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  1. #916
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    Cooper Many. The Lower Clarence Magpie started the 2019 season as part of the Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad, his second season in that competition.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Cooper Many will play out the 2019 season in the NRRRL U18 competition, Cooper Many will I am sure will also make his NRRRL Reserve Grade debut for the Lower Clarence Magpies.

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

  2. #917
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    Lachlan Hallard. The Bilambil Jets player was outstanding over the course of the 2018 season and started the 2019 season as part of the Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad.

    In that competition, Lachlan Hallard started Round One in the right centre position for the Northern Rivers Titans in their clash against the Newcastle Knights Development Squad.

    Round Two of the 2019 Laurie Daley Cup competition saw Lachlan Hallard start their match against Parramatta from the interchange bench.

    Lachlan Hallard was back in the starting line-up for the Northern Rivers Titans side at right centre in their derby match against the North Coast Bulldogs in Round Three.

    In Round Four against the Central Coast Roosters Lachlan Hallard started at five eight for the Northern Rivers Titans and was a solid performer in the five eight position.

    Lachlan Hallard also started at five eight in Round Five against the Greater Northern Tigers and scored when he darted out of dummy half to his right near to score adjacent to the right goal post, with Thomas Vickery kicking the resultant conversion.

    After the completion of the 2019 Laurie Daley Cup competition Lachlan Hallard lined up for Cudgen in Round One of the U18 NRRRL competition, starting in the centres and scoring as his Hornets side went down 28-16 to Lismore Marist Brothers.

    To date in the 2019 NRRRL U18 competition Lachlan Hallard has played in all three of Cudgen’s matches.

    In Round One after playing in the NRRRL U18 match Lachlan Hallard then backed up coming off the bench in the Reserve Grade match which co-incidentally also finished 28 – 16 will Lismore Marist Brothers also winning that match.

    In 2018 Lachlan Hallard played in three matches for the Northern Rivers Titans Laurie Daley Cup squad, starting each of those in the second row and scored in Rounds Four and Five against the Central Coast Roosters and Greater Northern Tigers respectively.

    Post the 2018 Laurie Daley Cup competition Lachlan Hallard played in three different competitions for the Bilambil Jets in the Gold Coast Rugby League competition.

    In the 2018 U17 Division One competition, Lachlan Hallard played in eight matches and in the U19 competition, he played in seven, making his debut against Helensvale in May and scored his sole try in the GCRL competition against Burleigh in August.

    At just 17 years old, Lachlan Hallard made his GCRL First Grade debut in Round Sixteen against the Burleigh Bears, starting the match at fullback. Lachlan Hallard also started at fullback in Round Seventeen against Currumbin with following week.

    Lachlan Hallard’s style of play is that of a wide running back rower or centre with a touch above average speed for the position. He is quite quick off the mark, but what makes him even more impressive from a speed perspective is that when he gets into space, Lachlan Hallard has an extra gear again which is a plus attribute for such a strong powerful back rower, making it almost impossible for the cover defence to catch him once he is open space and has reached his top speed.

    When he runs on the fringes of the ruck and Lachlan Hallard uses his foot work to beat defenders with a variety of moves, including a decent step off both feet and a very good in and away as well as simply running over people. Couple those two aspects with a very good fend and you have a strong young player who can cause issues for any defensive line.

    Lachlan Hallard seems to line up on the right side of the field more so than the left, but I have no doubt moving forward that he will be able to play on either side of the field.

    Lachlan Hallard is an aggressive defender whether he is defending in the centre of the ruck or on the fringes, and due to his natural strength is more than capable of defending one on one and can and will stop even the biggest opposing forwards in their tracks when he is able to set his base.

    Lachlan Hallard’s speed and lateral mobility means that he will not be beaten by light stepping halves trying to take advantage of tiring forwards or the opposition running out of dummy half.

    Lachlan Hallard will play the remainder of the 2019 season for Cudgen in the NRRRL U18 competition, his last in the U18 age group before he moves permanently to the senior rugby league ranks.

    It would also not surprise to see Lachlan Hallard to also play a number of NRRRL First Grade matches as the 2019 season progresses.

    Lachlan Hallard has played a variety of positions over the last eighteen months including fullback, centre, and second row and also played a number of matches for the Northern Rivers Titans U18 side at five eight. For me when all is said and done, I believe that Lachlan Hallard will ultimately spend the majority of his time in the second row.

    From a style comparison perspective for Lachlan Hallard, the current NRL player that stands out for me is Titans Bryce Cartwright as a mobile, wide running backrower with a diverse skill set.

  3. #918
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    George Santos-Motuapuaka. The Victorian centre or winger, at the start of the 2018 season was part of the Victorian Thunderbolts (read - Melbourne Storm) U20 Hastings Deering’s Colts squad but did not end up featuring in any of their matches.

    Instead George Santos-Motuapuaka played for the Casey Warriors in the Victorian Rugby League competition after transferring from the South Eastern Tigers for the start of the 2018 season.

    George Santos-Motuapuaka made his playing debut on the Gold Coast in Round Four of the GCRL U20 competition, starting in the centres for Burleigh against Helensvale with the Bears going down in the match 28 – 24 however he did score on debut making it a positive debut at right centre.

    The try was an interesting one, Burleigh received a penalty around twenty metres out from the Helensvale line and fifteen metres in from the right touch line, George Santos-Motuapuaka took a quick tap and ran straight at the defensive line, he palmed off one defender and then literally ran around the two defenders on Helensvale left side and was then able to bring the ball around closer to the goal posts. I certainly was not expecting him to score in that fashion when he took the tap from the penalty.

    In 2019 George Santos-Motuapuaka was also selected in the Gold Coast Vikings U20 side for the South East Queensland U20 Challenge.

    For the Casey Warriors George Santos-Motuapuaka started the 2018 season in their Victorian Rugby League First Grade side playing in three matches including scoring in his First Grade debut against the Waverley Oakleigh Panthers. George Santos-Motuapuaka’s other two Victorian First Grade Matches in 2018 season were against the Sunbury United Tigers and the Truganina Rabbitoh’s.

    George Santos-Motuapuaka also played in one Victorian Reserve Grade match in 2018 which was against the Truganina Rabbitoh’s a match which George Santos-Motuapuaka scored in.

    The giant young man is very difficult to stop once he is in motion, his speed, power and body height all contribute to this. On the wing when he can wind up and build momentum he looks to run over his direct opponent rather than try to run around them. In fact in the majority of occasions it is George Santos-Motuapuaka that actually initiates the contact and I do not often recall seeing a player being able to run over his direct opponent with absolutely no loss of momentum like George Santos-Motuapuaka does.

    From a speed perspective I would argue that his speed is a tick above average for a winger but obviously the key attribute from an attacking perspective is how hard he hits the defensive line. Like his overall speed George Santos-Motuapuaka’s lateral mobility is probably just a tick above average.

    George Santos-Motuapuaka with his size and strength is also able to make a lot of ground after contact with his ability to absorb the defensive contact and maintain his balance and body control.

    When he is close to the line George Santos-Motuapuaka is able to absorb a significant amount of punishment and still hold his running line thus he is able to score close to the side line without being pushed over the sideline regardless of the number of defenders looking to do so. The ability to absorb contact is on display when George Santos-Motuapuaka comes into the centre of the ruck to take the ball up into the teeth of the defensive line.

    Defensively for a big strong powerful young man, George Santos-Motuapuaka actually has good discipline for such a young player and in the main stays on his man rather than coming in and looking for the big hit. Do not get me wrong he will on occasion aim to smash the opposing outside if they do not see him coming but in the main he is quite disciplined and looks to ensure his opposing winger does not get on his outside looking to use their speed against him.

    George Santos-Motuapuaka will play the remainder of the 2019 season for Burleigh and whilst he started the season in their Gold Coast Rugby League U20 side with his first match being in Round Four against Helensvale, I would anticipate that he will over the course of the season be promoted to their Hastings Deering’s Colts side.

    George Santos-Motuapuaka has played in the centres or on the wing for the duration of his rugby league career in Victoria and I would anticipate that whilst I am sure that he can play in the centres and also at fullback into the future I think that his ultimate future lies on the wing especially in relation to the higher quality competitions such as the Queensland Cup and ultimately the NRL.

    George Santos-Motuapuaka is a big strong young man with a rare combination of size, speed and power and for that reason I can certainly see a similarity in playing style to New Zealand Warriors winger Ken Maumalo, both a big strong powerful players who present significant challenges to a defensive line.

  4. #919
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    Xavier Atoa. The outstanding centre or fullback was near unstoppable earlier this season for the Titans U14 side in their big 32 – 8 victory over the Western Mustangs at Mudgeeraba.

    In the match Xavier Atoa started at right centre and scored a hat trick including two outstanding long range tries, one in each half. For his first try, Xavier Atoa had moved to the right due to a scrum being packed near the left touch line. Xavier Atoa took a pass from the Titans five eight after a scrum win and split the defence to score from about forty metres out.

    Xavier Atoa’s try in the second half long range try was one to behold, Xavier Atoa got the ball in space early, slid through the Western Mustangs left side defence about seventy metres away from the try line and then outpaced the defence to score a great try near the right corner.

    Xavier Atoa’s other try was scored in the first half when he chased through a Titans attacking kick and received a great bounce to crash over from short range, he did have a bit of work to do after retrieving the ball and displayed his strength to score.

    Xavier Atoa has started the 2019 season in outstanding fashion for the Souths Acacia Ridge Magpies and in Round Two on Sunday was electric starting at fullback, scoring three tries and setting up three more as the Magpies accounted for Redcliffe 38 – 18.

    Xavier Atoa’s first try came mid-way through the first half, the ball was provided to him on the left side of the field, once he received it Xavier Atoa took off at the back peddling Redcliffe defensive line, impressively Xavier Atoa held the ball out in front of his body in both hands, thus the Redcliffe defence was uncertain as to his intentions. At the last moment Xavier Atoa charged between the back peddling Redcliffe right centre and winger to crash over.

    Xavier Atoa’s second try came early in the second half, from a Souths scrum win 20 metres out, Xavier Atoa received the ball this time on the right in space and outpaced the Redcliffe cover defence to score a great try under heavy pressure in the right corner, right in front of the club house for people who know Brandon Park.

    Xavier Atoa’s third try was near a carbon copy of his first in terms of the fact that he received the ball in space on the left, once again holding the ball in two hands in front of his body. The only difference was that as Redcliffe defence back peddled and spread wide, Xavier Atoa was able to slice through to score untouched.

    As noted Xavier Atoa also had three try assists in the match. His first in the first half and his third and final try assist in the second half were mirror images of each other except for the fact that they were on opposite sides of the field, the first on the left and the third on the right.

    On each occasion, Xavier Atoa took the ball right to the line before throwing a beautiful cut out ball to his winger to score untouched. There are few NRL fullbacks who could have thrown those passes let alone one to each side of his body, the passes were simply absolute quality from a player born to play rugby league, you simply cannot teach that type of skill and timing.

    Xavier Atoa’s other try assist came down the right side of the field in the second half, the Souths centre (number 3) made a break before passing inside to Xavier Atoa who whilst in heavy traffic summed up the situation perfectly to get a great short ball away to the Magpies five eight to score under the posts.

    The situation seems simple when explained like that, but it happened right in front of where I was and I can tell you that nothing about the work of Xavier Atoa was simple, in a fraction of a second he had to evade the Redcliffe defence that were converging on his and get an great short ball away in his inside to his five eight.

    In 2018 Xavier Atoa played for Souths Sunnybank in the GBJRL U13 Premier Division competition playing primarily at fullback and was also selected in the South East Queensland U13 Merit squad.

    In 2017 Xavier Atoa represented Met West at the Queensland U12 Championships were he played in the centres.

    The Stretton State College student is more than just a rugby league player however, representing Met West in touch in 2018 and also being a standout Oztag player, including being named in the All Schools Queensland U13 Oztag team and being named the Junior Male Oztag Player of the Year at the Brisbane awards late last year.

    Xavier Atoa has very good speed off the mark, which I would consider above average for a centre and can break to the outside quickly, couple that with long arms, which he uses to great effect with a powerful fend makes him difficult to tackle.
    When opposing centres are able to get hold of him, Xavier Atoa usually is able to maintain his balance and keeps an arm free, looking to offload to either his inside or outside support.

    Xavier Atoa has more tools though than just an in and away, he will also use his size and strength to run straight over smaller opposing centres as well as also having the skill to step back inside of the defender if he is pushing to the outside too early.
    Xavier Atoa also has a powerful fend which has served him well over recent seasons including for the Titans U14 side in their match earlier this season against the Western Mustangs. His natural strength is just an impressive attribute.

    A real positive for me is that Xavier Atoa can also run a good inside shoulder line due to the fact that he maintains his spacing in the back line and will quickly identify where his direct opponent is ling up to determine whether it is appropriate to run an inside or outside shoulder line or a “crash” line for that matter, he certainly has the courage to run that line regularly which not everybody has.

    As you would expect, due to his size and strength, Xavier Atoa is a very good defender regardless of position. He will not necessarily hit hard but is definitely aggressive and he is very good at mirroring the movement of the opposing centre and wrapping him up ball and all. He is also quick enough to recover and chase if the opposing centre gets on the outside and his long reach is also a positive attribute in those situations.

    From a team defensive methodology stand point, Xavier Atoa seems to be very comfortable in a sliding defensive scheme where he can use his speed and body control to their best advantage in though he can be an intimidating presence when he chooses to come out of the line to interrupt the attacking movement immediately prior to its development.

    Xavier Atoa will play the 2019 season with Souths Acacia Ridge Magpies after moving from Sunnybank in the GBJRL U4 Division One competition. Brisbane U14 Stingers representation should also follow.

    Xavier Atoa has played fullback this season for the Souths Acacia Ridge Magpies, but was simply outstanding for the Titans U14’s earlier this year in the centres and ultimately that is why I believe that in the end he will become a representative level centre in future years.

    In saying that I can absolutely understand why Xavier Atoa is playing fullback at present, it allows him to see the entire field and determine where and when to attack. In Round Two of the GBJRL U14 Division One he scored and set up tries on both sides of the field, highlighting just what a ridiculously talented player he is.

    From an NRL player comparison perspective, Xavier Atoa has similar traits to Sydney Roosters and New South Wales star centre Latrell Mitchell.

    Like Mitchell, Xavier Atoa is a big strong powerful young centre or fullback (I note that Latrell Mitchell came into the NRL at fullback) who will not be beaten in a one on one contest in attack or defence but will out point his direct opponent more often than not.

    Xavier Atoa is just a powerful young man now just learning how to translate and direct that natural strength and power consistently on a rugby league field.

    Xavier Atoa is already an outstanding rugby league player and it is scary to think that he has not even started to scratch the surface his of his outstanding potential. Xavier Atoa is a star in the making, of that there is no doubt.

  5. #920
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    Reef Sommerville. The young second rower or centre made his Titans debut in early 2019 when he started from the bench for the Titans U16 side in their match against the Newcastle Knights Harold Matthews U16 squad in Coffs Harbour.

    Reef Sommerville came onto the field in the match towards the end of the first half, playing in the second row and also at times during the match spent some time in the centres when Ezra Ubaldino was having a spell.

    Late in 2018 Reef Sommerville was selected in the talented Northern Rivers Titans U16 side for the 2019 Andrew Johns Cup competition. Fellow Titans linked players in the Northern Rivers Titans U16 side are Bailey Cox, Jack Cullen, Ryan Foran, Keegan Pace, Byron Jones, Riley Lack, Thomas Weaver and Rowan Mansfield.

    In Round One of that competition this season, Reef Sommerville started from the bench for the Northern Rivers Titans in their match against the Newcastle Knights Development Squad. When he came on Reef Sommerville operated on the right side of the field and scored an impressive try when he took a flat pass from the dummy half, Jordan Gallagher and caught the Newcastle defence back peddling and was able to break a number of tackles in a thirty metre run to the try line.

    Round Two of the 2019 Andrew Johns Cup competition saw Reef Sommerville once again start from the interchange bench in the Northern Rivers Titans match against Parramatta and once again he was a handful for the opponent’s defensive line on the right side of the ruck.

    Reef Sommerville deservedly broke into the Northern Rivers starting line-up in Round Three against the North Coast Bulldogs starting the match at right centre and went very close to score the Titans first try when he was dragged down just short in the opening minutes.

    Reef Sommerville made amends however in the second half scoring a powerful try when he smashed through the North Coast defence in a typically powerful try on the right.

    In Round Four even though he was not named in seventeen, Reef Sommerville started from the bench and made a big impact when he came on in jumper 23.

    In Round Five against the Greater Northern Tigers Reef Sommerville started at right centre for the Northern Rivers Titans and as usual proved to be a handful for the opposition defence.

    Reef Sommerville was named to start at right centre in the Northern Rivers Titans semi-final against Penrith but in fact started from the bench in the Titans 26 – 14 victory. When he came on, Reef Sommerville, playing on the right made a difference including pouncing on a grubber kick late in the first half from five eight Riley lack and late in the match when Penrith were pressing Reef Sommerville took an outstanding hit up making around twenty metres most of that was in relation to post contact metres to get the Titans well out of their own territory.

    In the 2019 U16 Andrew Johns Cup Grand Final against the Western Rams Reef Sommerville started at right centre in the Northern Rivers Titans outstanding 18 – 6 victory.

    In the match Reef Sommerville had some big moments including two big runs down the right one of which was a seventy metre run which almost lead to an outstanding try.

    Post the victory Reef Sommerville was named in the centres for the New South Wales Country U16 side for their November two match tour of the United Kingdom.

    In 2018 the St Joseph’s College Tweed Heads student played for the Group 18 U15 side in the New South Wales Country U15 Championships, playing in matches against Groups Two, Four and Twenty One crossing against Group Twenty One.

    2018 was the second season in a row that Reef Sommerville had represented Group 18 after playing three U14 matches in 2017 at the New South Wales Country Age Championships, scoring against Group One.

    2018 also saw Reef Sommerville named in the centres for the Lismore Dioceses U15 Northern Country Representative side for the New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges (CCC) trials and post those trials was named in the NSW CCC U15 Country Tour side, being named in the second row.

    After the completion of the 2018 season Reef Sommerville and fellow Group 18 U15 team mates headed overseas to play in the Battlefield Challenge to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the end of World War I, a competition that the side won including victories against Emory Moor 12 – 6 and Leigh East 18 – 12.

    In a warm up match in England prior to the Tournament they defeated a Hemel Stags U16 side and post the Tournament defeated French side Aude Cathare. A number of other Titans players were also involved in the tour including Thomas Weaver, Keegan Pace, Jack Cullen, Ryan Foran, Riley Lack, Byron Jones and Bailey Cox.

    Reef Sommerville is a wide hard running backrower who runs a good line on the fringes of the ruck and constantly picks the right holes to run into thus making the play makers on his team look good. Where he really excels though is his footwork, obviously playing in the backline has assisted greatly.

    Reef Sommerville also has very good late and quick foot work which enables him to change direction quickly allowing him to readjust where he is running to take advantage of either a late developing hole in the defensive line or where the defensive line is repositioning late, just as he did for his try in Round One of the Andrew Johns Cup this season against Newcastle.

    Even when he is taking a hit up in the centre of the ruck, Reef Sommerville’s feet are always moving and he is constantly making slight corrections to his running direction and he is also able to maintain his speed regardless of the multiple directional changes.

    As you would expect, due to his size and strength, Reef Sommerville is a very good defender regardless of position. He will not necessarily hit hard, but he is very good at mirroring the movement of the opposing attacker and wrapping him up ball and all. Reef Sommerville is also quick enough to recover and chase if the opposing players gets on the outside.

    From a team defensive methodology stand point, Reef Sommerville seems to be very comfortable in a sliding defensive scheme where he can use his speed and body control to their best advantage.

    Reef Sommerville will start the 2019 season as part of the Northern Rivers Titans U16 side and post that competition will play for the Cudgen Hornets U16 side in the Group 18 U16 competition. Reef Sommerville will also play for St Joseph’s College Tweed Heads in their Open school boy competitions.

    With his build and speed I think that Reef Sommerville can continue to play in the second row and the centres over the next couple of seasons, but by the time that Reef Sommerville reaches the senior rugby league ranks I would anticipate that Reef Sommerville will have made the transition to the second row full time.

    With his mobility and hard working mentality Reef Sommerville’s playing style reminds me of Cronulla Sharks second rower and occasional centre Luke Capewell.

    Both are hardworking players who give everything they have every time that they step onto a rugby league field doing a lot of the little things well and will sometimes be unfairly overlooked.

  6. #921
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    William Semu. The outstanding young second rower proved to be almost unstoppable on the left side of the field for the Titans U14 side recently in their 32 – 8 wing over the Western Mustangs.

    In addition to starting the match in the second row, William Semu scored an outstanding try and was awarded the award as the Titans player in the match. In the match William Semu formed a lethal left side combination with centre Karl Oloapu.

    William Semu is currently playing for Carina in the GBJRL U14 Division One competition where a team mate is fellow Titans U14 player Hayden Miller.

    The GBJRL U14 competition features a number of boys with Titans links including Jacob Tinsley (Logan Brothers), Xavier Atoa (Souths Acacia Ridge) and Karl Oloapu (Redcliffe).

    In 2018 William Semu played for Carina in the GBJRL U13 Premier Division competition and started in the second row in the Grand Final with his Carina side coming away victorious 26 – 12 against a Redcliffe side that contained fellow Titans U14 player Karl Oloapu who started the match at five eight for the Dolphins.

    2018 also saw the Marsden State High School student represent Brisbane Blue in the U13 trials and in 2017 William Semu represent Met East at the Queensland U12 Championships were he was selected in the centres.

    William Semu is an athlete and this can be seen when be he is running with the football. In his carries he rarely takes a hit up without movement, he uses foot work prior to the line to look to break through as well as cutting either cutting back in behind the play the ball or cutting out towards the smaller defenders on the fringes of the ruck.

    William Semu runs ‘fast’ into the defensive and his foot work prior to the line enables him to get partly through the line quite often, certainly more so than you would expect for a backrower taking the ball through the centre of the ruck. One reason for this is that he is a smart footballer, he does not try to run over defenders, but he runs at the gaps between defenders and uses his running speed to break through if defenders only use their arms on the tackle.

    William Semu does not necessarily have a great top end speed, but he is certainly fast enough to get through to the full back prior to the arrival of the cover defence.

    Playing on the left hand side of the field seemingly more often, means that his left foot step and his fending using his right hand are the effective attributes, but based on his physical attributes, his skill set and his understanding of how to play the game means that I have no doubt that these attributes are transferrable to playing on the left hand side of the field.

    In defence William Semu regularly is the first player up to target the ball carriers, even though he is not one of the bigger forwards in his team and will make solid initial contact as well as having the ability of defending one on one.
    When the opportunity presents William Semu has the ability to hit very hard, by setting a good base and driving through his lower body and core into his opponent. Ultimately though he is a strong defender with a good front on technique and good lateral movement to track and defend against smaller opponents either on the fringes or centre of the ruck.

    William Semu will play the remainder of the 2019 season with Carina in the U14 GBJRL Division One competition where a team mate will be fellow Titans linked five eight Hayden Miller.

    For me, with his physical attributes and skill set indicates that William Semu will settle into the back row as his long term position with no need for a positional switch and will be a representative level second rower for many years to come.

    From a style perspective think of a someone along the lines of Brisbane Bronco David Fifita as an intense aggressive well-rounded backrower with the ability to break the line by himself or as a result of running a good line, William Semu then has enough speed to break into space prior to looking for his support players.

    Like Fifita, William Semu is also an extremely efficient and effective defender who will hit hard when the opportunity presents itself and looks to always dominate his opponents both mentally and physically in all aspects of the game. Put simply William Semu is just an outstanding talent.

  7. #922
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    Ashdon Randall. The Grafton local is part of the Titans Junior Development Squad in the Group One region and in addition to being a rugby league stand out with the Grafton Ghosts is also an outstanding rugby player, playing for the Grafton Redmen and is also a member of the New South Waratahs Development Squad.

    All told including representative sides, Ashdon Randall could play for up to eight different teams in a season in rugby league and rugby when representative duties are included in the equation.

    Ashdon Randall started for the combined Gold Coast/Ballina Titans U15 side in their matches against Western Mustangs and Titans combined Logan/Tweed Heads U15 squads at Mudgeeraba in February.

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

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

    In 2018 Ashdon Randall was selected in the New England Representative Rugby side that toured New Zealand in July this year and had a dinner with the All Blacks.

    For the Grafton Ghosts U14 side in the Group One Junior Rugby League competition in 2018, Ashdon Randall finished as the Group One U14 competitions second leading points scorer with a total of 116 point from fifteen tries and twenty eight goals from just eleven matches including one final.

    In only two games in 2018 was Ashdon Randall kept off the score board, the first was in Round One against Ballina and the second match was late in the regular season against Kyogle.

    Ashdon Randall scored a hat trick mid-season against Ballina and also scored doubles against Casino RSM and Clarence Coast on two separate occasions. Ashdon Randall’s other 2018 Group One U14 tries came in matches against Lismore Marist Brothers, Casino RSM and Clarence Coast.

    With the boot Ashdon Randall had some big matches including kicking six goals late in the 2018 season against Lismore Marist Brothers, five against Clarence Coast and kicked four goals in matches against Ballina and Casino RSM.

    Combining his tries and goals, Ashdon Randall scored twenty points in a June match against Ballina from three tries and four goals, eighteen points from two tries and five goals against Clarence Coast in May and sixteen points in an August match against Lismore Marist Brothers as a result of a try and six goals.

    In Week One of the Group One U14 finals Ashdon Randall started in the front row for Grafton and scored but unfortunately the Ghosts went down to Clarence Coast 32 – 14 meaning that their season came to an end.

    At the 2018 New South Wales Country U14 Championships Ashdon Randall started in the front row for the Group One U14 side in all four of their Championship matches.

    In Group One’s first match against Newcastle Ashdon started in the front row as Group One went down 18 – 4.

    Game Two saw Ashdon Randall once again start in the front row as the Group One U14 side bounced back to win 38 – 12 against Group 19 with Ashdon Randall scoring his first try of the Championships.

    Ashdon Randall also started Game Three for Group One, winning Game Three 16 – 8 against Maitland in the Northern Plate semi-final with Ashdon Randall contributing his second Championship try to the victory.

    In the Northern Plate Final Ashdon Randall led from the front as Group One were victorious 20 – 14 against Group Four.

    With their U14 Northern Plate Final victory, Group One went on to qualify for the New South Wales Country Plate Final against Group Nine with the result being Group One winning 22 – 18 with Ashdon Randall once again starting in the front row for Group One and scoring in each half of Group One’s impressive victory.

    As a result of his performances for the Group One U14 side in 2018, Ashdon Randall was awarded the Group One Junior Representative Player of the Year.

    Ashdon Randall also played a number of matches for the Grafton Redmen in the Far North Coast U16 competition, yes the U16 competition even though he was still eligible for the U14 age group. Ashdon Randall came into the Grafton U16 rugby side in Round Three against Evans River scoring a try and kicking two conversions and also scored and kicked two conversions in Round Four against Lismore.

    All told he played in seven U16 matches, starting six at fly half (No.10) and one being Round 8 against Brunswick Valley at inside centre (No. 12).
    Ashdon Randall is a powerful aggressive ball runner who is adept at using late and quick footwork just prior to contact line which he hits with power and force in absolutely every hit up that he makes dropping his shoulder into the first defender that is looking to make the initial contact.

    Ashdon Randall’s ability to get low to engage the defenders with his shoulder rather than allowing them to get in and under his ribs and also a substantial leg drive means that he drives defenders backwards even after they had engaged him with significant force rather than allowing them to impact on his momentum.

    In terms of ball skills, Ashdon Randall was able to regularly get his right hand free to deliver offloads when engaged with the defensive line especially when he was running one pass up the ruck and deliver some very good offloads to his support runners.

    Once he is in space, Ashdon Randall actually has very good speed, I would consider it above average when analysing his speed from a rugby league forward’s perspective, to add to the difficulties for the defensive line, he runs with a high knee lift and also has a powerful fend.

    Whilst his ball running skills are the first thing that you will likely notice when seeing Ashdon Randall his defence is equally effective even though it may not be as noticeable at first glance. Defensively Ashdon Randall has a hard edge to his play and his initial contact is more than sufficient to redirect the momentum of the ball carrier either in the centres or when defending in the forwards.

    Ashdon Randall sets a very good base with his lower body which he uses to look to use his opponents their own momentum against them.

    Defensively Ashdon Randall hits very hard and is adept at making sure the opposition do not get quick play the balls. Ashdon Randall also has a touch of aggression in his play and definitely finishes off each tackle that he is involved in.

    Ashdon Randall is equally adept at defending in the centre of the ruck as he is defending on the fringes and his initial contact is more than sufficient to make an impact on the ball carrier’s momentum regardless of their size.

    Defensively the most impressive aspect of Ashdon Randall’s play is his ability to make effective tackle after effective tackle for the entire match.

    Whilst his stamina is impressive, so is his initial contact, he uses his strength and leverage to hit the ball carrier hard forcing momentum changes to the ball carrier. Ashdon Randall is also adept at wrapping up the ball and preventing offloads as he uses his functional strength to engage ball carriers.

    Defensively in a covering role he is also very effective as even though Ashdon Randall is a big strong forward he has very good catch up speed and a solid low tackling technique from a side aspect.

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

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

    Ashdon Randall is on top of all of his other skills a more than competent goal kicker. HE may not become a team’s primary goal kicking option but he will no doubt be a more than solid back-up option if the need arises.

    Ashdon Randall has plenty in front of him this season playing both rugby and rugby league, but he is also a talented athlete having represented his region in shot put and discus previously. At 15 Ashdon Randall has plenty of time to decide his career path and I am certainly in the camp that says the more sports youngsters play at school the better.

    Plenty of studies in American indicate that playing multiple sports in High School is a better indicator of success than youngsters starting to specialise at a young age.

    Obviously I hope that Ashdon Randall picks rugby league when he needs to make a decision and continues on as part of the Titans Junior Development Program in the region. In the short term however Ashdon Randall will play the 2019 season in the U15 Group One Junior Rugby League competition as well as his club and representative rugby commitments.

    Ashdon Randall has played almost every position on a rugby league field from front row, through the second row, lock, five eight and even in the centres so at this stage no-one really has any idea where the he will ultimately end up but looking into my crystal ball, I thing that a future at lock may well be the end result for Ashdon Randall.

    Ashdon Randall just has a fascinating skill set as evidenced by the fact that he played fly half in rugby in 2018 (against players two years older) and no matter what position he plays Ashdon Randall shapes as a difference make in either rugby league or rugby.

    So much about Ashdon Randall is up in the air, for example if he going to play rugby league or rugby and regardless of which code he chooses what his ultimate position will be, of course I would prefer that he chooses rugby league but it is great to see that Ashdon Randall has some options to choose from for his future.

    Extrapolating that he will play rugby league leads me to a player comparison to aggressive Titans NRL forward Keegan Hipgrave but with a kicking game and with additional ball playing skills.

    Like Hipgrave, Ashdon Randall seems to really enjoy the competitive aspects of rugby league and he also clearly likes the physical contact aspects as well.

    Well done to the Titans for getting such a talented young man as this into their Junior Development System from a rugby league mad region and one that is slowly but surely becoming a very fertile junior development area for the Titans.

  8. #923
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    Keegan Pace. The Cudgen Hornets and PBC centre linked with the Titans in early 2019 for their match against a Newcastle Knights select U16 side in Coffs Harbour, his first in Titans colours.

    In the match Keegan Pace started on the right wing for the Titans and was solid defensively and took a number of runs from dummy half to give his forwards a deserved break in the hot difficult conditions.

    Keegan Pace also showed some solid positional sense in the match, dropping back at the correct time and fielding a number of the Newcastle Knight’s clearing kicks on the full and then running the ball back with vigour.

    Late in 2018 Keegan Pace was selected in a talented Northern Rivers Titans U16 side for the 2019 Andrew Johns Cup competition. Fellow Titans linked players in the Northern Rivers Titans U16 side are Bailey Cox, Jack Cullen, Ryan Foran, Reef Sommerville, Byron Jones, Riley Lack, Thomas Weaver and Rowan Mansfield.

    In Round One of that competition, Keegan Pace partnered fellow Titans Rowan Mansfield in the centres in their match against the Newcastle Knights Development Squad with Keegan Pace operating on the right. In the match Keegan Pace was one of the Titans try scorers when he took a pass from fullback Jaylan DeGroot to crash over near the right corner.

    Round Two of the 2019 Andrew Johns Cup competition saw Keegan Pace once again line up in the right centre position in their match against Parramatta. In the match, Keegan Pace did not see too much of the ball but threw the last pass to one of the Titans tries. In a set play from a scrum, Keegan Pace doubled around to the left, creating an overlap and drew the Parramatta winger to send Jack Field away to score.

    After being rested in Round Three, Keegan Pace started at left centre in Round Four against the Central Coast Roosters and had an outstanding first half scoring a hat trick. His first and third tries were almost identical.

    With Titans half Thomas Weaver drifting across field causing the Central Coast defensive line to backpedal, Keegan Pace ran a crash line and when Keegan Pace received the ball from Thomas Weaver was just too big and strong for the defence on both occasions.

    Keegan Pace’s second try came through backing up. Thomas Weaver made a huge break from around twenty metres out from his own line, Keegan Pace backed up and received an inside pass from Thomas Weaver when he was approaching the fullback to score untouched under the posts.

    To cap off an outstanding match, Keegan Pace, converted the Titans final try after the final siren to push the score out to 52 – 0. In the match Keegan Pace also was involved in forcing a Central Coast line drop out when he chased a Thomas Weaver kick in the first half to pin the Central Coast fullback in his own in-goal after a fifty metre chase.

    After his Round Four hat trick, Keegan Pace started Round Five against the Greater Northern Tigers from the bench and played right centre when he came onto the field making his presence felt with some telling runs especially when he was bringing the ball out of his own territory.

    In the 2019 U16 Andrew Johns Cup semi-final against Penrith Keegan Pace had been named on the bench but started the match at right centre and whilst he did not get too many opportunities with the ball held up well defensively against the big Penrith centres.

    In the 2019 U16 Andrew Johns Cup Grand Final against the Western Rams Keegan Pace started from the inter change bench in their outstanding 18 – 6 victory with Keegan Pace playing right centre when he came on.

    Post the victory Keegan Pace was named on the interchange bench for the New South Wales Country U16 side for their November two match tour of the United Kingdom.

    The New South Wales Country U16 side played a New South Wales U16 Harold Matthews squad as a curtain raiser to the Penrith/Warriors NRL match on a Friday night at Penrith Park in May. Keegan Pace started the match on the interchange bench.

    Keegan Pace made his NRRRL U18 debut in Round Five for Cudgen from the bench as they defeated Ballina 18 – 12.

    In late 2018 the PBC student represented Group 18 in the U15 age group at the New South Wales Country Age Championships, starting all three of their matches against Groups 21, Two and Four in the centres.

    After the completion of the 2018 season Keegan Pace and fellow Group 18 U15 team mates headed overseas to play in the Battlefield Challenge to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the end of World War I, a competition that the side won including victories against Emory Moor 12 – 6 and Leigh East 18 – 12.

    In a warm up match in England prior to the Tournament they defeated a Hemel Stags U16 side and post the Tournament defeated French side Aude Cathare. A number of other Titans players will also be involved in the tour including Tom Weaver, Jack Cullen, Ryan Foran, Byron Jones and Bailey Cox.

    Keegan Pace also represented Group 18 in 2017 on that occasion in the U14 age group and scored against Newcastle in one of his three matches in those Championships.

    In terms of his attacking play Keegan Pace is a smooth runner of the ball who has above average to plus top end speed and good evasiveness to get on the outside of his opposing defender with a decent fend that enables him to keep all but the strongest outside backs at a distance and away from his body.

    Keegan Pace has quite a good step, predominately off the right foot, so he certainly has the skills to adjust his running line as he gains more experience and develops a better rapport with his teams play makers and progresses to a higher level in competition.

    When defending in the centres, Keegan Pace really does look to come out of the line and hit his opposing centre as hard as possible to cut off the attacking play before it has time to fully develop.

    Keegan Pace does not let the play unfold in front of him, he looks to disrupt as early as possible. With his size and defensive tendencies when defending in the centres, he is more suited to an up and in defensive methodology compared to a sliding system.

    Keegan Pace will play the remainder of the 2019 season for the Cudgen Hornets U16 side in the Group 18 U16 competition.

    Keegan Pace will also be involved in the various rugby league school boy competitions that PBC is involved with over the course of the 2019 season including the GIO Cup with PBC looking to repeat their success at both the State and National level.

    With his speed and elusiveness, Keegan Pace has the skill set to play effectively on the wing or in the centres however ultimately I believe that his best opportunity to progress his career in relation to the best possible outcome is on the wing.

    In many respects the way Keegan Pace plays on a rugby league field resembles that of returned Titans outside back Brian Kelly as a speedy, elusive player with some size about him and with some real potential moving forward in both attack and defence as well as a bit of an aggressive streak on occasion.

    Like Kelly, I believe that Keegan Pace’s defence is definitely under-rated as is his ability to field bombs as was evidenced in Round One of this season’s Andrew Johns Cup against Newcastle.

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    Jamal Laurie. Exciting young South Grafton Rebels centre is part of the Titans 2018/19 Group 18 U15 Development Squad after a 2018 season which saw him play the entire year up in the U15 age group even though he was still U14 eligible. Jamal Laurie has been playing “up” an age group for the last couple of seasons in fact.

    Jamal Laurie started the 2019 season once again up an age group being the Group One U16.5 competition for South Grafton and was part of their Round One side that defeated a Ballina side containing Titans contracted Rowan Mansfield 26 – 4.

    Jamal Laurie was also part of the U16.5 South Grafton Rebels side that played Casino RSM in Round Three as a curtain raiser to the Titans NRL match at Canterbury. Hopefully not the last time that Jamal Laurie plays on the ground.

    In 2019 Jamal Laurie also represented the mid-North Coast U15’s.

    Jamal Laurie also represented Group One at the U14 level at the New South Wales Country Age Championships in 2018.

    For South Grafton in the 2018 Group One U15 competition, Jamal Laurie played in fifteen matches finish with eleven tries which was good enough to finish the season as the competitions fourth leading try scorer. Not a bad effort at all considering Jamel Laurie was U14 eligible.

    Jamal Laurie scored doubles against Kyogle and Clarence Coast and also scored against Lismore Marist Brothers in four separate matches and also scored against Casino RSM in two matches and also against Clarence Coast.

    In the U14 New South Wales Country Age Championships for Group One Jamal Laurie played in all four of Group One’s matches scoring in all of them including the Northern Plate Final against Group 19 which Group One won 38 – 12.

    Jamal Laurie’s other three tries came against Groups Nine and Four as well as Newcastle. To say that Jamal Laurie had an outstanding U14 New South Wales Country Age Championships would be an understatement.

    Jamal Laurie is a quick centre with a fluid running style with a classic centres build with the ability to stand up his direct opposite and then beat him with pace on the outside. In term of his play, the in and away is his bread and butter, he has very good speed off the mark and can break to the outside quickly.

    Couple that with long arms, which he uses to great effect with a powerful fend makes Jamal Laurie difficult to tackle. When opposing centres are able to get hold of him, Jamal Laurie usually is able to maintain his balance and keeps an arm free, looking to offload.

    Jamal Laurie has more tools though than just an in and away, he will also use his size and strength to run straight over smaller opposing centres as well as also having the skill to step back inside of the defender if he is pushing to the outside too early.

    What Jamal Laurie is also adept at doing is timing his pass to his outside supports if the outside defender looks to come in and help defend him allowing an overlap to develop.

    Due to his size and strength, Jamal Laurie is a very good defender regardless of position. He will not necessarily hit hard, but he is very good at mirroring the movement of the opposing centre and wrapping him up ball and all. Jamal Laurie is also quick enough to recover and chase if the opposing centre gets on the outside and his long reach is also a positive attribute in those situations.

    From a team defensive methodology stand point, Jamal Laurie seems to be very comfortable in a sliding defensive scheme where he can use his speed and body control to their best advantage.

    Jamal Laurie will play out the 2019 season in the Red and White of the South Grafton Rebels in the Group One U16.5 competition.

    In 2019 Jamal Laurie will also be in line to represent Group One in the U15 age group at the 2019 New South Wales Country Age Championships.

    In the modern version of rugby league, teams prefer size and power in the centres, two qualities that Jamal Laurie possesses and as a consequence, I envisage that he will be given every opportunity to stay there in the long term.

    I really like the way the Jamal Laurie operates on a rugby league field especially in attack where he can utilise his size and speed to be a real handful.

    Jamal Laurie has the opportunity to be a rare breed of rugby league player, that being a legitimate strike centre and to that extent a playing style comparison to Titans NRL centre Brenko Lee is definitely warranted.

  10. #925
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    Cole Geyer. (Revised) The young hooker was outstanding in 2018in both the MM Cup competition and for Currumbin in the U17 Division One competition and Cole Geyer also got an opportunity in the GCRL U19 competition as a result.

    Cole Geyer started the 2019 season off with the Burleigh MM Cup side for the second year in a row in the MM Cup (Cole Geyer played for the Tweed Heads MM Cup side in 2018), playing in all six matches, starting five at hooker and one, being Round Five against Souths Logan at lock.

    In the final round against the previously unbeaten Wynnum Manly Seagulls Cole Geyer scored in a tight 23 – 22 Burleigh win. With Burleigh right on the Wynnum Manly line, they were spread out to the right, instead Cole Geyer threw what could only be described as an extravagant dummy to score from close range from dummy half.

    Cole Geyer also scored two tries against Norths in Round One.

    Post the MM Cup competition Cole Geyer moved back to play for Currumbin in the GCRL competition, bypassing the U18 Division One competition all together to start in the U20’s. Cole Geyer came off the bench in Round Six before moving into the starting side in Round Seven at hooker, scoring a hat trick as Currumbin defeated Burleigh 52 – 28.

    Two of his tries were simply outstanding individual efforts. In the first half, Cole Geyer took the ball from dummy half running to his left around forty metres out from the Burleigh line, he broke through the initial defensive line as a result of a dummy (Cole Geyer ran with the ball out in front of his body in two hands) and a step.

    As he was coming to the fullback Cole Geyer showed outstanding speed by literally running around him and then did the same to the Burleigh left winger who came back to try to tackle him to score in the right corner. The paly started on the left side of the field, highlighting Cole Geyer’s speed.

    Cole Geyer’s try in the second half was no less impressive, Cole Geyer packed in at lock in a scrum with a Currumbin feed around sixty metres out from the Burleigh line. Cole Geyer picked up the ball from the back of the scrum running to his right.

    Once again Cole Geyer ran with the ball out in front of his body in two hands, putting the defence in doubt as to his intentions. As he was coming to the defensive line Cole Geyer just took off through a gap and then outpaced the cover defence in a sixty metre sprint to the try line to score out wide on the right.

    Cole Geyer also scored in Round Eight when he came off the bench for Currumbin in their 26 – 24 loss to Runaway Bay. Cole Geyer’s try was the final one of the match, with Currumbin behind and attacking the Runaway Bay line, Cole Geyer shaped to pass to his left but instead ran to his right with the ball out in front in two hands (I know that I harp on it but so few players do it) but instead of passing cut off his right foot on an approximately 45 degree angle with score under the posts.

    Cole Geyer also had two try assists in the match, in relation to the first, with Currumbin a metre out from the Runaway Bay line, Cole Geyer shaped to throw a long pass behind his forward running what looked like just run through but instead Cole Geyer double pumped throwing a soft pass, in a great sleight of hand to his forward to score near the right upright.

    Cole Geyer’s second try assist was no less impressive, Cole Geyer shaped to pass to his left, where Currumbin had a backline spread out, but instead ran down a short blind side (maybe four metres) and put in a grubber from around thirty five metres out for his right winger to dive on. Both try assists came in the first half.

    In the 2018 MM cup competition for the Tweed Heads Seagulls Cole Geyer started at hooker for Tweed Heads opening three matches against Norths, Victoria and Burleigh. His sole MM Cup try of the season came in Round Two against Victoria.

    Post the MM Cup competition Cole Geyer transitioned back to the U17 Division One competition and was outstanding over the course of the regular season playing in nine matches and scoring nine tries for a 100% strike rate through the regular season.

    Cole Geyer scored three doubles which were against Ormeau, Tweed Heads and Burleigh in the final round of the U17 Division One regular season being Round Eleven. Cole Geyer also scored against Mudgeeraba, Bilambil and Runaway Bay.

    In Round One of the GCRL U17 Division One Finals series, Cole Geyer started once again at hooker and was dominant throughout scoring a double as Currumbin defeated Ormeau 18 – 8 in the Qualifying Final to continue their progress towards U17 Division One Premiership success.

    In the second round of the GCRL U17 Division One Finals series, started at hooker and made it three tries from two finals matches as he led Currumbin to a 32 – 22 win over Burleigh in a match of exceptional quality.

    In the 2018 U17 Division One Grand Final against Runaway Bay, Cole Geyer started at hooker for Currumbin as they overcame the Seagulls to win 30 – 10 in an outstanding display by the Eagles.

    Cole Geyer made his U19 debut for Currumbin in June against Bilambil and played his other U19 match in July against Helensvale.

    The Marymount College Burleigh Heads student has represented his school with distinction this season including leading Marymount to victory in the Titans School Boy Open competition and in fact Cole Geyer was named Player of the Competition.

    Marymount College defeated Keebra Park C 52 – 6 in the final with Cole Geyer scoring the first try of the game to give Marymount College the lead which they never relinquished.

    Cole Geyer also represented Marymount College at the 2018 Confraternity Shield and was the Spirit Award winner for Marymount College in the competition. Cole Geyer started at hooker in all six of Marymount College’s matches.

    In the Qualifying rounds Marymount College defeated Marist College Ashgrove 24 – 10 in Round One and Rockhampton Grammar School 17 – 10 in Round Two before drawing 18 all with St Brendan’s College Yeppoon in Round Three.

    They lost their Qualifying final 24 – 16 to Cathedral College before bouncing back to defeated St Augustine’s College Cairns 24 – 6 and in their final match of the competition suffered a 24 – 22 defeated to Rockhampton Grammar School.

    The talented young Currumbin Eagles hooker had an outstanding 2017 rugby league season both from a club and school boy perspective. For his Currumbin side Cole Geyer started at hooker in their 34 – 4 grand Final win over Burleigh scoring a try and also proudly represented his school side being Marymount College in a number of school boy competitions including the GIO Cup when they lost in the last minute to Redbank Plains State High School in a great match which easily could have ended in Marymount’s favour.

    Over the course of the 2017 U16 Division One season for Currumbin Cole Geyer played in twelve matches scoring eight tries. Cole Geyer had an outstanding start to the season scoring in each of his five games against Southport, Ormeau, Runaway Bay, Helensvale and Ormeau again. In the match against Helensvale, Cole Geyer in fact crossed for a double. Later in the season Cole Geyer also scored against Runaway bay and as noted scored against Burleigh in the U16 Division One Grand Final.

    At the 2017 Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Rugby League (QISSRL) Carnival held at Padua College in Brisbane, Marymount College in fact were the Bob Linder trophy winners beating fellow Gold Coast School Aquinas College in the final and also the QRL Referees Fair Play Award Winners. In the QISSRL Carnival, Cole Geyer played in all six of Marymount’s matches scoring in a tough 16 – 8 loss to St Augustines College Cairns.

    Cole Geyer’s best attribute is his passing skills from the dummy half position. His passing is effective from both sides of his body and leads his forwards onto the ball by putting the ball out in front of his runners so that they can maintain momentum.

    Cole Geyer does not have an overly long pass but his passing is accurate regardless of whether he is passing to a forward running the ball up or the half back looking to get the ball out wider. The standout feature is the speed in which he gets the ball out of his hands at dummy half.

    Cole Geyer is not a huge threat to run the ball out of dummy half but will take what he is given if the defence does not consider him a threat at any particular time. His initial burst off the mark is reasonable and he has decent feet to enable him to create space, but Cole Geyer does not have the top end speed to break clear of the defensive line if he gets through a gap either by accepting an off load or by exploiting a gap in the defensive line.

    Cole Geyer’s first thought when coming into dummy half is to distribute the ball effectively to his support players. When close to the line Cole Geyer will dummy and get down low to the line when the opportunity presents but again this is a secondary consideration as he progressively works through his options in that part of the field.

    In relation to his defence, Cole Geyer will get in front of opposing forwards and look to slow their momentum with solid initial contact. Cole Geyer is tenacious and courageous, because even at the U16 level there are some huge boys running around.

    Cole Geyer has very good endurance and projects as a hooker who will be able to play the full match without interchange something that he is already used to doing with his club side and School Boy sides regularly playing two or more matches in any given week.

    Cole Geyer has been named in the 2019 Burleigh MM Cup squad where it will be hard for the coaches to leave him out of the starting side and post that competition will play for Currumbin in the GCRL U19 competition and I would also anticipate that in 2019 Cole Geyer will also get an extended run in the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition such is the maturity in his game.

    Cole Geyer is probably a fraction taller than your typical hooker but it has not stopped him at all being a very good distributor at dummy half and also being a more than solid defender. It is these attributes as well as his determination that has me convinced that Cole Geyer can develop into a very good hooker at the NRL level in coming seasons.

    From a NRL playing comparison perspective Cole Geyer has a similar playing style to that of Melbourne Storm, Queensland State of Origin and Australian Test Captain Cameron Smith, in that he is a leader on the field, is very good at leading his team around the field and a very good defender on top of all of his other attributes.

    Like Smith Cole Geyer just seems to have all the time in the world when he has the ball to do whatever he wants and that always leads to positive outcomes for his side. Over the course of this season Cole Geyer just seems to be far more assured and confident within himself and that is translating to outstanding performances on the field.

    Cole Geyer is not just a future NRL captain but a future representative level and club captain and a person that any NRL club would be proud to have their brand associated with.

  11. #926
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    Edward (EJ) Finau. The superbly talented young forward is a rare combination of size, strength, speed and power on a football field and that was on display for the Titans U15’s early this season at Mudgeeraba against the Western Mustangs and another Titans U15 development squad.

    In the match EJ Finau scored an outstanding try against the Western Mustangs in the last half of the U15 matches. EJ Finau stood on the left side of a scrum with a Titans feed about Twenty metres out, he received the ball two passes wide of the scrum and simply powered his way over to score mid-way between the posts and the touch line after disposing of a Western Mustangs attacker.

    Subsequent to that match the Titans were able to secure EJ Finau to a two year contract, a deal which will I am sure will pay huge dividends for the Titans in future years leading all of the way up to the NRL level and potentially beyond in relation to this outstanding young talent.

    For the 2019 GBJRL U15 Division One season EJ Finau moved from Logan Brothers to Redcliffe starting Round One in the left second row position for Redcliffe White making an immediate impact against Mitchelton scoring a double on debut.

    EJ Finau’s first try came when after Redcliffe received a penalty around forty metres out from the line, he took the first hit-up and burst through the defensive line before using his speed to easily beat the fullback to score.

    EJ Finau’s second try was from a play closer to the Mitchelton line, the ball was delivered to Redcliffe’s left for EJ Finau to receive the pass when running a straight crash line to break through the defensive and then just prior to the line, spun 360 degrees to score whilst dragging three defenders with him.

    The former Logan Brothers product and Marsden State High School student in 2018 was a key member of the Logan Brothers GBJRL U14 Premier Division side and also represented South East Queensland Green at the Queensland U14 Age Championships, starting all four of their matches in the front row including the final against SEQ White which ended in a 16 all draw.

    In 2018 EJ Finau was a standout member of the Marsden U14 Michael Hancock Cup side after moving from Wavell State High and in 2016 represented Queensland at the U12 level, in the second row I believe.

    EJ Finau’s style of play is that of a powerful wide running back rower with above average speed for the position. I would actually argue that in fact a better definition of his speed would be well above average to plus for his position.

    EJ Finau is quite quick off the mark, but what makes him even more impressive from a speed perspective is that when he gets into space, he has an extra gear again which is a plus attribute for such a strong powerful second rower, making it almost impossible for the cover defence to catch him once he is open space.

    Against Redcliffe in a Logan Brothers trial match two years ago (To this day the sequence is still etched in my mind) EJ Finau took a kick-off on the full and burst down the left hand touch line at Civic Park in Logan and it was only a last ditch tackle from the Redcliffe fullback that stopped an amazing try from being scored.

    Defences had all sorts of trouble trying to contain him during 2018 and in previous seasons both in terms of him taking the ball up into the centre of the ruck, but he was almost untouchable when he ran on the fringes of the ruck and he used his foot work to beat defenders with a variety of moves, including a step off both feet and a very good in and away as well as simply running over people.

    Couple those two aspects with a very good fend and you have a big strong powerful young player who can cause nightmares for any defensive line. EJ Finau seems to line up on the left side of the field more so than the right, but I have no doubt moving forward that he will be able to play on either side of the field, he seems to be just so skilful.

    For a forward of his size, EJ Finau runs with pace, strength and power every time he touches the ball during a game. For a young player, EJ Finau seems to have a good understanding of when to off load the ball, currently most of his off loads occur when he is part way through the defensive line and can get his right arm free to pass to his outside support runners.

    At this stage EJ Finau does not off load a great deal prior to the line, but again we are talking about a young player here, who is still developing his skills and understanding of the game. I do not necessarily think that offloading is ever going to be a major part of his game but if this attribute continues to progress it will compliment other aspects of his game.

    EJ Finau is aggressive in defence whether he is defending in the centre of the ruck or on the fringes, and due to his natural strength is more than capable of defending one on one and can and will stop even the biggest opposing forwards in their tracks and targets the area around where the attackers carry the football. His speed and lateral movement means that he will not be beaten by light stepping halves trying to take advantage of tiring forwards or the opposition running out of dummy half.

    I have noted that EJ Finau is aggressive and seems to want to win every one on one battle and he invariably does. He does however tend to drift inside and defend in the centre of the ruck as games progress rather than hold his spacing on the edges of the ruck, but heck that seems to be more to do with enjoying the physical aspects of rugby league and wanting to be in the thick of the action.

    EJ Finau also innately knows when a big hit in defence is needed such as in a trial match against Redcliffe two years ago when Redcliffe came back into the trial match EJ Finau came up with a huge hit on his own try line halting Redcliffe’ momentum immediately.

    EJ Finau will finish the current season with Redcliffe White in the U15 Division One competition after moving from Logan Brothers in the offseason.

    EJ Finau is perfectly suited to the second row in rugby league with his size, aggressiveness and speed. I do note however that EJ Finau has played a lot of rugby league in the front row in the last year in relation to representative rugby league or so, but for me I believe that he can stay in the second row for the short term at least.

    I appreciate that EJ Finau played in the front row for the Titans U15 side at Mudgeeraba, but I would not pigeon hole him in the front row just yet.

    The power, speed and strength of EJ Finau lends itself to a comparison from a playing perspective to Brisbane Bronco front rower Payne Hass as a powerful young natural rugby league player and an immensely skilful one at that. I appreciate that EJ Finau is smaller than Hass (and likely will always be) but the power and speeds that he displays are not far off at all even taking into account the size differential.

    EJ Finau just oozes class and the scary thing is that I do not think that he has even come close to realising his potential, his ceiling is out of this world, as for that matter has been his development over the last couple of seasons. I am really looking forward to seeing EJ Finau’s continued development in the coming years.

    EJ Finau is without doubt one of my favourite players within the Titans TEDS program and entire system as a whole. I have not been as intrigued with a Titans prospect since I saw Ryan James tearing apart the U18 SG Ball competition a number of years ago.

  12. #927
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    Lachlan Turnbull. The outstanding young hooker originally from Ipswich has been a great addition to the Burleigh Bears 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts squad making an immediate impression in his first game being Round Five against Souths Logan when he started at hooker and scored in his first match in Burleigh’s maroon and white.

    Lachlan Turnbull also started at hooker in Round Six for Burleigh the following week in their big 50 – 20 win against Wynnum Manly with Lachlan Turnbull making it two tries from as many matches when he scored in the 21st minute of the first half and also kicked seven conversions from nine attempts to finish the match with an individual points tally of eighteen points.

    Round Eight against the Western Mustangs saw Lachlan Turnbull starring once again for the Bears scoring a double and kicking four goals as Burleigh ran riot to win 52 – 10. Both of Lachlan Turnbull’s two tries were typical Lachlan Turnbull tries

    From a quick play the ball close to the Western Mustangs try line, Lachlan Turnbull exploded out of dummy half to his left and simply was too quick for the Mustangs defence to have any chance of stopping for his first try and in relation to his second he ran out of dummy half to his right.

    Round Nine saw Lachlan Turnbull once again in the points, when he kicked six from eight attempts as Burleigh defeated Redcliffe 50 – 6.

    In Round Ten against the Northern Pride Lachlan Turnbull kicked three more goals and kicked two goals in Round Eleven against Central Queensland and in Round Twelve against the Sunshine Coast including a penalty goal in the 59th minute that tied the scores at 22 all.

    In total in the 2019 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition to date, Lachlan Turnbull has played in seven matches for Burleigh starting all at hooker, scoring 68 points from three tries and twenty eight goals.

    Lachlan Turnbull came to Burleigh after an outstanding 2018 season for the Ipswich Jets that saw him play in both the MM Cup and Hastings Deering’s Colts competitions for the Jets. In fact Lachlan Turnbull finished third in the MM Cup Player of the Year voting behind now NRL player David Fifita.

    Lachlan Turnbull started in all six of Ipswich’s 2018 MM Cup matches at hooker, scoring three tries and kicking six goals to finish the competition with twenty four points.

    Lachlan Turnbull’s tries came in Round Two against Townsville, Round Four against Wynnum Manly and Round Seven against the Sunshine Coast Falcons. With the boot Lachlan Turnbull kicked four goals in a Round Three match against the Western Mustangs and kicked his other two goals in Round Six against the Mackay Cutters.

    Against Townsville in Round Two Lachlan Turnbull scooted out of dummy half to his right, dummied and then stepped back to the left and break the defensive line and score under the posts. Lachlan Turnbull’s try was as a result of a hard straight run. Ipswich had the ball about five metres out from the Wynnum try line, Lachlan Turnbull took the ball off the dummy half on the right side of the field and crashed over adjacent to the right upright.

    Lachlan Turnbull’s try against Sunshine Coast in Round Seven highlights his game to a tee, with Ipswich attacking close to the Falcons line, Lachlan Turnbull darted out of dummy half down a short blind side and ran at the line with the ball out in front of his body in both hands which put the defensive on the back foot, he then used his outstanding speed to slide between two defenders to score near the right corner from close range.

    In the 2018 MM Cup competition, Lachlan Turnbull had multiple try assists including one memorable one when he ran out of dummy half against the Western Mustangs and after a forty metre run, drew the fullback for his half back to score a long range try.

    Upon completion of the 2018 MM Cup competition, Lachlan Turnbull moved directly to the Ipswich Jets Colts side playing his first match in that Division in Round Ten against Tweed Heads scoring a try and kicking three goals on debut. Like in all of his Colts matches for the Jets in 2018 Lachlan Turnbull started the match in the second row.

    Lachlan Turnbull’s debut Colts try in 2018 came when he followed through a short chip kick and got to the ball first to score under the posts.

    In total in the 2018 Colts competition, Lachlan Turnbull played in twelve matches scoring fifty points from five tries and fifteen goals.

    In addition to his try on debut in Round Ten, Lachlan Turnbull scored a double in Round Twenty One against Sunshine Coast and also scored in Rounds Eleven and Twenty Two against Norths and Central Queensland respectively.

    Lachlan Turnbull’s Round Eleven try against Norths was like his debut try against Tweed Heads one where he chased through an attacking grubber kick to score close to the right upright. On both occasions Lachlan Turnbull was not the favourite to get to the ball first but he just wanted it more than his opposition.

    Also in the 2018 Colts competition, Lachlan Turnbull had an outstanding match against the Western Mustangs recording two try assists. For the first Lachlan Turnbull broke through the defensive line running from dummy half before off-loading under pressure. His second try assist against the Western Mustangs was even more impressive.

    The Western Mustangs fullback put up a mid-field bomb, kicking it from his own 40 metre line, Lachlan Turnbull ran back with the flight of the ball and after taking the ball on the full, spun around breaking three or four tackles of the Western Mustangs chasers, before drawing the fullback to put his winger away for a spectacular try.

    With the boot Lachlan Turnbull kicked three goals in a match on three occasions being his debut in Round Ten, in Round Thirteen against Burleigh and in Round Seventeen against the Mackay Cutters.

    From an attacking stand point, Lachlan Turnbull has solid distribution skills in relation to his passing skills to either side of his body and uses a solid, repeatable passing technique to ensure consistency, thus enabling his forwards and play makers have confidence that his passes will find the mark with the appropriate velocity attached on every occasion.

    From a speed perspective I would consider that his speed when running out of dummy half is above average for a hooker, but plays faster as he has become adept at running at the right time and focusses heavily when the markers are out of position, thus Lachlan Turnbull either makes ground putting his team on the front foot or draws a penalty, in both scenario’s he generates momentum for his side through the skill and intelligence he has.

    The impressive thing about when Lachlan Turnbull runs out of dummy half is the fact that he does not run to the same side all of the time, he will make a judgement on where the defence is the weakest and respond accordingly as was evidence in Round Nine of the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition this season when he scored tries by running on both sides of the ruck.

    From a defensive perspective Lachlan Turnbull is a very solid tackler who makes good initial contact and is able to generate momentum through his core and drive into his opponent with enough force to redirect the momentum of the ball carrier. He has both a solid low tackling technique as well as having the functional strength to make ball and all tackles effectively against the biggest of forwards looking to target him in the defensive line.

    Lachlan Turnbull is also very quick out of the marker position and will get to forwards how are running one out before they can generate any momentum. In short he defends like a backrower and certainly if he finds himself on the fringes of the ruck, Lachlan Turnbull has the lateral movement and anticipation to also defend against smaller quicker halves looking to exploit a perceived speed advantage.

    Lachlan Turnbull also has an intensity about his play which cannot be coached, one example is his chasing of kicks, in addition to his two tries in 2018 from chasing attacking kicks, Lachlan Turnbull is also always the first defender down field in relation to tactical kicking, and against Norths in the 2018 Colts competition somehow managed to get to the Norths winger and tackle him in the in goal when the winger seemed to have a lot of time to get to the ball and get into the field of play.

    Lachlan Turnbull is also able to combine his intensity with intelligence. On two occasions in 2018 being against Tweed Heads and Wynnum Manly Lachlan Turnbull took short kick-offs retrieving both and then on both occasions made substantial ground.

    I am not talking about high short kick off towards the touch line in my examples, I am talking about situations where Lachlan Turnbull has identified that the defence has switched off in the middle of the field and after identifying this he has grubbered the ball to just over the ten metre line and retrieving it.

    To add to his impressive skill repertoire Lachlan Turnbull is also an outstanding kicker of the ball both in terms of goal kicking as was evidenced by him kicking seven from nine in Round Six of the 2019 Colts competition and also from a tactical kicking perspective.

    In 2018 Lachlan Turnbull kicked two forty twenties with those coming against The Western Mustangs and Townsville Blackhawks. On both occasions Lachlan Turnbull stepped out from dummy half to his right and off one step gut impressive length and direction on his kicks.

    Lachlan Turnbull played the 2019 season for Burleigh in the Colts competition and is Colts eligible once again in 2020 although for me Lachlan Turnbull is a real chance to break into the Queensland Cup competition in early 2020 and by 2020 season’s end even possibly the NRL such is his skill level and intensity.

    Lachlan Turnbull has been outstanding to date in 2019 in the dummy half role for the Burleigh U20 Hastings Deering’s Colts side and with his speed out of dummy half and his aggressive nature, hooker is his ideal position moving forward. Lachlan Turnbull is Colts eligible once again in 2020.

    For completeness however it should be noted that Lachlan Turnbull has spent a fair bit of time in the second row as early as last season when playing for the Ipswich Jets in the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition.

    Lachlan Turnbull with his speed out of dummy half and his ability to make the right decision in terms of when to run and when to pass reminds me of South Sydney and New South Wales State of Origin hooker Damien Cook, although Lachlan Turnbull has a bigger body shape and thus more power in his game than Cook but probably a touch less speed off the mark.

    Both Cook and Lachlan Turnbull however have the ability to change the game in a heartbeat with a decisive run out of dummy half whether that be to run themselves or to seek to pass to a support player running onto a gap which significantly alters the games momentum.

  13. #928
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    Good to see Lochlan has brought his try-scoring ability to Burleigh. Originally from Bundaberg, via a year or so in the Melbourne Storm system, then Ipswich.

  14. #929
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    Tannah Boyd. The outstanding prospect is a Gold Coast junior who is signed to the Titans NRL squad until the end of the 2021 season and moves immediately to the Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup squad. Tannah Boyd is also currently a member of the Queensland Emerging Origin U20 squad.

    This season Tannah Boyd has played in eight Queensland Cup matches for the Souths Logan Magpies to go along with his two matches in 2018.

    Tannah Boyd started at half for Souths Logan in Round One of the Queensland Cup this season against Central Queensland playing the entire 80 minutes. In the match he ran for 64 metre (11 post contact), kicked for 210 metres, kicked a conversion, forced a drop out, had a try assist and made six tackles.

    Round Two against the Mackay Cutters saw Tannah Boyd play the entire 80 minutes at half, running for 72 metres (16 pot contact),kicked for 256 metres, kicked three conversions, forced a drop out, had a try assist, broke two tackles and made thirteen tackles.

    In Round Three against Norths Tannah Boyd played the entire match at half, running for 45 metres, kicking two conversions, kicking for 315 metres, forcing a drop out and making thirteen tackles.

    In Round Six against the Northern Pride Tannah Boyd played the entire match at half, running for twenty seven metres, kicking for 291 metres, forcing two drop outs and making eighteen tackles.

    In Round Seven against the Easts Tigers Tannah Boyd played the entire match at half, running for 100 metres (twenty post contact),had a try assist, broke a tackle, kicked for 193 metres, and making thirteen tackles.

    Round Eight against Wynnum Manly saw Tannah Boyd once again play the entire match at half, running for forty metres, record two try assists, break a tackle, kick for 209 metres, and make Seventeen tackles.

    In Round Nine against the Sunshine Coast Falcons Tannah Boyd played 59 minutes at half, running for twenty four metres and make ten tackles.

    In Round Thirteen against Townsville Tannah Boyd played the entire match at half, running for thirty metres, kick for 316 metres and make sixteen tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

    In total in his eight Queensland Cup matches this season, Tannah Boyd has played 619 minutes, run for 406 metres, kick for 2 065 metres, kick nine conversions, record five try assists, broke five tackles, offloaded the ball twice and made 106 tackles.

    In 2018 Tannah Boyd made his Queensland Cup debut in Round Seventeen against the Central Queensland Capra’s celebrating by scoring. Tannah Boyd had to get a special dispensation to play in the match as he had not yet turned 18 years old.

    The table below compares Tannah Boyd’s 2018 and 2019 per game averages:

    2018 Q Cup 2019 Q Cup

    Games played 2 8

    Minutes per game 80 77

    Kick metres per game 111 258.1

    Metres per game 87.5 50.6

    Tackles per game 18 13.2

    Tannah Boyd has also played three Hastings Deering’s Colts matches for the South Logan Magpies this season, playing his first in Round Ten against Ipswich, where he kicked five conversions. Tannah Boyd also kicked five conversions against the Western Mustangs in Round Eleven and scored a ty and kicked a conversion in Round Twelve against Tweed Heads.

    Tannah Boyd started off the 2018 season with the Souths Logan Magpies in the MM Cup competition, coming into the side in Round Six against Central Queensland starting at half. In fact Tannah Boyd started at half in all five of his 2018 MM Cup matches, including their Grand Final win over Norths and their National U18 final loss to Penrith.

    Across those five matches, Tannah Boyd scored 42 points from four tries and thirteen goals. He scored doubles against the Western Mustangs in Round Seven and Tweed Heads in the first week of the 2018 MM Cup finals to account for his four tries. His best game was against Tweed Heads in the final when he also six goals to go with his two tries. Tannah Boyd also kicked four goals in the U18 National Final against Penrith.

    Tannah Boyd also played in eight U20 Hastings Deering’s Colts matches in 2018 including their Week One final against the Northern Pride, coming into the side in Round Twelve against the Victorian Thunderbolts at half back.

    Tannah Boyd started at half in all eight of his matches scoring 42 points from three tries and fifteen goals. Tannah Boyd had a huge match in Round Twenty Four against Ipswich when he scored two tries and kicked five goals. Tannah Boyd’s other 2018 Colts try came in Round Twenty against the Western Mustangs and in Round Twenty Three he kicked six conversions against the Easts Tigers.

    The former Australian School boy International grew up on the Gold Coast attending Keebra Park State High School and playing for Runaway Bay last playing for the Seagulls in 2016 in the U16 Division One competition.

    Tannah Boyd is one of the few players that represented Queensland twice at the U18 level, starting at half in both 2017 and 2018, kicking one from two in 2018.

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

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

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

    In saying all of that the most impressive part of Tannah Boyd’s passing game is that he will go right to the line committing defenders, he is absolutely fearless in that regard.

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Tannah Boyd will play out the 2019 season with the Tweed Heads Seagulls and will be in line for his NRL debut in 2020 even though he will still be Colts eligible. It would not surprise however if Tannah Boyd makes his NRL debut before the end of the 2019 NRL season for the Titans such is his confidence and composure.

    Tannah Boyd grew up playing half back including for Keebra Park, Australian School Boys and in the Queensland Cup although I note that he did play a couple of matches in the Queensland Cup at fullback for Souths Logan.

    With his ability to play right at the defensive line, getting the ball in his hands as much as possible is critical therefore for me Tannah Boyd is a natural half and a representative level one at that.

    I cannot get away from thinking of Sydney Roosters and former Queensland State of Origin and Australian International Cooper Cronk every time that I see Tannah Boyd play. Like Cronk, Tannah Boyd is just a class apart in every aspect and is just a natural rugby league player as well as an outstanding on field play maker and leader.

  15. #930
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    thanks for the update on Tannah Mdrew, looks like we got a good one


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