Junior Development

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Round One of the 2024 MM Cup competition saw Billy Tonkin start from the bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Billy Tonkin scoring in the 65th minute when after receiving a long cut-out pass from his left sixteen metres out from the try line, Billy Tonkin stepped inside off his right foot to beat one defender and get the ball down wide out on the right side of the field

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In February 2024 Joseph Shannon was named on the bench in the Michael Purcell Memorial side that took on Walgett at the annual Murri v Koori Interstate Challenge.

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Round One of the 2024 Cyril Connell Cup competition saw Gabriel Salele’a start from the bench against the Souths Logan Magpies and after coming onto the field in the 27th minute Gabriel Salele’a made a half break in the 33rd minute after a run from his own forty metre mark and to the right of the play the ball. After stepping off his right foot Gabriel Salele’a got part way through the Magpies defensive line before being dragged down from behind eleven metres inside Souths Logan territory.

Gabriel Salele’a then moved into the Burleigh starting side at hooker in Round Two against the Redcliffe Dolphins and in the 19th minute Gabriel Salele’a carried the ball from the left of the play the ball from twelve metres out from his try line to twenty four metres out straight through the centre of the field.

As a result of his performance Gabriel Salele’a received a special mention in the Courier Mail 2024 CC Cup Round Two Team of the Week.

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Round One of the 2024 MM Cup competition saw Disharne Tohini named on the Burleigh Bears extended bench against the Souths Logan Magpies.

Disharne Tonihi then started at left centre in Round Two against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Disharne Tohini scoring a first half double.

Disharne Tonihi scored his opening try in just the 3rd minute when after receiving a long cut-out pass from his inside from his halfback Disharne Tonihi had an uninterrupted eight metre run to score three metres to the left of the goal posts.

Disharne Tonihi completed his double in the 22nd minute when he backed up a line break through the centre of the field by Saxon Innes with Disharne Tonihi receiving the ball from his right forty five metres and racing away to score untouched under the posts.

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Creedence Donovan started on the right wing for the Burleigh Bears in Round Two of the 2024 MM Cup against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Creedence Donovan doing well in the 3rd minute to chase through a high Burleigh attacking kick and Creedence Donovan reacting first when the Redcliffe left winger dropped the ball to dive on the ball three metres from the try line to give Burleigh six more tackles with Burleigh scoring withing that time frame.

Creedence Donovan ran out of dummy half to his left in the 11th minute to get the ball from thirty metres out from his own try line to within seven metres of the halfway mark. Creedence Donovan came off his right wing all of the way over to the left side of the field in the 37th minute to run the ball down a short left blindside, receiving the ball on the halfway mark and making thirteen metres into Redcliffe territory. Then in the 55th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball Creedence Donovan made a yardage carry from his own nine metre mark out to the twenty one metre mark.

Creedence Donovan’s best moment in the match came in the 45th minute when with the play the ball in the centre of the field and thirty metres from his own try line, Creedence Donovan ran out of dummy half to his left and when ten metres in from the left touchline Creedence Donovan straightened up and got halfway through the Dolphins defensive line and was able to get his right arm free and off-load a great ball to his left but unfortunately the ball went to ground with significant ground to be made.

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Callum Dalton started on the left wing for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in Round Two of the CC Cup against the Brisbane Tigers with Callum Dalton making a line break in the 30th minute down the left touchline from ten metres out from his own off a Santino Pekepo-Tavaga catch and pass. After getting out to the twenty five metre mark Callum Dalton was brought to ground but when not held Callum Dalton was able to get to his feet and carry the ball an additional sixteen metres on the last play of the first half.

Callum Dalton made a try saving tackle in the 32nd minute when whilst facing an overlap Callul Dalton was able to knock down a Brisbane Tigers pass to their right winger to save what appeared to be a certain try.

Callum Dalton had gotten his match underway by making the opening tackle of the match with Grange Womal from the Tweed Heads kick-off.

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Brady Turner started in the front row for the Burleigh Bers in Round Two of the MM Cup against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Brady Turner taking the third hit-up of the match to carry the ball a metre into Redcliffe territory after commencing his run ten metres inside his own territory.

Brady Turner also a good kick-off return in the 5th minute to get the ball out to the twenty metre mark. Then in the 10th minute from the right of the dummy half and forty four metres from the try line Brady Turner ran the ball through the centre of the field to the thirty two metre mark with three defenders trying in vain to halt Brady Turner’s momentum.

The 30th minute then saw charge onto the ball from a Burleigh penalty restart from seven metres inside his own territory to five metres into Redcliffe territory. Also in the 38th minute from the right of the dummy half Brady Turner got within twelve metres of the try line after receiving the ball twenty seven metres out.

Brady Turner, in the 61st minute carried the ball from the left of the play the ball from the halfway mark to forty metres from the try line, then a minute later in the 62nd minute also from the left of the play the ball Brady Turner ran the ball through the centre of the field from thirty five metres to twenty two metres of the try line.

Brady Turner also executed a big tackle in the 39th minute when along with Cooper Bai, Brady Turner smashed the Redcliffe front rower No. 8 to force a knock on in the centre of the field and forty metres from the try line.

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Dylan Watkins started on the right wing for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in Round Two of the CC Cup against the Brisbane Tigers with Dylan Watkins scoring in the 2nd minute when he took a Taj Lateo on the full twenty metres from the try line with Dylan Watkins then racing away to dive over to score two metres to the right of the goal posts.

Dylan Watkins was able to dart down the right touchline in the 16th minute to make fourteen metres to get the ball six metres into Brisbane Tigers territory. Then in the 17th minute from a Tweed Heads twenty metre tap restart Dylan Watkins broke two tackles as he made twelve metres downfield.

Dylan Watkins did well defensively in the 32nd minute when Dylan Watkins was able to knock the ball out of the hands of the Tigers left winger over the try line as he was diving towards the Seagulls right corner.

Dylan Watkins made another try saving tackle in the 44th minute when whilst defending on his own try line Dylan Watkins engaged the much bigger Tigers left centre and hold him up four metres in from the right corner post.

As a result of his performance Dylan Watkins received a special mention in the Courier Mail 2024 CC Cup Round Two Team of the Week.

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Tavake Tau’a’alo started in the front row for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in Round Two of the CC Cup against the Brisbane Tigers with Tavake Tau’a’alo scoring in the 46th minute when after receiving a pass from his right eight metres from the try line Tavake Tau’a’alo broke one tackle and then carried three additional defenders over the try line to get the ball down six metres in from the left corner post.

Tavake Tau’a’alo’s initial strong run of the match came in the 6th minute from the left of the play the ball to get the ball from forty metres from the try line through the centre of the field to thirty two metres out.

In the 13th minute from two passes to the left of a Tweed Heads penalty restart Tavake Tau’a’alo was able to make sixteen metres through the centre of the field with approximately 70% of the metres being post contact. The 16th minute then saw Tavake Tau’a’alo get a Tigers kick-off out to the twenty metre mark.

Tavake Tau’a’alo rounded out a strong match in the 52nd minute with a charge from the left of the play the ball from eight metres inside his own territory and broke two tackles to get the ball ten metres into Tigers territory. Then in the 54th minute from the left of the dummy half got to within a metre of the try line after charging onto the ball twenty metres out and breaking three tackles.

As a result of his performance Tavake Tau’a’alo was named on the bench in the Courier Mail 2024 CC Cup Round Two Team of the Week.

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Round Two of the 2024 U19 Mal Meninga (MM) Cup competition saw Billy Tonkin move into the starting side at right centre for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Brisbane Tigers with Billy Tonkin recording a line break assist in the 16th minute when from right of the play the ball Billy Tonkin ran the ball deep into the defensive line to get the ball to the halfway mark with Billy Tonkin then throwing a cut-out pass to his left to put his winger away down the left touchline.

Inside the opening two minutes Billy Tonkin ran the ball to the left of the play the ball on a yardage carry from sixteen metres out from his own try line to twenty six metres out. Then in the 4th minute Billy Tonkin was able to get the ball back to the twenty metre mark by way of a kick-off return.

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Brock Lennox started at left centre for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in Round Two of the MM Cup against the Brisbane Tigers with Brock Lennox scoring for the second week in a row in the 32nd minute with a twenty three metre lien break down the touchline to dive over to score in the left corner.

In just the 2nd minute of the match from two passes to the left of the play the ball Brock Lennox carried the ball from his own twenty five metre mark out to the thirty seven metre mark. Then in the 16th minute from the right of the play the ball Brock Lennox was able to promote the ball from his own twenty seven metre mark to the forty metre mark.

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Round One of the 2024 MM Cup competition saw Isaac Harrison start at lock for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls and in the 58th minute Isaac Harrison ran an underneath route to the right of the play the ball with Isaac Harrison running the ball through the centre of the field from twenty two metres to within ten metres of the try line.

The 62nd minute then saw Isaac Harrison, from two passes to the right of the play the ball ran the ball through the centre of the field once again to get the ball from forty three metres from the try line to thirty metres out.

Isaac Harrison started at lock in Round Two against the Brisbane Tigers with Isaac Harrison making his initial strong run in the 2nd minute with an effort to the right of the play the ball that saw Isaac Harrison get the ball from thirty five metres from his own try line to within three metres of the halfway mark.

As a result of his performance Isaac Harrison was named on the bench in the Courier Mail 2024 MM Cup Round Two Team of the Week.

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In February 2024 Michael Roberts was named in the centres in the Michael Purcell Memorial side that took on Walgett at the annual Murri v Koori Interstate Challenge.

In late 2023 Michael Roberts signed to play for the Evans Head Bombers in the NRRRL First Grade competition.

Early in October 2019 the tall young centre was nominated to play for a Titans U14/15 Invitational NRRRL side that played the Titans U14 Gold Coast/Brisbane Academy side in a development match at Tweed Heads Piggabeen complex. Although unable to play Michael Roberts’s proposed selection for the Invitational match shows the high regard he is held in by the Titans JTS staff.

That high regard translated into Michael Roberts signing a contract with the Titans in November 2020 which taook him through until the end of the 2022 season which is also his senior year at PBC State High School and the final year of Michael Roberts U18 eligibility.

From a trivia perspective, Michael Roberts is the younger brother of current Wests Tiger and former Titan and Brisbane Bronco and Sydney Rabbitoh and New South Wales State of Origin and Australian International centre James Roberts. Michael Roberts has a different body shape to his older brother and not the same type of speed, but like James, Michael Roberts is a very talented rugby league centre. For me Michael Roberts is destined for a more impressive NRL career than his older brother James Roberts.

In early November 2021 Michael Roberts was named in the 2022 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad.

In January 2021 Michael Roberts started from the bench for the Titans U17 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights with the Titans recording an impressive 32 – 20 victory and Michael Roberts taking away the Titans U17 Player of the Match honours after coming onto the field in the first half to play left centre.

Michael Roberts came into the match early in the first half, but really made his presence felt with the last play of the first half. Newcastle spun the ball to their right with Michael Roberts moving up with the rest of the Titans left sided defence. As the Knights five eight threw a long pass to his right, Michael Roberts anticipated the trajectory of the pass perfectly, taking the intercept seventy five metres away from the line and it was simply shut the gate so no Knights defender got near him as Michael Roberts sprinted away to put the ball down under the posts. Michael Roberts then converted his own try.

Michael Roberts then produced a smart play from the second half kick-off. The Titans let the kick up bounce with the ball bouncing back towards the oncoming Knights defence. Michael Roberts sensed the risk and ran back towards his own try line pushing the ball backwards as it threatened to bounce above his head and then retrieving it with Newcastle players all around him.

Michael Roberts showcased his smarts on the field once again in the second half. Michael Roberts was at marker with Newcastle playing the ball a metre out from their own try line. As the Knights player ran out of dummy half to his left, Michael Roberts got out of marker explosively getting hold of the Knights player and dragging him back into the in-goal to force a Knights drop out.

Michael Roberts continued to showcase his intelligence later in the second half, Michael Roberts tracked back to chase a Knights break down their right, it was clear that Michael Roberts would not be able to get to the line break with a traditional tackle but dived and ankle tapped the Knights player before he could offload, thus stopping the movement in its tracks.

In June 2021 Michael Roberts started at right centre for a Titans U17 JTS side that played a Titans U18 Northern Rivers Development Squad at Cbus Stadium in a curtain raiser to the Titans NRL match against the Sydney Roosters, with Michael Roberts kicking eight conversions for the Titans JTS side.

Michael Roberts started at right centre for the 2021 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup side for their Round One match against the Wests Tigers and was for me the best player on the field as the Northern Rivers Titans got their season off to an outstanding start on the back of a 30 – 12 victory.

Michael Roberts was in the match early, converting Jack Field’s 100 metre kick return try and he then backed that up just moments later scoring under the posts for the Northern Rivers Titans second try of the match, which he also converted. In total Michael Roberts kicked four goals from as many attempts in the Round One win.

In relation to Michael Robert’s try, half Harvey Moase kicked towards the right wing with the ball taking a wicked bounce back towards the centre of the field, right winger Blake Forder flew through and toe’d the ball forward for Michael Roberts to pick up on the bounce and crash over under the posts. Michael Roberts took possession of the ball ten metres out from the line, pushing the first Wests Tigers defender off with his right arm before charging at the line and forcing the ball down with two defenders all over him.

Michael Roberts in fact could have scored two more tries in the match, on two occasions being in position to take intercepts in his own half, but on each occasion, one in each half, just could not maintain possession.

Michael Roberts also had a try assist early in the second half when after taking possession of the ball drew the Wests Tigers defender and passed to his right to Blake Forder who stepped back inside and after juggling the ball got it down wide out on the right. That try was another that Michael Roberts converted.

Early in the second half Michael Roberts played a big role in Harvey Moase’s first try. Michael Roberts chased through a Harvey Moase kick towards the right corner and smashed the Wests Tigers fullback dislodging the ball from his grasp, Harvey Moase was on the spot to pick the ball up and race away to score under the posts.

That occasion was not the only time that Michael Roberts chased a Harvey Moase kick hard. Midway through the second half, Harvey Moase’s kick travelled into the in-goal and as a result of a strong Michael Roberts tackle, the West Tigers fullback could not get back into the field of play, thus forcing a goal line drop out.

Michael Roberts was also on hand in the 51st minute of the match, when he along with Blake Forder grabbed hold of the Wests Tigers left winger who was returning a Harvey Moase kick and dragged him eight metres into touch to force a Northern Rivers Titans scrum feed whilst he was still inside his own territory.

Even when Michael Roberts missed a tackle he stayed in the game. Late in the second half, the Wests Tigers left centre was able to initially palm off Michael Roberts but he kept chasing and dived full length to ankle tap the Tigers player just as he was accelerating into space.

After his outstanding Round One performance, Michael Roberts also started Round Two against local rivals the North Coast Bulldogs at Nambucca Heads at right centre and kicked two conversions from as many attempts in the 22 – 12 loss.

Michael Roberts also started at right centre in Round Three against the Greater Northern Tigers kicking two conversions in the loss including an outstanding conversion from the right touchline to convert a third minute Harry Silverwright try.

Michael Roberts was into the match early when in just the second minute he rag dolled the Greater Northern Tigers left winger over the sideline.

After missing Round Four Michael Roberts was named to start Round Five against the Newcastle Knights from the bench but actually started the match at right centre and scored early in the first half.

Michael Roberts’s try came in just the 13th minute of the match when he received a long pass in space from Harvey Moase and then got on the outside of his direct opponent around ten metres out from the line and then was able to hold off the Newcastle cover defence with his left arm to get the ball down eight metres in from the right corner post.

Michael Roberts could have had a double in the 22nd minute but was held up after trying to barge his way over from dummy half from close range.

In the 23rd minute Michael Roberts continued to make ground when he cut back towards centre field from his right centre position to beat three defenders whilst making twenty valuable metres.

Michael Roberts was in the match in the match early kicking long into the right corner and then was one of the first Northern Rivers Titans defenders downfield to tackle the Knights fullback in the corner and also was on hand to smash the Knights left winger in the 2nd minute of the second half after the Knights player fielded a Northern Rivers Titans clearing kick.

In Round One of the 2021 NRRRL U18 competition, Michael Roberts started at fullback for the Bilambil Jets as they took on the Murwillumbah Mustangs and had an outstanding match that saw him score an outstanding individual try and well as kicking three conversions from four attempts, including a last minute conversion from the right touchline as well as a late second half penalty goal in the 50th minute to lock the scores up at 18 all.

Michael Roberts try came in the 28th minute and was an outstanding individual effort. Michael Roberts received the ball seventy metres out from the line, chipping over the line perfectly and comfortably regathering before rounding the Murwillumbah fullback and to put the ball down near the posts before converting his own try.

Michael Roberts came very close to scoring a double in the match but in the 14th minute was held up over the line after stepping off his right ten metres out only to be held up.

Michael Roberts also recorded a line break assist in the match when in the 38th minute he ran the ball down a left sided blind side and throwing a cut out pass to his left that hit his winger on the chest, with the winger getting to less than a metre from the corner post before being stopped.

It was not all about his attacking play in the match with Michael Roberts positional play also being first class in the match including in the opening minute when he tracked across to his left to retrieve an attacking grubber kick under heavy pressure but Michael Roberts kept his cool and in fact won a penalty after he was held down in the subsequent tackle.

Then in the 36th minute Michael Roberts took a mid-field bomb under intense pressure, including from a team mate thirty five metres out from his own line and then was able to get the ball into Murwillumbah territory fighting defenders the entire trip.

Michael Roberts also started at fullback in Round Two against the Tweed Coast Raiders kicking three conversions including a great conversion from the right touchline in the 32nd minute in the Jets 22 – 16 victory.

Michael Roberts was also credited with a try assist in the win when in the 27th minute he received the ball from a penalty restart just ten metres from the try line, easing to his left to put his left second rower over the line.

Michael Roberts first impact in the match came inside the first minute when he ran the ball down a short left blindside beating three tackles after dummying to his outside before a right arm flick pass found his hooker who continued to make ground.

In the 7th minute Michael Roberts positioned himself nicely to retrieve a Tweed Coast kick on his own twenty metre mark, after two left foot steps, Michael Roberts was eventually brought down after making twenty metres.

Michael Roberts continued his dominant start to the match in the 16th minute with a sixteen metre effort out of dummy half to his right before in the 17th minute Michael Roberts chimed into the Bilambil backline on the left, dummying to his outside and slicing through the defensive line from twenty five metres out, only to be brought down a metre short of the try line.

Michael Roberts positioning was also key late in the match with Bilambil leading by just six points when in the 46th minute Michael Roberts moved to his right to field a Tweed Coast attacking in-goal, as soon as he took possession Michael Roberts continued to his right and was able to get the ball back into the field of play.

Michael Roberts followed that good work with another smart piece of play just a minute later after Bilambil had turned the ball over from a charge down by executing a one on one strip to maintain the Jets six point margin.

After missing a number of weeks due to school boy representative commitments, Michael Roberts was back at fullback for Bilambil’s Round Five match against the Kyogle Turkeys, with Michael Roberts dominant in the Jets victory and for me he was a class above everyone else on the field in the Jets victory, a large part due to his performance.

Michael Roberts was outstanding from the opening whistle scoring two tries, setting up another as well as kicking six conversions, including one from right on each touch line.

Michael Roberts scored his first try in the 25th minute when after lining up to the right of a Jets scrum he kicked downfield and chased through putting the Kyogle fullback under pressure. As a consequence the fullback fumbled the ball with Michael Roberts being on hand to kick the ball through a second time with the ball then sitting up perfectly for him to collect the ball and put it down under the posts.

Michael Roberts completed his double just three minutes later in the 28th minute when from a set move twenty metres out from the line, Michael Roberts shot out from behind the play the ball to receive an inside pass from five eight William James, immediately producing a right foot step to beat one and broke through a further three tackles on the way to the line.

Michael Roberts could easily have had a hat trick in the match but in just the second minute after he had dummied to his right to break the Kyogle defensive line thirty five metres out and priding an exquisite left foot step to beat the fullback was held up by the cover defence.

Michael Roberts recorded his try assist in the 4th minute when he ran into the defensive line on the left side of the field double pumping the ball to his left to put Makenzie MacGrarrigal into a big gap just three metres from the line.

Michael Roberts also made an explosive play in the 14th minute when he came forward to take a Kyogle clearing kick on the full, easily beating the first Turkey’s chaser before running straight over two more to make twenty five metres to get the ball to near the halfway mark.

Then in the 20th minute, Michael Roberts saw that the Kyogle fullback was out of position and kicked deep from fifty five metres out with the ball pulling up perfectly in goal, Michael Roberts along with Kai Smallwood was the first Jets played downfield to tackle the fullback just three metres into the field of play.

That was not the only time in the match that Michael Roberts showcased his long kick game as in the 23rd minute, Michael Roberts from a drop out from his own goal line kicked the ball sixty five metres.

It was not all about attack in the match for Michael Roberts as in the 40th minute, the Kyogle No. 17 burst through the line, making a long break but Michael Roberts came from nowhere to tackle him from behind just three metres from the try line.

Michael Roberts produced another outstanding performance from fullback in Round Six against Casino RSM with the mercurial Michael Roberts scoring two tries, recording two try assists and also kicking four conversions.

Michael Roberts scored the first of his two tries in the 18th minute when he ran out of dummy half to his right, shrugging off one defender who had tried to tackle Michael Roberts around his chest. Michael Roberts then got low to dive over to score, and then he stepped up to convert his own try.

Michael Roberts added his second try right on halftime. When time in the first half almost expired and Bilambil having a scrum feed twenty metres out, the Jets put on a set play when after winning the scrum the Jets five eight who was stationed on the left of the scrum put in a short kick for Michael Roberts to chase. Michael Roberts flew through to get to the ball ten metres out but the ball just would not sit up for him so Michael Roberts toed to through again into the in-goal where it did sit up for him to retrieve and get the ball down.

Michael Roberts first try assist in the match came in the 32nd minute when he ran into the line before throwing a pass to his left to put Kelvin Bulluss over in the left corner. Michael Roberts then stepped to kick the conversion from right on the left touchline.

Michael Roberts added his second try assist in the 53rd minute when after packing into a scrum at lock he picked up the ball and ran down a left blindside to put his left centre over to score.

Michael Roberts showed that he has substance to his game as well as flash when in the 5th minute he tracked back a Casino RSM kick, retrieving it in his own in-goal with chasers streaming through. Michael Roberts wrong footed the chasers and made twenty metres down the left touchline before being tackled.

Michael Roberts was named to continue at fullback in Round Nine against the Byron Bay Devils, scoring a try and kicking two conversions in the Jets tough loss.

Michael Roberts scored in the 33rd minute of the match when after receiving the ball thirty metres out from the dummy half to the right of the play the ball, Michael Roberts dummied to his right before slicing through the Byron Bay line between two defenders. Michael Roberts then beat the fullback with a right foot step to dive over three metres to the left of the uprights.

Michael Roberts continued at fullback in Round Ten against the Marist Brothers Rams and scored an outstanding try in the 18th minute when he received an inside ball down a left blindside twenty two metres out from the line. Michael Roberts then produced two outstanding left foot steps to bamboozle the Rams defensive to comfortably score under the posts. Michael Roberts also kicked four conversions in the Jets victory.

Michael Roberts was named to continue at fullback in Round Eleven against the Ballina Seagulls but Round Twelve against the Tweed Coast Raiders saw Michael Roberts move to lock and kick four conversions from as many attempts in the Jets six point loss.

Michael Roberts finished the abridged 2021 NRRRL U18 regular season as the competitions equal leading try scorer with eight tries alongside Damon Coldwell and Cooper Camby.

In total in the 2021 NRRRL U18 competition for the Bilambil Jets Michael Roberts played in ten matches and scored eighty four points from eight tries (80% strike rate) and twenty six conversions.

At the Bilambil Jets Awards Presentation Michael Roberts was named the 2021 Bilambil Jets NRRRL U18 Best and Fairest.

In February 2021 Michael Roberts took part in the South Coast Open school boy trials and was named in the centres in the South Coast Maroon Open school boy side as a result of his trial performances.

Michael Roberts started South Coast Maroon’s Day One match at right centre, scoring in the 11th when he ran into a gap five metres out and was able to bring the ball around to put it down near the posts.

Michael Roberts also started at right centre on Day Two against Met North and also scored for the second day in a row but he was held up over the try line in the 3rd minute after a ten metre effort.

Michael Roberts continued at right centre on Day Three against Darling Downs and proved once again that he is a legitimate strike weapon, scoring in the 16th minute five metres in from the right corner post after a twenty metre burst.

Michael Roberts scored his second try early in the second half when he received the ball wide on the right before he cut back inside, as he contacted the defensive line near the line, Michael Roberts spun counter clockwise to get the ball down in the right corner.

Michael Roberts almost completed a hat trick mid-way through the second half but he was held-up over the line.

The Day Four fifth place play-off match against Met East saw Michael Roberts once again start at right centre with the Titans contracted standout continuing his try scoring run in the second half. South Coast half Travis May, from thirty metres out, put in a chip kick to the right side of the field, Michael Roberts chasing through. The ball bounced ten metres out and it initially appeared it would sit up perfectly for Michael Roberts but when the ball bounced badly, Michael Roberts pulled his hands backed and instead kicked the ball forward and then he was able to gather the ball and put it down next to the right upright.

Round One of the 2021 Langer Cup School Boy Rugby League competition saw Michael Roberts initially named to start on the right wing for PBC against Ipswich State High School however a late change saw the natural talent start at fullback, with the late positional change not at all impacting on his outstanding performance which included one of the best try assists that you will ever see.

The unbelievable Michael Roberts try assist came in the 27th minute when he chased through a bomb, putting pressure on the Ipswich SHS fullback who dropped the ball forward, Michael Roberts scooped up the ball just metres from the try line, immediately heading towards the goal posts with the ball in his left hand. Michael Roberts was collared a literally swung off his legs by the Ipswich defence but in the process somehow (I have watched the replay multiple times and still do not know how he did it) flick the ball behind his body and put the pass onto the chest of Travis May who scored under the posts.

Michael Roberts also broke the line in the 32nd minute from a kick return. Once he collected the ball Michael Roberts headed for the right touchline, palming off one defender before making a break of twenty five metres down the right touchline but as the cover defence converged Michael Roberts’s pass inside went to ground.

Michael Roberts once again started at fullback in Round Two in Toowoomba against St Mary’s College and scored a double in PBC’s big win.

Michael Roberts scored his first try of the match in the 21st minute when he was loitering around the ruck and was subsequently perfectly placed to receive an off-load from Jack Cullen to dive over next to the left upright after a five metre dart.

Michael Roberts completed his double in the 51st minute when from a set move he received an inside ball from Thomas Weaver ten metres from the line to crash over mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Michael Roberts also recorded a line break assist in the 55th minute when after retrieving a kick just ten metres from his own line, Roberts drew in the St Mary’s left sided defence to put Deine Mariner into a gap with the centre subsequently putting Jett Forbes away to score in the opposite corner.

Michael Roberts moved to the right wing in Round Three against Coombabah State High School. The match saw Michael Roberts record a try assist in the 5th minute with Michael Roberts taking a Thomas Weaver cross kick to his wing on the full and was he was being tackled and with his back to the try line, Michael Roberts offloaded to Deine Mariner who had looped around to the blindside.

Michael Roberts continued on the right wing in the Round Four blockbuster against Marsden State High School and whilst the ball did not get out to his wing often Michael Roberts still found a way to make an impact on the match including in the 12th minute when he chased a great Oskar Bryant right foot kick out of dummy half from thirty eight metres from his own line, with the ball bouncing into the in-goal with the Marsden left winger only able to get the ball a metre out from his own line being tackled by Michael Roberts.

Michael Roberts continued on the right wing in the much anticipated Round Five local derby against Keebra Park State High School and scored a first half double in PBC’s tough loss.

Michael Roberts scored his first try in the 10th minute try assist when Thomas Weaver put in a pin point kick to the right side of the field with the ball falling perfectly for Michael Roberts who took the ball on the fly and was able to bring the ball around to score under the posts.

Michael Roberts completed his double in the 30th minute with a twelve metre burst down the right touchline to score in the right corner.

Round Six against Mabel Park State High School saw Michael Roberts move closer to the action, starting the match at right centre and in the 26th minute scored a long range ninety try which saw him put the ball down under the posts.

Michael Roberts was also PBC’s first choice goal kicker for the match and kicked three conversions from four attempts including a good kick in the 23rd minute from near the left touchline after Reef Sommerville had scored wide out.

After the competition was suspended for a number of weeks due to a Covid 19 lock down, Michael Roberts was named on the right wing for PBC State High School in their semi-final against Keebra Park State High School however Michael Roberts ended up starting the match at five eight and kicked PBC’s final conversion of the match after Keano Kini scored to seal the win for PBC.

Michael Roberts had some good moments in the match, including an outstanding one on one tackle in the 25th minute on the Keebra Park right centre who had cut back inside looking for space through the centre of the field.

Also in the 14th minute, Michael Roberts along with Jayden Wright, Keano Kini and Oskar Bryant held up Blake Mozer over the line and then in the 25th minute, Michael Roberts, Keano Kini, Brock Priestley and Bailey Martin held up Aram Hau over the line directly under the posts.

Then in the 20th minute Michael Roberts chased through a Thomas Weaver kick that pulled up in the in-goal with the Keebra Park fullback unable to get the ball back into the field of play before he was stopped by Michael Roberts and Oskar Bryant.

In the 2021 Langer Cup Grand Final against Marsden State High School, Michael Roberts was named to start at five eight for PBC and was the best player on the field, scoring a double including the match winning try, setting up another and also kicking a key conversion of a Ryan Foran try in the 48th minute from the left touchline to lock the scores up at 18 all.

The first of two Michael Roberts tries came in the 22nd minute when whilst operating on the right side of the field, Michael Roberts was able to get on the outside of his immediate defender eighteen metre out and then after dummying to his right outpaced the Marsden SHS cover defence to crash over five metres in from the right corner post.

Michael Roberts broke an eighteen all tie and sealed the match for PBC in the 56th minute of the match and the try was certainly worth the wait. With Marsden SHS on the attack, one of their forwards spilled the ball around ten metres out from the line, Michael Roberts swooped onto the bell just five metres out from his own line. Michael Roberts immediately burst downfield dummying to his left to take one defender out of the equation before accelerating downfield.

Just inside Marsden SHS territory the Marsden SHS fullback came across in an attempt to effect the tackle but a straight left arm fend from Michael Roberts sent the Marsden SHS sprawling and Michael Roberts was able to run the remaining thirty five metres unaccosted to dive over midway between the corner post and goal posts on the right side of the field.

Michael Roberts try assist came in the 28th minute when once again he got on the outside of his direct opponent on the right side of the field. Once on the outside of his opponent, Michael Roberts drew in the Marsden SHS left winger and then threw a great right arm flick pass to put Jett Forbes over in the right corner.

Post the completion of the 2021 Langer Cup competition, Michael Roberts was named on the wing in the Courier Mail’s 2021 Langer Cup Open A Team of the Season.

Michael Roberts was then named at five eight for PBC in the Queensland Open School Boys Final (Phil Hall Cup) against St Brendan’s College Yeppoon and once again had an outstanding match in PBC’s 62 – 0 thumping win, with Michael Roberts scoring a double and kicking an outstanding conversion to the right touchline in the 57th minute when Michael Roberts converted Jett Forbes fourth try of the match.

Michael Roberts opened his try scoring account in the 37th minute of the Queensland Final. Michael Roberts moved into dummy half with the PBC SHS play the ball being two metres from the line and on the right side of the field and ran to his left forcing has way over by spinning counter clockwise to crash over ten metres to the right of the uprights.

Michael Roberts completed in double in the 59th minute when he came out of the defensive line to take an intercept and run sixty five metres to put the ball down near the right corner post totally unaccosted.

Michael Roberts also recorded two try assists in the Queensland Grand Final, the first of which came in the 25th minute when from twenty five metres out he put in a right foot chip kick towards the right corner which bounced perfectly for Deine Mariner to collect the ball and score.

Michael Roberts second try assist was recorded in the 29th minute when he took the ball right to the line on the right side of the field and threw a great cut-out pass to his right to put Jett Forbes over in the right corner a minute before half time.

Michael Roberts was also heavily involved in Deine Mariner’s 11th minute when he took the ball to the line on the right side of the field before throwing a cut-out pass to his right to Jett Forbes who then immediately passed inside to Deine Mariner to force his way over.

Michael Roberts also produced a smart piece of play in the when from forty metres out and down a wide right blindside, Michael Roberts kicked towards the right corner and was one of the first PBC players downfield to take the St Brendan’s fullback into touch just two metres out from his own line.

At the end of the 2021 season, Michael Roberts was named at No. 37 in the Courier Mail Top 60 school boys from the GPS Rugby, AIC Rugby and Langer Cup competitions.

In late 2020 Michael Roberts was announced as part of the South East Queensland Magic U17 side for the 2021 Queensland Murri Carnival.

Michael Roberts was named to start in the centres for the Northern Rivers Titans in Round One of the 2020 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition against the Parramatta Eels at Cudgen however the match was cancelled due to the wet conditions in the region at that time.

Michael Roberts started Round Two of the U16 Andrew Johns Cup at right centre against the Newcastle Knights in Ballina scoring a late second half try and kicking one from one in the Titans 28 – 22 win.

Michael Roberts scored from an old fashioned mouse trap play. Hooker Tanu Nona ran over the top of the ball to the right of the play the ball leaving the ball to Michael Roberts who took off to the left and forced his way over from a close range of around two metres mid-way between the right upright and right corner post.

Michael Roberts also started at right centre in Round Three against the Central Coast Roosters finishing that match with an individual point’s haul of sixteen points from two tries and four conversions from five attempts.

Michael Roberts first try came from a scrum when he ran a great line into a gap and received a great ball from half Harvey Moase. Immediately upon running through the gap, Michael Roberts stepped off his right foot to beat the Central Coast fullback to score untouched.

Michael Roberts also scored a long range try, also in the second half when he received a great off-load from hooker Tanu Nona to burst down the right touch line before beating the fullback with a step to score under the posts after a fifty five metre run.

Michael Roberts also started at right centre in Round Four against the Greater Northern Tigers kicking two goals from four attempts including a first half penalty goal.

Michael Roberts also started at right centre in the Round Five local derby against the North Coast Bulldogs scoring a try after running a great line and hitting a hole fifteen metres out and also kicked two goals from four attempts in the two point victory.

Michael Roberts attends PBC and as a 16 year old made his Langer Cup debut on the right wing in the 2020 Round Four local derby against Keebra Park and maintained his starting spot on the right wing for Round Five against Marsden State High School.

Michael Roberts also started on the right wing for PBC as they qualified for the 2020 Langer Cup final on the back of an impressive 34 – 6 victory over Ipswich State High School.

Michael Roberts started the 2020 Langer Cup Grand Final on the right wing for PBC as they defeated Keebra Park 16 – 8 in a high quality match and was unfortunate not to score when he crossed in the right corner only for the last pass to be called forward. Michael Roberts had some very good moments in the Grand Final especially in relation to taking some contested high balls that were targeted to his wing.

In the Queensland School Boys Final against Kirwan State High School Michael Roberts started on the right wing as PBC travelled to take on their North Queensland based opponents but unfortunately went down 24 - 20.

Michael Roberts played the 2020 season for the South Tweed Bears in the Group 18 U16 competition and was in fact named the joint Player of the Year in that competition alongside Bilambil’s Jemaine Henderson-Sabato.

Michael Roberts started the 2020 Group 18 U16 Grand Final at right centre with South Tweed overcoming a determined Murwillumbah side 20 – 16.

In early October 2020 Michael Roberts was part of a Titans squad that played a trial against a Titans Group 18 U16 Invitational side with the match being played at Cbus Stadium, giving the young players a great experience with an added bonus that the players wore Titans jerseys. Michael Robert played against five of his 2020 South Tweed Group 18 U16 team mates in the match.

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 linked Kai Smallwood and was named in the side in late December to cap off a great 2019 for the young man.

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.

In 2017 however in the Group 18 U13 competition Michael Roberts was part of the Byron Bay/Lennox Head side that won their Grand Final 40 – 8 and in fact Michael Roberts was named player of the Grand Final.

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In February 2024 Titus Marsden was named in the Samoa U18 side to take on a Queensland Murri U18 side at the annual Murri v Koori Interstate Challenge.

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Aiden Gersh started in the front row for the Northern Rivers Titans in Round Four of the Andrew Johns Cup against the Northern Tigers with Aiden Gersh making the fourth hit-up of the match from the left of the play the ball to carry the ball from ten metres inside his own territory to two metres into Tigers territory.

The 15th minute saw Aiden Gersh make a strong kick-off return to get the ball out to the thirty two metre mark and a tackle later from the right of the play the ball Aiden Gersh was able to make a further fourteen metres to within three metres of the halfway mark, breaking a tackle along the way.

In the 52nd minute after receiving an off-load fourteen metres from the try line charged towards the try line only to be tripped up just two metres short and just to the right of the goal posts. Then in the 56th minute Aiden Gersh made a good Tigers goal line drop-out return back to the twenty seven metre mark with Aiden Gersh running straight over the top of one defender in his journey.

Defensively Aiden Gersh made a big driving right shoulder tackle on his opposing front rower in the centre of the field and thirty two metres from the try line.