My take on our top juniors

[mdrew]

Isopo Taunuu. The giant young former Victorian U12 rugby league representative moved up from Melbourne mid-way through the 2020 school year to attend Keebra Park State High School and be part of their Rugby League Excellence Program that is in partnership with the Titans, playing the 2020 school rugby league season in Keebra Park’s famous jersey.

In October 2021 Isopo Taunuu was named in the Samoan U16 representative side of the QPICC Cultural Carnival starting Round One of the Carnival in the front row against PNG.

In fact Isopo Taunuu started from the bench in all five of his matches at the Carnival including Samoa’s 22- 12 Grand Final victory against PNG.

Isopo Taunuu scored one try at the Carnival with the try coming in Match three against the Cook Islands with Isopo Taunuu scoring in the 22nd minute from a twelve metre charge. Isopo Taunuu charged at the line to the right of the dummy half from twelve metres out, breaking through two defenders before spinning counter clockwise and crashing over five metres to the right of the goal posts.

In October 2021 Isopo Taunuu was named in the Tweed Heads Seagulls U16 Cyril Connell Cup squad.

Early February 2021 saw Isopo Taunuu made it through the first stage of the South Coast U15 QSSRL trials when he was named in the U15 Broadwater school boy U15 squad. Following the final round of trials, Isopo Taunuu was named in the 2021 South Coast U15 school boy QSSRL squad.

2021 also saw Isopo Taunuu line up for the Keebra Park Year Nine school boy rugby league side, including a solid front row starting performance in early June against fierce local rivals PBC.

Isopo Taunuu also started the 2021 Hancock Cup Grand Final in the front row, taking the first hit-up of the match from the kick-off as Keebra Park SHS went down 16 – 12 to PBC SHS.

At the 2021 Keebra Park State High School Sports Awards Night Isopo Taunuu was named in the front row in the 2021 Keebra Park Team of the Year.

In 2019 Isopo Taunuu was selected to start in the front row for the Victorian U12 side from River Gum Primary School for the ASSRL U12 Championships.

Isopo Taunuu is a big, strong, solidly built young front rower with size and a low centre of gravity, which makes him quite difficult to tackle, especially in a one on one situation when he is running directly at an opponent. There is little subtlety to his game, Isopo Taunuu runs straight and hard, with the only concession to this being a slight step off either foot on occasion prior to the initial contact with the defensive line. Put simply Isopo Taunuu runs straight and hard.

One thing that Isopo Taunuu does do will however is continuing to pump his legs once his initial momentum is halted by the defensive line, Isopo Taunuu makes more metres than he should as a result and also forces defending teams to commit multiple defensive assets to stopping his progress. In those circumstances Isopo Taunuu is adept at getting to his feet quickly and playing the ball quickly.

When opponents try to go higher and tackle him around the chest, Isopo Taunuu is able to shrug them off and maintain his momentum forward and as a consequence teams have to commit multiple resources to stop him.

The best way to look to combat Isopo Taunuu is to tackle him around the legs but even then Isopo Taunuu is adept at dropping his shoulder at the opportune moment to make even that type of tackle difficult to execute.

Isopo Taunuu does not necessarily have a real off load to his attacking game, but that is not his role, his role is to take the ball into the heart of the opposition’s defensive line and make as many metres as possible.

Like his attacking game, Isopo Taunuu’s defensive attributes and execution are relatively simple, he moves up and hits the ball carrier as hard as he can, as often as he can, full stop. Isopo Taunuu is best suited to defending in the centre of the ruck and that is where you will almost always find him and for a solidly built young player, Isopo Taunuu moves well in terms of moving up and back in defence including his lateral mobility.

2022 will see Isopo Taunuu once again in a Keebra Park jersey for the 2022 School Boy Rugby League season where he will be pushing for playing time in the Langer Cup School Boy Open A side and he will be eligible for the GCRL U16 Division One competition.

Isopo Taunuu is a big strong powerful young man who is built like a main battle tank and has played his entire junior rugby league career in the front row and with his size, strength, aggressiveness and low centre of gravity Isopo Taunuu will not be moving from the front row, full stop.

With the a fore mentioned powerful, solid frame and low centre of gravity a player comparison to Penrith Panthers front rower Moses Leota is not at all unreasonable in relation to Isopo Taunuu. Isopo Taunuu is not as tall as Leota but has the same fearless hard charging, take no prisoners running style and attitude as the take no prisoners Penrith Panthers front rower.

If anything Isopo Taunuu is probably a touch bigger overall than Leota but certainly from my perspective the two front rowers definitely have a similar overall playing style.

[mdrew]

Tremain Spry. The former Ipswich State High School student spent the 2018 off-season training with the Titans NRL squad looking to secure a coveted NRL Development contract but went one better and signed a two year NRL contract with the Titans which will take him through to the end of the current 2020 season and subsequently signed further two year contract that extends his stay with the Titans until the end of the 2022 NRL season.

Tremain Spry’s first 2021 hit-out came in mid-February when he started at right centre for the Titans in their first trial against the Burleigh Bears. Tremain Spry’s had an outstanding match, scoring one try as well as a number of other touches of class.

Tremain Spry’s try came in the 35th minute when he charged onto the ball twenty metres out from the line. Tremain Spry shaped to pass to his right but as the defence started to backpeddle Tremain Spry brought the ball back in to score wide out on the right.

One of those touches of class came early in the first half when he showcased quick hands to his right to put Lofi Khan-Pereira into space down the right touchline. Whilst it did not lead to a try, Tremain Spry produced a piece of individual brilliance midway through the first half when he threw a beautiful right arm flick pass to put Lofi Khan-Pereira over in the corner but somehow the pass was ruled forward.

Tremain Spry, in the 69th minutes proved to be a continuing handful for the Burleigh defence when he broke their left sided defence from a Titans scrum win inside their own twenty. Tremain Spry was able to get on the outside of his opposing defender before holding him off with his left arm and passing the ball inside to his left to Toby Sexton who was backing up.

Tremain Spry broke the Burleigh line once again in the 78th minute and once again it was down the right side of the field when he was able to make twenty metres after receiving the pass from a Titans scrum win deep in their own territory.

Tremain Spry also defended well in the match, including heavy contact on the Burleigh No. 18 with the ball coming loose as a result just metres away from his own try line to defuse a threatening Burleigh opportunity.

The following week Tremain Spry started from the bench for the Titans in their final 2021 NRL trial against the New Zealand Warriors at Lismore. Tremain Spry played at right centre in the final quarter of the Titans 12 all draw, running for seventeen metres (eight post contact), played the ball at an average speed to 2.8 seconds and made four tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

As he has been in previous seasons, Tremain Spry was allocated to the Tweed Heads Seagulls when the Titans allocated their players to their Gold Coast based feeder clubs with Tremain Spry part of the Seagulls squad for their final Queensland Cup trial against local rivals, being the Burleigh Bears, starting the match at right centre.

Tremain Spry started at right centre in Round One of the 2021 Queensland Cup season for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Central Queensland Capra’s, scoring one try and setting up another. Tremain Spry’s try came in the second half when he ran onto a good short ball from Jayden Campbell to charge over from ten metres out to get the ball down ten metres in from the right corner post.

Tremain Spry’s try assist also came on the second half and was a result of him getting on the outside of his direct opponent. Tremain Spry got to the outside five metres from the line and likely could have scored himself but instead passed to his right to put Taylor Walters over in the right corner.

Playing all eighty minutes of the match, Tremain Spry ran for eighty two metres (twenty six post contact) had a line break for his try, the afore mentioned try assist, broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.28 seconds and made fifteen tackles.

As a result of his outstanding Round One match, Tremain Spry was also due to start at right centre in Round Two against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls however Covid protocols were initiated and Tremain Spry had to withdraw from the side.

After also missing a number of rounds, Tremain Spry started at right centre in Round Six against the Ipswich Jets, recording two try assists as the Seagulls defeated the Jets 32 – 26. Tremain Spry’s first try assist came when he ran the ball down a short right blindside and held the ball up to put his right winger over in the corner. Tremain Spry’s second try assist came when he followed through a Toby Sexton bomb, and after initially dropping the ball backwards he offloaded to a support who dived over from close range.

Playing the entire eighty minutes Tremain Spry ran for 103 metres (twenty eight post contact), made a line break, broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 2.36 seconds and made eight tackles.

Tremain Spry also was named to start at right centre in Round Seven against the Northern Pride however he was a late omission from the Seagulls side.

Tremain Spry was also named to start at right centre in Round Eight against the Easts Tigers, scoring a double in the Seagulls big win.

Tremain Spry’s first try came after Jayden Campbell chimed into the Seagulls backline as they spun the ball to the right, with Jayden Campbell taking the ball into the line and passing to his right to put Tremain Spry into a big gap twenty metres out, with Tremain Spry then producing a right foot step to beat the Tigers fullback to score.

Tremain Spry’s second try came in the second half when with Easts running the ball, Darius Farmer smashed the Tigers halfback front on with the ball immediately coming loose, Joseph Vuna swooped on the ball, running around forty metres before getting away on overhead pass to his right to an unmarked Tremain Spry who easily scored under the posts.

In addition to his double, Tremain Spry ran for 144 metres (thirty post contact), broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.82 seconds and made seven tackles at a tackling efficiency of 87.5%.

Round Nine against the Norths Devils once again saw Tremain Spry line up at right centre. Playing the entire eighty minutes, Tremain Spry ran for 124 metres (forty two post contact), made a team leading seven tackles breaks, played the ball at an average speed of 3.08 seconds and made twelve tackles.

Tremain Spry continued at right centre in Round Ten against the Mackay Cutters, scoring in the 5th minute when he found himself in acres of space on the right after receiving the ball forty five metres from the line. As he neared the line, Tremain Spry stepped off his left to beat the fullback to score out wide on the right.

Playing all eighty minutes, Tremain Spry ran for a team leading 170 metres (thirty four post contact), made a team leading two line breaks, broke a team leading five tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 2.92 seconds and made seven tackles.

Tremain Spry moved to the left wing for Round Eleven against Redcliffe, scoring in the Seagulls two point victory. Tremain Spry scored when he dived on a short grubber kick in the left corner.

Playing the entire eighty minutes, Tremain Spry ran for 108 metres (forty three post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.18 seconds and made a tackle.

Tremain Spry was back at right centre in Round Twelve against the Souths Logan Magpies however the game was postponed due to a Covid 19 lockdown and Tremain Spry was also named at right centre for the Round Thirteen local derby against the Burleigh Bears.

Once again playing the entire eighty minutes, Tremain Spry ran for fifty three metres, made a line break, broke five tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.17 seconds and made sixteen tackles at a tackling efficiency of 94.12%.

Tremain Spry continued at right centre in Round Fourteen against the Sunshine Coast Falcons playing the entire eighty minutes and scoring an impressive hat trick.

Tremain Spry's first try came in just the second minute from his first touch of the ball when he beat his opposing centre BJ Au***a-Toomaga on the outside and was too fast for the closing defence to cross from 30 metres.

Tremain Spry’s second try was déjà vu, although this time he beat Au***a-Toomaga with a left-handed fend then shook off two more tacklers near the line.

Tremain Spry's third came in the dying moments when he stepped inside, then out, and pushed off defenders again in a show of class from 25 metres.

In addition to his hat trick, Tremain Spry ran for 136 metres (seven post contact), made three line breaks, broke a team leading ten tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.48 seconds and made nine tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

Tremain Spry continued at right centre in Round Sixteen against PNG. Playing the entire match Tremain Spry ran for fifty nine metres (sixteen post contact), broke four tackles and made nine tackles at a 90% tackling efficiency.

In Round Nineteen against the Northern Pride Tremain Spry also started at right centre and once again played the entire eighty minutes, running for ninety nine metres (thirty nine post contact), broke five tackles and made six tackles of his own at a 67% tackling efficiency.

Round Twenty saw Tremain Spry continue at right centre against the Norths Devils. In his eighty minutes Tremain Spry ran for 128 metres (forty one post contact), broke four tackles and made ten tackles at an 67% tackling efficiency.

Tremain Spry continued at right centre against the Redcliffe Dolphins, once again playing the entire match. Tremain Spry ran for 105 metres (forty two post contact), made a line break, broke four tackles and made eight tackles at an 89% tackling efficiency.

In his final match of the 2021 Queensland Cup season Tremain Spry played the entire Round Twenty Two match against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls, running for seventy eight metres (thirty three post contact), had two tackles breaks and made seven tackles at a 69% tackling efficiency.

In total in the 2021 Queensland Cup season Tremain Spry played fifteen matches and scored ten tries to finish with a 67% tackling efficiency. In addition Tremain Spry recorded three try assist, broke sixty six tackles, made elven line breaks, made 129 tackles at a tackling efficiency of 81.6% and ran for 1 581 metres at an average of 105 metres per game.

Tremain Spry made his NRL debut on the left wing for the Titans in Round Nine of the 2020 NRL season against the New Zealand Warriors at Cbus Stadium. After a tough first touch Tremain Spry settled down to play the entire eighty minutes of the match. In his debut Tremain Spry ran for ninety three metres (forty one post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 2.93 seconds and made seven tackles at an 87.5% tackling efficiency.

Tremain Spry played his second career NRL game in Round Ten against the Melbourne Storm being named once again on the left wing and once again played all eighty minutes of the match. Tremain Spry ran for sixty three metres (twenty one post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 3.64 seconds and made five tackles at an 83.33% tackling efficiency.

After starting in the NRL in Round Nine and Ten, Tremain Spry was named on the Titans extended bench for Round Eleven against the Penrith Panthers and was also named on the Titans extended bench for Round Sixteen against the St George Dragons.

Tremain Spry was also named on the Titans NRL extended bench for Round Eighteen against the Brisbane Bronco’s however late in the week moved into the Titans starting line-up at right centre, playing the entire match. Tremain Spry ran for ninety four metres (twenty eight post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.5 seconds and made eleven tackles at a tackling efficiency of 84.62%.

Round Nineteen against Manly saw Tremain Spry start at left centre before moving to the left wing due to injuries playing the entire eight minutes and scoring his first NRL try when he followed through a grubber kick to bring the ball around to near the posts. Tremain Spry also scored a further try when he took at intercept running ninety metres but was brought down inches short in the left corner.

In the match Tremain Spry ran for 152 metres (twenty two post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 2.97 seconds and had a 100% tackling efficiency whilst making eight tackles.

Tremain Spry started on the left wing in Round Twenty against the Newcastle Knights and had an outstanding match that included three try assists as well as a big hand in another.

Tremain Spry’s first try assist in the match came when he broke down the left touch line and was able to pass inside to his right to Ashley Taylor to score. Tremain Spry’s second try assist came early in the second half when he took a chip kick on the full and made a break down the touch line before passing inside once again to Ashley Taylor to score in a move that covered eighty metres.

In relation to his third try assist, after a break down the left touch line, Tremain Spry stood in the tackle of the Knights fullback and offloaded to Kevin Proctor who rumbled fifty metres to score. As noted above Tremain Spry was also heavily involved in Brian Kelly’s try just on half time when he jumped from in the field of play and get the ball back inside to Kelly before his feet touched the ground.

In the Newcastle match, Tremain Spry ran for 194 metres (thirty seven metres), made three line breaks, broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.34 seconds and made three tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

In total in the NRL in 2020 Tremain Spry played in five NRL matches, playing all eighty minutes in each, scored his first NRL try, had three assist, all of which came in Round Twenty, broke five tackles, rand for 599 metres (119 metre average) and made thirty four tackles at a tackling efficiency of 79.2%.

Tremain Spry’s first 2020 appearance was for the Titans in the 2020 NRL 9’s 18 man tournament in Perth in February. In the Titans opening match against the Canberra Raiders, Tremain Spry ran for thirty metres on three runs and made two tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency. In the Titans quarter final victory over Manly Tremain Spry ran for thirty eight metres from three hit-ups and broke a team leading five tackles.

In total in the 2020 NRL Nine’s tournament, Tremain Spry played in two matches, ran for sixty eight metres from six runs, broke five tackles and made two of his own.

Tremain Spry started from the bench in the Titans first NRL trial of 2020 against Burleigh at Pizzey Park. In the match Tremain Spry ran for forty four metres, an impressive twenty one of which were post contact, broke three tackles and made eleven tackles.

Tremain Spry also started at right centre for Tweed Heads in their final Queensland Cup trial against Burleigh. Tremain Spry did however miss out on Round One of the 2020 Queensland Cup competition which ended up being the only round prior to the cancellation of the competition due to the Covid 19 pandemic.

In late June 2020 Tremain Spry was part of the Titans side that played an eleven on eleven match against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium prior to the same sides NRL match, with the match ending in a 16 all draw scoring one of the Titans four tries in the match.

Tremain Spry’s try came early in the second half when he flew onto a pass from Toby Sexton who had himself received an off load from Sam Stone who had made the initial break in the Bronco’s defensive line.

In early July 2020 Tremain Spry was part of a Titans side that played a Cronulla Sharks side in a nine a side match as a curtain raiser to the same teams playing Round Eight of the NRL, scoring the Titans first two tries in the match that ended in a 26 all draw.

Tremain Spry’s tries came in the 8th and 10th minutes of the match with Tremain Spry playing on the left side of the field and for each of his tries Tremain Spry combined well with Toby Sexton. Tremain Spry’s second try in particular was an outstanding effort when he scored after a thirty metre angled run where he held the ball in one hand in his charge to the line. Tremain Spry also had a try assist when in the second held after being put through a gap by Toby Sexton, Tremain Spry put Kea Pere away down the left for the first of Kea Pere’s three second half tries.

Tremain Spry started from the interchange bench in the Titans first 2019 NRL trial against the North Queensland Cowboys on the Sunshine Coast. In the NRL trial Tremain Spry had a tough initiation but after that settled down putting in a solid performance in a match not conducive to outside backs due to the weather conditions. Tremain Spry played for the Burleigh Bears Queensland Cup side in their Queensland Cup trial the week prior against the Souths Logan Magpies.

Tremain Spry also started from the bench for the Titans second and final NRL trial when they took on Brisbane on the Gold Coast where his outstanding potential was on display on a number of occasions.

Tremain Spry was also part of the Queensland U20 squad starting the match against New South Wales that was the Third State of Origin curtain raiser on the wing.

In the 2019 season proper Tremain Spry started the season with the Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup side, starting in the centres in Round One against the PNG Hunters at Tweed Heads.

Playing left centre Tremain Spry played the entire 80 minutes taking nine runs for 92 metres, 36 post contact, had an off-load, broke four tackles and had a play the ball average of 3.91 seconds. Defensively Tremain Spry made nine tackles missing only one.

Tremain Spry had a huge match in Round Two scoring a double, and just missing a third. His first try resulted when he took possession after Townsville fullback Zac Santo spilt a grubber under pressure from Keegan Hipgrave for Tremain Spry to dive over under the posts.

Tremain Spry’s second try resulted when he ran into a gap five metres out in the second half and was presented with a good ball by Tweed Heads five eight Lindon McGrady. Late in the match Tremain Spry could have had his third when he took an intercept whilst defending on his own line but was dragged down five metres out after a ninety three metres run.

Playing right centre Tremain Spry ran for a team leading 177 metres, twenty six post contact, and fifteen from dummy half, had a line break, broke three tackles, played the ball at an average of 4.04 seconds, had an offload and made six tackles.

Due to injury Tremain Spry played only 31 minutes of Tweed Head’s Round Three Queensland Cup match against Burleigh. In his time on the field he ran for 31 metres, broke a tackle, had an offload and played the ball in an average time of 4.25 seconds. Tremain Spry also made three tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency whilst once again playing right centre.

After playing only 21 minutes in Round Three and missing Round Four Tremain Spry was back in the Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup side for Round Five and scored the Seagulls only try in their 32-6 loss to Wynnum Manly.

Playing on the right Tremain Spry played the entire 80 minutes running for 115 metres (13 post contact), made a line break, broke two tackles, played the ball at a team leading average speed of 3.01 seconds and made a tackle.

Tremain Spry’s try was one of the easier ones that he will score, he ran into a huge gap around seventy metres out to score under the posts untouched.

In Round Six of the Queensland Cup for Tweed Heads against the Mackay Cutters, Tremain Spry scored his fourth try of the season, when Tweed Heads spread the ball to the right, Tremain Spry got outside of his direct opponent and scored untouched from around twenty metres out.

Playing the full game at right centre, Tremain Spry ran for 103 metres (twenty post contact), had a line break, line break assist, a try assist when he set up a try for Taylor Walters, broke a team leading six tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.97 seconds and had an 80% tackling efficiency in the match.

In Round Seven against Redcliffe Tremain Spry started at right centre and played the entire 80 minutes. In that time Tremain Spry ran for 45 metres (twenty post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 2.82 seconds and made thirteen tackles at a tackling efficiency of 81.3%.

In Round Eight of the Queensland Cup Tremain Spry played right centre and scored his fourth try of the season for Tweed Heads against the Ipswich Jets and as usual played the entire 80 minutes. In that time he ran for 84 metres (25 post contact), broke two tackles, had a line break assist, played the ball at an average of 3.05 seconds and made three tackles.

In Round Nine of the Queensland Cup, Tremain Spry started at right centre once again playing the entire 80 minutes against Norths. He ran for 121 metres (43 post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.35 seconds and made thirteen tackles.

Round Ten saw Tremain Spry score a double against the Easts Tigers from right centre. In his 80 minutes on the field, Tremain Spry ran for 142 metres (21 post contact), broke four tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 4.18 seconds and made five tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

Tremain Spry’s first try of the match was a seventy metre effort in the first half. He received the ball early, slicing through the Tigers left side defence before easily rounding the fullback to score under the posts and for his second try Tremain Spry was on the spot to clean up a dropped kick to score untouched in the right corner in the second half.

In Round Eleven Tremain Spry started at right centre once again playing the entire 80 minutes against the Northern Pride. He ran for 55 metres (15 post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.24 seconds and made ten tackles.

In Round Twelve against Souths Logan from the right centre position Tremain Spry in his 80 minutes on the field ran for 92 metres (37 post contact), had a line break assist, broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.6 seconds and made six tackles a 75% tackling efficiency.

In a tough Round Thirteen loss against the Sunshine Coast Falcons, Tremain Spry playing right centre in his 80 minutes, ran for 78 metres (nineteen post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.66 seconds and made eight tackles.

Tremain Spry moved to five eight for Tweed’s Round Fourteen match against the PNG Hunters in Port Moresby scoring his eighth try of the 2019 season. Tremain Spry played the entire 80 minutes, running for 89 metres (eighteen post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average of 4.37 seconds and made eight tackles at an 80% tackling efficiency.

Tremain’s try was an impressive one, he received the ball on the right side of the field, dummied to the immediate Hunters to get through the initial line before popping a great short ball to Kalani Going who charged thirty metres down field before passing back inside to Tremain Spry to score.

Tremain Spry moved back to right centre for Round Fifteen against Ipswich, once again playing the entire 80 minutes. In that time he ran for 97 metres (twenty post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.35 seconds and made seven tackles.

After missing Round Sixteen as a result of the U20 State of Origin match, Tremain Spry was back starting at right centre in Round Seventeen against Burleigh, once again playing all eighty minutes. In that time, Tremain Spry ran for 39 metres (six post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed for 4.57 seconds and made eight tackles at an 80% tackling efficiency.

Tremain Spry started at right centre again in Round Eighteen against the Central Queensland Capra’s playing the entire eight minutes. Tremain Spry ran for 126 metres (38 post contact), had a line break, broke four tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.68 seconds and made three tackles.

Tremain Spry as usual started at right centre in Round Nineteen against the Mackay Cutters again playing all 80 minutes. In that time he ran for 95 metres (41 post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed for 3.42 seconds and had a 100% tackling efficiency whilst making his eleven tackles.

Tremain Spry also started at right centre in Round Twenty against the Ipswich Jets once again playing all 80 minutes. In the match, Tremain Spry ran for 59 metres (22 post contact), broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed for 3.56 seconds and made six tackles at a 75% tackling efficiency.

After missing Round twenty One, Tremain Spry was back at right centre for Round Twenty two against Souths Logan playing the entire match. Tremain Spry ran for 79 metres (fourteen post contact), broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.56 seconds and made fourteen tackles.

Tremain Spry scored his 8th try of the season in Round Twenty Three against the Northern Pride from right centre when he jumped up between two Pride defenders to retrieve the ball and score a relatively easy try.

In addition to his try, Tremain Spry played all 80 minutes, running for 124 metres (36 post contact), broke three tackles, made a line break, played the ball at an average speed of 3.74 seconds and made fourteen tackles.

In total in the Queensland Cup in 2019, Tremain Spry played twenty matches, nineteen of which he played all eighty minutes, Tremain Spry came off injury in the 31st minute of the other match meaning that he was on the field for a total of 1 551 minutes out of a possible 1 600 meaning that Tremain Spry was on the field 97% of the possible time that he could have been on there for.

In those minutes, Tremain Spry scored nine tries, had two try assists, broke fifty two tackles, made six line breaks, made 154 tackles at a tackling efficiency of 73.1% and ran for 1 854 metres.

Tremain Spry’s 2019 Queensland Cup per game averages included playing 77.6 minutes, running for 92.7 metres, making 7.7 tackles and breaking 2.6 tackles. Thus per eighty minutes, Tremain Spry in 2019, ran for 95.57 metres and made 7.94 tackles.

In 2018 Tremain Spry played for the Sydney Roosters in the U20 Jersey Flegg competition, across the season playing in fourteen matches for the Roosters.

Tremain Spry started Round One against the Sharks at fullback and Round Two against the Mounties on the wing before missing a number of rounds with injury coming back for Round Seven on the wing against Manly. Tremain Spry stayed on the wing until Round Thirteen when he moved into the centres against Penrith and stayed there for the remainder of the 2018 season.

Prior to his move to the centres, Tremain Spry scored a single try which came in Round Eight against the Mounties but post his move to the centres Tremain Spry scored seven tries from eight matches.

Tremain Spry scored doubles in Round Fourteen against the Newcastle Knights and in Rounds Twenty-Three against the Wests Tigers and also scored in Rounds Thirteen, Seventeen and Eighteen against Penrith, North Sydney and Manly respectively.

In Round Twenty in a match against the North Sydney Bears, Tremain Spry was up against former Titans NRL player Jesse Arthurs, Jesse Arthurs was one of the Bears try scorers that afternoon.

In 2017 Tremain Spry started on the wing for the Queensland U18 side in their match against traditional rivals New South Wales. On the opposite wing that night for Queensland was fellow Titans NRL hopeful Kea Pere.

Also in 2017 Tremain Spry was a standout for Ipswich State High School especially in the Langer Cup including scoring a memorable try against Wavell State High School. Leevai Sutton who was part of the Titans U18 side in their late 2018 matches against PNG and New South Wales Country was Ipswich State High School’s fullback that season with Tremain Spry playing in the centres.

2017 also saw Tremain Spry play for the Ipswich Jets in the MM Cup competition where he primarily played at fullback in the Jets six matches.

Tremain Spry 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.
Tremain Spry’s best timed speed during a match was 34km per hour in Round Ten of the 2020 NRL competition for the Titans against the Melbourne Storm.

When opposing centres are able to get hold of him, Tremain Spry usually is able to maintain his balance and keeps an arm free, looking to offload to either his inside or outside support.
Tremain Spry 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.
Tremain Spry also has a powerful fend which served him well in the NYC competition and in fact has been the reason for at least two of his line breaks this season when his opposing centre has gone high and he has just palmed him off with seemingly little effort. His natural strength is just an impressive attribute.
A real positive for me is that Tremain Spry 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, Tremain Spry certainly has the courage to run that line regularly which not everybody has.
As you would expect, due to his size and strength, Tremain Spry 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, Tremain Spry 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.

As noted above Tremain Spry trained the last offseason with the Titans NRL squad and after starting from the bench in the Titans two NRL trials against North Queensland and Brisbane signed a two year deal with the Titans which will see him play a lot of NRL come the 2020 season under new coach Justin Holbrook.

With the signing of a new NRL contract with the Titans that takes him up until the end of the 2022 NRL season Tremain Spry will be right in the firing line to continue his NRL career for the Titans in 2022 when he will likely be pushing for a starting centre or wing spot come Round One of the 2022 NRL season.

Tremain Spry spent time at fullback, on the wing and in the centres in the Sydney Roosters U20 Jersey Flegg side in 2018 but it is hard to go past how effective that he was when he moved to the centres for both the Roosters in late 2018 and Tweed Heads in 2019 to 2021 especially from an attacking perspective and at 187cm and 98kg Tremain Spry is more than strong and powerful enough to make the right centre position his own in the NRL for the Titans in 2022.

Obviously for the Titans in the NRL in 2020 Tremain Spry played both in the centres and on the wing, showing potential in both positions in his five NRL matches to date and with hopefully a few more on the horizon in either of those positions in 2022.

From an NRL player comparison perspective, Tremain Spry has eerily similar traits to former South Sydney Rabbithos, Queensland State of Origin and Australian International star centre Greg Inglis. Like Inglis, Tremain Spry is a big strong powerful centre who will not be beaten in a one on one contest in attack or defence.

Tremain Spry is just a powerful young man who is only now learning how to translate and direct that natural strength and power consistently on a rugby league field. Tremain Spry made huge strides to realising his potential in 2020 and there is plenty more to come and all things remaining equal he will have a long and prosperous career in Titans colours starting in 2022.

[mdrew]

Leeton Smith. The young man from Lismore was brought into the Titans JTS Program in July 2021 after an outstanding start to the 2021 Group One U16 season, with Leeton Smith the Marist Rams in that competition.

Leeton Smith started Round One against the Grafton Ghosts in the second row and also started in the second row in Round Two against the Clarence Coast Magpies.

Leeton Smith continued in the second row in Round Three against Casino RSM with Leeton Smith having a break out match scoring his first try of the 2021 season and he also kicked his first conversion of the season when he converted his own try.

Leeton Smith moved to halfback in Round Five against the Kyogle Turkeys with the move paying immediate dividends with Leeton Smith scoring fourteen of the Rams eighteen points from two tries and three goals.

Round Six against the Grafton Ghosts saw Leeton Smith’s outstanding season continue as from the halfback position once again Leeton Smith scored two tries and kicked a conversion.

In both Rounds Seven and Eight against Kyogle and Clarence Coast respectively, Leeton Smith from the halfback position scored a try and converted that try in both matches.

Round Ten against the Grafton Ghosts saw Leeton Smith continue at halfback with Leeton Smith scoring a try and kicking a conversion in the Rams tough loss.

Leeton Smith also started at halfback in Round Twelve against the Kyogle Turkeys scoring once again in the Rams loss.

Leeton Smith was then named to continue at halfback in Round Thirteen against the Kyogle Turkeys, scoring a try and kicking two conversions as the Rams went down by two points, 26 – 24.

Leeton Smith finished the abridged 2021 Group One U16 regular season as the competitions second leading try scorer with ten tries.

Leeton Smith style of play is that of a player 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, and I am talking the speed of an outside back not a backrower.

Leeton Smith is exceptionally 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, making it almost impossible for the cover defence to catch him once he is open space.

Defences had all sorts of trouble trying to contain him in his club football over the last couple of seasons, both in terms of him taking the ball up into the centre of the ruck, but Leeton Smith was almost untouchable when he ran on the fringes of the ruck and uses 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 young player in Leeton Smith who causes nightmares for a defensive line.

Leeton Smith runs with pace, strength and power every time he touches the ball during a game. I have not seen a great deal of him off loading the football to date, but the ball skills that he possess would suggest this particular will develop into a plus skill over time, although at this stage of his career it is not a necessity. Leeton Smith’s attention to detail would also strongly suggest that he will continue to develop his off-loading and ball skills across the board.

Due to his size and strength, Leeton Smith is a very good defender regardless of position. Leeton Smith will not necessarily hit hard, but he is very good at mirroring the movement of the opposition and wrapping him up ball and all.

Leeton Smith 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, Leeton Smith seems to be very comfortable in a sliding defensive scheme where he can use his speed and body control to their best advantage.

In 2022 Leeton Smith will move up to the NRRRL U18 Marist Brothers Rams squad and will also push for a spot in the 2022 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad. Leeton Smith will also be U18 eligible in 2023.

Leeton Smith primarily played second row and halfback in the Group One U16 competition in 2021 but with the skill set that he has I believe that Leeton Smith’s best position is that of a ball playing type of lock who can be a link between his forwards and backs as well as a good runner of the ball in his own right.

From a player comparison perspective, Leeton Smith reminds me a lot of former Titan Tyrone Peachey as a player who just seems to know when and how to break tackles and find his way to the try line even when that task looks near to impossible.

[mdrew]

Anton Whaiapu. At the conclusion of the 2021 season the outstanding back row prospect and Year Nine student was named on the bench in the 2021 Keebra Park Rugby League Team of the Year. The fact that Anton Whaiapu was named on the bench is a great indicator of the quality and depth of the Titans Partnered Keebra Park State High School’s Rugby League Excellence Program.

From a trivia perspective Anton Whaiapu is the younger brother of Titans contracted and fellow Keebra Park SHS student Wailer Whaiapu.

Anton Whaiapu’s selection in the Keebra Park SHS Team of the Year was on the back of a number of outstanding performances for the Keebra Park SHS Hancock Cup School Boy side including an outstanding performance in their heart breaking 16 -12 Grand Final loss to PBC SHS.

The Grand Final saw Anton Whaiapu record a try assist and convert both of Keebra Park SHS’s tries. In just the 5th minute from ten metres out and to the left of the play the ball, Anton Whaiapu received the ball from his dummy half and put in a stab kick towards the right goal post with the ball bouncing up perfectly for Tyrel Laben to collect the ball and crash over next the afore mentioned right goal post.

In October 2021 Anton Whaiapu was named in the powerful 2022 Burleigh Bears U16 Cyril Connell Cup squad.

Anton Whaiapu is a tall, rangy exceptional athlete and this can be seen when 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.

Anton Whaiapu 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.

Playing on the right hand side of the field seemingly more often, means that his right foot step and his fending using his left 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.

What I really liked in Anton Whaiapu’s game in 2021 in the Keebra Park SHS Hancock Cup side was that regularly Anton Whaiapu regularly lined up at first receiver, normally on the left side of the ruck and proved to be an outstanding link between the forwards and backs. That first receiver role did not force Anton Whaiapu’s running game to take a backseat however the young man also proving to be one of Keebra Park SHS’s Hancock Cup best in terms of metres gained through the centre of the ruck.

In defence Anton Whaiapu 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 Anton Whaiapu 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 Anton Whaiapu 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.

In 2022 Anton Whaiapu will continue to play for Keebra Park State High School in the School Boys Langer Cup competition as well as play in the Gold Coast Rugby League U16 Division One competition after the U16 Cyril Connell Cup reaches its conclusion.

With his size and speed combination Anton Whaiapu looks set to continue to be an outstanding rugby league second rower in coming seasons and it this early stage of his career and one that can operate on both sides of the ruck as a link between his team’s forwards and backs as he did for the Keebra Park SHS Hancock Cup school boy side in 2021.

With the combination of size and speed that he has at his disposal, Anton Whaiapu has qualities that are similar to former Titans second rower Darius Farmer, all be it that Anton Whaiapu has also developed his ball playing skills as a first receiver for the Keebra Park SHS Hancock Cup side.

Both Anton Whaiapu and Farmer just ooze class and potential and in the second row or lock position have one attribute that cannot be taught and that is plus speed, a rare attribute indeed for a second rower or lock with a dose of aggression thrown in for good measure.

[mdrew]

Zechariah Tuialii. The young fullback was Marsden State High School’s sole try scorer in their tough 8 - 4 School Boy 2021 Renouf Shield loss against PBC SHS when he scored down a short left blindside off a good Mace Andrew off-load.

Zechariah Tuialii also scored earlier in the 2021 Renouf Shield competition in the regular season competition also against Ipswich SHS. In the 4th minute Zechariah Tuialii chimed into the Marsden SHS backline on the right side of the field, running diagonally towards the right corner post. As he progressed towards the back peddling defensive line, Zechariah Tuialii dummied to his outside on multiple occasions before taking the responsibility to attack the line himself and slicing between two defenders and getting the ball down in the right corner.

Zechariah Tuialii also recorded a try assist when in the 31st minute he chimed into the defensive line on the right side of the field near halfway. With Zechariah Tuialii under immediate pressure it was a great catch and pass from the young fullback to put one of his interchange forwards into a big gap and through to score.

Zechariah Tuialii’s’ main attribute when you see him play is his foot work, it is absolutely outstanding from the fullback position. He can step off both feet effortlessly and put multiple combinations of steps together in a short space of time and a small radius to get out of difficult situations and still make ground.

Zechariah Tuialii does not just beat larger forwards with his footwork, he will make the fastest of outside backs and fullbacks look slow by comparison as he leaves them grasping behind him. Zechariah Tuialii’s speed off the mark would have to be considered plus and whilst his top end speed may not necessarily be at the elite level compared to some he can sustain it over an extended distance.

Regardless of where he receives the ball Zechariah Tuialii is an exceptional attacking player. If he gets an off load from a forward through the middle he is through the gap before the defence can react, if he gets the ball in space out wide he is make it very difficult for the opposing defender to get a clean shot at him and if Zechariah Tuialii gets the ball from a kick, if the defensive line is not straight in the chase he can make significant ground.

Seemingly like all modern day fullbacks and outside backs Zechariah Tuialii has exceptional balance and body control enabling him to score some incredible tries over the course of his junior career where it appears that he would be stopped well short of the try line or be pushed into touch instead he is able to tip toe down the sideline and score some spectacular tries.

Defensively Zechariah Tuialii uses his size to good effect at the fullback position, by driving with his shoulder into his opponent and he also has very good timing in terms of when to come out of the line and certainly has the speed to react and readjust and chase if his timing is slightly off and the attacking player initially beats him with a move.

Zechariah Tuialii at the individual level has the body control to redirect quickly and mirror the movement of the opposing attackers and anticipate what vector the attack comes from and innately understands when to allow the attacking play to develop in from of him and comes forward to mitigate the attacking play soon after a break has been made.

2022 will see Zechariah Tuialii move up to the Walters Cup school boy competition for Marsden State High School with Zechariah Tuialii also in line for representative honours for the Met East U15 School Boy Rugby League Representative side.

Even though Zechariah Tuialii has played the majority of his career to date at fullback, and whilst I also believe that is where his long term future lies, I can see Zechariah Tuialii spending some time on the wing and potentially even in the centres in coming seasons until he eventually settles permanently at fullback before he reaches the senior rugby league ranks.

With his size, timing and anticipation in returning kicks and his fearless defence, Zechariah Tuialii presents as an outstanding candidate to play fullback in rugby league at the NRL level and certainly Zechariah Tuialii has the size to handle the inevitable punishment playing in the custodian role entails.

For me Zechariah Tuialii has a playing style similar to that of Brisbane Broncos and New Zealand International winger or fullback Jamayne Isaako, both are big and strong (Isaako is a bit bigger physically though) but also outstanding talents who with time, patience and experience could be just about anything on a rugby league field if things fall right from an injury perspective.

[mdrew]

De’Ontae Perese. The exciting half and centre arrived in Australia from New Zealand to attend Keebra Park High School in 2020.

In October 2021 De’Ontae Perese was named in the 2021 Queensland Samoa U18 representative side for the 2021 QPICC Cultural Carnival, starting all four of his matches at the Carnival at halfback, being Match One against Tonga, Match Two against PNG, Match Three against the Cook Islands and Match Four against Queensland Maori, with De’Ontae Perese kicking three conversions in that match.

Round One of the 2021 Langer Cup School Boy Rugby League competition saw De’Ontae Perese initially named to start at five eight for Keebra Park against Marsden State High School however on game day moved to right centre.

De’Ontae Perese then started at five eight in Round Three against Ipswich State High School, scoring in the 47th minute when De’ontae Perese received an off-load six metres from the line and put the ball down under the posts.

DeÓntae Perese then dropped back to the bench for Round Four against St Mary’s College Toowoomba playing in the right centre position when he came on.

De’Ontae Perese made the most of his opportunities in the match scoring one try and coming close to a second.

De’Ontae Perese’s try came in the 38th minute when from twelve metres out De’Ontae Perese darted out of dummy half down a short right blindside and was simply too quick for the St Mary’s defence to crash over ten metres in from the right corner.

As noted above De’Ontae Perese almost scored another try when he chased through a short grubber kick with the referee adjudging that he did not get the ball down cleanly.

De’Ontae Perese also produced a smart piece of play in the 50th minute with a great one on one strip deep inside his own territory from a St Mary’s scrum win.

The Round Five local derby against PBC saw De’Ontae Perese move back into the Keebra Park starting side at right centre and in the 33rd minute produced an exceptional right arm flick off-load to put Levi Jones over in the right corner to kick off Keebra Park’s stunning second half comeback.

De’Ontae Perese moved to start at five eight in Round Six against Wavell State High School.

After the competition was suspended for a number of weeks due to a Covid 19 lock down, De’Ontae Perese was named at five eight for Keebra Park State High School in their semi-final against PBC State High School.

De’Ontae Perese was as good as any Keebra Park player on the field, scoring a great solo try and and recording a try assist for Keebra Park’s other try.

De’Ontae Perese scored in the 37th minute. After receiving the ball ten metres out and to the right of the play the ball, De’Ontae Perese dummied to his right before stepping through the PBC defensive line to dive over adjacent to the left upright.

De’Ontae Perese’s try assist came in the 32nd minute when after receiving the ball on the left around ten metres from the line, he threw a great cut out pass to his left which landed on the chest of Elijah Lui who raced over to get the ball down in the left corner.

2021 also saw De’Ontae Perese play for Wynnum Manly in the Greater Brisbane Junior Rugby League U18 competition where he operated primarily in the centres including scoring in the Seagulls semi-final victory against the Norths Devils.

De’Ontae Perese also started at left centre in the 2021 GBJRL U18 Division One Grand Final against Souths Juniors, scoring an impressive hat trick in the Seagulls 40 – 24 Grand Final victory.

The Covid 19 situation had a huge impact across the board including in relation to schooling. In March 2020 De’Óntae Perese headed back to New Zealand to see out the lock down but did not return to Australia.

In Round One of the Auckland Rugby League U17/18 Open competition De’Ontae Perese started at half back kicked six goals for the Otahuhu Leopards as they defeated Mt Albert Lions Blue 52 – 4. De’Ontae Perese also started at half in Round Two as the Otahuhu Leopards had a big win over the Waitemata Seagulls. Round Three once again saw De’Ontae Perese start at half back against the Mt Albert Lions.

De’Ontae Perese continued his run of starts at half back in Round Four against the Mt Albert Lions and in Round Five against Marist Saints as well as in Round Six in win against Manurewa.

In March 2020 De'ontae Perese was selected in the under 18 NZtag team (Kiwi Tag Blacks) that was due to compete in the Trans-Tasman Series.

In 2019 De’Ontae Perese had an outstanding season both from a club perspective in the Auckland Open U16 competition playing for the Pakuranga Kingz and also being on the bench for the Samoa U16 side that had an historic win against the New Zealand U16 side in late 2019.

For the Pakuranga Kingz in the 2019 Auckland U16 competition De’Ontae Perese finished as their leading points scorer including a big Round One match when he scored and kicked two conversions against the Papatoetoe Panthers.

In addition to his 2019 achievements noted above, in 2019 De’Ontae Perese also started at half for the Auckland South U16 Auckland Region of Origin side in their three matches against the Auckland South Region of Origin side. De’Ontae Perese kicked two conversions in Match One of the three match series.

Also in 2019 De’Ontae Perese was part of the U17 Counties Manukau training squad for the 2019 New Zealand U17 National Youth Tournament.

De’Ontae Perese represented the Counties Manukau Stingrays U15 side at the 2018 New Zealand U15 National Youth Tournament playing in a match against the Wellington Orca’s and in two matches against the Akarana Falcons.

In attack, De’Ontae Perese is a five eight who is a dynamic runner of the football who excels in taking on the defensive line with deft footwork around the ruck, looking to seek out bigger slower forwards when they are caught on the edge of the ruck, De’Ontae Perese also has a very good dummy which continues to be effective regardless of the frequency of its use as it is indistinguishable in process from when he is going to actually pass the ball.

De’Ontae Perese does not however have blinkers on, and when his backline is set deep, he can see an overlap or a another play developing he will get the ball out quickly and effectively, using his solid passing skills from both sides of his body, where he will put the football out in front of his runners.

De’Ontae Perese is able to impart a good spin on the ball, thus can get good distance on his passes whilst maintaining accuracy from both sides of his body he seems to get better distance when passing to the left hand side of the field.

Assisting his play is the fact that De’Ontae Perese seems to make the decision what to do with the ball quickly thus enabling the ball to get out wide quickly. One aspect that is notable when you see De’Ontae Perese play is how he directs the team around the field, De’Ontae Perese is in charge of when and where the forwards run and also when he wants the ball to spread it out wide to his backline.

De’Ontae Perese has a prodigious kick on him and seemingly also has good accuracy and presents as a 40/20 threat. Also his prodigious boot generates significant height on his bombs, and I mean they are huge bombs and again are seemingly quite accurate, his ceiling is that of his team’s primary tactical kicker moving forward, both from a field position and attacking perspective. At the absolute worse De’Ontae Perese would be an outstanding secondary tactical kicking for any team that he is part of.

De’Ontae Perese is also his school team’s primary goal kicker. I would suggest that De’Ontae Perese is likely to be his side’s primary goal kicker regardless of the level he progresses to into the future in the senior rugby league ranks. De’Ontae Perese just has a smooth simple goal kicking technique that he is able to repeat each time that he kicks for goal and he follows the exact same routine regardless of where he is taking the kick from.

Defensively De’Ontae Perese has decent size for a five eight, a facet which assists in him being a very effective defender for his position, in fact De’Ontae Perese is an asset to his team’s defensive pattern to the extent that he has the strength and technique to more than hold his own one on one against wide running forwards.

De’Ontae Perese will likely in 2022 aim for a spot in either the Burleigh Bears or Tweed Heads Seagulls Hastings Deering’s Colts squad and will also be Colts eligible in 2023.

With his ability to quickly size up whether he should run or pass (and pass well for that matter) De’Ontae Perese has the ability to stay at five eight for the duration of his rugby league career although there is no doubt that De’Ontae Perese could also excel at fullback and also make a good go at playing in the centres.

From a player comparison for De’Ontae Perese, I would consider Cronulla Sharks and New Zealand International halfback Shaun Johnson as a player with a similar playing style, maybe De’Ontae Perese does not have the same prodigious side step, although his is not bad at all, but all other aspects such as the plus plus speed off the mark and plus top end speed seem to be on display when De’Ontae Perese has the ball in hand.

De’Ontae Perese is an outstanding young player and is a great addition to the Gold Coast rugby league school boy ranks.

[mdrew]

Lama Afu. One player that I would anticipate who will push for a spot in the Keebra Park higher level sides in 2022 is second rower Lama Afu who in his first year at Keebra Park in 2020 turned heads (well mine at least) in the Keebra Park Year 10 school boy side.

In October 2021 Lama Afu was named in the Tweed Heads Seagulls U16 Cyril Connell Cup squad.

Lama Afu obviously also turned heads at the Broncos with the young man trialling for a spot in their elite Junior Development Program in 2020 but in mid-February 2021 Lama Afu played in the Titans U15 Invitational Trial at Burleigh, a trial which included only the best of the 2021 Titans U15 squad members.

Early February 2021 saw Lama Afu make it through the first stage of the South Coast U15 QSSRL trials when he was named in the U15 Broadwater school boy U15 squad. Following the final round of trials, Lama Afu was named in the 2021 South Coast U15 school boy QSSRL squad.

2021 also saw Lama Afu named in the South Coast Schools U15 Rugby Representative side and in late August 2021 Lama Afu was named in the Queensland Barbarians U15 representative rugby side. After starring for the Queensland Barbarians side, Lama Afu was named at inside centre in the Queensland U15 Rugby Merit side.

Lama Afu was also part of the Keebra Park State High School Walters Cup side in 2021 including starting in the front row in their 30 – 12 Grand Final loss to PBC State High School.

At the conclusion of the 2021 Lama Afu was named on the bench in the 2021 Keebra Park Rugby League Team of the Year. The fact that Lama Afu was named on the bench is a great indicator of the quality and depth of the Titans Partnered Keebra Park State High School’s Rugby League Excellence Program.

Lama Afu also played rugby in 2021 and in early November was part of the Queensland Barbarians U16 Representative Side that participated in the 2021 Pacific Youth Rugby Festival.

Prior to moving to the Gold Coast to attend Keebra Park State High School on a full rugby league scholarship, Lama Afu played for the Melton Broncos rugby league club in Melbourne and also represented the Victorian U12 side in the second row at the 2018 Australian Primary Schools U12 National Championships.

Lama Afu also represented Victoria in rugby in the U13 age group before his move north to the Gold Coast. For the Melton Rugby Club, Lama Afu primarily player at outside centre (No. 13) but also played a number of matches at inside centre (No. 12).

Lama Afu’s style of play is that of a wide running back rower with quite good speed for the position. Lama Afu is quick off the mark and can maintain his top speed over a reasonable distance and also has a good fend and can step off both feet both in space and in tight situations.

The side step he has is not a big step but is quick and subtle enough to keep defenders off balance. Lama Afu will also continue to pump his legs once he makes initial contact with the defensive line and will fight for every yard. Once his momentum is stopped, Lama Afu will fight for a quick play the ball to maintain his team’s momentum.

Lama Afu 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 stop even the biggest opposing forwards in their tracks and targets the area around the chest after setting a solid base to project his momentum into the ball carrier. Lama Afu also has above average lateral mobility and thus will not be over matched against smaller agile opponents.

Lama Afu will continue to move up that junior age ranks at Keebra Park and in 2021 will move up to the Walters Cup school boy competition and is also eligible for selection in the Couth Coast U15 QSSRL school boy representative side. I would anticipate that in his second season at Keebra Park in 2021, Lama Afu will really hit his straps and really put his name forward for higher honours and further recognition.

Even though very early in his rugby league career Lama Afu spent time on the wing, over the last couple of seasons he has really found a home in the second row and there is no evidence that that will change anytime soon.

Lama Afu really does have all of the attributes that an NRL side is looking for in a modern day second rower, being size, speed, strength and power. Lama Afu compliments those attributes with a calm calculating nature and a work ethic that is second to none. I appreciate that Lama Afu also spent time in the front row for Keebra park SHS in 2021 but for me he is better suited to playing a touch wider of the ruck in the second row.

The game of New Zealand Warrior and New Zealand International second rower and occasional centre Tohu Harris is probably a more than reasonable and apt comparison from a playing style perspective for the talented Lama Afu.

[mdrew]

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

In June 2021 the centre from the Cudgen Hornets was part of a Titans U18 Northern Rivers squad that played the Titans U17 JTS squad at Cbus Stadium in a curtain raiser to the Titans Round Fourteen NRL match against the Sydney Roosters.

Cooper Camby played the 2021 season with the Cudgen Hornets in the NRRRL U18 competition starting Round One at left centre against the Tweed Coast Raiders and was one of the Hornets try scorers in their big victory.

Cooper Camby’s try came in just the 4th minute of the Round One match when he ran through a gap down the left channel from five metres out in get the ball down five metres in from the left corner post.

Cooper Camby continued at left centre in Round Three against Casino RSM, scoring a double in Cudgen’s 40 – 18 victory.

Cooper Camby’s opening try came in the 9th minute when he ran into a gap on the left from six metres out, with Copper Camby spinning counter clockwise right on the try line to gain separation from the fullback to get the ball down nine metres in from the left corner.

Cooper Camby scored his second try of the match in the 18th minute when initially he was defending twenty metres from his own line. The Casino RSM halfback put in a grubber kick to the left side of the field with Cooper Camby taking the ball over his right shoulder and then outpaced the defence to run eighty metres down the left wing and then was able to bring the ball around to place the ball under the posts.

Cooper Camby also started at left centre in Round Four against the Bilambil Jets, scoring a double once again in Cudgen’s victory against their closest rivals.

Cooper Camby’s opening try came in the 5th minute when he was on the end of a Hornets passing movement to the left and received the ball in space and was able to comfortably run ten metres to score in the left corner. Cooper Camby added his second try in the 38th minute when he was put into a gap by Harvey Moase and ran twenty metres to score easily.

Cooper Camby continued at left centre in Round Five against the Byron Bay, once again scoring a double. Cooper Camby’s opening try came in the 6th minute of the match when he burst thirty metres down the left touchline and was able to hold off the Byron Bay halfback with left arm, maintaining his balance to get the ball over the line in the left corner.

Cooper Camby scored his second try in the 45th minute when after receiving the ball, Cooper Camby stepped off his left to beat one defender before a second left foot step beat another. As he ran at the fullback, Cooper Camby looked to his left to his support but instead he dummied in that direction with that deception fooling the fullback and then Cooper Camby brought the ball around to score under the posts.

Cooper Camby continued at left centre in Round Seven against the Marist Brothers Rams and in Round Eight against the Kyogle Turkeys where in the 48th minute Cooper Camby made a fifty metre break down the left touchline.

Cooper Camby continued at left centre in Round Ten against the Murwillumbah Mustangs and scored in the 50th minute when he received a great right arm off-load from Darcy Townsend eight metres from the line and Cooper Camby was able to get the ball down in the left corner.

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

Cooper Camby also continued to play for PBC in 2021, playing primarily in the Langer Reserve competition and had an exceptional match in Round Four against Marsden State High School when from his left centre position he was one of PBC’s try scorers when he was able to reach out to get the ball down.

Cooper Camby also started at left centre in Round Six against Keebra Park with Cooper Camby scoring PBC’s opening try of the match in just the 2nd minute of the match when after PBC, on the last tackle, spun the ball to their right, the ball came back to Cooper Camby on the left around eight metres out. Cooper Camby was confronted immediately by a defender and subsequently put in a short grubber kick for himself, regathering the ball just short of the line and getting the ball down near the left corner.

Cooper Camby also started at left centre in the final round after the Covid 19 hiatus against Wavell State High School, scoring PBC’s second try of the match.

Cooper Camby scored in the 29th minute when after receiving the ball fifteen metres out, Cooper Camby was able to get the ball down in the left corner. Cooper Camby also had a long sixty metre line break in the match. In the 16th minute Cooper Camby raced sixty metres down the left touchline after receiving an off-load from Bailey McConnell.

The speed and power in terms of how Cooper Camby runs the ball is the outstanding feature of his game, he takes the ball to the line with speed, especially off the mark, but he does not just put his head down and rush forward, he uses 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 Cooper Camby will target the smaller defenders on the edge of the ruck and burst through and for a young player Cooper Camby has very good speed over the medium term and has the strength to drag defenders with him.

I would consider that Cooper Camby’s speed would be considered above average for a backrower 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. What is in the above average to plus category in relation to Cooper Camby is his speed off the mark.

Cooper Camby’s offloading ability is also improving as he refines his game. Earlier in his junior career, he was almost too good at offloading compared to his team mates as he would pop some passes that they were not expecting but as he has matured and the quality of the opposition and his own team has increased so has the selective nature of his offloading.

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

Cooper Camby 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 to complete the tackle. Cooper Camby is also comfortable making contact with either shoulder and also maintains good head position regardless of the type of tackles he makes.

Cooper Camby is once again U18 eligible in 2022 and has been named in the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup Squad. From a club perspective, no doubt Cooper Camby will once again line up for the Cudgen Hornets in the NRRRL U18 competition.

2022 will also see Cooper Camby look to break into the PBC SHS Langer Cup Open A squad.

Whilst Cooper Camby has played exclusively in the centres for Cudgen in the NRRRL U18 competition in 2021, he has played a fair bit of second row, previously in the Group 18 competition as well as for PBC in various school boy competitions and even though he has been outstanding in the centres for Cudgen I can not help but think that going forward Cooper Camby’s best position will be in the second row.

Identifying an NRL player with a similar playing style to Cooper Camby was an interesting such is his diverse skill set and physical characteristics as well as the ability to play both in the centres are second row equally effectively.

Ultimately however I consider that Titans NRL second left rower and occasional centre Beau Fermor is a more that fair comparison in relation to Cooper Camby. Both Fermor and Cooper Camby are talented athletes with above average speed as well as endurance and both can play a number of positions at an above average level.

[mdrew]

Kwinn Wolf. In early November 2021 Kwinn Wolf commenced training the renowned Titans JTS Program.

The giant young man started at left second row for PBC SHS in the 2021 School Boy Renouf Shield Grand Final scoring both of PBC’ SHS’s tries in their thrilling 8 – 4 victory over Marsden State High School.

Kwinn Wolf’s opening try of the Renouf Cup Grand Final came in just the 7th minute when he barged over from ten metres out to get the ball down midway between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Kwinn Wolf scored his second try in the 20th minute and once again the try came down the left channel. Kwinn Wolf received the ball twelve metres from the line, almost immediately shrugging off one Ipswich State High School defender before burrowing over fifteen metres in from the left corner post.

Kwinn Wolf literally could not have made a more immediate impact in the match when his kick off was hit low and hard with the ball going dead after crossing the try line near the right upright, forcing Marsden SHS on the back foot and having to drop the ball out from under their own posts.

Kwinn Wolf also made a 4th minute line break of twenty metres before being brought down by the Ipswich State High School fullback twenty metres out and then was awarded a penalty when he was not allowed to get to his feet in a timely fashion.

Kwinn Wolf also made a 31st minute line break when he got into space down the left side of the field deep inside his own territory and then after making twenty metres threw a right arm off-load to put his left winger into space down the left touchline.

After the completion of the Renouf Shield Grand Final Kwinn Wolf was named on the bench in the Courier Mail Team of the Grand Finals.

Kwinn Wolf also had a strong match earlier in the Renouf Shield competition against Redcliffe State High School with Kwinn Wolf scoring in just the 3rd minute when he charged over on the left side of the field from ten metres out after receiving a good ball from his halfback.

Another strong 2021 Renouf Shield match of Kwinn Wolf’s was against Forest Lake State High School when in the 13th minute Kwinn Wolf set up a try for his left winger when he charged onto the ball on the left side of the field, breaking two tackles before off-loading to his left to put his winger over.

Kwinn Wolf also scored against Keebra Park State High School in the 4th minute when he ran into a gap off a good ball from his left to charge over to put the ball down five metres from the left upright. Kwinn Wolf then stepped up to convert his own try with a nice right foot strike.

Kwinn Wolf also scored in Round Two against Wavell State High School, scoring in the final minute of the match after a twenty five metre run to crash over in the left corner, breaking four tackles along the way.

2021 also saw Kwinn Wolf play in the Group 18 U14 Junior Rugby League competition for the Murwillumbah Colts and at the Group 18 Awards Night Kwinn Wolf was named the 2021 Group 18 U14 Player of the Year.

Kwinn Wolf is a northern New South Wales junior who has previously represented the North Coast U12 Primary School Rugby League Representative side in 2019.

Kwinn Wolf is a powerfully built young left second rower, which makes him quite difficult to tackle as Kwinn Wolf is also adept at dropping his shoulder into defenders as he impacts the defensive line.

There is no subtlety to his game, Kwinn Wolf runs straight and hard, with the only concession to this being a slight step off his left foot in occasion prior to impacting the defensive line. One thing that Kwinn Wolf does do will however is continuing to pump his legs once his initial momentum is halted by the defensive line.

Kwinn Wolf makes more metres than he should as a result and also forces defending teams to commit multiple defensive assets to stopping his forward progress. Kwinn Wolf is also adept at getting a quick play the ball regardless of the number of defenders that are involved in tackling him.

For a big strong young man Kwinn Wolf also has impressive speed, I would say in the plus category for a second rower, when he breaks through the defensive line and is also very good at setting up his support runners once through the initial defensive line.

This was easily seen in 2020 playing for PBC in the Renouf Cup when Kwinn Wolf was able to set up centre Tyler Small on more than one occasion after Kwinn Wolf had broken through the initial defensive line.

Like his attacking game, Kwinn Wolf’s defensive methodology is simply constructed and enacted. Kwinn Wolf moves up and hits the ball carrier as hard as he can, as often as he can, full stop. Kwinn Wolf is best suited to defending in the centre of the ruck and that is where you will almost always find him and for a powerfully built young player.

Kwinn Wolf moves well in terms of moving up and back in defence. Kwinn Wolf’s lateral movement is also actually more than reasonable for a big second rower as well.

In defence Kwinn Wolf uses his size and strength to make very solid initial contact and certainly can take on all opposing forwards one on one. Kwinn Wolf is not adverse to looking for the big hit but does have a good front on defensive technique, maintaining decent leverage and reasonable agility and lateral movement when looking to tackle smaller opponents on the edge of the ruck, although clearly Kwinn Wolf is more effective in the centre of the ruck, as most bigger forwards are.

Kwinn Wolf is also a more than decent goal kicker and his high bombs have to be seen to be believed. 2021 in the Renouf Shield also saw Kwinn Wolf designated as the PBC player to start/restart matches from kick-offs.

2022 will see Kwinn Wolf continue at PBC SHS moving up to the Walters Cup school boy competition as well as push for a spot in the South Coast U15 School Boy Rugby League Representative Side. Kwinn Wolf will also continue to play in the Group 18 Junior Rugby League competition for the Murwillumbah Colts in the U15 age group. Representative honours are also possible in 2021 including at school boy level.

Kwinn Wolf is a giant of a young man and even though he will likely stay in the second row for the next couple of season, I believe that as he gets to closer to the U18 age Group Kwinn Wolf will transition permanently to the front row.

With his height, overall size and running style I believe a player comparison with former Manly Sea Eagle and Parramatta Eel and current Southport Tiger Tony Williams is more than appropriate for Kwinn Wolf although the two operate on opposite sides of the field at present.

Both Williams and Kwinn Wolf are big powerful runners of the ball who run very much front on into the defensive line but do drop their body into the first defender that confronts them enabling them to make significant post contact metres before being brought down, a circumstance that is usually requiring of more than one defender to accomplish appropriately and for their size both are able to generate quick play the balls.

Big strong young front rowers/second rowers who also have very good mobility from both a speed and lateral perspective are difficult to find regardless of age group but the Titans JTS Program have certainly found one in their school’s partnered system in Kwinn Wolf.

[mdrew]

Storm Enoka. Storm Enoka was part of the 2021 Marsden State High School Bronco’s Old Boys Cup side, including starting in the second row in the 2021 Bronco’s Old Boys Cup Final against Ipswich SHS with Storm Enoka deservedly being named Player of the Match after scoring one try and throwing the last pass for two more.

Storm Enoka scored in the 26th minute of the Grand Final when from thirty five metres out down the left channel, Storm Enoka charged through a gap and getting to the line before pushing off the Ipswich SHS fullback and putting the ball down midway between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

As noted, Storm Enoka threw the final pass for two of Marsden’s first half tries being in the 3rd and 11th minutes. On both occasions, Storm Enoka received the ball on the left side of the field and got to the outside of his direct opponent, drawing in another before passing to his left to centre Chris Vaimili who crossed out wide.

Storm Enoka also had a strong Bronco’s Old Boys Semi-final against PBC SHS including a 15th minute try when he charged onto a great short ball from ZJ Watene down the left side of the field with Storm Enoka putting the ball down eight metres in from the left corner post. Storm Enoka almost had a second try in the semi-final but was held up over the line in the 17th minute.

In Round One of the 2021 Bronco’s Old Boys competition Storm Enoka from the left second row position scored one of the most outstanding solo tries that I have ever seen. In the 48th minute Storm Enoka received an off-load forty metres out down the left channel and immediately shrugged off one defender who had attempted to tackle around the chest. Storm Enoka then broke through two more attempted tackles before a straight right arm palm got rid of another.

Eventually Storm Enoka was brought down from behind from behind just six metres out and directly in front of the posts. The Redcliffe SHS fullback who made the tackle dropped off the tackle which Storm Enoka identified immediately and got to his feet just prior to being grabbed by his right foot. Storm Enoka would not be denied however and dove forward to slam the ball down with his right hand under the posts.

Prior to his spectacular solo try Storm Enoka had scored a more conventional try in the 18th minute when he ran the ball from fifteen metres out down a short left blindside and was just too big and strong for the Redcliffe State High School right sided defence with Storm Enoka manhandling a number of defenders as he forced his way over to get the ball down eight metres in from the left corner post.

At the 2021 Marsden State High School Rugby League Excellence Awards, Storm Enoka was named in the second row in the Marsden State High School Team of the Year and was also named the 2021 Junior Boys “Don’t mess with Marsden” Award winner.

After the completion of the Walters Cup Grand Final Storm Enoka was named in the second row in the Courier Mail Team of the Grand Finals.

In early November 2021 Storm Enoka played one match for the U14 Queensland Maori representative side at the QPICC Carnival with that match being the Grand Final when Storm Enoka came off the bench as Maori went down by two points.

The powerhouse rugby flanker or No. 8 was part of the 2021 Gold Coast Invitational U13 King of Country Rugby side that won the Tournament with Storm Enoka scoring a strong try on Day One against the USQ Saints.

Storm Enoka scored in the first half against USQ when he received the ball on the left side of the field twenty eight metres out from the line, immediately getting to the outside of the defensive line and then using a strong left arm fend to keep the defence off him as he charged down the left touchline to score in the left corner.

Storm Enoka recorded a try assist on Day Two against Far North Coast when he ran into space on the right and could have scored himself but five metres from the line passed to his right winger to score in the corner.

In late November 2021 Storm Enoka represented the U13 Tonga Team at the 3PTAG (non-contact modified rugby league) Cultural Touch Tournament held at Marsden SHS.

In 2020 Storm Enoka played for the Coomera Crushers in the GCDRU U12 competition, having a dominant season across the board including from a try scoring perspective.

Storm Enoka scored a hat trick in Round Four against the Yatala Rams and also scored doubles in three matches, being in Rounds One, Two and Three against the Helensvale Hogs (Rounds One and Three) and Bond Pirates (Round Two). Storm Enoka also scored in Round Five against Surfers Paradise.

Storm Enoka is a tall, rangy exceptional athlete and this can be seen when 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.

Storm Enoka runs ‘fast’ into the defensive and his foot work prior to the line enables him to get partly through the line quite often, as well as breaking the line regularly, 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, Storm Enoka 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.

Storm Enoka does not necessarily have a great top end speed, although he is certainly no slouch, 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 right foot step and his fending using his left 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 Storm Enoka 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.

As could be seen in the Kings of Country Tournament when the opportunity presents Storm Enoka 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 Storm Enoka 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.

Storm Enoka also plays rugby league for the Coomera Cutters in the Gold Coast Rugby League competition and will continue with the Cutters in 2022 as well as playing for Marsden State High School in the Renouf Cup school boy competition.

Storm Enoka is a big strong powerful athlete with the size, speed and strength combination that is perfectly suited to playing in the second row at an exceptionally high level in relation to how rugby league is currently played.

Storm Enoka’s playing style, with his speed and size is not dis-similar to that of former Titans Top 30 NRL contracted second rower Darius Farmer. Both Farmer and Storm Enoka are outstanding players with their futures all in front of them.

[mdrew]

Tawa-Dean Simpkins. The Marsden State High School student who is part of the Titans partnered schools Rugby League Academy Program and was part of the 2021 Marsden State High School Renouf Cup School Boy Rugby League side, including starting at left centre in the 2021 Renouf Cup Final against PBC SHS after scoring a double in Marsden SHS’s semi-final victory against Keebra Park SHS.

Tawa-Dean Simpkins also scored earlier in the 2021 Renouf Shield competition against Ipswich State High School in the 29th minute of that match when he received the ball in space after a slick Marsden SHS movement towards his left centre position with Tawa-Dean Simpkins easily covering the required distance to put the ball down twelve metres in from the left corner post.

Tawa-Dean Simpkins added a second try in the match in the 34th minute when left second rower Andrew took the ball down a short left blindside. Mace Andrew took the ball right to the line before popping a great short ball to his left to put Tawa-Dean Simpkins into a gap with the left centre running ten metres to cross the try line and then Tawa-Dean Simpkins able to bring the ball around closer to the posts.

At the 2021 Marsden State High School Rugby League Excellence Awards, Tawa-Dean Simpkins was named in the centres in the Marsden State High School Team of the Year. The fact that Tawa-Dean Simpkins kept William Semu out of the starting side really does highlight the quality and depth of the Titans Partnered Rugby League Excellence Program.

In October 2021 Tawa-Dean Simpkins was named in the Queensland Maori U14 side for the 2021 QPICC carnival starting Round One of the Cultural Carnival on the right wing against Tonga.

Tawa-Dean Simpkins also started on the wing in Match Three against PNG, scoring a try and kicking a conversion. Match Four also saw Tawa-Dean Simpkins start on the wing with the powerful young man scoring a try and kick four conversions from as many attempts against the Cook Islands.

Tawa-Dean Simpkins added a double from the wing in Match Five before starting on the wing in the 2021 QPICC U14 Grand Final against Samoa.

Tawa-Dean Simpkins was part of the 2021 Gold Coast Invitational U13 King of Country Rugby side that won the Tournament with Tawa-Dean Simpkins starring from outside centre.

Post the Tournament Tawa-Dean Simpkins was named on the wing in the 2021 Kings of Country All-Tournament Team.

Tawa-Dean Simpkins had an impressive tournament and was for all intents and purposes unstoppable in the second half of the Invitational teams Day One match against the USQ Saints scoring a second half hat trick. To add to his match Tawa-Dean Simpkins converted his third try by way of a drop kick from directly in front of the posts.

Tawa-Dean Simpkins first try came ten minutes into the second half. Tawa-Dean Simpkins received the ball on the left after a USQ turnover, thirty five metres out from the line. Once he received the ball Tawa-Dean Simpkins stepped off his right foot to get on the outside of the defence and then he outpaced the cover defence to score mid-way between the goal posts and left corner post.

Tawa-Dean Simpkins second try was a simply outstanding solo effort. From the kick-off after his first try, Tawa-Dean Simpkins took the kick-off on the full twenty metres out from his own line near the left touchline, initially Tawa-Dean Simpkins headed towards the centre of the field but quickly cut back to his left, towards the left touchline. As he neared the defensive line, Tawa-Dean Simpkins dummied to his left to get through the line and then stepped off his right foot to beat the fullback down the touchline and then he was able to easily outpace the cover defenders to score a spectacular eighty metre solo try in the left corner.

Tawa-Dean Simpkins completed his hat trick scoring the easiest of the three of his tries. Tawa-Dean Simpkins was on the end of a backline movement with the ball being spun to the right with Tawa-Dean Simpkins receiving the ball in acres of space and cruising ten metres to score next to the left upright. Tawa-Dean then converted his own try by way of a drop goal from close to the goal posts.

It was evident from just the second minute of the match on Day One that Tawa-Dean Simpkins was going to have a major impact on the tournament when he made a long line break down the right side of the field.

Tawa-Dean Simpkins also scored on Day Two against Far North Coast when in the second half he received the ball on the end of a backline movement to the Invitational team’s right. When he received the ball Tawa-Dean Simpkins dummied to his right before stepping off his right foot and running twenty five metres untouched to score under the posts.

The Day Two match against Far North Coast also saw Tawa-Dean Simpkins make probably his best run of the competition when he broke seven tackles in a fifty metre run in the second half.

In 2020 Tawa-Dean Simpkins also played touch and was part of the SQBD Sharks U12 side that took part in the 2020 NYC Boys Tournament and was part of the Sharks side that won the Final 4 – 3 against the BC Cobra’s.

Whilst he did not score in the Tournament Final, Tawa-Dean Simpkins scored in each of the five round robin rounds, including doubles in Rounds Two to Four which were against the SWQ Swans, SSC Pineapples and NQ Cyclones respectively. Tawa-Dean Simpkins also scored against the CQ Bulls in Round One and BC Cobra’s in Round Five.

In late 2020 Tawa-Dean Simpkins was named in the 2020 U12 Queensland Youth Academy Squad.

Tawa-Dean Simpkins is an outstanding athlete and this can be seen when he is running with the football. In his carries Tawa-Dean Simpkins 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.

Tawa-Dean Simpkins 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.

Tawa-Dean Simpkins does not necessarily have a great top end speed, but he is certainly fast enough to get through to the full back and beyond 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 Tawa-Dean Simpkins 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 Tawa-Dean Simpkins 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 Tawa-Dean Simpkins is a strong defender with a good front on technique and exceptional lateral movement to track and defend against smaller opponents either on the fringes or centre of the ruck.
In 2022 Tawa-Dean Simpkins will continue to play for the Titans partnered Marsden State High School in their various South East Queensland school boy rugby league competitions including the Walters Cup School Boy Competition.

Tawa-Dean Simpkins is an outstanding rugby league prospect, who can currently play already at a high level in either the second row or in the centres with his speed and power, but as he matures, I believe that ultimately Tawa-Dean Simpkins eventually settles in the second row with the potential to be a representative level one at that.

From a style perspective think of a someone along the lines of Titans star, former Brisbane Bronco, Queensland State of Origin and Australian International second rower David Fifita as an intense aggressive exceptionally talented well-rounded backrower with the ability to break the line by himself or as a result of running a good line, Tawa-Dean Simpkins then like Fifita has more than enough speed to break into space prior to looking for his support players if he cannot go all of the way, which they both have the speed to do.

Like David Fifita, Tawa-Dean Simpkins 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.

Similarly both Tawa-Dean Simpkins and Fifita can play on either the left or right second row positions and both also swap over and play on the other side of the field as well over the course of a game, as both did on multiple occasions in 2020 as well as prior. Also like Fifita, Tawa-Dean Simpkins has the physical ability and mental fortitude to make an impact at the NRL level (representative level too) at a very young age.

Simply put Tawa-Dean Simpkins is just an exceptionally outstanding talent in both rugby and rugby league and the sky is the limit in terms of just how far Tawa-Dean Simpkins can go in his rugby league career and it great that the start of that journey (and hopefully end) may well be with the Titans.

[mdrew]

Jordan Penquitt. In late October 2021 Jordan Penquitt signed an NRL train and trial contract with the Gold Coast Titans, commencing the 2022 NRL pre-season with the Titans on 1 November 2021 alongside a host of other talented young Titans players.

Jordan Penquitt came to the Titans attention in really his first season of rugby league in 2021 when playing for the Easts Tigers in the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition after coming through the GPS First XV school boy rugby ranks with the Ipswich Grammar School.

In 2021 Jordan Penquitt played fourteen matches for the Easts Tigers in the U21 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition, starting Round One in the front row and scoring in the 70th minute against the Burleigh Bears before playing his remaining matches off the bench including the Tigers Week One Finals loss to the Mackay Cutters.

In 2020 Jordan Penquitt played one match in the MM Cup competition for the Easts Tigers, starting in the front row in Round One against the Central Queensland Capra’s. Of course that match was the only match that the Easts Tigers played in the 2020 MM Cup competition as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic shutting down the competition after Round One.

As noted above Jordan Penquitt came through the GPS school boy rugby competition with Ipswich Grammar School, playing First XV rugby in 20219 alongside Sydney Roosters prodigy Sam Walker. Jordan Penquitt played all of Ipswich Grammar School’s First XV matches in 2019, starting the majority of matches at lock but Jordan Penquitt did start one match at blindside flanker (No. 6) as well.

As noted Jordan Penquitt is a big strong front rower who is a powerful runner of the football, who knows only one way and that is straight ahead and has shown flashes of the ability to off-load once he has impacted the defensive line or has crashed through it. Jordan Penquitt is still developing the ability to off-load prior to the defensive line but no doubt with an NRL pre-season under his belt, Jordan Penquitt will quickly develop that skill.

For a big front rower Jordan Penquitt does actually have quite decent speed and footwork, certainly well above average for a player of his size and age. This good footwork enables Jordan Penquitt to step prior to the line, usually back towards the centre of the ruck targeting the area behind the play the ball, creating little half breaks which enhances the ability to off-load the football.

Jordan Penquitt’s core body strength also enables him to make significant ground after contact dragging defenders with him and if an opposition does not get hold of his legs, Jordan Penquitt is apt to break free of the initial defenders all together.

With his size and speed combination Jordan Penquitt also is adept at getting a quick play the ball once he is brought down, Jordan Penquitt literally just pushes away the defenders and gets to his feet and gets on with the game through the play the ball.

In defence Jordan Penquitt is happy to go for the big hit often but not to the detriment to his team Jordan Penquitt is actually quite selective about when to go for the big hit as against making sure the tackle is completed.

Jordan Penquitt is obviously suited to defending in the centre of the ruck rather that the fringes and will understandably have some trouble with nippy runners out of dummy half although his lateral movement is quite good for a front rower.

Jordan Penquitt’s calling card though is the strength and power to effectively engage the opposing forward early in their run and use his natural strength to win the forward battle in the centre of the ruck. Jordan Penquitt can defensively handle any one on one battle that presents itself.

At times in games Jordan Penquitt really does prevent opposing gaining any ground at all through the centre of the ruck. It is now a matter of extending the duration of his ruck dominance.

Even though he is undertaking the 2022 NRL off-season program with the Titans NRL squad it is likely that Jordan Penquitt will start the 2022 season in the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition. It will be interesting however for whom Jordan Penquitt plays for as in late October 2021 Jordan Penquitt was named in the Easts Tigers Colts squad, but certainly it is more than possible that Jordan Penquitt will line-up for either Tweed Heads or Burleigh Colts instead.

Jordan Penquitt has played in the front row for the entirety of his limited rugby league career to date after playing the majority of his school boy rugby career at lock and occasionally blindside flanker. Moving forward in rugby league it seems more than likely that Jordan Penquitt will continue in the front row for the duration of his rugby league career.

With his height and running style I believe a player comparison with North Queensland Cowboys and former New South Wales State of Origin and Australian International front rower Jordan McLean is more than appropriate for Jordan Penquitt.

Both McLean and Jordan Penquitt are big, tall and powerful runners of the ball who run very much front on into the defensive line but do drop their body into the first defender that confronts them enabling them to make significant post contact metres before being brought down, a circumstance that is usually requiring of more than one defender to accomplish appropriately and for their size both are able to generate quick play the balls on a regular basis.

Big strong young front rowers who also have very good mobility from both a straight line speed and lateral perspective are difficult to find regardless of age group or competition level but the Titans have certainly found one in Jordan Penquitt and one that in a limited time on a rugby league field has shown flashes of immense potential.

It is scary to think how good Jordan Penquitt is going to be in 2022 with an NRL pre-season with the Titans under his belt.

[mdrew]

Haizyn Mellars. Haizyn Mellars started on the left wing for the Nerang Roosters in Round One of the 2021 Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition as they take on the Burleigh Bears and was one of the Roosters try scorers in their impressive first up victory.

Haizyn Mellars also started on the left wing in Round Two against the Currumbin Eagles and scored for the second match in a row when in the 49th minute when he ran over the top of the Currumbin fullback to get the ball down in the left corner after initially receiving the ball ten metres out down a short left blindside.

Haizyn Mellars could have scored a second try just minutes later when good work from Jeremaiah Tamepo saw Haizyn Mellars set to race away down the left touchline but unfortunately he could not reign the ball in.

Haizyn Mellars also made a 6th minute line break when he burst twenty five metres down the left touchline after being put away by Jeremaiah Tamepo. Haizyn Mellars made another line break in the 30th minute when he burst fifteen metres down the left touchline before being tackled ten metres out and was awarded a penalty for being subject to a lifting tackle.

Haizyn Mellars produced a smart piece of play in the 20th minute when he took an attacking kick on the full on the last tackle near the left touchline and immediately was able to pass the ball on the inside before he was taken into touch.

It was not just in an attacking sense that Haizyn Mellars was good in the air as was evidenced in the 22nd minute when he leapt high in his in-goal in defuse a bomb under pressure and then Haizyn Mellars wasted no time in racing the ball back to the twenty metre mark for the restart and was able to make eight metres as a result.

Haizyn Mellars took the ball on the full once again from a defensive perspective again in the 42nd minute, on that occasion however just out from his own line and then Haizyn Mellars fought his way eighteen metres downfield to get in the ball to near the hallway and was subsequently awarded a penalty when he was not afforded the opportunity to get to his feet quickly.

Haizyn Mellars was also strong defensively in the match including in the 18th minute when he came off his left wing to hit the Currumbin right centre just ten metres out when he was facing a two man overlap. Impressively Haizyn Mellars then raced back from marker to help hold up the Currumbin right second rower over the line.

Haizyn Mellars added a strong ball and all tackle in the 21st minute on his opposite number of Currumbin threatening ten metres out from the line.

After missing Round Three, Haizyn Mellars made the most of his return to the right wing in Round Four scoring a double as Nerang defeated the Ormeau Shearers 30 – 14. Haizyn Mellars also started on the left wing in Round Six against the Helensvale Hornets as well as in Round Nine against the Currumbin Eagles.

Haizyn Mellars continued on the left wing in Round Ten against the Burleigh Bears making a strong line break of thirty metres through the centre of the ruck in the 14th minute.

When rugby league recommenced on the Gold Coast in late August 2021 after the Covid 19 lockdown, Haizyn Mellars was named to start on the left wing for Nerang in Round Eleven against the Ormeau Shearers.

Haizyn Mellars was then named to start the 2021 GCRL U18 Division One Preliminary Final on the bench for the Roosters against the Ormeau Shearers.

In late August 2021, Haizyn Mellars was named in the Queensland City U17 squad for a match against a Queensland U17 Country squad with Haizyn Mellars being named on the City extended bench for the match.

Prior to the start of the GCRL U18 Division One competition, Haizyn Mellars started on the left wing for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in the 2021 MM Cup competition. Haizyn Mellars started all seven of the Seagulls matches, including their 40 – 18 semi-final loss to Queensland Champions, the Tweed Heads Seagulls.

Easing the hurt of the loss a touch was the fact that Haizyn Mellars scored the opening try of the match, in the 7th minute when he was on the end of a Wynnum Manly backline movement that saw him dive over in the left corner.

In total from his seven 2021 MM Cup matches, Haizyn Mellars scored on six occasions to finish with a strike rate of 85.71%. In addition to his semi-final try, Haizyn Mellars scored a double in Round Two against the Redcliffe Dolphins and also scored against Redcliffe in Round Five.

In the 2021 MM Cup season Haizyn Mellars also scored twice against the Easts Tigers with those matches being in Rounds Three and Six.

2021 also saw Haizyn Mellars play school boy rugby league for Marsden State High School in the Langer Cup Reserve Grade competition and he had a particularly good match in Round Three against Wavell State High School.

From a running perspective, Haizyn Mellars just seems to glide across the field and it appears effortless, no matter who is chasing him, they will not catch Haizyn Mellars, I am talking near James Roberts type of pace but he has a much more effortless running style to that of the current Wests Tiger Rabbitoh and former Titan.

Haizyn Mellars does not necessarily have a side step per say, it is more of a swerve and he has a number of variations, with the scary part being that there is absolutely no loss of speed at all, making him incredibly difficult to stop when Haizyn Mellars is in open space and is moving towards a fullback who is near stationary.

Haizyn Mellars’s passing skills are also developing into those of the highest quality, he can pass equally well from either side of his body and can throw every type of pass imaginable, he can chime into a back line at full pace and then decelerate quickly to maintain his balance a pop a good short ball to his supports, he can throw a great spiral pass to his backline or he can quickly anticipate the numbers a throw a great cut out pass to exploit over laps.

Defensively Haizyn Mellars also stands out, with his closing speed and recovery speed he makes an impact on that side of the ball as well. With his speed, Haizyn Mellars has the luxury of being able to stand a touch deeper than some fullbacks yet still be able to close quickly to negate breaks by reducing the decision making time of the attacking player.

Similar to the attributes that make Haizyn Mellars such an effective defender, Haizyn Mellars is as you would expect a great returner of the ball. His sense of timing, speed and anticipation means that he gets to a lot of kicks on the full and then accelerates looking to exploit any gaps on the kick chase or takes as many metres as possible that are on offer.

Haizyn Mellars exceptional lateral movement and sure hands means that he is a danger to make a large amount of ground from short attacking kicks by the opposition as he comes forward at full speed and retrieves with absolutely no loss of momentum and then will surprise the attacking team well before they can reorganise the defensive line.

Haizyn Mellars will play the 2022 season for the Nerang Roosters in the Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition and may also play a match or two in the GCRL U20 competition as well as continue playing his school boy rugby league with the Titans partnered Marsden State High School.

Even though I believe that Haizyn Mellars could be an effective left centre, with his finishing ability, left wing seems to be Haizyn Mellars ideal position.

George Jennings of the Melbourne Storm is an ideal NRL playing style for Haizyn Mellars when you take into account his ability to stay on his wing and exploit even the smallest gap down the sideline.

Haizyn Mellars is a rare commodity for a rugby league player, that being an elite finisher and is destined to be near or at the top of the try scoring list of any competition that he is involved in.

[mdrew]

Charlie Murray. The outstanding young five eight, backrower or occasional hooker originally from Wauchope in Northern New South Wales moved to the Gold Coast, being selected in the Tweed Heads Seagulls 2018 MM Cup squad and attending Marymount College. Charlie Murray then moved down to Sydney to play for the Parramatta Eels but thankfully in 2020 moved back to the Gold Coast where he has made every post a winner since, including signing an NRL Train and Trial deal with the Titans.

Charlie Murray is currently undertaking the 2021/22 pre-season with the Titans NRL squad as a member of the Titans Rookie Squad looking to impress Justin Holbrook and the other NRL coaches.

Charlie Murray made his Queensland Cup debut in Round Thirteen of the 2021 season against the Burleigh Bears. Playing seventeen minutes off the bench, Charlie Murray ran for twenty four metres, played the ball at an average speed of 4.09 seconds and made nine tackles at a 90% tackling efficiency.

Back from Sydney playing with the Parramatta Eels, Charlie Murray played for the Tweed Heads Seagulls Hastings Deering’s Colts side and he will also be Colts eligible in 2022.

Charlie Murray started at lock in Tweed Heads final 2021 Colts trial against the Burleigh Bears scoring late in the second half as well as a first half try assist working as a ball player in his time on the field. As noted above Charlie Murray’s try was the final try scored in the trial.

In the 10th minute of the first half, Charlie Murray received the ball off Ediq Ambrosyev from dummy half on the left side of the field and put up a high cross field pin point bomb to the right corner, with the ball coming down a metre or so from the try line. Tweed heads right winger Troy Duckett as able to time his jump perfectly to get above the Burleigh left winger in Ronin Rio and get the ball down a couple of metres in from the right corner post.

Round One of the 2021 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition saw Charlie Murray start at lock for the Tweed Heads Seagulls when they took on the Souths Logan Magpies and took the fourth hit-up of the match, getting the ball to the halfway.

One of Charlie Murray’s best (and most productive) runs of the match came in the 26th minute when he was able to make twenty three metres to the forty metre mark, breaking three tackles in the impressive effort.

Charlie Murray produced a great try saving effort in the 24th minute when he got low to confront and hold up the Souths Logan hooker who had darted out of dummy half from close range trying to burrow under Charlie Murray.

Late in the match with Tweed Heads chasing the match, Charlie Murray almost produced a try out of nothing. Souths Logan were bringing the ball out of their own territory when he produced a one on on steal and was able to find space to throw a long pass to his right that found Jojo Fifita is space and but for a diving tackle that halted Jojo Fifita by just one leg, he would have dived over in the corner.

Charlie Murray also started at lock in Round Two in the local derby against the Burleigh Bears and recorded an impressive try assist. Charlie Murray received the ball ten metres out and moved subtly to his left and popped a great short ball to put Carsil Vaikai into a gap and the front rower was able to get the ball down under the posts.

Intelligently in the 21st minute, Charlie Murray was able to get possession back for Burleigh after a one on one strip against Samuel Shannon who was looking to bring the ball out of Burleigh’s own territory.

Then in the 63rd minute, Charlie Murray along with Jed Edwards smashed Burleigh’s Ronin Rio front on with the ball coming loose less than ten metres from Burleigh’s own line.

Charlie Murray also was named to start at lock in Round Three against the Redcliffe Dolphins however he was a late scratching from the match.

Charlie Murray was back in the Seagulls starting side at lock in Round Four against the Ipswich Jets, a match that saw him named the Seagulls best, with Charlie Murray running for 182 metres and making twenty four tackles.

Charlie Murray also started at lock in Round Five against the Northern Pride and in Round Six against the Easts Tigers. Against the Easts Tigers Charlie Murray was one of the Seagulls best players, running for 208 metres, eighty nine of which were post contact.

Charlie Murray also started at lock in Round Seven against the Norths Devils and in Round Eight against the Mackay Cutters with Charlie Murray one of the Seagulls try scorers in their tough loss.

Round Nine against Wynnum Manly saw Charlie Murray move to hooker for the Seagulls, handling the position change in his stride. Charlie Murray also started at lock in the previously postponed Round Eleven match against the Sunshine Coast Falcons.

At the 2021 Queensland Rugby League Awards Night Charlie Murray finished with seven votes for the Hastings Deering’s Colts Player of the Season Award.

Charlie Murray was named on the extended bench for the Parramatta Eels in Round One of the 2020 Jersey Flegg U20 competition and was also named there in Round Two but that round (and all subsequent) were cancelled.

Charlie Murray came back to the Gold Coast after the Covid 19 pandemic hit and played for the Currumbin Eagles in the GCRL U20 competition including starting at right second row for the Eagles in the 2020 GCRL U20 Grand Final against the Helensvale Hornets with the Eagles prevailing 22 – 20 at Cbus Stadium.

Charlie Murray scored one of Currumbin’s first half Grand Final tries when he was on hand when the Burleigh defence dropped an Oliver Singh kick. After taking the ball Charlie Murray cut to his left and was able to spin clockwise to break a tackle and score under the posts.

It was great to see Charlie Murray named to make his Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade debut in late September 2020 when he started from the bench for the Currumbin Eagles as they took on the Tugun Seahawks in Round Eight.

In 2019 Charlie Murray was a stand out for the Marymount Mako’s school boy rugby league team including being part of the Marymount side that played in the Confraternity Shield. At that competition Charlie Murray was named Confraternity Player of the Carnival, named at lock in the team of the carnival and also won the Carbine Club Award.

In 2019 Charlie Murray also started in all six of Burleigh’s MM Cup matches, starting five at lock and one being Round Five against Souths Logan in the second row. Charlie Murray’s sold try was an important one that tied the scores in Round One against the Norths Devils.

The former Wauchope Blue and Camden Haven High School student was part of the Parramatta Eels Harrold Matthews squad in 2017 this season and in 2016 as a 15 year old captained the New South Wales High Achievers Rugby League side on a PNG tour where they played a curtain raiser in front of 15,000 for a PNG against Australian Presidents XIII match in Port Moresby. Charlie Murray also represented Group Three in multiple junior representative sides.

Charlie Murray is a smooth powerful runner of the ball who seems to glide across the field effortlessly and certainly has an extra gear in relation to the speed he possesses as well as plus speed off the mark. In the centre position, he has the ability to stand up his direct opposite and then beat him with pace on the outside, something that is becoming increasingly rare in the modern game.

When he gets the ball early from his inside play makers, Charlie Murray is incredibly difficult to deal with one on one, as whilst his speed has already been noted, he is also a powerful runner who has the power to also break tackles through sheer power and not just rely on his speed to beat his opponent.

The one thing that Charlie Murray also seems to be able to do well, is to step back inside without the loss of his speed or forward momentum, opposing defenders seem to push out quickly when he has the ball expecting him to look to beat them on their outside, if they come across to far, he has a very good step back side and if the inside defenders are not quick enough to cover across he has the speed to make a clean break in those circumstances.

Similarly when an opposing defender looks to come out of the line quickly to put pressure on him, his quick twitch feet means that he can step off either foot quickly to negate the attempt to cut down his time. In short he is a very talented attacking player who looks to beat his opponent with speed and guile rather than purely by brute strength.

Defensively Charlie Murray is solid at wrapping the ball up and just needs to refine his technique as he progresses and also when to come out of the line in an effort to limit the time and space of the opposition as well as ensuring that due to his height he keeps his tackles down against opposing centres who are usually not as tall.

Charlie Murray does slide well in defence and has the speed to cover opposition line breaks very well. He will need to continue to get stronger and maintain his speed to stay at centre, and potentially become a legitimate strike centre, but there is nothing in his performances to date that suggests that he will not be able to.

Charlie Murray played primarily at five eight in his junior rugby league career, only moving to the forwards for any extended period in 2019 with the Burleigh Bears MM Cup side. With his size I believe that his move to the forwards, especially the second row was an inspired move and that is where his future lies. I note for completeness however that Charlie Murray also spent time in the dummy half role the Tweed Heads Seagulls Hastings Deering’s Colts side in 2021.

Charlie Murray was due to continue to play for the Parramatta Eels U20 Jersey Flegg side in 2020 and played for Tweed Heads in 2021 and is still Colts eligible in 2022, however I would anticipate that Charlie Murray will add to his one Queensland Cup match for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in 2022.

From an NRL player comparison perspective for Charlie Murray think along the lines of someone like Cronulla Sharks back rower and also New South Wales State of Origin player Wade Graham as a player who played a lot of their junior football at five eight before transitioning to the back row and developing into a solid ball playing forward who can pop a short pass to his supports both prior to the line and when engaged with the defensive line.

At present Charlie Murray obviously does not have the size of Wade Graham at the present time but when Wade Graham initially transitioned to the back row fulltime he was not necessarily a big player either.

Charlie Murray just looks to be a natural footballer with an innate ability to know where and when to pass the ball as well as having a hard edge in defence.

[mdrew]

Marley McLaren. The young Titans linked PBC State High School halfback had a very solid season in the Renouf Shield School Boys competition and was also a 2021 PBC SHS Rugby League Award winner.

Marley McLaren also played for the Currumbin Eagles in the Gold Coast Rugby League competition in 2021.

Prior to moving to PBC SHS Marley McLaren attended Currumbin State School and in 2019 started at halfback for Currumbin State School in their NRL Development Cup Final against Frechville State School as a curtain raiser to the Queensland Cup Grand Final with Currumbin SS winning 32 – 6 and Marley McLaren scoring a double.

Marley McLaren’s calling card from an attacking perspective is his passing and game management abilities. In terms of his running game, he is not going to be known as someone that is going to beat a defender with speed, but Marley McLaren does very good foot work that he uses to good effect in tight spaces.

Marley McLaren has a very good step off both feet and can put together combinations of steps over a short distance to break free of situations where he is seemingly surrounded by defenders. Also maybe it’s only me, but Marley McLaren seemed to rarely take a big hit when running through the centre of the ruck.

Going back to his speed briefly, as noted Marley McLaren is not overly quick, but he does have some reasonable speed off the mark, which is complemented by the fact that he runs at the right moment, for example when he is drifting across field he will dummy and run when defenders anticipate the pass rather than focussing on him running the ball. Marley McLaren’s running skills compliment his ability to put runners into holes rather than the other way around.

Marley McLaren’s kicking game is very accurate, and even though he is not a big player he can generate very good distance on his kicks whilst at the same time not losing any accuracy, thus Marley McLaren finds the ground for a lot of his kicks. Marley McLaren can also kick pin point bombs, allowing plenty of time for his chasers to get to the ball as it is coming down close to the try line.

Marley McLaren is also a more than decent goal kicker but I have not seen enough of him in a goal kicking sense to have a firm opinion either wat as to whether Marley McLaren can be a front line goal kicker for his side moving forward.

Defensively Marley McLaren tackles well low and that is seemingly his main tactic against wide running forwards rather than trying to tackle them ball and all and potentially being bumped off. Marley McLaren’s quick feet and sense of timing and anticipation enable him to see plays developing in front of him quickly and Marley McLaren is able to adjust and look to shut down the attacking play prior to it fully developing. In short, Marley McLaren is quite a solid defender in the half or five eight position.

In 2022 Marley McLaren will move up to the PBC SHS Hancock Cup school boy side and will also play for the Currumbin Eagles in the GCRL U15 Division One competition. No doubt representative honours are also on the table for Marley McLaren as soon as next season.

With his elite kicking game, ball playing skills and smart, targeted running game, Marley McLaren Shapes as an outstanding rugby league halfback prospect although I have no doubt that Marley McLaren could also play fullback at a very high level as well especially in relation to his sniping running style and elite ball playing ability.

With his ability to size up what is going on around him and subsequently seemingly always taking the right option whether that is to run, pass or kick, Marley McLaren has a playing style similar to Melbourne Storm and New Zealand International halfback and former Titan Jahrome Hughes. Both Hughes and Marley McLaren seem to be everywhere and invariably both are at the centre of all of the good attacking moments of their respective teams.