Samuel Shannon. In a sign of the regard that the Titans hold in him, Samuel Shannon trained with the Titans Rookie Squad in the 2019-20 offseason and was part of the Titans Rookie squad that played against the Tweed Heads Queensland Cup side in early February in wet conditions at Cudgen.

Samuel Shannon started from the interchange bench for the 2019 Burleigh MM Cup side in their Round One match with the Norths Devils with Samuel Shannon contributing a try in in Burleigh’s great comeback to draw 38 all with the Devils.

In total in the 2019 MM Cup competition, Samuel Shannon played in all six of Burleigh’s matches starting the first four rounds from the interchange bench before moving into the starting side in the front row against Souths Logan in Round Five and also starting in the front row in Round Six against Wynnum Manly in Burleigh’s last MM Cup match of the season.

2019 also saw the Robina State High School student represent South Coast at the U18 QSSRL Championships starting from the interchange bench in South Coast’s matches in Toowoomba.

Samuel Shannon was named on the Burleigh’s Hastings Deering’s U20 extended bench for their Round Fifteen match against Ipswich and made his first appearance in that competition from the bench on Round Nineteen against Redcliffe and also came off the bench (on both occasions brother Daniel also started from the bench) in Round Twenty against the Western Mustangs scoring his first Colts try of the season in that match.

For his try Samuel Shannon ran a crash route from close range to the right of the play the ball and once he received the pass out of dummy half from Zac McCormack he was just too big strong and wanted to score more that the Western Mustangs defence wanted to stop him.

Samuel Shannon also spent time in the U18 Division One competition for Southport in 2019 including starting from the bench in their 28 – 20 Preliminary Final win over Ormeau and starting in the front row in their 28 – 12 Grand Final loss to Burleigh where he was at the forefront of the forward battle that raged over the course of the entire match.

In total Samuel Shannon played seven matches for Southport in the 2019 Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition including the two finals noted above.

To cap off an outstanding 2019 season Samuel Shannon was named in the 2020 U18 Queensland Emerging Origin Squad with fellow Titans Ediq Ambrosyev and Isreal Higgins.

The powerfully built Southport and Titans youngster started off the 2018 season in fine form being a stand out for the Gold Coast Vikings Viking’s White U16 side that played in the South East Queensland U16 pre-season competition.

From that competition Samuel Shannon was selected at lock for the South East Queensland White U16 side for the 2018 Queensland Age Championships and through his dominant performances in Mackay was selected on the bench for the Queensland U16 side that were narrowly defeated by New South Wales. Fellow Titan Ediq Ambrosyev (hooker) was also part of the Queensland U16 side.

For South East Queensland White U16 Samuel Shannon started all four of their matches at lock including their Championship final loss to South East Queensland Green.

Samuel Shannon played in eight 2018 U16 Division One matches in the GCRL competition with Southport and through the regular season had a 50% strike rate. Samuel Shannon’s four tries came against Burleigh, Helensvale, Runaway Bay and Currumbin.

Samuel Shannon’s 2018 club season came to an end in the U16 Division One Elimination final when Southport were defeated 44 – 4 by Helensvale, a match that Samuel Shannon started at lock.

In 2017 Samuel Shannon was selected in the Queensland White U15 side for the ASSRL U15 Schoolboys Championships after playing for South Coast in the QSSRL U15 Championships held in Cairns. Samuel Shannon started primarily from the bench for South Coast after making the side from Robina State High School.

In 2017 Samuel Shannon played for the Southport Tigers in the U15 Division One GCJRL competition and performed strongly including scoring a double in Round Two against the Helensvale Hornets. In total in 2017 Samuel Shannon played eight matches scoring five tries to have a solid season in black and orange.

The pace and power in terms of how Samuel Shannon runs the ball is the outstanding feature of his game, he takes the ball to the line with speed and quick and subtle footwork prior to the line and seems to targets the gaps between defenders and will actively seek out opposing forwards who are slow to move up.

When the opposition are on the back foot he will target the smaller defenders on the edge of the ruck and burst through and for a big young bloke he has very good speed over the medium term and has the strength to drag defenders with him.

I would consider that his speed would be considered above average for his position but plays faster as a result of him timing his runs so well that the dummy half can present a flat pass to him and also as a result of the power that he runs at. Samuel Shannon also runs a very good inside shoulder line to add variety to his running game.

With his low centre of gravity coupled with his speed and power, Samuel Shannon is a difficult proposition for defensives and is able to draw in multiple defenders and still get a quick play the ball to gain forward momentum for his side on a regular basis.

The defensive side of his game is similarly impressive, Samuel Shannon does not just charge wildly up looking for a huge hit, but is calculating in where and when to hit. He drives hard with his legs and always uses his shoulder and core body strength to drive into his opponent.

Samuel Shannon sets a strong lower base by setting his legs and generating force by driving through the tackle with his lower body, gaining leverage and momentum through his shoulders. In short Samuel Shannon is an outstanding defensive player both from a technique and initial contact perspective.

Samuels Shannon’s initial contact is outstanding and more than enough to stop or redirect the momentum of the ball carrier and he is also able to his functional strength to slow the play the ball down sufficiently to allow his team’s defensive line to re-establish itself for the next play the ball.

Samuel Shannon has been named in the Burleigh MM Cup squad for 2020 and post the completion of that competition will play for Southport in the GCRL U18 Division One and U20 competitions if he does not make the immediate jump to the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition.

Samuel Shannon played a number of matches off the bench for the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts squad in 2019 and will certainly add to those matches in 2020.

Samuel Shannon currently presents as a strong hard running powerfully built lock or front row and that will likely continue as he progresses through the junior rugby league ranks on the Gold Coast. For me at least playing lock is different to playing in the front row and I am more than pleased to see Samuel Shannon playing at lock where his skill set for me at least is far better suited.

Samuel Shannon is far more than just a bash and barge type of player and can certainly develop into a difference maker in coming years.

New Zealand International James Fisher-Harris of the Penrith Panthers with his power coupled with his non-stop movement (and motor) when running the ball into the defensive line as well as the intensity in his defence is an apt NRL player comparison for Samuel Shannon.

Samuel Shannon is an outstanding young forward prospect for the Titans and is as good as any player for his age running around on rugby league fields in Australia or New Zealand.