Nine against Gregory Terrace, once again starting on the right wing and scored his first try when he was on the end of an Ipswich Grammar School movement to score wide out on the right in the first half.

As a result of his outstanding performances on the wing for the 2018 U15 Queensland Maroon side Orlando Swain was selected in the Australian U15 Merit side where he was named on the wing.

Orlando Swain started all four of Queensland Maroon’s matches on the wing and scored two tries, the first coming on Day One against New South Wales Combined High Schools and his second try was in the 4th minute of the final against New South Wales Combined Catholic College, a final which Queensland Maroon won 36 – 10.

The Ipswich Grammar School student this season played for Norths Blue in the 2018 Ipswich U15 competition and through nine matches, including the finals series scored 56 points from twelve tries and four goals.

Orlando Swain scored a hat trick against Fassifern and has also scored doubles against Norths Gold, Rosewood and Redbank. Orlando Swain’s other two tries came against West End and Brothers.

In Week Two of the Ipswich Rugby League U15 Finals series, Orlando Swain started on the wing and scored as his Norths Blue defeated a determined Redbank side 30 – 26 to progress to the Grand Final.

In the Ipswich U15 Grand Final Orlando Swain started on the wing for Norths Blue against West End with Norths Blue going down is a close match 28 – 22 with Orlando Swain scoring one of North’s Blue’s four tries on the Sunday morning.

Orlando Swain has an extensive representative resume including representing the Ipswich Diggers at the U14 level in 2017 and earlier this year represented Met West U15’s.

Even though he does not necessarily plus top end speed (It is certainly in the above average category though but probably just falls a touch below the plus category) Orlando Swain is quick enough to take advantage of any space that he is given down the touchline by opposing outside backs.

Orlando Swain’s bread and butter play in the centres is a good in an away to hold the defender and beat him on the outside, Orlando Swain then has the ability to draw and pass to his winger if the opposing winger looks to come in, thus creating an overlap on the outside.

When playing on the wing Orlando Swain always seems to stick to the sideline which means his inside attackers will know where he is at all times, thus allowing them to confidently off load the ball if an overlap is created.

When defending in the centres, Orlando Swain really does look to come out of the line and hit his opposing centre as hard as possible to cut off the attacking play before it has time to fully develop, his timing in those situations is quite good to the extent that he does not often over comment thus allowing his opponent to get on his outside.

Orlando Swain does not let the play unfold in front of him, he looks to disrupt as early as possible and usually does so effectively.

With his size and defensive tendencies when defending in the centres, Orlando Swain is more suited to an up and in defensive methodology compared to a sliding system, where quicker opposing centres look to get on his outside and try to use their pace against him although he is not necessarily a slouch in that department.

2020 will see Orlando Swain line up for Ipswich in the MM Cup competition which will see him up against multiple Titans contracted boys in the Tweed Heads and Burleigh sides.

Post the 2020 MM Cup competition Orlando Swain will play for Ipswich Norths in the Ipswich Rugby League U18 competition and later in the year will be a likely starter for the Ipswich Grammar School First XV in the GPS school boy rugby competition after making two starts on the right wing late in the 2019 season.

Over the course of his junior rugby league career Orlando Swain has played fullback, centre and wing at a very high level and for me his best position at least in the short term is in the centres but he can play all three with quality outcomes for both himself and his team.

A current NRL player with a similar playing style to Orlando Swain is for me Sydney Roosters New South Wales State of Origin and seen to be Parramatta Eel’s winger Blake Ferguson, like Ferguson Orlando Swain is a very good kick return and has the size, strength and speed to be a real handful for an opponent’s three quarter line, especially when he looks to run straight at the defensive line.

Like Ferguson, Orlando Swain is also very good in the air both from an attacking and defensive point of view.

mdrew

09-02-20, 02:25 PM

Jack Cullen. He is a Northern New South Wales born Titans contracted front rower who started in the front row for the Titans U16 side in their match against the Newcastle Knights in January 2019.

In the match, Jack Cullen was his usual busy and effective self, including along with Bailey Martin being one of the forward leaders from both an attacking and defensive perspective.

One aspect of Jack Cullen’s game against the Newcastle Knights that I had not seen a great deal of prior to the match was Jack Cullen ball playing before the line. One a couple of occasions in the match Jack Cullen looked like he was going to take a hit-up, once he received the ball he quickly pivoted on the spot and passed out to his backline, the times that Jack Cullen ball played like this was seemingly all to the left side of the field.

Jack Cullen also played for the Titans when he started in the front row for the Titans U16 squad in their early October 2019 match against PNG at Pizzey Park with the Titans coming away from the match with a big win 44 - 12.

Jack Cullen also started in the front row Titans U15 side as they defeated a U15 Balmain Tigers touring side 16 – 10 in late 2018 and for me was one of the best for the Titans that night at Cudgen.

After left second rower Ryan Foran fielded the kick off, Jack Cullen took the next hit up and set the scene for his match with a great first run into the teeth of the Balmain Tigers forward pack.

Jack Cullen was at it again after the Titans first try scored by left winger Kaleb Ngamanu, taking the first and third hit-ups. Jack Cullen was outstanding in both of his stints for the Titans U15’s but his first 20 minute stint was exceptional. Jack Cullen also scored in the match after he was brought down just short of the line after a strong run where he stepped back behind the ruck off his right foot.

Post the Balmain Tigers match, Jack Cullen and fellow Group 18 U15 team mates headed overseas to play in the Battlefield Challenge to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the end of World War I, a competition that the side won including victories against Emory Moor 12 – 6 and Leigh East 18 – 12. In a warm up match in England prior to the Tournament they defeated a Hemel Stags U16 side and post the Tournament defeated French side Aude Cathare.

In Round One of the 2019 U18 Andrew Johns Cup competition Jack Cullen started in the front row for the Northern Rivers Titans in their match against the Newcastle Knights Development Squad and had a great game including throwing two outstanding short balls prior to the defensive line.

His first pass was to lock Bailey Cox who as a result found himself in a big gap and was able to draw the fullback for fullback Jaylan DeGroot to score the first try of the match under the posts. Jack Cullen’s second impressive pass, also to his right set left centre Rowan Mansfield on a forty metre run down the left tough line.

Round Two of the 2019 Andrew Johns Cup competition saw Jack Cullen once again line up in the front row in their match against Parramatta and once again he had an outstanding match.

The match was the second in a row that Jack Cullen was heavily involved in setting up a try with a great ball prior to contacting the defensive line. In the second half, Jack Cullen took the ball off the dummy half and popped a great ball around the half way mark to interchange forward Byron Jones who charged to within a few metres of the Parramatta line before offloading to Thomas Weaver to score. Just like his two outstanding passes in Round One his great second round pass was to his left.

In Round Three against the North Coast Bulldogs Jack Cullen started in the front row for the third week in a row and once again provided an outstanding pre-contact pass to his left to set up a try, this time to Rowan Mansfield who sprinted sixty metres to score down the touch line.

I have mentioned his pre-contact offloading a few times but Jack Cullen in all of his Andrew Johns Cup matches in 2019 was outstanding in making ground through the centre of the ruck a lot of which was post contact.

After being rested in Round Four Jack Cullen started Round Five of the 2019 Andrew Johns Cup competition in his usual front row position against the Greater Northern Tigers and was rewarded for his outstanding match when he crashed over in the second half after a powerful surge.

Jack Cullen was also strong in the Northern River Titans 26 – 14 semi-final victory over Penrith and one run in particular stood out for me. Jack Cullen took the kick up after the Titans first try and charged head long into the Penrith defence, making a twenty run knocking defenders out of the way and then drawing a penalty when he tried to get a quick play the ball and was prevented from doing so by the Panthers defence.

In the 2019 U16 Andrew Johns Cup Grand Final against the Western Rams Jack Cullen started in the front row in their impressive 18 – 6 victory.

Post the victory Jack Cullen was named in the front row for the New South Wales Country U16 side for their November 2019 three match tour of the United Kingdom flying out for the tour from Sydney in mid-November.

Jack Cullen started in the front row in Game one of the Tour scoring NSW Country’s first and last try in their 62 – 0 with over the Community Lions with his first try coming just three minutes into the match when Jack Cullen twisted 360 degrees clockwise to crash over from close range mid-way between the left corner post and upright.

Game Two saw the New South Wales Country U16’s defeat the Leeds Rhino’s 32 – 10 with Jack Cullen once again starting in the front row and producing a typical hard uncompromising performance.

Jack Cullen also started in the front row in Game Three of the New South Wales Country U16’s tour of the UK as they finished undefeated on the back of a 62 – 6 victory over a British Community Lions squad consisting of players from the Lancashire and Cumbria region of England.

The New South Wales Country U16 side played a New South Wales U16 Harold Matthews squad as a curtain raiser to the Penrith/Warriors NRL match on a Friday night at Penrith Park in May 2019. Jack Cullen started the match in the front row.

Jack Cullen made his NRRRL U18 debut in Round Nine for Cudgen starting from the bench in their 10 – 6 win over Lower Clarence at home with his first try coming in his 4th match being Round Fourteen against Byron Bay.

Jack Cullen made his first NRRRL U18 start in Round Sixteen when he started in the front row against Murwillumbah.

In total in the U18 NRRRL competition Jack Cullen played in nine matches and scored just the one try as mentioned above in Round Fourteen against Byron Bay.

Jack Cullen was also part of the Cudgen side that defeated Lismore Marist Brothers 24 – 10 in Week One of the 2019 NRRRL U18 Finals series and was also on the bench as Cudgen defeated Byron Bay 24 – 4 in the Preliminary Final.

Jack Cullen was also part of the dominant Cudgen 2019 U16 Group 18 side that won their Grand Final 44 – 6 against Byron Bay/Lennox Head.

In 2018 Jack Cullen started in the front row for the Group 18 U15 representative side at the New South Wales Country U15’s Championships playing matches against Group 21, Group Two and Group Four.

Jack Cullen is a solidly built young front rower with a low centre of gravity, which makes him quite difficult to tackle as he is also adept at dropping his shoulder into defenders as he impacts the defensive line. There is not a great deal of subtlety to his game, he runs straight and hard, with the only concession to this being a slight step off his left foot in occasion prior to impacting the defensive line.

One thing that Jack Cullen does do will however is continuing to pump his legs once his initial momentum is halted by the defensive line, he makes more metres than he should as a result and also forces defending teams to commit multiple defensive assets to stopping his progress. He does not have a real off load to his attacking game, but that is not his role, his role is to take the ball into the heart of the opposition’s defensive line and make as many metres as possible.

For a player of his size and position Jack Cullen actually has decent speed off the mark but obviously does not necessary have great top end speed. Jack Cullen shows flashes of the ability to off load the football when engaged with the defensive line but it is not a skill attribute that you see often not are you likely to into the future as that his not his primary role on a rugby league team.

When Jack Cullen hits you you stay hit, due to his height he is able to drive into the ribs of larger forwards and as his centre of gravity is usually lower than that of the person that he is defending against he is able to negatively impact on their momentum and balance and bring them to ground very quickly and is strong enough to win the wrestle and slow the play the ball down to allow his sides defensive line to re-establish itself before the opposition run their next play.

Jack Cullen will move to PBC in 2020 and will be a key piece in their Langer Cup and GIO Cup school boy rugby league campaigns and in relation to representative rugby league will play for the 2020 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup side. Jack Cullen is also U18 eligible in 2021.

In addition to playing in the front row Jack Cullen has also spent some time at lock but currently in rugby league the lock plays as a third front rower so regardless of whether he is wearing jersey 8, 10 or 13, Jack Cullen will be lining up in the centre of the ruck on a rugby league field in both attack and defence for the foreseeable future.

From a player comparison perspective for Jack Cullen, I would consider that a player with a similar build and a similar playing style is North Queensland Cowboys, Queensland and Australian front rower Matt Scott as a big strong front rower who is not flashy but works hard to put his team on the front foot through gaining ground through the centre of the ruck, a lot of which are post contact metres.

The most impressive thing for me about Jack Cullen is the integration of a pre-line short passing game into his game, it just adds to both his individual effectiveness and that of his team.

mdrew

09-02-20, 08:20 PM

Rowan Mansfield. (Revised) After being involved in both the Titans and Bronco’s Development Squads in recent years it was great to see Rowan Mansfield sign with the Titans in early 2018.

Rowan Mansfield also played for the Titans when he started at right centre for the Titans U16 squad in their early October 2019 match against PNG at Pizzey Park scoring in the first half in the right corner from a run five metres out.

Rowan Mansfield started at fullback for the Titans U16 side in their match against the Newcastle Knights early in 2019. Unfortunately an injury meant that Rowan Mansfield was not able to see out the match.

Rowan Mansfield also was part of the Titans U15 side when they defeated the Western Mustangs six tries to three at Nerang in March 2018. In that match Rowan Mansfield lined up at right centre where he opposed the talented Blake Cesseri from the Western Mustangs and more than held his own over the course of the match.

In late 2018 Rowan Mansfield started at fullback for the Titans U15 side as they defeated a U15 Balmain Tigers touring side 16 – 10 with Rowan Mansfield scoring an outstanding try.

In the first half Rowan Mansfield was dangerous with the ball and also scored early when he looked to step his way through the Balmain Tigers forward pack from close range and was also dangerous chiming into the backline off Titans scrum wins especially to the right side of the field.

In the second half Rowan Mansfield moved onto the right wing and scored an outstanding try highlighting his outstanding speed. The try was constructed in the inside through a chain of passes from Thomas Weaver through Jye Gray to Kaleb Ngamanu who put Rowan Mansfield into a gap down the sideline. Rowan Mansfield used an outstanding in and away to beat the Balmain fullback to score untouched after a seventy metre run just to the right of the goal posts.

In Round One of the 2019 U18 Andrew Johns Cup competition Rowan Mansfield partnered fellow Titan Keegan Pace in the centres for the Northern Rivers Titans in their match against the Newcastle Knights Development Squad, with Rowan Mansfield operating on the left side of the field.

Even though he was playing on the left, Rowan Mansfield’s first break was made on the right when he looped around a Titans scrum win on their own twenty metre line and drove twenty metres down field before being brought down.

Rowan Mansfield also made a great break down the left tough line after a great pre-line Jack Cullen offload and was a deserved try scorer for the Titans when he took a pass off the dummy half around twenty metres out from the Newcastle try line and proceeded to power through the defensive line to score.

In the match, Rowan Mansfield on two occasions was able to pin Newcastle defenders in the in goal highlighting his enthusiasm to chase kicks. Both kicks were from fellow Titan Thomas Weaver.

Round Two of the 2019 Andrew Johns Cup competition saw Rowan Mansfield once again line up in the left centre position in their match against Parramatta. Rowan Mansfield did not see too much of the ball in the match but was still able to score for the Northern Rivers Titans in a try that was similar to his Round One try as he exploded onto a dummy half pass and through sheer speed and power dragged a couple of Parramatta players over the try line.

Round Three against the North Coast Bulldogs once again saw Rowan Mansfield start at left centre for the Northern Rivers Titans and once again he was outstanding on the way to scoring a double. Rowan Mansfield’s first try was a long range effort when he took a pass from fellow Titan and front rower Jack Cullen to spring sixty metres down the left touch line. Rowan Mansfield also scored the final try of the match when he pouched on a North Coast mistake in their own in goal.

After starting the opening three rounds of the Andrew Johns Cup at left centre, Round Four against the Central Coast Roosters saw Rowan Mansfield move back to fullback.

After a week at fullback, Rowan Mansfield moved back to the centres for the Round Five match against the Greater Northern Tigers starting at left centre and scored an outstanding long range try when he exploded down the left touch line in a seventy run to the line easily outpacing the Greater Northern Tigers cover defence.

In the semi-final against Penrith Rowan Mansfield had arguably his best match of the Andrew Johns Cup competition (which is saying something) from his usual right centre position. He was aggressive in both attack and defence and made some telling runs out of dummy half for the Northern Rivers Titans as well as some aggressive defence on his opposite Penrith centre.

In the 2019 U16 Andrew Johns Cup Grand Final against the Western Rams Rowan Mansfield started at left centre and scored an outstanding try, the second of the match for the Titans in their outstanding 18 – 6 win.

At a scrum in front of the Western Rams posts, the Titans stacked the right side but instead the ball went to Rowan Mansfield on the left, he got outside of his direct opponent with speed before close to the line opposing winger came in to make the tackle. Rowan Mansfield literally ran straight through him to score in the corner.

Post the victory Rowan Mansfield was named on the wing for the New South Wales Country U16 side for their November three match tour of the United Kingdom.

Rowan Mansfield started on the wing scoring a double in Game One of the tour scoring New South Wales Country U16’s second try of the match in their big 62 – 0 win over the U17 Community Lions.

Rowan Mansfield’s first try of the match was a sixty metre effort which he was able to bring around to under the goal posts (after crossing the try line in the left corner) in the first half after eluding the Lions fullback. Rowan Mansfield’s second try was scored when he leapt in the air to claim a Thomas Weaver cross kick on the full to score in the corner.

Rowan Mansfield also started on the left wing in Match Two of the tour and scored his third tour try late in the match from close range in the left corner as the NSW Country U16’s defeated the Leeds Rhino’s 32 – 10. Rowan Mansfield scored literally right in the left corner after a three metre after a chain of short passes to the left of the field by the New South Wales Country U16 side.

Rowan Mansfield finished the tour with five tries when he scored a double after starting the third and final match on the wing as the New South Wales Country U16 side defeated the British Community Lions 62 – 6. Rowan Mansfield’s first try (and the first of the match) was the result of a great back line move to the left in just the second minute and he completed his double in the twenty first minute when another backline movement saw Rowan Mansfield in space from where he was able to score.

The New South Wales Country U16 side played a New South Wales U16 Harold Matthews squad as a curtain raiser to the Penrith/Warriors NRL match on a Friday night at Penrith Park in May 2019. Rowan Mansfield started the match on the left wing.

In the match Rowan Mansfield did not get a lot of opportunities but went looking for the ball and did make one good break down the left touchline before kicking inside to keep the ball alive.

Impressively less than 48 hours later Rowan Mansfield lined up for Ballina in their 58 - 0 NRRRL U18 Round Seven win over Tweed Coast and scoring in the big win.

Even though Rowan Mansfield was still U16 eligible in 2019, he made his NRRRL U18 debut in Round Four for Ballina in their 18 – 12 win over Murwillumbah.

In total in the 2019 NRRRL U18 competition Rowan Mansfield played in twelve regular season matches scoring seven tries including a double in Round Sixteen against Tweed Heads.

In 2019 Rowan Mansfield also scored against Lismore Marist Brothers in Round Six (his first U18 NRRRL try), in Round Seven against Tweed Coast, Round Twelve against Casino RSM, Round Thirteen against Murwillumbah and in Round Seventeen scored against Tweed Coast.

In Week Two of the NRRRL U18 Finals Rowan Mansfield was part of the Ballina side that defeated Cudgen 26 – 20 to progress directly to the Grand Final with Rowan Mansfield one of Ballina’s try scorers in their hard fought win.

From his fullback position Rowan Mansfield was hunting around the ruck and followed a break made by the Ballina hooker to receive a pass to race fifty metres to score untouched adjacent to the right upright.

In the 2019 NRRRL U18 Grand Final Rowan Mansfield started at fullback for Ballina as they won the premiership on the back of a 24 – 6 victory with Rowan Mansfield being a menace for the Cudgen defence constantly backing up his forwards through the centre of the ruck.

Rowan Mansfield also started for Ballina in Round One of the 2019 Group One U16.5 competition in their 26 – 4 loss to South Grafton.

Rowan Mansfield scored seven Group One regular season 2019 U16.5 tries from nine matches tries in 2019 including a Round Seven double against Kyogle, also scoring a double in Round Ten against Casino RSM.

In Week One of the Group One finals series, Rowan Mansfield was unstoppable on his way to scoring a hat trick as Ballina defeated Clarence Coast 20 – 8 to progress to Week Two with Ballina also winning then in the Preliminary Final 21 – 14 over South Grafton for Rowan Mansfield and his team mates to progress to the Grand Final.

In the 2019 Group One U16.5 Grand Final against Lismore Marist Brothers Gold Rowan Mansfield started at fullback as Ballina ran out winners 12 – 4.

At the 2019 Group One Junior Rugby League Awards night Rowan Mansfield was named Group One Junior Rugby League Representative Player of the Year. Rowan Mansfield also received an award at the 2019 Ballina Coast High School Sports Awards night.

In 2018 in the Group One U15 competition, Rowan Mansfield played in eleven matches, including the finals scoring five tries. Each of Rowans Mansfield regular season’s tries came from individual matches and were scored against, South Grafton, Clarence Coast on two occasions and against Casino RSM.

On the first Saturday of the Group One finals, Rowan Mansfield scored for Ballina in their 26 - 4 Group One U15 semi-final victory over South Grafton.

In the Grand Final Rowan Mansfield and his Ballina team mates went down to a committed South Grafton Rebels side 16 – 0 in a defensive tussle.

Rowan Mansfield also played in three Group One U16.5 matches, making his debut against Clarence Coast in early August scoring on debut.

Earlier in 2018 Rowan Mansfield was part of the New South Wales Combined High Schools (NSW CHS) U15 side that participated in the ASSRL U15 national Championships, being one of ten Titans involved in the Championships. NSW Combined High School Titans team mates were second rower Ryan Foran and fullback/centre Riley Lack.

At the 2018 New South Wales Country U15 Championships Rowan Mansfield was named in the centres for the Group One U15 side.

In Group One’s Round One U15 match against Newcastle Rowan Mansfield started in the centres with Group One winning 22 – 18 against Newcastle and Rowan Mansfield scoring a double.

In Group One’s second match of the Championships Rowan Mansfield kicking a conversion as Group One ran out 28 – 6 winners against Group Three.

Group One won their Northern Cup semi-final against Group 19 before going down 10 – 6 against Group Two in the U15 new South Wales Country Northern Cup Final.
Rowan Mansfield played four matches at the U16 ASSRL Championships primarily at fullback and scored against New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges.

Early in 2017 Rowan Mansfield represented Group One U14’s in the New South Wales Age Championships were he was named in the centres. In those Championships, Rowan Mansfield was absolutely outstanding on his way to scoring four tries from just three matches, including a Round One hat trick against Group 14 and in Round Three he scored against the Central Coast.

For the 2017 season Rowan Mansfield was the leading try scorer in the Group One U14 competition scoring 23 tries from just twelve matches. Rowan Mansfield scored five in a match against Marist Brothers and also had hat tricks against the Grafton Ghosts and South Grafton Rebels.

In a seven match span to start the 2017 season Rowan Mansfield scored an incredible nineteen tries. Rowan Mansfield was in fact named the U14 Ballina Seagulls Best and Fairest for the 2017 Group One U14 season.

Rowan Mansfield also played eight matches in the 2017 Group One U15 competition scoring against Casino RSM. On six of the eight occasions that Rowan Mansfield played U15’s he was backing up from the U14 contest earlier in the day.

In the 2016 season Rowan Mansfield scored an amazing 35 tries in only 13 games to finish the leading try scorer by 13 tries, adding in his two conversions, Rowan Mansfield had a total points tally of 144 on the season in the U13 Group One Junior Rugby League competition and added another six tries from as many games in the U14 age group.

In the U13 competition in 2016, Rowan Mansfield was only kept try less on one occasion in 2016, being against Lismore Marist Brothers in the last match of the season. Rowan Mansfield scored six tries in a match against Kyogle and five also against Kyogle earlier in the season and on four occasions, scored four tries in a match which came against Casino RSM on two separate occasions and against Grafton and South Grafton.

Rowan Mansfield also scored two hat tricks, coming against Lismore Marist Brothers on two separate occasions. At the U14 level, Rowan Mansfield scored two doubles which came against Grafton and Kyogle.

In attack his speed off the mark is the first attribute that you will notice when you see him play live. Only watching him play live will do his speed off the mark justice, watching him play live, it is great to see when he takes off. He also has an extra gear once he is through the defensive line and has the ability and endurance to maintain his speed over a long distance. Couple his speed with a very good right foot step and you have a young player who seemingly makes breaks at will.

Rowan Mansfield can and will beat defenders in the inside with a step and if the defensive line is staggered a dummy and go, presents multiple headaches for the opposition’s defensive strategies. He also backs up any line breaks that are made by his forwards. Yes I know that he is still very young but Rowan Mansfield has absolutely blazing speed already, which would have to be considered in the plus-plus category.

For the Titans U15 side in March Rowan Mansfield expertly got on the outside of his Western Mustangs opponent down the right hand grand stand side of the field at Nerang beating his opposing centre with speed and guile and even with a lot of cover defence coming across expertly set up his fullback with a great pass back on the inside. Even though the fullback was pulled down just short of the try line it was a great piece of play by Rowan Mansfield and personified his style of play perfectly in that brief moment of brilliance.

Rowan Mansfield also has very good hands for such a young player and when he retrieves the ball from an opponent’s kick he simply just takes off and is difficult for the opposition to get his hands on as he nears top speed.

Rowan Mansfield is not the biggest or necessarily strongest player but will take the hit when needing to make the tackle in the last line of defence and has the recovery speed to compensate if he needs to turn and chase an opponent’s break. Rowan Mansfield is also adept at using the sideline to his advantage when he is defending against opposition breaks.

Even against such a talented centre as Blake Cesseri (the best U15 centre in Queensland) Rowan Mansfield held his own for the Titans U15 side, especially considering that Rowan Mansfield has not spent a great deal of time in the centres over the last couple of seasons.

Moving towards the 2020 season Rowan Mansfield is part of the Northern Rivers U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad and will play in the NRRRL U18 competition for Ballina for the second season in a row and may even get a match or two in the NRRRL First Grade competition. Impressively Rowan Mansfield is also U18 eligible in 2021.

From a position perspective, I would suggest that he will continue to play fullback and centre for the foreseeable future, although I believe when it is all said and done Rowan Mansfield will ultimately end up at fullback although with how he played in the centres for the Titans U15 side and in 2019 for the U16 Northern Rivers Titans Andrew Johns Cup winning side it cannot be ruled out that Rowan Mansfield will not stay in the centres and perform very well there as well.

From a player comparison perspective, think along the lines of Cowboys fullback Lachlan Coote as a fullback with outstanding pace and footwork in attack and who is also courageous when it comes to his defensive duties and on kick returns.

There is just something about how this young man moves that is impossible not to be impressed by and the scary part of me is that even though he was solid for the Titans U15’s and U16’s over the last couple of seasons there is plenty more to come from Rowan Mansfield, plenty more indeed.

mdrew

09-02-20, 08:41 PM

Noah Johannssen. The young front rower from the South Tweed Bears club in Northern New South Wales most recent match for the Titans was when he part of the Titans U18 side in their annual match against the Newcastle Knights SG Ball (U18) side in Coffs Harbour. Noah Johannssen was named the Titans best forward for the match. In a piece of trivia, Noah Johannssen played against his older brother Tim in the match who was part of the Knights side.

Noah Johannssen made his deserved Titans debut when he came off the bench for the Titans in their U16 clash against the Newcastle Knights in January of 2019 in very very hot conditions.

In the match, Noah Johannssen had spells on the field in both halves and took the ball into the Knights defensive line with a hard straight running mentality and also was on hand to back up at every opportunity including taking a good one hand pass from Joseph Shannon in the first half to get the ball into the Knights twenty metre defensive area.

Noah Johannssen also started in the front row for the Titans U16 squad in their early October 2019 match against PNG at Pizzey Park when he scored a barnstorming try under the posts dragging three PNG defenders with him from ten metres out.

In fact Noah Johannssen was specifically mentioned by Jamie McCormack as one of the Titans best in the match.

In Round One of the 2019 U18 Andrew Johns Cup competition Noah Johannssen started in the front row for the Northern Rivers Titans in their match against the Newcastle Knights Development Squad and to say he had a dominant first half would be a massive understatement.

You can probably already mark down Noah Johannssen down for try of the year at any level. Early in the first half, Newcastle were forced to drop the ball out, Noah Johannssen took the ball from Riley Lack who fielded the drop out near the half way mark and simply powered his way through the Newcastle defence to score near the left upright.

The try was not as a result of Noah Johannssen just breaking the Newcastle line once and scoring, at least twice it appeared that Noah Johannssen would be dragged down but he kept pumping his legs and broke tackle after tackle on his way to the line.

Noah Johannssen also took the hit-up after the Newcastle kick off and once again provided a difficult proposition for the Newcastle defence. Add in a great second half off-load and you have a great game by Noah Johannssen.

Round Two of the 2019 Andrew Johns Cup competition saw Noah Johannssen once again line up in the front row in their match against Parramatta and was once again heavily involved making ground in the centre of the ruck, making significant metres post contact.

Noah Johannssen also made a great heads up play in the second half when after one of the Parramatta front rowers made a strong run, Noah Johannssen stripped the ball in a one on one tackle and then charged fifteen metres in the opposite direction to totally change the momentum of the match.

Noah Johannsson also had a solid match in Round Three against the North Coast Bulldogs once again starting the match in the front row alongside fellow Titan Jack Cullen.

Noah Johannsson also started in the front row in Round Four against the Central Coast Roosters and had a huge match especially in attack when he consistently made significant metres post contact and also had a try assist. In the last minute of the match, Noah Johannssen broke through the Central Coast line, drawing the fullback to send Northern Rivers Titans right centre Blake Marrison away for the Titans to top the fifty point mark.

Noah Johannsson also started in the front row in Round Five against the Greater Northern Tigers and was near unstoppable constantly gaining ground after contact and scored a deserved first half try when he powered over after a long break from Ryan Foran. The break from Ryan Foran was from a scrum thus the effort of Noah Johannsson to break from the scrum and run eighty metres to take the ball and subsequently score was certainly impressive.

Noah Johannsson also had a strong match against a huge Penrith pack in the Titans 26 – 14 semi-final victory with Noah Johannsson forcing the defence to commit multiple defensive resources every time he took the ball into the defensive line.

In the 2019 U16 Andrew Johns Cup Grand Final against the Western Rams Noah Johannsson started in the front row in the 18 – 6 victory and was certainly a key part in the outstanding victory.

Post the victory Noah Johannsson was named on the interchange bench for the New South Wales Country U16 side for their November 2019 three match tour of the United Kingdom.

Noah Johannsson started from the interchange bench and scored in Game One of the tour scoring New South Wales Country U16’s second try of the match in their big 62 – 0 win over the U17 Community Lions. Noah Johannsson’s try came early in the second half when he was too strong for the Lions defence after a charging run from close to the line. Game Two saw the New South Wales Country U16’s defeat the Leeds Rhino’s 32 – 10.

Noah Johannsson also started from the bench and scored in Game Three of the New South Wales Country U16’s tour of the UK as they finished undefeated on the back of a 62 – 6 victory over a British Community Lions squad consisting of players from the Lancashire and Cumbria region of England.

Noah Johannsson scored the first try of the second half when he crashed over from close range. Noah Johannsson also had a try assist in the match. After splitting the Lions defence through the centre of the ruck, Noah Johannsson rumbled down field thirty metres before drawing the fullback and sending his support runner away to score under the posts.

The New South Wales Country U16 side played a New South Wales U16 Harold Matthews squad as a curtain raiser to the Penrith/Warriors NRL match on a Friday night at Penrith Park in May 2019. Noah Johannsson started the match on the interchange bench for the Country side.

Impressively less than 48 hours later Noah Johannsson lined up for Tweed Heads in their 30 – 6 NRRRL U18 Round Seven loss to Cudgen.

Incredibly the day after the 2019 Andrew Johns Cup final, Noah Johannsson was part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls U18 NRRRL side that defeated Kyogle 24 – 16 in Round two of the NRRRL U18 competition, talk about a young man who obviously just loves playing rugby league.

Noah Johannsson played in thirteen matches in the 2019 U18 NRRRL regular season competition with the Tweed Heads Seagulls U18 side scoring his first try in Round Seven against Murwillumbah, adding a double in Round Fourteen against Tweed Coast and also scoring in Round Fifteen against Lismore Marist Brothers.

In the Group 18 U15 competition in 2018, Noah Johannssen was part of the South Tweed Premiership winning side with the Bears defeating Byron Bay Lennox Head 22 – 16 in the Grand Final.

Over the previous two seasons Noah Johannssen has represented Group 18 at the U14 and U15 levels.

Noah Johannssen is a big and I mean big strong front rower who is a powerful runner of the football, who knows only one way and that is straight ahead and can offload once he has impacted the defensive line or has crashed through it, in addition he is quite effective when his team is attacking close to the try line. Noah Johannssen can either take the ball himself, and when he gets low he is very difficult to stop or he can run as a decoy and attract defenders away from the real axis of attack.

For a big front rower Noah Johannssen does actually have quite decent speed and footwork, certainly well above average for a player of his size. He does however seem to carry the ball in his right hand away from his body which whilst it can make offloading easier once he engages the defensive line it can lead to a number of dropped balls when opposing defenders engage him.

Noah Johannssen is obviously suited to defending in the centre of the ruck rather that the fringes and will understandably have some trouble with nippy runners out of dummy half. His calling card though is the strength and power to effectively engage the opposing forward early in their run and use his natural strength to win the forward battle in the centre of the ruck.

Noah Johannssen can defensively handle any one on one battle that presents itself. At times in games Noah Johannssen really does prevent opposing gaining any ground at all through the centre of the ruck at all.

Noah Johannssen will line up for Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup side in 2020 and post that competition will continue to play for the Tweed Heads Seagulls U18 side that plays in the U18 NRRRL competition.

Noah Johannssen is a giant of a young man but also has outstanding mobility for a player of his size and strength and certainly will continue to play in the front row in any team, representative, school boy or club, that he is involved in for the remainder of what is shaping to be an outstanding rugby league career.

What really stands out for me in relation to Noah Johannssen is his exceptional mobility and stamina for a player of his size and strength it is truly and impressive trait.

From a player comparison perspective for Noah Johannssen, consider someone along the same lines of Wests Tigers and New Zealand International’s Ben Matelino and Russell Packer as no nonsense types of front rowers with size, strength and power and a hard tough uncompromising attitude to go along with other attributes.

mdrew

13-02-20, 05:03 PM

Josh Bevan. The former Titans (and Brisbane Broncos) Junior Development Squad member and PBC student is currently contracted to the Sydney Roosters until the end of the current 2020 season.

Josh Bevan was to commence the 2020 season starting at hooker for the Roosters in their U18 SG Ball Round One match against the Norths Sydney Bears however the match was cancelled due to the extreme weather conditions in Sydney that weekend.

In Round Two against the Western Suburbs Magpies Josh Bevan was once again named to start at hooker for the Roosters.

In 2018 and 2019 Josh Bevan was a key member of the PBC Open school boy side that had so much success including in 2018 starting in their GIO Cup National Final victory against Patrician Brothers.

In 2019 Josh Bevan was also part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup Queensland Grand Final and National Final winning U18 sides. In the 2019 Queensland MM Cup competition Josh Bevan was part of all eight of Tweed Heads matches including starting from the bench in their 28 – 24 Queensland MM Cup Grand Final victory over Wynnum Manly.

Josh Bevan started six of his eight 2019 MM Cup matches from the bench scoring in Round One against the Western Mustangs when he started from the bench. Josh Bevan’s two starts were in Round Three against Burleigh when he started at hooker and Round Four against Central Queensland when he started in the front row.

In the 2019 U18 National Final against the Illawarra Steelers, Josh Bevan came off the bench for Tweed Heads to play thirty three minutes (including some time at dummy half) running for fifty one metres (eighteen post contact), was credited with a line break on his way to scoring and made eleven tackles at a 91.67% tackling efficiency.

In 2018 Josh Bevan plyed his trade with the Bilambil Jets in the GCRL U16 Division One competition and was part of the U16 Northern Rivers Andrew Johns Cup side starting in the front row in their Round One clash against the U16 Newcastle Knights Development squad.

Post the 2018 Andrew Johns Cup competition Josh Bevan was selected in the front row for the New South Wales Country U16 side at played matches against PNG and a Titans U16 side at Cudgen late in the season. Josh Bevan in fact scored for New South Wales Country in their 30 – 14 win against the Titans in that match.

Late in 2017 Josh Bevan was selected in the New South Wales U16 Emerging Origin Squad, highlighting the high regard that he is held in across junior rugby league circles and has also been selected in the 2020 Emerging Blues squad. Also in 2017 Josh Bevan was 18th man for the New South Wales U16 side for their match against Queensland.

In 2017 Josh Bevan represented Queensland Maroons at the U15 ASSRL Championships being named on the bench for Queensland. Josh Bevan had an outstanding Championships being named in the front row in the 2017 U15 ASSRL Pool A Merit Team.

Josh Bevan played four matches for the Queensland Maroon U15 side scoring on Day Three against Queensland White and Day Six against the ACT. In addition Josh Bevan was named Queensland Maroon Player of the Match on Day Four against NSW CHS.

The 178cm, 96kg wrecking ball and former Titans Development Squad member had an outstanding 2017 rugby league campaign ending in his selection in the U15 ASSRL Merit side after a standout performance in the front row for the U15 Queensland Maroon side. Josh Bevan made the Queensland Maroon side after starring for South Coast in the QSSRL U15 Championships from PBC.

Josh Bevan is a hard ball runner who is adept at using late and quick footwork just prior to contact line which he hits with power and force in absolutely every hit up that he makes dropping his shoulder into the first defender that is looking to make the initial contact.

Josh Bevan’s ability to get low to engage the defenders with his shoulder rather than allowing them to get in and under his ribs and also a substantial leg drive means that he drives defenders backwards even after they had engaged him with significant force rather than allowing them to impact on his momentum.

A skill that I saw from Josh Bevan over recent seasons was Josh Bevan looking to off load prior to the line. On a couple of occasions especially for PBC Josh Bevan would look as if he was going to take the hit-up, but just prior to the defensive line he popped a couple of good short balls to fellow forwards looking to move the opposing forward pack around.

Whilst his ball running skills are the first thing that you will likely notice when seeing Josh Bevan his defence is equally effective even though it may not be as noticeable at first glance. Defensively Josh Bevan has a tough edge to his play and his initial contact is more than sufficient to redirect the momentum of the ball carrier when defending in the forwards. Josh Bevan sets a very good base defensively as well and uses it to maintain his balance when setting up for a tackle.

Defensively Josh Bevan hits very hard and is adept at making sure the opposition do not get quick play the balls. He also has a touch of aggression in his play and definitely finishes off each tackle that he is involved in. He is equally adept at defending in the centre of the ruck as he is defending on the fringes and his initial contact is more than sufficient to make an impact on the ball carrier’s momentum.

Defensively the most impressive aspect of Josh Bevan’s play is his ability to make effective tackle after effective tackle. Josh Bevan continually makes up to three and four tackles in a row on multiple occasions and still back up looking to take a hit up the next set of six tackles.

Whilst his stamina is very impressive, so is his initial contact, Josh Bevan uses his strength and leverage to hit the ball carrier hard forcing momentum changes to the ball carrier. Josh Bevan is also adept at wrapping up the ball and preventing offloads as he uses his functional strength to engage ball carriers. Defensively in a covering role he is also very effective as even though he is a big strong forward he has very good catch up speed and a solid low tackling technique from a side aspect.

Josh Bevan’s good situation awareness also enables him to be well positioned when he is defending against smaller quicker players and he endeavours to minimise the time available for the opposing attacker to generate speed and to utilise their footwork.

Josh Bevan is also able to change direction quickly to adjust to the directional changes of the attacker especially when he is marking up against multiple attackers running in his direction where he will hold his ground to let the play to develop in front of him before committing to a specific defensive course of action.

Josh Bevan really has mastered using his low centre of gravity to his advantage both in attack and defence.

I note that Josh Bevan is representing the Sydney Roosters in the 2020 U18 SG Ball competition this season but if the Titans are a shot at grabbing him in 2021 to continue to “buy back the farm” so to speak signing Josh Bevan once his contract is up with the Roosters they will I am sure jump at the opportunity.

With his ability and perigee however Josh Bevan will be in demand, including by the Broncos who also had him in their Junior Development system prior to his signing with the Roosters. Of course I am sure that the Roosters will also not let him go without a fight and no doubt also other NRL clubs will also be looking to add such a talented young man to their club set up.

Josh Bevan has played a fair bit in the front row over the last couple of seasons but I would still prefer for him to be able to operate a touch wider of the ruck, at least for the short term at least. To that end I would like to see Josh Bevan in the No. 13 jersey for any side that he is playing for.

I do note that Josh Bevan played hooker of the Rooster in 2020 in the U18 SG Ball competition and also spend some time at dummy half for PBC and Tweed Heads in 2019 and whilst that is a great skill for him to have I just think that Josh Bevan is a better fit at lock for the majority of his playing time in a match. At lock Josh Bevan has the freedom to make a determination on which side of the field his presence gives his side the best possible advantage.

It will do Josh Bevan absolutely no harm however having the ability to slot into dummy half should injuries occur over the course of a match or if the tactical situation requires it for any given period of time.

From a player comparison, a perfect comparison for me is Titan (for the moment), Queensland State of Origin and Prime Ministers XIII Jai Arrow. Like Arrow, Josh Bevan is a strong tough hard tackling forward with underrated ball running and offloading skills. In saying that however, Josh Bevan is in all likelihood going to be considered a defence first player whether that is warranted in relation to this talented young man or not

mdrew

14-02-20, 04:08 PM

Ethan O’Neill. Prior to his move to up Tweed Heads from Sydney to play for the Seagulls 2020 Queensland Cup side the former Marcellin College Randwick student spent five years in the Sydney Roosters junior system, playing the 2019 season in the NSWRL U20 Jersey Flegg competition.

From a trivia perspective, Ethan O’Neill is the son of former Brisbane Bronco’s and Queensland State of Origin fullback, Julian O’Neill.

For the Roosters in 2019, Ethan O’Neill played in twelve Jersey Flegg matches starting the season in the centres before moving to the second row in Round Twenty Two against the New Zealand Warriors and staying there for Round Twenty Four against the Rabbitohs.

Ethan O’Neill started the 2019 season off as the Roosters primary goal kicker, kicking seventeen from twenty (85% conversions rate) through the opening six rounds, before injury, including a six from seven effort in Round Two against the Manly Sea Eagles. Ethan O’Neill returned from injury in Round Fifteen against the Sea Eagles but did not take back the goal kicking duties upon his return.

Ethan O’Neill scored in Round Three against the Parramatta Eels and also scored in Round Twenty Two against the Warriors to account for his two 2019 Jersey Flegg tries.

In 2018 Ethan O’Neill was only able to play in one U20 Jersey Flegg match for the Roosters when he started in the second row in Round Eight against the Mounties.

In 2017 Ethan O’Neill started in all eleven of the Roosters U18 SG Ball matches, starting the eight regular season rounds in the second row before starting the Roosters three finals matches in the centres including their Preliminary Final loss to the Parramatta Eels. Ethan O’Neill’s sole try of the 2017 SG Ball season came in Round Eight against the Newcastle Knights.

Ethan O’Neill’s first season in the U18 SG Ball competition was in 2016 when he played in five matches for the Roosters coming into the side on the bench in Round Three against the West Coast Pirates.

Ethan O’Neill started on the wing in Round Five against St George scoring his first career SG Ball try before moving to the centres for Round Seven against the Centurions and Round Eight against the Magpies when he scored his second try of the season. Ethan O’Neill’s third 2016 came in Round Ten when he scored after coming off the bench in Round Ten against the Parramatta Eels.

Ethan O’Neill’s first season at the Roosters was in 2015 when he was part of their U16 Harold Matthews squad playing in all nine of the Roosters matches starting four in the second row including Round One against Parramatta one at lock (Round Three against the Raiders), Round Five against the Steelers on the wing and one in the centres in Round Seven against the Rabbitohs.

In those nine matches Ethan O’Neill crossed for five tries including a Round Three double against the Raiders and also scored in Round Six against Penrith, Round Eights against the Wests Tigers and Round Nine against the Norths Sydney Bears.

In a fascinating situation in 2015 Ethan O’Neill has named in the centres for both the Queensland and New South Wales U16 side for their match against each other.

Of course Ethan O’Neill also had a very impressive school boy rugby league career with Marcellin College Randwick including in 2015 leading Marcellin College Randwick to a win in the New South Wales Combined Catholic College Grand Final.

Ethan O’Neill split his playing time in 2019 both in the centres and in the second row and in either position is a strong runner of the football. Whilst in does not have blinding speed off the mark, Ethan O’Neill does have decent speed overall but I would not consider it at the plus level and can break tackles by running over his direct opposite defender.

Ethan O’Neill also utilises a very good fend, when he gets to the outside of his direct opponent, this prevents defenders from getting under his ribs and thus Ethan O’Neill can maintain his running line under defensive pressure.

One skill that Ethan O’Neill does possess when playing in the centre position is a decent in and away and he will wait until the last possible minute to step to commit the defender before getting on his outside.

When he plays second row Ethan O’Neill has got very good feet, in terms of not just charging straight at the set defensive line. Ethan O’Neill uses foot work before and after the defensive line to assist in breaking tackles and is adept at offloading in traffic.

In terms of his defence, Ethan O’Neill obviously during the course of the 2019 season, defended in the second row but obviously his skill set indicates that defending wider out in the centres does not cause him too many issues at all. Ethan O’Neill’s initial contact is more than solid and is more than enough to stop the momentum of the ball carrier. He is also effective at wrapping the ball up and preventing offloads.

Ethan O’Neill is a solid left footed goal kicker who is unlikely to end up as a team’s primary goal kicker but is more than good enough to be a secondary option if an injury befalls the primary goal kicking option during the course of a particular match.

Ethan O’Neill is part of the 2020 Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup squad and will be looking to break into the Seagulls Queensland Cup backline as early in the season as possible in the regular season.

Ethan O’Neill primarily played either in the centres or the second row in his time at the Roosters but Ultimately I think that his best opportunity to back into the Queensland Cup with Tweed Heads is in the centres. Personally I just do not think that he has the overall size to be a first choice second rower in the Queensland Cup.

For me, Ethan O’Neill has a playing style similar to that of former Roosters club mate Billy Smith who burst onto the NRL scene in the centres with the Roosters in 2019. Like Smith Ethan O’Neill works exceptionally hard and really does consistently charge at the defensive line forsaking any thoughts of self-preservation. Unfortunately Billy Smith has done an ACL and will miss the entire 2020 NRL season.

mdrew

14-02-20, 09:55 PM

Damon Coldwell. The outstanding young Lismore Marist Brothers flyer was due to commence his 2020 season starting in the centres for the Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup side in their Round One match at Cudgen against the Parramatta Eels tomorrow however the match has been cancelled due to the wet conditions.

Damon Coldwell played an incredible amount of football in 2018 both rugby league and rugby and 2019 it was a similar for the Ballina Coast High School student with his selection in the Titans 2018/19 Group 18 U15 Development Squad kicking off a busy but productive 2019 season.

Late in 2019 Damon Coldwell played for a Titans combined U14/U15 NRRRL Invitational side against a Titans U14 Gold Coast/Brisbane based side with the Titans U14 side prevailing 32 – 10 in a high quality encounter.

Damon Coldwell was also a solid contributor to the Titans U15 side that played a fellow Titans side and Western Mustangs side at Mudgeeraba in February 2019.

2019 also saw Damon Coldwell named in the Australian Secondary School U15 side for the ASSRL U15 Championships, starting Day One from the bench coming on to score a second half double as the Invitational side defeated Northern Territory 36 – 6.

Both tries came with Damon Coldwell playing right centre, his first when he got outside his direct opponent near the try line and was able to stretch out his right arm out to score in the right corner.

In relation to his second try of the match, Damon Coldwell ran a great straight crash line to split the defence from around twelve metres out and easily round the Northern Territory fullback to score midway between the uprights and the right corner post.

Damon Coldwell’s 2019 Group One U15 rugby league campaign got off to an impressive start in Round One when he scored a double for Lismore Marist Brothers as they defeated Clarence Coast 20 - 14.

In total for Lismore Marist Brothers in the 2019 Group One U15 competition Damon Coldwell played in seven matches scoring nine tries for a season total point’s tally of 36 and an impressive try scoring strike rate of 129%.

In addition to his Round One double, Damn Coldwell also scored doubles against Casino RSM on two separate occasions and also scored in matches against Kyogle and Ballina in the regular season.

Damon Coldwell also scored in Week One of the Finals series as Lismore Marist Brothers went down 42 – 10 to Clarence Coast.

Damon Coldwell also played four regular season matches in the Group One U16.5 competition, scoring his first try in that competition in Round Eleven against Clarence Coast.

Damon Coldwell added a further U16.5 try in Week One of the Finals in a 32 – 0 Lismore Marist Brothers victory over South Grafton but unfortunately was on the losing side as Marist Blue went down 12 – 4 to Ballina in the Grand Final.

Some of Damon Coldwell’s tries in both the Group One U15 and U16.5 competitions over the course of the 2019 season are highlighted below to provide context for the subsequent discussion about Damon Coldwell’s playing attributes:

Playing at right centre against Clarence Coast, Damon Coldwell received the ball from the dummy half on the right side of the field about forty metres out from the line and broke two tackles with right arm fends on the way to the line to score.

Playing five eight against Casino RSM, Damon Coldwell received the ball on the left side of the field two passes off the ruck twenty metres out from the line. Damon Coldwell ran at the defence on a 45 degree angle with the ball held out in front of his body in two hands. As he came to the defensive line Damon Coldwell dummied to his left and sliced through the resultant gap to score untouched. After crossing the try line Damon Coldwell cheekily brought the ball around to put it down under the posts evading multiple Casino RSM defenders on the way.

Playing right centre against the Clarence Coast Magpies, Damon Coldwell received the ball off the dummy half a few metres out from the line in the real corner of the field. Immediately upon receiving the ball Damon Coldwell cut back to his left by way of a left foot step, close to the play the ball to crash over from close range.

Playing five eight against Clarence Coast Damon Coldwell received the ball from the dummy half around fifteen metres from the line to the left of the play the ball accelerating immediately to drag three defenders over the line with him.

A rampaging run from the left centre position against Casino RSM of thirty metres down the left touch line which included breaking three tackles led to an outstanding try long range try for Damon Coldwell.

After coming off the bench against Casino RSM into the left centre position Damon Coldwell stayed out wide near the left touch line receiving a great pass from his five eight to run ten metres to score untouched in the left corner.

Against Ballina in the Group One U15 competition Damon Coldwell was defending at left centre. As Ballina threw the ball to their right, Damon Coldwell positioned himself to take an intercept and showcased his speed to run sixty metres to score untouched.

Against Central Coast Damon Coldwell went into dummy half when a team mate was brought down a metre out from the try line. Damon Coldwell threw a big dummy to his right before diving over close to the play the ball with two defenders hanging off him.

Playing right centre against Casino RSM, Damon Coldwell scored a simple try from around five metres out scoring after an impressive Lismore Marist Brothers back line movement.

Against the Kyogle Turkeys in the Group One U15 competition Damon Coldwell produced an outstanding fifteen metre run from the left centre position including stepping back inside near the line and dragging three Turkey’s defenders over the line with him to score in the left corner.

Damon Coldwell was loitering behind the play the ball against Ballina and was on hand to receive an inside pass just behind where the ball was played. Even though he was stationary when he received the ball Damon Coldwell highlighted his explosive acceleration to take off and crash through a number of tackles to score adjacent to the left up-right from four metres out.

Damon Coldwell scored an outstanding individual try against Casino RSM in the Group One U15 competition when he ran from dummy half to the left around thirty five metres out. Damon Coldwell broke through the initial Casino RSM defensive line with a subtle dummy to his left before stepping off his right foot to beat a second defender. Damon Coldwell then accelerated between two defenders leaving them clutching at thin air before beating a fifth defender by dummying past the fullback to score a scintillating try in the left corner.

With the Casino RSM defence scrambling after a long Lismore Marist Brothers break, Damon Coldwell, playing left centre received the ball from the dummy half down a shortish left blindside and took advantage of the confusion in the defensive line to easily cross after a ten metre run (read jog) to score near the left corner.

Damon Coldwell scored an outstanding individual try against the South Grafton Rebels. Damon Coldwell took the ball off the dummy half down a short blind side on the right of the field and produced an outstanding chip with his right foot from ten metres out and with the subsequent regather was able to barge his way over from close range to score in the right corner.

Damon Coldwell was named on the interchange bench for the Group One U15 Taipans for the New South Wales Country Age Championships that were held in Port Macquarie in late September. Damon Coldwell scored in Group One’s Northern Plate 40 – 10 win over Group 19 and scored again in Group One’s Northern Plate semi-final loss 38 – 12 to Central Coast.

In May 2019 Damon Coldwell was named in the NSW Country U15 Gold side for the NSW Rugby Age Championships after representing the Far North Coast Dolphins in the 2019 NSW Country Championships held in Lismore.

Damon Coldwell also represented Ballina Coast High School in multiple school boy competitions in 2019 including being part of the Ballina Coast High School side that won the 2019 U15 Titans Cup when they won all four of their matches on the day and in fact Damon Coldwell was named player of the day.

Ballina Coast’s wing were against Alstonville High School 11 – 10 in Round One, St Joseph’s Banora Point 20 – 4 in Round Two, Woodlawn College 12 – 6 in the semi-final and Alstonville 18 – 6 in the Grand Final.

2018 saw Damon Coldwell represent Group One in the 2018 U14 New South Wales Country Age Championships.

From a club rugby league perspective, Damon Coldwell played the 2018 season with Lismore in the U14 Group One competition, finishing as the competitions fourth highest try scorer with 17 tries from just fourteen matches finishing with a 121% strike rate.

Damon Coldwell scored a late season hat trick against Grafton and doubles against Casino RSM, Kyogle, Grafton and Ballina two matches in consecutive matches in July 2018. Damon Coldwell also scored in matches against Ballina, Kyogle and Clarence Coast.

In addition Damon Coldwell played in three Group One U16.5 matches in 2018, making his debut against Kyogle in May and also playing in matches against South Grafton and Casino RSM over the course of the season.

In the U14 New South Wales Country Age Championships for Group One Damon Coldwell played in all four of Group One’s matches including the Northern Plate Final against Group 19 which Group One won 38 – 12. In the Final Damon Coldwell scored an outstanding hat trick and also scored earlier in the Championships against Newcastle, a try which he scored with five minutes to go to seal the victory for Group One.

Damon Coldwell also played club rugby in 2018 in two separate competitions being the U14 Far North Coast competition for Wollongbar/Alstonville where a team mate was fellow Titans Development Squad member and Ballina Coast High School student Desmond Ferguson and the Gold Coast U15 rugby competition also for Wollongbar/Alstonville with Desmond Ferguson once again being a team mate.

In the 2018 U14 Far Norther Coast competition, Damon Coldwell played in eight matches, including starting the Grand Final in the centres in their 15 – 0 loss against Casuarina/Tweed and scored sixteen tries.

Damon Coldwell scored four tries in Round Ten against Lismore, hat tricks against Lennox Head in Rounds Five and Nine and also scored doubles in matches against Lismore in Rounds Four and Seven and against Lennox Head in the first week of the Finals.

Damon Coldwell came into the U14 Wollongbar/Alstonville side in Round Four against Lismore starting on the bench. He started on the right wing in Round Five against Lennox Head for his first start before starting on the bench again in Round Seven against Lismore.

Damon Coldwell broke into the starting side for good in Round Eight against Casuarina/Tweed when he started in the centres where he stayed for the remainder of the season.

In 2018, Damon Coldwell also played eight matches for Wollongbar/Alstonville in the Gold Coast Rugby U15 competition playing his first match in Round Two against the Helensvale Hogs celebrating with a try after starting the match on the right wing.

Damon Coldwell also scored a double in Round Nine against Casino and also scored in Rounds Three and Eight against the Gold Coast Eagles and PBC Alleygators respectively.

Damon Coldwell played four matches on the right wing, one on the left wing (Round Three against the Gold Coast Eagles) and three at outside centre in Rounds Eight to Ten against PBC Alleygators, Casino and Surfers Dolphins respectively.

2018 also saw Damon Coldwell represent Far North Coast region in touch alongside Titans contracted Rowan Mansfield.

From a running perspective, Damon Coldwell just seems to glide across the field and it appears effortless, no matter who is chasing him, they will not catch Damon Coldwell, I am talking James Roberts type of pace but he has a much more effortless running style to that of the current Brisbane Bronco.

Damon Coldwell does not necessarily have a side step per say, it is more of a swerve and he has a number of variations, with the scary part being that there is absolutely no loss of speed at all, making him incredibly difficult to stop when he is in open space and is moving towards a fullback who is near stationary.

Damon Coldwell’s passing skills are also developing into those of the highest quality, he can pass equally well from either side of his body and can throw every type of pass imaginable, he can chime into a back line at full pace and then decelerate quickly to maintain his balance a pop a good short ball to his supports, he can throw a great spiral pass to his backline or he can quickly anticipate the numbers a throw a great cut out pass to exploit over laps.

Defensively Damon Coldwell also stands out, with his closing speed and recovery speed he makes an impact on that side of the ball as well. With his speed, Damon Coldwell has the luxury of being able to stand a touch deeper than some fullbacks yet still be able to close quickly to negate breaks by reducing the decision making time of the attacking player.

Similar to the attributes that make Damon Coldwell such an effective defender, Damon Coldwell is as you would expect a great returner of the ball. His sense of timing, speed and anticipation means that he gets to a lot of kicks on the full and then accelerates looking to exploit any gaps on the kick chase.

Damon Coldwell exceptional lateral movement and sure hands means that he is a danger to make a large amount of ground from short attacking kicks by the opposition as he comes forward at full speed and retrieves with absolutely no loss of momentum and then will surprise the attacking team well before they can reorganise the defensive line.

As noted Damon Coldwell is currently playing for the Northern Rivers Titans in the 2020 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition. Damon Coldwell will also play the 2020 season with Lismore Marist Brothers in the Group One U16.5 competition and may also get a match or two in the NRRRL U18 competition. Damon Coldwell will also be a key member of the Ballina Coast High School Open Rugby League side this season.

The 2018 and 2019 seasons saw Damon Coldwell play in the centres and on the wing in both rugby and rugby league but with his outstanding speed, body control and balance, I would think that he will be given every opportunity to stay in the centres long term. Although I note that Damon Coldwell also spent time at five eight for Lismore Marist Brothers in 2019.

If for whatever reason a move away from centre is considered, Damon Coldwell projects as an outstanding try scoring winger who if he gets the ball early will tear opposing defences apart, you just have to consider what he did in the New South Wales Country U14 Plate Final as an indicator of Damon Coldwell’s immense potential.

For me, when he is fit and firing new Souths Sydney Rabbitohs and former Sydney Roosters and New South Wales State of Origin’s Latrell Mitchell is the best centre in the game at present and therefore is a more than apt comparison for Damon Coldwell.

They both play at left centre (although Damon Coldwell did also spend time at right centre this season) and the skill set, power and sheer potential are eerily equilivant.

mdrew

15-02-20, 09:31 AM

Edward (EJ) Finau. 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 conditions.

The superbly talented young forward is a rare combination of size, strength, speed and power on a football field and that was on display for the Titans U15’s early in 2019 at Mudgeeraba against the Western Mustangs and another Titans U15 development squad.

In the match 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 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.

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 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.

EJ Finau’s style of play is that of a powerful wide running back rower with above average speed for the position. I would actually argue that in fact a better definition of his speed would be well above average to plus for his position.

EJ Finau is quite quick off the mark, but what makes him even more impressive from a speed perspective is that when he gets into space, he has an extra gear again which is a plus attribute for such a strong powerful second rower, making it almost impossible for the cover defence to catch him once he is open space.

Against Redcliffe in a Logan Brothers trial match two years ago (To this day the sequence is still etched in my mind) EJ Finau took a kick-off on the full and burst down the left hand touch line at Civic Park in Logan and it was only a last ditch tackle from the Redcliffe fullback that stopped an amazing try from being scored.

Defences had all sorts of trouble trying to contain him during 2018 and in previous seasons both in terms of him taking the ball up into the centre of the ruck, but he was almost untouchable when he ran on the fringes of the ruck and he used his foot work to beat defenders with a variety of moves, including a step off both feet and a very good in and away as well as simply running over people.

Couple those two aspects with a very good fend and you have a big strong powerful young player who can cause nightmares for any defensive line. EJ Finau seems to line up on the left side of the field more so than the right, but I have no doubt moving forward that he will be able to play on either side of the field, he seems to be just so skilful.

For a forward of his size, EJ Finau runs with pace, strength and power every time he touches the ball during a game. For a young player, EJ Finau seems to have a good understanding of when to off load the ball, currently most of his off loads occur when he is part way through the defensive line and can get his right arm free to pass to his outside support runners.

At this stage EJ Finau does not off load a great deal prior to the line, but again we are talking about a young player here, who is still developing his skills and understanding of the game. I do not necessarily think that offloading is ever going to be a major part of his game but if this attribute continues to progress it will compliment other aspects of his game.

EJ Finau is aggressive in defence whether he is defending in the centre of the ruck or on the fringes, and due to his natural strength is more than capable of defending one on one and can and will stop even the biggest opposing forwards in their tracks and targets the area around where the attackers carry the football. His speed and lateral movement means that he will not be beaten by light stepping halves trying to take advantage of tiring forwards or the opposition running out of dummy half.

I have noted that EJ Finau is aggressive and seems to want to win every one on one battle and he invariably does. He does however tend to drift inside and defend in the centre of the ruck as games progress rather than hold his spacing on the edges of the ruck, but heck that seems to be more to do with enjoying the physical aspects of rugby league and wanting to be in the thick of the action.

EJ Finau also innately knows when a big hit in defence is needed such as in a trial match against Redcliffe two years ago when Redcliffe came back into the trial match I mentioned earlier EJ Finau came up with a huge hit on his own try line halting Redcliffe’ momentum immediately.

Another impressive that EJ Finau has is stamina, he just keeps going in both attack and defence regardless of the conditions or opposition. EJ Finau is just an impressive rugby league player, it is as simple as that.

EJ Finau will play the 2020 season with Redcliffe in the GBJRL U16 Division One competition and be in line to represent one of the three Brisbane Stingers U16 sides in the South East Queensland pre-season Challenge against two Gold Coast Vikings sides and a side from Ipswich.

EJ Finau is perfectly suited to the second row in rugby league with his size, aggressiveness and speed. I do note however that EJ Finau has played a lot of rugby league in the front row in the last year in relation to representative rugby league or so, but for me I believe that he can stay in the second row for the short to medium term at least.

I appreciate that EJ Finau played in the front row for the Titans U15 side at Mudgeeraba and against Balmain at Tweed Heads, but I would not pigeon hole him to play only in the front row just yet, not by a long shot.

The power, speed and strength of EJ Finau lends itself to a comparison from a playing perspective to Brisbane Bronco front rower Payne Hass as a powerful young natural rugby league player and an immensely skilful one at that. I appreciate that EJ Finau is a lot smaller than Hass (and likely will always be) but the power and speeds that he displays are not far off at all relatively speaking even taking into account the overall size differential between the two.

EJ Finau just oozes class and the scary thing is that I do not think that he has even come close to realising his potential, his ceiling is just out of this world, as for that matter has been his development over the last couple of seasons. I am really looking forward to seeing EJ Finau’s continued development in the coming years in a Titans jersey.

EJ Finau is without doubt one of my favourite players within the Titans JTS program and entire system as a whole. I have not been as intrigued with a Titans prospect since I saw Ryan James tearing apart the U18 SG Ball competition a number of years ago at Cudgen.

mdrew

16-02-20, 08:04 AM

Josiah Pahulu. The powerful Ipswich youngster was a member of the 2019 Queensland U15 Emerging Origin Squad and was part of the Titans U16 side in 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 conditions.

Josiah Pahulu was one of the standouts for the Titans U15 sides in their February 2019 matches against another Titans side and the Western Mustangs at the U15 level at Mudgeeraba where he started at lock and produced an outstanding display of rugby league.

In the match, Josiah Pahulu scored a barnstorming try against the other Titans side, taking the ball off the dummy half on the right side of the field and crashing over from around ten metres out.

Josiah Pahulu made another powerful run of about thirty metres later in the day when he took a short pass inside his own twenty metre line and smashed his way to around the half way line before being brought down in a tackle that required multiple defenders to complete.

Josiah Pahulu also had two try assists in his matches, both coming from off-loads close to the opponents try line, on each occasion the support player was able to score reasonably easily. The first pass was popped out around one a metre from the line with Josiah Pahulu engaged with three defenders and the second was when he got halfway through the line before offloading.

As a result of his performance in that game and over recent seasons, Josiah Pahulu, in early 2019 signed a multi-year contract with the Titans.

In early October 2019 Josiah Pahulu was part of the Titans U15 side that played a Balmain Tigers U15 side at Piggabeen in Northern New South Wales with the Titans producing an outstanding display to win 36 – 14 with Josiah Pahulu starting the match for the Titans.

Early in the 2019 season Josiah Pahulu trialled for a spot in the Met West U15 rugby league side and to say he was dominant at the trials would be an understatement including an outstanding try when he received an inside ball easily broke through the defensive line before scoring under the posts from around thirty five metres out.

Josiah Pahulu represented Met West, where for me was the stand out Met West player at the 2019 U15 QSSRL Championships, in particular Josiah Pahulu was outstanding in matches against Peninsula and Met East. Subsequently Josiah Pahulu was selected in the Queensland White side for the 2019 U15 ASSRL Championships.

At the 2019 ASSRL U15 Championships Josiah Pahulu played primarily in the right second row position for the Queensland White side, playing particularly on Day Two against New South Wales Combined High Schools.

Late in 2019 Josiah Pahulu was also named in the Ipswich Diggers U15 Development Squad. Josiah Pahulu was also a standout player for the Ipswich State High School Year Ten side in 2019.

Josiah Pahulu also had an outstanding year in relation to school boy rugby league in 2019 including starring for the Ipswich school and leading them to the Quarter Finals of the Brisbane Broncos Cup competition.

In 2018 Josiah Pahulu played for Springfield Panthers Black in the Ipswich U14 competition playing in ten matches and scoring eight tries including a try in the Grand Final that his Springfield side was able to win 24 – 4 against Redbank Plains.

2018 also saw Josiah Pahulu represent Met West at the U14 level and from there he was selected in the South East Queensland U14 side for the Queensland Age Championships, where he played all four of their matches starting each in the front row.

In 2017 Josiah Pahulu represented the Ipswich Diggers at the U13 level and prior to that Josiah Pahulu represented Toa Samoa in a two day tournament in Auckland. In 2017 Josiah Pahulu was also named the Springfield Panthers International Player of the Year.

The pace and power in terms of how he runs the ball is the outstanding feature of Josiah Pahulu’s game, he takes the ball to the line with speed, but he does not just put his head down and rush forward, he uses quick and subtle footwork prior to the line and seems to targets the gaps between defenders and will actively seek out opposing forwards who are slow to move up.

When the opposition are on the back foot Josiah Pahulu will target the smaller defenders on the edge of the ruck and burst through and for a big young bloke he has very good speed over the medium term and has the strength to drag defenders with him.

I would consider that Josiah Pahulu’s speed would be considered about average for a backrower but plays faster as a result of him timing his runs so well that the dummy half can present a flat pass to him and also as a result of the power that he runs at. In terms of when he operates in the front row his speed would be considered above average for that position.

Josiah Pahulu is also very effective close to the opposition try line with his ability to burst through tackles. If the defenders do not rush off their line he will just drag them across the try line with brute force and power.

With his continued development of which running lines he can utilise, such as running an inside shoulder line when close to the opposition try line Josiah Pahulu will become even more effective and will be an asset to the entire team as defences compress to combat his running thus leaving more room our wide for his play makers to exploit.

The defensive side of his game is similarly impressive, Josiah Pahulu does not just charge wildly up looking for a huge hit, but is calculating in where and when to hit. Quite a few of his tackles resulted in a knock on by the opposition as the ball came loose as a result of the impact of the tackle, he just hits so hard.

Josiah Pahulu drives hard with his legs and always uses his shoulder and core body strength to drive into his opponent. With his strength and technique he should likely always be considered a plus defender regardless of the quality of opponent that he is up against.

Josiah Pahulu will play the 2020 season with the Springfield Panthers in the Ipswich U16 competition and will also play for Ipswich State High School in the Langer Cup and GIO Cup school boy competitions and is a real chance to break into the First XIII side as a 16 year old for the Langer and GIO Cup school boy competitions.

2020 will also see Josiah Pahulu play for the U16 Ipswich Diggers side in the 2020 U16 South East Queensland U16 Pre-season Challenge where he will be up against multiple fellow Titans contracted players in the two Gold Coast Vikings sides and the three Brisbane Stingers sides.

Josiah Pahulu has spent time in the second row in previous seasons but I believe going forward that he will find his niche at either lock or in the front row and be a dominant representative level one at that.

Josiah Pahulu is as near a carbon copy for Brisbane Broncos forward and Samoan International Tevita Pangai Jnr as I have ever seen. Both are unbelievably powerful players who can smash through a defensive line themselves and then have the outstanding speed and mobility to convert their own breaks.

In defence both have strength, power and an outstanding front on tackling technique which means an opposition player will know that they have been hit and hit hard. Equally impressively both can make multiple hard tackles in a row and both shown the ability to completely take over matches on their own in both attack and defence.

I would argue however that Josiah Pahulu is far less prone to penalties or errors that Tevita Pangai Jnr due to his relative calmness on the field which should not however be mistaken for anything but a cold calculating mind set and steely fire and determination.

The Titans have a very special player on their hands with Josiah Pahulu, of that there can be absolutely no doubt, definitely no doubt at all.

mdrew

16-02-20, 10:14 AM

Samuel Shannon. In a sign of the regard that the Titans hold in him, Samuel Shannon trained with the Titans Rookie Squad in the 2019-20 offseason and was part of the Titans Rookie squad that played against the Tweed Heads Queensland Cup side in early February in wet conditions at Cudgen.

Samuel Shannon started from the interchange bench for the 2019 Burleigh MM Cup side in their Round One match with the Norths Devils with Samuel Shannon contributing a try in in Burleigh’s great comeback to draw 38 all with the Devils.

In total in the 2019 MM Cup competition, Samuel Shannon played in all six of Burleigh’s matches starting the first four rounds from the interchange bench before moving into the starting side in the front row against Souths Logan in Round Five and also starting in the front row in Round Six against Wynnum Manly in Burleigh’s last MM Cup match of the season.

2019 also saw the Robina State High School student represent South Coast at the U18 QSSRL Championships starting from the interchange bench in South Coast’s matches in Toowoomba.

Samuel Shannon was named on the Burleigh’s Hastings Deering’s U20 extended bench for their Round Fifteen match against Ipswich and made his first appearance in that competition from the bench on Round Nineteen against Redcliffe and also came off the bench (on both occasions brother Daniel also started from the bench) in Round Twenty against the Western Mustangs scoring his first Colts try of the season in that match.

For his try Samuel Shannon ran a crash route from close range to the right of the play the ball and once he received the pass out of dummy half from Zac McCormack he was just too big strong and wanted to score more that the Western Mustangs defence wanted to stop him.

Samuel Shannon also spent time in the U18 Division One competition for Southport in 2019 including starting from the bench in their 28 – 20 Preliminary Final win over Ormeau and starting in the front row in their 28 – 12 Grand Final loss to Burleigh where he was at the forefront of the forward battle that raged over the course of the entire match.

In total Samuel Shannon played seven matches for Southport in the 2019 Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition including the two finals noted above.

To cap off an outstanding 2019 season Samuel Shannon was named in the 2020 U18 Queensland Emerging Origin Squad with fellow Titans Ediq Ambrosyev and Isreal Higgins.

The powerfully built Southport and Titans youngster started off the 2018 season in fine form being a stand out for the Gold Coast Vikings Viking’s White U16 side that played in the South East Queensland U16 pre-season competition.

From that competition Samuel Shannon was selected at lock for the South East Queensland White U16 side for the 2018 Queensland Age Championships and through his dominant performances in Mackay was selected on the bench for the Queensland U16 side that were narrowly defeated by New South Wales. Fellow Titan Ediq Ambrosyev (hooker) was also part of the Queensland U16 side.

For South East Queensland White U16 Samuel Shannon started all four of their matches at lock including their Championship final loss to South East Queensland Green.

Samuel Shannon played in eight 2018 U16 Division One matches in the GCRL competition with Southport and through the regular season had a 50% strike rate. Samuel Shannon’s four tries came against Burleigh, Helensvale, Runaway Bay and Currumbin.

Samuel Shannon’s 2018 club season came to an end in the U16 Division One Elimination final when Southport were defeated 44 – 4 by Helensvale, a match that Samuel Shannon started at lock.

In 2017 Samuel Shannon was selected in the Queensland White U15 side for the ASSRL U15 Schoolboys Championships after playing for South Coast in the QSSRL U15 Championships held in Cairns. Samuel Shannon started primarily from the bench for South Coast after making the side from Robina State High School.

In 2017 Samuel Shannon played for the Southport Tigers in the U15 Division One GCJRL competition and performed strongly including scoring a double in Round Two against the Helensvale Hornets. In total in 2017 Samuel Shannon played eight matches scoring five tries to have a solid season in black and orange.

The pace and power in terms of how Samuel Shannon runs the ball is the outstanding feature of his game, he takes the ball to the line with speed and quick and subtle footwork prior to the line and seems to targets the gaps between defenders and will actively seek out opposing forwards who are slow to move up.

When the opposition are on the back foot he will target the smaller defenders on the edge of the ruck and burst through and for a big young bloke he has very good speed over the medium term and has the strength to drag defenders with him.

I would consider that his speed would be considered above average for his position but plays faster as a result of him timing his runs so well that the dummy half can present a flat pass to him and also as a result of the power that he runs at. Samuel Shannon also runs a very good inside shoulder line to add variety to his running game.

With his low centre of gravity coupled with his speed and power, Samuel Shannon is a difficult proposition for defensives and is able to draw in multiple defenders and still get a quick play the ball to gain forward momentum for his side on a regular basis.

The defensive side of his game is similarly impressive, Samuel Shannon does not just charge wildly up looking for a huge hit, but is calculating in where and when to hit. He drives hard with his legs and always uses his shoulder and core body strength to drive into his opponent.

Samuel Shannon sets a strong lower base by setting his legs and generating force by driving through the tackle with his lower body, gaining leverage and momentum through his shoulders. In short Samuel Shannon is an outstanding defensive player both from a technique and initial contact perspective.

Samuels Shannon’s initial contact is outstanding and more than enough to stop or redirect the momentum of the ball carrier and he is also able to his functional strength to slow the play the ball down sufficiently to allow his team’s defensive line to re-establish itself for the next play the ball.

Samuel Shannon has been named in the Burleigh MM Cup squad for 2020 and post the completion of that competition will play for Southport in the GCRL U18 Division One and U20 competitions if he does not make the immediate jump to the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition.

Samuel Shannon played a number of matches off the bench for the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts squad in 2019 and will certainly add to those matches in 2020.

Samuel Shannon currently presents as a strong hard running powerfully built lock or front row and that will likely continue as he progresses through the junior rugby league ranks on the Gold Coast. For me at least playing lock is different to playing in the front row and I am more than pleased to see Samuel Shannon playing at lock where his skill set for me at least is far better suited.

Samuel Shannon is far more than just a bash and barge type of player and can certainly develop into a difference maker in coming years.

New Zealand International James Fisher-Harris of the Penrith Panthers with his power coupled with his non-stop movement (and motor) when running the ball into the defensive line as well as the intensity in his defence is an apt NRL player comparison for Samuel Shannon.

Samuel Shannon is an outstanding young forward prospect for the Titans and is as good as any player for his age running around on rugby league fields in Australia or New Zealand.

mdrew

16-02-20, 11:51 AM

Ediq Ambrosyev. (Revised) He is a local young utility who has signed a two year deal to join the Titans JTS Program in 2018 after also being part of the Broncos Elite Junior Program for a number of seasons.

In a sign of the regard that the Titans hold in him, Ediq Ambrosyev trained with the Titans Rookie Squad in the 2019-20 offseason and started from the bench coming on to play in the dummy half role for the Titans Rookie squad against the Tweed Heads Queensland Cup side in early February at Cudgen in wet conditions.

In January 2019 Ediq Ambrosyev started at hooker for the Titans U18 side against the Newcastle Knights U18 SG Ball squad in Coffs Harbour and provided great service and outstanding running out of dummy half and also scored when he took advantage of some tired Newcastle defence to his left close to their own line in the first half when he darted out of dummy half to score under the posts.

Ediq Ambrosyev started both halves at hooker, all be it in different coloured head gear and mid-way through each half alternated with Jed Edwards in the dummy half role.

Ediq Ambrosyev started on the bench for the 2019 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup side in their Round One match with the Western Mustangs with Ediq Ambrosyev contributing a second half try in a big 58 – 18 Seagulls win.

Ediq Ambrosyev’s Round One try was one of the strangest that I have ever seen. After Tweed Heads lost the ball whilst attacking the Western Mustangs line, the Western Mustangs fullback retrieved the ball and kicked it downfield, assuming that the referee would stop play. The referee deemed that the kick downfield constituted the Western Mustangs taking their advantage and ruled play on.

Tweed Heads winger Troy Duckett prevented the ball from going into touch before offloading to centre Caleb Hodges who in a tackle offloaded to Ediq Ambrosyev who beat two defenders in a forty run to the line to score midway between the touchline and uprights on the left side of the field.

After also starting from the bench in their Round Two victory over the Townsville Blackhawks, Ediq Ambrosyev moved into the starting line-up at hooker for the Round Three local derby against the Burleigh Bears.

In total in the 2019 MM Cup competition, Ediq Ambrosyev played in all eight of Tweed Heads matches starting two from the bench and six at hooker including both their semi-final and Grand Final victory over Wynnum Manly. In the 2019 MM Cup Player of the season voting Ediq Ambrosyev finished with two votes.

In the Grand Final Ediq Ambrosyev scored Tweed Heads second try in just the 2nd minute when he pounced on a dropped bomb and was also named player of the final. Post-match Ediq Ambrosyev was named Player of the Match in the Queensland MM Cup Grand Final.

Ediq Ambrosyev was equally effective in the U18 National Championship match against the Illawarra Steelers, constantly snipping in the centre of the field from dummy half.

Ediq Ambrosyev played fifty five nine minutes in the National Final, running for thirty three metres (ten post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of an exceptional 2.4 seconds and made nineteen tackles at a tackling efficiency of 73.1%.

Early in the 2019 season, Ediq Ambrosyev was selected in the South Coast U18 side for the QSSRL U18 Championships starting primarily from the interchange bench in the U18 QSSRL Championships.

At the Championships Ediq Ambrosyev was outstanding including scoring a first half hat trick on Day Three as South Coast went through the Championships undefeated including coming from behind to defeated Northern in the final 22 – 16. Ediq Ambrosyev was subsequently named in the Queensland School boy’s side for the Australian School boy Championships.

At the 2019 ASSRL U18 Championships Ediq Ambrosyev started all of his Queensland matches at dummy half.

Post the MM Cup competitions Ediq Ambrosyev went back to playing for Currumbin, starting Round Six of the GCRL U18 Division One competition at five eight and scoring as Currumbin defeated Ormeau 38 - 12. Ediq Ambrosyev made it two tries from as many matches when he scored coming off the bench in Round Nine against Burleigh.

In total for Currumbin in the GCRL U18 Division One regular season competition, Ediq Ambrosyev played in three matches scoring fourteen points from two tries and he also kicked three goals in Round Thirteen against Tugun.

Ediq Ambrosyev’s tries came in his first two U18 Division One matches of the season against Ormeau and Burleigh.
Ediq Ambrosyev in 2019 was once again part of the PBC Open A rugby league side including starting from the interchange bench in the Langer Cup derby against Keebra Park in June.

Ediq Ambrosyev also started at hooker for PBC in their Queensland GIO Cup quarter final win over St Mary’s High School Toowoomba 50 – 6 scoring in the second half. Edqi Ambrosyev darted out of dummy half to his right and was just too quick for the St Mary’s defence running ten metres to score.

In the second half of the match, Ediq Ambrosyev actually spent some time in the halves for PBC as the coach rang the changes with PBC well on top.

Ediq Ambrosyev was a solid performer for PBC when he started at hooker in their tough Gold Point loss in the Queensland GIO Cup semi-final loss to Marsden State High School.

Ediq Ambrosyev made his Hastings Deering’s Colts debut In Round Twenty Three against the Northern Pride starting on the bench and scoring in the 29th and 38th minutes of the match as Tweed Heads qualified for the finals on the back of a 36 – 10 win. When he came on Ediq Ambrosyev played in the dummy half role.

His try in the first half was a typical Ediq Ambrosyev try, the play before Ediq Ambrosyev brought a forward onto the ball from dummy half and after a quick play the ball Ediq Ambrosyev dived over to his left out of dummy half from close range to score his debut try in his debut game under the posts.

Ediq Ambrosyev played his second Hastings Deering’s Colts match for Tweed Heads in their Week One Elimination Final loss to the Mackay Cutters 23 – 10 starting from the bench and when came off the bench provided his usual spark.

To cap off an outstanding 2019 season Ediq Ambrosyev was named in the 2020 U18 Queensland Emerging Origin Squad with fellow Titans Isreal Higgins and Samuel Shannon.

Ediq Ambrosyev was part of the 2018 Queensland Academy of Sport U16 squad and was late last year named as part of the 2018 U16 Emerging Origin squad that finished their first camp on the Sunshine Coast in February 2018.

Ediq Ambrosyev also started for the Titans in an U15 match against the Balmain Tigers in late 2017 at Cudgen and also represented the Titans in late 2015 against a Toowoomba U14 side, a match which saw him score two tries including a long range effort in the second half after he took an intercept to run eighty metres to score. In that particular match Ediq Ambrosyev played left centre.

Prior to the commencement of the 2018 Gold Coast Rugby League season, Ediq Ambrosyev starred for the U16 Gold Coast Vikings White side in the South East Queensland U16 Championship and post that competition was been named in South East Queensland U16 Green squad.

At the 2018 Queensland Age Championships for SEQ Green Ediq Ambroysev played three matches at hooker. Titans linked team mates in the SEQ Green side were Daniel Butterini and William Parslow all of whom played in the Championship final with Ediq Ambroysev scoring a good try with a snipping run in the first half.

Ediq Ambrosyev was named to start from the interchange bench for the Queensland U16 side when they play New South Wales at Suncorp Stadium but in fact ended up starting the match at hooker. Fellow Titan Samuel Shannon (inter change) was also in the Queensland side.

For the Currumbin Eagles in the Gold Coast Rugby League U16 Division One competition this season Ediq Ambrosyev was in outstanding form in the regular season finishing with a strike rate of 113% through eight matches. In all of those matches Ediq Ambrosyev has started at five eight.

Ediq Ambroysev’s tries in the regular season came against Mudgeeraba, Helensvale, Runaway Bay and Nerang in a match that was played as a curtain raiser to the Titans verses South Sydney NRL match at Cbus Stadium recently. Ediq Ambrosyev continued his try scoring trend in Round Six against Southport, the only difference is that he scored a hat trick in that match.

Post the hat trick Ediq Ambrosyev also scored against Mudgeeraba and Southport. In only one regular season game did Ediq Ambrosyev not score which was in the final regular season round against Southport.

In the 2018 GCRL U16 Division One Finals series, Ediq Ambrosyev started at five eight in all four of Currumbin’s matches including their Grand Final loss 24 – 8 against Currumbin. He did however have a great time against Burleigh in two Finals matches being a Week One victory 30 – 14 and a 28 -26 Preliminary Final victory scoring doubles in each of those matches.

Ediq Ambrosyev has also been in outstanding form for PBC including scoring the match winning try against Keebra Park in their Langer Cup match at Pizzey Park and was also involved in their 24 – 18 victory over Ipswich State High School. Ediq Ambrosyev also played for PBC in their Langer Cup match against Marsden State High School at Waterford which ended in a 38 – 10 win for the Gold Coast based school.

Ediq Ambrosyev was also part of the Titans U16 side that played matches against PNG and New South Wales Country U16’s and in fact scored against NSW Country on a wet afternoon at Cudgen.

Over the course of the 2017 season Ediq Ambrosyev played in the U15 Division One competition on the Gold Coast with the Coomera Cutters, playing in a total of eight matches, including scoring a hat trick late in the season against Burleigh and early in the season also scored against the Southport Tigers.

The PBC student also represented South Coast in the 2017 QSSRL U15 Championships and from there was selected in the Queensland U15 White side for the ASSRL U15 national Championships. In those Championships Ediq Ambrosyev crossed on Day Two in a 44 – 0 victory over the ACT.

In 2016 Ediq Ambrosyev was part of the dominant Gold Coast Vikings U14 side that went through the 2016 Hill Stumer Championships undefeated playing a number of positions over the course of the three matches that the Vikings played including playing on the wing in the Sunday match against the Ipswich Diggers. Post Hill Stumer Championships, Ediq Ambrosyev was named on the inter change bench for the U14 South East Queensland Green team for the Queensland Age Championships.

Previously Ediq Ambrosyev represented Qld at the U12 level, where he was selected in the second row. In Ediq Ambrosyev also started from the inter change bench for the U13 Titans development squad in a game against an U14 Toowoomba selection.

In that development squad match Ediq Ambrosyev played a significant portion of the game in the centres, scoring two tries including an 80m run away intercept try when he raced down the left hand side of Pizzey park with the Toowoomba defenders chasing in vain.

It is hard to put in words just how talented Ediq Ambrosyev is in terms of running the ball, he has
outstanding speed both off the mark which I would consider in the above average category. Ediq Ambrosyev with his speed is able to exploit even small gaps in the defensive line with an exceptional step off either foot and incredible acceleration as well as outstanding body control. It is that speed trait which opens up his incredible ball playing skills as well.

Teams start to focus heavily on Ediq Ambrosyev when he has the ball with outside defenders looking to come in to assist that they open up holes wider out in the defensive line that he can exploit.

He has exquisite timing on his passes and is able to weight them perfectly as well and can do so from either side of his body. Adding in this is that Ediq Ambrosyev can stop on a dime even travelling at full speed and pop the short pass, thus it looks for all money that he is going to run the ball thus the defence converges and then the ball is delivered to a support runner who is through a hole before the defensive line can readjust.

Ediq Ambrosyev also runs with the ball in both hands which is another reason why the defensive line is unable to determine exactly what he is going to do.

Ediq Ambrosyev has an outstanding short kicking game especially in relation to perfectly weighted grubber kicks into the in goal. One such short kick very nearly led to a try for the Titans in their match against Newcastle in the second half.

Ediq Ambrosyev is also a talker on the field, constantly willing his forwards onto the ball and is also constantly chirping when he is in the defensive line for his forwards to push off the line quickly with him. Ediq Ambrosyev also backs up his talk through is actions.

Defensively Ediq Ambrosyev is a very strong young man with exceptional functional strength to go along with an innate understanding of the attacking strategies of rugby league thus he is able to anticipate what an attacking side is looking to do with the ball and then be in the best position to negate it.

Ediq Ambrosyev has a very good low tackling technique which is simple and repeatable and effective against all size opponents and thus there is no need for a defensive minder on his side of the field.

2019 saw Ediq Ambrosyev part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad and he will be a member of that side once again in 2020. Post the MM Cup Ediq Ambrosyev will play for the Currumbin Eagles in the GCRL U18 Division One competition and also likely to play in the GCRL U20 competition as well but it is almost certain that he will add to his handful of 2019 late season Hastings Deering’s Colts matches for Tweed Heads.

Positionally it appeared that Ediq Ambrosyev would move to hooker but in 2018 he played five eight for Currumbin and well as the Vikings, but noting his play at hooker for South East Queensland Green U16’s in the Queensland Age Championships and of course for the Titans U18 against Newcastle who indicate that hooker will be Ediq Ambrosyev’s primary position going forward.

Ediq Ambrosyev is a natural on a rugby league field regardless of position with his ability to size up a situation and invariably take the correct option. Ediq Ambrosyev reminds me of Brisbane Broncos hooker/half Jake Turpin as a tough combative dummy half who will back himself and not die wondering as well has being a leader on the field through both his actions and words.

mdrew

16-02-20, 03:55 PM

Nicholas Hilton. Titans contracted Nicholas Hilton has already played a number of matches in Titans colours including when he started at lock for the Titans U15 side that defeated a Balmain U15 side 34 – 16 in early October 2019 with Nichols Hilton deservedly being named Titans Player of the Match.

Nicholas Hilton’s most recent match for the Titans was when he started at lock for the Titans U16 side in their annual match against the Newcastle Knights Harold Matthews Cup (U16) side in January 2020 in Coffs Harbour. In addition to leading his side to a well-deserved victory, Nicholas Hilton was named the Titans best in the match.

Nicholas Hilton also started from the bench for the Titans U16 side in their match against the Newcastle Knights early in 2019 even though he was still U15 eligible at the time of the match.

In the match Nicholas Hilton took a knock and had to come off but in his time on the field, Nichols Hilton certainly made an impact in defence with a couple of bone crunching tackles. Two in particular stood out, the first was when he flew out of the marker position and smashed the Newcastle No. 10 with a text book side on hit and on the kick-off return after the Knights first try, Nicholas Hilton and Brock Priestley lined up the Knights runner and both hit him front on at the same time in an outstanding tackle which shook the entire ground.

The powerful young front rower also started from the bench for the Titans U15 side in late 2018 as they defeated a U15 Balmain Tigers touring side 16 – 10 even though he was still U14 eligible in 2018.

Nicholas Hilton came on for the Titans U15’s mid-way through the first half against Balmain making an immediate impact with his size and enthusiasm including defending well right on the try line just after coming into the match.

The Titans gave away a penalty which put the Tigers on the attack but after making a superb front on tackle from the penalty restart, Nicholas Hilton made two tackles in a row and then still got up quickly to get back to the line to plug a gap. One of those tackles included crunching the Balmain half in a heavy tackle.

Nicholas Hilton commenced the 2019 GCRL U15 Division One season starting in the front row for Nerang in their Round One match against Ormeau.

In total in the GCRL U15 Division One regular season, Nicholas Hilton played in eleven matches scoring three tires including a double against Ormeau and also scoring late in the season against Helensvale.

In Week Two of the U15 Division One Finals series, Nicholas Hilton started at lock for Nerang against Runaway Bay with Nerang going down 20 – 0.

In the U15 Division One Preliminary Final Nicholas Hilton was outstanding on the way to scoring a double to lead Nerang to the Grand Final on the back of a 22 – 18 win over Helensvale.

In the 2019 GCRL U15 Division One Grand Final Nicholas Hilton started at lock and had a strong game as his Nerang side defeated Runaway Bay 36 – 22.

At the late September Gold Coast Rugby League Presentation Night, Nicholas Hilton was named as the 2019 U15 Player of the Year.

2019 also saw Nicholas Hilton represent South Coast at the U15 QSSRL Championships where South Coast went through undefeated to win the Championships and subsequently Nicholas Hilton was named in the Queensland Maroons side for the U15 ASSRL Championships.

Nicholas Hilton started all of Queensland Maroons matches at lock including an impressive performance on Day Two against New South Wales Combined High Schools and in all reality an even better performance especially defensively on Day Three against New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges.

Nicholas Hilton was also a stand-out performer for Coombabah State High School in their various U15 schoolboy rugby league competitions in 2019 although he will move to TSS and play GPS school boy rugby there in 2020.

Nicholas Hilton played the 2018 season for the Nerang Roosters in the GCRL U14 Division One competition finishing with a 50% strike rate through twelve matches. Nicholas Hilton also kicked three goals mid-season against Ormeau to finish the season with thirty points.

Nicholas Hilton scored a double against Burleigh and also scored in matches against Coomera, Beaudesert, Ormeau and Mudgeeraba.

Nicholas Hilton started in the front row in all three of Nerang’s U14 Division One Finals matches including their 28 – 12 Preliminary Finals loss to Coomera which ended their season.

Earlier this season Nicholas Hilton was part of the Gold Coast Vikings U14 side that swept all before them in the South East Queensland U14 Championships and from there went on to represent South East Queensland Green in the Queensland Age Championships, starting of the Green’s matches in the front row.

Nicholas Hilton Hua scored one try in the 2018 U14 Championships scoring on Day One as SEQ Green defeated SEQ White 20 – 14, fellow Titans that also scored in that match were Joseph Shannon and Arama Hau.

Recently Nicholas Hilton was selected in the Queensland Academy of Sport U15 Emerging Origin Squad.

Nicholas Hilton also represented the Gold Coast Vikings U13’s in 2017 scoring against the Ipswich Diggers in the Vikings opening match of those Championships.

Nicholas Hilton is a powerfully built young front rower with a tall powerful frame and speed, which makes him quite difficult to tackle as he is also adept at dropping his shoulder into defenders as he impacts the defensive line.

There is no subtlety to his game, he runs straight and hard, with the only concession to this being a slight step off his left foot in occasion prior to impacting the defensive line. One thing that Nicholas Hilton does do will however is continuing to pump his legs once his initial momentum is halted by the defensive line.

Nicholas Hilton makes more metres than he should as a result and also forces defending teams to commit multiple defensive assets to stopping his forward progress. Nicholas Hilton is also adept at getting a quick play the ball regardless of the number of defenders that are involved in tackling him.

Like his attacking game, Nicholas Hilton’s defensive methodology is simply constructed and enacted. Nicholas Hilton moves up and hits the ball carrier as hard as he can, as often as he can, full stop. Nicholas Hilton is best suited to defending in the centre of the ruck and that is where you will almost always find him and for a solidly built young player.

Nicholas Hilton moves well in terms of moving up and back in defence. His lateral movement is also actually quite reasonable for a front rower or lock as well.

Impressively for me, over the course of the 2019 season, both club and representative, Nicholas Hilton’s defence has gone to another level both from a technique and initial contact perspective.

Nicholas Hilton will play the 2020 season with Nerang in the GCRL U16 Division One competition and surely will be one of the two U16 Gold Coast Vikings representative teams for the 2020 U16 South East Queensland pre-season challenge.

Nicholas Hilton is on the move in 2020 heading to TSS where he will play rugby in 2020 likely starting the season off in the U16A school boy side before pushing for a place in the TSS First XV alongside fellow Titan Kaleb Ngamanu.

I am not aware whether Nicholas Hilton has played rugby previously but I would assume that he will play No. 6 (blind side flanker) for TSS or possibly as a result of his outstanding mobility and ball skills for his size Nicholas Hilton may also play at No. 8. Regardless I have no doubt that attending TSS and playing in the GPS school boy rugby competition will be of huge benefit to Nicholas Hilton going forward.

The GPS school boy rugby competition is an outstanding competition and Nicholas Hilton’s participation in it in 2020 and beyond cannot be anything but a positive for both Nicholas Hilton and the Titans moving forward. TSS gets an immediate benefit as well of course.

Nicholas Hilton has played the majority of the last couple of seasons in the front row but with his speed, both off the mark and over extended distances definitely in the plus category for a forward I think that Nicholas Hilton has the attributes to be very effective in the second row (likely on the left side) for a number of years if not for the duration of his rugby league career.

Coming up with a current NRL player for comparison purposes has been a touch difficult as few have Nicholas Hilton’s combination of speed and skill for their size. One possible NRL player comparison is North Queensland Cowboys and Queensland State of Origin player Coen Hess, although Nichols Hilton is not as big as Hess.

The more I thought however, Nicholas Hilton for me plays very much like former New Zealand All Blacks great and captain and No. 8 Keiron Reed. Both are superb skilful players with size and speed but both are exemplary leaders as well.

mdrew

16-02-20, 08:19 PM

Kedan Chan-Tung. The elusive Titans contracted outside back started at fullback for the Titans U18 side in their January 2020 match against the Newcastle Nights U18 SG Ball side scoring the Titans first try of the match and recording a try assist for the Titans second. Kedan Chan-Tung was deservedly named the Titans best back for his outstanding performance in the match.

Kedan Chan-Tung scored the Titans first try of the match early in the first half. With the Titans having a scrum feed around forty metres out from the Newcastle line, Kedan Chan-Tung lined up two passes off the back of the scrum to the right of the field.

After the Titans scrum win, Kedan Chan-Tung received the ball early running at the Newcastle line on a slight angle to the right of the field. Critically Kedan Chan-Tung ran at the line with the ball out in front of his body in two hands putting a degree of doubt in the Knights defensive line.

As he approached the defensive line, Kedan Chan-Tung shaped to pass the ball to his right but instead pulled the ball back in and slid through a gap in the line and easily outpaced the Knights cover defence in a forty metre run to the line.

Late in the second half, Kedan Chan-Tung chased through a Thomas Weaver bomb, leaping over the Knights defence to take the ball on the full around three metres from the Knights line. With no way to get to the line Kedan Chan-Tung flicked the ball out of the back of his right hand to the left side of the field to an unmarked Jahreem Bula to dive over in the left corner untouched.

Kedan Chan-Tung started the 2019 season off in the Ipswich Jets MM Cup squad starting Round One against the Townsville Blackhawks at five eight in the Jets impressive victory and also started at five eight in Round Two against Burleigh where he played against a multitude of Titans team mates.

In total for the Ipswich Jets 2019 MM Cup squad Kedan Chan-Tung played in all six of their matches starting all at five eight.

Kedan Chan-Tung started Round One of the GPS School boy First XV competition at fullback for Ipswich Grammar School contributing two tries as IGS had a big win over Brisbane State High School.

Kedan Chan-Tung’s first try came about when he was on hand after a long break to take the ball and dive over close to the line. His second try came from a scrum move and after receiving the ball he flew thirty five metres down the left touch line to score out wide, unfortunately not long after that he limped off with what looked like an ankle injury, missing Round Two as a result.

Kedan Chan-Tung was back at fullback for Round Three against Toowoomba Grammar School contributing a try to the IGS victory. The ball was spun out to the left, Kedan Chan-Tung received the ball in space, dummied to his left and strolled over from fifteen metres out.

Kedan Chan-Tung also had a try assist in the match, he fielded a kick on the full on the half way mark, and simply spilt the Toowoomba Grammar School defence right through the centre of the ruck, he could have beaten the fullback who was flat footed but instead he threw a long pass to his left to his winger who crossed out wide untouched.

Kedan Chan-Tung also produced an outstanding break in the second half, he folded around the back of the play on the left side of the field and after receiving the ball produced a great right arm field to gain separation before stepping off his left foot to break the line and charge down the centre of the field for a thirty metre run before the Toowoomba defence converged.

Kedan Chan-Tung moved to outside centre for Round Four against Nudgee College and whilst me may not have had the space he did at fullback still as a major contributor including scoring his 4th try of the season when he pounced on a mistake by the Nudgee fullback to score late in the first half.

In Round Five against Brisbane Boys College, Kedan Chan-Tung started at fullback and had a busy afternoon, making at least three try saving tackles in the first half alone as well as standing in at half back when IGS were reduced to 14 men in the first half.

With the ball Kedan Chan-Tung did not get too many opportunities after the opening minutes, but his first run of the match was outstanding when he broke three BBC tackles returning a kick in general play.

Kedan Chan-Tung was at his elusive best from fullback in Round Six against Anglican Church Grammar School scoring a try and setting up one both in the second half but Ipswich Grammar School went down 24 – 22 in a bit of an upset.

In relation to his try assist Kedan Chan-Tung took the ball in the right field and took the ball right to the line, copping a hit to the ribs for his trouble before popping a great short ball for his outside centre to slice through a gap to score.

Kedan Chan-Tung had a lot of work to do for his try, he received the ball once again on the right side of the field from Sam Walker, stepping off his right foot immediately upon receipt of the ball to get inside the immediate Churchie defender before accelerating over the ten metres to the line to dive over under pressure from three cover defenders.

After an Ipswich Grammar School Round Seven bye Kedan Chan-Tung started Round Eight against TSS at fullback and was dangerous as the match ended in an exciting 29 all draw with both teams having chances that they could not convert.

In Round Nine being the final round of the GPS School Boy First XV competition, Kedan Chan-Tung had two try assists from fullback both when he drew the Gregory Terrace fullback and passed to Roosters bound Sam Walker to score.

Post the GPS season Kedan Chan-Tung was named in the U18 Reds Academy Maroon side for a double header at Nudgee College in late September with Kedan Chan-Tung starting the match against the News South Wales Waratahs Academy from the bench.

In December 2019 Kedan Chan-Tung was part of the Queensland Maroons Boys U17 side that took part in the National Youth 7’s Championships on the Sunshine Coast.

On Day One of the Championships Kedan Chan-Tung came off the bench in Queensland Maroons wins over Western Australian and Northern Territory and on Day Two came off the bench in Queensland I’s final pool match victory against Victoria.

Kedan Chan-Tung also came off the bench in Queensland Maroons semi-final win 31 – 12 against Queensland White as well as their Championship final loss 17 – 14 to New South Wales One.

Earlier in 2019 Kedan Chan-Tung was part of the Titans U18 side in their match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights U18 SG Ball squad which ended five tries all. The match was the first for Kedan Chan-Tung in Titans colours and I am sure not the last.

The Ipswich Grammar School student had an outstanding season in the 2018 U16 GPS School boy rugby competition which saw him being selected in the U16 Queensland Reds Rugby side after representing Queensland at the U15 level in 2017 with the Queensland side winning the Championships with a 69 – 10 win over the Sydney Rays.

Kedan Chan-Tung had an outstanding 2018 season which started with his selection in the Ipswich U16 side and through to his selection in the South East Queensland White U16 side for the Queensland Age Championships where he was initially named on the interchange bench but regardless spent a lot of time on the field.

Kedan Chan-Tung played the 2018 season with Northern Suburbs in the Ipswich U17 competition (he was U16 eligible) scoring seven tries from eleven matches. In 2017 in the Ipswich U15 competition Kedan Chan-Tung scored fourteen tries from just eleven matches.

Kedan Chan-Tung had a couple of seasons on the Gold Coast playing for the Helensvale Hornets with those seasons being in 2013 and 2014.

Kedan Chan-Tung has above average to plus top end speed and acceleration off the mark, and is more than quick enough to take advantage of any space that he is given down the touchline by opposing wingers.

One good think about his play in attack is that Kedan Chan-Tung stays on his wing and is regularly outside his opposite number allowing his inside players to be able to find him in attack and in the games that I have seen he stays back and does not over run the players that are inside of him.

Kedan Chan-Tung seems to be aware of his skill set as he does not take chances with the sideline and does his utmost to ensure that he is not taken over the sideline and knows when to cut back inside rather than taking his opposite number on along the touchline.

Kedan Chan-Tung will also come in and take his fair share of hit ups to give his forwards a rest, when the ball needs to be brought out of his end of the field even though he is not the biggest or strongest player. In the situations previously described he runs at the defensive line from dummy half with vigour and is definitely not intimidated by the size of any defender in front of him.

In terms of defence, Kedan Chan-Tung is solid and seemingly understands the attributes of his opposite number to the extent that he alters his defensive positioning if he is against speedy, elusive wingers as against larger more straight running wingers.

The 2020 season will see Kedan Chan-Tung play for the Ipswich Jets MM Cup for the second season in a row. Kedan Chan-Tung will also be back at Ipswich Grammar School and barring injury is a lock to the IGS First XV fullback in the GPS school boy First XV rugby competition.

I am a huge fan of the GPS School boy competition with in the main it’s attacking philosophy and thus being in that environment for a number of years in relation to skill development, discipline etc. will no doubt have a positive impact on Kedan Chan-Tung both on and off the field into the future.

With his school boy rugby and rugby league representative commitments Kedan Chan-Tung may not play a great deal of club rugby league in Ipswich but if he does play Kedan Chan-Tung will likely suit up once against for Northern Suburbs in the Ipswich Rugby League U18 competition where if this season is any indication, he will be one of the most exciting players in the competition.

Kedan Chan-Tung has played primarily at fullback for Ipswich Grammar School in school boy rugby but more so in the centres or five eight in rugby league. With his combination of elusiveness, speed and body control I can envisage a future at fullback in rugby league and his performance for the Titans U18 side in January 2020 all but confirms that.

From an NRL player comparison perspective, when seeing Kedan Chan-Tung in full flight you are seemingly looking at a mirror image for New Zealand Warriors and New Zealand test International fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. Like Tuivasa-Sheck, Kedan Chan-Tung has above average to plus top end speed, balance and body control when he has the ball in his hands.

Simply put Kedan Chan-Tung looks like he is gliding across the field, Kedan Chan-Tung also has an extra gear to accelerate to and literally just explodes through gaps. When he is either returning a kick or hunting around the centre of the ruck looking for am off load, Kedan Chan-Tung just accelerates to full speed in a split second and leaves multiple defenders grasping to thin air behind him.

mdrew

21-02-20, 06:11 PM

Will Brimson. The older brother of Titans star AJ Brimson is a talented player in his own right. After a solid career in the NYC competition with the Brisbane Bronco’s Will Brimson started to carve out a career in the Queensland Cup with the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in 2017.

After taking a two year break from rugby league Will Brimson looking to make his mark in 2020 with the Tweed Heads Seagulls and at only 24 years old there is plenty more to come for the backline utility.

Will Brimson’s first match of the season came in Tweed Heads first “official” trial against Souths Logan when he started from the bench last weekend as the Seagulls prevailed seven tries to three at Tugun in wet conditions.

Will Brimson joined the Wynnum Manly Seagulls for the start of the 2017 season after graduating from the NYC competition at the end of the 2016 season playing in sixteen matches in his debut Queensland Cup season. In those matches Will Brimson scored tries in Round Two against the Northern Pride and in Round Eighteen against the Central Queensland Capra’s. Will Brimson started eleven matches at five eight, two at half, one in the centres and his remaining matches from the interchange bench.

In total in the Queensland Cup in 2017, Will Brimson played 1 124 minutes, running for 810 metres and made 162 tackles. His 2017 per game averages included playing 70 minutes running for 51 metres and making 10 tackles. In Rounds Fourteen and Seventeen Will Brimson ran for 103 metres with the games being against Tweed Heads and South’s Logan.

Will Brimson spent three years in the Bronco’s NYC side, being from 2014 through to 2016 playing forty matches in total, the majority of those at halfback. In 2016 Will Brimson scored nine tries and averaged 49 metres and fourteen tackles and game. He had similar averages in 2015 from nineteen matches.

In relation to his play making ability, Will Brimson Currie has both a very good long and short passing game and generates very good spin on the ball which aids accuracy in relation to his passing. Another aspect that is very good is that there is no discernible difference in relation to his passing to either his left or right, in both instances he rotates his body well. In relation to his short passing Will Brimson will run right to the line and present his outside runners with good pop passes which enables them to run right into gaps in the defensive line.

Defensively Will Brimson is also a strong presence on the field and more than held his own over the course of the 2017 season even against the largest of opposing forwards looking to target him on the fringes of the ruck. He gets low and generates significant leverage with his lower body and drives into his opponent with a strong effect. Against opposing halves Will Brimson uses his lateral mobility to mirror their movement to ensure that they do not get on his outside and he is disciplined enough not to come out of the line and maintain the proper defensive spacing.

Will Brimson will line up again in the Queensland Cup competition for the Tweed Heads Seagulls where he should only get better and better in each match that he plays in after being out of the game for two years, last playing for the Wynnum Manly Queensland Cup side in 2017.

From a position perspective, I think that he has the ability to stay at five eight being 188cm and 92kg. Will Brimson is a bit bigger than his younger brother and thus has the size to handle the defensive burden of giant backrowers running at him all day.

From an attacking perspective the quality of Will Brimson’s ability to put runners into holes developed exponentially as the 2017 Queensland Cup season progressed and I am looking forward to seeing him play once he finds his feet in 2020.

For me an NRL player with a similar playing style to that of Will Brimson is former Penrith Panther, New South Wales State of Origin and Australian International five eight James Maloney, being that of a solid talented all round five eight who will surprise a defensive line with some very good short balls when it looks for all money like he is going to run himself. If history is any indication however Will Brimson is a better front on defender than James Maloney.

mdrew

22-02-20, 07:27 AM

Fabien Puletua Kiri. The giant 193cm, 107kg New Zealand born front rower was a star junior in New Zealand before initially making his name in the 2017 NYC competition for the Canberra Raiders and after a season with the Redcliffe Dolphins in 2019 is part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls 2020 Queensland Cup squad.

Fabien Puletua Kiri’s first official hit out of the 2020 season came when he started from the bench for the Seagulls in their Queensland Cup trial win over the Souths Logan Magpies at Tugun in mid-February.

After moving up to Brisbane from New South Wales, Fabien Puletua Kiri played for the Redcliffe Dolphins in the Brisbane A Grade Premiership, although he was named on the extended bench on a couple of occasions for the Redcliffe Queensland Cup side but did not make his debut in 2019.

Fabien Puletua Kiri came into the Redcliffe Brisbane A Grade side in Round two, coming off the bench against the Wests Panthers, going on to play in fourteen matches, scoring three tries. In addition to scoring a double in Round Fourteen against Wynnum Manly Fabien Puletua Kiri also scored in Round Seventeen against the Wests Panthers.

Fabien Puletua Kiri moved into the Redcliffe starting line-up in Round Four against Wynnum Manly when he started in the second row going onto make six additional starts in the second row. Fabien Puletua Kiri’s other 2019 start was in Round Twelve when he started at lock against the Wests Panthers.

In 2018 Fabien Puletua Kiri played for the Goulburn Valley Workers in the Canberra Region First Grade rugby league competition scoring in Round Four against the Queanbeyan Kangaroo’s and in Round Nine against the Yass Magpies.

2018 also saw Fabien Puletua Kiri make three appearances off the bench for the Mounties in the New South Wales Canterbury Cup competition, with his first appearance coming in Round Ten against Newtown. Fabien Puletua Kiri was also involved in Mounties matches in Round Eleven against the Wentworthville Magpies and Round Twelve against the Penrith Panthers.

In 2017 Fabien Puletua Kiri started in the front row for the Junior Kiwis in their loss to the Junior Kangaroos.

In 2017 Fabien Puletua Kiri was part of the Canberra Raiders NYC side playing in twenty two matches in a row after coming into the Raiders side off the bench in Round Three against the Wests Tigers. Fabien Puletua Kiri made his first start of the 2017 NYC season in Round Nine when he started in the front row against the Canterbury Bulldogs. In total Fabien Puletua Kiri made nine starts in the front row in 2017 coming off the bench in his other matches.

In his twenty two NYC matches in 2017 Fabien Puletua Kiri scored two tries, his first coming in Round Twelve against the Sydney Roosters. Fabien Puletua Kiri scored his other try in Round Nineteen against the St George Dragons.

In 2016 for the Canberra Raiders NYC side Fabien Puletua Kiri played in sixteen matches starting all from the bench after coming into the side in Round Nine against the Penrith Panthers. Fabien Puletua Kiri’s sole NYC try in 2016 came against the Bulldogs in Round Twelve.

Prior to moving over to Canberra, Fabien Puletua Kiri was a representative regular in New Zealand including representing the Mid-Central Vipers at the U15 level and was also part of the Warriors junior development set-up for a number of years.

Fabien Puletua Kiri runs exceptionally hard and there is little subtlety to his running, it is straight and hard and another positive is that he will not just run upright, he will drop his should into the defender making it difficult if not impossible for him to be stopped easily or by a single defender. His running style means that he throws self-preservation out of the window, and fires up his team mates with his charges at full speed into a set forward defensive line.

Fabien Puletua Kiri will on occasion take advantage of slow defenders by angling back behind the play the ball, but outside of that he just flat out runs full throttle every time he touches the ball and runs fast and will fight for a quick play the ball every time.

If anything Fabien Puletua Kiri is more effective in the second half of games where his running style begins to wear down the opposition. Fabien Puletua Kiri runs very much front on and perpendicular to the defensive line and uses his strong lower body to power through tackles.

With the power that he has in his legs when opposing defenders try to tackle him around the legs, it is almost impossible for them to bring Fabien Puletua Kiri down quickly which enables him to either break the tackle completely or to off load to his support runners as he pushes through the defensive line. When they look to tackle him around the chest Fabien Puletua Kiri’s upper body strength enables him to absorb the initial contact and also to maintain his balance and momentum.

Defensively Fabien Puletua Kiri is able to engage and defeat opposing attacker one on one regardless of size. He does not just charge up trying to hit attacker’s chest on but Fabien Puletua Kiri is clinical about how and where he hits the opponent and sets a solid base with his legs and drives directly into their body. In short Fabien Puletua Kiri is a difference marker with his defence.

Even though Fabien Puletua Kiri does not necessary have great straight speed, his lateral movement is very good and on the majority of occasions is able to mirror the movement of smaller attacker looking to exploit a perceived speed and/or mobility difference.

Fabien Puletua Kiri defends in the centre of the ruck and is best suited in the long run defending there and adds a degree of intimidation to any forward pack he plays for. Like with his attack his functional strength and his height with its associated leverage benefits aids his defensive game by being able to generate leverage in his tackles and he can therefore quickly get the attacker off balance.

In 2020 Fabien Puletua Kiri is part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup squad and should push for immediate playing time when the competition kicks off in earnest.

At 193cm and 107kg Fabien Puletua Kiri is a big strong young man but also flashes some impressive mobility on occasion. I think that with his size and strength to go along with a bit of a mean streak, Fabien Puletua Kiri is destined to play in the front row for the remainder of his rugby league career.

For me Fabien Puletua Kiri has a playing style reminiscent of former Titans junior and current Brisbane Bronco (all be it injured) Keenan Palasia, both are big and strong but are also mobile front rowers with a hard edge about the way that they play rugby league.

mdrew

22-02-20, 01:15 PM

Tristin Powell. The young backrower spent three seasons in the Brisbane Broncos Junior Development system but after a break out 2018 which saw him play a number of MM Cup matches for Norths as a 17 year old and also representing Queensland at the ASSRL U18 Championships Tristian Powell has recently inked a two year deal with the Titans and will spend part of the current off-season training with the Titans NRL squad.

Tristian Powell started from the bench in the Titans first NRL trial of 2020 against Burleigh at Pizzey Park last night.

Tristian Powell was a member of the 2019 Queensland U18 Emerging Origin squad. Subsequently Tristian Powell was selected in the Queensland U18 side for their annual match against their New South Wales counter parts in a State or Origin curtain raiser starting in the front row.

Tristian Powell was immediately in the action in the match taking the second hit-up and winning a penalty for Queensland when he was held down too long as he fought to get a quick play the ball.

In the Interstate match, Tristian Powell played fifty five minutes of the match, running for 102.9 metres (32.3 post contact), had an offload and made a team leading twenty two tackles at a 88% tackling efficiency.

Tristian Powell played in five matches for Burleigh in the 2019 MM Cup competition starting all in the front row. Deservedly Tristian Powell was also named the 2019 Burliegh MM Cup Player of the Year.

In Round Four against Townsville, Tristian Powell was credited with a try assist when he popped a good short ball to his left for left second rower George Etuala-Noa to run into a yawning gap to score from around eight metres out.

Instead of playing Round Six in the 2019 MM Cup, Tristian Powell was promoted to the Burleigh U20 Hastings Deering’s Colts side starting in the second row against Wynnum Manly and celebrated his debut by scoring in the Bears big 50 – 20 victory.

Tristian Powell also had an outstanding game in Round Nine against Redcliffe playing right second row and was heavily involved in two of Burleigh’s tries. His first try involvement was when he off-loaded out the back of his hand to his right for Jayden Campbell to score and in relation to the second once again in a tackle Tristian Powell was able to get his arms free to offload to his right to Jayden Campbell who then drew the fullback for debutant Trey Peni to score his first Colts try.

Tristian Powell was also outstanding in Round Ten against the Northern Pride when he was at least the equal of any forward on the field, both in attack and defence.

Tristian Powell added a try assist in Round Twenty One against the Northern Powell when he produced a great right arm off-load to Shallin Fuller to score under the posts in the first half.

In Week Two of the Finals Tristian Powell scored an outstanding try in Burleigh’s 42 – 12 win against Norths after starting the match in the front row. Tristian Powell burst onto a pass on the right side of the field about twenty five metres out, running a slight inside shoulder route before rounding the fullback to scored adjacent to the right upright.

Tristian Powell’s 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts season came to an end when he started in the front row for Burleigh as they went down 23 – 16 to Sunshine Coast in the Preliminary Final

In total in the 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition, Tristian Powell played in seventeen matches scoring two tries.

As noted above Tristian Powell came into the Burleigh Colts side in Round Six in the second row and went on to start in seven matches in the second row, one at lock being Round Eleven against Central Queensland, Round Sixteen from the interchange against Souths Logan and the remaining eight in the front row including Burleigh’s three 2019 finals. Tristian Powell’s first start in the front row came in Round Seventeen in the local derby against Tweed Heads.

In the 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts Player of the Year Award tally Tristian Powell finished with three votes.

Tristian Powell was also part of the Titans U18 side that played North Queensland in the Titans v Warriors curtain raiser in June.

During the Round Nineteen Hastings Deering’s Colts bye week, Tristian Powell turned out for Burleigh in the GCRL U20 competition, starting from the bench and scoring in a Bears 40 – 14 win over Runaway Bay.

To cap off an outstanding 2019 season Tristian Powell, in late December was named in the 2020 Queensland U20 Emerging Origin Squad.

In the MM Cup competition in 2018 Tristian Powell played in six matches for the Norths Devils including their semi-final victory against the Mackay Cutters and North’s Grand Final loss to Souths Logan.

Tristian Powell started the opening two rounds of the season in the front row and Round Three against Souths Logan from the interchange bench before missing a number of matches, coming back into the side from the bench for Round Seven and the subsequent finals series.

In his six matches Tristian Powell had a try scoring strike rate of 50% with his tries coming in Round Two against Central Queensland, Round Three against Souths Logan and Round Seven against Townsville.

Over the course of the 2018 season Tristian Powell represented Met North at the U18 ASSRL Championships starting all of their matches in the front row and from there represented Queensland at the ASSRL U18 Championships.

Tristian Powell is another product of the GPS school boy rugby system playing the 2017 and 2018 seasons for the Nudgee College First XV side, spending a lot of time at outside centre in the blue and white hoops of Nudgee College.

In 2017, his first at Nudgee after moving down from Toowoomba, Tristian Powell represented Brisbane Grey in the South East Queensland U16 pre-season competition, scoring in Round Three of the competition against Brisbane Blue and also was selected in the Queensland U16 side, starting the annual interstate match against New South Wales in the second row along fellow St Mary’s student hooker Jake Simpkin.

In 2016 Tristian Powell represented Darling Downs at the U15 QSSRL Championships, starting at lock. In those Championships he scored on Day Four against Sunshine Coast and on Day One was named the Darling Downs Player of the Match against South Coast.

In 2016 Tristian Powell captained the St Mary’s College U15A side that won the Devere Cup beating Mountain Creek High School 42 – 10 in the final at Bishop with Tristian Powell scoring a strong second half try for the Toowoomba based school.

The first thing that you will notice when you see Tristian Powell on a football field is his size, speed and athleticism that he exhibits every time that he is around the ball. Running with the ball he is effective running wide of the ruck where he can utilise his speed and power more effectively by targeting individual defenders rather than running at a set defensive line where defenders will be converging from multiple axis simultaneously.

Tristian Powell also has the speed to finish off movements himself when he gets into space.

I am not saying that he is not effective running in the centre of the ruck but his effectiveness multiples exponentially running on the fringes of the ruck and another positive is that he is effective running both on the left or right of the field.

In addition to his speed, which I would suggest is above average to plus for a second rower Tristian Powell has a powerful fend and thus he can keep defenders from getting into his body enabling him to maintain his balance and running line and thus he has a stable base from which to look to offload.

Defensively Tristian Powell’s athleticism also shows out, his strength enables him to handle the biggest of forwards on a one on one basis and his athleticism particularly in relation to his lateral movements enables him to deal with smaller quick stepping halves how look to try to exploit and perceived speed advantage.

When the opportunity presents Tristian Powell has the ability to hit very hard, by setting a good base and driving through his lower body and core into his opponent.

Ultimately though Tristian Powell is a strong defender with a good front on technique and good lateral movement to track and defend against smaller opponents either on the fringes or centre of the ruck.

Tristian Powell is currently training with the Titans NRL squad which is a great achievement for such a young player. He will likely start the 2020 season as part of the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts squad but should push for Queensland Cup selection with the Bears as the season progresses. Selection in the 2020 Queensland U20 State of Origin squad is also well within Tristian Powell’s grasp.

I appreciate that Tristian Powell played the opening rounds of the MM Cup competition for Burleigh earlier this season in the front row but with his speed, footwork and athleticism I would prefer, for the short to medium term at least to see Tristian Powell play in the second row where he can operate on the fringes of the ruck.

At 184cm and 97kg, Tristian Powell has the requisite size and speed combination to be an asset on the fringes of the ruck more so than playing in the front row where he would be confined more towards the middle of the field.

When Tristian Powell started for the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts side in the second row this season you could see the damage that he was able to do on the fringes of the ruck, a circumstance that helped me confirm my opinion.

A current NRL player with a similar playing style to Tristian Powell for me is the Titans own Keegan Hiprgave. Both are very hard running , very quick players on the fringes of the ruck who also can really cut players in half defensively all while playing big minutes in a match.

mdrew

22-02-20, 10:41 PM

Jed Edwards. (Revised) The local young hooker is a recent addition to the Titans ranks only signing late in 2018 and has spent part of the current off-season training with the Titans NRL squad.

Jed Edwards commenced his 2020 season starting at hooker for the Titans Rookie Squad that played a Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup selection at Cudgen in wet and slippery conditions.

Jed Edwards started from the bench in the Titans first NRL trial of 2020 against Burleigh at Pizzey Park last night, coming on in the second half in the dummy half role.

In late 2018 Jed Edwards was selected in the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad for the 2019 version of the U18 competition after playing a number of matches for the Tweed Heads MM Cup side early in the 2018 season.

Jed Edwards started Round One of the 2019 MM Cup competition at hooker for Tweed Heads as they defeated the Western Mustangs 58 – 18 with Jed Edwards contributing a double in the victory. Jed Edwards first try came in just the second minute of the match, when after a strong run by Juwan Compain, Jed Edwards scooted over from dummy half with Western Mustangs defenders all over the place as a result of the quick play the ball by the afore mentioned Juwan Compain.

Jed Edwards scored again from dummy half midway through the first half. Once again running out of dummy half to his left, Jed Edwards took off about twenty metres out and after bumping off an attempted front on tackle crashed over near the uprights.
In the second half Jed Edwards made a great break through the centre of the ruck and was able to offload to Ryan Rivett who was able to continue to progress the ball.

Unfortunately Jed Edwards 2019 MM Cup campaign ended as a result of a broken arm. Jed Edwards came back from injury to start at hooker for the South Coast U18 side at the QSSRL U18 Championships but unfortunately suffered another broken arm on Day One of those Championships.

In 2019 Jed Edwards was co-captain of the PBC Open side with fellow Titan Toby Sexton and in November 2019 Jed Edwards was the PBC Reds Award recipient for the player who best epitomises the PBC culture.

In early 2019 Jed Edwards played his first match in Titans colours when he started from the bench for the Titans U18 side as they took on the Newcastle Knights U18 SG Ball squad in Coffs Harbour. In both halves, Jed Edwards came onto the field mid-way through alternating with Ediq Ambrosyev.

As per usual Jed Edwards provided good service to his forwards when he came onto the field leading them onto the ball and capped a solid first outing for the Titans scoring a second half try when he darted out of dummy half from a play the ball a few metres from the Newcastle line to score between two back peddling Knights forwards half way between the goals posts and touch line on the left side of the field.

Jed Edwards also had a try assist when in the first half he ran across field out of dummy half about two metres from the Newcastle try line and put his forward into a hole for them to crash over for a short range try.

Early in the 2019 season, Jed Edwards was selected in the South Coast U18 side for the QSSRL U18 Championships and started at hooker on Day One of the U18 QSSRL Championships but unfortunately missed the remainder of the Championships through injury.
In 2018 Jed Edwards came into the Tweed Heads MM Cup side in Round Five against the Townsville Blackhawks starting at hooker and also started at hooker in Rounds Six, Seven and in the first week of the finals against Wynnum Manly, Easts and Souths Logan respectively.

For Burleigh in the GCRL U17 Division One competition in 2018 Jed Edwards played only the one match which was against Helensvale in May when he started at hooker.

Where Jed Edwards really shone in 2018 was for PBC starting in all of their matches including both the Queensland Final against Kirwan and the National GIO Final against Patrician Brothers College Blacktown. In the Queensland Final Jed Edwards scored late in the first half to level the scores when he was on the spot to retrieve a good short kick from PBC half Thomas Dearden.

In the Queensland GIO Cup semi-final victory over Ignatius Park, Jed Edwards set up one of fellow Titan Noah Gafa’s first of two tries which came early in the first half when he ran an outside shoulder route close to the try line and received a good ball from Jed Edwards to crash over.

For PBC Jed Edwards started all of their matches this season playing the majority of the first half before rotating with Nelson Grove, Jed Edwards normally then came back on mid-way through the second half to finish out the match.

To say that Jed Edwards had an outstanding 2017 season would be an absolute understatement. The youngster played a key hand in the success of the Parramatta Eels U16 Harrold Matthews side and then represented New South Wales in the annual U16 interstate match against Queensland as one of six young players in the match from both sides who had a Gold Coast background with the majority being from the Burleigh Bears.

Jed Edwards started at hooker in all ten of Parramatta’s Harrold Matthews matches this season (Round One was washed out) including starting both their Qualifying and Preliminary Finals. In those matches Jed Edwards scored five tries which came against St George in Round One, Balmain in Round Two, the Cronulla Sharks in Round Seven, Central Coast in Round Eight and North Sydney in Round Ten.

Jed Edwards is a vocal dummy half with a goal to lead his team around the field and determine when the forwards take the ball up and when the ball is directed out to the backline. Jed Edwards looks to lead his forwards onto the ball and provides a flat pass to enable his forwards to time their run onto the ball. Jed Edwards aims to be the team’s general from dummy half and control the pace of the match and the axis from which his team directs their attack and also from what part of the field.

Running with the ball Jed Edwards has above average speed off the mark, probably in the above average category for a hooker and normally runs off the back of a big run from one of his forwards so that he runs when the defensive line is still retreating back to their 10 metre mark. Jed Edwards also has a good step off either foot to assist when he is looking to take advantage of a slow or tired forward in the centre of the ruck.

Jed Edward’s defence for a hooker is quite exceptional, for a smaller forward he is a hard hitter and can defend effectively one on one against far larger forwards, he sets a good base with his lower body and explodes upwards with his shoulders to drive opposing forwards backwards and is also very good at slowing the play the ball down.

His intensity means that Jed Edwards will track the play across and thus is in a good position when the ball is passed back inside, Jed Edwards is also adept at harassing kickers from the marker position. He literally looks to tackles everything that moves in the centre of the ruck.

Jed Edwards will start the 2020 season in the Tweed Heads U20 Hastings Deering’s Colts side and may well also get an opportunity in the Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade competition to start to play against men. A Queensland Cup debut is also not out of the question for him.

Jed Edwards has spent the majority of his junior rugby league career exclusively at hooker and I can see no justification for an alteration to that particular situation as he moves forward in his rugby league career.

From a player comparison perspective, due to his distribution, running, defence and the speed and intensity that he plays the game at, a playing style akin to Danny Buderis formerly of the Knights is an appropriate comparison for Jed Edwards I would suggest.

mdrew

23-02-20, 10:09 AM

Will Evans. The Gold Coast youngster and former Queensland U16 representative moved to the Titans after the expiration of his two year contract with the Brisbane Broncos in a coup for the Titans in terms of “bringing back the farm” and Will Evans is currently training with the Titans NRL squad in the 2020 off-season training squad.

Will Evans commenced his 2020 season starting at right centre for the Titans Rookie Squad that played a Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup selection at Cudgen in wet and slippery conditions.

Will Evans then started on the right wing for the Burleigh Queensland Cup side in their 2020 trial against the Titans at Pizzey Park on Friday night. Late in the match when he had moved to left centre, Will Evans almost scored a long range try when he took an intercept whne the Titans were attacking down their right side. Will Evans ran 90 metres but was brought down a metre out by a flying Jayden Campbell.

In early 2019 Will Evans started at right centre for the Titans U18 side against the Newcastle Knights SG Ball squad in Coffs Harbour which ended in a draw, however from my perspective (and yes I am biased) the Titans were clearly the better side for the entire match.

Will Evans moved to fullback mid-way through the first half, with Noah Gafa taking his place at right centre and stayed there for the remainder of the match.

Will Evans first touch of the ball against the Knights was an impressive run in the first set of six for the Titans when he made twenty odd metres from a short right side play dragging a couple of Newcastle Knights defenders with him.

Will Evans also started at right centre for the Titans U18 side in their big win over PNG at Pizzey park in early October 2019 and he had an impressive try assist in the first half when he produced an impressive right arm flick pass.

Will Evans made his Queensland Cup debut starting on the right wing against PNG in Port Moresby in Round Twenty of the 2019. Will Evans played the entire 80 minutes in the match, running for 85 metres (22 post contact, 31 from kick returns and six from dummy half), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 2.93 seconds and made three tackles.

Will Evans played his second Queensland Cup match when he started on the left wing for Burleigh in Week One of the Finals, scoring in the 4th minutes as the Bears held on to beat Wynnum Manly 34 – 32.

Will Evans try came down the left side and after receiving an off load was able to dive over from close range.

In his 80 minutes on the field, Will Evans ran for forty one metres (thirteen post contact), had a line break and tackle break, played the ball at an average speed of 3.52 seconds and had a 100% tackling efficiency.

In total in his two Queensland Cup matches in 2019, Will Evans played 160 minutes, ran for 126 metres at a per game average of 63.5 metres, had 35 post contact metres, broke two tackles and made seven tackles at a tackling efficiency of 77.78%.

Will Evans also made his International debut in 2019 when he was named in the Wales 23 man squad for the World Nines held in Sydney in October. Will Evans played in two matches for Wales, both on the second day of the Tournament. Will Evans started at left centre against France in his first match and came off the bench later the same day against Lebanon.

In his first match against France Will Evans played 18 minutes, making twenty six metres (eleven post contact) from three runs, played the ball at an average speed of 4.71 seconds and made six tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

In his second match against Lebanon, Will Evans also played eighteen minutes, running for twenty four metres (ten post contact) from two runs, broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.6 seconds and made a team leading eight tackles.

Will Evans commenced the 2019 season off starting in the centres for the Burleigh MM Cup sides Round One match against the Western Mustangs with the Bears prevailing 58 - 18. Will Evans continued to play at right centre for the majority of the MM Cup competition but moved to fullback for Burleigh’s Round Five match against the Souths Logan Magpies. That match was the last that Will Evans played at fullback as he moved back to the centres for Round Six.

Will Evans sole try in the 2019 MM Cup competition came in Round Two as Burleigh defeated the Ipswich Jets. In the 2019 MM Cup Player of the season voting Will Evans finished with seven votes.

Post the MM Cup competition, Will Evans started the club season at fullback for Burleigh in the GCRL U18 Division One competition in their Round One match against Currumbin before moving into the centres for Round Two.

Will Evans was then promoted to the Burleigh GCRL U20 side, starting in the centres in Round Seven and scoring on debut as Burleigh went down to Currumbin 52 – 28.

Will Evans try came in the second half, he received the ball in space outside the Currumbin left winger around twenty metres out from the Burleigh line. Will Evans used a left arm fend to get rid of the Currumbin left winger before holding off the Currumbin left centre, once again with a left arm fend to score right in the right corner.

Will Evans was named on an extended bench for the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts side for their Round Ten match against the Northern Pride but did not make the game day seventeen.

Will Evans however made his deserved Hastings Deering’s Colts debut for Burleigh in Round Eleven against the Central Queensland Capra’s starting on the right wing and scoring in a 28 -10 Bears victory. In a Burleigh backline movement to the right, Will Evans stayed outside his opponent and sprinted past him to score untouched over receiving a cut out ball form fullback Jayden Campbell.

Will Evans moved to right centre for Round Twelve against the Sunshine Cost Falcons and was heavily involved in the last minutes of Burleigh’s one point win. With time running down Will Evans made a break down the right side of the field running for approximately twenty five metres. After his quick play the ball and a subsequent one by Cameron Brown, Jayden Campbell had the time to slot the game winning field goal.

Will Evans continued at right centre in Round Thirteen against the Easts Tigers, scoring his second Colts try of the season when he crossed in the 4th minute of the match. Will Evans early try was as a result of him staying outside his direct opponent and when he received the ball was able to score untouched in the right corner of Pizzey Park.

Will Evans also had a try assist in the match, he took the ball to the line and was able to pop a ball out the back of his right arm once engaged with the defensive line to send right winger Josh Somerville over untouched in a great piece of play.

Will Evans also played at right centre in Round Fifteen against Ipswich scoring his third Colts try from his opening four matches when he crossed in the second half. Will Evans received the ball only around five metres out from the line and got on the outside of his direct opponent before diving over with two Ipswich defenders hanging off him.

Will Evans continued to enhance his growing reputation in Round Sixteen scoring a double against Souths Logan with both tries coming in the last ten minutes of a 38 – 16 Burleigh win. Will Evans first try came after he shrugged off a Souths Logan defender who looked to tackle him as Will Evans was receiving the ball and for his second Will Evans ran o good straight line and was put into a gap to score from twenty metres out.

The Round Seventeen Gold Coast derby against Tweed Heads was no impediment to Will Evans scoring surge when he received the ball at right centre and after getting outside of his opposite number, held off the giant Tweed Heads right centre, and I mean giant, being Gerard Ah-Nau with a strong left arm fend and maintaining his balance to score in the right corner.

Will Evans may not have scored in Round Nineteen against Redcliffe but once again he did influence the score board with a try assist. Playing left centre, he got outside his direct opponent running twenty metres before drawing the fullback and passing inside to Cameron Brown, who in fact threw him the previous pass, to score.

Will Evans also had a try assist in Round Twenty One against the Northern Pride playing left centre. Will Evans made a break down the left touch line of about forty metres but was tackled by the Tigers fullback and another cover defender but had the presence of mind to get his arms free to off-load to his left to fellow Titan contracted player Lofi Khan-Periera to score in the corner in the second half.

The line break noted above was one of three that Will Evans made in the match with the other two coming in the second half. On each occasions Will Evans got on the outside of his direct opponent to generate long big gains down the left touch line. In relation to the first one he barged straight over the Northern Pride half who tried to stop him and bar a jumper grab by the Pride right second rower in the second one, Will Evans likely would have run sixty five metres to score.

Will Evans scored once again in Round Twenty Two against the Sunshine Coast Falcons and added a further try in Round Twenty Three against Central Queensland when he followed through after a smart piece of play from half Cameron Brown to score in the left corner after an eighty metre movement by Burleigh.

Will Evans could have actually had a double in the match, but early in the first half was held up right in the left corner after a powerful surge from around ten metres out was defeated by three Central Queensland Carpa’s defenders, just.

In Week Two of the Finals Will Evans started on the left wing in Burleigh’s 42 – 12 win against Norths and started on the wing in the Preliminary Final against Sunshine Coast.

Will Evans’s 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts season came to an end when he started on the left wing for Burleigh as they went down 23 – 16 to Sunshine Coast in the Preliminary Final.

In total in the 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition, Will Evans played in twelve matches scoring seven tries to finish the 2019 Colts season with a strike rate of 58.34%.

Of his twelve matches Will Evans started four on the wing and the remaining eight matches in the centres.

In the 2019 Queensland Rugby League Hastings Deering’s Colts Player of the Year Award tally Will Evans finished with six votes.

Will Evans made his Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade debut in Round Sixteen starting on the left wing for Burleigh against Runaway Bay and scoring to cap a great debut. The ball was spun out to the left and after retrieving the ball on the bounce Will Evans stepped back inside his opposite number before crossing out wide in the left corner in just the 11th minute of his debut.

Will Evans also started on the left wing in Round Seventeen against Currumbin scoring a double to continue to enhance his already sky rocketing reputation. Will Evans scored his first try of the match in just the 6th minute.

Will Evans received the ball about ten metres out from the try line near the left touch line. With little room to move and with two defenders in front of him, Will Evans took the first defender on running straight over him before using his strength to get the ball down with two Currumbin defenders desperately trying to hold him up.

Will Evans scored his second try in the second half and once again it was his strength that got him there. Will Evans received a long floating pass and charged down the left touch line once against from about ten metres out. About a metre or two out from the line Will Evans has hit by two cover defenders but was able to maintain his balance to reach out with his right arm to get the ball down just before he was pushed into touch.

Will Evans was part of the 2019 U18 Queensland Emerging Origin squad as well highlighting the high regard that Will Evans is held in in the Queensland Rugby League community.

The former PBC student actually played for the Titans Junior Development Squads for a number of years including at the U13 level in 2014 when the Titans played Marsden State High School in October of that year at Pizzey Park. That afternoon Will Evans starred in the fullback position and ripped the Marsden defence apart on multiple occasions and also covered very well defensively when necessary.

In 2018 Will Evans played for Burleigh in the GCRL U17 Division One competition and in his seven matches in the regular season scored eight tries primarily from the fullback position. Will Evans scored doubles against Ormeau and Tweed Heads and has also scored against Runaway Bay, Bilambil, Helensvale and Currumbin.

Will Evans started at fullback in both of Burleigh’s U17 Division One Finals matches against Currumbin and Runaway Bay.

In addition Will Evans was a key member of the 2018 PBC Opens Rugby League side playing right centre in most of their matches this season and was particularity impressive in wins against fierce rivals Keebra Park and also in a big PBC win against Marsden State High School at Waterford in the depths of winter. Against Marsden he was exceptional especially out of dummy half.

Will Evans also started at right centre for PBC against Ipswich State High School in the GIO Cup Queensland Quarter Finals held at Wynnum Manly earlier this week, a match that PBC were victorious in to progress to the Queensland semi-finals. In the match Will Evans did not get many opportunities with the ball but was very solid defensively as PBC scored literally in the last minute of a close contest to progress to the next round.

Will Evans was outstanding in both the Queensland GIO Cup final and also in the National GIO Cup final against Patrician Brothers Fairfield including being names Player of the National Final.

In 2017 Will Evans started at right centre for the Queensland U16 team as well as receiving a PBC on field Rugby League Achievement Award. Will Evans also represented Queensland in 2015 when he was part of the Queensland Maroon side for the ASSRRL U15 National Championships and in those Championships was the Queensland Maroons Player of the Match on Day Three in a big win against New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges. Will Evans contributed a try to that victory for Queensland Maroon.

From the fullback position Will Evans presents as a silky smooth player, who looks like he glides across the field picking and choosing his time to get involved and wants to have the ball in his hands when the game is on the line.

In attack Will Evans does not just stand at the back waiting for the “block” plays to occur. When his forwards are bringing the ball out of their own territory, Will Evans is always in and around the ball looking for an offload and the opportunity to explode downfield as a result of outstanding speed off the mark and a wicked step off either foot.

Will Evans has outstanding balance and body control which enables him to break a lot of tackles through the centre of the ruck. Opposing defenders to key line him up when he is either running from dummy half or taking an offload and his explosiveness means that defenders are regularly reduced to grasping at him with an arm which Will Evans regularly is able slice through and continue his run.

Will Evans speed is hard to quantify. Will Evans does not necessarily look like he is moving quickly especially when he is open space but players who I consider who have above average to plus speed do not often take ground from him at all in a foot race.

The one thing Will Evans also seems to be able to do well, is to step back inside without the loss of his speed or forward momentum, opposing defenders seem to push out quickly when he has the ball expecting him to look to beat them on their outside, if they come across to far, Will Evans has a very good step back inside especially off his right foot when running to the left and if the inside defenders are not quick enough to cover across he has the speed to make a clean break in those circumstances.

Similarly when an opposing defender looks to come out of the line quickly to put pressure on him, Will Evans’s quick twitch feet means that he can step off either foot quickly to negate the attempt to cut down his time. In short he is a very talented attacking player who looks to beat his opponent with speed and guile rather than purely by brute strength.

Will Evans is also very effective in making ground from dummy half. Like when Justin Hodges used to go into dummy half, defences know that he is going to run but still have trouble preventing him from making a lot of ground, it really does defy logic in terms of the ground that he makes out of dummy half considering his smaller stature.

In defence Will Evans has good strength, and certainly looks to come forward to stop the attack before it has time to fully develop once a break has been made. Will Evans also has the ability to show the attacker the sideline and is confident that his speed will enable him to get across to make the tackle which he invariably does.

Will Evans is also effective at wrapping the ball up and he does slide well in defence and has the speed to cover opposition line breaks very well when he is playing in the centres.

2019 saw Will Evans as a key member of the Burleigh Bears MM Cup side and post the competition of that competition he made the jump to the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition and ultimately to the Queensland Cup and then to the World Nines.

Will Evans has two years of Colts eligibility remaining starting in 2020 and will spend the off season training with the Titans NRL squad. I do not envisage a situation where Will Evans will not start the 2020 season with Burleigh in the Queensland Cup competition and it would not surprise at all if Will Evans plays a number of NRL trials in 2020 and maybe even makes his NRL debut over the course of the 2020 NRL season.

When I first saw Will Evans play as a 13 year old, even back then it seemed that fullback was his ideal position but in the last couple of years, especially in relation to school boy and representative rugby league, Will Evans has played almost exclusively in the centres, specifically at right centre and is very effective running out of dummy half.

I however think that Will Evans best position is at fullback where he can see the entire field and thus is a position to inject himself from there where and when the opportunities arise. At 177cm and 91kg Will Evans certainly has the size to handle himself regardless of position however.

A very knowledgeable visitor to this site actually suggested that Will Evans would make a more than effective half back. I admit that that was a scenario that I had not really considered but one that is a more than interesting one to contemplate as Will Evans inevitably moves towards the NRL.

From an NRL player comparison perspective Will Evans has a number of similarities to St George Dragons fullback Matt Dufty. Will Evans does not have the top end speed of Matt Dufty (although he is a lot quicker than he looks) but is quick off the mark and has the same innate ability to make the first defender miss in the congestion in the middle of the ruck or wider out in the backline, it is just an uncanny skill you either have or you don’t and Will Evans definitely has it in spades and Titans fans will have the pleasure of seeing it in action over the coming seasons in the NRL potentially as early as 2020.

mdrew

23-02-20, 09:13 PM

Toby Sexton. The Gold Coast local who has recently signed a three year contract (the first year being an NRL Development contract) with the Titans has had an outstanding 2019 season, including captaining the PBC Open school boy side, being named 18th man for the Queensland U18 side, being selected in the Australian School Boys side after starring for the Queensland School Boys side at the U18 ASSRL Championships and of course signing with the Titans which will see him in Titans colours for the next three seasons at least.

Toby Sexton is currently participating in his first NRL pre-season with the Titans as part of his Titans NRL Development contract and has drawn rave reviews already from coaching staff including head coach Justin Holbrook who has been impressed by his work ethic. Similarly Assistant Coach Jim Dymock has been impressed with Toby Sexton’s calmness and maturity.

Toby Sexton commenced his 2020 season starting at five eight for the Titans Rookie Squad that played a Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup selection at Cudgen in wet and slippery conditions and even in those conditions put in an assured kicking display that is already of an NRL standard.

Toby Sexton started at five eight for the Titans first NRL trial of 2020 against Burleigh at Pizzey Park on Friday night scoring in what was his senior debut when he backed up to put the ball down under the posts..

Toby Sexton started the 2019 season playing for Tweed Heads in the MM Cup competition starting at half back in all of their nine matches including both the Queensland Grand Final victory over the Wynnum Manly Seagulls and the National U18 Final victory over the Illawarra Steelers.

In those nine matches Toby Sexton’s sole try came in the National Final against Illawarra and over the course of the season he kicked thirty seven goals to finish with 78 points and average 8.67 points per game.

On two occasions in 2019 Toby Sexton kicked nine goals in a match being in Round One against the Western Mustangs when he kicked nine from ten and in Round Six against the Mackay Cutters when he kicked nine from twelve.

Toby Sexton played the entire seventy minutes in the U18 National Final against Illawarra, running for 127 metres (eighteen post contact), made a line break, broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.7 seconds and made ten tackles at a perfect tackling efficiency of 100%.

In the 2019 MM Cup Player of the season voting Toby Sexton finished with five votes.

Toby Sexton started at five eight for the 2019 Australian School Boys side in their one off match at Redcliffe Stadium against a New Zealand U19 side in a curtain raiser to the 2019 Queensland Cup Grand Final with the Australian side winning a physical contest 36 – 20.

Toby Sexton played the entire seventy minutes, running for twenty six metres (nine post contact), had a try assist and a line break assist, broke two tackles and made twenty tackles at a tackling efficiency of an impressive 95.5% especially taking into account the size of the New Zealand forwards running at him for the entire match.

In August 2019 Toby Sexton also started at half for PBC in their Queensland GIO Cup quarter final win over St Mary’s High School Toowoomba 50 – 6.

In the first half alone, Toby Sexton in addition to kicking four from five had three try assists, with each coming on the left side of the field. On all three occasions Toby Sexton played shallow and held the ball to the last moment before sending his support runners into gaps to score.

Twice Brendan Paiakura was the beneficiary when he ran into gaps close to Toby Sexton but on the other occasion in the first half, Toby Sexton threw a long cut out pass right onto the chest of fellow Titan Caleb Hodges who ran into a yawning gap forty metres from the line out pacing the St Mary’s cover defence to score.

In the first half Toby Sexton also forced a St Mary’s goal line drop out with a pin point kick from around thirty five metres out to force another set of six, from which Caleb Hodges try resulted.

For the match, Toby Sexton ended up kicking seven goals from nine attempts.

Toby Sexton then went on to play a key role in PBC’s 2019 Langer Cup semi-final and Grand Final victories stating both final at half back.

Toby Sexton was a solid performer for PBC starting at half and kicking three from four in their tough Gold Point loss in the Queensland GIO Cup semi-final loss to Marsden State High School.

Toby Sexton made his Hastings Deering’s Colts debut In Round Twenty Three of the 2019 season against the Northern Pride starting at five eight as Tweed Heads qualified for the finals on the back of a 36 – 10 win.

Toby Sexton played his second Hastings Deering’s Colts match for Tweed Heads Week One Elimination Final loss to the Mackay Cutters 23 – 10 starting at five eight and scoring his first career try in the match.

Toby Sexton’s try was one of the best of the season, he took the ball to the right of the play the ball fifty nine metres out from the line, he took the ball right to the line before producing an impressive right armed over the shoulder dummy to his right before swerving through a gap back towards the play the ball.

Ediq Ambrosyev roamed up on Toby Sexton’s left as he approached but when the fullback cheated towards Ediq Ambrosyev, Toby Sexton dummied once again and then outpaced the defence to score adjacent to the left upright.

Toby Sexton also recorded a try assist in the match, he took the ball down a short blind side on the right side of the field, taking the ball right into the line before popping a great short ball to his right finding Jaylon To’O in a big gap who ran forty metres to score untouched.

In the 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts Player of the Year Award tally Toby Sexton finished with three votes and at the 2019 PBC Sports Awards Night was the joint winner of the Craig Weston Medal for the PBC Open Best and Fairest Player.

Toby Sexton also played in the MM Cup in 2018 also for Tweed Heads, starting all seven of their games at five eight, including their semi-final loss to Souths Logan. In those seven matches Toby Sexton scored five tries, including scoring in the semi-final. Toby Sexton also scored against Norths in Round One, Victoria in Round two, Townsville in Round Three and Wynnum Manly in Round Six.

From a goal kicking perspective in 2018 Toby Sexton kicked forty two goals, kicking nine goals in a match on two occasions with those being in Round Five against Townsville and in Round Six against Wynnum Manly.

Toby Sexton in 2019 had a heavy schedule playing for PBC, in the MM Cup and representative commitments thus he did not play in any club matches on the Gold Coast. In 2018 however Toby Sexton played in two matches for Currumbin in the U17 Division One competition kicking six goals in his first match against Mudgeeraba and then backing that up by kicking three in a June 2018 match against Burleigh.

In 2018 Toby Sexton was also a key member of the PBC Open Rugby League side that took all before them winning both the Queensland GIO Cup Final and the National GIO Cup Final. Like this season Toby Sexton was PBC’s primary goal kicker.

Toby Sexton also played well for PBC in their 2017 GIO Cup campaign including kicking a goal in their tough 22 – 20 Queensland semi-final loss to Marsden State High School.

Over the course of the 2017 U16 Division season, Toby Sexton finished at the competitions leading point’s scorer with 85 points from three tries, thirty six goals and a field goal which came against Helensvale in May. Toby Sexton’s three tries came from a double early in the season against Runaway Bay and a late season try against Runaway Bay as well.

With the boot in 2017 Toby Sexton had a couple of big matches including kicking seven goals in Round One against Southport and six in a mid-season match against Ormeau as well as five goals in a match on three other occasions.

In 2015 Toby Sexton represented South Coast U15’s and from there was selected at five eight for the Queensland White side for the ASSRL U15 Championships. On Day One of the championships Toby Sexton kicked three goals in a win over New South Wales Combined Independent Schools and on Day Six kicked four in a big win over ACT.

In attack Toby Sexton’s calling card is his organisational and passing skills more so than his running game. His speed would probably considered average for a half/five eight but he will throw a dummy and run when opposing defences are focussed on his support runners and provide him with opportunities. Toby Sexton also does not have quick twitch feet, thus his step is more average than say a plus side step like AJ Brimson’s.

Toby Sexton also has a good long passing game thus enabling the ball to get out to his back line quickly when they are set deep. He develops a good spiral on the ball and is able to lead his outside backs onto the ball through putting the ball out in front of them. Toby Sexton will also take the ball to the line and delay the pass as long as possible to his support runners when necessary in an effort to prise open gaps in the defensive line.

Assisting his play is the fact that Toby Sexton makes the decision what to do with the ball quickly thus enabling the ball to get out wide or when the ball needs to be turned back inside. In short he looks to dictate what the defensive line needs to do to combat his sides attack rather than waiting to see how the opposition is looking to defend at a particular time in a game.

One aspect that is notable is how he directed the team around the field in difficult conditions and he looked to manage the game to take account of those conditions. Toby Sexton always maintains his composure on the field and does not yell or scream but obviously gets his message across to his team mates with a calm presence.

Toby Sexton is also a very good goal kicker with both good range and accuracy, his statistics over the last two seasons for both PBC and Tweed Heads in the MM Cup clearly bear that out. Like his general play kicking which is also outstanding, I would suggest that he is a real chance to be his side’s primary goal kicker regardless of the level progressing into the future.

Defensively Toby Sexton has decent size for a half or five eight, and probably would be considered an average sized player if not a touch more for his age and position. This is a facet which assists in him being an effective defender for his position both in terms of initial contact and the ability to wrap up the ball to prevent offloads. Defensively Toby Sexton has the ability to be a solid above average NRL defender in eth coming years.

Toby Sexton will play the 2020 season in the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition for the Tweed Heads Seagulls and is also Colts eligible in 2021. I would also anticipate that Toby Sexton will also likely get an opportunity at the Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade level (and potentially even in the Queensland Cup) in 2020 to start to test himself against men a few of whom will have had previous Queensland Cup and/or NRL experience.

One thing is for sure though and that is Toby Sexton is spending the entire off season with the Titans NRL squad and thus the timeline that I envisage above may very well be far too conservative for the young man, certainly in relation to how well Toby Sexton has handled the rigours of his first NRL pre-season.

From a position perspective, Toby Sexton plays the same way whether he is wearing the No. 6 or No. 7 jersey and there is no way known that a coach would consider moving him away from the halves.

Toby Sexton is just so calm and assured on the field and just seems to have a lot of time to do what he wants, whether that is run, pass or kick and to that extent Toby Sexton is more than a bit like Cooper Cronk.

Toby Sexton is probably the calmest junior rugby league player that I have seen on the field EVER and it is no wonder that a number of coaches have identified his leadership qualities and put him in that position in their teams in relation to club, school and representative sides, for example he co-captained the PBC Open school boy side in 2019.

Toby Sexton certainly has the leadership attributes and demeanour to be an NRL captain if not a representative level one in the coming years.

It is great to see an Australian School Boys and Queensland U18 squad member player elect to sign with the Titans, it is certainly proof that the Titans Development system is working and of course the fact that Toby Sexton is a local junior is an added outstanding bonus.

mdrew

02-03-20, 04:29 PM

Taine Tuaupiki. (Revised) He is a local young Titans linked utility (halfback/five eight/fullback) who started at fullback for the Burleigh A Grade trial against Tweed Heads in late February 2020.

Taine Tuaupiki was in outstanding form for the Burleigh Bears U20 Hastings Deering’s Colt’s side in 2019 and also deservedly played a number of Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade matches with Burleigh.

Taine Tuaupiki started at half for the 2019 Burleigh U20 Hastings Deering’s Colts Round One side as they drew 24 all with Norths at Bishop Park, in total playing in nine games in total scoring five tries, three of which came in Burleigh’s finals campaign.

Taine Tuaupiki started all nine of his 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts matches, starting four at half, one being Round Six against the Western Mustangs at five eight and the remaining four matches at right centre, with his first start at centre coming in Round Twenty Three against Central Queensland. Taine Tuaupiki followed that up by starting all three of Burleigh’s finals at right centre.

In Round Three against Tweed Heads Taine Tuaupiki scored a good solo try, he received the ball playing on the right side of the ruck around twelve metres out from the line and after stepping off his right foot to create a gap, surged through the Tweed fullbacks tackle right on the try line.

Taine Tuaupiki also scored an outstanding try in Round Ten against the Northern Pride. He received the ball around ten metres out from the Pride line whilst operating on the left side of the field, and after stepping back inside the Pride defence exploded through a small gap in the line to cross near the left upright.

After missing a number of weeks Taine Tuaupiki started Round Twenty Two against Sunshine Coast in the centres for Burleigh and also at right centre in Round Twenty Three against Central Queensland. Taine Tuaupiki terrorised the Capra’s left side defence in the match including making a long break from a scrum but he was bundled into touch a metre out.

In Week Two of the 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts Finals series, Taine Tuaupiki once again started at left centre and scored a try in each half to propel Burleigh into the Preliminary Final with both of his tries impressive individual efforts.

Taine Tuaupiki’s first try was a seventy metre effort, he received the ball one off the scrum bursting through the initial defensive line with a slight step off both foot, the first coming off his right, before beating the fullback and getting away from a cover defender who looked to grab his jersey collar to score under posts.

Taine Tuaupiki’s second resulted from a series of side steps on the left of the field. Taine Tuaupiki received the ball wide on the left and immediately stepped twice off his left foot create space and then produced a right foot back towards the side line and accelerated from ten metres out to score.

Taine Tuaupiki’s 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts season came to an end when he started at left centre for Burleigh as they went down 23 – 16 to Sunshine Coast in the Preliminary Final with Taine Tuaupiki being one of Burleigh’s try scorers in the match.

Playing left centre once again, Taine Tuaupiki received the ball around forty five metres out and ran at the defensive line with the ball out in front in both hands before stepping odd his left foot to beat the initial defender before accelerating away from the defence then beating the fullback and streaking away to score.

In the 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts Player of the Year Award tally Taine Tuaupiki finished with two votes.

Taine Tuaupiki also played a number of matches for Burleigh in the GCRL First Grade competition including starting at fullback in Round Seven against Tugun. For what I believe was his first match at fullback in that competition, Taine Tuaupiki played quite well and made a number of sniping runs through the centre of the ruck.

Taine Tuaupiki scored his first Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade try of 2019 when he scored in Round Twelve against Southport starting at fullback as the Bears won 34 – 10.

Taine Tuaupiki lined up on the left of the field taking the ball from the dummy half about ten metres out from the Southport line and exploded towards the line, with the ball out in front of his body in two hands, after a quick dummy to his left, Taine Tuaupiki sliced through two Tigers defenders to score half way between the touch line and left upright.

In total for Burleigh in the GCRL First Grade competition Taine Tuaupiki, including Finals played in four matches this season.

In Round Two of the 2018 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition in a 28 – 20 victory over Redcliffe at Pizzey Park he was as dominant as I have seen a player at that level as he constantly split the Redcliffe defence and directed Burleigh around the field superbly.

In that match, Taine Tuaupiki had the ball on a string and also scored a great try highlighting his speed and elusiveness. Taine Tuaupiki also scored in Round One against the Sunshine Coast Falcons.

In addition to the tries that he has scored in the Colts competition this season Taine Tuaupiki had at least four try assists on the season that I can recall including one from a deft banana grubber kick in Round Two against the Redcliffe Dolphins and three from sublime passes right at the defensive line.

Taine Tuaupiki’s Round One try came as a result of a great short ball to his right side to Titans fellow linked second rower Apiata Neoma-Matenga who went through the line untouched before drawing the fullback and passing back inside to Taine Tuaupiki to score under the posts untouched for an outstanding Burleigh try.

Taine Tuaupiki’s try in Round Two against Redcliffe was as a result of a dummy where after receiving the ball two wide of the ruck on the right side Taine Tuaupiki shaped to pass wider out and then exploded through a gap to score just wide of the right hand upright.

Over the course of the opening rounds Taine Tuaupiki forged a very successful combination on the right side of the field with fellow Titans youngster Apiata Neoma-Matenga which I am sure will lead (and has already) to a lot of line breaks and tries for both over the course of the season.

In total in the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition this season Taine Tuaupiki played in fourteen matches for Burleigh starting all at five eight bar Round Four against Souths Logan when he started from the interchange and has scored six tries and kicked five goals.

As noted above Taine Tuaupiki scored in the opening two rounds of the season against Sunshine Coast and Redcliffe. Taine Tuaupiki has also scored in Round Nine against Townsville, Round Thirteen against Ipswich, Round Fourteen against the Northern Pride and in Round Twenty-One against Wynnum Manly.

Taine Tuaupiki made his Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade debut at five eight against Tweed Heads and prior to his move back to the Burleigh Colts side made three First Grade appearances and recorded a 100% strike rate. Taine Tuaupiki scored a double on debut against Tweed Heads and also scored against Southport.

Taine Tuaupiki started the 2017 season in the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup side and upon completion of the competition progressed to the Tweed Heads Seagulls U20 Colts Challenge side. From a representative perspective Taine Tuaupiki has represented South East Queensland at the U16 level in 2016 was one of the key reasons that Coombabah State High School had such a great GIO Cup run which finished in heart breaking fashion against Keebra Park.

For the 2017 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup side Taine Tuaupiki played all six matches at half back including scoring in Round Two against Victoria. Immediately upon completion of the MM Cup competition, Taine Tuaupiki was drafted into the Tweed Heads Seagulls U20 Colts Challenge side and except for Round Six which he missed, he played every match. Taine Tuaupiki started Rounds One to Five at fullback scoring tries in Round Two against Easts, Round Three against Redcliffe and Round Five against Wynnum Manly.

Taine Tuaupiki switched to five eight in Round Seven, making an immediate impact scoring against the North’s Devils and except for Round Ten where he started from the interchange bench, Taine Tuaupiki started at five eight, scoring doubles in Round Eight against Ipswich and Round Thirteen in a comeback win against the Easts Tigers. Taine Tuaupiki also scored against the Sunshine Coast Falcons in Round Twelve. Taine Tuaupiki also started at five eight in Round Fourteen through Sixteen.

In the 2017 finals series Taine Tuaupiki started in Tweed Heads three matches, starting Week One at five eight before starting at half back in Tweed Heads second final and their Preliminary Final loss. Isaac Worboys started at five eight in the last two Seagulls Finals matches of 2017.

In 2016, Taine Tuaupiki played for Runaway Bay in the U17 Division One GCJRL competition where his side finished as the minor premiers, however they were beaten 18 – 12 in the Grand Final by Burleigh. Taine Tuaupiki started the 2016 Grand Final at half back.

Over the course of the 2016 U17 Division One season, Taine Tuaupiki scored five tries and conversion and field goal to finish with a total points tally of 23 on the season with the field goal coming in a semi-final against Burleigh.

If anything Taine Tuaupiki looks like he has put on a bit of size over the recent off season but a huge positive is that his outstanding speed off the mark has not been compromised at all nor has his elusiveness in general.

In attack, Taine Tuaupiki’s speed off the mark is the first attribute that you will notice when you see him play, he has a dynamic initial burst off the mark. He does not seem to have an extra gear once he is through the defensive line, but has the ability to maintain his speed over a reasonable distance. Coupled with a very good step off both feet, his speed enables him to make breaks. His try in Round Two detailed above highlighted his speed off the mark.

Taine Tuaupiki can and will beat defenders in the inside with a step and if the defensive line is staggered a dummy and go, presents multiple headaches for the opposition’s defensive strategies and also backs up well. It is these attributes that means Taine Tuaupiki is a threat to run every time he is at dummy half and opposing defences must that that into account, for if the markers do but work hard or there are slow moving forwards he has the ability to exploit that on each occasion.

In Round Twenty One against Wynnum Manly Taine Tuaupiki’s step and speed resulted in scoring a good try. He received the ball about ten metres out from the Wynnum Manly line, drifted across field a touch and then stepped back inside the B defender and accelerated in outpace the cover defence.

It was a similar instance in Round Twenty Four against Easts, Taine Tuaupiki went on a great run using his outstanding foot work to beat multiple defenders and then threw a great pass to give Sean garner a solon passage to the line.

Holding the ball out in front of his body in both hands enables Taine Tuaupiki to put doubt into the minds of the opposing defensive line and thus me can dummy and run if there is a gap in the defensive line or put his support runners into gaps. His decisive nature also means that when the ball needs to get out to his back line he will get it out there quickly to give his outside backs as much space as possible to work with prior to contact with the opposing defensive line.

Getting the ball out to the back line quickly is no issue for Taine Tuaupiki as he has a very good long passing technique which delivers the ball quickly and accurately to the right place at the right time from either side of his body.

The one thing that has stood out through the U20 Colts competition this season is Taine Tuaupiki’s willingness to take the ball right to the line before passing. A couple of examples highlight this including a number of plays in Round Two against Redcliffe and again in Round Twenty One against Wynnum Manly.

On one occasion, Taine Tuaupiki operating on the right popped a great short ball to New Zealand born centre Mikey Williams who as a result had a big 50 metre run down the field which led directly to a try to Reece Tapine on the opposite side of the field on the next play. Also against Redcliffe Taine Tuaupiki took the ball to the line and popped a short ball to Apiata Neoma-Matenga who scored after a barn storming run just right of the uprights at the ‘hill’ end of Pizzey Park.

I have noted a couple of very good plays from Taine Tuaupiki when he has been operating on the right side of the field, but it would be patently unfair to suggest that he cannot operate on the left equally effectively.

In Round One against the Sunshine Coast Falcons, Taine Tuaupiki in fact set up two tries down the left side of the field, on both occasions he got outside his opposite defender and presented left centre Jaxson Paulo with passes directly to his chest leading him onto the ball nicely. On the first occasion Jaxson Paulo scored untouched and the second Jaxson Paulo drew the Falcons winger for Reece Tapine to score also untouched.

Taine Tuaupiki also has a solid kicking game both from a tactical and attacking perspective and in Round two against Redcliffe got a try assist when in broken play and facing the sideline, Taine Tuaupiki put in a right footed banana grubber kick that was perfectly weighted to the in goal for Burleigh fullback Corey Alexander to dive on the ball in the in goal area and score.

In Round Twenty One against Wynnum Manly a deft kick by Taine Tuaupiki was perfectly weighted for halfback Harry Fitzhugh to score under the posts. Similarly in Round Twenty Four against Wynnum Manly, a perfectly weight Taine Tuaupiki set up a try under the posts for half Cameron Brown.

In defence, Taine Tuaupiki reads the play very well and can hold his own when defending much bigger players. When confronted with forwards running directly at him in the centre of the ruck he will get in front of them and use his shoulder in an effort to contain them until defensive help arrives.

Taine Tuaupiki does have an aggressive streak in him when defending and this holds him in good stead when defending in the centre of the ruck. His additional size and strength this season has certainly assisted Taine Tuaupiki defensively this season.

Taine Tuaupiki will push for a sport in the Burleigh Bears Queensland Cup side in 2020.

Taking into account his speed off the mark and his solid passing skills, I am leaning towards half back as the ultimate landing sport for Taine Tuaupiki where if everything falls into place, he could develop into a dynamic runner of the ball from the half back position who could cause a degree of havoc towards the end of each half as opposing forward packs fatigue as well as being able to direct his team around the field and play within the game plan.

From a player comparison perspective for Taine Tuaupiki the speed, footwork, game management and passing skills of St George Dragons play maker Corey Norman are comparable. If anything Taine Tuaupiki’s running and passing skills and to a lesser extent his game management skills have already exceed those of Corey Norman.

Taine Tuaupiki is a young player of immense potential who has had an outstanding 2019 rugby league season and appears destined for higher honours in rugby league and is on the fast track to an NRL berth almost certainly in the coming years. Let’s hope that it is a Titans jersey.

Through the Hastings Deering’s Colts U20 Cup competition and the GCRL First Grade competition over the last few seasons Taine Tuaupiki has been an absolute stand out in his own right for Burleigh and the scary part is that Taine Tuaupiki has barely even scratched the surface of the immense potential that he possesses.

Taine Tuaupiki is an outstanding talent for the Titans and with players like him coming through the ranks the future for the Titans shines very bright indeed.

mdrew

02-03-20, 07:36 PM

Joseph (Joe) Ngere. The 198cm, 117kg powerhouse front rower joins the Tweed Heads Seagulls 2020 Hastings Deering’s Colts squad after a number of seasons with the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs which saw him play in their U16 Harold Matthews, U18 SG Ball and be part of the U20 Jersey Flegg squad’s in recent seasons.

Joseph Ngere was originally signed by Souths Sydney from the Northlands region of New Zealand when he was playing for Otaua Valley with Joseph Ngere coming to prominence after being named Player of the Day for Otaua Valley as they defeated a touring Australian U16 side being the Wooden Valley Rams (Canberra region) 28 – 18.

That same year Joseph Ngere was named in the 2015 Adam Blair Cup school boy’s representative XIII, not a bad effort at all for a 15 year old school boy just starting out on his rugby league journey against players who in the main were two or three years older.

In 2019 Joseph Ngere was part of the Rabbitohs U20 Jersey Flegg squad but did not play in any official matches over the course of the season in that competition.

In 2018 Joseph Ngere started the opening four rounds for the Rabbitohs U18 SG Ball side starting each in the second row before missing the remainder of the 2018 SG Ball season.

In 2017 Joseph Ngere played in five matches for the Rabbitohs U18 SG Ball side with his first appearance being of the bench in Round Two against the Manly Sea Eagles. Joseph Ngere moved into the second row in Round Three against the Cronulla Sharks remaining there for the remainder of his 2017 SG Ball matches including Round Five when he scored against the Western Pirates. The try against the Western Pirates was his first in Souths Sydney Rabbitohs colours.

Joseph Ngere moved over to Sydney in 2016 lining up for the Souths Sydney U16 Harold Matthews side, making his Australian debut off the bench in Round One against the Sydney Roosters, making his first start in the front row in Round Five against the Newcastle Knights. In total Joseph Ngere made three starts in the front row with his remaining six matches off the bench.

As noted Joseph Ngere is a big and I mean big strong front rower who is a powerful runner of the football, who knows only one way and that is straight ahead and can offload once he has impacted the defensive line or has crashed through it, in addition Joseph Ngere is quite effective when his team is attacking close to the try line.

Joseph Ngere can either take the ball himself, and when he gets low he is very difficult to stop or he can run as a decoy and attract defenders away from the real axis of attack. For a big front rower Joseph Ngere does actually have quite decent speed, mobility and footwork, certainly well above average for a player of his size.

Defensively Joseph Ngere hits very hard and his technique revolves around timing and execution. Joseph Ngere’s head is almost always correctly positioned and he always drives with his shoulder and never just jersey grabs at an opponent. From the matches that I have seen Joseph Ngere also tackles with both shoulders equally effectively.

The impressive thing for me also is that Joseph Ngere never seems to bounce off the ball (or the man) when he makes a front on tackle meaning his target area and the ability to hit the area on a regular basis is quite exceptional for a reasonably inexperienced forward.

Joseph Ngere will play the 2020 season with the Tweed Heads Seagulls U20 Hastings Deering’s Colts squad and from there will look to take the next step towards signing with an NRL side if the opportunity presents.

Even though Joseph Ngere is a big strong powerful young man, his mobility meant that in previous seasons he has spent time in the second row but moving forward Joseph Ngere will more than likely line up in the front row and be one that can bend (or break) a defensive line for any team that he plays for.

From a player comparison perspective, Joseph Ngere has a similar playing style to fellow Northlands front rower, being North Queensland Cowboys NRL Development Squad player and former Townsville Blackhawk’s Hastings Deering’s Colts and Queensland Cup player Wiremu Greig. Both New Zealand born youngsters combine height, size, power and speed into their frames and only know one way to run and that is straight into the heart of an opposing defensive line.

Joseph Ngere is a big strong talented player but has had a number of injuries in recent seasons, if he can have an injury free run in 2020, it will be very interesting to see just how well Joseph Ngere performs including if he can push towards a Queensland Cup debut before the 2020 season reaches its conclusion.

mdrew

04-03-20, 06:10 PM

Stepharn Holo. The powerful young front rower and former Queensland U16 representative was part of the Sydney Roosters junior set-up for a number of season but will line-up for the Tweed Heads Seagulls U20 Hastings Deering’s Colts side in 2020.

Stepharn Holo started in the front row for the Queensland U16 side in 2017 in Queensland tough 22 – 16 loss to New South Wales. Team mates that night included Titans Eli Morgan (second row),Tristina Powell (second row), Will Evans who captianed the side from right centre and scoring and left winger Lofi Khan-Pereira who scored two of Queensland’s tries.

In 2017 Stepharn Holo represented South Coast at the U18 QSSRL Championships as a 16 year old and in 2019 was part of the Queensland U18 Emerging Origin Squad.

Stepharn Holo is a big strong front rower who is a powerful runner of the football, who knows only one way and that is straight ahead and can offload once he has impacted the defensive line or has crashed through it, in addition Stepharn Holo is quite effective when his team is attacking close to the try line. Stepharn Holo can either take the ball himself, and when he gets low he is very difficult to stop or he can run as a decoy and attract defenders away from the real axis of attack further out.

For a front rower Stepharn Holo does actually have quite decent speed and footwork, certainly well above average for a player of his size. Stepharn Holo does however seem to carry the ball in his right hand away from his body.

Stepharn Holo’s movement prior to engaging the defensive line is actually quite impressive, from the moment that he receives the ball from the dummy half he is moving subtly from side to side thus not allowing defences to key in on him.

Stepharn Holo is obviously suited to defending in the centre of the ruck rather that the fringes and will understandably have some trouble with nippy runners out of dummy half. Stepharn Holo’s calling card though is the strength and power to effectively engage the opposing forward early in their run and use his natural strength to win the forward battle in the centre of the ruck.

Stepharn Holo can defensively handle any one on one battle that presents itself. At times in games in the Queensland Cup he really does prevent opposing gaining any ground at all through the centre of the ruck.

As previously noted Stepharn Holo will play the 2020 season with the Tweed Heads Seagulls U20 Hastings Deering’s Colts side and is also Colts Eligible in 2021.

With his size and lower centre of gravity, Stepharn Holo is the ideal build to be an effective rugby league front rower both now and into the senior ranks of rugby league in coming seasons.

Stepharn Holo has a playing style for me that is very similar to that of Brisbane Bronco’s front row enforcer Matthew Lodge. Both are hard uncompromising front rowers who look to physically intimidate and dominate their opposition every time that they meet an opponent in either attack or defence.

mdrew

05-03-20, 06:23 PM

Tana Heron. Tana Heron was named on an extended bench the Northern Rivers Titans in Round One of the 2020 U16 Andrew Johns Cup against the Parramatta Eels at Cudgen however the match was cancelled due to the wet conditions.

Tana Heron started Round Two of the U16 Andrew Johns Cup from the bench against the Newcastle Knights in Ballina coming into the match late in the first half and operating in the middle of the field in his two stints in the match. Round Three against the Central Coast Roosters saw Tana Heron named on an extended interchange bench however he did not make the final 17 player squad for the match.

Round Four against the Greater Northern Tigers this Saturday sees Tana Heron back in the Northern Rives Titans match day 17 starting from the bench.

In 2019 Tana Heron started in the second row for the Group One U15 representative side at the New South Wales Country Age Championships and also represented Group One at the U14 level in 2018 primarily coming off the interchange bench in that season.

In 2019 Tana Heron played for the Kyogle Turkeys in the Group One U15 competition scoring twenty four points from four tries and four goals in eleven matches.

From an attacking perspective he is a big young man who will run straight and hard, but at this stage of his junior career he does not have a great deal of footwork to utilise prior to the line to prevent defences from focussing on him without the threat of late changes of direction. Due to his size however Tana Heron can absorb a lot of punishment and continue to make ground.

Where he does show flashes of ability is in relation to offloads, during games Tana Heron will pop some very good passes to his supports but he will continue to work on being more selective in his offloads. Regardless he does not shirk contact and seems the more physical the contest the more Tana Heron enjoys himself.

In defence Tana Heron is not an overly big hitter but definitely makes solid initial contact and is very effective at targeting the football in order to reduce the possibility of off loads. For a front rower his lateral movement is solid meaning that he can make tackles against smaller attackers running out of dummy half or on the back of off loads.

Post the 2020 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition Tana Heron will line up for the Kyogle Turkeys in the Group One U16.5 competition and may even sneak a match or two in the NRRRL U18 competition as the season progresses.

Even though Tana Heron has spent time in the second row in recent season, with his size and hard straight running I anticipate that the young man will ultimately find his niche in the front row for any team that he plays on into the future.

With his size and running style I believe a player comparison with North Queensland Cowboys and former New South Wales State of Origin and Australian International front rower Jordan McLean is more than appropriate for Tana Heron

mdrew

07-03-20, 10:21 AM

Kaya Anapa. The powerful front rower has moved down from Townsville where he attended Kirwan State High School and will part of the Keebra Park Open Rugby League side for the GIO and Langer Cup school boy competitions in 2020.

In 2019 Kaya Anapa was a key member of Kirwan’s Queensland GIO Cup Final win over Marsden State High School and also their GIO Cup National Final 16 – 10 win over Westfield Sports High, scoring in both Final’s victories.

The pace and power in terms of how Kaya Anapa runs the ball is the outstanding feature, he takes the ball to the line with speed, but he does not just put his head down and rush forward. He uses subtle footwork prior to the line and seems to targets the gaps between defenders and will actively seek out opposing forwards who are slow to move up.

Kaya Anapa’s movement prior to engaging the defensive line is actually quite impressive, from the moment that he receives the ball from the dummy half he is moving subtly from side to side thus not allowing defences to key in on him.

When the opposition are on the back foot Kaya Anapa will target the smaller defenders on the edge of the ruck and burst through and for a big young bloke he has very good speed over the medium term and has the strength to drag defenders with him after contact has been made.

Close to the line Kaya Anapa was very effective for Kirwan State High School and scored a number of tries from reasonably close range near the goal posts, including in the GIO Cup Queensland and National Finals where he just carried multiple opposing forwards over the line with him.

Kaya Anapa is aggressive in defence whether he is defending in the centre of the ruck or wider on the fringes, and due to his natural strength is more than capable of defending one on one and can and will stop even the biggest opposing forwards in their tracks and targets the area around where the attackers carry the football.

Kaya Anapa’s speed and lateral movement means that he will not be beaten by light stepping halves trying to take advantage of tiring forwards or the opposition running out of dummy half. For a big front rower Kaya Anapa has impressive mobility and speed, especially off the mark.

In addition to playing for Keebra Park in the Langer and GIO Cup competitions amongst others in 2020, Kaya Anapa will line up for the Easts Tigers in the MM Cup competition and may even play a match or two for the Tigers in the U20 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition post the MM Cup.

Kaya Anapa was exceptional from the bench for Kirwan State High School in 2019 coming on and playing significant minutes in the front row and he will surely continue in that position as his rugby league career progresses to the senior ranks over the next season or two.

Whilst Kaya Anapa was used primarily off the bench for Kirwan in their successful GIO Cup campaign in 2019, it should not be considered a given that Kaya Anapa’s role going forward will be as an impact player coming off the bench, he is more than capable of playing very effectively whilst playing extended minutes thus without doubt Kaya Anapa is a quality starting option for any team.

From an NRL player comparison perspective, a player with a similar skill set and playing style to Kaya Anapa is former Brisbane Bronco’s front rower George Fai who is currently playing rugby. Both Kaya Anapa and Fai are hard powerful ball runners who will also hit hard from a defensive perspective.

mdrew

11-03-20, 05:06 PM

Delahia Wigmore. The former Cairns Brothers junior has made an immediate impression on the Gold Coast since has move south being named in the 2020 Gold Coast Vikings U16 Training Squad.

In 2019 Delahia Wigmore represented Peninsula in the second row at the QSSRL U15 School Boy Championships performing well in a high quality competition.

In relation to club rugby league Delahia Wigmore, prior to this season played for Cairns Brothers, in 2019 playing in both the Cairns and Districts Junior Rugby League U15 and U16 competitions in the second row position.

Delahia Wigmore had a particularly impressive 2018 season in the Cairns U14 competitions scoring ninety eight points from twenty two tries and five goals from jut thirteen matches.

Delahia Wigmore had an outstanding match in late 2018 scoring a hat trick against Southern Suburbs. Delahia Wigmore’s first try came when he packed into a scrum at lock, picking up the ball from that position after Brothers won the scrum from their own feed. Delahia Wigmore took off to his left, producing a left foot step immediately upon clearing the scrum base. Delahia Wigmore then produced an outstanding right foot step to beat the main Southern Suburbs defensive line before a further left foot step wrong footed the cover defence to score in the left corner.

Delahia Wigmore’s second try of the match and second in the first half resulted from a left foot step that Delahia Wigmore produced when he took a hit-up to the right of the play the ball. With the step Delahia Wigmore got half way through the defensive line, he then continued to pump his legs dragging two defenders with him over the line to score under the posts.

Delahia Wigmore’s final try of the match that he scored in the second half came when he took the ball two passes off the ruck to the left of the play the ball and beat three defenders through sheer power to score next to the left upright.

Delahia Wigmore is a tall, rangy outstanding athlete and this can be seen when be he is running with the ball. In his carries he rarely takes a hit up without movement, Delihia Wigmore uses foot work prior to the line to look to break through as well as cutting either cutting back in behind the play the ball or cutting out towards the smaller defenders on the fringes of the ruck.

Delahia Wigmore runs ‘fast’ into the defensive and his foot work prior to the line enables him to get partly through the line quite often, certainly more so than you would expect for a backrower taking the ball through the centre of the ruck.

One reason for this is that Delihia Wigmore is a smart footballer, he does not try to run over defenders, but he runs at the gaps between defenders and uses his running speed to break through if defenders only use their arms on the tackle. Delahia Wigmore will also continue to pump his legs after contact adding another dimension to his ball running took kit and adding to the reasons that he is difficult to tackle.

Delahia Wigmore does not necessarily have a great top end speed, but he is certainly more than fast enough to get through to the full back prior to the arrival of the cover defence. Delahia Wigmore would be one of the faster back rowers running around in Queensland for his age group I would attest based on my observations.

Playing on the right hand side of the field seemingly more often, means that his right foot step and his fending using his left hand are the effective attributes, but based on his physical attributes, his skill set and his understanding of how to play the game means that I have no doubt that these attributes are transferrable to playing on the left hand side of the field.

In defence Delahia Wigmore regularly is the first player up to target the ball carriers, even though he is not one of the bigger forwards in his team and will make solid initial contact as well as having the ability of defending one on one. When the opportunity presents Delahia Wigmore has the ability to hit very hard, by setting a good base and driving through his lower body and core into his opponent.

Ultimately though Delahia Wigmore is a strong defender with a good front on tackling technique and good lateral movement to track and engage smaller opponents either on the fringes or centre of the ruck.

In 2020 Delahia Wigmore will play for the Ormeau Shearers in the Gold Coast Rugby League U16 Division One competition.

With his size and speed combination Delahia Wigmore looks set to continue to be an outstanding rugby league second rower in coming seasons and it this early stage of his career, one that can operate on both sides of the ruck.

With the combination of size and speed that he has at his disposal, Delahia Wigmore has qualities that are similar to the Titans own outstanding second row prospect Darius Farmer. Both just ooze class and potential.

mdrew

13-03-20, 04:09 PM

Brenton Daley-Holten. (Updated) After missing some playing time, Brenton Daley-Holten is back on the field to start the 2020 season and is part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls U20 Hastings Deering’s squad including playing in the Tweed Heads Colts side that played the U23 NRRRL representative side in a February 2020 trial.

The former Titans linked back was part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad in 2018 but did not play in any of the rounds and in 2019 was part of the Bilambil Jets GCRL First Grade side.

Like in previous seasons, Brenton Daley-Holten played in the Gold Coast Rugby League competition with the Bilambil Jets in 2018 playing in eleven U19 matches including the finals series. Brenton Daley-Holten’s only regular season points were from a conversion against the Ormeau Shearers.

In Week One of the GCRL U19 finals series, Brenton Daley-Holten started in the centres for Bilambil as they went down 38 – 8 to Southport.

Week Two of the finals series saw Bilambil bounce back to defeated Mudgeeraba 54 – 26 with Brenton Daley-Holten starting in the centres and scoring his first try of the season.

In the Preliminary Final against Currumbin, Brenton Daley-Holten started in the centres once again against as Bilambil went down 36 – 26 to the Currumbin Eagles.

Brenton Daley-Holten had a great 2017 season which commenced with a spot in the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup side and from there Brenton Daley-Holten had an outstanding season in the Gold Coast Rugby League competition with the Bilambil Jets in the U17 Division One, U19 and first grade competitions.

Benton Daley-Holten has been with the Titans for a number of years now and has already played multiple matches for Titans junior development squads across a number of age groups.

For the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup side in 2017, Brenton Daley-Holten played in all six of their matches, starting the first three matches on the wing and the final three at fullback. Across the six matches Brenton Daley-Holten scored four tries, scoring in Round One against the Ipswich Jets, Round Two against Victoria, Rounds Seven against the Norths Devils and Round Eight against Souths Logan.

Upon the completion of the 2017 MM Cup competition, Brenton Daley-Holten played for the Bilambil Jets in the Gold Coast Rugby League competition, playing one match at the U19 level which came against Ormeau in July, eleven in the U17 Division One competition including scoring a late season double when he started at fullback. Brenton Daley-Holten’s other U19 tries came against Ormeau on two separate occasions and Mudgeeraba.

Brenton Daley-Holten made his Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade debut on Sunday 23 July 2017 against Runaway Bay scoring a double and the following week scored a hat trick against Currumbin to have a great start to his Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade career. All told in 2017 Brenton Daley-Holten played in three Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade matches scoring five tries.

In his debut Brenton Daley-Holten produced a Man of the Match performance after starting on the right wing, including in the first half an outstanding run after retrieving a kick from his own in goal. After taking the ball Brenton Daley-Holton beat the initial Runaway Bay defender with a deft step before splitting the Seagulls defence through the middle and initially rounding the fullback before being reigned in after a sixty metre run.

Brenton Daley-Holten’s first try came when he received the ball five metres out from the Runaway Bay line after a backline movement by the Jets. When he took the ball Brenton Daley-Holten was stationary and right on the touch line, but he produced a right foot step away from the sideline and got down low to dive over.

Brenton Daley-Holten’s second row was a spectacular effort, Bilambil put up a mid-field bomb which Brenton Daely-Holten jumped over the pack to take, critically maintaining his feet when he landed and immediately took off running thirty metres to score under the posts.

In 2016 Brenton Daley-Holten was part of the South Tweed U16 side that won their Group 18 junior rugby league grand final 34-6 over the Bilambil Jets and has played in multiple Gold Coast Titans Development Squad matches over the last couple of seasons.

From a representative perspective Brenton Daley-Holten also had a very good season in 2016 representing Group 18 at the U16 level and then progressing to being selected in the East Coast Dolphins U16 side for the New South Wales Country age championships where he was selected on the wing and played in all four of their matches, including a semi-final loss to Newcastle. Brenton Daley-Holten has previously represented Group 18 at the U14 level in 2014 where he played a couple of games at five eight.

Brenton Daley-Holten played the majority of his football in 2016 in the centres, except for time on the wing for the East Coast Dolphins U16 side but in 2017 he has also spent time at fullback, certainly when playing for his club side and in that position, is a strong runner of the football.

Whilst in does not have blinding speed off the mark, Brenton Daley-Holten does have decent speed overall but I would not consider it at the plus level and can break tackles by running over his direct opposite defender as well as using a very good fend, when he gets to the outside, this prevents defenders from getting he under his ribs and thus he can maintain his running line under defensive pressure rather than being forced towards the sideline.

One skill that Brenton Daley-Holten does possess when playing in the centre position is a more than decent in and away and he will wait until the last possible minute to step to commit the defender before getting on his outside reducing the time for his direct opponent to react to his movement.

In terms of his defence, he obviously during the course of this year, defended in multiple positions and in each position Brenton Daley-Holten commits wholeheartedly to every tackle. His initial contact is more than solid and is more than enough to stop the momentum of the ball carrier immediately upon contact.

Brenton Daley-Holten is also effective at wrapping the ball up and preventing offloads. Due to his current attributes he is more effective when his team is using an up and in style of defensive strategy rather than a sliding methodology.

In 2020 Brenton Daley-Holten is part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls U20 Hastings Deering’s Colts squad.

A long term position perspective for Brenton Daley-Holten is a little more clouded, he has played, wing, centre, fullback and five eight so far in club and representative rugby league, but based on his skill and physical attributes, I am leaning towards centre being his best position in the short term, but I would not rule out a move to the back row as Brenton Daley-Holten progresses through the senior rugby league competitions. I note that Brenton Daley – Holten has spent time in the second row for the Tweed Heads Colts side in there trials for the 2020 season.

From a player comparison perspective for Brenton Daley-Holten I think that you could look at either of the Morris brothers for a suitable playing comparison, being that of a big strong, fast, powerful centre who as well as being dominant defensively will create things in attack when give the ball early with space for them to create for either themselves or team mates.

Brenton Daley-Holten has had an interrupted run the last couple of season’s but that does not in any way impact on his long term projection. This young man is an exceptional talent and is one to keep an eye on in the future.

mdrew

19-03-20, 09:29 AM

Alex Fisher. The Former Australian Universities 2018 representative Alex Fisher joined the Burleigh Bears Hastings Deering’s Colts squad this season after training with the Norths Sydney Bears Jersey Flegg squad in 2019.

Alex Fisher started Round One of the 2020 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition for the Burleigh Bears from the bench against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls playing in the second row when he was on the field in the Bears first up victory.

In 2019 after representing the New South Wales Tertiary side starting from the bench against Queensland Universities (Queensland won 28 – 10). Alex Fisher also started from the bench for the Australian Universities side on their South African tour in 2018 including their victory over the South African Schools side in their International clash.

In 2018 the former Glenn Innes Magpies junior played in the U18 Illawarra competition whilst attending the University of Wollongong.

Alex Fisher is a talented wide running backrower with a decent turn of speed once he breaks through the line and will outpace all but the quickest cover defenders. Alex Fisher has the ability to use footwork before the line, especially on the ends of the ruck where he has a good in and away as well as a very good fend to complement his footwork, Alex Fisher can also throw a solid short pass in those situations as well, where he tries to wait as long as possible before popping the short pass.

On top of those attributes, Alex Fisher is impressive at running a good line on the fringes of the ruck and constantly picks the right holes to run into thus making the play makers on his team look good. He will also take his share of runs in the middle where he uses foot work prior to the line so as not to constantly absorb big hits against, usually much larger opposition forwards.

Alex Fisher is also a disciplined player who does not often give away penalties or makes silly mistakes and also has good hands, including the ability to drag in passes that are behind him.

Defensively he looks to wrap up the ball on initial contact, he will not constantly come up with big hits, but will rarely miss tackles and also covers across the field very well, meaning Alex Fisher is usually in good positions to make a tackle if the ball is turned back inside and also to make cover defending tackles if breaks are made wider out.

Alex Fisher is also quick enough to get to most outside backs in cover defence. Due to his above average speed for his position speed, tackling technique and positional sense he is usually at or near the top of the tackle count for his team.

Alex Fisher will play the remainder of the 2020 season with the Burleigh Bears U20 Hastings Deering’s Colts side and will also look to push for an opportunity with the Burleigh Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade side as the season progresses.

At a mobile 185cm and 96kg Alex Fisher has the ideal size and speed combination for a modern day rugby league second rower and that is where Alex Fisher will stay for the duration of his rugby league career.

From a current NRL player perspective, Alex Fisher is a bit smaller from a physical stand point, but Alex Fisher has a similar playing style to fellow red head, Canberra Raiders NRL forward Corey Horsburgh. Both are tough young men who relish the physical contact that comes with playing rugby league at or near the highest level and are both all heart and all effort types of players

mdrew

20-03-20, 04:45 PM

Michael White. The former Lower Clarence Magpies junior was named on an extended bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls Hastings Deering’s Colts side in their 2020 Round One match against the Northern Pride but in the end did not make his debut in the match last weekend.

Prior to his move to Tweed Heads Michael White was a stand out in his two seasons in the U18 NRRRL competition with the Magpies playing primarily in the halves in Lower Clarence’s Black and White.

Michael White is just a superb mover seemingly gliding across the field effortlessly with outstanding balance, body control and exquisite hand eye co-ordination which has been aided by playing hockey at a very high level. Seriously Michael White’s running style looks just effortless and perfectly balanced and is undertaken at speed.

It is hard to put in words just how talented Michael White is in terms of running the ball, he has outstanding speed both off the mark which I would consider in the plus plus category and top end speed which must be considered plus regardless of position.

Michael White with his pace is able to exploit even the smallest of gaps in the defensive line with an exceptional step off either foot and incredible acceleration as well as outstanding balance and body control. When Michael White steps, regardless of the size of the step or in which direction there is absolutely no loss of speed or momentum as he moves to his new vector and continues on.

It is that speed trait which opens up his incredible ball playing skills as well. Teams start to focus heavily on Michael White when he has the ball with outside defenders looking to come in to assist that they open up holes wider out in the defensive line that Michael White can exploit.

Michael White has exquisite timing on his passes and is able to weight them perfectly as well and can do so from either side of his body. Adding in this is that Michael White can stop on a dime even travelling at full speed and pop the short pass, thus it looks for all money that he is going to run the ball thus the defence converges and then the ball is delivered to a support runner who is through a hole before the defensive line can readjust.

Michael White also runs with the ball in both hands out in front of his body which is another reason why the defensive line is unable to determine exactly what Michael White is going to do with the ball at any given time. By the time that they have figured it out it is usually too late to stop Michael White.

Michael White just seems to have all of the time in the world to do what he wants on a rugby league field and is just so calm and composed and seemingly always two or three plays ahead of the opposition and his own team mates on occasion to be honest.

Defensively Michael White is a very strong young man with exceptional functional strength to go along with an innate understanding of the attacking strategies of rugby league thus he is able to anticipate what an attacking side is looking to do with the ball and then be in the best position to negate it.

Michael White has a very good low tackling technique which is simple and repeatable and effective against all size opponents and thus there is no need for a defensive minder on Michael White’s side of the field.

Michael White is also Colts eligible in 2021 and thus is set for a second season with Tweed Heads in the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition in 2021.

Michael White from what I understand played exclusively at five eight or half this season in school boy and club rugby league and I can really see him making a name for himself at five eight in particular over the next season or two in the Group Two First Grade competition for the Grafton Ghosts.

In saying that however with his speed, body control, elusiveness and ball skills from playing in the halves regularly I would really like to see how Michael White’s skills and athletic ability would translate to the fullback position where he would have more room to move and be in a position to be the second receiver when the ball is played out the back by the half or five eight. I think that Michael White would be dynamic in the custodian role.

From my perspective, a talented, unselfish attacking player with similar attributes to Michael White is North Queensland Cowboys and former Melbourne Storm fullback or five eight Scott Drinkwater. Like Drinkwater, Michael White has great acceleration to go along with a wicked sidestep off both feet, and the play making skills to make opposition teams pay if defences look to focus too much on him rather than his support runners or if individual defenders come out of the line too quickly.

Also like Drinkwater, Michael White has the skill set and potential to play multiple positions and play them very effectively

mdrew

21-03-20, 04:40 PM

Taiti Avaemai. Taiti Avaemai was named to start in the second for the Northern Rivers Titans in Round One of the 2020 U16 Andrew Johns Cup against the Parramatta Eels at Cudgen however the match was cancelled due to the wet conditions in Northern New South Wales that particular weekend.

Taiti Avaemai was back in the Northern Rivers Titans side starting from the bench in Round Four against the Greater Northern Tigers playing in the right second row position when he came on in his two stints in the match.

Round Five saw Taiti Avaemai named on the extended bench for the “local derby” against North Coast but he did not make the final squad for the match.

In 2019 the PBC student was selected on the inter change bench for the Group 18 U15 representative side for the New South Wales Country Age Championships and played for the Tugun Seahawks in the Group 18 U15 competition.

From an attacking perspective, Taiti Avaemai has a wide running mindset for a backrower with a very good turn of speed once he breaks through the line. Like all good running backrowers though, he takes his share of runs in the middle of the ruck but he is impressive at running good lines on the fringes of the ruck and constantly picks the right holes to run into although he is not averse to running straight over people if the situation warrants.

Taiti Avaemai’s determination is one aspect that enables him to be in the right place at the right time. He is a hard runner and does not give up on the run until the opposition puts him on the ground, as a consequence, he makes a lot more metres for his team than he has a right to and with his determination he will also on occasion break clear of the defenders totally. I would consider that he runs ‘tough’ with the ball in his hands.

Taiti Avaemai in his junior rugby league career to date has defended both in the edge of the ruck and well as through the middle. Taiti Avaemai was quietly effective in both situations from both a quality and quantity perspective. Taiti Avaemai’s initial contact is solid and is more than enough to stop the momentum of the ball carrier and effect the majority of his tackles one on one. Taiti Avaemai is also effective at wrapping the ball up and preventing offloads.

While Taiti Avaemai hits hard, but I would not call it aggressive per say, but he is just tough in his approach to his defence. I do not necessarily think that Taiti Avaemai’s defensive work will stand out because he is not going to come up with a huge hit which will get people on their feet, but Taiti Avaemai will do a lot of work and will likely always finish at or near the top of the tackle count regardless of the level and standard of football he is playing.

Post the 2020 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition Taiti Avaemai will line up for the Tugun Seahawks in the Group 18 U16 competition as well as representing PBC in their multiple school boy rugby league competitions such as the Langer B competition amongst others.

Taiti Avaemai is not necessarily a big rugby league second rower by any means but he makes up for that with his effort, speed and mobility around the field and they are two of the reasons that I believe that Taiti Avaemai will stay in the second row for the duration of his rugby league career.

From a player comparison perspective for , Taiti Avaemai someone with a similar playing style that could be used for a comparison perspective would be the Brisbane Broncos captain and second rower and New Zealand International Alex Glenn as a strong hard running, solid tackling quietly effective second rower.

mdrew

22-03-20, 12:39 PM

Callis Quinn-Armstrong. The young man’s move to the Gold Coast from New Zealand paid immediate dividends with Callis Quinn-Armstrong being named in the 2020 Gold Coast Vikings U16 Training Squad for the U16 Pre-season South East Queensland Challenge which unfortunately was cancelled due to the pandemic.

In 2019 Callis Quinn-Armstrong represented the Central Vipers regional representative side in the New Zealand U15 National Youth Tournament starting all five if the Vipers matches at fullback, scoring in Match Two against the Counties Manukau Stingrays and against the Auckland Vulcans in the Vipers final match of the Tournament.

Callis Quinn Armstrong’s other matches in the 2019 New Zealand U15 National Youth Tournament were against the Wai-Coa Bay Stallions in Match One, Auckland Vulcans in Match Three and in Match Four against the Northern Swords.

2019 also saw Callis Quinn-Armstrong represent New Plymouth Boys High at the U15 level in rugby including being selected in their squad for the 2019 U15 Napier School Boy Rugby Tournament. Callis Quinn-Armstrong also represented New Plymouth Boys High in 2018 at the U14 Colquhoun School Boy Rugby Tournament. In rugby for New Plymouth Boys High, Callis Quinn-Armstrong primarily played at half (No. 9) in 2018 and 2019.

Callis Quinn-Armstrong also represented New Plymouth Boys High in 2019 in touch including being part of their First VI at the New Zealand National School Boy Touch Championships. An impressive achievement for a fifteen year old young man.

In 2018 Callis Quinn-Armstrong was named on the wing for the 2018 U14 New Zealand Maori Tama All-Tournament team after playing for Taranaki Maori in the tournament. Also selected in the All-Tournament Team in 2018 were Titans Levon Pure (interchange) and Jeremaiah Temparo (second row).

When Callis Quinn-Armstrong runs the ball, he is exceptionally quick and explosive, with exceptional speed, both off the mark and when he gets into open space, teams in his age group in the Group One junior competition just could not handle him when he had the ball. He also can step off both feet exceptionally well and also has a great swerve whilst maintaining top speed.

There is nothing that Callis Quinn-Armstrong cannot do running the ball and it is only now about developing his ball playing skills to make his footwork and running ability even more lethal. In attack Callis Quinn-Armstrong also played up in the line quite often and was his team’s primary attacking option.

In addition Callis Quinn-Armstrong also has the ball playing skills to set up his support runners and get them lines to run into when defenders came out of the line to negate his time with the ball in hand. Callis Quinn-Armstrong has become adept at drawing defenders out of the line and putting his support runners into the subsequent hole. As his play making skills continue to evolve, the attacking possibilities are endless in relation to Callis Quinn-Armstrong are endless.

In terms of running the ball back from kicks, Callis Quinn-Armstrong ‘s timing and anticipation means that he gets to a lot of balls on the full and makes a quick decision whether to run the ball flat out back into the oncoming defenders or look to create an opportunity by running across field. Regardless Callis Quinn-Armstrong is an absolute handful to tackle with his speed and evasion skills.

Defensively Callis Quinn-Armstrong is a solid one on one defender who will put his shoulder into the tackle and will mirror the movement of his direct opponent and adjust on the move prior to committing to the tackle.

In rugby the No. 9 always has a lot of traffic directed at them especially giant opposition flankers and No. 8’s thus there can be no doubt that Callis Quinn-Armstrong has the courage and skill set to be a very effective defender regardless of the size of the opponent running at him.

In 2020 Callis Quinn-Armstrong will play for the Beaudesert Kingfishers in the Gold Coast Rugby League U16 competition.

With his ability to gain separation from his opponent, sound positional sense, and passing ability to both sides of his body which were evidenced in the Gold Coast Vikings U16 trials, fullback seems to be Callis Quinn-Armstrong’s ideal position but for the next couple of seasons at least I anticipate Callis Quinn-Armstrong will continue to play a variety of positions.

An NRL player comparison perspective for Callis Quinn-Armstrong is an intriguing one, I think for me the most appropriate player comparison would be former North Queensland Cowboy and New Zealand International Te Marie Martin, both are elusive runners and both have underappreciated game management skills.

mdrew

28-03-20, 07:27 AM

Mikey Williams. (Revised) After missing the last portion of the 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts season through injury it is great to see Mikey Williams in the Burleigh Bears Queensland Cup squad for the 2020 season.

Mikey Williams started on the bench for the Burleigh Queensland Cup side in their February 2020 trial against the Titans at Pizzey Park. Mikey Williams also started on the right wing for the Burleigh A Grade side in their late February 2020 trial against the Tweed Heads Seagulls.

The powerful centre or winger started off the 2019 season where he finished the 2018 one when he scored a typically impressive try for the Burleigh U20 Hastings Deering’s Colts side in their 24 all Round One match against Norths at Bishop Park.

Against Norths Mikey Williams started at right centre, he cut back inside splitting the Norths defence and then crashed over in the fullbacks tackle literally right on the right upright to score his first try of the 2019 season.

In total in the 2019 U20 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition Mikey Williams played in six matches for Burleigh and was regularly one of their stand outs. In his six games Mikey Williams scored three tries for a 50% try scoring strike rate.

In addition to his Round One try against Norths Mikey Williams also scored against Ipswich in Round Two and Wynnum Manly in Round Six.

As noted Mikey Williams started Round One in the centres and also started there in Round Two against Ipswich before starting on the wing in Round Three against Tweed Heads and also starting on the wing in Round Four. Mikey Williams moved back to the centres for Rounds Five and Six.

Mikey Williams try against Ipswich was as a result of a dummy half run when he powered through the defenders on the goal line who had no chance to stop him.

Mikey Williams also had an outstanding pre-season in 2019 dominating in trials against both Easts and Tweed Heads. Against Easts Mikey Williams scored a double and also had a try assist when he offloading an outstanding pass under pressure from three defenders.

Against Tweed Heads Mikey Williams also scored and had an outstanding run returning a Seagulls drop out and getting the ball to within a metres of the line.

The young Auckland New Zealand born centre moved over to Australia for the 2018 season and started the season as part of the Burleigh Bears U20 Hastings Deering’s Colts side starting in the centres in their 28 – 24 victory over the Sunshine Coast Falcons in Round One.

After playing in nine matches for Burleigh in the U20 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition in 2018, Mikey Williams was promoted to the Burleigh Bears Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade side and has not looked back, alternating between playing on the wing and in the centres.

After his move from the Colts competition, Mikey Williams played in eleven GCRL First Grade regular season matches, scoring seven tries including a double on debut against the Bilambil Jets in late May and also a double against Ormeau.

As noted above Mikey Williams started the 2018 season as part of the Burleigh Bears Hastings Deering’s U20 Colts side and prior to his promotion started in the centres in all nine of Burleigh’s Colts matches. Mikey Williams last Colts match was in Round Eleven against the Easts Tigers.

In those nine matches, Mikey Williams scored four tries, the first of which came in Round Four against Souths Logan. His other tries came in Round Six against the Western Mustangs, Round Eight against Central Queensland and Round Nine against the Townsville Blackhawks.

2017 saw Mikey Williams play a lot of matches for both his school boy side, being Auckland’s St Pauls College and well as in the SAS Fox Memorial competition which is essentially an Auckland based U20 competition with the standard being quite high as well.

In 2017 Mikey Williams was part of the St Pauls First XIII side that won the SAS College Open Rugby League Championship for the third straight season with a victory over Kelston Boys High for whom new Burleigh Bears MM Cup player Larryon Tevita started at lock. Mikey Williams was also part of the 2016 St Pauls Open side.

To cap off a great 2017 rugby league season, Mikey Williams was named in the 2017 SAS College Rugby League team of the year in the centres with Burleigh MM Cup and Colts player Larryon Tevita named at lock.

Mikey Williams also took home the leading try scorer of the season award with eight tries including a double in a victory over Aorere College in one of the early rounds of the competition in a dominant display.

Mikey Williams played in the SAS Fox Memorial competition for Richmond, playing in a total of twelve matches scoring four tries including a double in June against the Te Atatu Roosters and tries in consecutive weeks against the Mangere East Hawks and Mt Albert. Mikey Williams also played one match in the 2017 SAS Fox Memorial Premier competition, which is the Auckland equilivant to the Gold Coast Rugby League First grade competition, an impressive feat for an 18 year old school boy.

In 2017 Mikey Williams was also selected in a New Zealand Select U18 side that played against the Australian School Boys with Mikey Williams starting on the interchange bench for the New Zealanders.

Mikey Williams made the New Zealand Select side after starting in the centres for the U18 New Zealand Residents side in their 28 – 10 victory over New Zealand Taurahere with Mikey Williams scoring in the match. Mikey Williams was also selected for the New Zealand U18 side in 2017.

A team mate in the U18 New Zealand Residents side was former Tweed Heads Seagulls U20 Colts recruit Aublix Tawha and opponents in the New Zealand Taurahere side was Titans contracted Darius Farmer, who was a team mate in the Burleigh Bears Colts side and Burleigh First Grade side.

From an additional representative perspective Mikey Williams has represented the Akarana Falcons at the U15 level in 2014 and U17 level in 2015 in the New Zealand National Age Championships, scoring three tries in 2014 and one in 2015.

In attack one of the positives in how Mikey Williams plays is when he is given the ball early he seems to have a lot of room to move and this is something that he is able to exploit. When he gets the ball early Mikey Williams is able to the opposing centre on the inside and out pace the converging cover defence.

Whilst he is a big strong powerful young centre, Mikey Williams also has a myriad of attacking moves, including a great in and away, and also being able to cut back on the inside of his defender if they over commit to the outside.

I would consider that Mikey Williams speed would in the above average category for a centre, add his power and strong fend and you really have a young centre who could develop in anything on a football field. Mikey Williams must be a five eight’s dream, when he gets the ball early he seems to cause real havoc for the defensive line.

In 2019 Mikey Williams has been the player that Tweed Heads has relied on to take the first hit-up from scrums in their own territory, one memorably run was early in the season against Tweed Heads when Mikey Williams took the ball on his own three quarter line breaking tackle after tackle before being dragged down from behind by Tweed’s and Titans second rower Blake Campbell about ten metres from the Burleigh try line.

Defensively Mikey Williams hits very hard and constantly is in a position to disrupt the attacking movement of the opposition. I would suggest that he would be more than capable to adapt and excel in either an up and in or sliding methodology.

The other point I will make is that he certainly does not shirk contact, both in attack or defence. Mikey Williams clearly has a strong appreciation of the defensive aspect of the game in that he knows when to come in and when to slide and let the play develop prior to committing.

Mikey Williams was to have played the 2020 season in the Queensland Cup with the Burleigh Bears.

Mikey Williams is a solid strong fast and powerful young man who has the physical and skill attributes to make a career on the wing for the duration of his rugby league career and at 180cm and 105kg has the size to be a difference maker from that position.

Recently returned Titans cult figure Greg Leleisiuao is the ideal player comparison for the talented and powerful Mikey Williams. Like Leleisiuao, Mikey Williams has the speed, elusiveness, strength and line running ability teams crave for on the wing in the modern game.

Over the last two seasons Mikey Williams has been a more than pleasant surprise since his move to the Gold Coast that may pay a huge future dividend for the Titans.

mdrew

28-03-20, 07:46 AM

Braden Teuila. The left second rower or centre was part of one of the Titans U15 squads that played in a three team round robin set of matches at Pizzey Park in February 2020 in hot and muggy conditions.

The former Brisbane Bronco’s junior development squad member was part of the Logan Brothers U14 Division One side in 2019 playing in fifteen matches in Logan Brothers yellow and green scoring eight tries in finish with a solid 53.33% try scoring strike rate.

One of his best matches of the 2019 season came when Braden Teuila was outstanding for Logan Brothers in their heart breaking late two point loss to the unbeaten at the time Souths Acacia Ridge side at Civic Park, Logan. That Sunday afternoon Braden Teuila terrorised the Magpies right side defence for the entire hard fought match.

In 2019 Braden Teuila also started three matches in the second row for the South East Queensland Green U14 representative side scoring on Day Two against Northern. In 2018 Braden Teuila was named in the U13 Brisbane Stingers representative squad.

In 2017 Braden Teuila represented Met East in the Queensland School U12 Championships starting all of Met East’s matches in the second row.

Braden Teuila is a quick powerful second rower or centre with a fluid running style with a classic centre/second rowers build with the ability to stand up his direct opposite and then beat him with pace on the outside. In terms of his playing style, the in and away is Braden Teuila’s bread and butter play.

Braden Teuila has very good speed off the mark and can break to the outside quickly with no loss of speed, couple that with long arms, which he uses to great effect with a powerful fend makes him difficult to tackle as defenders cannot get under his reach and disrupt his balance, speed or running line.

These traits were on display on multiple occasions in 2019 in the U14 Division One Greater Brisbane Junior Rugby League competition and I can recall two matches in particular at their home ground at Civic Park Logan that Braden Teuila utilised those traits with those matches being against North Lakes and the a fore mentioned match against Souths Acacia Ridge. Braden Teuila was also outstanding in an away match against Carina that I attended when he was the catalyst for an outstanding Logan Brothers effort that day.

When opposing centres/second rowers are able to get hold of him, Braden Teuila is usually is able to maintain his balance as well as his running line and keeps an arm free, looking to offload if presented with the opportunity.

Braden Teuila has far more tools though than just an in and away, he will also use his size and strength to run straight over smaller opposing centres as well as also having the skill to step back inside of the defender if he is pushing to the outside too early.

What Braden Teuila is also adept at doing is timing his pass to his outside supports if the outside defender looks to come in and help defend him allowing an overlap to develop on the outside.

Due to his size and strength, Braden Teuila is a very good defender regardless of position. He will not necessarily hit hard, but Braden Teuila is very good at mirroring the movement of the opposing player and wrapping him up ball and all. Braden Teuila is also quick enough to recover and chase if the opposition gets on the outside and his long reach and strong hands are also a positive attribute in those situations.

From a team defensive methodology stand point, Braden Teuila seems to be very comfortable in a sliding defensive scheme where he can use his speed and body control to their best advantage by allowing the play to develop in front of him before committing to an appropriate course of action to shut it down. In saying that Braden Teuila has the timing and anticipation to be able to come out of the line if the situation warrants to stop an attacking play in its tracks before it can evolve to its ultimate conclusion.

Braden Teuila will play the 2020 season with Logan Brothers in the Greater Brisbane Junior Rugby League U15 Premier Division competition. Braden Teuila will also play for Marsden State High School in the Mako’s various school boy rugby league competitions and he will also push for a spot in the Met East U15 side for the 2020 QSSRL U15 Championships.

Braden Teuila played left second row and left centre for Logan Brothers in 2019 and also for the U14 South East Queensland Green representative side and shapes to stay on the left for the for see able future either in the centres or second row.

In relation to a current NRL player with a similar playing style to Braden Teuila my observations would suggest that Brisbane Broncos and Tongan International centre Ketone Staggs is a similar player. Taking into account that they operate on opposite sides of the field at present, both Staggs and Braden Teuila are tough, quick, aggressive and deceptively strong ball runners who know their way to the try line and get there with uncanny regularly.

Similarly Staggs and Braden Teuila both are outstanding defenders with a technique first approach to that aspect of their game but they also make sure the opponent knows who tackled them.

mdrew

28-03-20, 08:14 AM

Tanu Nona. Tanu Nona was named to start at hooker for the Northern Rivers Titans in Round One of the 2020 U16 Andrew Johns Cup against the Parramatta Eels at Cudgen however the match was cancelled due to the wet conditions in Northern New South Wales at that time.

Tanu Nona started Round Two of the U16 Andrew Johns Cup at hooker against the Newcastle Knights in Ballina. Tanu Nona was involved in an old fashioned mouse trap play late in the match. Tanu Nona ran over the top of the ball to the right of the play the ball leaving the ball to right centre Michael Roberts who took off to the left and forced his way over the try line from close range to ensure the Titans 28 – 22 victory.

Tanu Nona also spent the majority of his time on the field packing in at lock when the Titans had the scrum feed and it was from this situation that he was part of a set play from the scrum base that led to a try to Titans right winger Jamal Laurie. The ball went through Tanu Nona’s hands to Harvey Moase who was able to put Jamal Laurie away down the touch line.

Tanu Nona also started at hooker in Round Three against the Central Coast Roosters and for me was close to if not the Titans best in their 28 – 22 victory, scoring a try and having a big hand in another.

Tanu Nona’s try was an outstanding individual effort in the first half. With the Central Coast defence back peddling Tanu Nona exploded out of dummy half to the right of the play the ball around about twenty five metres out from the line and was just too quick and strong for the Central Coast defence, scoring near the left upright after breaking through a number of tackles.

In the second half, Tanu Nona ran out of dummy half to the right of the play the ball and was able to get a one armed (right arm) pass away to Michael Roberts whilst engaged with the defensive line to send Michael Roberts away down the right side of the field from his second try.

Tanu Nona also started at hooker in Round Four against the Greater Northern Tigers and added another try assist when he threw a perfectly weighted long pass out of dummy half to his left for Damon Coldwell to score in the corner from close range. The pass was perfectly weighted because as well as needing to cover an extended distance, the pass had to be looped over a defender who had come out of the line. Tanu Nona had no margin for error with the pass but made it look deceptively easy and routine, such was its execution in one fluid movement.

Tanu Nona was once again at hooker in the Round Five local derby against North Coast and as usual provided excellent service out of dummy half as well as undertaking some probing runs to get the Northern Rivers Titans on the front foot early in their sets of six in their two point victory in the must win match.

In 2019 Tanu Nona was selected on the inter change bench for the Group 18 U14 side for the New South Wales Country Age Championships and played for Byron Bay/Lennox Heads in the Group 18 U15 competition.

Previously Tanu Nona played for the Currumbin Eagles in the Gold Coast Junior Rugby League competition before his move to his current Northern New South Wales Byron Bay/Lennox Heads club.

Tanu Nona is quite an elusive runner of the ball and has impressive foot work in confined space. He will take on the line regularly and has a very good step off both feet but his left foot step seems to be the preferred step based on the games that I have seen at least.

Tanu Nona also has some size about him and uses that to his advantage when he runs out of dummy half in terms of initiating contract with the defensive line and generating a quick play the ball to maintain his side’s momentum.

Tanu Nona’s passing game is what I would consider above average and he will drift across the field looking for runners to run into holes and has the ability to hold the defensive line in place as he develops the play in front of them, making to easier for his support runners to get a clear passage through the line, especially when a defender comes out of the line and commits to Tanu Nona.

Tanu Nona will also wait until the last possible moment to release the football. His best attribute in his passing game is the speed, timing and accuracy when he passes to his outside backs. Tanu Nona gets a very good spiral on the ball from both sides of his body and leads his outside attackers into the ball, enabling them to maintain the momentum of their run. Clearly his passing ability is one of the reasons that when his side has the scrum feed, Tanu Nona packs in at lock.

Tanu Nona’s defence for a hooker is very good, for a hooker his initial contact is more than solid and he can defend effectively one on one against far larger forwards, he sets a good base with his lower body and explodes upwards with his shoulders to drive into opposing forwards.

Tanu Nona’s intensity and continuous effort means that he will track the ball across the field and thus is in a good position when the ball is passed back inside. Tanu Nona literally tackles everything that moves in the centre of the ruck and displays a solid repeatable defensive technique and is able to make multiple tackles in any given defensive set of six tackles.

Post the 2020 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition Tanu Nona will line up for Byron Bay/Lennox Heads in the Group 18 U16 competition. Tanu Nona may also get an opportunity with the Byron Bay Devils U18 NRRRL side as the 2020 season progresses, he is certainly good enough to hold his own against players in the main two years older.

Whilst he has a bit of size for a hooker, with his speed and distribution out of dummy half it is clear to me that Tanu Nona is the attributes and mentality to stay in the hooking role into the future.

With his size and speed out of dummy half Tanu Nona has a playing style equilivant to that of new New Zealand Warriors and former Penrith Panthers dummy half Wade Egan.

mdrew

28-03-20, 08:29 AM

Geordie Brand. The outstanding youngster was named to start from the bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls U20 Hastings Deering’s Colts for their 2020 Round One match against the Northern Pride but ultimately was not part of the final 17 for the match.

The former Titans contracted youngster and Keebra Park student is back on the Gold Coast after spending two seasons in Sydney playing for the Sydney Roosters in the U18 SG Ball and U20 Jersey Flegg competitions and is also part of the 2020 Queensland U20 Emerging Origin Squad.

Geordie Brand has already represented Queensland on two occasions starting both matches in the front row being in 2018 for the Queensland U18 side and 2016 as part of the Queensland U16 side.

As noted above in 2019 Geordie Brand was part of the Sydney Roosters U20 Jersey Flegg squad, playing in fourteen matches with his first appearance being from the bench in Round two against Manly after the Roosters had a Round One bye with his final match of the season being off the bench in Round Nineteen.

Geordie Brand made his first start in Round Four in the front row against Canberra, going on to start five matches, all in the front row with the remainder of his 2019 appearance from the bench.

In his fourteen matches, Geordie Brand scored in Round Six against the Melbourne Thunderbolt sand Round Twelve against the Norths Sydney Bears.

In 2018 Geordie Brand started in the front row in ten of the Sydney Roosters eleven U18 SG Ball matches in the front row, missing only Round Five, with his first appearance coming in Round One against the Canterbury Bulldogs. Geordie Brand had a big Round Seven match against the Parramatta Eels, scoring a try in each half for his only tries of the competition.

In 2017 Geordie Brand was a stand out for the Keebra park Open Rugby League side in their great GIO Cup run. That same season Geordie Brand represented South Coast at the QSSRL Championships and subsequently represented the Queensland U18 school boy’s side at the 2017 U18 ASSRL Championships. To cap off 2017 and his Keebra Park school boy career, Geordie Brand was named in the front row in the Keebra Park Team of the Year alongside Tannah Boyd who was named at half.

In addition to playing for Keebra Park, in 2017 Geordie Brand played four matches for the Tweed Heads Seagulls Mm Cup side, starting Round One from the interchange bench against the Ipswich Jets. Geordie Brand’s sole start came in Round Five when he started in the front row against Souths Logan. Geordie Brand rounded off the 2017 MM Cup season with a try in Round Seven against the Norths Devils.

In 2017 Geordie Brand was part of the South Logan Magpies U16 Cyril Connell Cup side that went all of the way to the Grand Final unfortunately going down 20 – 16 to the Townsville Blackhawks.

Over the course of the 2016 Cyril Connell Cup season Geordie Brand started in the front row in eight of Souths Logan’s nine matches, missing only Round Seven. Geordie Brand finished the season with a try scoring strike rate of 62.5%. Geordie Brand scored a Round One double against Gold Coast White and also scored in Round Five against the Easts Tigers, in the Quarter Final against Ipswich and the Grand Final against the Blackhawks.

In 2015 Geordie Brand captained his Logan Brothers GBJRL U15 Premier Division side all of the way to the Grand Final against Souths Acacia Ridge at Bishop Park and was one of the best players on the field, eclipsed probably only by David Fifita who played lock for Souths Acacia Ridge that day.

One Geordie Brand play in the Grand Final still resonates with me to this day. From a drop out by Souths, Geordie Brand took the ball on about the half way mark and produced an incredible charge that was only stopped a metre out on the left side of the field. A typically quick play the ball by Geordie Brand led to a try for Logan Brothers on the opposite side of the field.

Rarely can you find a young player who is equally at home running on both sides of the ruck but that is what a team has with Joseph Shannon, he runs a superb outside shoulder line and his excellent footwork enables him to step off either foot to enable him to cut back against the movement of the defensive line to take advantage of gaps back on the inside of his direct opponent.

For a big strong young man, Joseph Shannon also has above average speed, not just off the mark but also when he is in clear space, when he makes a break Geordie Brand is more than capable of going the distance and normally easily out paces the cover defence.

Geordie Brand is not just a strong runner of the ball he as noted above has excellent footwork prior to the line and also some very good short passing both before the line and when in contact with a defender.

Geordie Brand in schoolboy rugby and junior age groups was a magnet for defenders and is adept at identifying when multiple defenders are vectoring towards him and identifying the appropriate force to be applied to his passing when off-loading.

On a lot of his runs Geordie Brand rather than trying to step his opposite number will really look to initiate the contact and then use his strength to hold the defender off his body to either push through the tackle or draw in the next defender to create space for his outside support.

Geordie Brand also has an exceptionally quick play the ball which results in his side being able to maintain the momentum that Geordie Brand has generated through his run and play the ball.

Defensively Geordie Brand has a hard edge to his play and his initial contact is more than sufficient to redirect the momentum of the ball carrier. Geordie Brand sets a very good base which he uses to explode into the ball carrier looking to use their own momentum against them.

Geordie Brand’s good situation awareness also enables him to be well positioned when he is defending against smaller quicker opponents and he endeavours to minimise the time available for the opposing attacker to generate speed and to utilise their footwork.

Geordie Brand is also able to change direction quickly to adjust to the directional changes of the attacker especially when he is marking up against multiple attackers running in his direction where Geordie Brand will hold his ground to let the play to develop in front of him before committing to a specific defensive course of action.

Another area where he has a plus attribute is in relation to his leaderships skills. Geordie Brand is a strong confident personality and that translates to a leader on and off the field. This is a trait that you cannot teach, you either have it or you don’t. Even if he is not the nominated captain on the field Geordie Brand is a leader regardless of which team he is lining up for and acts accordingly both on and off the field.

Geordie Brand was to have played the 2020 season with the Tweed Heads Seagulls and make no mistake Geordie Brand has NRL potential at the very least.

I appreciate that Geordie Brand has spent the majority of his career in the front row, but I honestly believe that at the Queensland Cup/NRL level Geordie Brand would be best suited in the second row where his outstanding mobility could best be utilised a bit wider of the ruck rather than the congested centre of the field.

For me Geordie Brand is a cross between the Broncos David Fifita (a touch slower foot speed than Fifita though) and recently retired Bronco Matt Gillett, he is all class and no doubt will make a major impact for the Tweed Heads Seagulls Hastings Deering’s Colts side this season and also potentially at higher level.

mdrew

28-03-20, 08:41 AM

Izaya Leato-Beckett. The tall long striding young Gold Coast local started from the bench for the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts side in their Round One victory against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls coming on for his Hastings Deering’s Colts debut in the first half of the match.

Izaya Leato-Beckett is better known as a touch player, representing both Queensland and Australia in recent years. In 2019 Izaya Leato-Beckett represented the U18 South Queensland Sharks at the Australian U18 Touch Championships recording a 100% strike rate through his seven matches at the Championships with a number of those tries coming from long range and as a result of Izaya Leato-Beckett using his impressive footwork through the middle of the field and then being able to comfortably outpace the cover defence over the remainder of the journey to the try line, on an number of occasions being over extended distances.

Izaya Leato-Beckett is a bit of an enigma in terms of how he plays, he certainly plays what is in front of him. Izaya Leato-Beckett is adept at running himself and has a very good turn of speed off the mark and similarly can throw some superb passes to his support runners, but at the same time passes will go to ground because his team mates are sometimes not thinking along the same lines that he does or at the same speed.

To that extent currently Izaya Leato-Beckett is a much better runner of the ball and can step off both feet and is quite strong for his size and will shrug off larger defenders if they try to go high and wrap up the ball. Izaya Leato-Beckett drifts across field very slowly and then just takes off through any gaps in a staggered defensive line utilising a quick and fast step and outstanding speed off the mark.

Izaya Leato-Beckett normally carries the ball in his right hand away from his body and as a consequence of his height and long arms is regularly able to get off loads away as a result of keeping his right arm free from interference when contact is made with the defensive line and then being in a position to offload the ball across his body to his left or out of the back of his right hand to the right. In relation to the comments in the paragraph above, think of the Eels Brad Takairangi.

Defensively Izaya Leato-Beckett is actually quite aggressive in terms of finishing off tackles and certainly seems adept at getting his hands between attackers and their support players and knocking the ball down. Izaya Leato-Beckett’s quick feet enable him to defend well especially against small light stepping attackers as he can mirror their movement and use his long arms to engage them before they get in too close to his body and use his normal leverage advantage against him.

Izaya Leato-Beckett was to have played the remainder of the 2020 season as part of the Burleigh U20 Hastings Deering’s Colts squad is also U20 Colts eligible in 2021.

Izaya Leato-Beckett with his height and size can seemingly play a variety of positions on a rugby league field including but not limited to fullback, in the centres as well as on the wing and also in the second row.

Regardless of position Izaya Leato-Beckett is one of the more intriguing players new to the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts squad in 2020 in terms of background, potential and physical and skill set available to him.

With his height and speed Izaya Leato-Beckett has a playing style akin to that of talented Penrith Panthers rookie fullback sensation Stephen Crichton. Both have height and speed as well as the ability to negotiate their way through congestion when at first glance there did not appear to be any room to move at all.

The scary part is that both Izaya Leato-Beckett and Creighton have the capacity to add additional muscle mass (a fair bit too) without at all impacting on their speed, balance and body control. Both also have outstanding hand eye co-ordination and spatial awareness.

With continued rugby league experience Izaya Leato-Beckett could be very very good indeed

mdrew

28-03-20, 09:09 AM

De’Ontae Perese. The exciting half has arrived in Australia from New Zealand to attend Keebra Park High School in 2020.

In March 2020 De'ontae Perese was selected in the under 18 NZtag team (Kiwi Tag Blacks) that was due to compete in the Trans-Tasman Series.

In 2019 De’Ontae Perese had an outstanding season both from a club perspective in the Auckland Open U16 competition playing for the Pakuranga Kingz and also being on the bench for the Samoa U16 side that had an historic win against the New Zealand U16 side in late 2019.

For the Pakuranga Kingz in the 2019 Auckland U16 competition De’Ontae Perese finished as their leading points scorer including a big Round One match when he scored and kicked two conversions against the Papatoetoe Panthers.

In addition to his 2019 achievements noted above, in 2019 De’Ontae Perese also started at half for the Auckland South U16 Auckland Region of Origin side in their three matches against the Auckland South Region of Origin side. De’Ontae Perese kicked two conversions in Match One of the three match series.

Also in 2019 De’Ontae Perese was part of the U17 Counties Manukau training squad for the 2019 New Zealand U17 National Youth Tournament.

De’Ontae Perese represented the Counties Manukau Stingrays U15 side at the 2018 New Zealand U15 National Youth Tournament playing in a match against the Wellington Orca’s and in two matches against the Akarana Falcons.

In attack, De’Ontae Perese is a five eight who is a dynamic runner of the football who excels in taking on the defensive line with deft footwork around the ruck, looking to seek out bigger slower forwards when they are caught on the edge of the ruck, De’Ontae Perese also has a very good dummy which continues to be effective regardless of the frequency of its use as it is indistinguishable in process from when he is going to actually pass the ball.

De’Ontae Perese does not however have blinkers on, and when his backline is set deep, he can see an overlap or a another play developing he will get the ball out quickly and effectively, using his solid passing skills from both sides of his body, where he will put the football out in front of his runners.

De’Ontae Perese is able to impart a good spin on the ball, thus can get good distance on his passes whilst maintaining accuracy from both sides of his body he seems to get better distance when passing to the left hand side of the field.

Assisting his play is the fact that De’Ontae Perese seems to make the decision what to do with the ball quickly thus enabling the ball to get out wide quickly. One aspect that is notable when you see De’Ontae Perese play is how he directs the team around the field, he is in charge of when and where the forwards run and also when he wants the ball to spread it out wide to his backline.

De’Ontae Perese has a prodigious kick on him and seemingly also has good accuracy and presents as a 40/20 threat. Also his prodigious boot generates significant height on his bombs, and I mean they are huge bombs and again are seemingly quite accurate, his ceiling is that of his team’s primary tactical kicker moving forward, both from a field position and attacking perspective. De’Ontae Perese is also his school team’s primary goal kicker. I would suggest that he is likely to be his side’s primary goal kicker regardless of the level he progresses to into the future.

Defensively De’Ontae Perese has decent size for a five eight, a facet which assists in him being a very effective defender for his position, in fact De’Ontae Perese is an asset to his team’s defensive pattern to the extent that he has the strength and technique to more than hold his own one on one against wide running forwards.

De’Ontae Perese will be part of the Keebra Park Open School Boy side in 2020 for their Langer Cup and GIO Cup School Boy competitions and is U18 eligible in both 2020 and 2021.

With his ability to quickly size up whether he should run or pass (and pass well for that matter) De’Ontae Perese has the ability to stay at five eight for the duration of his rugby league career.

From a player comparison for De’Ontae Perese, I would consider Cronulla Sharks and New Zealand International halfback Shaun Johnson as a player with a similar playing style, maybe De’Ontae Perese does not have the same prodigious side step, but all other aspects such as the plus plus speed off the mark and plus top end speed seem to be on display when he has the ball in hand.

De’Ontae Perese is an outstanding young player and is a great addition to the Gold Coast rugby league ranks.

mdrew

28-03-20, 10:34 AM

Esmonde Parangi. The talented five eight has moved over from the Northlands Region of New Zealand (the region north of Auckland)to attend Keebra Park High School in 2020.

In 2019 Esmonde Parangi was a trialist for the New Zealand U16 side playing for Team Fisher-Harris in the trial on the last day of the National U16 camp and kicking a conversion as his side defeated Team Papali’I 24 – 16.

Esmonde Parangi played for the Northern Swords U17 representative side in 2019 at the New Zealand U17 National Youth Tournament, starting all four of their matches at fullback. Esmonde Parangi’s sole points of the Tournament came in Match Four when he kicked two goals against the Wellington Orca’s. Esmonde Parangi’s other matches at the U17 New Zealand National Youth Tournament were against the South Island Scorpions, Counties Manukau Stingrays and the Auckland Vulcans.

Esmonde Parangi played in two competitions in the Northlands Region in 2019 being the U17 Sam McKendry Cup and the Adam Blair School Boy Cup.

In the 2019 Sam McKendry U17 competition Esmonde Parangi played eight matches for Tautoro scoring two tries and kicking ten goals for a twenty eight point season haul. Esmonde Parangi scored against the Hikurangi Stags and Takahiwai Warriors and in the match against the Stags also kicked three goals. Esmonde Parangi also kicked four goals against the Hikurangi Stags in a late season match.

Esmonde Parangi played three matches for Kaitaia College in the Adam Blair School Boy competition in 2019 finishing with twenty points from a try and eight goals. Esmonde Parangi’s try came against Okaihau College and he also kicked five goals in that match for a fourteen point haul. Esmonde Parangi also kicked three goals against Whangarei Boys High.

In 2018 Esmonde Parangi was part of the Northern Swords side that played in the 2018 U15 National Youth Tournament playing in matches against Wai-Coa Bay twice, the Auckland Vulcans and the South Island Scorpions.

Also in 2018 Esmonde Parangi, even though he was still U15 eligible played in five matches in the U17 Sam McKendry Cup scoring twenty points from two tries and six goals. Esmonde Parangi scored against the Takahiwai Warriors and Nga Puhi Toa.

Esmonde Parangi was also the top points scorer and goal kicker in the 2018 U15 Elijah Taylor Cup competition finishing with eighty nine points from his ten matches, scoring in nine of those matches.

Esmonde Parangi scored five tries which came in separate matches against the Tautoro Titans, the Portland Panthers, the Hikurangi Stags and in two separate matches against the Takahiwai Warriors.

With the boot Esmonde Parangi kicked eight goals in a June 2018 match against the Portland Warriors (also scoring in that match with finish with twenty points) and seven goals in early July against the Takahiwai Warriors. In the match against the Warriors Esmonde Parangi finished with nineteen points with his sole field goal of the season coming in that match as well.

In 2018 Esmonde Parangi also played two matches for Kaitaia College in the Adam Blair School Boy competition finishing with sixteen points from three tries and two goals with all of his points coming against Northland College in his first match for Kaitaia College that season.

when he runs the ball, Esmonde Parangi is exceptionally quick and explosive, with exceptional speed, both off the mark and when he gets into open space, teams in his age group even in representative competitions, teams just could not handle him when he had the ball. Esmonde Parangi also can step off both feet exceptionally well and also has a great swerve whilst maintaining top speed.

In addition Esmonde Parangi also has the ball playing skills to set up his support runners and get them lines to run into when defenders came out of the line to negate his time with the ball in hand. Esmonde Parangi obviously is a key target for defences but Esmonde Parangi understands that he cannot do it all himself and thus became adept at drawing defenders out of the line and putting his support runners into the subsequent hole. As his play making skills continue to evolve, the attacking possibilities in relation to Esmonde Parangi are endless.

Esmonde Parangi can also kick in general play, more so tactical kicks to gain ground rather than attacking kicks such as grubber kicks or bombs. I do not think that he will be necessarily a team’s primary general play kicker, although that is not set in stone, but Esmonde Parangi has the skill set to be at the minimum and very good secondary option when the primary kicker is under pressure and only needs to work on getting his kicks away quickly to take full advantage of his kicking ability.

Where Esmonde Parangi projects very well is in the defensive aspects of rugby league, in essence he is a very good defender for the half back position, this includes against opposing halves who will try to use footwork and evasion to beat him or against big wide running forwards.

No matter who is running at him, Esmonde Parangi’s timing, strength, lateral movement and technique are all well above average even verging on plus, not just for his position but for his age group in general. His defence is an area that stands out when you watch him play in person.

Esmonde Parangi will be part of the Keebra Park Open School Boy side in 2020 for their Langer Cup and GIO Cup School Boy competitions and is U18 eligible in both 2020 and 2021.

With his ability to play right at the defensive line, getting the ball in his hands as much as possible is critical therefore for me Esmonde Parangi is a natural five eight although with his speed and ball playing ability I can understand why he has also spent time at fullback prior to 2019 and may well also spend time there in the future.

From a player comparison perspective for Esmonde Parangi, the one player that does spring to mind is Brisbane Broncos and former Queensland State of Origin five eight Anthony Milford, as an exceptional talent who can do almost anything on a football field from an attacking perspective and is exciting to watch, when he gets the ball the level of anticipation rises as you cannot wait to see what he is going to do.

Esmonde Parangi may potentially end up at a different position, being fullback but the elusive and explosive running ability on top of the presentation of sublime ball skills translate to a similar playing style to Anthony Milford at his best.

Esmonde Parangi is an electric young player and is an outstanding addition to the Gold Coast rugby league ranks.

mdrew

06-04-20, 06:32 AM

Keano Kini. The dynamic half is a Titans contracted youngster from Auckland New Zealand who started in the halves for the Titans U16 side that played the U16 Newcastle Knights Harold Matthews squad in Coffs Harbour in January 2020. In the match Keano Kini operated on the right side of the field with fellow New Zealander and halves partner Levon Pure on the right.

Keano Kini was acknowledged for his performance by Titans JTS Co-ordinator Matt Srama in his review of the match in a video on the Titans Official Site after the match especially taking into account that Keano Kini had only two or three field sessions with the rest of the team prior to the match.

In March 2020 Keano Kini was selected to captain the under 16 NZtag Black team that was due to compete in the Trans-Tasman Series however that competition was postponed as a result of the pandemic.

In 2019 Keano Kini played for Marist Saints in the Auckland U16 Open Rugby League competition even though he was impressively still U15 eligible.

Keano Kini moved to the Marist Saints from the Northcote Tigers where he had previously played his entire junior rugby league with before the 2019 season. Keano Kini currently attends Auckland’s Rosmini College.

In the 2019 Auckland U16 Open competition, even though he was still U15 eligible Keano Kini had some outstanding matches including scoring twenty eight points from three tries and kicking eight goals against Mangere East Hawks in Round One and eighteen points from two tries and five goals against the Te Atatu Roosters in Round Two.

Being Marist Saints primary goal kicker meant that Keano Kini was one of the Auckland U16 Open competitions leading point’s scorers over the course of the 2019 season and try scorers for that matter.
Keano Kini started at half for Marist Saints in their 24- 12 semi-final win over the Waitemta Seagulls to progress to the 2019 Auckland U16 Open Grand Final.

In the 2019 Auckland U16 Open Grand Final Keano Kini started at half for Marist Saints against the Pakuranga Kingz with Marist Saints coming away with a 22 – 8 victory, with Keano Kini kicking three conversions from four attempts with his only miss being his first attempt of the Grand Final from wide out to the right of the uprights.

Keano Kini also set up Marist Saints first try of the Grand Final. Early in the first half, Keano Kini, was operating on the right side of the field two off the ruck. After receiving the ball is space, Keano Kini ran at the line with the ball out in front of his body in two hands, accelerating as he went. Impressively Keano Kini ran at the gap between two defenders, drawing both before popping a great short ball to his right for his fullback to surge over.

Also in 2019 Keano Kini started at half and kicked a conversion for the Auckland U16 side in their NRL curtain raiser in May 2019 against an U16 Future Warriors side at Mt Smart Stadium.

Keano Kini was part of the Marist Saints side that toured Australian in July 2019 playing a number of matches including a match on the Gold Coast against a Keebra Park select side in prefect conditions on the Gold Coast at Keebra park’s school campus.

To cap off an outstanding 2019, Keano Kini was selected in the New Zealand U16 side that played a TAO Samoa U16 side in Auckland in October. Keano Kini played the entire match at half for New Zealand and converted their final try with six minutes to go from directly in front as his New Zealand side went down 26 – 20.

Even though he played the 2019 season in the Auckland Rugby League U16 competition and represented New Zealand at the U16 level, Keano Kini was still U15 eligible in 2019 and represented the Akarana Falcons in that age group in the 2019 New Zealand U15 National Youth Tournament.

On Day One of the Tournament Keano Kini started at half and scored for the Akarana Falcons as they defeated the Wellington Orca’s 40 – 10. On Day Two Keano Kini once again started at half back as his Akarana Falcons side won 12 – 0 against the South Island Scorpions to be unbeaten after two matches.

On Day Three Keano Kini had a huge match scoring a double and kicking four goals as the Akarana Falcons defeated the Northern Swords 48 – 4. In the Akarana Falcons semi-final clash against Wai Coa-Bay Keano Kini was once again at half and scored a double as the Akarana Falcons progressed to the Tournament final on the back of a 32 – 8 win.

In the New Zealand U15 National Youth Cup Final against the Manakua Stingrays Keano Kini led his Akarana Falcons side from half back to the New Zealand U15 National Youth Title on the back of a 18 -6 win.

At the conclusion of the Championship Final, Keano Kini was named the New Zealand U15 National Youth Tournament Player of the Tournament and was also named at half in the U15 All-Tournament Team to cap an outstanding week for the budding Titans super star.

In 2018 Keano Kini represented the Akarana Falcons at the New Zealand U15 National Youth Tournament including kicking four conversions on Day One against the exceptionally named Wellington Orca’s.

Rugby League recognition is not new to Keano Kini who in 2016 was named MVP of the U13 2016 ARL Jets camp, also making the merit squad from the camp and playing for the Auckland U13 side.

2016 also saw Keano Kini named MVP of the Auckland Rugby League Regional Representative season.

In addition to also dabbling in rugby Keano Kini is also an outstanding athlete being named U13 Auckland Athlete of the year for his exploits in other sports such as tennis and athletics.

Incredibly Keano Kini attended a Titans meet and great session in 2014 at the home of the Northcote Tigers. Obviously the Titans players that were there made a positive impression that day on Keano Kini.

Even though Keano Kini has plus acceleration off the mark and above average top speed, his primary focus on a football field is to direct his side around the field, putting his side where they need to be to maintain pressure on the opposition.

Holding the ball out in front of his body in both hands enables Keano Kini to put doubt into the minds of the opposing defensive line and thus he can dummy and run if there is a gap in the defensive line or put his support runners into gaps or for that matter get the ball out to his back line as quickly as possible.

Getting the ball out to the back line quickly is no issue for Keano Kini as he has a very good long passing technique which delivers the ball quickly and accurately to the right place. Keano Kini’s decisive nature also means that when the ball needs to get out to his back line he will get it out there quickly to give his outside backs as much space as possible to work with prior to contact with the opposing defensive line.

In defence, due to his size Keano Kini is obviously not going to come up with the big hit but reads the play well and can more than hold his own when defending much bigger players and against players with similar size is very aggressive when finishing off his tackles and slowing the resultant play the ball down.

Keano Kini is also very vocal on the field always talking and encouraging his side.

Keano Kini is also a very good goal kicker with both good range and accuracy and as a consequence I would suggest that he is likely to be his side’s primary goal kicker regardless of the level he progresses to into the future.

Keano Kini also has a very good short attacking kicking game with a positive being that he will go right to the line before dropping the ball to his foot, add to the fact that he regularly runs with the ball out in front of his body in both hands, he gives defensive lines a lot to consider, is Keano Kini going to kick, run or pass, a defensive line that anticipates incorrectly will be scrambling to recover before he makes them pay for their error in judgement.

Like with his goal kicking Keano Kini has a real opportunity to be his team’s primary tactical kicking option going forward.

Keano Kini’s season with Marist Saints in the Auckland Rugby League U16 Open competition came to a positive conclusion with their Grand Final victory and going forward Keano Kini should also be part of the Akarana Falcons side that takes part of the 2019 New Zealand National Youth Championships U15 tournament later in the year.

Keano Kini will stay in New Zealand for the 2020 season lining up once again for the Marist Saints in the Auckland Rugby League competition, most likely in the U16 age group. 2020 should also see Keano Kini play in the New Zealand National U17 Youth Championships for the Akarana Falcons once again.

Keano Kini has played half for the duration of his young career to date and there is nothing in the way that he plays to indicate any necessity for that situation to change.

My NRL player comparison for Keano Kini is fellow New Zealander, Cronulla Sharks and New Zealand International Shaun Johnson as a comparison from a playing stand point. Like Shaun Johnson, Keano Kiri has a wicked side step and plus acceleration as well as the ability to lead his side around the field and put them where they need to be. Like Johnson Keano Kini is also a solid (if not better) tactical and goal kicker and is more than good enough to be his team’s primary opinion in both of those kicking categories.

No one can predict the future but how Keano Kini’s game develops over the coming years will be something that I will be keeping a very close eye on especially in relation to his ball playing and game management skills which will be outstanding supplements to Keano Kiri’s already outstanding attacking skills.

mdrew

09-04-20, 04:03 PM

Jaimen Jollife. The front rower moved up from Sydney to the Gold Coast signing with the Burleigh Bears for the 2020 Queensland Cup season, but also received a train and trial offer from the Titans which as a result of his outstanding efforts at training and in the NRL trials Jaimen Jollife turned into a one year NRL Development contract with the Titans.

Jaimen Jollife started Round One of the 2020 NRL Premiership from the bench for the Titans against the Canberra Raiders. In his NRL debut Jaimen Jollife more than held his one in his twenty six minutes on the field running for seventy metres (nineteen post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.54 seconds and made fifteen tackles at a 93.75% tackling efficiency.

Jaimen Jolliffe was initially named on an extended bench for Round Two against the Parramatta Eels but came onto the bench late after a Kevin Proctor hamstring injury. With limited preparation Jaimen Jolliffe played forty one minutes running for sixty two metres (twenty post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed for 3.77 seconds and made thirty two tackles at a 88.89% tackling efficiency.

Jaimen Jollife made an immediate impression on the Titans coaching staff being named in the Titans 2020 NRL 9’s 18 man squad. In the Titans opening match against the Canberra Raiders, Jaimen Jollife ran for twenty four metres on three runs and made six tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency. In the Titans quarter final victory over Manly Jaimen Jollife ran for fifty one metres from three hit-ups, broke a tackle and made three tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

In total in the 2020 NRL Nine’s tournament, Jaimen Jollife played in two matches, ran for seventy five metres from seven runs, broke a tackle and made nine of his own.

Jaimen Jollife started from the bench in the Titans first NRL trial of 2020 against Burleigh at Pizzey Park but when he came on was one of the Titans best running for a team leading 183 metres, a team leading seventy three of which were post contact, broke a team leading four tackles and made twenty tackles of his own at a 100% tackling efficiency.

Jaimen Jollife also started from the bench in the Titans second and final NRL trial against the Brisbane Broncos in Redcliffe running for 102 metres (thirty eight post contact), broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed for 3.39 seconds and made twenty three tackles at a 95.83% tackling efficiency.

The Wagga junior has moved around a bit chasing his rugby league dream with his first stop being in Canberra as part of the Raiders 2014 U18 SG Ball side before moving to Sydney to be part of the Cronulla Sharks program, including playing one or two NRL trials in previous seasons and finally to play for the Newtown Jets in the New South Wales Canterbury Cup competition.

After an outstanding season in 2019 with Newtown that included being named on the bench in the 2019 Canterbury Cup Team of Year, a Premiership and then an NRL State Championship after Newtown defeated Burleigh in the last seconds of their interstate match that preceded the 2019 NRL Grand Final.

For Newton in the 2019 Canterbury Cup competition Jaimen Jollife played in all twenty six of Newtown’s matches including Finals and the Canterbury Cup Grand Final win over Wentworthville of course scoring just the one try which came in Round Fourteen against the Mounties.

Jaimen Jollife started twenty five of his twenty six Canterbury Cup matches in 2019 in the front row and came off the bench in his other match which was against Penrith in Round Twenty One.

In total in the 2019 Canterbury Cup competition Jaimen Jollife ran for the third highest number of metres in the competition being 3 885, 1 262 were post contact which was also the third highest in the competition, engaged the line on 373 occasions, once again the third highest in the competition, broke fifty three tackles, off-loaded the ball on five occasions and made the fourth highest number of tackles in the Canterbury Cup in 2019 with 760 tackles at a tackling efficiency of 90.5%.

Jaimen Jollife’s 2019 Canterbury Cup per game averages included running for 137.9 metres per game (48.54 post contact) and making 29.23 tackles. On twenty occasions in 2019 Jaimen Jollife ran for in excess of 100 metres including 193 metres in Round Nineteen against the Wentworthville Magpies.

Defensively in twelve of his matches Jaimen Jollife made more than thirty tackles including an incredible effort in Round Eighteen which saw him make forty seven tackles against the New Zealand Warriors.

In the NRL State Championship Final Jaimen Jollife started in the front row against Burleigh playing forty three minutes in Newtown’s 20 – 16 last minute victory. He ran for 140 metres (forty post contact) from sixteen hit-ups, broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.34 seconds and made nineteen tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

2019 was the fourth season that Jaimen Jollife had played for Newtown after making his debut as a 20 year old in 2016.

Running with the football, Jaimen Jollife has good footwork prior to the line and does not often just put his head down and run straight, but uses his solid footwork to try to work the gaps between defenders rather than trying to simply run over them. Jaimen Jollife does not have great speed off the mark or necessary great high end speed, but he will work hard and make the most of his ability. Jaimen Jollife actually does have a decent off load when he has impacted the defensive line as well.

Defensively Jaimen Jollife is a solid hitter, usually aiming for just under the ribs and first intention is to lock up the ball to prevent offloads. One area where is quite effective whether he is defending on the fringes of the ruck or in the centre of the ruck including when he is defending at marker, is against smaller attackers who look to use their foot work.

Jaimen Jollife has quite reasonable lateral mobility for a front rower and due to the fact that he also is not that tall, and is usually is able to wrap up smaller attackers without his tackles slipping up to around the head or neck too often.

As noted above Jaimen Jollife has moved up from Sydney and was due to play the 2020 season with Burleigh in the Queensland Cup competition before he signed with the Titans playing in the opening two rounds of the NRL season as well as catching the eye of the Titans NRL coaching staff and subsequently represented the Titans at the 2020 NRL 9’s thus he is in the mix for future opportunities.

Surely with his performances for the Titans before the 2020 rugby league season was put on hold, Jaimen Jollife is a prime candidate to be offered an extended NRL contract with the Titans for 2021 and beyond.

At 187cm and 108kg Jaimen Jollife is solidly built and will stay in the front row for the remainder of his rugby league career.

From a player comparison perspective for Jaimen Jollife, one player with a similar playing style from my perspective is Parramatta Eels front rower Nathan Brown, as a solid forward who will probably never be a star but will be a solid contributor to a team’s forward pack none the less

mdrew

09-04-20, 08:33 PM

Blast from the past one of my first ever complete player write ups from 2015 -

I am seriously shocked about how bad I was on 2015, AJ deserved s much better:

AJ Brimson. He is a young five eight/half, who played well in the MM competition this year, with speed, specifically speed off the mark, being his calling card. Surprisingly he only scored one try in the MM competition, though, however he scored two tries in the game against Samoa, one of which was shown in the junior development squad video posted on the official website. One that occasion he was backing up on the inside and split the defence with his speed once he received the pass. He also played his schoolboy football for Keebra and made the South Coast QSSRL U18 squad. He also made his QCup Colts debut Tweed Seagulls late in the year, and scored a try on debut I believe. Understandably he is also a very good touch rugby player.

In attack, as noted above, his speed off the mark is the first attribute that you will notice when you see him play. Any video’s, including the video on the official site does not do his speed off the mark justice, watching him play live, it is great to see when he takes off. He does not seem to have an extra gear once he is through the defensive line, but has the ability to maintain his speed over a long distance, thus the apparent lack of an extra gear in speed has no discernible impact that I have identified. Coupled with a very good right foot step, his speed enables him to make numerous line breaks. He can and will beat defenders in the inside with a step and if the defensive line is staggered a dummy and go, presents multiple headaches for the opposition’s defensive strategies. He also backs up any line breaks and loves to score tries.

At present, one area for him to continue to develop is his play making skills, including putting his runners, whether they are backrowers or centres into holes. With experience however there is nothing to suggest that these type of play making skills will not develop over time. I am not suggesting that play making skills will eclipse speed as his key attribute, but enhanced play making skills will make his speed more effective as defensive lines start to focus in his runners and thus leave more space for him. As games progress he is very good at identifying tired forwards in the defensive line, and he will ruthlessly exploit that when he sees that. Against Samoa, he left a few forwards clutching at air as they began to tire.

He has a good short kicking game but he does not have the strongest leg in terms of kicking deep but is accurate enough and regularly finds the ground to enable the chasers to get down field. He will chase hard and usually is one of the first down field to defend. In terms of his short kicking game, he will back himself and put in little kicks over the top or grubber through the defensive line for himself, which causes all sorts of issues for defences due to his speed and desire to get to the ball first.

In defence, due to his size he is obviously not going to come up with the big hit but reads the play well enough and can hold his own when defending much bigger players. He will also track across field well looking when the ball is turned back inside. When confronted with forwards running directly at him on the edge of the ruck, he will get in front of them and use his shoulder in an effort to contain them into defensive help arrives.

Moving forward, I think that he will have an opportunity to be involved in the NYC squad in 2016 and will be one of a number of young players vying for an opportunity in the halves. Prior to this year I was of the opinion that AJ Brimson was strictly a half, but he has made enough progress in terms of play making and game management that playing at either five eight or half is reasonable from a career trajectory stand point.

From a player comparison perspective, think of the Bulldogs version of Ben Barba as a player who whilst known for his amazing speed off the mark, does have some other attributes to his game which can sometimes get be overlooked when people focus purely on his speed.

mdrew

11-04-20, 07:50 AM

Jai Whitbread. (Revised) The former Gold Coast Titans and Northern Rivers junior was signed late in 2017 by the Titans on a Top 30 two year contract and recently signed a new two year NRL deal deservedly so after standout performances for the Brisbane Broncos NYC side in 2016 and 2017 as well as a storied school boy rugby career with the Southport School (TSS) in the GPS First XV School boy rugby competition where he played primarily at outside centre.

Jai Whitbread started Round One of the 2020 NRL Premiership from the bench for the Titans against the Canberra Raiders playing thirty two minutes. In his time on the field Jai Whitbread ran for 105 metres (twenty two post contact), broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.75 seconds and made twenty five tackles at a95.16% tackling efficiency.

Jai Whitbread was also named on the bench for Round Two against the Parramatta Eels playing forty six minutes. In addition Jai Whitbread ran for thirty one metres (ten post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 3.77 seconds and made forty two tackles at a tackling efficiency of 93.33%.

Jai Whitbread’s first 2020 appearance was for the Titans in the 2020 NRL 9’s 18 man tournament in Perth in February. In the Titans opening match against the Canberra Raiders, Jai Whitbread ran for twenty seven metres on three carries and made six tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency. Jai Whitbread made a further forty three metres from four runs, scored a try, made a line break, broke three tackles and made seven tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency in Game Two against the Wests Tigers.

In the Titans quarter final victory over Manly Jai Whitbread ran for twenty two metres from three hit-ups and made five tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency. In the Titans semi-final loss to North Queensland Jai Whitbread in addition to scoring his second tournament try ran for forty metres on four runs, made a line break, broke two tackles and made four tackles.

In total in the 2020 NRL Nine’s tournament, Jai Whitbread played in all four of the Titans matches scoring two tries, ran for 132 metres from fourteen runs, broke five tackles, made two line breaks and made twenty two tackles at a 95.65% tackling efficiency.

Jai Whitbread started from the bench in the Titans second and final NRL trial against the Brisbane Broncos in Redcliffe running for 102 metres (fifty four post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed for 3.39 seconds and made nineteen tackles at a 95% tackling efficiency.

As a local junior it was great to see Jai Whitbread make his NRL debut for the Titans in 2018 when he came off the bench in Round 18 against the Sydney Roosters making a more than positive impression in limited minutes on the field.

In total in his NRL debut in 2018 Jai Whitbread played 18 minutes running for 32 metres, 10.5 of those post contact and made nine tackles at a tackling efficiency of 81.8% in a solid debut for the 186cm 107kg Titans junior and South Tweed Bears product.

Jai Whitbread’s second NRL match came in Round Five of 2019 season against Penrith and he played a key role in the Titans 30 – 24 victory. In his 38 minutes on the field Jai Whitbread ran for 93 metres, 34 post contact, played the ball at an average speed of 3.13 seconds and made 23 tackles at a tackling efficiency of 95.8%.

Jai Whitbread was also on the bench for the Titans in Round Six against the Newcastle Knights, playing 39 minutes, running for 130 metres (37 post contact), broke three tackles and made twenty two tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

In Round Seven against the Wests Tigers, starting from the bench again Jai Whitbread played thirty five minutes, ran for 66 metres (29 post contact) and made thirty tackles at a tackling efficiency of 96.77%.

Jai Whitbread was back in the Titans NRL side for their Round Ten match against Canterbury, once again starting on the bench. In his 27 metres on the field, Jai Whitbread ran for 95 metres (41 post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 3.27 seconds and made eighteen tackles at a tackling efficiency of 81.81%.

In his first career NRL start (he started at lock), Jai Whitbread had a very solid outing in Round Eleven against Manly playing 35 minutes. In that time he ran for 106 metres (41 post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an exceptional average of 2.96 seconds and made twenty two tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

Jai Whitbread made his second career NRL start in Round Twelve at lock in a two point loss to North Queensland, playing just 18 minutes. In those 18 minutes Jai Whitbread ran for 37 metres (eleven post contact) and made seventeen tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

Jai Whitbread was back on the bench for Round Thirteen against the Brisbane Broncos but continued his impressive form in his 41 minutes on the field. In those minutes, he ran for 73 metres (13 post contact), broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.12 seconds and made twenty nine tackles at a tackling efficiency of 96.67%.

Jai Whitbread also started from the bench in Round Fourteen against the New Zealand Warriors, playing thirty metres, running for 74 metres (34 post contact), breaking a tackle, playing the ball at an average speed of 3.42 seconds and making twenty five tackles at a tackling efficiency of 92.59%.

In his third NRL start in Round Fifteen against Manly when he started at lock, Jai Whitbread played 39 minutes, running for 83 metres (twenty five post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.23 seconds and made thirty two tackles at a tackling efficiency of 91.93%.

Round Seventeen of the NRL saw Jai Whitbread move back to the bench for the match against Penrith and playing twenty nine minutes after coming on at half time. In that time, Jai Whitbread ran for 97 metres (38 post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.33 seconds and made twenty tackles at an impressive tackles efficiency of 96.26%.

Jai Whitbread resumed his starting lock position in the NRL in Round Eighteen against the Melbourne Storm playing 53 minutes where he ran for 94 metres (23 post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.4 seconds and made twenty eight tackles at a tackling efficiency of 93.33%.

Jai Whitbread moved back to the bench for Round Nineteen against the Brisbane Broncos, playing forty nine minutes, running for 99 metres (34 post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed for 2.94 seconds and made thirty four tackles at a tackling efficiency of 87.18%.

Jai Whitbread started at lock in Round Twenty away to the Sydney Roosters playing 65 minutes, running for 113 metres (45 post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.41 seconds and made forty tackles at an impressive 97.56% tackling efficiency.

Round Twenty One against the St George Dragons saw Jai Whitbread start in the front row, playing 58 minutes, running for 109 metres (48 post contact), playing the ball at an average speed of 3.15 seconds and making an exceptional forty three tackles at a 97.72% tackling efficiency.

Jai Whitbread started from the bench in Round Twenty Two against Parramatta playing 37 minutes, running for 79 metres (31 post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.31 seconds and made twenty three tackles at a tackling efficiency of 95.8%.

In Round Twenty three against the Melbourne Storm Jai Whitbread came off the bench once again playing thirty two minutes, running for 31 metres (fourteen post contact, played the ball at an average of 2.87 seconds and made seventeen tackles at a 94.4% tackling efficiency.

Away to the Newcastle Knights in Round Twenty Four Jai Whitbread came off the bench to play fifty minutes, running for 94 metres (39 post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.11 seconds and made 37 tackles at a perfect 100% tackling efficiency.

Jai Whitbread also started from then bench for the Titans last NRL match of the season being Round Twenty Five against the St George Dragons playing just twenty three minutes.

In that time Jai Whitbread ran for 66 metres (25 post contact), played the ball at an average speed for 2.99 seconds and made seventeen tackles at a 94.4% tackling efficiency.

In total in the NRL in 2019, Jai Whitbread played eighteen matches, playing 792 minutes, running for 1 547 metres, broke seventeen tackles, off loaded the ball twice and made 477 tackles at a tackling efficiency of 93.2%.

Jai Whitbread’s 2019 NRL per game averages included playing 44 minutes, running for 86 metres from 9.1 hit ups and making 26.5 tackles. Thus per eighty minutes, Jai Whitbread, in 2019, ran for 156.36 metres and made 48.18 tackles.

Jai Whitbread started the 2019 season proper coming off the bench for the Burleigh Queensland Cup side in their 10 – 0 win over PNG. In his 38 minutes on the field Jai Whitbread took ten carries for 116 metres, 57 post contact (49.14%), broke two tackles and had a play the ball average of a more than decent 3.22 seconds.

Defensively Jai Whitbread had a tackling efficiency of 95.24% making 20 effective tackles, missing only one.

Jai Whitbread also came off the bench in Round Two against the Ipswich Jets and had a big game including scoring a first half try. Jai Whitbread showed some good speed off the mark to take the ball around twelve metres out from the line and showed good speed off the mark to split the Jets defence to score under the posts.

In his forty six minutes on the field, Jai Whitbread ran for 111 metres (29 post contact, had a team leading two line breaks, broke four tackle, played the ball at an average of 3.1 seconds all whilst making eleven tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

In Round Three of the Queensland Cup against Tweed Jai Whitbread started from the bench for the third match in a row but made the most of his 34 minutes on the field, in that time Jai Whitbread made 81 metres (34 post contact) from nine hit-ups, broke a tackle, played the ball in an average time of 2.9 seconds and made an impressive 29 tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

After being in the 21 man Titans NRL squad for a number of weeks, Jai Whitbread made his first Queensland Cup start of the season in Round Five when he started at lock in their 38 - 22 win against Souths Logan and scored his second 2019 try in the process.

Jai Whitbread played a season high 63 minutes, ran for 153 metres (51 post contact), broke the line on two occasions, broke a team leading nine tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.19 seconds and made a team leading twenty six tackles at a tackling efficiency of 96.30%.

In relation to his try, Jai Whitbread received the ball from the dummy half about ten metres out from the Souths Logan line, when he made contact with the defensive line, Jai Whitbread spun clock wise 360 degrees to break through the initial contact before he pushed past the Magpies fullback to score just to the right of the goal posts.

After his performances in the opening two rounds of the 2019 Queensland Cup for Burleigh Jai Whitbread was deservedly rewarded by being named on the Titans extended bench for Round Two in the NRL against the Cronulla Sharks.

In total in the Queensland Cup in 2019, Jai Whitbread played 189 minutes in four matches, scored two tries, broke sixteen tackles, ran for 464 metres and made 86 tackles at a tackling efficiency of 96.2%.

Even though Jai Whitbread was still eligible to play U20’s in 2018 he started the season with the Burleigh Bears Queensland Cup side, starting ten of his 12 matches to date from the interchange and starting two being Rounds 13 and 14 against Ipswich and the Northern Pride respectively.

Jai Whitbread scored his sole try to date in Round Three against Tweed Heads and also getting a try assist in that match when he broke through the Tweed Heads defensive line before passing to half back Jamal Fogerty to score.

Jai Whitbread broke the Tweed Heads line right through the middle of the ruck on about his own 20 metre line and showed quite good pace especially on the wet and muddy field to draw the fullback and pass to his right to Fogerty near the half way line.

Jai Whitbread’s try against the Tweed Heads Seagulls can be put down solely to perservence. A long break was made and the ball spun wide late in the first half but Jai Whitbread, who once again showed quite decent speed kept up with the play nicely and was rewarded for his efforts when he received an inside pass from Jamal Fogerty, Jai Whitbread had the presence of mind to also bring the ball around to score close to the left upright.

In Round Four against the South’s Logan Magpies, Jai Whitbread suffered concussion like symptoms and had to be replaced when he was hit by a shoulder charge by Souths Logan interchange and Brisbane Bronco’s contracted front rower, Thomas Flegler who was immediately sent off. Jai Whitbread was however named for Burleigh’s Round Five match against the Central Queensland Capra’s.

Over the course of the recent off-season, Jai Whitbread started on the interchange bench in all of the Titans NRL trials and was one of the Titans best in their NRL trial loss to the Brisbane Bronco’s in Toowoomba as well as a solid performer against the Warriors on the Sunshine Coast a fortnight later.

In the Queensland Cup in 2018 season through his thirteen matches Jai Whitbread played 444 minutes for Burleigh, making 1 092 metres, 357 of those post contact (32.69%) and made 220 tackles at a tackling efficiency of 90.1%.

Jai Whitbread averaged 34 minutes, just over seven hit-ups for 78.8 metres and 17 tackles. Jai Whitbread has also been credited with fifteen tackle breaks and a line break (the one that led to Jamal Fogerty’s try in Round Three) a try assist this season and four offloads.

Jai Whitbread had a standout match in Round Thirteen against the Ipswich in his first starting appearance having career highs (at that time) in multiple categories including minutes (70), running metres (166) and tackles (31).

In Round 19 a week after his NRL debut Jai Whitbread was outstanding for the Bears as they defeated Central Queensland 24 – 14. Starting from the bench Jai Whitbread played 36 minutes, running for a career high 146 metres, 57 post contact, also a career high, broke three tackles and made 16 tackles at a tackling efficiency of a perfect 100%.

In Round One of 2018 against the Sunshine Coast Falcons in his debut Queensland Cup match, Jai Whitbread played 32 minutes, making 57 metres from six hit-ups, 13 of those post contact and sixteen tackles at a tackling efficiency of 88.89%.

In Round Two against the Redcliffe Dolphins, Jai Whitbread played 33 minutes, making 94 metres from twelve hit-ups, 34 of those post contact and fifteen tackles at a tackling efficiency of 88.25%.

In addition to his try and try assist in Round Three against the Tweed Heads Seagulls, Jai Whitbread played 33 minutes, making 79 metres from six hit-ups, 16 of those post contact and fifteen tackles at a tackling efficiency of 100% in a more than solid display in wet and windy conditions at Tweed Heads in a solid Burleigh victory 32 – 12 where fellow Titans NRL contracted youngster Tyrone Roberts-Davis also scored for Burleigh.

In Round Four Jai Whitbread started on the interchange bench for the fourth match in a row this time against a giant South’s Logan Magpies pack and played 34 minutes, running for 77 metres, twenty two of those post contact on nine carries and made 13 tackles at a tackling efficiency of 92.86%, yet another solid game for the South Tweed junior even taking into account being knocked out by a deemed shoulder charge. Jai Whitbread was also credited with one tackle break.

The table below compares Jai Whitbread’s 2018 and 2019 per game averages:

2018 Q Cup 2018 NRL 2019 Q Cup 2019 NRL 2020 NRL

Games played 13 1 4 18 2

Minutes per game 34.25 18 47.3 44 39

Runs per game 7.8 6 9.2 9.1 6.5

Metres made per game 84 32 116 86 68.5

Tackles per game 16.92 9 20.5 26.5 38.5

In 2017 Jai Whitbread was the 18th man for the New South Wales U20 State of Origin side and in 2018 was named in the starting side but withdrew as a result of a hand injury. Jai Whitbread in addition to his rugby league commitments is studying a Bachelor’s Degree in Clinical Phycology so he is also a very intelligent young man.

Jai Whitbread who originally hails from the Tamworth region of New South Wales and played his junior rugby league with the South Tweed Bears in the Group 18 junior rugby league competition and played a First Grade trial with the Broncos in February 2017 when he came off the bench against the Ipswich Jets in Ipswich.

In 2017 Jai Whitbread played in twenty three matches for the Broncos NYC side including their finals matches, starting twenty one of those matches in the front row and the other two matches being Rounds Four and Five from the interchange bench. On those matches Jai Whitbread scored two tries which came against the Wests Tigers in Round Eleven and against Newcastle in the Bronco’s first final match this season.

Jai Whitbread’s 2017 per match averages included 118 running metres on 12 hit-ups and 26 tackles (90% tackling efficiency) in just over 55 minutes. On sixteen occasions Jai Whitbread ran for more than 100 metres including an incredible effort in Round Eleven against the Wests Tigers when he ran for 201 metres. On sixteen occasions also Jai Whitbread made more than twenty tackles including Round Eleven against Wests Tigers when he made 47 tackles. Over the course of the 2017 NYC season Jai Whitbread also made six line breaks and off loaded the ball on seven occasions.

In 2016 whilst still U18 eligible, in fact he represented New South Wales U18 that year, Jai Whitbread made twenty one NYC appearances for the Broncos starting in the front row thirteen matches and coming off the interchange bench in eight more. His 2016 per match season averages included 78 running metres on 8.5 hit ups and 21 tackles (92% tackling efficiency) in 45 minutes.

Jai Whitbread’s two 2016 NYC tries came in Round Eight against the Rabbitohs and Rounds Twenty Six against the Sydney Roosters. His best running metre performance in 2016 was in Round Twenty Two against the Dragons and defensively Jai Whitbread in Round Seventeen made 35 tackles with no misses against the Melbourne Storm.

The 186cm 107kg Jai Whitbread was a former Titans contracted junior from just south of the Border and played for New South Wales at the U16 and U18 levels and also CC and MM Cup for Gold Coast based squads in previous seasons. At the start of the 2016 season Jai Whitbread was signed by the Broncos after a successful GPS rugby career with the Southport School where he played three years in the school’s First XV and making a number of GPS representative sides. Interestingly Jai Whitbread played school boy rugby in the centres but in rugby league has played either front row, lock or second row exclusively.

Jai Whitbread is a hard running forward who is very good at running the right line including both and inside shoulder and outside shoulder line and consistently hits the pass off either the dummy half or play maker flat thus generating his best possible speed and momentum to hit the defensive line at full speed.

Where he really excels though is his footwork, Jai Whitbread has very good late and quick foot work which enables him to change direction quickly allowing him to readjust where he is running to take advantage of either a late developing hole in the defensive line or where the defensive line is repositioning late.

Jai Whitbread’s try in Round Two of the 2019 Queensland Cup competition against the Ipswich Jets perfectly illustrated the analysis noted above.

Jai Whitbread is adept at cutting back behind the play the ball area when the markers do not work hard and make ground as a result. When the Broncos NYC side were in the attacking area, Jai Whitbread was regularly used to draw the defence into the centre of the ruck thus stretching the defensive line out wide to allow the backline more room to move. Jai Whitbread also accepted the responsibility of regularly taking the first hit-up from kick offs and was regularly the first forward to take a hit-up after an opposition tactical kick.

Even when he is taking a hit up in the centre of the ruck, Jai Whitbread’s feet are always moving and he is constantly making slight corrections to his running vector and he is also able to maintain his speed regardless of those multiple directional changes. He seems just to run and think at a faster pace than other forwards on the field. These attributes lead to a lot of line breaks and he has the speed to convert them into tries himself.

Jai Whitbread’s speed is probably a bit above average but it is the speed that he is able to generate from only a few paces which makes it play faster from a defenders perspective. Obviously playing high level school boy rugby for TSS has assisted in the development of this particular attribute.

Defensively he hits very hard and had one of the better defensive technique s in the NYC competition this season. Jai Whitbread’s technique revolves around timing and execution. Jai Whitbread’s head is almost always correctly positioned and he always drives with his shoulder and never just jersey grabs. From the matches that I have seen Jai Whitbread also tackles with both shoulders equally effectively.

The impressive thing for me also is that Jai Whitbread never seems to bounce off the ball when he makes a front on tackle meaning his target area and the ability to hit the area on a regular basis is quite exceptional for a reasonably inexperienced forward.

Another defensive aspect that I noted during the 2019 season was that Jai Whitbread does not just make one tackle at a time, he makes a series of tackles one after another all as clinical and effective as the one before. His lateral speed is quite good due to his quick twitch feet and thus he is effective at defending against smaller dynamic runners out of dummy half as well as half backs and five eights running of the fringes looking to isolate forwards.

In addition Jai Whitbread continues to display the leadership attributes that you like to see in a player/person, not just in junior rugby league, but across any level of our game and the community. He shapes as someone who has the attributes to be not just an NRL captain but also a club captain one day and a well-respected one at that. A better role model you will not find.

As noted Jai Whitbread has signed a Top 30 contract and cemented a spot in the Titans top Seventeen in 2020 before the season’s suspension after the opening two rounds.

Even though I would still prefer to see Jai Whitbread spend some time in the second row it seems almost certain that Jai Whitbread is considered a front row/lock and with his mobility, work ethic, foot work and intelligence in the above average category for all attributes.

In many respects Jai Whitbread has a similar playing style to that of two other former Gold Coast youngsters who are now back on the Gold Coast after stints with the Broncos that being Jai Arrow and Keegan Hipgrave.

Like both Keegan Hipgrave and Jai Arrow, Jai Whitbread is a mobile yet powerful forward who is not just a tackling machine but also a player who has far more to his attacking game than just putting his head down and running straight into the defensive line.

Make no mistake the three mentioned including Jai Whitbread and the outstanding Moeaki Fotuaika are the future of the Gold Coast Titans forward pack for the next ten years or so. They are all hard working, skilful young men with leadership skills who you can look to build an NRL club around.

mdrew

13-04-20, 08:38 AM

Erin Clark. The New Zealand born utility signed a two year NRL contract with the Titans in early 2020 and shapes as a utility player who can play both in the halves as well as hooker efficiently at the NRL level.

Erin Clark made an immediate impression on the Titans coaching staff being named in the Titans 2020 NRL 9’s 18 man squad. In the Titans opening match against the Canberra Raiders, Erin Clark ran for ten metres on two carries and made a team leading ten tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

Erin Clark made a further 37 metres from three run, broke a tackle and made five tackles in Game Two against the Wests Tigers. In the Titans semi-final loss to North Queensland Erin Clark ran for forty nine metres on four runs, broke a tackle and made two tackles.

In total in the 2020 NRL Nine’s tournament, Erin Clark played in three matches, ran for ninety six metres from nine runs, broke two tackles and made seventeen tackles.

Erin Clark started at hooker for the Titans first NRL trial of 2020 against Burleigh at Pizzey Park and was one of the Titans best in their two point loss. In his time on the field Erin Clark ran for forty four metres (fourteen post contact), broke two tackles and made a team leading thirty seven tackles at a 94.87% tackling efficiency. In addition Erin Clark made seventy nine metres from three kicks out of dummy half, including a 40/20 late in the first half that led to the Titans first try.

Erin Clark also started from the bench in the Titans second and final NRL trial against the Brisbane Broncos in Redcliffe running for ten metres out of dummy half (four post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 4.2 seconds and made fourteen tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

Erin Clark started Round One of the 2020 Queensland Cup competition (his Queensland Cup debut) for the Burleigh Bears from the bench against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls coming on in the 30th minute of the first half to play in the dummy half role.

Erin Clark played a total of forty nine minutes, running for ninety metres (twenty five post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 4.15 seconds and made eighteen tackles at a tackling efficiency of 94.74%, including an outstanding tackle in the first half where with another Bears player, Josh Rogers, forced the Wynnum Manly half back ten metres into the in goal area to earn Burleigh a goal line drop out.

Erin Clark played his junior football for the Manurewa Marlins and Point Chevalier Pirates, and attended Manurewa High School before being signed by the New Zealand Warriors.

Erin Clark made his NRL debut for the Warriors in Round Two of the 2017 season against the Melbourne Storm and played for the Junior Kiwis later that same season.

In his NRL debut Erin Clark came off the bench playing only six minutes. Erin Clark made the most of those minutes however, running twice out of dummy half making eighteen metres, seven post contact, and made five tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

Erin Clark joined Canberra mid-season in 2017 but did not add to his one NRL match in his time with the Raiders. Erin Clark in fact returned to New Zealand in late 2017 taking the 2018 season off before lining up in the Sharman Cup for Manurewa in 2019.

In addition to playing in the Sharman Cup in 2019 Erin Clark played two matches for Counties Manakau in the New Zealand National Premiership. Erin Clark started at hooker in Round One and scored in the second half against Waikato and also started at hooker in Round Two against the Akarana Falcons.

In May 2016, Erin Clark played for Samoa against Tonga in the 2016 Polynesian Cup. where he played off the interchange bench in the 18-6 win at Parramatta Stadium. Later in 2016 Erin Clark represented Samoa in an International against Fiji in Apia, playing off the interchange bench in Samoa’s 20 - 18 loss.

Against Tonga Erin Clark played thirty four minutes off the bench running out of dummy half on four occasions for twenty six metres (eight post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 3.85 seconds and made sixteen tackles at a tackling efficiency of 94.1%.

Against Fiji Erin Clark played thirty two minutes, running four times for thirty two metres (eight post contact) with three of those being runs out of dummy half, played the ball at an average speed for 2.42 seconds and made sixteen tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

After moving over from the New Zealand Warriors Erin Clark completed the 2017 season as part of the Canberra Raiders NYC side as well as two matches in the Canterbury Cup for the Mounties.

For the Raiders in the 2017 NYC competition Erin Clark came into the team in Round Sixteen starting at hooker against the Brisbane Broncos going on to play in ten matches. Erin Clark started at hooker in the first six matches that he played for the Raiders before moving in Round Twenty Three starting at half against the Sharks. After that match Erin Clark started the next two matches also at half before starting from the bench in Round Twenty Six against the Storm.

Erin Clark scored three tries after moving to the Raiders with his first coming in Round Seventeen against North Queensland. Erin Clark also scored in Round Twenty One against Souths Sydney and Round Twenty Two against the Sharks.

Erin Clark also played in two matches for the Mounties in 2017 with his first match coming in Round Twenty Five when he started at half against the Sea Eagles. Erin Clarke played the entire 80 minutes of the match, running for seventy seven metres (thirty four post contact), had three try assists, three line break assists, broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed for 3.34 seconds, kicked for seventy six metres and made eighteen tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

Erin Clarks second Canterbury Cup match came in Week One of the 2017 Finals series when he started at half and played the entire eight minutes against St George. In his time on the field, Erin Clark ran for sixty eight metres, had a line break assist, broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed for 3.9 seconds, kicked for 148 metres and made twenty tackles at a 95% tackling efficiency.

In his 160 Canterbury Cup minutes in 2017 Erin Clark ran for 145 metres, had three try assists, four line break assists, broke five tackles , kicked for 224 metres and made thirty eight tackles at a 97.44% tackling efficiency. Therefore Erin Clarkes per game totals included running for 72.5 metres, kicking for 112 metres and making nineteen tackles.

For the Warriors in the 2017 NYC competition before his move to the Canberra Raiders mid-season Erin Clark started eight matches at hooker scoring in Round Eleven against St George.

In the 2016 season, Erin Clark was part of the Warriors NYC side for the second season playing in twelve matches after coming into the side in Round Seven against the Bulldogs starting at five eight. Ove the course of the 2016 NYC season Erin Clark made ten starts at five eight and two at lock being Round Sixteen against the Cronulla Sharks and Round Seventeen against the Titans.

From his twelve matches Erin Clark scored in Round Eight against the Melbourne storm, Round Ten against Penrith and Round Fifteen against the Roosters.

In 2015, even though he was still U18 eligible Erin Clark was part of the Warriors NYC squad and was the only player in the Junior Warriors’ squad to appear in all 27 matches that season, including finals.

Erin Clark played the majority of the 2017 NYC season at half, but also started four matches at hooker, including the Warriors Preliminary Final loss to Penrith which ended their season. Erin Clark’s first start at hooker came in Round Twenty Two against St George.

In his twenty seven 2015 NYC matches Erin Clark scored eight tries with his first try of the season coming in Round Two against the Raiders. Erin Clark also scored against the Wests Tigers (Rounds Six and Twenty Five), Cronulla Sharks (Round Eight), Melbourne Storm (Round Eighteen) St George (Round Twenty Two), North Queensland (Round Twenty Four), Bulldogs (Round Twenty Six) and the Brisbane Broncos (Week Two of the Finals).

In his NYC career for both Canberra and the Warriors Erin Clark played in fifty three NYC matches scoring sixteen tries to account for his sixty four points.

Erin Clark represented the New Zealand Residents U18s and the New Zealand Secondary Schools in 2014 (as a 17 year old) and that same year won the major rugby league accolade at the 2014 ASB Young Sportsperson of the Year Awards.

With the ball Erin Clark is a very good distributor and will take the ball to the line in an effort to set up his supports. Erin Clark is adept at drawing an opposing defender out of the defensive line and then putting his support runner through the resulting gap. In terms of his speed, I would suggest that an appropriate definition of his speed would be that he is quick off the mark but does not have an extra gear when he breaks into open space.

Regardless of the state of the game Erin Clark will back his judgement and take the game on. Assisting his play is the fact that he makes the decision what to do with the ball quickly thus enabling the ball to get out wide quickly.

Erin Clark’s passing game is solid but seems to be slightly better when he is passing to the right side of the field. His ability to dummy and go also seems slightly more effective when he is running to the right side of the field.

Erin Clark has a good short kicking game but he does not have the strongest leg in terms of kicking deep but is accurate and regularly finds the ground to enable the chasers to get down field. Erin Clark also has developed the ability to get his kick away defensively and thus can kick out of dummy half which is a great skill in his ****nal to have.

Erin Clark is also very vocal on the field always talking and encouraging his side both in attack and defence.

Defensively like the way that he takes the line on, Erin Clark is aggressive and attacks the ball carrier rather than waiting for the attackers to come to him and clearly looks to limit the time opposition players have to generate momentum before they get to him. Against players similar in size or reasonably close to it, Erin Clark is very aggressive and makes sure that he finishes off every tackle in an effort to win every one on one individual battle against his opponent.

At 180cm and 98kg Erin Clark certainly has the size and strength to defend effectively in the centre of the ruck for extended periods of time.

From a kicking perspective Erin Clark has range and accuracy in relation to his tactical kicking with another positive being that he gets his kicks away quickly. When he was playing at hooker in the NYC competition I can recall instances when he kicked from dummy half and even in that environment where he have limited time and space was able to generate distance whilst maintaining accuracy. Few players have the ability to kick out of dummy half well but the Titans have one such player in Erin Clark.

Erin Clark has signed a two year NRL deal with the Titans which will keep on the Gold Coast until the end of the 2021 season. Erin Clark has obviously impressed Justin Holbrook and the other coaches with his work ethic in the offseason but his role in 2020 (if the season restarts) and 2021 will ultimately be determined by how he performs in the 2021 NRL trials.

For the Titans I believe that Erin Clark will operate as a utility type of player primarily from dummy half but will also spend time in the halves. Dare I saw it but Erin Clark’s best opportunity to break into the Titans NRL side in 2020 is off the bench, where he can cover both the dummy half role and in the halves should an injury occur there.

The fact that Erin Clark is also a solid tactical kicker who has the ability to kick out of dummy half will also work in his favour in terms of being a valuable member of the Titans NRL side in 2020 (if the season restarts) and 2021 whether that is in relation to starting or coming off the bench.

From an NRL player comparison perspective for Erin Clark, I can really see aspects of the play of former Titan and Manly NRL utility Cameron Cullen as a player who provides a spark in both attack and defence when he is on the field with his feisty and aggressive take no prisoner’s nature in the way that he plays.

Erin Clark since leaving Canberra and heading back to New Zealand was for all intents and purposes off the radar from a rugby league perspective but he has clearly worked hard and trained exceptionally well to be offered a two year NRL deal by the Titans in early 2020.

mdrew

15-04-20, 06:57 AM

Darius Farmer. (Revised) He is a young second rower originally from Ipswich who signed with the Titans initially as a 15 year old and has previously represented Queensland at the U16 level in 2015 starting in the second row in the annual interstate match. Darius Farmer originally signed with the Titans in 2015 after being part of the Sydney Roosters Junior Summer Training squad in 2014.

Darius Farmer has recently signed a two year NRL deal with the Titans which will surely encompass his NRL debut, likely sooner rather than later and his training in the 2020 offseason has been outstanding highlighting his return to full fitness after his great recovery from his 2019 serious health concerns.

Darius Farmer’s first 2020 appearance was for the Titans in the 2020 NRL 9’s 18 man tournament in Perth in February. In the Titans opening match against the Canberra Raiders, Darius Farmer ran for twenty four metres on two carries and made four tackles.

Darius Farmer made a further twenty four metres from three runs and a tackle in Game Two against the Wests Tigers. In the Titans semi-final loss to North Queensland Darius Farmer ran for thirty eight metres on three carries, broke a tackle and made two tackles of his own.

In total in the 2020 NRL Nine’s tournament, Darius Farmer played in three matches, ran for eighty six metres from eight runs, broke a tackle and made seven tackles at a high tackling efficiency.

Darius Farmer started at lock for the Titans first NRL trial of 2020 against Burleigh at Pizzey Park and performed well in the new position for him running for an impressive 135 metres (twenty seven post contact), broke a tackle and made twenty six of his own.

Darius Farmer started from the interchange bench for Burleigh in their final Queensland Cup trial against the Tweed Heads Seagulls.

Darius Farmer started Round One of the 2020 Queensland Cup competition for the Burleigh Bears from the bench against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls but had an impressive match after coming on in the 30th minute of the first half. Some of his charges into the teeth of the Seagulls defensive line were very impressive indeed and on each occasion fought to produce a quick play the ball to keep the Bears on the front foot.

In total in the match Darius Farmer was on the field for thirty six minutes, ran for an impressive ninety nine metres (thirty six post contact), broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 4.01 seconds and made seven tackles.

Darius Farmer started from the interchange bench in the Titans first NRL trial of 2019 against the Norther Queensland Cowboys on the Sunshine Coast.

In Round One of the 2019 Queensland Cup competition, Darius Farmer came off the bench for Burleigh against PNG playing 26 minutes, took two hit-ups for 26 metres, 11 post contact, broke two tackles, had a play the ball average of 3.48 seconds and made nine tackles missing only one.

Darius Farmer made his second Queensland Cup appearance of the season in Round Ten for Burleigh as they thrashed the Northern Pride 43 – 0. Starting from the bench Darius Farmer played 23 minutes, ran for forty four metres (an impressive 50% of those post contact) on five hit-ups, broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 4.19 seconds and made ten tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

Darius Farmer also started from the bench in Round Eleven of the Queensland Cup for Burleigh as they defeated Central Queensland. Darius Farmer played 29 minutes, running for 35 metres (16 post contact), played the ball at an average of 4.25 seconds and made four tackles.

After Round One Darius Farmer moved back to the Burleigh Colts Hastings Deering’s Colts U20 side for Rounds Two and Three starting in the second row on both occasions.

Darius Farmer came back into the Burleigh Hasting’s Deering Colts side in Week Two of the 2019 Finals starting at right second row in Burleigh’s 42 – 12 win against Norths.

In the 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts Player of the Year Award tally Darius Farmer finished with three votes from a very limited number of matches, being four in total.

Darius Farmer was promoted to the Burleigh Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade side starting in the second row in Round Three of that competition for the Bears in their 28 – 8 win over the Currumbin Eagles.

Darius Farmer also started in the second row in Round Four against Bilambil and in fact scored his first career GCRL First Grade try. With Burleigh attacking close to the Bilambil line, Darius Farmer flew onto the ball from around two metres out to crash over the top of three defenders to get the ball down.

After missing an extended period of time during the 2019 season, it was great to see Darius Farmer back in the Burleigh Bears Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade side when he came off the bench in Round Nineteen against Southport, narrowly missing out on scoring in the second half when he chased through a Burleigh short attacking kick but could not quite ground the ball in the in goal. When he came on Darius Farmer operated on the right side of the field.

Darius Farmer also started from the bench in Round Twenty being the final 2019 regular season round against Ormeau in a big 64 – 12 Burleigh win.

In total in the Gold Coast Rugby League season in 2019 Darius Farmer played in seven Gold Coast Rugby League regular season First Grade matches for the Bears.

In the Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade Finals series Darius Farmer started at right second row for Burleigh in their Grand Final qualifying final against Currumbin scoring in an outstanding second half display.

Darius Farmer ran a crash line from around eight metres from the line and spun 360 degrees counter clock wise to crash over mid-way between the uprights and corner post on the right side of the field.

Darius Farmer also started at right second row as Burleigh won the GCRL First Grade Grand Final by defeating Southport 30 -12 scoring a try in each half in the deserved Bears victory.

Darius Farmer’s try in the first half resulted from him following through a short grubber kick on the right side of the field. Darius Farmer ran a crash line from around eighteen metres from the line on the right side of the field to crash over mid-way between the uprights and corner post on the right side of the field for his second try in the second half.

In 2019 Darius Farmer was also selected in the Gold Coast Vikings First Grade side for the South East Queensland U20 Challenge but in the end was not part of the side that won the competition due to his elevation to the Burleigh Queensland Cup side prior to that competition starting.

Darius Farmer has had an outstanding 2018 season including making his Queensland Cup debut in Round 18 off the bench for the Burleigh Bears in their 40 – 28 loss to Redcliffe coming on in around the 24th minute of the second half making a couple of solid tackles including one try saving tackle late as Redcliffe looked certain to score. Prior to his introduction into the match, Darius Farmer was deservedly acknowledged by commentator Scott Sattler for his outstanding talent and associated potential.

In his debut Queensland Cup match in Round Eighteen against Redcliffe Darius Farmer played 19 minutes, running for 14 metres, six post contact from two hit-ups and made eleven tackles at a tackling efficiency of 84.62%.

Prior to his Queensland Cup call up Darius Farmer has spent the majority of the 2018 season playing for Burleigh in the Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade competition, but has also played a number of matches for the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts side the last of which was in Round 17 against the Norths Devils.

Due to injury Darius Farmer missed the start of the 2017 season but played the majority of the season with the Tweed Heads Seagulls Colts side but also made his NYC debut with the Titans as well as representing New Zealand U18’s with former Titans team mate Jaxson Paulo.

Darius Farmer started in the second row for New Zealand in their match against the Australian School Boys in September in New Zealand playing on the left side of the field with Jaxon Paulo who played on the left wing. Even though New Zealand lost the International Darius Farmer matched up well with Australian School Boy star David Fifita who lined up on the right hand side of the field for the Australian Schoolboys.

Prior to the International match against the Australian School Boys Darius Farmer represented the New Zealand U18 Taurahere side (NZ eligible players playing in Australia) against the New Zealand Residents U18 side. Darius Farmer was one of a number Titans players named in the Taurahere side with the others being former Titans Jaxson Paulo, Reihana Marsh and 2019 Titans NRL Player of the Year Moeaki Fotuaika, although only Darius Farmer and Jaxon Paulo played in the match with both then progressing to the New Zealand U18 side.

In 2017 Darius Farmer made his NYC debut with the Titans in Round Twenty against Penrith, almost scoring with his first touch of the ball after coming off the interchange bench and in Round Twenty-Two Darius Farmer started at lock against the Broncos. In 2017 Darius Farmer went on to play in Rounds Twenty Five and Twenty Six against the Bulldogs and Roosters respectively, on both of those occasions starting off the interchange bench.

In total in the NYC competition Darius Farmer was on the field for 150 minutes, ran for 170 metres from twenty hit-ups and made forty four at a tackling efficiency of 72%. Darius Farmer’s 2017 NYC per game averages included playing 37.5 minutes, running for 43 metres and making eleven tackles.

Darius Farmer’s best match from a running perspective was against the Panthers on his NYC debut when he ran for 78 metres and in Round Twenty Six against the Roosters he made thirteen tackles in limited minutes.

Darius Farmer missed the MM Cup competition but after spending the 2016 off season training with the Titans NYC squad including playing a couple of NYC trials for example against the Melbourne Storm at Langland’s Park, Darius Farmer was back for the start of the U20 Colts Challenge competition and played in twelve matches for Tweed Heads in that competition starting in the second row in every match that he played except for Round Four when he started at lock. Darius Farmer scored twice in the Colts competition including scoring in just the third minute of the Round One clash against South’s Logan. His other try came in Round Five against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.

During the 2016 season Darius Famer played for the Gold Coast White MM side scoring a try in Round Three against the Easts Tigers. He started all of the matches he played for Gold Coast White in the second row. In addition he also made his Queensland Cup Colts debut for the Ipswich Jets in Round 15 scoring a hat trick against Toowoomba and starting in the centres. Darius Farmer started in the centres as well for the other three games that he played for the Ipswich Jets in the Colts competition, being from Rounds 23 to 25 and in Round 24 against the Tweed Heads Seagulls scored a double.

Darius Farmer is a tall, rangy exceptional athlete and this can be seen when be he is running with the football. In his carries he rarely takes a hit up without movement, he uses foot work prior to the line to look to break through as well as cutting either cutting back in behind the play the ball or cutting out towards the smaller defenders on the fringes of the ruck.

Darius Farmer runs ‘fast’ into the defensive and his foot work prior to the line enables him to get partly through the line quite often, certainly more so than you would expect for a backrower taking the ball through the centre of the ruck. One reason for this is that he is a smart footballer, he does not try to run over defenders, but he runs at the gaps between defenders and uses his running speed to break through if defenders only use their arms on the tackle.

Darius Farmer does not necessarily have a great top end speed, but he is certainly fast enough to get through to the full back prior to the arrival of the cover defence. Darius Farmer would be one of the faster back rowers running around in Queensland as can be evidenced by the fact that he handled the centre position well at the Queensland Cup Colts level.

Playing on the right hand side of the field seemingly more often, means that his right foot step and his fending using his left hand are the effective attributes, but based on his physical attributes, his skill set and his understanding of how to play the game means that I have no doubt that these attributes are transferrable to playing on the left hand side of the field.

In defence Darius Farmer regularly is the first player up to target the ball carriers, even though he is not one of the bigger forwards in his team and will make solid initial contact as well as having the ability of defending one on one.

As could be seen in the U16 development squad game a couple of season ago now, when the opportunity presents Darius Farmer has the ability to hit very hard, by setting a good base and driving through his lower body and core into his opponent.

Ultimately though Darius Farmer is a strong defender with a good front on technique and good lateral movement to track and defend against smaller opponents either on the fringes or centre of the ruck.

Darius Farmer has signed a two year deal with the Titans that sees him part of the Titans Top 30 NRL squad in 2020, a season in which he seemed set to become a regular starting second rower in the Burleigh Bears Queensland Cup side, and also appeared to be a certainty to make his NRL debut. Hopefully the 2020 NRL season can resume and Darius Farmer can make his deserved NRL debut after all.

I truly believe however now that he is back to full fitness Darius Farmer will excel in the 2020 NRL trials to the extent that he will make it impossible for new coach Justin Holbrook to leave him out of the Titans seventeen come Round One of the 2020 NRL competition against the Canberra Raiders.

I would expect that due to his size, speed and skill attributes that Darius Farmer will continue to play in the back row for the foreseeable future and even though he seems to play more on the right side of the field at present, there is nothing to suggest he will not transition into a player who can play on both sides of the ruck equally effectively.

It was interesting however to see Darius Farmer play at lock for the Titans first 2020 NRL trial against the Burleigh Bears at Pizzey Park.

I appreciate that Darius Farmer played some Queensland Cup Colts matches for the Ipswich Jets as a 17 year old previously in the centres and was very effective there but I do not envisage that was in any way a sign of things to come especially the way that Darius Farmer has developed in the second row over the last two seasons.

In fact Darius Farmer has gotten bigger and stronger over the last couple of seasons training with the Titans NRL squad, but impressively has not lost any of his outstanding speed and mobility.

From a player comparison perspective, the young Canterbury Bulldogs version of Sonny Bill Williams (or early All Black version) springs to mind as an appropriate playing style comparison, when you see the combination of the skill set Darius Farmer possesses and the rare athletic ability, add in a touch of aggression and you have a young player of immense potential who plays the game seemingly at a different pace to most of the players around him.

The Titans are building a core group of young forwards such as Moeaki Fotuaika, Keegan Hipgrave, Sam Stone, Jai Whitbread and the 2021 signing of Tino Fa’asuamaleaui amongst others.

Darius Farmer may just be the next player, and potentially the best to join that “core” group of young forwards in Titans colours for the foreseeable future.

mdrew

17-04-20, 04:57 AM

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui. The 197cm, 107kg Orange (New South Wales Country) born giant who played his junior rugby league on the Sunshine Coast is an outstanding signing for the Titans for the 2021 season and beyond. On the same day that he signed his three year contract with the Titans starting in 2021 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui was named in the 2020 Queensland U20 Emerging Origin Squad for the second season in a row.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui’s first action of the 2020 season came as part of the Melbourne Storm World Nine’s squad. In Perth Tino Fa’asuamaleaui played in both of the Storm’s matches. In Match One against Manly Tino Fa’asuamaleaui ran for 59 metres from four runs, broke three tackles and also made three tackles.

In Match Two against the Brisbane Bronco’s Tino Fa’asuamaleaui carried the ball six times, making 44 metres, broke two tackles and made seven tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency as well as diving over to score from close range.

In total in the 2020 NRL Nine’s tournament, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui played in both of the Storm’s matches, running 103 metres from ten runs, scored a try, broke five tackles and made ten tackles of his own.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui’s first NRL hit out of the 2020 season came when he started in the front row in the Melbourne Storm’s trial against the Warriors in New Zealand producing an outstanding display as the Storm scored late to win 18 – 16.

In the match Tino Fa’asuamaleaui ran for 104 metres (thirty nine post contact), broke two tackles and made a team leading twenty nine tackles at a 93.55% tackling efficiency.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui started from the bench in the Storms final 2020 NRL trial against North Queensland running for 110 metres (forty five post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.79 seconds and made twenty two tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui started Round One of the 2020 NRL Premiership from the bench for the Melbourne Storm against Manly playing twenty nine minutes. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui made the most of that time running for 139 metres (forty one post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.54 seconds and made fifteen tackles, including some heavy contact at a tackling efficiency of 93.75%. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui was also involved in the lead up to the Storms try of the match and 2020 season for that matter.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui was also named on the bench for the Storm for Round Two against the Cronulla Sharks and was very effective in his thirty three minutes on the field. In those minutes Tino Fa’asuamaleaui ran for seventy two metres (sixteen post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 2.86 seconds and made twenty tackles at a 95% tackling efficiency.

To suggest that Tino Fa’asuamaleaui had a stellar 2019 season would be a significant understatement, in addition to making his NRL debut for the Storm, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui represented the Junior Kangaroo’s against France, played for the Australian Prime Minister’s XIII against a Fiji Prime Minister’s XIII and made his senior International debut for Samoa against Fiji starting in the second row.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui made his NRL debut for the Melbourne Storm in Round Sixteen of the 2019 NRL season when he started from the bench against St George. In his debut Tino Fa’asuamaleaui played twenty seven minutes, running for eighty four metres (thirty two post contact) and made fifteen tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

In Round Eighteen Tino Fa’asuamaleaui also started from the bench against the Titans playing twenty minutes. In those minutes Tino Fa’asuamaleaui ran for thirty three metres (nine post contact) and made seventeen tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui came off the bench again in Round Twenty One against Souths Sydney playing thirty minutes running for eighteen metres (six post contact) and made twenty two tackles at a tackling efficiency of 91.67%. The two tackles that Tino Fa’asuamaleaui missed in the match where the first of his NRL career and the only ones that he missed in the NRL in 2019.

In Round Twenty Two against the Raiders, from the bench Tino Fa’asuamaleaui played twenty minutes running for fourteen metres (four post contact) and had a 100% tackling efficiency whilst making fifteen tackles.

In his final NRL match of the 2019 season against Manly Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, once again from the bench, ran for seventy seven metres (twenty seven post contact) and made eight tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency in his sixteen minutes on the field.
In total in the NRL in 2019 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui played 113 minutes out of a possible 400 (28.25%), ran for 196 metres, seventy eight of which were post contact (38.4%) and made 77 tackles missing only two, both coming in the same game for an outstanding tackling efficiency of 97.47%.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui’s per game averages included playing twenty three minutes, running for 39.1 metres and making 15.4 tackles, not missing a tackle in four of his five 2019 NRL matches. Thus per eighty minutes, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, in 2019, ran for 138.41 metres and made 54.51 tackles.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui started in the second row in his International debut for Samoa against Fiji but his side went down 44 – 18. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui played the entire 80 minutes, running for seventy six metres (twenty one post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.83 seconds and made twenty six tackles at a 92.9% tackling efficiency.

For the Australian Prime Ministers XIII in 2019 in a 52 – 10 win over Fiji Tino Fa’asuamaleaui started from the interchange bench playing forty four minutes, running for 108 metres (forty four post contact), broke four tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.07 seconds and made nine tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

For the Australian Junior Kangaroo’s against France in their big victory Tino Fa’asuamaleaui started from the interchange bench playing thirty seven minutes, running for 142 metres (fifty nine post contact), from thirteen hit-ups, broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.98 seconds and made seven tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

In addition to all of the matches above, in 2019 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui played in fourteen matches for the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the Queensland Cup scoring in Round Eight against the Mackay Cutters and Round Twelve against Burleigh.

In his fourteen matches, three of which were Finals matches Tino Fa’asuamaleaui played 749 out of a possible 1 120 minutes (66.88%), running for 1 857 metres (705 post contact), made three line breaks, offloaded the ball four times, broke fifty eight tackles and made 288 tackles at an 87% tackling efficiency.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui’s 2019 Queensland Cup per game averages included playing 53.5 minutes, running for 132.7 metres and making 20.57 tackles.

Of his fourteen 2019 Queensland Cup matches Tino Fa’asuamaleaui started eight from the bench, two in the second row beings Rounds Thirteen and Fourteen against Tweed Heads and Wynnum Manly, Round Nineteen at lock against Central Queensland and his remaining three matches in the front row including Sunshine Coast’s Preliminary Final loss to Burleigh.

Interestingly the two games that Tino Fa’asuamaleaui started in the second row in 2019 were also the only two games that he played the entire eighty minutes.

In eleven of his fourteen 2019 Queensland Cup matches Tino Fa’asuamaleaui ran for in excess of 100 metres including twice gaining more than 200 metres, including running for 231 metres in Round Thirteen against Tweed Heads and 202 metres in Week One of the Finals against the Townsville Blackhawks.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui certainly proved a handful for Queensland Cup defensives in 2019 as was evidenced by the fact that he broke nine tackles in Week One of the Finals against the Townsville Blackhawks and eight in Round Nineteen against the Central Queensland Capra’s.

Defensively in seven of his fourteen matches Tino Fa’asuamaleaui made in excess of twenty tackles including his last six matches including the three finals. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui’s “best” defensive match came in the Preliminary Final against when he made thirty four tackles at a 97.14% tackling efficiency. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui also made twenty eight tackles in Round Six against the Easts Tigers at a 100% tackling efficiency.

2019 was the second season that Tino Fa’asuamaleaui played in the Queensland Cup after making his debut as an 18 year old in 2018
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In 2018 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui played in fourteen matches for the Easts Tigers, scoring once, broke the line on two occasions, offloaded the ball four times, ran for 1 185 metres at an average of 84.69 per match and made 212 tackles at a tackling efficiency of 87.6%.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui also started in the second row for the Queensland State of Origin U20 side in 2019 and impressively started from the bench for the Queensland U20 side in 2018 after playing in the U18 Interstate match that year as well when he started in the second row scoring Queensland first try of that match. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui also represented the Queensland U18 side in 2017 and the Queensland U16 side in 2016.

Rarely can you find a young player who is equally at home running on both sides of the ruck but that is what a team has with Tino Fa’asuamaleaui , he runs a superb inside or outside shoulder line and his excellent footwork enables him to step off either foot to enable him to cut back against the movement of the defensive line to take advantage of gaps back on the inside of his direct opponent.

For a big strong young man, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui also has above average (to plus) speed, not just off the mark but also when he is in clear space, when he makes a break Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is more than capable of going the distance and normally easily out paces the cover defence.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is not just a strong runner of the ball he as noted above has excellent footwork prior to the line and also some very good short passing both before the line and when in contact with defenders.

On a lot of his runs Tino Fa’asuamaleaui rather than trying to step his opposite number will really look to initiate the contact and then use his strength to hold the defender off his body to either push through the tackle or draw in the next defender to create space for his outside support.

Whilst his ball running skills are the first thing that you will likely notice when seeing Tino Fa’asuamaleaui play his defence is equally effective even though it may not be as noticeable at first glance.

Defensively Tino Fa’asuamaleaui has a hard edge to his play and his initial contact is more than sufficient to redirect the momentum of the ball carrier regardless of the size of the opponent. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui sets a very good base which he uses to explode into the ball carrier looking to use their own momentum against them.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui good situation awareness also enables him to be well positioned when he is defending against smaller quicker players on the fringes of the ruck and he endeavours to minimise the time available for the opposing attacker to generate speed and to utilise their footwork but moving up quickly but at the same time maintaining his balance.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is also able to change direction quickly to adjust to the directional changes of the attacker especially when he is marking up against multiple attackers running in his direction where he will hold his ground to let the play to develop in front of him before committing to a specific defensive course of action.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui played the opening two NRL matches for the Melbourne Storm in 2020 and will be playing for the Titans in 2021 and seems set to be one of the first forwards picked when the 2021 season kicks off.

At 197cm and 107kg Tino Fa’asuamaleaui has the size to play in the front row but the speed and mobility to play in the second row, which is where I hope that Titans fans will see the best of him in 2021 and beyond.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui came off the bench for the Storm in 2020 playing in the front row in the opening two rounds but I really do believe that he can be an outstanding second rower in the NRL for the next decade including at the International level.

For people who have not yet seen Tino Fa’asuamaleaui play, for me he sits somewhere between Brisbane Broncos, State of Origin representatives and Australian Internationals Payne Hass and David Fifita.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is bigger than Fifita but smaller than Haas, but has the same type of explosiveness, speed and mobility attributes as the two Broncos and Australian Internationals mentioned above

mdrew

22-04-20, 05:08 PM

Tupou Lolohea. 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.

I am not sure that I can characterise in words just how hard Tupou Lolohea runs, he just flies at the line at full speed (which is significant) and drops his shoulder into the first defender who looks to engage him and then he keeps pumping his legs, which enables him to break through the initial tackle or at worst gain significant ground post contact.

These traits and the fact that Tupou Lolohea can absorb significant punishment and maintain his running line and balance I think is one of the reasons (plus his speed of course) that coaches want Tupou Lolohea on the wing or at outside centre in rugby.

For me however Tupou Lolohea is fat more than a player who just runs straight and hard, he has good late footwork prior to the defensive line, which is why he is so damaging on the fringes of the ruck and also is developing his off-loading skills on an exponential curve.

For his size Tupou Lolohea has above average to plus speed and when he breaks through the defensive line has the speed to convert his own breaks into tries on a regular basis as was evidenced this season both in rugby league and rugby.

Defensively Tupou Lolohea has a very good front on tackling technique with his shoulder and rarely gets caught front on in relation to the initial contact. From his time on the wing in both rugby and rugby league Tupou Lolohea has developed the requisite skills to work through his progressions when defending one on one against smaller players on the fringes of the ruck.

In those instances Tupou Lolohea maintains his balance and does not rush forward but waits until the attacker commits to a course of action and then mirrors the action to effect the tackle.

2019 saw the end of Tupou Lolohea’s time in the U18 ranks but clearly he has the skill, temperament and physical capabilities to go a long way in either rugby or rugby league had moved to Canberra to focus on rugby prior to the cessation of both codes in early 2020.

Due to the issues with rugby across Australia it would be great to see Tupou Lolohea play in the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition come the resumption of rugby league in 2021 for state based rugby league competitions, although to be fair rugby is also certainly still a career option for him.

Tupou Lolohea was outstanding regardless of what position that he played in 2019 in rugby league, whether it be in the centres or second row in the U18 competition or on the wing in the First Grade and Reserve Grade competitions.

From a rugby perspective in 2019 Tupou Lolohea played almost exclusively at outside centre (No.13) for the Ballina First Grade side in the Far North Coast Rugby competition although he did play a number of matches on the left wing.

Whilst I can understand why it wold be tempting to have on the wing in rugby league, with his ability to return the ball with power and handle a lot of punishment, I think that he has an incredible career in front of him in the second row with his size, speed and power best utilised there.

From an NRL player comparison perspective I would consider a player comparison with Penrith Panthers and Fijian International destructive second rower Viliame Kikau as more than appropriate. Both are exceptionally destructive on the fringes of the ruck and take a power of stopping by defences and are rarely after to be tackled effectively by just one defender due to their power running and offloading ability.

It is patently unfair to say that Tupou Lolohea has come from nowhere this season but his development this season has exponentially increased in both rugby league and rugby. The sky is the limit for this powerhouse young man and all he needs is more game time on the field

mdrew

26-04-20, 05:42 PM

Carl Lolohea. The giant powerful young former Ballina Seagulls front rower or second rower is another youngster from the Group One region in northern New South Wales making his mark in rugby league. At the start of 2020 Carl Lolohea moved over to New Zealand to be part of the Warriors U18 SG Ball Squad.

To commence the 2020 rugby league season Carol Lolohea started in the second row for the New Zealand Warriors U18 SG Ball side in their big Round One home victory 36 – 16 against the Victorian Thunderbolts.

In Round Two against the Canberra Raiders in the Warriors first trip across the Tasman in the U18 SG Ball competition, Carl Lolohea started in the second row for the second week in a row. After missing Round Three, Carl Lolohea was back in Round Four against the Cronulla Sharks starting in the second row and also started in the second row in Round Five against the Parramatta Eels which was the last match before the season ended prematurely.

Carl Lolohea started the 2019 season of starting from the interchange bench in Round One for the Northern Rivers Titans in the U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition against the Newcastle Knights Development Squad.

Round Two of the 2019 Laurie Daley Cup competition saw Carl Lolohea once again start the match from the interchange bench in their match against Parramatta.

Carl Lolohea moved into the starting line-up for the Round Three clash against the North Coast Bulldogs starting the match in the front row and maintained his starting front row spot in Round Four against the Central Coast Roosters where he made some impressive runs making good ground post contact.

As a result of his earlier performances in the U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition Carl Lolohea also started in the front row in Round Five against the Greater Northern Tigers and was rewarded for an outstanding match scoring a powerful try late.

Carl Lolohea took the ball from around twelve metres out from the try line to the left of the play the ball and cut back off his left foot to surge over near the left upright dragging a couple of defenders over the line with him.

Post the U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition Carl Lolohea played in the U18 NRRRL competition playing for Ballina. Carl Lolohea started the U18 NRRRL season off with a bang starting in the front row and scoring in Round One in a 44 - 8 Ballina win over Kyogle and he also scored in Round Two against Casino RSM in another big Ballina victory.

Carl Lolohea also had a big match in Round Eleven scoring a hat trick against Evans Head in a 54 – 4 Ballina victory.

In total in the NRRRL U18 regular season competition in 2019 Carol Lolohea scored nine tries from fifteen appearances. In addition to the tries noted above Carl Lolohea also scored against Cudgen and Kyogle and finished the regular season with a bang scoring against Byron Bay.

In Week Two of the NRRRL U18 Finals Carl Lolohea was part of the Ballina side that defeated Cudgen 26 – 20 to progress directly to the Grand Final.

In the 2019 NRRRL U18 Grand Final Carl Lolohea started in the left second row position and terrorised his Cudgen opponents continually throughout the match as Ballina drew away in the second half to win 24 – 6 after the scores were locked 2 all at half time.

Carl Lolohea made his deserved NRRRL Reserve Grade debut in Round Seven for Ballina against the Tweed Coast.

Carl Lolohea started the 2018 season as part of the Northern Rivers U16 Andrew Johns Cup side playing in four matches, including games against the Newcastle Knights Development Squad, the Central Coast Roosters, the Greater Northern Tigers and the Western Rams which featured Titans signing Jack Smith.

Carl Lolohea also played for Ballina in the Far North Coast U16 Rugby competition starting seven matches in the centres with his first match being in Round Three against Brunswick Valley. IN his seven matches he scored two tries both coming in Round Thirteen against Lismore.

In 2017 Carl Lolohea represented the Group One U15 side in three matches at the New South Wales Country U15 Age Championships.

In the Group One U16.5 competition in 2018 Carl Lolohea played in thirteen matches for Ballina scoring five tries. Each of his tries came in individual matches and came against Lismore Marist Brothers twice, Casino RSM twice and Clarence Coast.

At this stage of his career Carl Lolohea is primarily a hard straight runner with little subtlety or footwork prior to contact with the defensive line but there has been just a few signs this season, including playing for the Group One U16 side against the Western Mustangs U16’s that his footwork is slowly but surely developing nicely.

Carl Lolohea has continued to get bigger and stronger over the last few years and impressively has also been able to maintain has above average speed and mobility for his position, in fact I would consider his speed for a front rower to be in the plus category as is his mobility.

Defensively Carl Lolohea regularly is the first player up to target the ball carriers, even though he is one of the bigger forwards in his team and will make solid initial contact as well as having the ability of defending one on one.

Carl Lolohea is not averse to looking for the big hit but also does have a good front on defensive technique and decent agility and lateral movement when looking to tackle smaller opponents. Carl Lolohea has the size, strength and power to seal off sections of the field in defence and impressively can sustain that dominance for the entire match regularly.

Carl Lolohea played the 2020 season with the New Zealand Warriors in the New South Wales Rugby League U18 SG Ball competition before its premature finalisation.

It would be great however to see Carl Lolohea play in the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition for the Tweed Heads Seagulls come the resumption of rugby league in 2021 for state based rugby league competitions across Australia. Carl Lolohea would also be Hastings Deering’s Colts eligible in 2022.

Carl Lolohea is a big strong young man still growing into his frame and should continue to do so over the coming years without compromising his outstanding athletic abilities. As he continues to develop his skills and grows physically there would appear to be no doubt that Carl Lolohea will stay in the front row.

Carl Lolohea has outstanding physical attributes and a rapidly developing skill set and it is just a matter of time for him to figure out how best to use them to dominate on a rugby league field and when he does opposition teams regardless of quality should look out.

From an NRL player comparison perspective I would consider a player comparison for Carl Lolohea with Penrith Panthers destructive second rower Viliame Kikau as more than appropriate. Both are exceptionally destructive on the fringes of the ruck and take a power of stopping by defences

mdrew

02-05-20, 11:05 AM

JT (John Thomas) Manuofetoa. (Updated) He is a powerful young centre or second rower from the Ormeau Shearers junior rugby league club on the Gold Coast.

JT Manuofetoa is currently contracted to the Brisbane Bronco’s but with the Titans doing such a great job in bringing young local junior back into the fold, anything is certainly possible.

JT Manuofetoa started Round One of the 2020 MM Cup competition for the Tweed Heads Seagulls at right second row against the Northern Pride scoring in the Seagulls big first up 50 – 20 victory.

JT Manuofetoa was part of the Shearers U16 Division One Grand Final winning side in 2019, scoring a double in the victory. JT Manuofetoa was named to start the Grand Final on the bench end ended up starting and starring at right centre.

In the 2019 U16 Division One Grand Final JT Manuofetoa had a roller coaster of a match scoring a double, including a try in the last minute to force the match into golden point, recording a first half try assist and them unfortunately being stretchered off in the third minute of the second portion of golden point.

JT Manuofetoa’s first try, which was also the first of the Grand Final came in the 9th minute. JT Manuofetoa received the ball from the dummy half on the right side of the field and then got on the outside of the Coomera Cutters left centre ultimately beating him with a fend, before beating two further defenders on his ten metre run to the try line.

As noted above JT Manuofetoa’s second try was scored in the last minute of regular time to lock up the scores. The ball was played on the left side of the field and was flung to the right desperately looking for space with the clock running down, eventually JT Manuofetoa received the ball from an offload sprinting eight metres to the line and produced a huge dive to the delight of himself and his Shearers team mates.

JT Manuofetoa’s try assist came in the 24th minute of the first half. The Shearers spun the ball to the right, JT Manuofetoa who had started the play behind the play the ball before looping around behind the play including a dummy run by Titans contracted Brock Priestly receiving the ball on the outside. JT Manuofetoa sized up the situation immediately throwing a great long pass to his right to send his winger away down the right touch line to score.

Also in 2019 JT Manuofetoa moved to Brisbane Grammar School and started all eight of their GPS school boy rugby matches at outside centre (No. 13) with his debut in Round Two against Ipswich Grammar School after Brisbane Grammar School had a Round One bye.

In 2018 JT Manuofetoa was named to start in the second row for U16 Queensland City side for their match against Queensland City but was unfortunately ruled out of the match in the end.

In early 2018 JT Manuofetoa started at left centre for the Titans U15 side in their six tries to three victory over the Western Mustangs at Nerang. Over the course of the match JT Manuofetoa combined well with Kaleb Ngamanu.

JT Manuofetoa was also part of the Ormeau U14 Division One side in 2017 that defeated Burleigh in the 2017 Grand Final 31 – 16. JT Manuofetoa actually started the Grand Final at five eight.

Over the course of the 2017 GCJRL U14 Division One season, JT Manuofetoa played in thirteen matches for the Shearers, scoring eight tries including a final’s double against Runaway Bay. JT Manuofetoa had a great end to the regular season scoring in each of the last four rounds.

In 2016 JT Manuofetoa played at fullback for the all-conquering U13 Gold Coast Vikings side as well as being named in the centres for South East Queensland Green U13’s.

For the Ormeau Shearers in the U13 Division One competition in 2016, JT Manuofetoa played in ten matches and scored an impressive 17 tries for the season to finish third on the try scoring tally behind Shearers team mate Syris Schmidt who topped the list. At a team level, Ormeau had a very successful year culminating in a 34 – 22 Grand Final victory over Runaway Bay.

JT Manuofetoa started the Grand Final at fullback. As noted JT Manuofetoa scored seventeen tries including an incredible span of five matches where he scored 14 tries alone including four against Helensvale, hat tricks against Helensvale again and Nerang and doubles Currumbin and Burleigh Heads. Earlier in the 2016 season he also scored a double against Jimboomba.

Previous seasons has seen JT Manuofetao make a number of representative sides, for example in 2014 he represented the South Coast U11 QPSRL side which won the Queensland championships and scored two tries against Wide Bay and in 2015 he played for the Queensland Invitational side which finished third in the Australian U12 championships, and across the pool matches scored four tries, one each against ACT, WA, SA and NT.

JT Manuofetoa is a tall, rangy exceptional athlete and this can be seen when be he is running with the football. In his carries he rarely takes a hit up without movement, he uses foot work prior to the line to look to break through as well as cutting either cutting back in behind the play the ball or cutting out towards the smaller defenders on the fringes of the ruck.

Like one or two others mentioned recently he runs ‘fast’ into the defensive and his foot work prior to the line enables him to get partly through the line quite often, certainly more so than you would expect for a backrower taking the ball through the centre of the ruck.

JT Manuofetoa does not try to run over defenders, but he runs at the gaps between defenders and uses his running speed to break through if defenders only use their arms on the tackle. He does not necessarily have a great top end speed, but he is certainly fast enough to get through to the full back prior to the arrival of the cover defence.

There are a few big strong fast young centres/backrowers in his age group on the Gold Coast and JT is right up there in terms of speed. If anything he looked like his speed had improved over the course of the 2016 season meanly that the opportunity to continue in the outside backs rather than any future transition to the back row is potentially lessened.

Playing on the right hand side of the field seemingly more often, means that his right foot step and his fending using his left hand are the more effective attributes, but based on his physical attributes, his skill set and his understanding of how to play the game means that I have no doubt that these attributes are transferrable to playing on the left hand side of the field.

Where his greatest impact on a game is going to be is his defence. JT Manuofetoa has a great tackling technique and a hard hitting aggressive style to go with it. I think that in every game that I have seen him play, including representative games he has made a huge impact defensively. It is not a reckless style where he runs in trying to pull off the biggest hit possible, it is a calculating style where he uses a great technique to hit the opposition just under the rib cage to devastating effect.

Moving to the 2020 JT Manuofetoa started Round One of the MM Cup competition for the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup side before its untimely demise squad and post that competition was set to continue to play for the Ormeau Shearers in the GCRL U18 Division One competition.

Depending upon the lock down situation JT Manuofetoa will also continue to play GPS First XV rugby for Brisbane Grammar School in the GPS First XV school boy rugby competition which is set to commence in July 2020 (if it happens of course).

From a long term position perspective, I believe that he will continue to alternate between centre and second row in the short to medium term but when all is said and done I think that he will develop into a big strong powerful runner of the ball with an intimidating defensive mindset most likely in the second row but that is certainly not set in stone.

From a player comparison perspective, a player who could be considered to have a similar playing style is Brisbane Broncos backrower Matt Gillett as a skilled 80 minute backrower who stands out due to his determination and intensity both with the ball and defensively. This young guy is a very talented young rugby league player (and rugby player for that matter) with a very bright future ahead of him.

mdrew

05-05-20, 06:45 AM

Oliver Singh – (Updated) He is a local young utility player, who has played a number of positions over the last couple of years, including hooker, half, five eight and also fullback.

Oliver Singh started at five eight in Round One of the 2020 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Northern Pride.

In 2019 Oliver Singh played for the Tweed Coast Raiders in the NRRRL competition making his NRRRL First Grade debut early in the 2019 season playing primarily at half back and for portions of the season was the Raiders primary goal kicker. Oliver Singh was also the mid-season hero for Tweed Coast when he kicked the game winning field goal as they defeated the Kyogle Turkeys 19 – 18 in a nail biting finish in the First Grade fixture.

In 2018 Oliver Singh was part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad playing in the opening three rounds, starting from the in Rounds One and two against Sunshine Coast and Redcliffe Dolphins respectively. In his third and final match of the 2018 MM Cup season, Oliver Singh stated at five eight against the Tweed Heads Seagulls.

2018 also saw Oliver Singh play two matches in the GCRL U19 competition, debuting against Helensvale in July when he scored a try and kicked two goals, he also played against Bilambil in August.

In the 2017 GCRL U17 Division One competition the half or fullback played in eleven matches scoring 76 points from four tires and 30 goals. Three of those goals were kicked in the GCRL U17 Division One Grand Final that Currumbin won 30-10 against Runaway Bay with Oliver Singh starting at fullback.

All four of Oliver Singh’s tries came in separate matches against Mudgeeraba, Tweed Heads twice and Burleigh in a semi-final. With the boot Oliver Singh had a big match in June against Tweed Heads kicking seven conversions to go along with a try.

In 2017 Oliver Singh played for the Currumbin eagles in their U16 Division One semi-final victory over Burleigh 24 – 22 last Friday night. A team mate in that Friday night’s semi-final win was Titans High Performance Unit member Noah Gafa.

Over the course of the 2017 season with the Currumbin Eagles in the GCJRL U16 Division One competition, Oliver Singh has played in eleven matches including Friday night’s semi-final, scoring two tries and kicking three goals. Oliver Singh’s first try came in Round One against Southport and his second try came in the last round before the finals against Helensvale.

Early in 2017 Oliver Singh was part of the Gold Coast Vikings White U16 side that took part in the South East Queensland U16 pre-season competition and also played half back for Marymount College when they played in the QISRL Confraternity Shield competition in Cairns in July.

Oliver Singh was also part of the Marymount College Open rugby league side that season including their heart breaking GIO Cup loss to Redbank Plains State High School in the last minute. A win in that match would have seen Marymount College progress to the Queensland GIO Cup quarter-finals.

In 2016 Oliver Singh was named the Gold Coast Academy of Sport Future Stars Athlete of the Year.

The former PBC and Marymount College Burleigh Heads student represented the U14 Titans development squad in late 2015 in their victory against Samoa and also in 2014 against the same opposition. Oliver Sign was a member of 2015 Gold Coast junior rugby league academy. He also received the Rugby League Encouragement of the year award at the Gold Coast Academy of Sport awards night for 2015.

Oliver Singh started at five eight for the Titans U14 side in their game against Samoa, and made a good fist of the position. In attack, regardless of the position he is playing, he is quick and strong and has good footwork to beat opposition defenders and then has decent speed, but he is not a burner from a speed perspective.

Although his speed off the mark is not in the plus category, Oliver Singh is effective at creating immediate space when combined with a good dummy. In relation to his play at hooker his passing is reasonably crisp, especially to the right side, which mirrors his play in the halves.

Oliver Singh has a solid all round kicking game regardless of whether he is playing in the halves or hooker but like most young general play kickers he just needs to ensure that he does not try to kick the ball too hard and lose accuracy as a result on occasion he does take a little while to get his kicks away and this is something that he may need to work on, but when not rushed he does generate reasonable distance and accuracy.

With likely continued improvement and experience, Oliver Singh has a ceiling of being a team’s primary tactical kicking option, and his floor is that of a more than effective secondary option.

Oliver Singh can also kick out of dummy half when playing at the hooker position and will chase very hard to prevent the opposition from making ground in relation to kick returns. His right foot kick is not huge but seems to be very accurate and normally finds the ground rather than defenders on the full.

Prior to this year, he was the primary kicker for his club side as well as the Titans U13 development squad, but this year that situation changed and he kicked a lot less, which for me was a little surprising as he showed both range and accuracy in the past as a goal kicker, including a couple of great kicks from the sideline in the 2014 season.

Defensively Oliver SIngh is more than strong enough to defend in the middle of the ruck and quick enough to defend on the fridges, thus his defensive abilities will not dictate his eventual long term position. In the centre of the ruck he sets a strong base to create the necessary leverage to defend against larger forwards. When defending in the halves, he due to his low centre of gravity and tackling technique can effectively engage wide running forwards as well as having the footwork and lateral movement to contain and eliminate the threat of smaller stepping players breaching the defensive line.

Oliver Singh was set to continue to play the 2020 season with the Tweed Heads Seagulls U20 Hastings Deering’s Colts side before its demise.

A long term position perspective is an interesting one, even though Oliver Singh played a number of games in the halves in the NRRRL over the last two seasons, based on his build and passing skills, I can legitimately see a case for him to transition to hooker full time in the years to come.

Playing both in the halves at fullback and at hooker for the next couple of years though is the most likely scenario as he works on his passing and game management skills before any decision needs to be made to limit him to playing one position. Versatility is a good trait to have as a young player making your way through the junior grades.

From a player comparison perspective think someone along the lines of former Titan Matt Srama as a solid all round player who played a lot of his junior football in the halves and who will probably not stand out, but does a lot of little things well and likely provide a legitimate kicking option out of dummy half and having the endurance to be an 80 minute player.

mdrew

05-05-20, 04:12 PM

Elliott Speed. Elliott Speed was selected in the North Coast U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad and started at half in Round One against the Central Coast Roosters, operating primarily on the right side of the field and kicked four goals from seven attempts (three conversions and one penalty goal) in North Coast’s victory.

Elliott Speed also started at half in Round Two against the Parramatta Eels in Sydney kicking four from six as North Coast won their second match in a row.

Once again in Round Three against the Greater Northern Tigers, Elliott Speed started at half and kicked three from five in their tough two point loss. Elliott Speed made it four starts at half back in as many matches in Round Four against the Newcastle Knights scoring a try as well as kicking four from six conversions and one penalty goal from as many attempts in North Coast’s six point win.

Elliott Speed’s try came in the first half, he ran at the Knights line on a 45 degree angle around twelve metres out from the line, at the last moment he tucked the ball under his arm and took on the Knights left side defence, the initial contact made Elliott Speed spin 360 degrees counter clock wise, but he was able to maintain his balance and dive over near the left upright.

Elliott Speed also had a try assist in the match when he ran to the right of the play the ball about ten metres out from the try line producing a good short ball to his right to send his centre over.

Elliott Speed started the Round Five “local derby” against the Northern Rivers Titans also at half kicking three conversions from five attempts in the twenty six all draw.

In early 2020 Elliott Speed has selected as a reserve for the Lismore Diocese Combined Catholic Colleges (CCC) U18 touch school boy side.

The McCauley Catholic College Grafton student had an outstanding 2019 season in the blue and white of the Grafton Ghosts in the Group Two U18 competition finishing the season being named the 2019 Group Two U18 Player of the Year as well as finishing as the competition’s leading point’s scorer and goal kicker. Elliott Speed also finished in the top five of the competition from a try scoring perspective.

The award and points scoring feats noted above are more impressive when you consider that 2019 was Elliott Speed’s first year in senior rugby league (U18 level and above) and he is U18 eligible again in 2020.

Included in the performances of the half/five eight prospect in the Group Two U18 competition in 2019 was a hat trick against the Sawtell Panthers in Round Three and a Round Five double against Woolgoolga.

From a goal kicking perspective, Elliott Speed kicked nine goals in Round Five against Woolgoolga to finish that match with an individual point tally of twenty six and mid-season kicked six goals in a another match against Woolgoolga. Elliott Speed also had a twelve point haul in a late July derby against the South Grafton Rebels when he scored a try and kicked four goals in a keenly contested “Battle of Grafton”.

Elliott Speed was also outstanding at five eight for McCauley College in the 2019 DEX Shield competition but unfortunately they went down in the Final to McLean High School who won the shield for the third season in a row.

Elliott Speed is also an outstanding hockey player representing New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges and New South Wales in that sport across multiple age groups and earlier in 2019 was named in the 2019-20 Hockey NSW Athlete Acceleration Program (AAP) Boys Squad. Northern New South Wales is actually a bit of a hot spot for hockey as an aside.

Elliott Speed is just a superb mover seemingly gliding across the field effortlessly with outstanding balance, body control and exquisite hand eye co-ordination which has been aided by playing hockey at a very high level. Seriously Elliott Speed’s running style looks just effortless and perfectly balanced.

It is hard to put in words just how talented Elliott Speed is in terms of running the ball, he has outstanding speed both off the mark which I would consider in the plus plus category and top end speed which must be considered plus regardless of position.

Elliott Speed with his pace is able to exploit even the smallest of gaps in the defensive line with an exceptional step off either foot and incredible acceleration as well as outstanding balance and body control. When Elliott Speed steps, regardless of the size of the step or in which direction there is absolutely no loss of speed or momentum as he moves to his new vector and continues on.

It is that speed trait which opens up his incredible ball playing skills as well. Teams start to focus heavily on Elliott Speed when he has the ball with outside defenders looking to come in to assist that they open up holes wider out in the defensive line that Elliott Speed can exploit.

Elliott Speed has exquisite timing on his passes and is able to weight them perfectly as well and can do so from either side of his body. Adding in this is that Elliott Speed can stop on a dime even travelling at full speed and pop the short pass, thus it looks for all money that he is going to run the ball thus the defence converges and then the ball is delivered to a support runner who is through a hole before the defensive line can readjust.

Elliott Speed also runs with the ball in both hands out in front of his body which is another reason why the defensive line is unable to determine exactly what Elliott Speed is going to do with the ball at any given time.

Elliott Speed just seems to have all of the time in the world to do what he wants on a rugby league field and is just so calm and composed and seemingly always two or three plays ahead of the opposition and his own team mates on occasion to be honest.

Like when he has the ball in his hands, there is nothing that Elliott Speed cannot do in relation to kicking the ball. Elliott Speed is an exceptional tactical kicker with range and accuracy, he can put up pin point bombs and perfectly weighted grubber kicks into the in goal. In short if you can name a type of rugby league kick, Elliott Speed can execute it with precision.

Defensively Elliott Speed is a very strong young man with exceptional functional strength to go along with an innate understanding of the attacking strategies of rugby league thus he is able to anticipate what an attacking side is looking to do with the ball and then be in the best position to negate it.

Elliott Speed has a very good low tackling technique which is simple and repeatable and effective against all size opponents and thus there is no need for a defensive minder on Elliott Speed’s side of the field. In short just like his attacking play Elliott Speed is an outstanding defender.

Elliott Speed is also an outstanding goal kicker with range and accuracy in a repeatable, technically simple and consistent goal kicking action and has the ability to be a primary goal kicking option at the NRL level.

With things looking up that community rugby league will re-start in July, Elliott Speed will play the 2020 season once again with the Grafton Ghosts in the Group Two U18 competition but without doubt will make his Group Two First Grade debut for the Ghosts probably sooner than later in the 2020 season where I believe that he will make an immediate impact in the top grade in the blue and white of the Grafton Ghosts.

Elliott Speed also be involved in multiple sports, incuding rugby legue, touch and hockey for McCauley College in 2020.

Undoubtly Elliott Speed will also continue to play hockey (and at a very high level as well, including state level) but fingers crossed that he decides in the end to choose rugby league when the inevitable crunch between the two sports occurs for this talented dual sport athlete.

Elliott Speed from what I understand played exclusively at five eight or half this season in school boy and club rugby league and I can really see him making a name for himself at five eight in particular over the next season or two in the Group Two First Grade competition for the Grafton Ghosts.

In saying that however with his speed, body control, elusiveness and ball skills from playing in the halves regularly I would really like to see how Elliott Speed’s skills and athletic ability would translate to the fullback position where he would have more room to move and be in a position to be the second receiver when the ball is played out the back by the half or five eight. I think that Elliott Speed would be dynamic in the custodian role.

From my perspective, a talented, unselfish attacking player with similar attributes to Elliott Speed is North Queensland Cowboys and former Melbourne Storm fullback Scott Drinkwater. Like Drinkwater, Elliott Speed has great acceleration to go along with a wicked sidestep off both feet, and the play making skills to make opposition teams pay if defences look to focus too much on him rather than his support runners or if individual defenders come out of the line too quickly.

Also like Drinkwater, Elliott Speed has the skill set to play multiple positions and play them very effectively over the course of a match or season

mdrew

06-05-20, 08:03 AM

Zac McCormack. The exceptionally talented former Coombabah State High School student is as talented a young player as you would wish to see. The young man who graduated from Coombabah as the dux of the school is a former Broncos scholarship holder but is a Gold Coast local so where there is life there is hope in relation to one day seeing Zac McCormack wearing a Titans jersey.

In 2019 Zac McCormack played for Burleigh in the GCRL U20 competition as well as for the Bears in the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition.

Zac McCormack started on the bench in Round One of Hastings Deering’s Colts competition against Norths and has also come off the bench in his other Hastings Deering’s Colts matches in 2019 including Finals, although he did start at hooker in Round Twenty Three against the Central Queensland Capra’s.

Zac McCormack scored his first Hastings Deering’s Colts try of the season in Round Twenty against the Western Mustangs when he ran to his right out of dummy half close to the Mustangs line. When he took a few steps to his right it looked like he was going to throw a long pass to the right not instead Zac McCormack dived over as the Mustangs close in defence started to relax.

Zac McCormack also had two try assists in the match both coming in the match and both similar. On both occasions Zac McCormack threw hard flat passes to his right out of dummy half from near the try line and to add to the similarities the tries were scored by brothers Daniel and Samuel Shannon.

Like in Round Twenty Zac McCormack had two try assists in Round Twenty One against the Northern Pride. In the first half Zac McCormack threw hard flat passes to his right out of dummy half from near the try line to Andrew Sougall to dive over under the posts. In many respects the try scoring play was identical to the try assist that Zac McCormack fashioned for Samuel Shannon in Round Twenty.

Zac McCormack’s second try assist of the game which came in the second half was as a result of a short left foot kick. Zac McCormack took a couple of steps to his left out of dummy half close to the line and put in a deft left foot kick into the in goal for Cameron Brown to dive on the loose ball after it bounced off the legs of a few Northern Pride defenders.

In Week Two of the Finals Zac McCormack started from the bench in Burleigh’s 42 – 12 win against Norths.

Zac McCormack’s 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts season came to an end when he started on the interchange bench for Burleigh as they went down 23 – 16 to Sunshine Coast in the Preliminary Final.

In total in the 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition Zac McCormack played in xx matches scoring xx tries starting all but one of his matches on the interchange bench.

In the 2019 GCRL U20 competition, Zac McCormack played in five matches scoring three tries, including a double against Runaway Bay also scoring early in the in the season against Southport.

In 2018 Zac McCormack started the season with the Burleigh MM Cup squad starting at hooker in all six of their matches and scoring in Rounds Four and Six against Souths Logan and the Western Mustangs respectively.

Zac McCormack played in paly match of the 2018 Hastings Deering’s Colts season off the bench in Round Fourteen against the Northern Pride, going on to play three more Colts matches, all off the bench.

Zac McCormack also played four matches in the GCRL U19 competition in 2018, scoring against Ormeau in May.

Zac McCormack has had an outstanding 2017 campaign for Burleigh in both the MM Cup competition and more recently the U20 Colts Challenge competition where he has spent some time at half back as well as hooker. Not bad at all for a young man of 17 who is still eligible for the MM competition in 2018. Zac McCormack also played a number of matches at the U17 Division One and U19 levels in the Gold Coast Rugby League competition for Runaway Bay.

In the 2017 MM Cup competition for Burleigh Zac McCormack played in all five of the Bears matches, starting the first three rounds at hooker and coming off the inter change bench for the final three. Zac McCormack had the honour of captaining the Burleigh side in Round Three.

Zac McCormack made his U20 Colts Challenge debut starting at hooker in Round Five of 2017 against the Sunshine Coast Falcons and also started at hooker in Round Sixteen. Zac McCormack played in four additional Colts matches coming off the inter change bench between his two starts including scoring in Round Fourteen against the Ipswich Jets.

Zac McCormack played six matches for Runaway Bay in both the U17 Division One and U19 Gold Coast Rugby League competitions over the course of the 2017 season. In the U17 Division One competition Zac McCormack scored against Ormeau and in the U19 competition he scored against the Bilambil Jets.

In 2016 Zac McCormack was the starting hooker for the Queensland U16 side and has made numerous other representative sides over the years including playing for Gold Coast Green in eh CC Cup competition in 2016.

Zac McCormack is a dummy half with a goal to lead his team around the field and determine when the forwards take the ball up and when the ball is directed out to the backline. Zac McCormack looks to lead his forwards onto the ball and provides a flat pass to enable his forwards to time their run onto the ball. Zac McCormack aims to be the team’s general from dummy half and control the pace of the match and the axis from which his team directs their attack and also from what part of the field.

Running with the ball Zac McCormack has reasonable speed off the mark, probably in the average category for a hooker but normally runs off the back of a big run from one of his forwards so that he runs when the defensive line is still retreating back to their 10 metre mark.

Just like he is when he is at dummy half Zac McCormack is a leader when he is in the defensive line looking to direct his forwards towards where the ball is likely heading and individually identifying which forward defends which attacker. Zac McCormack certainly has a tough streak and will look to hit opposing forwards regardless of their size as hard as possible and looks to finish off each tackle with aggression. Zac McCormack is also a solid worker when at marker and will chase and look to harass both ball runners and tactical kickers alike.

Another area where Zac McCormack has a plus attribute is in relation to his leaderships skills. He is a strong confident personality and that translates to a leader on and off the field, this is a trait that you cannot teach, you either have it or you don’t. Even if he is not the nominated captain on the field he is a leader regardless of which team he is lining up for and acts accordingly. The confidence that his team mates have in Zac McCormack is just extraordinary.

Zac McCormack was still eligible for the Hastings Deering’s Colts Cup competition in 2020 and for me at least he would have been be a real chance at making his Queensland Cup debut at some stage. Zac McCormack is more than capable is handling that standard of competition and for that matter excelling.

Even though Zac McCormack has played a number of matches at half back for Burleigh in 2017 season, I firmly believe that with his game management, distribution and leadership skills Zac McCormack will have a long and distinguished career at hooker.

From a rugby league playing comparison perspective Zac McCormack has a similar playing and leaderships style to that of former Australian Test Captain Cameron Smith, in that he is a leader on the field, is very good at leading his team around the field a very under rated kicker from the dummy half position and a very good defender.

mdrew

07-05-20, 06:09 AM

Thomas (Tom) Neale. The Titans linked local has won the Titans jersey on a number of occasions already in his career including for the Titans early this season against the Newcastle Knights in Coffs Harbour.

Tom Neale started the 2019 season as part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad, coming into the side in Round Four when he started from the bench against Central Queensland, Tom Neale also started from the bench in Rounds Five and Six against Wynnum Manly and the Mackay Cutters respectively.

From a club perspective, Tom Neale played for Burleigh in the GCLR U18 Division One competition including starting the Grand Final at half and scoring as the Bears defeated Southport 28 – 12 in a tough encounter.

Tom Neale’s try in the Grand Final was an impressive individual effort. From a Burleigh scrum win twenty five metres out from the Southport line, Tom Neale received the ball to the left of the crum from the Burleigh lock and immediately ran across field perpendicular to the defensive line and dummied inside to the Burleigh fullback who had come back underneath. Tom Neale immediately after the dummy brought the ball back into his body before beating the Southport Tigers half back by slipping under his outstretched left arm to sprint the remaining twenty metres to score on theleft side of the field mid-way between the corner post and goal post on the left side of the field.

In total in the GCRL U18 Division One competition in 2019 Tom Neale played in eleven matches scoring eighteen points from four tries and a late season conversion against Mudgeeraba. In addition to his Grand Final try Tom Neale also scored against Ormeau, Runaway Bay and Helensvale.

In 2018 Tom Neale played in twelve matches for Burleigh in the GCRL U17 Division One competition scoring three tries across the journey with those tries coming against Helensvale, Bilambil and Ormeau.

Tom Neale is a slightly built half/hooker who is more of an organising type of player rather than a running player at this stage of his career. He can be seen directing his forwards when and where to run and seemingly makes it clear that Tom Neale is in charge of directing the team around the field and adhering to the game plan.

Tom Neale’s passing from both sides of his body is crisp and accurate and when passing to the left side generates good spin and distance whilst maintaining accuracy.

Tom Neale does not take the line on that often, but based on his play in the MM Cup and for Burleigh this season, he can and will take on forwards when he sees that they are isolated in the edges of the ruck, although his passing percentage would be much higher than his running percentage, at an estimate I would say 85% passing, 15% running.

Tom Neale just seems to have a knack of knowing when to pass, what type of pass to throw and also be able to weight the pass very well from either dummy half or one off the ruck.

Tom Neale seems to be quite quick off the mark and seems to have a good right foot step, when he gets into space he really does work progressively though his options as he does not seem to have the top end speed to finish off breaks himself.

Where Tom Neale projects very well is in the defensive aspects of rugby league, in essence he is a very good defender for the half back position and by extrapolation hooker, this includes against opposing halves who will try to use footwork and evasion to beat him or against big wide running forwards. Against forwards running directly at him, Tom Neale has a good compact low tackling technique and rarely looks to tackle above the waist.

Tom Neale will play the 2020 season in the U20 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition for the Burleigh Bears and will be Colts eligible again in 2021.

Tom Neale is a rare player to the extent that going forward I believe that he will be able to play two positions equally as well as each other, being half and hooker and at this stage I cannot really make a call as to where he is best suited, but one thing that is certain, until he nails down a specific position Tom Neale may be the perfect interchange player.

From an NRL player comparison perspective for Tom Neale think maybe someone like the St George Dragons and Australian International hooker or half Ben Hunt, especially in terms of his passing game and his show and go when he has the ball.

mdrew

08-05-20, 06:39 AM

Connor Te Kani. (Revised) He is a local young five eight/centre who started Round One of the 2020 MM Cup competition for the Tweed Heads Seagulls at five eight against the Northern Pride finishing the match with an individual points haul of sixteen from a try and six from ten goal kicking attempts in the Seagulls big first up victory.

Connor Te Kani played his club rugby league on the Gold Coast with the Coomera Cutters in the 2019 GCRL U16 Division One competition.

For the Cutters Connor Te Kani played thirteen matches, including starting the Grand Final at five eight and kicked four goals as the Cutters went down in heart breaking fashion in golden point 22 – 20 to Ormeau.

Two of Connor Te Kani’s goals were second half penalty goals early in the second half and Connor Te Kani also recoreded a try assist in the first half. On the last tackle thirty five metres out Connor Te Kani lined up directly behind the dummy half before at the last minute darting to the right. Almost immediately after receiving the ball Connor Te Kani put in a right foot stab kick down the left touch line which after some bobbling was retrieved by Coomera and brought around to be put donw under the posts, with Connor Te Knai converting the try he set up.

In his thirteen matches Connor Te Kani scored seventy three points from three tries, thirty goals and a field goal which he kicked in Round Two against Ormeau. Connor Te Kani’s tries came in matches against Ormeau in Round Two and also in matches against Helensvale and Burleigh.

With the boot Connor Te Kani kicked six goals in Week One of the U16 Division One Finals Series against Burleigh and five mid-season against Helensvale, he also scored in those two matches. Connor Te Kani added three further goals in Coomera’s Preliminary Final victory over Currumbin.

Connor Te Kani started all eight of Brisbane Grammar Schools GPS First XV matches at No. 10 (fly half) making his debut In Round Two against Ipswich Grammar School after Brisbane Grammar School had a Round One bye.

In his eight matches Connor Te Kani kicked seven conversions with his first coming in Round Three when he kicked a pressure conversion in the last minute to lock the scores up at 17 all against Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie).

Connor Te Kani kicked two conversions in Round Seven and Eight against Nudgee and Brisbane State High School respectively and also kicked a conversion in Round Six against Gregory Terrace and in Round Nine against Toowoomba Grammar School.

In the 2019 QPICC Connor Te Kani represented the Cook Islands U16 side playing in all four of their matches at half and had an outstanding final scoring two tries and kicking three goals as the Cook Islands defeated Tonga 14 – 6 in the Final.

For the Coomera Cutters (he had previously played for Runaway Bay) Connor Te Kani played in eleven matches in the 2018 GCRL U15 Division One competition, including points and finished as one of the competitions leading point scorers with 84 from ten tries and twenty two goals.

In Round Two of the U15 Division One Final’s series, Connor Te Kani started at five eight and kicked a conversion as Coomera went down 44 – 6 to eventual Grand Final winners Ormeau.

In the U15 Division One Preliminary Final Connor Te Kani once again started at five eight, scoring a try and kicking a conversion as Coomera bowed out of the competition on the back of a 58 – 14 loss to Runaway Bay.

In addition to his finals try, Connor Te Kani scored four doubles which came in matches against Currumbin (in two matches), Mudgeeraba and Ormeau. Connor Te Kani’s other try came late in the season against Mudgeeraba.

Connor Te Kani had some big matches from a goal kicking perspective in 2018 including six goals in a match against Currumbin (he also scored a double in the same match) and five against Mudgeeraba late in the season.

In addition Connor Te Kani was co-captain of the Griffith University Colleges U15 rugby side that won their Grand Final, which was played as a curtain raiser to the Wallabies against Argentina test 47 – 19 against the Helensvale Hogs with Connor Te Kani starting the Grand Final at fullback.

In total for Griffith University Colleges Connor Te Kani played in fourteen matches, starting six at fullback, two from the interchange bench, two at fly half (No. 10), two at inside centre and two at outside centre.

Connor Te Kani scored three tries and kicked eight conversions, including three in Round Fourteen against the Gold Coast Eagles. Connor Te Kani’s tries came in Round Nine against the Gold Coast Eagles, Round Twelve against Bond University and in Round Fifteen against the Surfers Dolphins.

Connor Te Kani was also part of the Queensland Red side that won the Australian Gold Cup (U15) Championships starting at outside centre in the final as Queensland Red were victorious 17 – 5 against NSW Gen Blue I. Connor Te Kani also started at outside centre in the semi-final.

In 2016 the season Connor Te Kani was also yet another member of the exceptionally talented U13 Gold Coast Vikings side that went through the Hill Stumer Championships undefeated. From those championships, Connor Te Kani was selected in the centres for the South East Queensland White team for the Queensland Age Championships. Connor Te Kani kicked five goals on Day One in wins against Brisbane Red and Brisbane White.

Unfortunately for Runaway Bay even though they finished the U14 Division One 2016 season proper as the minor premiers, they were defeated 34 – 22 in the Grand Final by the Ormeau Shearers, with Connor Te Kani starting in the centres and kicking three conversions.

Over the course of the 2016 season, Connor Te Kani scored 13 tries from just nine matches and also kicked 18 goals to finish with 88 points in the season. In a four games stretch during June and July 2016, Connor Te Kani scored nine tries including two hat tricks which came against Jimboomba and Helensvale and also in that same stretch scored a double against Jimboomba. Earlier in the season, he also scored a double against Nerang. Connor Te Kani also averaged two tries a game across seven matches in the U13 pre-season grading competition.

With the boot, Connor Te Kani had two big games when he kicked seven against Ormeau and six against Jimboomba (the same day he scored three tries for 30 points in the game). Connor Te Kani also played one match at the U14 Division One level which was against Nerang.

During the 2015 season, he also made the Qld U12 side that won the national U12 championships with a 4 – 0 victory against NSW in the final. During the course of the U12 National championships, he scored two tries in the pool matches, against Western Australia and ACT and also scored in Queensland’s semi-final victory against Victoria.

Connor Te Kani is a big strong super quick five eight or centre with an effortless running style with a classic centres build with the ability to stand up his direct opposite and then beat him with pace on the outside, something that is rare in the modern game. His has used this skill set on multiple occasions on the right side of the field. Right centre is the only position that I have seen him play for his club side.

Connor Te Kani has a very strong left hand fend which prevents opposing centres getting in on him and forcing him towards the sideline. Even though he has size, strength and power in the centre position, he does look for his outside support when confronted with the fullback, even though he is more than capable of beating fullbacks one on one if need be and certainly does on occasion when he outpaces his support players.

When the defence is sliding he will cut inside and when the defence is playing an up and up style he has the plus speed and agile footwork to get on the outside of his direct opponent and beat him for speed to exploit the gap created. In terms of his speed, in all aspects it would be considered at the plus level in terms of speed off the mark, top end speed and sustainability.

Another aspect where he is also very good is his ability to run out of dummy half. Connor Te Kani’s size strength speed and power coupled with his plus footwork enables him to make a significant amount of ground out of dummy half and also give his forward a breather.

Defensively his game is built on intimidation, he will come in when the opportunity presents itself and hit very hard around the chest, you can see the opposing centre looking where he was positioned as the ball was moved out to the back line also his plus speed enables him to recover if he is beaten on the outside.

Currently Connor Te Kani is better to an up and in defensive methodology but I would argue that is more to do with how coaches want him to play rather than any concern that he cannot be effective in a sliding defensive scheme. With his speed, timing and strength, why not take advantage of his ability to intimidate his opposing centre.

Connor Te Kani was set to complete the 2020 MM Cup season with the Tweed Heads Seagulls and for the Coomera Cutters in the GCRL U18 Division One competition.

In 2020 depending on what occurs Connor Te Kani and will once again start at fly half for the Brisbane Grammar School First XV in the GPS school boy rugby competition.

For me Connor Te Kani a strong powerful centre with plus speed and footwork and has the skills to stay at centre in the long term and more than that has the skills to potentially become a legitimate strike centre and they are a rare breed to say the least.

Connor Te Kani has played a lot of five eight recently both for Brisbane Grammar School in rugby and Coomera in the GCRL U16 Division One competition and whilst I still believe that on the balance of probabilities that he will end up in the centres, his play at five eight is definitely cause for pause on my assessment however.

The skills and experience that he is picking up at five eight especially in rugby for the Brisbane Grammar School First XV is going to be of huge benefit going forward even if Connor Te Kani ends up in the centres in the long term. To throw another curve into the mix, Connor Te Kani’s skill set may well also play exceptionally well at fullback.

Regardless of the age group or level, you do not often see a player with such a combination of his speed, size, strength and power compared to his peers, couple that with an innate understanding of how to play rugby league and you have a young player with immense potential waiting to be tapped in the coming years.

With his outstanding skill set coupled with his size and speed combination Connor Te Kani is simply a player of immense potential and the play of Parramatta Eels boom rookie five eight Dylan Brown is a more than fair comparison.

Both have the ability to play to a set game plan as well as playing what is in front of them and unlike some current NRL halves have the youthful courage to look to win the match rather than trying not to lose it.

Many young players pop up with incredible potential but few are able to work hard enough to harness and exploit it, few would argue that Connor Te Kani will do everything possible to not just make it to the NRL but dominate once he gets there.

mdrew

13-05-20, 09:25 AM

Charlie Murray. The outstanding young five eight originally from Wauchope in Northern New South Wales moved in to the gold Coast a number of season ago, being selected in the Tweed Heads Seagulls 2018 MM Cup squad and attending Marymount College.

Charlie Murray was named on the extended bench for the Parramatta Eels in Round One of the 2020 Jersey Flegg U20 competition and was also named there in Round Two but that round (and all subsequent) were cancelled.

In 2019 Charlie Murray was a stand out for the Marymount Mako’s school bot rugby league team including being part of the Marymount side that played in the Confraternity Shield. At that competition Charlie Murray was named Confraternity Player of the Carnival, named at lock in the team of the carnival and also won the Carbine Club Award.

In 2019 Charlie Murray also started in all six of Burleigh’s MM Cup matches, starting five at lock and one being Round Five against Souths Logan in the second row. Charlie Marray’s sold try was an important one that tied the scores in Round One against the Norths Devils.

The former Wauchope Blues and Camden Haven High School student was part of the Parramatta Eels Harrold Matthews squad in 2017 this season and in 2016 as a 15 year old captained the New South Wales High Achievers Rugby League side on a PNG tour where they played a curtain raiser in front of 15,000 for a PNG against Australian Presidents XIII match in Port Moresby. Charlie Murray also represented Group Three in multiple junior representative sides.

Charlie Murray is a smooth powerful runner of the ball who seems to glide across the field effortlessly and certainly has an extra gear in relation to the speed he possesses as well as plus speed off the mark. In the centre position, he has the ability to stand up his direct opposite and then beat him with pace on the outside, something that is becoming increasingly rare in the modern game.

When he gets the ball early from his inside play makers, Charlie Murray is incredibly difficult to deal with one on one, as whilst his speed has already been noted, he is also a powerful runner who has the power to also break tackles through sheer power and not just rely on his speed to beat his opponent.

The one thing that Charlie Murray also seems to be able to do well, is to step back inside without the loss of his speed or forward momentum, opposing defenders seem to push out quickly when he has the ball expecting him to look to beat them on their outside, if they come across to far, he has a very good step back side and if the inside defenders are not quick enough to cover across he has the speed to make a clean break in those circumstances.

Similarly when an opposing defender looks to come out of the line quickly to put pressure on him, his quick twitch feet means that he can step off either foot quickly to negate the attempt to cut down his time. In short he is a very talented attacking player who looks to beat his opponent with speed and guile rather than purely by brute strength.

Defensively Charlie Murray is solid at wrapping the ball up and just needs to refine his technique as he progresses and also when to come out of the line in an effort to limit the time and space of the opposition as well as ensuring that due to his height he keeps his tackles down against opposing centres who are usually not as tall.

Charlie Murray does slide well in defence and has the speed to cover opposition line breaks very well. He will need to continue to get stronger and maintain his speed to stay at centre, and potentially become a legitimate strike centre, but there is nothing in his performances to date that suggests that he will not be able to.

Charlie Murray played primarily at five eight in his junior rugby league career, only moving to the forwards for any extended period in 2019 with the Burleigh Bears MM Cup side. With his size I believe that his move to the forwards, especially the second row was an inspired move and that is where his future lies.

Charlie Murray was due to continue to play for the Parramatta Eels U20 Jersey Flegg side in 2020 and is still U20 eligible. You never know, he may be back on the Gold Coast in 2021, he certainly would be a welcome addition to either the Burleigh or Tweed Heads Hastings Deerings Colts squads.

From an NRL player comparison perspective for Charlie Murrya think along the lines of someone like Cronulla Sharks back rower and also New South Wales State of Origin player Wade Graham as a player who played a lot of their junior football at five eight before transitioning to the back row and developing into a solid ball playing forward who can pop a short pass to his supports both prior to the line and when engaged with the defensive line.

At present Charlie Murray obviously does not have the size of Wade Graham but when Wade Graham initially transitioned to the back row fulltime he was not necessarily a big player either.

Charlie Murray just looks to be a natural footballer with an innate ability to know where and when to pass the ball.

mdrew

14-05-20, 06:59 AM

Billy Mozer. (Updated) He is a local former Titans linked backrower originally from from the Runaway Bay Seagulls club on the Gold Coast. Round One of the 2020 U20 Jersey Flegg competition saw Billy Mozer start on the bench for the Centerbury Bulldogs as they went donw 20 – 14 to the Parramatta Eels.

In 2019 in his first season with the Bulldogs Billy Mozer, played matches in two competitions being the U20 Jersey Flegg competition and the Sydney Shield playing for the Bulldogs affiliate club the Morebank Rams.

Billy Mozer made his Jersey Flegg debut in Round Thirteen of 2019 when he came off the bench against the St George Dragons and went on to come off the bench on five other occasions including Week One of the Finals against the Newcastle Knights.

In the 2019 Sydney Shield competition Billy Mozer started Round One on the bench against the EC Eagles, going on to be involved in eighteen matches including starting in the second row in Week Two of the Finals against the Saints.

Billy Mozer made his first start in Round Three against the Ryde-Eastwood Hawks when he started in the second row. In total Billy Mozer started nine matches, eight in the second row an one in the front row being Round Four against the Asquirth Magpies.

Billy Mozer finished the 2019 Sydney Shield competition with a 33% strike rate. Billy Mozer scored his first Sydney Shield try in Round Eleven against the BR Eagles. Billy Mozer also scored a double in Round Twenty Two against Cabramatta and also scored agains the Saints in Round Twelve and Week Two of the finals and also scored in Round Nineteen against the Bulls.

Billy Mozer had a very successful 2016 season, both in terms of club, schoolboy and representative football. Billy Mozer’s younger brother Blake is also a talented young rugby league player who is a hooker and part of the Brisbane Broncos s Development squad. Billy Mozer has as much potential as any young player I have seen.

Unfortunately Billy Mozer’s 2017 campaign was curtailed by injury early but he did play for the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup side and had been selected in the South Coast Open Rugby League side from Keebra Park but missed the QSSRL Championships due to injury suffered in the MM Cup competition.

Billy Mozer only appeared in one 2017 MM Cup match this season before injury struck and that was in Round One in a 28 – 16 win over the Ipswich Jets. Fortunately Billy Mozer is eligible for the MM Cup again in 2018 and has been selected in the Tweed Heads Seagulls Squad for the competition which kicks off next month.

For Runaway Bay in 2016 at the U16 Division One level, Billy Mozer averaged a try a game in the seven matches that he played including scoring five tries in two matches against Southport, with a double in May and a hat trick coming in June. His other tries came against Ormeau and Mudgeeraba. His solitary conversion came against Southport. Billy Mozer as also selected in the South West squad for the QSSRL U18 State Championships playing all four of their matches in the second row. The matches were against Peninsula, Darling Downs, Met West and a Presidents XIII.

In the Cyril Connell Cup competition in 2016, Billy Mozer started all of Gold Coast White’s matches in the second row, scoring three tries along the way, all of which came in the first three rounds, with a double in Round Three against the East Tigers where he crossed for a try in each half as well as a try in Round One in a draw against eventual CC state finalists the South’s Logan Magpies.

In previous seasons he has made multiple representative sides at the U13, U14 and U15 levels, including the Viking, Kookaburra’s and South East Queensland as well as South East Queensland and in 2016 made the U15 Queensland Maroons side for the Australian U15 Schools competition that the Marron side won.

Billy Mozer also played on the wing for the Titans U14 development side in 2014 against Samoa and scored one of the best tries I have ever seen when he scored in the corner at the car park end of Pizzey Park, when it looked for all money that he would be knocked over the sideline. He dived from what seemed like five metres out from the line under extreme pressure from the defence and got the ball down in the corner with the rest of his body in the air over the touch line. Earlier in 2014 for the Titans U14 Development Squad in a match against Redlands Billy Mozer scored a length of the field try down the right hand touch line, displaying his speed.

Billy Mozer is a wide hard running backrower who runs a good line on the fringes of the ruck and constantly picks the right holes to run into thus making the play makers on his team look good. Where he really excels though is his footwork, obviously playing in the backline in prior seasons has assisted greatly and Billy Mozer has very good late and quick foot work which enables him to change direction quickly allowing him to readjust where he is running to take advantage of either a late developing hole in the defensive line or where the defensive line is repositioning late.

Even when he is taking a hit up in the centre of the ruck, Billy Mozer’s feet are always moving and he is constantly making slight corrections to his running direction and he is also able to maintain his speed regardless of the multiple directional changes. Billy Mozer seems just to run at a faster pace than other forwards on the field. These attributes lead to a lot of line breaks and he has the speed to convert them into tries himself.

As you would expect, due to his size and strength, Billy Mozer is a very good defender regardless of position. He will not necessarily hit hard, but he is very good at mirroring the movement of the opposing attacker and wrapping him up ball and all. He is also quick enough to recover and chase if the opposing players gets on the outside.

From a team defensive methodology stand point, Billy Mozer seems to be very comfortable in a sliding defensive scheme where he can use his speed and body control to their best advantage. Also regardless of where he defends he has a degree of aggressiveness in relation to how he defends.

Another area where Billy Mozer has a plus attribute is in relation to his leaderships skills. He is a strong confident personality and that translates to a leader on and off the field. In the warm ups prior to a game and at training (I only saw some Keebra Park training sessions not club training sessions) you can see that the other players gravitate towards him.

This is a trait that you cannot teach, you either have it or you don’t. Even if he is not the nominated captain on the field he is a leader regardless of which team he is lining up for and acts accordingly both on and off the field.

Billy Mozer is no longer eligible for U20 rugby league post 2020 and it would be great to see him back on the Gold Coast pushing for an opportunity with either Burleigh (likely) or Tweed Heads in the Queensland Cup in 2021. His form over the 2019 season and his one 2020 Jersey Flegg match for the Canterbury Bulldogs showed that he is more than good enough to make the step up in competition.

From a position perspective, even though Billy Mozer spent a fair portion of his junior rugby league career in the centres or on the wing his transition to the second row over the last couple of years has certainly suited him and as such it seems clear that is where his future lies although I am sure that he could still fill in in the centres if needed.

From a player comparison perspective, one player that springs to mind is Warriors and New Zealand captain and backrower Simon Mannering, as a wide running backrower who started off in the centres but over time transitioned into a talented backrower with leadership skills to help his team through the tough stretches of games and the grind of training over the course of a long season especially when you take into account a lot of these boys have club, representative and school games and training sessions to deal with.

mdrew

15-05-20, 06:09 AM

Zane Harris. (Revised) After a season as part of the Sydney Roosters Jersey Flegg side Zane Harris moved to Manly starting at half and captaining the Sea Eagles Jersey Flegg side in Round One as Manly defeated the Victorian Thunderbolts 18 – 10.

In 2019 for the Sydney Roosters Zane Harris played in seventeen U20 Jersey Flegg matches starting all in the halves, being four at five eight including his Round Two debut against the Manly Sea Eagles and thirteen at half, with his debut there coming in Round Three against the Parramatta Eels.

In his seventeen 2019 Jersey Flegg matches Zane Harris scored seventy points from a try which came in Round Nineteen against the Norths Sydney Bears and thirty three goals, with Zane Harris’s first goal coming in Round Nine against the New Zealand Warriors.

Zane Harris’s best quantitive effort with the boot came in Round Twelve when he kicked six goals against the Norths Sydney Bears and he kicked five more agains the Bears in Round Nineteen to finish that match with fourteen individual points when he add in his sole try of the season.

The five eight has had an outstanding 2018 season, starting off in the MM Cup competition with Burleigh and then progressed through the GCRL U19 competition to make his First Grade debut with Southport.

In the 2018 MM Cup, Zane Harris started all six of Burleigh’s matches at half back scoring all of his points in Round Two against Redcliffe when he scored two tries, kicked four goals and a field goal for a game haul of 17 points.

In the 2018 GCRL U19 competition for Southport, Zane Harris played in six regular season matches scoring 40 points from six tries and eight goals. Zane Harris scored a Round Seventeen hat trick against Ormeau and also scored against Runaway Bay, Burleigh and Mudgeeraba earlier in the season.

With the boot Zane Harris kicked four goals in a match on two separate occasions being against Runaway Bay and Bilambil at opposite ends of the season.

Zane Harris made his much deserved Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade debut for Southport against Ormeau of early June and scored to cap off a solid debut. In total this season, Zane Harris played seven First Grade matches on the majority of occasions starting from the bench although he did start one or two matches at five eight.

The young Burleigh Bears five eight started off the 2017 rugby league season playing a number of matches for the Burleigh MM Cup side and then transitioned to the GCJRL U17 Division One competition, ultimately playing nine matches for Burleigh and scoring 54 points from five tries and seventeen goals. Zane Harris has been named once again in the Burleigh Bears MM Cup training squad for 2018.

For Burleigh in the 2017 MM Cup competition Zane Harris started two matches being Round One against Redcliffe and Round Three against Central Queensland. On both occasions Zane Harris started the matches at five eight.

In the U17 Division One GCJRL competition Zane Harris scored five tries including a double against Helensvale and also tries against Ormeau on two separate occasions and Runaway Bay. From a kicking perspective, Zane Harris twice kicked four goals in a match which were against Ormeau in early June and against Mudgeeraba in mid-July.

Zane Harris is quite an elusive runner of the ball and some good foot work in confined space. He will take on the line regularly and has a very good step off both feet but his left foot step seems to be the preferred step based on the games that I have seen at least.

Zane Harris’s passing game is what I would consider above average and he will drift across the field looking for runners to run into holes and has the ability to hold the defensive line in place as he develops the play in front of them, making to easier for his support runners to get a clear passage through the line, especially when a defender comes out of the line and commits to Zane Harris.

Zane Harris will also wait until the last possible moment to release the football. His best attribute in his passing game is the speed, timing and accuracy when he passes to his outside backs. Zane Harris gets a very good spiral on the ball from both sides of his body and leads his outside attackers into the ball, enabling them to maintain the momentum of their run.

Zane Harris is a reasonably solid general play kicker, who is reasonably accurate, however he does not have the biggest or most powerful kick and when he tries to kick too hard it usually finds a defender on the full, when he takes a bit off the kick his accuracy increases exponentially. He also chases his own kicks well, almost always leading the chase down field. He also has a decent short kicking game especially close to the opposition line.

I am not sure that Zane Harris will be a primary tactical kicker for a side, but he certainly will be an option to consider especially when talking about attacking kicks such as grubber kick. Zane Harris has improved as an organiser as he has moved through the age groups and should continue to do so as he matures and plays against better opposition and with better players on his own side.

Zane Harris is not the biggest player but even when defending in the front line will tackle using his shoulder which assists when defending against larger forwards operating on the fringes of the ruck.

Whilst not the biggest Zane Harris is strong and tough enough to effectively tackle one on one against opposing halves and with his solid speed and foot work he can cover a lot of ground as he tracks the ball across the field. Zane Harris is certainly not going to be a liability in defence for his team and is more than willing to take on bigger forwards.

Zane Harris is no longer eligible for U20 rugby league post 2020 and it would be great to see him back on the Gold Coast pushing for an opportunity with either Burleigh (likely) or Tweed Heads in the Queensland Cup in 2021. His form over the 2019 season for the Roosters and his one 2020 Jersey Flegg match with Manly showed that he is more than good enough to make the step up in competition.

I like Zane Harris’s passing and kicking game and on that basis I believe that he can continue playing five eight or half back for the foreseeable future. It would be interesting to see how Zane Harris would go in the hooking role but he certainly does not need to move from the halves to be successful into the future.

The Sydney Roosters Luke Keary, with his all round game where he can be dangerous both running the ball or setting up his support players depending upon the circumstances is a solid comparison for Zane Harris in relation to how he presents on a rugby league field from a skill, game management, intelligence and playing perspective.

mdrew

16-05-20, 07:12 AM

Glenn McGrady. (Updated) The talented young former Goondiwindi youngster from the Warwick and Districts Junior Rugby League had an incredible first season for the Bilambil Jets, representing the club in both the U17 Division One and U19 competitions in 2018. Glenn McGrady was also a standout performer for PBC that same year as they progressed all the way to the Queensland GIO Cup semi-finals losing in the end 22 – 20 to Marsden State High School.

In Round One of the 2020 U20 Jersey Flegg NSWRL season Glenn McGrady started at fullback and scored a double (28th and 43rd Minutes) and Penrith defeated the Norths Sydeny Bears 24 – 0. Glenn McGrady was outstanding playing the entire matchrunning for 1041. Metres, made two line breaks, also broke ten tackles and made three tackles of his own at a 100% tackling efficiency.

Glenn McGrady’s first try came late in the first half. Glenn McGrady received the ball around twelve metres out from the line on the right side of the field from a long cut our pass and as he approached the line, Glenn McGrady stepped off his righ foot to crash over the line mid-way between the right corner post and righ upright.

Glenn McGrady’s second try of the match came in the second half when he followed through a short kick out of dummy half to take the ball and put it donw with around ten centremetres to spare which was followed by a forward roll to put an explanation mark on the try.

In 2019 for Penrith in the U20 Jersey Flegg competition Glenn McGrady played in seventeen matches, starting them all. Glenn McGrady’s Jersey Flegg debut came in Round Seven when he started on the wing against Souths Sydney. Glenn McGrady continued starting on the wing until Round Twelve against Manly when he started in the centres and moved to fullback in Round Sixteen against ST George.

In total in the 2019 Jersey Flegg competition, Glenn McGrady started five matches on the wing, five in the centres and seven at fullback including both of the Panthers finals matches which came in Week One against the Roosters and Week Three against Souths Sydney.

Glenn McGrady finished his debut Jersey Flegg season with sixty eight points from nine tries and sixteen goals with his first goal coming in Round sixteen when he kicked a conversion against the St George Dragon. Glenn McGrady’s 2019 goal kicking exploits included an impressive seven from seven against the Newcastle Knights in Round Eighteen. Glenn McGrady also kicked five goals in Round Twenty Four against the Manly Sea Eagles.

Glenn McGrady scored his first Jersey Flegg try in on his debut in Round Seven against Souths Sydeny and also scored against Manly (Round Twelve), the Roosters (Round Thirteen and Week One of the Finals), the Raiders (Round Nineteen), Bulldogs (Round Twenty), the Wests Tigers (Round Twenty Two and in Round Twenty Three against the Norths Sydney Bears.

Glenn McGrady in 2018 was a key member of the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup side starting at fullback in all seven of their matches including their Week One Finals loss to the Souths Logan Magpies.

Glenn McGrady finished the 2018 MM Cup season with a 100%strike rate, with six of those tries coming from doubles in consequetive matches from Round Five to Round Seven, coming against the Townsville Blackhawks (Round Five), Wynnum Manly Seagulls (Round Six) and in Round Seven agains the Easts Tigers.

2018 also saw Glenn McGrady play a key role in the PBC open school boy’s success in the Langer and GIO Cups, playing fullback and Glenn McGrady also represented the South Coast U18 school boy side in 2018 and subsequently Queensland at the 2018 ASSRL U18 school boy Championships.

Over the course of the 2017 season the young fullback or five eight played in fourteen U17 Division One matches scoring twelve tries to lead the competition try scoring tally and has also kicked twenty five goals to have 98 points on the season. Glenn McGrady also played in seven U19 matches scoring five tries and kicking fourteen goals for 48 points on the season.

Glenn McGrady had a great U19 debut in July 2018 against Ormeau after playing in the U17 match earlier in the day and what a debut the young man had, he scored a double and kicked three goals as well to finish with 14 points for the match. Glenn McGrady in fact started at fullback for Bilambil in the Gold Coast U19 Grand Final kicking three conversions in Bilambil’s 34 – 20 Grand Final win over Tugun.

In the U19 competition Glenn McGrady, in addition to his debut double he also scored a double against Tugun in a regular season match and also scored against Currumbin and on four occasions kicked three goals in a match.

At the U17 Division One level, Glenn McGrady scored an incredible five tries in a Round Two match against the Ormeau Shearers and also kicked five goals in that match as well for 30 points. Glenn McGrady also scored a double a fortnight later against Helensvale and in July against Mudgeeraba he scored 16 points in a match from a try and six goals. The following week against Burleigh Glenn McGrady kicked six conversions in a win over Burleigh and in the Preliminary Final Glenn McGrady scored a try and kicked a goal in their loss to Ormeau which knocked them out of the competition this season.

Glenn McGrady is a bit of an enigma in terms of how he plays, he certainly plays what is in front of him but does seem to struggle in a structured environment in comparison to when he plays off the cuff. I was intrigued to see him play five eight, in the sense that he is very unpredictable when he gets the ball, Glenn McGrady is adept at running himself and has a very good turn of speed off the mark and similarly can throw some superb passes to his support runners, but at the same time passes will go to ground because his team mates are sometimes not thinking along the same lines that he does.

To that extent currently Glenn McGrady is a much better runner of the ball and can step off both feet and is quite strong for his size and will shrug off larger defenders if they try to go high and wrap up the ball. Glenn McGrady drifts across field very slowly and then just takes off through any gaps in a staggered defensive line.

Defensively Glenn McGrady is actually quite aggressive in terms of finishing off tackles and certainly seems adept at getting his hands between attackers and their support players and knocking the ball down. He does need to be aware however not to go for the intercept too much, but his quick feet enable him to defend well especially against small light stepping attackers as he can mirror their movement.

Glenn McGrady is no longer eligible for U20 rugby league post 2020 and it would be great to see him back on the Gold Coast pushing for an opportunity with either Burleigh or Tweed Heads in the Queensland Cup. His form over the 2019 seson and his one 2020 Jersey Flegg match with Penrith showed that he is more than good enough to make the step up.

From a position perspective, due to how Glenn McGrady plays what is in front of him and thus is less comfortable in with a structured attacking methodology at present at least, although I am sure that will develop. I would suggest that his best position moving forward would be at fullback in the short term at least where he can see the entire field in front of him and look to create from there and at 183cm and 89kg he has the size to handle the rigours of the position.

Glenn McGrady will need the right coach to harness his natural skills. If a coach tries to change him into playing to a set pattern I think that he will struggle but if a coach is prepared to give him free reign then the skills he possesses means that he could develop into a very interesting player indeed over the coming seasons and certainly for me at least the most surprising player that I have seen in the Gold Coast rugby league competition.

From a player comparison perspective for Glenn McGrady, think along the lines of New South Wales State of Origin and Manly stand out Tom Trbojevic as a taller player with speed and strength as well as the ability to be a regular try scorer.

mdrew

17-05-20, 11:02 AM

Noah Johannssen. (Updated) The young front rower from the South Tweed Bears club in Northern New South Wales is yet another Titans signing who has gone from strength to strneth in the JTS program.

Noah Johannssen’s most recent match for the Titans was when he part of the Titans U18 side in their annual match against the Newcastle Knights SG Ball (U18) side in Coffs Harbour in February 2020.

Noah Johannssen was named the Titans best forward for the match, but a bad effort when you consider that he is still U18 eligible in 2021. In a piece of trivia, Noah Johannssen played against his older brother Tim in the match who was part of the Knights side.

Noah Johannssen was named to start in the front row for the Northern Rivers Titans in Round One of the 2020 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition against the Parramatta Eels at Cudgen however the match was cancelled due to the wet conditions.

Noah Johannssen started Round Two of the U18 Laurie Daley Cup in the front row against the Newcastle Knights in Ballina and was impressive including a great break through the centre of the ruck in the first half of around forty metres before popping a pass to his right to send Reef Somerville away to score. It was an outstanding run by Noah Johannssen who just burst through the Knights defence and showed outstanding speed for a front rower when he space.

Noah Johannssen also started in the front row in Round Three against the Central Coast Roosters and yet again simply outstanding constantly making metres through the centre of the ruck. Noah Johannssen also produced a piece of quality late in the match when he took the ball close to the Central Coast line but at the last minute jinked to his left and popped a great short ball to fellow front rower Jack Cullen who scored adjacent to the left upright untouched.

Noah Johannssen also started in the front row in Round Four against the Greater Northern Tigers scoring a powerful try from close range in the first half scoring near the left upright after taking the pass from the dummy half.

In the match Noah Johannssen also produced an outstanding return from a Greater Northern Tigers drop out. The ball was taken fifty five metres out with the ball give immediately to Noah Johannssen who crashed through the initial defensive line dragging defenders with him on a thirty five metre exquisite effort.

Noah Johannssen was also in the front row for the start of the Round Five local derby against North Coast and once again led from the front making significant ground through the centre of the ruck, a lot of which were post contact metres.

Noah Johannssen made his deserved Titans debut when he came off the bench for the Titans in their U16 clash against the Newcastle Knights in January of 2019 in very very hot and steamy conditions in Coffs Harbour.

In the match, Noah Johannssen had spells on the field in both halves and took the ball into the Knights defensive line with a hard straight running mentality and also was on hand to back up at every opportunity including taking a good one hand pass from Joseph Shannon in the first half to get the ball into the Knights twenty metre defensive area.

Noah Johannssen also started in the front row for the Titans U16 squad in their early October 2019 match against PNG at Pizzey Park when he scored a barnstorming try under the posts dragging three PNG defenders with him from ten metres out. It was clear from the moment that he took the ball no-one was going to stop from from crossing the line.

In fact Noah Johannssen was specifically mentioned by Jamie McCormack as one of the Titans best in the match.

In Round One of the 2019 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition Noah Johannssen started in the front row for the Northern Rivers Titans in their match against the Newcastle Knights Development Squad and to say he had a dominant first half would be a massive understatement.

You can probably already mark down Noah Johannssen down for try of the year at any level. Early in the first half, Newcastle were forced to drop the ball out, Noah Johannssen took the ball from Riley Lack who fielded the drop out near the half way mark and simply powered his way through the Newcastle defence to score near the left upright.

The try was not as a result of Noah Johannssen just breaking the Newcastle line once and scoring, at least twice it appeared that Noah Johannssen would be dragged down but he kept pumping his legs and broke tackle after tackle on his way to the line.

Noah Johannssen also took the hit-up after the Newcastle kick off and once again provided a difficult proposition for the Newcastle defence. Add in a great second half off-load and you have a great game by Noah Johannssen.

Round Two of the 2019 Andrew Johns Cup competition saw Noah Johannssen once again line up in the front row in their match against Parramatta and was once again heavily involved making ground in the centre of the ruck, making significant metres post contact.

Noah Johannssen also made a great heads up play in the second half when after one of the Parramatta front rowers made a strong run, Noah Johannssen stripped the ball in a one on one tackle and then charged fifteen metres in the opposite direction to totally change the momentum of the match.

Noah Johannsson also had a solid match in Round Three against the North Coast Bulldogs once again starting the match in the front row alongside fellow Titan Jack Cullen.

Noah Johannsson also started in the front row in Round Four against the Central Coast Roosters and had a huge match especially in attack when he consistently made significant metres post contact and also had a try assist. In the last minute of the match, Noah Johannssen broke through the Central Coast line, drawing the fullback to send Northern Rivers Titans right centre Blake Marrison away for the Titans to top the fifty point mark.

Noah Johannsson also started in the front row in Round Five against the Greater Northern Tigers and was near unstoppable constantly gaining ground after contact and scored a deserved first half try when he powered over after a long break from Ryan Foran. The break from Ryan Foran was from a scrum thus the effort of Noah Johannsson to break from the scrum and run eighty metres to take the ball and subsequently score was certainly impressive.

Noah Johannsson also had a strong match against a huge Penrith pack in the Titans 26 – 14 semi-final victory with Noah Johannsson forcing the defence to commit multiple defensive resources every time he took the ball into the defensive line.

In the 2019 U16 Andrew Johns Cup Grand Final against the Western Rams Noah Johannsson started in the front row in the 18 – 6 victory and was certainly a key part in the outstanding victory.

Post the victory Noah Johannsson was named on the interchange bench for the New South Wales Country U16 side for their November 2019 three match tour of the United Kingdom.

Noah Johannsson started from the interchange bench and scored in Game One of the tour scoring New South Wales Country U16’s second try of the match in their big 62 – 0 win over the U17 Community Lions. Noah Johannsson’s try came early in the second half when he was too strong for the Lions defence after a charging run from close to the line. Game Two saw the New South Wales Country U16’s defeat the Leeds Rhino’s 32 – 10.

Noah Johannsson also started from the bench and scored in Game Three of the New South Wales Country U16’s tour of the UK as they finished undefeated on the back of a 62 – 6 victory over a British Community Lions squad consisting of players from the Lancashire and Cumbria region of England.

Noah Johannsson scored the first try of the second half when he crashed over from close range. Noah Johannsson also had a try assist in the match. After splitting the Lions defence through the centre of the ruck, Noah Johannsson rumbled down field thirty metres before drawing the fullback and sending his support runner away to score under the posts.

The New South Wales Country U16 side played a New South Wales U16 Harold Matthews squad as a curtain raiser to the Penrith/Warriors NRL match on a Friday night at Penrith Park in May 2019. Noah Johannsson started the match on the interchange bench for the Country side.

Impressively less than 48 hours later Noah Johannsson lined up for Tweed Heads in their 30 – 6 NRRRL U18 Round Seven loss to Cudgen.

Incredibly the day after the 2019 Andrew Johns Cup final, Noah Johannsson was part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls U18 NRRRL side that defeated Kyogle 24 – 16 in Round two of the NRRRL U18 competition, talk about a young man who obviously just loves playing rugby league.

Noah Johannsson played in thirteen matches in the 2019 U18 NRRRL regular season competition with the Tweed Heads Seagulls U18 side scoring his first try in Round Seven against Murwillumbah, adding a double in Round Fourteen against Tweed Coast and also scoring in Round Fifteen against Lismore Marist Brothers.

In the Group 18 U15 competition in 2018, Noah Johannssen was part of the South Tweed Premiership winning side with the Bears defeating Byron Bay Lennox Head 22 – 16 in the Grand Final.

Over the previous two seasons Noah Johannssen has represented Group 18 at the U14 and U15 levels.

Noah Johannssen is a big and I mean big strong front rower who is a powerful runner of the football, who knows only one way and that is straight ahead and can offload once he has impacted the defensive line or has crashed through it, in addition he is quite effective when his team is attacking close to the try line. Noah Johannssen can either take the ball himself, and when he gets low he is very difficult to stop or he can run as a decoy and attract defenders away from the real axis of attack.

For a big front rower Noah Johannssen does actually have quite decent speed and footwork, certainly well above average for a player of his size. He does however seem to carry the ball in his right hand away from his body which whilst it can make offloading easier once he engages the defensive line it can lead to a number of dropped balls when opposing defenders engage him.

Noah Johannssen is obviously suited to defending in the centre of the ruck rather that the fringes and will understandably have some trouble with nippy runners out of dummy half. His calling card though is the strength and power to effectively engage the opposing forward early in their run and use his natural strength to win the forward battle in the centre of the ruck.

Noah Johannssen can defensively handle any one on one battle that presents itself. At times in games Noah Johannssen really does prevent opposing gaining any ground at all through the centre of the ruck at all.

Noah Johannssen lined up for Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup side in 2020 starting in the front row in all of their matches before the competition was cancelled with one regular season round to go and the Northern Rivers Titans having an undefeated season.

When community rugby league restarts in New South Wales in July, Noah Johannssen will play in the NRRRL U18 competition most likely for the Tweed Heads Seagulls U18 side. Noah Johannssen is also U18 eligible in 2021, which is a scary proposition for opposing teams in that age group.

Noah Johannssen is a giant of a young man but also has outstanding mobility for a player of his size and strength and certainly will continue to play in the front row in any team, representative, school boy or club, that he is involved in for the remainder of what is shaping to be an outstanding rugby league career.

What really stands out for me in relation to Noah Johannssen is his exceptional mobility and stamina for a player of his size and strength it is truly and impressive trait and one that already at such a young age screams NRL potential.

From a player comparison perspective for Noah Johannssen, consider someone along the same lines of Wests Tigers and New Zealand International’s Ben Matelino and Russell Packer as no nonsense types of front rowers with size, strength and power and a hard tough uncompromising attitude to go along with his other attributes.

mdrew

18-05-20, 02:47 PM

Ziah Piggott. The young Titans linked fullback was one of the players that represented one of the Titans U15 squads that played each other and a Western Mustangs selection at Mudgeeraba in February 2019.

Ziah Piggot played the 2019 season with the Kyogle Turkey’s in the Group One competition, playing in both his regular U15 age group and also playing a number of matches “up” in the U16.5 group One competition.

In the 2019 Group One U15 competition Ziah Piggott played nine regular season matches for Kyogle scoring fourteen tries (156% strike rate) including a big match in Round Four when he scored four tries against Lismore Marist Brothers in a 36 – 14 win for the Turkeys. In fact Ziah Piggott finished five tries clear on the Group One U15 top try scorers list such was the outstanding season that Ziah Piggott had.

Ziah Piggott also had a big Round Six match scoring four tries for Kyogle as they defeated Clarence Coast 38 - 12.

Ziah Piggott’s other 2019 Group One regular season U15 tries included a double against Casino RSM and he also scored against Ballina, Lismore Marist Brothers, Casino RSM and Clarence Coast.

Ziah Piggott added a further U15 try in Week One of the 2019 Group One finals series but unfortunately Kyogle fell 26 – 10 to Ballina.

Ziah Piggott’s 2019 season came to an end when Kyogle went down 18 – 12 to Clarence Coast in the 2019 Group One U15 Preliminary Final.

In the 2019 Group One U16.5 competition Ziah Piggott played in nine matches, his debut being against Clarence Coast in Round Two scoring on debut. In addition to his Round Two try, Ziah Piggott also scored against Lismore Marist Brothers Blue in Round Four and he also scored a double against Lismore Marist Blue in Round Twelve to finish with a strike rate of 44.44%.

In relation to all of his 2019 Group One U16.5 matches, Ziah Piggott played in that fixture after playing in the U15 match earlier in the day.

Ziah Piggott was named in the centres for the 2019 Group One U15 Taipans for the New South Wales Country Age Championships that were held in Port Macquarie in late September. Ziah Piggott scored a double in Group One’s 40 – 10 win over Group 19 in their second match of Day One and scored again in Group One’s loss 38 – 12 to Central Coast on Day Two.

Also in 2019 Ziah Piggott whilst attending Kyogle High School made the Northern Rivers U15 rugby league representative side after trialling in March at Kardina High School.

In 2018, Ziah Piggott played fifteen matches including starting the Grand Final at fullback in the Group One U14 competition, scoring twenty tries (133% strike rate), including scoring a hat trick in Round Two against Clarence Coast.

Mid-season in 2018, Ziah Piggott had an incredible string of five straight games where he scored a double in each match with those matches coming in order against Grafton, Ballina, Casino RSM, Lismore Marist Brothers and Clarence Coast.

2018 also saw Ziah Piggott play one match in the Group One U15 competition scoring a double on debut against the South Grafton Rebels in July after playing in the U14 fixture earlier in the day.

Ziah Piggott represented the Group One U14 representative side in 2018, starting at fullback in all five of their matches in the New South Wales Country U14 Age Championships including scoring in their Plate Final victory against Group Nine 22 – 18, with Ziah Piggott’s try the one that gave the lead to Group One for good late in the second half.

Over the last couple of season, Ziah Piggott has been a regular in Kyogle High School (nick name the Brogla’s) rugby league age teams including 2017 in the U13’s in the Country Cup. In Round One of that competition in 2017 Ziah Piggott scored a ha trick for the Brolga’s as they defeated Casino High School 28 – 10.

In the match Ziah Piggott scored his first try in the opening minutes when he regathered a chip kick to score out wide. Ziah Piggott’s second try in the match when he split the Casino defence on a seventy metre run to the line. Ziah Piggott completed his hat trick late in the match when he was on the end of a blind side set play from a scrum win down a short blind side.

In Round Two Kyogle High School played The Rivers College, with Ziah Piggott scoring another hat trick. Ziah Piggott’s first try of the match was an outstanding solo effort from fifty metres out splitting the defence with speed and guile. Ziah Piggott’s second try resulted when he ran into a gap and received a great ball from Ronnie Daniels.

Ziah Piggott’s hat trick was completed when after good inside work from the Kyogle halves he ran through a gap to score. The Brolga’s won the match 38 – 14.

Kyogle High School played Evans River High School with Ziah Piggott starting the match from the bench but came on mid-way through the first half and scored two tries before the break as Kyogle went on to win 22 – 4.

Ziah Piggott has also a good athletic record at Kyogle High School including being named 2017 Boys U13 Althlete of the Yearas well as U13 Northern Rivers Zone Athletics Champion as well as representing North Coast at the New South Wales Age School Boy Track and Field Age Championships.

In 2018 Ziah Piggot was awarded a Sports Achievement Award and won the 200 metres sprint event at the New South Wales Combined High Schools State Carnival qualifying for the National Athletics Chapionships.

Ziah Piggott in 2018 represented Kyogle High School at the North Coast Combined High Schools Track and Field Championships.

In the 100 metres sprint at those Championships Ziah Piggott won in a time of 12.27 seconds and he ran 24.94 seconds to won the 200 metres event.

Ziah Piggott was also part of the Kyolge High School U14 4 x 100 metre relay team that finished third in a time of 52.79 seconds.

Also in 2018 Ziah Piggott was selected in the New South Wales Combined High Schools Northern Rivers Zone touch side.

For a taller fullback Ziah Piggott is very quick off the mark and when the ball is being brought out of his teams half he is always around the forwards looking for off loads but as evidenced by one of his tries he also can play the way a lot of the current fullbacks play when they receive the football “out the back” from the half or five eight.

Ziah Piggott presents as a silky smooth player, who looks like he glides across the field picking and choosing his time to get involved and wants to have the ball in his hands when the game is on the line.

In terms of his defence, one thing that stood out to me when have seen him play is when the opposition makes a break Ziah Piggott moves forward looking to cut down the time of the attacking player, which is quite impressive for such a young player. Due to his length, Ziah Piggott is good also at defending the high ball.

Ziah Piggott will play the 2020 season when it restarts with Kyogle in the Group One U16.5 competition and may well also feature in a number of matches for Kyogle in their U18 NRRRL squad. Ziah Piggott has already left school and is working full time thus he has a maturity level probably higher than the majority of players his age.

Ziah Piggott has been a fullback or centre his entire junior rugby league career to date and whilst that is likely to continue to as least the medium term it would not surprise if Ziah Piggott moves to the wing or even to the centres as he nears the senior rugby league ranks.

On the wing Ziah Piggott’s length, balance and body control would be a great asset in terms of the ability of modern day wingers to score the incredible try or two and it is a similar situation in the centres.

From a player comparison perspective for Ziah Piggott, I would say a reasonable comparison to Josh Duggan of the Cronulla Sharks would be fair as a player who is a very good runner of the football and who has the confidence to back himself in both attack and defence regardless of the situation of the game. Like Duggan, Ziah Piggott can more than comfortably handle playing both at fullback and in the centres.

As harsh as it sounds though, Ziah Piggott is far more durable that Josh Duggan though and will more than likely continue to be as his career progresses.

mdrew

19-05-20, 06:41 AM

Jake Lenard. (Updated) The young second rower from the Clarence Coast Magpies club in Northern New South Wales was part of the Titans U15’s that played against another Titans and Western Mustangs sides at Mudgeeraba in February 2019.

Jake Lenard missed a number of rounds of the 2019 Group One U15 competition due to injury but bounced back after the injury in a big way in Round Twelve scoring a hat trick against the unfortunate Casino RSM.

In Week One of the Group One U15 Finals series, Jake Lenard had a big hand in Clarence Coast’s 42 – 10 win over Lismore Marist Brothers contributing a double to the win and also started in the Grand Final as Clarence Coast defeated Ballina 14 - 10.

Jake Lenard was named on the interchange bench for the Group One U15 Taipans representative side for the New South Wales Country Age Championships that were held in Port Macquarie in late September and post those Championships was named the Group One U15 Representative Player of the Year.

In 2019 Jake Lenard also represented the Northern region NSW CCC U15 rugby league side at their trials held in May in Sydney after the Maclean High School student stood out for the Northern Rivers side in the Northern Trials.

In 2018, Jake Lenard finished as the Group One U14 competitions second leading try scorer with twenty one tries from just fifteen matches (140%), scoring in all but two of those matches, with those matches being against Ballina and Kyogle.

Jake Lenard scored four tries in a mid-June match against Casino RSM and scored a hat trick against Grafton in July 2018. Jake Lenard also scored four doubles which were against Casino RSM in two separate matches, Kyogle and Grafton.

Jake Lenard also played four matches in the Group One U15 competition in 2018, making his debut against Casino RSM in early April and celebrated by scoring a double. He had also scored a double earlier in the day in the U14 match.

Jake Lenard went on to play a total of six U15 Group One matches in 2018 and in addition to his debut double also scored against Casino RSM once again later in the season and against Kyogle.

Jake Lenard also played in five matches for the Group One U14 representative side in 2018, playing in five matches in their New South Wales Country U14 Championship campaign including starting from the bench in their Plate Final 22 – 18 victory over Group 9.

Also in 2018 was a stand out performance for the McLean High School U14 side leading them to success in the DEX Shield School Boy rugby league Competition and in addition to starting the Grand Final in the second row and scoring a barn storming try, Jake Lenard was named the 2018 DEX SHeild U14 Player of the Series.

In 2017 Jake Lenard a few other positions from the Clarence Coast Magpies junior rugby league club in the Group One Junior Rugby League competition in Northern New South Wales continued his outstanding try scoring feats throughout the 2017 Group One JRL U13 competition, where the former U12 New South Wales representative scored a staggering 35 tries in just eleven games. Understandably Jake Lenard leads the try scoring list for his age group.

Jake Lenard scored six tries in a May match against Grafton and five against Ballina in August. In addition Jake Lenard scored four tires twice, coming against Kyogle and Casino RSM and also hat tricks against Casino RSM, Marist Brothers, Ballina and Grafton. Jake Lenard in 2017 played two matches in the U14 Group One JRL competition with those matches being against Ballina and South Grafton.

Scoring tries is not a foreign experience for Jake Lenard as in 2016 at the U12 level he scored 20 tries from ten matches. To round off his points scoring this season, Jake Lenard also converted one of his tries in the Round Two clash against Casino RSM.

Jake Lenard is a very calm player on the field even though he plays the game at a very high speed and is most effective on the edge of the ruck. His style of play is that of a wide running player with above average to plus speed. I would actually argue that in fact a better definition of his speed would be well above average, and I am talking the speed of an outside back not a backrower.

Jake Lenard is exceptionally quick off the mark, but what makes him even more impressive from a speed perspective is that when he gets into space, he has an extra gear again, making it almost impossible for the cover defence to catch him once he is open space.

Jake Lenard is almost untouchable when he runs on the fringes of the ruck and uses his foot work to beat defenders with a variety of moves, including a step off both feet and a very good in and away. Couple those two aspects with a very good fend and you have a young player who causes nightmares for a defensive line.

Jake Lenard is not a player but he runs with pace, strength and power every time he touches the ball. I have not seen a great deal of him off loading the football, but the ball skills that he possess would suggest this particular will develop into a plus skill over time.

Jake Lenard is aggressive in defence whether he is defending in the centre of the ruck or on the fringes, and due to his natural strength is more than capable of defending one on one and can and will stop even the biggest opposing forwards in their tracks and targets the area around where the attackers carry the football.

Jake Lenard’s speed and lateral movement means that he will not be beaten by light stepping halves trying to take advantage of tiring forwards or the opposition running out of dummy half. Due to his speed and athleticism Jake Lenard covers across the field well, thus putting him in a good position to make the tackle when the ball is turned back inside from the halves.

Jake Lenard will play for the Clarence Coast Magpies in the Group One Junior Rugby League U16.5 competition in 2020 and may well also get an opportunity in the 2020 NRRRL U18 competition when the competition kicks off after a late start.

From a position perspective I concede that I have no idea where Jake Lenard will actually end up, he can literally play anywhere from centre to second row and a few other positions, but ultimately I would consider that Jake Lenard will end up a devastating second rower in rugby league.

From a player comparison perspective for Jake Lenard, a young Brisbane Bronco’s version of Alex Glen, with more speed, springs to mind as an appropriate comparison, when you see the combination of the skill set he possesses and his athletic ability and of course intensity.