My take on our top juniors

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Reece Warburton. In 2022 Reece Warburton was part of the Lower Clarence Magpies U18 NRRRL side and after the Magpies had a Round One bye Reece Warburton started from the bench in Round Two against the Kyogle Turkeys.

Round Three against the Murwillumbah Mustangs saw Reece Warburton move into the Magpies starting side in the centres. Reece Warburton also started in the centres in Round Seven against the Tweed Heads Seagulls.

Reece Warburton moved to start at fullback in Round Nine against Casino RSM with Reece Warburton scoring in the 21st minute. Reece Warburton initially received the ball a couple of passes to the left of the play the ball around fourteen metres out and then passed to his left to his winger. Reece Warburton then looped around behind the winger to get the ball back with Reece Warburton right on the left touchline. From there Rece Warburton was able to dart down the touchline to cross the try line with Reece Warburton then bringing the ball around to put it down under the posts.

Reece Warburton also kicked a conversion in the Magpies 56 – 4 victory.

Reece Warburton continued at fullback in Round Eleven against the Cudgen Hornets and in the 17th minute executed one of the best tackles that I have ever seen when he raced across to his left to tackle the Cudgen right winger in the corner, holding him up over the line superbly.

Reece Warburton also started at fullback in Round Twelve against the Kyogle Turkeys.

Reece Warburton continued at fullback in Round Thirteen against the Byron Bay Devils with Reece Warburton kicking two conversions and scoring a smart solo try in the 22nd minute when he ran onto the ball thirty metres out and to the right of the play the ball with Reece Warburton executed a great stutter step to run straight through a yawning gap and race away to score under the black dot.

Reece Warburton also threw the last pass for Zachariah Williams try in the 27th minute.

The rescheduled Round Four match against the Ballina Seagulls saw Reece Warburton named at fullback with Reece Warburton recording a try assist in just the 2nd minute of the match. Reece Warburton received the ball in the centre of the field around ten metres out and immediately ran to his right and after he had drawn in the widest Seagulls defender Reece Warburton got a right arm over the head off-load away to Zachariah Williams who score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.

Reece Warburton also recorded a 35th minute line break assist when Reece Warburton threw a long cut-out pass to his left from on the halfway mark with the Magpies left winger racing thirty five metres down the left touchline before he was brought to ground.

Reece Warburton then started at fullback in the Trophy Qualifying Final against the Byron Bay Devils.

Reece Warburton also started at fullback in the Trophy Preliminary Final against the Kyogle Turkeys with Reece Warburton scoring in the 49th minute when after a Magpies attempted kick towards the in-goal was charged down Reece Warburton ran backwards to get the ball around twenty five metres out and just raced straight ahead to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

In 2021 Reece Warburton was part of the Group One Clarence Coast Magpies U16 squad and after a Round One bye, Reece Warburton started at fullback for the Magpies as they kicked off their 2021 season in Round Two against the Marist Brothers Rams with Reece Warburton kicking three conversions in the Magpies 38 – 6 victory over the Rams.

Reece Warburton also started at fullback in Round Three against the Grafton Ghosts, kicking a conversion in the Magpies 16 – 10 loss. Reece Warburton continued at fullback against Kyogle in Round Four and had a day out, scoring two tries and kicking three conversions in the Magpies 22- 14 victory.

From fullback once again in Round Five against the Grafton Ghosts, Reece Warburton scored once again as well as kicking a conversion in the match.

Round Seven once again saw Reece Warburton start at fullback, kicking a conversion in the Magpies loss to Casino RSM. Also starting at fullback in Round Eight against Marist Brothers, Reece Warburton scored a try and kicked three conversions.

Reece Warburton continued at fullback in Round Eleven against the Kyogle Turkeys with Reece Warburton kicking two conversions and also started at fullback in Round Twelve against the Grafton Ghosts kicking a conversion in the Magpies eight point loss.

Reece Warburton was also named to start at fullback in Round Thirteen against Casino RSM, kicking one conversion in the Magpies 22 all draw.

The young flyer is a Titans linked youngster that was part of the 2019/20 Titans Group One Academy Squad that was training on a weekly basis at Ballina on Tuesday afternoons.

In late June 2020 Reece Warburton started training with his Clarence Coast Magpies club side in preparation for the late start of the Group One U15 junior rugby league competition. Round One of the 2020 Group One U15 competition saw Reece Warburton start at half back and scored ten of his Clarence Coast’s twenty four points from a try and three goals as the Magpies defeated South Grafton 24 – 8.

Reece Warburton also started at half back in Round Three and kicked a conversion as the Magpies went down 18 – 12 to Ballina. Starting at half back once again in Round Four Reece Warburton scored and kicked a conversion as the Magpies defeated Grafton 10 – 8 in a hard fought match played in wet conditions.

Round Six of the 2020 Group One U15 competition saw Reece Warburton come off the bench as the Magpies went down 20 – 10 to Casino RSM. Reece Warburton was back in the Clarence Coast starting line-up at half back for Clarence Coast in Round Seven against Kyogle and scored as the Magpies went down 22 – 14.

Reece Warburton added a further try from the fullback position in Round Ten as Clarence Coast went down 32 – 10 to Ballina.

In total in the 2020 Group One U16.5 competition Reece Warburton scored four tries and kicked five goals for a total individual regular season points haul of twenty six points from six matches.

Reece Warburton played in ten matches in the 2019 Group One U14 competition and scored in all of them to finish with eighteen tries on the season for an exceptional 180% try scoring strike rate. Reece Warburton also kicked fifteen goals to break through the 100 point mark for the season, finishing with 102 points to average a fraction over ten points per match.

Reece Warburton’s 2019 season started with a bang scoring five tries and kicking two goals in Round One against Lismore Marist Brothers and went from strength from strength from there. Reece Warburton added a late season hat trick against the South Grafton Rebels as well as a double against the Ballina Seagulls.

Reece Warburton’s remaining tries came in separate matches against Kyogle, South Grafton, Casino RSM twice and Grafton twice.

In 2019 Reece Warburton was also part of the McLean High School U14 side that defeated Grafton High School 38 – 12 in the U14 DEX Shield Final which is an annual school boy rugby league competition for schools in the Grafton/Lismore area. Reece Warburton was one of McLean High School’s try scorers in the final when he scored after a hard straight run through Grafton High School defence.

Reece Warburton also scored in the 2019 U14 DEX Shield Final semi-final against McAuley Catholic College.

Reece Warburton also played touch for McLean High School in 2019 and was part of their U15 side that went through the Northern Rivers Zone competition undefeated and as a consequence made the Northern Rivers Zone team.

In 2019 you can add the title of Mclean High School Athletics U14 Age Champion to Reece Warburton’s resume.

The MacLean High School student’s 2019 season was no fluke as was evidenced by his 2018 season. In eleven Group One U13 matches in 2018 he averaged two tries per game (200% strike rate) and also kicked 14 goals to finish the season with 116 points to average over ten points per game once again.

Reece Warburton scored five tries in a June 2018 match against Kyogle and added four in Round One against Casino RSM. In addition Reece Warburton scored hat tricks against Lismore Marist Brothers and South Grafton, going on to score in ten of his eleven matches.

In 2018 Reece Warburton also played in eight Group One U14 matches for the Clarence Coast Magpies scoring in four of them being against Lismore Marist Brothers, Kyogle and Grafton in two matches. Reece Warburton also kicked four goals including three in June 2018 against the Kyogle Turkeys.

In terms of his attacking play Reece Warburton is a smooth beautifully balanced natural runner of the ball who has above average to plus top end speed and good evasiveness to get on the outside of his opposing defender with a decent fend that enables him to keep opposing defenders at a distance and away from his body.

Reece Warburton is also adept at straitening up the axis of attack one he has received the ball when he chimes into the back line to ensure his outside supports have room to move and exploit any advantages identified.

Reece Warburton has quite a good step, predominately off the left foot, so he certainly has the skills to adjust his running line as required.

Reece Warburton does not have the size or strength to run over the top of opposing defenders thus he needs to use his speed and guile to make an impact and the earlier he gets the ball the better but as noted just needs to straighten up the attack on occasion.

Defensively Reece Warburton has a very good low tackling technique, he is by no means a big player but his defensive low tackling technique is very good, he can defend opposing centres one on one, and is one of the better low tacklers I have seen in junior rugby league. Tackling around the legs seems to have become a lost art, but when done right it is in my opinion it is still the most effective way of defending.

Reece Warburton will play the 2023 season in the NRRRL U18 competition once again for the Lower Clarence Magpies. It will be interesting to see if Reece Warburton looks to trial for the Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad in 2023, Reece Warburton certainly has the skill set to make an impact in the New South Wales Country Representative competition.

Reece Warburton has blazing speed as well as outstanding balance and body control and whilst he is only slightly built can absorb a lot of punishment and keep pushing through. With his speed and elusiveness Reece Warburton has the ability to play multiple positions at very high level including fullback, wing, centre in 2021 and 202 and in 2020 in the half back position.

Ultimately I believe that Reece Warburton likely ends up on the wing but that is absolutely no sure thing and a future at either centre or fullback certainly cannot be ruled out.

From a player comparison perspective for Reece Warburton, think of someone along the lines of the Newcastle Knights and Queensland State of Origin centre or winger Dane Gagai as a smooth moving try scoring outside back who is elusive and difficult to defend against as a result.

Like Gagai, Reece Warburton is also a solid defender without necessarily standing out per say in that aspect of rugby league.

Reece Warburton is a flyer, pure and simple and one thing is for certain speed is something that you cannot teach, you either have it or you don’t and Reece Warburton has it in spades and more importantly knows how to use it on the field.

Similarly Reece Warburton just seems to have a knack of knowing when a try scoring opportunity is about to eventuate and be in the right place at the right time to take advantage of it. His statistics from recent seasons (and 2018) in the Group One and NRRRL U18 competitions certainly bear that out.

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Jesse Soric. The Byron Bay Devils junior and Keebra Park State High School student is part of the Titans Northern Rivers Development Program.

In late July 2022 Jesse Soric was named at five eight for an U18 Northern Rivers Titans Invitational Side that took on a Future Titans U17 side as a curtain-raiser to the Titans against Canberra Round Twenty NRL match at Cbus Stadium.

Jesse Soric played a number of matches for Keebra Park SHS in the 2022 Langer Cup Reserve competition including starting at halfback in Round One against Ipswich SHS and Jesse Soric also started at halfback in Round Three against Marsden SHS.

Jesse Soric continued at halfback in Round Five against Redcliffe SHS with Jesse Soric scoring a try, setting up another and kicking a conversion in a big Keebra Park SHS victory.

Jesse Soric scored in the 33rd minute when after backing up a line break by Taylor Whittington, Jesse Soric received an inside pass from Whittington to race thirty metres to score adjacent to the left upright.

Jesse Soric recorded his try assist in the 27th minute when after backing up a Keebra Park SHS line break through the centre of the field, Jesse Soric received the off-load and then drew the Redcliffe SHS fullback and then got the ball away to his left to Jai Vought who ran away to score next to the left upright.

Jesse Soric also made a good stepping run in the 8th minute when after receiving the ball thirty five metres out from his own try line Jesse Soric stepped his way to five metres inside Redcliffe SHS territory.

Jesse Soric continued at halfback in the Round Six local derby against PBC SHS as well as Round Seven against Mabel Park SHS with Jesse Soric recording a try assist in the 21st minute when from right side of the field and to the right of the play the ball, Jesse Soric put in a left foot chip kick from twelve metres out with the Keebra Park SHS able to take Jesse Soric’s chip kick on the full in plenty of space to score wide out.

Jesse Soric recorded a second try assist in the 40th minute when from twelve metres out and to the left of the play the ball, Jesse Soric double pumped a short ball to his left and then popped a short ball to Taylor Whittington was running off Jesse Soric’s hip to score.

Jesse Soric then made a line break in the 29th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball Jesse Soric stepped to his inside off his left foot to beat one defender before racing twenty metres downfield before being brought to ground twenty metres out from the try line.

Jesse Soric then put in a good kick in the 34th minute when from on the halfway mark Jesse Soric drove a low hard left foot kick into the left corner with the Mabel Park SHS barely able to stay in the field of play after he was pinned in the left corner.

Jesse Soric then started at halfback for Keebra Park SHS in the 2022 Langer Reserve Semi-final against PBC SHS with Jesse Soric making a try saving tackle on the PBC SHS right second rower just metres out from the try line and ten metres to the left of the uprights.

Jesse Soric started the 2022 season as a member of the Byron Bay Devils U18 NRRRL side, starting Round One against the Tweed Heads Seagulls at halfback.

Jesse Soric also started at halfback in Round Two against the Ballina Seagulls with Jesse Soric scoring a double in wet conditions.

Jesse Soric’s opening try came in just the 4th minute when from around twenty metres out and to the right of the play the ball Jesse Soric received the ball and initially shaped to kick before stepping off his right foot before another right foot step saw Jesse Soric get to within ten metres of the try line. Jesse Soric was initially held short of the line but he kept fighting the tackle and forced his way over to score under the posts.

Jesse Soric’s second try came in the 60th minute when near the line Tyler Whittington forced out an off-load, Jesse Soric picked the ball from the ground and cut to his left to dive over, once again under the posts.

Jesse Soric also started at halfback in Round Six against the Cudgen Hornets in a tough loss for the Devils. Jesse Soric then continued at halfback in Round Seven against the Murwillumbah Mustangs.

Jesse Soric continued at halfback in Round Nine against the Bilambil Jets and recorded a try assist in the 12th minute. Jesse Soric took an off-load (after a couple of juggles in his outstretched right hand) around ten metres out and just to the left of the uprights. After Jesse Soric secured the ball he ran towards the posts before executing a great right arm flick pass with two Jets defenders on him to Taylor Whittington who as able to crash over adjacent to the left upright.

Jesse Soric also started at halfback in Round Eleven against the Kyogle Turkeys.

Jesse Soric also started at halfback in Round Twelve against Casino RSM with Jesse Soric scoring in the 32 minute of a big Devils victory. Initially Jesse Soric made a half break from on the halfway mark, making fifteen metres before being put down ten metres in from the right touchline. Jesse Soric executed a quick play the ball with Taylor Whittington running on the bell to the right of the play the ball before getting the ball back to the left to Jesse Soric who burst away to put the ball down in the left corner.

Jesse Soric also recorded a try assist in the 12th minute when from on the halfway mark Jesse Soric threw a long cut out pass to his left to put his centre on a fifty metre run to score in the left corner with Jesse Soric backing him up on the inside for the entire journey just in case he was needed.

Jesse Soric also started at halfback in Round Thirteen against the Lower Clarence Magpies with Jesse Soric scoring a double in a six point Byron Bay victory.

Jesse Soric scored his opening try in the 42nd minute when after receiving an off-load from Taylor Whittington, Jesse Soric stepped off his right foot and then ran to his left but around a metre from the try line Jesse Soric was hit by a defender but spun 360 degrees and maintained his balance to get the ball down mid-way between the goal post and corner post on the left side of the field.

Jesse Soric scored his second try just four minutes later in the 46th minute when after receiving the ball fifteen metres out in front of the posts and to the left of the play the ball, Jesse Soric propped on his run and ran back to his right before straightening up his run by stepping off his right foot with Jesse Soric then able to get the ball down five metres to the left of the uprights.

Jesse Soric continued at halfback in the rescheduled Round Five match against the Byron Bay Devils with Jesse Soric recording two try assists.

Jesse Soric’s opening try assist arrived in the 11th minute when Jesse Soric received the ball to the left of the play the ball ten metres out with Jesse Soric then putting in a left foot grubber kick with Taylor Whittington the beneficiary to run through to score five metres from the left upright.

Jesse Soric recorded his second try assist in the 26th minute when from eleven metres out, Jesse Soric threw a long cut out pass to his left to put his winger over to score in the left corner.

Jesse Soric then started at halfback and captain in the Trophy Qualifying Final against the Lower Clarence Magpies and once again led the Devils around the field well in a big win with Byron Bay progressing to the Trophy Grand Final against Kyogle as a result.

Jesse Soric then started at halfback in the 2022 NRRRL U18 Trophy Grand Final against the Kyogle Turkeys with Jesse Soric being a key reason for Byron Bay’s Trophy Premiership success.

In 2021 Jesse Soric was a member of the Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad, starting the opening two rounds at five eight before coming off the bench in the final three rounds with Jesse Soric scoring in Round One against the McArthur Wests Tigers.

Jesse Soric also played for the Byron Bay Devils in 2021 in the NRRRL U18 competition, playing in eight matches, starting five matches at five eight, two from the bench and also one match at halfback.

In his eight matches Jesse Soric scored twice, the first coming in Round Two against Northern United and second in Round Thirteen against Casino RSM.

In attack, Jesse Soric generally plays an understated role, focussing more on the distribution and game management aspects of his role as a half. A key attribute to how Jesse Soric plays is his ability to organise and direct his team around the field as well as adjusting his game to the specific situations encountered within a game, including where his team is situated on the field and which team has the momentum.

Jesse Soric is just a superb passer of the ball in all aspects, from accuracy, direction, weighting and also importantly timing of when to pass. Normally half backs and five eight, even at the NRL level have a clear preference in terms of passing to one side of their body, and normally it is easy to recognise. In relation to Jesse Soric however his passing to either side of his body is exquisite and simply amazing to watch.

Jesse Soric literally just flicks his wrists and the ball flies out of his hands like a perfectly aimed bullet. I personally do not recall seeing a young play maker which such outstanding command and control in relation to his passing game.

Jesse Soric’s passing game is just so natural and precise and really is impressive for such a young player and certainly bodes well for his future in a play making role whether that is at five eight or half back.

The confidence Jesse Soric’s passing ability has on his team mates surely cannot be understated. Jesse Soric’s team mates can run various lines and run into gaps confidently knowing that the pass that they receive from Jesse Soric will be perfectly weighted and directed to give them the best opportunity to either break the line or make ground before or after contact.

Another plus attribute that Jesse Soric has is his calmness on the field. Regardless of the situation of the match or where his team is on the field or the pressure of the score board, Jesse Soric just seems to always stay calm and this is able to execute his plan. I use the word plan as Jesse Soric also seems to do things with purpose rather than just pass the ball on to a support player. With Jesse Soric there is no jogging across field and obviously calling a runner back underneath.

Everything that Jesse Soric does, he does for a reason and he does it with a calmness and assuredness that exerts a positive influence on his team mates regardless of how stressful the situation is on the field from a position on the field perspective or time pressures that his team were under. I can only imagine that Jesse Soric would be a very coachable young man who would have no trouble at all following a game plan regardless of its complexity.

The other issue around game plans in the context of Jesse Soric is that he clearly has the intelligence to modify the game plan as the match unfolds if he identifies nuisances or specific changes which would enhance the effectiveness of the team’s performance. Another reason to suggest that Jesse Soric is extremely coachable.

Jesse Soric will though take the line on when the opportunity arises however, but as noted his best attribute is that of a game manager with the ability to draw defenders out of the line and put his runners into the subsequent hole that is generated. Jesse Soric has decent speed off the mark and quick twitch feet in confined space but does not have explosive acceleration or high top end speed.

From a kicking perspective Jesse Soric has a solid kicking game, with reasonable distance and accuracy on all types of kicks, from kicking for field position or from an attacking perspective as well as tactically for field position. Like his passing game, Jesse Soric’s kicking game comes across as so fluid and effective.

Defensively Jesse Soric is a very strong young man with exceptional functional strength for any position let alone a half/five eight, to go along with an innate understanding of the attacking strategies of rugby league thus he is able to anticipate what an attacking side is looking to do with the ball and then be in the best position to negate it.

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

Jesse Soric is also U18 eligible in 2023 and once again will line-up for the Byron Bay Devils U18 NRRRL side.

From a representative stand point Jesse Soric is eligible once again for the 2023 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup Squad but Jesse Soric is also more than capable for being a key contributor for the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad if he chooses to go that route.

Jesse Soric will also return to Keebra Park State High School in 2023 and will push for selection in the Keebra Park SHS Langer Cup Open A Squad after being one of Keebra Park SHS’s best in the Langer Reserve competition in 2022.

From a position perspective, Jesse Soric plays the same way whether he is wearing the No. 6 or No. 7 jersey and there is no way known that I could see that a coach would consider moving him away from either the halves positions.

With his calm demeanour and outstanding kicking game Jesse Soric very much reminds me of current Titans NRL player Toby Sexton although Jesse Soric is taller and to be fair a lot faster than Sexton.

Both Jesse Soric and Sexton have a calmness about them when they are playing and rarely ever seemed rushed in performing their role for their team whether that be kicking the ball, running the ball or setting up a backline movement.

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Ezrah Tangianu. The young man from the Melton Bronco’s in the Victorian Junior Rugby League competition joins the Keebra Park SHS Rugby League Excellence Program in 2023.

In the 2022 U14 Victorian Junior Rugby League competition Ezrah Tangianu has alternated between five eight and halfback and has been a prolific goal kicker including kicking eight conversions in Round Eight against the Frankston Raiders. Ezrah Tangianu also kicked five conversions in Round Thirteen against the Casey Warriors and four conversions in Rounds One and Four against the Sunberry Tigers and Northern Thunder respectively.

Ezrah Tangianu also scored a try in Round Seven against the Northern Thunder.

The 2022 Victorian U14 Grand Final saw Ezrah Tangianu named at start at halfback for the Melton Bronco’s against the Altona Roosters and kick two conversions in a 26 -12 Grand Final victory.

Ezrah Tangianu also played in the 2022 Victorian Junior Rugby League U13 competition with his first appearance coming in Round Thirteen against the Waverly Oakleigh Panthers with Ezrah Tangianu starting the match at halfback and scored two tries and kicked seven conversions to finish the match with an individual points haul of twenty two points in a 60 – 0 victory.

In attack, Ezrah Tangianu generally plays an understated role for his side, focussing more on the distribution and game management aspects of his role as a half. A key attribute to how Ezrah Tangianu plays is his ability to organise and direct his team around the field as well as adjusting his game to the specific situations encountered within a game.

Ezrah Tangianu will though take the line on when the opportunity arises however, but as noted his best attribute is that of a game manager with the ability to draw defenders out of the line and put his runners into the subsequent hole that is generated. Ezrah Tangianu has decent speed off the mark and quick twitch feet in confined space but does not have explosive acceleration or high top end speed.

From a kicking perspective Ezrah Tangianu has a solid kicking game, with reasonable distance and accuracy on all types of kicks, from kicking for field position or from an attacking perspective. I am sure that moving forward focussing on Ezrah Tangianu’s kicking skills will be a key focus area both from a distance and accuracy perspective.

In defence, due to his size Ezrah Tangianu is obviously not going to come up with the big hit but reads the play well and can hold his own when defending much bigger players. Ezrah Tangianu is also very vocal on the field always talking and encouraging his side both in attack and defence, this is obviously one of the reasons that Ezrah Tangianu is so highly thought of at the junior level.

Ezrah Tangianu will move up to the Gold Coast in 2023 to attend the Titans partnered Keebra Park SHS Rugby League Specialisation Program and will play in Keebra Park SHS’s famous blue and maroon colours in their numerous 2023 School Bout Rugby League competitions. Ezrah Tangianu will also play club rugby league on the Gold Coast in the GCRL U14 Division One competition.

Ezrah Tangianu is not the biggest junior rugby league player running around but Ezrah Tangianu has the play making ability and ball skills to be a very solid rugby league half or five eight going forward. Ezrah Tangianu also has the ball running ability to keep an opposing team’s defensive line honest and Ezrah Tangianu is also very very good kicker of the ball both in terms of tactical kicks to gain field position or attacking kicks inside his team’s attacking zone.

I would consider that that Manly and Queensland State of Origin halfback Daly Cherry-Evans has a playing style akin to that of Ezrah Tangianu, being of a skilled player with a very good all round kicking game to compliment his other game management skills. Add to that an decent step and average to slightly above average speed and you have a player in Ezrah Tangianu with a wide range of skills at his disposal that make the players around him better.

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Cornelius Kelsall. The young man from the Melton Bronco’s in the Victorian Junior Rugby League competition joins the Keebra Park SHS Rugby League Excellence Program in 2023.

In the 2022 U14 Victorian Junior Rugby League competition Cornelius Kelsall has alternated between fullback and five eight with Cornelius Kelsall scoring four tries in Round Eight against the Frankston Raiders as well as hat trick against the Northern Thunders in Rounds Two and Fifteen.

Cornelius Kelsall also scored doubles in Round One against the Sunberry Tigers, Round Seven against the Northern Thunder, Round Ten against the Casey Warriors and Round Eleven against the Altona Roosters.

Cornelius Kelsall finished as the 2022 Victorian Rugby League U14 competition’s top try scorer with twenty two tries.

The 2022 Victorian U14 Grand Final saw Cornelius Kelsall named at start at fullback for the Melton Bronco’s against the Altona Roosters with Cornelius Kelsall scoring a great long range individual try in the second half of a 26 -12 Grand Final victory.

Cornelius Kelsall one of the more interesting tries that I have seen. In the second half Cornelius Kelsall took a kick-off on the full ten metres out from his own try line and near his right corner. After taking the ball Cornelius Kelsall initially started to jog slowly back towards the oncoming defence then just prior to the defence getting to him Cornelius Kelsall stepped off his left foot and exploded and then after another left foot step Cornelius Kelsall raced away down the right touchline and bring the ball around to score under the posts.

Cornelius Kelsall was also heavily involved in another Melton second half try when after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball around twelve metres out, Cornelius Kelsall executed a right foot step and then almost immediately a left foot step before engaging the defensive line. Cornelius Kelsall then got away a great right arm flock off-load to Kason Tuai who put his winger over in the right corner.

Cornelius Kelsall also played in the 2022 Victorian Junior Rugby League U13 competition with his first appearance coming in Round Thirteen against the Waverly Oakleigh Panthers with Cornelius Kelsall starting the match at fullback and scored five tries and also kicked a conversion to finish the match with an individual points haul of twenty two points in a 60 – 0 victory.

Cornelius Kelsall also played for the Melton Bronco’s in the 2021 Victorian Junior Rugby League Covid impacted U13 competition scoring eight tries in a limited number of matches.

In 2021 Cornelius Kelsall was selected in the Victorian School’s U12 Rugby League Representative side out of Staughton College.

Cornelius Kelsall is just a smooth mover, he can create for himself or others and if a defensive line does not chase a kick in one straight line the young Kiwi flyer will simply cut them apart. Cornelius Kelsall ’s speed is in the plus plus category and when accompanied with exceptional body control and balance he is a handful for defensives especially when the defensive line is not set.

Just like his explosive speed off the mark, Cornelius Kelsall ’s body and body control are in the plus plus category as is his ability to step off both feet and can, just like Benji Marshall in his heyday, step multiple times in a small time frame and area to change both his direction and momentum as well as defenders.

Cornelius Kelsall also has exceptional hands when defending against kicks especially when low short attacking kicks are put in, Cornelius Kelsall attacks the ball at full speed aiming to get there prior to the arrival of the attacks and look to make ground while the opposition are still in an attacking mode. More than once or twice Cornelius Kelsall makes at least 30 metres or so after retrieving the ball in the in goal area and similarly gets back into the field of play from seemingly impossible positions.

Defensively Cornelius Kelsall is more than strong enough to confront any attacker who has broken through the initial defensive line and if he is caught out of position has dynamic closing speed to address this situation. When a break has been made, Cornelius Kelsall ’s primary objective is to more forward to reduce the time available for the attacker to work through is options.

Cornelius Kelsall is also effective at maintaining his composure and taking the player with the ball and not fall for any dummies, he makes an opposing team earn the ground that they make.

Cornelius Kelsall will move up to the Gold Coast in 2023 to attend the Titans partnered Keebra Park SHS Rugby League Specialisation Program and will play in Keebra Park SHS’s famous colours in their numerous 2023 School Boy Rugby League competitions. Cornelius Kelsall will also play club rugby league on the Gold Coast in the GCRL U14 Division One competition.

Cornelius Kelsall has been outstanding at both five eight and fullback in Victoria and no doubt Cornelius Kelsall could excel at eight position going forward but I am erring ever so slightly to Cornelius Kelsall having slightly more potential as a fullback with his elite ball running skills and his ability to identify where gaps are going to materialise in an oppositions defensive line.

From an NRL player comparison perspective, when seeing Cornelius Kelsall in full flight you are seemingly looking at a mirror image for Titans fullback Jayden Campbell. Like Campbell, Cornelius Kelsall has blazing speed and balance when he has the ball in his hands.

Simply put Cornelius Kelsall looks like he is gliding across the field, Cornelius Kelsall also has an extra gear to accelerate to and literally just explodes through gaps in the defensive line. When he is either returning a kick or hunting around the centre of the ruck looking for am off load, Cornelius Kelsall just accelerates to full speed in a split second and leaves multiple defenders grasping at thin air regularly.

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Teauariki Siaoloa. The young man from the Sunberry Tigers in the Victorian Junior Rugby League competition joins the Keebra Park SHS Rugby League Excellence Program in 2023.

Teauariki Siaoloa played in the 2022 Victorian Junior Rugby League U13 competition for the Sunberry Tigers, operating in the front row. Teauariki Siaoloa scored an impressive four tries against the Waverly Oakleigh Panthers in Round Five against and scored hat tricks in Round One against the Melton Bronco’s and Round Two against the Eastern Raptors.

Teauariki Siaoloa also scored doubles in Round Eight against the Northern Thunder, Round Eleven against the Casey Warriors and Round Twelve against the Altona Roosters. Teauariki Siaoloa also scored in Round Four against the Mernda Wolves Round Fourteen against the Waverley Oakleigh Panthers and Round Fifteen against the Altona Roosters.

Teauariki Siaoloa finished as the 2022 Victorian Rugby League U13 competition’s fourth leading try scorer with twenty two tries.

Teauariki Siaoloa’s normal game day in the Victorian Junior Rugby League competition was to start in the front row for the Sunberry Tigers in the U13 competition and then back up and start in the front row in the U14 competition for the Tigers.

In the Victorian U14 competition Teauariki Siaoloa scored a hat trick in Round Nine against the Casey Warriors, a double in Round Ten against the Northern Thunder and also scored in Round Eleven against the Frankston Raiders.

In 2021 Teauariki Siaoloa was selected in the Victorian School’s U12 Rugby League Representative side out of Gilson College.

Teauariki Siaoloa shows a wide range of skills with power running in the centre of the ruck, through the ability to break tackles on the fringes to high level off loading skills either before the defensive line or once he has engaged it.

Teauariki Siaoloa is able to make a lot of ground by getting low to engage the defenders with his shoulder rather than allowing them to get in and under his ribs and also a substantial leg drive meant that he drove defenders backwards even after they had engaged Teauariki Siaoloa with significant force.

In terms of ball skills, Teauariki Siaoloa is able to regularly get his right hand free to deliver offloads when engaged with the defensive line especially when Teauariki Siaoloa was running one pass up the ruck and deliver some very good offloads to his outside backs. Similarly Teauariki Siaoloa shows a high degree of skill when delivering short pass prior to the defensive engagement. Teauariki Siaoloa waits to the last moment to deliver the pass to enable the gap to widen.

Defensively as you would anticipate from a big strong young player Teauariki Siaoloa also has a big impact. Teauariki Siaoloa engages attacker’s front on and with the strength in his legs and core is able to regularly drive attackers backwards. Also in the games I saw Teauariki Siaoloa regularly tracked the ball across field when the ball was passed to the backline and impressively rarely over ran the ball thus he was able to combat runners cutting back inside.

Teauariki Siaoloa will move up to the Gold Coast in 2023 to attend the Titans partnered Keebra Park SHS Rugby League Specialisation Program and will play in Keebra Park SHS’s famous playing strip in their numerous 2023 School Boy Rugby League competitions. Teauariki Siaoloa will also play club rugby league on the Gold Coast in the GCRL U14 Division One competition.

Teauariki Siaoloa has spent his entire rugby league career in Victoria encompassing club, school boy and representative rugby league in the front row and that will not change when Teauariki Siaoloa arrives on the Gold Coast to attend Keebra Park SHS.

From an NRL playing comparison style perspective for Teauariki Siaoloa, think along the lines of Melbourne Storm and New Zealand International front rower Nelson Asofa-Solomona as a big, tall front rower with good footwork in both in attack and defence.

Like Asofa-Solomona, Teauariki Siaoloa is also a leader by actions on the field and one who can set the direction and tempo for his team by leading from the front through his powerful hit-up or a big crunching tackle in the most demanding position on a football field with a calmness and assurance that belies his young age.

Young players like Teauariki Siaoloa take a leap of faith when they move states at such a young age and back their ability to break into an NRL sides Development System such as the Titans JTS Program and that should be roundly applauded by all.

When people see Teauariki Siaoloa for the first time up close, they will see a giant of a young man but they will be even be more impressed with just how good Teauariki Siaoloa is when they see him on a rugby league field from a skill and mobility perspective.

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Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa. In early 2020 the Gold Coast local junior (Southport Tigers) signed a contract with the Titans that will see him in Titans colours for the next three seasons at least after being a member of the Titans JTS program for the last season or two.

In late January 2022 Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa started in the front row for the Titans U18 side in a match at Pizzey Park against the Burleigh MM Cup side. Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa was immediately in the match when along with Wailer Whaiapu and Tanu Nona he made the opening tackle of the match after the Titans had kicked off to get the game underway.

Taelon Te Whiu-hopa just how hard it is for opposing defenders to stop his progress in the 28th minute when he rumbled twelve metres down the left channel to get the ball thirty metres away from his own try line.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa reinforced how hard he is to tackle once again in the 36th minute when he rumbled forward making fourteen metres, a majority post contact, as he took the ball to within thirty metres of the try line.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa also proved what an outstanding defender he is in the 37th minute when he combined with front row partner Larry Siala to smash one unfortunate Burleigh forward with the ball coming loose of the heavy initial contact.

In mid-December Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa had the opportunity to train with the Titans NRL squad in a joint training session between the Titans NRL squad and the Titans JTS Program Squads.

In early November 2021 Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa was named in the 2022 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad with Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa surely immediately becoming one of the Seagulls key players in their 2022 campaign.

Round One of the 2022 MM Cup competition saw Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa named in the front row for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Souths Logan Magpies with Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa along with Tanu Nona making the opening tackle of the match after Tweed Heads had gotten the match underway from the kick-off.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa scored a powerful try in the second half to give the Seagulls the lead and was also held up over the line twice in the first half.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa scored in the 60th minute when after a quick play the ball from Keano Kini he charged onto the ball eighteen metres out down a short left blindside with Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa dragging three Magpies defenders over the line with him as he got the ball down to put the Seagulls in front five metres in from the left corner post.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa was held up on the first occasion in the 13th minute when after receiving the ball eight metres out from the line and to the right of the dummy half Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa barged his way over the line but was held up under the goal posts.

Just a minute later in the 14th minute Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa was held up for the second time when after once again receiving the ball to the right of the dummy half, on this occasion six metres out, Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa took on the immediate Magpies defender gaining separation after executing a clockwide spin with the 360 degree spin allowing Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa to run back to his left where he was eventually held up five metres from the left upright.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa showcased his elite hands in the 8th minute when he bend down low and grabbed a lost Souths Logan ball that was sliding across the wet surface with Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa picking the ball up cleanly and with absolutely no loss of momentum.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa was also named in the front row for Round Two against the Redcliffe Dolphins and after the Seagulls had a Round Three bye, Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa started in the front row in Round Four against the Easts Tigers and along with Reico Ratana and Jackson Le Pou made the opening tackle of the match after Tweed Heads had kicked-off to get the match underway.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa recorded an impressive try assist in the 4th minute when he received the ball on the right side of the field around thirty five metres out and took the ball to the line before double pumping a pass to his right to put Will Taylor through a gap with the Tweed Heads right second rower winning the race to the right corner. Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa then made a strong run from the resultant kick-off.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa continued in the front row in Round Five against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls and did well defensively in the 53rd minute when along with Will Saunders and Blake Forder he was on hand to hold put the Wynnum Manly lock who under tried to burst over under the posts.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa almost scored against the Wynnum Manly when in the 67th minute after dummying to his left Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa charged at the line from ten metres out, only for three defenders to hold him up directly under the goal posts.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa also was named to start in the front row in Round Six against the Norths Devils however in a tactical change late in the week Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa moved back to start the match from the bench and he also started on the bench in the Round Seven local derby against the Burleigh Bears with Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa coming on to play in the front row in the second half.

Taleon Te Whiu-Hopa did not wait long to get into the action when in the 52nd he made a strong charge of twenty metres from the kick-off after Michael Robert’s try and was awarded a penalty when he wa not allowed to his feet to effect a quick play the ball. Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa made a further twenty five metre charge in the 56th minute from the kick-off from Josh Lynn’s try.

In late March 2022 Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa was named in the Met East U18 QSSRL School Boy Representative side from Marsden SHS.

Round One of the 2022 Langer Cup School Boy competition saw Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa named to start from the bench for Marsden State High School against PBC State High School with Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa coming on around twenty metre mark.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa also started from the bench in Round Two against Wavell State High School however he was a lae scratching from the match.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa was then named to start in the front row in Round Three against Keebra Park State High School.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa was then named on the bench in Marsden SHS’s Langer Cup Quarter Final against Wavell SHS.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa then started in the front row for the Marsden SHS Langer Reserve side in Round Four against Redcliffe State High School with Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa scoring in the 49th minute when after receiving an off-load from his left thirty metres out Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa charged through the defensive line before stepping off his left foot to beat the fullback with Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa then carrying three defenders over the try line when him to get the ball down mid-way between the corner post and goal posts on the left side of the field.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa also started in the front row in Round Six against Mabel Park SHS before moving to right second row in Round Seven against Ipswich SHS.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa then started at right second row in the 2022 Langer Reserve Semi-Final against Ipswich SHS with Taleon Te Whiu-Hopa taking the opening hit-up of the match on the right side of the field after Marsden SHS had spun the ball from the kick-off from left to right with Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa able to get the ball to his own thirty metre mark.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa then took the 4th hit-up in the same set of six to get the ball within twenty two metres of the try line and five metres in from the right touchline.

The 2022 School Boy Langer Reserve Grand Final saw Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa start at right second row for Marsden SHS against PBC SHS with Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa recording a great try assist in the 41st minute when Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa charged onto the ball down a short left blindside from around ten metres out and after engaging the defensive line Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa got away a great right arm off-load to his left to put his winger over in the left corner.

Earlier in the match in the 27th minute Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa made a strong twenty metre charge down the right channel to get around twenty two metres out from the try line.

Impressively in late July 2022 Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa was named on the bench in the Courier Mail Marsden SHS Team of the 2020’s.

Post the 2022 MM Cup competition Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa transitioned back to club rugby league, starting Round One of the 2022 Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition at right second row for the Southport Tigers against the Runaway Bay Seagulls.

It was a bit of a strange match for Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa as the ball rarely got out to his right side of the field but on the couple of occasions that it did Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa displayed his pure class and potential.

The first of those occasions came in the 31st minute when Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa called the ball down a short right blindside thirty five metres from his own line. Through sheer strength and power Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa burst through the defenders I front of him and when showed outstanding speed to outpace the cover defence and after drawing the fullback he sent a pass to his left to put his support plyer away to score.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa was at it again in the 44th minute when once again Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa called the ball down a short right blindside, on this occasion he cut slightly to his right to draw in both of the Seagulls defenders down the blindside and then perfectly time his pass to his right to put winger Zac Finch on a seventy metre run to the line.

Round Five against the Currumbin Eagles saw Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa move to five eight for the Tigers.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa was on the move again in Round Eight, starting at left second row against the Burleigh Bears with Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa scoring a try and recording try assists for two others.

Taelon Te WHiu-Hopa scored himself in the 52nd minute when after being stationed down a short left blindside around fifteen metres out Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa cut back inside to receive the ball from the dummy half engaging the defensive line before spinning 360 degrees clockwise and crashing over six metres in from the left corner post.

The first of Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa’s two try assists came in just the second minute of the match when after receiving the ball on the left, Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa took the ball deep into the defensive line before throwing a great cut-out pass to his left to put his winger over in the corner.

Taelon Te Whiou-Hopa’s recorded his second try assist in the 24th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of a scrum twenty metres from the line Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa once again took tyeh ball into the line and threw another great cut-out ball to put his left winger over for his second try of the match.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa could easily have had another try assist when he took the ball to the line and threw a great short ball to his left to his replacement front rower (No. 15) but unfortunately the ball was lost over the try line in the 19th minute.

Taleon Te Whiu-Hopa also did well in the 5th minute with a fifteen metres charge down the left channel.

Round Ten against the Nerang Roosters saw Taleon Te Whiu-Hopa move to five eight with Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa making the opening tackle of the match.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa then recorded a try assist in the 12th minute when from around twelve metres out and to the right of the play the ball Taelon Te-Whiu-Hopa took the ball to the defensive line and put in a right foot grubber kick into the in-goal with the ball perfectly weighted for right second rower Caylas Latu to collect and score.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa then came close to recording a 40/20 on the final tackle from the set of six after the try he set up when from down a short right blindside Taleon Te Whiu-Hopa put in a low hard right foot quick which went into touch less than a metre from being a 40/20.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa also started at five eight in Round Twelve against the Currumbin Eagles and recorded a try assist (well maybe a try assist) in the 12th minute when after receiving the ball around eighteen metres out and on the right side of the field Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa took the ball to the line before putting in a right foot kick (well drop kick, dropped ball then kick, missed kick then rebound, take your pick) for the Southport No. 14 to race through to take the ball just short of the try line and dive over with the referee awarding the try with Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa looking very sheepish indeed.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa highlighted his mobility in the 21st minute when after the Eagles put in a grubber kick towards his side of the field, Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa tacked back into the in-goal to take the bouncing ball cleanly and even with the Eagles players rushing forward, Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa was able to carry a number of defenders on his back to get the ball back into the field of play.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa’s initial strong effort of the match came in the 4th minute when after receiving an off-load from his left Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa was able to promote the ball before four Eagles defenders converged to drag him to ground.

Then in the 17th minute Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa rumbled ten metres to get the ball within twelve metres of the try line from the right of the play the ball to get the ball to within twelve metres of the try line before once again four Currumbin defenders had to commit to the tackle to bring Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa down.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa continued his strong efforts in the match in the 28th minute when from inside the attacking twenty metre area Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa pushed forward and even though he was being held by three defenders was able to produce a right arm flick off-load to his winger.

The halftime break did not slow Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa down as in the 40th minute Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa made thirteen metres from his twenty metre mark after taking possession to the right of the play the ball.

In the 43rd minute Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa ran the ball of dummy half to his right from eighteen metres out and after getting within two metres of the try line near the right corner Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa. With his back towards the try line was able to get away on off-load with Southport then spinning the ball to the opposite side of the field.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa then moved to start from the bench in Round Thirteen against the Ormeau Shearers as well as in Round Fourteen against the Helensvale Hornets with Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa involved in the Tigers try in the 59th minute that tied the match up at 22 all which ended up being the final score. In the final minute of the match Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa picked up a pass from the dummy half to his left after three or four bounces and initially cut back towards the play the ball and then whilst being held by the left leg by one defender with another trying to tackle him around the chest, Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa got away a right arm flick off-load which ultimately led to Southport scoring.

In late March 2022 Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa was named to attend the Queensland Rugby League Positional Skills Day as part of the Ipswich Squad.

In October 2021 Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa was part of the South Coast Maori side that were successful in the Queensland Maori U16 Tournament with Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa being named Player of the Tournament and subsequently Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa was named in the Queensland Maori U16 side for the 2021 QPICC cultural carnival.

At the Carnival Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa started all four of his matches at the Carnival in the front row being Match One against the Cook Islands, Match Two against PNG, Match Three against Tonga and Match Four against Samoa with Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa scoring in Match Three against Tonga.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa scored in the 27th minute against Tonga when he ran at the line to the right of the dummy half, receiving the ball ten metres from the line. After impacting the Tongan defensive line, Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa spun clockwise to break contact with two defenders before crashing over under the posts.

In January 2021 Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa started from the bench for the Titans U17 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights even though he was still U16 eligible in 2021. Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa had some very good moments in the deserved 32 – 20 Titans victory.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa made an immediate impression when he can onto the field, making a great first hit-up when he took the ball to the right of the play the ball, throwing a subtle dummy to his right prior to confronting the defensive line and making a number of post contact metres.

In a sign of how highly that he is thought of by the Titans Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa was used almost like a five eight on a number of occasions in the second half, including deep inside the Knights territory when he was a link between the Titans forwards and backline.

In June 2021 Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa was part of a Titans U17 squad that played a Titans U18 Northern Rivers squad at Cbus Stadium as a curtain raiser to the Round Fourteen NRL match between the Titans and the Sydney Roosters.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa made some strong runs in the match with none better than mid-way through the second half when he made twenty five metres through the centre of the ruck and then with defenders draped on him, Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa was still able to get away a right arm off-load.

In late October 2020, Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa was named in the Gold Coast Rugby League U16 Cyril Connell Cup Academy Squad and when the split occurred Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa was named in the Tweed Heads Cyril Connell Cup squad.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa started in the front row in the first two quarters for the Seagulls in their final 2021 trial against the Souths Logan Magpies before coming back onto the field in the fourth quarter to line up in the front row once again.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa made an immediate impression in the match with a superb front on tackle in the first set of six after the kick off and also in his first run which came when he returned a goal line drop up knocking the initial Magpies defender five metres backwards after initial contact.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa started Round One of the 2021 Cyril Connell Cup in the front row as the Bears took on the Ipswich Jets and also started in the front row in the Round Three local derby against the Burleigh Bears, leading from the front as the Seagulls prevailed 33 - 6.

In the Round Three local derby Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa took the third hit-up of the match running an underneath line to the right of the play the ball making nine metres before following that run up with a hit-up on the 5th tackle of the same set of six.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa made a further ten metres in the 10th minute when he took the hit-up from a Tweed Heads penalty restart. Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa contributed a further thirteen metres to the metres that Tweed Heads gained in the match in the 60th minute when he got to within three metres of the try line before four Bears defenders finally stopped his forward progress.

Even though he was heavily marked every time that he ran the ball it did not stop Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa from making ground with a good example of that being in the 65th minute of the match when Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball and even though he as confronted by three Burleigh defenders, Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa was still able to rumble fourteen metres, the majority of which were post contact, to take the ball into Burleigh’s territory.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa was also on his game defensively against Burleigh including recording a crunching tackle in the early match on Burleigh winger Andrew Brennan. Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa backed that up in the 6th minute when he engulfed one of the Burleigh front rowers front on knocking the Bears player onto his back.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa was involved in another big tackle in the 11th minute, along with Jonah Beaven crunched the Burleigh fullback as he was trying to dart through the centre of the ruck, a run that he paid dearly for.

Round Five against the Souths Logan Magpies saw Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa once against start in the front row and scoring in the last minute of the match to seal an impressive victory for the Seagulls.

2021 saw Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa once again play for Marsden State High School, and he was named on the Marsden State High School extended bench for Round One of the Langer Cup School Boy Rugby League competition against Keebra Park however he dropped off the bench on the day of the match.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa came into the Marsden SHS side for Round Three against Wavell State High School, coming off the bench and in the second half was the game’s biggest halfback when he regularly feed the scrum for Marsden SHS.

Even though he was two years younger than the majority of his opponents, Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa made a big impact in both attack and defence with his defence coming to the fore in the with a crunching tackle in the dying minutes of the match when he came over the top to smash Wavell SHS second rower Will Curran less than a metre from the line.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa made a number of telling runs including in the 25th minute with a strong first charge after he had come onto the field, with Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa making eighteen metres through centre field and then in the opening set of six in the second half, Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa made a further eighteen metres on the fifth tackle.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa continued on the bench in the Round Four blockbuster against PBC State High School before being named at hooker for Round Five against Mabel Park State High School. Even though he initially was named at hooker, Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa spent a lot of the time that he was on the field in a first receiver role where he excelled to highlight what a diverse skill set this exceptional talent has.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa was also named to start at halfback in Round Six against Coombabah State High School.

After the competition was suspended for a number of weeks due to a Covid 19 lock down, Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa was named on the bench for Marsden State High School in their semi-final against Ipswich State High School.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa came off the bench mid-way through the first half and in the 20th minute came close to scoring with a strong run and was only brought down less than a metre short, winning a penalty for a shoulder charge.

In the 2021 Langer Cup Grand Final against PBC State High School, Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa was named on the bench for Marsden SHS however he ended up starting the match at the left second row position and Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa was in the match early making his first hit-up in just the second minute of the match, making ten metres in the process.

At the 2021 Marsden State High School Rugby League Excellence Awards, Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa was named on the bench in the Marsden State High School Team of the Year. The fact that Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa was named on the bench in the 2021 Marsden SHS Team of the Year is the perfect indicator of the extraordinary quality and depth of the Titans Partnered Marsden State High School’s Rugby League Excellence Program.

Post the completion of the 2021 Langer Cup competition, Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa was named on the bench in the Courier Mail’s 2021 Langer Cup Team of the Season.

At the end of the 2021 season, Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa was named at No. 11 in the Courier Mail Top 60 school boys from the GPS Rugby, AIC Rugby and Langer Cup competitions.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa started Round One of the Langer Cup School Boy Reserve Grade competition at lock against Keebra Park putting in a solid performance especially in defence.

In 2020 Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa attended Marsden State High School as part of their Rugby League Excellence Program playing in the Marsden State High School Hancock Cup side starting all matches at lock and to say he was simply outstanding across the competition would be a massive understatement. A 2020 Hancock Cup team mate was William Semu who was a fellow Titans contracted player.

In Round One of the 2020 Hancock Cup against PBC Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa started at lock, playing the entire sixty minutes of the match and was dominant throughout including an incredible sixty metre run in the second half where he brushed aside multiple PBC defenders.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa also contributed a second half try assist to Marsden’s big win. In the second half with Marsden on the attack on the last tackle, Marsden threw the ball to the right and a long pass found Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa. Instead of just trying something unconventional Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa got on the outside of his opposing PBC defender before drawing the PBC left winger to give his Marsden State High School team mate an unimpeded run to the try line.

In Round Two against Forest Lake State High School Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa was even more dominant contributing two tries to another big Marsden State High School big win. Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa’s first try which came in the first half was impressive. Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa chased a Marsden tactical kick down field, the PBC fullback tried to beat him with footwork but Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa got hold of him and stripped the ball in a one on one tackle racing twenty metres to score.

Whilst his first try may have had some subtlety about it, Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa’s second half try did not. From a tap from a penalty twenty metres out from the Forest Lake line, Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa took the hit up and smashed through the PBC forward pack to smash the ball down with his right arm just to the right of the uprights to score a try few players, regardless of age level or quality of the opposition ever could even contemplate scoring.

Round Four against Wavell State High School saw Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa start once again at lock and he had a huge match scoring a try (and came close to scoring two others) and recording a try assist as Marsden scored a big win against their fellow Brisbane based school.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa’s try came in the first half, with Marsden State High School on the attack, Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa took a pass off the dummy half to the left of the play the ball around ten metres out and charged straight through the Wavell SHS defence to score.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa’s try assist also came in the first half when on the last tackle he took the ball to the line and threw a well-timed short pass to his left to fellow Titan contracted player William Semu who ran straight into a gap to score to the left of the uprights.

In a sign of Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa’s confidence and skill set, the first half saw Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa take the ball to the line and just prior to contact, put in a perfectly weighted chip kick which he regathered before off-loading to his right. Whilst a try did not result from the play (it almost did) the sequence highlights the extraordinary skill set of this young man with the promise of a lot more to come.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa was also prominent in Round Five against Coombabah State High School and early in the first half was held up over the try line after a strong surge from ten metres out. The match also saw Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa kick one conversion from two attempts. Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa comfortably kicked his first attempt at goal from around fifteen metres to the left of the up rights before just missing his second attempt from the left touch line.

In the second half Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa executed one of the most outstanding tackles that I have ever seen. Coombabah kicked into touch from a penalty, taking the tap restart on the half way mark passing twice to a forward to take a hit up, Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa hit with a superb right shoulder tackle just after the Coombabah forward received the ball. It was a great tackle.

In the 2020 Hancock Cup Grand Final Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa started at lock and played the entire match as Marsden prevailed 26 – 24 as a result of an after the siren penalty goal. In the match Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa played a fair bit of first receiver, primarily on the left looking to link with fellow Titan William Semu but also operated in the first receiver role on the right as well.

It was from the first receiver role on the right that Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa was involved in Marsden’s second try of the match when he threw a long pass to his right to create space for the Marsden right side outside backs.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa also produced a smart piece of play to score Marsden’s first try of the match. With PBC trying to bring the ball off their own try line Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa darted out of marker to the right of the play the ball as the PBC runner ran in that direction. Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa grabbed hold of the PBC runner, ripping the ball free on a one on one strip to then spin counter clock wise and crash over five metres to the left of the uprights.

After the competition of the preliminary rounds of the Hancock Cup and prior to the final Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa made the move to the Marsden State High School Walters Cup side coming off the bench in their 14 – 12 semi-final victory over Keebra Park to progress to the Grand Final against PBC.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa had in fact started earlier in the Walters Cup season when he started at lock against Wavell State High School.

At the 2020 Marsden State High School Rugby League Awards presentation, Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa received a number of awards including being named in the 2020 Marsden State high School Rugby League Team of the Year.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa was also part of the Marsden State High School rugby league program in 2019 playing in their Renouf Cup side and dominated in a number of matches including a dominant performance against PBC including charging down the right touch line to score after beating multiple PBC defenders on the way to the line.

The big strong young local Southport front rower was in devastating form for the Tigers in the GCRL U14 Division One competition in 2019 producing a number of performances across the season that were as dominating as I have ever seen from a junior front rower.

For Southport in the 2019 GCRL U14 Division One regular season competition Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa played in nine matches scoring eleven tries (122% strike rate) including a Round Three hat trick against Currumbin and doubles in Round Ten and Round Twelve against Ormeau and Mudgeeraba respectively.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa also scored in matches against Runaway Bay on two separate occasions, Helensvale and Beaudesert to account for his eleven tries.

In Week One of the 2019 GCRL U14 Division One Finals series Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa started in the front row in Southport’s 26 - 22 loss to Runaway Bay.

In Week two of the 2019 U14 Division One Finals series, Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa started in the front row and scored a hat trick against the Mudgeeraba Redbacks as Southport progressed to the Preliminary Final.

In the Preliminary Final against Runaway Bay, Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa once again started in the front row and scored a double as Southport fell 22 – 16 to Runaway Bay to end their season one win short of the Grand Final.

After performing well for the Gold Coast Vikings U14 side at the 2019 Hill Stumer Championships held at Ipswich this season, Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa started in the front row for the South East Queensland White side at the Queensland U14 Age Championships where he was a handful for opposing defences in each of South East Queensland Whites matches.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa started all four of South East Queensland White’s matches in the front row and scored when he crashed over after an outstanding powerful charge against Central on Day Two of the Championships.

In early October 2019 Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa was named on the bench for the 2019 Nga Hau e Wha Maori Tournament U14 Boys Merit Team at the completion of that tournament with Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa once again prominent.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa also plays Oztag and early in 2020 was named U14 Most Valuable Player for the 2019/20 Oztag season for the Labrador Rabbits. Not a bad effort at all for a big strong rugby league front rower, but one with impressive footwork and mobility as is evidenced by his performances in Oztag. Continuing to play Oztag will only continue to enhance Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa’s mobility and use of footwork.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa is a hard straight running big strong front rower who is very good at running the right line including both and inside shoulder and outside shoulder line and consistently hits the pass off either the dummy half or play maker flat thus generating his best possible speed and momentum to hit the defensive line at full speed.

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

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

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa also accepted the responsibility of regularly taking the first hit-up from kick offs and was regularly the first forward to take a hit-up after an opposition tactical kick.

Even when he is taking a hit up in the centre of the ruck, Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa ’s feet are always moving and he is constantly making slight corrections to his running vector and he is also able to maintain his speed regardless of those multiple directional changes.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa ’s speed is probably a bit above average but it is the speed that he is able to generate from only a few paces which makes it play faster from a defenders perspective.

Defensively Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa hits very hard and had one of the better defensive technique s in the GCRL U14 Division One competition this season. Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa ’s technique revolves around timing and execution.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa ’s head is almost always correctly positioned and he always drives with his shoulder and never just jersey grabs at an opponent. From the matches that I have seen Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa also tackles with both shoulders equally effectively and equally as hard.

The impressive thing for me also is that Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa never seems to bounce off the ball (or the man) when he makes a front on tackle meaning his target area and the ability to hit the area on a regular basis is quite exceptional for a reasonably inexperienced forward. That aspect of his play means that Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa has a solid and repeatable defensive technique.

Another defensive aspect that I noted during the 2019 season was that Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa does not just make one tackle at a time, he makes a series of tackles one after another all as clinical and effective as the one before. For a big strong young front rower Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa has outstanding stamina.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa’s lateral speed is quite good for a front row prospect (I would argue it is in a plus range for a front rower) due to his quick twitch feet and thus he is effective at defending against smaller dynamic runners out of dummy half as well as half backs and five eights running of the fringes looking to isolate forwards.

2023 will see Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa continue to be a key member of the Marsden State High School Langer Cup school boy rugby league campaign. 2023 will also see Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa play for the Southport Tigers in the Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition and Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa will be part of the 2023 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad for the second season in a row.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa is a big strong powerful young man with outstanding mobility for his size, who has been a standout lock in both club and representative sides over the last two or three years on the Gold Coast and at Marsden State High School and seems destined to be an NRL calibre, if not higher, front rower or lock in coming years. For completeness it should be noted that Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa spent time in the second row for Marsden SHS in 2022 in the Langer Cup.

I would argue that even though there is little difference between lock and front row the way that rugby league is currently played, although I note that the 2020 new rules (and beyond) may just bring back the traditional lock forward, that Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa is better suited to playing lock and that would enable him to move to either side of the ruck to involve himself when he sees an opportunity and thus is less constrained to relation to where and when he involves himself.

The more that Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa can involve himself in the play when he sees an opportunity to exploit the better for him and his team.

Like most middle forwards Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa also has a touch of aggression in his game and looks to dominate opposing forward packs both physically and mentally on every occasion in both attack and defence.

From a player comparison perspective, someone that I think that Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa has a similar playing style to is North Queensland Cowboy and New Zealand International lock Jason Taumalolo as a wrecking ball of a forward who can break open and dominate a game on his own. Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa also has outstanding ball skills both before the defensive line, whilst engaged with it and once he has broken through it.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa just oozes class and the scary thing is that I do not think that he has even come close to realising his potential and likely will not until Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa plays at a higher level on a regular basis a scary thought indeed for opposition sides in coming years. Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa just looks like a long term representative level front rower/lock.

Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa is an outstanding signing for the Titans and is a player with an almost limitless ceiling as well as having a very high floor. The fact that Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa is a local Gold Coast junior who chose to sign with the Titans after knocking back other offers from a number of other NRL clubs only adds to the excitement around this talented young front rower/lock with an incredibly diverse and well-rounded skill set.

Make no mistake players with the type of skill, size and potential that Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa has, end up being the corner stone of NRL and representative level forward packs, they are that impressive and well developed.

Few young front rowers or locks in the modern day get to the NRL at a young age as traditionally it takes a bit longer for the players playing in that position to physically and mentally mature enough to cope with the demands of playing in the front row but Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa may very well be the rare exception to that long standing rule.

[mdrew]

Makiah Torrens. After Casino RM had a Round One bye in the 2022 Group One U14 competition Makiah Torrens started at five eight for Casino RSM in Round Two against the South Grafton Rebels scoring a try and kicking a conversion.

Makiah Torrens then scored two tries and kicked two conversions against the Marist Rams in Round Six, a try and a conversion in Round Seven against the South Grafton Rebels and Round Nine against the Kyogle Turkeys.

Makiah Torrens then scored twice and kicked a conversion in Round Twelve against the South Grafton Rebels before also scoring in Round Thirteen against the Clarence Coast Magpies after starting the match in the centres. Makiah Torrens added a try and a conversion in Round Fourteen against the South Grafton Rebels.

Makiah Torrens then had a great match in the rescheduled Round Two match against South Grafton Rebels with Makiah Torrens scoring a three tries and kicked three conversions to finish Casino RSM’s strong win with an individual points haul of eighteen points.

In Week One of the 2022 Group One U14 Finals series Makiah Torrens started at five eight for the Kyogle Turkeys against Casino RSM with Makiah Torrens scoring two tries and kicking a conversion in a 28 -14 Casino victory.

Makiah Torrens also started at five eight in the 2022 Group One U14 Grand Final with Makiah Torrens kicking three conversions as Casino RSM won the Premiership decider 32 – 20 against the Ballina Seagulls.

Makiah Torrens finished the 2022 Group One U14 season as the competition’s second leading try scorer with thirteen tries and also the competition’s second leading points scorer with ninety eight points.

The electric young five eight had an outstanding 2021 Group One U13 season with Casino RSM.

Round Ten against Marist Rams saw Makiah Torrens start at five eight with the exciting talent scoring twice in Casino RSM’s big win. Makiah Torrens also set up one of Casino RSM’s tries in the match and kicked three conversions as well.

Makiah Torrens opening try came in just the 3rd minute of the match and it is a brilliant individual effort. Makiah Torrens received the ball to the right of the dummy half forty metres out and initially ran to his right before cutting back to his left exposing the area behind the play the ball. After splitting the Marist defence, Makiah Torrens veered to his left to beat the fullback before stepping off his left to straighten up his run then beat two more would be defenders on the way to getting the ball down five metres in from the left corner post.

Makiah Torrens competed his double in the 41st minute when he scored under the posts after running the ball from one off a scrum. Makiah Torrens received the ball to the right of a scrum eighteen metres out and ran at the line, dummying to his left before cutting back to his right into a gap and subsequently getting the ball down under the posts.

Makiah Torrens recorded his try assist in the 7th minute of the match when from twenty metres out and operating on the right, Makiah Torrens put in a right foot grubber kick towards the right corner with the kick ideally weighted for a team mate to fly through and get the ball down in the right corner.

In Round Eleven also against the Marist Rams, Makiah Torrens was as close to unstoppable as a young player could get in dominating the match from start to finish. As well as scoring four tries, Makiah Torrens also kicked four goals.

In just the 5th minute, Makiah Torrens scored his opening try when after receiving the ball on the left side of the field, he charged onto the ball, receiving the pass from his inside twelve metres out and from there he Makiah Torrens was simply to strong and fast for the defence, running straight through a gap and past two defenders and then carried two more over the line to get the ball down ten metres in from the left corner.

Makiah Torrens added a second try in the 20th minute and it was probably the pick of the four that he scored in the match. Makiah Torrens received the ball fifteen metres from the try line and to the right of the play the ball. Once he took possession of the ball Makiah Torrens ran to his right at the line with the ball out in front of his body in both hands. When he was close to the defensive line, Makiah Torrens dummied twice to his right in quick succession before stepping off his right to beat two defenders before Makiah Torrens carried three more Marist defenders over the line to get the ball down three metres to the right of the uprights. Makiah Torrens then stepped up to kick the conversion.

Just two minutes later in the 22nd minute Makiah Torrens completed his hat trick when he exploded down the right touchline, breaking the line sixty metres out. After breaking the line, Makiah Torrens produced a late and explosive right foot step to easily beat the Marist fullback and from there Makiah Torrens had a comfortable and uninterrupted run to put the ball down under the posts.

Makiah Torrens made it four tries for the match in the 43rd minute when he backed up a break by a team mate down the left touchline, receiving the offload ten metres out and then was able to comfortably bring the ball around to put it down untouched under the posts.

Makiah Torrens added a further try from the five eight position in Round Twelve against the South Grafton Rebels. The Round Twelve match also saw Makiah Torrens kick two conversions.

Prior to Round Ten, Makiah Torrens had some outstanding matches as well, none better than in Round Seven against the Clarence Coast Magpies with Makiah Torrens finishing the match with an individual haul of twenty eight points from five tries and four conversions in a big Casino RSM victory.

Makiah Torrens also scored a Round Six double against the Marist Rams and scored in Rounds Two and Nine against the Kyogle Turkeys.

Through the opening twelve rounds, Makiah Torrens was scored sixteen tries and kicked nineteen goals for a total of 102 points.

Makiah Torrens continued at five eight in Round Thirteen against the Kyogle Turkeys, scoring fourteen of Casino RSM’s twenty two points from two tries and three conversions from four attempts.

Makiah Torrens finished the abridged 2021 Group One U13 regular season as the competitions equal third leading try scorer with eighteen seven tries.

In 2020 Makiah Torrens also played for Casino RSM in the Group One U13 competition scoring five tries, including doubles in Rounds Three and Four against the Grafton Ghosts and South Grafton Rebels respectively and also scored in Round One against the Ballina Seagulls.

It is hard to put in words just how talented Makiah Torrens is in terms of running the ball, he has
outstanding speed both off the mark which I would consider in the plus plus category and top end
speed which must be considered plus regardless of position. Makiah Torrens with his speed and balance is able exploit even small gaps in the defensive line with an exceptional step off either foot and incredible acceleration as well as outstanding balance and body control.

It is that speed trait which opens up his incredible ball playing skills as well. Teams start to focus heavily on Makiah Torrens when he has the ball with outside defenders looking to come in to assist that they open up holes wider out in the defensive line that he can exploit.

Makiah Torrens has exquisite timing on his passes and is able to weight them perfectly as well and can do so from either side of his body. Adding in this is that Makiah Torrens can stop on a dime even travelling at full speed and pop the short pass, thus it looks for all money that he is going to run the ball thus the defence converges and then the ball is delivered to a support runner who is through a hole before the defensive line can readjust. Makiah Torrens also runs with the ball in both hands which is another reason why the defensive line is unable to determine exactly what he is going to do.

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

Defensively Makiah Torrens is a very strong young man with exceptional functional strength to go along with an innate understanding of the attacking strategies of rugby league thus he is able to anticipate what an attacking side is looking to do with the ball and then be in the best position to negate it. Makiah Torrens has a very good low tackling technique which is simple and repeatable and effective against all size opponents and thus there is no need for a defensive minder on his side of the field.

In 2023 Makiah Torrens will play for Casino RSM in the Group One U15 competition.

Makiah Torrens has already established himself as an outstanding five eight prospect and no one can argue that five eight is his best position based on the quality of his play. Put simply the more that Makiah Torrens has the ball in his hands the better for him and his team mates.

For me Makiah Torrens has the size, strength, speed and power of Jack Weighton with the guile and silky ball skills of Cody Walker. Makiah Torrens has the potential to be a very special player, a very special one indeed.

[mdrew]

Cai Garrett. Round One of the 2022 Group One U13 competition saw Cai Garrett start in the second row for the Ballina Seagulls against Lismore Marist Brothers and what an opening round it was for Gai Garrett as he crossed for a staggering five tries.

Cai Garrett also started in the second row in Round two against the Grafton Ghosts and added a double to his 2022 try scoring tally.

Cai Garrett continued in the second row in Round Three against Casino RSM with Cai Garrett scoring four more tries in another dominant display.

After Round Four was postponed due to poor weather Cai Garrett scored once again in Round Five against the South Grafton Rebels. Cai Garrett then added a double in Round Six against the Grafton Ghosts.

Cai Garrett was also an his rampaging best in Round Nine against the South Grafton Rebels, scoring another four tries. Cai Garrett also scored in Round Thirteen against the Clarence Coast Magpies.

In Week One of the 2022 Group One U13 Finals series Cai Garrett started in the second row for the Ballina Seagulls against the Kyogle Turkeys with Cai Garrett in a Seagulls 24 – 12 victory which propelled Ballina directly into the Grand Final.

Cai Garrett also started in the second row in the 2022 Group One U13 Grand Final with Cai Garrett scoring a double as the Seagulls defeated the Kyogle Turkeys 24 – 14.

Cai Garrett finished the 2022 Group One U13 season as the competition’s leading try scorer with thirty one tries and the competition’s second leading points scorer with 124 points.

Cai Garrett also played rugby in 2022 playing for Wollongbar/Alstonville in the U14 Far North Coast rugby competition alternating between inside centre and fullback.

Cai Garrett scored a hat trick in Round Two against Ballina as well as in Round Nine against Casino and also scored in Round Five against Casuarina Beach, Round Six against Lennox Head and Round Ten against Casuarina Beach with Cai Garrett adding a Round Eleven double against Lennox Heads after starting at fullback against the Trojans.

Cai Garrett then moved to outside centre (No. 13) and scored against Ballina. Cai Garrett was then back at fullback and scored a double and kicked a conversion against Casino. Cai Garrett then moved again to outside centre in Round Sixteen with Cai Garrett scoring a hat trick in the Final’s match against Casuarina Beach.

Cai Garrett played in eleven 2021 Group One U12 matches for Ballina scoring a staggering thirty three tries to finish with a 300% try scoring strike rate. Understandably Cai Garrett finished as the competitions leading try scorer, finishing fifteen tries in front of the 2021 Group One competitions second leading try scorer.

Impressively Cai Garrett only failed to score in one match in the Group One U12 competition in 2021 which came against Casino RSM in Round Twelve. Cai Garrett started all eleven of his matches for Ballina in the second row.

Cai Garrett amazingly scored five tries in a match on three separate occasions in 2021, being in Round Four against the South Grafton Rebels, Round Nine against the Marist Brothers Rams (he also converted one of his own tries for his only conversion of 2021) and Round Thirteen against the Grafton Ghosts.

Cai Garrett also scored four hat tricks in 2021 including in three matches in a row from Round Six to Round Eight against the Clarence Coast Magpies, Grafton Ghosts and Casino RSM respectively.

Cai Garrett scored two tries in a match against Clarence Coast in Round One, against the Kyogle Turkeys in Round Three and in Round Five against Casino RSM.

In short when Cai Garrett scored his first try of a match in the 2021 Group One U12 competition for the Ballina Seagulls, he invariably when on to score more.

The 2021 try scoring season was not an aberration for Cai Garrett as in 2020 in the Group One U11 season also for the Ballina Seagulls Cai Garrett scored a once again competition leading eighteen tries including a hat trick in Ballina’s 36 – 10 Grand Final victory against the Kyogle Turkeys, when Cai Garrett starting the Grand Final in the centres.

Cai Garrett is a fast powerful young man who whilst using his size to his advantage by running hard and straight, he does have quite decent footwork prior to the defensive line, which he uses to cut back behind the play the ball to take advantage of defenders who are slow to get back into the defensive line.

Where Cai Garrett’s game has really continued to develop over the 2020 and 2021 seasons is his ability to play wider of the ruck. With his speed and strength wider of the ruck Cai Garrett attracts multiple defenders and thus is in a position to use his developing ball skills to set up his outside supports early in a match.

When defences start to try to anticipate that Cai Garrett is going to pass then he can use his speed to crash through the defensive lien as no defender is going to be able to handle him one on one by themselves and I mean no defender.

In defence Cai Garrett uses his size and strength to make very solid initial contact and certainly can take on all opposing forwards one on one. Cai Garrett is not averse 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.

Cai Garrett will play the 2023 season with the Ballina Seagulls in the Group One U14 competition where once again Cai Garrett will no doubt be one of the better players in the competition in Ballina’s Blue and White.

If you were looking to build a modern day rugby league second rower, you could not have a better template to work with than Cai Garrett as he has the requisite size, strength, speed and power to be a difference maker. I have not seen Cai Garrett play anywhere other than in the second row other than a couple of matches in the centres in 2020 and in rugby in 2022, and to be honest I do not expect to either moving forward.

Gold Coast Titans tough, hard and fast second rower David Fifita is a more than reasonable comparison for Cai Garrett. Both Fifita and Cai Garrett are strong and powerful but at the same time have outstanding speed and hit the line very very hard and can either run over the top of a defender or at the gap between two defenders.

[mdrew]

Reico Ratana. The local forward from the Nerang Roosters junior rugby league club was part of the Titans U16 side that defeated the Newcastle Knights U16 Harold Matthews side in Coffs Harbour in January 2020, 18 - 14 in wet and slippery conditions coming off the bench in what I believe was his second match in Titans colours.
In early November 2021 Reico Ratana was named in the 2022 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad and was part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls U18 Mal Meninga Cup squad that played their opening 2022 trial against the Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad at Pizzey Park.
Round One of the 2022 MM Cup competition saw Reico Ratana named at lock for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Souths Logan Magpies with Reico Ratana taking the Seagulls second hit-up of the match.

Reico Ratana was also named at lock for Round Two against the Redcliffe Dolphins and after the Seagulls had a Round Three bye, Reico Ratana started at lock in Round Four against the Easts Tigers and along with Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa and Jackson Le Pou made the opening tackle of the match after Tweed Heads had kicked-off to get the match underway.

Reico Ratana recorded a 23rd minute line break assist when after he received the ball on the right side of the field Reico Ratana subtly moved to his right and popped a great short ball to a hard charging Eli Tuli who came desperately close to scoring under the posts but in the end was held up by three defenders.

Reico Ratana continued at lock in Round Five against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Reico Ratana scoring a strong try in the 67th minute to get the Seagulls within six points of Wynnum Manly.

Reico Ratana ran a great line down the right in the 67th minute, with the only concession being a slight step off his right foot to beat one defender and then from twelve metres out no one was going to stop Reico Ratana from scoring eight metres to the right of the uprights.

Reico Ratana did well defensively in the 42nd minute when along with Will Saunders and Will Taylor he was on hand to hold put the Wynnum Manly lock who under tried to burst over under the posts.

Reico Ratana continued at lock in Round Six against the Norths Devils with Reico Ratana scoring the opening try of the match in just the 6th minute when from around five metres out Reico Ratana charged onto a pass to the left of the dummy half to crash over next to the right upright.

As a result of his outstanding performance Reico Ratana was named on the bench in the MM Cup Round Six Courier Mail Team of the Week in Round Six.

Reico Ratana was then named at lock in the Round Seven local derby against the Burleigh Bears and had an outstanding defensive match including in the 14th minute when he along with Reico Ratana hit one of the Burleigh forwards front on in a crunching tackle just ten metres out from the try line with the heavy initial contact forcing the ball loose.

In March 2022 Reico Ratana was selected in the South Coast School Boy Rugby League U18 Representative side after successfully negotiating the trials.

Round One of the 2022 Langer Cup School Boy competition saw Reico Ratana start in the front row for PBC State High School against Marsden State High School with Reico Ratana recording a 24th minute line break assist when from just inside his own territory had cut across field to his left before popping a short ball to Jac Finnigan who flew onto the ball and then stepped off his right foot to beat one defender before being brought down after making twenty five metres.

Reico Ratana was then named in the front row for Round Two against Redcliffe State High School before moving to lock in Round Four against Ipswich State High School with Reico Ratana making the third hit-up of the match.

Then in the 4th minute along with Josh Lynn, Reico Ratana executed a great tackle in the centre of the field in the giant Ipswich No. 18, forcing him back a number of metres. Reico Ratana continued his strong defensive match in the 34th minute with initial contact forcing the ball lose from one of the Ipswich SHS forwards twenty metres from his own try line.

Reico Ratana continued at lock in Round Five against Mabel Park SHS as was as in in the Round Six local derby against Keebra Park SHS as well as in Round Seven against Wavell SHS with Reico Ratana making the opening tackle of the match.

Reico Ratana then made a strong impression from his first hit-up of the match when in just the second minute Reico Ratana made a strong thirteen metre charge to the halfway mark before getting a right arm off-load away to Tanu Nona who was able to promote the ball a further ten metres as a result.

Reico Ratana continued at lock in PBC SHS’s Langer Cup Quarter Final against Mabel Park SHS with Reico Ratana making a great run in the 38th minute when he charged thirty metres through the centre of the field to get the ball twelve metres out from the try line.

Reico Ratana made a further strong run in the 43rd minute when after running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball Reico Ratana made twenty metres before being brought to ground ten metres out and in front of the posts.

In the 24th minute, Reico Ratana along with Tanu Nona and Keano Kini did well to hold up the Mabel Park SHS No. 10 over the try line on the left side of the field.

Reico Ratana also took the first and third hit-ups of the match.

Reico Ratana was then named at lock for PBC SHS in the 2022 Langer Cup Semi-final against Keebra Park SHS with Reico Ratana making a strong fifteen metre run in the 17th minute after cutting back underneath Zane Harrison.

Reico Ratana started at lock in the 2022 School Boy Langer Cup Grand Final against Ipswich SHS and worked his guts out in both attack and defence as usual.
In November 2020 Reico Ratana was named in the powerful 2021 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad.
Reico Ratana started from the bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup side in their first 2021 trial in early February which was against the Easts Tigers at Langland’s Park as Tweed Heads commenced their season with an impressive 28 – 12 first up victory against a full strength Tigers side.

In the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup sides second trial against Burleigh, Reico Ratana started the second half at right second row and scoring an impressive try in the dying seconds of the Seagulls big win.

After working solidly in both attack and defence for the duration of the second half, Reico Ratana was rewarded with a well-deserved try in the dying seconds when he ran a good outside shoulder route from around thirty metres out to go straight through the Burleigh line. When he was confronted by the Bears fullback, Reico Ratana threw a dummy to his right, that the fullback fell for and Reico Ratana was able to run the remainder of the way to the line and score next to the right upright.

Reico Ratana had some other good moments in the match, one being when he chased through a long Seagulls kick to the left corner, Reico Ratana charged downfield and along with Reef Sommerville and Elijah Lui got to the Burleigh fullback and dragged him back into the in-goal area, forcing Burleigh to drop the ball out from their own line.

In Round One of the 2021 MM Cup competition, Reico Ratana was named 18th man against the Ipswich Jets and was named on the Seagulls extended bench for Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies before moving into the game day seventeen late in the match, starting from the bench.

Reico Ratana had some strong runs in the match, the first being from the kick-off to Jaylan De Groot’s try in the 47th minute when he was able to bring the ball out to the twenty metre mark. Reico Ratana made another strong run in the 52nd minute when he took a hit-up to the right of the play the ball, immediately cutting back to his left towards the undefended area behind the play the ball to make to make twelve valuable metres and then took another hit-up two tackles later.

Defensively Reico Ratana also had some good moments including a strong front on tackle in the 48th minute Souths Logan No. 16 and then a couple of tackles later in the same Souths Logan set, Reico Ratana crunched the five eight in a heavy tackle.

Reico Ratana showed his desperation in defence in the 52nd minute when he along with Jack Cullen both chased hard and made a last ditch tackle on the Souths Logan fullback who had burst through the centre of the field off an offload.

Round Three saw Reico Ratana initially named on the Seagulls extended bench for the derby against the Burleigh Bears however Reico Ratana ended up starting the match from the bench.

Reico Ratana was also named on the Seagulls extended bench for their Round Four match against the Ipswich Jets and for Round Five against the Souths Logan Magpies.

Reico Ratana came into the bench for the Seagulls for the final regular season round of the 2021 MM Cup competition in the local derby against the Burleigh Bears coming into the match late in the first half.

2021 also saw Reico Ratana line up once again for PBC State High School in the South East Queensland School Boy Langer Cup competition starting Round One from the bench against Ipswich State High School.

Reico Ratana came onto the field to play in the front row towards the end of the first half with his first hit-upcoming in the 26th minute when he took the hit-up from the kick off after Ryan Foran’s try. Reico Ratana made another strong run from another kick-off, on that occasion in the 58th minute after Jett Forbes had scored his second try of the match.

Reico Ratana also started from the bench in Round Two against St Mary’s Toowoomba, coming onto the field in the 21st minute and throughout his time on the field made good ground running the ball against the giant St Mary’s forward pack.

Reico Ratana also started from the bench in Round Three against Coombabah State High School as well as in the Round Four blockbuster against Marsden State High School and the much anticipated Round Five local derby against Keebra Park State High School. Reico Ratana also started from the bench in Round Six away to Mabel Park State High School.

After the competition was suspended for a number of weeks due to a Covid 19 lock down, Reico Ratana was named on the bench for PBC State High School in their semi-final against Keebra Park State High School.

Reico Ratana came into the match towards the end of the first half and made an almost immediate impact in the 25th minute with a great run that included a cut back off his left foot to get within two metres of the line before he was brought down.

In the 2021 Langer Cup Grand Final against Marsden State High School, Reico Ratana was named to start from the bench for PBC.

Reico Ratana was then named to start from the bench for PBC in the Queensland Open School Boys Final (Phil Hall Cup) against St Brendan’s College Yeppoon coming on and making significant ground through the centre of the ruck on multiple occasions.

2021 also saw Reico Ratana play in the Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition in the Nerang Roosters including starting the 2021 Grand Final against the Helensvale Hornets from the bench and almost scoring in the 35th minute but Reico Ratana was held up ten metres in from the left corner post after a great hole run off a Josh Lynn pass from ten metres out.

Some of Reico Ratana’s best moments in the Grand Final came when he was returning kick-offs with his best kick-off return coming in the 47th minute after a Kyen Murphy try with Reico Ratana taking possession of the ball on his own try line and broke through the Helensvale defensive line by beating two tackles to get the ball out to the thirty metre mark.
The powerful solidly built front rower or second rower was also part of the Titans U15 side that defeated the Balmain Tigers 34 – 16 at Piggabeen in early October 2019 after being in camp for the couple of days preceding to the annual match in Northern New South Wales.

In February 2020 Reico Ratana was named in the Gold Coast Vikings U16 Training Squad for the 2020 South East Queensland pre-season challenge but unfortunately the competition had to be cancelled due to the pandemic.

Also in 2020 Reico Ratana was part of the PBC in their Walters Cup side starting PBC’s opening three matches of the South East Queensland school boy rugby league competition at right second row and scoring in Rounds Two and Three against Wavell SHS and St Mary's Toowoomba.

Against Wavell State High School in Round Two Reico Ratana received the ball down a short blind side and charged through four Wavell defenders to score wide on the right side of the field.

Reico Ratana's try in Round Three against St Mary’s College Toowoomba highlighted some good footwork from the young man, Reico Ratana was operating on the right and received the ball after the ball was spun that way by PBC. Immediately upon receiving the ball Reico Ratana stepped off his right foot to get into space and then charged seven metres through the gap that his step created to score mid-way between the corner post and goal post on the right side of the field.

Reico Ratana shifted to the left second row position in Round Four against Forest Lake State High School and was simply too big and strong for Forest Lake to handle including a big run down the left touch line in the opening minutes and a one armed off load to his right for a try assist also early in the match after he broke through the initial defensive line.

Reico Ratana continued his run of starts at right second row in Round Five against Marsden State High School and in the 2020 Walters Cup semi-final against Wavell State High School.

In the 2020 Walters Cup Grand Final Reico Ratana captained the PBC side and started at right second row and was one of PBC’s best as they went down to a Titans contracted William Semu inspired Marsden SHS side.

Reico Ratana played the 2020 Gold Coast Rugby League season with Nerang in the U16 Division One competition and in their One v Two play-off match against Runaway Bay was named the Roosters best forward in their 36 – 4 victory.

The PBC student played for the Nerang Roosters in the GCRL U15 Division One competition in 2019 playing in eleven regular season matches and scoring in late July against Runaway Bay for his sole try of the season but his impact on the competition and his Runaway Bay side was worth far more than just that one try.

In Week Two of the GCRL U15 Division One Finals Reico Ratana started in the front row for Nerang as they went down 20 – 0 to Runaway Bay. Reico Ratana also started in the front row for Nerang in their 22 – 18 Preliminary Final victory over Helensvale to progress to the Grand Final.

In the 2019 GCRL U15 Division One Grand Final Reico Ratana once again started in the front row as Nerang avenged their Week Two finals defeat by Runaway Bay to win a physical and fiery Grand Final 36 – 24.

2019 also saw Reico Ratana play for PBC in various Queensland based school boy competitions including producing a Player of the Match performance in the Year Nine Hancock Cup Grand Final win 24 – 18 against Coombabah State High School in Brisbane.

Reico Ratana started PBC’s fight back after they fell behind 18 – 6 early in the second half when he scored a barn storming try. Reico Ratana took the ball to the right of the play the ball from the dummy half around ten metres out from the line and cut back against the grain to score near where the ball was played skittling multiple Coombabah defenders along the way.

After the season Reico Ratana was awarded the Year Nine PBC Future Reds Award at the PBC Sports Award Night held in November 2019.

In 2019 Reico Ratana was also part of the all-conquering U15 South Coast that went through the QSSRL U15 school boy Championships undefeated.

Late in the 2019 season Reico Ratana was named in the Queensland Maori U16 QPICC side and was impressively named in the front row in the 2019 Nga Hau e Wha Māori Tournament U16 Boys Merit Team.

In 2018 for the Nerang Roosters in the GCRL U14 competition Reico Ratana played in fourteen matches, including finals, scoring three tries which all came against Coomera in three separate matches.

In late 2018 Reico Ratana was part of the Queensland Maori U14 side that competed in the QPICC carnival and was in fact named as Queensland Maori U14’s Most Valuable Player at the cultural carnival.

Reico Ratana has been a Gold Coast representative regular in recent seasons. In addition to representing South Coast U15’s this season, Reico Ratana represented the Gold Coast Vikings U14 side in 2018 playing three matches and scoring on Day One against the Ipswich Diggers. Reico Ratana also played three matches for the Gold Coast Viking sU13’s in 2017 starting those matches in the centres in fact.

The young Nerang Roosters lock has had a great start to the 2017 junior rugby league season, successfully trialling for a spot in the 25 player 2017 Gold Coast Vikings U13 squad after playing the 2016 GCJRL season at the U12 Division One level once again for Nerang.

Reico Ratana played ten matches in the U12 Division One competition in 2016, scoring three tries and kicking a single goal which came against Jimboomba in June. Reico Ratana scored his tries against Burleigh, Currumbin and Southport with all three tries coming in the second half of the season.

Reico Ratana very late in the season played one match in the U13 Division Three competition which was against Burleigh Heads 3 which was on the weekend after his U12 commitments for 2016 were completed.

Reico Ratana is a big powerful solidly built young man who whilst using his size to his advantage by running hard and straight, does have quite decent footwork prior to the defensive line, which he uses to cut back behind the play the ball to take advantage of defenders who are slow to get back into the defensive line.

An area where Reico Ratana has really improved over the last two season is in relation to his off-loads in previous seasons he did not off load too much but this season he really has been able to get his arms free and get away some telling off-loads. Reico Ratana continually put his hand up all day to take the ball up and has a very quick play the ball so that his team can maintain momentum

One area that Reico Ratana is continuing to develop based on his size, skills and footwork is the ability to off load before the line, an example of what I am meaning is how the Canterbury Bulldogs forward pack uses those small offloads prior to the line. Reico Ratana has shown glimpses of having the skills to utilise the same skills if the opportunities arise, developing this skill with only enhance his effectiveness.

In defence Reico Ratana uses his size and strength to make very solid initial contact and certainly can take on all opposing forwards one on one. He is not averse 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 he is more effective in the centre of the ruck, as most front rowers are.

Reico Ratana’s raw natural strength and power means that he is also dominant when looking to slow the play the ball down from a wrestling perspective and for that matter looking to beat the wrestling tactics of the opposition when trying to get to his feet for a quick play the ball.

Reico Ratana will likely play the 2023 season in the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition with either Tweed Heads or Burleigh and Reico Ratana will have two years of Colts eligibility starting next season.

Reico Ratana has played primarily in the front row or lock for Nerang and PBC SHS in recent season and with his power and late quick footwork, I think that Reico Ratana is best suited to either of those positions moving forward.

From a player comparison perspective I would consider a less bulky version of former Penrith Panther, Parramatta Eel, Canterbury Bulldog and New Zealand International Frank Pritchard as someone with a similar style to Reico Ratana, being that of a damaging running back rower with underappreciated offloading skills and a tough hard defensive mentality.

I think that Reico Ratana is going to be one of those players whose work ethic and determination are going to carrying him a long way in his rugby league career, maybe just maybe all of the way to the NRL. Maybe not as a star player but as a more than solid NRL level player and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

[mdrew]

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

Round One of the 2022 MM Cup competition saw Will Taylor named on the bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Souths Logan Magpies with Will Taylor coming off the bench and into the dummy half role mid-way through the first half. Will Taylor also spent time in the second row for portions of the match.

Will Taylor was also named to start from the bench for Round Two against the Redcliffe Dolphins coming on in a running forward role in the 17th minute of the match and after the Seagulls had a Round Three bye, Will Taylor moved into the starting side at right second row for Round Four against the Easts Tigers and was involved in the opening minute with a strong tackle (the third of the match) to force a knock on with the Seagulls scoring through Cooper Camby in the set of six from the scrum.

Will Taylor scored himself in the 4th minute when he ran onto a good ball from his right from Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa to race thirty five metres to dive over in the left corner.

Will Taylor also executed a great tackle along with Nicholas Hilton on the Easts Tigers left winger who was returning a kick with the ball being forced loose. Jett Forbes then scored from the subsequent scrum win by Tweed Heads in the 59th minute

Will Taylor then in the 73rd minute did well from an East Tigers short kick-off after Jett Forbes first try with Will Taylor getting above the Tigers chasers to secure possession for the Seagulls.

Such was the quality of Will Taylor’s performance that he was named on the bench in the Courier Mail’s MM Cup Round Four Team of the Week.

Will Taylor continued at right second row in Round Five against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls, making his best run of the match in the 55th minute with a sixteen metre run through the centre of the ruck to get the ball within thirty five metres of the Tweed Heads try line.

Will Taylor also did well defensively in the 42nd minute when along with Will Saunders and Reico Ratana he was on hand to hold put the Wynnum Manly lock who under tried to burst over under the posts.

Will Taylor continued at right second row in Round Six against the Norths Devils with Will Taylor making the opening tackle of the match. Through the opening six rounds of the 2022 U18 Mal Meninga Cup competition Will Taylor had made eighty two tackles.

Will Taylor then continued at right second row in the Round Seven local derby against the Burleigh Bears and made an outstanding line break in the 20th minute when after charging into the ball to the right of the play the ball just ten metres out from his own try line, Will Taylor burst through the Burleigh defensive line and raced over the halfway mark before getting away a great left arm around the corner pass to Jett Forbes.

Will Taylor’s speed was on display once again in the 14th minute when he turned and chased a Burleigh line break down their left touchline with Will Taylor racing back around fifty metres to tackle the fullback and save what appeared to be a certain try.

Will Taylor also made a great tackle in the 75th minute when he crunched the Burleigh five eight who had tried to dart through the line for what would have been the match winning try but Will Taylor was having none of that.

Will Taylor really did showcase a plethora of skills in the match including in the 48th minute when he took the ball deep into the Burleigh defensive line down the left channel, getting away a great off-load to a flying Jett Forbes but unfortunately the winger was brought down just short of the try line.

Will Taylor was still chasing everything in the 37th minute when he chased through a grubber kick from five eight Jackson Le Pou, Will Taylor, along with Le Pou got the Burleigh fullback initially holding him of the ground before forcing him back six metres into the in-goal to win his side a goal line drop-out.

Deservedly Will Taylor was named at right second row in the Round Seven Courier Mail MM Cup Team of the Week.

Will Taylor also started from the bench for Tweed Heads February 2022 trial against the Burleigh Bears, coming on mid-way through the first half to play as a running backrower.

In March 2022 Will Taylor was selected in the South Coast School Boy Rugby League U18 Representative side after successfully negotiating the trials with Keano Kini starting Match One against Northern from the bench with Will Taylor coming on late in the first half to operate as a running forward.

Will Taylor also started from the bench in Match Two against Met North coming on to operate as a running backrower in the 12th minute.

Round One of the 2022 Langer Cup School Boy competition saw Will Taylor start at right second row for PBC State High School against Marsden State High School with Will Taylor making a strong low tackle in the 9th minute to prevent an early Marsden SHS try on the lock who had broken through the PBC SHS line just ten metres out.

Will Taylor made a good line break in the 45th minute when from the right of the play the ball Will Taylor broke through the defensive line near the halfway mark, breaking two tackles to get the ball to within thirty two metres of the try line.

Will Taylor was then named at right second row for Round Two against Redcliffe State High School.

Will Taylor then moved to lock in Round Three against Coombabah State High School before starting Round Four against Ipswich State High School at right second row with Will Taylor making the second hit-up of the match.

Then in the 11th minute Will Taylor made a strong tackle, driving his left shoulder through his opposite number of force the ball loose as Ipswich SHS were trying to bring the ball out of their own twenty metre area.

Will Taylor then swapped to left second row in Round Five against Mabel Park SHS with Will Taylor making a strong eighteen metre charge, breaking three tackles with Will Taylor getting the ball to twenty two metres out from the try line. Will Taylor then made a further fifteen metres down the left channel to get the ball to forty metres from the PBC SHS try line.

Will Taylor also started at left second row in the Round Six local derby against Keebra Park SHS with Will Taylor in the match immediately by taking the second hit-up of the match.

Will Taylor then made a great tackle in the 46th minute when Will Taylor drove his right shoulder through the Keebra Park SHS left winger who was trying to bring the ball out of his own twenty metre area.

Will Taylor continued at left second row in Round Seven against Wavell SHS.

Will Taylor continued at left second row in PBC SHS’s Langer Cup Quarter Final against Mabel Park SHS with Will Taylor scoring twice as PBC SHS qualified for the semi-finals.

Will Taylor’s opening try came in the 20th minute when from twenty metres out Will Taylor charged onto a short ball from his right from Keano Kini with Will Taylor bursting between two defenders before steeping off his left foot to beat the Mabel Park SHS fullback to score under the posts from twenty metres out.

Will Taylor scored his second try in the 32nd minute when Will Taylor chased through a Josh Lynn righty foot grubber kick from thirty five metres out down a short left blindside and after the Mabel Park SHS right centre overran the ball, Will Taylor was on the spot to dive on the ball in the in-goal to score in the left corner.

Will Taylor executed a smart play in the 38th minute with a one on one strip of the ball forty metres out from his own try line with Will Taylor then able to make eighteen metres downfield. Will Taylor also did well in the 53rd minute when he took a Mabel Park SHS short kick-off in the full after the kick-off had travelled just over the required ten metres with Will Taylor taking the ball on the full running back towards the try line.

In the 48th minute along with Keano Kini, Will Taylor made a great covering tackle on the Mabel Park SHS hooker (No. 9) as he charged at the try line just to the left of the uprights.

Will Taylor was then named at left second row for PBC SHS in the 2022 Langer Cup Semi-final against Keebra Park SHS with Will Taylor taking the second hit-up of the match after Keebra Park SHS had kicked off to get the match underway.

Will Taylor then made a strong driving tackle in the 25th minute on Keebra park SHS right second rower Seth Nikotemo twenty metres out from his own try line.

Will Taylor started at left second row in the 2022 School Boy Langer Cup Grand Final against Ipswich SHS and in the 54th minute along with Isaiah Scanlon, Will Taylor made a desperate try saving tackle on the Ipswich SHS No. 14 directly in front of the goal posts a metre out.

At the completion of the 2022 School Boy Langer Cup competition Will Taylor was named on the bench in the 2022 Courier Mail Langer Cup Team of the Season. Will Taylor was also named as one of the best players outside the Top 30 best School Boy Rugby League or Rugby player in the 2022 Courier Mail Top 30 school boys.

Post the 2022 MM Cup competition Will Taylor once again played for the Bilambil Jets in the NRRRL U18 competition starting at lock and captain in Round One against the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Will Taylor making a good run of sixteen metres to the right of the dummy half in the 13th minute to get the ball into Murwillumbah territory.

Will Taylor also started at lock in Round Three against Northern United with Will Taylor scoring in the 28th minute when he ran out of dummy half to his left to crash over from close range with Will Taylor getting the ball down ten metres in from the right corner post.

Will Taylor also made two line breaks in the match with the first of the two coming in the 31st minute when after receiving the ball from his right from the dummy half and just ten metres out from his own line, Will Taylor executed a great right foot step to wrong foot a defender and burst through into the backfield, racing thirty metres downfield before he was taken down by the Northern United fullback.

Will Taylor made the second of his line breaks in the 38th minute when after taking the ball to the left of the play the ball Will Taylor charged at the defensive line from twenty metres out from his own line and making eighteen metres.

Will Taylor continued at lock in Round Six against Casino RSM and scored in the 333rd minute when from thirteen metres out Will Taylor stepped his way past a number of Kyogle defenders to score adjacent to the left upright.

Will Taylor made his presence felt in the opening minute when whilst taking the third hit-up of the match Will Taylor from the left of the play the ball and twenty five metres from his own line Will Taylor burst through the RSM defensive line and after drawing the fullback passed to his left to put his hooker away to score under the posts.

Will Taylor recorded a second try assist in the 47th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball Will Taylor was able to get halfway through the defensive line and then got away a left arm off-load to put his hooker away to score. Will Taylor then took the hit-up from the resultant kick-off making twenty five metres.

Will Taylor also did well in the 6th minute when after picking up a Turkeys dropped ball six metres out from the line Will Taylor was able to get the ball twenty metres away from the Jets line before he was taken to ground.

Will Taylor made another strong run in the 26th minute when from a Jets penalty tap restart Will Taylor was able to fifteen metres after taking possession twenty metres out from his own try line. Just four minutes later in the 30th minute Will Taylor was at it again on that occasion making twenty metres from twenty five metres out from his own try line, breaking two tackles along the way.

Will Taylor then started at lock in Round Seven against the Cudgen Hornets with Will Taylor’s initial strong run coming in the 7th minute when after running onto the ball to the right of the paly the ball, Will Taylor got the ball eight metres into Cudgen territory after receiving the ball on his own forty metre mark.

Will Taylor also executed a great tackle in the 12th minute when he picked up the Cudgen five eight and drove him back five metres before dumping him on his back heavily.

Will Taylor continued at lock in Round Eight against the Lower Clarence Magpies with Will Taylor having a big match scoring two tries and setting up another.

Will Taylor’s opening try came in the 32nd minute when he received the ball in space three passes to the right of the play the ball and thirty five metres out and proved to be far too quick for the Magpies cover defence with Will Taylor diving over to score in the right corner.

Will Taylor scored his second try just four minutes later in the 36th minute when he dived over in the right corner from close range after Bilambil ran the ball down a very short right blindside.

Will Taylor then recorded a try assist in the 45th minute but I will start the description with the play prior. After taking possession to the right of the play the ball thirty five metres from his own line Will Taylor took the ball into the defensive line bumping off the initial defender who had looked to engage Will Taylor front on. From there Will Taylor burst between two more defenders right on halfway before whilst engaged with another got a pass away to his right to five eight Hasley McDonald who was tackled fifteen metres downfield.

Willa Taylor was up off the ground in a heartbeat and ran onto the ball from the Hasley McDonald paly the ball and ran fifteen metres before getting his right arm free in a tackle and found his hooker backing up on his left to dive over to score mis-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.

Will Taylor continued at lock in Round Nine against the Byron Bay Devils and took the fourth hit-up of the match.

Will Taylor also recorded two try assists with the first coming in just the 4th minute when after Will Taylor charged onto the ball to the right of the play the ball forty metres out from his own try line, Will Taylor stepped off his left foot to beat two defenders and after being engaged by one defender five metres into Devils territory, Will Taylor produced an exceptional left arm around the corner pass to five eight Hasley McDonald who easily outpaced the Byron Bay cover defence to score.

Will Taylor recorded his second try assist in the 21st minute when once again Will Taylor ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball from around forty metres from his own line and when he was near the halfway mark Will Taylor popped a great short ball to his right to a flying Tyrese Bowman who raced away to score.

Will Taylor was also strong defensively against the Devils with one of his best defensive efforts coming in the 42nd minute with a heavy front on tackle on the Byron Bay right second rower (No. 12) who was taking a hit-up from a penalty restart near halfway with Will Taylor’s initial contact rocking his bigger opponent backwards.

After starting at lock in the U18 NRRRL match earlier in the day Will Taylor made his NRRRL First Grade debut off the bench in Round One against the Murwillumbah Mustangs and also came off the bench in Round Seven against the Evans Head Bombers.

Will Taylor also started from the bench in Round Ten against Lismore Marist Brothers before starting at right second row in the rescheduled Round Five match against the Kyogle Turkeys.

Will Taylor then started from the bench for the Bilambil Jets in the 2022 Major Semi-final victory against the Murwillumbah Mustangs.

The 2022 NRRRL First Grade Grand Final saw Will Taylor start from the bench for the Bilambil Jets against the Evans Head Bombers.

Will Taylor was due to start from the bench for the Northern Rivers Titans in Round One of the 2020 U16 Andrew Johns Cup against the Parramatta Eels at Cudgen but the match was cancelled.

Will Taylor started Round Two of the U16 Andrew Johns Cup from the bench against the Newcastle Knights in Ballina coming on the play in the dummy half role and also started from the bench in Round Three against the Central Coast Roosters.

After missing Round Four, Will Taylor was back on the bench for the Round Five local derby against North Coast once again providing a spark when he came on to play in the dummy half role just prior to half time.

Will Taylor played the 2020 season with the Bilambil Jets in the Group 18 U16 competition, in fact Will Taylor was the Jets Junior Club Captain. In the 2020 Group 18 U16 regular season, the Bilambil Jets won five matches, scoring 152 points and conceding 118 to finish with a +34 points differential.

The young is from the Bilambil Jets club in Northern New South Wales and captained the Group 18 U15 side at the 2019 New South Wales Country Age Championships held in Port Macquarie in September starting at hooker in all of Group 18’s matches.

After the completion of the Championships Will Taylor was named the 2019 Group 18 U15 representative season’s Best and Fairest player in recognition of his outstanding Championship performances.

Will Taylor started from the bench for the Titans U15 side that defeated a Balmain Tigers U15 Touring side 34 – 16 in early October coming on to play in the dummy half role and crossed the try line in the left corner in the math, but the final pass was called forward.

In 2019 Will Taylor played for the Bilambil Jets in the Group 18 U15 competition and was part of the Grand Final winning side that defeated Byron Bay/Lennox Head in a thriller.

Will Taylor was also part of the PBC School Boy program in 2019 representing his school in a number of school boy competitions including co-captaining the PBC Year Nine Hancock side that erased a 12 – 6 half time deficit to win the final of the Hancock Cup 24 – 18 against Coombabah State High School with Will Taylor playing five eight in the final and operating primarily on the left side of the field for PBC.

I must admit that it was strange seeing both sides wearing old Broncos jersey’s (jerseys only, the teams wore their school shorts and socks) rather than their total school playing strip but it was a Broncos school boy competition so I guess they can do whatever they want even though it was a very strange situation to be sure, for spectators at least.

Will Taylor is an extremely talented all round hooker, who excels at all three critical aspects of the modern day hooker, those being his distribution out of dummy half, selective running out of dummy half and defending in the centre of the ruck.

In terms of his distribution out of dummy half, Will Taylor is efficient in his passing and there is little wasted movement as he passes in one motion off the ground rather than two distinct movements like many hookers where they first stand then pass.

In the games that I have seen there is no discernible difference between his passing from either side of his body, and his passes are crisp and flat and also he can pass a reasonable distance off the ground when the first receiver is standing a little wider of the play the ball.

Where Will Taylor is also extremely effective is leading his forwards onto the ball, he passes in front of the forward ensuring no loss of momentum to the run. In short he is a very good game manager from the hooking position.

Where Will Taylor really stands out in terms of attacking play, is his speed out of dummy half, he is extremely quick and has exceptional footwork to take advantage of tiring forwards, using a step off both feet. He wins a lot of penalties by running at forwards who are offside, if the offside forward is called out of the play Will Taylor has the speed to break into open space and has the pace to make it difficult for the cover defence to get to him.

Around the try line Will Taylor is also very good at making the right decision whether the go himself for the try line or pass, where he gets down low and drives with his legs. Due to the pace that he plays the game at and his speed he is always available in terms of backing up in the centre of the ruck, when forwards get their arms free.

Will Taylor’s defence for a hooker is exceptional, for a smaller forward he is a hard hitter and can defend effectively one on one against far larger forwards, he sets a good base with his lower body and explodes upwards with his shoulders to drive opposing forwards backwards and is also very good at slowing the play the ball down.

Will Taylor‘s effort and intensity means that he will track the play across field and thus is in a good position when the ball is passed back inside. Will Taylor literally tackles everything that moves in the centre of the ruck utilising an effective low tackling technique.

Will Taylor will likely play the 2023 rugby league season with either Tweed Heads or Burleigh in the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition and Will Taylor will also be Colts eligible in 2024.

Will Taylor’s ultimate position on a rugby league field as a fascinating one, prior to the 2022 season where he stood out in the second row for the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup side, Bilambil in the NRRRL competition and of course for PBC SHS in the Langer Cup I would have said that it was a laid down certainly that Will Taylor would ultimately end up at hooker but such were his performances in the second row, especially left second row that I think that second row is his best position.

Penrith Panthers and New South Wales State of Origin second rower Liam Martin I think is a very good player comparison for Will Taylor. Both Martin and Will Taylor may be thought of as undersized for an NRL second rower but both are very good ball runners who run at holes in a defensive line rather than trying to run over opponents. Also both Martin and Will Taylor are very good defenders who will have a high tackling efficiency and both can and will hit very hard in the tackle when the opportunity presents.

[mdrew]

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

Round One of the 2022 MM Cup competition saw Cooper Camby named at right centre for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Souths Logan Magpies with Cooper Camby on hand in the 59th minute when he chased through a Michael Roberts kick and first holding up the Souths Logan fullback and then being involved in forcing him back into the in-goal in the right corner.

Cooper Camby was also named at right centre for Round Two against the Redcliffe Dolphins and after the Seagulls had a Round Three bye, Cooper Camby started at right centre in Round Four against the Easts Tigers with Cooper Camby scoring one of the fastest tries of the season regardless of the competition in the 2nd minute when he dived over from dummy half from less than a metre out after he dived to his right.

Cooper Camby could have had a second try in the 23rd minute when he dived over in the left corner but the referee after originally looking like he was going to award a try in the end penalised Cooper Camby for a double movement.

Cooper Camby also did well defensively including in the 12th minute when he along with Keano Kini he produced a try saving tackle on the Easts left second rower who had run a straight crash line from close range.

Cooper Camby continued at right centre in Round Five against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls as well as in Round Six against the Norths Devils and the Round Seven local derby against the Burleigh Bears.

Cooper Camby started at right centre in the Seagulls opening trial when they took on the Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad and Cooper Camby crashed over in the right corner after the final siren to break a 12 all deadlock and give the Seagulls a first up trial victory.

Cooper Camby also started in the Seagulls next trial against the Burleigh Bears.

Cooper Camby made his Hastings Deering’s Colts debut in Round Ten of the 2022 competition when he started on the left wing against the Mackay Cutters with Cooper Camby doing exceptionally well in the 14th minute when he leapt high to take a bomb to his wing on the full two handed above his head just out from his own line and was then awarded a penalty for being tackled whist still in the air.

Cooper Camby moved to the right wing in Round Twelve against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Cooper Camby scoring the first Hastings Deering’s Colts try of his career in the 50th minute after Jotham Russell took a Oskar Bryant bomb on the full just out from the line on the right side of the field, he got an off-load away to Cooper Camby who received the ball near the right touchline. Cooper Camby then from ten metres out cut inside before straightening up and going past two defenders and then Cooper Camby was able to bring the ball around to score eight metres to the right of the goal posts.

Cooper Camby did well in the 34th minute when he tracked back to cleanly take a hard grubber kick just in the field of play and then was able to break two tackles and get the ball back to near the twenty metre mark.

Cooper Camby showcased his defensive skills in the 45th minute when he came out of the defensive line and executed a strong tackle on the big Redcliffe left centre to stop a near certain try. Cooper Camby then executed a very similar tackle on the same opponent once again with the same result just a minute later.

Round One of the 2022 Langer Cup School Boy competition saw Cooper Camby start at right centre for PBC State High School against Marsden State High School with Cooper Camby recording a line break assist in the 41at minute with a catch and pass to his right to put Jett Forbes away down the right touchline.

Cooper Camby then did well in the 44th minute when he came forward to take a short Marsden SHS kick-off on the full knowing full well that he would be smashed by the oncoming defenders, which he was.

Cooper Camby was then named at right centre for Round Two against Redcliffe State High School with Cooper Camby recording a try assist in the 57th minute when after receiving the ball from his inside Cooper Camby was able to draw in the outside Redcliffe SHS defender and get the ball away to his right to put Jett Forbes over in the corner.

Cooper Camby executed a smart piece of play in the 33rd minute after being hemmed in near the right touchline around five metres out from the line, Cooper Camby put in a short right foot grubber kick into the in-goal that had to be forced in-goal by Redcliffe SHS to force a goal-line drop-out.

Cooper Camby then made a great play from a defensive perspective in the 37th minute when he came out of the PBC SHS defensive line to smash the Redcliffe SHS fullback around seventeen metres from the try line with PCB SHS facing an overlap.

Cooper Camby was also named to continue at right centre in Round Three against Coombabah State High School with Cooper Camby scoring in the 46th minute when Zane Harrison ran the ball to his right and threw a good pass to his right to Cooper Camby who cut off his right foot and crash over to score ten metres in from the right corner.

After the mid-season break, Cooper Camby continued at right centre in Round Four against Ipswich State High School and in the 20th minute threw the final pas to his right for Jett Forbes to score in the corner.

Cooper Camby continued at right centre in Round Five against Mabel Park SHS with Cooper Camby scoring a double in a big PBC SHS victory.

Cooper Camby’s opening try came in the 45th minute when after receiving a pass from Jett Forbes, Cooper Camby raced seventy five metres down the right touchline which included a left arm fend to beat the fullback with Cooper Camby putting the ball down mid-way between the corner post and goal post on the right side of the field.

Copper Camby completed his double in the 60th minute when after Zane Harrison put in a kick to the right corner, Jett Forbes took the kick on the full whilst still on the air and being pushed over the touchline Jett Forbes got the ball back inside to Cooper Camby who dived over to score in the righty corner.

Cooper Camby also executed an outstanding try saving tackle in the match when in the 35th minute along with Keano Kini, Cooper Camby hit the Mabel Park SHS left centre literally right on the try line, stopping him dead and knocking him to the ground just inches short of the try line.

Cooper Camby could not have been in the match earlier when he ran back the ball from the opening kick-off.

Cooper Camby also started at right centre in the Round Six local derby against Keebra Park SHS as well as in Round Seven against Wavell SHS with Cooper Camby making strong one on one tackle on the Wavell SHS fullback five metres out from the try line to halt a Wavell SHS try scoring opportunity.

Cooper Camby then did well in the 32nd minute to chase a Zane Harrison chip through with Cooper Camby getting above the Wavell SHS defenders to take the ball on the full on the final tackle ten metres out from the try line.

Cooper Camby continued at right centre in PBC SHS’s Langer Cup Quarter Final against Mabel Park SHS with Cooper Camby scoring a try and recording a try assist as PBC SHS qualified for the semi-finals.

Cooper Camby scored in the 39th minute when after running to his right Zane Harrison passed the ball to Cooper Camby who was running an underneath route with Cooper Camby running the requisite ten metres to scored ten metres to the left of the uprights. Initially Cooper Camby was held up by a number of defenders over the line but Cooper Camby was able to get the ball down in his right hand.

Cooper Camby recorded his try assist in the 30th minute when after Cooper Camby took a Josh Lynn bomb on the full ten metres out and five metres in from the right touchline in his two hands above his head, Cooper Camby was able to get the ball away to his inside as the defence converged on him to Zane Harrison who was able to bring the ball around to put it down under the posts.

Cooper Camby was then named at right centre for PBC SHS in the 2022 Langer Cup Semi-final against Keebra Park SHS with Cooper Camby recording a try assist in the 52nd minute when after receiving the ball near the right touchline and around ten metres out, Cooper Camby engaged the Keebra Park SHS left winger and got a great right arm flick off-load away to Jett Forbes who was able to dive over in the right corner to seal the PBC SHS victory and propel then into the 2022 Langer Cup Grand Final.

Then in the 56th minute Cooper Camby picked up a dropped Keebra Park SHS pass just twenty five metres out from the try line with Cooper Camby then running thirty metres downfield before getting an off-load away just over the halfway mark to his left.

Cooper Camby started at right centre for PBC SHS in the 2022 School Boy Langer Cup Grand Final against Ipswich SHS with Cooper Camby making a smart defensive play in the 32nd minute when with Ipswich SHS on the attack around ten metres out from the try line they spun the ball to Cooper Camby’s side of the field and when facing an overlap Cooper Camby darted forward to take an intercept to snuff out a dangerous Ipswich SHS attacking move.

Then in the 47th minute with Ipswich SHS deep on the attack once again Cooper Camby came out of the defensive line and smashed the Ipswich SHS fullback to force the ball loose.

The 2022 NRRRL U18 competition saw Cooper Camby play for the Cudgen Hornets and after the Hornets had a Round One bye Cooper Camby start Round Two at left centre against the Tweed Heads Seagulls being swapping to the right side in the second half.

Cooper Camby’s initial positive impact on the match came inside the opening minute with a strong twenty metre run down the left channel to get the ball within twenty eight metres of the try line. Then in the 17th minute Cooper Camby made a strong right shoulder driving tackle on his opposite number.

Cooper Camby then started at left centre in Round Six against the Byron Bay Devils and in the 4th minute engineered a line break assist when after getting the ball thirty metres away from his own line Cooper Camby was able to make ten metres down the left touchline before off-loading to his left to his winger who was able to promote the ball a further twenty five metres.

Cooper Camby also recorded a 49th minute try assist when after bursting away down the left touchline Cooper Camby drew the fullback and passed inside to put Max Liles over to score.

In the 31st minute Cooper Camby took advantage of a great Stevie O’Connor catch and pass to his left to put Cooper Camby into a gap with the left centre breaking three tackles whilst making twenty metres to get the ball into Byron Bay territory.

Cooper Camby then started at left centre in Round Seven against the Cudgen Hornets and made inroads into the Jets defensive line in as early as the 4th minute when he made a fifteen metre run down a short left blindside to get the ball into Bilambil territory. Cooper Camby was then awarded a penalty for a swinging arm in the tackle by one of the Bilambil defenders.

Cooper Camby also did well in the 12th minute when from a Hornets scrum win with Cooper Camby running the ball to the left from ten metres from his own line and after beating two Jets defenders was able to off-load to left to send his left winger on an eighteen metres run down the left touchline.

Cooper Camby continued at right centre in Round Thirteen against the Ballina Seagulls with Cooper Camby doing well in the 6th minute from a defensive perspective. Cooper Camby was faced with a two man overlap around ten metres out from the try line and after holding his defensive positioning as the play unfolded in front on him, Cooper Camby raced out of the line and was able to knock down a pass when without Cooper Camby’s intervention, Ballina would surely have scored.

From an attacking perspective Cooper Camby was heavily involved in Stevie O’Connor’s 32nd minute try when Cooper Camby made a line break down the right side of the field near the halfway mark with Cooper Camby throwing a great right arm around the corner off-load to Jett Forbes who then sent Stevie O’Connor away to score under the posts.

Cooper Camby made a line break of his own in the 48th minute when after passing to his right winger just twenty metres out from his own try line, Copper Camby got the ball back from his winger and raced forty metres down the right touchline before passing back inside to his winger. It was an impressive interchange of passing.

Cooper Camby also did well in the 28th minute with he took a Ballina short kick-off on the full and after seemingly being held after a five metre run, Cooper Camby has able to break three tackles to progress the ball to within five metres of the halfway mark.

Cooper Camby then moved to left centre for the rescheduled Round Five match against the Byron Bay Devils with Cooper Camby scoring in the 45th minute when from a Cudgen scrum on the opposite side of the field Cooper Camby received the ball thirty metres out and wide out on the left with Cooper Camby using a left arm fend to beat one tackle and then run thirty metres to score in the left corner.

Cooper Camby added a second try in the 47th minute when he chased through a Jett Forbes kick down a short left blindside with Cooper Camby taking the ball on the bounce above his head five metres out with Cooper Camby then able to bring the ball around to within five metres of the left upright.

Cooper Camby also made a smart play in the 14th minute when he chased through a Hornets attacking grubber kick with Cooper Camby grabbing hold of the Byron Bay fullback three metres out from the line with Cooper Camby forcing him back into the in-goal area to force a goal line drop-out.

Cooper Camby then started at left centre for the Cudgen Hornets in the 2022 NRRRL Major Semi-final against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Cooper Camby recording a try assist in the final minute of the match when after Tweed Heads put in a short goal line drop-out with Cooper Camby taking the ball on the full with Cooper Camby then passing to his left to put his left second rower over in the left corner.

The 2022 NRRRL U18 Grand Final saw Cooper Camby named at start at left centre for the Cudgen Hornets against the Ballina Seagulls with Cooper Camby scoring in the 57th minute when from dummy half and four metres out from the try line and three metres in from the left touchline, Cooper Camby ran to his right to force his way over to score just in from the left corner.

Cooper Camby made the first of his two line breaks in the 13th minute when from just five metres out from his own try line Cooper Camby from the left side of the field received the ball to the right of the play the ball with Cooper Camby executing a right foot step to beat three defenders with Cooper Camby promoting the ball thirty five metres downfield before he was brought to ground.

Cooper Camby recorded a second line break in the 54th minute when Cooper Camby took a Ballina short kick-off on the bounce near the left touchline just after the ball had crossed the ten metre plane with Cooper Camby then racing fifty five metres downfield before he was tackled into touch just five metres out from the try line.

In March 2022 Cooper Camby was selected in the South Coast School Boy Rugby League U18 Representative side after successfully negotiating the trials with Cooper Camby starting Match One against Northern at right centre.

Cooper Camby produced a great try assist in the 27th minute when he produced a great right arm flick off-load while he was going to ground to put Jett Forbes over in the right corner from close range.

Cooper Camby also started at right centre in Match Two against Met North.

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 will likely play the 2023 rugby league season with either Tweed Heads or Burleigh in the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition and Cooper Camby will also be Colts eligible in 2024.

Whilst Cooper Camby has played exclusively in the centres for Cudgen in the NRRRL U18 competition in 2021 and 2002 and for PBC SHS in the 2022 Langer Cup. Cooper Camby however 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 second row for Cudgen in previous seasons I cannot help but think that going forward Cooper Camby’s best position will be in the centres.

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]

Blake Forder. The Northern New South Wales youngster signed a multi-year contract with the Gold Coast Titans in 2019 as a 15 year old after being part of the Titans junior development squads in the region previously.

In positive news for the Titans Blake Forder extended his contract with the Titans in August 2021 for a further season to take into account his senior year of school and final year of U18 eligibility.

In late January 2022 Blake Forder started on the left wing for the Titans U18 side in a match at Pizzey Park against the Burleigh MM Cup side before moving to fullback mid-way through the second half.

Blake Forder showcased his outstanding speed in the 21st minute of the match when with the Titans on the attack a kick went astray with Burleigh collecting the ball and taking off downfield. Blake Forder gave his opponent a fair head start as he was chasing the kick through and had to stop, turn and chase but Blake Forder ate up the ground quickly and mowed the Burleigh centre down quick time.

After moving to fullback mid-way through the second half Blake Forder’s first kick return from the fullback position was a strong one. After taking possession of the ball thirty metres out from his own line, Blake Forder ran to his left getting on the outside of one Burleigh defender to get over the halfway mark. Before pushing off another with his right arm with Blake Forder eventually being brought to ground ten metres into Burleigh territory.

Blake Forder also made some good ground in the 63rd minute when after he received a penalty whilst in possession, Blake Forder took a quick tap was able to make twenty five more metres.

In late July 2022 Blake Forder started from the bench for the U19 Future Titans Squad that played a North Queensland Cowboys U19 squad at Cbus Stadium as a curtain-raiser to the Round Twenty NRL match between the Titans and the Canberra Raiders with Blake Forder coming onto the field early in the second half to operate on the left wing.

In mid-December Blake Forder had the opportunity to train with the Titans NRL squad in a joint training session between the Titans NRL squad and the Titans JTS Program Squads.

In early November 2021 Blake Forder was named in the talented 2022 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad who will looking to replicate their 2021 success.

After Round One was washed out Blake Forder started from the bench in Round Two against the Redcliffe Dolphins, coming onto the field in the 44th minute. After the Seagulls had a Round Three bye, Blake Forder was named at left centre for Round Four against the Easts Tigers however in a late change he in fact started the match on the right wing with his first touch of the ball coming from the kick-off after Copper Camby’s second minute try with Blake Forder winning a penalty at the end of his run as a result of being held down in the tackle for too long.

Blake Forder then came off his left wing in the 12th minute to help his forwards out with Blake Forder receiving the ball to the right of the dummy half from inside his own territory making fourteen metres through the centre of the ruck.

Blake Forder popped up in the right side of the field in the 33rd minute in the first receiver role near halfway and upon taking possession of the ball good a good ball away to his right to put MM Cup debutant Jiate Litidamu away on the left.

After starting the first half on the right wing Blake Forder moved to fullback in the second half and in the 62nd minute showcased his speed when after Easts put in a pre-planned kick from a scrum inside their own territory Blake Forder turned and chased and whilst the Tigers left centre got to the ball first Blake Forder brought him down from behind just four metres out.

Blake Forder was then to his feet in a heartbeat and along with Will Saunders Blake Forder initially held up the Easts left winger who had tried to crash over from dummy half held the winger up over the line and then forced him back into the field of play. Tweed Heads were then awarded a penalty for a double movement.

Blake Forder also started on the right wing in Round Five against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls and like in previous matches Blake Forder also spent time in the second half at fullback. It was whilst he was playing on the right wing, Blake Forder scored in the 15th minute when he received a cut-out pass from his left to run twenty metres to score near the right corner.

Blake Forder also did well defensively in the 53rd minute when along with Will Saunders and Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa he was on hand to hold put the Wynnum Manly lock who under tried to burst over under the posts.

Blake Forder also was named to start on the right wing in Round Six against the Norths Devils however he was a late scratching from the match. Blake Forder was then named on the right wing in the Round Seven local derby against the Burleigh Bears however he was a late scratching from the match.

In 2022 Blake Forder moved to PBC State High School and started on the left wing in Round One of the 2022 Langer Cup School Boy competition against Marsden State High School with Blake Forder scoring a long range try in the 41st minute when he raced forty five metres to score untouched after receiving a great long cut-out pass from his inside from Josh Lynn with Blake Forder crossing the try line wide out on the left but Blake Forder was able to bring the ball around to put it down mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Blake Forder did well in the 8th minute when he came off his wing to take a hit-up through the centre of the field with Blake Forder able to get the ball from his own ten metre mark to the twenty metre mark. Blake Forder took another hit-up off his wing from deep inside his own territory just a minute later in the 9th minute.

Blake Forder also made a strong run to the left of the play the ball making twelve metres before being tackled on the halfway mark.

Late in the match in the 50th minute Blake Forder made a strong try saving tackle on his opposite winger. Initially near the halfway mark the Marsden SHS right winger was able to get on the outside of Blake Forder but Blake Forder did not give up and chased him down tackling him two metres short of the try line with Blake Forder’s strong contact forcing the ball loose.

Blake Forder was also named to continue on the left wing in Round Three against Coombabah State High School and had a huge afternoon scoring a hat trick.

Blake Forder’s opening try came in the 4th minute when the Coombabah SHS defence dropped a high Josh Lynn with Blake Forder collecting the ball on the bounce to score five metres in from the left corner.

Blake Forder scored his second try in the 24th minute in the left corner after receiving a long cut-out pass from his inside from Josh Lynn with Blake Forder easily covering the five metres needed to score in the left corner.

Blake Forder completed his hat trick in the 53rd minute when after getting on off-load from Michael Roberts three metres out with Blake Forder on the left touchline, he cut back behind the tackle and crashed over seven metres in from the left corner.

Blake Forder could easily have finished the match with four tries but in the 42nd minute when he dived over acrobatically in the left corner but the cut-out pass from his inside from Josh Lynn was strangely ruled to have gone forward.

Blake Forder also recorded a 20th minute line break when he made eighteen metres down the left touchline before cutting inside and beating three tackles along the way,

Blake Forder added a 22nd minute line break assist when after he collected a Coombabah SHS dropped ball he was able to flick a quick off-load to Michael Roberts who charged his way forty metres down the left touchline.

Blake Forder made the first of multiple strong runs in the 3rd minute when he cut back towards the centre of the field off his left wing, breaking four tackles in a winding run.

Blake Forder also did very well defensively in the 8th minute when after the Coombabah SHS right second rower made a line break, drawing Keano Kini and getting the ball away to his left to a support runner, Blake Forder came from the opposite side and was able to tackle the Coombabah SHS player from behind just five metres from the try line with the ball coming loose as a result of Blake Forder’s contact.

Blake Forder made another good defensive read in the 49th minute when facing a three person overlap Blake Forder raced out of the defensive line to hit the Coombabah SHS right second rower to stop the threat in its tracks.

After the mid-season break, Blake Forder continued on the left wing in Round Four against Ipswich State High School with Blake Forder making a strong kick return in the 19th minute when after taking the Ipswich SHS clearing kick on the bounce, Blake Forder beat three tackles in a stepping run that made fifteen metres.

Blake Forder continued on the left wing in Round Five against Mabel Park SHS with Blake Forder making a good run in the 18th minute when after receiving a cut-out pass from his inside on the halfway mark, Blake Forder cut back inside with Blake Forder making twenty metres and breaking three tackles.

Blake Forder also did a great job in the 34th minute with a try saving tackle on the Mable Park SHS replacement right second rower (No. 17) who had made a line break from twenty metres out with Blake Forder catching the second rower from behind just three metres out to prevent a Mabel Park SHS try.

Blake Forder also started on the left wing in the Round Six local derby against Keebra Park SHS with Blake Forder making an exceptional effort in the 4th minute when after the Keebra Park SHS halfback took an intercept ten metres out from the try line, Blake Forder turned and chased and caught the halfback ten metres out and forced a pass that went forward with Blake Forder’s exceptional effort saving what appeared to be a certain Keebra Park SHS try against the run of play.

Just a minute later in the 5th minute and from the subsequent scrum that Blake Forder’s great chase forced, Blake Forder made a line break to the right of the scrum that was set ten metres out. After Blake Forder received the ball two passes from the back of the scrum, Blake Forder ran to his right before utilising his speed to burst between two defenders with Blake Forder able to promote the ball to the halfway mark before his inside pass went to ground.

Blake Forder made more metres in the 50th minute when Blake Forder came off his left wing to take a hit-up to the right of the play the ball with Blake Forder making sixteen hard metres with at least half of them of the post contact variety with Blake Forder able to promote the ball into Keebra Park SHS territory.

Blake Forder continued on the left wing in Round Seven against Wavell SHS with Blake Forder scoring in the 18th minute when he backed up a long break from Keano Kini with Blake Forder receiving the ball from his right after Keano Kini had drawn the Wavell SHS fullback with Blake Forder racing forty metres to score under the posts.

Blake Forder also made a line break in the 36th minute with an eighteen metre break down the left touchline from inside his own twenty metre area with Blake Forder receiving a penalty at the end of his run when he was dragged over the touchline after he was clearly held.

In addition to scoring a try, Blake Forder also saved a try in the 35th minute when he hit his opposing winger and forced him over the touchline just as the Wavell SHS winger was looking to get the ball down.

Blake Forder continued on the left wing in PBC SHS’s Langer Cup Quarter Final against Mabel Park SHS with Blake Forder doing well in the 46th minute when after taking a Mabel Park SHS kick-off on the full whilst sliding forward, Blake Forder got to his feet five metres out from his own try line and was able to promote the ball through the centre of the field to thirty metres out from his own try line.

Blake Forder did even better in the 52nd minute when he jumped up on the left touchline to knock a Mabel Park SHS kick for touch for a penalty up in the air just in the field of play with Blake Forder then taking possession near the halfway mark and running the ball back twenty metres to put PBC SHS immediately on the attack.

Blake Forder was then named on the left wing for PBC SHS in the 2022 Langer Cup Semi-final against Keebra Park SHS.

Blake Forder started on the left wing in the 2022 School Boy Langer Cup Grand Final against Ipswich SHS with Blake Forder making a line break in the 36th minute from a PBC SHS scrum win deep inside PBC SHS territory with Blake Forder running the ball to the left of the scrum and making twenty two metres.

Post the 2022 MM Cup competition Blake Forder moved from the Murwillumbah Mustangs to the Bilambil Jets 2022 NRRRL U18 competition and started at fullback in Round Three against Northern United with Blake Forder scoring in the 9th minute when after chiming into the Jets backline on the right Blake Forder stepped off his right and before executing a left foot step to score from ten metres out and ten metres in from the right corner post.

Blake Forder scored a second try in the 36th minute when after receiving a great ball from his right from Kai Smallwood, Blake Forder ran twelve metres untouched to score ten metres to the right of the uprights.

The match also saw Blake Forder record a try assist in the 33rd minute when after chiming into the backline on the left Blake Forder threw a long cut-out pass to his winger who was able to score in the left corner.

Blake Forder almost recorded a second try assist in the 39th minute when after breaking through the defensive line Blake Forder drew the Northern United fullback and threw a long cut out pass to his left winger in space but the referee strangely ruled the pass forward.

Blake Forder then started at left centre in Round Seven against the Cudgen Hornets and scored in the 13th minute when he took an intercept and ran thirty metres to put the ball down under the posts untouched.

Blake Forder then did well defensively in the 4th minute when the Cudgen right winger tried to sneak over down their right wing but Blake Forder came across and grabbed the winger by the jersey and threw him into touch three metres from the left corner.

Blake Forder also played a number of matches for the Bilambil Jets in the NRRRL First Grade competition in 2022, including his debut and a two try effort in the Major Semi-final against the Murwillumbah Mustangs.

Blake Forder scored his first try of the Major Semi-final in the 7th minute when he chased through a kick getting to the ball and getting it down just before the dead ball line in the left corner.

Blake Forder completed his double in the 61st minute when after a bomb was put up to his wing and as the ball was coming down just in the field of play Blake Forder jumped with his left arm outstretched with Blake Forder’s left arm knocking the ball up in the air but Blake Forder maintained his concentration and was able to take possession after he had hit the ground to score once again in the left corner.

The 2022 NRRRL First Grade Grand Final saw Blake Forder start on the left wing for the Bilambil’s Jets against the Evans Head Bombers with Blake Forder scoring in the final minute of the Jets Grand Final victory when after receiving the ball five metres out and on the left touchline, Blake Forder crossed the try line wide out on the left but was able to bring the ball all of the way around to dive over to get the ball down under the posts.

In January 2021 Blake Forder started on the left wing for the Titans U17 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights with the Titans recording an impressive victory in the contest 32 - 20.

As noted, Blake Forder started the match on the left wing, but in the second half, spent a lot of time at fullback, regularly hunting around just behind the play the ball when the Titans were in possession of the ball.

Blake Forder produced an impressive moment in the second half, when he made a twenty five metre charge when he received the ball on the left two passes of the back of the scrum. Blake Forder ran at the line with the ball in two hands and shaped to pass to his right on a number of occasions before pulling the ball back in prior to contact with the defensive line and made another ten metres post contact.

When he moved to fullback in the second half, Blake Forder continually showed exceptional positioning in the custodian role taking numerous Knights clearing kicks on the full, but it was two instances late in the match, that really showcased his positional ability at the fullback position.

With just on three minutes to go in the match and the Knights down by twelve points Newcastle kicked for touch from a penalty with the Knights kicker looking to make as much ground as possible but Blake Forder was on hand to cut the ball off before it went into touch and then was able to bring the ball back twenty metres to around the halfway mark.

In the last minute of the match, Blake Forder was once again positioned perfectly and was able to get across to a Knights chip kick and bundle the ball into touch less than a metre out from the Titans line. If Blake Forder did not get there when he did, one of three Knights players would have retrieved the ball and scored in their left corner.

In June 2021 Blake Forder was part of a Titans U17 side that played a Titans Northern Rivers U18 squad at Cbus Stadium as a curtain raiser to the Titans Round Fourteen NRL match against the Sydney Roosters with Blake Forder scoring towards the end of the second half in the right corner after good work by multiple players on his inside.

Blake Forder started on the right wing for the 2021 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup side for their Round One match against the Wests Tigers before moving to fullback late in the second half with Blake Forder contributing an early second half try to the victory.

Blake Forder was consistently in the action in the match, including being getting over the line early in the match with a great winding run off his right wing only to be penalised for a (seemed harshly) for a double movement after a great winding run off his right wing.

Blake Forder was also heavily involved in Michael Robert’s first try of the match, early in the first half. Half Harvey Moase kicked towards the right wing with the ball taking a wicked bounce, Blake Forder flew through and toed the ball forward for Michael Roberts to pick up on the bounce and crash over under the posts.

As noted Blake Forder scored early in the second half when after receiving a pass from Michael Roberts he stepped back inside and after juggling the ball got it down wide out on the right near the corner post.

Blake Forder also showcased some outstanding hands in the match, including a situation when he misjudged a Wests Tigers kick off, coming in too far, Blake Forder had to stop and dive backwards full length, taking the ball over his shoulder as you was diving in the same direction as the ball. If Blake Forder had not been able to pull off such as spectacular take, the ball would have likely gone dead and the Wests Tigers would have gotten it back from the restart.

Defensively Blake Forder also had some good moments in the match, including in the 51st minute of the match, when he along with Michael Roberts grabbed hold of the Wests Tigers left winger and dragged him eight metres into touch to force a Northern Rivers Titans scrum feed.

After his outstanding Round One performance, in no surprise Blake Forder also started Round Two against local rivals the North Coast Bulldogs at Nambucca Heads on the right wing.

After missing Round Three Blake Forder was back on the right wing for Round Four in Lismore against the Central Coast Roosters and scored in the 67th minute of the match when he dived on a deft right foot grubber into the in-goal in the right corner from Harvey Moase.

Blake Forder continued on the right wing in Round Five against the Newcastle Knights and whilst the ball did not find him too often, Blake Forder did have some good moments including a great in and away off a Northern Rivers Titans scrum win in the 48th minute with Blake Forder surging thirty metres down field.

Blake Forder however did almost get his name on the try sheet but was held up near the right corner in the 55th minute, then in the dying minutes of the match Blake Forder once against broke the Knights line off a Northern Rivers Titans scrum win after receiving the ball to the right of the scrum directly off the back of the scrum.

Post the 2021 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition, Blake Forder played for the Murwillumbah Mustangs in the U18 NRRRL Competition starting Round One of that competition at five eight against the Bilambil Jets.

Operating on the right side of the field Blake Forder proved to be a handful for the Jets defence including twice in the first half developing an overlap when he beat his opposing defender on the outside before dragging in the outside defender, but unfortunately on both occasions Blake Forder’s pass to his right winger went to ground with a try in the offing for the Mustangs.

After Murwillumbah had a number of back to back byes, Blake Forder started on the right wing in Round Six against the Kyogle Turkeys before moving to fullback in the second half of the match.

Whilst playing on the right wing in the first half, Blake Forder recorded a 14th minute try when he was on the end of a Mustang backline movement and raced over in the right corner to score after receiving the ball fourteen metres out from the try line.

In addition to a myriad of other impressive moments Blake Forder also recorded two line breaks in the Turkeys match with the first coming in the 29th minute when from a standing start fifty five metres from the line, Blake Forder raced down the right touchline cutting back inside twice to break tackles before pushing out of a third and cutting back towards the touchline before eventually being take to ground after making thirty five metres.

Blake Forder made his second line break of the match in the 56th minute when whilst operating at fullback he looped around to the left after a Mustangs scrum win slicing through the Kyogle defence from thirty metres out and getting to within two metres of the line before his momentum was halted.

Blake Forder first of many, significant contributions to the Mustangs victory came in just the 5th minute when he ran the ball back strongly from the kick-off after Murwillumbah’s opening try.

Then in the 41st minute Blake Forder made twelve metres from a hit-up to the left of the dummy half. Blake Forder made a further eighteen metres in the 48th minute from a winding run where he stepped off his left foot on two occasions.

Blake Forder rounded out his impressive match in the 53rd minute when he swooped on a dropped ball by Kyogle to make fifteen metres, breaking four tackles along the way.

Blake Forder once again started at fullback In Round Eight against Marist Brothers, scoring an outstanding solo long range try in the Mustangs victory. In the 47th minute a scrum was packed with a Murwillumbah feed ninety metres out from their try line, Blake Forder ran onto the ball after the ball was passed to him to the right from the base of the scrum. Blake Forder blew between two Rams defenders and easily outpaced the cover defence on his ninety metre run to put the ball down under the posts.

Blake Forder continued at fullback in Round Ten against the Cudgen Hornets before starting Round Twelve against Northern United at right centre before moving to fullback in the second half, a match that saw Blake Forder produce one of the best line breaks that I have ever seen that included breaking six tackles.

In the 49th minute Blake Forder retrieved a Northern United clearing kick fifteen metres out from his own line and ran to his right side, as he approached the chasers, Blake Forder stepped off his right to break two tackles before two left foot steps in quick succession back towards centre field saw Blake Forder break to further tackles. Blake Forder then cut back to his right, bumping out of one tackle, before another left foot step broke another tackle, Blake Forder then shrugged off another Northern United defender who tried to tackle him around his shoulders before passing to his right to Matthew Bollard who then off-loaded to Riley Lack who scored in the right corner.

Blake Forder continued in the centres, specifically left centre, in Round Thirteen against the Ballina Seagulls, scoring the opening try of the match in the 7th minute when he took a long cut out pass whilst in space on the left side of the field from Brandan Williams around ten metres to get the ball down in the left corner untouched.

Blake Forder was also strong defensively in the match in the left centre position including a great ball and all try saving tackle in the 43rd minute when he stopped his direct opponent on the spot with strong initial contact.

In late March 2021 Blake Forder was part of Diocesan of Lismore Open School Boy Rugby League Squad that participated in the Northern Country Catholic Colleges Rugby League Selection Trial that were held at Smithtown with Blake Forder playing on the wing in the trials.

Blake Forder was outstanding starting at fullback for the Titans U16 side that defeated the Newcastle Knights U16 Harold Matthews side 18 – 14 in Port Macquarie in January 2020 in wet and slippery conditions. Blake Forder was his sure footed self and handled the Knights tactical kicking comfortably over the course of the match.

Blake Forder started the match for the Titans U16 side at fullback and was heavily involved in two of the Titans tries, one in each half and one on each side of the field highlighting his overall skill level and versatility.

Blake Forder’s first try assist came early in the first half when he chimed into the Titans backline on the left side of the field and threw a long cut out pass to his left to his left winger Kobie Mackay-Taylor who was able to dive over in the corner after beating one Knights defender on the way to the line.

In the second half, Blake Forder’s try assist impressively come on the right side of the field. Blake Forder received the ball whilst running on an angle to his right and straightened up the attack just a fraction before stepping off his left foot to enable him to run parallel the Knights defensive line for just a fraction to draw in two defenders before popping a great ball to his right to the Titans right centre to charge over near the right corner post.

As a result of the performance, Blake Forder was named the Titans best back in the match. Blake Forder was also acknowledged for his outstanding performance by Titans JTS Co-ordinator Matt Srama in his review of the match in a video on the Titans Official Site after the match.

Blake Forder was named to start at fullback for the Northern Rivers Titans in Round One of the 2020 U16 Andrew Johns Cup against the Parramatta Eels at Cudgen however the match was cancelled due to the wet conditions in northern New South Wales that particular weekend.

Blake Forder started at fullback in Round Two of the U16 Andrew Johns Cup at fullback against the Newcastle Knights in Ballina as well as in Round Three against the Central Coast Roosters where he proved to be a significant threat to break through the Roosters defensive line every time that he touched the ball especially when running to the right of the field.

Blake Forder also started at fullback in Round Four against the Greater Northern Tigers as well as in the Round Five local derby against North Coast recording two try assists, one in each half and one on each side of the field.

Blake Forder’s first try assist resulted from his quick hands, he chimed into the backline on the left of the field and as soon as he took the ball was confronted by a North Coast defender rushing in, Blake Forder barley took possession and flicked a great ball to his left to send Damon Coldwell on a forty run to the left corner to score.

Blake Forder’s second try assist came on the right side of the field in the second half. Blake Forder received the ball and immediately cut to his right running parallel to the defensive line and at the last moment threw a great ball to his right, putting Michael Roberts into a gap eighteen metres out from the line.

Blake Forder played the 2020 season for the Murwillumbah Colts in the Group 18 U16 competition and was a standout player in the competition with the Colts going down in the Grand Final 20 – 16 to South Tweed.

In the 2020 Group 18 U16 regular season Murwillumbah won five matches and lost four, along the way scoring 154 points and conceding 112 to finish with a +42 points differential.

In early October 2020 Blake Forder was part of a Titans squad that played a trial against a Titans Group 18 U16 Invitational side with the match being played at Cbus Stadium, giving the young players a great experience with an added bonus that the players wore Titans jerseys.

In 2019 Blake Forder who attends Benora Point High School was selected at fullback for the Lismore Diocese Northern Country U15 rugby league representative side for the NSW CCC trials that were held in Sydney and subsequently was selected in the NSW CCC for the U15 ASSRL Championships that were played at Redcliffe.

Blake Forder played a number of matches for the NSW CCC side on the wing in the National Championships and was part of the NSW CCC Championship winning side.

Blake Forder also represented the Group 18 U15 representative side in 2019, starting at fullback in all of their matches at the 2019 New South Wales Country Age Championships. Blake Forder also represented Group 18 in 2018 at the U14 NSW Country Championships.

From a club rugby league perspective, Blake Forder played for the Murwillumbah Colts in the 2019 Group 18 U15 competition after moving over from the Bilambil Jets for whom he played for in the Group 18 U14 competition in 2018.

Blake Forder has also had an outstanding athletics career at Banora Point including being named U14 and U15 Age Champion at the 2018 and 2019 Athletics carnivals respectively.

In 2019 Blake Forder was the winner of the inaugural running of the “Serone Gift” (named after a much loved retiring teacher) being a 100 metre race with the top sprinters from the school regardless of age or gender participating.

Blake Forder is an agile runner of the football who relies on his decent speed and elusiveness to make it difficult for larger opponents to line him up. When lining up at fullback Blake Forder always makes himself available for offloads in the centre of the ruck.

One thing that impresses me is that Blake Forder does not jog after the ball when it is kicked down field, he will flat out sprint to get there either on the full or as quickly as possible, thus eliminating the effectiveness of the oppositions kicking game.

When he retrieves the ball Blake Forder makes a decision quickly about where to look to run around a staggered defensive line or to run straight in an effort to make as much ground as possible. Blake Forder really does pay attention to details and is rarely if ever out of position.

Blake Forder also has the ability to sweep around the back of the ruck and also pop up in supporting in the middle of the ruck, either running himself or looking for offloads from his forwards and use his footwork against big tiring forwards.

Blake Forder’s passing game is outstanding and he drifts across the field looking for runners to run into holes and has the ability to “freeze” the defensive line, making to easier for his support runners as was evidenced in the Titans U16 victory against Newcastle in January 2020.

Also Blake Forder’s hands at fullback are quite safe and dependable when collecting kicks whether taking the ball on the full or retrieving the ball along the ground. In both instances Blake Forder makes an immediate decision on what to do next and never second guesses himself.

Blake Forder is not the biggest or necessarily strongest player but will take the hit when needing to make the tackle in the last line of defence and uses the sideline well to redirect the opposition towards the sideline. Blake Forder just has a knack of being at the right place at the right time in a defensive sense and continually tracks the oppositions play across the field and positions himself accordingly.

Blake Forder is also effective at forcing the attacker to make a decision with the football rather than allowing them the time and opportunity to progressively work through their options. Blake Forder does this by moving forward immediately after a break was made looking to ensure that getting a pass to his supports is as difficult as possible for the opposing player who has made the break in the defensive line.

Blake Forder will likely play the 2023 rugby league season with either Tweed Heads or Burleigh in the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition and Blake Forder will also be Colts eligible in 2024.

Blake Forder can play a variety of back line positions, including fullback, wing and potentially centre, but with his ball playing skills and passing ability to both sides of his body which were evidenced in the Titans JTS squad’s in numerous matches since in the Titans U16’s in January 2020, fullback seems to be Blake Forder’s ideal position, although to fair 2022 proved that Blake Forder could potentially develop into an elite try scoring winger in short order.

With his ability to gain separation from his opponent and sound positional sense, I see aspects of the game of former Bulldog and St George Dragons fullback Luke Patten in the play of Blake Forder.

I would argue however that the “out the back” ball playing skills that Blake Forder currently possesses already have reached and surpassed those that Luke Patten had at his disposal when he retired from the NRL more than a number of seasons ago.

[mdrew]

Harry Chadburn. In early December 2021 Harry Chadburn was named in the 2022 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup Train-on Squad with Harry Chadburn starting at fullback and scoring in a trial at Pizzey Park against the Tweed Heads Seagulls U16 Cyril Connell Cup squad.

Round One of the 2022 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition saw Harry Chadburn start at fullback for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Macquarie Wests Tigers in Sydney’s West with Harry Chadburn scoring in the 17th minute when he was on hand to take a Zane Harrison right foot stab grubber kick to the left side of the field which sat up perfectly for Harry Chadburn to take possession at full speed and then Harry Chadburn was able to bring the ball around to dive over under the posts.

Harry Chadburn also kicked a great conversion from the left touchline in the 24th minute to convert a great try in the left corner by Blake Togo-Murphy. Harry Chadburn was in fact involved in setting up the try when after chiming into the backline on the left and after taking an out of the back pass from Zane Harrison, Harry Chadburn was able to draw one defender and pass to his left to centre Ricco Waititi who then put Blake Togo-Murphy over in the left corner.

It was not just in attack where Harry Chadburn had an outstanding match, he also executed the tackle of the day with a superb low diving try saving tackle in the 22nd minute when he flew across to his right to cut down a surging Wests Tigers left centre who looked destined to score.

Harry Chadburn’s impressive match reached its conclusion with a heads up play right on the final siren. The Northern Rivers Titans kicked off with seconds to go in the match and leading 22 – 20. Immediately upon taking possession from the kick off the Wests Tigers fullback chipped over the top of the oncoming Titans defensive line but Harry Chadburn had anticipated that possibility and executed a great cover defending tackle to shut the Wests Tigers “hail Mary” play down and confirm the Northern Rivers Titans victory.

Harry Chadburn also started at fullback in the Round Two local derby against the North Coast Bulldogs and threw the final pass for Noah Waldock’s 26th minute try after joining the backline on the right. In fact Harry Chadburn was heavily involved in the reason that the Titans were on the attack when Noah Waldock scored on the right.

Harry Chadburn chased through a Zane Harrison bomb on the left side of the field with Harry Chadburn getting to the North Coast right winger just as he was trying to take the bomb. With Harry Chadburn’s heavy contact forcing a knock on. Noah Waldock scored from the subsequent Northern Rivers Titans scrum win.

Harry Chadburn also converted one of the Northern Rivers Titans tries in the 35th minute when he slotted the ball between the sticks from wide out on the left to convert Charles Shephard’s try out of dummy half.

Harry Chadburn also pulled off a great try saving tackle in the 21st minute when he flew across to his right to put and force the North Coast left winger over the sideline with a try imminent.

Harry Chadburn continued at fullback for Round Three against the Greater Northern Tigers and in the 54th minute from a Northern Rivers Titans scrum win twenty metres from the line Harry Chadburn chimed into the backline wide out on the right and got to within five metres of the line before he was stopped.

Harry Chadburn also started at fullback in Round Four against the Central Coast Roosters as well as in the twice delayed final round being Round Five against the Newcastle Knights in Grafton with Harry Chadburn almost scoring in the 17th minute but unfortunately he was held up over the try line.

Harry Chadburn made the first of a number of line breaks in the 29th minute when after running back with the flight of the ball Harry Chadburn took a long Knights clearing kick on the full just fifteen metres out from the try line. Harry Chadburn who was facing his own try line when he took possession, wheeled to his right and immediately summed up the situation and charged at the oncoming Knights kick chase and burst between two of the chasers making twenty five metres to get the ball out forty metres from his own try line.

Harry Chadburn produced a great piece of defence in the 29th minute which no doubt saved a try. From deep inside their own territory Newcastle broke through the Titans right sided defensive line. Facing two Knights players Harry Chadburn stayed inside the Newcastle left centre forcing the Knights player towards the touchline. Harry Chadburn did not immediately commit to the tackle and thus when the Knights centre passed to his left to his winger, Harry Chadburn was able to slide off the initial Knights attacker and execute a low covering tackle on the winger, thus preventing a long range Newcastle try.

Harry Chadburn was then named at fullback for the Northern Rivers Titans Week One Final against St George with Harry Chadburn putting in a two try player of the match performance to lead the Titans into the Grand Final on the back of a 20 – 16 victory, with Harry Chadburn’s 57th minute try being the match winner.

Harry Chadburn’s opening try came in just the 7th minute when on the right side of the field, Harry Chadburn ran onto a long pass from his right from right from Zane Harrison. After juggling the ball Harry Chadburn secured possession and raced twenty five metres to dive over a couple of metres in from the left corner.

The Northern Rivers Titans match winning try by Harry Chadburn came in the 57th minute when he positioned himself on the left side of the field and then cut back to the right, receiving an off-load from Reuben Tamariki how had made a half break with Harry Chadburn receiving the ball ten metres out, beating one defender and then forced himself over the line directly under the posts to give the Northern Rivers Titans back the lead that they ultimately held onto to qualify for the 2022 Andrew Johns Cup Grand Final.

Harry Chadburn was also heavily involved in the Blake Togo-Murphy’s 9th minute outstanding Titans team try. After Hudson Towell split the St George through the centre of the ruck from dummy half sixty metres out from the line, Harry Chadburn loomed up on his left and then burst away before getting the ball away to his left to Ricco Watititi who as able to get the ball back to the inside by way of an overhead pass to Zane Harrison who raced to twelve metres out before he got the pass away to his right for Blake Togo-Murphy to dive over near the left corner.

Harry Chadburn did not just score tries in the final he also saved them when he produced an outstanding try saving tackle in the 39th minute. The St George left centre split the Northern Rivers Titans right sided defensive line and only had Harry Chadburn to beat but even trying a left foot step was not enough to beat Harry Chadburn one on one with Harry Chadburn cutting him down with a great left shoulder low tackle three metres out from the try line.

Harry Chadburn also started at fullback for the Northern Rivers Titans in the 2022 U16 Andrew Johns Cup Grand Final against the Wests Tigers with Harry Chadburn scoring the Northern Rivers Titans opening try in their great heart stopping Grand Final success.

In the 20th minute Harry Chadburn inserted himself into the Northern Rivers Titans backline on the left side of the field and after receiving a cut out pass in space from Zane Harrison, harry Chadburn dummied to his left to create room to slice through the defensive line before producing a great left foot step to leave the Tigers fullback grasping at thin air to cross the line and score ten metres to the left of the uprights.

Harry Chadburn made a significant contribution to the Northern Rivers Titans cause in just the 11st minute when he along with Ricco Watititi held up the Wests Tigers right centre to prevent the Tigers getting away to a big lead early in the match.

When the opposition makes a line break, the loneliest person on the field is the opposition fullback and Harry Chadburn found himself in that position on a number of occasions in the Grand Final but he stood up to the challenge on each occasions. The first of the said occasions came in the 36th minute when very close to his own line he brought down his opposite number with a great low tackle.

Then again in the 38th minute Harry Chadburn was faced with the same situation and once again he stood his ground and brought down the Wests Tigers No. 14 with a great low one on one tackle after he had split the line.

Harry Chadburn continued his great defensive match in the 42nd minute when he along with Ricco Watititi chased a Titans clearing kick downfield and was able to force the Wests Tigers right winger six metres backwards in a dominant tackle.

Post the 2022 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition Harry Chadburn was named in the New South Wales Country U16 side that took on a New South Wales City U16 selection in Mid-May.

Harry Chadburn started the match at fullback and in the 15th minute Harry Chadburn threw the last pass for his left centre to score in the corner.

In 2022 even though he was still U16 eligible Harry Chadburn was part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls U18 NRRRL side, coming off the bench in Round One against the Byron Bay Devils and operated in the halves when he came on in the 20th minute in an outstanding 20 – 12 first up victory.

Harry Chadburn made a great play in the 31st minute when after Zane Harrison put in a kick to the corner from near the halfway, harry Chadburn raced downfield and executed the tackle on the Byron Bay left winger just two metres out from the try line.

Harry Chadburn produced a great tackle in the 41st minute with a great one on one tackle on the Byron Bay five eight who was looking dangerous as he took the line on.

Harry Chadburn also started from the bench in Round Two against the Cudgen Hornets coming on in the 22nd minute to play at five eight however Harry Chadburn did play in the dummy half role late in the first half and in the early minutes of the second half after the Seagulls hooker spent ten minutes in the sin-bin.

Harry Chadburn almost scored in the 39th minute when he tried to force his way over from dummy half from close range but he was held up over the try line.

The match also saw Harry Chadburn convert Zane Harrison’s 23rd minute solo try from just to the left of the uprights.

After missing a number of Rounds Harry Chadburn was named on the bench for Round Ten against the Kyogle Turkeys.

Harry Chadburn also started from the bench in Round Twelve against the Bilambil Jets with Harry Chadburn along with Zane Harrison making a great covering tackle on the Bilambil left winger who had broken away down the left touchline with the two Seagulls players coming across to make a great tackle forty metres out from the Jets line.

Harry Chadburn then continued off the bench in Round Thirteen against the Bilambil Jets for the second round in a row, with Harry Chadburn coming on at halftime to operate at left centre with Harry Chadburn recording a try assist in the 41st minute when from eighteen metres out and to the left of the play the ball, Harry Chadburn put up a bomb to the left corner with the ball being dropped by Bilambil with the Tweed Heads Seagulls picking up the ball and scoring near the left corner.

Harry Chadburn was the reason that the reason that Seagulls were in a position to score the try that enabled them to get away with a draw when in the 58th minute with Bilambil on the attack forty metres out from the Seagulls try line, Harry Chadburn came out of the line on the right to intercept a Jets pass with Harry Chadburn getting the ball just into Bilambil territory with Tweed Heads scoring the try to lock up the match at 12 all later in the set of six.

Harry Chadburn also started from the bench in the Week One Qualifying Final against the Murwillumbah Mustangs as well as the Major Preliminary Final against the Cudgen Hornets.

The 2022 U18 NRRRL Preliminary Final saw Harry Chadburn start from the bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Ballina Seagulls with Harry Chadburn coming on to play on the left wing in the second half.

In 2022 Harry Chadburn continued at PBC State High School, in the Walters Cup competition including starting at five eight in Round Four against Ipswich State High School with Harry Chadburn recording a 7th minute try assist when from forty metres out Harry Chadburn put in a right foot kick towards the left corner with Ipswich SHS getting a horror bounce but it was ideal for the PBC SHS left second rower who raced through, took the ball on the bounce and ran around tow score under the posts.

Harry Chadburn recorded a second try assist in the 47th minute when from fifteen metres out and down a short left blindside, harry Chadburn threw a hard flat cut-out pass to put his left winger over in the corner. Harry Chadburn them stepped up in convert the try from the left touchline after earlier converting another PBC SHS try from close to the same spot.

Harry Chadburn continued at five eight in Round Six against Keebra Park SHS and Round Seven away to Wavell SHS.

Harry Chadburn continued at five eight for PBC SHS in the 2022 Walters Cup semi-final against Marsden SHS with Harry Chadburn executing a 40/20 in the 13th minute when from just inside his own forty metre mark and to the right of the play the ball Harry Chadburn put in a right foot kick back to the left with the ball going into touch ten metres out from the Marsden SHS try line.

Earlier in just the 2nd minute Harry Chadburn received the ball to the left of the paly the ball and put in a right foot kick which was blocked by one of the Marsden SHS defenders before PBC SHS regained possession with PBC SHS getting a further set of six tackles.

At the completion of the 2022 School Boy Walters Cup competition Harry Chadburn was named at five eight in the 2022 Courier Mail Walters Cup School Boy Team of the Season.

2022 also saw Harry Chadburn play for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the Group 18 U16 competition including starting at right centre in the Grand Final against the Murwillumbah Colts.

The young fullback centre/half from northern New South Wales was a member of the Titans 2021 JTS Elite Academy squad.

In mid-February 2021 Harry Chadburn played in a Titans U15 Invitational Trial at Burleigh, a trial which included only the best of the 2021 Titans U15 squad members. Harry Chadburn started the match at fullback for the Titans White side.

In 2021 Harry Chadburn was part of the PBC SHS Hancock Cup school boy rugby league side including starting at halfback in the 2021 Hancock Cup Grand Final against local rivals Keebra Park State High School.

Harry Chadburn had a very solid Grand Final, kicking two conversions from three attempts in PBC’s exciting 16 -12 victory.

In addition to kicking the two conversions, Harry Chadburn showcased his short kicking game in the 43rd minute with a deft right foot stab kick into the in-goal in the left corner which Keebra Park had to take dead, forcing a goal line drop-out to keep PBC on the attack and Keebra Park under pressure.

The Grand Final also saw Harry Chadburn excel defensively with two outstanding try saving tackles. The most critical of the two came with less than two minutes remaining in the match in the 58th minute. The Keebra Park right winger found space down the sideline and went for the corner, but Harry Chadburn flew to his right and in conjunction with team mates initially held up the Keebra Park winger and then forced him over the sideline.

Harry Chadburn had also made an earlier try saving tackle in the 37th minute on the same Keebra Park winger as his try saving tackle in the 58th minute when after the winger had taken a kick in the right corner on the full, Harry Chadburn was on hand to ensure that he did not get the ball down in the right corner.

In 2020 Harry Chadburn played in the centres (mainly left centre) for the Tweed Heads Seagulls U14 side in the Group 18 junior rugby league competition with the Seagulls going through the ten regular season rounds undefeated, scoring 316 points and conceding just 64 to finish the regular season with +252 points differential from their ten matches to record an average winning margin of just above twenty five points per game.

As a result of their outstanding season the Tweed Heads Seagulls U14 side qualified for the U14 Group 18 Grand Final against the Tugun Seahawks. Tweed Heads prevailed in the 2020 decider 30 – 4 with Harry Chadburn starting the Grand Final at left centre and scoring for the Seagulls in the first half.

Harry Chadburn’s try came when he got on the outside of the Tugun right winger around twenty metres out and was able to dive over ten metres in from the left corner post and in front of the score board virtually unopposed.

At the 2020 Tweed Heads Seagulls Junior Rugby League Awards Harry Chadburn was awarded the Elwyen Walters Award.

Harry Chadburn also played in Group 18 Grand Finals in 2019 in the U13 age group and in 2018 in the U12 age group.

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

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

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

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

Harry Chadburn will play for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the NRRRL U18 rugby league competition for the second season in a row and impressively Harry Chadburn is also U18 eligible in 2024.

Harry Chadburn will also continue at PBC SHS and in 2023 and doubt Harry Chadburn will push for playing time in the School Boy Open A Langer Cup side.

From a representative perspective Harry Chadburn will be part of the Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad.

With his speed and elusiveness coupled with good size for an outside back Harry Chadburn is ideally suited to maintaining his current projection, that being of a multi-talented attacking fullback, specifically one that operates on the left side of the field. 2022 however proved that Harry Chudburn also has the ability to also operate at five eight and make a very good first of that position as well.

Due to his ability to get to the outside of his direct opponent as well as a strong right arm fend and the core body strength to maintain his balance and running line whilst in contact with a defender, Harry Chadburn has a more than passing similarity to Titans NRL utility AJ Brimson. Also like Brimson, Harry Chadburn is also a solid defensive player regardless of position and one who used his leverage to into the ribs of the attacker who is running at him.

[mdrew]

Joseph Shannon. The giant young forward who signed a contract with the Titans in early 2019 has been one of a number of standouts of his age group on the Gold Coast over the last couple of seasons in both club and school boy rugby league.

Joseph Shannon’s old brothers Samuel and Daniel both have/had links with the Titans as well making it a family affair around the dinner table in the Shannon house hold when the subject of rugby league comes up.

In late July 2022 Joseph Shannon started in the front row for a Titans U19 side that played their annual match against the North Queensland Cowboys that was played as a curtain raiser at Cbus Stadium to the Titans Round Twenty NRL match against the Canberra Raiders.

In his first stint on the field Joseph Shannon took the defensive line on multiple times including in the 12th minute with a strong charge to the left of the play the ball from his own twenty metre mark with Joseph Shannon making thirteen metres, the majority of which were post contact.

In mid-December Joseph Shannon had the opportunity to train with the Titans NRL squad in a joint training session between the Titans NRL squad and the Titans JTS Program Squads.

In late October 2021 Joseph Shannon was named in the powerful Burleigh Bears 2022 U18 MM Cup squad with Joseph Shannon set to be a key member of what is shaping to be an exceptional Bears forward pack.

Round One of the 2022 MM Cup competition saw Joseph Shannon named in the front row for the Burleigh Bears against the Easts Tigers however the match was rained out due to extreme weather conditions.

Joseph Shannon was then named to start in the front row for Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies and in the 64th minute Joseph Shannon produced a great off-load. Just twenty five metres out from his own line Joseph Shannon engaged the Souths Logan defensive line and whilst in contact with two defenders executed a great left arm off-load to Keahn Skipps who was able to promote the ball further.

Joseph Shannon also was named to start in the front row in Round Three against the Norths Devils however in a late change Joseph Shannon in fact started the match from the bench coming onto the field in the front row in the 23rd minute and had a big match including but not limited to scoring a second half double.

Joseph Shannon scored the first of his two second half tries in the 63rd minute when Joseph Shannon received the ball two passes and to the right of the play the ball around ten metres out. Upon receipt of the ball Joseph Shannon executed a slight jink off his left foot before rumbling to the line and Joseph Shannon with two defenders on him reached out with his right arm to get the ball down under the posts.

Joseph Shannon completed his double just a couple of minutes later in the 69th minute when from just to the right of the uprights and ten metres from the line, Joseph Shannon charged onto the ball from ten metres out engaging the defensive line before spinning 360 degrees counter clockwise and getting the ball down with three defenders on him mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.

Joseph Shannon almost got a third try when late in the match when from just a metre out and directly in front of the posts Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki put in a short right foot kick out of dummy half with Joseph Shannon charging through but the North’s fullback took the ball dead just in front of a diving Joseph Shannon.

Joseph Shannon was also heavily involved in Karauria Stokes-Mahara’s 70th minute try. Joseph Shannon ran onto a pass sixty metres from the line, engaging the Devils defensive line and just as he got over the halfway mark with two defenders engaged, Joseph Shannon got his left arm free and was able to off-load to Arama Hau who made a further forty metres before off-loading to the Bears fullback to dive over under the posts.

Joseph Shannon’s initial significant run in the match came in the 26th minute when he made twelve metres (seven post contact) from his own twenty metre line. Joseph Shannon was then not allowed to get to his feet to effect a quick play the ball a thus was awarded a penalty.

Joseph Shannon then came off the back fence to charge into the Devil’s advancing defensive line from the kick-off to Josiah Pahulu’s 28th minute try.

Joseph Shannon then was named to continue off the bench in Round Four against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls however in a late change Joseph Shannon moved into the starting side in the front row with Joseph Shannon almost scoring under the posts in the 59th minute when he ran onto a great ball from Wailer Whaiapu but he was collared just short of the line.

Joseph Shannon’s initial key contribution came in the 4th minute from the kick-off after Wynnum Manly’s opening try when Joseph Shannon along with Josiah Pahulu hit the Seagulls forward with the ball coming loose as a result. Burleigh scored their opening try of the match from the resultant set of six.

Joseph Shannon’s second stint on the field started in the 51st minute when he took the hit-up from the kick off to Dorian Mapusua-Loatki’s 48th minute try with Joseph Shannon’s hard charge getting him to the twenty metre mark before he was able to get his right arm free and off-load to Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki.

Joseph Shannon highlighted his intensity in the 54th minute when with the Easts Tigers attacking the try line, the ball went backwards from an errant pass. Joseph Shannon charged after the ball and whilst the Tigers fullback got to the ball first he had to go back to the twenty metre line with Joseph Shannon’s great chase forcing the fullback wide to the right side of the field.

Joseph Shannon produced another great play full of effort and intensity in the 67th minute when with the Tigers on the attack one of the Tigers front rowers tried to trap a low bad pass with his foot but as he was bending down to retrieve the ball Joseph Shannon displayed that he wanted the ball more and raced forward to dive on the ball and regain possession for the Bears.

Defensively Joseph Shannon produced a great try saving tackle in the 54th minute when along with Arama Hau he held up the giant Easts Tigers No. 8 and then forced him back in the field of play. Joseph Shannon added another big tackle to his game resume in the 66th minute when he came out of the defensive line to crunch the Easts Tigers five eight and shut down a dangerous attacking movement when Easts were deep on the attack.

There was a seminal moment in the match for Joseph Shannon and that came in the 59th minute when Joseph Shannon took a hit-up forty metres out from his own line and to the right of the dummy half, Joseph Shannon was hit by a shoulder charge and when in the past Joseph Shannon may have let the moment get the better of his aggression Joseph Shannon looked at the referee, pointed at the back of the retreating Tigers player and then kept running and eventually the referee awarded the penalty for the shoulder charge.

The reason I brought it up was that in the past Joseph Shannon may well have lashed out but it is a credit to him that he maintained his temperament and just got on with the match. It was a small but potentially defining moment of Joseph Shannon’s rugby league career, because let’s not pretend otherwise, Joseph Shannon has the potential to go a long, long way in his rugby league career.

Joseph Shannon moved back into the starting side in the front row for Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Joseph Shannon taking the opening hit-up from the match from the kick off and was able to get the ball to the twenty metre mark.

Joseph Shannon showed real determination and effort in the 4th minute when he chased a Bailey McConnell grubber kick through into the in-goal, forcing the Norths defender to ground the ball in-goal with Burleigh getting the ball back from a Devils goal line drop out.

The 4th minute saw Joseph Shannon once again charge into the defensive line with no thought of self-preservation when after Norths dropped out from their goal line, Joseph Shannon received the ball on the halfway mark and was able to make twenty metres straight through the middle of the Norths forward pack.

I do not think that I have ever seen a match that Joseph Shannon has played in where he has not been able to get away an effective off-load and the Redcliffe match was no exception when in the 47th minute after taking the defensive line on Joseph Shannon got away a left arm off-load when he was six metres from the try line and directly in front of the goal posts.

Joseph Shannon was also named to start in the front row in the Round Seven local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Joseph Shannon scoring in the 53rd minute to get the Bears back into the match.

In the 61st minute Joseph Shannon burst onto a short ball from Bailey McConnell who had floated across field to his right drawing one Seagulls out the line before throwing a short ball to his right to a charging Joseph Shannon who charged through the resultant gap and then ran over the top of Michael Roberts to score seven metres to the left of the uprights.

It may have taken until the 64th minute but once again Joseph Shannon was once again able to get away a good off-load when he was able to get his left arm free and off-load the ball near the halfway mark.

It was clear that Joseph Shannon was up for the match from the moment that he took Burleigh’s opening hit-up of the match.

Joseph Shannon was also named to start in the front row in the rescheduled Round One match against the East Tigers with Joseph Shannon taking Burleigh’s fourth hit-up of the match in the 2nd minute with Joseph Shannon making sixteen metres to get the ball into the Tigers territory for the first time in the match.

Joseph Shannon was at it again in the 15th minute when after taking possession of the ball from a pass from his left from the dummy half, Joseph Shannon cut back towards the soft spot behind the play the ball, making twelve metres to forty metres from the try line. Joseph Shannon was then awarded a penalty for Tigers interference in the play the ball.

Joseph Shannon charged at the defensive line once again in the 18th minute making twelve metres to get the ball over his own thirty metre line after receiving the ball to the left of the dummy half. Joseph Shannon added a further twenty metres to his metres gained tally in the 40th minute when he made twenty metres from an Easts Tigers goal line dropout.

Joseph Shannon’s first 2022 hit-out came in the Burleigh MM Cup sides first trial in late January when he started in the front row in a trial match against a Titans U17/18 JTS side at Pizzey Park.

Joseph Shannon was then named in the front row for the Burleigh Bears second 2022 trial against the Tweed Heads Seagulls and made the opening tackle from the kick-off in conjunction with front row partner Immanuel Kalekale. Joseph Shannon then backed that up to also make the second tackle of the match.

Joseph Shannon also recorded a try assist in the 57th minute when after charging at the try line from around ten metres out, Joseph Shannon was spun around right on the try line but was able to pop a great short ball to the left for his centre to dive over from close range.

Joseph Shannon produced a trademark off-load in the 54th minute when after charging into the defensive line and making fifteen he was able to get a right arm offload away.

Joseph Shannon also started in the front row in Burleigh’s final trial against the Western Clydesdales with Joseph Shannon producing a typical right arm off-load in the 60th minute ten metres from the try line to put his five eight over near the right upright.

Even though he was still U18 eligible Joseph Shannon was named to make his Hastings Deering’s Colts debut off the bench for Burleigh in Round Six against the Mackay Cutters however he was not in the final match day seventeen.

Joseph Shannon was then named on Burleigh’s extended bench for their Round Eight Hastings Deering’s Colts match against the Easts Tigers.

Round Nine against the Sunshine Coast Falcons saw Joseph Shannon once again named on the Burleigh interchange bench coming into the match in the 25th minute to play in the front row with Joseph Shannon’s first effort with the ball coming almost immediately with Joseph Shannon getting the ball to around thirty metres from the try line.

In the 38th minute showed that playing against older players was not intimidating for him when he raced out of the line and smashed the Flacon’s No. 14 who was taking a hit-up. Then in the 39th minute Joseph Shannon made a great covering tackle after the Falcons fullback had made a half break and offloaded to a support who looked as if he would break away but Joseph Shannon raced to his right to make a great covering tackle.

Joseph Shannon also came off the bench in Round Ten against the Norths Devils coming onto the field late in the first half to operate at left second row with Joseph Shannon making the opening tackle of the second half.

Joseph Shannon continued from the bench in Round Twelve against the Ipswich Jets with Joseph Shannon coming close to scoring in the 68th minute when from seventeen metres out and to the left of the play the ball Joseph Shannon burst onto the ball and even though his initial engagement with the defensive line occurred still twelve metres out from the try line, Joseph Shannon just kept pumping his legs and also spun 360 degrees counter clockwise to get over the try line but he was held up under the posts by three defenders.

Joseph Shannon came off the bench to operate in the front row in the 52nd minute just three minutes later in the 55th minute Joseph Shannon made a fourteen metre run from the right of the play the ball with Joseph Shannon taking the pass on the halfway mark.

Joseph Shannon made his career first Hastings Deering’s Colts start in Round Thirteen of the 2022 season when he started in the front row against the Townsville Blackhawks with Joseph Shannon celebrating that achievement by scoring in the final minute of the match when he chased through a Burleigh grubber kick and Joseph Shannon was on the spot to get his hands on the ball under the posts in the in-goal after it was mis-handled by the Townsville fullback.

Joseph Shannon then moved to the bench in the Round Fourteen local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Joseph Shannon coming onto the field in the 21st minute to operate in the front row with Joseph Shannon making his first hit-up almost immediately with Joseph Shannon charging onto the ball to the right of the play the ball with Joseph Shannon making fifteen metres to get the ball to within twenty metres of the try line.

Joseph Shannon then did well in the 35th minute when after charging onto the ball to the left of the play the ball from his own thirty metre area with after making fifteen metres Joseph Shannon got away a great right arm flick off-load to his right centre who was able to promote the ball a further twenty five metres.

Joseph Shannon made a further strong run in the 53rd minute when from thirty metres out from his own try line, Joseph Shannon ran over the top of one Seagulls defender and was able to the ball to within three metres of the halfway mark.

Joseph Shannon also made a try saving tackle in the match when in the 44th minute when Joseph Shannon stopped Seagulls interchange forward Kyhan Weir in front of the posts with a heavy tackle and then in the 48th minute Joseph Shannon stopped Brooklyn Stanley from scoring from dummy half just to the right of the uprights.

Joseph Shannon continued from the bench in Round Fifteen against the Mackay Cutters with Joseph Shannon scoring in the 42nd minute when from a metre out Joseph Shannon ran out of dummy half to his left to crash over five metres to the right of the uprights.

Joseph Shannon then moved into the Bears starting side in the front row in Round Sixteen against the Western Clydesdales and in the 58th minute after engaging the defensive line near the halfway mark Joseph Shannon got away a great right arm flick off-load to send his brother Samuel on a thirty five metres charge.

Joseph Shannon then started in the front row in Round Seventeen against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.

In late April 2022 Joseph Shannon was named in the 2022 Queensland Rugby League U18 Emerging Origin Squad.

Post the 2022 MM Cup competition Joseph Shannon transitioned back to club rugby league, starting Round One of the 2022 Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition at left second row for the Runaway Bay Seagulls against the Southport Tigers.

Joseph Shannon almost scored in the 59th minute of the match when from twelve metres out Joseph Shannon get within inches of the line before five Southport defenders eventually were able to stop him.

The first of a number of strong runs from Joseph Shannon came in the 16th minute when he was able to make twelve metres down the left channel. Joseph Shannon made a further strong run in the 38th minute making eighteen metres from his own thirty metre mark after receiving the ball to the right of the dummy half.

Joseph Shannon backed up his 16th minute effort with a line break assist in the 18th minute when after receiving the ball on the left and thirty five metres from his own line Joseph Shannon charged at the defensive line drawing the B defender and throwing a good ball to put his left centre through a gap.

Joseph Shannon was all effort in the 30th minute when Runaway Bay put in a kick from on the halfway mark deep into Southport territory with Joseph Shannon being the first Seagulls player downfield and absolutely smashed the Tigers right winger who had just picked up the ball when Joseph Shannon arrived on the scene.

Joseph Shannon also started at left second row in Round Nine against the Ormeau Shearers with Joseph Shannon doing exceptionally well in the 4th minute when after Ormeau made a break down their right wing and drew the Seagulls fullback in looked as if they would race away to score but Joseph Shannon did note give up and chased hard and was able to drag down the Shearers support runner who had received the ball.

Joseph Shannon recorded a 34th minute try assist when from eight metres out he charged at the lien and whilst in contact with multiple defenders got away a left arm flick off-load for his support played on his left to score wide out.

In January 2021 Joseph Shannon started in the front row for the Titans U17 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights with the powerful Titans forward pack led by Joseph Shannon leading the Titans to an impressive 32 – 20 victory.

Joseph Shannon could not have made an earlier impression than he did when, after the Titans kicked off to get the match going, Joseph Shannon smashed the Knights forward taking the first hit up, cutting him in half with a superb left shoulder hit just under the ribs which put the Newcastle forward on his back.

Joseph Shannon also produced a superb front on hit early in the second half when he once again smashed a Knights attacker who was bringing the ball back from the kick-off after the Knights scored in the second half. Once again Joseph Shannon drove into the defender with his left shoulder putting him on his back with outstanding force.

Joseph Shannon then bookended the first half with an outstanding off-load with three Knights defenders engaged with him to keep the play going for the Titans. Late in the second half, Joseph Shannon showed some right subtlety in his paly when he charged onto the ball but prior to contact, threw a pre-contact offload to his right to Arama Hau who rumbled fifteen metres upfield. Just as impressively Joseph Shannon took the subsequent hit-up making an additional ten metres, including bumping off the first Knights defender who came out of the line to try to put a big hit on.

Joseph Shannon put an exclamation mark on his exceptional performance with a great fifteen metre charge from the Titans set of six after Keano Kini’s try when he knocked Newcastle forwards backwards as he steamed through the centre of the ruck.

Joseph Shannon showed a lot of desperation as well when early in the second half with the Titans holding a slender lead, to appeared that the Knights were going to score under the posts, but Joseph Shannon willed himself to get across to his left to hit the Knights attacker with his left arm around the mid-rift and forcing the ball free with the Knights player literally less than a metre from putting the ball down under the posts.

Joseph Shannon’s first hit-out with the 2021 Burleigh Bears MM Cup side came when he started in the front row in the Bears second trial against the Easts Tigers.

After taking a head knock from the opening kick-off Joseph Shannon did not play too many minutes in the trial but still made his presence felt in the match including a huge front on tackle in just the third minute of the match to rattle the teeth of his opposite number.

In Round One of the 2021 MM Cup competition, Joseph Shannon started in the front row against the Souths Logan Magpies, scoring Burleigh’s try of the match and for the 2021 season for that matter.

In the 5th minute Joseph Shannon charged onto the ball from around six metres out from the line, cutting to his left immediately prior to receiving the ball from Caleb Gould-Waiariki to take advantage of a big gap. The only defender in the vicinity being the Souths Logan hooker could only hold on for the ride as Joseph Shannon carried him over the try line to get the ball down under the posts at the dressing room end of Pizzey Park.

Just after coming back onto the field early in the second half for his second stint of the match, Joseph Shannon took out his energy on the Souths Logan defensive line with a strong hit-up in the 53rd minute, when after making ten metres and attracting a multitude of Souths Logan Joseph Shannon was able to get an off-load away to Caleb Gould-Waiariki who darted another ten metres downfield.

After missing Rounds Two and Three, Joseph Shannon was named to start on the bench for Round Four match against the Souths Logan Magpies.

In February 2021 Joseph Shannon took part in the South Coast Open school boy trials and was named in the front row in the South Coast Open B school boy side as a result of his trial performances.

2021 also saw Joseph Shannon line up once again for Coombabah State High School in the South East Queensland School Boy Langer Cup competition and after missing the opening two rounds started Round Three at right second row against PBC State High School.

Joseph Shannon had a strong match for Coombabah with his first significant contribution coming in the 12th minute with a ten metre charge on the left side of the field with Joseph Shannon then being able to off-load the ball when in contact with the defensive line.

Joseph Shannon produced an even better off-load in the 38th minute when after he had made eighteen metres, Joseph Shannon got his left arm free with three PBC defenders trying vain to get him to the ground.

Joseph Shannon also started in the front row in Round Four against Ipswich State High School when he came up against fellow Titans firebrand Joseph Pahulu. The match saw Joseph Shannon do want he does best that is to charge at the defensive line and get arm free to off-load and that is exactly what happened in the 33rd minute when he charged onto a pass from Caleb Gould-Waiariki who then looped around to get the off-load and then through a great cut out pass of around twenty metres to put his left winger over in the corner.

Joseph Shannon also continued in the front row in Round Five against St Mary’s College Toowoomba with the giant firebrand charging onto the ball from ten metres out in the 35th minute to get the ball down just to the right of the uprights.

Joseph Shannon was also named to start in the front row in Round Six against Marsden State High School and was his usual aggressive self against the giant Marsden State High School forward pack and as usual Joseph Shannon was able to showcase his off-loading skills including in the 5th minute with a great charge near halfway and then was able to get his right arm free to get away a trademark Joseph Shannon off-load.

Post the completion of the 2021 Langer Cup competition, Joseph Shannon was named as one of the Courier Mail’s Best Blue Collar workers. Then at the 2021 Coombabah State High School Sports Awards night, Joseph Shannon was named in the 2021 Coombabah State High School Team of the Year.

2021 also saw Joseph Shannon play for the Runaway Bay Seagulls in the Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition with his first appearance coming in Round Nine when Joseph Shannon started in the front row against the Southport Tigers and he also started in the front row in Round Ten against the Nerang Roosters.

After the Covid 19 enforced lock down, Joseph Shannon was named at left second row for Round Eleven against the Helensvale Hornets before moving to lock in Round Twelve against the Burleigh Bears with Joseph Shannon scoring a strong try in the 14th minute when he burst onto an off-load from twelve metres out with Joseph Shannon carrying two defenders over the line to get the ball down next to the right upright.

Earlier in the match in the 13th minute Joseph Shannon had made a huge run of fifteen metres when he cut back inside of his playmaker with Joseph Shannon only stopped by four defenders less than a metre from the line directly under the goal posts. Then in the 8th minute Joseph Shannon was at it again in the 8th minute with a strong run from inside his own territory but his left arm flick off-load was mid-handled but his support on his left.

Joseph Shannon made a further strong run of ten metres, beating one tackle before being wrestled down by three Burleigh defenders after he had gotten the ball out to thirty metres from his own line.

Joseph Shannon then started in the front row in Round Fourteen against the Ormeau Shearers.

Joseph Shannon in late 2019 spent a session training alongside the Titans NRL squad with his fellow Titans contracted JTS players and Joseph Shannon was definitely not out of place from a size or skill perspective.

One of Joseph Shannon’s most recent matches for the Titans was when he started from the interchange bench for the Titans U16 side in their annual match against the Newcastle Knights Harold Matthews Cup (U16) side in January 2020 in Coffs Harbour with the Titans coming away 18 – 14 winners in wet and slippery conditions.

When he came on Joseph Shannon was his usual aggressive self and let the Newcastle Knights players that he was on the field as he belted them in defence. Similarly some of Joseph Shannon’s charges in the Knights line can really only be described as fearsome and he regularly bent the line even though the Knights regularly three or four defenders to stopping Joseph Shannon from making significant post contact metres.

Early in the 2020 season the powerful Coombabah State High School student was named in the forward pack for the Pacific Rim Open rugby league district side after the trials for that representative side were competed. Unfortunately the selection of a South Coast side for the QSSRL U18 Championships did not occur in 2020 due to the Covid 19 pandemic.

In February 2020 Joseph Shannon was also named in the Gold Coast Vikings U16 Training Squad but unfortunately the U16 South East Queensland pre-season challenge had to be cancelled in the week leading up to the first day of the Challenge.

Also in 2020 Joseph Shannon was part of the Coombabah State High School Langer Cup Open A school boy rugby league squad for the Term Three school boy rugby league competition playing against fellow Gold Coast schools PBC and Keebra Park.

In July 2020 Joseph Shannon started in the front row for the Coombabah Open A Langer Cup side in their Langer Cup qualifying match against St Mary’s in Toowoomba but unfortunately Coombabah went down in the match.

After being knocked out of the Langer Cup, Joseph Shannon and his Coombabah State High School team mates took part of the Gee Cup school boy competition, going through the competition as the undefeated Southern Division Champions and taking on Mabel Park State High School in the 2020 Gee Cup Grand Final that was held at Langland’s Park.

In the 2020 Gee Cup Grand Final that Coombabah won 50 – 8 Joseph Shannon started in the front row and had an outstanding match showcasing his size, strength, power and aggression. In the match Joseph Shannon played a key role in Coombabah’s first try of the match when he charged onto the ball in his own territory and got off a great left arm off load to send Harrydon Wilson away on a forty five metre run to the try line.

At the completion of the season, Joseph Shannon was named the Coombabah State High School 2020 Open Rugby League Best Forward and was also named in the 2020 Coombabah State High School Team of the Year.

Joseph Shannon played the 2020 Gold Coast Rugby League with Runaway Bay in the U16 Division One competition and was dominant in a number of matches including Round Six against Helensvale and Round Eight against Ormeau.

Against Helensvale Joseph Shannon was at his powerful best off-loading the ball seemingly at will and scored when he charged straight into the teeth of the Shearers forward pack from around ten metres out from the line. Joseph Shannon contacted the Ormeau defensive line around five metres out but kept pumping his legs to crash over just to the right of the uprights.

Against Ormeau in Round Eight, Joseph Shannon also produced a powerful display and also one of controlled aggression, producing at least three exceptional one armed (right arm) off loads that I can recall to keep Runaway Bay momentum going in their victory on the Friday night.

Joseph Shannon was also outstanding in Round Nine against Runaway Bay and has in his element starting in the front row in a fierce forward battle and making an outstanding line break which ended in Joseph Shannon producing an outstanding left arm out of the back of the hand off load as Runaway Bay prevailed 10 – 4.

In late October 2020, Joseph Shannon was named in the 2021 Burleigh MM Cup squad.

In January of 2019 Joseph Shannon started on the interchange bench for the Titans U16 (he was still U15 eligible in 2019) side in their match against the Newcastle Knights U16 Harrold Matthews side. When he came on Joseph Shannon had a huge impact especially running with the ball making positive metres, especially post contact on each of his hit-ups.

In the first half Joseph Shannon also showcased his off-loading skills, when he threw a good left hand pass when engaged with the defensive line for a line break assist to Noah Johassnnsen who was able to continue to rumble down field into the Knights twenty metre line.

A couple of his first half carries were very impressive especially when he was bringing the ball away from the Titans line. It was also great to see Joseph Shannon support his team mates, after a minor scuffle, Joseph Shannon made sure that the Newcastle Knights forward did not take advantage of the Titans player on the ground.

Joseph Shannon also found himself at dummy half on a few occasions in the match but handled the situation well and got the ball to half Thomas Weaver quickly and efficiently.

In the second half, Joseph Shannon made a fifty metre break from his own half when he ran a great line to the right of the field with Bailey Martin popping him a great ball for Joseph Shannon to charge down the field in a fearsome run including outpacing some of the Knights cover defence.

Defensively Joseph Shannon also made his presence felt with a number of telling tackles including one outstanding front on tackle in the second half when he monstered the Knights replacement half who tried to beat him with a left foot step. Joseph Shannon just rag dolled him and dragged him back a number of metres in an aggressive tackle.

Joseph Shannon played the 2019 club rugby league season with Southport in the GCRL U15 Division One competition, playing in a total of nine matches and scoring five tries including opening his tally in Round One against Helensvale, scoring a double in Round Thirteen against Ormeau and also scoring in matches against Ormeau once again and Nerang.

In Week two of the 2019 GCRL U15 Division One Finals series, Joseph Shannon started against Nerang teaming with fellow Titan Seth Nikotemo in the front row scoring as Runaway Bay progressed directly to the Grand Final on the back of a 20 – 0 win.

In the 2019 GCRL U15 Division One Grand Final Joseph Shannon started in the front row for Runaway Bay as they went down 26 – 22 in a fiery forward battle against Nerang.

Joseph Shannon made his GCRL U16 Division One debut in Round Fourteen of the 2019 season against Helensvale when he came off the bench after playing in the corresponding U15 Division One match earlier in the evening.

2019 also saw Joseph Shannon represent South Coast at the U15 QSSRL Championships where South Coast went through undefeated to win the Championships and subsequently Joseph Shannon was named in the Queensland Maroons side for the U15 ASSRL Championships.

Joseph Shannon started in the front row for Queensland Maroon in their matches including on Day two when he scored in just the 5th minutes in a win against New South Wales Combined High Schools. Joseph Shannon ran a good straight line three metres out from the line and after receiving the ball dived over near the left upright.

Unfortunately Joseph Shannon took a knock and was not able to play out the Championships but he was certainly destructive when he was on the field.

Joseph Shannon was also a stand-out performer for Coombabah State High School in their various U15 schoolboy rugby league competitions in 2019.

For the 2018 season, Joseph Shannon transferred from Southport to the Coomera Cutters for whom he played the U14 Division One season. Through eleven matches in that competition including finals matches, Joseph Shannon scored six tries and kicked five conversions to finish the U14 Division One season with 34 points.

Joseph Shannon scored doubles in consecutive rounds mid-season against Beaudesert and Helensvale and also scored against Ormeau and Nerang. Four of Joseph Shannon’s goals came in a match against Beaudesert (he also scored a double in that match) with the other against Runaway Bay.

Joseph Shannon also played in one U15 Division One match in 2018 for Coomera when he lined up against Currumbin in late July.

Joseph Shannon at the start of this season represented the Gold Coast Vikings U14 side starting at lock in three matches and scored a double in Match Two of the South East Queensland U14 Championships in a win against Brisbane Red. His other match was against Ipswich.

Post those Championships Joseph Shannon was selected at lock for South East Queensland White and scored against South East Queensland Green on Day One of the Queensland Age Championships.

In 2019 Joseph Shannon was also selected in the Queensland Academy of Sport U15 Emerging Origin squad.

Joseph Shannon also represented the Gold Coast Vikings in 2017 at the U13 level, playing three games in the 2017 Hill Stumer Championships that were held at Carina.

Rarely can you find a young player who is equally at home running on both sides of the ruck but that is what a team has with Joseph Shannon, he runs a superb outside shoulder line and his excellent footwork enables him to step off either foot to enable him to cut back against the movement of the defensive line to take advantage of gaps back on the inside of his direct opponent.

For a big strong young man, Joseph Shannon also has above average speed, not just off the mark but also when he is in clear space, when he makes a break Joseph Shannon is more than capable of going the distance and normally easily out paces the cover defence.

Joseph Shannon is not just a strong runner of the ball he as noted above has excellent footwork prior to the line and also some very good short passing both before the line and when in contact with a defender.

Joseph Shannon in schoolboy rugby and junior age groups is a magnet for defenders and is adept at identifying when multiple defenders are vectoring towards him and identifying the appropriate force to be applied to his passing when off-loading.

On a lot of his runs Joseph Shannon rather than trying to step his opposite number will really look to initiate the contact and then use his strength to hold the defender off his body to either push through the tackle or draw in the next defender to create space for his outside support.

Joseph Shannon is a scary young man when he is running at a defensive line. In addition to being a giant, Joseph Shannon runs at the line with speed and unbridled aggression. When you add to those traits his long hair which flows everywhere when he runs Joseph Shannon is a sight to behold when he crashes into the defensive line and then immediately fights with knees and elbows going in all directions to get a quick play the ball.

On many occasions Joseph Shannon is the designated kick-up returner for his side and with added room to wind up Joseph Shannon’s front on crashes into the defensive line causes carnage and whilst he may not make a break himself the fact that he draws in so many defenders and gets quick play the ball means that his team mates have a lot more room to move, including dummy halves who use the fact that defenders are scattered all over the place to their advantage.

Joseph Shannon, over the course of his junior rugby league career to date is a bit of a try scorer, many of which have come from kamikaze charges at the line and he has regularly had multiple defenders hanging off him when he puts the ball down.

Defensively Joseph Shannon has a hard, aggressive edge to his play and his initial contact is more than sufficient to redirect the momentum of the ball carrier. Joseph Shannon sets a very good base which he uses to explode into the ball carrier looking to use their own momentum against them.

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

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

Let’s cut to the chase, defensively (and for that matter in attack) Joseph Shannon is exceptionally aggressive and on occasion can sail close to the wind. In saying that on the vast majority of occasions Joseph channels his aggression the right way. Rarely have I seen such a dominant defender in junior rugby league.

When you add his size and power with his aggression (throw in his hair flowing everywhere) you have a scary scary individual if you are an opposition forward running at him. Joseph Shannon does not just belt the opposition in relation to initial contact, Joseph Shannon makes sure that you know you have been hit and who hit you including when you are on the ground. No one and I mean no one is getting up to play the ball quickly when Joseph Shannon has hit you.

Based on my commentary above, you would not think so but Joseph Shannon actually has a very good front on tackling technique including the critical aspect of head placement and Joseph Shannon also is very good at tracking the ball across the field and his defensive technique in relation to a side on low tackle is one out of the coaching manual.

Joseph Shannon will play the 2023 season with the Burleigh Bears in the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition after playing a number of matches for the Bears in the Colts competition in 2022 and Joseph Shannon is also Colts eligible in 2024.

Joseph Shannon is a big strong powerful young man but he also has good speed and mobility and for that reason I believe that Joseph Shannon’s ideal spot on a rugby league field is in the front row where he can use his physical attributes and skill set through the centre of the field and at 189cm and 101kg Joseph Shannon is more that big, strong and powerful enough to make a significant impact.

Joseph Shannon is a rare combination of size, power, incredible athletic ability and an exceptional understanding of timing and anticipation on a football thus to that extent for me Joseph Shannon has a young Ryan James athletic ability, football intelligence and aggressiveness as well as playing style.

This young man is an extraordinary talent and is as good as any other player that the Titans have in their JTS program.

[mdrew]

Jac Finnigan. In early January 2021 Jac Finnigan was part of a small but impressive group of Titans linked 2021 U15 players who after attending a Titans camp and spent time training with the Titans NRL squad. Post that camp Jac Finnigan signed a contract that will keep him with the Titans and on the Gold Coast for the next couple of seasons at the very least.

In late January 2022 Jac Finnigan started in the second row for the Titans U16 side in a match at Pizzey Park against the Sydney Bulldogs with Jac Finnigan scoring in the 11th minute when down a wide right blindside Jac Finnigan from ten metres out, Jac Finnigan ran into a gap off a great short ball from Zane Harrison to dive over in the right corner.

Just prior to scoring Jac Finnigan charged onto the ball from a Titans penalty restart to get the Titans into the attacking twenty metre zone with Jac Finnigan scoring later in the same set of six tackles.

In early May 2022 Jac Finnigan also started in the second row for the Titans JTS U16 squad that took on a Northern Rivers Titans U17 squad at Cbus Stadium as a curtain-raiser to the Titans NRL Round Fourteen against the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs.

In late July 2022 Jac Finnigan was part of the U17 Future Titans Squad that defenders a Titans U18 Northern Rivers Squad 36 – 8 at Cbus Stadium as a curtain-raiser to the Round Twenty NRL match between the Titans and the Canberra Raiders with Jac Finnigan starting the match at right second row.

Jac Finnigan was also named to start at right second row for the Titans JTS U16 side in a match against a Sydney Roosters side at Pizzey Park in late September 2022.

In late September 2022 Jac Finnigan was named in the 2023 Burleigh Bears MM Cup squad with Jac Finnigan also MM Cup eligible in 2024.

Jac Finnigan also attends Palm Beach Currumbin (PBC) State High School on the Gold Coast as part of their Rugby League Excellence Program which has a close formal partnership with the Titans.

Round One of the 2022 Langer Cup School Boy competition saw Jac Finnigan named to from the bench for PBC State High School against Marsden State High School for his Langer Cup debut with Jac Finnigan coming onto the field in the 21st minute to operate at right second row with Jac Finnigan’s first run coming almost as soon as he came on with Jac Finnigan’s hard charge getting the ball forty metres out from his own try line.

Jac Finnigan made a line break in the 24th minute when he charged onto a good ball from his left from Reico Ratana who from just inside his own territory had cut across field to his left before popping a short ball to Jac Finnigan who flew onto the ball and then stepped off his right foot to beat one defender before being brought down after making twenty five metres.

Jac Finnigan made a further strong run in the 44th minute making ten metres down the right channel to get the ball to the halfway mark. Jac Finnigan was at it again in the 55th minute making twelve metres into the attacking twenty metre zone after receiving a hard flat pass from his inside from Zane Harrison. Jac Finnigan was hit high by the Marsden SHS defence and was deservedly awarded a penalty.

Jac Finnigan continued off the bench in Round Two against Redcliffe State High School with Jac Finnigan coming onto the field late in the first half at right second row.

Round Three against Coombabah State High School saw Jac Finnigan making his Langer Cup starting debut at right second row.

After the mid-season break, Jac Finnigan started at left second row in Round Four against Ipswich State High School and in the 18th minute Jac Finnigan executed a great hit on the Ipswich SHS winger (No. 2) from a kick return.

Jac Finnigan then started at right second row in Round Five against Mabel Park SHS with Jac Finnigan scoring in the 4th minute when Jac Finnigan raced through to take a short chip kick from Zane Harrison to retrieve the ball around ten metres out and crash over eight metres in from the right corner post.

Jac Finnigan also started at right second row in the Round Six local derby against Keebra Park SHS with Jac Finnigan making a strong run of sixteen metres in the 45th minute down the right channel to get the ball three metres over the halfway mark.

Jac Finnigan continued at right second row in Round Seven against Wavell SHS.

Jac Finnigan continued at right second row in PBC SHS’s Langer Cup Quarter Final against Mabel Park SHS with Jac Finnigan getting the movement underway that led to PBC SHS’s opening try of their big win. In the 4th minute Jac Finnigan took the ball into the defensive line and whilst being dragged to ground Jac Finnigan got away a great two handed off-load to Keano Kini who ultimately scored in the right corner.

Jac Finnigan then did well in the 24th minute when he held up the Mabel Park SHS replacement dummy half who had tried to burrow his way over from dummy half on the right side of the field.

Jac Finnigan was then named at right second row for PBC SHS in the 2022 Langer Cup Semi-final against Keebra Park SHS.

Unfortunately for Jac Finnigan he was ruled out of the 2022 School Boy Langer Cup Grand Final against Ipswich SHS due to injury.

In mid-December 2021 Jac Finnigan had the opportunity to train with the Titans NRL squad in a joint training session between the Titans NRL squad and the Titans JTS Program Squads.

In October 2021 Jac Finnigan was named in the exceptionally talented Burleigh Bears U16 Cyril Connell Cup squad.

Round One of the 2022 U16 Cyril Connell Cup saw Jac Finnigan named at right second row for the Burleigh Bears against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Jac Finnigan taking the fourth hit-up of the match after Tweed Heads had kicked off.

Jac Finnigan then made a strong line break in the 27th minute when he charged onto a wide ball down the right channel making thirty metres before he was eventually brought to ground by multiple Seagulls defenders.

Jac Finnigan was also named at right second row for Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies and in Round Three against the Norths Devils with Jac Finnigan producing an outstanding cover defending tackle in just the 5th minute against the Devils when he came across and dragged the Norths left winger into touch after the winger had broken away down the left touchline, with Jac Finnigan coming across to get the winger into touch still twenty five metres out from the try line.

In the 8th minute Jac Finnigan made a strong seventeen metre run down the right channel to get the ball to twenty five metres out from the try line. Jac Finnigan made another strong run down the right channel in the 21st minute from inside his own territory. Jac Finnigan was able to get part way through the Devils defensive line and off-load to his right to Sunny Kama who was able to promote the ball a further fifteen metres.

Jac Finnigan then continued at right second row in Round Four against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Jac Finnigan producing a crunching one on one tackle in the 40th minute on the Wynnum Manly halfback.

Jac Finnigan was named on the bench for the Bears opening 2022 trail against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Jac Finnigan operating at right second row in the second half after coming on at halftime with Jac Finnigan making a strong run to the right of the dummy half making eleven metres to get the ball into Tweed Heads territory.

In total in the 2022 U16 Cyril Connell Cup competition Jac Finnigan made the third most tackles in the entire competition with eighty eight from five matches at an average of 17.6 tackles per match and a tackling efficiency that exceeded 90%.

Jac Finnigan then started at right second row for Burleigh in their final 2022 trail against the Western Clydesdales.

2022 also saw Jac Finnigan play for the Burleigh Bears White side in the Gold Coast Junior Rugby League U16 Division One competition, leading the Bears to a Grand Final appearance against the Helensvale Hornets with Jac Finnigan starting the Grand Final at right second row with Jac Finnigan making a strong run in the 18th minute when from thirty metres out from his own try line Jac Finnigan ran onto a pass from his left from Nayte Saaga with Jac Finnigan making twelve metres but unfortunately Jac Finnigan’s off-load to his right went to ground.

Early February 2021 saw Jac Finnigan make it through the first stage of the South Coast U15 QSSRL trials when he was named in the U15 Oceania school boy U15 squad. Following the final round of the school boy trials, Jac Finnigan was named in the 2021 South Coast U15 school boy QSSRL squad for the 2021 QSSRL U15 State Championships starting the Championship Final against Met West at right second row.

Jac Finnigan made a strong start in the 2021 QSSRL U15 Championship Final when in the 7th minute he made a good run accounting for twelve metres and promoting the ball to near thirty metres out from the Met West line and then was awarded a penalty for crowding by the defenders as Jac Finnigan attempted to play the ball.

Jac Finnigan was one of the South Coast try scorers in their 28 – 20 Championship Final victory with his try coming in the 24th minute when fullback Ray Puru took the ball down a short right blindside ten metres out and popping a good ball to Jac Finnigan who crashed over in the right corner.

Jac Finnigan also scored on Day Three against Met North when in the 47th minute he ran a great outside shoulder line from twenty five metres out to receive a pass from Zane Harrison, with Jac Finnigan running untouched to put the ball down five metres in from the right corner post.

In 2021 Jac Finnigan continued at PBC State High School as part of the school’s Elite Rugby League Program and made a strong impression at right second row for the PBC Walters Cup side in their Round One 16 all draw against Ipswich State High School.

Jac Finnigan’s initial major contribution came in the 14th minute when he ran a hard straight crash line, almost breaking the line and then Jac Finnigan ran the same line once again in the 18th minute.

Jac Finnigan ran a more subtle outside shoulder line in the 36th minute, once again getting halfway through the line before getting a right arm off-load away to Zane Harrison who made a further twenty metres downfield.

Jac Finnigan also started at right second row in Round Two against Forest Lake State High School and he was once again at his devastating best running the ball, recording a try assist as well as a number of line breaks.

Jac Finnigan’s try assist was recorded in the 41st minute, when after he received a good ball from Zane Harrison on his inside, Jac Finnigan absorbed contact before off-loading to his right for his right centre to score in the corner.

Jac Finnigan made his first line break of the match in the 9th minute when he ran an underneath route, making twelve metres to get within nine metres of the try line and then just three minutes later on the opposite side of the field Jac Finnigan made a similar charge with similar results.

Jac Finnigan continued at right second row in Round Three against Coombabah State High School and recorded a try assist in in the 39th minute, when Will Saunders ran out of dummy half to his right making fifteen metres before off-loading to Jac Finnigan who then off-load to the PBC right centre with Jac Finnigan receiving the ball back from the centre and then off-loaded the ball back to the same player to score.

Jac Finnigan also had a very solid match from the right second row position in Round Four against Marsden State High School and also started at right second row in Round Five against Keebra Park SHS.

Round Six against Redcliffe State High School saw Jac Finnigan once again start at right second row and he was the dominant force on the field with an outstanding match that included multiple strong charges at the Redcliffe SHS defensive line and equally strong defence. In short Jac Finnigan was easily the best player on the field, full stop.

Jac Finnigan also started at right second row in the final round after the Covid 19 lockdown, scoring PBC’s opening try in their victory over Wavell State High School. Jac Finnigan could not have made his opening contribution to the match any earlier, being involved in the opening tackle of the match after PBC had kicked off.

Jac Finnigan’s try came in the 15th minute of the match when he burst into a gap from around twenty five metres out off a good pass from Zane Harrison. Once through the Wavell SHS line, Jac Finnigan veered to his right to beat the fullback and scored five metres in from the right corner post.

Jac Finnigan also started at right second row in PBC’s semi-final victory over Wavell State High School and scored a great try in PBC’s victory. Jac Finnigan was in the match early, making the first tackle that PBC made in the match when he chased through a Zane Harrison’s clearing kick.

Jac Finnigan scored in the 33rd minute when he surged through a gap from ten metres out off a Zane Harrison pass to score on the right side of the field, mid-way between the corner post and goal posts.

Jac Finnigan also started the 2021 Walters Cup Grand Final at right second row against Keebra Park State High School.

In 2021 Jac Finnigan played for the Burleigh Bears in the Gold Coast Rugby League U15 Division One competition, playing for Burleigh White and started at left second row in the 2021 U15 Division One Grand Final against Burleigh Maroon.

Inside the opening minute of the Grand Final Jac Finnigan flagged why the Titans signed him when he broke through the Burleigh Maroon defensive line, making thirty five metres after beating to tackles to get to within forty metres of the try line.

Jac Finnigan also had a strong match in Round Ten against the Coomera Cutters when he started at right second row and provided near impossible to stop in the Bears 42 – 12 victory including scoring a late first half try when from six metres out he charged onto a pass from his hooker who had darted out of dummy half with Jac Finnigan getting the ball down ten metres in from the left corner post.

Jac Finnigan also threw the last pass for the Bears second try of the match with the Bears left centre proving too much for the Cutters defence to stop.

Jac Finnigan continued his strong form in Round Eleven, once again starting at left second row against the Helensvale Hornets.

In 2020 Jac Finnigan also played OzTag, playing for the Nerang Tigers in the 2020 U15 Boys Super Series and post that particular OzTag competition was named in the Queensland U15 Boys OzTag Development squad, an impressive achievement to say the least for a 14 year old up against players a year older.

In 2019 and 2020 Jac Finnigan played for the Nerang Roosters Junior Rugby League Club, in 2019 in the U13 age group and in 2020 the U14 age group, being one of a number of talented players for the Roosters in both of those years.

In 2019 Jac Finnigan was part of the Gold Coast Vikings U13 representative side that played in the Hill Stumer Championships in Ipswich with Jac Finnigan starting at lock for the Gold Coast Junior Rugby League Representative Side at North Ipswich Reserve.

Jac Finnigan’s first taste of representative rugby league came in 2018 when he was selected in the South Coast U12 school boy representative side from PBC for the Queensland Primary Schools Rugby League Championships.

Jac Finnigan is an outstanding athlete and this can be seen when he is running with the ball. In his carries Jac Finnigan 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. Jac Finnigan just seems to know where the frailties are in the defensive line and exactly how to take advantage of them to their fullest extent possible.

Jac Finnigan 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, Jac Finnigan does not necessarily try to run over defenders, but Jac Finnigan runs at the gaps between defenders and uses his running speed to break through if defenders only use their arms in the tackle.

Jac Finnigan does not necessarily have a great top end speed, but he is certainly more than 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 (although Jac Finnigan can certainly play on the right), means that Jac Finnigan’s 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 right hand side of the field.

In defence Jac Finnigan regularly is the first player up to target the ball carriers, even though he is not always 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 Jac Finnigan 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 Jac Finnigan 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 2023 Jac Finnigan will line up once again for the Burleigh Bears in the Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition and Jac Finnigan is also U18 eligible in 2024. 2023 will also see Jac Finnigan line up for the Burleigh Bears U18 MM Cup squad.

In 2023 Jac Finnigan will also once again be part of the PBC school boy rugby league program, including being a key member of the PBC SHS Langer Cup school boy side with Jac Finnigan also pushing for a sport in the South School QSSRL U18 School Boy Representative side.

Whilst Jac Finnigan has played a fair portion of his junior rugby league career to date at lock, he can certainly play a variety of other positions, including centre and second row at a very high level as well. When all is said and done, ultimately I believe that Jac Finnigan will play in the second row long term.

Identifying an NRL player with a similar playing style to Jac Finnigan was an interesting such is his diverse skill set and physical characteristics. Ultimately however I consider that Titans NRL second left rower and occasional centre Beau Fermor is a more that fair comparison in relation to Jac Finnigan. Both Fermor and Jac Finnigan are talented athletes with above average speed as well as endurance and both can play a number of positions at an above average level.