My take on our top juniors

[mdrew]

Jaylan De Groot. The former Parramatta Eel, but Northern New South Wales junior signed a one year contract with the Titans in late 2020 for the 2021 season that encompassed the final year of his U18 eligibility, but in great news for Titans fans, in late 2021 Jaylan De Groot signed a new three year deal with the Titans.

To add to the positive news around Jaylan De Groot extended his contract with the Titans in February 2021, with his new contract that commences in 2022 being a Titans NRL Development contract in recognition of a number of seasons of outstanding performances. Jaylan De Groot’s current deal with the Titans takes him up until the end of the 2024 season.

On November 1, 2022, Jaylan De Groot once again commenced participating in the Titans NRL off-season program on a train and trial basis.

Jaylan De Groot was named on the bench for the Titans NRL side in their opening 2023 trial against the Brisbane Bronco’s on the Sunshine Coast with Jaylan De Groot coming onto the field in the final ten minutes to play at fullback. In his time on the field Jaylan De Groot ran for thirteen metres (six post contact) and played the ball at an average speed of 3.92 seconds.

In early December 2022 Jaylan De Groot took part in a joint annual training session between the Titans JTS contracted players and the Titans NRL squad.

2023 saw Jaylan De Groot return to the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Jaylan De Groot named on the bench in Round One of the 2023 Queensland Cup competition against the Central Queensland Capra’s however a late change saw Jaylan De Groot start his Queensland Cup debut at fullback.

Jaylan De Groot scored his first Queensland Cup try and the Seagulls first try of the season in the 37th minute when after receiving the ball from his left from Toby Sexton when eight metres out, Jaylan De Groot had an easy run to dive over to score ten metres in from the right corner post.

Jaylan De Groot thought he had scored a second try in the 38th minute when after chasing through a Toby Sexton grubber kick it appeared that Jaylan De Groot got his hand to the ball adjacent to the right goal post however it was ruled that Jaylan De Groot had knocked on prior to getting downward pressure on the ball.

Jaylan De Groot forced a goal line drop out in the 38th minute when from twelve metres out and in the centre of the field Jaylan De Groot put in a right foot grubber kick towards the right side of the field into the in-goal. After the ball was recovered by the Capra’s who got the ball back into the field of play, Jaylan De Groot along with a few other Seagulls got hold of him, held him up and forced back into the in-goal.

Jaylan De Groot’s first kick return in his Queensland Cup debut came in the 5th minute when after taking a Capra’s clearing kick on the full four metres out from his own try line and on the left side of the field Jaylan De Groot ran back towards the centre of the field to get to his own twenty metre mark.

Jaylan De Groot made a further strong run in the 21st minute when he was able to promote the ball fifteen metres to thirty one metres out from the try line after running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball. Then in the 27th minute from the right of the play the ball Jaylan De Groot made ten more metres to get to thirty metres away from the try line.

Jaylan De Groot tan to his right out of dummy half in the 46th minute with Jaylan De Groot getting the ball from twenty six metres out from his own try line to within five metres of the halfway mark.

Jaylan De Groot also made a try saving tackle in the 29th minute when after the Seagulls dropped the ball the Central Queensland second rower (No. 11) picked up the ball and set sail for the try line but Jaylan De Groot charged to his left to make a great low tackle and then from the marker position with the remaining defenders still try to get back inside, Jaylan De Groot also made the next tackle from the marker position.

Playing the entire eighty minutes of the match Jaylan De Groot ran for 105 metres (sixteen post contact), broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 2.91 seconds and made thirteen tackles at a tackling efficiency of 86.67%.

Jaylan De Groot was also named at fullback for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Western Clydesdales in Round Two.

Jaylan De Groot recorded a try assist in the 56th minute when after joining the Seagulls backline on the left side of the field, Jaylan De Groot received the ball from his right from Thomas Weaver around twenty metres out and ten metres in from the left touch line, Jaylan De Groot was able to get on the outside of the Clydesdales right centre and when twelve metres out Jaylan De Groot drew in the right winger and got the ball away to his left to put Kaleb Ngamanu over to score in the left corner.

Jaylan De Groot’s initial strong run of the match came in the 4th minute when to the right of the play Jaylan De Groot received an “out the back” pass from Toby Sexton when twenty five metres out with Jaylan De Groot then cutting inside off his right foot to get within six metres of the try line.

Jaylan De Groot then did well in the 33rd minute when from the right of the play the ball thirty metres out, Jaylan De Groot ran onto the ball and got to withing thirteen metres of the try line. Then in the 48th minute after receiving the ball from an off-load from Toby Sexton twenty five metres out Jaylan De Groot burst through the defensive line only to be tripped up sixteen metres out, but Jaylan De Groot quickly got to his feet before he was held to get six metres closer to the try line.

Jaylan De Groot showed his calmness under pressure in the 53rd minute with a great take of a high bomb on the full under pressure six metres out from the try line and just to the left of the uprights. Jaylan De Groot made another great take under pressure in the 61st minute when faced with a number of charging defenders Jaylan De Groot jumped high to take a bomb on the full ten metres out from the try line.

Playing all eighty minutes of the match Jaylan De Groot ran for 106 metres (thirty six post contact), recorded a try assist and line break assist, broke four tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 2.84 seconds and made four tackles at an 80% tackling efficiency.

Jaylan De Groot continued at fullback in Round Three against the Norths Devils with Jaylan De Groot scoring in the 4th minute when Jaylan De Groot joined the Seagulls backline on the left side of the field and ran onto a cut-out pass from his right from Thomas Weaver to run ten metres untouched to put the ball down twelve metres in from the left corner post.

Jaylan De Groot also made a line break in the 10th minute when with the play the ball in the centre of the field and two metres inside Seagulls territory Jaylan De Groot ran to his right out of dummy half and burst through the centre of the Devils ruck before being tackled twenty nine metres from the try line.

Jaylan De Groot made a great take under pressure in the 21st minute when he jumped above the Norths chasers to take a high bomb on the full just five metres out from his own try line with Jaylan De Groot being awarded a penalty for being tackled whilst still in the air.

Unfortunately a leg injury saw Jaylan De Groot leave the field but in his fifty eight minutes on the field Jaylan De Groot ran for forty three metres (nine post contact), made a line break, played the ball at an average speed of 4.96 seconds and made a tackle.

Jaylan De Groot started at fullback for the Seagulls in Trial One in a late February 2023 Queensland Cup trial against the Burleigh Bears.

Jaylan De Groot started and finished a great try in the 36th minute. After a Burleigh penalty kick did not find touch, Jaylan De Groot took the kick on the full ten metres inside his own territory on the left touchline and immediately ran the ball back towards the centre of the field. When he got the ball to the centre of the field and thirty five metres out Jaylan De Groot got an off-load away to his left to Ryan Foran. Jaylan De Groot then backed up on the inside and after Kaleb Ngamanu made a line break Jaylan De Groot was in position to receive an off-load from his left after Kaleb Ngamanu had drawn the Bears fullback and race away to score untouched under the posts.

Jaylan De Groot also made a line break in the 22nd minute when after receiving a good inside ball from his left from Max Liles Jaylan De Groot, from thirty five metres our beat the bears fullback and set sail for the try line but Jaylan De Groot was brought down from behind just two metres out from the try line and directly in front of the posts.

Jaylan De Groot then came off the bench in Trial Two also against the Bears in the second half to operate at fullback with Jaylan De Groot recording a line break assist in the 68th minute with a smart catch and pass to his right from forty metres out from his own try line for Jaylan De Groot putting his outside support on a long run down the left touchline.

Jaylan De Groot also did well in the 79th minute with a twelve metre run to the left of the play the ball with Jaylan De Groot able to get the ball two metres into Burleigh territory.

In late February 2023 Jaylan De Groot was part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup squad that took part in a pre-season camp in northern New South Wales.

Round One of the 2023 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition saw Jaylan De Groot start at right centre for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Townsville Blackhawks with Jaylan De Groot scoring in the 32nd minute when he backed up a Seagulls left sided line break with Jaylan De Groot receiving the ball in the centre of the field and running forty metres to score under the posts untouched.

Jaylan De Groot also recorded a try assist in the 5th minute when after receiving a great off-load from Reico Ratana around thirty five metres from the try line, Jaylan De Groot burst into space before drawing the Blackhawks fullback when fifteen metres out and getting the ball away to his right to put Malachi Donovan over to score.

Jaylan De Groot made a good run in the 26th minute when from the right of the play the ball and thirty four metres out from his own try line Jaylan De Groot was able to promote the ball to within two metres of the halfway mark. The 64th minute then saw Jaylan De Groot make a twenty metre run down the right channel to within thirty metres of the try line.

Jaylan De Groot was heavily involved inside the opening minute of the season with a great try saving tackle on the Townsville left centre within a metre of the try line and two metres in from the right touchline.

Jaylan De Groot made another strong tackle in the 16th minute with a ball and all effort on the Townsville left second rower (No. 12) around forty metres out.

Then in the 38th minute Jaylan De Groot was heavily involved in holding up the Blackhawks left second rower over the try line mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field. Then nine minutes later Jaylan De Groot stopped the same player on the try line.

Jaylan De Groot also did well in the 69th minute to jump high and take a Townsville short high kick-off on the full two metres after it had crossed the ten metre mark.

Jaylan De Groot then moved to fullback in Round Three against the Toowoomba Clydesdales with Jaylan De Groot scoring a hat trick with his opening try coming in the 40th minute when he backed up on the inside of a Tweed Heads line break down the left side of the field with Jaylan De Groot receiving the ball and racing away to score under the posts untouched.

Jaylan De Groot added a second try in the 55th minute with a comfortable six metre run from a good ball from his inside to put the ball down ten metres in from the right corner post.

Jaylan De Groot completed his hat trick in the 79th minute with a great solo effort. After receiving the ball around thirteen metres out from the try line after the Seagulls starting throwing the ball to their right, Jaylan De Groot put in a right foot grubber kick for himself and was too quick for the defence to get to the ball first and ground it five metres to the right of the uprights.

Jaylan De Groot also recorded a line break assist in the 36th minute when after receiving the ball Jaylan De Groot to the left of the play the ball Jaylan De Groot continued to run to his left before putting a good short ball on the chest of a hard charging Kyhan Wier who charged away downfield.

Jaylan De Groot also did well defensively in the 61st minute with a try saving tackle literally on the top of the try line to prevent what appeared a certain try.

Jaylan De Groot finished the match with a team leading and match leading 193 metres gained running with the ball.

Jaylan De Groot continued at fullback in Round Four against the Souths Logan Magpies with Jaylan De Groot recording a try assist in the 13th minute when after taking the ball to the left of the play the ball, Jaylan De Groot ran to his left and at the last moment Jaylan De Groot popped a short pass to he left to put Ryan Foran through a gap to score from eight metres out.

Jaylan De Groot made a line break in the 48th minute when after receiving an off-load from Jayden Wright forty metres out from his own try line, Jaylan De Groot took off from a standing start to get the ball to within twenty metres of the try line. Jaylan De Groot was then awarded a “six again” after he was held down too long when trying to get to his feet to play the ball.

Jaylan De Groot had done well in the 6th minute when after shepherding a Magpies grubber kick over the dead ball line, Jaylan De Groot raced back to the twenty metre mark and after taking a quick kick restart Jaylan De Groot ran to his right and was able to make fourteen metres.

Jaylan De Groot undertook the 2021/22 pre-season with the Titans NRL squad as a member of the Titans Rookie Squad looking to impress Justin Holbrook and the other NRL coaches.

Jaylan De Groot started the Titans first 2022 NRL trial against the Brisbane Bronco’s at Cbus Stadium from the bench. Coming on at halftime into the fullback role and what a heck of a second half Jaylan De Groot had, scoring one try and setting up another.

Jaylan De Groot scored in the 58th minute when from ten metres out he charged onto an inside pass from Tremain Spry to force his way over to get the ball down with three defenders hanging off him eight metres in from the right corner post.

Jaylan De Groot’s try assist came in the 43rd minute and in fact it was just his second touch of the ball in the match. Jaylan De Groot took the ball to the right and from inside ten metres out Jaylan De Groot put in a short right foot grubber kick that Tremain Spry picked up to comfortably score.

In total in his forty minutes on the field for the Titans Jaylan De Groot ran for twenty one metres, broke two tackles played the ball at an average speed of 3.16 seconds and made a tackle.

In late July 2022 Jaylan De Groot started on the left wing 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 with Jaylan De Groot scoring a second half double.

Jaylen Dr Groot scored his opening try in the 47th minute when he dived over in the left corner after receiving a good ball from his inside from Ryan Foran.

Jaylen De Groot added a second try in the 53rd minute when he was put over in the left corner by way of a good ball from Keano Kini.

Jaylen De Groot also had a big hand in Keano Kini’s 22nd minute try after he had swapped with Keano Kini to spend time at fullback. As the Titans played the ball forty five metres out and on the left side of the field, Jaylan De Groot who had stationed himself behind the play the ball ran to his left and after receiving the ball from the dummy half, Jaylen De Groot drew in one defender and then got the ball away to his left to Kaleb Ngamanu who subsequently put Keano Kini over in the left corner.

In late January 2022 Jaylan De Groot started at fullback for the Titans U19 side in a match at Pizzey Park against the Burleigh Bears Hastings Deering’s Colts side being moving to the left wing in the second half.

Jaylan De Groot finished the match with two try assists, the first coming in the 11th minute. Jaylan De Groot’s try assist movement commenced well inside his own territory with a hit-up from Arama Hau. After engaging the Burleigh defence Arama Hau produced a right arm off-load to Jaylan De Groot who burst through the Burleigh defence before veering to his left as he approached the Bears fullback and then passed back across his body to his left to find a flying Ryan Foran thirty two metres out. As soon as he received the ball Ryan Foran cut off his right foot to beat one defender and then cross the line.

Jaylan De Groot’s second try assist came literally on the final siren when after some great lead up work by the Titans, Jaylan De Groot threw the Burleigh right winger to put Titans left winger Elijah Lui over in the left corner for his first try in a Titans jersey.

Jaylan De Groot was not too far away from scoring himself in the 52nd minute when he raced down the left touchline after Ryan Foran had picked up a Burleigh dropped ball, but near the halfway mark just as he was getting to full pace with no-one in front of him, Jaylan De Groot was ankle tapped from behind.

Jaylan De Groot has always been a fullback with great positional sense and then was displayed once again in the 27th minute when he positioned himself well right on his own try line and to the left of the goal posts to take a Burleigh attacking grubber kick. After taking possession Jaylan De Groot took off to his right, stepping twice off his right foot to get the ball twelve metres out from the try line directly in front of the goal posts.

Also in late 2021 Jaylan De Groot was part of the Titans NRL squad that undertook a joint training session with ninety members of the Titans JTS Program.

In June 2022 Jaylan De Groot was named in the New South Wales U19 side for their match against Queensland U19’s with Jaylan De Groot named on the NSW extended bench for the match.

In late 2021 it was confirmed that Jaylan De Groot would play the 2022 season as part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls Hastings Deering’s Colts squad and Jaylan De Groot is also Colts eligible in 2023.

Round One of the 2022 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition saw Jaylan De Groot named to start at fullback for the Tweed Heads Seagulls as they got their season underway against the Norths Devils however the match was ultimately postponed due to the extreme weather conditions in northern New South Wales.

Jaylan De Groot was also named to start at fullback in the Round Two local derby against the Burleigh Bears with Jaylan De Groot scoring a double and setting up another try in the Seagulls big 40 – 16 victory.

Jaylan De Groot’s opening try came in the 52nd minute when on the five tackle he positioned himself on the right wing and charged forward taking a Thomas Weaver bomb to the right corner on the full. Jaylan De Groot then did a great job getting the ball down in the in-gaol after taking the cross kick above his head before he was taken into touch in-goal.

Jaylan De Groot completed his double in the 73rd minute when from five metres out Jaylan De Groot ran to his right out of dummy half and got between two Bears defenders to score four metres to the left of the uprights.

In just the 3rd minute of the match Jaylan De Groot recorded a try assist when whilst operating on the left field he threw a hard flat face ball to his left to a charging Klese Haas who charged over from five metres out.

Jaylan De Groots’ first touch of the match came inside the opening two minutes when just two metres out from his own try line Jaylan De Groot picked up a dropped Burleigh ball near the left corner. Upon taking possession of the ball Jaylan De Groot ran to his right towards the middle of the field before straightening up and getting the ball eighteen metres away from his own try line.

As he does so well, Jaylan De Groot was hovering around the play the ball in the 25th minute and got into dummy half, running himself to his right when he spotted the Burleigh defence still going backwards with Jaylan De Groot able to make fifteen metres.

Jaylan De Groot was at his elusive best in the 68th minute when after he received that ball from a Seagulls scrum win on the left side of the field twenty two metres out, Jaylan De Groot cut back to his left on a number of occasions, getting the ball to within eight metres of the try line and directly in front of the goal posts after breaking five tackles in his winding run.

In the 48th minute along with Oskar Bryant and Thomas Weaver, Jaylan De Groot was on hand to hold up Burleigh lock Samuel Shannon over the try line.

Jaylan De Groot showed his high level of positioning sense in the 48th minute when he was perfectly place right on his own try line to retrieve a Burleigh attacking grubber kick in the left corner and Jaylan De Groot was even able to bring the ball five metres away from his own try line.

Jaylan De Groot continued at fullback in Round Three against the Townsville Blackhawks and in the 5th minute positioned himself well on the left side of the field to take a grubber kick on the bounce just a metre out from his own line. Once he had secured possession Jaylan De Groot ran to his right back towards the centre of the field and was able to get the ball out past the ten metre mark.

Jaylen De Groot was Tweed Heads saviour in the 9th minute when he hit the Blackhawks hard over the try line to force the ball loose after the hooker had tried to dive over from dummy half.

Jaylan De Groot’s came to the fore once again in the 49th minute when he raced to his left to tackle the Townsville No. 2 who had burst away and appeared set to score but Jaylan De Groot came from the clouds to tackle him from behind.

Jaylan De Groot also started at fullback in Round Six against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls and in a sign of the high esteem that he is held in, Jaylan De Groot was named the Seagulls captain for the match.

Jaylan De Groot made a great one on one tackle on the Wynnum Manly right winger who had broken away and looked to take Jaylan De Groot on one on one in space but Jaylan De Groot was up to the challenge and put the winger on the ground.

Jaylan De Groot continued at fullback in Round Six against the Northern Pride scoring a double in the Seagulls big 66 – 0.

Jaylan De Groot’s first try came within the opening minutes of the match when he backed up a break down the left touchline from Thomas Weaver that started deep inside Seagulls territory with Thomas Weaver drawing the fullback and sending Jaylan De Groot on a fifty odd metre run untouched to the try line.

Jaylan De Groot completed his double in the 29th minute when he was on hand to collect an inside kick from Brent Barnes and dive over mid-way between the corner post and goal posts on the left side of the field.

The fact that Brent Barnes was able to break away down the left touchline and kick back inside with the outside of his right foot was as a result of a great Jaylan De Groot cut out pass to his left near the halfway mark which put Brent Barnes into space.

Jaylan De Groot also threw the final pass for a Seagulls 42nd minute try for his right winger to score one of his four tries in the match. Jaylan De Groot then threw the final pass after chiming into the backline on the left and pass to his left to Kaleb Ngamanu who raced twelve metres to score wide out on the left in what turned out to be an eight point try.

Jaylen De Groot also started at fullback in the rescheduled Round One match against the Norths Devils scoring in the 41sst minute when he followed through a Charlie Murray break through the centre of the field with Jaylan De Groot receiving the ball from Charlie Murray around thirty metres out and raced away to score under the posts.

Jaylan De Groot also recorded a 33rd minute try assist when he burst through the Norths right sided defence with a show and go from thirty metres out and then drew the Devils fullback and pass to his right to Kaleb Ngamanu who raced away to score.

Jaylan De Groot also started at fullback in Round Eight against the Western Clydesdales and had a day out scoring four tries in a big 65 – 12 Seagulls victory.

Jaylan De Groot’s opening try came in the 23rd minute when he received the ball from Thomas Weaver who had received the ball from a Seagulls scrum win. After receiving the ball Jaylan De Groot shaped to pass to his outside but instead sliced through the defensive line to dive over four metres in from the left corner post.

Jaylan De Groot added a second try in the 26th minute when he followed through an Oskar Bryant line break to receive the pass from his left and run twenty five metres to score untouched under the posts.

Jaylan De Groot completed his hat trick in the 43rd when after Konrad Tu’u made a break off a Max Liles pass down the left touchline who got the ball back inside to Max Liles who looked like he would run the five metres to score but got caught from behind but just as he was about to hit the ground Max Liles flicked the ball over his right shoulder for Jaylan De Groot to pick up on the bounce to score his third try near the left corner.

Jaylan De Groot then scored his fourth try in the 67th minute when after he received on off-load from Klese Haas Jaylan De Groot raced eighteen metres to score under the posts.

Jaylan De Groot in fact could have had a fifty try but in the 60th minute after chasing through a kick he lost the ball over the try line.

The match also saw Jaylan De Groot record a 3rd minute try assist when Jaylan De Groot chimed into the Seagulls backline through a sweeping movement to the left side of the field. After Jaylan De Groot received the ball from Thomas Weaver thirty five metres out Jaylan De Groot was able to get on the outside of the winger before drawing the fullback to send Konrad Tu’u over in the left corner.

Jaylan De Groot then did very well in the 10th minute when under intense pressure he took a high spiralling bomb under heavy pressure ten metres out from his own line and after stepping off his right foot was able to get the ball twenty nine metres away from the try line.

It was not all about Jaylan De Groot’s attacking game as in the 61st minute with his side on the attack ten metres from the line, the Clydesdales took an intercept but Jaylan De Groot turned and chased and easily made up the ground, attacking the centre after just a thirty metre chase.

Jaylan De Groot continued at fullback in Round Nine against the Ipswich Jets, scoring in the 28th minute of a Seagulls victory.

Jaylan De Groot continued at fullback in the rescheduled Round Seven match off against the Souths Logan Magpies.

In a tough loss Jaylan De Groot’s was the Seagulls best including scoring a smart solo try in the 17th minute. After the Seagulls had spun the ball from the left side of the field to the right, Jaylan De Groot received a pass from his right around ten metres out and proceeded to run to his left. After cutting off his left foot to get into the defensive line Jaylan De Groot put in a short kick from himself just as he was about to be tackled with Jaylan De Groot getting the ball back on the bounce after the ball had travelled around four metres to dived over seven metres in from the left corner post.

Jaylan De Groot also forced a Magpies goal line drop out in the 44th minute when after receiving the ball from his inside from Oskar Bryant when he was twenty five metres out and five metres in from the left touchline, Jaylan De Groot cut back towards the centre of the field before putting in a right foot grubber kick. Jaylan De Groot then chased through his own kick with the Magpies fullback forced to knock the ball dead.

Jaylan De Groot also started at fullback in Round Eleven against the Central Queensland Capra’s and scored in the 42nd minute he back up a Jotham Russell line break through the centre of the field and after Jotham Russell off-loaded the ball his five eight who drew the Capra’s fullback and passed to Jaylan De Groot who raced twenty metres to score under the posts.

Jaylan De Groot almost created a Seagulls try out of nothing in the 68th minute. Jaylan De Groot positioned himself directly behind a Tweed Heads play the ball around twenty five metres out and fifteen metres in from the left touchline. At the last possible moment Jaylan De Groot raced to his left and after receiving the ball from Oskar Bryant at dummy half took the ball deep into the defensive line before passing to his left to Kaleb Ngamanu who got within two metres of scoring a smart try.

Jaylan De Groot also started at fullback and captain in Round Twelve against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Jaylan De Groot making a strong one on one tackle on the halfway mark on his opposite who had made a line break from deep inside his own territory. Jaylan De Groot then made a further try saving tackle on the giant Redcliffe No. 18 just moments later.

Jaylan De Groot was also involved in a strong tackle in the 3rd minute when along with Jordan Lewis and Ben Liyou, Jaylan De Groot got hold of one of the Dolphin players bringing the ball away from his own line and drove him back ten metres into the in-goal.

Jaylan De Groot continued at fullback in Round Thirteen against the Sunshine Coast Falcons.

Jaylan De Groot continued at fullback in the Round Fourteen local derby against the Burleigh Bears with Jaylan De Groot scoring a double and also recording a try assist in the solid point win for the Seagulls.

Jaylan De Groot scored his opening try in the 24th minute when after Ryan Foran made a line break down the left touchline, Ryan Foran from thirty metres out put in a right foot kick back to the inside with the outside of his right foot with the ball sitting up perfectly for Jaylan De Groot to collect the ball and run around to score under the posts.

Jaylan De Groot scored his second try in the 67th minute when Jaylan De Groot received the ball to the left of the play the ball down a short left blindside and dummied to his left before running between two defenders with Jaylan De Groot then beating the Burleigh fullback with a right foot step with Jaylan De Groot then bringing the ball around to score under the posts.

Jaylan De Groot’s try assist came in the 37th minute when Jaylen De Groot ran to his left out of dummy half wand when he got to ten metres out from the try line, Jaylan De Groot put in a short right foot grubber kick through the line with Caleb Hodges racing through to collect the ball to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Jaylan De Groot also recorded a line break in the 46th minute when from thirty five metres out and to the left of the play the ball Jaylan De Groot broke through the defensive line before being tripped up from behind with Jaylan De Groot quickly back to his feet before finally being held on the halfway mark.

Jaylan De Groot continued at fullback in Round Fifteen against the Northern Pride with Jaylan De Groot recording a hat trick in a big Seagulls victory.

Jaylan De Groot scored his opening try in the 38th minute when from thirty five metres out, Thomas Weaver ran to his left after receiving the ball and threw the ball back to his right to Jaylan De Groot with the fullback racing through a huge gap and easily beat the cover defence to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Jaylan De Groot added a second try in the 66th minute when Jaylan De Groot lined up directly behind a scrum forty five metres out from the try line, once the Seagulls won the scrum Jaylan De Groot raced to his left, receiving the ball from Thomas Weaver with Jaylan De Groot then racing thirty five metres to score easily under the posts.

Jaylan De Groot completed his hat trick in the 76th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball around six metres out Jaylan De Groot ran to his left to get between two defenders to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Jaylan De Groot also recorded a 3rd minute try assist when after joining the Seagulls backline on the left side of the field, Jaylan De Groot took the ball to the line before throwing a cut-out pass to his left to put Jotham Russell over in the left corner.

Jaylan De Groot recorded a second try assist in the 54th minute when Jaylan De Groot chimed into the Seagulls backline on the left side of the field and got the ball away to his left to Kaleb Ngamanu twelve metres out with Kaleb Ngamanu holding one defender off him with the right arm fend to score in the left corner.

Jaylan De Groot added a third try assist in the 78th minute when after backing up a line break down the left touchline by Ryan Foran, Jaylen De Groot received an off-load from his left from Ryan Foran with Jaylan De Groot then beating three tackles in a stepping run before off-loading to his left to put Jotham Russell over for his third try of the match.

Jaylan De Groot also made a good kick return in the 45th minute when after taking the ball from a Northern Pride clearing kick thirty five metres out from his own try line, Jaylan De Groot was able to make twenty metres through the centre of the field.

On the back of his three try and three try assist performance Jaylan De Groot led the Tweed Heads Seagulls with 205 run metres.

Jaylan De Groot also started at fullback in Round Sixteen against the Townsville Blackhawks as well as in Round Seventeen against the Easts Tigers.

Jaylan De Groot finished the 2022 Hastings Deering’s Colts regular season with seventeen tries to finish in the top five in that that category in the competition, in fact Jaylan De Groot finished second on the try scoring list.

The 2022 Hastings Deering’s Colts Week One Elimination Final saw Jaylan De Groot start at five eight for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Easts Tigers with Jaylan De Groot scoring in the 44th minute the Seagulls progressed to Week Two.

With Easts on the attack in the 46th minute Jaylan De Groot when facing an overlap while defending on the right side, Jaylan De Groot stepped up to take an intercept and then was able to race fifty eight metres to score ten metres to the right of the uprights.

Jaylan De Groot also made a line break in the opening minute of the match when on the right side of the field Jaylan De Groot sliced through the defensive line near the halfway mark with Jaylan De Groot tackled near the right touchline after a twenty metre charge.

Jaylan De Groot also forced a goal line drop-out in the 51st minute when from ten metres out and down a short right blindside Jaylan De Groot put in a right foot grubber kick which after rebounding between legs when into the in-goal with the Tigers fullback forced to ground the ball in-goal.

Also in late 2021 Jaylan De Groot was part of the Titans NRL squad that undertook a joint training session with ninety members of the Titans JTS Program.

Jaylan De Groot’s first match in a Titans jersey came in January 2021 when he started at fullback for the Titans U19’s in their annual match against the Newcastle Knights in Coffs Harbour with Jaylan De Groot scoring a second half double for the Titans, both from long range, as the Titans defeated Newcastle 40 – 6 in an outstanding display.

Jaylan De Groot first touch of the ball in a Titans jersey came in just the second minute of the match when he moved to his right to field a Knights clearing kick on the bounce before confronting the oncoming defensive line.

Jaylan De Groot’s opening try of the match came two minutes into the second half and it was a typical Jaylan De Groot try. The play that led to the try started five metres inside the Titans own half. With Jaylan De Groot hovering behind the play the ball, the Titans worked a short blindside to get right centre Reef Sommerville into space down the right wing, as he was confronted by the fullback, Reef Sommerville grubber kicked back inside with the ball bouncing up perfectly for Jaylan De Groot who had followed the play as it developed on the inside. Once he took possession of the ball twenty metres out, no one got close to him as he brought the ball around to place it down under the posts.

Jaylan De Groot’s penchant to backing up and being in the right place at the right time, was highlighted once again late in the second half when he scored his second try. Outstanding offloads earlier in the movement by Jack Cullen and Samuel Shannon put Thomas Weaver into space and when the half was confronted by the Knights fullback, it was none other than Jaylan De Groot who loomed up on Thomas Weaver’s right to receive the ball twenty metres out and from there Jaylan De Groot’s speed easily took him across the line to record his double.

Jaylan De Groot also had an outstanding moment in defence early in the first half. Jaylan De Groot raced to his left as the Knights found space down the right touch line. The Knights right winger cut inside late, but instead to over running the ball, Jaylan De Groot was able to shift his momentum and take the winger ball and all. If the Knights winger had beaten Jaylan De Groot’s tackle, there is no doubt the Knights would have scored.

A week after the match against the Newcastle Knights Jaylan De Groot once again lined up for the Titans U19’s at fullback as they took on a Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts squad at Burleigh Juniors with the Titans winning 32 – 20 with no conversions attempted.

Once again Jaylan De Groot had an outstanding match, being his second in a Titans jersey recording yet another try scoring double as well as multiple other smart positioning and intelligent plays that are fast becoming the norm for Jaylan De Groot.

Jaylan De Groot’s opening contribution to the Titans cause in the match was when he was able to draw the Burleigh right centre after chiming into the Titans backline on the left side of the field with a direct run at him before passing to left to find left centre Tony Francis in space who was then able to charge twelve metres to the line and get the ball down under pressure five metres in from the left corner post.

In the 7th minute of the match, Jaylan De Groot was positioned perfectly to take a Burleigh clearing kick on the full near the left touch line turning back towards the try line and he was able to return the kick twenty metres to put the Titans on the front foot.

Two tackles later Jaylan De Groot moved into dummy half fifty five metres out from the line. Jaylen De Groot darted out of dummy half to the right of the play the ball, dummying to his right before slicing through the middle of the Bears defensive line before a Jaylan De Groot right foot step enabled him to beat the Bears fullback who was defending very shallow. Once he was past the fullback, Jaylan De Groot had an easy forty metre run the line under no pressure to put the ball down under the posts.

Jaylan De Groot’s second try came in the second half when he once again backed up a Titans movement of the left side of the field, through the centre of the ruck. After Kaleb Ngamanu broke through the Bears line seventy metres out, Jaylan De Groot loomed up on Kaleb Ngamanu’s right, receiving the ball thirty five metres out after Kaleb Ngamanu had drawn the fullback, for Jaylan De Groot to put the ball down adjacent to the left upright untouched once again.

Jaylan De Groot also produced a smart play which nearly led to a Titans try in what turned out to be the final play of the first half. As usual Jaylan De Groot was backing up through the centre of the ruck and after a Burleigh defender desperately knocked a pass down with the Titans on the attack, Jaylan De Groot tracked back to retrieve the ball and with the half time siren sounding, from thirty metres out put in an intelligent chip kick which very nearly bounced back over the head of the Burleigh fullback in the in-goal with Ediq Ambrosyev hovering nearby.

One of Jaylan De Groot’s impressive attributes in the match against the Knights was his defensive positioning and that continued a week later against Burleigh, including in the first minute of the second half when he was on hand to knock the ball dead after Burleigh had kicked into the in-goal. Jaylan De Groot got to the ball ahead of a number of Burleigh chasers.

Just seven minutes later, Jaylan De Groot’s positioning skills were displayed once against to defuse an urgent situation when he moved to his right to get to another Burleigh kick into the in-goal to save what appeared to be a certain Bears try. Jaylan De Groot made it three exceptional defensive positional plays in the first sixteen minutes of the second half when he had to change direction and once again defuse a Burleigh kick directly behind the goal posts.

Jaylen De Groot was on hand to defuse a try for a fourth time in the second half when in the 79th minute of the match, Jaylan De Groot positioned himself directly behind the play the ball and was perfectly positioned to take a Burleigh grubber back behind the ruck. Jaylan De Groot was unable to bring the ball back into play but if he was not positioned as he had been, Burleigh would have scored in the match’s final minute.

In early May 2021 a Titans U19 side travelled to North Queensland to play an U19 Cowboys selection in a curtain raiser to a Cowboys v Broncos NRL match with Jaylan De Groot starting the match at fullback for the Titans.

In November 2020 Jaylan De Groot was named in the powerful Tweed Heads Seagulls 2021 MM Cup squad and shapes as one of a number of key attacking figures in that side. Prior to that announcement, Jaylan De Groot had been named in the 2021 Parramatta Eels U18 SG Ball squad, highlighting just how good Jaylan De Groot’s junior career to date has been, thus it is another huge credit to the Titans for getting the young man to stay close to home to further his rugby league career rather than to head to Sydney.

In the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup sides second trial against Burleigh, Jaylan De Groot started the second half at fullback, even though he was wearing the No. 11 jersey. As usual Jaylan De Groot was heavily involved in his stint on the field including two try assists.

Jaylan De Groot’s first try assist came when Seagulls hooker Oskar Bryant ran out of dummy half to the right around eleven metres out from the line, drawing the Burleigh B defender before offloading to Jaylan De Groot who then threw a quick short pass to his right to put Josh Lynn over.

Jaylan De Groot’s second try assist of the match, was a piece of subtle magic. Jaylen De Groot received an inside ball after the ball was thrown to the left of the play the ball. Immediately upon receipt of the ball, Jaylen De Groot dropped the ball onto his right foot from around twenty metres out from the line. The Burleigh fullback attempted to shield the ball over the dead ball line but Jaylan De Groot refused to give up and dived full length around the right side of the fullback to knock the ball back into the in-goal for Kruze Rimene to put both hands on it. (Think Kevin Proctor in the NRL at Cbus last season).

Jaylan De Groot also started at fullback in Tweed Heads final 2021 MM Cup trial against the Souths Logan Magpies at Logan. After starting the first two quarters at fullback, Jaylan De Groot moved to the right wing in the final quarter.

Overall in the match Jaylan De Groot made a line break and also recorded a smart try assist in the final quarter whilst playing on the right wing. Jaylan De Groot’s line break came in the second quarter when he was operating just behind the play the ball. Thomas Weaver took the ball to the left before passing back to his right to Jaylan De Groot who burst through the centre of the ruck only to be dragged down just as he was accelerating away.

Late in the fourth quarter Jaylan De Groot burst down the right touchline after good work on his inside. As he was being hemmed in by the Souths Logan fullback and cover defence Jaylan De Groot grubbered kicked with his right foot inside with the kick perfectly weighted for Riley Lack who was tracking the play on the inside to get downward pressure on the ball to be awarded a try, the final one of the eight that Tweed Heads scored in the match.

In Round One of the 2021 MM Cup competition, Jaylen De Groot started at fullback against the Ipswich Jets. Early in the second half Jaylan De Groot moved to left centre before moving back to fullback late in the match.

Jaylan De Groot second a try in each half of the Seagulls 22 – 20 first up victory the first of which came in just the 5th minute of the match. Thomas Weaver took the ball down a shortish left blindside throwing a long cut out pass when he was forty eight metres out to his left to put Keano Kini away down the left touch line. Keano Kini flew down the left touchline, drawing the fullback and passing back to his left looking for Jaylan De Groot who was backing up on the inside.

The Ipswich Jets right winger got his hand in the way to knock the ball towards the Seagulls try line with Jaylan De Groot retrieving the ball to run ten metres to score nine metres in from the left corner post to cross for the Seagulls first try of the match.

Jaylan De Groot’s second try came early in the second half in the 40th minute of the match. Thomas Weaver put up a bomb to the Seagulls left corner and it was perfectly weighted for Jaylan De Groot to come through with the momentum to take the ball on the full in the in goal to get the ball down a metre from the dead ball line.

Jaylan De Groot also started at fullback in Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies but moved to the left wing in the second half. In Tweed Heads 32 – 24 victory, Jaylan De Groot scored in the second half and also recorded a try assist in the opening minutes of the match.

Jaylan De Groot scored in the 45th minute when after Thomas Weaver backed up a break out of dummy half by Blake Mozer, drawing the Souths Logan fullback before passing to the left to Jaylan De Groot who was able to bring the ball around to put it down under the posts.

Jaylan De Groot’s try assist came in just the second minute of the match when he received the ball off Thomas Weaver on the left side of the field fifteen metres out from the line, taking the ball towards the defensive line before throwing a great cut-out pass to his left to put Keano Kini away down the left touchline and dive over to score in the left corner.

Jaylan De Groot also had a line break early in the match, when he was part of a set play down the left blind side from a Tweed Heads scrum feed forty metres out from the line. Thomas Weaver received the ball from the back of the scrum with Jaylan De Groot sprinting from the opposite side of the scrum to take Thomas Weaver’s held up pass before dummying to his left and sprinting thirty metres downfield only to be brought down ten metres out.

Jaylan De Groot’s safe hands came to the fore in the 48th minute of the match when Souths Logan kicked to his wing, Jaylan De Groot jumped high to take the ball above his head two metres out from his own line and as soon as his feet touched the ground he took off and was able to get the ball back to the twenty metre mark before finally being tackled.

A strong run in the 63rd minute by Jack Cullen almost produced a second try for Jaylan De Groot when he flew onto the ball in the twenty metre area, getting partially through the Souths Logan line before throwing a right arm off-load to Jaylan De Groot who was backing up on his left with Jaylan De Groot getting within metres of the line. Jaylan De Groot in fact was held down and awarded a penalty which Thomas Weaver then kicked to put Tweed Heads eight points in front with six minutes to go.

Jaylan De Groot once again started at fullback in Round Three in the Gold Coast local derby against the Burleigh Bears and once again was one of the Seagulls try scorers in their impressive victory.

As has become the norm, Jaylen De Groot and Keano Kini swapped positions on a number of occasions over the course of the match.

Jaylan De Groot’s try came in the 44th minute when Thomas Weaver ran down a short left blind side ten metres out from the line and passed back to his right to put Jaylen De Groot into a yawning gap who was able to bring the ball around to put it down under the posts.

In the 5th minute of the match Jaylen De Groot was well positioned to prevent a Burleigh try when he covered to his left to be on hand to take a short blindside grubber dead in the right corner under heavy pressure from Burleigh chasers.

Jaylan De Groot showed once again in the match that he is always prepared to do the hard work when he got into dummy half and darted to his right, making eighteen metres to get the ball to the halfway mark, breaking two tackles along the way.

Jaylan De Groot was also named to start at fullback for Round Four match against the Ipswich Jets and whilst he did not score, still had a strong contribution to the Seagulls victory.

As usual Jaylan De Groot hunted just behind the play the ball and in the 17th minute Jaylan De Groot got into dummy half, darting out of that position to his left to make twenty metres through the centre of the ruck to get the ball to within twenty metres of the try line.

Jaylan De Groot also produced a strong defensive play in the 22nd minute when after chasing back to corral an Ipswich Jets line break, Jaylan De Groot picked up the Ipswich right second rower (No. 12) and putting him on his back and taking all of the momentum out of the Jets sails.

Fullbacks need to continuously focus on their positioning and it was that attention to detail that meant Jaylan De Groot was positioned correctly in the 67th minute to field a hard grubber on his own line directly adjacent to the right upright. By being in the right position Jaylan De Groot ensured that he was not trapped in the in-goal.

Jaylan De Groot also started at fullback in Round Five against the Souths Logan Magpies, scoring once again in the Seagulls 38 – 14 victory.

After being rested in Round Six, Jaylan De Groot was named at fullback for the Seagulls Semi-final against Wynnum Manly and had an outstanding match, including scoring in the second half as the Seagulls qualified for the 2021 MM Cup Grand Final.

Jaylan De Groot’s try came in the 45th minute when he backed up on the inside of Ryan Foran after the Seagulls left second rower had taken an inside kick from left winger Elijah Lui and passed to Jaylan De Groot who dived over under the posts.

Jaylan De Groot was heavily involved throughout the match with his initial major contribution coming in the 15th minute when he took the ball from the dummy half down a short left blind side making eighteen metres, breaking three tackles, getting the ball forty two metres out.

Then in the 21st minute, Jaylan De Groot received the ball once again down the left this time off the back of a Tweed Heads scrum win, making a further twelve metres.

In the 23rd minute Jaylan De Groot was on hand to scoop up a Wynnum Manly dropped ball and return it fifteen metres before being tackled but Jaylan De Groot was held down too long and was awarded a penalty.

Jaylan De Groot showcased his positioning when he whilst tracking backwards in the 25th minute he took a towering Wynnum Manly bomb near the posts to gain a twenty metre restart for the Seagulls.

In the 26th minute, Jaylan De Groot once again proved he was safe at fullback when he retrieved a Wynnum Manly grubber kick safely down low and was able to bring the ball back fifteen metres.

Jaylan De Groot produced a key try saving tackle on the final play of the first half when he got low and stopped the Wynnum Manly hooker just short of the line when he tried to sneak over from dummy half.

In the 2021 MM Cup Queensland Grand Final against the Townsville Blackhawks, Jaylan De Groot once again started at fullback and scored in the first half as the Seagulls won back to back MM Cup Championships by defeating Townsville 30 – 24.

Jaylan De Groot’s try came in the 17th minute when Seagulls hooker Oskar Bryant took off out of dummy half to his right on the halfway mark, slicing through the middle of the Blackhawks defence after veering back towards the area behind the play the ball. After he was through the line, Oskar Bryant drew the fullback before passing to his right to Jaylan De Groot who raced away to score under the posts.

Whilst his try was a key moment in the Seagulls Grand Final victory, in the 67th minute Jaylan De Groot produced the play of the Grand Final with the play not just saving the match for the Seagulls but enabling them to claim victory.

With just three minute s to go in the 67th minute with Tweed Heads staring down the barrel of a tough Grand Final loss, being six points down, Jaylan De Groot took a high spiralling bomb just two metres out from his own line and took the Townsville line on by stepping to his right before veering left before spinning counter clockwise breaking two tackles to get the ball to forty metres out from his own line and then Jaylan De Groot whilst finally being tackled was able to get a right arm off-load away to Oskar Bryant.

Tweed Heads were under pressure early and in the 6th minute, Jaylan De Groot along with Thomas Weaver and Oskar Bryant were able to stem the flow by holding of a rampaging Townsville front rower (No. 8) to stop the Blackhawks from scoring twice in the opening minutes.

Jaylan De Groot’s innate positioning sense was highlighted in the 42nd minute when he raced across to his field to get to a Townsville grubber kick well inside his own in-goal. Jaylan De Groot however was able to beat two players and somehow was able to get the ball out of the in-goal and maintain possession for Tweed Heads.

In the Queensland Rugby League 2021 MM Cup Player of the Year Award Jaylan De Groot was awarded two votes.

Jaylan De Groot made his Hastings Deering’s Colts debut in Round Six for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in their 30 – 18 victory over the Easts Tigers with Jaylan De Groot starting the match at fullback.

Jaylan De Groot also started at fullback in Round Seven against the Norths Devils, scoring his first career Hastings Deering’s Colts try in the Seagulls big victory.

Jaylan De Groot continued at fullback in Round Eight against the Mackay Cutters, kicking a conversion in the Seagulls tough loss and also started at fullback in Round Nine against Wynnum Manly.

Jaylan De Groot continued at fullback in the Round Eleven local derby against the Burleigh Bears.

Jaylan De Groot continued at fullback in the previously postponed Round Ten match against Sunshine Coast with Jaylan De Groot scoring in the 57th and 78th minute.

Jaylan De Groot also started at fullback in Round Twelve against the Central Queensland Capra’s.

After a Covid 19 enforced hiatus, Jaylan De Groot was named to start at fullback in Round Sixteen against the Northern Pride with Jaylan De Groot scoring in the 56th minute of the Seagulls big 48 – 16 victory.

Jaylan De Groot then continued at fullback in the rescheduled Round Thirteen match against the Townsville Blackhawks with Jaylan De Groot converting Brock Priestley’s 44th minute try.

Jaylan De Groot continued at fullback in Round Fourteen against the Western Mustangs and also started at fullback in the Seagulls Week One Final against the Souths Logan Magpies.

At the 2021 Queensland Rugby League Awards Night Jaylan De Groot finished with three votes for the Hastings Deering’s Colts Player of the Season Award.

During a Tweed Heads Seagulls Hastings Deering’s Colts bye week, Jaylan De Groot started for the Cudgen Hornets NRRRL First Grade side at fullback against the Byron Bay Devils.

Round Eight against the Kyogle Turkeys, in another Tweed Heads Colts bye week saw Jaylan De Groot move to the right wing against the Kyogle Turkeys with Jaylan De Groot making an immediate impact by scoring inside the opening minute of the match when he received an off-load thirty metres out and darted downfield to score with a big dive in the right corner.

Jaylan De Groot added a second try in the 24th minute when a bomb was put up towards his right wing with Jaylan De Groot jumping high to take the ball in his right hand and get it down in the right corner.

Jaylan De Groot also started on the right wing in Round Eleven against the Lower Clarence Magpies with Jaylan De Groot scoring one try and setting up another.

Jaylan De Groot scored in the 43rd minute when he was on the end of a Cudgen backline movement, receiving the ball around eight metres from the line with Jaylan De Groot diving over acrobatically in the right corner.

As noted above Jaylan De Groot contributed to a Hornets try in the 18th minute. After Lower Clarence kicked downfield from well inside their own territory, the Hornets fullback got the ball to Jaylan De Groot to space and he burst forty five metres down field. Just inside Magpies territory Jaylan De Groot stepped off his left foot to beat one cover defender before drawing the fullback and getting the ball away to his right to send his right centre away to score under the posts.

In a Tweed Heads Seagulls Colts bye week, Jaylan De Groot was named to start on the left wing in Round Eight of the NRRRL U18 competition for the Cudgen Hornets against the Kyogle Turkeys. Whilst he started the match on the left wing, Jaylan De Groot certainly did not park himself there and wait for the ball to come in his direction, with the Titans contracted youngster popping up all over the field.
Jaylan De Groot started the 2020 season as a key member of the Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad.

Jaylan De Groot was named to start at fullback for the Northern Rivers Titans in Round One of the 2020 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition against the Parramatta Eels at Cudgen however the match was cancelled due to the wet conditions on the North Coast that weekend.

Jaylan De Groot started at fullback in Round Two against the Newcastle Knights and had a big day out scoring four tries as the Northern Rivers Titans thrashed their fellow NRL backed rivals.

Jaylon De Groot’s first of four tries came in the first half. Operating on the left side of the field, Jaylan De Groot received the ball “out the back” from Thomas Weaver, dummied to his left and after pulling the ball back into his body beat the Knights five eight on the outside when he was about ten metres out from the line. As he approached the try line, Jaylan De Groot got down low to force his way over, getting the ball down one handed (right hand) under heavy pressure from two Knights defenders.

In many respects there were similarities in Jaylan De Groot’s three other tries in the match. On all three occasions, Jaylan De Groot was loitering behind the play the ball when the Northern Rivers Titans were bringing the ball of their own territory. For his first try of the three being discussed, Jaylan De Groot backed up a break from Bayley Cox to get the off load thirty metres out from the line, running over the top of the Knights fullback to score on the left side of the field.

Jaylan De Groot backed up a break from Titan Oskar Bryant for his third try of the match running forty metres untouched to score under the posts, to make it three tries in the first half. Jaylan De Groot’s four try of the match in the second half was a fifty two metre under the posts effort as once again he loomed up in support of a Northern Rivers Titans half break through the centre of the ruck.

Jaylan De Groot also started at fullback in Round Three against the Central Coast Roosters and started in the custodian role as well in Round Four, scoring a double as the Titans drew with the Greater Northern Tigers.

Jaylan De Groot’s first try against the Greater Northern Tigers was once again as a result of Jaylan De Groot backing up through the centre of the ruck. Daniel Butterini broke through the Tigers defence on the left side of the field and found Jaylan De Groot on the inside to score out wide. Impressively it was Jaylan De Groot who had thrown the pass to Butterini that had initially put the left centre outside of his direct opponent leading to the line break.

Jaylan De Groot was once again on hand after a Thomas Weaver break to beat the Greater Northern Tigers fullback to score his second try of the match.

In the final match before the Covid 19 shut down, being Round Five Jaylan De Groot also started at fullback against the North Coast Bulldogs, with the Northern Rivers Titans drawing the match to finish the abridged 2020 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition undefeated.

When community rugby league restarted in July 2020 Jaylan De Groot continued playing for the Cudgen Hornets in the NRRRL competition, starting the season in the NRRRL U18 competition before progressing and making his NRRRL First Grade debut going on to play multiple matches on the wing and at fullback for the Hornets.

Jaylan De Groot played multiple matches for the Cudgen Hornets NRRRL First Grade side in 2020 both at fullback and on the right wing becoming an elusive and consistent long range try scorer from both positions.

Noted below are some of Jaylan De Groot’s 2020 NRRRL First Grade tries for the Cudgen Hornets in no specific Round order:

Playing on the right wing against the Bilambil Jets, Jaylan De Groot scored a fifty metre opportunist try. Facing an overlap, Jaylan De Groot came out of the line to put pressure on the Bilambil left centre who subsequently lost the ball as he tried to take the ball quickly and pass to his left to his unmarked winger. Jaylan De Groot scooped the ball up on the first bounce and was easily too fast for the cover defence to run away a dive over under the posts. The try perfectly highlighted Jaylan De Groot’s plus speed off the mark as well as over an extended distance.

Jaylan De Groot scored a further try against Bilambil when he was also playing on the right wing. The ball was spun out to his wing, but by the time that he had received it, Jaylan De Groot had no room to move down the wing. Jaylan De Groot cut back inside beating three Jets defenders with steps off both feet to eventually get the ball down five metres in from the right corner post.

Against Murwillumbah Jaylen De Groot, as he does exceptionally well was loitering directly behind the play the ball, when Cudgen made a break through the centre of the ruck, Jaylan De Groot loomed up in support to take the offload at full speed before rounding the fullback and as has become his custom dived over to score under the posts.

Jaylan De Groot’s aerial skills were on display in a match against the Bilambil Jets when playing at fullback, Jaylen De Groot charged through and took an attacking chip kick on the full on the left side of the field midway between the goal posts and corner post and was able to get the ball down before the Jets defence could react.

Jaylan De Groot also produced one memorable try assist in the 2020 NRRRL First Grade competition. Against Murwillumbah from the fullback position Jaylan De Groot chimed into the backline on the right side of the field and once through the initial defensive line threw what can only be described as outstanding no look pass to his right which found his centre on the chest and from there they were able to sprint away down the right touch line to score in the right centre. Jaylan De Groot’s pass was quite simply exquisite and a pass few could have thrown even in the NRL when going at full speed like Jaylan De Groot was at the time.

In 2020 Jaylen De Groot also played in a number of NRRRL U18 matches for Cudgen including starting on the left wing in the Hornets NRRRL U18 Grand Final victory, with Jaylan De Groot scoring a double in the often spiteful match after starting the match on the left wing.

Jaylan De Groot actually scored the first try of the 2020 NRRRL U18 Grand Final when a long cut out pass from Thomas Weaver found the Cudgen left centre who got the ball onto Jaylan De Groot who crossed out wide and had the foresight to bring the ball around closer the goal posts.

Jaylan De Groot’s second Grand Final try also came in the first half and was the third Cudgen Grand Final try. Jaylan De Groot was on the end of a long cut out pass from Thomas Weaver, receiving the ball about five metres out from the try line in acres of space and was able to bring the ball around an extra five metres from the left corner totally untouched before the Murwillumbah defence looked to cut him off from bringing the ball around any further.

Jaylan De Groot had also scored in the 2020 U18 NRRRL regular season on multiple occasions including scoring against the Bilambil Jets when he scored under the posts after backing up a long break by Cudgen front rower Parker Bryant who had drawn the fullback before offloading to his left to Jaylan De Groot.

In 2020 Jaylan De Groot was also a member of the highly successful PBC Open A Langer Cup school boy squad that won the Grand final against local rivals Keebra Park with Jaylan De Groot starting the Grand Final at fullback.

Jaylan De Groot had scored earlier in the Langer Cup qualifying rounds when he scored against Ipswich State High School. Starting the match at fullback Jaylan De Groot chimed into the PBC backline on the left side of the field receiving the ball from Thomas Weaver, Jaylan De Groot immediately burst through a gap between two Ipswich State High School defenders before beating the fullback with a left foot step and was able to bring the ball around to score under the posts as has become his trademark.

In 2019 Jaylan De Groot was part of the all-conquering U16 Northern Rivers Titans Andrew Johns Cup side that took all before them to go through the 2019 season undefeated, including their Grand Final victory over the Western Rams.

In Round One of the 2019 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition Jaylan De Groot started at fullback for the Northern Rivers Titan against the Newcastle Knights, finishing the match with a try and a try assist.

Jaylan De Groot’s Round One try was a long range effort, when he received an offload from Bayley Cox to fly fifty five metres to score under the posts. In relation to his try assist, Jaylan De Groot broke the Newcastle line on the right, drawing the fullback and off-loading to his right to put his right centre over.

Round Two saw Jaylan De Groot once again start at fullback against the Parramatta Eels with Jaylan De Groot once against scoring a try and setting up another. Jaylan De Groot also produced a try saving tackle in the match when he held his ground with the giant Eels right centre charging straight at him. Jaylan De Groot was able to get underneath the ball and hold the Parramatta centre up over the line.

Jaylan De Groot scored under the posts in the match after rounding the Parramatta fullback after receiving a pass from Riley Lack who had broken the Parramatta line down the left side of the field. Jaylan De Groot showed quick hands for his try assist when he was able to keep a quick pass away to his right as the Parramatta left winger was coming in to cut off the ball. Jaylan De Groot hands were too quick however and his pass found his right winger who was able to subsequently score in the right corner.

In Round Three against the North Coast Jaylan De Groot, who as usual started the match at fullback was one of the Northern Rivers Titans try scorers once again when he scored under the posts from ten metres out.

Jaylan De Groot was once against at fullback in Round Four against the Greater Northern Tigers and produced an outstanding line break through the centre of the Tigers ruck before drawing the fullback and passing to his right to send Oskar Bryant over to score.

After also starting at fullback in Round Five, Jaylan De Groot also started at fullback in the Northern Rivers Titans semi-final match against the Penrith Panthers, once again scoring one try and also setting up another as the Titans progressed to the 2019 U16 Andrew Johns Cup Grand Final.

Jaylan De Groot scored in the right corner after receiving an off load from Oskar Bryant and his try assist came from a result of an outstanding piece of individual play. Jaylan De Groot, from his own territory, chipped over the Penrith defensive line and as the Panthers fullback was coming forward, Jaylan De Groot towed the ball forward off the ground from around forty metres out and weighted the second kick perfectly with the ball pulling up a metres into the in goal. Team mate Thomas Weaver won the race to the ball to dive on the ball adjacent to the right upright.

In the 2019 U16 Andrew Johns Cup Grand Final Jaylan De Groot started for the Northern Rivers Titans Grand Final winning side against the Western Rams and the young fullback with the Titans in front 12 – 0 produced an outstanding piece of play with ensure the Northern Rivers Titans won the match.

With the Western Rams on the attack, the Rams half back put in a short attacking kick on the right side of the field, Jaylan De Groot was on his try line and got down low to take the kick on the full, immediately sprinting away down the left side of the field. As he was being corralled thirty metres out from his own try line, Jaylan De Groot was able to find Thomas Weaver on his right, who ran seventy metres untouched to secure the match for the Titans.

Post the 2019 U16 Andrew Johns Cup, Jaylan De Groot played for the premiership winning Group 18 U16 Cudgen Hornets side, terrorising his Group 18 U16 opponents on numerous occasions over the course of the 2109 season.

Some of Jaylan De Groot’s 2019 Group 18 U16 highlights and noted below to assist in describing Jaylan De Groot’s playing style:

Against Murwillumbah Jaylan De Groot scored an outstanding long range individual try. Operating on the left Jaylan De Groot, put in a right foot chip kick after taking the ball close to the defensive line. Even though it appeared that the fullback may have had the ball covered, Jaylan De Groot kept the pressure on the fullback through his strong chase. A horror bounce saw the ball bounce away from the Murwillumbah fullback and as a result of his determination, Jaylan De Groot was on hand to retrieve the ball and score an outstanding individual try.

Also against Murwillumbah later in the season, Jaylan De Groot highlighted once again his backing up mentality when he backed up a break directly from a Cudgen penalty tap restart to score.

Against Byron Bay/Lennox Head, Jaylan De Groot proved that he could run good lines when he ran an inside shoulder line on the left side of the field from five metres out to easily slide through the defensive line.

Also against Byron Bay/Lennox Head. Jaylan De Groot showcased his speed when after following through a Cudgen break, he outpaced the cover defence to score after the Hornets player who had made the break put in a kick over the top of the oncoming fullback.

Jaylan De Groot’s ability to be in the right place at the right time were on display against South Tweed when he scored a sixty metre try under the posts after he backed up a Thomas Weaver break to receive the ball from his left when Thomas Weaver drew the Bears fullback.

In wet conditions against South Tweed later in the season in wet and slippery conditions, Jaylen De Groot scored what on first viewing may have seemed to be a reasonably easy try but the amount of water on the field at the time meant that the try was actually quite impressive. Jaylen De Groot got down low and fielded a grubber kick directed to the left corner, once he had taken possession, Jaylen De Groot eluded two defenders with deft and sure footwork to dive over three metres in from the left corner post.

The 2019 Group 18 U16 season also saw Jaylan De Groot heavily involved in tries for others but one try assist in particular stood out. Operating on the left side of the field, Jaylan De Groot backed up a Cudgen break down the left touch line. Jaylen De Groot received the pass inside approximately forty five metres out from the Murwillumbah try line and with cover defence converging from a number of angles, put in an ideally weighted right foot kick for Cudgen to score in the left corner.

In 2019 Jaylan De Groot also attended PBC and played a number of matches on the left wing for PBC in the Langer Cup Open B competition, including in impressive performance, amongst others, in Toowoomba against St Mary’s College, including a clever intercept which he was able to return for a twenty metre gain.

When his team has the ball you will find Jaylan De Groot hovering just behind the play the ball, looking for the smallest of opportunities whether that be a set play when the ball is passed back inside to him from the fringe of the ruck so that Jaylan De Groot can exploit fatigued forwards or being on the spot if a team mate gets his hands free and can offload. Also by positioning himself shallow and directly behind the play the ball, Jaylan De Groot can back-up on the inside no matter which side of the field the ball is transferred to and a line break is made.

When he runs the ball, Jaylan De Groot is exceptionally quick and explosive, with above average l speed, both off the mark and when he gets into open space no one will catch him. Jaylan De Groot also can step off both feet exceptionally well and also has a great swerve whilst maintaining top speed. On occasions this season when he made a break, Jaylan De Groot’s support could not keep up and thus he used his incredible footwork and speed to beat the opposing fullback by himself normally utilising a step or a swerve.

A review of Jaylan De Groot’s speed attribute is interesting, Jaylan De Groot has always been quick but in 2020 as he has grown taller and added muscle mass, his speed, both off the mark and at full pace has also trended upward. Prior to the 2020 season I would have argued that Jaylan De Groot’s speed would have been a touch above average but in 2020 I believe a fair assessment would be that Jaylan De Groot’s speed is verging on the plus category and can potentially kick up even a touch higher as he continues to develop in the Titans JTS program.

In addition Jaylan De Groot also has the ball playing skills to set up his support runners and get them lines to run into when defenders came out of the line to negate his time with the ball in hand. Impressively Jaylan De Groot is equally effective on both sides of the field, both in terms of chiming into the back line as well as playing the second five eight role, the ability to operate in those roles on both sides of the field is quite rare even at the NRL level.

In terms of running the ball back from kicks, his timing and anticipation means that Jaylan De Groot gets to a lot of balls on the full and makes a quick decision whether to run the ball flat out back into the oncoming defenders or look to create an opportunity by running across field, once again a rare attribute in the modern game. Regardless Jaylan De Groot is an absolute handful to tackle with his speed and evasion skills.

Defensively in the fullback position if an attacker runs directly at him, Jaylan De Groot will come forward to cut down the time the attacker has to make a decision and he will hit very hard and does not fall for a dummy in those situations.

Jaylan De Groot employs his speed to get up quickly on his opposite number to prevent then building their momentum in their run and even though he was nowhere near the biggest fullback running around will put his body in front of opposing attackers and defend with tenacity.

An impressive attribute that Jaylan De Groot does have is ability to force attackers who are in open space to try to beat him down the side line. Jaylan De Groot will stay inside the attacker and force him in the required direction and then use his timing, closing speed and anticipation to make the tackle, usually forcing the attacker into touch.

Jaylan De Groot will continue to spend the off-seasons training with the Titans NRL squad. Jaylen De Groot will no doubt start the 2024 season as part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup squad.

I also expect that Jaylan De Groot will be part of the Titans NRL trials in early 2024 for the third season in a row.

Jaylan De Groot has been primarily a fullback for the Cudgen Hornets, the Northern Rivers Titans and Tweed Heads Seagulls in both the MM Cup and Hastings Deering’s Colts competition over the last couple of seasons but spent time on the wing for the Cudgen NRRRL First Grade side in 2020 and also for the 2021 PBC Langer Cup Open A side, but with his ability to pop up at the right time and place and his ability to slice through the defensive line or set up his support runners, I believe that Jaylan De Groot will be given every chance to develop into a talented fullback option with definite NRL (or higher) potential.

Jaylan De Groot could certainly slide over to the wing if necessary and play very well in that position but with his performances over the last two seasons in Titans, club, school boy and representative competitions at fullback, consideration of that particular move seems increasingly unlikely, in the short to medium term at least. I actually think that Jaylan De Groot will break into the NRL for the Titans on the wing before transitioning to fullback after that.

Jaylan De Groot has a touch of Parramatta Eels fullback and New South Wales State of Origin fullback or centre Clint Gutherson in his game from the perspective of his ability to slice through a defensive line, always loitering behind the play the ball and supporting through the centre of the ruck and a fearless approach to fielding kicks and defending as well as running the ball back into the defensive line in relation to kick returns.

Like Gutherson does for Parramatta, Jaylan De Groot is always in and around the play the ball when his team has the ball, whether they are attacking or bringing the ball out of their own territory and seemingly is always in the right place at the right time to exploit even the smallest attacking opportunity through the centre of the ruck.

Jaylan De Groot is just one of those players who may not necessarily be the biggest or strongest or fastest but Jaylan De Groot is certainly one of the smartest and just intuitively knows where to be and what to do when the ball comes his way. Uncanny is the perfect adjective to try to describe how Jaylan De Groot is always in the right place at the right time, all of the time no matter what the situation.

[mdrew]

Immanuel Kalakale. The immensely powerful young man originally from Auckland came over to Australia from New Zealand to commence training with the Titans JTS Program and was unleashed by Keebra Park SHS in the 2021 School Boy season to universal praise.

Immanuel Kalekale was initially contracted to the Titans until the end of the 2022 season which was to the completion of Immanuel Kalekale’s senior year at Keebra Park SHS and the final year of his U18 eligibility but in early 2022 Immanuel Kalekale signed an extended contract with the Titans that will take him to the end of the 2024 season at least. Immanuel Kalekale’s new two year contract saw him join the Titans NRL side for the 2022/23 NRL off-season when it kicked off on November 1, 2022, on a train and trial basis.

In early December 2022 Immanuel Kalekale took part in a joint training session between the Titans JTS contracted players and the Titans NRL off-season training squad. The 2022/23 off-season also saw Immanuel Kalekale also undertake a number of sessions with the Burleigh Bears Queensland Cup squad.

In January 2023 Immanuel Kalekale was named to start from the bench for the Titans U19 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights with Immanuel Kalekale putting in a powerhouse performance after ultimately starting the match in the front row for the Titans.

Immanuel Kalekale made a strong line break in just the 5th minute when from ten metres inside his own territory burst through the Knights defensive line after he had received a good short ball from his left from Nicholas Hilton with Immanuel Kalekale getting the ball fifteen metres into Newcastle territory.

Immanuel Kalekale then did well in the 42nd minute with a strong run to the right of the play the ball from five metres inside his own territory to Immanuel Kalekale able to get the ball twelve metres inside Knights territory.

Immanuel Kalekale made his first appearance for the Burleigh Bears Hastings Deering’s Colts side when he came off the bench in Round Eight against the Norths Devils with Immanuel Kalekale scoring in the 43rd minute when from a Burleigh penalty tap restart ten metres from the try line, Immanuel Kalekale took the pass and immediately ran to his left and after running over the top of one defender Immanuel Kalekale carried four defenders over the try line to get the ball down four metres to the left of the uprights.

After coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 24th minute Immanuel Kalekale took his initial hit-up of the match almost immediately with a hit-up from the halfway mark and to the right of the play the ball with Immanuel Kalekale carrying the ball to sixteen metres inside Norths territory. Then a minute later from the right of the play the ball Immanuel Kalekale received the ball twenty eight metres out from the try line and was able to make ten metres.

Then from a kick-off return in the 26th minute Immanuel Kalekale was able to promote the ball to the twenty two metre mark with a 33rd minute kick-off also seeing Immanuel Kalekale carrying the ball over the twenty metre mark.

The 33rd minute saw Immanuel Kalekale take a hit-up from the left of the play the ball from ten metres out from his own try lien to twenty eight metres out with 60% of Immanuel Kalekale’s post contact. Then in the 37th minute from the right of the dummy half and eight metres inside his own territory Immanuel Kalekale got the ball eight metres inside Norths territory.

Immanuel Kalekale added another strong run to his match in the 38th minute from the left of the play the ball with Immanuel Kalekale doing well to take the ball low down and was still able to make eleven metres from the twenty metre mark. Then in the 39th minute from a Burleigh penalty restart Immanuel Kalekale carried the ball from forty metres out to twenty metes out.

The 46th minute saw Immanuel Kalekale, from five metres inside his own territory charge onto the ball from the left of the dummy half with Immanuel Kalekale getting to eleven metres inside Devils territory.

Impressively Immanuel Kalekale ran for 196 metres in the match.

After being injured playing for the Titans U19 side in early 2023 Immanuel Kalekale returned to the field in the GCRL First Grade competition in Round Four for the Helensvale Hornets against the Tugun Seahawks with Immanuel Kalekale coming off the bench for the Hornets.

Immanuel Kalekale then moved into the Hornets starting side in the front row in Round Five against Runaway Bay. Immanuel Kalekale also started in the front row and was at his aggressive best in Round Eight against the Burleigh Bears.

Immanuel Kalekale also started in the front row in Round Nine against the Tugun Seahawks with Immanuel Kalekale making the opening tackle of the match.

Immanuel Kalekale then made good ground from a Helensvale penalty tap restart from ten metres inside Hornets territory with Immanuel Kalekale able to drag defenders with him to get the ball three metres inside Tugun territory. Then in the 23rd minute after receiving an off-load from his right when twenty metres out, Immanuel Kalekale got within centremetres of scoring before being dragged to ground two metres to the left of the uprights.

Immanuel Kalekale made not just his best run of the match in the 44th minute but the best run of the match full stop, when from the left of the dummy half and thirty metres out form his own try line Immanuel Kalekale crashed and smashed his way to ten metres inside Tugun territory breaking five tackles with at least 80% of Immanuel Kalekale’s metres being post his contact with the Seahawks defensive line,

Then in the 72nd minute from the right of the play the ball Immanuel Kalekale carried the ball from forty three metres from the try line wot thirty metres with Immanuel Kalekale then able to get his right arm free and get an off-load away to his right.

Immanuel Kalekale then started from the bench in Round Ten against Runaway Bay with Immanuel Kalekale scoring a double with his first try coming in the 25th minute when with a Helensvale play the ball less than a foot from the try line and ten metres in from the right touchline, Immanuel Kalekale moved into dummy half and burrowed over to his right to get the ball down nine metres in from the right corner post.

Immanuel Kalekale added a second try in the 76th minute when from the right of the play the ball Immanuel Kalekale charged onto the ball from nine metres out and carried three defenders with him as Immanuel Kalekale crashed over to get the ball down under the posts.

Immanuel Kalekale also started from the bench in Round Eleven against the Currumbin Eagles with Immanuel Kalekale coming onto the field to operate in the front row late in the first half with Immanuel Kalekale coming close to scoring in the 44th minute with a ten metre charge at the try line from the right of the play the ball with Immanuel Kalekale breaking two tackles as he got over the try line over to be held up midway between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.

The 43rd minute saw Immanuel Kalekale run onto the ball to the left of the play the ball and carry the ball from his own forty metre mark to a metre inside Eagles territory. Then in the 52nd minute from the right of the play the ball and twenty two metres out Immanuel Kalekale got the ball to in front of the goal posts ten metres out.

The 54th minute saw Immanuel Kalekale run the ball from the left of the dummy half to get the ball from ten metres out from his try line to twenty metres out. Immanuel Kalekale followed up with another run in the 62nd minute from a Hornets penalty tap restart from ten metres out to twenty two metres out from his try line.

After receiving an off-load from his left in the 71st minute Immanuel Kalekale carried the ball from forty two metres out from his own try line to three metres inside Currumbin territory after stepping off his left foot with three defenders required to get Immanuel Kalekale to the ground.

The 78th minute saw Immanuel Kalekale receive an unexpected off-load whilst stationary and defenders all around him but Immanuel Kalekale was still able to make six metres.

In late 2022 Immanuel Kalekale was selected in the 2023 Burleigh Bears Hastings Deering’s Colts squad and Immanuel Kalekale is also Colts eligible in 2024.

In late January 2022 Immanuel Kalekale started from the bench for the Titans U19 side in a trial match at Pizzey Park against the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts side with Immanuel Kalakale coming off the bench halfway through the first half to operate in the front row.

Immanuel Kalekale was one of the Titans better performers overall and the Titans best forward in the match including scoring in the 38th minute when on the right side of the field Immanuel Kalekale ran into a gap around ten minutes and got a great double pumped pass from is inside from Thomas Weaver. Upon contact with the defensive line and still eight metres out Immanuel Kalekale spun 360 degrees counter clockwise to break contact before Immanuel Kalekale rumbled forward to crash over ten metres out from the right upright.

Immanuel Kalekale made a strong ten metre burst in the 27th minute when he ran off the dummy half to the right of the play the ball to get the ball within thirty minutes of the try line. Then Immanuel Kalekale backed that run up three minutes later in the 30th minute to get the ball within ten metres of the try line.

Immanuel Kalekale continued his strong first half in the 35th minute when he ran back inside coming underneath Tom Weaver, receiving the ball eighteen metres out and pushing his way to within two metres of the line before his forward momentum was finally halted.

After coming back on for his second stint on the field in the second half, in the 74th minute, Immanuel Kalekale got the ball out to the thirty metre mark after charging onto the ball from the Burleigh kick-off after Jack Cullen’s close range try.

In late July 2022 Immanuel Kalekale started from the bench 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 with Immanuel Kalekale coming in the match in the in the 30th minute to operate in the front row.

The 189cm, 105kg powerhouse Immanuel Kalekale attended the renowned Auckland High School, Kelston Boys High School, playing both rugby and rugby league prior to his move over to the Gold Coast in time for the 2021 season.

In mid-December 2021 Immanuel Kalekale 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 Immanuel Kalekale was named in the powerful Burleigh Bears 2022 U18 MM Cup squad for the second season in a row.

Round One of the 2022 MM Cup competition saw Immanuel Kalekale named on the bench for the Burleigh Bears against the Easts Tigers however the match was rained out due to extreme weather conditions.

Immanuel Kalekale was then named to start on the bench for Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies with Immanuel Kalekale coming off the bench to operate in the front row just after mid-way through the first half.

Immanuel Kalekale made a great charge in the 46th minute when after receiving the ball forty metres out from the try line and to the left of the dummy half Immanuel Kalekale broke four tackles in a twenty nine metre charge to get the ball to within eleven metres of the try line. Xavier Asi scored in the left corner two tackles later.

Immanuel Kalekale also was named to start from the bench in Round Three against the Norths Devils however Immanuel Kalekale ended up starting the match in the front row with Immanuel Kalekale taking the second hit-up of the match after Norths had kicked-off.

Immanuel Kalekale was then named on the bench for Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Immanuel Kalekale coming onto the field to play in the front row late in the first half. Immanuel Kalekale’s first run came in the 31st minute and it was definitely worth the wait as he charged at the line before cutting back towards his left slightly to make twenty strong metres to get within eight metres of the try line with the majority of the run being accounted for with post contact metres.

Immanuel Kalekale was also named to start from the bench in the Round Seven local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls however he was a late scratching from the match.

Immanuel Kalekale was 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 Joseph Shannon.

The 11th minute saw Immanuel Kalekale make a strong run of fifteen when he took the hit-up to the right of the dummy half to take the ball well over the halfway mark and then in the 13th Immanuel Kalekale made another strong run on this occasion making ten metres into a set Seagulls defensive line after Burleigh received a penalty from a Seagulls which went over the dead ball line on the full.

Immanuel Kalekale’s strong match continued in the 20th minute with a twelve metre effort to the right of the dummy half to get the ball to within twenty eight metres of the try line.

Immanuel Kalekale also started from the bench for Burleigh’s final trial against the Western Clydesdales coming into the match to play in the front row late in the first half with Immanuel Kalekale scoring an outstanding solo try.

In the 55th minute Immanuel Kalekale charged onto the ball two passes off a Burleigh penalty restart twenty metres out from the try line. Since twelve metres from the line, Immanuel Kalekale bumped of the initial three defenders to tried to tackle him and then he brushed off three more around ten metres out before Immanuel Kalekale carried four more defenders over the try line to get the ball down twelve metres in from the right corner.

Immanuel Kalekale in the 38th minute produced a great charge of twenty one metres, breaking five tackles with the run commencing on his own ten metre mark. Then a minute later Immanuel Kalekale as at it again with a sixteen metre effort to get the ball to near the halfway mark.

In March 2022 Immanuel Kalekale was selected in the South Coast School Boy Rugby League U18 Representative side after successfully negotiating the trials starting Match One against Northern from the bench, coming on to operate in the front row in the 14th minute.

Probably Immanuel Kalekale’s best run of the match came in the 27th minute when he made eighteen metres to get within eight metres of the try line after he had charged onto the ball to the right of the play the ball.

Immanuel Kalekale also started from the bench in Match Two against Met North coming on in the 10th minute to operate in the front row with Immanuel Kalekale’s first run coming almost immediately when he returned the ball from a Met North goal line drop-out with Immanuel Kalekale getting the ball back to within twenty eight metres of the try line.

Immanuel Kalekale made another strong hit-up in the 15th minute when he made twelve metres after receiving the ball to the right of the dummy half. The just two minutes later in the 17th minute Immanuel Kalekale received the ball to the right of the play the ball just inside his own territory and after bumping off one would be tackler just inside Met North territory Immanuel Kalekale was able to extend his run a further ten metres after the initial defensive contact.

At the conclusion of the Championships Immanuel Kalekale was named in the 2022 Queensland Open School Boy Rugby League Representative side.

Immanuel Kalekale started from the bench in Queensland’s opening round of the Championships against the Australian Capital Territory with Immanuel Kalekale coming off the bench to operate in the front row in the 18th minute.

Immanuel Kalekale also came off the bench in Match Two being the semi-final against NSW CIS with Immanuel Kalekale coming onto the field in the 23rd minute to operate in the front row.

Immanuel Kalekale scored a strong try in the 57th minute when from ten metres from the try lien and to the left of the left the ball Immanuel Kalekale charged onto the ball and burst through three tackles to score next to the left upright.

Not long after coming onto the field being in the 23rd minute, Immanuel Kalekale made strong front on tackle on the ACT No. 10 with Immanuel Kalekale’s heavy initial contact stopping him in his tracks. Then just after that occurrence Immanuel Kalekale made a strong twenty five metre run from the right of the play the ball from right on the halfway mark.

Immanuel Kalekale added another strong run in the 45th minute when from the right of the play the ball and twenty five metres from his own try line Immanuel Kalekale cut back towards the area behind the markers and broke three tackles to get the ball to the halfway mark.

Unfortunately due to an injury suffered in the semi-final Immanuel Kalekale missed Queensland Grand Final victory against NSW CHS.

Round One of the 2022 Langer Cup School Boy competition saw Immanuel Kalekale start from the bench for Keebra Park State High School against Ipswich State High School with Immanuel Kalekale making a huge charge after Ipswich SHS kicked off to get the second half underway.

Immanuel Kalekale then moved into the starting side in the front row in Round Two against Coombabah State High School with Immanuel Kalekale taking the third hit-up of the match.

Immanuel Kalekale almost scored in the 46th minute but he was held up over the try line after charging at the line from sixteen metres out and breaking four tackles before the line.

Immanuel Kalekale made another strong charge in the 9th minute from the second hit-up from the kick-off to Keebra Park SHS’s opening try. Immanuel Kalekale burst between two defenders but he was tripped up and went down on one knee but was back p and running in a heartbeat to make a further six metres to make his run fourteen metres gained in total.

Immanuel Kalekale was at it again in the 15th minute with a charge to the right of the play the ball and forty metres out with Immanuel Kalekale cutting back to behind the play the ball to make fourteen metres.

Immanuel Kalekale continued his strong efforts with the ball in the 45th minute from the kick-off return of Jaxon Yow’s try with Immanuel Kalekale getting the ball twenty eight metres away from his own try line.

Immanuel Kalekale had another strong kick-off return in the 52nd minute on that occasion getting the ball thirty two metres away from his own line after Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki’s try. Immanuel Kalekale also made it to thirty two metres from his own try line in the 58th minute from yet another kick-off return.

As was evidenced in the 55th minute Immanuel Kalekale did not just no damage returning kicks, as in the 55th minute Immanuel Kalekale cut back underneath Arama Hau and burst through two tackles and make sixteen metres to get the ball ten metres into Coombabah SHS territory.

Immanuel Kalekale continued in the front row in Round Three against Marsden State High School with Immanuel Kalekale involved in the opening tackle of the match after Keebra Park SHS had kicked-off to get the match underway. Immanuel Kalekale then backed up to make the third tackle of the match.

Immanuel Kalekale made a good defensive read in the 46th minute when after Marsden SHS appeared to his throwing the ball wide to their right the halfback tried to cut back towards the centre of the field but Immanuel Kalekale had identified the threat and raced across to his left and smashed the halfback with a heavy front on tackle.

Immanuel Kalekale was named on the Keebra Park SHS extended bench for their Langer Cup Quarter Final against Marymount Collage as well as the Semi-final against PBC SHS.

At the completion of the 2022 School Boy Langer Cup competition Immanuel Kalekale was named in the front row in the 2022 Courier Mail Langer Cup Team of the Season. Immanuel Kalekale was also named as the 25th best School Boy Rugby League or Rugby player in the 2022 Courier Mail Top 30 school boys.

2022 saw Immanuel Kalekale line-up once again for the Nerang Roosters in the Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition with his first 2022 match in Roosters colours coming in Round Five when Immanuel Kalekale was named to come off the bench against the Helensvale Hornets as Nerang chased back to back Premierships but unfortunately Immanuel Kalekale was ruled out of the match late in the week.

Round Nine against the Burleigh Bears saw Immanuel Kalekale start from the bench with Immanuel Kalekale a barnstorming try in the 49th minute. Immanuel Kalekale charged onto the ball to the right of the play the ball thirty three metres out from the line after a short Burleigh kick-off bursting through three defenders one of whom almost got Immanuel Kalekale to ground but he was able to maintain his balance and then the Burleigh hooker tried to effect a one on one strip but Immanuel Kalekale was just too strong and shrugged him off and kept progressing towards the try line before crashing over two metres to the left of the uprights as the Bears fullback tried in vain to prevent Immanuel Kalekale from scoring.

Immanuel Kalekale came onto the field in the 26th minute to operate in the front row with is first run shortly after when he carried the ball fifteen metres into Burleigh territory after taking possession to the right of the play the ball.

After missing a number of rounds, Immanuel Kalekale came off the bench in Round Fourteen against the Ormeau Shearers with Immanuel Kalekale scoring an astonishing try in the 55th minute after coming on to operate in the front row in the 48th minute.

In the 55th minute Immanuel Kalekale received the ball from his left thirty five metres out and as a result of a strong left arm fend Immanuel Kalekale got on the outside of the Shearers defensive line and charged down the right touchline. When still twenty metres out Immanuel Kalekale beat a second defender with a left arm fend and used a left arm fend to beat a third ten metres out before getting the ball down in the left corner. Immanuel Kalekale then stepped up to take the conversion but the ball fell short of the posts to be waved away.

Immanuel Kalekale then started from the bench in Round Sixteen against the Burleigh Bears with Immanuel Kalekale scoring in the 41st minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball around eight metres out Immanuel Kalekale held off one defender with his right arm and crashed over to score ten metres in from the left corner post.

In the 26th minute from deep inside his own territory Immanuel Kalekale charged onto the ball to the left of the play with the ball with Immanuel Kalekale able to get the ball out of Nerang’s twenty metre area as a result of making twelve metres. Then two tackles later Immanuel Kalekale made a further twelve metres after once again running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball with Immanuel Kalekale getting the ball two metres into Burleigh territory.

After missing a number of rounds through injury Immanuel Kalekale started at right second row in the 2022 GCRL U18 Division One Preliminary Final against the Helensvale Hornets as the Nerang Roosters qualified for the Grand Final on the back of a 26 – 18 victory.

Immanuel Kalekale made his first run of the match in the 7th minute when from just inside his own territory Immanuel Kalekale ran the ball down the right channel and after bumping off one defender Immanuel Kalekale got away a right arm off-load to his inside.

Then in the 32nd minute Immanuel Kalekale charged onto the ball on the right side of the field from twelve metres out and whilst still running to his right Immanuel Kalekale whilst in contact with two defenders Immanuel Kalekale got to the try line but was ultimately forced back a metre near the right corner.

The 2022 Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One Grand Final saw Immanuel Kalekale start at right second row for the Nerang Roosters with Immanuel Kalekale scoring a powerhouse try in the 36th minute when after receiving an off-load eight metres out and on the right side of the field, Immanuel Kalekale took off from a standing start and broke through four tackles to crash over to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.

Immanuel Kalekale had come close to scoring earlier in the match in the 6th minute when he juggled a difficult pass but as he was about to score in the right corner Immanuel Kalekale could not regain possession.

Immanuel Kalekale was also heavily involved in Dorian Lotaki’s 58th minute try which temporarily gave the Roosters the lead late in the match. After an eighteen metre charge from the right of the play the ball to around twelve metres out from the try line, Immanuel Kalekale with multiple defenders still on him, executed a lightning quick play the ball with Dorian Lotaki taking advantage of the still back peddling defensive line to crash over ten metres to the left of the uprights.

Inside the opening minute of the Grand Final the Eagles know that they had their hands full with Immanuel Kalekale when he charged into the ball to the right of the play the ball and made a twenty five metres line break to get the ball within twelve metres of the try line.

Immanuel Kalekale made another strong charge in the 22nd minute when from thirty eight metres out and to the left of the play the ball, Immanuel Kalekale rumbled sixteen metres downfield.

Immanuel Kalekale showed that he is also a hard hitter from a defensive perspective in the 18th minute when Immanuel Kalekale smashed one of the Eagles replacement front rowers (No. 17) just on the try line to prevent a Currumbin try.

Immanuel Kalekale executed another big tackle in the 34th minute in front of his own posts when Immanuel Kalekale smashed the Currumbin right second rower (No. 11) with the ball flying loose with Nerang hooker Dorian Lotaki picking up the ball just metres out from the Nerang try line and making twenty metres downfield.

Immanuel Kalekale made his first appearance in a Titans jersey for the Titans U17 side that played their annual match against the Newcastle Knights in Coffs Harbour in January 2021 with Immanuel Kalekale starting the match from the bench and coming on in the first half to play in the front row for the Titans.

Immanuel Kalekale made a positive impact when he came on as the Titans were impressive in their 32 – 20 victory including an exceptional charge late in the match where he made at least thirteen metres through the middle of the Knights forward pack. Overall it was an impressive Titans debut for Immanuel Kalekale punctuated by some powerful hit-ups and a high work rate in both attack and defence.

Immanuel Kalekale’s first hit-out with the 2021 Burleigh Bears MM Cup side came when he started on the bench in the Bears second trial against the Easts Tigers at Langland’s Park. Immanuel Kalekale did not come into the match until the final twenty minutes, playing in the front row but what a cameo appearance he had.

Immanuel Kalakale’s initial contribution was a strong twenty metre charge directly into the heart of the Tigers forward pack off a Titans penalty restart just inside Tigers territory. Immanuel Kalekale contributed another strong charge in the 65th minute when he took the hit-up from the Easts Tigers kick-off from Syris Schmidt’s try. In the same set of six Immanuel Kalekale made fifteen more metres from another hit-up and was awarded a penalty when the Easts Tigers defence did not allow him to his feet quickly enough.

In Round One of the 2021 MM Cup competition, Immanuel Kalekale started from the bench against the Souths Logan Magpies and as him did in the trial against Easts, Immanuel Kalekale produced an impressive display starting with a moment in the 28th minute when a ball was kicked into his shins, Immanuel Kalekale retrieved the bouncing ball bursting twenty metres downfield from a standing start, breaking two tackles along the way. The second attempted tackle actually tripped Immanuel Kalekale who went to ground but was not held and whilst siting down Immanuel Kalekale was able to off-load for Burleigh to make more metres.

In the final minute of the first half after Burleigh had absorbed a significant amount of pressure on their own try line, Immanuel Kalekale was the release valve for the pressure with a strong ten metre run which commended from within his own twenty metre area, breaking four tackles to give Burleigh some breathing space and room to operate.

After missing a number of weeks, Immanuel Kalekale was named on the Bears extended bench for Round Five against the Ipswich Jets however he started the match from the bench and scored as Burleigh overcame a 20 – 0 first half deficit to record a come from behind 44 – 26 win.

Immanuel Kalekale’s try in the 32nd minute was one of the more impressive front row tries that I have seen. Immanuel Kalekale received the ball twelve metres out from the try line to the left of the play the ball with a set defensive line in front of him. Immanuel Kalekale engaged the initial defender with a left arm fend ten metres out before engaging two additional defenders Jets five metres out from the line. Initially it looked like the three Jets defenders would be able to get Immanuel Kalekale to the ground but Immanuel Kalekale kept fighting the defenders and was able to get the ball down under the posts still under heavy pressure.

In relation to club rugby league in 2021 Immanuel Kalekale lined up for the Nerang Roosters in the Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition with his first appearance for the Roosters coming in Round Three when he started from the bench as the Roosters defeated Runaway Bay 22 - 4.

In Round Five against the Southport Tigers, Immanuel Kalekale started at lock in the Roosters 34 – 12 victory before being named on the bench in Round Seven against Mudgeeraba. Round Ten against the Runaway Bay Seagulls saw Immanuel Kalekale named to start from the bench however he was a late scratching from the match.

Immanuel Kalekale moved to lock in Round Ten against the Burleigh Bears and scored a strong try in the 15th minute and also kicked Nerang’s final conversion of the match with the kick being taken just to the left of the uprights.

In the 15th minute Immanuel Kalekale charged onto the ball from six metres out to the left of the dummy half and dragged four Burleigh defenders over the line to get the ball down next to the right upright in an exceptional display of size, power and pure strength.

Immanuel Kalekale produced another powerful run in the 55th minute from deep inside his own territory of thirty five metres with Immanuel Kalekale then producing a great right arm off-load to keep Nerang’s momentum going.

When rugby league recommenced on the Gold Coast in late August 2021 after the Covid 19 lockdown, Immanuel Kalekale was named to start in the second row for Nerang in Round Eleven against the Ormeau Shearers.

Round Twelve against the Southport Tigers saw Immanuel Kalekale named to start from the bench with Immanuel Kalekale scoring an outstanding solo try in the 17th minute. Immanuel Kalekale received the ball to the right of the play the ball eighteen metres from the line and engaged two defenders still around nine metres out. After he gained separation from the two defenders Immanuel Kalekale ran to his left pushing off another two defenders before dragging two more defenders over the line and getting the ball down adjacent to the left upright.

Immanuel Kalekale added a second try in the 44th minute when he was a recipient of a pass from Dorian Lotaki who had crossed the try line and waited for Immanuel Kalekale after a great 100 metre Nerang movement and outstanding work by Arama Hau and Jeremaiah Temapo.

The match even saw Immanuel Kalekale attempt a conversion in the 22nd minute from fifteen metres to the right of the goal posts but his attempt hit the left upright much to the delight of his team mates.

Immanuel Kalekale made an immediate contribution in the match when he came off the bench in the 16th minute when Immanuel Kalekale made his first run less than a minute after coming onto the field with the run accounting for eighteen metres. Immanuel Kalekale was awarded a penalty at the completion of his run when the Southport defence would not allow him to get to his feet in a timely fashion.

Immanuel Kalekale made an additional strong run in the 27th minute down the right side of the field with making twenty seven metres before he was brought to ground and once again the Southport defence held him down and Immanuel Kalekale was awarded another penalty.

Immanuel Kalekale moved back into the Nerang starting line-up in the front row in Round Thirteen against the Helensvale Hornets with Immanuel Kalekale making a number of strong charges including a thirty metre charge in the 20th minute from the kick-off after Nerang scored their second try.

Immanuel Kalekale then continued in the front row in Week Two of the 2021 GCRL U18 Division One Final’s series for the Roosters against the Helensvale Hornets scoring a typically powerhouse try in the 26th minute.

Immanuel Kalekale then started the 2021 GCRL U18 Division One Preliminary Final in the front row for the Roosters against the Ormeau Shearers and scored a powerful try in the 26th minute when after he received the ball twenty metres out, Immanuel Kalekale ran at the line and just prior to contact stepped off his left foot bumping off the initial defender. Immanuel Kalekale then beat three more defenders on the way to getting the ball down next to the left upright.

In the 2021 Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One Grand Final Immanuel Kalekale started in the front row for the Roosters side against the Helensvale Hornets and had an immediate impact on the match when he took the second hit-up of the match, breaking three tackles and making twenty metres to get the ball out to thirty five metres from his own line. Then in the 3rd minute, Immanuel Kalekale produced another strong run through the centre of the field, making ten metres to get the ball twenty metres out from his own line.

Immanuel Kalekale emphasised his strong first half in the final minute of the first half when after receiving an off-load from Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki, Immanuel Kalekale broke four tackles whilst making fifteen metres to get the ball into Helensvale territory.

Immanuel Kalekale continued his strong match in the 34th minute with a twenty metre charge that included breaking three tackles with the result being that Immanuel Kalekale was able to get the ball to within ten metres of the try line.

Immanuel Kalekale’s Grand Final performance deserved a try and he should have been awarded one in the 47th minute when he charged onto the ball to the right of the dummy half fifty five metres from the try line. After receipt of the ball Immanuel Kalekale immediately stepped off his left foot targeting the area directly behind the play the ball and going straight through the centre of the ruck untouched. When he approached the Hornets fullback, Immanuel Kalekale looked to beat him by rounding him to his right.

Immanuel Kalekale was eventually dragged down from behind just short of the try line and it looked for all money as if momentum had carried Immanuel Kalekale over the try line five metres in from the touchline but bizarrely the referee ruled a double movement much to the confusion of all of the players on the field, including the Helensvale players that had made the tackle.

In February 2021 Immanuel Kalekale took part in the South Coast Open school boy trials and was subsequently named in the South Coast Open A school boy side for the QSSRL U18 Championships as a result of his outstanding trial performances, however Immanuel Kalekale did not end up lining up for South Coast in the Championships.

2021 also saw Immanuel Kalekale line up for Keebra Park PBC State High School in the South East Queensland School Boy Langer Cup Open A competition starting Round One in the front row against Marsden State High School. It was an intense forward battle between the two Titans Partnered sides and Immanuel Kalekale was regularly in the thick of the action.

Immanuel Kalekale started Round Two against Mabel Park State High School in the front row and one of Keebra Park’s try scorers in their 30 – 14 victory with his try coming in the 15th minute when he charged onto the ball from three metres, skittling a number of defenders to get the ball down four metre to the right of the uprights.

Immanuel Kalekale made another big charge in in the 45th minute when he broke four tackles to get to within two metres of the line and then in the 49th minute Immanuel Kalekale came out of the line to put on a big front on hit in what was probably the best tackle of the match.

Immanuel Kalekale also started in the front row in Round Three against Ipswich State High School and made the opening tackle of the match after Keebra Park had kicked off. Immanuel Kalekale made the first of multiple strong runs in the 4th minute with hard charge and off-load to Blaze Mozer and then he was at it again in the 10th minute with another strong charge.

Immanuel Kalekale was named to continue in the front row in Round Four against St Mary’s College Toowoomba however he was a late omission from the Keebra Park side.

The Round Five local derby against PBC saw Immanuel Kalekale named to start in the front row and put in a dominating performance to lead Keebra Park to an impressive come from behind victory.

Immanuel Kalekale was simply devastating running the ball but it was two off-loads that also brought Immanuel Kalekale to prominence in the match, including an off-load in the 38th minute after he kept fighting in a tackle. Immanuel Kalekale was able to get his right arm free and off-load to his left to Delahia Wigmore who cut back to his right into space to score from ten metres out.

Immanuel Kalekale’s other significant off-load came in the 37th minute and came when he charged onto the ball on the left side of the field and whilst in contact with the line got a great right arm off-load away to left centre Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki who then off-loaded to Elijah Lui who broke away down the left touchline.

Immanuel Kalekale was also named to start in the front row in Round Six against Wavell State High School.

After the Langer Cup competition was suspended for a number of weeks due to a Covid 19 lock down, Immanuel Kalekale was named in the front row for Keebra Park State High School in their semi-final against PBC State High School however Immanuel Kalekale ended up starting the match off the bench.

Immanuel Kalekale producing some outstanding runs in the match, none better than in the 37th minute when Immanuel Kalekale produced a great charge from a PBC SHS goal line drop out.

In 2019 Immanuel Kalakale represented the Auckland Vulcans U15 representative side at the New Zealand Age Championships, starting in the front row in three of the Vulcans matches at those Championships, with those matches coming against the Counties Manukau Stingrays, the Central Vipers and the Wellington Orca’s.

In Auckland prior to moving to Australia Immanuel Kalekale played for the Glenora Bears rugby league club and in 2019 played representative rugby for the Rugby West U16 representative side.

The pace and power in terms of how Immanuel Kalekale runs the ball is the outstanding feature of his game, he takes the ball to the line with speed and quick and subtle footwork prior to the line and seems to target 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 Immanuel Kalekale will target the smaller defenders on the edge of the ruck and burst through and for a big young man Immanuel Kalekale has very good speed over the medium term and has the strength to drag defenders with him post contact.

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

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

The defensive side of his game is similarly impressive, Immanuel Kalekale does not just charge wildly up looking for a huge hit but is calculating in where and when to hit. Immanuel Kalekale drives hard with his legs and always uses his shoulder and core body strength to drive into his opponent with force and can use both shoulders depending upon the running line of the attacker.

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

Immanuel Kalekale’s initial contact is absolutely outstanding and more than enough to stop or redirect the momentum of the ball carrier regardless of their size and Immanuel Kalekale is also able to utilise his exceptional functional strength to slow the play the ball down on the ground sufficiently to allow his team’s defensive line to re-establish itself for the next play the ball.

Immanuel Kalekale has spent the majority of the 2023 season playing for the Helensvale Hornets in the Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade competition and Immanuel Kalekale has handled the transition to playing against men comfortably.

In 2024 Immanuel Kalekale is still Hastings Deering’s Colts eligible but no doubt the plan will be to let Immanuel Kalekale to continue to test himself against men, the question is in what competition that will be in. With a strong 2023/24 off-season, Immanuel Kalekale would have the size, power and aggressiveness to potentially handle the step up to the Queensland Cup early in 2024, if not Immanuel Kalekale will continue to dominate in the Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade competition.

At an imposing 192cm and 110kg at just 20 years old and still growing, Immanuel Kalekale is set to be an outstanding front row prospect for many years to come for the Titans.

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

Like Fisher-Harris, Immanuel Kalekale can and will play substantial minutes in a match and projects as one of the few NRL level middle third forwards that could play the entire 80 minutes (or close to it) of a match without being substituted and play those minutes at an extremely high level of quality as well.

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Isaac Togia. The powerhouse second row, centre or lock (and rugby outside centre) who hails from the Ipswich region signed a multi-year contract with the Titans in early 2021 and let there be no doubt, the Titans have snared a seriously talented young player in Isaac Togia.

In early December 2022 Isaac Togia took part in a joint training session between the Titans JTS contracted players and the Titans NRL off-season training squad.

After missing time, Isaac Togia returned to the field in Round Six of the Ipswich Rugby League U18 competition, coming off the bench for Norths Tigers Blue against Ipswich Brothers. Isaac Togia also came off the bench and was one of the Tigers try scorers in Round Seven against West End.

Isaac Togia was also named on the bench in Round Nine against the Springfield Panthers with Isaac Togia scoring once again in a big 72 – 4 Tigers victory. Isaac Togia continued from the bench in Round Ten against Redbank Plains Red.

In late January 2022 Isaac Togia started at left second row for the Titans U16 side in a match at Pizzey Park against the Sydney Bulldogs and Isaac Togia was involved in the opening tackle of the match after the Titans had kicked off to get the match underway.

In early May 2022 Isaac Togia also started at right 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 with Isaac Togia scoring in the 10th minute after backing up a line break from fellow second rower Cooper Bai.

In mid-December 2021 Isaac Togia 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 Isaac Togia was named in the Ipswich Jets 2022 U16 Cyril Connell Cup squad and after the Jets had a Round One bye, Isaac Togia was named in the second row for Round Two against the Burleigh Bears and scored in just the 14th minute of the match. Only twenty metres out from his own try line, Isaac Togia packed in at lock for a scrum with an Ipswich Jets feed. After picking up the ball from the base of the scrum, Isaac Togia ran to his right and literally just ran eighty metres untouched to dive over under the posts.

Isaac Togia continued at right second row in Round Three against the Sunshine Coast Falcons playing strongly yet again, with his first strong effort with the ball coming in just the 5th minute when Isaac Togia making a strong twelve metres when he ran to his right out of dummy half to get the ball within thirty metres of the try line.

Isaac Togia also had a very good match from a defensive perspective including a big tackle in the 6th minute when Isaac Togia drove his right shoulder through the Falcons lock. Then just three tackles later Isaac Togia made a strong driving tackle on the Falcon’s left centre forcing him back around three metres.

Isaac Togia continued at right second row in Round Four against the Wide Bay Bulls, scoring once again in a big Jets victory. In the 24th minute on the second tackle after a Jets scrum win ten metres from the line and fifteen metres in from the right touchline Isaac Togia moved into dummy half and once he collected the ball Isaac Togia ran to his left, engaging two defenders still six metres from the line. Upon the engagement with the two Bulls defenders Isaac Togia spun 360 degrees counter clockwise to gain separation before charging over the get the ball down under the posts with four Wide Bay defenders trying in vain to prevent Isaac Togia from scoring a strong solo try.

Isaac Togia also started at right second row in Round Five against the Western Clydesdales with Isaac Togia scoring in the 48th minute when from around ten metres out and ten metres in from the right touchline, Isaac Togia ran to his left out of dummy half and proved far too strong for the Clydesdales defence to crash over under the posts.

In total in the 2022 U16 Cyril Connell Cup competition Isaac Togia ran for the 7h most metres in the competition, being 502 metres at an average of 126 metres per game and also made three line breaks. Isaac Togia also made the 13th most tackles of the competition with sixty eight tackles at an average of just under fourteen tackles per match.

Post the 2022 U16 Cyril Connell Cup competition Isaac Togia once again played for Goodna in the Ipswich Rugby League competition, starting at right second row in Round One of the U17 Division One competition against the Springfield Panthers with Isaac Togia scoring a first up hat trick in a big Goodna victory.

Isaac Togia was named to continue at right second row in Round Two against Norths Ipswich however a late change saw Isaac Togia start from the bench with Isaac Togia scoring in a 22 – 12 Goodna victory.

At the completion of the Round Two match Isaac Togia was the equal leading try scorer in the 2022 Ipswich Rugby League U17 Division One competition with four tries from two matches to have a 200% early season strike rate.

Isaac Togia was also named at right second row in Round Three against Swifts/Rosewood however the match ended up being forfeited by Swifts/Rosewood.

In late March 2022 Isaac Togia was named to attend the Queensland Rugby League Positional Skills Day as part of the Ipswich Squad.

In 2021 Isaac Togia once again lined up for the Goodna Eagles in the Ipswich Rugby League U15 Division One competition, operating primarily in the second row for the Eagles.

As he did in 2020 Isaac Togia had some big matches for Goodna Black in 2021 including a two try effort in Round Two as Goodna defeated Norths Blue 62 – 0. Isaac Togia also scored a double in Round Seven against Brothers Blue after starting the match from the bench.

Isaac Togia moved into the Eagles starting side in the second row in Round Eight against Swifts and had a huge Friday night scoring five tries and converting Goodna’s final try of the match in their 78 – 6 victory. Isaac Togia then started from the bench in Round Eleven against Swifts and was also named on the bench for Round Twelve against Norths Ipswich.

Isaac Togia started on the bench for Goonda Black in week one of the Ipswich U15 Division One Final’s series against Ipswich Brothers Blue scoring in the 40th and 60th minutes in Goodna’s big win. Isaac Togia also stepped up to convert the try that he scored in the 60th minute.

Isaac Togia also started from the bench in the 2021 Ipswich U15 Division One Grand Final against Norths Blue with Isaac Togia scoring in the 10th minute as Goonda recorded a big 2021 Grand Final victory.

Isaac Togia played for Ipswich Grammar School one again in 2021 in the GPS School Boy Rugby U15A competition.

In 2020 Isaac Togia played for Goonda Black in the Ipswich Rugby League U14 competition with Goonda Black winning all ten of their 2020 matches, scoring a staggering 506 points and conceding just 32 to finish with a positive points differential of an incredible +474.

Isaac Togia had some big match in 2020 for Goonda Black including scoring five tries in Round Eight as Goodna Black defeated Redback Red 58 – 10. Isaac Togia also scored four tries in Rounds Four and Six against Goodna Blue (62 – 0) and Swifts Blue (68 – 0) respectively.

Isaac Togia previously played for the Springfield Panthers Junior Rugby League Club who also play in the Ipswich Rugby League competition.

In 2019 Isaac Togia represented the Ipswich Diggers U13’s in the second row at the Hill Stumer South East Queensland Junior Rugby League Championships, and post those Championships was selected in the South East Queensland Training Squad.

Isaac Togia is also a more than impressive rugby player and currently attends Ipswich Grammar School and plays rugby in the GPS school boy rugby competition. In 2020 in the GPS U14A competition and in 2019 in the U13A competition, Isaac Togia was a stand out for the Ipswich based school, playing at outside centre (No. 13).

Isaac Togia has also represented Ipswich Grammar School in the GPS Athletics Championships in 2019 and 2020.

2019 also saw Isaac Togia play for the Ipswich Rangers rugby club who played in the Brisbane U13A Brisbane Junior Rugby competition, once again playing outside centre.

For the Ipswich Rangers, Isaac Togia played at outside centre (No. 13) and finished the 2019 season on fire. In the BJR U13A 2019 regular season Isaac Togia had a huge Round Ten match, scoring five tries against Sunnybank Green and also scored a double in Round Eight against Souths Black.

Isaac Togia also scored in each of his three finals matches in 2019, being in Week One of the Finals against Souths Black, Week Two against Easts Blue and Week Three against Norths Blue in the Rangers two point loss.

Also in 2019 Isaac Togia was selected in the Brisbane Red side for the Queensland XV’s State Rugby Championships.

Isaac Togia is an outstanding athlete (and of course rugby league player) and this can be seen when he is running with the football. In his carries Isaac Togia 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.

Isaac Togia 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, Isaac Togia does not try to run over defenders, but Isaac Togia runs at the gaps between defenders and uses his running speed to break through if defenders only look to use their arms in the tackle, a mistake that they would pay a heavy price for.

Isaac Togia does not necessarily have plus top end speed, but he is certainly more than fast enough, but at full speed as well as off the mark 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 he can certainly play on the right), means that his left foot step and his fending using his right hand are the effective attributes, but based on his physical attributes, his skill set and his understanding of how to play the game means that I have no doubt that these attributes are transferrable to playing on the right hand side of the field.

There is no doubt in my mind that playing outside centre in the GPS school boy rugby competition has helped Isaac Togia become much more comfortable playing on both sides of the field, as unlike rugby league in its current iteration, in rugby, centres more to the opposite side of the field depending upon where the set piece is located, read that as the centres almost always line up together on the open side of the field.

In defence Isaac Togia 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 Isaac Togia has the ability to hit very hard, by setting a good base and driving through with his lower body and core into his opponent. Ultimately though Isaac Togia is a strong defender with a good, simple, effective and repeatable front on technique, including head placement and good lateral movement to track and defend against smaller opponents either on the fringes or centre of the ruck.
Isaac Togia will play the 2024 season with the Norths Tigers in the Ipswich Rugby League U18 competition. Isaac Togia is also MM Cup eligible in 2024 and Isaac Togai should push for a starting role with the Ipswich Jets MM Cup side come the start of the 2024 MM Cup competition.

Isaac Togia will also play the 2024 GPS school boy rugby season with Ipswich Grammar School where Isaac Togia will push for immediately play time in the Ipswich Grammar School First XV.

In the current way that rugby league is being played, a rugby league second rower needs, size, speed, strength, power and stamina, well let’s just say they need everything. Those are all attributes that Isaac Togia possesses in quantities more than sufficient for Isaac Togia to present as a rugby league second rower with near unlimited potential.

Playing in the GPS school boy rugby competition in the centres, specifically outside centre, for Ipswich Grammar School is only going to help Isaac Togia in his rugby league journey with the Titans as he progresses towards the NRL.

With his size, strength and speed combination, I am more than comfortable to compare Isaac Togia’s playing style to that of rampaging Titans and Queensland State of Origin squad member and second rower Beau Fermor. Both Fermor and Isaac Togia are just about impossible to stop when they receive the ball early on the fringes of the ruck and seem to be able to break tackles and score almost at will.

[mdrew]

Noah Waldock. In January 2023 Noah Waldock started on the right wing for the Titans U17 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights with Noah Waldock doing well in the 18th minute when he chased through a high kick from Zane Harrison towards the right corner with Noah Waldock taking the Knights fullback into touch after he took possession just a metre out from the right corner post.

Noah Waldock also started in the right wing a week later for the Titans U17’s against the Brisbane Bronco’s U17’s on the Gold Coast With Noah Waldock taking the Titans second hit-up of the match after Ray Puru had returned the Bronco’s opening kick downfield after the matches first set of six tackles.

In late September 2022 Noah Waldock was named in the 2023 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup train on squad. Noah Waldock is also U18 eligible in 2024.

Round One of the 2023 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition saw Noah Waldock named on the left wing the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights with Noah Waldock scoring in the 15th minute when after good work on his inside Noah Waldock received the ball in space around twelve metres out. Noah Waldock still had some work to do however when after he was hit by a Knights cover defender Noah Waldock broke the contact with a 360 degree counter clockwise spin with Noah Waldock then getting the ball down five metres in from the left corner post.

Noah Waldock also made a line break in the 30th minute when after Bo Peisley darted out of dummy half down a short left blindside, Noah Waldock received the ball on the halfway mark and raced twenty metres down the left touchline before drawing the Newcastle fullback and getting the ball inside and back to Bo Peisley.

Noah Waldock made a strong kick return in the 42nd minute when after collecting a Knights clearing kick twenty eight metres out from his own try line on the full Noah Waldock was able to push off one defender as he got the ball forty two metres away from his try line.

Noah Waldock then did well in the 50th minute to get low and take cleanly and sharp Knights grubber kick with Noah Waldock taking clean possession just a metre out from his own try line with Noah Waldock then getting to the ground quickly to prevent being dragged back into the in-goal.

Noah Waldock then made a key play in the 69th minute with the Northern Rivers Titans leading by just two points at the time. The Knights put up a Hail Mary mid-field bomb with Noah Waldock racing forward to take the bomb on the full under immense pressure thirty metres out from his own try lien and even though he was smashed just as he took possession Noah Waldock held on the ball as he went to ground. The Northern Rivers Titans never relinquished possession after that point to win 24 – 20.

Noah Waldock was also named on the right wing for Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters with Noah Waldock scoring in the 48th minute when to the right of a Northern Rivers Titans scrum feed on the left side of the field Creedence Donovan beat one defender on the outside and when around twelve metres out from the try line Creedence Donovan held up the ball perfectly before passing to his right to Noah Waldock who initially ran towards the right corner before cutting off his right foot away from the touchline beating to two defenders in the process to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.

Noah Waldock had almost scored earlier in the match in the 31st minute but was held up over the try line in the right corner.

Noah Waldock was also heavily involved in Creedence Donovan’s 10th minute try when he chased through a Zane Harrison bomb and competed for the ball in the air with the Roosters losing the ball forward and into the grasp of Creedence Donovan who darted over to score.

Noah Waldock also did well in the air in the 3rd minute when he chased through a Zane Harrison high bomb to his wing with Noah Waldock taking the ball on the full above his Central Coast opponent twelve metres out and through sheer force of will, Noah Waldock carried defenders to within two metres of the try line.

Noah Waldock was also named on the right wing for Round Three against the South Coast Dragons.

Noah Waldock continued on the right wing in Round Four against the Northern Tigers with Noah Waldock on two occasions being in the 8th and n36th minute taking high kicks to his wing under heavy pressure to take possession for the Northern Rivers Titans.

Noah Waldock also started on the right wing in Round Five against the North Coast Bulldogs to complete his strong 2023 U18 Laurie Daley Cup campaign for the Northern Rivers Titans.

2023 saw Noah Waldock once again line -up for the Ballina Seagulls in the NRRRL U18 competition with Noah Waldock named at five eight in Round One against the Cudgen Hornets.

Noah Waldock also started at five eight in Round Two against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Noah Waldock making a strong run from the left of the play the ball in the 50th minute with making fifteen metres to get the ball to within three metres of the halfway mark.

Noah Waldock continued at five eight in Round Four against the Lower Clarence Magpies with Noah Waldock receiving an off-load in the 22nd minute with Noah Waldock then stepping off his right foot on two occasions to carry the ball from thirty five metres from his own try line to within two metres of the halfway mark.

Then in the 44th minute from the left of the play the ball thirty five metres out from his own try line Noah Waldock stepped off his right foot twice with Noah Waldock getting the ball to twelve metres out from the try line.

Noah Waldock also started at five eight in Round Five against Northern United with Noah Waldock scoring in the 27th minute when after Ballina had initially sent the ball to their right, the ball came back to the left with Noah Waldock receiving the ball around twelve metres out. After Noah Waldock had sensed a gap in the Northern United defensive line Noah Waldock stepped off his left foot and charged between two defenders to crash over four metres to the right of the uprights.

Earlier in the 13th minute from the right of the play the ball and forty metres out from his own try line Noah Waldock stepped off his right foot as he carried the ball ten metres inside Northern United territory.

Noah Waldock made the tackle of the match in the 46th minute with a driving left shoulder tackle on the giant Northern United No. 20 to stop him dead in his tracks just out from the try line and three metres to the left of the uprights.

Noah Waldock then moved to fullback in Round Six against the Mullumbimby Giants with Noah Waldock scoring in the 54th minute when after backing up a line break by Kye Cooper, Noah Waldock had an uninterrupted thirty metre run to score untouched under the posts.

Noah Waldock had an outstanding match from a kick return perspective with the first of a number of strong kick returns coming in the 22nd minute when after collecting a Mullumbimby kick on the bounce in the centre of the field and eighteen metres out from his own try line Noah Waldock stepped off his left foot then his right as he broke three tackles to get the ball to within ten metres of the halfway mark.

Then in the 42nd minute Noah Waldock tracked back into his in-goal area to collect a kick and was then able to promote the ball to the twenty six metre mark. Two minutes earlier in the 40th minute Noah Waldock ran to his left out of dummy half making twenty metres to within ten metres of the halfway mark with 60% of Noah Waldock’s metres being post contact.

Noah Waldock moved back to five eight for Round Eight against the Casino Cougars with Noah Waldock recording a 35th minute try assist with a great catch and pass to his right of the play the ball and ten metres out for Lachlan Offley to have the space to score.

Then in the 59th minute with Ballina down by two points Noah Waldock ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball from thirty metres out from his own try line to get the ball to the halfway mark.

Noah Waldock also made a smart play in the 40th minute with a one on one strip on the Casino No. 8 on the halfway mark.

Noah Waldock then moved to halfback for Round Ten against the Bilambil Jets with Noah Waldock making a great low one on one tackle on the jet left second rower to prevent a try next to the right upright in the 34th minute with Noah Waldock also making the next tackle from the marker position.

Noah Waldock made another try saving tackle in the 43rd minute with a one on one ball and all tackle on the Bilambil left second rower centremetres out and to five metres to the right of the uprights.

In early May 2022 Noah Waldock started on the right wing for a Northern Rivers Titans U17 Invitational squad that took on a Titans U16 JTS Academy side at Cbus Stadium as a curtain-raiser to the Titans NRL Round Fourteen against the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs with Noah Waldock acquitting himself well against his Titans JTS opponents.

In early December 2021 Noah Waldock was named in the 2022 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup Train-on Squad.

Round One of the 2022 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition saw Noah Waldock start on the right wing for the Northern Rivers Titans side against the Macquarie Wests Tigers in Sydney’s west. In the second half Noah Waldock spent time closer to the action, including feeding the ball into scrum’s when the Northern Rivers Titans had the scrum feed.

Noah Waldock was not far away from scoring in the 29th minute when after receiving the ball on his right wing in space around twenty metres out, as the cover defence came across, Noah Waldock cut inside off his wing and was only dragged down just a metre short of the try line.

Noah Waldock continued his hard working match in the 35th minute when he came off his wing to make a strong run of fifteen metres to the halfway mark through the centre of the field.

Noah Waldock showed his hard working attributes when in the 51st minute he came off his right wing to take some of the pressure off his forwards when he took a hit-up to the right of the dummy half with Noah Waldock making a hard twelve metres to get the ball just into the Wests Tigers territory.

The Macquarie Wests Tigers ran a lot of traffic at Noah Waldock’s right wing and he more than held his own, the first of a number of occasions being in the 9th minute when he executed a good low tackle not far out from his own try line on his opposite number from a Wests Tigers scrum feed.

Noah Waldock also started on the right wing in the Round Two local derby against the North Coast Bulldogs and scored an outstanding try in the 26th minute.

In the 26th minute Noah Waldock received a ball from his inside from fullback Harry Chadburn who had chimed into the backline on the right side of the field. After taking the ball seventeen metres out, Noah Waldock immediately cut inside off his right foot beating three North Coast defenders before Noah Waldock cut back to his right and burst over between two defenders to get the ball down mid-way between the goal posts and right corner post.

Noah Waldock also produced an excellent try saving tackle in the 19th minute of the match, when after facing an overlap Noah Waldock stayed with the North Coast left centre and drove him over the touchline just centremetres out from the corner post.

Round Three against the Greater Northern Tigers saw Noah Waldock move closer to the action and to the opposite side of the field, starting the match at left centre and also started at left centre in Round Four against the Central Coast Roosters, before switching to right centre in the twice delayed final round being Round Five against the Newcastle Knights in Grafton.

Noah Waldock recorded a 40th minute try assist when after receiving the ball around twenty five metres out from the line Noah Waldock ran slightly to his right to draw in the Newcastle left winger and pass to his right to put Samuel Petch into clear space to score in the right corner to get the Titans back into the match which they ultimately won 24 – 22 to progress to the 2022 U16 Andrew Johns Cup Final’s series.

Noah Waldock then was named to continue at right centre for the Northern Rivers Titans Week One Final against St George however a late change saw Noah Waldock start the match on the right wing. Noah Waldock along with Callum Bowles and Billy Kilduff made the opening tackle of the match after the Titans kicked-off to get the match underway.

Noah Waldock also started on the right wing for the Northern Rivers Titans in the 2022 U16 Andrew Johns Cup Grand Final against the Wests Tigers with Noah Waldock making a key line break in the 46th minute from a Northern Rivers Tians scrum win just twenty metres out from his own line. Noah Waldock was able to break three tackles whilst running forty metres downfield before being caught. Noah Waldock’s effort set up a key try for Billy Kilduff on the final tackle of the set of set that Noah Waldock got off to such a great start.

A couple of weeks after his U16 Andrew Johns Cup success with the Northern Rivers Titans, Noah Waldock was named on the left wing for the Ballina Seagulls in their Round One U18 NRRRL clash against the Kyogle Turkeys even though Noah Waldock was still U16 eligible. Noah Waldock then moved to the right wing for the second half.

Noah Waldock had an outstanding debut scoring an impressive double with his first try coming in the 21st minute when after being on the end of a Seagulls backline movement to his left side of the field Noah Waldock stepped inside two defenders to dive over five metres in from the left corner post.

Noah Waldock completed his double in the 53rd minute with a strong solo effort that started near halfway when Noah Waldock was put away down the right touchline. When in space Noah Waldock stepped back inside off his right foot to get past one defender before another right foot step wrong footed another defender with Noah Waldock diving over to get the ball down mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.

In addition to his two tries Noah Waldock also made a line break in the 15th minute when after taking a Turkey’s clearing kick on the full near the halfway line on his left wing, Noah Waldock ran back towards the centre of the field, bumping off one defender before straightening up. Just as he was about to break into open space Noah Waldock was tackled from behind, dropping down to his knees but as he was held Noah Waldock regained his feet and overall made twenty five metres.

Noah Waldock was in the action early taking Ballina’s second hit-up of the match when from twenty one metres from his own try line and to the left of the dummy half Noah Waldock ran the ball twenty metres after beating one defender with a left foot step and fending off another.

Even against opponents in the main two years older than him Noah Waldock put his hand up to bring the ball out of Ballina territory including in the 10th minute when he came off his wing to take the ball to the left of the dummy half and was able to break one tackle in a run that took Ballina twenty metres downfield.

Noah Waldock made a strong run out of dummy half to the 40th minute after running to his left making eighteen metres to get within five metres of the defensive line.

Noah Waldock also had a strong match defensively with Noah Waldock making a standout front on tackle in the 26th minute on the Kyogle right centre.

Noah Waldock was to continue on the left wing in Round Two against the Byron Bay Devils as well as in Round Three against the Kyogle Turkeys however the match had to be postponed due to wet weather. Noah Waldock also started on the left wing in Round Six against the Tweed Heads Seagulls.

Noah Waldock also started on the left wing in Round Eight against Northern United and then after missing a number of Rounds Noah Waldock came off the bench to operate on the left wing in Round Twelve against the Murwillumbah Mustangs.

Noah Waldock also started from the bench in Round Thirteen against the Cudgen Hornets coming on in the 15th minute to operate on the left wing.

The rescheduled Round Four match against the Lower Clarence Magpies saw Noah Waldock named at fullback with Noah Waldock scoring in the 16th minute when after receiving the ball from his inside whilst on the left side of the field, Noah Waldock dummied to his left before stepping off his left foot with Noah Waldock then able to bring the ball around to put it down seven metres to the left of the uprights.

Noah Waldock also recorded a 10th minute try assist when he threw the final pass to his right centre from five metres out for him to score near the corner post.

Noah Waldock added a line break in the 12th minute when after receiving a good ball from on the halfway mark from Kye Cooper, Noah Waldock made a twenty five metre line break.

Noah Waldock then did well in the 49th minute when he ran back to take possession on a long Magpies clearing kick in his own in-goal on the left side of the field. As the Lower Clarence chasers converged Noah Waldock ran to the opposite side of the posts whilst still in the in-goal before Noah Waldock straightened up and was able to get the ball twenty metres out from his own try line.

Noah Waldock started on the right wing in the rescheduled Round Five match against Casino RSM with Noah Waldock then moving to fullback in the second half. Noah Waldock also scored one of the tries of the season inside the opening one of the match when he chased through a Desmond Ferguson chip to his wing with Noah Waldock tip toeing his way along the right touch in goal line and it appeared that Noah Waldock had taken the ball on the bounce and incredibly gotten the ball down just prior in the dead ball line and just inside the side line but the lines person being a spoil sport ruled no try.

Noah Waldock did not dwell on the no try and in the 3rd minute came off his win and made fifteen metres through the centre of the field from fifteen metres out from his own try line.

Noah Waldock then made a line break in the 50th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball and on his own twenty metre mark Noah Waldock produced a left foot step to make forty metres through the centre of the field.

Noah Waldock also started on the right wing in the Week One Qualifying Final against the Bilambil Jets as well as the Premiership Minor Semi-final against the Murwillumbah Mustangs.

The 2022 U18 NRRRL Preliminary Final saw Noah Waldock start on the left wing for the Ballina Seagulls against the Tweed Heads Seagulls.

The 2022 NRRRL U18 Grand Final saw Noah Waldock named at start on the left wing for the Ballina Seagulls against the Cudgen Hornets but unfortunately the Seagulls went down against a red hot Hornets side.

Round One of the 2022 Group One U16 competition saw Noah Waldock start at five eight for the Ballina Seagulls against the Marist Rams with Noah Waldock kicking one of Ballina’s conversions.

Noah Waldock continued at five eight in Round Two against the Grafton Ghosts, scoring ten of the Seagulls eighteen points from a try and three conversions from as many attempts. Noah Waldock continued at five eight in Round Six with Noah Waldock kicking a conversion.

In Week One of the 2022 Group One U16 Finals series Noah Waldock started at five eight for the Ballina Seagulls against Casino RSM.

Noah Waldock also started at five eight in the 2022 Group One U16 Preliminary Final against the South Grafton Rebels with Noah Waldock one of the Ghosts try scorers in their 13 -4 victory that propelled the Ghosts into the Grand Final.

Noah Waldock moved to fullback for the 2022 Group One U16 Grand Final with Noah Waldock scoring as Ballina defeated the Clarence Coast Magpies in a thriller 27 – 26.

Noah Waldock finished the 2022 Group One U16 season in the Top Ten in the competition both in terms of tries scored and points scored.

The 2018 New South Wales U12 rugby league representative Noah Waldock (from St Francis Xavier College Ballina) continued his rise in the junior rugby league ranks in 2021 with a great season for the Ballina Seagulls in the Group One U15 competition as well as playing a number of matches up an age group in the Group One U16.5 competition.

In late March 2021 Noah Waldock was part of Diocesan of Lismore U15 Squad that attended the Northern Country Catholic Colleges Rugby League Selection Trial that were held at Smithtown with Noah Waldock playing at fullback in the trials.

In Round One of the 2021 Group One U15 competition Noah Waldock started at fullback and was Ballina’s captain as the Seagulls took on the Clarence Coast Magpies.

Noah Waldock also started at fullback in Round Two against Marist Brothers, scoring a double in the Seagulls 38 – 0 victory and also started at fullback in Round Five against Casino RSM.

Noah Waldock continued at fullback in Round Six against the Clarence Coast Magpies, scoring a double in Ballina’s 34 – 0 victory and scored once again in Round Seven against the Grafton Ghosts after also starting the match at fullback. Noah Waldock also started at fullback in Round Eight against the Grafton Ghosts.

Noah Waldock dropped back to the bench in Round Eleven against the South Grafton Rebels, but dominated when he came on, including scoring a hat trick.

Round Twelve against Casino RSM saw Noah Waldock start at five eight and he also started at five eight in Round Thirteen against the Grafton Ghosts and was one of the Seagulls try scorers in their two point loss.

Noah Waldock started Round One of the 2020 Group One U14 competition at fullback and was one of Ballina’s try scorers as they went down 14 – 12 to Casino RSM. Noah Waldock also started at fullback in Round Two as Ballina defeated South Grafton 14 – 12 and once again in Round Three in a 24 – 8 loss to the Clarence Coast Magpies.

Noah Waldock added a try and a goal from fullback in Round Four against Kyogle as the Seagulls defeated the Turkeys 48 – 4. Noah Waldock also started at fullback in Round Five against the Clarence Coast Magpies.

In Round Six Noah Waldock continued his run of starts at fullback and scored a try and kicked a conversion as Ballina defeated Grafton 20 – 14. Also starting at fullback, Noah Waldock scored a double and kicked a conversion in Round Seven as Ballina defeated Casino RSM 32 – 0.

Noah Waldock’s try scoring form continued in Round Eight, when from the fullback position once again he scored a double as Ballina defeated Casino RSM 32 – 0. Noah Waldock also started at fullback in Round Nine as Ballina defeated South Grafton 20 – 10 and Round Ten against the Clarence Coast Magpies.

In total in the Group One U14 regular season Noah Waldock scored six tries and kicked two conversions for a twenty eight point haul from his ten matches.

As noted above, Noah Waldock also played a number of matches in the 2020 Group One U15 competition, backing up from the U14 match earlier in the day, including in Round One when he started on the right wing against Casino RSM and in Round Two when he also started on the right wing against South Grafton, a match that Ballina won 28 - 0. Noah Waldock then started from the bench in Round Three against the Clarence Coast Magpies.

Noah Waldock also started from the bench in Round Five against the Clarence Coast Magpies scoring a double when he came on, with those tries being his first in the U15 competition as well as in Round Six against the Grafton Ghosts and Round Seven against Casino RSM.

After playing in the U14 match earlier in the day, Noah Waldock then started in the centres in Ballina’s Round Eight 36 – 18 loss to Casino RSM. It was the same situation in Round Nine when after starting at fullback in Round Eight in the U14 match, Noah Waldock started in the centres as Ballina defeated South Grafton 38 – 14 in the U15 match. Round Ten also saw Noah Waldock came off the bench in the U15 match after starting at fullback in the earlier U14 fixture.

Noah Waldock started from the bench for Ballina in the 2020 Group One U15 Grand Final against Casino RSM.

Noah Waldock finished his impressive 2019 season in the Group One U13 competition third on the try scoring list with thirteen tries from just eleven matches (118% strike rate), second on the goal kicking tally (thirteen goals) and second overall from a points scoring perspective (seventy eight points) to average just on seven points per match.

Noah Waldock is currently part of the Titans 2020 Group One Academy squad that was training on a weekly basis in Ballina on Tuesday’s in Northern New South Wales and hopefully this is just the start of a long and fruitful association with the Titans for Noah Waldock.

Noah Waldock had a great 2019 Group One U13 Round One scoring a hat trick and kicking a conversion against South Grafton and followed that up with a Round two double against Casino RSM. Noah Waldock added further doubles against Clarence Coast and Casino RSM later in the season as well as scoring in matches against Lismore Marist Brothers (three separate matches including finals) and Kyogle.

From a goal kicking perspective, Noah Waldock kicked three goals against Lismore Marist Brothers and kicked two conversions in matches against Casino RSM, Clarence Coast and Grafton over the course of the 2019 season.

In 2019 Noah Waldock also played five matches in the Group One U14 competition making his debut in May against Clarence Coast. Noah Waldock played in the U13 match immediately prior to all five of his U14 appearances in 2019.

In 2018 Noah Waldock Scored thirty six points from seven U12 Group One matches scoring eight tries (114% strike rate) and kicking two goals. Six of his tries came from doubles against Lismore Marist Brothers, Casino RSM and Grafton.

Noah Waldock is an agile ball runner who relies on his outstanding speed and elusiveness to make it difficult for larger opponents to line him up rather than brute strength. When lining up at fullback he always makes himself available for offloads in the centre of the ruck where his quick twitch feet can cause some damage as opposing forwards start to tire.

Noah Waldock has above average to plus speed but not absolute blazing speed, relying instead on his positioning to compensate. When he retrieves the ball, Noah Waldock makes a decision quickly about where to look to run around a staggered defensive line or to run straight in an effort to take the yards on offer.

An aspect of his play that is very good is Noah Waldock’s ability to chime into the back line (like an old style fullback) and use his elusiveness to slip through the line, when he comes into the back line, it seems to be mainly when the attacking play is being directed towards the left hand side of the field. I note also that as soon as he breaks into space Noah Waldock starts working through his options in relation to whether he should run himself or look to set up his support players.

Noah Waldock is also outstanding when he is loitering in the middle of the ruck waiting for an off-load. With his speed off the mark and short sharp steeping ability in limited space, when Noah Waldock is able to get an offload in the centre of the ruck, he is normally though the initial defensive line before the defence has any chance to regroup.

If Noah Waldock breaks through the initial defensive line and is able to run directly at the fullback, it almost always results in a try. With the opposing fullback stuck on the spot with a total loss of lateral movement, Noah Waldock is able to exploit the fact that he can step, swerve etc with no loss of forward momentum to his absolute advantage.

Also Noah Waldock is adept at disguising which way he is going to step thus creating more doubt and confusion in the mind of the fullback who is looking to stop him from scoring in the last line of defence.

Also his hands at fullback are safe for a young player regardless of the type of kick put towards him. His other calling card is his positioning, he always seems to be the right place at the right time, to defuse bombs, attacking short kicks, potential 40/20 kicks etc. Noah Waldock can on occasion get caught a little shallow but relies on his timing and anticipation to compensate when tracking balls that have been kicked when the intention of going over his head.

From a goal kicking perspective, Noah Waldock has outstanding leg strength and outstanding accuracy which suggests that he will likely to be his side’s primary goal kicking option regardless of level. I would equate his goal kicking to that of current Titans first choice goal kicker Michael Gordon.

Noah Waldock will take a hit defensively when needing to make the tackle in the last line of defence and will focus exclusively on the ball carrier, forcing the attacking player to make the decision of what to do with the ball, rather than proving the attacker the avenue to make an easier decision.

Noah Waldock is also adept at using the sideline to restrict the attacking options of any opponent who makes a break. To be more effective defensively Noah Waldock will need to add additional muscle to his frame as he only has a slight build at present, although he does have some height and seemingly has the body type to add muscle mass without compromising his speed and elusiveness.

Noah Waldock does also have exceptional hands when short attacking kicks are put in and is elusive enough when he retrieves the ball to get out of the touch in goal when it appears that that task is unlikely in fact once or twice in 2019 Noah Waldock took the ball from his own in goal nearly the length of the field.

Noah Waldock will complete the 2023 season with the Ballina Seagulls in the NRRRL U18 competition for the second season in a row. Noah Waldock will also be part of the 2024 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup representative side and Noah Waldock is also U18 eligible in 2024 for both the Northern Rivers Titans in the U18 Laurie Daley Cup and the Ballina Seagulls in the NRRRL.

With his outstanding timing and speed Noah Waldock is a lock to play in the back line in rugby league with the only question of whether that is in the centres, wing or at fullback. From a purely positional perspective, I believe that he is ultimately best suited to playing at fullback with his decisive running in relation to kick returns and his outstanding acceleration when Noah Waldock is hunting through the centre of the ruck. The fact that Noah Waldock has also spent time at five eight can only assist Noah Waldock’s overall game into the future.

The player comparison is not perfect from a purely style perspective (especially running style) but Noah Waldock has the top end speed, acceleration, positioning and elusiveness of Sydney Roosters, New South Wales State of Origin and Australian International fullback James Tedesco.

Like Tedesco when Noah Waldock gets the ball you stand up just that much straighter just waiting to see what he will do and you are rarely disappointed with what Noah Waldock produces at any given time. I do note again that their running styles are in essence fundamentally different however but the results are certainly not.

[mdrew]

Riley Buchanan. In January 2023 Riley Buchanan started from the bench for the Titans U17 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights with Riley Buchanan with Riley Buchanan coming off the bench to operate in the front row second row in the 27th minute.

Riley Buchanan came desperately close to scoring a try that would have drawn the match for the Titans in the 67th minute when after receiving a great short ball from nine metres out from his left from Cooper Bai, Riley Buchanan charged at the try line and to be honest appeared to get the ball down under the posts but the referee ruled that he was held up.

In the 62nd minute Riley Buchanan burst onto the ball to the left of the play the ball seventeen metres out from the try line and after contacting the defensive line Riley Buchanan spun around 360 degrees counter clockwise and was still able to get the ball within three metres out the try line.

In the 66th minute from the kick-off return from Cooper Bai’s try Riley Buchanan charged onto the ball and crashed into a Knights defender with the Newcastle defender certainly coming off the worse for wear.

With time running down in the match in the 69th minute Riley Buchanan charged down the left channel making sixteen metres from a Titans scrum win inside their own territory.

Riley Buchanan also started from the bench a week later for the Titans U17’s against the Brisbane Bronco’s U17’s on the Gold Coast with Riley Buchanan coming onto the field mid-way through the opening half.

2023 also saw Riley Buchanan continue at PBC SHS with Riley Buchanan starting in the front row in Round One of the School Boy Langer Reserve competition against Marsden SHS.

Round One of the 2023 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition saw Riley Buchanan named on the bench for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights with Riley Buchanan coming off the bench in the 22nd minute to operate in the front row.

Riley Buchanan made another smart defensive play in the 50th minute when along with Zane Farrell, Riley Buchanan did very well to hold up one of the Knights interchange front rowers over the try line mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.

Earlier in the match in the 24th minute Riley Buchanan had made a great heavy front on tackle on the Knights No. 11 around ten metres out from the try line and in the centre of the field.

In the opening minute of the second half Riley Buchanan showed what a truly impressive defensive player that he is with first up a great front on tackle from the kick off. Then two tackles later Riley Buchanan smashed the Knights lock with another great front on hit with the ball still around thirty five metres out and then Riley Buchanan backed that up by making the next tackle as well.

Riley Buchanan executed a smart piece of play in the 38th minute with a one on one strip as the Knights were bring the ball out of their own territory with Riley Buchanan striping the ball when they were forty two metres out from their own try line with Riley Buchanan then able to return the ball an additional seven metres to put the Northern Rivers Titans immediately onto the attack with the Northern Rivers Titans scoring under the posts through Tyler Whittington in the same set of six tackles.

Riley Buchanan was also named on the Northern Rivers Titans bench for Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters with Riley Buchanan with coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 25th minute.

Riley Buchanan scored in the 44th minute when after the Roosters dropped the ball whilst trying to bring the ball out of their own twenty metre area, Jesse Soric collected the errand pass before off-loading to his right to Riley Buchanan who had a fifteen metre run (celebrating by raising his right arm along the way) to score in a tackle three metres to the right of the uprights.

Riley Buchanan once again was outstanding defensively against the Roosters with the first of multiple great tackles from Riley Buchanan coming in the 29th minute when right on the halfway mark Riley Buchanan crunched the Central Coast No. 10 with a great front on tackle that drove the opposing front rower back at least three metres.

Then in the 33rd minute Riley Buchanan was at it again on that occasion smashed the Roosters No. 18 ten metres out from the try line with the ball coming loose in the tackle as a result of Riley Buchanan’s heavy initial contact around the ball.

Riley Buchanan also started from the bench in Round Three against the South Coast Dragons.

After starting the opening three rounds from the bench Riley Buchanan moved into the Northern Rivers Titans starting line-up in the front row for Round Four against the Northern Tigers with Riley Buchanan making a strong front one tackle on the Tigers lock (No. 13) twenty metres out from the try line.

Riley Buchanan then moved to the bench for Round Five against the North Coast Bulldogs with Riley Buchanan coming onto the field in the 30th minute to operate in the front row and just a few minutes later in the 34th minute Riley Buchanan made a trademark heavy tackle in the 34th minute on the halfway mark with the tackle forcing a North Coast knock-on.

Then in the 36th minute Riley Buchanan made a strong hit-up in the set of six from the North Coast second half kick-off with riley Buchanan able to get the ball out to the thirty five metre mark.

In early December 2022 Riley Buchanan took part in a joint training session between the Titans JTS contracted players and the Titans NRL off-season training squad.

The 2023 NRRRL U18 season saw Riley Buchanan move to the Bilambil Jets with Riley Buchanan named in the front row in Round One against the Tweed Coast Raiders with Riley Buchanan scoring in the 44th minute when after running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball Riley Buchanan ran directly at the defensive line before stepping off his right foot to beat one defender before Riley Buchanan used a right arm fend to hold a defender off with Riley Buchanan crashing over to score eight metres to the left of the uprights.

Riley Buchanan also made a strong kick-off return in the 39th minute with Riley Buchanan getting the ball out to the twenty five metre mark.

Riley Buchanan had an incredible defensive game including a great left shoulder hit on his opposite number near the halfway mark that drove his opponent onto his back. Riley Buchanan was also involved in the next tackle as well.

Then in the 40th minute Riley Buchanan drove his left shoulder through the Raiders No. 10 twelve metres out. Riley Buchanan made another big hit in the 49th minute when he smashed the Tweed Coast lock front on twenty two metres from the try line.

The Round Two local derby against the Cudgen Hornets saw Riley Buchanan continue in the front row with Riley Buchanan scoring in the second minute of the match when after receiving the ball when six metres out and to the left of the play the ball Riley Buchanan stepped off his right foot and crash over to score under the posts.

Then in the 44th minute Riley Buchanan broke four tackles after charging onto a pass to the right of the play the ball with Riley Buchanan surging from forty metres out to eighteen metres out from the try line.

The 11th minute saw Riley Buchanan execute one of his trade mark front on tackles in the 11th minute with a great right shoulder hit on his opposite number forty metres out from the try line.

Riley Buchanan continued in the front row in Round Five against the Lower Clarence Magpies with Riley Buchanan producing one of the most dominant defensive performances that I have even seen, regardless of age group or level.

Riley Buchanan’s dominant defensive display started immediately from the Jets kick-off with Riley Buchanan with an imposing right shoulder tackle that drove the Magpies halfback backwards on the twenty metre mark. Then from the play the ball Riley Buchanan executed an even better tackle on the next Lower Clarence player taking the ball up with once again driving his left shoulder through his opponent with Riley Buchanan then dumping him on his back. Riley Buchanan backed that up by also being involved in the third tackle of the match on the giant No. 21.

Then in the 46th minute Riley Buchanan was at it again when he smashed the Magpies No. 16 with another driving front on tackle that drove his opponent three metres backwards from thirty two metres from the try line.

Riley Buchanan also started in the front row in Round Seven against the Mullumbimby Giants with Riley Buchanan scoring in the 55th minute when after Mullumbimby dropped the ball as they were bringing the ball out of their own twenty metre zone, Riley Buchanan swooped on the dropped ball ten metres out and to the right of the uprights with Riley Buchanan running to his left to crash through two would be defenders to score three metres to the left of the uprights.

Riley Buchanan also made a strong run in the 8th minute from five metres inside Giants territory and to the right of the play the ball, Riley Buchanan bumped away from one defender before cutting to his left to get the ball to within twenty eight metres of the try line.

As usual Riley Buchanan had an outstanding defensive match from literally the opening tackle of the match with a heavy left shoulder hit. Riley Buchanan then backed that up by making the second tackle of the match out of the marker position as well.

Then in the 2nd minute Riley Buchanan executed a huge front on right shoulder hit in the centre of the field and thirty five metres from the try line on the Mullumbimby No. 11. Riley Buchanan followed that up with a crunching left shoulder tackle seven metres inside Giants territory to force the ball loose.

Riley Buchanan continued in the front row in Round Eight against the Kyogle Turkeys with Riley Buchanan running onto the ball in the 52nd minute two passes to the right of a Bilambil penalty tap restart to get the ball from forty metres out from the try line to twenty two metres out.

Riley Buchanan produced a trademark strong tackle in the 6th minute with a driving right shoulder tackle on his opposite number thirty eight metres out from his own try line.

Riley Buchanan continued in the front row (sporting a new hair style) in Round Nine against the Casino Cougars with Riley Buchanan making a strong run in the 18th minute from a Jets penalty tap with Riley Buchanan running onto the ball to the right of the restart and from seventeen metres out with Riley Buchanan eventually tackled less than a metre from the try line and six metres to the left of the uprights.

Riley Buchanan then started in the front row in Round Ten against the Ballina Seagulls with Riley Buchanan making a strong run in the 36th minute to the left of the play the ball to take the ball from twelve metres inside his own territory to five metres into Ballina territory. Then in the 39th minute Riley Buchanan made a strong kick-off return to get the ball to the twenty eight metre mark in the centre of the field.

Riley Buchanan’s best run of the match came in the 43rd minute when from the left of a Bilambil penalty tap restart thirty metres out, Riley Buchanan rumbled forward and broke a tackle as Riley Buchanan got to within a metre of the try line in front of the posts.

Riley Buchanan made his NRRRL First Grade debut from the bench for the Jets in Round Three against the Evans Head Bombers with Riley Buchanan coming onto the field in the 45th minute and in the 70th minute Riley Buchanan made a strong run from the right of the play the ball and two metres inside his own territory with Riley Buchanan getting het ball ten metres inside Bombers territory.

Riley Buchanan also started from the bench in Round Six against Northern United.

In early May 2022 Titans contracted Riley Buchanan started from the bench 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 September 2022 Riley Buchanan started from the bench for a Titans U16 side against a Sydney Roosters U16 side at Pizzey Park. Riley Buchanan was also part of the Titans U16 side that played a Balmain Tigers squad in their annual match at Piggabeen with the Titans winning the Anthony Laffranchi Cup on the back of a 40 – 8 victory after beating the Roosters 32 – 8 the week prior.

In late September 2022 Riley Buchanan was named in the 2023 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup train on squad and Riley Buchanan is also U18 eligible in 2024.

In early December 2021 Riley Buchanan was named in the 2022 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup Train-on Squad.

After missing Round One of the 2022 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition Riley Buchanan was named at right second row for the Northern Rivers Titans for the Round Two local derby against the North Coast Bulldogs with Riley Buchanan making a strong thirteen metre run in the 44th minute when he ran onto the ball to the right of the dummy half.

Riley Buchanan then moved up to the start in the front row for Round Three against the Greater Northern Tigers and in the 12th minute Riley Buchanan made a strong charge from the kick-off after Jackson Bennett’s 12th minute try.

Riley Buchanan was also good defensively against the Greater Northern Tigers including in the 22nd minute when he executed a great low tackle covering defending to his left on the Tigers halfback who had gotten himself through the defensive line.

Riley Buchanan continued his all-out effort in the match in the 53rd minute when he chased through a long kick from Callum Bowles which had to be fielded in the Greater Northern Tigers in-goal. The Tigers brought the ball back into the field of play but when he got near his twenty metre mark, Riley Buchanan drove his shoulder into him with the initial contact forcing the fullback to drop the ball and put the Northern Rivers Titans immediately back on the attack.

Riley Buchanan then dropped back to start on the bench in Round Four against the Central Coast Roosters coming onto the field mid-way through the first half to play in the front row.

Riley Buchanan produced the play of the day in the 50th minute when he broke the match open from the kick-off return to Blake Togo-Murphy’s try. Riley Buchanan took the kick-off on his own goal line and near the right corner. As he commenced his kick-off return, Riley Buchanan ran the ball to his left beating two defenders before straightening up, bursting between two defenders and charging a total of sixty five metres downfield.

Riley Buchanan then continued from the bench in the twice delayed final round being Round Five against the Newcastle Knights in Grafton coming onto the field to play in the front row in the 25th minute and within the first minute on the field, Riley Buchanan put on a huge hit on his opposite front row as Newcastle were trying to bring the ball out of their own twenty metre area.

To start the second half Riley Buchanan made a strong run from the Knights kick-off and he also made a strong charge to the kick-off by the Knights after Callum Bowles 37th minute try.

Riley Buchanan was then named on the Northern Rivers Titans bench for the Week One Final against St George coming off the bench in the 20th minute to play in the front row and in the 27th minute Riley Buchanan made a strong fifteen metre effort from a penalty restart to get the ball near to the halfway mark.

Then in the 29th minute Riley Buchanan made a great charge from the St George kick-off to Zane Harrison’s 27th minute try with Riley Buchanan getting the ball twenty five metres out from his own try line.

The half-time break did not slow Riley Buchanan down with the young man making another strong charge after St George kick-off to get the second half underway with Riley Buchanan getting the ball over the twenty metre mark.

Riley Buchanan also executed some outstanding tackles against St George including a critical tackle on the St George lock in the 56th minute when he hit the St George player front on with the ball immediately coming loose and handing possession back to the Northern Rivers Titans with only a couple of minutes to go.

Riley Buchanan’s tackle came in the set of six after the Titans kicked-off after the St George try that gave then the lead. The critical nature of Riley Buchanan’s tackle became even more evident when you take into account that the Northern Rivers Titans regained and maintained the lead from the subsequent set of six tackles as a result of a Harry Chadburn’s try.

Earlier in the 39th minute Riley Buchanan executed a strong front on one on one tackle on the St George left second rower with the tackle stopping him cold only two metres out from the try line.

Riley Buchanan also started from the bench for the Northern Rivers Titans in the 2022 U16 Andrew Johns Cup Grand Final against the Wests Tigers, coming on around the 21st minute to play in the front row.

Riley Buchanan’s impact on the match was almost immediate when in the 26th minute he produced a great front on driving tackle on the West Tigers No. 16 after an earlier scuffle between the same two players.

With the Northern Rivers Titans leading 14 – 10 at the halftime break, Riley Buchanan got the Titans off to the best possible start in the second half with a strong run from the kick-off and then he took a further hit-up on the 4th tackle of the same set of set six to get the ball over the halfway mark, all the way to the forty metre mark.

Riley Buchanan also ran the ball very hard into the teeth of the giant Wests Tigers forward pack in the Grand Final including a great run in the 40th minute when he charged onto the ball to the right of the play the ball, making twelve metres to get the ball thirty metres out from his own try line.

In the final minutes of the Grand Final with the Northern Rivers Titans down, Riley Buchanan took it upon himself to lead from the front and a sequence of three outstanding tackles by Riley Buchanan in the dying minutes were significant contributors to the Titans great victory.

The first of the three great tackles by Riley Buchanan came in the 53rd minute when he executed a big front on tackle on the Wests Tigers lock stopping him in his tracks. Then in the 55th minute Riley Buchanan belted the Tigers halfback who was sniping around the field just ten metres from the try line.

The third and final tackle of the trifecta, and most important came in the 58th minute and let’s be honest, if Riley Buchanan had not made the type of tackle that he did, the Northern Rivers Titans would not have won the Grand Final. With the seconds running down and the Titans four points down, the West Tigers played the ball just two metres from the try line with their dummy half bringing the giant No. 23 onto the ball looking for him to crash over under the posts to seal the match.

Riley Buchanan however had other ideas and flew off the line to the left of the West Tigers runner and smashed him with a left shoulder hit the shook the whole ground. The staggering hit was just too much for the Wests Tigers interchange forward with the ball flying loose on contact with the Northern Rivers Titans retrieving the ball on their own line.

In March 2022 Riley Buchanan was selected in the South Coast Maroon School Boy Rugby League U18 Representative side after successfully negotiating the trials starting Match One against Darling Downs at right second row.

Riley Buchanan also started at right second row in Match Two against South West.

Post the 2022 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition Riley Buchanan was named in the New South Wales Country U16 side that took on a New South Wales City U16 selection in Mid-May. Riley Buchanan started the match from the bench, coming on to play right second row in the 18th minute.

In 2022 even though he was still U16 eligible Riley Buchanan was part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls U18 NRRRL side, being named on the bench in Round Two against the Cudgen Hornets however a late change saw Riley Buchanan start the match at right second row.

Riley Buchanan’s first run of the match came in the 4th minute when he cut underneath Zane Harrison, breaking through the defensive line after receiving the ball thirty metres out. Riley Buchanan then broke four tackles as he got the ball to within eight metres of the try line.

Riley Buchanan also did well in the 35th minute when after receiving the ball two passes to the left of the play the ball Riley Buchanan was able to get from the eighteen metre mark to within two metres of the try line. Riley Buchanan also get to within a metre or so of the try line in the 39th minute after making ten metres after cutting back underneath route.

Riley Buchanan also had a great debut from a defensive perspective including in the 9th minute when he flew out of the defensive line to smash one of the Hornets front rowers a long way behind the advantage line.

Riley Buchanan also started at right second row in Round Six against the Ballina Seagulls before moving into the front row for Round Seven against the Lower Clarence Magpies.

Riley Buchanan continued in the front row in Round Eight against Casino RSM taking the fourth hit-up of the match.

Riley Buchanan made a great play in the 41st minute resulting in a line break and try assist for him. From just thirty metres out from his own line, Riley Buchanan ran the ball to the left of the play and ball and broke through two attempted tackles before showing impressive speed to get to the Casino RSM fullback, draw him and off-load to his left to Zac Windle who raced away to score under the posts.

Riley Buchanan had a great match defensively against a much larger Casino RSM forward pack with the first of a number of outstanding tackles that Riley Buchanan executed coming in the 5th minute when he came forward and smashed the Casino RSM front rower (No. 10) with a front on left shoulder hit as the front rower was returning a kick-off.

Then in the 36th minute with Casino RSM on the attack ten metres out and in front of the posts the Casino RSM front rower No. 8 tried to charge over under the posts but Riley Buchanan was having none of that and came forward and drove his right shoulder straight into the chest of his opposite number halting his forward momentum in an instant.

Riley Buchanan also started in the front row in Round Nine against the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Riley Buchanan taking the first hit-up of the match from a penalty restart after Murwillumbah’s kick-off had gone out on the full.

Riley Buchanan produced a couple of outstanding tackles in the match with the first coming in the 9th minute when Riley Buchanan executing a front on crunching tackle on the Murwillumbah right winger who was looking to bring the ball off his own try line.

Riley Buchanan executed another great front on tackle in the 20th with a monster hit on one of the Murwillumbah front rowers just on the halfway mark.

Riley Buchanan also started in the front row in Round Ten against the Kyogle Turkeys and along with Jye Brady made the second tackle of the match after the Seagulls had kicked off.

Riley Buchanan made another crunching tackle in the 33rd minute on Kyogle hooker Ashton Harley who darted out of dummy half to his right. Then in the 37th minute Riley Buchanan smashed his opposite number who was trying to get over the try line from close range by running a crash line. Riley Buchanan drove his right shoulder into his opposite number, initially stopping him in his tracks before forcing him back all of the way to ten metres out from the line.

Riley Buchanan then moved to the bench for the rescheduled Round Four match against the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Riley Buchanan coming onto the field to operate in the front row mid-way through the opening half.

Riley Buchanan did well in the 21st minute when after Murwillumbah let a Seagulls kick-off bounce, the ball bounced back towards the on-coming Tweed Heads chasers with Riley Buchanan being at the right place at the right time to get to the ball before multiple other players from both his team and the Mustangs to put the Seagulls immediately in the attack.

Riley Buchanan also started from the bench in the Week One Qualifying Final against the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Riley Buchanan coming off the bench to operate in the front row in the 12th minute.

Riley Buchanan continued from the bench in the Major Preliminary Final against the Cudgen Hornets with Riley Buchanan coming onto the field to operate at left second row in just the 5th minute due to a team mates coming off the field for a HIA.

Riley Buchanan made a great play in the 30th minute when thirty five metres out from his own line Riley Buchanan raced out of the defensive line and hit Cudgen’s Tanu Nona, stopping him in place and then Riley Buchanan took the opportunity to execute a one on one steal to get the ball back for Tweed Heads.

The 2022 U18 NRRRL Preliminary Final saw Riley Buchanan start at right second row for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Ballina Seagulls with Riley Buchanan making a great line break in the 27th minute when as he was bringing the ball out of his own territory Riley Buchanan after engaging the Ballina defensive spun 360 degrees counter clockwise forty metres out from his own try line with Riley Buchanan continuing to charging downfield making thirty two metres through the centre of the field before off-loading the ball to his right to his five eight who had loomed up on his inside.

The northern New South Wales youngster was a member of the Titans Tweed Heads based junior academy but as a result of his 2021 season signed an official contract with the Titans in late September 2021.

In late January 2022 Riley Buchanan was named to start in the front row for the Titans U16 side in a match at Pizzey Park against the Sydney Bulldogs.

In mid-December Riley Buchanan 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.

Riley Buchanan will start the 2022 season as part of the Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad for their New South Wales Country wide competition and will be a key member of the Northern Rivers Titans forward pack when the season kicks off in early 2022.

In early January 2021 Riley Buchanan was part of a small group of Titans 2021 U15 players who after attending a Titans camp, trained with the Titans NRL squad, then in mid-February 2021 Riley Buchanan played in a Titans U15 Invitational Trial at Burleigh, a trial which included only the best of the 2021 Titans U15 squad members.

In May 2021 Riley Buchanan was part of the South Coast U15 QSSRL School Boy representative side, playing the 2021 U15 QSSRL Championship Final against Met West at left second row.

Riley Buchanan made a strong start in the Championship Final when in the 6th minute he made a good run accounting for fifteen metres and promoting the ball into Met West territory.

Riley Buchanan produced some other strong runs, none better than in the 23rd minute when charged onto the ball from the Met West kick-off to the Nayte Saaga try and was awarded a penalty as a result of being hit by a shoulder charge.

At the completion of the Championships, Riley Buchanan was understandably named at left second row in the 2021 QSSRL U15 School Boy Merit Team.

On Day One of the 2021 QSSRL U15 Riley Buchanan played his usual left second row position for South Coast and generated a line break in the 30th minute when he charged into a gap receiving the ball from his left from Zane Harrison, unfortunately thirty metres downfield, Riley Buchanan’s pass to his left was knocked down by the Met West fullback with a try in the offing.

Riley Buchanan started at right second row on Day Three against Met North and was in the action early taking the second hit-up of the match and was able to get the ball out to the thirty metre mark before being brought to ground..

Riley Buchanan scored on Day Three when in the 27th minute, Riley Buchanan received a good ball from his hooker who had skipped out of dummy half to his right. After he received the ball Riley Buchanan spun 360 degrees clockwise to get the ball down.

Riley Buchanan made twenty metres in the 46th minute when he retrieved the ball from a Nayte Saaga short kick-off to the right side of the field, getting to twenty metres out from the line before the Met North defence could recover.

Riley Buchanan also made a strong defensive play in the match when early in the first half, he along with Isaac Harrison and Jett Bryce combined to hit and hold up a Met North runner ten metres from his own line and force him back eight metres towards his own goal line, with the ball coming loose as the Met North player desperately trying to off-load.

In early June 2021 Riley Buchanan started at right second row for the PBC Year Nine school boy rugby league side in their victory against Keebra Park and he was one of the try scorers for PBC when in the 35th minute Riley Buchanan made a straight charge onto the ball from eight metres out to the right of the dummy half with Riley Buchanan’s run proving too much to handle with Riley Buchanan crashing over five metres from the left upright.

2021 saw Riley Buchanan play for PBC in the Walters Cup competition, including starting the Grand Final against Keebra Park State High School from the bench with Riley Buchanan handling the occasion well in PBC’s Grand Final victory against their traditional rivals.

In 2020 Riley Buchanan played right second row 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.

As a result of their outstanding season the Tweed Heads Seagulls U14 side qualified for the Grand Final against the Tugun Seahawks. Tweed Heads prevailed in the 2020 decider 30 – 4 with Riley Buchanan starting the Grand Final at right second row and being heavily involved throughout, including a strong run in the early minutes of the match, with Tweed Head scoring two play the balls later after Riley Buchanan’s quick play the ball.

Riley Buchanan also scored in the Grand Final when he scored next to the right goal posts in the first half. With Tweed Heads playing the ball two metres out from the try line, Riley Buchanan charged onto the ball to the right of the play the ball and dragged three defenders with him over the try line to get the ball down adjacent to the right upright.

Post the season Riley Buchanan was nominated to the Tweed Heads Seagulls Junior Rugby League’s International Player with the Most Potential.

In early October 2020 Riley Buchanan was part of the Titans NRRRL U14/U15 Invitational squad that played a match against a Titans Gold Coast based U14 side, with the match being played at Cbus Stadium, giving the young players a great experience and in a Titans jersey as well.

In 2020 Riley Buchanan played in the Northern New South Wales Cochrane Cup school boy competition representing Banora Point High School in the U14 age group in the one day competition which was held at St Johns College Woodlawn’s campus, with Riley Buchanan being nominated as one of Banora Point’s best in their four matches. Banora Point won one and lost three matches on the day.

Riley Buchanan also played Oztag in 2020 making the U14 Boys Queensland Fury side for the Queensland Oztag Super Series after representing the Tweed Coast Giants. In late 2020 Riley Buchanan was named in the 2021 Tweed Coast Giants U14/15 Boys Oztag squad.

In 2019 Riley Buchanan was part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls Black side that took on Tweed Heads Seagulls White in the Group 18 U13 Grand Final, starting the match at left second row scoring an outstanding long range individual solo try in the first half.

Riley Buchanan was operating on the left side of the field and received the ball two passes off the ruck seventy metres out from the Seagulls White line. Riley Buchanan used his speed and size to burst between two defenders before rounding the fullback with speed to his left and then Riley Buchanan outpaced the cover defence to score ten metres to the left of the uprights.

Riley Buchanan was just as damaging in the second half of the Grand Final including a strong run early in the half of seventeen metres to the right of the dummy half to get the ball to near the halfway.

Midway through the second half Riley Buchanan produced another strong effort three passes to the left off the back of a scrum, making sixteen metres, most post contact, to get the ball to within twenty metres of the try line. Towards the end of the second half, Riley Buchanan once again ran the ball from a scrum win making eleven metres to get within nine metres of the try line.

Riley Buchannan also had a strong 2019 Group 18 U13 Preliminary Final scoring for the Seagulls as they qualified for the Grand Final with his try coming in just the 8th minute of the match. Operating on his usual left side of the field, Riley Buchanan scored another outstanding long range solo try.

As in the Grand Final, Riley Buchanan received the ball on the left side of the field, seventy metres out breaking through three initial attempted tackles before outpacing the Jets cover defence to get the ball down midway between the corner post and goal posts on the left side of the field.

Riley Buchanan came close to scoring in the 5th minute of the Preliminary Final when he charged onto the ball twenty metres out, breaking five tackles on the way to getting to within two metres of the line before the desperate Jets defence was able to halt his forward progress.

Riley Buchanan just five minutes later in the 10th minute made twenty hard fought metres taking the hit-up from the kick-off after his long range try. Riley Buchanan initially received the ball on his own ten metre line and was able to give his side good field position by getting the ball out to his own thirty metre mark.

Midway through the second half Riley Buchanan once again gave the Seagulls good field position when he ran onto the ball to the left of the dummy half making twenty five metres to get the ball five metres into Bilambil territory and just two minutes later Riley Buchanan made a further seventeen metres to get the ball into the twenty metre attacking zone.

Riley Buchanan capped off a great Preliminary Final performance in the 24th minute of the second half with yet another left side of the field run that made twenty five metres with Riley Buchanan eventually being stopped ten metres out from the try line.

Late in the 2019 Group 18 U13 regular season Riley Buchanan had a stringing match against the Jets once again, scoring three tries and assisting in another as Tweed Heads recorded a strong win.

Riley Buchanan scored his first try in just the 2nd minute of the match with a type of try that has almost become his signature, being a long range solo try. In this instance, Riley Buchanan attacked sixty three metres out from the line, once again on the left side of the field. After bursting through two initial attempts to tackle him, Riley Buchanan beat another defender with a right arm fend and had the pace to bring the ball around to score under the posts.

Riley Buchanan’s second try came in the 13th minute when from thirty five metres out, Riley Buchanan ran the ball down a short left blindside off the back of a Seagulls scrum win, beating six tackles and as he did for his first try, Riley Buchanan was able to bring the ball around to place it under the posts.

Riley Buchanan’s hat trick was completed in the 19th minute of the first half and once again was a long range try. Riley Buchanan got outside of his direct opponent on his left on the halfway mark before stepping the Jets fullback and for the third time in the match put the ball down directly under the goal posts.

Riley Buchanan very nearly scored a fourth try in the match but after a fifty metre run down the left touchline offloaded to his left around two metres out from the line. It is likely that Riley Buchanan would have scored if he had kept the ball but instead Riley Buchanan made certain that his team would score by offloading to his team mate who was guaranteed to score in the left corner from close range.

In addition to his exceptional running with the ball, Riley Buchanan used his size and strength in defence as well including a big driving tackle over the top of Tweed White’s right second right which bent the young man backwards.

Riley Buchanan also played for Tweed Heads in the 2018 U12 Group 18 Grand Final.

Also in 2019 Riley Buchanan played a game or two of club rugby with the Coolangatta Tweed Baa Baa’s and amongst others scored in Round Three against the Gold Coast Eagles.

The tall, long striding Riley Buchanan is at his best when he is operating in the fringes of the ruck where he can exploit gaps in the defensive line with his size and speed. When he runs Riley Buchanan is all arms, legs, knees and elbows and with his long stride and strong fend is a difficult proposition for defenders to handle in the context of getting him to the ground prior to Riley Buchanan being in a position to off load the ball effectively. Riley Buchanan has solid ball playing skills for a big forward including being able to pass prior to contact with the defensive line as well as when in contact.

Riley Buchanan’s leg drive and determination also enables him to be equally effective in relation to operating in traffic where as long as he gets his body height low he can shrug off would be tacklers by dropping his shoulder into the defender just as he starts to commit to the tackle, Riley Buchanan can then redirect his momentum and proceed down the field on a different vector to the one he was on prior to contact. For a player his size Riley Buchanan can quickly get to his feet in the context of getting a quick play the ball.

The other key feature of Riley Buchanan’s attacking play is his ability to off load the ball, he can pop a very good short ball from either side of his body but is very effective at keeping his right arm free when in contact with the defensive line and off load a well-timed and appropriately weighted pass to his support runners who have the confidence in him to be hitting the gaps at full speed.

In terms of overall speed, whilst above average for his position, Riley Buchanan when in space will be caught by cover defenders but he is quick enough to maintain separation until he has progressively worked through his options and invariably makes the right decision with the ball.

Defensively Riley Buchanan is adept at wrapping up the ball carrier and his initial contact is underrated as his primary function and goal is to wrap up the ball to prevent off loads. His stamina is such that you will see Riley Buchanan make multiple tackles in a short space of time and then immediately make himself available to take a hit up.

Riley Buchanan will complete the 2023 season in the NRRRL U18 rugby league competition for the second season in a row, in 2023 with the Bilambil Jets and impressively Riley Buchanan is also U18 eligible in 2024.

Riley Buchanan will also continue at PBC SHS and in 2023 Riley Buchanan is part oof PBC SHS’s Langer Reserve side.

From a representative perspective in 2023 Riley Buchanan will be part of the Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad and Riley Buchanan is also U18 eligible in 2024.

From a position perspective Riley Buchanan presents as an ideal rugby league front rower with the ability to run wide of the ruck and able to offload both before (a developing skill) and when he is contact with the defensive line.

From an NRL rugby league player comparison perspective for Riley Buchanan, a player that springs to mind as a similar player is Melbourne Storm and former Queensland State of Origin front rower Christian Welch. Both Riley Buchanan and Welch are big, tall, strong and powerful athletes with solid attacking skills but their undoubted value is in relation to their outstanding defensive prowess.

[mdrew]

Izayah Petricevich. One player in the Titans U13 side that defeated the Western Mustangs 40 – 12 in February 2019 was Nerang Rooster Izayah Petricevich when he played left centre and scored two tries. In the match Izayah Petricevich also spent some time in the second half on the left wing and was also just as effective in that position. I was impressed with Izayah Petricevich’s performance that day and in every match that I have seen from Izayah Petricevich since that time.

In great news for the Titans, Izayah Petricevich signed a multi-year contract with the Titans in August 2021 after strong interest from other NRL clubs, including the Sydney Roosters.

In January 2023 Izayah Petrichvich started on the left wing for the Titans U17 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights with Izayah Petrichvich scoring the Titans opening try of the match in the 23rd minute when after receiving a pass from his inside from Sam Stephenson, Izayah Petrichvich had a ten metre run to put the ball down in the left corner.

Izayah Petrichvich had almost scored earlier in the match in the 4th minute when after Ryder Williams had generated an overlap down the left Izayah Petrichvich had the line open in front of him but the pass did not find the mark.

Izayah Petrichvich also started on the left wing a week later for the Titans U17’s against the Brisbane Bronco’s U17’s on the Gold Coast with Izayah Petrichvich playing solidly before being forced from the field with an ankle injury twenty minutes into the match.

Izayah Petrichvich put on one of the defensive hits of the match in the 13th minute when whilst thirty five metres out from his own line Izayah Petrichvich raced out of the defensive line and smashed the Bronco’s right centre just as he was taking possession of the ball.

Izayah Petrichvich also did well later in the first half when he chased hard a Ryder Williams kicked towards the left corner with Izayah Petrichvich trapping the Bronco’s left winger just a metre out from the try line and near the corner post.

In early December 2022 Izayah Petrichvich took part in a joint training session between the Titans JTS contracted players and the Titans NRL off-season training squad.

In late September 2022 Izayah Petrichvich was named in the 2023 Burleigh Bears MM Cup Squad and Izayah Petrichvich is also MM Cup eligible in 2024.

Izayah Petrichvich was named on the Bears extended bench for Round One of the 2023 U18 Mal Meninga Cup competition against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.

Izayah Petrichvich then started at fullback in Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies with Izayah Petrichvich scoring in the 37th minute when after chiming into the Bears backline on the right side of the field Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy, at near full speed threw a long hard flat cut-out pass to Izayah Petrichvich who carried two Magpies over the line to score a metre in from the right corner post. Izayah Petrichvich initially received the ball ten metres out on the right touchline and cut inside before engaging the two Magpies defenders with Izayah Petrichvich forcing them backwards to get the ball down.

Izayah Petrichvich was also heavily involved in Austin Marsters 46th minute try when after Bailey McConnell had put in a long right foot kick into the right corner Izayah Petrichvich chased the kick through and the pressure that Izayah Petrichvich put on the Magpies left winger forced him to lose the ball backwards into the in-goal with Austin Marsters subsequently grounding the ball ten metres in from the right corner post.

Whilst Izayah Petrichvich started the match at fullback he switched to the left wing mid-way through the first half with Izayah Petrichvich also spending time on the right wing in the match.

Izayah Petrichvich made the first of his strong runs in the 2nd minute with a fifteen metre effort to the left of the play the ball and just sixteen metres away from his own try line. Izayah Petrichvich made another strong run in the 10th minute when after receiving the ball two passes to the left of the play the ball and twenty metres out from his own try line Izayah Petrichvich took the Magpies right sided defensive line on and made fifteen strong metres out to the thirty five metre mark.

Izayah Petrichvich moved back to the right wing for Round Three against the Brisbane Tigers with Izayah Petrichvich scoring in the 26th minute when he backed up a Bailey McConnell line break from forty five metres from the try line off a great Sunny Kama off-load with Bailey McConnell then drawing he Tigers fullback when still twenty metres from the try line and throwing a pass to his right to put Izayah Petrichvich over to score eleven metres in from the right corner post.

Izayah Petrichvich did well in the 24th minute when he chased a Bailey McConnell put in a right foot hard driving kick to the Bears right corner from forty five metres out from the try line in the 24th minute with Izayah Petrichvich chasing hard and forcing the Tigers fullback to concede the tackle three metres away from the right corner post.

Izayah Petrichvich showed his determination in the 31st minute when along with Bailey McConnell and Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy, they chased down the Tigers right winger who had made a long line break down his left touchline from deep inside his own territory.

Izayah Petrichvich then started on the left wing in Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins.

In early 2023 Izayah Petrichvich was named in the Met East School Boy Open Representative side with Izayah Petrichvich starting on the right wing and scoring in a big Met East win on Day One against South West.

Izayah Petrichvich scored the first of his two tries in the 23rd minute with an easy twelve metre run to put the ball down in the right corner after receiving a great ball from his inside from his five eight.

Izayah Petrichvich scored his second try in the 50th minute when with South West deep on the attack Izayah Petrichvich whilst operating on the left wing at the time came out of the defensive line and took and intercept of a long cut-out pass and raced away to score an eighty five metre intercept try under the posts.

Early in the match in the 16th minute Izayah Petrichvich made a strong kick return when after taking possession of the ball thirty eight metres out and near the right touchline Izayah Petrichvich ran back towards the centre of the field and was able to get the ball ten metres into South West territory to put Met East in a good attacking position immediately to start their set of six tackles.

Izayah Petrichvich also started on the right wing on Day Two against South Coast as well as Day Three against Met West before moving to the left wing on Day Four against Met West.

In 2023 Izayah Petrichvich moved from Coombabah SHS to Marsden with Izayah Petrichvich starting on the wing in Round One of the 2023 School Boy Langer competition against PBC SHS.

In early April 2023 Izayah Petrichvich was named in the Queensland Rugby League U17 Positional Skills Day Gold Coast based squad.

In late January 2022 Izayah Petrichvich started on the wing for the Titans U16 side in a match at Pizzey Park against the Sydney Bulldogs with Izayah Petrichvich’s initial run in the match coming in the 10th minute when he came off the wing to take a hit-up out of dummy half. When he picked up the ball at dummy half Izayah Petrichvich ran to his left, making a strong fourteen metres to get within a metre of the halfway mark.

Izayah Petrichvich almost scored in the 27th minute when he received a looped cut-out pass from his inside. After taking possession around ten metres from the line, Izayah Petrichvich raced towards the left corner and drove towards the corner post but Izayah Petricevich lost the ball just prior to getting the ball down in the corner.

In early May 2022 Izayah Petrichvich also started on the left wing 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 with Izayah Petrichvich scoring a long range try that saw him race fifty metres down the left touchline to score after breaking three tackles along the way.

In late September 2022 Izayah Petrichvich also started on the left wing for a Titans U16 side against a Sydney Roosters U16 side at Burleigh’s Pizzey Park.

Also in late September 2022 Izayah Petrichvich started on the right wing for the Titans U16’s in their annual Anthony Laffranchi Cup match against the Balmain Tigers with Izayah Petrichvich in 31st minute after a line break down the right touchline off a Zane Harrison cut-out pass from his inside.

In mid-December 2021 Izayah Petricevich had the opportunity to train with the Titans NRL squad in an annual joint training session between the Titans NRL squad and the Titans JTS Program Squads.

In October 2021 Izayah Petricevich was named in the powerful Burleigh Bears U16 Cyril Connell Cup squad.

Round One of the 2022 U16 Cyril Connell Cup saw Izayah Petrichvich named on the left wing for the Burleigh Bears against the Tweed Heads Seagulls however Izayah Petrichvich ended up starting the match at fullback.

Izayah Petrichvich was also named at fullback for Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies and after chiming into the backline on the right side of the field, Izayah Petrichvich drew in the last Magpies left sided defender and passed to his right to put Sunny Kama over in the right corner from fifteen metres out untouched. Unfortunately Izayah Petrichvich had to be replaced at halftime of the match as a result of injury.

The match also saw Izayah Petrichvich make a long line break in the 11th minute from a kick return. Izayah Petrichvich tracked the ball to his left, collecting the ball on the bounce just thirteen out from his own try line towards the left corner. Izayah Petrichvich immediately ran to his right and was able to get around the last Souths Logan left sided defender. Izayah Petrichvich then raced thirty five metres down the right touchline before being brought down five metres inside Souths Logan Magpies territory.

Round Three against the Norths Devils saw Izayah Petrichvich move to the left wing with Izayah Petrichvich getting his first touch of the match in the opening minute when after a long clearing kick by the Devils Izayah Petrichvich ran out of dummy half to his right out of his own twenty metre area.

Izayah Petrichvich made a further strong run in the 21st minute from he came off his left wing moving over to the opposite side of the field to take a hit-up to the left of the dummy half with the run commencing thirty metres out from his own line. Upon receipt of the ball Izayah Petrichvich took the ball towards the defensive line, before skipping to his left to beat one defender making fifteen metres before being held but Izayah Petrichvich was able to off-load the ball.

Izayah Petrichvich, in the 26th minute was part of a good Bears team movement that almost saw him score in the left corner. Amarni Wetini-Ngaropo took the ball down a wide left blindside throwing a great cut-out pass to his left to Sam Stephenson who executed a great catch and pass to put Izayah Petrichvich on a seventeen run down the left touchline but he was bundled into touch just two metres out from the left corner.

Izayah Petrichvich showed his speed in the 36th minute when after the Norths right centre made a line break from a twenty metre restart, Izayah Petrichvich who had given the centre a big start, mowed him down from behind tackling him twelve metres out from the line. Unfortunately Izayah Petrichvich was sin binned for holding down the Norths attacker.

Izayah Petrichvich then continued on the left wing in Round Four against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls and just the second minute Izayah Petrichvich made a strong fifteen metres to the right of the dummy half before getting an off-load away to Anton Whaiapu.

Izayah Petrichvich almost scored in the 6th minute when he was put away down the left touchline by Ray Puru but he lost the ball in a tackle less than a metre from the left corner.

Izayah Petrichvich was named on the bench for the Bears opening 2022 trail against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Izayah Petrichvich operating at fullback in the second half after coming on at halftime.

It took just two minutes on the field for Izayah Petrichvich to score when after some good work on his inside by Amarni Wetini-Ngaropo, Izayah Petrichvich dived over in the left corner to extend Burleigh’s lead.

Izayah Petrichvich was also outstanding in defence in the match for Burleigh including in the 39th minute with a great try saving tackle. With Tweed Heads attacking from close range down their right channel, Izayah Petrichvich charged across to his left to hit the Seagulls right second rower on the try line just as he was diving over with the initial contact of Izayah Petrichvich knocking the ball loose and scoring a certain Tweed Heads try.

Izayah Petrichvich also produced a good defensive effort in the 47th minute when he was confronted with a charging Seagulls lock who had broken through the initial Burleigh defensive line. Izayah Petrichvich stood his ground and made the one on one tackle to stop the possible try.

Izayah Petrichvich continued his strong defensive match in the 48th minute when with Tweed Heads playing the ball just out from the try line Izayah Petrichvich flew off the line to tackle the Seagulls dummy half before he could initial an attacking play.

Round One of the 2022 Langer Cup School Boy competition saw Izayah Petrichvich start on the left wing for Coombabah State High School against Redcliffe State High School with Izayah Petrichvich making a great 13th minute line break when after receiving the ball to the left of a Coombabah SHS scrum win just ten metres out from his own line Izayah Petrichvich burst forty metres down the left touchline breaking three tackles before he was eventually dragged to ground on the halfway mark.

Izayah Petrichvich also made a strong run in the early moments of the second half when with his team under pressure trying to bring the ball off their own line Izayah Petrichvich took it upon himself to come off his left wing and charge onto the ball and make twelve valuable metres to get the ball closer to the halfway mark.

Izayah Petrichvich also started on the left wing in Round Two against Keebra Park State High School and whilst his team was on the wrong end of a big score line Izayah Petrichvich produced some good moments including in the 28th minute when facing a three player overlap just fifteen metres out from his own line Izayah Petrichvich raced out of the line at the Keebra park SHS halfback who lost the ball on the final tackle as a result of Izayah Petrichvich’s pressure.

Izayah Petrichvich’s best moment of the match came in the 53rd minute when he raced across and just metres out from the left corner Izayah Petrichvich knocked Keebra Park SHS right winger Jeremaiah Temapo into touch after the giant winger had raced forty metres toward the corner. Make no mistake Izayah Petrichvich’s try saving tackle was a spectacular one.

Izayah Petrichvich continued on the left wing for Coombabah SHS in Round Three against PBC State High School.

Izayah Petrichvich then started on the left wing in Round Four against Mabel Park State High School with Izayah Petrichvich scoring mid-way through the second half when after taking a Mabel Park SHS clearing kick, Izayah Petrichvich raced sixty metres down the left touchline to score after executing a magnificent right foot side step to beat the initial Mabel Park SHS defender who had looked to tackle him.

After missing a number of matches Izayah Petrichvich moved to left centre for Coombabah SHS’s Quarter Final against Ipswich SHS with Izayah Petrichvich making a good defensive read in the 4th minute when he came out of the defensive line to hit his opposite number twenty metres out from the try line with Izayah Petrichvich’s defensive pressure forcing a loose pass from the Ipswich SHS right centre.

At the 2023 U18 Queensland Boys State Championships Izayah Petrichvich played in four matches for the Gold Coast scoring 18 points in the process from seven two point field goals, one three point field goal and a free throw with Izayah Petrichvich averaging 4.5 points per game.

Izayah Petrichvich also played for the Gold Coast in the 2022 SEQ U18 Boys Basketball competition playing 11 games and scoring a total of fifty six points from twenty six two point field goals, one three point field goal and a free throw to average 5.09 points per game.

In the Men's 2022 Gold Coast Basketball Division Two competition so far this season Izayah Petrichvich has played in five matches, scoring 38 points to average 7.6 points per game with his best match coming in his first match of the season when Izayah Petrichvich scored 13 points against the Wolfpack from five two point field goals and one three point field goal.

Izayah Petrichvich also played in Round Fourteen of the GC Division Two competition. Scoring nine points from three two point baskets and one three point basket in a loss to Gold Coast Lemon.

Izayah Petrichvich also played in the 2022 Gold Coast Basketball U17 Division One competition.

In Round One Izayah Petrichvich led his Inferno's team in scoring with 16 points from five two point field goals and two three point baskets in an eight point loss against the Vipers. Izayah Petrichvich scored sixteen points once again in Round Two against Panthers Black from five two point field goals, one three point field goal and a free throw to finish second in scoring for his team in a big win.

Izayah Petrichvich then added twelve points from five two point field goals and two free throws in a strong win against the Varsity Lakers to finish as the equal second top scorer for his Vipers side.

The following round saw Izayah Petrichvich score nineteen points from five two point field goals and three point field goals and Izayah Petrichvich top scored for his team in a 72 – 53 victory over PBC Magic.
Izayah Petrichvich then scored an equal team leading sixteen points in a victory against the Lions from six two point field goals, one three point field goal and a free throw. Izayah Petrichvich then added nine points in Round Ten against the Central Stars with Izayah Petrichvich making one two point field goal, one three point field goal and four free throw in a three point Vipers victory.

Izayah Petrichvich then scored nineteen points made up of six two points shots, two three point shots and a free throw against the Inferno’s.

In Week Two of the Gold Coast U17 Division One Basketball Finals, Izayah Petrichvich scored eleven points for his Vipers side in their 60 – 46 victory against the Leprechauns. Izayah Petrichvich’s eleven points came from four two points baskets and one three point basket.

In the 2022 Gold Coast Basketball U17 Division One Grading matches Izayah Petrichvich played three matches, scoring twenty six points from thirteen two point baskets to average 8.67 points in those matches.

In January 2022 even though he was only 16 years old Izayah Petrichvich was part of the Gold Coast Rollers U18 basketball side that took part in the 2022 Queensland Basketball U18 Division One Championships.

Day One of the Championships saw Izayah Petrichvich involved in both of the Rollers matches. Izayah Petrichvich scored four points from two point shots against the North Gold Coast Seahawks and he scored six points from three two point shots against the Mackay Meteors.

On Day Two Izayah Petrichvich was part of the Rollers victory against the Cairns Marlins in Game One and then connected on two three point shots to finish with six points in Game Two as the Gold Coast Rollers remained undefeated against the Logan Thunder.

Day Three of the Championships saw Izayah Petrichvich line up for the Rollers against SC Phoenix Teal with Izayah Petrichvich connecting on two two point baskets to score four points to help the Gold Coast Rollers go through the pool rounds of the 2022 Queensland U18 Basketball Championships undefeated.

In the Gold Coast Rollers semi-final against the Southern Districts Spartans, Izayah Petrichvich scored a two point basket as the Gold Coast Rollers qualified for the Championship Final against the Northside Wizards. In that Championship Final Izayah Petrichvich and his team mates went down to the Wizards.

In total in the 2022 Queensland U18 Division One Basketball Championships Izayah Petrichvich played in all seven of the Gold Coast Rollers matches, scoring a total of twenty points from two three field goals and seven two point shots to average 2.86 points per game.

In February 2021 Izayah Petricevich took part in the South Coast U15 school boy trials and was named in the South Coast Squad for the QSSRL Championships as a result of his trial performances and started the Championship Final against Met West on the left wing.

At the completion of the Championships, Izayah Petricevich was named on the left wing in the 2021 QSSRL U15 School Boy Merit Team alongside numerous South Coast team mates such as Sunny Kama, Zane Harrison and Riley Buchanan.

On Day One against Met West Izayah Petricevich started the match on the left wing and scored South Coast’s first try of the Championships when in the 5th minute he took an intercept and raced eighty metres to dive over in the left corner.

Izayah Petricevich scored his second try of the match in the 27th minute when he benefited from a great pass down a short left blind side from Jett Bryce to crash over in the left corner.

Izayah Petricevich heavily involved in Jett Bryce’s 38th minute try when Nayte Saaga put in a chip kick to the left wing which was collected by Izayah Petricevich who off-loaded in one movement to Jett Bryce to run away to score under the posts.

Izayah Petricevich also scored on Day Two against Capricornia when in the 50th minute he anticipated a long pass to his side of the field, taking an intercept and running eighty five metres to score under the posts.

His intercept try capped a couple of impressive minutes for Izayah Petricevich as in the 58th minute he came off his wing to smash the Capricornia right second rower and as he was forcing him back stole the ball in the one on one tackle.

2021 also saw Izayah Petricevich once again represent Coombabah State High School in school boy rugby league, starting Round One of the Walters Cup against Redcliffe State High School at left centre.

Izayah Petricevich also started at left centre in Round Four against Ipswich State High School scoring one try and setting up another in Coombabah’s 14 all draw.

Izayah Petricevich scored in the 32nd minute when he backed up his left winger to get the ball nineteen metres out and was able to surge away from the cover defence to get the ball down mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Izayah Petricevich’s try assist came in the 7th minute when he showed quick hands to get the ball away to his left down a short blindside and close to the try line to put his left winger over in the corner.

Izayah Petricevich scored once again in Round Five against Forest Lake State High School when in the 29th minute from the left centre position, Izayah Petricevich received a pass from his inside and was able to dive over in the left corner.

Izayah Petricevich also started at left centre in Round Six against Marsden State High School.

Izayah Petricevich continued at left centre in Round Seven against Keebra Park and came close to scoring in the 15th minute when he was held up over the line after receiving the ball from an off-load around ten metres from the line.

2021 also saw Izayah Petricevich play basketball and in April 2021 he was part of the Gold Coast Waves U16 representative side that took part in the Queensland U16 Division One State Basketball Championships.

In the Waves Game One on Day One, Izayah Petricevich scored six points (three two point shots) as the Waves defeated the Rockhampton Rockets 89 – 33. In Game two, also on Day One, Izayah Petricevich scored thirteen points (three two point shots and seven free throws) as the Waves defeated the Townsville Heat 84 – 68.

The Waves also played two matches on Day Two of the Championships, the first being a 119 – 63 victory over the North Gold Coast Seahawks with Izayah Petricevich scoring seven points (three two point shots and a free throw). The Waves suffered their first defeat of the Championships in their second match on Day Two when they went down 112 – 77 to the Northside Wizards, with Izayah Petricevich scoring seven points once again from three two point shots and a free throw.

Game Five which came on Day Three of the Championships saw the Waves lose in heart breaking fashion 79 – 78 to the Toowoomba Mountaineers with Izayah Petricevich converting two two point baskets to finish the match with four points.

From his five matches at the 2021 Queensland U16 Basketball Championships in the regular rounds, Izayah Petricevich scored thirty seven point to average 7.4 points per game.

On Day One of the 2021 Qld U16 Basketball Championships Finals Series Izayah Petricevich had a huge game for the GC Waves scoring 18 from six two point shots and six free throws as they defeated Sunshine Coast Rip Black 94-92.

On Day Two of the Finals, Izayah Petrichvich scored a two point bucket as the Waves won again beating the Townsville Heat 68 – 64.

Izayah Petricevich also played for the Gold Coast Waves in the 2021 South Queensland Junior Boys U16 Premier League Basketball competition (SQJBC U16 Boys Premier League). In that competition for the Gold Coast Waves Izayah Petricevich played in sixteen matches scoring 132 points from fifty five two point shots and twenty two free throws made to score an average of 8.25 points per game.

Izayah Petricevich had some big matches for the GC Waves in the SQJBC U16 Boys Premier League including a twenty point (ten two point shots) effort against the SMW Pirates. Izayah Petricevich scored twelve points on two occasions on both occasions against the Mountaineer’s. On the first occasion Izayah Petricevich scored his twelve points from six two point shots and on the second occasion from five two point shots and two free throws.

Later in 2021 Izayah Petricevich played for the Gold Coast Rollers in the South Queensland Junior Boys U18 Premier League Basketball competition (SQJBC U18 Boys Premier League), an impressive feat considering that Izayah Petricevich was just 15 years old, including playing in their 82 – 74 Grand Final victory over the Southern District Spartans.

In total in the SQJBC U18 Boys Premier League competition Izayah Petricevich played in sixteen matches scoring nineteen points from eight two point shots and three free throws to average 1.19 points per game.

On two occasions Izayah Petricevich scored four points in a match, the first being against the Northside Wizards (one two point shot and two free throws) and against the North Gold Coast Seahawks (two two point shots).

Izayah Petricevich also played basketball on the Gold Coast in 2021 including a 21 July 2021 debut for Disney in the Gold Coast Basketball Men’s Premier League competition including on a two point shot.

Izayah Petricevich also played eight matches in the Gold Coast Basketball Men’s Division Two competition scoring thirty one points from twenty eight two points shots and three free throws to average 3.88 points per match.

Izayah Petricevich scored fourteen points from seven two point baskets against Dobilas and eleven points from five two point baskets and a free throw against the Wolf Pack.

Izayah Petricevich also played eight matches in the Gold Coast Basketball U17 Boys Division One competition, scoring seventy five points from thirty three two point baskets, one three point basket and six free throws.

Izayah Petricevich also played for the Titans in early October 2020 when he was part of the Titans U14 side that played a Titans U14/15 NRRRL Development squad at Cbus Stadium.

In 2020 Izayah Petricevich was part of the Coombabah State High School Hancock Cup school boy rugby league side and in the first minute of Coombabah’s Round Five match against Marsden State High School scored an outstanding ninety five metre individual try. Izayah Petricevich, playing left centre received the ball two passes off the ruck and broke through two Marsden defenders before running ninety five metres to score down the left touchline.

Izayah Petricevich also scored in Round Two against Wavell State High School, when in the first half he ran a good outside shoulder route from eight metres out and scored after a good pass from Coby Black found him on the charge.

At the completion of the season, Izayah Petricevich was awarded the Coombabah State High School 2020 Year Nine Rugby League Coaches Award.

In 2020 Izayah Petricevich was part of the Helensvale Hornets U14 Division One side in the Gold Coast Rugby League competition. Helensvale finished the 2020 season with a 40 – 0 win in the first against second play-off round against Burleigh.. The Helensvale U14 Division One side finished the regular season on top of the table with six wins from their seven matches, scoring 296 points and conceding only thirty eight to have a +258 points differential.

Early in the 2019 season Izayah Petricevich was named in the Gold Coast Vikings U13 representative squad and played left centre in the Championships including scoring in the Vikings first match on Day one diving over in the left corner against Brisbane Red.

Izayah Petricevich started the 2019 GCRL club season for Nerang in their Round One match against Ormeau.

Izayah Petricevich moved to five eight for Round Four scoring as Nerang went down 68 – 10 to Burleigh.

In total for Nerang, Izayah Petricevich played in three GCRL U13 Division One matches scoring against Burleigh as noted above.

With the movement in the U13 competition in 2019, Izayah Petricevich also played in five U13 Division Two matches scoring seven tries (140% strike rate) including a hat trick against Mudgeeraba in Round Eleven and a Round Twelve double against Helensvale. Izayah Petricevich’s other 2019 U13 Division two regular season tries came against Burleigh White and the Jimboomba Thunder.

In 2019 Izayah Petricevich was also a key member of the Coombabah State High School Year 8 Renouf Cup school boy side including scoring a 90 metre long range half try as Coombabah overcame a six point half time deficit to defeat Forest Lake State School 36 – 16 in the Renouf Cup Grand Final.

Izayah Petricevich started the match at left centre and scored in the second half. Forest Lake State High School spun the ball to the left but the ball was dropped out wide when they were on the attack.

From a standing start Izayah Petricevich retrieved the ball and took off down the left touch line, at one point it appeared that the Forest Lake fullback would get to him but Izayah Petricevich was able to put on an extra burst of speed to break the jumper grab to score.

In 2018 Izayah Petricevich finished the Gold Coast Rugby League U12 Division One competition as the second leading try scorer with nine tries from ten matches (90% try scoring strike rate), playing primarily in the second row but also spending time in the centres.

Izayah Petricevich scored hat tricks against Currumbin and Coomera in 2018, a double against Burleigh Marron, with his other try coming in Round Two against Mudgeeraba.

Even though he does not necessarily plus top end speed (It is certainly in the above average category though but probably just falls a touch below the plus category) Izayah Petricevich is quick enough to take advantage of any space that he is given down the touchline by opposing outside backs.

Izayah Petricevich’s bread and butter play in the centres is a good in an away to hold the defender and beat him on the outside, Izayah Petricevich then has the ability to draw and pass to his winger if the opposing winger looks to come in, thus creating an overlap on the outside.

When playing on the wing Izayah Petricevich always seems to stick to the sideline which means his inside attackers will know where he is at all times, thus allowing them to confidently off load the ball if an overlap is created.

When defending in the centres, Izayah Petricevich 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, his timing in those situations is quite good to the extent that he does not often over comment thus allowing his opponent to get on his outside.

Izayah Petricevich does not let the play unfold in front of him, he looks to disrupt as early as possible and usually does so effectively.

With his size and defensive tendencies when defending in the centres, Izayah Petricevich is more suited to an up and in defensive methodology compared to a sliding system, where quicker opposing centres look to get on his outside and try to use their pace against him although he is not necessarily a slouch in that department.

In 2024 Izayah Petrichvich will continue to progress to the U18 Mal Meninga competition with Burleigh. Also in 2024 Izayah Petrichvich will continue playing for Marsden State High School Open A side for the School Boy Langer Cup competition for the second season in a row.

Izayah Petricevich is a tall young who played very well at left centre for both the Titans and Vikings U13 sides in 2019 season and for Coombabah SHS in 2021 and on the left wing in 2022 for Coombabah SHS and the Burleigh CC Cup side.

Based on his size and speed, left centre or left winger is the position that I would anticipate that Izayah Petrichvich will continue to play for the foreseeable future. For completeness I note that Izayah Petricevich spent time in the second row in 2018 however since that time Izayah Petrichvich has played exclusively either in the centres or on the wing on the left side of the field.

I appreciate that Izayah Petricevich this season played a number of other positions for Nerang in 2019 including at five eight but I personally believe that his skill set plays perfectly at left centre or potentially on the left wing especially when taking into account his advanced size/speed combination.

A previous NRL player with a similar playing style to Izayah Petricevich is for me former Parramatta Eels and New South Wales State of Origin Blake Ferguson, like Izayah Petricevich is a very good kick returner and has the size, strength and speed to be a real handful for an opponent’s three quarter line, especially when he looks to run straight at the defensive line. Like Ferguson, Izayah Petricevich is also a try scorer and a very good one at that.

[mdrew]

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga. The Palmerston North student and representative level basketballer signed with the Titans mid-way through the 2023 season.

In early 2023 Santino Pekepo-Tavaga lined-up in the centres for the Manawatu U16 Rugby League Representative side.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga plays both basketball and rugby for Palmerston North.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga is a tall young man but he is exceptionally quick, with a lot of his tries coming from long range efforts originating from his own territory, as once he gets into the clear he is unlikely to be caught by the opposition cover defence.

Due to his size and speed Santino Pekepo-Tavaga is almost impossible to stop one on one in the competitions that he has played in so far in his career, with his favourite move being an in and away to beat his opposing number on the outside and then using his acceleration to break the game apart.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga does not just have top end speed, he has very good acceleration off the mark as well. Santino Pekepo-Tavaga’s fend is decent and as he puts on more muscle it will become more effective due to his long reach, meaning opposing defensive players cannot get close enough to combat him one on one before defensive help arrives.

With his height and reach Santino Pekepo-Tavaga should also be able to develop the ability to offload in tackles, making him even harder to defend. Obviously as a result of his height (and basketball experience) Santino Pekepo-Tavaga is good under the high ball both in attacking and defensive situations.

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

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

2024 will see Santino Pekepo-Tavaga move up to the U18 age group with Santino Pekepo-Tavaga also U18 eligible in 2025. It will be interesting to see when the Titans bring Santino Pekepo-Tavaga over to the Gold Coast whether that be permanently to complete his school in Australia for just for JTS camps and matches.

With his height and ball skills from playing basketball Santino Pekepo-Tavaga is a very intriguing rugby league outside back prospect with the size, speed and skill set to play a variety of positions including on the wing at fullback and in the centres.

With his height and speed Santino Pekepo-Tavaga has a playing style akin to that of talented Penrith Panthers, New South Wales State of Origin and Samoan International fullback or centre and former Australian school boy’s rugby league sensation Stephen Crichton. Both Creighton and Santino Pekepo-Tavaga have height and speed as well as the ability to negotiate their way through congestion when at first glance there did not appear to be any room to move at all. Both Creighton and Santino Pekepo-Tavaga also have outstanding hands from a ball control, passing and kick retrieval perspective.

The scary part is that both Santino Pekepo-Tavaga and Creighton have the capacity to add additional muscle mass (a fair bit too in Santino Pekepo-Tavaga’s case) without at all impacting on their speed, balance and body control. Both Creighton and Santino Pekepo-Tavaga also have outstanding hand eye co-ordination and spacial awareness to add to all of the other outstanding attributes that they both have at their disposal.

With continued rugby league experience under his belt, Santino Pekepo-Tavaga could be a very very special talent indeed for the Titans.

[mdrew]

Brodie Saunders. In early October 2022 Brodie Saunders was named in the 2023 Tweed Heads Seagulls U16 Cyril Connell Cup squad after a strong 2022 rugby league campaign.

Brodie Saunders’s first match in 2023 came in late January when he lined up for the Tweed Heads Seagulls CC Cup squad in their first 2023 trial against the Souths Logan Magpies at the Logan Metro Sports Complex. A week later Brodie Saunders lined up for the Seagulls in their second trial against the Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad at Burleigh Juniors at the Annual Titans Super Saturday series of matches.

After Tweed Heads had a Round One bye Brodie Saunders was named at lock in Round Two of the 2023 U16 Cyril Connell Cup competition against the Brisbane Tigers as well as in Round Three against the Redcliffe Dolphins.

Brodie Saunders also started at lock in Round Four against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Brodie Saunders making a strong tackle twenty metres from the try line to force the ball loose. Then in the 13th minute Brodie Saunders made a strong front on tackle on the Wynnum Manly No. 10.

Brodie Saunders also started at lock in Round Six against the Norths Devils with Brodie Saunders taking the fourth hit-up of the match to get the ball five metres into Norths territory.

Brodie Saunders started at lock in Round One of the 2023 School Boy Walter Cup competition for PBC SHS against Marsden SHS.

Brodie Saunders also started at lock in Round Two against Caloundra SHS with Brodie Saunders scoring the first of his two tries in the 52nd minute with a great solo effort. After receiving the ball from his left around twelve metres from the try line and near the centre of the field, Brodie Saunders stepped off his left foot on two occasions before being spun around counter clockwise Brodie Saunders ended up with his back to the try line but Brodie Saunders, with no sight of the try line, reached back with the ball in his right arm to get the ball down with three defenders on him five metres in from the right corner post.

Brodie Saunders scored his second try just five minutes later in the 37th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball around twelve metres out Brodie Saunders continued to run to his left, dummying twice to his left before Brodie Saunders stepped off his left foot to run himself with Brodie Saunders darting over to score five metres to the left of the uprights.

Brodie Saunders continued at lock in Round Three against Mabel Park SHS as well as in Round Four against Redcliffe SHS and in Round Five against Stretton State College.

Brodie Saunders also started at lock in the Round Six Gold Coast School Boy derby against Keebra Park SHS and Round Seven against Wavell SHS.

2022 saw Brodie Saunders continue to play for the Currumbin Eagles in the Gold Coast Junior Rugby League U15 Division One competition, leading the Eagles to a Grand Final appearance against the Beaudesert Kingfishers with Brodie Saunders starting the Eagles last minute Grand Final at lock.

The ball playing lock highlighted his potential with an outstanding performance for PBC State High School in the 2021 Renouf Cup Grand Final as PBC prevailed 8 – 4 against a determined Marsden State High School side in a high quality and tense encounter.

Post the Renouf Cup Grand Final Brodie Saunders was named at lock in the Courier Mail 2021 Team of the School Boy Grand Finals.

Prior to moving to PBC SHS Brodie Saunders attended Currumbin State School and in 2019 started at lock for Currumbin PS in their NRL Development Cup Final against Frechville State School as a curtain raiser to the Queensland Cup Grand Final with Currumbin SS winning 32 – 6 with Brodie Saunders kicking a conversion.

Brodie Saunders style of play is that of a ball playing lock with above average speed for the position. I would actually argue that in fact a better definition of his speed would be well above average to plus, and I am talking the speed of an outside back not a backrower.

Brodie Saunders is exceptionally quick off the mark, but what makes him even more impressive from a speed perspective is that when he gets into space, he has an extra gear again, making it almost impossible for the cover defence to catch him once he is open space.

Defences had all sorts of trouble trying to contain him in his school boy and club football over the last couple of seasons, both in terms of him taking the ball up into the centre of the ruck, but he was almost untouchable when Brodie Saunders ran on the fringes of the ruck and uses his foot work to beat defenders with a variety of moves, including a step off both feet and a very good in and away as well as simply running over people. Couple those two aspects with a very good fend and you have a young player in Brodie Saunders who causes nightmares for a defensive line.

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

Brodie Saunders is aggressive in defence whether defending in the centre of the ruck or on the fringes or even wider out and due to his natural strength is more than capable of defending one on one and can and will stop even the biggest opposing forwards in their tracks and targets the area around where the attackers carry the football.

Brodie Saunders speed and lateral movement means that he will not be beaten by light stepping halves trying to take advantage of tiring forwards or the opposition running out of dummy half. I have noted that he is aggressive, but not to the extent that he will give away penalties, he just wants to win every one on one contest. Brodie Saunders is also a very good cover defender as a result of his speed and tenacity.

Due to his speed and athleticism and for that matter hard work and determination Brodie Saunders covers across the field well, thus putting him in a good position to make the tackle when the ball is turned back inside from the halves to an underneath runner as is the case so often in the modern game.

2024 will see Brodie Saunders continue at PBC State High School moving up to the Langer Cup school boy side. Brodie Saunders will also continue to play for the Currumbin Eagles in the GCRL U18 Division One competition after starting the season as part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM (or CC depending upon age changes) Cup squad.

Brodie Saunders has played the vast majority of his junior rugby league career to date at lock and with his ability to be a link between his forwards and backs as well as his innate ball playing skills, Brodie Saunders looks like an ideal modern day rugby league lock forward prospect.

From an NRL player comparison perspective for Brodie Saunders, with his touch above average speed, developing ball skills and quick late footwork that Brodie Saunders has displayed over recent seasons I think that an appropriate player comparison is Sydney Roosters, former New South Wales State of Origin and England International lock Victor Radley with the potential to be a whole lot more on top of that as well.

You could also throw in Cameron Murray of the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs as well when you are looking for an NRL player to compare Brodie Saunders to in terms of a rugby league mentality and playing style.

[mdrew]

Will Taylor. Round One of the 2023 Hastings Deering’s Colts season saw Will Taylor named at hooker for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Townsville Blackhawks however Will Taylor was a late withdrawal.
Will Taylor made his first appearance for the Seagulls Colts side when he started at right second row in Round Nine against the Mackay Cutters with Will Taylor scoring in the 32nd minute when Will Taylor ran a hard straight crash line to get a great short ball from his left from Max Liles with Will Taylor charging twelve metres between two defenders to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.
Then from the subsequent Cutters kick-off Will Taylor carried the ball back to twenty eight metres out from his own try line.
The Round Ten local derby against the Burleigh Bears saw Ryan Foran continue at right second row with Will Taylor coming crossing the try line in the 27th minute but bizarrely the referee ruled that the pass to Will Taylor travelled forward.

Will Taylor made a 14th minute line break down the right channel off a good ball from his inside with Will Taylor racing twenty metres to within ten metres of the try line but unfortunately Will Taylor’s pass to his right went to ground.

Will Taylor had an outstanding defensive match including in the 17th minute with a strong driving tackle on the Burleigh lock that forced a Bears knock on ten metres inside their own territory. Will Taylor then made another strong tackle in the 39th minute on the Burleigh left winger driving him back three metres to just inside Seagulls territory.

Will Taylor also started at right second row in Round Eleven against the Norths Devils with Will Taylor scoring in the 49th minute when after taking possession of the ball to the left of the play the ball ten metres out and in the centre of the field, Will Taylor twice in quick succession dummied to his left before stepping off his left foot and shrugging off a defender before Will Taylor carried a defender over the try line to get the ball down next to the right upright.

Will Taylor also recorded a try assist in the 12th minute when to the right of the play the ball and eight metres from the try line Will Taylor got a short pass away to his right for his right winger Jotham Russell to score his second try of the match.

Will Taylor also recorded a line break assist in the 29th minute when after taking a kick-off on the full three metres from his own try line near the centre of the field Will Taylor ran the ball to nineteen metres out before off-loading to his left for his support runner to make a line break to near the halfway mark. Will Taylor then took the hit-up after that tackle, running the ball from five metres inside his own territory to eight metres inside Norths territory.

The 44th minute saw Will Taylor run onto the ball to the right of the play the ball from forty metres from his own try line and after bumping away from two defenders Will Taylor got the ball five metres inside Norths territory.

Will Taylor then moved to the bench in Round Twelve against the Brisbane Tigers with Will Taylor coming onto the field in the 25th minute with Will Taylor’s initial run of the match coming almost immediately from eight metres inside his own territory to six metres inside Tigers territory.

2023 saw Will Taylor part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls Hastings Deering’s Colts squad with Will Taylor starting at lock for the Seagulls in their late February 2023 trial against the Burleigh Bears.

Will Taylor had a strong match defensively including a heavy driving front on tackle in the 8th minute on the Burleigh right winger twenty metres out and in the centre of the field with the Burleigh winger losing the ball forward as a result of Will Taylor’s strong tackle.

Round Two of the Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade competition saw Will Taylor start from the bench for the Tugun Seahawks against the Currumbin Eagles with Will Taylor then moving into the starting side at lock in Round Three against the Southport Tigers with Will Taylor also starting at lock in Round Four against the Helensvale Hornets.

Will Taylor then started at lock in Round Seven against the Currumbin Eagles

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 is still Hastings Deering’s Colts eligible in 2024 when once again Will Taylor will likely line up for the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Will Taylor also likely to play a number of matches for the Tugun Seahawks in the GCRL First Grade competition.

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.

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Joe Nadenic. In late July 2023 Joe Nadenic started at right second row for a Titans U19 side that travelled to Townsville to play a Cowboys U19 side in an NRL curtain-raiser with Joe Nadenic making a good run from a Titans penalty tap restart in the 2nd minute to carry the ball from his own forty metre mark to three metres inside North Queensland territory.

Joe Nadenic also did well in the 5th minute when after he picked up a loose Cowboys pass twenty eight metres out from his own try line, Joe Nadenic was able to get the ball fourteen metres downfield. Then in the 64th minute from the right of the play the ball and eighteen metres out from the try line, through sheer guts and determination, Joe Nadenic was able to carry the ball to within three metres of the try line and five metres to the left of the uprights.

Joe Nadenic then made a good cover defending tackle on the North Queensland five eight who had broken through the Titans right side defensive line with Joe Nadenic bringing him down from the back right quadrant with the force of Joe Nadenic’s contact forcing a Cowboys knock on thirty two metres out from the Titans try line to completely eliminate the North Queensland attacking threat.

Joe Nadenic made a further good tackle in the 26th minute with a big right shoulder hit just six metres out from the Titans try line on the North Queensland left centre (No. 3), stooping him in his tracks. Joe Nadenic followed up with another try saving tackle in the 32nd minute when it appeared that the North Queensland five eight had sliced through a gap but Joe Nadenic ran to his right to bring him down with a strong ball and all tackle less than two metres from the try line and ten metres to the right of the uprights.

Joe Nadenic then made a try saving tackle in the 56th minute on the North Queensland halfback after charging to his left to cut the halfback down just short of the try line mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

2023 also saw Joe Nadenic play for the Brisbane Tigers in the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition, splitting time between starting in the second row coming off the bench for the Tigers.

Joe Nadenic scored in the pouring rain in Round Six against the Mackay Cutters in the 16th minute when to the left of the play the ball Joe Nadenic received a cut-out pass from his inside and from eight metres out was too strong for the Cutters defence to crash over to score six metres in from the left corner post.

Joe Nadenic also scored in the 58th minute of Round Eight against the Redcliffe Dolphins with a ten metre run to the left of the dummy half with Joe Nadenic gaining separation from one defender with a clockwise spin to score ten metres in from the left corner post.

Round Eleven against the Tweed Heads Seagulls saw Joe Nadenic score in the 25th minute when from two passes to the left of the play the ball Joe Nadenic ran a hard straight crash line from four metres out to score eight metres in from the left corner post.

Joe Nadenic then came off the bench in Round Fifteen against the Ipswich Jets with Joe Nadenic making a line break in the 72nd minute down the left channel with Joe Nadenic breaking the Jets right sided defensive line from twenty three metres out before being tackled two metres from the try line and five metres in from the left touchline.

Joe Nadenic also recorded a line break assist in the 61st minute with a deft pass to his left forty metres out from the try line to put Antioch Faitala-Mariner away down the left touchline with Antioch Faitala-Mariner then passing to his right for Lachlan West to score.

Joe Nadenic also played one match for Bulimba in the Brisbane Rugby League U20 Premier competition being Round Three against Carina and after starting the match in the second row Joe Nadenic scored in the 26th minute when after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball from eighteen metres out Joe Nadenic went through a gap between two defender before veering to his right and after outpacing the fullback, Joe Nadenic dived over to score four metres in from the right corner post.

In 2022 Joe Nadenic played for the Brisbane Tigers in the MM Cup competition, starting the majority of matches in the second row.

Also in 2022 Joe Nadenic played school boy rugby in the Association of Independent Colleges (AIC) First XV competition for St Lawrence’s College with Joe Nadenic being named in the 2022 Courier Mail AIC First XV Team of the Season at open side flanker (No. 7).

2022 also saw Joe Nadenic selected in the Queensland Reds U18 side for an interstate match against the New South Wales Waratah’s U18 side.

The long striding Joe Nadenic is at his best when he is operating in the fringes of the ruck where he can exploit gaps in the defensive line with his size and speed. When he runs Joe Nadenic is all arms, legs, knees and elbows and with his long stride and strong fend is a difficult proposition for defenders to handle in the context of getting him to the ground.

Joe Nadenic’s leg drive and determination also enables him to be equally effective in relation to operating in traffic where he gets his body height low he can shrug off would be tacklers by dropping his shoulder into the defender just as he starts to commit to the tackle, Joe Nadenic can then redirect his momentum and proceed down the field post contact.

In terms of overall speed, whilst a touch above average for his position, Joe Nadenic when in space will be caught by cover defenders but he is quick enough to maintain separation until he has progressively worked through his options and invariably makes the right decision with the ball.

Defensively Joe Nadenic is adept at wrapping up the ball carrier and his initial contact is underrated as his primary function and goal is to wrap up the ball to prevent off loads. His stamina is such that you will see Joe Nadenic make multiple tackles in a short space of time and then immediately make himself available to take a hit up.

Joe Nadenic is still Hastings Deering’s Colts eligible in 2024 and that is where Joe Nadenic will almost certainly start the 2024 season.

With his build and speed I think that Joe Nadenic is the ideal modern day rugby league second rower, both now and into the future.

With his mobility and hardworking mentality Joe Nadenic’s playing style reminds me of Brisbane Bronco’s and former Queensland State of Origin second rower Kurt Capewell.

Both Joe Nadenic and Capewell are hardworking players who give everything they have every time that they step onto a rugby league field doing a lot of the little things well and will sometimes be unfairly overlooked by everyone but their team mates and coaching staff.

Neither Capewell or Joe Nadenic will necessarily stand out from the perspective of making a spectacular line break or try but both will do a lot of the little things which sometimes can be over looked but are key to the success of the team that they are playing for.

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Christian Rivers. Christian Rivers was named to start in the front row in Round One of the 2023 U16 Cyril Connell Cup competition for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls against the Burleigh Bears with Christian Rivers along with Majah Peachey making the opening tackle of the match after Wynnum Manly had kicked off to get the season underway.

Christian Rivers made another strong run in the 47th minute when from ten metres out from the try line and to the left of the play the ball Christian Rivers rumbled forward to get within a metres of the try line mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Christian River’s performance saw him named in the front row in the 2023 CC Cup Round One Team of the Round.

Christian Rivers was also named in the front row in Round Two against the Norths Devils however he was a late scratching from the match.

Christian Rivers then started at lock in Round Three against the Souths Logan Magpies with Christian Rivers making a desperate try saving tackle in the 2nd minute on the Magpies hooker a metre out from the try line mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field after the hooker had tried to sneak over from dummy half.

Christian Rivers made another tackle in the 11th minute charge back in cover defence to tackle the Souths Logan five eight from behind ten metres out from the try line after a thirty metre line break.

Christian Rivers executed another strong tackle in the 18th minute when with Souths Logan on the attack just ten metres out from the Seagulls try line, Christian Rivers raced out of the defensive line and smashed his opposite number just as he received the ball directly in front of the goal posts.

Christian Rivers produced a smart piece of play when lined up at marker in the 8th minute when he reached around the Magpies player who played the ball to hit the hands of the dummy half and force a knock on.

Christian Rivers then moved to the bench for Round Four against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Christian Rivers coming onto the field to operate in the front row once again.

Christian Rivers also started from the bench in Round Seven against the Redcliffe Dolphins and after coming onto the field to operate in the front row late in the first half.

Christian Rivers made a strong run in the 26th minute from the right of the play the ball three metres inside Dolphins territory with Christian Rivers making twelve metres against a set Dolphins defensive line.

In early March 2023 Christian Rivers was named in the South Coast U15 School Boy Rugby League Representative side with Christian Rivers starting in the front row on Day One against Sunshine Coast with Christian Rivers being named the South Coast’s best player in their first up victory.

Christian Rivers scored for South Coast in the 32nd minute when from the left of the play the ball Christian Rivers burrowed over from three metres out to get the ball down despite numerous defenders trying to stop him two metres to the right of the uprights.

After taking the opening hit-up of the match and getting the ball two metres over the twenty metre mark Christian Rivers made a line break in the 38th minute when after charging onto the ball to the left of the play the ball Christian Rivers broke three tackling whilst making thirty metres before being tackled ten metres from the try line.

Earlier in the 28th minute Christian Rivers made a strong kick-off return out to the twenty five metre mark.

Christian Rivers also started in the front row on Day Two against Northern with Christian Rivers scoring in the 9th minute when with the play the ball a metre out and to the right of the goal posts Jai Billish ran out of dummy half to his right with Christian Rivers running an underneath route to crash over to score eight metres to the right of the uprights.

A minute earlier in the 8th minute Christian Rivers had charged onto the ball to the right of the play the ball from forty metres out to get to twenty six metres out from the try line. Then in the 11th minute Christian Rivers ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball when thirty five metres out and Christian Rivers able to get the ball four metres into Northern territory.

Christian Rivers continued in the front row on Day Three against Met North with Christian Rivers scoring in the 4th minute when with the play the ball less than a metre from the try line Jai Billish ran out of dummy half to his right with Christian Rivers running an underneath route and after receiving the ball from Jai Billish by way of an inside pass Christian Rivers crashed over to score three metres to the right of the uprights.

The 12th minute saw Christian Rivers run onto the ball to the right of the play the ball from twenty metres out with Christian River’s constant pumping of his legs getting him to within four metres out from the try line and five metres to the right of the uprights.

Then in the 29th minute from three metres inside Met North territory and to the left of the play the ball and after engaging the defensive line and breaking away from one defender Christian Rivers continued to run to his left to get twenty two metres out near the left touchline.

Christian Rivers then started in the front row in the 2023 QSSRL U15 School Boy Grand Final against Met East with Christian Rivers scoring the match winning try in the 46th minute with a surge from the right of the dummy half and four metres out and even after Christian Rivers was held a metre short he forced his way over to score adjacent to the right upright. Then from the ensuing kick-off Christian Rivers carried the ball back to twenty eight metres out.

In the 5th minute of the Grand Final from the left of the play the ball and twelve metres inside his own territory Christian Rivers rumbled forward and carried the ball two metres into Met East territory.

Then in the 34th minute from a South Coast penalty tap restart from his own twenty metre mark Christian Rivers carried the ball to within ten metres of the halfway mark and then two tackles later Christian Rivers made another fifteen metres running the ball.

At the conclusion of the Grand Final Christian Rivers was named South Coast’s best player in the match .

Christian Rivers finished the 2023 QSSRL U15 School Boy Rugby League Queensland Championships as the equal leading try scorer with four tries and Christian Rivers was also equal fifth in terms of overall points scored with sixteen points as a result of Christian Rivers four tries.

At the completion of the Championships Christian Rivers was named in the 2023 Queensland U15 Maroon School Boys Rugby League side to contest the 2023 Australian U15 School Boys Rugby League Championships.

Round One of the 2023 Walters Cup School Boy competition saw Christian Rivers named in the front row for Keebra Park SHS against Ipswich SHS with Christian Rivers doing well to take possession of the opening kick-off with Christian Rivers initially trapping the bouncing ball between his legs with then Christian Rivers being awarded a penalty for a high tackle after running the ball back into the Stretton State College defensive line.

Christian Rivers then made a line break in the 21st minute when from a kick-off return Christian Rivers broke through the Stretton State College defensive line eighteen metres out from the Keebra Park SHS try line with Christian Rivers charging all of the way to within ten metres of the halfway mark.

Then in the 23rd minute Christian Rivers came close to scoring under the posts after a twelve metre charge by the referee ruled that Christian Rivers had lost the ball over the try line before being able to get the ball to the ground.

Christian Rivers also started in the front row in Round Two against Marsden SHS with Christian Rivers executing a one on one strip in the 26th minute on one of his opposing front rowers twenty two metres out from the Keebra Park SHS try line.

Christian Rivers continued in the front row in Round Three against Redcliffe SHS with Christian Rivers scoring in the 11th minute as a result of a hard straight charge to the right of the play the ball from six metres out with Christian Rivers crashing over to score ten metres in from the left corner post.

Christian Rivers also made a line break in the 14th minute from ten metres inside his own territory and to the right of the play the ball with Christian Rivers bursting straight through the Redcliffe SHS defensive line and rumbling all of the way down to within fifteen metres of the try line/

Christian Rivers had taken the fourth hit-up of the match to get the ball eleven metres inside Redcliffe SHS territory. Then in the 3rd minute Christian Rivers charged onto the ball to the left of the play the ball ten metres inside his own territory to nine metres inside Redcliffe SHS territory with Christian Rivers then being awarded a penalty for being held down too long in the tackle.

Then in the 8th minute from a Keebra Park SHS penalty tap restart five metres inside Keebra Park SHS territory Christian Rivers was able to get the ball twelve metres inside Redcliffe SHS territory. Christian Rives also made a good run in the 28th minute from the left of the play the ball with Christian Rivers carrying the ball from the halfway mark to thirty metres from the try line.

Christian Rivers also started in the front row in Round Four against Caloundra SHS with Christian Rivers recording a try assist in the 38th minute when after making a line break from thirty two metres out from his own try line and to the left of the play the ball, Christian Rivers rumbled downfield and after getting to the fullback, Christian Rivers got the ball away to his left to David Bryenton who raced away to put the ball down under the posts untouched. Christian Rivers then ran the ball back from the subsequent kick-off to get the ball out to the thirty metre mark.

Christian Rivers almost scored himself in the 48th minute when after charging onto the ball to the left of the play the ball twelve metres out Christian Rivers was held up over the try line under the posts.

Christian Rivers had also scored earlier in the 4th minute one when from the left of the play the ball Christian Rivers got the ball from twelve metres out but unfortunately lost the ball as he was trying to put the ball down over the try line next to the right upright.

As early as the 3rd minute Christian Rivers was bending back the Caloundra SHS defensive line with a run from the left of the play the ball from eighteen metres out from his own try lien to thirty metres out. Then in the 14th minute Christian Rivers got to the twenty eight metre mark from a strong kick-off return.

Christian Rivers then made a run in the 28th minute from a Keebra Park SHS twenty metre tap restart with Christian Rivers making an impressive twenty metres before getting an off-load away to his right. Then in the 45th minute from the right of the play the ball Christian Rivers got the ball to the halfway mark after commencing his run thirty two metres from his own try line with Christian Rivers then awarded a penalty when he was held down too long by the defenders.

Christian Rivers continued in the front row in Round Five against Wavell SHS with Christian Rivers recording a line break in the 45th minute with a straight hard charge from the left of the play the ball twenty five metres out from his own try line with Christian Rivers bursting through a number of attempted tackles to get to the halfway mark before being awarded a penalty for being hit with a shoulder charge.

In just the 3rd minute of the match from the left of the play the ball Christian Rivers was able to promote the ball from forty metres out from the try line to twenty nine metres out.

Christian Rivers continued in the front row in the Semi-final against Wavell SHS with Christian Rivers making the opening hit-up of the match to get the ball to the twenty two metre mark. Christian Rivers also took the fourth hit-up of the match to get the ball to within nine metres of the halfway mark.

2023 also saw Christian Rivers continue to line up for Wynnum Manly with Christian Rivers playing a number of matches in the second row for the Seagulls with Christian Rivers scoring in Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins and Round Nine against Beenleigh.

In late 2022 Christian Rivers was named as the Keebra Park SHS 2022 Hancock Cup School Boy Rugby League Player of the Year and Christian Rivers was also named on the bench in the 2022 Keebra Park SHS Rugby League Team of the Year, two absolutely outstanding achievements to say the least for the talented young forward.

In 2022 Christian Rivers started in the front row in all of Keebra Park SHS’s Hancock Cup school boy Rugby League matches, making a strong impression in each and every one of them. The 2022 Keebra Park SHS forward pack was exceptional and Christian Rivers was one of the key reasons that they dominated the majority of the forward packs that took Keebra Park SHS on.

2022 also saw Christian Rivers play for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in the GBJRL U4 Division One competition including starting in the second row in the Grand Final loss against the Redcliffe Dolphins.

Christian Rivers proved to be a try scorer of note for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in 2022 including scoring four doubles, the first of which came in Round Ten against Aspley, then Christian Rivers scored a double in Round Twelve against the Easts Tigers.

In the GBJRL U14 Division One competition regular season Christian Rivers also scored in Round Three against Aspley, Round Eight against the Norths Devils, Round Nine against Logan Brothers and Round Thirteen against the Redcliffe Dolphins.

Christian Rivers had a particularly strong 2022 GBJRL U14 Division One competition Finals series, scoring doubles in the Qualifying and Preliminary Finals, on both occasions in victories against Logan Brothers.

Christian Rivers is a big strong hard running young forward who really punishes defensive lines with his strength and power. For a big young man Christian Rivers also has the ability to run wider of the ruck targeting the smaller defenders.

I would argue that Christian Rivers speed for a front row/second row/lock is above average bordering on plus and with that he runs with exceptional power and regularly drops his chest into the initial defender in the opposition defensive line.

Christian Rivers also has a powerful fend with either arm and does not look to just hold off his opponent but actually look to push them physically away from his body. The final piece of the puzzle for Christian Rivers is developing his off-loading skills and whilst he has shown flashes of this skill attribute with continued experience and selectivity the ability to off load both prior to the line and once engaged will certainly come.

Christin Rivers is an aggressive defender whether he is defending in the centre of the ruck or on the fringes, and due to his natural strength is more than capable of defending one on one and can and will stop even the biggest opposing forwards in their tracks and targets the area around where the attackers carry the football.

Christian Rivers speed and lateral movement means that he will not be beaten by light stepping halves trying to take advantage of tiring forwards or the opposition running out of dummy half. I have noted that Christian Rivers is aggressive and seems to want to win every one on one battle and Christian Rivers invariably does.

2023 has seen Christian Rivers move up to the Keebra Park SHS Walters Cup School Boy side and Christian Rivers will also continue to play for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in the GBJRL U15 Division One competition. QSSRL U15 South Coast School Boy Rugby League Representative honours was also obtained by Christian Rivers in 2023.

2024 will see Christian Rivers move up to the Keebra Park SHS Langer Cup squad with Christian Rivers pushing for immediate playing time of the Keebra Park SHS Open A Langer Cup School Boy Rugby League squad. Christian Rivers should also line up for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls Cyril Connell Cup squad for the second season in a row.

Interestingly Christian Rivers started all of Keebra Park SHS’s 2023 Walters Cup School Boy matches in the front row and all of Wynnum Manly’s GBJRL U15 Division One matches in the second row. Ultimately though I believe that Christian Rivers will settle in the front row but similarly I am of the firm opinion that at least for the next couple of seasons, Christian Rivers will be able to continue to operate in the second row very successfully whether that is in relation to school boy, representative or club rugby league.

In many respects Christian Rivers has a similar playing style to that of Titans NRL, Queensland State of Origin and Tongan International front rower Moeaki Fotuaika. Both Fotuaika and Christian Rivers are solidly built young men with deceptive speed, late subtle and deceptive footwork and vastly under rated ball skills as well as defensively they are both very good.

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Anthony Solomon. 2023 saw Anthony Solomon part of the Souths Logan Magpies U18 Mal Meninga Cup squad with Anthony Solomon’s first appearance coming when he was named to come off the bench for the Magpies in Round Five against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Antony Solomon coming onto the field in the 27th minute of the match.

In 2023 Anthony Solomon also played for Souths in the BJRL U17 Division One Nev Blair Shield competition starting all of the matches at he played at lock and captain including Week One of the Finals against the Moreton Bay Raiders.

In the 2023 BJRL U17 Division One Nev Blair Shield regular season Anthony Solomon scored in Rounds One and Eight against Carina and Round Nine against Wynnum Manly.

Titans partnered Marsden SHS has a rich tradition of producing talented rugby league players with more than a few already linking with the Titans and another one on the production line from Marsden SHS’s Elite School Boy Rugby League Academy Program is Anthony Solomon who usually plays at five eight, including for the 2022 Ipswich Jets Cyril Connell Cup squad before his positional switch for Marsden SHS into the forward pack and what an inspired move it was from the Marsden SHS coaching staff with Anthony Solomon making an immediate and strong impact in his new position.

For Marsden SHS in 2022 the tall and athletic Anthony Solomon moved to lock from five eight and with his ball playing ability Antony Solomon made an immediate impact in the Walters Cup School Boy Rugby League competition including Anthony Solomon producing an outstanding display in the Walters Cup Grand Final against Keebra Park SHS especially from a defensive point of view with Anthony Solomon leaving the ribs of more than a few Keebra Park SHS players on the sore side after the match.

At the completion of the School Boy season Anthony Solomon was named on the bench in the highly impressive 2022 Courier Mail Walters Cup Team of the Year.

For the Ipswich Jets in the 2022 U16 Cyril Connell Cup competition Anthony Solomon came into the Jets squad in Round Four against the Wide Bay Bulls with Anthony Solomon starting that match off the bench before moving into the Jets starting side at five eight in Round Five against the Western Clydesdales.

The tall, long striding Anthony Solomon is at his best when he is operating in the fringes of the ruck where he can exploit gaps in the defensive line with his size and speed. When he runs Anthony Solomon is all arms, legs, knees and elbows and with his long stride and strong fend is a difficult proposition for defenders to handle in the context of getting him to the ground prior to Anthony Solomon being in a position to off load the ball effectively. Anthony Solomon has solid ball playing skills for a big forward including being able to pass prior to contact with the defensive line as well as when in contact.

Anthony Solomon’s leg drive and determination also enables him to be equally effective in relation to operating in traffic where as long as he gets his body height low he can shrug off would be tacklers by dropping his shoulder into the defender just as he starts to commit to the tackle, Anthony Solomon can then redirect his momentum and proceed down the field on a different vector to the one he was on prior to contact. For a player his size Anthony Solomon can quickly get to his feet in the context of getting a quick play the ball.

The other key feature of Anthony Solomon’s attacking play is his ability to off load the ball, he can pop a very good short ball from either side of his body but is very effective at keeping his right arm free when in contact with the defensive line and off load a well-timed and appropriately weighted pass to his support runners who have the confidence in him to be hitting the gaps at full speed.

In terms of overall speed, whilst above average for his position, Anthony Solomon when in space will be caught by cover defenders but he is quick enough to maintain separation until he has progressively worked through his options and invariably makes the right decision with the ball.

Defensively Anthony Solomon is adept at wrapping up the ball carrier and his initial contact is underrated as his primary function and goal is to wrap up the ball to prevent off loads. His stamina is such that you will see Anthony Solomon make multiple tackles in a short space of time and then immediately make himself available to take a hit up.

2024 will see Anthony Solomon continue to push for playing time in the Marsden SHS Langer Cup squad with Anthony Solomon looking to immediately break into the Marsden SHS Langer Cup Open A side in the very competitive school boy competition. Antony Solomon will also be likely to continue to be part of the 2024 Souths Logan Magpies MM Cup squad. Anthony Solomon will also likely to continued to play for Souths Acacia Ridge in 2024 in the GBJRL U18 Division One competition.

Anthony Solomon’s move to lock has been a master stroke and whilst no doubt with his ball playing ability Anthony Solomon could continue at five eight, he was so outstanding in 2022 and 2023 at lock that Antony Solomon’s potential in that position is almost unlimited.

Anthony Solomon is an intriguing and in some ways unique prospect and with his size, speed and power combination to go along with his elite ball playing skills, people should think of someone like Penrith Panthers, New South Wales State of Origin and Australian International Isiah Yeo as a player comparison for Anthony Solomon as a player who just looks a class apart from the majority of other players on the field.

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Christian Mikaele. In late 2022 Keebra Park SHS student Christian Mikaele was named in the 2023 Ipswich Jets U16 Cyril Connell Cup squad.

Round Three of the 2023 U16 Cyril Connell Cup competition saw Christian Mikaele named on the bench for the Ipswich Jets against the Western Clydesdales.

Christian Mikaele was then named to move into the Jets starting line-up at five eight in Round Four against the Wide Bay Bulls with Christian Mikaele scoring in the 59th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball eighteen metres out, Christian Mikaele ran the ball to his left shaping to pass both to his left and right before Christian Mikaele stepped off his right foot before crashing through three defenders to score seven metres in from the left corner post untouched.

Christian Mikaele also recorded two try assists against the Bulls with the first coming in the 25th minute when from the right of the play the ball, eleven metres out and down a short right blindside, Christian Mikaele put up a high right foot chip kick which was ideally weighted and went over the out stretched arm of the Bulls left winger and into the waiting arms of the Jets left winger in the in-goal to score.

Christian Mikaele recorded his second try assist of the match early in the second half in the 34th minute when to the right of the play the ball and twelve metres out from the try line Christian Mikaele ran the ball down a short right blindside and after taking the ball deep into the defensive line Christina Mikaele, from eight metres out, put in a right foot grubber kick into the in-goal with his right winger winning the race to ground the ball in the in-goal three metres in from the right corner post.

As a result of his exceptional performance Christian Mikaele was named at five eight in the 2023 Courier Mail Cyril Connell Cup Round Four Team of the Week.

Christian Mikaele continued at five eight in Round Five against the Sunshine Coast Falcons with Christian Mikaele scoring one try and setting up another.

Christian Mikaele scored in the 6th minute when he ran to his left from dummy half to crash over from six metres out to ground the ball mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Christian Mikaele recorded his try assist in the 29th minute when from around ten metres out and in the centre of the field Christina Mikaele put in a right foot chip kick towards the left corner which was perfectly weighted and landed in the arms of the Jets left winger in the in-goal to score.

Christian Mikaele continued at five eight in Round Six against the Western Clydesdales with Christian Mikaele scoring in the 29th minute of a 40 – 20 Jets victory.

In the 30th minute the Jets made a line break down the right touchline from deep inside their own territory and after backing up on the inside Christian Mikaele received the pass from his right winger who had drawn the fullback with Christian Mikaele having a twenty five metre run to dive over to score five metres to the right of the uprights.

Christian Mikaele also started at five eight in Round Seven against the Wide Bay Bulls.

Christian Mikaele finished the 2023 CC Cup season scoring four tries and recording four try assists.

Christian Mikaele’s performances over the course of the 2023 U16 Cyril Connell Cup season saw Christian Mikaele named on the bench in the 2023 Courier Mail Cyril Connell Cup White Team of the Season.

Christian Mikaele played for Keebra Park SHS in 2023 once again including starting at hooker for Keebra Park SHS in the Titans Cup Year 11/12 Division One Grand Final against Marymount College with Christian Mikaele making a big front on tackle on the Marymount College left winger thirty metres out from the try line.

Round One of the 2023 Ipswich Rugby League U16 competition was Christian Mikaele start at fullback for Goodna against Redbank Plains with Christian Mikaele one of Goodna’s try scorers. Christian Mikaele then moved to five eight for Round Two against Ipswich Brothers.

Christian Mikaele then moved back to fullback in Round Six against the Norths Tigers and continued at fullback in Round Eight against Ipswich Brothers and Round Eleven against Redbank. Christian Mikaele then moved back to five eight in Round Twelve against the Springfield Panthers.

In 2022 Christian Mikaele attended Keebra Park SHS playing in the Titans Cup School Boy competition and operating at lock and five eight for Keebra Park SHS.

Also in 2022 Christian Mikaele played for Goodna in the Ipswich Rugby League U15 competition with Christian Mikaele starting at five eight and captain in all of Goodna’s matches.

Christian Mikaele had a particularly strong 2022 Ipswich Rugby League U15 Grand Final scoring a hat trick in Goonda’s 40 – 16 impressive victory against Ipswich Brothers.

In the 2022 Ipswich Rugby League U15 regular season competition Christian Mikaele scored five tries including a double in Round Twelve against the Fassifern Bombers. Christian Mikaele also scored in Round One against the Lowood Stags and against Norths in Rounds Three and Ten. Christian Mikaele also kicked conversions in Round Eight against Lowood and Round Twelve against the Fassifern Bombers.

Christian Mikaele finished as the 2022 Ipswich Rugby League U15 competitions equal third leading try scorer with eight tries and equal eight in overall points with thirty six from his eight tries and two conversions.

Christian Mikaele also played for Goonda in 2021 in the Ipswich Rugby League U14 competition once again at five eight and Christian Mikaele scored in Round Three and Ten against Laidley and Rounds Twelve against Norths. Christian Mikaele also kicked conversions in Rounds Three and Twelve against Laidley and Norths respectively.

Christian Mikaele’s calling card from an attacking perspective is his passing and game management abilities. He seems to have the ability to drift across the field and a wait for opportunities to develop as a defender on the edge of the ruck over commits causing gaps to develop in the defensive line. Once a gap develops Christian Mikaele’s has quick hands and timing to provide a weighted pass to his support runners.

In relation to his speed Christian Mikaele does not appear to be overly quick, but he does have some reasonable speed off the mark, which is complemented by the fact that he runs at the right moment, for example when he is drifting across field he will dummy and run when defenders anticipate the pass rather than focussing on him running the ball.

For a five eight I would agree that his speed when be considered average for a five eight, but if Christian Mikaele transitions to the back row I would consider it to be above average for that position. Christian Mikaele does not appear to have an extra gear when he gets into open space.

Christian Mikaele’s kicking game is very accurate, and he can generate very good distance on his right foot kicks whilst at the same time not losing too much accuracy, thus he has the ability to find the ground regularly for a lot of his kicks allowing his teams chasers more time to get down field and thus gaining an advantage in relation to field position.

Christian Mikaele also has the ability to kick very high bombs, allowing plenty of time for his chasers to get to the ball or the defender. Christian Mikaele is also a very good goal kicker and has the potential to be his team’s primary goal kicking and tactical kicking option moving into the next stage of his rugby league career being the senior rugby league ranks.

Defensively Christian Mikaele tackles well low and that is seemingly his main tactic against wide running forwards rather than trying to tackle them ball and all but due to his size and strength Christian Mikaele’s initial contact is strong and he will not shirk his defensive responsibilities.

2023 saw Christian Mikaele start the season as part of the Ipswich Jets Cyril Connell Cup squad and Christian Mikaele will also continue to play for Goonda in the Ipswich Rugby League U17 Division One competition (no U16 competition). Christian Mikaele also continued at Keebra Park SHS and in 2023 playing in the Titans Cup School Boy Rugby League competition.

2024 will see Christian Mikaele start the season as part of the Ipswich Jets MM Cup squad and also will continue to player for Goodna in the Ipswich Rugby league U18 competition. Christian Mikaele will also continue at attend Keebra Park SHS will Christian Mikaele pushing for playing time in the School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup competition.

For Goonda in the Ipswich Rugby League U15 competition Christian Mikaele has played exclusively at five eight but for Keebra Park SHS in the School Boy Titans Cup, Christian Mikaele operated at either lock or second row. Christian Mikaele is a big strong young man with good ball playing skills and as a result I personally believe that Christian Mikaele’s best position moving forward is as a ball playing lock before Christian Mikaele potentially moves into the second row later in his career. In saying that however Christian Mikaele’s performances for the Ipswich Jets in the 2023 CC Cup competition highlights the fact that Christian Mikaele will also continue to operate at five eight at least in the short term.

From a player comparison perspective for Christian Mikaele, think along the lines of someone like Cronulla Sharks, New South Wales State of Origin and Australian International second rower Wade Graham as a player who played some junior rugby league at five eight before settling in the backrow and developing into a solid ball playing forward who can pop a short pass to his supports both prior to the line or when engaged with the defensive line a sell as a solid defender on the fringes of the ruck.

Former Wavell SHS and current Canterbury Bulldogs five eight Karl Oloapu is also a solid player comparison for Christian Mikaele with both being big strong young men with the ability to both run the ball themselves as well as setting up team mates with an above average to plus ball playing skill set.

[mdrew]

Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri. Round Three of the 2023 U18 Mal Meninga Cup competition saw Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri interestingly named to start at five eight for his MM Cup debut for the Souths Logan Magpies against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri kicking three conversions in a heart breaking late loss for the Magpies.

Cairo Rangihuna-Riri kicked his first conversion in the 12th minute from twelve metres to the left of the uprights and then kicked his second conversion in the 24th minute from ten metres to the right of the uprights. Cairo Rangahuna-Riri’s third and final conversion was kicked in the 54th minute from five metres to the left of the uprights.

Cairo Rangahuna-Riri’s initial strong run of the match came in the 4th minute when from the left of a Souths Logan scrum win ten metres out from the try line Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri received the ball from the back of the scrum eight metres out and after stepping inside of his left foot Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri was able to get the ball a metre over the twenty metre mark.

Cairo Rangahuna-Riri also made a strong run in the 11th minute when after taking possession of the ball from a Wynnum Manly goal line drop-out forty four metres out from the try line with Cairo Rangahuna-Riri returning the ball to within eighteen metres of the try line.

Cairo Rangahuna-Riri continued at five eight in Round Six against the Brisbane Tigers with Cairo Rangahuna-Riri scored twenty two points from a try and nine goals. Some of Cairo Rangahuna-Riki’s conversions were outstanding kicks from the touchline including in the 3rd minute with the conversion of Philip Coates second minute try. Then also from the right touchline in the 23rd minute Cairo Rangahuna-Riri converted Dylan Gallagher’s try. Cairo Rangahuna-Riri then moved over to the left touchline to convert Israel Leota’s 30th minute try

Cairo Rangahuna-Riri scored in the 60th minute when after backing up a Magpies break that started as a result of a strong run and off-load by William Semu received an off-load from his right from Xavier Atoa twenty five metres out and then Cairo Rangahuna-Riri burst between defenders including carrying one eight metres to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field. Cairo Rangahuna-Riri then stepped up to convert his own try.

Cairo Rangahuna-Riri also recorded a line break assist in the 50th minute when from twenty five metres out from the try line and to the left of the play the ball Cairo Rangahuna-Riri took the ball right to the defensive line before throwing a good short ball to his left to put his second rower through a gap for him to be tackled within two metres of the try line.

Cairo Rangahuna-Riri’s performance saw him named in the 2023 Courier Mail MM Cup Round Six Team of the Week.

Cairo Rangahuna-Riri also started at five eight in Round Seven against the Norths Devils with Cairo Rangahuna-Riri scoring a try and kicking three conversions.

Cairo Rangahuna-Riri scored in the 13th minute when after the Magpies made a long line break down the left touchline only to be tackled two metres out, Cairo Rangahuna-Riri received the ball from the dummy half to the left of the play the ball and from three metres out slide between two defenders to score ten metres in from the left corner post.

Cairo Rangahuna-Riri finished the 2023 MM Cup season recording three try assists and three line break assists.

In early March 2023 Cairo Rangahuna-Riri was named in the Met East Open School Boy Rugby League Representative side out of Marsden SHS with Cairo Rangahuna-Riri coming onto the field to operate at right second row before moving to left second row in the second half.

In addition to kicking a 54th minute conversion from two metres to the right of the uprights, Cairo Rangahuna-Riri recorded a 57th minute try assist when after receiving the ball twelve metres out and to the right of the play the ball Cairo Rangahuna-Riri ran to his right and after dummying to an inside runner Cairo Rangahuna-Riri threw a great short ball to put his right centre into a hole and subsequently over to score.

Cairo Rangahuna-Riri almost scored himself in the 27th minute after a twelve metres run down the left side of the field but Cairo Rangahuna-Riri lost control of the ball just as he was able to put it down.

Cairo Rangahuna-Riri also recorded a line break assist in the 20th minute when after taking possession of the ball from a South West kick-off, Cairo Rangahuna-Riri when thirty metres out from his own try line drew one defender and put William Semu away down the left touchline with the winger subsequently able to put Javon Andrews over to score directly from the kick-off.

Cairo Rangahuna-Riri also started from the bench on Day Two against South Coast with Cairo Rangahuna-Riri coming onto the field to operate at left second row in the 20th minute and in the 48th minute Cairo Rangahuna-Riri made an eighteen metre run down the right channel to get within five metres of the halfway mark.

Cairo Ranganhura-Ruri also started from the bench on Day Three against Met West with Cairo Ranganhura-Riri coming onto the field in the 37th minute to operate at right second row.

Cairo Ranganhura-Ruri continued from the bench on Day Four against Met West and after coming off the bench in the 14th minute to play at left second row Cairo Ranganhura-Ruri scored in the 35th minute when after receiving the ball two passes to the left of a Met East scrum win twenty three metres from the try line Cairo Ranganhura-Ruri broke two tackles as he scored two metres to the left of the uprights.

Cairo Ranganhura-Ruri started Round One of the 2023 School Boy Langer competition at right second row for Marsden SHS against PBC SHS with Cairo Ranganhura-Ruri making a strong drop-out return in the 6th minute with Cairo Ranganhura-Ruri carrying the ball to within eighteen metres of the try line.

Cairo Ranganhura-Ruri was also named at right second row for Round Two against Keebra Park SHS with the match played at Cbus Stadium as a curtain-raiser to the Titans Round Fifteen NRL match against the Wests Tigers however a late change saw Cairo Ranganhura-Ruri start the match from the bench.

Cairo Ranganhura-Ruri came onto the field to operate at right second row late in the first half and came close to scoring in the 28th minute when he chased through a Marsden SHS grubber kick into the in-goal but grounded the ball just over the dead ball line.

Cairo Ranganhura-Ruri continued at left second row in Round Three against Caloundra SHS with Cairo Ranganhura-Riri scoring in the 11th minute when after receiving the ball two passes to the left of the play the ball and twelve metres from the try line Cairo Ranganhura-Ruri stepped off his left foot twice in quick succession to wrong foot defenders to score ten metres to the left of the uprights.

Cairo Ranganhura-Ruri also started at left second row in Round Four against Wavell SHS with Cairo Ranganhura-Ruri scoring in the 28th minute with a four metre run into a gap off a good short ball from his inside from Javon Andrews to score midway between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Cairo Ranganhura-Ruri also recorded a line break assist in the 28th minute when from two passes to the left of a Marsden SHS scrum win Cairo Ranganhura-Ruri engaged the Wavell SHS defensive line and was then bale to get a great right arm around the corner off-load away to his left on his own thirty five metre line to put his left centre away downfield.

Cairo Ranganhura-Ruri then continued at left second row in Round Five against Redcliffe SHS which was played at Dolphin Oval as an NRL curtain raiser in a match between the Dolphins and Penrith.

Cairo Ranganhura-Ruri scored for Marsden SHS in the 35th minute when after five eight Javon Andrews had received an off-load he got a quick short ball away to his left to put Cairo Ranganhura-Ruri into space forty four metres out with Cairo Ranganhura-Ruri then charging downfield. Cairo Ranganhura-Ruri then dummied to his left to beat the Redcliffe SHS fullback and race away to score nine metres to the left of the uprights.

Earlier Cairo Ranganhura-Ruri had made the second hit-up of the match to get the ball out to the thirty four metre mark.

Cairo Ranganhura-Ruri also started at left second row in the Round Six Logan derby against Mabel Park SHS with Cairo Ranganhura-Ruri making sixteen metres down the left channel in the 22nd minute to get the ball to within five metres of the halfway mark with Cairo Ranganhura-Ruri winning a penalty for a strip of the ball with two players in the tackle. Cairo Ranganhura-Ruri then took the hit-up from the penalty restart making a further ten metres.

Cairo Ranganhura-Ruri continued at left second row in Round Seven against Ipswich SHS.

After Marsden SHS finished on top of the 2023 School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup table after the completion of the regular season, Cairo Ranganhura-Ruri started at left second row for Marsden SHS in their Quarter Final clash against Caloundra SHS with Cairo Ranganhura-Ruri scoring a double in a strong Marsden SHS victory.

Cairo Ranganhura-Ruri scored his opening try in the 26th minute with a seven metre run off a good ball from his inside with Cairo Ranganhura-Ruri getting the ball down six metres in from the left corner post.

Cairo Ranganhura-Ruri scored his second try in the 59th minute when after receiving an off-load sixteen metres from the try line, Cairo Ranganhura-Ruri initially ran to his left before straightening up his run by stepping off his left foot and charging to the try line and score ten metres to the left of the uprights.

Cairo Ranganhura-Ruri made the first of multiple strong runs in the 2nd minute when from the right of the play the ball Cairo Ranganhura-Ruri carried the ball out from his own twenty five metre mark to the forty metre mark.

Cairo Ranganhura-Ruri was also named at left second row in the Langer Cup Semi-Final against PBC SHS with Cairo Ranganhura-Ruri making a sixteen metre run down the left channel in the 10th minute to get the ball into PBC SHS territory.

One of the best (if not the best) players in the 2022 Langer Reserve School Boy Rugby League competition was Titans partnered Marsden SHS second rower Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri who put in some outstanding performances including a dominant Langer Reserve School Boy Grand Final performance against fellow Titans partnered PBC State High School.

Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri played the majority of the 2022 School Boy Rugby League season in the Langer Reserve competition including an outstanding performance that included a fifty metre try against Redcliffe SHS but Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri did make a number of appearances off the bench for Marsden SHS in the Langer Cup Open A competition.

Prior to moving over to Australia to attend the Marsden SHS Rugby League Specialisation Program, Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri had a distinguished representative rugby league career in New Zealand including a dominating performance for the U16 South Island Scorpions in the 2021 U16 New Zealand Rugby League National Youth Championships, with Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri leading the way with a hat trick in the Grand Final against the Wellington Orca’s in a big 42 – 6 Scorpions victory. Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri also scored a hat trick against the Orca’s in Round One of the Championships.

Prior to the 2021 National Youth Championships Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri was named the U16 Most Valuable Player at the 2021 Southern Zone Rugby League Tournament with Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri representing Canterbury in the Tournament.

Prior to his move to Marsden SHS Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri attended Shirley Boys High in Canterbury on New Zealand’s South Island and as a 16 year old in 2021 Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri was part of the Shirley Boys High First XV side with Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri interestingly playing at fullback in the First XV including an exceptional performance by Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri after starting the match at No. 15 against St Bedes.

From a club rugby league perspective in New Zealand Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri played multiple seasons with the powerful Linwood Kea’s rugby league club that is based in Canterbury in New Zealand’s South Island.

Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri is an outstanding athlete and this can be seen when he is running with the football. In his carries Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri 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.

Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri 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, Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri does not try to run over defenders, but Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri runs at the gaps between defenders and uses his running speed to break through if defenders only use their arms on the tackle.

Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri 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 he can certainly play on the right), means that his left foot step and his fending using his right hand are the effective attributes, but based on his physical attributes, his skill set and his understanding of how to play the game means that I have no doubt that these attributes are transferrable to playing on the right hand side of the field.

In defence Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri 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 Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri has the ability to hit very hard defensively by setting a good base and driving through his lower body and core into his opponent. Ultimately though Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri is a strong defender with a good front on defensive technique and good to above average lateral movement to track and defend against smaller opponents either on the fringes or centre of the ruck.
The strong, tall young man originally from Canterbury in New Zealand was outstanding in his first season in Australia for Marsden SHS in the Langer Cup School Boy competition in 2022 and Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri only got in 2023 when Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri was a key member of the Marsden SHS Langer Cup Open A forward pack after playing a number of matches off the bench in 2022, being Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri’s first season in Australia as previously noted after Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri started the 2023 season off as part of the Souths Logan Magpies MM Cup squad.

2024 will see Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri be in line to move up to the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition, most likely with the Souths Logan Magpies with Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri also Colts eligible in the 2025 and 2026.

Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri has played exclusively in the second row since his move to Australia to attend the Marsden SHS Elite Rugby League Academy and with his potent size and speed combination Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri appears destined to continue in the second row in rugby league for the foreseeable future.

Devastating Manly Sea Eagles and Tongan International second rower Haumole Olakau’atu is for me a fair, strong and accurate playing style comparison for Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri. Both Olakau’atu and Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri are powerful and near unstoppable ball runners against defenders in one on one situations on the fringes of the ruck and likewise both Olakau’atu and Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri have not even come close to scratching the surface of their immense potential even though they are already both very very good.

[mdrew]

Tavake Tau’a’alo. In late September 2022 Tavake Tau’a’alo was named in the 2023 Tweed Heads Seagulls U16 Cyril Connell Cup squad.

Tavake Tau’a’alo’s first match in 2023 came in late January when he lined up for the Tweed Heads Seagulls CC Cup squad in their first 2023 trial against the Souths Logan Magpies at the Logan Metro Sports Complex.

Tavake Tau’a’alo was then part of the Seagulls squad for their second trial against the Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup side at Burleigh Juniors as part of the Titans Annual Super Saturday.

After Tweed Heads had a Round One bye Tavake Tau’a’alo was named on the bench in Round One of the 2023 U16 Cyril Connell Cup against the Brisbane Tigers.

Tavake Tau’a’alo then started in the front row in Round Four against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Tavake Tau’a’alo making the opening tackle of the match on the Wynnum Manly No. 10 from the Tweed Heads kick-off.

Tavake Tau’a’alo made some exceptional runs in the match but there was none better than his charge in the 59th minute from a Wynnum Manly goal line drop-out return. Tavake Tau’a’alo received the ball forty metres out and charged at the defensive line and punching through the line to get within two metres of the try line.

One of Tavake Tau’a’alo’s first strong runs of the match came in the 21st minute when from the left of the play the ball and twenty metres out from the try line Tavake Tau’a’alo cut back behind the play the ball and got to less than a metre out from the try line before multiple Wynnum Manly defenders had to commit to the tackle to stop Tavake Tau’a’alo from scoring a powerhouse try.

Then in the 45th minute, Tavake Tau’a’alo from a Tweed Heads penalty tap restart burst onto the ball twenty metres out from his own try line to make eighteen metres. Then in the 51st minute from the left of the play the ball and forty metres from his own try line Tavake Tau’a’alo carried a number of Wynnum Manly ten metres inside their own territory.

Tavake Tau’a’alo then started from the bench in Round Five against the Souths Logan Magpies with Tavake Tau’a’alo coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 14th minute of the match.

Tavake Tau’a’alo also started from the bench in Round Six against the Norths Devils with Tavake Tau’a’alo coming onto the field to operate in the front row mid-way through the first half.

The first of a number of strong runs from Tavake Tau’a’alo came in the 21st minute from an underneath route from thirty metres out and to the right of the play the ball with Tavake Tau’a’alo able to get the ball within seven metres of the try line. Then in the 24th minute Tavake Tau’a’alo ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball and was able to get the ball from eight metres inside his own territory to nine metres inside Devils territory.

Then in the 44th minute from the left of the play the ball and twenty three metres from the try line Tavake Tau’a’alo was able to get to five metres from the try line before getting an off-load away to a trailing Harrison Doherty.

Tavake Tau’a’alo made a strong return from a Norths goal line drop-out with Tavake Tau’a’alo receiving the ball forty five metres out and getting the ball to eighteen metres out with Tavake Tau’a’alo then able to get a right arm off-load away to his left to his fullback. Then in the 47th minute from the kick-off return after a Seagulls penalty goal Tavake Tau’a’alo was able to get the ball twenty three metres away from his own try line.

Tavake Tau’a’alo also came off the bench in the Round Seven local derby against the Burleigh Bears with Tavake Tau’a’alo scoring a strong try after coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 15th minute.

Tavake Tau’a’alo scored in the 36th minute when after a Seagulls play the ball two metres out from the try line on the left side of the field the dummy half ran to his right with Tavake Tau’a’alo running back inside to take the inside pass and crash over mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Tavake Tau’a’alo had made an earlier strong run in the 24th minute from five metres inside Burleigh territory with Tavake Tau’a’alo receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball and getting the ball to the thirty one metre mark with around 70% of those metres being post contact.

Tavake Tau’a’alo also did well in the 20th minute when after the Burleigh right winger made a line break through the centre of the Seagulls defensive line, Tavake Tau’a’alo chased and caught him still five metres from the halfway mark.

Tavake Tau’a’alo finished the 2023 CC Cup season running for 438 metres at an average of eighty eight metres per game.

Round One of the 2023 Walters Cup School Boy competition saw Tavake Tau’a’alo named on the bench for Keebra Park SHS against Ipswich SHS with Tavake Tau’a’alo scoring in the 28th minute four metres to the left of the uprights after receiving a pass from his left form Gazniah To’omaga who had broken through the Stretton State College defensive line and drawn the fullback.

Earlier in the 21st minute Tavake Tau’a’alo from the right of the play the ball carried the ball sixteen metres to within thirty metres of the try line.

Tavake Tau’a’alo then moved into the starting side in the front row for Round Two against Marsden SHS.

Tavake Tau’a’alo continued in the front row in Round Three against Redcliffe SHS with Tavake Tau’a’alo taking the second hit-up of the match after the kick-off.

Tavake Tau’a’alo continued in the front row in Round Five against Wavell SHS.

Tavake Tau’a’alo also started in the front row in the Round Six Gold Coast School Boy derby against PBC SHS with Tavake Tau’a’alo getting the ball to the twenty metre mark from a kick-off return in the 7th minute.

The 54th minute saw Tavake Tau’a’alo run onto the ball to the left of the dummy half to carry the ball from ten metres inside his own territory to fifteen metres inside his own territory to 70% of the metres that Tavake Tau’a’alo made being post contact.

Then from a Keebra Park SHS penalty tap restart in the 54th minute Tavake Tau’a’alo was able to get the ball to within ten metres of the try line after commencing his run from twenty one metres out.

Tavake Tau’a’alo continued in the front row in Round Seven against Mabel Park SHS with Tavake Tau’a’alo taking the second hit-up of the match to get the ball out to the twenty five metre mark before getting an off-load away to his right.

In the 9th minute from the right of the play the ball Tavake Tau’a’alo was able to carry the ball from twenty eight metres out from the try line to within nine metres of the halfway mark then two tackles later Tavake Tau’a’alo was able to make a further eight metres.

Tavake Tau’a’alo, in the 48th minute and to the right of the play the ball was able to make ten metres to within sixteen metres of the try line before getting a good left arm off-load away.

Tavake Tau’a’alo then started from the bench in the Semi-final against Wavell SHS and after coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 12th minute Tavake Tau’a’alo almost immediately made sixteen metres to get the ball to thirty four metres from the try line.

The powerful front rower attends Keebra Park State High School and in 2022 and was part of the Keebra Park SHS Hancock Cup School Boy Rugby League side where Tavake Tau’a’alo dominated a number of matches with his powerful running and strong defence.

Tavake Tau’a’alo started Round One of the 2022 Hancock Cup against Ipswich SHS in the front row and also started in the front row in Round Two against Redcliffe SHS.

Tavake Tau’a’alo started Round Four of the Hancock Cup in the front row against Mabel Park State High School with Tavake Tau’a’alo playing a key role in Keebra Park SHS’s 20 – 18 victory by way of a last minute penalty goal with Tavake Tau’a’alo playing a kay role in winning the penalty for Keebra Park SHS.

The match saw Tavake Tau’a’alo score two of Keebra Park SHS’s three tries with the first coming in the 13th minute when after charging onto the ball to the left of the play the ball around twelve metres out, Tavake Tau’a’alo broke through two tackles before stepping off his left still around eight metres out and then carried four defenders towards the line before reaching out to get the ball down after reaching forward with the ball in his right hand.

Tavake Tau’a’alo scored his second try of the match in the 34th minute when Tavake Tau’a’alo ran an inside shoulder route from the right of the play to charge over to score under the posts from ten metres out.

Tavake Tau’a’alo almost scored an earlier try in the 33rd minute when from ten metres out Tavake Tau’a’alo got within a metres of the try line next to the left upright before four defenders finally brought him to the ground in a desperate last ditch tackle.

Tavake Tau’a’alo’s first strong run of the match came in the 8th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball around thirty two metres out, Tavake Tau’a’alo looked held still twenty five metres out but he forced his way out of a three person tackle through sheer will, before carrying four more defenders to within eleven metres of the try line.

Then in the 36th minute after Mabel Park SHS were penalised for being offside from a kick-off Tavake Tau’a’alo who had taken the kick-off on the full back near his own try line raced to the halfway mark to take a tap and even against a set defensive line Tavake Tau’a’alo was able to make thirty metres, breaking numerous tackles along the way.

As noted above Tavake Tau’a’alo was heavily involved in winning a penalty in the dying minutes to give Keebra Park SHS the victory. With time running down Keebra Park SHS were awarded a penalty around twenty metres out, Tavake Tau’a’alo took a quick tap and got the ball to around four metres out from the try line and was awarded a penalty when his quick tap caught multiple Mabel Park SHS defenders offside.

Tavake Tau’a’alo also started in the front row in Round Five against Forest Lake SHS with Tavake Tau’a’alo scoring a strong try in the 33rd minute when after he received a pass from his right, Tavake Tau’a’alo stepped off his left foot to run over one defender ten metres from the line and then Tavake Tau’a’alo dragged four Forest Lake SHS defenders over the try line in a run that included a 360 degrees clockwise spin with Tavake Tau’a’alo getting the ball down ten metres to the left of the uprights.

Tavake Tau’a’alo showcased all sorts of skills in the match including a right foot grubber kick from ten metres out in the 14th minute with Keebra Park SHS getting a repeat set of six tackles with Keebra Park SHS scoring in that set.

Tavake Tau’a’alo continued in the front row in Round Six against PBC SHS with Tavake Tau’a’alo making a sixteen metre charge through the centre of the field to get the ball ten metres into PBC SHS territory. Tavake Tau’a’alo also did well in the 27th minute when after the PBC SHS fullback broke the defensive line, Tavake Tau’a’alo chased him down from behind in an impressive show of speed and determination.

Tavake Tau’a’alo continued in the front row against Marsden SHS with Tavake Tau’a’alo making a line break in the 8th minute from a penalty tap restart on his own twenty metre mark with Tavake Tau’a’alo promoting the ball all of the way to the halfway mark.

In 2021 Tavake Tau’a’alo represented Tonga at the QPICC Carnival and was named the Tongan U14 Player of the Carnival after operating primarily in the second row.

Tavake Tau’a’alo is a big strong powerful aggressive young man and uses these attributes when he runs with the ball, Tavake Tau’a’alo will take the line on and look to drop his shoulder into the first defender who is looking to initiate contact.

Tavake Tau’a’alo can also off load the football both before the line and when he is being tackled, he seems to be one of those players with the innate ability to get his hands free, or more accurately his right hand free.

Tavake Tau’a’alo is always the player standing back deep from kick ups to take the first hit up and will charge straight at the line. Tavake Tau’a’alo also is quite quick for a big young man, both in terms of explosive speed off the mark and agile from a footwork perspective but also with speed over an extended distance.

In defence, Tavake Tau’a’alo can certainly hit very hard and for a solidly built player has quite decent endurance thus allowing him to get back quickly into the defensive line play after play. Where Tavake Tau’a’alo is also very good, due to his good athletic skills is for a front rower is effectively tackling smaller attackers in the centre of the ruck. Tavake Tau’a’alo does not fall for dummies and is difficult to step as he mirrors the lateral movement of the attacker to effectively wrap up the opposing player.

In 2024 Tavake Tau’a’alo will move up to the Keebra Park State High School Langer Cup School Boy Rugby League side with Tavake Tau’a’alo pushing for immediate playing time in the Open A or Reserve side. Tavake Tau’a’alo will start the season with the Tweed Heads Seagulls in either the CC Cup or MM Cup depending on changes to the ages for those competitions in 2024 and beyond.

Tavake Tau’a’alo, for his size and strength is exceptionally quick and mobile, whilst maintaining his strength and power and even though he is outstanding on the fringes of the ruck, Tavake Tau’a’alo will without a doubt develop into a powerhouse front rower with exceptional speed, mobility and power for his size and for the position that he plays.

From a player comparison perspective for Tavake Tau’a’alo, think of someone along the lines of a young version of Sydney Roosters and New Zealand International Jarred Warea-Hargreaves and a big strong powerful front rower who is as skilful as he is intimidating.

Tavake Tau’a’alo has a huge amount of potential and hopefully for him everything comes together and Tavake Tau’a’alo can develop into the best player he can be there is certainly a lot of raw ability and untapped potential for him to work with.