Junior Development

[Titanic]

Thanks for taking the time to write that explanation mdrew … I’m sure every Titans fan outside the system is keen to understand the inner workings and potential for our club. Being able to talk authoritatively about junior systems has more promotional punch than just NRL performances.

[mdrew]

After his outstanding season it is no surprise that Keebra Park Year Nine student Joseph Tupuse was named in the centres in the 2021 Keebra Park Rugby League Team of the Year.

[mdrew]

Well done to Kai Saunders for being named the Tweed Coast Raiders 2021 U13 Best Back.

[mdrew]

In October 2021 Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr was named in the 2021 Queensland Tongan U18 representative side for the 2021 QPICC Cultural Carnival, starting all five of his matches at the Carnival at fullback, being Match One against PNG, Match Two against Samoa, Match Three against the Cook Islands, Match Four against Queensland Maori and the Grand Final against PNG.

Across his five matches Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr scored twenty six points from a try, nine conversions and two penalty goals. Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr scored in Match One against PNG and then Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr converted his own try.

With the boot Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr also kicked three from three conversions in Match Three against the Cook Islands and four conversions from five attempts in Match Four Queensland Maori. Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr kicked penalties goals in Match Two against Samoa and Match Two against the Cook Islands.

The exceptionally talented young centre moved over from Auckland and started at right centre for the Southport Tigers in their GCRL U18 Division One Round One match against the Currumbin Eagles.

Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr had a solid first match on the Gold Coast, including recording a try assist when as soon as he received a pass from his left he popped a short ball to his right to put Elikena Finau into a gap with the lock subsequently running twenty metres to score.

Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr also made a number of strong charges in the match including two that stood out, with both coming from kick-off returns, the first of which came off the second half kick-up when the ran to his left, breaking three tackles and then from the kick-off after the Elikena Finau try, Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr broke a further two tackles on his kick-off return.

Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr also started at right centre in Round Two against Runaway Bay and in just the 2nd minute of the match he made a strong burst of fourteen metres from a hit-up to the right of the dummy half with Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr initially receiving the ball just eight metres out from his own line.

Then in the 5th minute Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr broke two tackles when running the ball off a Tigers scrum win, making sixteen strong metres with at least half of those post contact metres. Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr made another strong run from a Southport scrum win in the 7th minute making a further ten metres.

Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr hard working start to the match continued when he took the second hit-up from the kick-off after the first Southport try making ten metres to get the ball outside of his own twenty metre area.

The 18th minute saw Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr record a line break directly from the kick-off after Southport’s second try. Southport let the kick-off bounce and it actually bounced back towards the oncoming Runaway Bay chasers. Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr charged forward retrieving the ball at full speed and then ran straight through two defenders to get the ball back to the forty metre line.

Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr continued to highlight that he can run all sorts of routes when in the 22nd minute he came back underneath one of his playmakers running to his left and backing sixteen metres to get within twenty metres of the try line.

Just a minute later in the 23rd minute, Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr ran out of dummy half once again getting within two metres of the line after a strong fourteen metre run after running to his right.

Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr had a line break assist in the match as well when in the 33rd minute he moved over to the left side of the field for a set move off the back of a scrum, drawing in both his immediate defender as well as the Seagulls right winger to put his own winger away down the left touchline.

Whilst he was one of the most dangerous ball runners in the match, Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr did not ignore his defensive duties, including in the 28th minute when he made a strong tackle on the Seagulls fullback who had run down a short right blindside.

Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr continued his run of starts at right centre in Round Three against the Ormeau Shearers and scored an impressive double in the 16 all draw.

Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr continued at right centre in Round Five against the Nerang Roosters and was one of the Tigers try scorers in the match. Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr also started at right centre in Round Ten against the Ormeau Shearers.

After the Covid 19 enforced lock down, Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr was named at right centre for Round Eleven against the Burleigh Bears with Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr kicking two conversions from as many attempts.

Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr was also named at right centre against the Nerang Roosters in Round Twelve however he ended up starting the match at lock and converted Southport’s sole try of the match.

Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr made a strong run in the 31st minute when from the right side of the field he cut to his left making twelve metres into Nerang territory before being brought to ground.

Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr was also named at right centre against the Helensvale Hornets in Round Fourteen.

Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr attended Mabel Park State High School upon his arrival from New Zealand, originally being named to start Round One of the 2021 Langer Cup School Boy competition from the bench against Coombabah State High School however Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr ended up starting the match at right centre.

Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr made a key contribution for Mabel Park State High School in the 25th minute when from a scrum win he was able to rumble forward after receiving the ball on the left, getting to less than a metre from the line. Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr was on his feet in a flash, producing a quick play the ball that the dummy half was able to take advantage of to dive over under the posts.

Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr moved to left centre for Round Two against Keebra Park State High School and was as good as any player on the field, including recording a try assist in just the 5th minute when he surged down the left channel after receiving the ball twenty metres out from the line. After he received the ball Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr got rid of the Keebra Park right winger and charged downfield getting to within three metre of the line before being taken by the cover defence but even though he was held by the defence Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr as able off-load to his left winger score in the left corner.

Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr then did not rest in his laurels, taking the hit-up from the subsequent kick-off. Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr made another strong run in the 41st minute when from a Mabel Park SHS scrum win to get the ball out of his own twenty metre area.

Then in the 47th minute, Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr charged onto the ball off a tap restart after Mabel Park received a penalty with Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr making thirteen metres when he charged straight into the giant Keebra Park SHS forward pack.

Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr produced a great defensive effort in the 25th minute when he highlighted his elite speed to chase the Keebra Park fullback (Elijah Lui) after he had made a long break to round him up quickly just after he had passed the halfway line.

Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr rounded out his outstanding performance in the match in the 50th minute when he made twenty seven metres after receiving the ball thirty metres from the line.

Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr continued at left centre in Round Three against St Mary’s College Toowoomba and was heavily involved in Mabel Park’s 35th minute try with a great right arm off-load in the lead up prior to the try near the left corner.

Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr also started at left centre in Round Four against Wavell State High School and continued at left centre in Round Five against Marsden State High School, producing an outstanding performance as Mabel Park SHS gave Marsden SHS a real scare with Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr kicking three goals from five attempts.

Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr continued at left centre in Round Six against PBC State High School and once again was as good as any player on the field, making numerous telling runs including an impressive line break in the 54th minute when he broke four tackles in a strong forty metres run after he had run to his right out of dummy half from deep inside his own territory.

Prior to his arrival on the Gold Coast in 2021, Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr was part of the Auckland Vulcan’s Blues U20 side for the inaugural New Zealand U20 Championships.

In 2020 Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr was a stand out for both Kelston Boys High and the Marist Saints.

In 2018 Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr was a member of the Akarana Falcons side at the U15 National Youth Championships, scoring a double on Day One against the Wellington Orca’s. Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr also scored on Day Three against Counties Manukau and kicked a conversion on Day Two against the Central Vipers.

[mdrew]

Talented centre Chris Vaimili played for the Titans partnered Marsden State High School in the 2021 Bronco’s Old Boys Cup, including scoring a double from left centre in the 2021 Grand Final as Marsden accounted for Ipswich State High School 46 – 12.

Chris Vaimili scored his opening try of the Grand Final just the 3rd minute of the match when he received a pass from his inside from Storm Enoka with Chris Vaimili crossing five metres in from the left corner.

Chris Vaimili completed his double in the 15th minute when once again he received a pass from his inside from Storm Enoka with Chris Vailmili diving over in the left corner.

Then early in the second half, Chris Vaimili made a strong line break down the left touchline from inside his own territory to get well over the halfway mark but making twenty five metres.

At the 2021 Marsden State High School Rugby League Excellence Awards, Chris Vaimilli was named in the centres in the Marsden State High School Team of the Year.

After the completion of the Walters Cup Grand Final Chris Vaimili was named at left centre in the Courier Mail Team of the School Boy Grand Finals.

2021 also saw Chris Vaimili named in the Queensland School Boy U12 Rugby League Merit Team.

[mdrew]

In mid-February 2021 Isaac Harrison played in a Titans U15 Invitational Trial at Burleigh, a trial which included only the best of the 2021 Titans U15 squad members.

In May 2021 Isaac Harrison was part of the South Coast U15 QSSRL School Boy representative side, starting the Championship Final against Met West at lock.

In 2021 Isaac Harrison continued at PBC as part of the school’s Elite Rugby League Program and made a strong impression in the PBC Walters Cup side especially in their Round One 16 all draw against Ipswich State High School.

[mdrew]

At the recent Marsden SHS Rugby League Awards Night centre Christopher Vaimili was named the Junior Boys Player of the Year.

[mdrew]

Outstanding second row prospect Storm Enoka was recently named the 2021 Marsden SHS Junior Boys "Don't mess with Marsden" Award winner.

[mdrew]

Well done to Titans contracted Gary Whare-Herlihy who was named the 2021 Alexandra Hills SHS Open Rugby League Best Forward.

[mdrew]

Congratulations to Titans contracted Zyroam Tarawa-Herlihy who has been named the 2021 Alexandra Hills SHS Open Rugby League Best and Fairest. He was also named at fullback in the 2021 Alexandra Hills SHS Rugby League Team of the Year.

[mdrew]

Great to see Billy Mulheron commence training with the Titans JTS Program.

The young man from the Bilambil Jets Junior Rugby League Club in Northern New South Wales is currently part of the Titans JTS Program training with the Titans Group 18 Development squad.

In 2021 Billy Mulheron was part of the successful Bilambil Jets U13 side that played in the Group 18 U13 competition. In that competition the Jets won seven matches, drew two and lost four, along the way scoring 238 points and conceding 158 to have a points differential of +80.

In 2019 Billy Mulheron was selected in the North Coast Primary U11 school boy representative side after representing Far North Coast in the trials from Banora Point High School.

[mdrew]

In October 2021 Zinzan Kahu was named in the 2021 Queensland Samoa U18 representative side for the 2021 QPICC Cultural Carnival, starting all four of his matches at the Carnival at halfback, being Match One against the Cook Islands, Match Two against PNG, Match Three against Samoa and Match Four against Tonga.

Also in October 2021 Zinzan Kahu trialled for the 2022 Burleigh Bears MM Cup squad, starting from the bench for the Burleigh White trial side. When he came on in the trial Zinzan Kahu played in the halves and operated on the left side of the field.

Zinzan Kahu had a strong trial including a good solo try in the 37th minute (third quarter). Zinzan Kahu stationed himself to the left of a scrum ten metres out from the Burleigh Maroon line with Burleigh White having the scrum feed. Zinzan Kahu received the ball from the back of the scrum and immediately took the defensive line on. As he was approaching the line, Zinzan Kahu produced a goose step before shaping to pass to his left. The defender confronting Zinzan Kahu looked to Zinzan Kahu’s outside for just a moment. Zinzan Kahu exploited that movement and sliced through the defensive line to score twelve metres to the right of the uprights untouched.

Zinzan Kahu also had a line break assist in the trial in the 25th minute. From a Burleigh White scrum win, Zinzan Kahu received the ball down a wide left blindside from the back of the scrum and took on the Burleigh Maroon defensive line. Zinzan Kahu was able to get halfway through the defensive line before throwing a left arm flick pass to left centre Dwayne Ckwan who was able to make a further fifteen metres before the ball was lost into touch.

Post the trial Zinzan Kahu was named in the Burleigh Bears 2022 U18 MM Cup squad.

[mdrew]

In mid-February 2021 Tyler Harper played in a Titans U15 Invitational Trial at Burleigh, a trial which included only the best of the 2021 Titans U15 squad members. Tyler Harper started the match at halfback for the Titans Blue side operating on his usual right side of the field.

Tyler Harper also started his 2021 school boy season off well kicking three conversions from as many attempts against Wavell State High School as PBC dominated in the Year Nine match to win 18 – 0 with Tyler Harper starting the match at halfback.

Tyler Harper also had a try assist in the match when a cross field bomb that he put up fell perfectly for the PBC five eight who took the ball on the full as it came down right on the goal line to score easily next to the right upright.

Tyler Harper also started at halfback for the PBC school boy Year Nine side in their win against Keebra Park with Tyler Haeper kicking the conversion to PBC opening try of the match.

[mdrew]

Beaudesert Kingfishers Junior Ethan Jackson recently commenced training with the Titans JTS Program after a strong season in the Gold Coast Rugby League U14 Division Three competition.

The Kingfishers won four matches and lost five along the way scoring 206 points and conceding 290 to finish the 2021 season with a -84 points deferential.

2021 also saw Ethan Jackson be part of the Queensland Rugby League RISE Development Rugby League Program.

[mdrew]

Sonny Hayes from the Bilambil Jets in northern New South Wales is currently part of the Titans JTS Program and in 2021 Sonny Hayes was part of the successful PBC State High School Renouf Cup side including starting on the bench in their 8 – 4 Grand Final victory against Marsden State High School.

In 2021 Sonny Hayes was part of the successful Bilambil Jets U13 side that played in the Group 18 U13 competition. In that competition the Jets won seven matches, drew two and lost four, along the way scoring 238 points and conceding 158 to have a points differential of +80.