Junior Development

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Luke Maiden a Toowoomba youngster has recently signed a Titans Rookie contract and has headed to the Gold Coast to play for the Burleigh Bears U20 Hastings Deering’s Colts side in 2019.

From a trivia perspective Luke Maiden is the nephew of former Manly and New South Wales State of Origin star Nic Kosef (thanks for the information Bart, much appreciated).

After an outstanding MM Cup campaign in 2017, Luke Maiden this season once again played in the MM Cup for the Western Mustangs this season and just like last year, 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.

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.

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Daniel Shannon is a local Titan’s linked young front rower was part of the Burleigh Bears MM Cup squad this season as well as in the 2017 season although in 2017 he did not play in any matches. Daniel Shannon progressed to the U20 Colts competition with the Burleigh Bears post the completion of the MM Cup.

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 was also selected in the 2018 Queensland Indigenous U18 side for the QPIIC Championships held in October 2018.

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

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Titans linked young former Group 18 centre or winger Caleb Hodges 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 and will start the 2018 swason as part of teh Tweed Heads MM Cup squad.

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 this season 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 mates being fellow Titans youngster and PBC student Jordan Tauali’i.

For the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the MM Cup competition this season, 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 this year 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.

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Titan Daniel Butterini is a local young centre originally from just south of the border, who is part of the Titans High Performance Program and is also at PBC State High School as part of their Rugby League excellence program. Daniel Butterini was also part of the 2017 Titans U15 squad that played against a Balmain Tigers selection late last year, in that match Daniel Butterini spent the majority of the game in the centres.

2018 will see him as part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad.

At the start of this 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.

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The Tweed Heads Seagulls 2019 Colts side contains some exciting players, one being Codey McLaughlin.

The youngster was part of the 2018 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM side and post that competition has played in the GCRL U19, Doug Lipp Cup and First Grade competitions for Runaway Bay.

In the MM Cup competition for Tweed Heads this season, Codey McLaughlin played in five matches starting all five from the interchange bench and scoring twice. Codey McLaughlin’s first try came in Round Two against Victoria and he followed that with a try in Round Five against the Townsville Blackhawks.

For the U19 Runaway Bay side post the MM Cup competition Codey McLaughlin played in twelve regular season matches scoring six tries. Codey McLaughlin scored a Round Fourteen double against Mudgeeraba and also scored in Round Fifteen against Burleigh and well as in Round Seventeen against Beaudesert. Earlier in the season Codey McLaughlin scored against Bilambil and Ormeau to round out his seasons try scoring.

In the Doug Lipp Cup competition for Runaway Bay Cody McLaughlin played five regular season matches including starting Round Sixteen against Helensvale in the second row and Round Seventeen in the centres against Beaudesert, debuting against Currumbin and April.

Codey McLaughlin scored two regular season Doug Lipp Cup tries including scoring in just his second game at that level against Tugun and also scored in his starting debut against Helensvale in Round Sixteen.

In Week One of the GCRL Finals series, Codey McLaughlin started in the second row as well as scoring for Runaway Bay in their 40 – 12 win over Burleigh in the Doug Lipp Cup competition.

In Week Two of the GCRL Finals series, Codey McLaughlin started in the second row for Runaway Bay once again in their 25 – 4 win against Beaudesert.

Codey McLaughlin also started in the second row for Runaway Bay in the Doug Lipp Cup Preliminary Final against Currumbin with Runaway Bay going down by a solitary point 17 – 16 in a hard fought contest.

Codey McLaughlin made his deserved GCRL First Grade debut in late June coming off the bench for Runaway Bay against Tugun.

Codey McLaughlin played the 2017 season with the Helensvale Hornets in the GCRL U17 Division One competition including starting at five eight in Helensvale’s 34 – 20 Grand Final victory over Ormeau. Over the course of the U17 Division One 2017 season Codey McLaughlin played in thirteen matches scoring four tries in the process with the tries coming against Southport, Mudgeeraba, Runaway Bay and Burleigh.

For Gold Coast Green in the CC Cup competition in 2016, Codey McLaughlin played in all eight matches, starting the seven regular season games at right centre, but he started the quarter final on the right wing. Over the course of the CC season he scored three tries which came against the Easts Tigers in Rounds One and Six and also against Toowoomba in their quarter final loss, he also kicked two conversions in a Round Two win against local rivals Gold Coast White.

In addition in 2016 Codey McLaughlin also represented South East Queensland White in the Queensland Age Championships at the U16 level, and on Day Two scored a try and kicked two conversions in a win against South East Queensland Green and on Day Three kicked three conversions in a big 42-24 victory over the Northern Marlins.

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he Burleigh MM Cup squad for the 2019 season is rightly considered an outstanding side.

One of the results is the selection of talented youngsters such as Stanley Jackson in the squad.

The powerful young right sided second rower is a former Titans U14 development squad member who until recently continued to elevate his game with the incredible Logan Brothers Club in Brisbane’s south.

It was exciting to see Stanley Jackson playing on the Gold Coast and dominate in his second GCRL U17 Division One match for Helensvale as they defeated Mudgeeraba 58-16 in Round Ten. In the Round Ten match he was unstoppable on his way to scoring four tries.

Stanley Jackson’s first match for Helensvale was in Round Nine against Runaway Bay when he started in the second row.

Earlier this season Stanley Jackson was part of the Easts Tigers MM Cup side, playing all seven of their matches. He started one match at lock being Round One against Central Queensland, one in the second row, four in the front row and one from the interchange bench.

I did not see all of his MM Cup matches this season but he certainly was outstanding for Easts in their Round Seven match against Tweed Heads and even though the Tigers were defeated Stanley Jackson stood up well to the powerful Tweed Heads Seagulls forward pack.

Stanley Jackson scored tries in Rounds Five and Six against Redcliffe and Northern Pride respectively.

Stanley Jackson was a standout for Logan Brothers U16’s in 2017 and in one game against Carina that I saw was at his rampaging best as Logan Brothers put Carina to the sword with Stanley Jackson being prominent on the right side for Logan Brothers both in attack and defence.

Earlier in 2017 Stanley Jackson was part of the Brisbane Red U16 representative side for the South East Queensland U16 pre-season competition.

In 2015 Stanley Jackson started in the front row for the Titans U14 development squad in their 28-10 win against Samoa. He also captained his U14 Logan Brothers club side in their GBJRL grand final that same year at Nundah against Wynnum Manly.

Stanley Jackson made numerous representative sides in 2015 including U14 Stingers and U14 South East Queensland for the Queensland age championships in June, starting in the front row for both of those representative sides. Previously Stanley Jackson has been part of the Titans, Broncos and Cowboys development squads

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The Western Mustangs Colts side endured a difficult 2018 season but with players like James Robinson in the squad there is reason to be optimistic for the upcoming season.

James Robinson was a shining light throughout the season starting all of the Western Mustangs matches in the second row and captaining the side on each occasion.

In the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition this season James Robinson crossed for two tries with his first try of the season coming in Round Eight in a tough 32 – 28 loss to the Tweed Heads Seagulls. James Robinson’s other try came in round Thirteen against the Easts Tigers.

James Robinson was the nominated Western Mustangs goal kicker in Rounds Eighteen and Twenty One against the Northern Pride and Victoria respectively and kicked two goals in each of those matches.

In 2017 James Robinson was co-captain of the Western Mustangs MM Cup side that defeated Souths Logan in the Grand Final in a high scoring affair 40 - 30. After the completion of the MM Cup competition, James Robinson graduated to the Western Mustangs U20 Colts Challenge side after spending some time in the Toowoomba Rugby League competition with Gatton.

James Robinson played in all except one of the 2017 Western Mustangs MM Cup matches missing only Round Six. In all of the Western Mustangs matches that he played in James Robinson started in the second row including both MM Cup finals and the National U18 Final against the Parramatta Eels. In his 2017 MM Cup matches James Robinson scored two tries including scoring a key try in the MM Cup Grand Final that the Western Mustangs won 40 – 30. James Robinsons other try came in Round Five against the Central Queensland Capras.

James Robinson played in eight 2017 U20 Colts Challenge matches, starting seven in the second row and coming off the interchange bench in the other being Round Twelve. James Robinson broke into the Western Mustangs Colts side in Round Four against the Easts Tigers and also played Round Five. James Robinson came back into the U20 squad in Round Twelve and played the remainder of the season there scoring against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in Round Fourteen.

As previously noted James Robinson has also played a number of matches in the 2017 Toowoomba Rugby League competition for Gatton including four in the U18 competition and two Hutchies A Grade Cup matches. In his four matches at the U18 level James Robinson scored three tries including a double in his first U18 match of the season against Goondiwindi and he also scored the following week against Wattles.

James Robinson made his Hutchies A Grade debut in May 2017 against Wattles backing up from the U18 fixture and also played against Southern Suburbs in early August. 2017 is the second season that James Robinson has played in the Toowoomba Rugby League Hutchies A Grade Cup competition after he played ten matches A Grades matches as a 17 year old in 2016 scoring two tries which came against the Warwick Cowboys and Toowoomba Valleys

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At the NRL level in 2019, one player who I expect to shine is local junior Jai Whitbread.

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 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 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 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 product.

Even though Jai Whitbread is 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.

So far in the Queensland Cup this season through his thirteen matches Jai Whitbread has 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 is averaging 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 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 2017 NYC per game averages as well as his 2018 Queensland Cup and NRL per game averages:

2017 NYC 2018 Q Cup 2018 NRL

Games played 23 13 1

Minutes per game 55 34.25 18

Runs per game 12 7.8 6

Metres made per game 118 84 32

Tackles per game 26 16.92 9

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 or second row exclusively

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The Tweed Heads Seagulls 2019 MM Cup squad will not be short of size in the forwards with Jordan Tauali’i the giant Titans linked front rower and PBC student in the squad.

HE was a key member this season of the Tweed Heads Seagulls U17 Division One side that was competing in the GCRL competition for the first time with Jordan Tauali’i leading the Seagulls to the finals.

In the U17 Division One competition for Teed Heads Jordan Tauali’i played in eleven matches including their final’s match.

In those matches Jordan Tauali’i scored two tries, the first coming in Round One against Bilambil as Tweed Heads celebrated their U17 Division One inclusion with a victory over their closest rivals. Jordan Tauali’i’s other 2018 U17 Division One try was scored against Mudgeeraba in late June.

In Week One of the U17 Division One finals Jordan Tauali’i started in the front row for Tweed Heads who unfortunately went down 42 – 14 to a Carsil Vaikai led Runaway Bay to end what was an encouraging first season in the Gold Coast Rugby League U17 Division One competition.

Jordan Tauali’i has also played a number of matches for the PBC Open side and in particular was effective from the bench against Marsden State High School at Waterford mid-season in a big PBC win.

Jordan Tauali’i started the 2018 season as part of the Northern Rivers U18 Laurie Daley Cup side, playing in three matches starting all in the front row and in the “local derby” against North Coast had a great battle against North Coast front rower Lewis Cooper. The ground literally shook such were the hits against each other in that match.

The three matches that Jordan Tauali’i played in the 2018 Laurie Daley Cup were against North Coast, Central Coast Roosters and the Greater Northern Tigers and he started in the front row in each of those matches.

Jordan Tauali’i had a very solid 2017 season commencing with representing Group 18 at the U16 level and then progressing through to playing for the East Coast Dolphins U16 side in the New South Wales Country Age Championships.

Jordan Tauali’i finished the 2017 season by participating in the Titans U16 High Performance Unit camp in Lennox Heads and starting for the Titans in their U16 match against a Western Mustangs U16 selection.

The Palm Beach Currumbin High School student who is in the Rugby League Excellence program at the school scored two tries for the East Coast Dolphins U16 side earlier this season, both coming in the first round when he scored a double against the Central Coast. East Coast Dolphins U16 team mates included fellow Titans linked youngster Ben Liyou and Kade Hill.

The 2017 East Coast Dolphins U16 side actually made the New South Wales Country U16 final with Jordan Tauali’i starting the final in the front row. Post the final Jordan Tauali’i was named as a starting front rower in the 2017 New South Wales Country U16 side that toured New Zealand’s South Island convincingly winning both matches. Fellow Titans linked youngsters Ben Liyou and Kade Hill were also part of the New South Wales Country U16 touring side.

Jordan Tauali’i was born in Auckland and moved with his family in Australian when he was just 18 months old. In addition to playing rugby league Jordan Tauali’i also played two seasons in rugby with the Currumbin Alligators before moving back to rugby league where he has stayed ever since.

Jordan Tauali’i was also a nominee for the Aquis Sports Person of the Year in 2017. Jordan Tauali’i has also represented Samoa on a number of occasions including in 2015 playing for Samoa U14’s against a Titans U14 Development Squad. The Titans U14’s Development Squad won a hard fought match 28 – 10

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The Western Mustangs 2019 MM Cup side has a number of outstanding talents involved including front rower Mitchell Farlow.

The young lock or front rower from the Highfields club in the Toowoomba Rugby League competition was a solid performance for the Western Mustangs U16 Development Squad that played a match against the Titans U16 Development Squad in Lenox Heads in Northern New South Wales in October 2017.

Mitchell Farlow was part of the Western Mustangs MM Cup side in 2018, coming into the side in Round Six against the Burleigh Bears, a match that the Western Mustangs staged a remarkable comeback from 34 – 6 down to win 39 – 34.

Mitchell Farlow also played in Round Seven against the Souths Logan Magpies. Mitchell Farlow came off the bench in both of his MM Cup matches this season.

Post the MM Cup competition, Mitchell Farlow played in fourteen matches for Highfields and Districts including the Finals series in the U18 Toowoomba Rugby League competition including playing in the Grand Final against Southern Suburbs.

Highfields and Districts lost the Grand Final 38 – 10 against an outstanding Southern Suburbs side with Mitchell Farlow starting from the interchange bench in the match.

In 2017 Mitchell Farlow started a lock in the 2017 Toowoomba Junior Rugby League U16 Grand Final but his Highfields side were defeated by Toowoomba South’s 32 - 20. Over the course of the 2017 U16 competition, Mitchell Farlow started in nine matches for Highfields, including the Grand Final but did not cross the try line, it certainly was not through lack of effort that is for sure.

In 2017 Mitchell Farlow represented Toowoomba U16’s at the South West Mustangs U16 trials and from there was selected in the front row for the South West Mustangs side that participated in the U16 Central Division Carnival. At the conclusion of the Central Division Carnival Mitchell Farlow was selected in the Central Crows U16 side for the Queensland Age Championships

[mdrew]

The Tweed Heads Seagulls 2019 Colts squad is shaping as an outstanding side full of skill, size, strength, power and speed.

One player that satisfies the speed criteria is Kiu Nuku-Ngala.

he young fullback or winger had a solid 2018 season, starting in the MM Cup for Tweed Heads, playing for Currumbin in the Gold Coast Rugby League U19 competition and also getting a late season opportunity with Tweed Heads in the U20 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition.

For Tweed Heads in the MM Cup competition, Kiu Nuku-Ngala started on the wing in all seven of Tweed Heads matches including their finals loss to Souths Logan and scored his sole try of the competition in Round Six against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.

With the Currumbin Eagles in the GCRL U19 competition Kiu Nuku-Ngala progressed all of the way through to the Grand Final against Southport.

In the Grand Final Kiu Nuku-Ngala started on the wing and kicked three conversions against a Daniel Shannon led Southport with Currumbin coming out on top 34 – 20.

In the Preliminary Final Kiu Nuku-Ngala started on the wing and scored for Currumbin as they qualified for the Grand Final overcoming Bilambil 36 – 26.

In Week Two of the U19 Finals series Kiu Nuku-Ngala started on the wing in a 20 – 14 Currumbin loss against Southport.

In the GCRL U19 regular season Kiu Nuku-Ngala played nine matches scoring five tries and kicking five goals of a point’s tally of 30. Kiu Nuku-Ngala scored early season tries against Beaudesert and Helensvale. Mid-season Kiu Nuku-Ngala scored in consecutive rounds against Southport, Burleigh and Ormeau.

Kiu Nuku-Ngala got a late season opportunity with the Tweed Heads Colts side starting from the interchange bench and scoring on debut in Round Twenty Four against the Northern Pride.

Kiu Nuku-Ngala had an interrupted first season on the Gold Coast in 2017 after moving down from Brisbane where he played for the Norths Devils in the CC Cup competition in 2016.

In the 2017 U17 Division One competition, Kiu Nuku-Ngala played in seven matches for Burleigh and scored a double against Runaway Bay in June and followed that up a week later with his third try of the season against Mudgeeraba.

Kiu Nuku-Ngala played in the CC Cup competition in 2016 for Norths and in fact scored in their tough semi-final loss to South’s Logan. Also in 2016 Kiu Nuku-Ngala was selected at fullback for the South East Queensland Green U16 side for the Queensland Age Championships scoring a kicking three goals on Day One against Central.

[mdrew]

A key member of the 2019 Burleigh Bears MM Cup side will be Titans linked half/five eight Tyrese Walker. who recently was involved in the Titans U18 matches against PNG and NSW Country.

Tyrese Walker moved to the Gold Coast early in 2018 and played the remainder of 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 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

[mdrew]

A key member of the 2019 Burleigh MM Cup squad will be Cole Geyer.

The young hooker has been outstanding this season in 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.

In the 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.

[mdrew]

The 2019 Burleigh Colts squad contains Allan Lockwood who is a young 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.

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.

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.

[Bart]

Have they trimmed the 2 coast sides down yet mate do you know ? , it will be interesting too see who gets the hooking role , You would expect it too be Cole for burleigh and Jed for Tweed but there are a few others in the running