My take on our top juniors

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Aaron Singh-Goesel. In late September 2023 Aaron Singh-Goesel was named in the 2024 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad.

Round One of the 2023 School Boy Langer Cup competition saw Aaron Singh-Goesel named on the bench for PBC SHS against Marsden SHS with Aaron Singh-Goesel operating at left second row after coming off the bench in the 22nd minute with Aaron Singh-Goesel charging onto the ball in the 24th minute to carry the ball from twenty five metres out from his own try line to within eight metres of the try line.

Aaron Singh-Goesel was also named on the bench for Round Two against Caloundra SHS with Aaron Singh-Goesel coming off the bench to operate at left second row in the 22nd minute with Aaron Singh-Goesel’s initial run coming shortly after with Aaron Singh-Goesel making fourteen metres down the left channel from his own twenty metre mark.

Then in the 46th minute Aaron Singh-Goesel carried the ball within eight metres of the halfway mark and making fourteen metres to the left of the play the ball.

Then in the 54th minute Aaron Singh-Goesel made a good covering tackle moving to his left and round three metres from the try line on the Caloundra SHS fullback who had tried to slide a gap but Aaron Singh-Goesel uickly and efficiency closed it.

Aaron Singh-Goesel continued from the bench in Round Three against Mabel Park SHS with Aaron Singh-Goesel playing at left second row after coming onto the field in the second half.

In early August 2022 Aaron Singh-Goesel was deservedly named as one of the four 2022 Tom Searle Rugby League Scholarship winners at a ceremony attended by the likes of Greg Ingles.

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

Aaron Singh-Goesel was involved in the Northern Rivers Titans opening 2023 U18 Laurie Daley Cup trial against the North Coast Bulldogs in Coffs Harbour. Aaron Singh-Goesel then was part of the Northern Rivers Titans second trial against the Tweed Heads Seagulls U18 MM Cup side at Burleigh Juniors as part of the Titans Annual Super Saturday series of matches.

Round One of the 2023 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition saw Aaron Singh-Goesel named at left second row for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights.

Aaron Singh-Goesel was also named at left second row for Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters with Aaron Singh-Goesel making a desperate cover defending tackle in the 4th minute on the Rooster right centre who had made a line break down his right touchline. Aaron Singh Goesel never gave up the chase from the inside and dived full length to get to the centre and completely halt his forward momentum.

Aaron Singh-Goesel made a strong run in the 38th minute when after cutting back underneath Jesse Soric thirty five metres out Aaron Singh-Goesel burst through the Roosters defensive line before eventually being brought to ground eighteen metres out. Then in the 55th minute Aaron Singh-Goesel made fifteen hard metres, the majority of which were post contact down the left channel to get the ball to within twenty two metres of the try line.

Aaron Singh-Goesel was also named at left second row for Round Three against the South Coast Dragons.

Aaron Singh-Goesel moved to the bench for Round Four against the Northern Tigers with Aaron Singh-Goesel coming onto field in the second half to play left second row.

Aaron Singh-Goesel then moved back into the Northern Rivers starting side at left second row in Round Five against the North Coast Bulldogs with Aaron Singh-Goesel coming close to scoring in the 28th minute only to be held up over the try line ten metres in from the left corner post after a strong ten metre run.

In the 42nd minute Aaron Singh-Goesel was able to make twelve metres to get the ball forty two metres away from his own try line after charging onto the ball to the right of the play the ball.

In the 7th minute along with Brady Turner, Aaron Singh-Goesel did well to hold up the North Coast lock over the try line after he had tried to barge his way over. Aaron Singh-Goesel made another strong tackle in the 27th minute with a heavy front-on hit on the North Coast No. 11 thirty five metres out from the try line with Aaron Singh-Goesel’s initial contact rocking the North Coast forward.

Aaron Singh-Goesel made another good defensive hit in the 52nd minute when he raced out of the defensive line to crunch the North Coast five eight just he was receiving the ball with Aaron Singh-Goesel driving him backwards so that North Coast lost ten metres on the play.

In early 2023 Aaron Singh-Goesel was named in the South Coast Maroon School Boy Open Representative side with Aaron Singh-Goesel starting from the bench on Day One against Met North.

After coming onto the field to operate at right second row in the second half Aaron Singh-Goesel had a huge impact in the South Coast Maroon victory by scoring twice.

Aaron Singh-Goesel scored his first try in the 37th minute with a smart piece of play. Aaron Singh-Goesel was charging at full pace onto the ball on the right side of the field but the pass came to him very low so instead of trying to catch the pass from his left Aaron Singh-Goesel toe’d the ball forward into the in-goal from sixteen metres out and won the race to the ball to score five metres in from the right corner post.

Aaron Singh-Goesel completed his double in the 41st minute when he chased through a short grubber kick into the in-goal out of dummy half from Will Saunders with Aaron Singh-Goesel getting to the ball first to ground the ball ten metres in from the right corner post.

Aaron Singh-Goesel also started from the bench on Day Two against Met West with Aaron Singh-Goesel coming onto the field in the 24th minute to operate at right second row with Aaron Singh-Goesel recording a line break assist in the 37th minute when a good catch and pass to his right from the right of the play the ball and thirty metres out to give his right centre a twenty metre run downfield.

Aaron Singh-Goesel also started from the bench on Day Three against Capricornia with Aaron Singh-Goesel operating at right second row in the 20th minute.

Aaron Singh-Goesel then moved into the South Coast Maroon starting side at left second row in the Day Four third against fourth play-off against Sunshine Coast with Aaron Singh-Goesel chasing a South Coast Maroon kick into the in-goal and tackling the Sunshine Coast fullback in-goal to force a goal line drop-out. Then from the drop-out return Aaron Singh-Goesel carried the ball back to within twenty two metres of the try line.

Aaron Singh-Goesel made his NRRRL First Grade debut in Round Four of the 2023 season when he came off the bench against the Evans Head Bombers. Aaron Singh-Goesel also came off the bench in Round Fourteen against the Cudgen Hornets.

Round Two of the 2023 NRRRL Reserve Grade competition saw Aaron Singh-Goesel start at left second row against the Tweed Coast Raiders.

The 2023 NRRRL U18 season saw Aaron Singh-Goesel line up for the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Aaron Singh-Goesel named at left second row in Round One against the Tweed Coast Raiders with Aaron Singh-Goesel scoring a great solo try in the 41st minute when after the Devils had made a long lien break down the touchline Aaron Singh-Goesel was able to take an intercept of an attempted pass back inside with Aaron Singh-Goesel then turning and racing seventy five metres down the left touchline to score in the left corner.

Aaron Singh-Goesel made his first strong run in the 5th minute down the left channel from his own forty metre mark to four metres inside Byron Bay territory.

Aaron Singh-Goesel showcased his kicking skills in the 47th minute when he kicked off after a Devils try with Aaron Singh-Goesel’s hard low left foot kick bouncing a metre from the dead ball line to force a Byron Bay goal line drop-out.

Aaron Singh-Goesel also started at left second row in Round Two against the Tweed Coast Raiders with Aaron Singh-Goesel’s 3rd minute kick-off bouncing over the dead ball line to force the Raiders to restart the match by way of a goal line drop-out.

Aaron Singh-Goesel continued at left second row in Round Three against the Cudgen Hornets with Aaron Singh-Goesel scoring a double in a big Mustangs victory.

Aaron Singh-Goesel scored his opening try in the 8th minute when Aaron Singh-Goesel chased through a chip kick from his inside with Aaron Singh-Goesel taking the ball on the full over the top of the Hornets right winger and even after rumbling forward Aaron Singh-Goesel had the time to get to his feet and dive over to score five metres in from the left corner post.

Aaron Singh-Goesel competed his double in the 39th minute with a spectacular effort from ten metres out from his own try line and two passes to the left of a Murwillumbah scrum win. After taking possession of the ball Aaron Singh-Goesel stepped off his right foot to break through the defensive line with Aaron Singh-Goesel shrugging off the Hornets right winger to charge away to score under the posts.

Aaron Singh-Goesel also came close to scoring in the 14th minute when from twenty two out on the left side of the field and in space, Aaron Singh-Goesel charged towards the try line and after running over the top of the Cudgen right winger, the Cudgen fullback was able to get his hand to the ball and knock it from Aaron Singh-Goesel’s grasp just as he was crossing the try line.

Then in the 53rd minute Aaron Singh-Goesel made a sixteen metre run down the left channel to the thirty metre mark. Earlier in the 5th minute Aaron Singh-Goesel had made a strong kick-off return getting the ball out to the twenty three metre mark.

Aaron Singh-Goesel also started at left second row in Round Four against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Aaron Singh-Goesel’s kick-off to get the match underway spin to the right and going over the right touchline to give Murwillumbah the scrum feed thirty metres out from the try line and immediately on the attack. Then in the 35th minute another Aaron Singh-Goesel kick-off went over the Seagulls dead ball line to force a Tweed Heads goal line drop-out.

Aaron Singh-Goesel made the first of a number of strong runs in the match in the 27th minute with a bumping run of ten metres to twenty metres out from his own try line and to the left of a Murwillumbah scrum win.

Then in the 42nd minute from the left of the play the ball Aaron Singh-Goesel charged onto the ball ten metres inside Tweed Heads territory with Aaron Singh-Goesel carrying the ball to within twenty metres of the try line with at least 60% of those twenty metres being post contact with the defensive line.

Aaron Singh-Goesel then started from the bench in Round Eight against the Mullumbimby Giants and after coming off the bench to operate at right second row in the 27th minute, Aaron Singh Goesel scored in the 36th minute with an easy eight metre run to put the ball down twelve metres in from the right corner post. Aaron Singh-Goesel then stepped up to convert his own try with his left foot effort hitting the left goal posts and rebounding through the posts.

Aaron Singh-Goesel then started from the bench in Round Nine against the Kyogle Turkeys with Aaron Singh-Goesel coming onto the field to operate at left second row in the 25th minute.

Aaron Singh-Goesel also started at left second row in Round Ten against the Casino Cougars with Aaron Singh-Goesel recording a try assist in the 23rd minute when from twenty two metres out to the right of the play the ball Aaron Singh-Goesel burst through two attempted tackles and when he was ten metres out from the try line Aaron Singh-Goesel drew the fullback and passes to his right to his fullback who scored under the posts.

Aaron Singh-Goesel made a 12th minute line break assist when from thirty metres from the Mustangs try line Bo Peisley threw a short pass to his left to put Aaron Singh-Goesel into a gaping hole to get the ball four metres into Casino territory.

Aaron Singh-Goesel also recorded a line break assist in the 12th minute as a result of a good catch and pass to his right from eighteen metres out from his own try line to put his left centre away down the left touchline to ten metres inside Casino territory.

Aaron Singh-Goesel also in the 26th minute from the left of a Mustangs scrum win ran the ball from twenty metres from his own try line to thirty five metres out.

Aaron Singh-Goesel continued at left second row in Round Eleven against the Ballina Seagulls with Aaron Singh-Goesel running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball down the left channel to get the ball from his own forty metre mark to four metres inside Ballina territory in the 13th minute.

Then in the 45th minute Aaron Singh-Goesel chased through a Mustangs chip with Aaron Singh-Goesel then forcing the Ballina fullback back into the in-goal area to force a goal line drop-out.

In Round Fourteen against the Cudgen Hornets Aaron Singh-Goesel came off the bench in the 20th minute to operate at left second row with Aaron Singh-Goesel making his first run almost immediately thereafter to make fifteen metres down the left channel to get the ball ten metres Hornets territory.

In the 29th minute Aaron Singh-Goesel made a good kick-off return to the thirty one metre mark whilst breaking two tackles, then in the 57th minute from a Murwillumbah penalty restart Aaron Singh-Goesel carried the ball from forty two metres from the try line to twenty metres out.

Aaron Singh-Goesel also started at left second row in Round Fifteen against the Tweed Coast Raiders with Aaron Singh-Goesel recording a try assist in the 52nd minute when from the left of a Mustangs scrum win, Aaron Singh-Goesel ran the ball to within ten metres of the halfway mark before drawing the Tweed Coast right centre and passing to his left to put his left centre into a gap and away downfield to score.

Aaron Singh-Goesel also recorded a line break assist in the 21st minute when after receiving the ball two passes to the left of the play the ball Aaron Singh-Goesel ran the ball from eighteen metres out from his own try line to twenty six metres out before off-loading to his left to put his centre on a long run down the left touchline.

In the 25th minute Aaron Singh-Goesel ran an underneath route to the left of the play the ball to run the ball through the centre of the field from thirty three metres from the try line to with sixteen metres. The 37th minute then saw Aaron Singh-Goesel run another underneath line to the left of the dummy half to progress the ball from ten metres inside his own territory to nine metres into Raider territory.

The 44th minute saw Aaron Singh-Goesel carry the ball from the left of a Mustangs scrum win to get the ball to the halfway mark after receiving the ball thirty four metres out from his own try line.

Aaron Singh-Goesel continued at left second row in Round Sixteen against the Bilambil Jets with Aaron Singh-Goesel running onto the ball to the left of the dummy half in the 4th minute to carry the ball from ten metres inside his own territory to six metres into Mustangs territory.

The Week Two NRRRL U18 Qualifying Final saw Aaron Singh-Goesel continue at left second row against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Aaron Singh-Goesel running onto the ball two passes to the left of the dummy half to carry the ball from twenty five metres out from his own try line to thirty seven metres out. In the 18th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball and thirty three metres out from his own try line Aaron Singh-Goesel was able to get the ball to within three metres of the halfway mark.

Aaron Singh-Goesel ran onto the ball once again in the 29th minute from the left of the play the ball and when he had carried the ball twenty metres out from his own try line Aaron Singh-Goesel got a left arm flick off-load away to his left centre.

To get the second half underway Aaron Singh-Goesel kicked the ball off with his left foot kick-off bouncing over the dead ball line and force a Tweed Heads Seagulls goal line drop-out.

The 2023 NRRRL U18 Grand Final saw Aaron Singh-Goesel start at left second row for the Murwillumbah Mustang against the Bilambil Jets with Aaron Singh-Goesel recording a line break assist in the 59th minute when after Murwillumbah spun the ball wide to their left, Aaron Singh-Goesel received the ball twenty five metres out from his own try line and after drawing the Bilambil right winger, Aaron Singh-Goesel put his own winger away down the left touchline after getting a pass away to his left.

The 51st minute saw Aaron Singh-Goesel make a line break as a result of a strong hard run to the right of the play the ball when after receiving the ball Aaron Singh-Goesel burst through the centre of the Bilambil forward pack and broke two tackles as Aaron Singh-Goesel smashed his way to within twelve metres of the try line to have the Jets defensive line back peddling as they tried to recover.

Earlier in the 47th minute Aaron Singh-Goesel ran an underneath route to the left of the play the ball with Aaron Singh-Goesel carrying the ball through the centre of the field to get from twenty one metres from the try line to within ten metres.

Aaron Singh-Goesel started the 2022 season as a member of the Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad with Aaron Singh-Goesel playing in all seven of the Northern Rivers Titans matches including starting in the front row in both of the Northern Rivers Titans finals being the semi-final against the St George Dragons and the Grand Final win against the McArthur Wests Tigers.

Aaron Singh-Goesel scored twice for the Northern Rivers Titans in the 2022 U16 Andrew Johns Cup with Aaron Singh-Goesel scoring his first try in the 29th minute of Round One against the Wests Tigers and in the 48th minute of Round Four against the Centre Coast Roosters.

Aaron Singh-Goesel’s try against the Wests Tigers was as a result of strong run to the left of the play the ball with Aaron Singh-Goesel charging at the defensive line from twelve metres out and after Aaron Singh-Goesel impacted the defensive line Aaron Singh-Goesel spun 360 degrees counter clockwise and continued his forward progress to get the ball down under the posts.

In Round Four against the Central Coast Roosters, Aaron Singh-Goesel charged onto the ball from six metres out and to the left of the play the ball with Aaron Singh-Goesel crashing over to score five metres to the left of the uprights.

2022 also saw Aaron Singh-Goesel start from the bench for a Titans Northern Rivers U17 Invitational side that played a Titans JTS squad at Cbus Stadium in a Titans NRL curtain-raiser.

Even though he was still U16 eligible Aaron Singh-Goesel played a number of matches for the Murwillumbah Mustangs in the 2022 NRRRL U18 competition with Aaron Singh-Goesel making his first appearance off the bench in Round Seven against the Byron Bay Devils. Aaron Singh-Goesel made three more appearances off the bench for the Mustangs before Aaron Singh-Goesel made his first U18 NRRRL start in Round Thirteen against Casino RSM with Aaron Singh-Goesel starting the match in the second row.

Aaron Singh-Goesel scored his first NRRRL U18 try in Round Nine against the Tweed Heads Seagulls when in the 30th minute Aaron Singh-Goesel followed through a bomb towards the right wing and after the ball was knocked forward by Tweed Heads Aaron Singh Goesel was on hand to take possession and then was able to bring the ball around to score under the posts.

Aaron Singh-Goesel also started from the bench in the Week One Qualifying Final against the Tweed Heads Seagulls as well as the Premiership Minor Semi-final in Week Two of the Finals against the Ballina Seagulls.

2022 saw Aaron Singh-Goesel play for the Murwillumbah Colts in the Group 18 U16 competition including starting in the front row in the Grand Final against the Tweed Heads Seagulls.

At the 2022 Murwillumbah Colts Presentation Day, Aaron Singh-Goesel was named the 2022 Murwillumbah Colts Junior Rugby League Player with the Most Potential.

Aaron Singh-Goesel also attended Murwillumbah High School in 2022 and played for them in a number of New South Wales School Boy rugby league competitions.

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

Where Aaron Singh-Goesel’s game has really developed over the last couple of seasons his ability to play wider of the ruck, which is where he is primarily playing for the Northern Pride this season. With his size and strength wider of the ruck Aaron Singh-Goesel attracts defenders and thus is in a position to use his ball skills to set up his outside supports early in a match. When defences start to try to anticipate that Aaron Singh-Goesel is going to pass then he can use his size and power to crash through the defensive line as no defender is going to be able to handle him one on one by themselves.

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

Whilst Aaron Singh-Goesel played the entire 2022 U16 Andrew Johns Cup season in the front row, I personally believe that Aaron Singh-Goesel has the speed and mobility to operate very effectively in the second row, at the very least in the short to medium term. No doubt Aaron Singh-Goesel is already has significant potential as a front rower, I believe that Aaron Singh-Goesel’s speed and mobility is currently better suited to the second row.

Aaron Singh-Goesel will commence the 2024 season a member of the 2024 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad for the second season in a row. Aaron Singh-Goesel will also play the 2024 season in the NRRRL U18 competition for the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Aaron Singh-Goesle also looking to add to his matches in the NRRRL First Grade competition for the Mustangs after making his debut over the course of the 2023 season.

Aaron Singh-Goesel will also return to PBC SHS in 2024 and continue to be part of the PBC SHS School Boy Rugby league Open A Langer Cup side with Aaron Singh-Goesel looking to build on his time in the 2023 Open A Langer Cup School Boy Rugby League competition.

Aaron Singh-Goesel will also look to return to the South Coast U18 School Boy Rugby League Representative Side for the 2024 QSSRL U18 School Boy Rugby League Championships.

The NRL player comparison for Aaron Singh-Goesel is one of the easiest I have ever considered with his game eerily similar to that of North Queensland Cowboy and former Queensland State of Origin player Coen Hess, both a tall powerfully built players with outstanding speed and mobility for their size.

I think that sometimes big powerful players like Hess and Aaron Singh-Goesel are unfairly critiqued if they don’t make breaks or score every time that they touch the ball heck opposing teams are always keyed into the danger that they pose and adjust accordingly.

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Harry Chadburn. In November 2022 Harry Chadburn was named in the New South Wales Junior Blue’s squad for a two day camp which featured sessions taken by NSW State of Origin coach Brad Fittler.

In late September 2023 Harry Chadburn was named in the 2024 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad.

Harry Chadburn started the 2023 season off as part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad and Harry Chadburn is also MM Cup eligible in 2024 and 2025 with the age group change for that competition starting in 2024.

Harry Chadburn made his MM Cup debut at five eight for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the Round Seven local derby against the Burleigh Bears with Harry Chadburn recording a line break assist in the 63rd minute when from thirty five metres out from his own try line Harry Chadburn took the ball to the defensive line and threw a cut-out pass to his left to put winger Matthew Barrow away down the left touchline before he was tackled on the halfway mark.

In the 28th minute Harry Chadburn put up a high right foot bomb towards the left wing from the centre of the field and twenty five metres out with the Bears winger knocking the ball on for the Seagulls to get the ball back just ten metres out from the try line.

The 2023 NRRRL U18 season saw Harry Chadburn move to the Bilambil Jets with Harry Chadburn named at fullback in Round One against the Tweed Coast Raiders with Harry Chadburn scoring early in the match as a result of some good footwork.

Harry Chadburn did well defensively in the 18th minute when after the Raiders hooker split the Jets defence through the centre of the field, Harry Chadburn raced to his right to make the one on one covering tackle from the back right quadrant ten metres from the try line.

The Round Two local derby against the Cudgen Hornets saw Harry Chadburn move to five eight with Harry Chadburn scoring in the 45th minute when Harry Chadburn chased through a Jets grubber kick into the in-goal with Harry Chadburn getting to the ball first and getting downward pressure on the ball five metres to the left of the uprights.

Harry Chadburn also recorded a try assist in the 8th minute when whilst twenty metres out and to the left of the play the ball Harry Chadburn threw a hard flat pass to his left to put his fullback into a big gap to then score under the posts.

The 51st minute saw Harry Chadburn kick a 40/20 from thirty two metres out from his own try line with Harry Chadburn’s right foot kick going into touch just two metres out from the left corner post.

Harry Chadburn had an outstanding start to the match with his kick-off going into touch to get the ball for the Jets just ten metres out from the try line with Bilambil scoring from the subsequent set of six tackles.

Harry Chadburn did well kicking the ball also in the 27th minute when his goal line drop-out went over the right touchline for the Jets to get the ball back thirty five metres out from their own try line.

Harry Chadburn also made a try saving play in the 26th minute when he tracked back to knock a dangerous Cudgen grubber kick into the in-goal over the dead ball line just in front of multiple chasers.

Harry Chadburn also started at five eight in Round Three against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Harry Chadburn kicking a conversion in a tough loss for the Jets with Harry Chadburn kicking his conversion for just to the left of the uprights in the 47th minute.

Harry Chadburn recorded a line break assist in the 30th minute when from the left of the play the ball Harry Chadburn held off one defender before off-loading to his left to put his left centre away on a thirty metre line break that saw the ball progress over the halfway mark.

Earlier Harry CHadburn had made a good run himself when in the 12th minute Harry Chadburn took a Seagulls clearing kick on the full twenty metres out from his own try line and a few metres in from the right touchline, Harry Chadburn then used smart footwork to beat the first chased downfield with a right foot step with Harry Chadburn then darting away down the right touchline before being wrestled to the ground eight metres from the halfway mark.

Harry Chadburn continued at five eight in Round Five against the Lower Clarence Magpies with Harry Chadburn kicking four conversions in a big Jets victory including an outstanding conversion from the left touchline in the 10th minute to convert a try that he had set up.

As noted Harry Chadburn recorded a try assist in the 10th minute when from the left of the play the ball and around twelve metres out from the try line Harry Chadburn threw a long cut-out pass to his left with the Jets winger collecting the ball on the bounce and scoring in the left corner.

Harry Chadburn recorded a second try assist in the 50th minute when after putting his left second rower through a gap from deep inside his own territory harry Chadburn backed up and after receiving the pass Harry Chadburn got the pass away to his left to put his centre over to score as harry Chadburn was being tackled from behind.

Harry Chadburn also made a good run in the 36th minute down a left blindside with Harry Chadburn able to make ten metres from twenty five metres out before getting an off-load away to his inside.

Round Six against Northern United saw Harry Chadburn continue at five eight with Harry Chadburn recording a try assist in the 39th minute when from the left of the play the ball and five metres from the try line Harry Chadburn threw a deft short pass to his left to put his left second rower through a gap and over to score.

In just the 2nd minute of the match harry Chadburn also threw a smart pass to his left to put his left second rower in a gap before getting the ball back on the opposite side of the second rower (a run around if you will), with Harry Chadburn then making eighteen metres to get within twelve metres of the try line.

The 9th minute saw Harry Chadburn put in a left chip towards the left corner with the Northern right winger dropping the ball for the Jets to regain possession five metres out and just in from the left touchline.

Harry Chadburn made a strong sequence of tackles in the 25th minute, the first being a driving tackle on the Northern United right second rower (No. 12) around eight metres out with the tackle needing to be made. Harry Chadburn also made the next tackle from the marker position moving to his left with Bilambil being awarded a penalty when the Northern United player negatively reacted to harry Chadburn’s tackle.

Harry Chadburn was then named on the bench for Round Seven against the Mullumbimby Giants with Harry Chadburn playing at five eight in the second half and recording a line break assist in the 32nd minute when whilst operating to the left of the play the ball and ten metres inside Giants territory Harry Chadburn threw a high cut-out pass to his left to put his lock into a gap with Bilmabil scoring later in the same movement.

Harry Chadburn made his NRRRL First Grade debut on the right wing for the Jets in Round Three against the Evans Head Bombers with Harry Chadburn doing well in the 2nd minute when he jumped high to take a kick to his wing on the bounce less than ten metres from his own try line under pressure from a number of Bombers players.

Harry Chadburn also did well in the 10th minute when he chased through a Bilambil kick into the in-goal with Harry Chadburn tackling the Bombers fullback over the dead ball line to force an Evans Head goal line drop-out.

Harry Chadburn made a good run with the ball in the 9th minute when from twenty metres out from his own try line and to the right of the play the ball Harry Chadburn was able to make ten metres against a quickly on-coming defensive line.

Harry Chadburn continued from the bench in Round Eight against the Kyogle Turkeys with Harry Chadburn coming off the bench to initially operate in the dummy half role in the 20th minute before moving to five eight in the second half.

Harry Chadburn recorded a try assist in the 27th minute when from dummy half with the play the ball less than a metre from the try line and just to the left of the uprights, Harry Chadburn stepped of his right and fired a short pass in the same direction to put his lock over to score under the posts.

Almost immediately after coming onto the field Harry Chadburn ran out of dummy half to his left from four metres inside his own territory with Harry Chadburn using a right arm fend to get rid of the marker before stepping off his right foot to beat a second defender with a second right foot step beating another before being tackled twenty three metres out from the try line.

Harry Chadburn made another strong run in the 57th minute from the left of the play the ball and five metres inside Kyogle territory with Harry Chadburn stepping off his left foot before further right and left foot steps enabled Harry Chadburn to get the ball to within thirty two metres of the try line.

Harry Chadburn did well defensively in the 24th minute to hold up the Kyogle right centre over the try line ten metres in from the left corner post and then from the subsequent play the ball ten metres out Harry Chadburn got out of marker quickly to tackle the Turkeys dummy half on the last tackle to force a change over.

Harry Chadburn was back at five eight for Round Nine against the Casino Cougars with Harry Chadburn scoring in the 32nd minute when Harry Chadburn reacted first to a Casino dropped ball to run sixty two metres to score three metres to the left of the uprights.

Harry Chadburn also recorded a line break in the 38th minute when from the left of the play the ball forty two metres from the try line Harry Chadburn ran the ball to his left at the defensive line and at the last moment after shaping to pass to his left, Harry Chadburn ran himself slicing between two defenders with Harry Chadburn then straightening up to run directly at the fullback but unfortunately Harry Chadburn’s off-load to his right went to ground.

In the 29th minute from thirty five metres out from his own try line and only eight metres in from the left touchline down a left blindside, Harry Chadburn kicked a great 40/20 with a low hard driving right foot kick that went into touch eighteen metres out from the try line.

Harry Chadburn then started at five eight in Round Ten against the Ballina Seagulls with Harry Chadburn scoring a hat trick in a Player of the Match performance.

Harry Chadburn scored the first of his three tries in the 15th minute when after backing up a Bilambil line break from deep inside their own territory down the left touchline, Harry Chadburn received the pass from his left forty metres out and after initially juggling the ball Harry Chadburn put in a right foot chip kick with the outside of his right foot back towards the centre of the field over the head of the Ballina fullback with Harry Chadburn then retrieving the ball on the second bounce to score five metres to the left of the uprights.

Harry Chadburn added a second try in the 37th minute when after the Bilambil halfback put up a mid-field bomb towards the right side of the field Harry Chadburn and took the ball on the full (slight juggle) at full speed and then ran eighteen metres to score eight metres to the left of the uprights.

Harry Chadburn completed his hat trick in the 47th minute when Harry Chadburn backed up a line break down the right touchline with Harry Chadburn receiving the ball and racing thirty eight metres to score under the posts.

Harry Chadburn had almost scored another try in the 7th minute of the match when from two passes to the left of the play the ball Harry Chadburn stepped off his left foot to beat a defender in the front line before being brought down by the Ballina fullback less than two metres from the try line and just to the left of the uprights with Harry Chadburn then being awarded a penalty for being held down.

Harry Chadburn also recorded a try assist in the 34th minute when after receiving the ball eight metres from the try line and to the right of the play the ball harry Chadburn ran the ball at the defensive line and waited until the last possible moment to put in a short right foot grubber kick into the in-goal for Tyrese Bowman to retrieve and score under the posts.

Harry Chadburn recorded a line break assist in the 54th minute when from the left of the play the ball and twenty metres out, Harry Chadburn threw a cut-out pass to his left to put his winger on the outside of his opposite number only to be brought down less than two metres from the try line.

Harry Chadburn’s range of elite kicking was on display including a 40/20 in the 18th minute with Harry Chadburn driving a right foot kick from thirty five metres from his own try line over the left touchline fifteen metres out from the try line.

Earlier in the 8th minute from the the left of the play the ball but the right of the uprights, harry Chadburn put in a right foot grubber kick to the left side of the field with the Ballina fullback forced to take the ball over the dead ball line with Ballina having to restart the match by way of a goal line drop-out.

Harry Chadburn continued at five eight in Round Twelve against the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Harry Chadburn scoring in the 20th minute when after receiving the ball and running down a short right blindside from sixteen metres out, Harry Chadburn put in a short right foot grubber kick for himself and after collecting the ball Harry Chadburn dived over to score three metres in from the right corner post.

In the 28th minute from the left side of the field Harry Chadburn put up a high bomb back towards the right with the ball taken on the full by Creedence Donovan less than a metre from the try line but the fullback was unable to get the ball over the try line.

Harry Chadburn also started at five eight against the Tweed Coast Raiders in Round Fourteen with Harry Chadburn scoring in the 28th minute when after taking possession of the ball from the left of the play the ball around twenty metres out, Harry Chadburn continued to run to his left and after dummying twice to inside runners, Harry Chadburn passed to his left to put his left centre into a gap with Harry Chadburn then backing up on the inside with Harry Chadburn receiving the ball back from his centre eight metres out with Harry Chadburn then bringing the ball around to score under the posts.

Harry Chadburn also made a line break in the 52nd minute when after taking possession of the ball to the left of the dummy half Harry Chadburn dummied to his left still ten metres inside his own territory and broke through the defensive line to make twenty one metres downfield with Harry Chadburn then awarded a penalty for being held down too long in the tackle.

The 19th minute saw Harry Chadburn, from the right of the play the ball and four metres inside his own territory drive a right foot kick into the in-goal near the right corner with Harry Chadburn chasing his own kick and tackle the Tweed Coast fullback in the in-goal area to force a goal line drop-out.

Harry Chadburn forced a second Raiders goal line drop-out in the 45th minute when on the last tackle sixteen metres out and to the left of the play the ball, Harry Chadburn ran to the right of the dummy half to take the ball on the left down a short left blindside and put a right foot grubber kick onto the in-goal with the Tweed Coast right winger tackled in the in-goal area.

Harry Chadburn started at five eight in the Week One Elimination Final against the Lower Clarence Magpies with Harry Chadburn producing a good short kick-off in the 6th minute with a kick-off to his right that bounced backwards with the Jets retrieving the ball thirty five metres out from the try line.

Harry Chadburn also made a line break in the 47th minute down the right touchline off a pass from Tyrese Bowman with Harry Chadburn’s inside pass knocked down by a Lower Clarence defender to give Bilambil the scrum feed deep on the attack.

Harry Chadburn continued at five eight in the Week Two Elimination Final against the Byron Bay Devils with Harry Chadburn recording a try assist in the 59th minute when to the left of the play the ball and fourteen metres out from the try line Harry Chadburn ran the ball deep into the Byron Bay defensive line before throwing a well weight short pass to his left to put Will Doyle into a gap and score under the posts.

Harry Chadburn did well inside the opening minute to take a hard grubber aimed directly at him from close range cleanly on the bounce just three metres out from his own try line.

Harry Chadburn put up a high chip from the right of the play the ball and to the left of the goal posts towards the right with the ball weighted perfectly to came down less than a metre from the try line and after the ball was taken on the full by the Devils, he was taken into the in-goal area by the Bilambil chasers to force a Byron Bay goal line drop-out.

Harry Chadburn’s 18th minute kick-off to his right was hit sweetly and bounced over the dead ball line to force another Byron Bay goal line drop-out. Harry Chadburn put in a right foot grubber kick from nine metres out in the 23rd minute with the bouncing ball knocked on by Byron Bay two metres out to give the Jets a scrum feed metres out and to the right of the goal posts.

Harry Chadburn also started at five eight in the Preliminary Final against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Harry Chadburn recording a try assist in the 53rd minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball fourteen metres out from the try line, harry Chadburn stepped inside off his left foot to beat a Seagulls defender who had raced out of the defensive line in an attempt to put pressure on him, with Harry Chadburn then immediately firing a cut-out pass to his left to put his left centre Will Doyle over to score in the left corner.

Earlier in the 47th minute Harry Chadburn ran the ball from five metres inside his own territory and was able to make twenty metres to carry the ball fifteen metres inside Tweed Heads territory.

The 2023 NRRRL U18 Grand Final saw Harry Chadburn start at five eight for the Bilambil Jets in their 28 – 10 Grand Final victory against the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Harry Chadburn recording a try assist in the 18th minute when after taking possession of the ball to the left of the dummy half, Harry Chadburn continued to run to his left and when twelve metres out from the try line, Harry Chadburn brought Will Doyle back underneath with the Jets left centre then crashing over to score next to the left goal post.

Harry Chadburn recorded a second try assist in the 41st minute when after backing up an Ehtan Van Gelderen line break and receiving an off-load from his left from the Jets lock, Harry Chadburn carried the ball to within eight metres of the try line before getting a smart off-load away to his left to Will Doyle with the left centre scoring wide out near the left corner post as a result.

Harry Chadburn was also heavily involved in Creedence Donovan’s 31st minute try when from the left of the play the ball and forty metres from his own try line in the centre of the field, Harry Chadburn put up a high bomb whilst was taken on the full by Bilambil left centre Will Doyle who then off-loaded to Creedence Donovan who raced down the right touchline to dive over to score three metres in from the right corner post.

Harry Chadburn created another try scoring opportunity for the Jets in the 37th minute when he ran the ball to the left of the dummy half from twenty four metres from the try line to twelve metres from the try line and after making a half break Harry Chadburn threw a cut-out pass that was destined for an unmarked Creedence Donovan on his right but one of the Murwillumbah defenders just got his hand to the ball to prevent Harry Chadburn’s pass getting to its intended target.

In the 29th minute from the left of the play the ball Harry Chadburn dummied to his left before running the ball from five metres in his own territory and was able to get the ball ten metres inside Murwillumbah territory.

Harry Chadburn also did well in the 7th minute when from the left of the play the ball and forty metres out from the try line, Harry Chadburn drove a hard right foot kick down towards the left corner and after the Murwillumbah fullback picked up the ball just out from his own try line Harry Chadburn, who was the first Jets player downfield, hit the fullback and after holding him off the ground Harry Chadburn was able to force him over the left touchline two metres out from the try line to give Bilambil six more tackles seep on the attack.

In the 57th minute from the left of the play the ball in the centre of the field and two metres inside his own territory Harry Chadburn put up a high spiralling right foot bomb that was dropped by the Murwillumbah right winger to get the Bilambil Jets an additional set of six tackles thirty metres out from the try line.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Harry Chadburn will play for the Bilambil Jets in the NRRRL U18 rugby league competition for the second season in a row with Chadbrun looking to add more NRRRL First Grade matches to his resume after making his NRRRL First Grade debut for the Jets over the course of the 2024 season.

Harry Chadburn will also continue at PBC SHS and in 2024 and doubt Harry Chadburn will push for a debut and immediate playing time in the School Boy Rugby League Open A Langer Cup side.

From a representative perspective Harry Chadburn will be part of the 2024 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad.

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

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

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Oscar Laffranchi. In late September 2023 Oscar Laffranchi was named in the 2024 Burleigh Bears U19 Mal Meninga Cup squad and Oscar Laffranchi is also MM Cup eligible in 2025.

In January 2023 Oscar Laffranchi started from the bench for the Titans U17 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights with Oscar Laffranchi coming off the bench in the 21st minute to operate in the front row.

Oscar Laffranchi 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 Oscar Laffranchi coming onto the field mid-way through the opening half to operate in the front row with Oscar Laffranchi putting in a strong performance from both an attacking and defensive perspective.

In early December 2022 Oscar Laffranchi 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 Titan Oscar Laffranchi was named in the powerful 2023 Burleigh Bears U18 Maal Meninga Cup Squad and Oscar Laffranchi is also MM Cup eligible in 2024.

Oscar Laffranchi started from the bench in the Bears third and final trial against the Brisbane Tigers with Oscar Laffranchi coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 20th minute.

Oscar Laffranchi recorded a line break assist in the 49th minute when whilst engaged with multiple Tigers defenders twenty five metres from the try line, Oscar Laffranchi got a smart right arm off-load away to Ryder Williams who darted away and was only caught two metres from the try line.

Oscar Laffranchi was named to start from the bench in Round One of the 2023 U18 Mal Meninga Cup competition for the Bears against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.

Oscar Laffranchi also started from the bench in Round Four against the Norths Devils with Oscar Laffranchi coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 30th minute with Oscar Laffranchi then recording a line break assist in the 38th minute when after engaging the Devils defensive line around forty metres out from his own try line Oscar Laffranchi got a right arm off-load away to his left to Gary Whare-Herlihy who burst twenty metres through the centre of the field.

Oscar Laffranchi also made a strong run from a kick-off in the 42nd minute with Oscar Laffranchi getting the ball twenty two metres away from his own try line.

Oscar Laffranchi also came off the bench in Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins as well as in the Round Seven local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Oscar Laffranchi coming onto the field to play in the front row late in the first half.

Oscar Laffranchi made a strong run in the 36th minute from twenty two metres out from his own try line and to the left of the play the ball with Oscar Laffranchi making twelve metres to the thirty four metre mark.

Oscar Laffranchi played for Marymount College in 2023 once again including starting in the front row for the Mako’s in the Titans Cup Year 11/12 Division One Grand Final against Keebra Park SHS with Oscar Laffranchi scoring in the 11th minute with a hard straight crash line from six metres out and to the left of the play the ball with Oscar Laffranchi crashing over to score three metres to the left of the uprights.

Later in the 36th minute Oscar Laffranchi made a good kick-off return to get the ball out to the twenty one metre mark, then Oscar Laffranchi took another hit-up two tackles later making ten more metres to get the ball to the halfway mark.

Oscar Laffranchi made a further strong kick-off return on the 38th minute to get the ball sixteen metres away from the try line before getting away a left arm off-load. Then in the 45th minute from the right of the play the ball and thirty metres from his own try line Oscar Laffranchi carried the ball to within seven metres of the halfway mark.

Defensively Oscar Laffranchi made a big tackle thirty five metres from the try line on the Keebra Park SHS left winger to force a knock-on.

Oscar Laffranchi was also part of the Marymount College side that played in the 2023 School Boy Rugby League Confraternity Shield with Oscar Laffranchi starting in the front row in Round One against Emmanaus College as well as in Round Two against Igantius Park and Round Three against Padua College.

Oscar Laffranchi then continued in the front row in Marymount College’s first final’s victory against The Cathedral College. Oscar Laffranchi also started in the front row in the Semi-final against St Brendan’s College Yeppoon as well as Marymount College’s Hield play-off match against St Patricks’ Mackay.

At the completion of the Carnival Oscar Laffranchi was named in the front row in the 2023 Confraternity Carnival Merit Team and also received the Marymount College “Spirit” Award for his performances.

Round One of the GCRL U18 Division One competition saw Oscar Laffranchi start in the front row for the Burleigh Bears against the Southport Tigers with Oscar Laffranchi scoring in the 60th minute from a straight hard charge from four metres out and to the left of the play the ball with Oscar Laffranchi scoring under the posts.

Oscar Laffranchi then started from the bench in Round Three against the Helensvale Hornets with Oscar Laffranchi coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 21st minute with Oscar Laffranchi making a strong run from the kick-off to the second half to get the ball over the twenty metre mark.

Oscar Laffranchi also started from the bench in Round Four against the Currumbin Eagles with Oscar Laffranchi coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 17th minute and almost immediately Oscar Laffranchi made a strong tackle from a Burleigh Bears kick-off. Then in the 19th minute Oscar Laffranchi executed a strong front one tackle on the Currumbin left centre with the ball being knocked on as a result with the Bears taking possession forty metres out from the try line.

Oscar Laffranchi’s first strong run of the match came in the 28th minute from the right of the play the ball with Oscar Laffranchi getting the ball to twenty eight metres out from the try line after his run started on the forty metre mark.

Then Oscar Laffranchi made a strong run from the Currumbin second half kick-off, then Oscar Laffranchi made another strong run in the 50th minute that almost resulted in Oscar Laffranchi scoring after he had charged onto the ball from twenty metres out and to the right of the play the ball with Oscar Laffranchi getting to within four metres and directly in front of the goal posts.

Oscar Laffranchi then moved to start in the front row in Round Six against the Southport Tigers.

Oscar Laffranchi also started in the front row in Round Eight against the Helensvale Hornets with Oscar Laffranchi making a strong run in the 12th minute from the left of the play the ball with Oscar Laffranchi getting the ball to thirty two metres out from his own try line after commencing his run twenty metres out.

Oscar Laffranchi also started in the front row in Round Eleven against the Southport Tigers with Oscar Laffranchi making a strong run in the 6th minute from the left of the dummy half to get the ball from eight metres inside his own territory to ten metres inside Tigers territory.

In the 51st minute from the left of the play the ball and five metres from the halfway mark Oscar Laffranchi was able to get the ball six metres inside Southport territory and then two tackles later Oscar Laffranchi was able to make a further nine metres to get the ball to eighteen metres from the try line.

Oscar Laffranchi started in the front row in the Week Two Qualifying Final against the Southport Tigers with Oscar Laffranchi making a strong kick-off return in the 6th minute to get the ball out to the twenty one metre mark. Oscar Laffranchi made a further good kick-off return in the 9th to get the ball to the twenty metre mark.

In the 7th minute after running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball Oscar Laffranchi was able to carry the ball from five metres inside his own territory to eight metres into Southport territory. Then in the 18th minute from the right of the play the ball Oscar Laffranchi carried the ball from three metres inside his own territory to nine metres into Tigers territory with approximately 60% of the metre gained being post contact.

Oscar Laffranchi continued his strong match in the 53rd minute to run the ball from the halfway mark to thirty five metres out with 65% of the metres post contact after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball. Then to round out a strong match, in the 53rd minute from the right of the dummy half Oscar Laffranchi crashed and barged his way to within sight of the try line before getting an off-load the ball behind him with his back to the try line to Bailey McConnell.

The 2023 Gold Coast Rugby League Division One U18 Grand Final saw Oscar Laffranchi start in the front row in the Grand Final against the Currumbin Eagles with Oscar Laffranchi scoring in just the 2nd minute of the match with a hard, straight three metre charge to the right of the play the ball to get the ball under the posts.

Oscar Laffranchi had done well inside the opening minute of the Grand Final to put pressure on the Currumbin kicker after the opening set of six of the match with the kicker unable to gain separation from Oscar Laffranchi and throwing a desperate pass which was dived on by Cooper Bai.

In the 8th minute from the left of the play the ball Oscar Laffranchi was able to carry the ball out from thirty metres out from his own try line to within eight metres of the halfway mark. Then in the 18th minute from the left of the play the ball and thirteen metres out from his own try line Oscar Laffranchi made a strong yardage carry out to the twenty three metres mark, then a tackle later Oscar Laffranchi took the ball to the defensive line before producing a good, short off-load to his left.

In late 2021 Oscar Laffranchi played his first match in a Titans jersey when he played for the Titans U15 JTS Squad in a trial in very hot, humid and steamy conditions which challenged the players fitness and stamina but not their enthusiasm.

In late January 2022 Oscar Laffranchi started in the front row for the Titans U16 side in a match at Pizzey Park against a Sydney Bulldogs U16 Development squad.

In early May 2022 Oscar Laffranchi also started in the front 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 clash against the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs with the Titans U16 side coming out victors against a gallant opposition.

In July 2022 Oscar Laffranchi was named in the Southern Stars U16 Oztag Representative side for the National Championships.

In late 2021 Oscar Laffranchi was named in the Burleigh Bears U16 Cyril Connell Cup competition’s squad.

Round One of the 2022 U16 Cyril Connell Cup saw Oscar Laffranchi named in the front row for the Burleigh Bears against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Oscar Laffranchi taking the third hit-up of the match (and season) after Tweed Heads had kicked off to get the match underway.

Oscar Laffranchi was also named in the front row for Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies with Oscar Laffranchi making his first hit-up within the opening minute of the match to get the ball inside the Bears attacking twenty metre area after Burleigh retrieved the ball after kicking the ball off to get the match underway.

Oscar Laffranchi continued in the front row in Round Three against the Norths Devils and had a solid match including a strong tackle in the 8th minute on the Norths right centre with Oscar Laffranchi’s initial contact forcing the ball loose, resulting in a knock on.

Oscar Laffranchi then continued in the front row in Round Four against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Oscar Laffranchi making a strong run from the kick-off return from Nayte Saaga’s early 2nd minute try.

Oscar Laffranchi was named on the bench for the Bears opening 2022 Cyril Connell Cup trial against local rivals the Tweed Heads Seagulls after playing for the Titans against the Burleigh MM Cup side in late January 2022. The trial saw Oscar Laffranchi operating in the front row in the second half after coming on at halftime and making some strong runs through the centre of the Seagulls defensive line.

Oscar Laffranchi then started in the front row for Burleigh in their final 2022 trial against the Western Clydesdales operating on the left side of the field.

2022 also saw Oscar Laffranchi line-up for Marymount College in the Titans Cup School Boy competition as well as the 2022 School Boy Confraternity Shield Carnival. Oscar Laffranchi was named the 2022 Marymount College Year Nine/Ten 2022 Best and Fairest Player at their year-end awards ceremony.

In late 2021 Oscar Laffranchi was named in the Miami Raptors Oztag side for the 2022 Queensland U16 Junior State Cup held in late February 2022. Oscar Laffranchi was then named in the Southern Storm U13 Oztag Representative side for the 2022 Junior National Oztag Championships held in Coffs Harbour.

Oscar Laffranchi played the 2021 season for Burleigh in the Gold Coast Rugby League U15 Division One competition including being involved in the Grand Final when the two Burleigh sides played each other in the decider.

Running with the football, Oscar Laffranchi has good footwork prior to the line and does not often just put his head down and run straight but uses his solid footwork to try to work the gaps between defenders rather than trying to simply run over them. Oscar Laffranchi does not have great speed off the mark or necessary great high end speed, but he will work extremely hard and make the most of his ability. Oscar Laffranchi actually does have a decent off load when he has impacted the defensive line as well.

Defensively Oscar Laffranchi is not a big hitter per say and usually aiming for just under the ribs and first intention is to lock up the ball to prevent offloads and stop the momentum of the ball carrier as soon as possible.

One area where Oscar Laffranchi is quite effective whether he is defending on the fringes of the ruck or in the centre of the ruck including when he is defending at marker, is defending against smaller attackers who look to use their foot work against him in one on one situations.

Oscar Laffranchi has quite reasonable lateral mobility for a middle forward and due to the fact that he also is not necessarily that tall, Oscar Laffranchi usually is able to wrap up the smaller attackers without his tackles slipping up to around the head or neck, and thus giving away penalties.

In 2024 Oscar Laffranchi will start the season as part of the Burleigh Bears U19 Mal Meninga Cup squad with Oscar Laffranchi also MM Cup eligible in 2025 with the age group changes. Post the MM Cup competition Oscar Laffranchi will line up in the Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition also for the Burleigh Bears for the second season in a row.

Oscar Laffranchi returns to Marymount College in 2024 where he will be a corner stone of Marymount College’s Titans Cup and Confraternity Shield School Boy Rugby League campaigns as well as pushing for a spot in the School Boy Langer Cup Quarter Finals should Marymount College be successful in the Titans Cup School Boy Rugby League competition.

Like his father Anthony, Oscar Laffranchi is a forward who is equally at home in the front row or the second row but Oscar Laffranchi probably projects slightly better in the second row (just like his father) moving forward in his rugby league career with his decent foot work and solid (and at times surprising) speed for a modern day rugby league middle forward.

[mdrew]

Ryan Foran. The outstanding left second rower is part of a cohort of young northern New South Wales juniors coming through the ranks together who rapidly made a name for themselves in the Titans outstanding JTS program run by Jamie McCormack. The above mentioned cohort also included Thomas Weaver and Oskar Bryant amongst others who have gone onto bigger thinks with the Titans.

On November 1, 2022, Ryan Foran once again participated in the Titans NRL off-season program on a train and trial basis with Ryan Foran set to join the Titans Top 30 in 2024 with Ryan Foran’s NRL contract with the Titans running through to the end of the 2025 NRL season.

In very positive news, Ryan Foran extended his contract with the Titans with his new contract taking Ryan Foran’s time with the Titans up to the end of the 2025 season at least, meaning that Ryan Foran will be spending the next couple of pre-seasons training with the Titans NRL squad on a full-time basis.

Ryan Foran 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 Ryan Foran coming onto the field in the 60th minute to operate at right second row.

In his twenty minutes on the field Ryan Foran ran for thirty four metres (eight post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.81 seconds and made twelve tackles at a tackling efficiency of 92.31%.

Ryan Foran made his Queensland Cup debut for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in Round Ten of the 2023 season from the bench against the Ipswich Jets with Ryan Foran coming off the bench to operate at right second row in the second half.

Playing thirty eight minutes in his Queensland Cup debut at left second row Ryan Foran ran for thirty eight metres (twenty post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 3.25 seconds and made six tackles at a tackling efficiency of 85.71%

Round One of the 2023 Hastings Deering’s Colts season saw Ryan Foran named at left second row for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Townsville Blackhawks with Ryan Foran being heavily involved in Jaylan De Groot’s 32nd minute try, Ryan Foran started the movement that led to jaylan De Groot’s try from ten metres out from his own try line with an impressive catch and pass to his left winger. Ryan Foran then continued to back-up to get the ball back twenty five metres out from his own try line with Ryan Foran then making fifteen metres before off-loading to his left winger who subsequently sent a pass to put Jaylan De Groot over to score under the posts.
Earlier Ryan Foran had made a strong run in the 14th minute when he ran into a gap from a Max Liles pass thirty metres out on the left side of the field with Ryan Foran getting the ball all of the way down to the ten metre mark.
Ryan Foran also started at left second row in Round Three against the Toowoomba Clydesdales with Ryan Foran scoring in the 33rd minute from three metres out with Ryan Foran getting the ball down six metres in from the left corner post.
Ryan Foran almost scored a second try in the 54th minute but after receiving the ball ten metres out and stepping off his left foot to beat one defender Ryan Foran was held up over the try line by three defenders mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.
Ryan Foran also recorded a line break assist in the 50th minute when from on the halfway mark and to the left of the play the ball Ryan Foran took the ball into the defensive line and after he had made twelve metres Ryan Foran got away a smart off-load to his right to put his lock away towards the try line.
Ryan Foran made a line break of his own in the 16th minute with a twenty metre run from his own thirty metre mark after picking up an errant Toowoomba pass with Ryan Foran able to off-load to his right to his five eight before he was tackled.
Earlier in the 7th minue Ryan Foran made an eighteen metre run down the left channel to the thirty metre mark with 65% of the matres gained post contact. Then in the 33rd minute after receiving the ball thirty three metres from the try line Ryan Foran surged forward to get within seven metres of the try line with 70% of his metres gained post contact.
Ryan Foran also did exceptionally well in the 27th minute when he chased a Seagulls kick-off downfield and after grabbing hold of the Toowoomba No. 10 who was returning the kick-off ten metres from the try line, Ryan Foran dragged him back into the in-goal to force a goal line drop-out.
Ryan Foran continued at left second row in Round Four against the Souths Logan Magpies with Ryan Foran scoring in the 11th minute ten metres in from the left corner post and running a hard straight crash line and getting a great ball from his right from Jaylan De Groot.

Ryan Foran also recorded a try assist in the 23rd minute when after running the ball down a left blindside Ryan Foran drew in the Magpies right winger and got the ball away to his left to put his left winger on a twenty five metre run to score in the left corner.

Ryan Foran made his first impact on the match in the opening seconds when Ryan Foran raced through a retrieved a Seagulls short kick-off and then after running ten metres got the ball away to his right to Jordan Stewart-Lewis. Then after Stewart-Lewis was tackled, Ryan FOran took the next hit-up and got the ball within two metres of the try line.

Ryan Foran also started at left second row Round Six against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Ryan Foran making fifteen metres down the left channel from the forty metre mark to the twenty five metre mark in the 65th minute.

Ryan Foran continued at left second row in Round Eight against the Central Queensland Capras’s with Ryan Foran making a strong run down the left channel in the 5th minute from thirty metres from his own try lien to forty two metres out, then a minute later Ryan Foran made a further ten metres to carry the ball within three metres of the halfway mark.

Then in the 31st minute made eleven metres down the left channel to get the ball to within thirty one metres of the try line. From a 53rd minute Capra’s goal line drop-out, Ryan Foran returned the ball with within eighteen metres of the try line after taking the drop-out on the full near the left touchline.

From thirty five metres out from his own try line and to the left of the play the ball Ryan Foran ran the ball down a left blindside to get the ball within three metres of the halfway mark in the 57th minute.

The Round Ten local derby against the Burleigh Bears saw Ryan Foran continue at left second row with Ryan Foran making one of the best try saving efforts that I have ever seen. In the 17th minute the Bears left centre picked up a Seagulls dropped ball and raced ninety five metres down the left touchline and after crossing the try line wide out on his left, he brought the ball around to under the posts but as he was in the process of putting the ball down casually in his right hand, Ryan Foran who had never given up chasing was able to reach out with his right hand to knock the ball loose just as the ball was about to be grounded.

Ryan Foran also did well defensively in the 60th minute when he along with Tanu Nona and Kyhan Weir, Ryan Foran held up the Burleigh front rower No. 8 over the try line and under the posts. Ryan Foran also made the following tackle with a driving left shoulder effort on the Burleigh five eight as Ryan Foran moved to his left with the force of Ryan Foran’s initial contact forcing the ball loose.

Ryan Foran also started at left second row in Round Eleven against the Norths Devils with Ryan Foran scoring in the 19th minute as a result of a strong charge at the line cutting back towards the play the ball with Ryan Foran receiving a good short ball from his left from Nicholas Hilton to crash over from close range and get the ball down three metres to the left of the uprights.

Ryan Foran also recorded a line break in the 22nd minute when from two passes to the left of the dummy half Ryan Foran was able to charge his way from twenty two metres out to within two metres of the try line near the left corner.

Ryan Foran made a second line break in the 53rd minute when after receiving an off-load from a Seagulls drop-out return in the centre of the field and thirty metres out, Ryan Foran ran to his left and after getting to within thirteen metres of the try line Ryan Foran got an off-load away to his left to his centre who subsequently off-loaded to his left to put his winger over to score in the corner.

Earlier in the match in the 5th minute Ryan Foran made a run down the left channel bumping off one as he carried the ball from fifteen metres out from his own try line to thirty metres out. Then in the 28th minute broke a tackle he Ryan Foran made sixteen metres down the left channel to the thirty metre mark.

The 39th minute saw Ryan Foran take a hit-up to the right of the play the ball thirty metres out from his own try line and after targeting the area behind the play the ball Ryan Foran carried the ball to within ten metres of the try line.

Ryan Foran finished the match with a team leading (and match leading) 175 run metres.

Ryan Foran continued at left second row in Round Twelve against the Brisbane Tigers with Ryan Foran scoring in the 40th minute when from two passes to the left of the play the ball and after receiving the bell twenty three metres from the try line, Ryan Foran ran straight over the top of one would be defender with Ryan Foran then veering to his right to beat the Tigers fullback with Ryan Foran then charging away to put the ball down under the posts.

Ryan Foran came close to scoring earlier in the match in the 21st minute when after taking possession of the ball on the left side of the field twelve metres out, Ryan Foran marched to within a metre of the try line with Ryan Foran then being awarded a penalty for a hand on the ball. Ryan Foran then charged onto the ball from the resultant penalty tap to once again get within a metre of the try line.

The 29th minute saw Ryan Foran make a strong kick-off return to get the ball to the twenty eight metre mark. Ryan Foran then rounded off his strong match with a run from twenty metres out from his own try line to thirty four metres after running on the ball to the left of the play the ball in the 74th minute.

Ryan Foran also started at left second row in Round Thirteen against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Ryan Foran scoring in the 9th minute when his five eight had taken possession of the ball three passes to the left of the dummy half and eighteen metres out from the try line Max Liles had to immediately step off his left foot back to his right to beat a Dolphins who had raced out of the defensive line to target Max Liles, with Max Liles then immediately passed the ball back to his left to Ryan Foran who charged at the spot where the Dolphins had come from to cross the try line and run around to put the ball down under the posts.

Ryan Foran also made the fourth hit-up of the match from the left of the play the ball to get the ball from his own thirty metre mark to within four metres of the halfway mark. The 51st minute then saw Ryan Foran run the ball down the left channel from thirty five metres from the try line to nineteen metres out with 65% of Ryan Foran’s metres being post contact.

Ryan Foran did very well defensively with two tackles in a row in the 43rd minute to step Redcliffe players from trying to burrow their way over the try line from close range next to the left uprights, then Ryan Foran stopped the Dolphins right centre (No. 3) right on the try line and five metres in from the left corner post in the 45th minute.

After missing one match Ryan Foran was back at left second row for the Round Fifteen local derby against the Burleigh Bears with Ryan Foran scoring in the 63rd minute four metres in from the left corner post after running out of dummy half to his right ten metres out.

Earlier in the 27th minute Ryan Foran made a strong run from a Seagulls penalty restart from four metres inside Burleigh territory to thirty three metres out from the try line. Then in the 66th minute from the left of the play the ball Ryan Foran was able to carry the ball from thirty three metres out from his own try line to within two metres of the halfway mark.

Ryan Foran continued at left second row in Round Sixteen against the Sunshine Coast Falcons with Ryan Foran kicking the first conversion of his HDC career after the final siren from directly in front of the posts.

Ryan Foran also made a line break in the 65th minute when from eleven metres inside his own territory Ryan Foran stepped off his left foot and burst away to get eleven metres inside Sunshine Coast territory. Then two tackles later Ryan Foran made a further ten metres to get to within twenty metres of the try line.

Earlier in the 23rd minute Ryan Foran carried the ball from fifteen metres from his own try line to twenty eight metres out after taking possession of the ball to the right of the dummy half.

Ryan Foran also started at left second row in Week One of the Finals against the Burleigh Bears with Ryan Foran taking the second hit-up of the match from the left of the play the ball to get the ball out to the twenty two metre mark.

Ryan Foran came close to scoring in the 47th minute only to be held up over the try line eight metres in from the left corner post after a ten metre run to the left of the play the ball. Ryan Foran produced a smart piece of play in the 10th minute when after blocking a Burleigh attacking grubber kick Ryan Foran just wanted the ball more than his Burleigh opponents to dive on the ball to seal possession for Tweed Heads twenty metres out from his own try line.

In the 39th minute from a Tweed Heads penalty restart ran the ball from forty metres from the try lien to within eighteen metres with 70% of those metre post contact. Then in the 45th minute from ten metres inside his own territory Ryan Foran was able to get eleven metres inside Burleigh territory after running onto the ball to the left of the dummy half.

Ryan Foran also started at left second row in the Preliminary Final against the Townsville Blackhawks with Ryan Foran scoring both of the Seagulls tries.

Ryan Foran scored his first try in the 42nd minute when after receiving the ball from his right from the dummy half ten metres from the try line, Max Liles continued to run to his left before throwing a short pass in the same direction to a hard charging Ryan Foran who burst between defenders to score whilst carrying the Blackhawks fullback over the try line to get the ball down ten metres to the left of the goal posts.

Ryan Foran added a second try in the 61st minute and once again it was Max Liles who set up the try when from the left of the play the ball ten metres out, Max Liles put in a left foot grubber kick with the ball bouncing up ideally for Ryan Foran on the try lien to collect the ball and score ten metres to the left of the goal posts.

In the 25th minute on the left side of the field Ryan Foran ran the ball from nineteen metres out from his own try line to thirty one metres out, then in the 29th minute from a Tweed Heads penalty restart Ryan Foran carried the ball from the halfway mark to twelve metres into Townsville territory. Ryan Foran then in the 44th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball was able to get the ball from twenty metres out from his own try line to thirty six metres out.

2023 saw Ryan Foran return to the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Ryan Foran starting at left second row in Trial One for the Seagulls in a late February 2023 Queensland Cup trail against the Burleigh Bears. With Ryan Foran involved in Jaylan De Groot’s 36th minute try when after receiving a pass from his right from Jaylan De Groot, Ryan Foran stepped inside and post one defender before off-loading to his left to Kaleb Ngamanu who burst downfield to put Jaylan De Groot over to score under the posts.

Ryan Foran then came off the bench in Trial Two also against the Bears with Ryan Foran coming onto the operate at right second row in the 55th minute.

2023 saw Ryan Foran named as an emergency in the Courier Mail School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup Team of the 2020’s and in early September 2023 Ryan Foran was also named on the bench in the Courier Mail’s PBC SHS Rugby League Team of the 2020’s to date.

In early December 2022 Ryan Foran took part in a joint training session betweed the Titans JTS contracted players and the Titans NRL squad.

In late 2022 Ryan Foran was named in the 2023 Tweed Heads Seagulls Hastings Deering’s Colts squad for the second season in a row.

Impressively Ryan Foran in November 2021 commenced the NRL pre-season training with the Titans main NRL squad after signing a two year deal to train with the Titans NRL squad in October 2021. Ryan Foran will also be part of the Titans Rookie Squad over the next two seasons.

In late January 2022 Ryan Foran started at left second row for the Titans U19 side in a match at Pizzey Park against the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts side with Ryan Foran scoring the opening try of the match in the 11th minute.

Prior to Ryan Foran scoring five metres to the left of the uprights, a number of other Titans players had produced some good work to unlock the Burleigh defence. Ryan Foran’s try scoring movement commenced well inside their 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.

Ryan Foran produced a start piece of play in the 52nd minute when deep in his own territory Ryan Foran scooped up an errant Burleigh pass and got the ball away to his left to send Jaylan De Groot away down the left touchline.

In late July 2022 Ryan Foran started at left second row for a Titans U19 side that played their annual match against the North Queensland Cowboys U19’s that was played as a curtain raiser at Cbus Stadium to the Titans Round Twenty NRL match against the Canberra Raiders.

Ryan Foran recorded a try assist in the 47th minute when Ryan Foran received the ball around ten metres out on the left side of the field, Ryan Foran cut to his outside, drawing in the Cowboys winger and got the ball away to his right to put Jaylen De Groot over to score in the left corner.

Ryan Foran also made a line break against the Cowboys when in the 18th minute Ryan Foran ran over the top of the Cowboys five eight in the 51st minute with Ryan Foran making eighteen metres down the left channel to get the ball to within five metres of the halfway mark.

Defensively in the 6th minute along with Keano Kini and Thomas Weaver, Ryan Foran made a strong tackle on the North Queensland right second rower to prevent him from scoring just to the left of the uprights on the last tackle.

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

After missing Round One of the 2022 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition Ryan Foran was named on the Tweed Heads Seagulls extended bench for the Round Two local derby against the Burleigh Bears.

Ryan Foran was then named on the bench in Round Three against the Townsville Blackhawks coming into the match early at right second row as a result of an injury to Jayden Wright before moving back to his more favoured left second row position in the second half.

Ryan Foran was on hand to prevent a Townsville try in the 15th minute when he came over the top to crunch the Blackhawks halfback who was able to reach over and get the ball down over the try line.

Ryan Foran moved into the starting line-up at left second row in Round Four against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls and took the second hit-up of the match after Wynnum Manly had kicked off to get the match underway.

Ryan Foran also did well in the 13th minute when along with Jack Cullen he was first downfield from a Tweed Heads long tactical kick and put the Wynnum Manly left winger, driving them back around eight metres.

Ryan Foran then had a line break assist in the 16th minute when after engaging the Wynnum Manly defensive line, Ryan Foran off-loaded the ball to his left to send Kaleb Ngamanu away down the left touchline.

Ryan Foran continued at right second row in Round Six against the Northern Pride.

Ryan Foran also started at right second row in the rescheduled Round One match against the Norths Devils with Ryan Foran taking the third hit-up of the match. Ryan Foran almost scored in the 77th minute when he ran off a Thomas Weaver pass and even though his initial contact with the defensive line as still six metres out Ryan Foran kept marching forward and actually got across the try line only to be held up.

Ryan Foran made a line break in the 12th minute when after receiving a good short ball from his left from Thomas Weaver on the forty metre mark, Ryan Foran burst through making twenty metres before being tackled by the Devils fullback.

Along with Jack Cullen, Ryan Foran executed a strong driving tackle on the Devils right winger with the tackle driving him back at least four metres. Then in the 17th minute Ryan Foran along with Charlie Murray held up over the line next to the left upright one of the Devils front rowers (No. 10) who had charged onto the ball from close range.

Round Eight against the Western Clydesdales saw Ryan Foran start at left second row with Ryan Foran scoring a first half double.

Ryan Foran’s opening try came in the 11th minute when he backed up a break down the left touchline by Konrad Tu’u and received the off-load back on the inside to score mid-way between the corner post and goal posts on the left side of the field.

Ryan Foran scored his second try in the 16th minute when he chased through a bomb to the left from Thomas Weaver and after the ball was dropped in the in-goal by the Western Clydesdales right winger the ball bounced up for Ryan Foran to take and subsequently put down mid-way between the corner post and goal posts on the left side of the field.

Ryan Foran made a further strong run in the 42nd minute with a twenty metre effort down the left channel to get the ball over the halfway mark.

Ryan Foran also started at left second row in Round Nine against the Ipswich Jets as well as in Round Ten against the Mackay Cutters with Ryan Foran making a strong run in the 67th minute of fifteen metres down the left channel to get the ball within twelve metres of the try line.

Ryan Foran continued at left second row in the rescheduled Round Seven match off the bench against the Souths Logan Magpies as well as in Round Eleven against the Central Queensland Capra’s.

Ryan Foran took the second hit-up of the match against the Capra’s when he took the ball down the left channel two passes off the dummy half.

The match also saw Ryan Foran make a 27th minute line break when he ran the ball down a short left blindside with Ryan Foran initially taking possession forty metres out from his own line and charging seventeen metres downfield.

Ryan Foran made another strong run in the 53rd minute down the left channel that started thirty metres out from his own try line with Ryan Foran finally brought to ground ten metres into Central Queensland territory.

Ryan Foran also started at left second row in Round Twelve against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Ryan Foran scoring in the 6th minute when from eight metres out Ryan Foran got over the line by way of a pass from Oskar Bryant only to be forced back with his back to the try line but Ryan Foran was able to spin to his left and get the ball down ten metres in from the left corner post.

In addition to scoring a try, Ryan Foran stopped one in the 34th minute with a great try saving tackle on the Redcliffe lock next to the right upright.

Ryan Foran continued at left second row in Round Thirteen against the Sunshine Coast Falcons with Ryan Foran once again performing solidly for the Seagulls.

Ryan Foran continued at left second row in the Round Fourteen local derby against the Burleigh Bears with Ryan Foran producing a great try assist 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.

Ryan Foran made a further line break in the 39th minute with a twenty five metre charge down the left channel with Ryan Foran able to get the ball to within five metres of the try line.

Then Ryan Foran along with Kyhan Weir held up the Burleigh lock over the try line five metres to the left of the uprights in the 31st minute.

Ryan Foran continued at left second row in Round Fifteen against the Northern Pride with Ryan Foran scoring in the 28th minute when from twenty metres out on the left side of the field, Kaleb Ngamanu broke through the Northern Pride left side defensive line before when eight metres out Kaleb Ngamanu got an off-load away to his left to put Ryan Foran over to score ten metres in from the left corner post.

Ryan Foran also made a line break in the 78th minute that ultimately led to Jotham Russell scoring the final try of the match. From his own twenty metre mark Ryan Foran made a line break down the left channel making forty metres down the left touchline before getting away a left arm off-load away to his right to Jaylan De Groot who then got the ball away for Jotham Russell to score.

Ryan Foran, in the 5th minute made a sixteen metre run down the left channel to get the ball to within twenty five metres from the try line. Ryan Foran made a further strong run in the 56th minute with a thirty three metre line break down the left channel from his own twenty metre mark.

Ryan Foran made another strong run in the 73rd minute with a twenty metre run to the left of the play the ball from forty five metres out from the try line to twenty five metres out.

Ryan Foran also started at left second row in Round Sixteen against the Townsville Blackhawks with Ryan Foran scoring in the 32nd minute when he took the ball to the defensive line on the left side of the field and sent a short pass away to his left to Ryan Foran who burst between two defenders to score ten metres in from the left corner post.

Ryan Foran also started at left second row in Round Seventeen against the Easts Tigers.

Week One of the 2022 Hastings Deering’s Colts Final saw Ryan Foran start at left second row in the Elimination Final against the Easts Tigers with Ryan Foran scoring in the 13th minute when after receiving the ball around twelve metres out Ryan Foran forced his way forward to carrying one defender over the line to score ten metres in from the left corner.

Ryan Foran could barely have been in the match earlier when he took the third hit-up of the match.

Ryan Foran in the 64th minute along with Thomas Weaver made a try saving tackle on the Tigers No. 9 when the dummy half tried to sneak over from dummy half. Ryan Foran and Thomas Weaver initially held up the dummy half over the try line before forcing him back into the field of play ten metres from the left corner.

To round out a strong match Ryan Foran converted Jesse Jackson’s 80th minute match winning try just to the right of the uprights.

Ryan Foran also started at left second row in Week Two of the Finals against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Ryan Foran making the second hit-up of the match to get the ball twenty five metres out from his own try line.

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

In early January 2021 Ryan Foran started at left second row for the Titans U19 side in their annual match against the Newcastle Knights in Coffs Harbour with Ryan Foran scoring in the first half in the Titans impressive 40 – 6 victory on a shockingly hot and muggy afternoon.

From a play the ball a metre out from the Newcastle line, Ryan Foran charged onto the ball, cutting back towards the play the ball and receiving a pass from hooker Ediq Ambrosyev who had darted out of dummy half to the left side of the field. Ryan Foran was immediately confronted by two Knights defenders but as soon as he made contact, Ryan Foran Spun 360 degree clockwise to break contact and then was able to dive over to score around mid-way between the goal post and corner post on the left side of the field.

Ryan Foran was in the action almost immediately after the kick-off, being involved in a solid hit in the third tackle after the Titans kicked off, with the tackle driving the Newcastle opponent sideways. Also involved in the tackle was Jack Cullen.

Ryan Foran’s first touch of the ball in attack came a minute or so later when he came back underneath Thomas Weaver, running directly over one Knights defender before being brought down by two more after a twelve metre charge.

A week after the match against the Newcastle Knights Ryan Foran once again lined up for the Titans U19’s starting at left second row as the Titans took on a Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts squad with the Titans winning 32 – 20 with no conversions attempted.

It did not take long for Ryan Foran in make an impact in the match when he produced a strong fifteen surge down the left side of the field on the second tackle of the set of six after the Titans first try.

Ryan Foran was one of the Titans first half try scorers in the 32 – 20 victory, when he dived over from close range near the left corner in the 20th minute of the match after receiving a long pass out of dummy half from Thomas Weaver with the pass finding Ryan Foran outside the widest Burleigh defender on that side of the field.

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 Ryan Foran starting the match on the bench for the Titans.

In November 2020 Ryan Foran was named in the Tweed Heads Seagulls 2021 MM Cup squad.

Ryan Foran started from the bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup side in their first 2021 trial which was against the Easts Tigers at Langland’s Park and was one of the Seagulls best in their 28 – 12 first up victory.

In the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup sides second trial against Burleigh, Ryan Foran started the second half at left second row recording an impressive late match line break and a subsequent try assist.

Mid-way through the second half Ryan Foran steamed onto the ball forty eight metres out from the line, utilising a slight step off his left foot to break through the Burleigh defensive line and then Ryan Foran positioned his support in Keano Kini perfectly to draw the fullback and pass to his left for Kini to sprint twenty five metres to put the ball down under the posts.

Ryan Foran was involved early in the set of six from the kick restart of the second half, taking two hit-ups including a twenty five metre burst down the left side of the field that included breaking two tackles. Later in the second half, Ryan Foran once again proved difficult to stop for the Burleigh right sided defence when he charged eighteen metres before three defenders eventually brought him to ground.

Ryan Foran also started at left second row in Tweed Heads final 2021 MM Cup final against the Souths Logan Magpies at Civic Park in Logan in Brisbane’s south.

Ran Foran was immediately in the match, taking part in the first tackle of the match along with Jack Cullen when the two Titans contracted forwards brought down Souths Logan front rower and fellow Titans contracted player Sione Fotuaika who had taken the hit-up from the kick-off.

Ryan Foran was also part of an impressive Tweed Heads Seagulls attacking sequence in the second minute of the third quarter. Keano Kini produced a great right arm around the corner off-load to Ryan Foran who charged fifteen metres downfield before drawing a defender and passing to his left to Kaleb Ngamanu who raced thirty metres downfield before being bundled into touch just metres short of the left corner post.

Late in the third quarter, Ryan Foran charged into the Souths Logan Magpies defence from a penalty restart making an impressive twenty metres, at least half of which post contact, with the run finishing inside the Souths Logan Magpies twenty metre area.

In Round One of the 2021 MM Cup competition, Ryan Foran started at left second row against the Ipswich Jets and was in the action on just the third hit-up of the match when he came back underneath Thomas Weaver, pushing the Ipswich defensive line back a couple of metres.

Ryan Foran highlighted how difficult he is to get to the ground in the 13th minute when he burst twelve metres down the left side of the field with the majority of those metres post contact and made his way to within eight metres of the line being stopped.

Ryan Foran is also a strong defender and the Ipswich Jets halfback found that out in the 31st minute of the match when Ryan Foran flew out of the line to monster him just as he was trying to pass to his right. After the tackle Ryan Foran certainly let him know about it.

Ryan Foran also started at left second row in Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies scoring late in the first half (31st minute) when he received the ball in the left thirteen metres out, bumping off one defender to cross the line out wide and then Ryan Foran was able to bring the ball around closer to the posts.

Ryan Foran made another strong surge in the 41st minute, making thirteen metres down the left side of the field dragging a Souths Logan defender along for the ride.

Ryan Foran showed his desperation in defence in the 55th minute when he along with Oskar Bryant both got underneath the Souths Logan hooker to hold him up over the line after he had tried to sneak over from dummy half to the right of the play the ball.

Ryan Foran once again started at left second row in the Round Three Gold Coast derby against the Burleigh Bears making an early contribution with a run that made twelve metres in the 12th minute of the match from a penalty restart.

Ryan Foran added to his strong match in the 23rd minute with a run that accounted for twenty valuable metres from the kick-off after Blake Mozer had scored. After receiving the ball on the ten metre mark, Ryan Foran was able to get the ball thirty seven metres away from his own line before eventually being wrestled to the ground by multiple Bears defenders.

Late in the first half Ryan Foran was on hand to continue to put pressure on Burleigh when he along with Kaleb Ngamanu was on hand to drag the Burleigh right winger into touch just out from his own line after he took a bomb on the field in the left corner.

In the 57th minute Ryan Foran produced probably his best run of the match with a twenty metre hit-up which including a left foot step to get out of the Seagulls won twenty metre area.

Ryan Foran was also named to start at left second row for Round Four match against the Ipswich Jets and produced a strong performance on the left side of the field, with the first of his multiple contributions coming in just the 5th minute with a run down a short left blindside of twelve metres that to take Tweed Heads across the halfway mark. Later in the same set of six, Ryan Foran made a further fifteen metres to get the Seagulls into their attacking twenty metre zone.

Ryan Foran recorded a try assist in the 19th minute, when he received a pass from Thomas Weaver down a short left blindside and ran downfield before passing to his left to Kruz Remine who once again crossed in the left corner.

Ryan Foran’s slick hands were on display in the 29th minute when he reacted quickly to get his hands down low and to his right to cleanly take an Ipswich grubber kick and then Ryan Foran was able to bring the ball back towards the twenty metre mark.

Ryan Foran also started at left second row in Round Five against the Souths Logan Magpies and was one of the Seagulls try scorers in the 38 – 14 victory.

After being rested in Round Six, Ryan Foran was named at left second row for the Seagulls Semi-final against Wynnum Manly and was in the match early, being involved in the Seagulls first tackle of the match when he chased through a Thomas Weaver kick into the left corner.

Ryan Foran made a strong run in the 31st minute, making twelve metres and getting to within twenty five metres of the Wynnum Manly line.

Ryan Foran recorded a try assist in the 45th minute when backed up a Seagulls break down the left touchline and was on hand to retrieve an inside kick from left winger Elijah Lui and passed to his right to Jaylan De Groot who dived over under the posts.

In the 2021 MM Cup Queensland Grand Final against the Townsville Blackhawks, Ryan Foran once again started at left second row as the Seagulls defeated Townsville 30 – 24 to claim back to back MM Cup Championships.

Ryan Foran was in the match early, making a strong run that accounted for twelve metres in the 7th minute to get Tweed Heads inside the attacking twenty metre area. Ryan Foran then made a start play in the 8th minute when he chased through a Thomas Weaver grubber kick and got to the Townsville fullback who had made it out of the in-goal. Ryan Foran however was able to hold the fullback off the ground and then force him back into the in-goal.

Post the 2021 MM Cup competition, Ryan Foran was back playing for the Murwillumbah Mustangs in the NRRRL U18 competition, with his first appearance coming in Round Six when he started at left second row in the U18 competition as the Mustangs took on the Kyogle Turkeys.

To say that Ryan Foran was outstanding in the match would be an understatement. In addition to scoring a hat trick, Ryan Foran recorded two try assists, two line breaks and two line break assists just to round off a Man of the Match performance.

Ryan Foran’s opening try of his hat trick performance came in the 13th minute when he received the ball on the left forty metres from the line, easily bumping off the initial defender who attempted to engage him before using his right arm to palm off the second. From there Ryan Foran produced a right foot step to easily round the fullback and bring the ball around to put it down under the posts.

Ryan Foran’s second try came in the 26th minute when he ran a great outside shoulder line from eighteen metres out, breaking three tackles on his run to the line and once again was able to bring the ball around to put it down under the posts.

Ryan Foran completed his hat trick in the 48th minute when Riley Lack put up a huge bomb from near midfield which the Kyogle defence could not handle, Ryan Foran charged through to dive on the loose ball in the in-goal.

Ryan Foran recorded the first of his two try assists in the match in the 3rd minute when after receiving the ball forty seven metres out he kept running to his left, using a right arm fend to gain separation from two defenders before getting a pass away to his left for his fullback to dive over in the left corner.

Ryan Foran added a second try assist in the 41st minute when after he was put into a gap by a great ball from Byron Jones on halfway, Ryan Foran ran thirty metres downfield before passing to his left to put the Mustangs replacement left centre over in the left corner.

The 45th minute saw Ryan Foran record a line break assist when the ball was passed in his direction thirty metres out from his own line, Ryan Foran had to reach forward and down low to take receipt of the ball before passing the ball to his left in one motion to put his support runner away on a thirty five metre run down the left touchline.

Ryan Foran broke the line himself in the 51st minute with a twenty metre line break before off-loading to his left with three would be tacklers on the ground in his wake.

After Murwillumbah’s Round Nine match against the Tweed Coast Raiders was postponed, Ryan Foran was named to come off the bench for Round Ten against the Cudgen Hornets.

Round Seven of the NRRRL First Grade competition saw Ryan Foran come off the bench for Murwillumbah and play in the left second row position in their big 60 – 6 victory over Byron Bay.

Ryan Foran also was named to start from the bench in Round Eight against Northern United and was also named on the bench in Round Twelve against Northern United once again when he scored in the 78th minute when he followed through a break, receiving the ball twenty metres out and crossing the line untouched.

Round Thirteen against the Ballina Seagulls saw Ryan Foran named to start at right second row.

In mid-February 2021 Ryan Foran was named at left second row in the school boy Oceanic Opens side for the South Coast school boy QSSRL U18 trial against Broadwater. Following the final round of trials, Ryan Foran was named in the 2021 South Coast U18 school boy QSSRL squad in the left second row position.

Ryan Foran started at left second row in South Coast’s Day One match against Met North getting into the action in just the 2nd minute he took South Coast’s first hit-up of the match after team mate Kaleb Ngamanu had taken a Met North clearing kick on the full inside his own territory.

Ryan Foran also started at left second row on Day Two as South Coast took on Met East and scored in the 10th minute when he ran twenty metres off a Nicholas Hilton off-load and was able to bring the ball around to put it down near the goal posts.

On Day Three against Capricornia Ryan Foran once again start at left second row and had a line break assist when he was able to get a great ball away to his left to Kaleb Ngamanu who made a forty metre line break down the left touchline, then as he was confronted by the cover defence, Kaleb Ngamanu got the ball back inside to Ryan Foran.

Ryan Foran also started at left second row in the Championship Final against Met North, scoring in the 22nd minute when after great work on his inside by Thomas Weaver who had picked up a wickedly bouncing ball and threw a cut-out ball to his left in one motion. Subsequently Ryan Foran ran into space to score wide out on the left.

Ryan Foran also made some strong defensive efforts in the match including in the 16th minute when he along with Thomas Weaver forced Met North back five metres to just out from his own line.

At the completion of the Championships, Ryan Foran was named at left second row in the 2021 QSSRL U18 School Boy Merit Team.

In late August 2021 Ryan Foran was also named at left second row in the 2021 Australian School Boys U18 Merit Team alongside fellow Titans contracted players, Thomas Weaver and Jack Cullen.

2021 also saw Ryan Foran line up once again for PBC State High School in the South East Queensland School Boy Langer Cup competition starting Round One at left second row against Ipswich State High School.

Ryan Foran scored a key try in the match after PBC SHS had fallen behind early. Ryan Foran ran the ball down the left channel in the 24th minute, receiving the ball ten metres out and through sheer strength and determination, Ryan Foran pushed through three defenders to get the ball down with defenders still hanging off him three metres out from the left upright.

In addition to his try, Ryan Foran also made a number of telling runs, firstly in the 11th minute when his strong run made fourteen metres to get within thirty metres of the line, then in the 48th minute, a Ryan Foran jink to the left saw him get to within eight metres of the line after his run started twenty metres out.

Ryan Foran also started at left second row in Round Two against St Mary’s College Toowoomba and was easily the best player on the field in PBC’s big win, scoring a double as well as recording a try assist.

Ryan Foran’s opening try of the match came in just the 8th minute when from twelve metres out from the line on the left side of the field he ran an outside shoulder route and after receiving the pass from Thomas Weaver, Ryan Foran charged through a gap to get the ball down three metres in from the left corner post.

Ryan Foran completed his try scoring double in the 31st minute when after earlier good work from Thomas Weaver and Hunter Plogema, Ryan Foran ran thirty metres untouched to put the ball down next to the left upright.

Ryan Foran recorded his try assist in the 44th minute when he threw a hard flat cut-out pass to his left from just ten metres from the line to put Hunter Plogema into space down the touchline with the PBC left winger getting the ball down in the left corner.

Ryan Foran also made a line break in the 43rd minute when he burst away down the left, charging twenty metres before getting a pass away to his left.

Ryan Foran continued at left second row in Round Three against Coombabah State High School and took the second hit-up of the match and in the 58th minute added a twenty metre run down the left channel to easily get over the halfway mark.

Ryan Foran continued at left second row in the Round Four blockbuster against Marsden State High School with Ryan Foran scoring in the 48th minute when he ran an underneath route down a short left blindside from four metres out after Oskar Bryant had darted to his left out of dummy half and get the ball inside to Ryan Foran.

Ryan Foran’s first key contribution of the match came in the 14th minute when he executed a great ball and all tackle down a short blindside to prevent the Marsden SHS right centre from scoring with Ryan Foran’s tackle stopping his opponent dead a metre from the try line.

Ryan Foran produced another outstanding tackle in the 36th minute when as the Marsden SHS fullback was bringing the ball off his own line, Ryan Foran flew out of marker to his right to smash the fullback and force the ball loose.

Ryan Foran continued at left second row for the much anticipated Round Five local derby against Keebra Park State High School as well as in Round Six against Mabel Park State high School.

After the competition was suspended for a number of weeks due to a Covid 19 lock down, Ryan Foran was named at left second row for PBC State High School in their semi-final against Keebra Park State High School with Ryan Foran taking the second hit-up of the match.

Ryan Foran was on hand in the 12th minute to help prevent a Keebra Park when he along with Thomas Weaver and Keano Kini held up one of the Keebra Park front rowers over the line.

Ryan Foran also produced a smart piece of play in the 49th minute when with Keebra Park on the attack, Ryan Foran produced a great one on one steal. Ryan Foran was not content with that and broke away down field on a sixty metre run where he was eventually brought to ground from behind then metres from the try line. Ryan Foran then got to his feet quickly to affect a quick play the ball with Keano Kini scoring from the resulting play on the opposite side of the field.

In the 2021 Langer Cup Grand Final against Marsden State High School, Ryan Foran was named to start at left second row for PBC and scored a second half double to lead PBC to an impressive 22 – 18 victory.

The first of Ryan Foran’s two tries came in the 42nd minute when Ryan Foran ran out of dummy half down a short left blindside from close to the line. Initially Ryan Foran was held up short of the line but was able to twist clockwise and get the ball down in the left corner.

Ryan Foran completed his double in the 47th minute when he charged over down the left channel from twelve metres out to score seven metres in from the left corner post.

Ryan Foran was also solid defensively in the match, including in the 32nd minute when he stopped the Marsden SHS hooker from scoring with a great try saving tackle.

Post the completion of the 2021 Langer Cup competition, Ryan Foran was named in the second row in the Courier Mail’s 2021 Langer Cup Team of the Season.

Ryan Foran was then named at left second row for PBC SHS in the Queensland Open School Boys Final (Phil Hall Cup) against St Brendan’s College Yeppoon with Ryan Foran scoring one of PBC’s tries in their massive 62 – 0 Grand Final victory.

Ryan Foran scored in the 46th minute when he ran off a Thomas Weaver pass just five metres out from the line and crashed over eight metres in from the left corner post.

Ryan Foran almost had a double but in the 32nd minute he was held up over the line and the ball stripped.

Ryan Foran’s initial contribution in the match came in the 5th minute when he made a twenty metre line break down the left side of the field, getting the ball to the halfway mark before he was put to ground.

At the 2021 PBC Sports Awards Presentation Ryan Foran was awarded the Craig Weston Medal for the PBC State High School Open A Player of the Year.

At the end of the 2021 school boy season, Ryan Foran was named at No. 16 in the Courier Mail Top 60 school boys from the GPS Rugby, AIC Rugby and Langer Cup competitions.

After returning from a long term injury Ryan Foran was named on the Northern Rivers Titans extended bench for Round Three of the 2020 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition against the Central Coast Roosters. Ryan Foran however ended up starting the match at left second row scoring a double with both tries coming off passes from fellow Titan Thomas Weaver.

Ryan Foran and Thomas Weaver have developed a great understanding on the left over the last couple of seasons and that combination was on display multiple times once again in the 2020 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition for the Northern Rivers Titans as it was for the 2019 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup Grand Final winning side.

Ryan Foran’s first try in Round Three resulted when he ran an outside shoulder route close to the Central Coast Roosters line to crash over. Ryan Foran scored his second try in the second half when he backed up a Thomas Weaver break to take the pass when Thomas Weaver drew the fullback to run twenty metres to score near the left corner.

Ryan Foran also started at left second row in Round Four against the Greater Northern Tigers and in the Round Five local derby against North Coast scoring the Titans first try when he followed through a Thomas Weaver stab kick to pouch on the ball when the North Coast defence could not handle the bouncing ball.

Also in 2020 Ryan Foran was part of the PBC Langer Cup Open A school boy rugby league squad however due to injury Ryan Foran was not able to take the field for PBC when the competition commenced.

After missing the opening rounds of the competition Ryan Foran was named to start from the bench for the Round Three local derby against Keebra Park and started at left second row in rounds four and five against Keebra Park and Marsden State High Schools respectively.

Ryan Foran started the 2020 Langer Cup Grand Final from the interchange bench for PBC as they defeated Keebra Park 16 – 8 in a high quality match, playing on the left side of the field when he came on.

In the Queensland School Boys Final against Kirwan State High School Ryan Foran was named to start on the bench as PBC travelled to take on their North Queensland based opponents but came in the starting side at left centre late on the day of the match in PBC’s tough 24 – 20 loss.

Ryan Foran played the 2020 club season with Murwillumbah, making his NRRRL First Grade debut in Round Eight when he came off the bench in Round Eight against the Bilambil Jets. Ryan Foran also came off the bench in the 2020 NRRRL First Grade Major Semi-final against the Tweed Coast Raiders, spending time on both sides of the field.

Ryan Foran started from the bench and made some telling second half surges through the centre of the ruck as Murwillumbah prevailed 20 – 18 to earn a spot in the Grand Final. Ryan Foran also came off the bench in the Grand Final against the Tweed Coast Raiders. In the Mustangs 24 – 18 loss, Ryan Foran played in the left second row position when he came on and could have scored a late try when he ran into space from around twenty metres out, instead of just running straight to the line, Ryan Foran guaranteed the Mustangs scored when he passed to left to his left centre.

Ryan Foran was also a key member of the Murwillumbah U18 NRRRL side in 2020 leading them to the Grand Final. Ryan Foran started at right second row and was prominent throughout as the Mustangs went down 28 – 16 to the Cudgen Hornets in a bad tempered Grand Final.

The young Murwillumbah Colts and Titans contracted second rower donned a Titans jersey early in 2019 when he started for the Titans U16 side in their match against the Newcastle Knights Harold Matthews squad in Coffs Harbour in January.

Ryan Foran started the match at left second row and played on the left side of the field for the entire match and in fact was named as the Titans best in incredibly hot conditions.

Ryan Foran was also part of the Titans U15 side that defeated the Western Mustangs six tries to three in March 2018 at Nerang. Just like in this seasons match against the Knights, Ryan Foran started in the second row playing on the left side of the ruck in the first half but then switched to the right side when he came back on in the second highlighting his versatility.

Ryan Foran also started at left second row for the Titans U15’s late in 2018 year when they defeated a Balmain Tigers U15 touring side 16 – 10 at Cudgen.

Along with fellow Murwillumbah High School student Riley Lack, Ryan Foran signed a Titans contract in 2018.

In Round One of the 2019 U18 Andrew Johns Cup competition Ryan Foran started in his usual left second row position for the Northern Rivers Titans in their match against the Newcastle Knights Development Squad and scored a great first half try when he ran a great outside shoulder route and received a good short ball from Thomas Weaver to run thirty metres to score basically untouched.

Round Two of the 2019 Andrew Johns Cup competition saw Ryan Foran once again line up in the left second row position in their match against Parramatta and scored a similar try to what he scored in Round One, once again running a good outside shoulder route and receiving a good pass from half Thomas Weaver.

Round Three against the North Coast Bulldogs saw Ryan Foran start at left second row for the third match in a row but in the first minute took a knock and it looked like his match was over early. Thankfully Ryan Foran was able to come back onto the field later in the first half and scored a typical try of his when he combined on the left with half Thomas Weaver to score. In all three rounds so far to two have combined for tries in very similar fashion.

Ryan Foran also scored in the second half when he charged forty metres down the left touch line to score after receiving a great offload from lock Bailey Cox. Ryan Foran could have scored four in the match, after just failing to handle a difficult pass with the line open and late in the second half was denied a try when he was held up over the North Coast line.

As usual in Round Four against the Central Coast Roosters Ryan Foran started at left second row and scored a first half double. Both tries were similar in nature, with Ryan Foran running an outside shoulder route and being provided with a pass from half Thomas Weaver.

For his first try Ryan Foran crashed over from around five metres out and the second was scored from a Titans scrum win around twenty metres out from the Central Coast line when Ryan Foran split the defensive line and won the race to the try line.

For the fifth round in a row Ryan Foran started at left second row in Round Five against the Greater Northern Tigers and scored once again when he ran off a pass from the dummy half Jordan Gallagher to crash over in the left corner from around four metres out.

Ryan Foran almost had a second, when from a Titans fed scrum ten metres out from his own line, Ryan Foran took the ball first off the scrum, bursting through the defence on an eighty seven metre run only to be dragged down two metres out. The Northern Rivers Titans scored two plays later through front rower Noah Johannssen.

Once again Ryan Foran was outstanding at left second row for the Titans in their 26 – 14 semi-final victory over Penrith especially defensive on the left side of the ruck. In attack Ryan Foran scored yet again and the try again was as a result of his great understanding of the field with Thomas Weaver. The Titans half took the ball to the line and pop a good shot ball to Ryan Foran who ran a good outside shoulder route to crash over from short range.

In the 2019 U16 Andrew Johns Cup Grand Final against the Western Rams Ryan Foran started in the left second row position in the Northern Rivers Titans 18 – 6 victory.

Post the victory Ryan Foran was named on the second row for the New South Wales Country U16 side for their November 2019 three match tour of the United Kingdom and was also named in the New South Wales U16 36 man train on squad and was one of only four New South Wales Country players in the squad, two others being fellow Titans Thomas Weaver and Riley Lack.

The New South Wales Country U16 side played a New South Wales U16 Harold Matthews squad as a curtain raiser to the Penrith/Warriors NRL match on a Friday night at Penrith Park in May. Ryan Foran started the match at left second row.

Impressively less than 48 hours later Ryan Foran lined up for Murwillumbah in their 25 – 24 NRRRL U18 Round Seven win over Byron Bay.

After that match, Ryan Foran was selected in the New South Wales U16 side that defeated a U16 Pasifika team 36 – 6 at Belmore Sports Ground on Sunday 9 June with Ryan Foran starting the match from the bench and came very close to scoring in the second half when he ran onto a pass from Thomas Weaver only to be dragged down just short of the line.

The week after being part of the 2019 U16 Northern Rivers Titans side that won the Andrew Johns Cup Ryan Foran made his U18 NRRRL debut when he came on for Murwillumbah in their 36 – 0 loss to Cudgen in Round Three of the 2019 NRRRL competition.

Ryan Foran scored his first tries in the U18 NRRRL competition in Round Eight against the Tweed Heads Seagulls, scoring a double as Murwillumbah won 28 – 14.

In total in the U18 NRRRL regular season Ryan Foran played in ten matches scoring three tries. In addition to his Round Eight double Ryan Foran also scored in Round Twelve against Lower Clarence.

Ryan Foran’s 2019 NRRRL U18 season ended when his Murwillumbah side were defeated 26 – 10 by Byron Bay in the U18 Elimination Final.

In 2019 Ryan Foran was named joint Player of the Year for the Group 18 U16 Junior Rugby League competition with fellow Titan Thomas Weaver. Considering how the two of them combined on the field it was fitting that they shared the award.

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

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

To cap off an impressive junior representative year in2018, Ryan Foran was selected in the New South Wales Combined High Schools (CHS) U15 side for the U15 ASSRL Championships and lined up against a number of Titans boys in the two Queensland sides being Queensland Maroon and Queensland White and the New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges side which contained Titans contracted half back Thomas Weaver amongst other Titans linked players. Titans contracted fullback or centre Rowan Mansfield was a team mate in the NSW CHS U15 side as is fellow Murwillumbah High School student Riley Lack.

Ryan Foran was one of ten Titans contracted U15 players that were involved in the 2018 U15 ASSRL Championships.

At the 2018 Championships Ryan Foran played in four matches being against Queensland Maroon, New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges twice and New South Wales Combined Independent Colleges, scoring against NSW CCC in his third match of the Championships.

In 2017 Ryan Foran started in the second row for the Group 18 U14 side that competed in the New South Wales Country Rugby League U14 Championships playing three matches against Maitland, Group One and Newcastle in the Northern Plate Final.

Fellow Titans linked youngsters in the 2017 Group 18 U14 side was outstanding Titans contracted half back Thomas Weaver who was also a team mate of Ryan Foran when he played for the Titans U15 Invitational side against the Western Mustangs in early 2018.

For his age group Ryan Foran is a tall athlete and this can be seen when be he is running with the ball. In his hit ups Ryan Foran carries the ball with pace and is very good at running on the fringes of the ruck especially on the left side.

Ryan Foran 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.

One trait that stands out every time that you see him play is that Ryan Foran runs with speed into the defensive line and his foot work prior to the line enables him to get partly through the line on a number of occasions. Ryan Foran does not try to run over defenders, but he runs at the gaps between defenders and uses his running speed to break through if defenders only use their arms in the tackle.

In relation to the defensive aspects of his game Ryan Foran is an exceptional cover defender. With his above average to plus speed for his position he is able to track the ball across the field and be in a position to make the cover defending tackle if breaks are made.

From a front on tackling perspective Ryan Foran has a solid repeatable technique which he can use against attackers of any size. The keys to his technique are his timing and anticipation as well as correct head placement. So many defenders in either rugby or rugby league have no idea about head placement but Ryan Foran is not one of them.

Another impressive aspect from a defensive stand point for Ryan Foran is the fact that he came make multiple tackles one after another and then still be in position to track the ball across the field, he has exceptional stamina from an aerobic capacity stand point including the ability to consistently sprint short distances time and again in a short time span whilst maintaining his positioning on the field.

In 2024 Ryan Foran will continue as part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup squad with Ryan Foran aiming to be a Queensland Cup regular for the Seagulls after making his Queensland Cup debut in 2023.

Ryan Foran has a bit of height about him and the frame to add muscle mass over the coming seasons without compromising his speed or lateral mobility, to that end it is likely that he will stay in the second row for the coming seasons and one that is comfortable operating on either side of the ruck.

Ryan Foran has a similar playing style to that of Sydney Roosters and New South Wales State of Origin second rower Angus Creighton who like Ryan Foran normally plays on the left side of the field and who can defend either in the centre of the ruck or a little wider out as a foil for his half and five eight. Also like Creighton, Ryan Foran is a long striding runner of the ball who also has a strong fend and well above average speed for a second rower meaning that he is difficult to bring down and regularly makes multiple metres post contact.

Ryan Foran is an outstanding prospect who appears set to have a long and productive NRL career ahead of him in the left second row position.

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Creedence (Kelly) Donovan. In late September 2023 Creedence Donovan was named in the 2024 Burleigh Bears U19 Mal Meninga Cup squad.

Creedence Donovan made his School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup debut in Round Five of the 2023 season when he started on the left wing for PBC SHS in their away match against Ipswich SHS with Creedence Donovan scoring on debut in the 20th minute when after receiving a cut-out pass from his inside from Bailey McConnell when four metres out, Creedence Donovan darted towards the left corner but at the last moment pulled up on the spot to allow an Ipswich SHS cover defender to fly past with Creedence Donovan then able to walk forward and put the ball down in the left corner.

Creedence Donovan also did well in the 39th minute whilst when operating at fullback (after switching positions with Jake Lateo) Creedence Donovan came forward off his own try line to take a high Ipswich SHS bomb on the full under pressure in from of his own posts and ten metres out.

Creedence Donovan was also named on the left wing in the Round Six Gold Coast derby against Keebra Park SHS with Creedence Donovan taking a Keebra Park SHS bomb to his wing on the full five metres out from his own try line with Creedence Donovan then running the ball down the left touchline out to the twenty metre mark.

Creedence Donovan continued on the left wing in Round Seven against Wavell SHS with Creedence Donovan scoring twice in a tight PBC SHS 14 – 4 victory.

Creedence Donovan scored his opening try in the 5th minute with an easy four metre run/jog to put the ball down three metres in from the left corner post after receiving a pass from his inside and on the end of a PBC SHS backline movement from own side of the field to the other.

Creedence Donovan completed his double in the 57th minute when he chased through a Bailey McConnell chip kick towards the left corner with Creedence Donovan getting around his opposing winger who was trying to shield the ball and get the ball down just before the dead ball line to ensure a PBC SHS 14 – 4 victory.

Creedence Donovan had earlier done well in the 37th minute to take a high Wavell SHS bomb on the full under intense pressure ten metres out from his own try line.

After PBC SHS finished fourth on the 2023 School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup table after the completion of the regular season, Creedence Donovan started on the left wing for PBC SHS in their Quarter Final clash against Keebra Park SHS with Creedence Donovan scoring two critical tries including the match winner in PBC SHS’s 14 – 12 victory.

Creedence Donovan scored PBC SHS’s first try of the match in the 14th minute when Creedence Donovan chased through a Bailey McConnell grubber kick to the left side of the field with the ball sitting up perfectly in the in-goal for Creedence Donovan to collect and score ten metres to the left of the uprights.

Creedence Donovan scored the match winning try in the 58th minute when Creedence Donovan darted four metres down the left touchline to score in the corner after Sam Stephenson had drawn the Keebra Park SHS right wing to allow Creedence Donovan the space to score in the left corner.

Creedence Donovan in fact was the reason why PBC SHS were even in a position to score in the match winning try when in the 58th minute with PBC SHS down 12 – 10 with two minutes to go Creedence Donovan moved over to the opposite side of the field and after chasing through a PBC SHS bomb to the right corner and after the ball was knocked back, Creedence Donovan was able to race back and after picking up the ball twenty five metres out and the play totally broken down Creedence Donovan took the responsibility on himself and when faced with s straight Keebra Park SHS defensive line Creedence Donovan put in a short right foot grubber kick for himself and after one of the Keebra Park SHS defenders grabbed the ball near the PBC SHS right corner Creedence Donovan was able to drag him over the touchline to give PBC SHS the scrum feed with less than two minutes remaining. Then as noted above Creedence Donovan scored the match winning try on the opposite side of the field in the next set of six tackles.

Creedence Donovan also did well in the 20th minute when after scooping up a Keebra Park grubber kick and get the ball thirty two metres away from his own try line.

Creedence Donovan was also named on the left wing in the Langer Cup Semi-Final against Marsden SHS with Creedence Donovan scoring in the 39th minute when after making a tackle on the Marsden SHS fullback in the in-goal, Creedence Donovan was on hand to grab the ball when it came free to get the ball down three metres to the left of the uprights.

Creedence Donovan also recorded a try assist in the 45th minute when after making a great take of a contested Bailey McConnell bomb on the full around seven metres out, Creedence Donovan did brilliantly to get a right arm off-load away to his left with his back to the try line to Sam Stephenson who was able to dive over to score in the left corner.

Also in the 51st minute from the left of the play the ball Creedence Donovan took a yardage carry from two metres from his own try line to sixteen metres out to relieve pressure for PBC SHS.

Creedence Donovan also started on the left wing in the 2023 School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup Grand Final against Ipswich SHS with Creedence Donovan scoring in the 32nd minute when after running the ball down a short left blindside from twelve metres out Bailey McConnell was able to get partway through the defensive line before throwing a right arm pass to his left and after the ball was knocked into the in-goal by an Ipswich SHS defender PBC SHS left winger Creedence Donovan was there to dive on the ball to score in the corner to get PCB SHS back into the match.

Creedence Donovan also made a line break in the 28th minute when after running out of dummy half to his right when thirty metres out from his own try line, Creedence Donovan was able to get on the outside of the Ipswich SHS left side defence and make a line break down the right touchline and get the ball five metres into Ipswich SHS territory.

Creedence Donovan did exceptionally well in the 43rd minute when after taking a PBC SHS bomb towards his wing on the full around four metres from the try line on the last tackle, Creedence Donovan immediately put in a right foot grubber kick into the in-goal from four metres out, Creedence Donovan was awarded a penalty for being interfered with as he attempt to chase his own kick with the Ipswich SHS player involved being sent to the sin bin for ten minutes.

The 4th minute saw Creedence Donovan take an Ipswich SHS long clearing kick on the full thirty metres out from his own try line with Creedence Donovan then making a kick-off return that saw him return the ball to the halfway mark.

Creedence Donovan made an impressive try saving tackle in the 9th minute on the Ipswich SHS right centre who had broken away down the touchline but Creedence Donovan came across field to take the centre over the left touchline around two metres from the try line.

Creedence Donovan finished the 2023 Langer Cup School Boy Rugby League competition as the competitions equal third leading try scorer with seven tries.

Creedence Donovan also started on the left wing for PBC SHS against St Patrick’s College in Mackay in the Phil Hall Cup to determine the best Queensland School Boy Rugby League side of 2023.

The 2nd minute saw Creedence Donovan take a St Patrick’s kick on the full twenty metres from his own try line with Creedence Donovan running to his right to get the ball out to the thirty three metre mark. The 12th minute then saw Creedence Donovan run onto the ball to the left of the dummy half to get the ball from twenty five metres out from his own try line to within nine metres of the halfway mark.

Creedence Donovan, in the 42nd minute made a great take of a St Patrick’s bomb to his wing on the full eight metres out from his own try line and three metres in from the left touchline.

Creedence Donovan made a good defensive effort in the 24th minute when along with Sam Stephenson, Creedence Donovan brought down the St Patrick’s right centre less than a metre from the try line near the left corner to save a near certain try.

Creedence Donovan continued on the left wing in the 2023 NRL School Boy Rugby League Grand Final against Westfields Sports High with Creedence Donovan scoring in the 34th minute with a six metre run to put the ball down in the left corner off a Sam Stephenson pass from his inside.

Creedence Donovan also put the ball down under the posts in the 46th minute after following through a Bailey McConnell grubber kick into the in-goal but the referee rules incorrectly that Creedence Donovan was off-side.

Creedence Donovan also made a line break in the 19th minute when after being put away down the left touchline off a Sam Stephenson pass from his right forty eight metres out, Creedence Donovan raced down the left touchline and when he was six five metres out from the try line Creedence Donovan chipped over the top of the fullback and after a scramble in the in-goal Zane Harrison dived on the ball but bizarrely the referee ruled that Creedence Donovan had knocked on in the in-goal when it was clear that Creedence Donovan went over the top of the ball and it was the Westfield’s Sports High fullback’s hand that touched the ball.

Creedence Donovan was initially involved in literally the opening seconds of the match when Creedence Donovan picked up a lost Westfield’s Sports High lost ball from the kick-off with Creedence Donovan collecting the ball eight metres out from the try line and five metres in from the left touchline.

In the 27th minute Creedence Donovan ran onto the ball to the right of the dummy half to promote the ball from his own thirty five metre mark to within two metres of the halfway mark. Then in the 42nd minute from the right of the play the ball once again Ray Puru made a yardage carry from thirty three metres out from his try line to forty six metres out.

2023 saw Creedence Donovan move to the Bilambil Jets in the NRRRL competition with Creedence Donovan named to make his NRRRL First Grade debut and Bilambil debut on the right wing in Round One against the Tweed Coast Raiders with Creedence Donovan celebrating his debut with a first half try when he raced through to take a chip kick to his wing on the full in the in-goal area to score a spectacular try.

Round Twelve of the 2023 NRRRL U18 competition saw Creedence Donovan start at fullback for the Bilambil Jets against the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Creedence Donovan running an underneath route to the left of the play the ball in the 7th minute to get the ball from forty two metres from the try line to twenty nine metres out.

Creedence Donovan made a further good run in the 42nd minute from the right of the play the ball with Creedence Donovan commencing his run five metres inside his own territory and after getting on the outside of his opposing defender Creedence Donovan was able to get the ball ten metres into Murwillumbah territory before getting a right arm flick off-load away to his right to keep the movement progressing.

After Murwillumbah had failed to find touch from a penalty in the 50th minute Creedence Donovan picked the ball up near the left touchline eighteen metres out from his own try line with Creedence Donovan then making a line break down the same touchline to get the ball thirty metres out on the opposing end of the field.

From the left of the play the ball near the centre of the field in the 51st minute and forty metres out from the Jets try line with nothing happening Creedence Donovan received the ball whilst stationary and exploded off the mark before putting in a short right foot chip kick over the defensive line for himself and after retrieving the ball on the bounce and raced to within fifteen metres of the try line but unfortunately Creedence Donovan’s pass to his left was knocked down by a Mustangs defender.

The 51st minute then saw Creedence Donovan from two passes to the left of a Jets scrum win get the ball from his own twenty eight metre mark to the forty metre mark.

Creedence Donovan also started at fullback in Round Fourteen against the Tweed Coast Raiders with Creedence Donovan recording a try assist in the 46th minute when after running the ball to the left of the dummy half from twenty five metres from the try line to fourteen metres out, Creedence Donovan double pumped a pass to his left to put his left centre over to score five metres in from the left corner post.

Creedence Donovan also made a line break in the 39th minute when after taking a Tweed Coast clearing kick on the bounce ten metres out from his own try line, Creedence Donovan ran to his right to get on the outside of the Raiders left winger and raced down the right touchline to get the ball to within eight metres of the halfway mark.

Creedence Donovan also recorded an 18th minute line break assist when from twenty five metres out from his own try line and to the left of the play the ball Creedence Donovan threw a cut-out pass to his left to his winger who made it to near the halfway mark before being tackled but was awarded a penalty when the referee ruled that he was dragged into touch after the tackle had been completed.

Earlier in the 6th minute from the left of a Bilambil scrum win forty three metres out and near the centre of the field Creedence Donovan continued to run to his right upon receipt of the ball before cutting inside off his left foot to get the ball twenty four metres from the try line.

Creedence Donovan also made a good run in the 54th minute when after receiving the ball to the right of the dummy half twenty six metres from the try line, Creedence Donovan danced to his right before coming back to his left and broke five tackles as Creedence Donovan outsmarted the defence to get within two metres of the try line mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.

Creedence Donovan also made a good defensive read in the 4th minute to stop one of the Tweed Coast attackers right on the try line and was able to force a knock on ten metres to the left of the uprights.

Creedence Donovan moved to five eight for the Round Fifteen local derby against the Cudgen Hornets with Creedence Donovan making a line beak in the 36th minute when after taking possession of the ball forty metres from his own try line and to the left of the play the ball, Creedence Donovan ran at the defensive lien and after dummying to his left, Creedence Donovan sliced between two defenders and after shrugging away from a cover defender Creedence Donovan stepped off his right foot to beat the Cudgen fullback. Creedence Donovan was grabbed from behind around fifteen metres out but kept pushing and shoving to get the ball within a metre of the try line and six metres in from the left touchline.

Creedence Donovan also recorded a line break assist in the 8th minute when from the left of the play the ball Creedence Donovan double pumped a short ball to his left to put his left centre into a yawning gap with the centre beating the fullback to score on the opposite side of the goal posts.

Inside the opening minute of the match Creedence Donovan ran the ball down a short left blindside from twelve metres inside his own territory with Creedence Donovan able to promote the ball to two metres into Cudgen territory.

Creedence Donovan also forced a Cudgen goal line drop-out in the 13th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the dummy half and in front of the goal posts nineteen metres out, Creedence Donovan was hit just after receiving the ball but was able to break the tackle and when Creedence Donovan was still ten metres from the try line, Creedence Donovan put in a right foot grubber kick to his left with the Cudgen fullback subsequently tackled in-goal to force the Hornets gaol line drop-out.

Creedence Donovan continued at five eight in Round Sixteen against the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Creedence Donovan scoring in the 11th minute with Creedence Donovan also initiate the movement that saw him score. From the right of the play the ball forty metres out from his own try line, Creedence Donovan ran at the Mustangs defensive line and at the last moment, passed inside on a set play to Tyrese Bowman who broke through the defensive line and then when forty metres out from the try line Tyrese Bowman drew the Murwillumbah fullback and passed the ball back to his left to Creedence Donovan who raced away to score under the posts.

In the 48th minute from the left of the play the ball and sixteen metres out from the try line in the centre of the field Creedence Donovan put in a right foot chip kick towards the left corner with the ball taken over the touchline in the in-goal area to require a Murwillumbah goal line drop-out to restart the match.

Creedence Donovan started at fullback in the Week One Elimination Final against the Lower Clarence Magpies with Creedence Donovan scoring in the 12th minute when after backing up on the inside of a Bilambil line break down the right side of the field from the halfway mark by James Mellor, Creedence Donovan received the ball from his right and had an easy ten metre run to put the ball down under the posts.

Creedence Donovan also made a line break in the 20th minute when from the right of a Jets scrum win thirty metres out from their own try line, Creedence Donovan producing a jump step off his right foot to break three tackles and make a line break that came to an end only after Creedence Donovan had taken the ball nine metres into Magpies territory.

The 2023 NRRRL U18 Grand Final saw Creedence Donovan start on the right wing for the Bilambil Jets in their 28 – 10 Grand Final victory against the Murwillumbah Mustang with Creedence Donovan scoring in the 31st minute when after receiving a pass from his left thirty metres from the try line, Creedence Donovan ran to his right and after getting on the outside of his opposing winger, Creedence Donovan raced down the right touchline to dive over to score three metres in from the right corner post.

Earlier in the 7th minute Creedence Donovan ran to his right out of dummy half from near the centre of the field and twenty five metres out from his own try line and after getting to the right touchline Creedence Donovan cut back inside to get the ball to the thirty nine metre mark.

Creedence Donovan made another good run in the 39th minute when after receiving the ball two passes to the right of the play the ball and thirty metres out from his own try line, Creedence Donovan, after getting on the outside of his opposing winger was able to make eleven metres down the right touchline.

2023 also saw Creedence Donovan play in the Koori Knockout Open competition with the Tweed Connexions with Creedence Donovan scoring a spectacular double on Day Two.

In early May 2022 Creedence Donovan started at left centre for a Northern Rivers Titans U17 squad that took on a Titans U16 JTS side at Cbus Stadium as a curtain-raiser to the Titans NRL Round Fourteen against the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs with Creedence Donovan scoring late in the second half after he chased through an inside kick from Clayton Guiney to score.

In late September 2022 Creedence Donovan was named in the 2023 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup train on squad with Creedence Donovan involved in the Norhtern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup trial side that took on the Tweed Heads Seagulls at Burleigh Juniors in late January 2023.

Round One of the 2023 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition saw Creedence Donovan named at left centre the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights with Creedence Donovan scoring for the Northern Rivers Titans in the 46th minute when from twenty metres out Creedence Donovan burst onto the ball in space after receiving a great pass from his inside from Zane Harrison with Creedence Donovan’s pace then too much for the cover defence to dive over to score two metres in from the right corner post.

Creedence Donovan almost scored again in the 53rd minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball forty metres out after a long Zane Harrison line break down the eight touchline ,Creedence Donovan chipped away for himself and came very close to getting the ball back but unfortunately the Knights right second rower got to the ball just before him four metres out from the try line.

Creedence Donovan could not have been in the match much earlier when he took the second hit-up of the match after Newcastle had kicked off to start the match. In the 42nd minute Creedence Donovan made a good run out of dummy half to his right from forty two metres out from his own try line with Creedence Donovan getting the ball five metres into Newcastle territory.

Creedence Donovan also had some good moments defensively against the Knights including in the 6th minute with a strong tackle on the Knights left centre (No. 3) with the Knights on the attack just three metres out from the try line.

Creedence Donovan was also named at right centre for Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters with Creedence Donovan scoring twice in the first half as the Northern Rivers Titans held on to win 22 – 20.

Creedence Donovan’s opening try came in the 10th minute when he was on hand to pick up a dropped bomb by the Knights left winger and dart seven metres to score seven metres to the right of the uprights.

Creedence Donovan completed his double with an outstanding solo try in the 25th minute when from seven metres inside his own territory Creedence Donovan cut back underneath Zane Harrison with Creedence Donovan bursting through two attempted tackles on the halfway mark with Creedence Donovan veering to his left to round the fullback and run away to score between the posts.

Creedence Donovan also recorded a try assist in the 49th 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 scored after cutting inside away from the touchline.

Creedence Donovan’s first contribution in the match came in the 2nd minute when from forty metres out from his own try line and to the left of the play the ball Creedence Donovan was able to get the ball three metres into Central Coast territory.

After missing Round Three Creedence Donovan was back at right centre in Round Four against the Northern Tigers with Creedence Donovan scoring in the 34th minute when after receiving the ball on the right side of the field and twenty six metres out, Creedence Donovan got on the outside of his opposing defending through the use of a strong left arm fend with Creedence Donovan then dummying his way past the Tigers left winger and brushing past the fullback to score in the right corner.

Creedence Donovan also started at right centre in Round Five against the North Coast Bulldogs with Creedence Donovan recording a try assist in the 35th minute when after receiving a pass from his inside from Zane Harrison Creedence Donovan got on the outside of his opposing centre and burst down the right touchline. Creedence Donovan then drew the Bulldogs fullback and got the pass inside to Callum Bowles who scored in the right corner.

Creedence Donovan’s initial smart run came in just the 2nd minute when Creedence Donovan ran to his left out of dummy half when twenty metres from his own try line with Creedence Donovan able to make twenty metres downfield.

Creedence Donovan then did well in the 66th minute with a smart run down the right channel which started thirty metres out from his own try line with Creedence Donovan able to promote the ball to the halfway mark.

Then in the final minute when lining up at fullback Creedence Donovan did well to take a North Coast kick on the full thirty metres out from his own try line whilst under pressure. Creedence Donovan then returned the ball to the halfway mark.

Creedence Donovan also did well defensively in the 7th minute when whilst defending twelve metres from his own try line Creedence Donovan sprinted out of the defensive line and hit his opposite number hard and dislodging the ball in the process.

In early 2023 Creedence Donovan was named in the South Coast School Boy Open Representative side however injury prevented him from taking his place at the Championships.

In early August 2022 Creedence Donovan was deservedly named as one of the 2022 Tom Searle Scholarship winners at a ceremony that was attended by the likes of Greg Ingles.

2022 saw Creedence Donovan once again line up for PBC SHS and started on the left wing in Round One of the School Boy Langer Cup Reserve Grade competition, scoring in the 49th minute when after PBC SHS won a scrum deep on the attack Creedence Donovan chased through a kick from the first tackle and got to the ball first to get the ball down ten metres in from the left corner post.

Creedence Donovan also started on the left wing in Round two against Redcliffe SHS and scored in the 49th minute when he chased through a Ray Puru chip kick to collect the ball on the bounce and dive over to score ten metres in from the right corner post.

After the mid-season break, Creedence Donovan moved to five eight in Round Four of the Langer Reserve competition against Ipswich State High School with Creedence Donovan coming close to scoring in the 48th minute when from a PBC SHS scrum win twenty metres out, Creedence Donovan ran to his right and was able to get through a number of defenders only to be held up six metres in from the right corner.

Creedence Donovan made a great one on one ball and all tackle in the 16th minute just out from his own try line on the Ipswich SHS fullback to immediately halt the extreme attacking threat.

Creedence Donovan then moved to the left wing for Round Five against Mabel Park SHS with Creedence Donovan scoring in the 24th minute when he was on the end of the play when the ball was spun out to his wing with Creedence Donovan diving over to score in the left corner.

Creedence Donovan scored a second try in the 26th minute when he backed up a line break by Bailey McConnell to receive the off-load with Creedence Donovan bale to bring the ball around to score under the posts.

Creedence Donovan continued at fullback in Round Six against local rivals Keebra Park SHS with Creedence Donovan scoring the first of his two tries in the 41st minute when he received an inside pass from his left centre around eight metres out to score in the left corner after a long cut-out pass from Bailey McConnell gave the PBC SHS outside backs room to move.

The reason that PBC SHS were down that end of the field for Creedence Donovan to score was in fact as a result of Creedence Donovan. Two minutes prior to his try in the 39th minute Creedence Donovan chased hard PBC SHS short kick up with Creedence Donovan getting to the ball first and kicked the ball forward with the ball rebounding off a Keebra Park SHS defender and then back into the hands of PBC SHS.

Creedence Donovan scored his second try in the 45th minute when he came off his wing to receive an off-load from his left from his centre when eight metres out. Creedence Donovan was tackled from behind just short of the line but bounced over to score twelve metres to the left of the uprights.

Creedence Donovan was heavily involved in the match inside the opening minute with a fifteen metre burst down the left touchline. Creedence Donovan then did well in the 8th minute when he leapt high to take a bomb to his wing on the full under heavy pressure with Creedence Donovan then being awarded a penalty for being tackled whilst still in the air.

Creedence Donovan continued on the left wing in Round Seven against Wavell SHS with Creedence Donovan scoring an impressive four tries with all four in many respects being very similar with Creedence Donovan scoring in the left corner with acrobatic dives under pressure to get the ball down. Three of Creedence Donovan’s tries came from passes from his inside from Ray Puru the Creedence Donovan scoring those tries in the 2nd, 16th and 36th minutes, Creedence Donovan also scored in the 9th minute.

Creedence Donovan started on the left wing for PBC SHS in the 2022 Langer Reserve Semi-final against Keebra Park SHS with Creedence Donovan scoring in the 25th minute when Creedence Donovan chased a kick to his wing with Creedence Donovan diving on the ball four metres in from the left corner post.

The 2022 School Boy Langer Reserve Grand Final saw Creedence Donovan start at fullback for PBC SHS against Marsden SHS with Creedence Donovan scoring in the 12th minute in the 12th minute when from the left of the play the ball around eighteen metres out and just to the right of the uprights, Jake Lateo put in a right foot bomb to the left with Creedence Donovan racing through to take the kick on the full just out from the try line and was able to get the ball down ten metres to the left of the uprights.

Creedence Donovan also recorded a line break in the 3rd minute when after taking possession of the ball deep inside his own territory from a Marsden SHS clearing kick near his left corner, Creedence Donovan ran the ball to his right making twenty two metres to get the ball to within eight metres of the halfway mark.

Then Creedence Donovan along with Jury Taewa along made a desperate try saving tackle in the left corner in the 48th minute with PBC SHS up by only six points.

Also in 2022 season saw Creedence Donovan play for the Tweed Heads Seagulls U18 side in the NRRRL U18 competition starting Round One of the competition at fullback against the Byron Bay Devils with Creedence Donovan scoring two long range tries to seal an outstanding 20 – 12 first up victory for Tweed Heads.

Creedence Donovan’s opening try came in the 36th minute with Tweed Heads deep inside their own territory. Creedence Donovan ran to the ball to the left of the dummy half with the play the ball just ten metres out from his own line and ten metres in from the left touchline. Creedence Donovan drew in the Byron Bay right winger and put his left centre down the left touchline and then backed up on the inside to get the pass back and run sixty metres to score under the posts.

Creedence Donovan completed his double just six minutes later in the 42nd minute and once again the try line was near length of the field effort. Byron Bay were deep on the attack and from close range put in a hard low kick towards the in-goal, just two metres from his own line Creedence Donovan took the kick on the full in front of the right upright and after cutting slightly to his left ran ninety eight metres untouched to score to the left of the uprights.

It was immediately clear in the match that Creedence Donovan was set for a strong match when in the 3rd minute he took the Seagulls opening hit-up of the match with Creedence Donovan initially taking the ball ten metres out from his own try line and to the left of the play the ball with Creedence Donovan able to get the ball fifteen metres downfield.

Creedence Donovan made a further strong run in the 25th minute when he positioned himself well to take a Devils chip ten metres out from his own line and directly in front of the goal posts. From there Creedence Donovan stepped off his left foot and burst through two defenders to get the ball thirty metres away from his own line and then on the 4th tackle in the same set of six Creedence Donovan backed up to make a further run to get the ball to near the halfway mark.

Creedence Donovan also started at fullback in Round Two against the Cudgen Hornets and was heavily involved in the Seagulls 20th minute try. Creedence Donovan initially received the ball around twenty metres out to the right of the play the ball and got the ball away to his right to Ricco Waitititi who after getting part way through the ball off-loaded to Creedence Donovan who had looped around behind him. After getting the ball back Creedence Donovan ran ten metres before getting the ball away to his right to put his centre over in the right corner.

Creedence Donovan produced a strong defensive effort in the 45th minute when after Cudgen put up a high kick towards the Seagulls right wing, Creedence Donovan waited until the Hornets winger took the ball on the full and then Creedence Donovan drove him over the touch line around twenty metres out from the try line.

Creedence Donovan also did well in the 54th minute when he showed some real courage when he raced forward and dived on a Hornets grubber kick just in front of three chasers.

Creedence Donovan moved to five eight in Round Six against the Ballina Seagulls scoring one of the Seagulls tries in their tough loss.

Creedence Donovan then started at five eight in Round Seven against the Lower Clarence Magpies and scored an impressive hat trick in a 50 – 0 win for the Seagulls.

Creedence Donovan’s opening try came in the 38th minute when on the halfway mark to the right of the play the ball Zane Harrison dummied to his inside and then exploded through a gap before drawing the Magpies fullback and passing to his left to Creedence Donovan who scored mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Creedence Donovan added a second try in the 51st minute when he followed through a line breaks through the centre of the field by his hooker and received the ball after the Lower Clarence was drawn by his No. 9 to dive over ten metres in from the left corner post.

Creedence Donovan completed his hat trick in the 53rd minute when Zane Harrison ran the ball on the left side of the field just fifteen metres out from his own line and after double pumping a pass to his left put Creedence Donovan onto a gap with the five eight racing eighty metres to dive over under the posts.

Creedence Donovan also recorded a 26th minute try assist when on the left side of the field and thirty metres out he threw a good short ball to his left to a hard charging Ricco Waitititi who bursting through the defensive line to score under the posts.

After starting at five eight in Round Eight against Casino RSM, Creedence Donovan had a huge afternoon scoring a hat trick and setting up another try in a big Seagulls victory.

The first of Creedence Donovan’s tries came in the 30th minute when from ten metres inside Tweed Heads territory Zane Harrison received the ball to the right of the play the ball and immediately charged at the defensive line but that the last moment threw a no look pass back on his inside to Creedence Donovan on the halfway mark with Creedence Donovan racing straight through a gap and proving to be way too quick for the Casino RSM fullback to score seven metres in from the right corner post.

Creedence Donovan scored his second try in the 49th minute when he received the ball to the right of the play the ball from the dummy half five metres out and literally when he looked up there was no one in front of Creedence Donovan so he darted forward to score under the posts.

Creedence Donovan rounded out his hat trick in the 58th minute when he received the ball around forty metres out and just to the right of the uprights. From there Creedence Donovan exploded off the mark and raced through a giant gap and easily and I mean easily rounded the Casino RSM fullback to score five metres to the left of the uprights.

Creedence Donovan showed that he can also set up tries when he recorded a 7th minute try assist when he threw a good short ball to his left to put Zac Windle into a gap with the left second rower charging eighteen metres to score under the posts.

Creedence Donovan also executed a good defensive play in the 48th minute when the Casino RSM right second rower tried to force his way over from close range down a short blindside but Creedence Donovan along with Zane Harrison was on hand to initially hold him up and then force him over the touchline just out from the corner post.

Creedence Donovan then moved to fullback for Round Nine against the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Creedence Donovan throwing the final pass in the 23rd minute for his left centre to score in the left corner.

Creedence Donovan recorded a 49th minute line break through the centre of the field after receiving an off-load with Creedence Donovan making twenty metres before getting an off-load away to Zane Harrison who was able to promote the ball a further fifteen metres.

Creedence Donovan also started at fullback in Round Ten against the Kyogle Turkeys with Creedence Donovan scoring a double.

The first of Creedence Donovan’s two tries came in the 8th minute when Creedence Donovan chased through a Zane Harrison kick to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.

Creedence Donovan completed his double in the 48th minute and what a spectacular try it was. Kyogle were on the attack just four metres out and directly in front of the posts when the Turkeys dummy half knocked the ball on when he was attempting to pick the ball up, Creedence Donovan swooped on the ball and raced ninety seven metres to score under the posts.

Creedence Donovan also started at fullback in Round Twelve against the Bilambil Jets with Creedence Donovan scoring a double and making a line break in a big 40 – 14 Seagulls victory. Creedence Donovan then continued at fullback in Round Thirteen against the Bilambil Jets for the second round in a row.

Creedence Donovan then moved to five eight in the rescheduled Round Four match against the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Creedence Donovan scoring a double in a strong Seagulls victory as well as a try assist and a line break.

Creedence Donovan scored his opening try in the 55th minute when Zane Harrison put in a right foot stab kick which bounced up perfectly in the in-goal for Creedence Donovan to collect and five metres to the left of the uprights.

Creedence Donovan scored his second try in the 58th minute when after minute Zane Harrison ran the ball to the left after receiving the from the dummy half to his right thirty metres out from his own line with Zane Harrison taking the ball right to the line before throwing an inside ball to a flying Creedence Donovan who burst through a gap, beating the fullback by veering to his left to run away to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Creedence Donovan had come very close to scoring prior to his first try in the 52nd minute which in many respects was a trial run for a basically identical play that ultimately led to Creedence Donovan scoring in the 58th minute. Just like in the 58th minute Zane Harrison ran the ball to the left after receiving the from the dummy half to his right thirty metres out from his own line with Zane Harrison taking the ball right to the line before throwing an inside ball to a flying Creedence Donovan who burst through a gap, beating the fullback and two other defenders before being tackled from behind just two metres out from the line and directly in front of the goal posts.

Creedence Donovan’s try assist came inside the opening minute of the match after Murwillumbah had knocked on from the kick-off. From a Tweed Heads scrum win ten metres out and directly in from of the posts, Creedence Donovan ran to the left after receiving the ball and ran deep into the defensive line drawing two defenders before off-loading to his left to put Taysharn Cora into a gap with the fullback scoring wide out on the left.

Creedence Donovan also started at fullback in the Week One Qualifying Final against the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Creedence Donovan scoring in the 42nd minute when Creedence Donovan backed up a line break by Taysharn Cora receiving the ball from his left with Creedence Donovan then racing fifty five metres before making a huge dive over the try line to score ten metres to the left of the uprights.

Creedence Donovan recorded the first of his two try assists in the 17th minute when after Creedence Donovan received a pass from his right after a Seagulls line break from just inside their own territory Creedence Donovan then got a pass away to his inside to Ricco Waititi who then raced thirty metres to score in the right corner.

Creedence Donovan recorded a second try assist in the 30th minute when after receiving an inside pass from his five eight seventy metres out, Creedence Donovan raced forty metres downfield before drawing the Mustangs fullback and passing the ball to his left back to his five eight who ran away to score under the posts.

Creedence Donovan continued at fullback in the Major Preliminary Final against the Cudgen Hornets with Creedence Donovan making a great try saving tackle in the 26th minute when he hit the Cudgen left second rower right on the try line near the right upright with Creedence Donovan’s contact forcing the ball loose and going forward over the dead ball line for a Seagulls twenty metre tap restart.

The 2022 U18 NRRRL Preliminary Final saw Creedence Donovan start at fullback for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Ballina Seagulls with Creedence Donovan making a line break in the 12th minute when after Isaac Harrison forced the ball loose from the grasp of Ballina right centre Damon Coldwell whilst he was over the try line and under the posts, Creedence Donovan picking the ball up two metres in his own in-goal and making twenty metres downfield.

Creedence Donovan made a second line break in the 40th minute when after receiving a great inside ball from Zane Harrison around fifty five metres out Creedence Donovan raced through a gap before chipping over the onrushing Ballina fullback. Creedence Donovan chased through his own chip but at the last moment the ball took a horror bounce for Creedence Donovan just as he was able to collect the ball and score. Creedence Donovan however did not concede defeat and tackled the Ballina player who took possession in the in-goal to force a goal line drop-out.

In the 28th minute Creedence Donovan made a try saving tackle on the Ballina dummy half who after making a line break through the centre of the field tried to run around Creedence Donovan to his left but Creedence Donovan made a good low legs tackle with his left shoulder to bring the dummy half to ground just ten metres out from the Tweed Heads try line.

Creedence Donovan made a further good tackle in the 44th minute when he brought down the Ballina halfback around a metre out from the try line on the left side of the field.

In late 2021 Creedence Donovan trialled for a position in the 2022 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad and is also U18 eligible in 2023.

In Round Two in the 2021 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition, Creedence Donovan started at fullback for the Northern Rivers Titans side that took on local rivals the North Coast Bulldogs in Nambucca Heads.

Creedence Donovan was the Northern Rivers Titans most dangerous ball runner in the match and also produced on outstanding piece of play when after a Northern Rivers Titans turnover when attacking the North Coast line, he turned a chased down the Bulldogs left winger after he had broken away.

Round Three saw Creedence Donovan move from fullback to the right wing as the Northern Rivers Titans took on the Greater Northern Tigers.

Creedence Donovan produced an outstanding piece of play in the opening minutes of the second half. Creedence Donovan tracked back to retrieve a kick towards the right corner and after running the ball back, he was held down and drew a penalty on his own twenty metre mark. Creedence Donovan took the tap quickly and flew down the right touchline seventy metres before being caught just metres short of the try line.

Creedence Donovan was also involved in a strong tackle in the 21st minute of the match when along with Bo Peisley and Kaden Rees, he initially held up the Tigers fullback and dragged him into touch five metres out from the line.

Creedence Donovan was at it again late in the first half when he dragged his opposite winger over the sideline as soon as he had taken a kick on the full.

Creedence Donovan continued on the right wing in Round Four against the Central Coast Roosters a match that was played as a curtain raiser to the Titans/Warriors NRL trial in Lismore.

Creedence Donovan started Round Five against the Newcastle Knights on the right wing producing a start piece of play in the 2nd minute of the second half when he trapped a difficult grubber kick to his right wing with his foot and then was able to bring the ball back a further ten metres.

Creedence Donovan made a further ten metre run in the 41st minute of the match when he came off the wing to make the metres through the centre of the ruck.

Creedence Donovan continued to play for the Tweed Heads Seagulls Junior Rugby League Club in 2021 in the U16 Group 18 competition and had some exceptional matches including in Round Five as the Seagulls accounted for the Murwillumbah Colts 44 – 8.

2021 also saw Creedence Donovan once again represent PBC in school boy rugby league, starting Round One of the Langer Cup Reserve Grade competition against Ipswich State High School on the left wing.

Creedence Donovan also played a number of matches in the Walters Cup competition, including starting the Grand Final against Keebra Park SHS at fullback with Creedence Donovan throwing the last pass for Ray Puru’s 9th minute try in the right corner.

It was not just in the Walters Cup that Creedence Donovan had a strong match, he also played well including multiple line breaks after also starting at fullback in Round Three against Coombabah State High School.

In September 2021 Creedence Donovan played for the Gold Coast Kookaburra’s in the 2021 Queensland Murri U16 Carnival.

In late November 2021 Creedence Donovan represented Team Indigenous at the 3PTAG (non-contact modified rugby league) Cultural Touch Tournament held at Marsden State High School.

The talented Titans linked PBC student started at fullback for the 2020 PBC Hancock Cup School Boy Grand Final side that went down in heart breaking fashion 26 – 24 to Marsden State High School who kicked a penalty goal after the final siren.

Creedence Donovan scored an impressive and critical try late in the first half he chased through a kick and was on the spot to pick up the ball when it could not be regathered by the Marsden defence to put the ball down under the posts literally as the half time siren was sounding.

Creedence Donovan not only had a very good Hancock Cup Grand Final but also had a number of standout matches in the regular rounds of the Hancock Cup including an impressive match against Wavell State High School in Round Five when he scored a hat trick, all three being long range efforts with all of those tries coming in the first half.

One of Creedence Donovan’s tries was an impressive eighty metre solo effort off a PBC scrum win. Creedence Donovan received the ball two passes to the left of the scrum win, producing a beautiful left foot step to beat the initial defender before a Creedence Donovan right foot step gained him separation from the Wavell inside defender coming across and then that point it was shut the gate as Creedence Donovan accelerated away to score near the left corner.

Creedence Donovan’s second try of the match also highlighted Creedence Donovan’s speed, when he backed up a long break by PBC five eight Jake Lateo who drew the fullback, passing to his left to Creedence Donovan who accelerated away to score.

Creedence Donovan scored his third try when he followed through a long PBC clearing kick. The Wavell fullback let the ball bounce and Creedence Donovan flew threw to grab the ball that had bounced awkwardly for the fullback to score untouched.

In Round two of the 2020 Hancock Cup Creedence Donovan started against Keebra Park SHS on the left wing and with Keebra Park SHS on the attacked down their right, Creedence Donovan swooped on an attempted cut out pass by Keebra Park SHS to take the intercept and run ninety metres to score with daylight second.

In early October 2020 Creedence Donovan was part of the Titans Group 18 U14/15 side that played a trial match against a Titans Gold Coast U14 squad with the match being played at Cbus Stadium, giving the young players a great experience with an added bonus that the players wore Titans jerseys.

In 2020 Creedence Donovan played for the Tweed Heads Seagulls U15 side in the Group 18 junior rugby league competition with the Seagulls winning two and losing eight of their ten regular season matches. In those matches Tweed Heads scored 142 points and conceded 256 to finish with a -114 points differential.

At the conclusion of the season, Creedence Donovan was named the Tweed Heads Seagulls U15 Group 18 Best Back.

From an attacking perspective, Creedence Donovan has outstanding footwork to go along with above average to plus evasive skills and plus speed, both in terms of off the mark and top end speed where he has an extra gear to go to when he breaks into open space.

Creedence Donovan has a very good step off both feet, although he seems to prefer a step off the right foot in the majority of instances and can put together combinations of steps over a short distance to exploit weaknesses in the defensive line.

In addition Creedence Donovan also shown flashes of ability in relation to ball playing skills enabling him 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.

In terms of running the ball back from kicks, Creedence Donovan’s timing and anticipation means that he gets to a lot of balls on the full and makes a quick decision whether to run the ball back into the oncoming defenders or look to create an opportunity by running across field and using his step if the defensive line is staggered or does not extend too far across the field.

From a defensive perspective, as noted Creedence Donovan by no means a big player but his toughness and courage cannot be denied and can be seen every time he takes the field. Creedence Donovan will really try to hit hard in defence regardless of the size of the attacker running at him.

At fullback Creedence Donovan will rush forward to cut down the time the attacking player has to make a decision of what to do with the ball when they make a break and even if they draw him and pass to a support player he was still look to hit them as hard as they can to make them earn it.

As a result of his defensive mentality at fullback Creedence Donovan does not take the dummy when multiple attackers are running at him, thus forcing the decision back to the attacking player who must execute correctly.

Creedence Donovan is obviously not the tallest fullback and thus finds fielding bombs difficult on occasion if the chasers get to the ball at the same time he is looking to catch it but and again he will not shirk his responsibility and always goes up and contest the ball at the very least.

Assisting this is that Creedence Donovan does have quite a good standing leap which belies his overall height, but he will obviously be disadvantaged against taller opponents who are jumping with momentum to their advantage. Creedence Donovan’s hands are also very good in terms of fielding the ball when short attacking kicks are put through and Creedence Donovan will not wait for the ball to come to him but will look to come forward and attack the ball.

Creedence Donovan will start the 2024 season as a member of the Burleigh Bears U19 Mal Meninga Cup squad. From a club rugby league perspective in 2024 Creedence Donovan’s options are extensive, Creedence Donovan can line up in the GCRL U20 competition or if he plays in the NRRRL competition for the Bilambil Jets, Creedence Donovan will push for immediate playing time in the NRRRL First Grade competition after making his NRRRL First Grade debut for the Jets in Round One of the 2023 competition.

Creedence Donovan seems destined to end up as a lightning quick elusive fullback with more than enough ball playing skills to play as a second receiver in attack on either side of the field.

From an NRL player comparison perspective for Creedence Donovan, think along the lines of former North Queensland Cowboys and Queensland State of Origin fullback Matt Bowen as a fullback with exceptional pace and footwork who is also courageous when it comes to defending against kicks and their defensive duties.

Both have Creedence Donovan and Matt Bowen have strength and courage that belie their size and both just have an amazing knack of finding the try line on a regular basis as well as making the impossible look routine, something that Creedence Donovan did on a number of occasions in 2022 and 2023 for Bilambil, Tweed Heads and PBC SHS.

[mdrew]

Max Liles. Max Liles is an exceptionally talented young five eight from Northern New South Wales who in early 2022 signed a multi-year contract with the Titans.

On November 1, 2022, Max Liles commenced training in the Titans NRL off-season program, the first of such opportunities for Max Liles.

In late July 2023 Max Liles started at halfback for a Titans U19 side that travelled to Townsville to play a Cowboys U19 side in an NRL curtain-raiser with Mx Liles kicking a conversion in the 8th minute from eight metres to the right of the uprights to convert a Ryder Williams try.

Max Liles ran the ball smartly in the 12th minute from the left of the play the ball with Max Liles stepping his way from his own forty metre mark to six metres inside North Queensland territory.

Max Liles also obtained a good result for the Titans from a kick-off in the 22nd minute with Max Liles’s left foot kick off bouncing over the dead ball line for force a North Queensland goal line drop-out. Max Liles got a second good result from a Titans kick-off in the 35th minute with his kick-off dropped in the in-goal by the Cowboys to require then to drop-out the ball out from under the posts to restart the match.

Max Liles also forced a goal line drop-out in the 38th minute when from the left of the play the ball and eight metres out, Max Liles put in a short left foot grubber kick into the in-goal which was grounded in-goal for another Cowboys goal line drop-out.

Then in the 52nd minute Max Liles kicked a goal line drop-out from under his posts with the kick dipping horribly in front of the Cowboys fullback who tried to catch the ball but instead knocked the ball on forty metres out.

In January 2023 Max Liles started at halfback for the Titans U19 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights with Max Liles operating on the left side of the field.
Max Liles kicked three conversions from as many attempts with the first of Max Liles’s conversions coming in the 6th minute when he converted Tanu Nona’s try from just to the left of the uprights. Max Liles then converted Blake Forder’s 27th minute try from seven metres to the right of the uprights and Arama Hau’s 69th minute try for mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.
Max Liles also forced a goal line drop-out in the 26th minute when from fifteen metres out and to the left of the play the ball, Max Liles put in a left foot grubber kick towards the left corner with the ball bouncing up perfectly in the in-goal with the Knights defence forced to take the ball over the dead ball line before the arrival of multiple Titans chasers.
In early December 2022 Max Liles took part in a joint training session between the Titans JTS contracted players and the Titans NRL squad.

2023 saw Max Liles return to the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Max Liles starting at five eight and operating on the left side of the field in Round One of the 2023 Hastings Deering’s Colts season saw Max Liles named at five eight against the Townsville Blackhawks.
The match saw Max Liles kick five conversions from six attempts with Max Liles also recording two try assists with the first coming in the 61st minute when after backing up a Seagulls line break Max Liles received the ball thirty metres out and immediately stepped off his left foot before drawing two Townsville defenders and off-loading to Jayden Wright who raced away to score under the posts.
Max Liles recorded his second try assist just five minutes later in the 66th minute with a left foot chip kick from the right of the play the ball and twenty metres out with the kick ideally weighted for Makakhi Donovan to race through, collect and score his third try of the match.
Max Liles had earlier almost set up a try with a left foot kick in from thirty metres out in the 26th minute but on that occasions his left winger was held up close to the try line after taking possession from Max Liles’s kick.
Max Liles also forced a goal line drop-out in the 56th minute when from twelve metres out and to the left of the play the ball Max Liles put a left foot grubber kick into the in-goal to force the drop-out.
Max Liles also started at five eight in Round Five against the Ipswich Jets with the first of Max Liles two tries coming in the 13th minute when after backing up a long line break through the centre of the field by Jayden Wright Max Liles received an offload from his lock and after stepping the Jets fullback with a right foot step, Max Liles had a comfortable ten metre run to put the ball down to score under the posts.
Max Liles completed his double in the 74th minute when after receiving an off-load around twenty metres out from the try line, Max Liles went on a stepping run that saw him step off both feet on multiple occasions to score a stunning solo try four metres to the left of the uprights.
Max Liles also forced a Clydesdales goal line drop-out in the 52nd minute when from the left of the play the ball and fourteen metres out from the try line Max Liles put in a left foot grubber kick into the in-goal with the ball having to be taken dead in-goal by the Toowoomba fullback.
Max Liles continued at five eight in Round Six against the Ipswich Jets with Max Liles kicking a conversion in the 36th minute in front of the posts to convert Kyhan Weir’s try.
Max Liles also recorded a try assist in the 55th minute when from eight metres out and to the left of the play the ball Max Liles threw a good short ball to his left to put Jotham Russell over to score.
Max Liles continued at five eight in Round Eight against the Central Queensland Capra’s with Max Liles scoring in the 34th minute when after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball fourteen metres from the try line, Max Liles stepped off his left foot back towards the area behind the play the ball with Max Liles driving between two defenders to dive over to score seven metres in from the left corner post. Max Liles was hit after grounding the ball with Tweed Heads receiving a penalty in front of the posts and their normal conversion attempt.
Max Liles also recorded two try assists against the Capra’s with Max Liles recording his opening try assist in the 2nd minute when from the right of the play the ball and around six metres from the try line Max Liles threw an over the top cut-out pass to his right to put his winger over to score in the corner.
Max Liles recorded his second try assist in the 53rd minute when from ten metres out from the try line and to the left of the play the ball, Max Liles double pumped the ball before throwing a great cut-out pass to his left to put his left winger over to score in the corner.
To add to a great match Max Liles also recorded two line break assists, the first coming in the 2nd minute when from the left of the play the ball thirty five metres out, Max Liles subtly moved to his left and put a good short ball onto the chest of a charging Reico Ratan to get within a metre of the try line with Max Liles setting up a try from the play the ball.
Max Liles recorded his second line break assist in the 57th minute when after running the ball down a short left blindside Max Liles, on the halfway mark, threw a good short ball to put his left centre into a gap with the centre subsequently off-loading for the Seagulls left winger to score.
Max Liles showcased his short attacking kicking skills in the 25th minute when from thirteen metres out and whilst running to his right Max Liles put a left foot grubber kick (with the outside of his left foot) into the in-goal with Reico Ratana trapping the fullback there to force a Capra’s goal line drop-out.
Then to highlight another aspect of his kicking game, Max Liles put in a long raking left foot kick downfield from five metres inside his own territory with Max Liles the first Seagulls chaser downfield to tackle the Capra’s fullback in-goal and force a second Central Queensland goal line drop-out.
To round out an outstanding match Max Liles was involved in holding up the Capra’s No. 14 over the try line in the 63rd minute after he had tried to force his way over the try line out of dummy half on the last tackle and six metres in from the right corner post.
Max Liles also started at five eight in Round Nine against the Mackay Cutters with Max Liles recording a try assist 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.
Earlier in the 8th minute from the right of the play the ball and twenty metres out from the try line, Max Liles ran to his right after receiving the ball and after dummying to an inside runner Max Liles put a left foot grubber kick into the in-goal with the ball taken dead by the Mackay fullback to force a goal line drop-out.
The Round Ten local derby against the Burleigh Bears saw Max Liles start at five eight and force a goal line drop-out in the 70th minute when from four metres from the try line and on the left side of the field Max Liles put in a left foot grubber kick into the in-goal with Burleigh forced to knock the ball over the dead ball line.

In the 66th Max Liles got low and stopped the Burleigh dummy half from forcing his way over the try line eight metres in from the left corner post.

Max Liles continued at five eight in Round Eleven against the Norths Devils.

Max Liles also started at five eight in Round Thirteen against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Max Liles recording a try assist in the 9th minute when after taking possession of the ball three passes to the left of the dummy half and eighteen metres out from the try line Max Liles had to immediately step off his left foot back to his right to beat a Dolphins who had raced out of the defensive line to target Max Liles, with Max Liles then immediately passed the ball back to his left to Ryan Foran who charged at the spot where the Dolphins had come from to cross the try line and run around to put the ball down under the posts.

Max Liles came close to being heavily involved in another Seagulls try in the 14th minute when after taking possession of the ball down a short left blindside Max Liles ran to within thirty metres of the try line before putting in a left foot chip kick over the top of the Dolphins oncoming defensive line with the kick being collected on the full by the Tweed Heads left winger but unfortunately his pass inside to an unmarked team mate was knocked down by the Redcliffe five eight to save a try but the Seagulls did get six more tackles inside their attacking twenty metre area.

Max Liles ran the ball himself in the 35th minute to the left of the play the ball and from twenty four metres from his own try line with Max Liles cutting inside off his left foot before running back to the right with Max Liles beating three defenders as he got to within seven metres of the halfway mark.

Max Liles then forced a goal line drop-out in the 75th minute when from the left of the play the ball and twelve metres from the try line Max Liles put through a left foot grubber kick into the in-goal to force the drop-out with the Seagulls scoring the match winning try from the subsequent set of six tackles.

Max Liles continued at five eight in Round Fourteen against the Northern Pride with Max Liles scoring in the 35th minute with a relatively easy five metre run to score midway between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field after good work on his inside by Parker Bryant and Nicholas Hilton.

Max Liles also recorded a try assist in the 4th minute when after moving into dummy half with the play the ball two metres from the try line on the right side of the field Max Liles skipped to his right and threw a hard flat ball to his left to Jotham Russell who crashed over to score five metres to the right of the uprights.

Max Liles was in fact the reason that the Seagulls were attacking so close to the try line as from the play earlier two passes to the right of the play the ball twenty four metres out, Max Liles executed a good catch and pass to his right to put Reico Ratana into a big gap with Max Liles tracking the play to move into dummy half and record the try assist after Reico Ratana was tackled just shy of the try line.

Max Liles also forced a Northern Pride goal line drop-out in the 41st minute when from the left of the dummy half and thirty metres out, Max Liles put in a left foot grubber kick towards the left corner with the Northern Pride fullback tackled in-goal.

Max Liles also started at five eight in the Round Fifteen local derby against the Burleigh Bears with Max Liles recording a try assist in the 40th minute when after running to his right twelve metres out, Max Liles brought Reico Ratana back underneath with the second rower running over the top of the Burleigh fullback to score ten metres to the right of the uprights.

In the 5th minute on the final tackle from twenty four metres out from the try line Max Liles put in a left foot high chip kick and after the ball came down a metre from the try line the Burleigh fullback who had taken the ball on the full was dragged back into the in-goal to force a Bears goal line drop-out.

Max Liles forced a second Burleigh goal line drop-out in the 37th minute when whilst running to the right of the play the ball and ten metres out Max Liles put in a grubber kick with the outside of his left foot into the in-goal with Max Liles then chasing through his own kick to tackle the Bears fullback in-goal.

Max Liles also did well defensively in the 19th minute to hold up the Burleigh hooker over the try line after he had tried to force his way over from dummy half but Max Liles flipped him onto his back to prevent him from scoring next to the right upright.

Max Liles continued at five eight in Round Sixteen against the Sunshine Coast Falcons with Max Liles scoring in the 71st minute when after receiving an off-load from his right from Elliott Speed Max Liles had a relatively comfortable six metre run to score five metres to the right of the goal posts.

Max Liles continued at five eight in Week One of the Finals against the Burleigh Bears with Max Liles recording a try assist in the 40th minute when after taking possession of the ball from the dummy half to the left of the play the ball twelve metres out, Max Liles continued to run to his left before passing the ball inside to his right to Parker Bryant who crashed over to score ten metres to the right of the goal posts.

Max Liles recorded a second try assist in the 55th minute with a left foot grubber kick into the in-goal from the left of the play the ball and twelve metres out with his left centre winning the race to the ball to score ten metres in from the left corner post.

Max Liles also started at five eight in the Preliminary Final against the Townsville Blackhawks with Max Liles recording the first of his two try assists in the 42nd minute when after receiving the ball from his right from the dummy half ten metres from the try line, Max Liles continued to run to his left before throwing a short pass in the same direction to a hard charging Ryan Foran who burst between defenders to score whilst carrying the Blackhawks fullback over the try line to get the ball down ten metres to the left of the goal posts.

Max Liles recorded a second try assist in the 61st minute and once again it was to set up a Ryan Foran try when from the left of the play the ball ten metres out, Max Liles put in a left foot grubber kick with the ball bouncing up ideally for Ryan Foran on the try line to collect the ball and score ten metres to the left of the goal posts.

Earlier in the 6th minute from the left of the dummy half ten metres out from the try line, Max Liles put in a left foot grubber kick into the in-goal with the Townsville fullback tackled in-goal to fore a Blackhawks goal line drop-out.

In the 39th minute from the left of the play the ball Max Liles ran the ball and made a half break as he carried the ball from forty metres out from the try line to twenty four metres out.

Max Liles started at five eight in the Trial One side for the Seagulls in a late February 2023 Queensland Cup trail against the Burleigh Bears at Burleigh Juniors.

Max Liles had a strong match including recording a try assist, line break assist and making a try saving tackle.

Max Liles recorded his try assist in the 58th minute when from thirty five metres out from his own try line and to the left of the play the ball Max Liles put in a high left foot kick towards the left touchline with his left winger racing through and taking the kick on the full and racing away to score.

Max Liles’s line break assist arrived in the 22nd minute when after receiving the ball from the dummy half from his right Max Liles ran at the defensive line and at the last moment threw a smart inside pass to a flying Jaylan De Groot who burst through the centre of the Bears defence only to be brought down two metres out from the try line.

In the 24th minute the Seagulls turned the ball over when they were on the attack inside the attacking twenty metre area with the Bears right winger picking up the ball and racing away with no one in front of him. Max Liles who was near the centre of the filed turned and chased down the Bears winger after a sixty metre foot race with Max Liles easily coming out on top.

In late 2022 Max Liles was named in the 2023 Tweed Heads Seagulls Hastings Deering’s Colts squad after playing a number of matches for the Seagulls in the Colts competition when still U18 eligible in 2022.

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

In late July 2022 Max Liles 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 Max Liles coming into the match in the second half to operate at five eight.

Max Liles started the 2022 season with the Northern Rivers Titans in the U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition and post that competition and even though he was still U18 eligible Max Liles made his Hastings Deering’s Colts debut for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in their Round Four match against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Max Liles converting tries from Kyhan Weir and Charlie Murray in a tough day for the Seagulls.

Max Liles was then named on the Tweed Heads Seagulls extended bench for Round Six against the Northern Pride.

Round Eight against the Western Clydesdales saw Max Liles start at left centre with Max Liles recording a try assist in the 43rd minute when after Konrad Tu’u made a break off a Max Liles pass down the left touchline he 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.

Max Liles also started at left centre in Round Nine against the Ipswich Jets with Max Liles putting in another solid performance.

Max Liles then started at halfback in Round Thirteen against the Sunshine Coast Falcons with Max Liles forcing two goal line dropouts through deft left foot kicks into the in-goal.

Max Liles continued at halfback in the Round Fourteen local derby against the Burleigh Bears with Max Liles kicking four conversions from six attempts in the six point Seagulls victory.

Max Liles also started at five eight in Round Seventeen against the Easts Tigers with Max Liles recording a try assist in the 79th minute when after feeding a scrum ten metres out and in the centre of the field Max Liles ran to the right side of the field and after receiving the ball from the back of the score, Max Liles ran the ball to the defensive line before passing to his right to Caleb Hodges who crashed over twelve metres to the right of the uprights.

Max Liles then started at five eight in Week Two of the Finals against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.

2022 also saw Max Liles start at five eight for the Northern Country U18 side for the New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges (NSW CCC) School Boy Representative Rugby League trials with Max Liles going onto being named in the NSW CCC side at halfback for Round One of the Australian U18 School Boy Championships against NSW CAS.

The match saw Max Liles kick five first half conversions in the 10th, 15th, 22nd, 28th and 29th minutes of a busy first half.

Max Liles also recorded a 10th minute try assist when after feeding the scrum around twenty metres out and in the centre of the field, max Liles raced to his right and after receiving the ball two passes from the back of the scrum, Max Liles continued running to his right and when around eight metres from the try line was able to draw in an NSW CAS defender to put his right centre over near the right corner.

Max Liles also started at halfback in Match Two being the semi-final against NSW CHS with Max Liles hitting the post with his 3rd minute conversion attempt from the right touchline.

Max Liles moved to the bench in NSW CCC’s third against fourth U18 ASSRL play-off match against NSW CIS with Max Liles coming onto the field in the second half to play at halfback on the left side of the field. Max Liles sole attempted conversion in the match came in the 38th minute from the right touchline but unfortunately for Max Liles the conversion attempt hit the cross bar and bounced out.

In the 2022 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition Max Liles started all five of the Northern Rivers Titans matches at five eight scoring in the 38th minute in Round Two against the North Coast Bulldogs and kicking two conversions from as many attempts in Round Five against the Newcastle Knights.

Max Liles also played for Cudgen Hornets in the 2022 U18 NRRRL competition for the second season in a row, starting Round Three against Casino RSM at five eight.

Max Liles scored in the 10th minute when he swooped on a Casino RSM dropped ball inside their own twenty metre area with Max Liles racing eighteen metres to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

The first of Max Liles line breaks came in just the 4th minute of the match when from thirty five metres out from his own line, Max Liles burst away down the left touchline making thirty five metres of his own but unfortunately his pass to his right went to ground with a try in the offing.

Max Liles produced an outstanding field of play in the 49th minute when after a Casino RSM try Max Liles leapt high to take the Hornets short kick-off on the full just after it had travelled the required ten metres. Max Liles was then able to promote the ball a further twenty metres downfield after taking possession from the short kick-off.

Max Liles also started at five eight in Round Six against the Byron Bay Devils with Max Liles scoring a try and kicking two conversions including a great 35th minute conversion from the left touchline.

Max Liles scored in the 49th minute when be backed up a break by Cooper Camby down the left touchline to receive the ball and score five metres to the left of the uprights. In fact the reason that Cooper Camby found space down the left touchline was as a result of a great catch and pass to his left from Max Liles back near the halfway mark. Max Liles then stepped up to convert his own try.

In addition to scoring a try Max Liles assisted in two other Hornets tries, with the first of those occasions coming in the 11th minute when from seven metres out from the try line and five metres in from the left touchline Max Liles ran out of dummy half to his right before throwing a short flat ball to an on charging Hayden Wilson who was able to crash over.

Max Liles second try assist was recorded in the 30th minute when from twenty metres out and near the right touchline Max Liles put in a high left foot bomb that came down perfectly near the left corner for his winger to take the ball on the full and move two metres to score.

Max Liles also recorded a line break in the 33rd minute when with Cudgen having a scrum feed near halfway Max Liles initially lined up to the right of the scrum but as the ball as being fed Max Liles raced to the opposite side and received the ball from Harvey Moase down a short left blindside. Max Liles then produced a good left foot step to beat one defender and after beating two more tackles Max Liles was eventually put to ground twenty five metres out from the line.

After missing a number of rounds due to Colts and school boy representative commitments Max Liles started at right centre in Round Ten against the Lower Clarence Magpies with Max Liles scoring in the 28th minute when after receiving the ball two passes to the right of the play the ball and eighteen metres out, Max Liles ran to his right, dummying to the same direction before Max Liles sliced between two defenders to score ten metres in from the right corner post.

Max Liles also made a strong run just prior to his try in the 27th minute when after receiving the ball on the left, Max Liles from thirty five metres out, cut back inside beating three tackles before getting away an off-load to his left.

Max Liles was involved in holding up a Magpie in the 21st minute when along with Ethan Hickey and Stevie O’Connor he held up and then forced back into the field of play the Lower Clarence No. 14 six metres in from the right corner.

After starting from the bench for the Future Titans U19 side squad that played a North Queensland Cowboys U19 side in a Titans against Canberra NRL match at Cbus Stadium on the Saturday, Max Liles started at five eight in the rescheduled Round Four match against the Bilambil Jets.

Max Liles recorded the try assist and what a heck of a run it was by Max Liles before he threw the final pass for Jett Forbes to score. Initially Max Liles received the ball from the dummy half ten metres out from the try line to the right of the uprights and ran to his left, dummying to an inside runner before pulling up to assess his options before running twenty five metres parallel to the defensive line towards the right corner and once he enticed one defender out of the line Max Liles threw a sharp ball to his right to put Jett Forbes through.

Max Liles recorded a second try assist in the 37th minute when from forty five metres out from his own line and to the left of the play the ball Max Liles put in a long raking left foot kick which took a horror bounce just in front of the Bilambil fullback with Harvey Moase racing through the retrieve the ball on the bounce and run twenty five metres to score under the posts.

Max Liles then recorded a line break and line break assist in the same play in the 29th minute when after Max Liles received an off-load sixty five metres out and immediately ran towards the centre of the field and after making fifteen metres off-loaded the ball in a tackle to Stevie O’Connor who after dummying to his right beat one defender before veered to his left to round the fullback before Stevie O’Connor got an off-load away to his left to Max Liles who got all of the way to ten metres out from the try line.

Max Liles was also heavily involved in Ethan Hickey’s 45th minute try when from sixty metres out Max Liles threw a long cut-out pass to his right to Jett Forbes away down the right touchline with Max Liles backing up on the inside so that when Jett Forbes off-loading to his inside, Max Liles was on the spot to take possession on the bounce and off-load to his left in one motion to Ethan Hickey who ran twenty metres to score next to the right upright.

Max Liles showcased his off-loading skills in the 41st minute when after receiving the ball from the dummy half from his left, Max Liles ran the ball to the right and threw a great left arm low around the corner pass to Jett Forbes. Max Liles then did not rest on his laurels and backed up to get the ball back from Forbes with Max Liles then running the ball towards the centre of the field before putting in a left foot grubber kick towards the left with Bilambil subsequently being tackled just a metre out from their own try line.

Max Liles then started at five eight for the Cudgen Hornets in the 2022 NRRRL Major Semi-final against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Max Liles recording a try assist in the 36th minute when Max Liles threw a great inside ball to Tanu Nona who charged to his left on a 45 degree angle ten metres to score eight metres to the left of the uprights.

Max Liles also recorded a line break assist in the 21st minute when Max Liles ran the ball down a short left blindside near the halfway mark before throwing a good ball to his left to send winger Levi Dangerfield away down the left touchline.

Max Liles also made a good run in the 25th minute when initially Max Liles received the ball to the left of the play the ball and ran in the same direction from forty five metres out. When he got within around seven metres of the left touchline, Max Liles propped and cut back to his right, beating three defenders in a winding run that made ten metres.

The 2022 NRRRL U18 Grand Final saw Max Liles named at start at five eight for the Cudgen Hornets against the Ballina Seagull with Max Liles scoring in the 30th minute when he received a pass from his left from Jett Forbes who had retrieved a Harvey Moase chip kick. Max Liles initially juggled the ball but dragged the ball in with his right arm to cross the try line wide out on the right but Max Liles was able to bring the ball around to put the ball down near the right goal post.

Max Liles came close to scoring a second try in the 31st minute when Max Liles backed up a line break by the Cudgen left second rower but the Ballina fullback Lachlan Offley got his hand to a pass that would have gone to Max Liles who would no doubt have scored.

Max Liles also recorded a try assist in the 9th minute when from the left of the play the ball and twenty five metres out, Max Liles cut to his left and put his left second rower through a gap to score.

Max Liles added a second try assist in the 15th minute when from twenty metres out and to the right of the play the ball Max Liles executed a left foot grubber kick which say up perfectly for Jett Forbes in the in-goal with the centre scoring an easy try as a result.

Max Liles almost set up another try in the 27th minute when from forty metres out and down a short left blindside Max Liles put in a smart left foot chip kick with Hornets left winger Levi Dangerfield racing through to retrieve the ball but only to be dragged to ground three metres from the try line.

Max Liles also played for the Cudgen Hornets in the 2021 NRRRL U18 competition, starting all bar one of his match at five eight with the only other position being at halfback when he started there in the Round Four local derby against the Bilambil Jets.

Max Liles scored three tries in the 2021 NRRRL U18 competition, one first coming in Round Three against Casino RSM when he backed up a break and raced thirty five metres to score in the left corner.

In addition to scoring in Round Seven against the Marist Rams, Max Liles also scored against the Murwillumbah Mustangs in Round Ten when after receiving the ball around sixteen metres out and to the left of the play the ball, Max Liles executed three left foot steps to get back to the right side of the field, Max Liles then dummied to his right and sliced through the defensive line to score twelve metres in from the right corner post.

I really like the way that Max Liles plays in attack, he will try different things and play what is in front of him rather than stick to the same tactics over and over again. In many respects Max Liles is very unpredictable when he gets the ball, he is adept at running himself when presented with an appropriate opportunity and has a very good turn of speed off the mark and similarly can throw some superb passes to his support runners if they find themselves running into a gap.

Currently Max Liles is probably a touch better runner of the ball then ball player and can step off both feet and is quite strong for his size and will shrug off larger defenders if they try to go high and try to wrap up the ball without committing to the tackle properly or with an incorrect tackling technique.

Max Liles is able to drift across field and then just takes off through any gaps in a staggered defensive line. When he looks to take advantage of an overlap on the blind side and is adept at drawing in outside defenders to give his winger a clear path to the line by creating a two on one situation.

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

Max Liles also runs with the ball out in front of his body in both hands which is another reason why the defensive line is unable to determine exactly what he is going to do before the play is executed or develops in front of them.

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

Max Liles has a very good low tackling technique which is simple and repeatable and effective against all size opponents and thus there is no need for a defensive minder on his side of the field.

Defensively Max Liles uses his size to good effect, he drives with his shoulder into his opponent and has very good timing in terms of when to come out of the line and certainly has the speed to readjust and chase if his timing is slightly off and his opposing player gets on his outside.

Max Liles on an individual level has the body control to redirect quickly and mirror the movement of the opposing attackers and anticipate what vector the attack comes from and innately understands when to allow the attacking play to develop in from of him and when to come out of the line to disrupt the attacking play prior to its formation.

Like when he has the ball in his hands, there is nothing that Max Liles cannot do in relation to kicking a rugby league ball. Max Liles is an exceptional tactical kicker with range and accuracy and he can put up pin point bombs and perfectly weighted grubber kicks into the in goal.

In short if you can name a type of rugby league kick, Max Liles can execute it with precision including goal kicking with his right foot kicking style having both outstanding range and accuracy. In New Zealand Max Liles regularly converted tries in both rugby league and rugby from both sidelines with equal aplomb. The fact that Max Liles is a left foot kicker only enhances the effectiveness of his tactical kicking.

Max Liles is also a solid left foot goal kicker with solid range and accuracy however I am unsure whether he will be a team’s first choice goal kicker, regardless Max Liles will be a very good back up option at the very worst.

Max Liles will commence the 2024 season as a member of the Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup squad with Max Liles looking to make his Queensland Cup debut over the course of the 2024 season. Prior to any potential Queensland Cup debut in 2024 Max Liles will likely start the season in the Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade competition with multiple clubs being an option.

Max Liles is a five eight, end of story, he has always played there are no doubt always will. The fact that Max Liles is a left foot kicker adds to his effectiveness.

For me with his ability to slip through gaps in the defensive line especially close to the line and a solid repeatable defensive technique, Max Liles has a playing style similar to that of Canterbury Bulldog, former Penrith Panthers and New South Wales State of Origin five eight and occasional centre Matt Burton as an outstanding player who finds his way to the try line on a regular basis. The fact that both Max Liles and Burton play on the left side of the field and are both left foot kickers only reinforces the accuracy of the playing style comparison for me.

[mdrew]

Tanu Nona. On November 1, 2022, Tanu Nona commenced training in the Titans NRL off-season program being Tanu Nona’s first such opportunity.

In late July 2023 Tanu Nona started in the front row for a Titans U19 side that travelled to Townsville to play a Cowboys U19 side in an NRL curtain-raiser with Tanu Nona along with Nicholas Hilton making the opening tackle of the match from the Cowboys kick-off return. Both Tanu Nona and Nicholas Hilton then backed up to also make the second tackle of the match.

Tanu Nona made a line break in the 9th minute when from thirty metres out from his own try line, Tanu Nona ran to his right out of dummy half and after pushing away from one defender Tanu Nona charged down downfield and when he was twenty eight metres from the try line Tanu Nona put in a right foot kick back inside which was humbled by the Cowboys with Ryder Williams diving on the loose ball eight metres out. The Titans, through Ryder Williams scored from the subsequent play the ball.

In January 2023 Tanu Nona started at hooker for the Titans U19 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights with Tanu Nona being named captain of the Titans U19 and being one of the main Titans contributors in the trial.
Tanu Nona scored the Titans opening try of the match in the 6th minute when he backed up some smart ball work from Joseph Shannon and Nicholas Hilton to collect a good off-load three metres out from Nicholas Hilton and dive over to score adjacent to the left upright.
Tanu Nona then did well in the 25th minute with a dummy half run to his right from twenty metres out with Tanu Nona getting the ball to within eight metres of the try line before Tanu Nona was able to get an off-load away to his right to Wailer Whaiapu.
2023 saw Tanu Nona return to the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Tanu Nona part of the Seagulls squad for a late February 2023 Queensland Cup trail against the Burleigh Bears with Tanu Nona coming onto the field to operate in the dummy half role in the 27th minute.

Just three minutes after coming on Tanu Nona made a smart run out of dummy half in the 30th minute when from forty metres out from his own try line Tanu Nona ran to his right and was able to get the ball to the halfway mark before being stopped.

Tanu Nona made another smart run out of dummy half in the 15th minute to his right from two metres inside North Queensland territory to thirty two metres from the try line.

In early December 2022 Tanu Nona took part in a joint training session betweed the Titans JTS contracted players and the Titans NRL squad.

In late 2022 Tanua Nona was named in the Tweed Heads Seagulls 2023 Hastings Deering’s Colts squad after playing a number of Colts matches for the Seagulls in 2022 when Tanu Nona was still U18 eligible.

Tanu Nona made his first appearance for the 2023 Tweed Heads Seagulls Hastings Deering’s Colts side Round Six against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls when he started from the bench with Tanu Nona coming off the bench to operate in the dummy half role in the 28th minute.

Tanu Nona was his usual dangerous self out of dummy half in the 41st minute with a run to his right with Tanu Nona getting the ball from thirty metres from his own try line to within five metres of the halfway mark. Then in the 47th minute when twenty metres out from his own try line Tanu Nona ran to his right out of dummy half once again making fifteen metres before getting an off-load away out the back.

Tanu Nona also did well in the 43rd minute to be involved in holding up his opposite number adjacent to the right upright to prevent him from scoring out of dummy half. Then in the 59th minute Tanu Nona was involved in holding up the Wynnum Manly fullback on the last tackle ten metres in from the left touchline.

Tanu Nona continued from the bench in Round Eight against the Central Queensland Capra’s with Tanu Nona coming onto the field to operate in the dummy half role in the 24th minute.

Tanu Nona made the first of his trade mark runs out of dummy half in the 34th minute when after running to his right out of dummy half from thirty eight metres out from the try line Tanu Nona made his way to within eighteen metres of the try line with Tanu Nona executing a quick play the ball with Max Liles scoring from that play.

Then in the 38th minute and forty metres out from his own try line Tanu Nona once again ran to his right out of dummy half and was able to get the ball three metres inside Central Queensland territory.

Tanu Nona also started from the bench in Round Nine against the Mackay Cutters with Tanu Nona coming off the bench to operate in the dummy half role in the 18th minute.

Tanu Nona made a good run out of dummy half in the 42nd minute when he ran to his left from his own thirty metre mark to within nine metres of the halfway mark. Then in the 45th minute when with the play the ball ten metres inside Seagulls territory, Tanu Nona ran to his right and after getting five metres inside Cutters territory Tanu Nona got an off-load away to his right to Elliott Speed.

Tanu Nona did well defensively in the 55th minute when from the marker position literally defending his own try line, Tanu Nona was able to knock the ball out of the grasp of the Cutters hooker who had tried to force his way from dummy half to the left of the uprights.

The Round Ten local derby against the Burleigh Bears saw Tanu Nona start at hooker with Tanu Nona recording a line break assist in the 22nd minute when after running out of dummy half to his right from twelve metres of the halfway mark, Tanu Nona got to the halfway mark before popping a good short ball to his right for Nicholas Hilton to charge down to the thirty metre mark.

In the 15th minute Tanu Nona ran to his right out of dummy half from eleven metres inside his own territory to carry the ball seven metres inside Burleigh territory. Then in the 71st minute Tanu Nona unlocked the Bears defence with a smart play out of dummy half to his left from three metres out from the try line but unfortunately a support runner dropped the ball in front of the posts with the line open.

Tanu Nona did well defensively in the 60th minute when he along with Kyhan Weir and Ryan Foran, Tanu Nona held up the Burleigh front rower No. 8 over the try line and under the posts. Then the 65th minute saw Tanu Nona do a good job to hold up the Burleigh No. 15 over the try line.

Tanu Nona then moved back to the bench for Round Eleven against the Norths Devils with Tanu Nona heavily involved in a Seagulls try in the 41st minute when from close to the try line Tanu Nona threw a two hand pass over his head to his right from three metres out and four metres in from the right touchline with Tanu Nona’s pass keeping the movement alive that allowed Tweed Heads to score in the right corner.

Tanu Nona also recorded a line break assist in the 33rd minute when from ten metres inside his own territory Tanu Nona ran to his right out of dummy half and after getting to within two metres of the halfway mark Tanu Nona drew the Norths B defender and got a short ball away to his right to put Blake Forder through a gap.

Tanu Nona made a line break of his own in the 59th minute with a run out of dummy half to his right from forty metres out with Tanu Nona running to eighteen metres from the try line before being tackled with Tanu Nona then being awarded a penalty after not being allowed to get to his feet in a timely fashion.

Earlier in the 47th minute Tanu Nona ran to his right out of dummy half to thirty metres from his own try line to six metres of the halfway mark.

Tanu Nona moved back into the Seagulls starting line-up at hooker in Round Twelve against the Brisbane Tigers with Tanu Nona recording a try assist in the 76th minute when with the play the ball nine metres out and ten metres in from the right touchline, Tanu Nona ran to his right out of dummy half before immediately cutting off his right foot back behind the marker and when he was four metres from the try line, Tanu Nona got a short, sharp off-load away to his left to Jayden Wright who crashed over to score from close range.

Tanu Nona made a good run in the 5th minute when after taking an off-load from Nicholas Hilton twelve metres out from his own try line Tanu Nona was able to make twelve metres through the centre of the field.

Tanu Nona followed that run up with another run to his right out of dummy half in the 14th minute from twenty metres out from his own try line to eight metres of the halfway mark. Tanu Nona then ran out of dummy half to his left on this occasion in the 20th minute from forty metres from the try line to thirty metres out with Tanu Nona’s speed catching the defensive off-side to gain six more tackles for the Seagulls.

Then in the 25th minute Tanu Nona ran to his left out of dummy half from five metres inside Tigers territory to twenty eight metres from the try line. Tanu Nona then rounded out his strong match in the 77th minute with a run out of dummy half to his right from five metres inside his own territory to nine metres into Tigers territory.

Tanu Nona made another smart run out of dummy half to his right in the 62nd minute and after stepping off his left foot Tanau Nona got within thirty two metres of the try line.

Then in the 63rd minute Tanu Nona ran out of dummy half to his right from two metres from the try line and put a right foot grubber kick into the in-goal area which was taken dead by North Queensland forcing them into a goal drop-out to restart the match.

Tanu Nona executed a strong tackle in the 32nd minute from a Tweed Heads kick-off with Tanu Nona smashing the Tigers kick returner front-on forcing him to knock the ball on twenty metres out from the try line.

Tanu Nona then moved to the bench for Round Thirteen against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Tanu Nona coming onto the field to operate in the dummy half role in the 33rd minute and in the 36th minute after backing up one of his forwards Tanua Nona took possession of the ball from an off-load twenty eight metres out from the try line and after making eight metres running to his left Tanu Nona got a pass away to his right.

In the 53rd minute after receiving an off-load six metres inside Redcliffe territory Tanu Nona was able to make twelve metres through the centre of the field.

Tanu Nona continued from the bench in Round Fourteen against the Northern Pride coming onto the field to operate in the dummy half role in the 32nd minute.

Tanu Nona recorded a try assist in the 46th minute when from the dummy half position three metres out from the try line Tanu Nona stepped out of dummy half to his right and put the ball onto the chest of Reico Ratana who scored ten metres in from the right corner post.

Tanu Nona added a second try assist in the 58th minute when once again whilst operating at dummy half three metres out and just to the right of the uprights, Tanu Nona fired a hard flat pass to his left to Nicholas Hilton who crashed over to score under the posts.

Tanu Nona came close to scoring himself in the 42nd minute when after receiving a right arm flock off-load from Nicholas Hilton when twelve metres from the try line Tanu Nona was able to make it to within a metre of the try line when ten metres to the left of the uprights.

The 37th minute saw Tanu Nona run to his right out of dummy half from his own forty metre mark to carry the ball to seven metres into Northern Pride territory. In the 45th minute after getting an off-load two metres inside Northern Pride territory, Tanu Nona ran the ball to the forty metre mark before getting a pass away to his right. Then from the subsequent play the ball Tanu Nona ran out of dummy half to his right to get the ball from thirty three metres away from the try line to the twenty metre mark.

Tanu Nona also started from the bench in the Round Fifteen local derby against the Burleigh Bears with Tanu Nona scoring the try that gave the Seagulls the lead for good in the 76th minute with a three metre run out of dummy half to force the ball down seven metres in from the right corner post.

Tanu Nona also recorded a line break in the 53rd minute when from twenty two metres out from his own try line Tanu Nona ran to his right out of dummy half and after making ten metres Tanu Nona burst between two defenders and broke into open space with Tanu Nona finally being brought to ground twenty one metres out from the try line.

Earlier in the 32nd minute Tanu Nona ran to right out of dummy half from thirty metres from the try line to seventeen metres out with Tanu Nona then getting an off-load away to his left. Tanu Nona also ran out of dummy half in the 63rd minute and after running to his right Tanu Nona broke a tackle to get the ball from five metres inside Burleigh territory and after getting to thirty metres out, Tanu Nona got an off-load away to his left.

Tanu Nona also ran out of dummy half to his right in the 78th minute to get the ball from forty three metres out from the try line to twenty eight metres out.

Tanu also Nona had a strong match including in the 36th minute with a heavy front on tackle on the Burleigh No. 15 twenty metres out and in the centre of the field. Then in the 61st minute Tanu Nona made another heavy tackle, on this occasion on the Burleigh right centre No. 4 with Tanu Nona lining him up and driving him backwards ten metres out from the try line as he ran across field.

Tanu Nona also showcased his kicking skills with a right foot grubber kick into the in-goal from ten metres out.

Tanu Nona continued off the bench in Round Sixteen against the Sunshine Coast Falcons and after coming onto the field to operate at dummy half in the 28th minute Tanu Nona was held up on a staggering three occasions.

Tanu Nona was held up over the try line initially in the 48th minute when after running out of dummy half to his right from three metres out, Tanu Nona was held up under the posts.

Tanu Nona was held up for a second time in the 61st minute when after running out of dummy half to his right from thirteen metres out, Tanu Nona was held up mid-way between the corner post and goal posts on the right side of the field.

Tanu Nona made it held up over the try line three times in the 65th minute when Tanu Nona was held up next to the left upright after a four metres run out of dummy half to his left.

In the 60th minute after running out of dummy half to his right Tanu Nona did well to get the ball from twenty eight metres from his own try line to forty two metres out. Then in the 73rd minute Tanu Nona ran to his left out of dummy half to carry the ball from twenty metres to thirty five metres out from his try line.

Tanu Nona also started from the bench in Week One of the Finals against the Burleigh Bears with Tanu Nona scoring the first of his two tries in the 70th minute when with the play the ball a metre from the try line and six metres to the left of the goal posts, Tanu Nona ran out of dummy half to his right looking to throw a short ball in the same direction, but after being hit by a Burleigh defender Tanu Nona found himself with his back to the try line with Tanu Nona then backing his way over the try line and spinning to his right to get the ball down three metres to the left of the goal posts.

Tanu Nona completed his double in the 78th minute when from twenty two metres out from the try line, Tanu Nona ran to his left of the dummy half, and after hesitating for just a fraction, Tanu Nona raced straight through the centre of the Burleigh defensive line to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.

Tanu Nona continued from the bench in the Preliminary Final against the Townsville Blackhawks with Tanu Nona coming onto the field to operate in the dummy half role in the 27th minute.

Tanu Nona made his initial run out of dummy half in the match in the 32nd minute to his right to carry the ball from thirty metres out from his own try line to forty two metres out. Then in the 39th minute Tanu Nona once again ran out of dummy half, on this occasion to his left before cutting back to his left from forty metres out from his own try line with Tanu Nona getting to the halfway mark before getting an off-load away to his right.

In the 54th minute Tanu Nona ran out of dummy half to his right with Tanu Nona breaking three tackles as he got the ball from ten metres out from his own try line to thirty three metres out.

In early September 2023 Tanu Nona was named on the bench in the Courier Mail’s PBC SHS Rugby League Team of the 2020’s to date.

In late January 2023 Tanu Nona was part of the Queensland Murri U18 side that played a Queensland Samoa U18 side at the Cultural Celebration Day.

In late January 2022 Tanu Nona started from the bench for the Titans U19 side in a match at Pizzey Park against the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts side after starting at hooker for the Titans U17/18 side against the Burleigh MM Cup side.

Tanu Nona’s initial contribution to the Titans U17/18 side was when along with Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa and Wailer Whaiapu he made the opening tackle of the match after the Titans had kicked off to get the game underway.

Tanu Nona then backed that up with a desperate last ditch try saving tackle in the 5th minute on his opposite number directly in front of the goal posts.

For the Titans U19 side, Tanu Nona came onto the field ten minutes into the second half in the dummy half role and it did not take Tanu Nona long to have a major impact on the match when he started the movement that led to Thomas Weaver’s 56th minute try. Tanu Nona moved into dummy half twenty metres from his own line, scooping up the ball and running out of dummy half to his left, bursting through the defensive line and near halfway was able to get a great ball away to his left to Josh Lynn who then off-loaded back to the right to Nicholas Hilton who then put Thomas Weaver away to score under the posts.

In late July 2022 Tanu Nona 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 Tanu Nona coming in the match in the 24th minute to operate in the dummy half role.

In mid-December 2021 Tanu Nona had the opportunity to train with the Titans NRL squad in a joint training session between the Titans NRL squad and the Titans JTS Program Squads.

In early November 2021 Tanu Nona was named in the 2022 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad as they look to replicate their 2021 Queensland dominance.

Round One of the 2022 MM Cup competition saw Tanu Nona named at hooker for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Souths Logan Magpies with Tanu Nona transitioning to a running forward role mid-way through the first half.

Tanu Nona along with Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa made the opening tackle of the match after Tweed Heads had gotten the match underway from the kick-off.

Tanu Nona made a trademark line break from dummy half in the 11th minute when he ran out of dummy half to his left, utilising a clockwise 360 degree spin to beat the initial defender that had confronted him before beating a second defender after veering to his right.

Tanu Nona started at hooker in Tweed Heads early February trial against the Burleigh Bears. Whilst he started the match at hooker, Tanu Nona also spend time as a running forward towards the end of the first half when Hasley McDonald came off the bench.

Tanu Nona made an immediate impact for the Seagulls when from sixty five metres out Tanu Nona ran to his right out of dummy half and burst straight through the middle of the Burleigh defensive line, then drew the fullback and off-loading to his left. Another off-load later Jett Forbes scored under the posts.

Tanu Nona made another great run out of dummy half, on this occasion to his left with Tanu Nona once again making a line break through the Burleigh line, Tanu Nona was able to off-load to his left to Michael Roberts who was brought down just inches from the try line.

Tanu Nona made a further strong run out of dummy half in the 55th minute when he ran out of dummy half to his right with Tanu Nona starting his right on his own twenty metre line, getting the ball out to thirty five metres out from his own try line.

Tanu Nona was also named at hooker for Round Two against the Redcliffe Dolphins and like in Round One, whilst he started the match at hooker, Tanu Nona transitioned to a running forward’s role towards the end of the first half when Hasley McDonald came onto the field.

In March 2022 Tanu Nona 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 late in the first half to operate as a running forward.

Tanu Nona 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 Tanu Nona start at hooker and captain for PBC State High School against Marsden State High School with Tanu Nona making the second tackle of the match along with Isaiah Scanlon after PBC SHS had kicked-off.

Tanu Nona’s first strong run out of dummy half came in the 15th minute when he made twenty five metres after running to his left after shaping to pass to his right with his run coming to its conclusion near the halfway mark.

Tanu Nona also had a strong match defensively including a strong tackle in the 22nd minute when Tanu Nona smashed one of the Marsden SHS front rowers front on around the chest, stopping the far bigger front rower in his tracks.

Tanu Nona was then named at hooker and captain for Round Two against Redcliffe State High School before moving to lock late in the first half when Bailey McConnell came off the bench to operate in the dummy half role.

Tanu Nona made a very good defensive play in the 37th minute he did a great job to hold up his opposite number over the try line on the final tackle after the hooker had tried to sneak over from dummy half from close range.

Tanu Nona was also named at hooker and captain in Round Three against Coombabah State High School high Tanu Nona scoring in the 12th minute when he followed through a break through the centre of the field, receiving the off-load from his left with Tanu Nona running eight metres to score under the posts.

Tanu Nona scored a second try in the dying moments when he backed up a long Keano Kini line break, eventually getting an off-load from Jett Forbes with Tanu Nona crashing over under the posts after running eight metres after receiving the ball.

Tanu Nona made the first of his trade mark dummy half runs in the 6th minute with a fourteen metres effort to get the ball to the halfway mark after running out of dummy half to his left.

Tanu Nona showed his intelligence in the 11th minute when from only twenty five metres out from his own line, Tanu Nona identified that the marker was not square and ran out of dummy half to the same side, being his left to catch the Coombabah SHS player off-side and win a penalty for PBC SHS.

After the mid-season break, Tanu Nona continued at hooker and captain in Round Four against Ipswich State High School with Tanu Nona scoring in the 15th minute when with the play the ball four metres out from the try line and to the left of the uprights, Tanu Nona initially shaped to pass to his right after taking a step in that direction before Tanu Nona straightened up and forced his way over to score ten metres in from the left corner post.

The first of Tanu Nona’s trade mark runs out of dummy half came inside the opening minute of the match when a run to the right from his own forty metre mark promoted the ball to thirty metres out from the try line.

From a defensive perspective Tanu Nona made a great front on tackle in the 7th minute when one of the Ipswich SHS front rowers charged onto the ball from a penalty tap restart with Tanu Nona’s strong initial contact forcing the ball loose.

Tanu Nona made another good tackle in the 36th minute when he along with Keano Kini and Josh Lynn held up the giant Ipswich SHS front rower No. 8 over the line and directly under the posts.

While Tanu Nona started the match in the dummy half role he transitioned to become a running backrower once Will Saunders came off the bench.

Tanu Nona continued at hooker in Round Five against Mabel Park SHS with Tanu Nona making a smart run out of dummy half in the 4th minute when after running to his right Tanu Nona made sixteen metres to get the ball to the forty metre mark.

Tanu Nona also started at hooker and captain in the Round Six local derby against Keebra Park SHS with Tanu Nona heavily involved in Isaiah Scanlon’s 43rd minute try when he threw a short pass from dummy half from three metres out for Isaiah Scanlon to crash over mid-way between the corner post and goal posts on the left side of the field.

Tanu Nona continued at hooker and captain in Round Seven against Wavell SHS.

Tanu Nona continued at hooker and captain in PBC SHS’s Langer Cup Quarter Final against Mabel Park SHS with Tanu Nona recording a try assist as PBC SHS qualified for the semi-finals.

In the 56th minute Tanu Nona ran to his right out of dummy half from sixty two metres out with Tanu Nona breaking the Mabel Park SHS defensive line before drawing the fullback and passing to his left to Jett Forbes who raced away to score.

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

Whilst Tanu Nona started the match at dummy half, Tanu Nona also was very effective as a running forward after Bailey McConnell had come onto the field late in the first half.

Tanu Nona was then named at hooker and captain for PBC SHS in the 2022 Langer Cup Semi-final against Keebra Park SHS with Tanu Nona making the first of a number of smart runs out of dummy half when Tanu Nona ran to his left making eighteen metres to get the ball to withing twenty two metres of the try line.

Tanu Nona made another strong run out of dummy half in the 17th minute when Tanu Nona ran to his right making sixteen metres to get the ball to thirty metres out from the try line.

Then in the 51st minute Tanu Nona ran to his left out of dummy half from six metres out and just prior to the defensive line Tanu Nona put in a short right foot grubber kick into the in-goal which was forced dead in-goal by the Keebra Park SHS defence to force a goal line drop-out.

In the 28th minute Tanu Nona along with Jaylen Taewa and Keano Kini stopped the Keebra Park SHS dummy half Dorian Lotaki just short of the try line after a great run out of dummy half just to the right of the uprights.

Tanu Nona started at hooker and captain in the 2022 School Boy Langer Cup Grand Final against Ipswich SHS with Tanu Nona making a good run out of dummy half in the 37th minute making sixteen metres after running to his right to get the ball into Ipswich SHS territory.

Tanu Nona is more than just a talented rugby league player he was also an outstanding student at PBC SHS with Tanu Nona being awarded a 2022 Gold Academic Optima Award.

Tanu Nona made his Hastings Deering’s Colts debut in Round Seventeen of the 2022 competition when he came off the bench against the Easts Tigers coming onto the field to operate in the dummy half role late in the first half.

Tanu Nona then started from the bench in Week Two of the Finals against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Tanu Nona recording a great try assist in the 28th minute when from just fourteen metres out from his own try line Tanu Nona ran to his right out of dummy half and burst through the centre of the Wynnum Manly defensive line. Then Tanu Nona initially took on the fullback after a fifty metre burst and in the tackle got away to right arm off-load to his left to Jett Forbes who raced away to score under the posts.

2022 saw Tanu Nona once again play for the Cudgen Hornets in the NRRRL U18 competition with his first match coming in Round Eight against the Bilambil Jets when he came off the bench in the 15th minute to operate at lock.

Tanu Nona, even though he came off the bench was the best player on the field with Tanu Nona scoring in the 22nd minute when he ran back underneath Harvey Moase who had run his left and then passed back inside to Tanu Nona. Tanu Nona then took advantage of the fact that the Bilambil inside defenders had not followed the paly across field and charged twenty five metres and easily beating the fullback to score under the posts.

Then in the 31st minute Tanu Nona received the ball on the right side of the field in space and looking at a Hornets overlap and smartly ran at the last Jets defender on their left, drawing him to send Jett Forbes over to score.

Tanu Nona also had a strong defensive match which was evidenced by a 38th minute tackle when he executed a text book front on hit on the Bilambil right second rower with the ball flying loose as soon as Tanu Nona hit him around the chest.

Tanu Nona was back in Round Ten against the Murwillumbah Mustangs coming off the bench in the 15th minute to operate in the dummy half role and scored a strong solo try in the 33rd minute when he darted out of dummy half to his left from twenty five metres out when he identified that the markers were not square. Tanu Nona burst past the markers before dummying to his left to halt the momentum of a defender and then easily veered around the Murwillumbah fullback to score five metres to the left of the uprights.

The reason that Cudgen were deep on the attack in Murwillumbah territory in the first place was as a direct result of smart play by Tanu Nona. Tanu Nona moved into dummy half in the centre of the field and just thirty metres out from his own try line. After identifying that one of the Mustangs markers was not square, Tanu Nona ran to his right and won the penalty when impacted by the not square marker. It was from the play the ball from the subsequent penalty restart that saw Tanu Nona score out of dummy half.

Whilst Tanu Nona scored one try he also saved one when in the 23rd minute Tanu Nona was on hand to hold up the Murwillumbah fullback over the try line on the fourth tackle after the fullback had tried to his detriment to run over the top of Tanu Nona.

Tanu Nona then started at five eight in Round Thirteen against the Ballina Seagulls with Tanu Nona scoring in the 45th minute when he ran to his right out of dummy half seventeen metres out from the line. Once he cleared the ruck, Tanu Nona stepped off his left foot, “breaking the ankles” of one Ballina defender before a left arm fend got rid of the fullback with Tanu Nona getting the ball down mid-way between the corner post and goal posts on the right side of the field.

Tanu Nona also recorded a try assist in the 12th minute when after receiving an off-load thirty metres from his own try line, Tanu Nona ran to his right and after drawing one defender got the ball away to his right to send Jett Forbes on a seventy metre run down the right touchline to score.

Tanu Nona recorded a second try assist in the 37th minute when he skipped out of dummy half to his left from three metres out before throwing a short ball to his left for Chaz Bond to crash over to the left of the uprights.

Tana Nona added a line break assist in the 24th minute when after receiving an off-load from Stevie O’Connor ten metres inside his own territory Tanu Nona got the ball to the halfway mark before getting a right arm off-load away to his left to put Jett Forbes into a big gap.

After starting from the bench for the Future Titans U19 side squad that played a North Queensland Cowboys U19 side in a Titans against Canberra NRL match at Cbus Stadium on the Saturday, Tanu Nona started from the bench in the rescheduled Round Four match against the Bilambil Jets.

Tanu Nona then started from the bench in the rescheduled Round Five match against the Byron Bay Devils with Tanu Nona scoring in the 38th minute when after receiving an inside pass from his left from Harvey Moase when thirty seven metres out, Tanu Nona broke an attempted arm tackle before dummying to his left to initially wrong foot the Devils fullback and then near the try line when the fullback came across, Tanu Nona got rid of him with a left arm fend and then Tanu Nona brought the ball around to put the ball down under the posts.

Tanu Nona then started from the bench for the Cudgen Hornets in the 2022 NRRRL Major Semi-final against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Tanu Nona scoring in the 36th minute when he ran off a great inside ball from Max Liles with Tanu Nona charged to his left on a 45 degree angle ten metres to score eight metres to the left of the uprights.

The 2022 NRRRL U18 Grand Final saw Tanu Nona named at start from the bench for the Cudgen Hornets against the Ballina Seagulls with Tanu Nona scoring in the 36th minute when Tanu Nona backed up a line break by Harvey Moase to receive the ball after his halfback had drawn the fullback with Tanu Nona then running twenty metres to score under the posts.

Then in the 49th minute Tanu Nona made eighteen metres out of dummy half to his right to promote the ball over the halfway mark. Tanu Nona made a further strong run out of dummy half in the 50th minute, on this occasion to his left with Tanu Nona able to get the ball from thirty metres out to ten metres out.

Then in the 51st Tanu Nona ran to his right out of dummy half making twenty metres to forty metres out from the ty line with Tanu Nona able to get a short off-load away to his right at the end of his run.

To complete an outstanding sequence of runs Tanu Nona also ran out of dummy half in the 53rd minute to his left with Tanu Nona making seventeen strong metres.

Tanu Nona also recorded a try assist in the 55th minute when after receiving the ball ten metres out and to the left of the play the ball, Tanu Nona threw a hard flat pass to his left to put his left second rower over to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

In October 2022 Tanu Nona played in the Queensland Murri U18 Carnival and was named in the U18 Probable’s side against a Possible’s selection.

In January 2021 Tanu Nona started at hooker for the Titans U17 side that defeated a Newcastle Knights U17 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour with Tanu Nona leading his forwards onto the ball well as they dominated the Knights pack as well as running judicially out of dummy half as the match progressed and the Knight forwards tired in the Titans 32 – 20 victory (no conversions were taken). One such run early in the second half was a superb twenty five metre effort directly through the centre of the ruck after Tanu Nona darted to his right out of dummy half.

Tanu Nona did not have to wait long to get into the match in a positive fashion against the Knights, being part of three of the first five tackles that the Titans made after they kicked off to Newcastle to start the match off.

In June 2021 Tanu Nona started at hooker for a Titans U17 side that played a Titans Northern Rivers U18 squad at Cbus Stadium as a curtain raiser to the Titans Round Fourteen NRL match against the Sydney Roosters and caused all sorts of trouble for the Northern Rivers Titans defensive line with his darting runs out of dummy half especially as the defence tired.

Tanu Nona was named at hooker for the Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup side for their Round One match against the Wests Tigers and had an impressive match as the Northern Rivers Titans had a solid first up victory.

Tanu Nona got the Northern Rivers Titans on the front foot early in the match with a strong forty metre run through the centre of the Wests Tigers ruck after darting out of dummy half to the right of the play the ball. Tanu Nona continued to run from dummy half over the course of the match and it almost paid off late in the match when Tanu Nona darted out of dummy half to his right only to be held up next to the left goal post after a great running effort.

After his outstanding Round One performance, Tanu Nona also started Round Two against local rivals the North Coast Bulldogs at Nambucca Heads at hooker, producing another solid display, including an early first half try assist.

Tanu Nona’s try assist came early in the first half when he darted out of dummy half to his left, three metres out from the North Coast line and threw a flat short ball to his left to put Rowan Mansfield into a gap and Rowan Mansfield was able to put the ball down under the posts.

Tanu Nona produced an early trademark run out of dummy half in just the 14th minute of the first half when he darted out of dummy half to his right and surging twenty metres before being brought down and then being awarded a penalty when the North Coast defence would not allow him to get to his feet.

Tanu Nona produced two more outstanding runs out of dummy half to the match, one a thirty metre run out of dummy half to the right of the play the ball and in the 49th minute of the match, Tanu Nona once again ran to his right making fifteen valuable metres.

Tanu Nona also started at hooker in Round Three against the Greater Northern Tigers recording a try and a try assist.

Tanu Nona’s try came in the 60th minute of the match when he ran out of dummy half to his left before dummying the same way and darting towards the line to get the ball down under the posts.

Tanu Nona recorded his try assist in the 42nd minute of the match when he ran out of dummy half to his left holding his pass to his left nicely to create a gap for Jye David to run into from close range to score.

Tanu Nona also started at hooker in Round Four at Lismore against the Central Coast Roosters as well as in Round Five against the Newcastle Knights. In his second stint on the field in the second half, Tanu Nona initially came on to play as a running forward before reverting back to his dummy half role later in the half.

Tanu Nona was at dummy half less than a metre out from the Newcastle line with nowhere to go in the 60th minute. Tanu Nona deliberately grubber kicked the ball out of dummy half hard into the Knights defenders who were crouched low, forcing a Knights knock on and winning the ball back for the Northern Rivers Titans.

In May 2021 Tanu Nona was part of the South Coast Maroon Open school boy side at the QSSRL Championships starting from the bench on Day One of the Championships.

Tanu Nona moved into the South Coast Maroon starting side at hooker on Day Two against Met North with his first dummy half run coming in the opening minute of the match.

Tanu Nona was also outstanding in South Coast Maroons Day Three match against Darling Downs including scoring late in the first half. From thirteen metres out Tanu Nona ran out of dummy half to his left shaping to pass to his left but instead he barged over next to the right upright.

The Day Four fifth place play-off match against Met East saw Tanu Nona also start from the bench coming on to play in the dummy half run and early in the second half Tanu Nona produced a typical Tanu Nona dart out of dummy half to his right, making sixteen metres through the centre of the ruck, breaking two tackles along the way.

Tanu Nona started from the bench for the Cudgen Hornets in Round One of the NRRRL U18 competition, coming on in the second half in the dummy half role as the Hornets defeated the Tweed Coast Raiders 38 – 6.

Tanu Nona also started from the bench in Round Five against Byron Bay, initially playing as a running forward when he came into the field before reverting back to his normal dummy half role. Tanu Nona almost got himself on the try scoring list in the match but in the 56th minute he was held up under the posts after darting out of dummy half from close range.

Tanu Nona moved into the Cudgen starting side at hooker in Round Seven against the Marist Brothers Rams, scoring one try and setting up another in Cudgen’s impressive victory.

Tanu Nona scored in the 48th minute when he moved into dummy half fourteen metres from the try line on the left side of the field. Tanu Nona dummied to his left before running out of dummy half in the same direction before stepping off his left foot to run back towards the centre of the field. Running parallel to the defensive line towards the right, Tanu Nona dummied once again, this time to the right to force his way over the line five metres from the left goal post.

Tanu Nona’s try assist came in the 52nd minute when he ran down a short right blind side, drawing the defence towards him before throwing a cut-out pass to right winger Tobey Carpenter who dived over in the right corner.

Tanu Nona continued at hooker in Round Eight against the Kyogle Turkeys scoring an outstanding long-range solo try in the final minute of the match. Playing as a running forward at the time, Tanu Nona received the ball to the right of the dummy half sixty five metres from the line, easily slicing through two defenders in the Turkeys defensive line and from there Tanu Nona beat the fullback with pace. Within metres of the try line, Tanu Nona was actually caught from behind by the Kyogle five eight but he maintained his balance to get the ball down under the posts.

In addition to his outstanding try, Tanu Nona recorded a 23rd minute try assist when after skipping out of dummy half to his left, Tanu Nona threw a flat, hard short ball in the same direction to his front rower to force his way over five metres to the left of the goal posts after running into a gap established by Tanu Nona four metres from the line.

Tanu Nona continued at hooker in Round Ten against the Murwillumbah Mustangs.

2021 also saw Tanu Nona line up once again for PBC State High School in the South East Queensland School Boy Langer Cup competition starting Round One at hooker against Ipswich State High School. Whilst Tanu Nona spent the majority of his time on the field in the dummy half role he did play as a running forward for a portion of the second half and handled that role effectively as he had in the dummy half role.

In his debut Langer Cup Open A match, Tanu Nona was outstanding recording two try assist (both for Jett Forbes to score) and two line breaks on top of his outstanding distribution out of dummy half and solid defence.

Tanu Nona’s first try assist came early in the match, in the 9th minute to be exact when he ran the ball to the right out of dummy half down a short blindside, picking the ball up nine metres out. Tanu Nona took the ball right to the line before throwing a cut-out pass to his right to Jett Forbes who dived over in the right corner.

As noted above, Tanu Nona’s second try assist enabled Jett Forbes to score once again, with the try completing Jett Forbes’s hat trick. In the 59th minute, Tanu Nona flew out of dummy half to his left breaking three tackles to get through the Ipswich SHS defensive line, Tanu Nona rounded the fullback by veering to his right but was ankle tapped but as he was going to ground Tanu Nona was able to off-load to his right to a flying Jett Forbes to race away to score under the posts untouched.

In addition to his 59th minute line break that led to Jett Forbes third try, Tanu Nona also broke the Ipswich SHS line in the 22nd minute when Tanu Nona burst out of dummy half to his left bursting through the line and making fifty metres downfield but unfortunately his off-load could not find friendly hands.

It was clear that Tanu Nona was in for a good match as early as the 8th minute, when a dart out of dummy half caught the Ipswich SHS defence napping with Tanu Nona making good ground and then he was awarded a penalty when he was hit in a high tackle.

Tanu Nona also started at hooker in Round Two against St Mary’s College Toowoomba and scored his career first Langer Cup Open A try when in the 29th minute he ran out of dummy half to his left from twenty metres out but as Tanu Nona approached the defensive line Tanu Nona cut back to his right to dive over next to the right upright.

Tanu Nona was immediately in the match, making the first tackle after PBC kicked off in conjunction with Jack Cullen and took his first run out of dummy half in the 4th minute when he darted out of dummy half to his left, making eight metres.

Tanu Nona continued at hooker in Round Three against Coombabah State High School and was also named at hooker for Round Four against Marsden State High School however he ended up starting the match from the bench and played a running forward role when he was on the field with Oscar Bryant in the dummy half role.

Tanu Nona also started from the bench in the much anticipated Round Five local derby against Keebra Park State High School and Tanu Nona also was named to start from the bench in Round Six against Mabel Park State High School but he came into the starting side at hooker just prior to the match.

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

In the 2021 Langer Cup Grand Final against Marsden State High School, Tanu Nona was named to start from the bench for PBCSHS, coming into the match around the twenty metre mark and playing the majority of the match as a running lock and more than held his own against the giant Marsden SHS forward pack.

Post the completion of the 2021 Langer Cup competition, Tanu Nona was named by the Courier Mail as one of the 2021 Langer Cup most impressive rookies.

Tanu Nona was then named to start from the bench for PBC in the Queensland Open School Boys Final (Phil Hall Cup) against St Brendan’s College Yeppoon coming off the bench towards the end of the first half to play as a running forward once again.

At the end of the 2021 season, Tanu Nona was named at No. 52 in the Courier Mail Top 60 school boys from the GPS Rugby, AIC Rugby and Langer Cup competitions.

In late 2020 Tanu Nona was announced as part of the South East Queensland Magic U17 side for the 2021 Queensland Murri Carnival but in the end Tanu Nona played in the Murri U18 competition with the Deadly Choices Bronco’s and Tanu Nona was also named in the second row in the Murri U18 Possibles side.

The Titans contracted young man was named to start at hooker for the Northern Rivers Titans in Round One of the 2020 U16 Andrew Johns Cup against the Parramatta Eels at Cudgen however the match was cancelled due to the wet conditions in Northern New South Wales at that time.

Tanu Nona started Round Two of the U16 Andrew Johns Cup at hooker against the Newcastle Knights in Ballina. Tanu Nona was involved in an old fashioned mouse trap play late in the match. Tanu Nona ran over the top of the ball to the right of the play the ball leaving the ball to right centre Michael Roberts who took off to the left and forced his way over the try line from close range to ensure the Northern Rivers Titans 28 – 22 victory.

Tanu Nona also spent the majority of his time on the field packing in at lock when the Titans had the scrum feed and it was from this situation that he was part of a set play from the scrum base that led to a try to Titans right winger Jamal Laurie. The ball went through Tanu Nona’s hands to Harvey Moase who was able to put Jamal Laurie away down the touch line.

Tanu Nona also started at hooker in Round Three against the Central Coast Roosters and for me was close to if not the Titans best in their 28 – 22 victory, scoring a try and having a big hand in another.

Tanu Nona’s try was an outstanding individual effort in the first half. With the Central Coast defence back peddling Tanu Nona exploded out of dummy half to the right of the play the ball around about twenty five metres out from the line and was just too quick and strong for the Central Coast defence, scoring near the left upright after breaking through a number of tackles.

In the second half, Tanu Nona ran out of dummy half to the right of the play the ball and was able to get a one armed (right arm) pass away to Michael Roberts whilst engaged with the defensive line to send Michael Roberts away down the right side of the field from his second try.

Tanu Nona also started at hooker in Round Four against the Greater Northern Tigers and added another try assist when he threw a perfectly weighted long pass out of dummy half to his left for Damon Coldwell to score in the corner from close range. The pass was perfectly weighted because as well as needing to cover an extended distance, the pass had to be looped over a defender who had come out of the line. Tanu Nona had no margin for error with the pass but made it look deceptively easy and routine, such was its execution in one fluid movement.

Tanu Nona was once again at hooker in the Round Five local derby against North Coast and as usual provided excellent service out of dummy half as well as undertaking some probing runs to get the Northern Rivers Titans on the front foot early in their sets of six in their two point victory in the must win match.

Tanu Nona was outstanding for the Cudgen Hornets in Round One of the Group 18 U16 competition playing as a running forward, however the Hornets went down 36 – 26 to South Tweed. Tanu Nona was also outstanding in Round Five scoring on the bell as Cudgen defeated the top of the table Murwillumbah Colts.

The 2020 U16 Group 18 Cudgen Hornets finished the regular season winning two games and losing eight, along the way scoring 138 points and conceding 244 to finish with a -106 points differential. Post the season Tanu Nona was named the Cudgen Hornets Group 18 U16 Best and Fairest and was also named as the joint Cudgen Hornets Junior Representative Player of the 2020 season.

Tanu Nona made his NRRRL U18 debut for Cudgen in round Four of that competition off the bench as the Hornets defeated Murwillumbah 18 – 14. Tana Nona played for the Cudgen U16 side the previous day.

In Round Six of the NRRRL U18 competition, Tanu Nona started on the interchange bench as the Hornets defeated the Bilambil Jets 20 -6 in an injury shortened match. Round Seven against the Tweed Coast Raiders saw Tanu Nona make his first NRRRL U18 start when he started at five eight against the Raiders, pairing in the halves Harvey Moase.

Round Seven of the NRRRL U18 competition saw Tanu Nona drop back to the bench for the Hornets match against the Bilambil Jets before Tanu Nona started on the wing in Round Eight against the Tweed Coast Raiders.

In Cudgen’s 2020 NRRRL U18 Major semi-final loss against Murwillumbah Tanu Nona started from the bench. Tanu Nona was also on the bench in the 2020 NRRRL Grand U18 Grand Final playing right second row as the Hornets defeated Murwillumbah 28 – 16 in a bad tempered Grand Final.

2020 also saw Tanu Nona part of the PBC Year Ten Walters Cup side including starting at hooker as PBC qualified to the 2020 Walters Cup final on the back of an 18 – 14 victory over Wavell State High School with Tanu Nona scoring a key second half try to put PBC in front and also contribute a try assist in the match. Tanu Nona also recorded a first half try assist.

With PBC on the attack less than a metre out from the line on the left side of the field, Tanu Nona moved into dummy half and when he took possession shaped to pass to his left, the dummy opened up a gap just to the right of the play the ball, which was exploited by Tanu Nona to dive over to put PBC back in front.

Tanu Nona’s try assist came on the first half and in fact resulted in PBC’s first try of the match. Tanu Nona put in a short attacking kick from dummy half, which after bouncing around was collected by front rower Caleb Te Momo to put down in the in-goal.

In the 2020 Walters Cup Grand Final Tanu Nona started at hooker and was one of PBC’s best as they went down to a Titans contracted William Semu inspired Marsden SHS side. Tanu Nona was a constant danger out of dummy half, including one break in the first half when he darted out of dummy half to the right racing forty metres down field before he was rounded up.

Whilst Tanu Nona started the match at hooker, he spent time in the second half as a running forward and was also effective in that role, playing primarily on the right.

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

In 2019 Tanu Nona was selected on the inter change bench for the Group 18 U14 representative side for the New South Wales Country Age Championships and played for Byron Bay/Lennox Heads in the Group 18 U15 competition.

Previously Tanu Nona played for the Currumbin Eagles in the Gold Coast Junior Rugby League competition before his move to his current Northern New South Wales Byron Bay/Lennox Heads club.

Tanu Nona is quite an elusive runner of the ball and has impressive foot work in confined space. He will take on the line regularly and has a very good step off both feet but his left foot step seems to be the preferred step based on the games that I have seen at least.

Tanu Nona also has some size about him and uses that to his advantage when he runs out of dummy half in terms of initiating contract with the defensive line and generating a quick play the ball to maintain his side’s momentum.

Tanu Nona’s passing game is what I would consider above average and he will drift across the field looking for runners to run into holes and has the ability to hold the defensive line in place as he develops the play in front of them, making to easier for his support runners to get a clear passage through the line, especially when a defender comes out of the line and commits to Tanu Nona.

Tanu Nona will also wait until the last possible moment to release the football. His best attribute in his passing game is the speed, timing and accuracy when he passes to his outside backs. Tanu Nona gets a very good spiral on the ball from both sides of his body and leads his outside attackers into the ball, enabling them to maintain the momentum of their run.

Clearly his passing ability is one of the reasons that when his side has the scrum feed, Tanu Nona packs in at lock on a regular basis. By putting Tanu Nona at the back of the scrum due to his outstanding passing game his halves can stand wider of the scrum than they usually giving their back line more room to move and thus more options to attack the opposition from the scrum set piece and thus there is more for the defence to take into account when looking to defend the upcoming attacking play.

Tanu Nona’s defence for a hooker is very good, for a hooker his initial contact is more than solid and he 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 into opposing forwards.

Tanu Nona’s intensity and continuous effort means that he will track the ball across the field and thus is in a good position when the ball is passed back inside. Tanu Nona literally tackles everything that moves in the centre of the ruck and displays a solid repeatable defensive technique and is able to make multiple tackles in any given defensive set of six tackles.

Tanu Nona will commence the 2024 season as a member of the Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup squad with Tanu Nona looking to make his Queensland Cup debut over the course of the 2024 season. Prior to any potential Queensland Cup debut in 2024 Tanu Nona will likely start the season in the Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade competition with multiple clubs being an option for the talented dummy half.

Tanu Nona could potentially line up for the Cudgen Hornets in the NRRRL competition and if that was the case Tanu Nona would be an NRRRL First Grade certainty for the Hornets.

Whilst Tanu Nona has a bit of size for a hooker, with his speed and distribution out of dummy half it is clear to me that Tanu Nona is the attributes and mentality to stay in the hooking role into the future although his time spent as a running backrower for PBC SHS in 2021 with certainly not hurt the development of his game.

I note however that Tanu Nona also played as a running forward at various times in 2022 for both Cudgen and PBC SHS and to be fair Tanu Nona was very effective in that role as well.

With his size and speed out of dummy half Tanu Nona has a playing style equilivant to that of larger version of South Sydney Rabbitohs and New South Wales State of Origin hooker Damien Cook. No player in the Titans JTS program has made bigger strides since 2020 than Tanu Nona, and I mean no one.

[mdrew]

Oskar Bryant. Midway through the 2021 season, Oscar Bryant’s outstanding form culminated with the high energy red headed hooker signing an NRL Development contract with the Titans.

On November 1, 2022, Oskar Bryant commenced training in the Titans NRL off-season program and in early December 2022 Oskar Bryant took part in a joint training session between the Titans JTS contracted players and the Titans NRL squad.

Oskar Bryant was part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls first 2023 Queensland Cup trial against the Souths Logan Magpies at the Logan Sports Complex with Oskar Bryant operating in the dummy half role.

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

Oskar Bryant came close to scoring in the 19th minute when after running out of dummy half to his left from close range Oskar Bryant was held up over the try line five metres to the right of the goal posts.

Oskar Bryant made a good tackle in the 63rd minute on the Central Queensland front rower No. 10 on his own try line and just three metres to the right of the uprights.

Playing fifty six minutes Oskar Bryant ran for eighteen metres (six post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 2.68 seconds and made thirty one tackles at an impressive tackling efficiency of 93.94%.

Oskar Bryant then was named on the bench for Round Two against the Western Clydesdales but unfortunately Oskar Bryant injured his shoulder making a tackle when defending close to the try line.

Oskar Bryant played twenty three minutes off the bench in the dummy half role and in that time ran for eight metres and made eleven tackles at a tackling efficiency of 91.67%.

Oskar Bryant also started from the bench in Round five of the Queensland Cup against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls and in his thirty two minutes in the dummy half role, Oskar Bryant made ten tackles at a tackling efficiency of 90.91%.

Oskar Bryant also started from the bench in Round Six against the Townsville Blackhawks with Oskar Bryant recording a try assist in the 37th minute when after Tweed Heads made a line break down the left touchline the inside pass went to ground backwards ten metres from the try line, Oscar Bryant swooped on the bouncing ball and after running to his left, Oscar Bryant drew the last Blackhawks defender and get the ball away from Ryland Jacobs to score.

The 49th minute saw Oscar Bryant execute and great front on tackle on the Townsville No. 16 to prevent a try eleven metres out and five metres to the left of the uprights.

Playing twenty five minutes Oskar Bryant ran for thirty one metres (two post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 5.92 seconds and made fifteen tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

Oskar Bryant continued from the bench in Round Eight against the Toowoomba Clydesdales with Oskar Bryant coming onto the field to operate in the dummy half role in the 24th minute.

Oskar Bryant made a smart run out of dummy half in the 56th minute when from five metres inside his own territory Oskar Bryant ran to his right out of dummy half to get the ball eleven metres inside Toowoomba territory.

Oskar Bryant did well defensively in the 30th minute when he was involved in holding up the Clydesdales five eight over the try line after he tried to force his way over from dummy half five metres to the left of the uprights.

Playing thirty eight minutes Oskar Bryant ran for thirty five metres (four post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 3.4 seconds and made twelve tackles at a tackling efficiency of 92.31%.

Oskar Bryant also came off the bench in Round Nine against the Souths Logan Magpies with Oskar Bryant coming onto the field to operate in the dummy half position in the 29th minute.

Playing thirty two minutes Oskar Bryant ran for forty two metres, broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.48 seconds and made twenty eight tackles at an 87.5% tackling efficiency.

Oskar Bryant continued from the bench in Round Ten against the Ipswich Jets with Oskar Bryant recording a try assist in the 36th minute when from eight metres inside Jets territory Oskar Bryant ran to his right out of dummy half holding the ball out in front of his body in both hands threatening to pass to his right but Oskar Bryant ran the ball himself instead and after bursting through the Ipswich defensive line Oskar Bryant ran to the fullback and after drawing him passed to his right to put his right second rower over to score under the posts.

Then in the 63rd minute from thirty metres out from his own try line Oskar Bryant ran to his right out of dummy half getting to within eight metres of the halfway mark. Oskar Bryant also ran to his right out of dummy half in the 76th minute from thirty eight metres out from his own try line to three metres into Jets territory.

Playing fifty three minutes off the bench Oskar Bryant ran for eighty two metres (twelve post contact), recorded a try assist, broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.11 seconds and made sixteen tackles.

Oskar Bryant came off the bench once again continued off the bench away to the PNG Hunters in Round Twelve with Oskar Bryant coming onto the field to operate in the dummy half role in the 25th minute.

Oskar Bryant came close to scoring in the 55th minute when after receiving an off-load Oskar Bryant darted towards the try line from a standing start with Oskar Bryant dragged down just centremetres short of the try line ten metres to the left of the uprights.

Playing thirty three minutes Oskar Bryant ran for twelve metres (two post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.48 seconds and made fifteen tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

Oskar Bryant continued off the bench in Round Thirteen against the Central Queensland Capra’s and whilst playing forty two minutes in the dummy half role after coming off the bench in the 27th minute Oskar Bryant ran for twenty five metres, played the ball at an average speed of 4.04 seconds and made seventeen tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

Oskar Bryant continued off the bench in Round Fourteen against the Mackay Cutters with Oskar Bryant coming onto the field to operate in the dummy half role in the 16th minute.

The 33rd minute saw Oskar Bryant run to his right out of dummy half from twenty three metres out from his own try line with Oskar Bryant stepping and swerving his way six metres inside Mackay territory. Oskar Bryant also made a smart run out of dummy half in the 68th minute when he ran to his right from ten metres from the halfway mark to get the ball four metres inside Cutters territory.

In his sixty six minutes operating in the dummy half role Oskar Bryant ran for fifty nine metres (eleven post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 4.12 seconds and made an impressive thirty two tackles at an equally impressive tackling efficiency of 100%.

Oskar Bryant also started from the bench in the Round Fifteen local derby against the Burleigh Bears but unfortunately Oskar Bryant was only able to play fourteen minutes before leaving the field due to injury but in that time Oskar Bryant ran for three metres, played the ball at an average speed of 4.76 seconds and made ten tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

Oskar Bryant was back in the Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup side, starting from the bench in Round Twenty One against the Ipswich Jets and after coming onto the field to operate in the dummy half role in the 34th minute Oskar Bryant came close to scoring in the 58th minute only to be held up over the try line next to the right upright after running out of dummy half to his right and throwing a big dummy also to his right.

Oskar Bryant also made a line break in the 62nd minute when from thirty metres out from the try line Oskar Bryant ran to his right out of dummy half and after racing through the centre of the Jets defensive line Oskar Bryant got to the ten metre line and after being spun around by the back of his jersey Oskar Bryant flung the ball over his head to keep the movement going.

Playing thirty seven minutes Oskar Bryant ran for thirty five metres (six post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 5.68 seconds and made eight tackles at an 80% tackling efficiency.

Oskar Bryant also came off the bench in Round Twenty Two against the Sunshine Coast Falcons and in his thirty minutes in the dummy half role Oskar Bryant ran for forty three metres (eighteen post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 4.3 seconds and made eighteen tackles at a 90% tackling efficiency.

In total in the 2023 Queensland Cup competition Oskar Bryant played in thirteen matches, recorded two try assists, made 222 tackles at a tackling efficiency of 93.3% and ran for 398 metres at an average of thirty metres per game.

Round Six of the 2023 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition saw Oskar Bryant start at hooker for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Oskar Bryant along with Jayden Wright making the opening tackle of the match from the kick-off.

Oskar Bryant came close to kicking a 40/20 in the 70th minute when after stepping out of dummy half to his right Oskar Bryant put in a right foot kick from thirty three metres out from his own try line with the Wynnum Manly fullback just getting to the ball before it went over the right touchline.

Oskar Bryant also started at hooker in Round Eleven against the Norths Devils with Oskar Bryant held up over the try line in the 12th minute after trying to force his way over from dummy half after running to his left from a metre out to be held up three metres to the right of the uprights.

Oskar Bryant made the first of a number of trademark runs out of dummy half in the 6th minute when from forty metres out from his own try line Oskar Bryant ran to his left out of dummy half making thirteen metres and then getting a six again call as the speed of Oskar Bryant’s run and caught multiple Devils defenders offside.

Oskar Bryant was at it again in the 9th minute with a dart out of dummy half to his right from five metres inside his own territory to get the ball ten metres inside Norths territory. Then in the 18th minute Oskar Bryant ran out of dummy half to his right from four metres inside Tweed Heads territory making nineteen metres to fifteen metres inside Devils territory.

Oskar Bryant continued at hooker in Round Thirteen against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Oskar Bryant recording a try assist for the Seagulls match winning try in the 77th minute. With the play the ball a metre from the try line and seven metres to the right of the uprights, Oskar Bryant held the ball up momentarily before passing to his left out of dummy half to Jesse Jackson who crashed over to score next to the right upright.

Oskar Bryant ran out of dummy half to his left in the 24th minute from eight metres inside his own territory to nine metres inside Redcliffe’s. Then in the 75th minute from twenty five metres out and in the centre of the field Oskar Bryant ran out of dummy half to his right before cutting back to his left to behind the ruck with Oskar Bryant getting to within ten metres of the try line before getting an off-load away to his left to his lock.

Oskar Bryant also started at hooker in Round Fourteen against the Northern Pride with Oskar Bryant recording a try assist in the 24th minute when after receiving an off-load four metres from the try line and to the left of the uprights, Oskar Bryant threw a long pass to his right for Jesse Jackson to crash over to score next to the right upright.

Oskar Bryant was also involved in a good Tweed Heads sequence in the 9th minute when with Oskar Bryant at dummy half with the play the ball on the halfway mark Oskar Bryant ran to his right and held the Northern Pride marker perfectly before off-loading to his right to put his lock through the middle of the field. Oskar Bryant continued to back up and after receiving the ball back, Oskar Bryant carried the ball from thirty metres out to twenty metres out where Oskar Bryant drew the Northern Pride fullback and got the pass away to his right to Elliott Speed who was tackled nine metres short of the try line.

Oskar Bryant also forced a Northern Pride goal line drop-out in the 29th minute when from eighteen metres from the try line, Oskar Bryant moved to his right out of dummy half and put in a right foot grubber kick towards the right corner with Oskar Bryant then chasing his own kick and was on hand to tackle the Northern Pride left winger in the in-goal area.

Oskar Bryant finished the match with a team leading twenty five tackles.

Oskar Bryant continued at hooker in Week One of the HDC Finals against the Burleigh Bears with Oskar Bryant easily the best player on the field in Tweed Heads impressive 46 – 10 victory over their local rivals.

Oskar Bryant scored the opening try of the match in the 14th minute when after scooping up the ball in his left hand from dummy half, Oskar Bryant ran to his right from four metres out and after steeping off his right foot just after clearing the ruck Oskar Bryant got to the try line before spinning clockwise to gain separation and get the ball down a metre to the right of the goal posts with two defenders trying in vain to prevent him from scoring.

Oskar Bryant also recorded a try assist in the 23rd minute when with the play the ball two metres from the try line and ten metres to the left of the goal posts, Oskar Bryant fired a hard flat pass to his left for his left centre to crash over to score ten metres in from the left corner post.

Oskar Bryant showcased his wide ranging skill set in the 21st minute with an effortless 40/20 from thirty five metres out with Oskar Bryant putting in a right foot kick from the centre of the field after stepping out of dummy half to his right with the Burleigh fullback unable to prevent the ball from going over the right touchline twelve metres out from the try line.

In the 17th minute after running out of dummy half to his right after also scooping up the ball in his left hand, Oskar Bryant ran the ball from the forty two metre mark to twenty nine metres from the try line. Oskar Bryant then ran out of dummy half to his right in the 38th minute from twenty eight metres out from his own try line and after getting to within five metres of the halfway mark, Oskar Bryant was hit in a high tackle which saw the Burleigh culprit penalised and sent to the sin bin for ten minutes.

Oskar Bryant finished his exceptional match with a try, two try assists, two line break assists and three tackle breaks.

Oskar Bryant also started at hooker in the Preliminary Final against the Townsville Blackhawks with Oskar Bryant running out of dummy half to his right in the 8th minute from twenty nine metres out from his own try line and after running the ball to within six metres of the halfway mark, Oskar Bryant got a pass away to his right whilst being held by his right leg.

Oskar Bryant was part of the Seagulls squad for a late February 2023 Queensland Cup trial against the Burleigh Bears with Oskar Bryant starting the match at hooker.

Oskar Bryant made a trademark run out of dummy half in the opening minute of the match with Oskar Bryant running to his right to get the ball to the thirty metre mark after three breaking tackles in his twelve metre run.

2023 saw Oskar Bryant named as an emergency in the Courier Mail School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup Team of the 2020’s and in early September 2023 Oskar Bryant was also named at hooker in the Courier Mail’s PBC SHS Rugby League Team of the 2020’s to date.

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

Oskar Bryant undertook the 2021/22 pre-season with the Titans NRL squad as a member of the Titans Rookie Squad and looked to impress NRL coach Justin Holbrook and the other NRL coaches in at least the pre-Christmas component of the Titans NRL off-season training program.

Oskar Bryant started the Titans first 2022 NRL trial against the Brisbane Bronco’s at Cbus Stadium from the bench coming on to play in the dummy half role towards the end of the second half. As usual Oscar Bryant’s distribution out of dummy half was crisp and he also made six tackles.

In late July 2022 Oskar Bryant started at hooker 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.

Oskar Bryant’s initial significant contribution in the match was form a defensive perspective and came in the 6th minute when Oskar Bryant executed a great low tackle on a charging Cowboys front rower (No. 8) with Oskar Bryant bringing him down a metre out and directing in front of the posts.

In late January 2022 Oscar Bryant started at hooker for the Titans U19 side in a match at Pizzey Park against the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts side and recorded a 72nd minute try assist when from right on the right line he popped a short pass to his right to a charging Jack Cullen who crashed over from close range.

Oscar Bryant was also involved in Elijah Lui’s last minute try, when after receiving an off-load from Arama Hau, he threw a long cut-out pass to his left to Jaylan De Groot who subsequently put Elijah Liu over in the left corner.

The first of Oscar Bryant’s trademark dummy half runs came in the 4th minute when he darted out of dummy half to his right making twenty metres out getting the ball eight metres into Burleigh territory.

Another Oscar Bryant dummy half run in the 23rd minute, on that occasion to the left out of dummy half saw Oscar Bryant make eleven metres getting within two metres out the try line. Then in the 27th minute Oscar Bryant ran once again to his left out of dummy half making a further ten metres to get the ball over the halfway mark, Oscar Bryant was then too quick to his feet and was awarded a penalty when he was denied the opportunity to play the ball quickly.

After coming back onto the field towards the end of the second half, Oscar Bryant highlighted the variety that he has in his game when he stepped to his right out of dummy half near his own forty metre line and kicked deep into the Burleigh left corner and then Oscar Bryant was immediately downfield to make the tackle on the Burleigh fullback around five metres out from the line.

Just two minutes later in the 70th minute Oscar Bryant darted out of dummy half to his left making a smart twelve metres before being tackled on the halfway mark.

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

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

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

Round One of the 2022 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition saw Oscar Bryant named on the Seagulls extended bench for their Round One clash against the Norths Devils however the match was postponed due to the extreme weather conditions in northern New South Wales.

Oskar Bryant started at hooker in the Round Two local derby against the Burleigh Bears and interesting late in the match in his second stint on the field spent time in the halves, acquitting himself well in that position.

Oskar Bryant along with Charlie Murray and Jack Cullen made the second tackle of the match after Tweed Heads had kicked off to get the match underway.

Oskar Bryant made the first of his trade mark runs out of dummy half in the 6th minute with a dart to his right to get the ball over the halfway mark with Oskar Bryant’s run accounting for sixteen metres.

Oskar Bryant made a further dummy half run to his right in the 25th minute making sixteen more metres to get the Seagulls within ten metres of the try line. Oskar Bryant continued his smart running out of dummy half in the 35th minute by making fourteen metres and then with the Bears defensive line still in disarray Oskar Bryant was able to off-load to his right to Jayden Wright.

Oskar Bryant ran himself once again in the 45th minute to his right and burst through the centre of the ruck, making an eighteen mete line break, getting just over the halfway mark.

Oskar Bryant showed that he worked hard on the weights in the off-season with his additional strength coming in handy in the 47th minute when he drove his right shoulder into the ribs of his opposite number. Then in the 48th minute along with Jaylan De Groot and Thomas Weaver, Oskar Bryant was on hand to hold up Burleigh lock Samuel Shannon over the try line.

Oskar Bryant continued at hooker in Round Three against the Townsville Blackhawks.

After missing a couple of matches Oskar Bryant came off the bench in Round Six against the Northern Pride in a big Seagulls big 66 – 0 coming onto the field around the 28 minute mark to operate in the dummy half role.

Oskar Bryant was heavily involved in Caleb Hodges 60th minute try when from around twenty metres out Oskar Bryant darted out of dummy half to his right and put in a grubber kick down a left blindside. The ball came off the fullback and back into the foot of Askar Bryant, flying back towards the Northern Pride fullback. The fullback was unable to take possession with Caleb Hodges racing through to collect the ball and reach out and plant the ball down with his right arm, five metres in from the left corner post.

Oskar Bryant then started from the bench in the rescheduled Round One match against the Norths Devils coming on to operate in the dummy half role in the 18th minute. Just two minutes later in the 20th minute Oskar Bryant ran out of dummy half from thirty metres to his right and as he approached the defensive line Oskar Bryant put in a right foot grubber kick for himself with Oskar Bryant retrieving the ball only to be tackled just a metre out from the try line.

Oskar Bryant made another strong effort out of dummy half in the 24th minute when from just prior to halfway Oskar Bryant ran out of dummy half to his left before cutting back to his right to make fifteen metres before off-loading to his right to a trailing Jaylan De Groot.

Oskar Bryant ran out of dummy half once again in the 30th minute when he ran to his left making fifteen more metres getting to within five metres of the try line.

Oskar Bryant continued his outstanding match in the 36th minute with a line break after running out of dummy half to his left from just inside Norths territory with Oskar Bryant bursting through the centre of the ruck to make twenty metres.

Round Eight against the Western Clydesdales saw Oskar Bryant continue off the bench with Oskar Bryant coming on to operate in the dummy half role in the 20th minute and made his first effort out of dummy half just a minute alter when he ran to his right making a twenty five metre line break to get to twelve metres out from the try line.

Oskar Bryant recorded a try assist and a further line break in the 26th minute after he raced out of dummy half to his left before cutting back to his right to the soft area behind the markers. Oskar Bryant made sixty five metres before drawing the fullback and passing to his right to send Jaylan De Groot away to score comfortably under the posts.

Oskar Bryant was also involved in Kyhan Weir’s 79th minute try when from close to the try line Oskar Bryant darted out of dummy half to his right and popped a good short ball to his right with Kyhan Weir crashing over to score under the posts.

Oskar Bryant moved back into the Seagulls starting side at hooker for Round Nine against the Ipswich Jets.

Oskar Bryant then moved to start at halfback in the rescheduled Round Seven match against the Souths Logan Magpies with Oskar Bryant executing a smart one on one strip in the 17th minute as the Magpies were trying to bring the ball out of their own territory.

Oskar Bryant was then back at hooker for Round Eleven against the Central Queensland Capra’s with Oscar Bryant showcasing his ability to kick out of dummy half in the 29th minute when from forty metres out from his own try line, Oskar Bryant stepped out of dummy half to his right and put in a low hard kick which came to rest right on the try line and five metres in from the right corner post.

Oskar Bryant then moved to five eight for Round Twelve against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Oskar Bryant recording a try assist in the 50th minute when from around eighteen metres out and on the left side of the field Oskar Bryant put up a bomb to the opposite side of the field with the ball coming down and being taken on the full a metre from the try line by Jotham Russell who got a pass away for Cooper Camby to score.

Oskar Bryant forced a goal line drop-out in the 42nd minute when on the last tackle Oskar Bryant put in a chip kick from twelve metres out with the Dolphins fullback subsequently being trapped into.

Oskar Bryant came close to kicking a great 40/20 in the 35th minute when from thirty five metres out from his own line Oskar Bryant put in a long kick which went into touch on the left side of the field less than a metre from the twenty metre mark.

Oskar Bryant pulled off a great try saving tackle in the 54th minute on his opposite number whilst defending on the left side of the field with Oskar Bryant taking his opposite number down just as he was able to burst through a gap three metres out from the line. Even though Oskar Bryant was injured whilst making the tackle, after a couple of minute he was able to get back to his feet and continue on.

Oskar Bryant moved back to start at hooker in Round Thirteen against the Sunshine Coast Falcons with Oskar Bryant scoring a double in a tough four points Seagulls loss.

Oskar Bryant scored the first of his two tries in the 65th minute when he ran out of dummy half from four metres out and with the play the ball only three metres in from the left touchline. Oskar Bryant had the room to not just score but bring the ball around to near the right upright after an extravagant dummy to his left before darting over.

Oskar Bryant also scored in the 79th minute and once again it was a run out of dummy half that enabled Oskar Bryant to score. With the paly the ball five metres out from the try line and seven metres in from the right touchline, Oskar Bryant ran to his right and then was able to hold off one defender to score eight metres in from the right corner post.

Oskar Bryant also threw the final pass for Ben Liyou’s try in the 60th minute with a short no look pass to his right out of dummy half from close to the try line for Ben Liyou to crash over.

Oskar Bryant continued at hooker in the Round Fourteen local derby against the Burleigh Bears with Oskar Bryant recording a try assist in the 13th minute when he skipped out of dummy half to his right from within two metres of the try line with Oskar Bryant then trying a good short ball to his right to Ben Liyou who barged over to score five metres to the right of the uprights.

Oskar Bryant’s initial smart run out of dummy half in the 13th minute when Oskar Bryant ran to his left out of dummy half with Oskar Bryant making a twenty five metre line break before being tackled thirty metres out from the try line.

Oskar Bryant then made a further smart run of dummy half in the 37th minute when after receiving an off-load from Brent Barnes, Oskar Bryant made a fifteen metre burst through the centre of the field to get the ball forty metres out from his own try line.

Oskar Bryant made another line break in the 38th minute when he scooped out the ball with his right hand from dummy half with Oskar Bryant running to his left from forty metres out with Oskar Bryant getting within three metres of the try line but unfortunately Oskar Bryant was injured in the tackle and was not able to take any further action in the match.

In January 2021 Oskar Bryant started from the bench for the Titans U19 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights coming on to play in the dummy half role and as usual Oskar Bryant brought a spark off the bench with his speed out of dummy half and overall enthusiasm.

In the second half Oskar Bryant was heavily involved in a number of Titans tries including when he darted out of dummy half to his left down a short blind side and put Titans left centre Tony Francis into a gap, with the powerful centre subsequently scoring in the left corner.

Oskar Bryant was at it again in the second half when he darted out of dummy half to the right of the play the ball and was then able to draw a defender a pass to his right to Sam McIntyre who was able to barge his way over for his first try in a Titans jersey.

Oskar Bryant has another string to his bow when at dummy half and that is on relation to kicking out of that position. In the 25th minute of the second half, on his own forty five metre line, Oskar Bryant stepped up of dummy half to the right of the play the ball, and off one step produced a strong well directed right foot kick to the Knights left corner. Oskar Bryant generated impressive distance on the kick with the ball pulling up within metres of the Knights line and the Titans right side defence making the tackle on the Knights winger just eight metres out from his own line.

A week after the match against the Newcastle Knights Oskar Bryant once again lined up for the Titans U19’s as they took on a Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts squad at Burleigh Juniors, coming off the bench and scoring with the Titans winning once again, this time 32 – 20 in a match that saw no conversions attempted.

Oskar Bryant got into the action almost immediately into the match. From dummy half, Oskar Bryant moved to his right and kicked for the right corner from right on the halfway mark. The kick was ideal, forcing the Burleigh fullback to go back into his in-goal. As the fullback was trying to bring the ball back into the field of play, he was hit by Kaleb Ngamanu with the contact forcing the ball loose for Reef Sommerville to simply put his hand on the ball to be awarded a try.

Later in the first half Oskar Bryant once again kicked out of dummy half, after moving to his right, in the right corner, with the Burleigh kick retriever tackled inside his own ten metre line. Oskar Bryant made it three kicks from dummy half into the right corner in the 35th minute with Burleigh trapped inside their own twenty as a result of Oskar Bryant’s kick.

Oskar Bryant’s try came late in the 37th minute of the first half when after passing out of dummy half to his right, he backed up front rower Isaac Matalavea-Booth who was able to get a right armed offload to his left to Oskar Bryant who received the ball ten metres out. Oskar Bryant took off towards the line beating the Burleigh fullback (No. 2 at the time) with a right foot step to dive over next to the left upright.

As usual Oskar Bryant also ran judicially out of dummy half in his two stints on the field in the match, including a smart run out of dummy half in the 30th minute of the first half when he ran to his right with his twelve metre run on the 5th tackle including a 360 degree spin to beat two defenders.

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 Oskar Bryant starting the match on the bench for the Titans, coming on to play in the dummy half role towards the end of the first half. Oskar Bryant also played in the dummy half role in his second stint of the field against the Cowboys as well.

In November 2020 Oskar Bryant was named in the powerful Tweed Heads Seagulls 2021 MM Cup squad.

In the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup side’s second trial against Burleigh, Oskar Bryant started the second half at hooker and was his usual dynamic self when running out of dummy half.

One of Oskar Bryant’s darts out of dummy half directly led to a Josh Lynn try. 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 fullback Jaylan De Groot who then threw a quick short pass to his right to put Josh Lynn over.

Oskar Bryant also started at hooker in Tweed Heads final 2021 MM Cup final against the Souths Logan Magpies at Logan.

In Round One of the 2021 MM Cup competition, Oskar Bryant started at hooker against the Ipswich Jets and scored a key try in the 61st minute of the match that put Tweed Heads back in front by two points, a lead that they kept for the remainder of the match.

Oskar Bryant moved into dummy half with the play the ball twenty metres out from the Ipswich line. As soon as the ball was played Oskar Bryant shot out of dummy half to the right down a short blind side before cutting back behind the play the ball to find open space. Oskar Bryant then used his speed to veer to the right and dive over to score mid-way between the goal post and corner post on the left side of the field.

In the 68th minute of the match with the clock ticking down Oskar Bryant showed what a talented game manager he is when he kicked out of dummy half forty metres out from his own line. Oskar Bryant took one step out of dummy half to the right of the play the bell with his right foot kick travelling in excess of fifty metres into the right corner, Oskar Bryant was then the first Seagulls defender down field to make the tackle on the Jets fullback.

Oskar Bryant also started at hooker in Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies, making the first tackle of the match when he confronted Souths Logan front rower Herman Tofaeono who charged into the Tweed Heads defensive line.

Oskar Bryant showed his desperation in defence in the 55th minute when he along with Ryan Foran both got underneath the Souths Logan hooker to hold him up over the line after he had tried to sneak over from dummy half to the right of the play the ball.

Oskar Bryant once again started at hooker in the Round Three Gold Coast derby against the Burleigh Bears making his presence felt in just the 4th minute of the match with a strong front on tackle directly in front of his own goal posts on Burleigh front rower Brody Smitka.

Oskar Bryant started his match with a strong tackle and finished it the same way in the 65th minute with a driving tackle on Burleigh five eight Travis May which forced him back four metres.

Oscar Bryant showcased his kicking skills out of dummy half in the 10th minute of the match when he stepped to the right of the play the ball kicking downfield from inside the forty and it was almost a perfect 40/20 with the Burleigh fullback just preventing the ball from going into touch.

Oskar Bryant was also named to start at hooker for Round Four match against the Ipswich Jets and in Round Five against the Ipswich Jets.

After being rested for Round Six against Burleigh Oskar Bryant was back for the 2021 MM Cup semi-final against Wynnum Manly and made his first telling run out of dummy half in the 21st minute when he darted out of dummy half to his right to make fifteen metres and get to within twenty metres of the try line.’

Oskar Bryant produced a smart piece of play in the 65th minute when he was defending at marker. Wynnum Manly tried a play to the right of the play the ball with the halfback running onto the ball before passing back inside to the dummy half, Oskar Bryant was having none of it however and stepped forward to take the intercept.

Oskar Bryant also started at hooker in the 2021 MM Cup Grand Final as the Seagulls won back to back MM Cup Championships by defeating the Townsville Blackhawks in Townsville 30 – 24 with Oskar Bryant contributing a first half try assist to the victory.

In the 17th minute, 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.

Tweed Heads were under pressure early and in the 6th minute, Oskar Bryant along with Jaylan De Groot and Thomas Weaver 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.

Oskar Bryant pulled off another try saving tackle in the 59th minute when he was able to hold up the Townsville replacement dummy half next to the right uprights.

Oskar Bryant’s first run out of dummy half with the Grand Final came in the 8th minute when he ran out of dummy half to his left making thirteen metres to get within thirteen metres of the try line.

In the Queensland Rugby League 2021 MM Cup Player of the Year Award Oskar Bryant was awarded three votes.

In mid-February 2021 Oskar Bryant was named at hooker in the school boy Oceanic Opens side for the South Coast school boy QSSRL U18 trial against Broadwater. Following the final round of trials, Oskar Bryant was named on the bench for the 2021 South Coast U18 school boy QSSRL squad.

Oskar Bryant came off the bench on Day One of the Championships as South Coast defeated Met North with his first run out of dummy half coming in the 24th minute when he darted out of dummy half to his right.

Oskar Bryant started at hooker for South Coast on Day Three against Capricornia making his initial run out of dummy half in just the second minute down a short left blindside making twenty two metres before being tackled just nine metres from the line.

Oskar Bryant started the Championship Final against Met North from the bench but came into the match late in the first half.

At the completion of the Championships, Oscar Bryant was named in the bench in the 2021 QSSRL U18 School Boy Merit Team.

2021 also saw Oskar Bryant line up once again for PBC State High School in the South East Queensland School Boy Langer Cup competition with his first appearance in the Langer Cup coming when he started at hooker in Round Four against Marsden State High School.

In the match Oskar Bryant showed no signs of rust almost scoring in 7th minute when after throwing a big dummy to his left, Oskar Bryant charged towards the line from twelve metres out to get within a metre of the line before the Marsden SHS defence brought him down.

Oskar Bryant recorded a try assist in the 48th minute when Ryan Foran ran an underneath route down a short left blindside from four metres out after Oskar Bryant had darted to his left out of dummy half and got the ball inside to Ryan Foran who crashed over.

Oskar Bryant showcased his diverse skill set in the 12th minute with a great right foot kick out of dummy half from thirty eight metres from his own line, with the ball bouncing into the in-goal with the Marsden left winger only able to get the ball a metre out from his own line before being tackled by Michael Roberts.

Oskar Bryant continued at hooker centre in the much anticipated Round Five local derby against Keebra Park State High School and came close to scoring in the 9th minute when after a dart from dummy half Oskar Bryant was held up over the line.

Oskar Bryant was named to continue at hooker in Round Six against Mabel Park State High School, however he in fact started the match at halfback and recorded a try assist for PBC’s opening try of the match.

In the 23rd minute, Oskar Bryant received to the ball to the left of the play the ball around twenty metres from the line and immediately ran a diagonal route at the defensive line and was able to draw in a Mable Park defender and then threw a good short ball to his left to a charging Reef Sommerville who ran through a gap to score seven metres in from the left corner post.

The in the second half, Oskar Bryant showed that his defensive technique that he has honed whilst at hooker, is not wasted at halfback when near the halfway mark one of the giant Mabel Park SHS forwards tried to run over him. Oskar Bryant drove into him with his right shoulder driving him backwards and then hard into the ground.

After the competition was suspended for a number of weeks due to a Covid 19 lock down, Oskar Bryant was named at hooker for PBC State High School in their semi-final against Keebra Park State High School.

In just the 5th minute Oskar Bryant produced a typical dummy half run to the right of the play the ball with Oskar Bryant bursting thirty five metres downfield. A quick play the ball then saw PBC score the opening try of the match from the next play.

Oskar Bryant showcased another component of his outstanding skill set in the 27th minute with a great right foot kick out of dummy half that travelled fifty metres downfield and was perfectly placed, forcing the Keebra Park SHS fullback to bring the ball out of the right corner.

Oskar Bryant produced another great kick out of dummy half in the 27th minute with this kick travelling sixty metres to once again force the Keebra Park SHS fullback to bring the ball out of the right corner.

Oskar Bryant kicked twice later in the match, in the 53rd and 56th minutes, on both occasions out of dummy half with both kicks forcing the Keebra Park SHS fullback to bring the ball back from his own try line.

Defensively Oskar Bryant had some good moments in the match including in the 14th minute, when he along with Jayden Wright, Michael Roberts and Keano Kini held up Blake Mozer over the try line.

Then in the 20th minute Oskar Bryant chased through a Thomas Weaver kick that pulled up in the in-goal with the Keebra Park SHS fullback unable to get the ball back into the field of play before he was stopped by Oskar Bryant and Michael Roberts.

In the 2021 Langer Cup Grand Final against Marsden State High School, Oskar Bryant was named to start at hooker for PBC and showcased his elite and varied skill set in the 1st minute of the match with a long raking right foot kick out of dummy half from inside his own forty metre area with the ball pulling up in the in-goal forcing the Marsden State High School fullback to bring the ball back into play.

Oskar Bryant made the first of a number of telling runs out of dummy half in the 33rd minute when he ran to his left, making twenty metres through the centre of the ruck.

Post the completion of the 2021 Langer Cup competition, Oskar Bryant was named on the bench in the Courier Mails’ 2021 Langer Cup Team of the Season.

Oscar Bryant was then named at hooker for PBC in the Queensland Open School Boys Final (Phil Hall Cup) against St Brendan’s College Yeppoon with Oskar Bryant scoring in the 33rd minute with a trade mark run out of dummy half to his left from ten metres out and eight metres in from the left corner post.

At the end of the 2021 season, Oskar Bryant was named at No. 15 in the Courier Mail Top 60 school boys from the GPS Rugby, AIC Rugby and Langer Cup competitions.

Oskar Bryant was named to start at hooker for the Northern Rivers Titans in Round One of the 2020 U18 Laurie Daley Cup against the Parramatta Eels at Cudgen however the match was cancelled due to the incredibly wet conditions in the area at that time.

Oskar Bryant started Round Two of the U18 Laurie Daley Cup at hooker against the Newcastle Knights in Ballina and was impressive including a great break through the centre of the ruck in the first half of around forty metres before he drew the Knights fullback to send fullback Jaylan DeGroot away to score.

Oskar Bryant also started at hooker in Round Three against the Central Coast Roosters and in Round Four against the Greater Northern Tigers recording a try assist when he threw the last pass to Noah Johannssen to score in the first half.

Oskar Bryant also started at hooker for the Round Five local derby against the North Coast Bulldogs and was his usual busy self in the centre of the ruck in both attack and defence.

One of the most recent matches that Oskar Bryant played in a Titans jersey was when he started from the bench for the Titans U18 side in their annual match against the Newcastle Knights SG Ball (U18) side in Coffs Harbour in January 2020.

Oskar Bryant started Round One of the 2020 NRRRL U18 competition at hooker as Cudgen travelled to Byron Bay to take on the Devils and also started at hooker in Round Three against the Bilambil Jets and in Round Five against the Bilambil Jets. After missing a number of rounds, Oskar Bryant started Round Eight against the Tweed Coast Raiders at hooker.

In Cudgen’s 2020 NRRRL U18 Major semi-final loss against Murwillumbah Oskar Bryant started at hooker and also started at hooker as Cudgen qualified for the 2020 NRRRL U18 Grand Final on the back of a 24 – 16 Preliminary Final victory over the Bilambil Jets.

Oskar Bryant recorded a first half try assist in the match when he darted out of dummy half to his right from fifty metres out, splitting the Jets defence right down the middle before drawing the fullback passing to his left to send his support runner away to score.

Oskar Bryant also started at hooker in the 2020 NRRRL U18 Grand Final and produced some telling dummy half runs through the centre of the ruck as Cudgen became Premiers on the back of a 28 – 16 win over Murwillumbah in a bad tempered match.

Oskar Bryant made his deserved NRRRL First Grade debut for the Cudgen Hornets in Round Six starting at half back against the Tweed Coast Raiders.

In a sign of the faith that Cudgen have in him, Oskar Bryant started from the bench in the Hornets 2020 NRRRL First Grade Elimination Final loss to the Bilambil Jets.

Also in 2020 Oskar Bryant was part of the PBC Langer Cup Open A school boy rugby league squad, where he operated primarily in the dummy half role. In PBC’s first trial after the Covid 19 pandemic, Oskar Bryant started at hooker for the PBC A side that played against the PBC B side.

Oskar Bryant started Round One of the Langer Cup on the bench as PBC took on Ipswich State High School and made an instant impact when he came on late in the first half, making a break through the centre of the ruck after running out of dummy half to the right of the play the ball. PBC scored two plays later with the Keebra Park defence still in disarray after Oskar Bryant’s line break.

Oskar Bryant was at it again early in the second half when he kicked down the centre of the field from dummy half, with the kick travelling sixty metres forcing the Ipswich fullback to bring the ball out of the in goal, with Oskar Bryant being one of the tacklers who brought him down less than a metre out. From the subsequent play the ball three PBC defenders, including Oskar Bryant forced the Keebra Park SHS defender back into the in goal to force a goal line drop out.

Oskar Bryant in fact crossed the line in the second half when close to the line he dummied to his right before diving over but the potential try was called back when Reef Sommerville was adjudged (I am not sure why) to have interfered with the marker.

Oskar Bryant also started from the bench in Round Two of the 2020 Langer Cup and made a big difference when he came on, scoring in both halves in the 18 all draw. Oskar Bryant’s first try came in the dying moments of the first half. Oskar Bryant took off out of dummy half to his left charging five metres to score between two Wavell SHS defenders fifteen metres to the left of the up rights.

Oskar Bryant completed his double mid-way through the second half. Two metres out from the line just to the left of the up rights, Oskar Bryant got into dummy half and after skipping out to his left, Oskar Bryant shaped to pass to his left (it was not a dummy per say) before diving over.

After missing Round Three Oskar Bryant started from the bench in the Round Four local derby against Keebra Park SHS and also started from the bench in Round Five against Marsden State High School and recorded a second half try assist when he produced some good footwork and pass out of dummy half to put his older brother Parker over under the posts.

Oskar Bryant also started on the bench for PBC as they qualified for the 2020 Langer Cup final on the back of an impressive 34 – 6 victory over Ipswich State High School.

Oskar Bryant started the 2020 Langer Cup Grand Final from the bench row for PBC as they defeated Keebra Park SHS 16 – 8 in a high quality match impressing with his high energy performance and also his short kicking game out of dummy half which resulted twice in Keebra Park SHS having to restart play from a drop out.

In the Courier Mail 2020 Langer Cup Team of the Year, Oskar Bryant was named in starting side at hooker and in the Courier Mail 2020 Top 30 South East Queensland school boy rugby/rugby league list Oskar Bryant was named at No. 12.

In the Queensland School Boys Final against Kirwan State High School Oskar Bryant started on the bench as PBC travelled to take on their North Queensland based opponents and as usual added urgency and enthusiasm to the PBC when he came in into the dummy half role.

Oskar Bryant was also one of PBC’s try scorers in their 24 – 20 loss. Late in the second half, Oskar Bryant went into dummy half a metres out from the line. When the ball was played, Oskar Bryant took a couple of steps out of dummy half to the right of the play the ball and threw an extravagant dummy to his right only dive over next to the left upright. When I say next to the left upright, I literally mean right next to the left upright and it looked left he hit the upright as he was forcing his way over with two defenders trying to prevent him from scoring.

The young red headed hooker signed a multi-year contract with the Titans after an outstanding 2019 season with the Andrew Johns Cup premiership winning U16 Northern Rivers Titans side and his subsequent selection in the New South Wales Country U16 side which successfully undertook a three match tour of the United Kingdom in October 2019.

Oskar Bryant’s first match for the Titans was when he started on the interchange bench for the Titans U16 squad in their early October 2019 match against PNG at Pizzey Park with the Titans running out big winners in the match.

In the 2019 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition, Oskar Bryant started at hooker in all of the Northern Rivers Titans matches also scoring four tries including a double against the Greater Northern Tigers in Round Five and tries against and Newcastle in Round One and Central Coast in Round Four.

Post that competition, Oskar Bryant was selected at hooker in the 2019 New South Wales Country U16 side and started at hooker for them as they took on the U16 New South Wales Harold Matthew Cup representative side in a curtain raiser to the Penrith/Warriors NRL match at Penrith Park.

Oskar Bryant was Country’s sole try scorer in the match when he dived over from close range in the second half to the Country within two points. Oskar Bryant also received the Players Player Award post-match.

After that match, Oskar Bryant was selected in the New South Wales U16 side that defeated a U16 Pasifika team 36 – 6 at Belmore Sports Ground on Sunday 9 June with Oskar Bryant starting the match on the bench.

Oskar Bryant was part of the New South Wales Country U16 side that embarked on a three match tour of the United Kingdom flying out in mid-November from Sydney. In Game One of the tour Oskar Bryant started at hooker and had a try assist as NSW Country defeated the Community Lions 62 – 0.

In the first half Oskar Bryant took off from dummy half splitting the defence directly down the middle from around seventy metres out from the line and drew the fullback before sending a pass away to his left to send the NSW fullback away to score under the posts. Oskar Bryant also started Game Two at hooker as the NSW Country side defeated the Leeds Rhino’s 32 – 10.

Oskar Bryant also started at hooker in Game Three of the New South Wales Country U16’s tour of the UK as they finished undefeated on the back of a 62 – 6 victory over a British Community Lions squad consisting of players from the Lancashire and Cumbria region of England.

Post the 2019 Andrew Johns Cup competition, Oskar Bryant moved directly to the NRRRL U18 side even though he was still U16 eligible, starting from the bench in Round Three and scoring a double against Murwillumbah to cap an outstanding debut. Oskar Bryant also scored in Round Five against Ballina when once again he started from the bench.

Oskar Bryant made his first NRRRL U18 start in Round Fourteen against Byron Bay starting the match against the Devils at hooker and scoring as well and added a further try in Round Sixteen against Murwillumbah.

Oskar Bryant kicked his first NRRRL U18 goals in Round Eleven when he kicked three goals for as many attempts for Cudgen as they drew 18 all with Casino RSM.

In total in the 2019 NRRRL U18 regular season competition this season Oskar Bryant played in eight matches, scoring twenty two points from four tries and three goals.

Oskar Bryant was also part of the dominant Cudgen 2019 U16 Group 18 side that won their Grand Final 44 – 6 against Byron Bay/Lennox Head.

Prior to 2019 Oskar Bryant represented Group 18 twice, at the U15 level in 2018 and in the U14’s in 2017.

Oskar Bryant was also part of the St Joseph’s College Benora Point school boy rugby league side in 2019 and picked up a couple of Player of the Match awards in their matches including in the Grand Final of the New South Wales All Schools U16 competition.

The team travelled to Sydney for the 75th year of the competition. After not winning a game in 2018 the Banora Point U16 side defeated Bega 32 - 6 and then Red Bend Forbes who won it last year 18 - 0 in their opening two matches.

A forfeit from the Manly district, Banora Point Mulwaree 18 - 0 in the semi-final. The Grand Final against Wadalba from the Central Coast was a tough contest and after trailing 4 -nil early Banora Point scored two tries for a 10 - 4 victory with, as previously noted, Oskar Bryant being named Player of the Final.

In 2018 from St Joseph’s College Banora Point Oskar Bryant was chosen from the Lismore Diocese to represent the U15 Northern Country Catholic Colleges Presidents squad.

Oskar Bryant 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, Oskar Bryant 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 Oskar Bryant can pass a reasonable distance off the ground when the first receiver is standing a little wider of the play the ball.

Where Oskar Bryant 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 Oskar Bryant is a very good game manager from the hooking position.

Where Oskar Bryant 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.

Oskar Bryant wins a lot of penalties by running at forwards who are offside, if the offside forward is called out of the play he 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 Oskar Bryant 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 Oskar Bryant 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.

Oskar Bryant’s defence for a hooker is exceptional, for a smaller forward Oskar Bryant 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.

Oskar Bryant’s intensity means that he will track the play across and thus is in a good position when the ball is passed back inside. Oskar Bryant literally tackles everything that moves in the centre of the ruck.

Oskar Bryant moved to PBC in 2020 and was a key piece in their GIO Cup and Langer Cup school boy rugby league campaigns in 2021 and Oskar Bryant was a member of the highly successful 2021 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad.

In 2024 Oscar Bryant will start the season with the Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup side for the second season in a row.

Oskar Bryant is an outstanding dummy half both in terms of his distribution and his running and there is no doubt that he will stay there for the long term. The fact that Oskar Bryant is already a very good tactical kicker out of the dummy half position including being a legitimate 40/20 threat only increases his value as an NRL prospect with the Titans.

Oskar Bryant is by no means a big rugby league player but is a tough, hard all effort, high energy type of dummy half and on that basis a player comparison to Cronulla Sharks hooker Blayke Brailey is a more than fair and appropriate one from my perspective at least.

[mdrew]

Keano Kini. The dynamic fullback, five eight or half is a Titans contracted youngster originally from Auckland New Zealand who started in the halves for the Titans U16 side that played a U16 Newcastle Knights Harold Matthews squad in Coffs Harbour in January 2020. In the match Keano Kini operated on the right side of the field for the Titans.

Keano Kini was acknowledged for his performance in the match by former Titans JTS Co-ordinator Matt Srama in his review of the match in a video on the Titans Official Site after the match especially taking into account that Keano Kini had only two or three field sessions with the rest of the Titans team prior to the match.

Impresively Keano Kini started training with the Titans NRL squad on an NRL Development contract in early November 2022 with Keano Kini’s contracted then extended until the end of the 2025 NRL season which included Keano Kini being part of the Titans Top 30 NRL squad in 2024 and 2025. Keano Kini, even at just 18 years stood out in the fitness sessions in the Titans 2022/23 NRL off-season program.

Keano Kini made his NRL debut off the bench in the Round Ten Magic Round match against the Parramatta Eels with Keano Kini playing the final thirteen minutes of the match at hooker.

In those thirteen minutes Keano Kini ran for twenty four metres (five post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 3.08 seconds and made eight tackles at an 88.89% tackling efficiency.

Keano Kini was then named to make his first NRL start of his career from fullback in Round Fourteen against the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs and whilst playing the entire eighty minutes of the match Keano Kini ran for 135 metres (forty post contact), made a tackle break, played the ball at an average speed of 3.38 seconds and made a tackle.

Keano Kini then came off the bench in Round Twenty Three against the New Zealand Warriors with Keano Kini coming onto the field to operate at fullback late in the second half.

In his twelve minutes on the field Keano Kini ran for forty nine metres (eleven post contact), broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 4.14 seconds and made three tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

Keano Kini continued from the bench in Round Twenty Four against the Cronulla Sharks playing the second half at fullback and coming close to scoring his first NRL try but the bunker ruled at Keano Kini had lost possession of the ball prior to the try line.

In his forty minutes on the field Keano Kini ran for 123 metres (thirty six post contact), broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.6 seconds and made a tackle whilst missing none.

Keano Kini then was named in the Titans starting side at fullback for Round Twenty Five against the Penrith Panthers however a late change saw Keano Kini named the Titans 18th player for the match.

Keano Kini then came off the bench in Round Twenty Six against the Melbourne Sotrm and in his thirty minutes at fullback off the bench Keano Kini ran for sixty six metres (thirteen post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 4.53 seconds and made a tackle.

Round Twenty Seven being the final round of the 2023 NRL saw Keano Kini named on the bench against the Bulldogs however a late change saw Keano Kini the match at fullback and whilst playing all eighty minutes Keano Kini ran for a team leading 227 metres (sixty two post contact), made a line break, broke six tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 4.28 seconds and made a tackle.

In total in the 2023 NRL competition Keano Kini played in six matches, making a line break, breaking fifteen tackles, running for 628 metres at an average of 104 metres per match and made fifteen tackles at a tackling efficiency of 65.2%.

Impressively Round One of the 2023 NRL competition saw Keani Kini named on the extended bench for the Titans for their away match against the Wests Tigers and Keano Kini was also named on the Titans extended NRL bench for Round Two against the St George Dragons and Round Three against the Melbourne Storm.

Keano Kini was also named in the Titans NRL extended bench for the Round Four away match against the North Queensland Cowboys, Round Six at Cbus Stadium against the St George Dragons and Round Eight against the Redcliffe Dolphins.

Keano Kini 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 Keano Kini coming onto the field at halftime at operate at fullback and to say that Keano Kini made a great impact to announce himself in the NRL would be an understatement.

Keano Kini was electric from the opening moments that he was on the field including a line break in the 45th minute when Keano Kini loomed up off the right hip of Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui who popped a great short ball to his right to a flying Keano Kini thirty five metres out with Keano Kini bursting through the initial Bronco’s defensive line before easily rounding Reece Walsh to his left and Keano Kini was only caught when he was within three metres of the try line.

Keano Kini showed his calmness under pressure in the 47th minute when he was very patient to allow a long Bronco’s clearing kick to go dead in goal with Keano Kini then racing back to the twenty metre mark to take the tap restart.

Keano Kini then set the crowd and television public (and commentators) alight in the 49th minute when he cut inside to his left underneath Tannah Boyd back towards the centre of the field with Keano Kini making Martin Tapau look foolish when he beat him with a 360 degree clockwise spin with Keano Kini then getting and off-load away when he was catch by a Brisbane defender.

Keano Kini made a line break in the 60th minute when from forty metres out from the try line when he burst onto a Sam McIntyre off-load with Keano Kini getting to within ten metres of the try line before he was eventually tackled.

Keano Kini highlighted his ability to make the tough metres in the 66th minute when from thirty metres out from his own try line Keano Kini ran the ball to the right of the play the ball and made a half break as he got the ball into Bronco’s territory with the majority of the metres that Keano Kini made being of the post contact variety.

In his time on the field Keano Kini ran for an impressive 151 metres (forty eight post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 4.38 seconds and made a tackle, missing none.

Keano Kini was also named on the bench for the Titans second 2023 NRL trial against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Keano Kini playing fullback for the final thirty minutes of the match. In that time Keano Kini ran for fifty two metres (three post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 2.62 seconds and missed no tackles whilst making two.

As a result of Keano Kini’s performance’s in the 2023 NRL trials, Keano Kini’s Development contract was upgraded to Titans NRL Top 30 contract.

In early December 2022 Keano Kini took part in a joint training session between the Titans JTS contracted players and the Titans NRL squad.

2023 also saw Keano Kini named at fullback in the Courier Mail School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup Team of the 2020’s and in early September 2023 Keano Kini was also named at fullback in the Courier Mail’s PBC SHS Rugby League Team of the 2020’s to date.

2023 saw Keano Kini move from the Tweed Heads Seagulls to the fellow Titans affiliated Burleigh Bears.

Round One of the 2023 Queensland Cup competition saw Keano Kini named at fullback for the Burleigh Bears against the Norths Devils with Keano Kini recording a try assist in the 26th minute when after joining the Seagulls backline on the left side of the field, Keano Kini took the ball to the defensive line before passing to his left for his centre to score just in from the left corner post.

Keano Kini recorded a line break in the 57th minute when after Burleigh put in a short goal line drop-out to their left, Keano Kini received the tip back just five metres out from the try line. From there Keano Kini ran back towards the centre of the field making it all of the way to within seven metres of the halfway mark,

Keano Kini also recorded a line break assist in the 52nd minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the dummy half and forty metres from his own try line Keano Kini ran to his left and after drawing in the Devils right centre, Keano Kini got a good ball away to his left to put his centre on a line break down the left touch line.

Keano Kini’s first run in the Queensland Cup came in the 4th minute when from forty metres out and to the left of a Tweed Heads scrum win, Keano Kini sprinted at the defensive line, stepping off his left foot to make fifteen metres.

Then in the 17th minute Keano Kini received the ball to the left of the play the ball, Keano Kini, after juggling the ball dummied to his left and then after engaging two Devils defenders five metres out from the try line Keano Kini was able to get an off-load away.

In the 38th minute Keano Kini took a Devils kick on the full a metre out from the try line whilst running towards his own try line in front of the posts with Keano Kini then running the ball to his right and getting the ball two metres over the twenty metre mark.

Then in the 55th minute when thirty five metres out from his own try line Keano Kini received an off-load after trailing forward hit up with Keano Kini exploding through a number of defenders before being tackled near the halfway mark.

The 73rd minute saw Keano Kini make a great take of a Devils bomb on the full under intense pressure just three metres out from his own try line five metres in from the right touchline. Then in the 78th minute from thirty three metres from his own try line and to the left of the play the ball Keano Kini ran the ball at the defensive line before stepping off his right foot to beat one defender as Keano Kini got the ball within three metres of the halfway mark.

Playing the entire eighty minutes of his Queensland Cup debut Keano Kini ran for a team leading and match leading 247 metres (fifty four post contact), recorded a try assist and line break assist, broke five tackles, off-loaded the ball on two occasions, played the ball at an average speed of 3.85 seconds and made two tackles.

Keano Kini also started at fullback in Round Two against the Redcliffe Dolphins however an injury that he suffered mid-way through the firest half saw Keano Kini move to the wing before leaving the field in the 70th minute.

Keano Kini made his first kick return of the match inside the opening minute when after collecting the ball ten metres out from his own try line and in the centre of the field, Keano Kini ran the ball back to the thirty metre mark.

Keano Kini then did well in the 17th minute when after being confronting by a horde of Dolphins chasing a grubber kick, Keano Kini fielded the grubber kick on the goal line and smartly got to ground quickly to prevent from being dragged back into the in-goal.

In his seventy minutes on the field Keano Kini ran for seventy five metres, played the ball at an average speed of 3.24 seconds and made a tackle.

Keano Kini also started at fullback in the Round Four local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Keano Kini recording a try assist in the 6th minute with a great catch and pass under intense pressure to his left for six metres out to put Ken Maumalo over to cross the try line wide out on the left.

Keano Kini also recorded a line break assist in the 79th minute when after running back and picking up the ball on the bounce from a long Tweed Heads kick ten metres out from his own try line an in front of his posts, Keano Kini turned around and immediately ran to his left and after drawing in the final Seagulls defender on that side of the field Keano Kini got a pass away to his left when thirty metres out from his own try line to put his left centre away down the touchline.

Keano Kini’s initial strong run of the match came in the 9th minute when after receiving the ball ten metres out from his own try line and two passes to the left of the play the ball, Keano Kini ran the ball from the centre of the field to his left and after dummying to his left Keano Kini very nearly sliced between two defenders but was brought to ground twenty nine metres out from the try line.

Keano Kini made a further strong run in the 19th minute when from thirty eight metres out from his own try line Keano Kini exploded onto the ball to the right of the dummy half and after engaging the defensive line and spinning clockwise Keano Kini carried the ball to the halfway mark.

Keano Kini engaged the Burleigh defensive line once again in the 36th minute when to the right of a Bears scrum win twenty five metres out from the try line and in the centre of the field Keano Kini ran the ball to his right and after getting on the outside of the Seagulls left centre Keano Kini set sail for the try line but was dragged to ground three metres short and just in from the right touchline.

Then in the 39th minute from ten metres out from his own try line and in the centre of the field, Keano Kini received the ball two passes to the right of the play the ball and after getting on the outside of the Seagulls left side defence, Keano Kini straightened up his running line as he ran the ball out to the twenty eight metre mark.

The 61st minute saw Keano Kini receive the ball to the right of a Burleigh scrum win three metres inside his own territory. As he ran the ball over the halfway mark Keano Kini shaped to put in a chip kick for himself but instead ran the ball with Keano Kini getting the ball to forty metres out from the try line.

Keano Kini, in the 63rd minute from the left of the play the ball took possession of the ball forty metres out from his own try line and after stepping off his left foot carried the ball nine metres inside Seagulls territory.

Keano Kini displayed his outstanding positional sense in the fullback position in the 15th minute when after the Burleigh dummy half put in a grubber kick out of dummy half close to the try line, Keano Kini raced to his right and dived in the same direction to take the hard running ball cleanly and stay in the field of play ten metres to the right of the uprights.

Keano Kini showed smart positional sense at fullback in the 67th minute when he positioned himself to the right of a Seagulls play the ball and after fielding a grubber kick on his own try line Keano Kini got to the ground quickly just inside the field of play to prevent being dragged back into his in-goal area.

Keano Kini also did well from the fullback position in the 33rd minute with a great take of a high floating Burleigh bomb on the full under intense pressure twenty metres out from his own try line and two metres in from the left touchline.

Defensively Keano Kini made a try saving one on one tackle twelve metres out from the try line and just in from the left touchline on a charging Tremain Spry who had split the Burleigh defence on the halfway mark.

Playing all eighty minutes, Keano Kini ran for a team leading 226 metres (sixty eight post contact), recorded a try assist and line break assist, broke four tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.95 seconds and made a tackle.

Keano Kini continued at fullback in Round Five against the Sunshine Coast Falcons with Keano Kini recording a try assist, line break and a line break assist in a touch day for the Bears.

Keano Kini recorded his try assist in the 55th minute when after chiming into the backline on the right side of the field, Keano Kini ran to his right and after drawing in the Falcons left winger, Keano Kini passed to his right to Tany Francis to score in the right corner.

Keano Kini added a line break in the 29th minute when after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball and “put the back” from his halfback while thirty five metres out from the try line, Keano Kini burst through a gap only to be tripped up from behind just as he was going to take on the fullback fifteen metres out from the try line.

Keano Kini added a line break assist in the 73rd minute when from the left of the play the ball and thirty metres out from his own try line Keano Kini stepped off his right foot on two occasions and when he got to within seven metres of the halfway mark, Keano Kini got a good hort ball away to his left to his left centre who chared forty metres downfield before setting up a Burleigh try.

Keano Kini did well in the 21st minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball and thirty metres out from his own try line and in the centre of the field, Keano Kini stepped off his left immediately upon receipt of the ball and was able to get the ball to within seven metres of the halfway mark.

Keano Kini also did well in the 50th minute when after Burleigh put I na short kick-off to their right, Keano Kini raced through to retrieve the ball just after it went the requisite ten metres and get the ball to within twenty eight metres of the try line.`

Playing the entire match Keano Kini ran for a team leading 167 metres (forty two post contact), recorded a try assist and line break assist, made a line break, broke a team leading six tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.02 seconds and made three tackles.

Keano Kini also starterd at fullback in Round Six against the PNG Hunters with Keano Kini recording two try assists.

Keano Kini recorded his opening try assist in just the 2nd minute when after chiming into the Bears backline on the left side of the field, Keano Kini did well to patiently wait for the ball after it had bounced just in front of him. Keano Kini then when ten metres out drew one defender and got a pass away to his right for an unmarked Ken Maumalo to score in the right corner.

Keano Kini recorded his second try assist in the 9th minute when this time on the right side of the field, Keano Kini once again chimed into the backline and then eight metres out Keano Kini threw a hard flat pass to his right to put Tony Francis over to score.

Keano Kini made a strong run in the 18th minute when after receiving the ball thirty metres out and to the left of the play the ball, Keano Kini after dummying to his left Keano Kini got to within eight metres of the try line before he was brought to ground by the Hunters cover defence.

Keano Kini also made a try saving tackle in the 40th minute on the Hunters left centre (No. 3) after he had made a line break with Keano Kini racing to his right to bring the centre down from behind just a metre out from the try line and around eight metres in from the right corner post.

Then in the 43rd minute made a great catch of a high PNG bomb around eight metres out and in the centre of the field under heavy pressure from multiple Hunters chasers.

Playing sixty eight minutes of the match Keano Kini ran for a team leading 180 metres (forty three post contact), recorded three line break assists and two try assists, played the ball at an average speed of 3.56 seconds and made three tackles.

Keano Kini continued at fullback in Round Seven against the Brisbane Tigers with Keano Kini scoring his career first Queensland Cup try in the 61st minute when after chiming into the backline on the right side of the field around twelve metres out Keano Kini was tripped up around five metres out but was not held with Keano Kini then able to get to his feet well enough to diveforward and get the ball down six metres in from the right corner post.

Keano Kini also recorded a try assist in the 7th minute when after taking possession of the ball from a tipped pass on the right side of the field Keano Kini burst into space and when ten metres out threw a pass to his right to put Kea Pere over to score ten metres in from the right corner post.

Keano Kini also made a line break in the 51st minute when after receiving an off-load from his right twenty six metres out Keano Kini darted forward and was only rbought to ground when he had gotten to within twelve metres of the try line.

Keano Kini had made a strong run in the 25th minute when after receiving an off-load thirty metres out from his own try line Keano Kini promoted the ball to the halfway mark with speed and power.

Keano Kini made a strong kick return in the 31st minute when after tracking back to collect the ball three metres out from his own try line and ten metres in from the left touchline, Keano Kini ran to his right and after stepping off his right foot to easily beat one defender, Keano Kini got the ball out to the twenty metre mark.

Kenao Kini also made a try saving tackle in the 56th minute when Keano Kini came over the top of the Tigers left centre five metres in from the right corner post to hold the centre up over the try line.

Playing the entire match Keano Kini ran for a team leading 206 metres (thirty six post contact), made three line breaks, broke a team leading four tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.85 seconds and made three tackles.

Keano Kini was back at fullback for the Bears in Round Ten against the Toowoomba Clydesdales with Keano Kini scoring in the 4th minute when Keano Kini backed up a line break dow the right side of the field with Keano Kini receiving the ball from his right when twenty metres out with Keano Kini comfortably able to score under the posts.

Keano Kini also made a line break in the 66th minute when after Burleigh batted back a short drop-out to their left Keano Kini picked up the ball seven metres out from his own try line and immediately exploded downfield and after getting to the thirty metre mark Keano Kini stepped off his right foot to beat two defenders with Keano Kini getting the ball two metres inside Toowoomba territory.

Earlier in the 35th minute Keano Kini chimed into the Bears backline on the right from twenty five metres out and after stepping off his right foot got within ten metres of the try line. Then in the 39th minute from the right of the play the ball and five metres inside his own territory Keano Kini carried the ball to ten metres inside Clydesdales territory.

Playing all eighty minutes of the match Keano Kini ran for a team leading 260 metres, a team leading seventy seven of which were post contact, made a line break, broke seven tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.63 seconds and made five tackles at an 83.33% tackling efficiency.

Keano Kini’s performance saw him named on the bench in the Queensland Rrugby League 2023 Round Ten Queensland Cup Team of the Week.

After ten rounds of the 2023 Queensland Cup competition Keano Kini was fifth in terms of kick return metres made with 315 metres.

Round Thirteen saw Keano Kini start at fullback against the Norths Devils with Keano Kini recording the first of his two try assists in just the second minute of the match when after chiming into the backline on the right side of the field ten metres out Keano Kini continued to run towards the right corner and after holding the ball just long enough to draw the Norths left winger Keano Kini got the ball away to his right to give Tony Francis a clear four metre run to put the ball down in the right corner.

Keano Kini recorded his second try assist in the 6th minute when after chiming into the backline on this occasion on the left Keano Kini got the ball away to his left centre just as he was being tackled from behind to score.

Inside the opening minute of the match Keano Kini had made significant ground running the ball when after joining the Bears backline on the left side of the field, Keano Kini pulled away from an attempted jersey grab tackle forty metres from the try line with Keano Kini then carrying the ball to within twenty two metres of the try line only to be hit in a high tackle and be awarded a penalty.

The 23rd minute saw Keano Kini take a Norths kick fifteen metres out from his try line and in the centre of the field with Keano Kini able to return the ball to the twenty eight metre mark with around 70% of the metres gained being post contact with the Norths defensive line.

Keano Kini made another strong kick return in the 38th minute when after collecting the ball two metres from his own try line and on the right side of the field, Keano Kini ran the ball back towards the centre of the field out to the twenty two metre mark.

In the 53rd minute Keano Kini took a Norths kick on the full sixteen metres out in front of the posts with Keano Kini running to his left and after beating one defender Keano Kini ran the ball back towards the centre of the field and after getting past two more defenders, including a clockwise spin, Keano Kini was brought to ground four metres from the try line.

In the 28th minute Keano Kini ran out of dummy half to his right from five metres inside his own territory with Keano Kini able to get the ball ten metres inside Norths territory. Then in the 39th minute forty metres out and to the right of the play the ball Keano Kini beat one tackle after making ten metres with Keano Kini then able to make a further ten metres downfield before being brought to ground.

The 45th minute saw Keano Kini run onto the ball to the left of the play the ball thirty seven metres from the try line and after making nine metres Keano Kini was able to get his right arm free and off-load to his left to Vaka Sikahele. Then in the 49th minute ran the ball from the right of a Bears scrum win and came close to scoring after continuing to run to his right with Keano Kini finally stopped less than a metre from the try line.

Keano Kini then did well in the 72nd minute to move quickly to his left and collect a Norths grubber kick in-goal with Keano Kini then diving forward back into the field of play to prevent Burleigh having to restart the match though a goal line drop-out.

Playing the entire match Keano Kini ran for a team leading 245 metres, a team leading seventy six of which were post contact, made a line break, recorded two try assists and two line break assists, broke a team leading seven tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.99 seconds and made five tackles.

Keano Kini also started at fullback in the Round Fifteen local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Keano Kini having an outstanding match including scoring in the 8th minute when after receiving the ball two passes to the right of the play the ball thirty metres out from the try line, Keano Kini stepped off his right foot to beat a Thomas Weaver attempted before Keano Kini stepped off his right foot once again to beat Tremain Spry with Keano Kini then racing away to dive over to score next to the right upright.

Keano Kini also recorded a try assist in the 59th minute when after chiming into the backline on the right side of the field, Keano Kini received the ball eighteen metres out and after engaging one defender Keano Kini was able to get a right arm flick off-load away to his right for his right centre to score eight metres in from the right corner post.

Keano Kini was heavily involved in another Burleigh try in the 75th minute when from around ten metres in from the right touchline Hayden Schwass flopped the ball backwards around a metre from the try line and in one lightning quick movement Keano Kini scooped up the rolling ball and passed to his right for his centre to score wide out.

Keano Kini made the first of his line breaks in the 5th minute when after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball Keano Kini made two prodigious steps off his left foot to beat defenders and carried the ball from the halfway mark to twenty three metres from the try line where the ball was knocked out of his grasp by Tweed heads for the Bears to get six more tackles.

Keano Kini made a further line break in the 62nd minute when after receiving the ball two passes to the left of the play the ball twenty metres out from his own try line Keano Kini continued to run to his left and after shaping to pass to his left thirty metres from his own try line, Keano Kini ran himself before stepping off his left foot to beat the fullback before Keano Kini was caught from behind by Thomas Weaver around fourteen metres out from the try line in the centre of the field.

Keano Kini also made a try saving tackle in the 53rd minute when he stopped the Seagulls No. 17 right on the try line six metres to the right of the uprights.

Playing the entire match Keano Kini ran for a game leading (and team leading) 304 metres, a team leading sixty seven of which were post contact, made a game leading and team leading three line breaks, broke a game leading and team leading seven tackles, recorded a line break assist, played the ball at an average speed of 4.22 seconds and made four tackles.

Keano Kini’s performance saw him named in the 2023 Queensland Cup Queensland Rugby League Round Fifteen Team of the Week.

Keano Kini also started at fullback in Round Sixteen against the Sunshine Coast Falcons with Keano Kini recording a try assist in the 27th minute when after chiming into the Burleigh backline when deep on the attack on the right side of the field, Keano Kini executed a great catch and pass from twelve metres out to get the ball away to his right to Tony Francis who crashed over to score wide out on the right.

Keano Kini made the first of a number of strong runs in the match in the 10th minute when from the left of a Bears scrum win in the centre of the field and thirty metres from his own try line Keano Kini was able to get the ball to within one metre of the halfway mark with around 60% of the metres gained being post contact with the Falcons defensive line.

Then in the 30th minute from the right of the play the ball Keano Kini ran onto the ball thirty metres from his own try line and after a prodigious right foot step Keano Kini got the ball to within five metres of the halfway mark.

Keano Kini chimed into the Bears backline once again in the 42nd minute, on this occasion on the left with Keano Kini receiving the ball twenty eight metres out and after continuing to run to his left Keano Kini carried the ball to ten metres from the try line.

Keano Kini showcased his off-loading skills in the 55th minute when after receiving the ball after entering the Bears backline on the right side of the field ten metres inside Falcons territory, Keano Kini ran the ball ten metres before getting his right arm free above his head and off-loading the ball to his right.

Keano Kini also made a good kick return in the 23rd minute when after taking the ball on the full in the centre of the field and twenty metres from his own try line Keano Kini ran to his left before running back towards the centre of the field after stepping off his right foot making eighteen metres.

Keano Kini recorded a further good kick return in the 65th minute when after taking a kick on the full ten metres out from his own try line Keano Kini ran to his left before a right foot step brought him back towards the centre of the field and get the ball out to the thirty metre mark.

Keano Kini did well defensively in the 18th minute when after a Sunshine Coast line break Keano Kini executed a low one on one tackle in space near the left touchline and twenty metres out from the try line.

Keano Kini whilst playing all eighty minutes ran for a team leading 214 metres, a team leading seventy of which were post contact, recorded a try assist and a line break assist, broke a team leading five tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.46 seconds and made four tackles.

Keano Kini’s performance saw him named at fullback in the Queensland Rugby League Round Sixteen 2023 Queensland Cup Team of the Week.

After sixteen rounds of the 2023 Queensland Cup competition Keano Kini was 4th in terms of kick return metres with 493 metres.

Keano Kini continued at fullback in Round Eighteen against the Redcliffe Dolphins but was only able to play twenty one meinutes due to injury but in that time Keno Kini ran for forty two metres (fourteen post contact), broke a tackle and played the ball at an average speed of 3.25 seconds.

Keano Kini also started at fullback in Round Nineteen against the Northern Pride with Keano Kini recording the first of his two try assists in the 31st minute when after chiming into the Bears backline on the right Keano Kini ran the ball to his right to four metres from the try line when Keano Kini produced an outstanding right arm flick off-load to his right to Tony Francis who scored wide out on the right.

Keano Kini recorded his second try assist in the 55th minute when after once again joining the Bears backline on the right, Keano Kini ran from fifteen metres out to ten metres out with Keano Kini then throwing a cut-out pass to his right to Tony Francis who ran over the top of his direct opponent to score in the right corner.

Playing the entire match ran for 151 metres (sixty two post contact), recorded two try assists and two line break assists, broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.76 seconds and made four tackles.

Keano Kini was back at fullback for the Preliminary Final against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Keano Kini scoring the opening two Bears tries of the match as Burleigh qualified for the Grand Final.

Keano Kini scored his opening try in the 18th minute when after receiving a pass “out the back” to the right of the play the ball ten metres from the try line, Keano Kini stepped off his right foot and spun clockwise to beat one defender with Keano Kini then carrying two more Seagulls over the try line to get the ball down five metres in from the right corner post.

Keano Kini scored his second try in the 24th minute when after carrying the ball from twenty five metres out from the try line to twenty metres out to the right of the dummy half Keano Kini got the ball away to his right centre, being taken to ground in the process, but Keano Kini bounced to his feet and after receiving the ball back from his centre thirteen metres out, Keano Kini exploded from a standing start, and near the line stepped off his right foot to carry the Wynnum Manly fullback over the try line with him to get the ball down four metres in from the right corner post.

Keano Kini also made a line break in the 44th minute when after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball as he chimed into the Burleigh backline on the halfway mark, Keano Kini burst through a gap and after running thirty metres Keano Kini drew the Wynnum Manly fullback and passed to his left to his halfback who then threw a flick pass for the Bears right second rower to score under the posts.

In the 2nd minute from twenty four metres out from the try line, Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui got a good off-load away to his left to Keano Kini who darted and stepped his way to ten metres from the try line, leaving a number of defenders in his wake.

Then in the 13th minute after receiving an off-load from his right from Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui, Keano Kini got the ball from twenty one metres out from his own try line to within four metres of the halfway mark. A minute later in the 14th minute from two passes to the right of the dummy half Keano Kini was able to create an opportunity after receiving the ball thirty metres out and running to his right and drawing in two defenders when twenty three metres out to off-load to his right but with the line open a subsequent Bears pass went to ground.

In the 39th minute Keano Kini ran onto the ball to the right of the dummy half from thirty metres out to thirteen metres from the try line but Keano Kini came very very close to beating the fullback who finally brought him to ground with a right foot step.

Playing forty nine minutes Keano Kini ran for a team leading 218 metres (forty five post contact), made a team leading three line breaks, broke a team leading nine tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.09 seconds and made four tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

Keano Kini’s performance saw him named at fullback in the Queensland Rugby League 2023 Week Three Final’s Queensland Cup Team of the Week.

Keano Kini started at fullback in the 2023 Queensland Cup Grand Final against the Brisbane Tigers with Keano Kini awarded the Duncan Hall Medal for the Player of the Grand Final even though Keano Kini was on the losing side, an occurrence that does not happen all that often but in this particular case it was definitely very well deserved.

Keano Kini recorded a Grand Final try assist in the 26th minute when after receiving the ball twenty metres out on the right side of the field Keano Kini immediately stepped inside off his right foot to beat the Tigers left winger who had come out of the defensive line. Keano Kini then stepped inside once again to get past another defender and when he was eight metres out from the try line and being dragged down from behind and the Tigers fullback moving forward towards him to complete the tackle, Keano Kini produced an outstanding right arm flick off-load to his right to put Tony Francis over to score untouched.

Keano Kini was also heavily involved in Tony Francis’s 64th minute unusual try. Keano Kini chimed into the Bears backline on the right side of the field and after drawing in two defenders with an exquisite left foot step, Keano Kini passed to his right, the bounce was deflected forward off the hands of one of the Brisbane Tigers defenders and into the head of Burleigh right centre Kea Pere with the ball then landing in the hands of Tony Francis ten metres out from the ty line. Tony Francis could not believe his luck as he charged towards the try line with Tony Francis then running right over the top of his opposing winger when a metre out from the try line before Tony Francis slammed the ball down in his right hand in the right corner.

Keano Kini also made a line break in the 32nd minute when after receiving an inside pass from his right from Guy Hamilton on the halfway mark, Keano Kini exploded into open space to run to twenty metres from the try line before off-loading to his left.

Keano Kini created space for his outside backs as early as the 2nd minute with a stepping run to the right of the play the ball and twenty five metres out from his own try line with Keano Kini ultimately passing to his right centre who was able to exploit the space that Keano Kini had created for him.

Keano Kini then made a good kick return in the 7th minute when after taking a Tigers kick on the full thirteen metres out from his own try line, Keano Kini ran the ball back to his right and get the ball out to the thirty one metre mark. A minute later in the 8th minute Keano Kini ran onto the ball to the right of the dummy half and after beating a defender with a right foot step and getting the ball from forty five metres from the try line to twenty metres out, a ruck interference call on Keano Kini saw Burleigh get a six again call.

Keano Kini was at it again in the 22nd minute when to the right of the dummy half Keano Kini executed a jump step off his right foot and as a result Keano Kini was able to get the ball from thirty five metres from the try line to eighteen metres up with once again Keano Kini awarded a penalty on this occasion for rough conduct by a Tigers defender.

Then in the 25th minute after chiming into the Burleigh backline to the left of the play the ball and forty metres out from his own try line, Keano Kini stepped off his left foot on the halfway as he carried the ball ten metres into Tigers territory. Also in the 29th minute after running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball Keano Kini was able to run the ball out to the twenty five metre mark after taking possession of the ball just ten metres away from his own try line.

Keano Kini rounded out his Grand Final Player of the Match performance in the 57th minute with a run to the left of the play the ball before stepping back to his right as Keano Kini got the ball from the thirty six metre mark to the halfway mark.

Playing the entire Grand Final Keano Kini ran for a match leading and team leading 245 metres (forty nine post contact), made a match leading and team leading two line breaks, recorded a try assist for Tony Francis’s first try, broke a match leading and team leading nine tackle breaks, played the ball at an average speed of 3.56 seconds and made a tackle.

In total in the 2023 Queensland Cup competition Keano Kini played in thirteen matches, scored five tries, recorded twelve try assists, made sixty one tackle breaks, made twelve line breaks, made thirty eight tackles and ran for 2 526 metres at an impressive average of 194 metres per match.

At the 2023 Burleigh Bears Awards presentation Keano Kini cleaned up by winning the Burleigh Bears Old Boys Player of the Year, the Queensland Cup Rookie of the Year and also the Queensland Cup Players Player of the 2023 season.

Keano Kini started at fullback for the Bears in a late February 2023 Queensland Cup trail against the Seagulls.

Keano Kini came close to scoring in the 66th minute when Keano Kini from six metres out from the try line ran out of dummy half to his right only to be held up ten metres in from the right corner post. Keano Kini had almost scored earlier in the match in the first half when he chased through a Seagulls attacking grubber kick into the in-goal on the right side of the field but the referee ruled that Keano Kini had grounded the ball on the dead ball line and thus disallowed the appeal for a try.

Keano Kini did well in the 6th minute when after taking an off-load from Tony Francis near his own twenty metre mark Keano Kini was able to make eleven metres downfield. Keano Kini then made a good kick return in the 29th minute with Keano Kini fielding the kick less than ten metres out from hi own try line with Keano Kini’s kick return getting the ball over the twenty metre mark.

The 46th minute saw Keano Kini, after receiving an off-load in the centre of the field and thirty five metres out, produced a great stepping run to get the ball within twenty metres of the try line.

Keano Kini highlighted just how dangerous he can be when in the 48th minute with Burleigh having possession around ten metres out from the try line and absolutely nothing happening Keano Kini took off from the left side of the field to the right and after receiving the ball Keano Kini stepped off his right foot and came desperately close to breaking the line but a last ditch Seagulls tackle stopped Keano Kini three metres short of the try line.

In early October 2023 Keano Kini was named in the New Zealand Rugby League Pacific Championships Squad.

In late January 2022 Keano Kini started at five eight for the Titans U19 side in a match at Pizzey Park against the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts side with Keano Kini being involved in the opening tackle of the match after Tom Weaver kicked off for the Titans to get the match underway.

After playing the first half at five eight Keano Kini moved to fullback for the second half with Jaylan De Groot moving to the left wing to accommodate the move.

After the forward battle subsided Keano Kini began to come into his own and in the 20th minute he almost manufactured a try for Jeremaiah Temapo when he created space on the right but Keano Kini’s overhead pass to Jeremaiah Temapo who put the ball down in the right corner was ruled forward.

Keano Kini was at it again in the 35th minute when he took the ball down a wide left blindside. Keano Kini ran at the line with the ball in both hands before dummying to his right to get part way through the defensive line. Keano Kini then held off one defender with his left arm propelling him and the attached defender from twenty five metres out to within four metres of the try line in an exceptional display of balance, body control and functional strength.

Keano Kini’s move to fullback in the second half did not dull his attacking threat and in the 47th minute Keano Kini made a great winding run of thirty metres. Keano Kini received the ball to the left of a Titans scrum win just twenty metres from their own line. Initially after running to his left Keano Kini was tackled by the right leg by the Burleigh right winger but was not brought to ground. After pulling his leg free, Keano Kini continued to charge forward, stepping off his right foot twice before straightening up his run with a left foot step and was eventually tackled near the halfway mark. After playing the ball, Keano Kini then received an off-load from Kyhan Weir who had taken the subsequent hit-up.

In the 70th minute Keano Kini produced a strong kick return when after taking possession of the ball from the kick on his own twenty metre line, Keano Kini got all of the way to the forty five metre mark, beating two tackles along the way.

In late July 2022 Keano Kini started at fullback for the U19 Future Titans Squad that played a North Queensland Cowboys U19 squad at Cbus Stadium as a curtain-raiser to the Round Twenty NRL match between the Titans and the Canberra Raiders with Keano Kini, in my opinion, being the best player on the field with a three try, one try assist effort in a Player of the Match performance.

Keano Kini scored his opening try in the 11th minute and what an absolutely superb solo try it was. Keano Kini took a North Queensland clearing kick in the centre of the field twenty metres out and immediately right to his right, running parallel to the defensive line before stepping off his right foot to burst between two defenders to race away downfield. As he approached the fullback near the halfway mark Keano Kini shaped to pass to his inside before stepping off his right foot to beat the fullback with Keano Kini then racing away to score in the right corner.

Keano Kini scored his second try just four minutes later in the 15th minute when he backed up a line break by Jack Cullen to receive the ball after Jack Cullen had drawn the fullback with Keano Kini racing away to score under the posts.

Keano Kini completed his hat trick in the 22nd minute when after good work from near the halfway mark from Jaylen De Groot, Keano Kini dived over in the left corner from close range after Kaleb Nagamanu had drawn the Cowboys fullback and passed to Keano Kini.

Keano Kini’s try assist came in the 53rd minute when Keano Kini received the ball around ten metres out on the left side of the field, Keano Kini cut to his outside, drawing in the Cowboys winger and got the ball away to his right to put Jaylen De Groot over to score in the left corner.

Keano Kini also made a line break in the 29th minute when he received the ball on the halfway mark after cutting back underneath Thomas Weaver with Keano Kini stepping off his right foot to isolate and beat one defender with Keano Kini making twenty metres through the centre of the field as a result.

Keano Kini made a further line break in the 63rd minute when from twenty eight metres out on the left side of the field, Keano Kini dummied to his outside before slicing through only to be tackled four metres out from the try line.

Keano Kini also did well in the 35th minute when after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball, Keano Kini was able to get halfway through the line before getting away a good right arm off-load.

Keano Kini got a further off-load away in the 57th minute when after running the ball on the left side of the field twenty metres from the try line Keano Kini stepped off his left foot before getting an off-load away to his right to Oskar Bryant.

Keano Kini also had a strong match defensively starting inside the opening minute of the match when after the Cowboys fullback had made a line break through the centre of the field from the Titans first clearing kick of the match, Keano Kini took him in a great low one on one tackle near the halfway mark.

Then in the 6th minute along with Ryan Foran and Thomas Weaver, Keano Kini made a strong tackle on the North Queensland right second rower to prevent him from scoring just to the left of the uprights on the last tackle.

Keano Kini made a great take of a high Cowboys bomb in the 46th minute with Keano Kini leaping high to take the ball on the full just out from his own try line with Keano Kini subsequently being awarded a penalty for being tackled in the air.

In the 21st minute Keano Kini when just six metres out from his own try line took a Cowboys kick on the full over his head with Keano Kini breaking two tackles as he promoted the ball to twenty six metres out from his own line.

Whilst Keano Kini played the majority of the match at fullback, he did spend time on the left wing after swapping with Jaylan De Groot.

In mid-December 2021 Keano Kini was one of the Titans JTS Program players that took part in a joint training session with the Titans NRL squad.

In early November 2021 Keano Kini was named in the powerful 2022 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad.

Round One of the 2022 MM Cup competition saw Keano Kini named at fullback for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Souths Logan Magpies.

Keano Kini had an outstanding match including a 19th minute try assist when from around ten metres out Keano Kini received the ball to the right of the play the ball but wide out on the left. Keano Kini initially ran towards the posts when his route was cut off Keano Kini changed direction and ran back to his left, getting on the outside of a number of Magpies defenders before drawing in the Souths Logan right winger and putting Matthew Barrow over in the left corner.

Keano Kini made his first line break of the match in the 6th minute when from inside his own half, Keano Kini forced his way into dummy half running to his left before straightening up and making fifteen metres. Then just two tackles later Keano Kini received the ball to the right of the dummy half and as he made contact with the Magpies A defender, Keano Kini spun 360 degrees clockwise to break contact and then made five more metres before he was brought to ground.

Keano Kini’s first run of the match came in just the third minute when from just inside his own territory Keano Kini took a hit-up to the left of the dummy half. Initially Keano Kini looked as if he would cut back behind the play the ball but at the last moment he ran to his left running parallel to the defensive line before straightening up to try to burst between two defenders.

Keano Kini made another strong run in the 60th minute when after a Souths Logan Magpies goal dropout fell short, Keano Kini raced forward taking the kick on the bounce at full speed around forty two metres out and ran to his left and getting the ball within eighteen metres of the try line with Keano Kini executing a quick play the ball with Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa scoring down the left blindside as a result.

Keano Kini was also named at fullback and captain for Round Two against the Redcliffe Dolphins and as usual was dangerous throughout including in the 33rd minute from a scrum move to the right with Keano Kini able to get around one Redcliffe defender, making twelve metres and stretching the Dolphins defence totally out of position.

Keano Kini produced another line breaking run in the 72nd minute when he cut back underneath Josh Lynn on the right side of the field around thirty five metres out. After receiving the ball Keano Kini straightened up his run, beating three Dolphins. Keano Kini was eventually caught by the Dolphins cover defence about a metre from the line, but Keano Kini was up on his feet to play the ball in the blink of an eye with Tweed Heads scoring on the left through Jared Johnson from the subsequent play.

After the Seagulls had a Round Three bye, Keano Kini was named to start at fullback in Round Four against the Easts Tigers however in a late change Keano Kini moved to start the match at five eight and cut the Tigers apart including scoring a well worked Seagulls try in the 19th minute.

From the Tweed Heads scrum win Keano Kini received the ball from the back of the scrum around twenty metres out and immediately ran to his left. Keano Kini then brought Josh Lynn back underneath with Josh Lynn sucking in multiple defenders before getting the ball back to Keano Kini in space. Keano Kini then palmed off one defender and sliced through the defensive line and crashed over ten metres to the left of the uprights.

The match also saw Keano Kini set up a try for Jett Forbes in the 74th minute. From a Tweed Heads scrum win on halfway, Keano Kini received the ball from the back of the scrum on the right side of the field and initially it appeared as if he would kick on the first tackle but Keano Kini had other ideas and raced through a gap before veering to his right to draw the Easts fullback and pass to his right to send Jett Forbes away on a run to the right corner.

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

Keano Kini was named to continue at five eight and captain in Round Five against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls however he was ruled out late in the week. Keano Kini was then named to start at five eight in Round Six against the Norths Devils but once again he was ruled out late in the week.

Through the opening six rounds of the 2022 U18 Mal Meninga Cup competition Keano Kini had run for the 13th most metres being 482 metres at an average of 161 metres per match and also made a three line breaks. Those figures are scary considering Keano Kini missed around 50% of the season through injury.

Keano Kini’s first match in 2022 for the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad came in early February when he lined up against the Easts Tigers at Scott Park in Brisbane.

In March 2022 Keano Kini 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 at fullback.

Keano Kini recorded a line break assist in just the 4th minute when after receiving the ball from his left near mid-field and twenty metres out from his own line, Keano Kini skipped to his left to get on the outside of one defender before drawing in the Northern right winger and then passed to his left to send Jeremaiah Temapo away down the left touchline.

Keano Kini came close to scoring in the 15th minute when after joining the South Coast backline on the right, Keano Kini stepped off his right foot twelve metres out and looked to have forced his way over near the right corner but the referee ruled that he had grounded the ball short of the try line.

Keano Kini continued at fullback in Match Two against Met North and had a great match including scoring an outstanding try in the 11th minute when on the right side of the field Josh Lynn ran to his right with Keano Kini running straight and hard receiving the ball back on the inside and from ten metres out was just too much for the Met North defence to crash over between two defenders ten metres in from the right corner post.

Keano Kini made his first line break in the abridged match in the 7th minute when after receiving the ball on the bounce twenty two metres out on the left side of the field Keano Kini cut back to his right running parallel to the defensive line before stepping off his right foot to slice through but he was cut down just two metres short of the line.

Keano Kini recorded another line break in the 22nd minute in what was the final play of the abridged match when from inside his own territory Keano Kini received the ball on the right side of the field and executed a great right foot step to break the line and was able to make twenty five metres into Met North territory before his run was halted.

The match also saw Keano Kini record a 20th minute line break assist when after receiving the ball just thirty five metres out from his own line and to the right of the play the ball, Keano Kini cut back to his left and whilst being brought to ground by two defenders was able to get the ball to his left centre who burst downfield.

At the conclusion of the Championships Keano Kini was named in the 2022 Queensland Open School Boy Rugby League Representative side and just prior to the commencement of the Championships, Keano Kini was named by the Courier Mail as the seventh best U18 Rugby League player in Australia.

At the Australian U18 School Boy Championships for Queensland, Keano Kini was the vice-captain.

Keano Kini started at fullback in Match One against the Australian Capital Territory and made the first of multiple strong runs in the 5th minute when he charged onto the ball to the left of the dummy half on his own forty metre mark and just prior to the defensive line stepped off his right foot to beat two defenders to make fourteen metres.

Then in the 8th minute Keano Kini was at it again when after receiving the ball to the right of a Queensland scrum win on the halfway mark, Keano Kini ran after the defensive line with the ball in his outstretched right arm before stepping back inside off his right foot to make fifteen metres.

The 15th minute of the match saw Keano Kini record a line break and line break assist when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball on halfway Keano Kini stepped off his right foot and after spinning 360 degrees clockwise after being hit by one defender got a great ball away to a charging Arama Hau after drawing in two defenders with the giant left second rower charging away.

Keano Kini also started at fullback in Match Two being the semi-final against NSW CIS with Keano Kini scoring a great try in the 34th minute when from a set play Keano Kini raced onto an inside pass and after receiving the ball thirty eight metres out Keano Kini burst through the centre of the NSW CIS defence after a slight stumble before an exceptional right foot step took Keano Kini past the fullback with Keano Kini getting the ball down under the posts on the second attempt.

Keano Kini was causing trouble for the NSW CIS defence as early as the 5th minute when he flew onto the ball to the right of the play the ball making twelve metres to get the ball to the halfway mark. Then just a minute later in the 6th minute Keano Kini darted to the right from a Queensland scrum win and after getting to the outside of a number of defenders Keano Kini was able to make fifteen metres before being slung to ground.

Keano Kini made seventeen more metres in the 27th minute when he charged onto the ball to the left of the play the ball to get the ball to the halfway mark and then was awarded a penalty when he was held down too long in the tackle.

As a result of his performance, Keano Kini was deservedly named Player of the Match.

Keano Kini also started at fullback in Queensland U18 ASSRL Championships Grand Final victory over NSW CHS with Keano Kini recording a try assist in the 36th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball around twenty metres out, Keano Kini threw a great long cut out pass to his right to put Tory Bath into space down the right wing and over in the corner. Seriously what a pass!

Keano Kini showcased his outstanding skill set in the 9th minute when he took a NSW CHS grubber kick into the in-goal and did exceptionally get the ball out from the in-goal and back into the field of play.

Keano Kini was his dangerous self, running the ball in the Championship Final and highlighted that in the 36th minute when after taking possession of the ball thirty five metres out, Keano Kini beat five tackles in a great winding run that initially started to the left of the play the ball before Keano Kini cut back to his left before Keano Kini was still able to get an off-load away.

Keano Kini’s performances over the course of the 2022 ASSRL U18 Championships saw Keano Kini named in the Australian School Boys Squad for their Fijian tour with Keano Kini presented with the No. 1 jersey prior to heading to Fiji.

Keano Kini started the first “test” of the tour at fullback against Fiji Schools with Keano Kini scoring one try and setting up another in a big Australian School Boys victory.

Keano Kini scored in the 57th minute when he burst onto the ball through the centre of the field from fifty five metres out with Keano Kini veering to his right to round the Fiji fullback and race away to put the ball down under the posts.

Keano Kini recorded his try assist in the 48th minute when after making a line break through the centre of the field, Keano Kini drew the Fiji fullback and passed to his right to send his support runner away to score untouched under the posts.

Post the 2022 ASSRL U18 Championships, the Courier Mail released a revised Top 50 Australian U18 Rugby League Players with Keano Kini moving up to third on that list.

Keano Kini was also noted by the Courier Mail by being named on various other lists including the Best Try of the Championships and one of the Most Explosive Players of the Championships.

Round One of the 2022 Langer Cup School Boy competition saw Keano Kini start at fullback for PBC State High School against Marsden State High School and put in a Player of the Match performance including scoring a great double in a big PBC SHS 44 – 0 victory.

Keano Kini’s opening try in the 12th was an absolute blinder. Keano Kini received the ball fifty five metres out from the line to the left of the play the ball. Upon receipt of the ball Keano Kini ran back to the right towards the centre of the field and to get through the line executed wicked right foot step. Once through the line Keano Kini easily outpaced the cover defence before another outstanding right foot step gave the Marsden SHS fullback no chance with Keano Kini racing past to dive over next to the left upright.

Keano Kini completed his double in the 56th minute when after PBC SHS spun the ball to the left Keano Kini flew onto the ball after cutting underneath Josh Lynn. Keano Kini received the ball off Josh Lynn twelve metres out and to the left of the uprights but whilst still two metres from the line crashed into the Marsden SHS hooker with Keano Kini reaching out with the ball in his right arm to slam the ball down under the posts.

The match also saw Keano Kini record a number of try assists with the first of those coming in the 19th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball Keano Kini veered slightly to his left to draw in one defender an then throw a great short ball in the same direction to send Brady Turner through a gap and subsequently score from twenty metres out near the left corner post.

Then in the 27th minute Keano Kini threw the final pass for Michael Roberts try. Keano Kini chimed into the PBC SHS backline on the left and after looking to split the line himself Keano Kini was able to keep his right arm off the ground as he was being spun around in a tackle and then execute a right arm off-load to Michael Roberts who came back inside to crash over.

Keano Kini recorded his third try assist in the 37th minute after having the foresight to get his feet back into the in-goal and take a Marsden SHS bomb on the full. Keano Kini then raced out to the twenty metre mark to take a quick tap restart. Keano Kini exploded through the middle of the Marsden SHS defensive line and after making twenty three metres was caught from behind but Keano Kini was able to keep his right arm free and off-load to his left to Jett Forbes who raced fifty seven metres untouched to score.

In fact in the 32nd minute Keano Kini once again positioned himself well to take a bomb on the full I the in-goal and looked to have burst through the Marsden SHS defensive line from the quick twenty metre tap restart but the referee ruled that one of the PBC SHS players was in front of Keano Kini so brought him back to take the tap restart a second time.

Keano Kini’s opening contribution for PBC SHS came in the 4th minute with his first run of the match when he made ten metres whilst bringing the ball off his own try line. Keano Kini made a strong run out of dummy half in the 15th minute when after he ran to his right making fifteen metres to thirty metres out.

Keano Kini’s ability to position himself correctly came to the fore in the 9th minute when with Marsden SHS on the attack Keano Kini raced to his left to take a Marsden SHS grubber kick on the bounce on his own try line and even with the chase coming through Keano Kini was able to promote the ball to ten metres away from the line.

Keano Kini was then named at fullback for Round Two against Redcliffe State High School with Keano Kini scoring in the 49th minute when after receiving a good short ball from his right from Josh Lynn, Keano Kini ran the ball down a short left blindside to score five metres in from the left corner post after slicing through the Redcliffe SHS right sided defensive line.

Keano Kini also recorded a try assist in the 27th minute when after joining the PBC SHS backline to the right of the play the ball Keano Kini took the ball deep into the defensive line before throwing a hard cut-out pass to his right to put Jett Forbes over in the right corner from eight metres out.

Keano Kini made a strong run in the 25th minute when from his own twenty metre mark Keano Kini executed a number of right foot steps to make eighteen metres.

The match also saw Keano Kini make a great try saving tackle in the 29th minute he raced to his left and smashed the Redcliffe SHS right winger just as he was preparing to put the ball down in the right corner with Keano Kini’s heavy contact knocking the ball from the wingers grasp just short of the try line.

Keano Kini also did well defensively in the 47th minute when after the Redcliffe SHS left winger got to a kick before him just fifteen metres out from the try line, Keano Kini did not panic and made sure of the tackle on the winger to eliminate the danger for PBC SHS.

Keano Kini was also named to continue at fullback in Round Three against Coombabah State High School and came desperately close to scoring in the 23rd minute when after chiming into the PBC SHS backline to the right and around twelve metres out Keano Kini stepped his way past a number of defenders before being caught but Keano Kini was close enough to reach out with his right arm but the referee adjudged that Keano Kini lost control of the ball he was able to get the ball over the line.

Keano Kini recorded a try assist in the 12th minute when from twenty five metres out and to the left of the play the ball, Keano Kini burst onto the ball, cutting off his left foot before in the tackle of the Coombabah SHS fullback getting away a right arm off-load to Tanu Nona who was backing up on Keano Kini’s right with Tanu Nona subsequently crashing over under the posts.

Keano Kini recorded a second try assist in the 57th minute when after lining up to the right of a PBC SHS scrum around forty metres out, Keano Kini received the ball from the back of the scrum and ran to his right to draw in two defenders before throwing a cut-out pass to his right winger who raced down the right touchline to score in the corner.

Keano Kini recorded a line break assist in the 7th minute when from a PBC SHS scrum wing, Keano Kini ran the ball to the left, darting across field before drawing in the last Coombabah SHS defender on the left side of the field and got the ball away to his left to put Jett Forbes away down the left touchline on a forty metre run.

The first of multiple Keano Kini line breaks came in the 37th minute when Coombabah SHS put up a high bomb that Keano Kini took on his own twenty metre mark under heavy pressure. Keano Kini was able to step past two on-rushing Coombabah SHS players and burst thirty three centres through the centre of the ruck to get the ball into Coombabah SHS territory.

Keano Kini made a further line break in the 46th minute when he made twenty metres as a result of a good ball from his inside from Josh Lynn.

The 55th minute saw Keano Kini make another line break when he made twenty two metres from the left of the play the ball with fifteen of the metres that Keano Kini made of the post contact variety.

Keano Kini continued his strong match in the 59th minute when after receiving an inside pass, Keano Kini burst through the line, making seventy metres before getting the ball away to Jett Forbes who subsequently found Tanu Nona backing up through the centre of the field to crash over under the posts.

Keano Kini made his first run of the match in the 3rd minute when he took a hit-up to the right of the play the ball with a great left foot step enabling Keano Kini to make twelve metres to promote the ball to near the halfway mark.

Keano Kini did well from a defensive perspective in right on halftime when he along with Will Saunders, he was able to hold up the Coombabah SHS fullback over the line on the left side of the field after the fullback had cut inside from near the left touchline.

Keano Kini’s performance against Coombabah SHS was such that he was named at five eight in the Courier Mail Langer Cup Round Three Team of the Week.

After the mid-season break, Keano Kini continued at fullback in Round Four against Ipswich State High School.

Keano Kini did well in the 14th minute when after receiving the ball in the attacking twenty metre zone to the left of the uprights, Keano Kini cut back towards the goal posts and when he was ten metres out Keano Kini put in a right foot grubber kick into the in-goal and then chased his own kick through to tackle the Ipswich SHS fullback in-goal and force a goal line drop-out.

Keano Kini made good tackle in the 36th minute when he along with Josh Lynn and Tanu Nona held up the giant Ipswich SHS front rower No. 8 over the line and directly under the posts.

Keano Kini continued at fullback in Round Five against Mabel Park SHS with Keano Kini scoring a simply spectacular try in the 13th minute. I will try to describe the try but there is no way that I will be able to do it justice.

Keano Kini, in the 13th minute received the ball after running an underneath route and after receiving the ball from Zane Harrison Keano Kini charged flat out into the defensive line, spinning 360 degrees clockwise after initial contact with the defensive line and then Keano Kini executed multiple left and right foot steps in an instant to beat multiple defenders to score an incredible try under the posts.

In addition to his spectacular try Keano Kini also recorded a try assist in just the 2nd minute of the match when he joined into the backline to the left of the play the ball with Keano Kini running the ball to within three metres of the try line and after drawing in the final defender got away a great off-load to his left to put his centre over of the first of many PBC SHS’s tries.

Keano Kini showed that he is not just a great ball runner in the 16th minute when after reengaging the defensive line Keano Kini was able to get an overhead off-load away to Blake Forder to continue to promote the ball.

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

Keano Kini also started at fullback in the Round Six local derby against Keebra Park SHS with Keano Kini making a strong run in the 36th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball, Keano Kini cut back to the right being towards the centre of the field with Keano Kini executing multiple steps off both feet to make twenty five metres.

Keano Kini, from a defensive perspective executed a great tackle along with Isaiah Scanlon to stop a Keebra Park SHS dart out of dummy half from close range to prevent a near certain try.

Keano Kini continued at fullback in Round Seven against Wavell SHS with Keano Kini scoring in the 55th minute when he ran a straight hard line and burst between two defenders from twenty metres out with Keano Kini getting the ball down mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.

Keano Kini also recorded the first of his two try assists in the 28th minute when from twenty metres out from his own line, Keano Kini made a line break down the left touchline and after racing fifty metres downfield Keano Kini drew the Wavell SHS fullback and got the ball away to Blake Forder who raced away to score under the posts.

Keano Kini recorded his second try assist in the 22nd minute with a great catch and pass under heavy pressure on the right side of the field and ten metres out with Keano Kini’s great pass to his right giving Jett Forbes the room to dive over in the right corner.

Keano Kini also saved a try in the 26th minute when he raced across field to his right to smash the Wavell SHS left winger and knock him into touch with the corner post going flying as a result of the Keano Kini.

Keano Kini also made a strong run in the 12th minute when from the right of the play the ball and eighteen metres out from his own try line, Keano Kini was able to make fourteen metres.

Keano Kini continued at fullback in PBC SHS’s Langer Cup Quarter Final against Mabel Park SHS with Keano Kini scoring twice as PBC SHS qualified for the semi-finals.

Keano Kini’s opening try came in just the 4th minute when after receiving an off-load from Jac Finnigan sixty five metres out from the try line, Keano Kini ran to his right and after drawing the Mabel Park SHS left winger Keano Kini got the ball away to Jett Forbes who after running fifteen metres down the right touchline got the ball back inside to Keano Kini. As he ran towards the fullback Keano Kini stepped off his right foot and then immediately off his left to totally wrong foot the Mabel Park SHS fullback with Keano Kini racing to dive over to score in the right corner.

Keano Kini scored his second try in the 44th minute when from around ten metres out Keano Kini forced his way over the try line with three Mabel Park SHS defenders hanging off him to score seven metres in from the right corner post.

Keano Kini also recorded a try assist in the 20th minute when from twenty metres out Keano Kini threw a short to his left to Will Taylor who burst between two defenders before steeping off his left foot to beat the Mabel Park SHS fullback to score under the posts.

Keano Kini made line break in the 7th minute when after making a forty five metre stepping run through the middle of the Mabel Park SHS defensive line, Keano Kini’s pass to his right near the twenty metre mark went to ground.

Keano Kini made a further line break in the 14th minute when after taking a Mabel Park SHS kick Keano Kini made a thirty metre line break from the kick return after running to his right. Then in the 31st minute Keano Kini broke the Mabel Park SHS defensive line once again making twenty metres to get the ball two metres into Mabel Park SHS territory.

In the 24th minute, Keano Kini along with Reico Ratana and Tanu Nona did well to hold up the Mabel Park SHS No. 10 over the try line on the left side of the field. Then in the 48th minute along with Will Taylor, Keano Kini 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.

Keano Kini was then named at fullback for PBC SHS in the 2022 Langer Cup Semi-final against Keebra Park SHS with Keano Kini scoring twice to propel PBC SHS into the Grand Final against Ipswich SHS.

Keano Kini’s opening try came in the 31st minute when Keano Kini received the ball to the left of a PBC SHS scrum win ten metres from the try line with Keano Kini sliding between two defenders to score ten metres in from the left corner.

Keano Kini scored his second try in the 37th minute and if you blinked you would have missed it. Keano Kini was on his own forty metre line as the Keebra Park SHS five eight ran directly at him after making a long line break with a support run to his right and Keano Kini’s left. At the last possible moment Keano Kini slid off the five eight just as he was passing the ball with Keano Kini taking the intercept cleanly.

After taking possession in the centre of the field, Keano Kini turned defence into attack and ran to his right getting to the right touchline before racing away to dive over in the right corner to score a truly spectacular try.

The intercept for his first try was not the only intercept that Keano Kini took in the match with Keano Kini taking another in the 41st minute when whilst defending on his own line with the Keebra Park SHS play the ball just a metre out from the try line they threw a cut out pass to PBC SHS’s right with Keano Kini flying off his line to take the intercept around four metres out from the try line with Keano Kini then making a winding fifty five metre run downfield.

Keano Kini was involved in PBC SHS’s first try of the match when in the 16th minute Keano Kini received the ball twenty metres out from the try line and on the left side of the field with Keano Kini stepping off his left foot to break the line with Keano Kini attracting multiple Keebra Park SHS defenders before being tackled by those multiple defenders two metres from the try line and mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field. Then even after being tackled by multiple defenders, Keano Kini was able to play the ball quickly with Michael Roberts being able to score from dummy half as a result.

Keano Kini took his opening run of the match in the 3rd minute when after letting a Keebra Park SHS kick go dead in-goal Keano Kini raced back to the twenty metre mark to take the quick tap himself with Keano Kini making seventeen metres.

Keano Kini made a great one on one low tackle on a rampaging Arama Hau in the 25th minute after the giant Keebra Park SHS lock had broken through the PBC SHS defensive line. Then in the 28th minute Keano Kini along with Jaylen Taewa and Tanu Nona stopped the Keebra Park SHS dummy half Dorian Lotaki just short of the try line after a great run out of dummy half just to the right of the uprights.

Keano Kini started at fullback for PBC SHS in the 2022 School Boy Langer Cup Grand Final against Ipswich SHS with Keano Kini’s first strong run of the match coming inside the opening minute when Keano Kini ran to his right out of dummy half making sixteen metres to get to twenty metres out from the try line and in front of the goal posts.

Then in the 33rd minute Keano Kini made eighteen metres down the right channel to get within thirty six metres out from the try line.

Whilst Keano Kini was his usual dangerous self in attack (until he was forced from the field), he was outstanding from a defensive perspective including a great sequence in the 33rd minute when initially Keano Kini made a great one on one tackle on the Ipswich SHS left centre who had made a line break and then on the next play Keano Kini made another great one on one tackle, this time on the Ipswich SHS left centre Tre Fotu just ten metres out from the try line to save what appeared to be a certain Ipswich SHS try.

Just two minute later in the 35th minute Keano Kini once again brought Tre Fotu who had made a line break with Keano Kini bringing down the centre with a strong low right shoulder tackle.

Then in the 38th minute when along with Caleb Te Momo, Keano Kini smashed the Ipswich SHS No. 14 forty metes out with the ball coming loose as a result of the heavy contact.

At the end of year PBC SHS Sports Awards night, Keano Kini was named the the winner of the 2022 Craig Weston Award as the best rugby league player in the PBC SHS Open age group.

At the completion of the 2022 School Boy Langer Cup competition Keano Kini was named at fullback in the 2022 Courier Mail Langer Cup Team of the Season. Keano Kini was also named as the second best School Boy Rugby League or Rugby player in the 2022 Courier Mail Top 30 school Boys.

In January 2021 Keano Kini started at fullback for the Titans U17 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights U17’s and impressed in the deserved 32 – 20 Titans victory including scoring a special solo try in the second half which would not have been out of place in a State of Origin match.

As noted above, Keano Kini’s second half try was an absolutely special one. Keano Kini’s try started to the left of the play the ball with Keano Kini receiving the ball from the dummy half. Keano Kini immediately stepped off his left to beat the first (of many) Knights defenders and then cut back to his right across the face of the Newcastle defensive line, brushing past a couple of outstretched arms. As a Knights defender came out of the line, Keano Kini spun 360 degrees clockwise to generate a gap in the defensive line, ten metres out and then exploded through the gap forcing himself and the ball over the try line with three defenders still hanging off him five metres in from the right goal post.

Keano Kini also had an early second half try assist in the match when he put Seth Nikotemo into a gap to score from six metres away. In the second half Keano Kini moved up from fullback to spend time in the halves for the Titans with Blake Forder moving from the wing to fullback.

Keano Kini stamped his mark on the match in just the second minute. After the first five tackles of the match, Newcastle put in a clearing kick which Keano Kini took on the full over his left shoulder. Keano Kini immediately assessed the situation and seeing that the Knights had a shortened defensive line on the right side of their kick chase, Keano Kini exploded to his left, getting on the outside of the final Knights defender on the right of their defensive line, surging forty metres down the left touch line before eventually being corralled. The Titans scored the first try of the match two plays later, with the try being directly attributable to Keano Kini’s line break.

Wonderful stepping by Keano Kini was a key determinant in Keano Kini’s second half try, but the Knights should have known what was coming after getting a taste of his stepping ability when Keano Kini restarted play from a tap restart in the eighth minute of the first half after a Knights long kick went dead in-goal. Keano Kini took the tap from the twenty metre mark running to his left before producing a jump step off his right foot. On that occasion the Knights defence prevented a line break, in the second half they were not so lucky.

In June 2021 Keano Kini started at five eight for a Titans U17 side that played a Titans Northern Rivers U18 squad at Cbus Stadium as a curtain raiser to the Titans Round Fourteen NRL match against the Sydney Roosters.

The match saw Keano Kini dominate for long stretches including late in the second half when he scored in the left corner after a long Matthew Barrow break. In that period, Keano Kini also had a try assist when after he engaged the defensive line he got a great one arm off-load away to put William Semu into space to score untouched from long range.

Keano Kini also recorded a line break assist in the second half with a smart pass to hie left putting Matthew Barrow away for a fifty metre run down the left touchline.

Keano Kini was no less impressive in the first half, scoring one try and setting up another. Keano Kini scored when he backed up a long break from Arama Hau, receiving an off-load from his right to race forty five metres untouched to score.

Keano Kini’s try assist came whilst he was operating on the left side of the field. Keano Kini skipped on the outside of two Northern Rivers defenders on two occasions from twenty five metres out before drawing a third defender and offloading to William Semu who charged twenty metres to score near the left corner.

It was great to see in October 2020 Keano Kini named in the 2021 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad.

Keano Kini started from the bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup side in their first 2021 trial which was against the Easts Tigers at Langland’s Park and was one of the Seagulls best in their 28 – 12 first up victory.

In Tweed Heads second 2021 MM Cup trial against Burleigh that Tweed Heads comprehensively won, Keano Kini played the first half at fullback and then came back on late in the match to line up at fullback once again and scoring late in the match.

Keano Kini’s late second half try was a typical fullbacks opportunist try when after loitering behind the play the ball Keano Kini loomed up on the left of Ryan Foran. Ryan Foran steamed onto the ball forty eight metres out from the line, utilising a slight step off his left foot to break through the Burleigh defensive line and then Ryan Foran positioned his support in Keano Kini perfectly to draw the fullback and pass to his left for Kini to sprint twenty five metres to put the ball down under the posts.

Keano Kini was in the action early in the match setting up a try down the left side of the field for Tweed Heads left second rower Jayden Wright, Keano Kini took the pass from the dummy half twenty metres out down a wide blind side. Keano Kini ran at the line with the ball in both hands before subtly adjusting his running line to his left and producing a good short ball to the left of his body to put Jayden Wright into a gap and from there the second rower was able to power over and score five metres in from the left corner post.

Keano Kini also produced an outstanding run in the first half, when from a Seagulls scrum win, Keano Kini ran to the left of the field, rounding three defenders and making twenty metres downfield but just as he was about to breakaway, Keano Kini was dragged down from behind. Keano Kini however won a penalty for his team after the run when the Burleigh defence would not allow him to get to his feet and execute a quick play the ball.

Keano Kini also started from the bench in Tweed Heads final 2021 MM Cup final against the Souths Logan Magpies at Logan, scoring early in the second quarter. Keano Kini came onto the left wing in the second quarter before playing fullback in the second half.

Keano Kini’s try came in the 25th minute of the match, he had stayed on the left touchline as the ball was being thrown out in his direction. Keano Kini received the ball from Kaleb Ngamanu who threw a long pass to his left to Keano Kini. Three Souths Logan defenders were coming across in cover defence, but at the last moment Keano Kini who had presented that he was going for the left corner, stepped back inside off his left, resulting in all three defenders sailing past. Keano Kini was then able to dive over to score five metres in from the left corner post.

Keano Kini’s first run of the match came off a Tweed Heads scrum win. Keano Kini had moved in from his left wing to be the first receiver to the left of the scrum, darting past two defenders whilst making fifteen valuable metres from deep in his own half.

Keano Kini produced another superb second quarter run and once again it was as first receiver from a scrum with a Tweed Heads feed ten metres from their own line. Keano Kini received the ball just five metres out from his own line and literally ran around the three Souths Logan right side defenders before beating one when he stepped back inside off his left. Keano Kini burst through four attempted arm tackles on defenders who were trying to keep up with his directional changes before he was hit high from behind with the Souths Logan defender being sin binned and put on report for the high hit. Keano Kini’s exceptional run had brought the ball an additional thirty metres away from the Tweed heads Seagulls line.

Keano Kini continued his dominant performance in the second minute of the third quarter with an outstanding offload and line break assist. After moving to fullback, Keano Kini chimed into the Tweed Heads backline on the left side of the field, going deep into the line before producing an outstanding right arm around the corner pass to put Ryan Foran into space.

Keano Kini continued his exceptional match later in the third quarter with yet another impressive run. Souths Logan received a penalty and kicked for touch but the Tweed Heads left winger was able to bat the ball back into the field of play. Keano Kini retrieved the ball inside his own twenty, immediately racing to his right at a 60 degree angle. As he approached the Souths Logan defensive line, Keano Kini stepped subtly off his left twice but bumping off one defender who tried to take him chest high before cutting back to his left to make an additional ten metres post contact. In total from when he retrieved the ball, Keano Kini make forty metres.

Keano Kini produced a further outstanding run a couple of minutes later from the second hit-up after Billy Mozer’s try. Taking a hit-up to the left of the play the ball, Keano Kini was initially hit behind the advantage line, but after breaking that tackle, he exploded down field to make ten metres.

A third impressive run in the third quarter came in the 8th minute of the quarter when Keano Kini looped around to a short left blind side from a Titans scrum win. Thomas Weaver received the ball from Blake Mozer who had packed in at lock and held the ball up as Riley Lack ran a decoy line, giving the ball to Keano Kini who made twenty metres downfield utilising his exceptional footwork to beat multiple tackles.

Just two minutes later, Keano Kini again broke through the Souths Logan defensive line after being the first receiver of a Titans scrum win. Keano Kini ran to the right after receiving the ball from the back of the scrum, stepping off his left to beat one defender, making fifteen metres downfield before eventually being brought down.

Keano Kini also showcased his outstanding top end speed in the second quarter. Souths Logan Magpies captain and five eight Ezra Mam broke through the Tweed Heads right sided defence and chipped over the fullback with a foot race ensuing. Keano Kini started ten metres behind Mam and on the opposite side of the field but within twenty five metres Keano Kini had caught and passed Mam in the race to the ball that had pulled up in the in-goal, ultimately knocking the ball dead.

Keano Kini started Round One of the 2021 MM Cup competition on the left wing before spending a significant portion of the second half at fullback as Tweed Heads took on the Ipswich Jets at home and set up the Seagulls first try of the match.

Thomas Weaver took the ball down a shortish left blindside and 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 from the left corner post to cross for the Seagulls first try of the match.

One of the things that has stood out in his time in Australia has been Keano Kini’s willingness to bring the ball out of his own territory and against Ipswich that was highlighted in the 16th minute when he made elven metres from a hit-up bringing the ball out of his own twenty metre area.

In the second half with more room to move, Keano Kini had some good moments including in the 54th minute when he tracked back to retrieve the ball essentially on his own line, utilising his outstanding right foot step, Keano Kini easily beat the first defender down the field.

Keano Kini also started on the left wing in Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies and like he did in Round One Keano Kini moved to fullback in the second half with Keano Kini scoring in just the second minute of the match in their 32 – 24 victory.

Keano Kini scored when he flew down the left touch line to dive over in the left corner, putting the ball down with his outstretched right arm after getting a gem of a pass from Jaylan De Groot.

Keano Kini also had a line break assist in just the 7th minute of the match. As he has all season, Keano Kini was the Seagulls first receiver from scrums, normally on the left side of the field. After receiving the ball, Keano Kini cut to his outside forcing the defender on his left to commit to the tackle and after driving into the line and drawing two defenders, Keano Kini threw a great ball to his left to put Kaleb Ngamanu into space down the left touchline.

Keano Kini’s speed and willingness to take the ball through the centre of the ruck was showcased once again in the 45th minute when he charged onto the ball just inside Souths Logan’s territory to the right of the play the ball. Keano Kini broke two tackles, making twelve metres before bouncing to his feet to generate a quick play the ball with Jaylan De Groot scoring due to the Souths Logan defence still back peddling from Keano Kini’s effort.

Once again in the 48th minute, Keano Kini took pressure off his forward pack when he took the second hit from the kick-off from Jaylan De Groot’s try, with Keano Kini breaking two tackles to get the ball out past the thirty metre line and then was awarded a penalty when the Souths Logan defence would not allow him to get to his feet for a quick play the ball.

Keano Kini continued his exceptional display in the 49th minute when he produced another line break when they got on the outside of his direct opponent on the left, breaking through the defensive line but unfortunately his pass back on the inside went to ground with a try potentially in the offing.

Keano Kini was literally everywhere and bobbed up once again in the 57th minute with yet another hit-up to the left of the play the ball, once again bring the ball out of his own territory, getting the ball up to the forty metre area.

Even with the game winding down and the Seagulls guaranteed the win, Keano Kini could not be kept out of the match. From a Tweed Heads scrum win on their own twenty, Keano Kini received the ball to the left of the scrum and literally ran around the Souths Logan right side defence to run twenty five metres downfield before cutting inside near the halfway mark to put a stamp on yet another impressive dare I say it, dominate performance.

Keano Kini once again started on the left wing in the Round Three Gold Coast derby against the Burleigh Bears scoring once again in the Seagulls victory.

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

Keano Kini’s try came towards the end of the first half when he followed through a great break by Bailey Martin who off-loaded to his right to find Keano Kini in open space to run twenty metres untouched to score to the left of the uprights and bring the ball around from the left corner under no pressure.

Keano Kini had to be on his game in just the 9th minute of the match when Burleigh right second rower Seth Nikotemo put in a surprise chip ten metres out from the line. Keano Kini had to come off his left wing and dive forward to take the ball on the full less than a minute away from the try line. Keano Kini was then able to stay low to prevent being forced back into the in-goal.

The second half saw Keano Kini break through the Burleigh defensive line seemingly at will with the first of those occasions coming in the 46th minute when Keano Kini darted out of dummy half to his left. As soon as he was clear of the ruck, Keano Kini stepped off his right to get through the line and get Tweed Heads into Burleigh’s territory with Keano Kini making eighteen metres from the run.

Keano Kini broke the Burleigh line once again in the 50th minute. After Burleigh kicked to their right, Jaylan De Groot received the ball on the left and threw a long pass to his right that found Keano Kini in acres of space. Keano Kini stepped off his right to easily break through a fractured Burleigh defensive line, making thirty five metres downfield before finally being held.

Then in the 55th minute Keano Kini made his third line break in just ten minutes when he ran out of dummy half to his left, breaking two tackles before being tackled on the Burleigh forty metre mark after a twenty one metre run.

Unfortunately Keano Kini was unable to finish the match due to a lower leg injury with that injury forcing Keano Kini to miss the remainder of the 2021 MM Cup season.

In the Queensland Rugby League 2021 MM Cup Player of the Year Award Keano Kini was awarded two votes.

In mid-February 2021 Keano Kini was named at fullback in the school boy Oceanic Opens side for the South Coast school boy QSSRL U18 trial against Broadwater. Following the final round of trials, Keano Kini was named at fullback in the 2021 South Coast U18 school boy QSSRL squad.

After missing the opening two rounds of the 2021 Langer Cup school boy competition, Keano Kini started Round Three for PBC in a Gold Coast derby against Coombabah State High School, putting in a Player of the Match performance in PBC’s come from behind victory. Keano Kini’s initial involvement in the match came in the 3rd minute with his first run when he took a hit-up off the dummy half to the left making twelve metres.

Keano Kini dominant performance included a 33rd minute try when he took possession as PBC spun the ball to their left with Keano Kini collecting a Thomas Weaver pass on the bounce and exploding to his left through a gap and brought the ball around to put it down under the posts completely untouched.

Keano Kini almost scored a second try in the final minute of the match when from fifteen metres out on the left side of the field, Keano Kini stepped off his left foot to beat two defenders before charging at the line, initially it appeared that he got the ball down, but the referee adjudged that Keano Kini lost the ball just short of the line.

In addition to his try, Keano Kini made multiple line breaks with the first coming in the 8th minute with a line break after taking the kick-off after PBC’s opening try, making twenty metres before being brought to ground.

In the 18th minute Keano Kini made another line break when he took a Coombabah SHS clearing kick on the full and burst thirty metres downfield breaking three tackles. Keano Kini broke the Coombabah SHS line yet again in the 44th minute with the line break coming from what appeared at the start to be a regulation hit-up to the left of the play the ball thirty metres out from his own line. As he approached the defensive line, Keano Kini produced a devastating left foot step to slice through the line and then bamboozled the fullback with two left foot steps. Only after he got around the fullback and beat two more tackles was Keano Kini finally brought to ground.

Keano Kini continued at fullback for the Round Four blockbuster against Marsden State High School and was his usual elusive self, including a great effort in the 9th minute when he retrieved a short Marsden SHS grubber kick into the in-goal and even with Marsden chasers everywhere, Keano Kini was able to step around a number of defenders to get the ball out of his own in-goal.

Keano Kini also produced an outstanding piece of play after the final siren. With Marsden SHS down by six as the final siren sounded, from fifteen metres from their own line Marsden kicked towards William Semu who charged onto the ball and flew down the left touchline and just as he looked as if he had beaten Keano Kini was able to produce a great desperate tackle to bring William Semu down just short of the line and save the match for PBC.

Keano Kini continued at fullback for the much anticipated Round Six local derby against Keebra park State High School and recorded a 53rd minute try assist when he ran at the line on the left side of the field, digging deep into the line before off-loading to his left to put his winger over in the left corner.

Keano Kini overall had a strong match including an impressive first kick return in just the second minute of the match when he was able to get the ball back to the halfway mark after taking receipt of the ball deep inside his own twenty metre area.

Keano Kini also started at fullback in Round Six against Mabel Park State High School and once again his ability to run parallel to the defensive line before exploding through the smallest of gaps was highlighted on numerous occasions including in the 55th minute when he exploded through a gap to comfortably break through the Mabel Park SHS defensive line, making thirty five metres for his progress was halted.

Keano Kini also scored for PBC in their 22 – 4 victory when in the 48th minute with the Mabel Park SHS defence back peddling Keano Kini ran the ball down a short left blindside, initially receiving the ball eighteen metres out before cutting off the left foot and then accelerating forward before diving over ten metres in from the left corner post between two defenders.

After the competition was suspended for a number of weeks due to a Covid 19 lock down, Keano Kini was named at fullback for PBC State High School in their semi-final against Keebra Park State High School with Keano Kini scoring the match sealing try in the 49th minute when after receiving the ball on the left side of the field around twenty metres out, Keano Kini dummied to his left before slicing through the Keebra Park defensive line to get the ball down ten metres from the left upright.

Keano Kini’s first of multiple outstanding contributions for PBC came in just the 2nd minute when Keano Kini made twelve metres to get to ten metres out after joining the backline on the left side of the field. Keano Kini then almost set up PBC’s opening try of the match with a great cut put pass to the left but the pass was desperately knocked down by the Keebra Park right winger.

Keano Kini then produced a great kick return in the 5th minute, bringing the ball back and running to his left before straightening up and taking the line on. Keano Kini was hit high in the subsequent tackle and was awarded a deserved penalty.

Keano Kini also recorded a line break assist in the match in the 19th minute when after receiving the ball, Keano Kini cut back to his left before straightening up and getting halfway through the line before throwing a great right arm around the corner pass to put Bailey Martin away down the left channel on a fifteen metre run.

Keano Kini made a line break of his own in the 18th minute with a strong run to his right, making fifteen metres from the second hit-up off the kick off from Jett Forbes first half intercept try.

Keano Kini continued his impressive ball running in the 57th minute with a strong run and right arm flick off-load to Brock Priestley to get the ball well into Keebra Park territory.

Keano Kini was also outstanding defensively in the match including a great one on one tackle on a rampaging Arama Hau in the 26th minute after the Keebra Park lock had broken through the heart of the PBC SHS defensive line.

Also on three occasions Keano Kini was able to hold up Keebra Park attackers over the line. The first of those occasions came in the 12th minute when he along with Ryan Foran and Thomas Weaver held up one of the Keebra Park front rowers over the try line.

In the 14th minute, Keano Kini along with Jayden Wright, Michael Roberts and Oskar Bryant held up Blake Mozer over the line and then in the 25th minute, Keano Kini, Michael Roberts, Brock Priestley and Bailey Martin held up Aram Hau over the line directly under the posts.

In the 2021 Langer Cup Grand Final against Marsden State High School, Keano Kini was named to start at fullback row for PBC and was his usual elusive self in the match including a 20th minute kick return of thirty metres. Keano Kini ran to his right after taking possession of the ball and getting between two defenders making the thirty metres before off-loading to Deine Mariner who was able to make thirty metre more.

Post the 2021 Langer Cup Grand Final, Keano Kini was named the joint Justin Hodges Medal winner for the most outstanding player in the 2021 Langer Cup competition. Keano Kini was also named at fullback in the Courier Mail 2021 Langer Cup Team of the Year.

Keano Kini was then named at fullback for PBC in the Queensland Open School Boys Final (Phil Hall Cup) against St Brendan’s College Yeppoon with Keano Kini scoring a double in PBC’s big 62 – 0 win.

Keano Kini’s opening try of the Grand Final came in just the 3rd minute of the match when Keano Kini received the ball on the left side of the field. When he was ten metres out, Keano Kini dummied to his left and then stepped off his left foot to get through the St Brendon’s initial defensive line before crashing over ten metres in from the left corner post.

Keano Kini scored his second try of the Grand Final in the 40th minute and it was the try of the match. St Brendan’s kicked downfield from inside their own territory with Keano Kini moving forward to take the ball on the move thirty metres from his own line. Keano Kini then split the St Brendan’s line and from there it was shut the gate with Keano Kini easily outpacing the cover defence to score near the right corner.

Keano Kini came oh so close to splitting the St Brendan’s defensive line in the 19th minute when he collected a St Brandan’s attacking kick just ten metres from his own line and burst downfield, getting over the twenty metre line before just being grabbed by his legs from behind. With the St Brendan’s defence still in disarray, the St Brendan’s defender was forced to hold Keano Kini down and concede a penalty.

At the end of the 2021 season, Keano Kini was named at No. 7 in the Courier Mail Top 60 school boys from the GPS Rugby, AIC Rugby and Langer Cup competitions.

In March 2020 Keano Kini was selected to captain the under 16 NZtag Black team that was due to compete in the 2020 Trans-Tasman Series however that competition was postponed as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic. Early 2020 also saw Keano Kini named in the initial New Zealand rugby league U16 representative squad.

Keano Kini was not able to play much rugby league in 2020 but was able to play First XV school boy rugby in New Zealand for Rosmini College, not bad at all for a 16 year old.

Keano Kini started the 2020 school boy rugby year at fullback (N0. 15) for Rosmini College in their pre-season match against Rangitoto Collage, and when he season proper started all six of Rosmini College's First XV matches at fullback, finishing second in the competition with five wins and just one loss.

Keano Kini started against Kaipara High School (Round One 59 - 0 win), Westlake Boys High School (Round Two 24 - 19 loss), TGS (Round Three 31 - 5 win), Massey High School (Round Four 14 - 0), Orewa College (Round Five 48 - 5 win) and Whangarei Boys High (Round Six 43 - 10 win).

Post the school boy First XV competition, Keano Kini was selected for the New Zealand Rugby Blues U18 training squad.

In October 2020 Keano Kini played for Kotahitanga in the 2020 New Zealand Maori tournament and post the competition of the tournament was named at fullback in the U17 All-tournament team.

Keano Kini started the Grand Final of the 2020 New Zealand Maori Tournament at fullback for Kotahitanga as they defeated Taranaki Whanau 36 – 12 with Keano Kini scoring a try and kicking two conversions in the victory. Keano Kini scored when he was operating on the right side of the field and chased through a chip kick, taking the ball on the full and rounding two defenders to score under the posts.

The NZ Maori U17 side featuring Keano Kini at fullback played a New Zealand Residents U16 team on 24 October 2020 at Rotorua International Stadium with New Zealand Maori going down 46 – 6.

In 2019 Keano Kini played for Marist Saints in the Auckland U16 Open Rugby League competition even though he was impressively still U15 eligible. To be fair Keano Kini did not just play in the Auckland U16 competition, he absolutely dominated it, finishing at or near the top of the competition in the try scoring, goal kicking and overall points scoring categories.

Keano Kini moved to the Marist Saints from the Northcote Tigers where he had previously played his entire junior rugby league with before the 2019 season. Keano Kini currently attends Auckland’s Rosmini College where amongst other sporting pursuits Keano Kini played rugby, including sevens in Year Seven.

In the 2019 Auckland U16 Open competition, even though he was still U15 eligible Keano Kini had some outstanding matches including scoring twenty eight points from three tries and kicking eight goals against Mangere East Hawks in Round One and eighteen points from two tries and five goals against the Te Atatu Roosters in Round Two.

Being Marist Saints primary goal kicker meant that Keano Kini was one of the Auckland U16 Open competitions leading point’s scorers over the course of the 2019 season and try scorers for that matter.
Keano Kini started at half for Marist Saints in their 24- 12 semi-final win over the Waitemta Seagulls to progress to the 2019 Auckland U16 Open Grand Final.

In the 2019 Auckland U16 Open Grand Final Keano Kini started at half for Marist Saints against the Pakuranga Kingz with Marist Saints coming away with a 22 – 8 victory, with Keano Kini kicking three conversions from four attempts with his only miss being his first attempt of the Grand Final from wide out to the right of the uprights.

Keano Kini also set up Marist Saints first try of the Grand Final. Early in the first half, Keano Kini, was operating on the right side of the field two off the ruck. After receiving the ball is space, Keano Kini ran at the line with the ball out in front of his body in two hands, accelerating as he went. Impressively Keano Kini ran at the gap between two defenders, drawing both before popping a great short ball to his right for his fullback to surge over.

Also in 2019 Keano Kini started at half and kicked a conversion for the Auckland U16 side in their NRL curtain raiser in May 2019 against an U16 Future Warriors side at Mt Smart Stadium.

Keano Kini was part of the Marist Saints side that toured Australian in July 2019 playing a number of matches including a match on the Gold Coast against a Keebra Park select side in prefect conditions on the Gold Coast at Keebra Park’s school campus. In that match Keano Kini kicked five conversions.

Keano Kini also started at half in another tour match against the Mudgeeraba Redbacks with Keano Kini kicking six goals as Marist Saints defeated the Redbacks 48 – 0, with Keano Kini also recording a try assist, when operating on the right of the field, he held the ball up beautifully to put the Marist Saints right centre away on a twenty metre run to score.

To cap off an outstanding 2019, Keano Kini was selected in the New Zealand U16 side that played a TAO Samoa U16 side in Auckland in October. Keano Kini played the entire match at half for New Zealand and converted their final try with six minutes to go from directly in front as his New Zealand side went down 26 – 20.

Even though he played the 2019 season in the Auckland Rugby League U16 competition and represented New Zealand at the U16 level, Keano Kini was still U15 eligible in 2019 and represented the Akarana Falcons in that age group in the 2019 New Zealand U15 National Youth Tournament, an impressive achievement.

On Day One of the Tournament Keano Kini started at half and scored for the Akarana Falcons as they defeated the Wellington Orca’s 40 – 10. On Day Two Keano Kini once again started at half back as his Akarana Falcons side won 12 – 0 against the South Island Scorpions to be unbeaten after two matches.

On Day Three Keano Kini had a huge match scoring a double and kicking four goals as the Akarana Falcons defeated the Northern Swords 48 – 4. In the Akarana Falcons semi-final clash against Wai Coa-Bay Keano Kini was once again at half and scored a double as the Akarana Falcons progressed to the Tournament final on the back of a 32 – 8 win.

In the New Zealand U15 National Youth Cup Final against the Manakua Stingrays Keano Kini led his Akarana Falcons side from half back to the New Zealand U15 National Youth Title on the back of a 18 -6 win.

At the conclusion of the Championship Final, Keano Kini was named the New Zealand U15 National Youth Tournament Player of the Tournament and was also named at half in the U15 All-Tournament Team to cap an outstanding week for the budding Titans super star.

In 2018 Keano Kini represented the Akarana Falcons at the New Zealand U15 National Youth Tournament including kicking four conversions on Day One against the exceptionally named Wellington Orca’s.

Rugby League recognition is not new to Keano Kini who in 2016 was named MVP of the U13 2016 ARL Jets camp, also making the merit squad from the camp and playing for the Auckland U13 side.

2016 also saw Keano Kini named MVP of the Auckland Rugby League Regional Representative season when Keano Kini played in the U13 competition.

Incredibly Keano Kini attended a Titans meet and great session in 2014 at the home of the Northcote Tigers. Obviously the Titans players that were there made a very positive impression that day on Keano Kini.

In addition to also dabbling in rugby Keano Kini is also an outstanding athlete being named U13 Auckland Athlete of the year in 2016 for his exploits in other sports such as tennis and athletics amongst others.

Keano Kini continues to have an outstanding athletes career with Rosmini College. In 2019 Keano Kini competed in the Auckland North Zone Athletics Championships, running in the 100 metre and 200 metre events.

In the 100 metres, Keano Kini finished third in the final running 11.99 seconds into a head wind after running 11.88 seconds in the preliminaries. Keano Kini also finished second in the 200 metre final running 24.26 seconds improving the time that he ran in the preliminaries which was 24.35 seconds.

Keano Kini also competed for Rosmini College in the 2018 Auckland North Zone Athletics Championships, representing his school in long jump and the 100 metre and 200 metre spring events.

In the long jump Keano Kini finished second with a jump of 5.28 metres. In the 100 metres sprint Keano Kini finished sixth in the final running 11.65 seconds after running 12.50 in the preliminary round. In the 200 metre final Keano Kini finished second running 25.69 seconds after improving from running 25.95 seconds in the preliminary round.

In 2016 Keano Kini had an outstanding year from an athletics perspective including being awarded an Integrated Schools Sporting Award for winning a gold, silver and bronze medal at the Colgate Games and two gold medals at the Trans-Tasman Athletics Championships.

In 2016 Keano Kini was named the Rosmini College Intermediate Athlete of the Year after winning the long jump, 100 metres and 200 metres sprint races at the school athletics championships. Keano Kini jumped 5.87 metres to win the long jump, ran 11.65 seconds to win the 100 metres and 23.7 seconds to win the 200 metre sprint.

To round off an impressive 2016 Keano Kini represented Rosmini College in basketball at the NZCT AIMS Games, ultimately being named in the boys merit side after leading Rosmini College to a second place finish.

Even though Keano Kini has plus acceleration off the mark and above average top speed, his primary focus on a football field is to direct his side around the field, putting his side where they need to be to maintain pressure on the opposition.

Holding the ball out in front of his body in both hands enables Keano Kini to put doubt into the minds of the opposing defensive line and thus he can dummy and run if there is a gap in the defensive line or put his support runners into gaps or for that matter get the ball out to his back line as quickly as possible.

Getting the ball out to the back line quickly is no issue for Keano Kini as he has a very good long passing technique which delivers the ball quickly and accurately to the right place. Keano Kini’s decisive nature also means that when the ball needs to get out to his back line he will get it out there quickly to give his outside backs as much space as possible to work with prior to contact with the opposing defensive line.

In defence, due to his size Keano Kini is obviously not going to come up with the big hit but reads the play well and can more than hold his own when defending much bigger players and against players with similar size is very aggressive when finishing off his tackles and slowing the resultant play the ball down.

Keano Kini is also very vocal on the field always talking and encouraging his side and doing it in a positive way.

Keano Kini is also a very good goal kicker with both good range and accuracy and as a consequence I would suggest that he is likely to be his side’s primary goal kicker regardless of the level he progresses to into the future.

Keano Kini also has a very good short attacking kicking game with a positive being that he will go right to the line before dropping the ball to his foot, add to the fact that he regularly runs with the ball out in front of his body in both hands, he gives defensive lines a lot to consider, is Keano Kini going to kick, run or pass, a defensive line that anticipates incorrectly will be scrambling to recover before he makes them pay for their error in judgement.

Like with his goal kicking Keano Kini has a real opportunity to be his team’s primary tactical kicking option going forward.

2024 will see Keano Kini line up for the Titans in the NRL.

[mdrew]

Seth Nikotemo. The local junior and Keebra Park SHS student signed a new multi-year contract with the Titans in 2019 after being one of the best juniors for his age group on the Gold Coast for multiple season’s prior. Seth Nikotemo initially signed with the Titans as a 15 year old.

In positive news for the Titans Seth Nikotemo then resigned with the Titans for an additional three years in late 2020 that will take him up to the end of the 2023 season, including his last as an U18 eligible player and his senior year at Keebra Park State High School in 2022 and his first year out of the Queensland school system in 2023.

Then to continue Seth Nikotemo’s association with the Titans Seth Nikotemo signed a new three year contract with the Titans that will see him on a Titans NRL Development contract in 2023 and 2024 before moving into the Titans Top 30 squad in 2025.

On November 1, 2022, Seth Nikotemo commenced training as part of the Titans NRL off-season training program on a train and trial basis and as a result of Seth Nikotemo’s outstanding efforts in the Pre-Christmas Titans NRL off-season Program, including specifically being named as someone that impressed him by Moeaka Foutikua in an interview, Seth Nikotemo’s trial and trial contract was extended to encompass the entire 2022/23 NRL off-season program.

In late July 2023 Seth Nikotemo started at left second row for a Titans U19 side that travelled to Townsville to play a Cowboys U19 side in an NRL curtain-raiser with Seth Nikotemo recording a try assist in the 6th minute with a great and lightening quick catch and pass to his left to Jeremaiah Temapo forty metres out to give his left winger space down the touchline to subsequently score in the left corner.

The 3rd minute saw Seth Nikotemo make a good run down the left channel from two passes to the left of the play the ball to get the ball eighteen metres out from the try line after Seth Nikotemo commenced his run thirty metres out. Then in the 18th minute from eighteen metres out from the try line and to the left of the play the ball Seth Nikotemo was able to get the ball to eight metres of the try line with 70% of Seth Nikotemo’s metres gained being post contact with the Cowboys defensive line.

Seth Nikotemo made another strong run down the left channel in the 28th minute to get within four metres of the halfway mark after Seth Nikotemo took possession of the ball thirty four metres away from his own try line.

In January 2023 Seth Nikotemo started at left second row for the Titans U19 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights with Seth Nikotemo one of the Titans best in the trial.
Seth Nikotemo executed a smart piece of play in the 56th minute with a one on one strip on the Knights second rower (No. 12) deep inside his own territory.
Then in the 58th minute Seth Nikotemo produced the defensive play of the match when after the Newcastle five eight made a long line break from deep inside his own territory to appeared that the Knights five eight would race away to score on the Titans right side of the field but Seth Nikotemo came from the clouds and grabbed the Knights player from behind and to his right with the Knights player subsequently dropping the ball when he was just four metres out from the try line.
Early in 2023 Seth Nikotemo completed his NRL off-season training stint with the Titans NRL training squad and immediately commenced training with the Burleigh Bears Queensland Cup squad to round out his preparation for the 2023 rugby league season.
As a result of Seth Nikotemo’s hard work over the 2022/23 NRL off-season with the Titans Seth Nikotemo’s train and trial contract was ungraded to a Titans NRL Development contract for 2023 and 2024.
Seth Nikotemo was part of the Burleigh Bears first 2023 Queensland Cup trial against the East Tigers in Brisbane with Seth Nikotemo scoring an outstanding hat trick to highlight his immense potential.

Playing the second half of the Queensland Cup trial against the Tigers at right second row Seth Nikotemo scored his first try in the 66th minute when he ran onto a short ball from his right with Seth Nikotemo breaking one tackle as he charged ten metres to get the ball down ten metres in from the right corner post.

Seth Nikotemo scored his second try in the 72nd minute when Seth Nikotemo ran eight metres to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field after receiving an off-load from his right from the Bears lock. Impressively Seth Nikotemo had in fact played the ball and smartly stayed alive to take the opportunity to back up and subsequently scored the try.

Seth Nikotemo started and finished his hat trick in the 78th minute when from eighty metres out, Seth Nikotemo engaged two defenders and got a great right arm off-load away to his right winger and then backed up on the inside to receive the pass back from the winger and race thirty metres to score seven metres in from the right corner post.

In early February 2023 Seth Nikotemo was named in the 2023 Queensland Rugby League Emerging Origin U19 squad.

2023 saw Seth Nikotemo named as an emergency in the Courier Mail School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup Team of the 2020’s.

Round Two of the 2023 GCRL First Grade competition saw Seth Nikotemo start at right second row for the Burleigh Bears against the Runaway Bay Seagulls with Seth Nikotemo scoring in the 74th minute when after the Seagulls executed a short kick-off to their left Seth Nikotemo surged forward to take the ball on the once just after it passed the ten metre mark with Seth Nikotemo bursting between two defenders and racing sixty metres to dive over to score five metres to the right of the uprights.

Seth Nikotemo also started at right second row in Round Six against the Southport Tigers with Seth Nikotemo putting in a typically strong performance.

Seth Nikotemo also started at right second row in Round Seven against the Runaway Bay Seagulls with Seth Nikotemo putting the ball down under the posts in the 18th minute after a ten metre run but the try was disallowed after the referee had seen a Bears infringement earlier in the play.

Seth Nikotemo’s initial strong run of the match came in the 10th minute when from two passes to the right of the play the ball was able to promote the ball from six metres inside his own territory to eight metres inside Runaway Bay territory.

Then in the 20th minute from the right of the play the ball Seth Nikotemo carried the ball from thirty seven metres out from his own try line and utilising a left arm fend to progress the ball to one metre inside Seagulls territory.

Seth Nikotemo’s strong game continued in the second half including a strong 55th minute run of twelve metres down the right channel to twenty two metres out.

Seth Nikotemo did well defensively in the 59th minute to be involved in holding up the Runaway Bay No. 11 over the try line ten metres in from the right corner post.

Seth Nikotemo continued at right second row in Round Eight against the Helensvale Hornets with Seth Nikotemo scoring in the 48th minute four metres in from the right corner post after a twelve metre charge that saw Seth Nikotemo charge onto the ball and run twelve metres including a counter clockwise spin to get the ball down still engaged with multiple Hornets defenders.

Seth Nikotemo also recorded a try assist in the 27th minute when after the Helensvale left winger dropped a bomb to his wing, Seth Nikotemo was on hand to put up the ball four metres from the try line and four metres in from the right touchline with Seth Nikotemo immediately passing the ball to his right for the Burleigh right winger to score in the corner.

Seth Nikotemo recorded a second try assist in the 69th minute with a great catch and pass to his right from ten metres out from the try line for the Burleigh right centre to score wide out near the right corner post.

Then in the 71st minute ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball from ten metres inside his own territory and was able to get the ball four metres inside Helensvale territory.

Seth Nikotemo also started at right second row in Round Twelve against the Runaway Bay Seagulls and in the 11th minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball Seth Nikotemo was able to get the ball within seventeen metres of the try line after commencing his run thirty metres out.

Seth Nikotemo also made good metres in the 30th minute with strong run down the right channel from twenty five metres out to six metres out near the right touchline. Then in the 77th minute Seth Nikotemo ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball from sixteen metres out from his own try line and was able to get the ball out to the thirty three metre mark.

Seth Nikotemo also did well in the 77th minute to be Johnny on the spot to get a tap back from a Burleigh high bomb with Seth Nikotemo securing possession of the ball sixteen metres out from the try line.

Seth Nikotemo continued at right second row in Round Thirteen against the Helensvale Hornets with Seth Nikotemo scoring in the 15th minute when after receiving the ball on the right side of the field six metres from the try line whilst running a hard straight crash line, Seth Nikotemo cut slightly off his right foot to burst between two defenders and after engaging another defender on the try line, Seth Nikotemo spun clockwise to gain separation and get the ball down ten metres in from the right corner post.

Seth Nikotemo also threw the last pass for a Burleigh try in the right corner in the 10th minute from twelve metres out from the try line.

Seth Nikotemo took the second hit-up of the match from the right of the play the ball from six teen metres from his own try line to twenty nine metres out with Seth Nikotemo then subject to a dangerous tackle and deservedly being awarded a penalty.

The 23rd minute then saw Seth Nikotemo take a hit-up to the left of a Burleigh penalty restart and carry the ball from the halfway mark to thirty seven metes from the try line with at least 70% of Seth Nikotemo’s metres being post contact with the Hornets defensive line.

The 74th minute then saw Seth Nikotemo run the ball from the right of the dummy half from thirty three metres out from the try line to seventeen metres out.

Seth Nikotemo also started at right second row in Round Fourteen against the Currumbin Eagles and in the 17th minute Seth Nikotemo was involved in holding up the giant Eagles No. 19 over the try line mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.

Seth Nikotemo continued at right second row in Round Fifteen against the Tugun Seahawks with Seth Nikotemo coming close to scoring in the 5th minute from a Burleigh penalty restart with Seth Nikotemo able to get within a metre of the try line twelve metres in from the right touchline after starting his run from twelve metres out.

Seth Nikotemo also came close to scoring in the 68th minute when after picking up a ball lost backwards by Burleigh fourteen metres out and near the right touchline, Seth Nikotemo ran the ball infield and after breaking two tackles Seth Nikotemo was able to get the ball to within a try line mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.

The 12th minute then saw Seth Nikotemo run onto the ball from two passes to the right of a Bears penalty restart to get the ball from twenty one metres from the try line to within ten metres. Then in the 20th minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball Seth Nikotemo was able to progress the ball from forty one metres from the try lien to twenty nine metres out.

Then in the 60th minute from two passes to the right of a Burleigh penalty restart on the halfway mark Seth Nikotemo was able to promote the ball sixteen metres into Tugun territory.

Seth Nikotemo also started at right second row in Week One of the Finals against the Currumbin Eagles with Seth Nikotemo running onto the ball two passes to the right of the play the ball in the 7th minute to carry the ball from thirty four metres from the try line to forty seven metres out.

In the 66th minute Seth Nikotemo ran onto the ball to the right of the dummy half on a yardage carry and was able to get the ball from twenty metres out from his own try line to thirty five metres out with more than 60% of the metres post contact.

Seth Nikotemo then started at right second row in the Week Two Elimination Final against the Tugun Seahawks with Seth Nikotemo running onto the ball from a Burleigh penalty restart from eight metres inside his own territory to get the ball seven metres inside Tugun territory.

Seth Nikotemo started Round One of the 2023 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition at right second row for the Burleigh Bears against the Easts Tigers with Seth Nikotemo scoring in the 52nd minute when after the Bears spun the ball wide to the right Seth Nikotemo received the ball still fourteen metres from the try line with Seth Nikotemo then stepping off his right foot before breaking two tackles and carrying another defender over the try line to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.

Seth Nikotemo continued at right second row in Round Three against the Central Queensland Capra’s with Seth Nikotemo scoring in the 40th minute when after receiving the ball on the right side of the field when sixteen metres out Seth Nikotemo set sail for the try line and when he was five metres out Seth Nikotemo cut inside to score seven metres in from the right corner post.

Defensively in the 78th minute along with Xavier Stowers, Seth Nuikotemo smashed the Capra’s No. 10 just short of the try line with the ball flying loose as a result of dual heavy initial contact.

Seth Nikotemo also started at right second row in Round Four against the Mackay Cutters with Seth Nikotemo coming close to scoring for the third HDC match in a row in the 9th minute but after running onto the ball from twelve metres out, Seth Nikotemo was held up over the try line by four defenders mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.

Seth Nikotemo had earlier made a strong run in the 7th minute from a Bears penalty tap restart with Seth Nikotemo taking the ball on the twenty eight metre mark and getting the ball to within ten metres of the halfway mark.

Seth Nikotemo made a team leading and match leading thirty six tackles.

Seth Nikotemo continued at right second row in Round Five against the Toowoomba Clydesdales with Seth Nikotemo scoring once again in the 50th minute with a twelve metres straight hard charge with Seth Nikotemo crashing through three tackles to score nine metres to the right of the uprights.

Earlier in the 41st minute from on the halfway mark, Seth Nikotemo carried the ball thirteen metres down the right channel.

The 35th minute saw Seth Nikotemo jump high to take a short Toowoomba drop-out to Seth Nikotemo taking the ball on the right side of the field twelve metres out from the try line.

Week Two of the 2023 Hastings Deering’s Colts Final saw Seth Nikotemo start at right second row against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Seth Nikotemo, in the 6th minute running onto the ball from a Burleigh penalty restart to propel the ball from twenty eight metres from his own try line to within ten metres of the halfway mark.

The 20th minute saw Seth Nikotemo take possession two passes to the right of the play the ball from thirteen metres out from his own try line and get the ball out to the twenty nine metre mark with at least 60% of Seth Nikotemo’s being post contact with the Dolphins defensive line.

Then in the 42nd minute from the left of a Burleigh scrum win eight metres out from his own try line Seth Nikotemo was able to get the ball out to the twenty two metre mark. Seth Nikotemo followed up with a 47th minute effort that saw him run the ball down the right channel from inside his own territory to within thirty eight metres of the try line.

Seth Nikotemo, in the 57th minute was involved in holding up the Redcliffe left second rower No .12 over the try line to prevent him from scoring seven metres in from the Bears right corner post.

In early December 2022 Seth Nikotemo took part in a joint training session between the Titans JTS contracted players and the Titans NRL squad.

In late 2022 Seth Nikotemo was named in the 2023 Burleigh Bears Hastings Deering’s Colts squad after playing a number of matches for the Bears in the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition when still U18 eligible in 2022.

In late January 2022 Seth Nikotemo started at left second row for the Titans U18 side in a match at Pizzey Park against the Burleigh MM Cup side with Seth Nikotemo putting in an outstanding performance.

Seth Nikotemo was heavily involved in William Semu’s second try of the match in the 9th minute when after receiving an off-load from his right from Larry Siala, Seth Nikotemo charged twenty metres downfield before getting the ball away to his right for William Semu to race away and scored five metres in from the left corner post.

Seth Nikotemo then made another strong run in the 16th minute when he was able to make fourteen metres down the right channel to get the ball twenty metres away from his own try line. Seth Nikotemo made a further fifteen metres in the 24th minute when he got to within ten metres of the try line before three Burleigh defenders had to commit to the tackle to finally stop Seth Nikotemo’s forward momentum.

Seth Nikatemo’s strong match continued in the 44th minute with a great eighteen metre charge down the left channel to get the ball to within thirty metres of the try line.

In late July 2022 Seth Nikotemo 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 Seth Nikotemo coming in the match to play at right second row in the 25th minute and just wo minutes later in the 27th minute Seth Nikotemo made a strong fifteen metre run down the right channel to get the ball within thirteen metres of the try line.

In mid-December Seth Nikotemo 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 Seth Nikotemo was named in the talented Burleigh Bears 2022 U18 MM Cup squad for the second season in a row.

Round One of the 2022 MM Cup competition saw Seth Nikotemo named at right second row for the Burleigh Bears against the Easts Tigers however the match was rained out due to extreme weather conditions.

Seth Nikotemo was then named to start at right second row for Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies and also started at right second row in Round Three against the Norths Devils with Seth Nikotemo taking the 4th hit-up of the match after Norths kicked-off.

Seth Nikotemo then continued at right second row in Round Four against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Seth Nikotemo scoring a strong 31st minute try when from eight metres out Seth Nikotemo ran a straight and hard crash line, easily bursting through the initial defender before engaging the Wynnum Manly Seagulls fullback and then breaking clear of the fullback’s tackle with a clockwise spin to get the ball down ten metres in from the right corner post.

If there was a hard working index calculation in the MM Cup Seth Nikotemo surely would have scored highly in it in the 48th minute when after Burleigh split the defensive line deep in their own territory Seth Nikotemo raced through, showing impressive speed and loomed up in the inside of Karauria Stokes-Mahana who had made the break, receiving the off-load on the inside and was able to make a further ten metres before being dragged down from behind. Seth Nikotemo then attempted to get to his feet quickly but that opportunity was denied by the Tigers defence with Seth Nikotemo being awarded a deserved penalty.

Such was the quality of Seth Nikotemo’s performance that he was named in the second row in the Courier Mail’s MM Cup Round Four Team of the Week.

Seth Nikotemo was named to continue at right second row in Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins however a late tactical change saw Seth Nikotemo start the match on the bench. When he came on mid-way through the first half, Seth Nikotemo spent the remainder of the match at left second row.

Seth Nikotemo was also named to start from the bench in the Round Seven local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls however a late tactical change saw Seth Nikotemo start the match at right second row.

Seth Nikotemo was also named to start at right second row in the rescheduled Round On match against the East Tigers with Seth Nikotemo taking Burleigh’s second hit-up of the match in the 2nd minute.

Seth Nikotemo had a number of positive defensive moments in the match including in the 11th minute when he along with Josiah Pahulu sandwiched the Tigers halfback just metres from the try line after he had stepped past one Bears defender who had raced out of the line.

Seth Nikotemo was named at right second row for the Burleigh Bears second 2022 trial against the Tweed Heads Seagulls after playing for the Titans against the Burleigh MM Cup side in late January 2022.

Seth Nikotemo scored from close range, being less than a metre and to the right of the dummy half in the 17th minute when he pushed his way over the top of two Seagulls defenders.

Seth Nikotemo also made a line break in the 11th minute when he burst twenty metres down the right channel and then was able to off-load to his right to Bears fullback Xavier Asi who had loomed up on Seth Nikotemo’s right.

The in the 14th minute Seth Nikotemo charged onto the ball from a Bears penalty twenty metres from the try line and was able to get the ball inside ten metres before his forward momentum was halted.

Seth Nikotemo also did some great work defensively at marker in the 40th minute when he stopped and then pushed back Seagulls fullback Jett Forbes had tried to sneak over from dummy half from close range.

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

In late May 2022 Seth Nikotemo also represented South Coast in the U18 QSSRL School Boy Championships starting Match One against Northern at right second row and also started at right second row in Match Two against Met North.

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

Seth Nikotemo started at right second row in Queensland’s opening round of the Championships against the Australian Capital Territory with Seth Nikotemo making a strong run of fifteen metres in the 55th minute to the left of the paly the ball with Seth Nikotemo promoting the ball over the halfway mark.

Seth Nikotemo also started at right second row in Match Two being the semi-final against NSW CIS with Seth Nikotemo scoring in the 50th minute when after backing up a line break by Cody Black, Seth Nikotemo received the ball from his right and after skipping away from one attempted tackle from behind raced fifteen metres to dive over under the posts.

Seth Nikotemo have a very good match and was in the game early when he took Queensland’s third hit-up of the match and then Seth Nikotemo was involved in making Queensland’s first tackle of the match.

Defensively Seth Nikotemo showed his effort and determination between the 8th and 9th minutes when he made three tackles in a row as NSW CIS were trying to bring the ball away from their own try line.

Seth Nikotemo also started at right second row in Queensland U18 ASSRL Championships Grand Final victory over NSW CHS.

At the conclusion of the ASSRL U18 Championships, Seth Nikotemo was named by the Courier Mail as a “Hard Yakka Player” and as one of the “Best flying under the radar” players.

Round One of the 2022 Langer Cup School Boy competition saw Seth Nikotemo start at right second row for Keebra Park State High School against Ipswich State High School, Seth Nikotemo also captained the Keebra Park SHS side on the night with Seth Nikotemo being involved in the opening tackle of the match after Keebra Park SHS had kicked off.

After missing Round Two, Seth Nikotemo was named to start at right second row in Round Three against Marsden State High School with Seth Nikotemo being involved in the second and third tackles of the match.

Seth Nikotemo continued at right second row in Round Four against Wavell State High School in a match that was played as a curtain raiser to the Titans v Bronco’s NRL match with Seth Nikotemo making a strong run in the 46th minute when he made fifteen metres down the right channel and then in the 48th minute Seth Nikotemo made another strong run which saw him dragged to ground four metres short of the try line.

After missing Round Five, Seth Nikotemo was back at right second row in the Round Six local derby against PBC SHS with Seth Nikotemo making the opening tackle of the match.

From a defensive perspective in the 10th minute Seth Nikotemo, along with Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki and Jeremaiah Temapo grabbed PBC SHS left winger Blake Forder four metres out from the try line and dragged him back into the in-goal area to force a PBC SHS goal line drop-out.

Round Seven of the Langer Cup competition saw Seth Nikotemo start at right second row against Mabel Park SHS.

Seth Nikotemo then started at right second row in Keebra Park SHS’s Langer Cup Quarter Final against Marymount College with Seth Nikotemo scoring in the 55th minute when from five metres out Seth Nikotemo ran onto a short ball from his left from his halfback to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.

On first glance Seth Nikotemo’s try seemed a simple one with Seth Nikotemo juggling the ball prior to the line before gaining control to get the ball down but the truth is that Seth Nikotemo did exceptionally well as the pass to Seth Nikotemo came off the chest of one of the Marymount College defenders with Seth Nikotemo doing very very well to readjust his hands to take the ball which was coming at him at a rate of knots and deviating from Seth Nikotemo’s initial expectation.

Seth Nikotemo also started at right second row in the 2022 Langer Cup Semi-Final against PBC SHS and executed a smart piece of play in the 42nd minute with a one on one strip on the PBC SHS fullback after Keano Kini had made a line break.

At the completion of the 2022 School Boy Langer Cup competition Seth Nikotemo was named in the second row in the 2022 Courier Mail Langer Cup Team of the Season. Seth Nikotemo 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.

Seth Nikotemo made his Hastings Deering’s Colts debut in Round Sixteen of the 2022 competition against the Western Clydesdales with Seth Nikotemo playing right second row when he came onto the field.

Seth Nikotemo then started from the bench in Round Seventeen against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.

In January 2021 Seth Nikotemo started at left second row for the Titans U17 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights with the Titans recording an impressive 32 – 20 (no goal kicks taken) victory in hot and steamy conditions.

Seth Nikotemo could not have been more impressive in the match including scoring the Titans opening try of the match in just the second minute of the match. Seth Nikotemo charged onto a pass from half Bailey McConnell around eight metres out and could not be stopped as he barged his way over to score the first try of the match.

Seth Nikotemo added a second try in the second half when he charged onto a Keano Kini pass to charge over from six metres out.

In June 2021 Seth Nikotemo started at right second row for a Titans U17 side that played a Titans Northern Rivers U18 squad at Cbus Stadium as a curtain raiser to the Titans Round Fourteen NRL match against the Sydney Roosters.

Playing right second row, Seth Nikotemo had an outstanding match including a first half try assist when from twenty metres out, Seth Nikotemo took the ball to the line before offloading to his right to put his right centre into a gap and over ten metres in from the right corner.

Seth Nikotemo’s first hit-out with the 2021 Burleigh Bears MM Cup side came when he started in the right second row position in the Bears second trial against the Easts Tigers.

Seth Nikotemo produced a strong tackle in the 63rd minute of the match when he and Ezra Ubaldino combined to smash the Easts second rower who had tried to run the ball off the back of an Easts Tigers scrum win. The contact forced the ball lose for a Titans scrum feed with Syris Schmidt scoring from the resultant set of six tackles.

In Round One of the 2021 U18 MM Cup competition, Seth Nikotemo started at right second row against the Souths Logan Magpies, putting in a solid performance in Burleigh’s impressive 38 – 28 victory.

In the 20th minute Seth Nikotemo showed just who hard he always tries when Burleigh dropped the ball whilst on the attack, the ball was scooped up by the Souths Logan left winger and it looked for all money that he was going to streak away to score, but Seth Nikotemo turned and chased and took the wingers legs from under him in a copy book cover defending tackle.

Seth Nikotemo was strong defensive once again in the 29th minute when he hit the Souths Logan No. 15 with a strong front on tackle as the Souths Logan player was returning a forced goal line drop out by Burleigh. Seth Nikotemo’s initial forced the ball loose to take all of the pressure off the Burleigh defence.

Just prior to half time Seth Nikotemo produced his third impressive defensive play of the half when he produced a great low tackle on Souths Logan’s Ezra Mam who looked like he was through the gap and set to score.

Seth Nikotemo also started at right second row in Round Two against the Ipswich Jets and had his first touch early when he took the hit-up from the penalty restart after Burleigh received a penalty from the kick-off. Seth Nikotemo was then on hand to take the 4th hit-up in the same set of six. Seth Nikotemo then backed up to take another hit-up in the 4th minute of the match.

Seth Nikotemo continued his strong efforts running the ball in the 18th minute when he produced a strong effort of thirteen metres down the left side of the field, winning a penalty as a result of not being allowed to get to his feet quickly to play the ball. Seth Nikotemo then backed up to take the hit-up from the resultant penalty restart.

In the 47th minute, Seth Nikotemo continued his strong match with a run that made thirteen metres for Burleigh to get the ball out to the forty metre mark and then Seth Nikotemo was awarded a penalty for the Jets defence not allowing him to get to his feet for a quick play the ball.

Seth Nikotemo showed his athleticism in the 54th minute when Ipswich restarted the match with a short high kick-off to their left after Jeremaiah Temapo scored for Burleigh. Seth Nikotemo jumped high to take the kick on the full under heavy pressure above the Ipswich players chasing the ball through. Seth Nikotemo then did not rest on his laurels taking a hit-up later in the same set of six tackles.

Seth Nikotemo’s side of the field was targeted for another short high Jets kick-off in the 67th minute after Tuvalli Khan-Pereira’s try but once again Seth Nikotemo was up to the task, jumping high to take the ball on the full. When he hit the ground, Seth Nikotemo spun clockwise to break through the Jets defensive line and was able to get the ball twenty metres upfield into Jets territory and then provided a good offload to Kaden Sommerville to keep the movement going.

Seth Nikotemo added to his impressive performance in the 69th minute with a great low left shoulder tackle on rampaging Ipswich Jets lock Josiah Pahulu, with the tackle cutting the fellow Titans legs out from under him.

Seth Nikotemo once again started at right second row in the Round Three Gold Coast derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls. In the 9th minute of the match, Seth Nikotemo took the Tweed Heads defence by surprise when as he ran at the line from ten metres out on the right side of the field he put in a great chip kick. But for a diving Keano Kini the kick would have resulted in a Burleigh try.

Seth Nikotemo continued his strong contribution in the 11th minute with a bustling run of thirteen minutes which got Burleigh within three metres of Tweed Heads line.

Seth Nikotemo also had a strong match defensively in the local derby and produced an outstanding tackle in the last play of the first half with a great front on hit on Seagulls Keano Kini who close to the Burleigh line looped around behind Thomas Weaver, but Seth Nikotemo read the play and crunched Kini just after he received the ball.

Seth Nikotemo was also named to start at right second row for Round Four match against the Souths Logan Magpies.

Seth Nikotemo also started at right second row in Round Five against the Ipswich Jets with Seth Nikotemo recording a second half try assist.

Seth Nikotemo’s try assist came in the 52nd minute when Seth Nikotemo received the ball from his left. As soon as he took possession was immediately under pressure from a Jets defender, but Seth Nikotemo maintained his composure and was able to get the ball over the top of the engaged defender to an unmarked Hunter Ploegsma who crossed after a ten metre run.

Seth Nikotemo continued his solid match with a 66th minute run that accounted for fifteen metres of ground to get Burleigh into Jets territory.

Burleigh were immediately under pressure in the opening moments of the match and but for Seth Nikotemo and team mates, Arama Hau and Tuvalli Khan-Pereira, Ipswich would have opened the scoring in the 4th minute when the Ipswich No. 10 was held up over the line.

With the Ipswich defensive line under all sorts of pressure in the early minutes of the match, it was with his defence that enabled Seth Nikotemo to make an impact. In the 13th minute Seth Nikotemo produced a driving tackle on Ipswich front rower Josiah Pahulu, stopping his momentum with his initial and then driving him back. Following that in the same set of six, Seth Nikotemo smashed the Ipswich left centre forcing the ball loose through the contact.

Early in the second half Seth Nikotemo was able to maintain Burleigh’s early momentum in the half with a strong ten metre run that finished twenty eight metres out and culminated with an exceptionally quick play the ball.

Round Six being the final regular season round of the 2021 MM Cup competition saw Seth Nikotemo once again line up at right second row in the local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Seth Nikotemo scoring a double in the Bears last minute 34 – 30 victory.

Seth Nikotemo’s opening try came in the 18th minute when from dummy half, Bears hooker Caleb Gould-Waiariki put in a short right foot kick through the Seagulls line with right second rower Seth Nikotemo timing his run perfectly to get the ball down easily on the right side of the field.

Seth Nikotemo’s second try came in the 65th minute and got Burleigh within two points of the Seagulls. Seth Nikotemo ran a good line on the right, receiving a short pass from Caleb Gould-Waiariki from his left. As he hit the Seagulls defensive line, Seth Nikotemo twisted clockwise to gain separation actually being caught up and falling to the ground, but Seth Nikotemo quickly realised that he was not held and dived over ten metres to the right of the uprights.

Evan before he scored his first try of the match, Seth Nikotemo was having a strong match including a strong run in the 13th minute when he easily pushed off one defender and dragged another to make twelve metres and get within six metres of the try line. After Seth Nikotemo’s quick play the ball Ezra Ubaldino was able to score for Burleigh on the opposite side of the field.

From the 4th hit-up from the kick-off restart for his first try, Seth Nikotemo made a strong fifteen metre run to within ten metres of the try line after Tweed Heads were penalised from the kick-off.

With Burleigh chasing the match in the 63rd minute, Seth Nikotemo made a hard twelve metres, pushing off one would be defender to get the ball thirty metres away from the try line.

Round Two of the Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition saw Seth Nikotemo start from the bench for Runaway Bay against the Southport Tigers with Seth Nikotemo lining up at right second row when he came on with Seth Nikotemo scoring in the 36th minute of the match.

Seth Nikotemo pounced on a Seagulls dropped ball that had been knocked back, picking the ball up ten metres out, Seth Nikotemo was able to hold off one defender with his left arm as he charged towards the line, getting the ball down in the right corner.

After missing Round Three due to his school boy representative commitments with South Coast, Seth Nikotemo was named on the bench for Round Four against the Helensvale Hornets and was also named on the bench for Round Seven against the Ormeau Shearers.

Round Nine against Southport saw Seth Nikotemo start at left second row with the hard running second rower scoring a double for the Seagulls in their 40 – 30 victory.

Seth Nikotemo scored his opening try in the 14th minute he ran into space twenty metres from the line. Seth Nikotemo pushed off the Southport right winger who had tried to come off his wing and then Seth Nikotemo ran straight over the Tigers lock to get the ball down five metres in from the left corner post.

Seth Nikotemo then scored in the 52nd minute when he ran a straight hard line from eight metres out, forcing his way over ten metres from the left upright. Seth Nikotemo initially was hit by the Southport defence three metres from the line and in fact backed his way from there and then twisted to get the ball down.

When rugby league recommenced on the Gold Coast in late August 2021 after the Covid 19 lockdown, Seth Nikotemo was named to start from the bench in Round Eleven against the Helensvale Hornets.

Interestingly in Round Twelve against the Burleigh Bears, Seth Nikotemo was named to start at right centre with Seth Nikotemo handling the position change well including a strong sixteen run down the right side of the field in just the third minute with Seth Nikotemo’s forward momentum finally being stopped just seven metres short of the line.

Seth Nikotemo made another strong run down the right channel in the 13th minute when from a Runaway Bay scrum win Seth Nikotemo made twenty metres before the ball came lose when he was within ten metres of the try line.

Seth Nikotemo also started at right centre in Round Thirteen against the Currumbin Eagles scoring one try and also making a line break.

Seth Nikotemo scored in the 35th minute of the match when a heavy Runaway Bay tackle forced the ball loose on Seth Nikotemo’s side of the field. Seth Nikotemo went back and collected the dropped ball thirty metres from the line and as soon as he turned back towards the try line he was confronted by the Currumbin left winger who he quickly dispatched. Seth Nikotemo subsequently raced down the right touchline and dived over in the right corner.

Seth Nikotemo’s line break came in the 13th minute of the match with Seth Nikotemo receiving the ball from a Runaway Bay scrum win forty two metres from the line. Seth Nikotemo was able to beat a number of defenders before off-loading to his right to his right centre.

Seth Nikotemo continued at right centre in Round Fourteen against the Ormeau Shearers.

In February 2021 Seth Nikotemo took part in the South Coast Open school boy trials and was named in the second row in the South Coast Open A school boy side as a result of his impressive trial performances.

Seth Nikotemo started South Coast’s Day One match against Met North at right second row and scored in just the 11th minute of the match when he ran into a gap wide on the right, diving over to score ten metres in from the right corner post.

His 11th minute try was certainly not Seth Nikotemo’s first contribution in the match, that occurred in the 6th minute when his first hit-up of the match got him to within six metres of the try line.

Seth Nikotemo was also a key contributor to South Coast’s strong defensive effort in the match including in the 42nd minute when a strong tackle on the Met North left centre forced the ball loose to stop all of the momentum that they had built up.

Seth Nikotemo started the 2021 QSSRL U18 School Boy Championship Final at right second row and took the first South Coast of the match from a penalty restart.

Seth Nikotemo started the Championship Final against Met North at right second row and in the 18th minute made a strong run of thirteen minutes to get to within five metres of the try line.

2021 also saw Seth Nikotemo line up once again for Keebra Park PBC State High School in the South East Queensland School Boy Langer Cup competition starting Round One at right second row against Marsden State High School.

Seth Nikotemo also started at right second row in Round Two against Mabel Park State High School as well as in Round Three against Ipswich State High School, a match that saw him with make a strong run in the 23rd minute when he made sixteen metres from a penalty restart

Seth Nikotemo continued at right second row in Round Four against St Mary’s College Toowoomba and had a strong match including scoring in the 55th minute when he charged onto a Connor Te Kani pass down the right channel, holding off a number of defenders to score ten metres in from the right corner post.

The Round Five local derby against PBC saw Seth Nikotemo continue at right second row and he also started at right second row in Round Six against Wavell State High School.

After the competition was suspended for a number of weeks due to a Covid 19 lock down, Seth Nikotemo was named at right second row for Keebra Park State High School in their semi-final against PBC State High School.

At the 2021 Keebra Park State High School Sports Awards Night Seth Nikotemo was named in the second row in the 2021 Keebra Park SHS Team of the Year.

In late August 2021, Seth Nikotemo was named in the Queensland City U17 squad for a two match series against a Queensland U17 Country squad with Seth Nikotemo starting the match at left second row and scoring in the 19th minute of the match when after playing the ball twenty metres out from the line, Seth Nikotemo backed up on the inside after the City left winger darted down a short blindside. Seth Nikotemo juggled the inside pass above his head but was able to eventually take possession and round the Country fullback and then was able to bring the ball around to put it down under the posts.

Seth Nikotemo also recorded a 9th minute try assist when he threw the last pass to his left to Josh Lynn to run away to score after Seth Nikotemo had run forty metres after charging into a gap from inside his own territory off a Blake Mozer pass.

Playing fifty six minutes Seth Nikotemo ran for 109 metres (thirty post contact), broke three tackles and made nine tackles at a 90% tackling efficiency.

In 2020 Seth Nikotemo captained the Keebra Park Open Titans Cup side including in a Round Two win against Marymount College.

Playing left second row Seth Nikotemo also scored in the Round Two match when he chased through a kick that was put up on the half way mark, Seth Nikotemo retrieved the ball 40 metres out dummied past the initial defender before running directly over the Marymount fullback. Seth Nikotemo fact lost his balance and literally crawled the last six metres to score.

Seth Nikotemo made his Langer Cup debut off the bench for Keebra Park off the bench against PBC playing in the left second row position when he came on. Seth Nikotemo also started from the bench in Round Five against St Mary’s College Toowoomba, playing on the right when he came on and scored a try in each half in an outstanding performance.

Seth Nikotemo’s first try was as a result of an outstanding straight power run from ten metres out. Connor Te Kani was operating on the right and received the ball two passes off the ruck and ran the ball parallel to the defensive line and threw a short no look pass to a straight running Seth Nikotemo who went straight through a gap to score from ten metres out.

Seth Nikotemo’s second try came late in the match once again down the right side of the field. On the last tackle, Blake Scott took the ball down a short blind side, off-loading to Seth Nikotemo who was standing still at the time, he was able to step off his right foot but was held by one leg but Seth Nikotemo was able to reach out and put the ball down with his right arm to score a much deserved double.

Seth Nikotemo also started on the bench as Keebra Park qualified for the 2020 Langer Cup Grand Final on the back of a big win over Wavell State High School operating on the right side of the field when he came on early in the first half.

Seth Nikotemo was on the bench for Keebra Park in the 2020 Langer Cup Grand Final as they went down 16 – 8 to PBC in a high quality match, but he did not make it onto the field.

Seth Nikotemo played the 2020 Gold Coast Rugby League with Runaway Bay in the U16 Division One competition and was dominant in a number of matches including Round Six against Helensvale and Round Eight against Ormeau. Seth Nikotemo was outstanding in Round Eight against Ormeau operating on the left including an impressive break around the half way line before off-loading to his left to his left centre who scored one of his three tries.

In late October 2020, Seth Nikotemo was named in the 2021 Burleigh MM Cup squad.

The big strong young Titans contracted forward had a more than solid 2019 season for both Runaway Bay and Keebra Park State High School as well as for the Titans U15 side in their matches which book ended Seth Nikotemo’s successful 2019 rugby league season.
Seth Nikotemo was part of the Titans U16 side that defeated the Newcastle Knights U16 Harold Matthews side in Coffs Harbour in January 2020, 18 -14 in wet and slippery conditions with Seth Nikotemo being heavily involved in the forward battle in the middle of the field. In the conditions the match ended up being a tough hard fought forward battle which suited Seth Nikotemo just fine and it certainly showed in his outstanding performance.
Seth Nikotemo also started in the second row of the Titans U15 side that defeated a Balmain Tigers U15 touring side 34 – 16 in early October 2019 performing strongly in the impressive Titans win and was near, if not the Titans best on the night.

One of Seth Nikotemo’s most recent matches for the Titans was when he started in the second row for the Titans U16 side in their annual match against the Newcastle Knights Harold Matthews Cup (U16) side in January 2020 in Coffs Harbour with the Titans coming away with a hard fought 18 – 14 victory.

In February 2020 Seth Nikotemo was named in the Gold Coast Vikings U16 Training Squad for the 2020 U16 South East Queensland Pre-season Challenge where he would have been a certain selection in one of the two Gold Coast Vikings squads that were due to participate but the Challenge was cancelled in the week leading up to the start of the Challenge.

For Runaway Bay in the 2019 GCRL U15 Division One competition Seth Nikotemo played in eleven regular season matches scoring his first try in Round Thirteen against Ormeau and following that up with a try in Round Fourteen being the last regular season round against Helensvale.

Seth Nikotemo also kicked two goals from as many attempts in the regular season with both coming against Helensvale in early June in a Seagulls victory with from my recollection both goals coming in the second half.

In Week Two of the 2019 GCRL U15 Division One finals Seth Nikotemo started for Runaway Bay against Nerang teaming with fellow Titan Joseph Shannon in the front row as Runaway Bay progressed to the Grand Final on the back of a 20 – 0 Friday night win.

In the 2019 GCRL U15 Division One Grand Final Seth Nikotemo started the match in the front row once again with Joseph Shannon, scoring an outstanding first half try for the Seagulls. In the end though Runaway Bay went down 36 – 22 to Nerang in a tense physical encounter especially in the forwards.

In relation to his try in the 2019 U15 Division One Grand Final Seth Nikotemo charged onto the ball off the dummy half around eighteen metres out from the try line to the right of the play the ball cutting back behind the play the ball just a fraction almost immediately upon receipt of the ball and such was his speed that Seth Nikotemo broke through the initial defensive line before it could start to move up in a coherent fashion and the fullback was no match for him either as Seth Nikotemo crashed over mid-way between the left corner post and goal posts.

Seth Nikotemo made his GCRL U16 Division One debut in Round Fourteen against Helensvale when he came off the bench after playing and scoring in the U15 Division One match earlier in the evening. Seth Nikotemo handled the step up in age group with aplomb.

2019 also saw Seth Nikotemo represent the South Coast U15 side that played in the QSSRL U15 Championships held in Ipswich with South Coast going through the Championships undefeated and Seth Nikotemo played a key role in that positive outcome.

In 2018 the former 2016 Queensland U12 representative started the season for Runaway Bay in the Gold Coast Rugby League U14 Division One competition before moving to the U15 Division One competition with the Seagulls before the half way mark of the season.

In the GCRL U14 Division One competition in 2018, Seth Nikotemo played in seven matches scoring in the final regular season round against Ormeau and also late in the season kicked a conversion against Burleigh.

Seth Nikotemo made his 2018 U15 Division One debut in June of that year against Burleigh and went on to play in ten matches. Seth Nikotemo started all of Runaway Bay’s U15 Division One Finals matches on the bench including the Grand Final and scored as the Seagulls went down 38 – 20 to a powerful Ormeau Shearers side.

Running with the football, Seth Nikotemo has good footwork prior to the line and does not often just put his head down and run straight but uses his solid footwork to try to work the gaps between defenders rather than trying to simply run over them although you can see that when he gets fired up all subtlety and thoughts of self-preservation goes out the window and he becomes a giant wrecking ball.

Seth Nikotemo does not have great speed off the mark or necessary great high end speed, but he will work hard and make the most of his ability. Seth Nikotemo actually does have a decent off load usually with his right hand when he has impacted the defensive line as well and regularly showcases this in game situations.

In game situations Seth Nikotemo is also showcasing his ability to offload prior to the defensive line, a skill that he has developed and incorporated is recent seasons.

Defensively Seth Nikotemo can certainly hit very hard, usually aiming for just under the ribs and first intention is to lock up the ball to prevent offloads.

Seth Nikotemo has more than reasonable lateral mobility for a forward and due to the fact that he bends his hips when looking to make a tackle he is usually is able to wrap up the smaller attackers without his tackles slipping up to around the head or neck, and thus giving away penalties. Seth Nikotemo can however get fired up and really cause havoc defensively.

Seth Nikotemo will play the 2024 Rugby League season as part of the Burleigh Bears Queensland Cup squad as well as continue to train with the Titans NRL squad on an NRL Development contract.

Seth Nikotemo has been a front rower a fair bit in recent seasons but in 2021, 2022 and 2023 showed what he can do in the second row and with his ability to hit the defensive line with speed and power along with similar attributes in defence, I think that Seth Nikotemo has a real chance of playing second row into the future, not just at the NRL level but at a higher representative level as well.

From an NRL player comparison perspective in relation to Seth Nikotemo, consider someone along the lines of Brisbane Bronco’s and New Zealand International second rower Jordan Riki as a big strong tough mobile second rower who hits the defensive line hard when he runs as well as the opposition when they are running the ball at him.

Like Riki, Seth Nikotemo is a bit of a throwback to the old style of rugby league forward who does not try to be too fancy but is just effective, very effective. With his hard working attitude, Seth Nikotemo also has the leadership skills to be a potential NRL captain and possibly club or representative level captain as well one day and potentially in the not too distant future.

[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 made his return from injury for the Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup side, starting on the right wing in Round Twenty One against the Ipswich Jets with Jaylan De Groot celebrating his return to the Queensland Cup by scoring in the 71st minute with a seven metre run down the touchline to score in the right corner.

Jaylan De Groot had come close to scoring five minutes earlier in the 66th minute in the right corner only to be tackles centremetres short after a six metre run down the touchline.

Jaylan De Groot also recorded a try assist in the 39th minute when after being passed the ball from his left on the end of a Seagulls backline movement to the right, Jaylan De Groot had to reach high backwards with his left arm to get to the ball when ten metres out, Jaylan De Groot juggled the ball when running at full speed and when he was three metres from the try line and the ball high out in front on him and to his right, Jaylan De Groot reached up with his right arm and knocked the ball back inside to Ioane Seuili who scored three metres in from the right corner post.

Earlier in the match in the 14th minute Jaylan De Groot ran to the left of the play the ball from forty metres from his own try lien to get the ball three metres inside Ipswich territory.

Playing all eighty minutes of the match Jaylan De Groot ran for thirty nine metres (eight post contact), made a line break, recorded a try assist and line break assist, broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.33 seconds and made a tackle.

Jaylan De Groot was then named on the bench for Round twenty Two against the Sunshine Coast Falcons and whilst playing seven minutes Jaylan De Groot ran for fourteen metres (two post contact) and broke two tackles.

In total in the 2023 Queensland Cup competition Jaylan De Groot played in five matches, scoring three tries at a 60% strike rate, recorded two try assists, broke ten tackles, made three line breaks, made nineteen tackles at an 82.6% tackling efficiency and ran for 308 metres at an average of sixty one metres per game.

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.

After missing a number of matches through both injury and playing in the Queensland Cup Jaylan De Groot returned to the Tweed Heads Seagulls Hastings Deering’s Colts side (minus the head gear) at right centre in Round Fourteen against the Northern Pride with Jaylen De Groot celebrated his return by scoring a first half double in a big Seagulls victory.

Jaylan De Groot scored his opening try in the 10th minute with a comfortable ten metre run to put the ball down ten metres in from the right corner post after running onto a good ball from his inside from Reico Ratana.

Jaylan De Groot completed his double in the 18th minute with a ninety metre intercept to score untouched under the posts.

Jaylan De Groot came close to recording a hat trick only to be held up over the try line ten metres in from the right corner post after a ten metre running effort.

Then in the 22nd minute after picking up a lost ball by the Northern Pride twenty seven metres out from his own try line, Jaylan De Groot raced down the right touchline to the thirty five metre mark at the opposite end of the field.

Earlier in just the 2nd minute of the match from the left of the play the ball Jaylan De Groot was able to carry the ball from his own forty metre mark to six metres into Northern Pride territory. Then in the 56th minute after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball Jaylan De Groot carried the ball from his own thirty four metre mark to the halfway mark.

In the 71st minute once again from the right of the play the ball Jaylan De Groot was able to get away down the right touchline to get within ten metres of the try line after commencing his run twenty six metres out.

Impressively Jaylan De Groot finished the match with 190 running metres and four tackle breaks.

Jaylan De Groot continued at right centre in Week One of the Finals against the Burleigh Bears with Jaylan De Groot scoring in the 47th minute with an eight metre run that saw Jaylan De Groot break two tackles after picking up a Seagulls pass on the bounce to score ten metres in from the right corner post.

Earlier in the 45th minute after running to his left out of dummy half Jaylan De Groot was able to get the ball to near the halfway mark before throwing a long cut-out pass to his left to put the Seagulls left sided attack into space.

Jaylen De Groot made a good try saving tackle in the 10th minute on the Burleigh left second rower Adam Christenson to bring him down very close to the try line and six metres in from the left touchline.

Jaylan De Groot also started at right centre in the Preliminary Final against the Townsville Blackhawks with Jaylan De Groot running onto the ball to the left of the dummy half in the 8th minute from eleven metres out from his own try line to get the ball to twenty five metres out.

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 SHS 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]

Devin Bates-Wellington. The young second rower and occasional lock and centre from Auckland in New Zealand moved over to the Gold Coast in early January 2023 to sign a formal contract with the Titans that will span the next couple of seasons at least.

Devin Bates-Wellington played his first match in a Titans jersey in mid-April 2023 when Devin Bates-Wellington started at right centre for a Titans U16 JTS squad that played a touring Auckland U16 side at Cbus Stadium as a curtain-raiser to the Titans NRL Round Seven match against the Brisbane Bronco’s with Devin Bates-Wellington scoring in each half in a good Titans victory.

Devin Bates-Wellington scored his opening try in the 18th minute with a strong run down the right channel from eight metres out with Devin Bates-Wellington engaged by two defenders still two metres out however Devin Bates-Wellington was able to force his way over to score five metres to the right of the goal posts.

In the 51st minute Devin Bates-Wellington chased through an attacking Titans grubber kick and after taking possession of the ball on the bounce two metres from the try line, Devin Bates-Wellington put the ball down over the try line five metres in from the right corner post.

Earlier in the match in the in the 4th minute Devin Bates-Wellington ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball to carry the ball from sixteen metres out from his own try line to twenty nine metres out.

In the 23rd minute from the right of the play the ball and twenty metres out from his own try line, Devin Bates-Wellington continued to run to his right and after getting on the outside of the New Zealand left winger, Devin Bates-Wellington ran down the right touchline before being tackled thirty eight metres out with Devin Bates-Wellington then being awarded a penalty for being held down too long in the tackle.

Then in the 47th minute from the right of the dummy half Devin Bates-Wellington utilised a right foot step as he carried the ball from the halfway mark to within twenty eight metres of the try line.

In late September 2023 Devin Bates-Wellington was part of the Titans U16 side in their Antony Laffranchi Cup victory against the Balmain Tigers in Northern New South Wales.

On the Gold Coast Devin Bates-Wellington is attending the Titans partnered Palm Beach Currumbin (PBC) State High School as part of the school’s Elite Rugby League Academy Program with Devin Bates-Wellington starting at right second row in Round One of the School Boy Walter Cup competition against Marsden SHS.

Devin Bates-Wellington then started at right centre in Round Four against Redcliffe SHS with Devin Bates-Wellington making a good sixteen metre run down the right channel in the 11th minute to get the ball to within ten metres of the halfway mark before getting a right arm flick away to his right winger.

Then in the 26th minute from the right of the play the ball Devin Bates-Wellington from four metres inside his own territory Devin Bates-Wellington was able to get twelve metres inside Redcliffe SHS territory before he was brought to ground.

Devin Bates-Wellington then started from the bench in the Semi-final against Marsden SHS and after coming onto the field to operate on the right in the 30th minute Devin Bates-Wellington immediately carried the ball to within twenty metres of the try line.

Devin Bates-Wellington made a line break in the 36th minute from fifteen metres inside his own territory and when he had gotten to within five metres of the halfway mark, Devin Bates-Wellington was able to break away from one defender and carry the ball an additional seventeen metres to twelve metres into Marsden SHS territory. Then two tackles later Devin Bates-Wellington was able to make an additional ten metres downfield.

Devin Bates-Wellington continued from the bench in the 2023 School Boy Rugby League Walters Cup Grand Final against Wavell SHS with Devin Bates-Wellington coming onto the field to operate at right second row in the 32nd minute of PBC SHS’s victory.

Devin Bates-Wellington also played for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the 2023 U16 Cyril Connell Cup competition early in the 2023 season.

Round Three of the 2023 U16 Cyril Connell Cup competition saw Devin Bates-Wellington named on the bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in their home match against the Redcliffe Dolphins and after coming off the bench to operate at left second row in the 17th minute Devin Bates-Wellington made the defensive hit of the match in the 57th minute when whilst defending right on his own try line and directly under the posts Devin Bates-Wellington smashed into a giant charging Dolphins front rower (No. 10) with Devin Bates Wellington’s hit re-directing the font rowers momentum to his left and away from the try line.

Almost immediately after coming onto the field in the 17th minute made his first hit-up which made nine metres out of his own twenty metre mark. Then in the 39th minute Devin Bates-Wellington from two passes to the left of the play the ball and forty metres out from his own try line Devin Bates-Wellington stepped off his left foot twice as he got the ball to near the halfway mark.

Devin Bates-Wellington had made an earlier strong tackle on a stepping Redcliffe halfback ten metres from the try line with Devin Bates-Wellington’s strong initial contact forcing the halfback to lose the ball in the tackle.

Devin Bates-Wellington then started from the bench in Round Five against the Souths Logan Magpies with Devin Bates-Wellington coming onto the field to operate at left second row in the 20th minute.

Devin Bates-Wellington immediately produced a strong run from the kick-off from Jahkayis Mabbell’s try with Devin Bates-Wellington able to get the ball to nineteen metres out from the try line.

Devin Bates-Wellington made a further strong run in the 24th minute when from thirty eight metres out from his own try line and to the left of the play the ball Devin Bates-Wellington broke three tackles as he got the ball to within five metres of the halfway mark before getting an off-load away to his right to Benji Quinlan.

Then in the 30th minute from to the from the opening six of six tackles of the second half Devin Bates-Wellington ran the ball from the left of the play the ball and six metres inside his own territory to get the ball eight metres inside Magpies territory.

Devin Bates-Wellington continued his strong match in the 34th minute when from the right of the play the ball and thirty three metres from the try line Devin Bates-Wellington broke two tackles and when he had got to twenty metres from the try line Devin bates-Wellington got a right arm off-load away.

Devin Bates-Wellington came close to scoring in the 48th minute when after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball from fifteen metres out and in the centre of the field, Devin bates-Wellington cut back behind the play the ball with his momentum finally stopped within centre metres of the try line even though multiple Magpies defenders could not get Devin Bates-Wellington to the ground.

Then in the 52nd minute from the left of the play the ball and five metres inside his own territory Devin Bates-Wellington stepped off his left foot to beat a Souths Logan defender who had rushed out of the defensive line to get eight metres inside Magpies territory before Devin bates-Wellington was able to get an off-load away to his right.

Devin Bates-Wellington produced a smart piece of play in the 23rd minute when whilst defending ten metres out from his own try line Devin Bates-Wellington blocked a Magpies grubber kick with his right foot and then raced forward to take possession and get the ball twenty two metres away from his own try line.

Devin Bates-Wellington’s performance saw him deservedly named on the bench in the Courier Mail 2023 CC Cup Round Five Team of the Week.

Devin Bates-Wellington then made his first start of the season at right second row for Round Six against the Norths Devils with Devin Bates-Wellington recording a try assist inside the opening minute of the match when after the Seagulls had put up a bomb towards the right side of the field, Devin Bates-Wellington was on hand to take possession from his right centre after Norths had lost the kick forward with Devin Bates-Wellington then charging down the right side of the filed before drawing the Devils fullback to put his winger over to score in the right corner.

Devin Bates-Wellington also recorded a line break in the 32nd minute from the left of the play the ball Devin Bates-Wellington, from thirty metres out from his own try line and in the centre of the field, Stepped off his left foot twice to break through the Devils defensive line and get the ball to the halfway mark before Devin Bates-Wellington was able to get an off-load away to his right to a trailing Harrison Doherty.

The 6th minute saw Devin Bates-Wellington run onto the ball to the right of the play the ball from five metres inside his own territory with Devin bates-Wellington getting the ball ten metres inside Devils territory. The in the 39th minute from the right of the paly the ball thirty two metres from the try line Devin Bates-Wellington cut back behind the play the ball and after getting within eighteen metres of the try line, Devin Bates-Wellington was awarded a penalty after being subjected to a dangerous tackle.

Devin Bates-Wellington also made a strong run in the 50th minute from on the halfway mark and to the left of the dummy half with Devin Bates-Wellington able to promote the ball eleven metres.

Devin Bates-Wellington was also outstanding defensively against Norths including a try saving tackle in the 25th minute on the Norths lock right on his own try line with Devin Bates-Wellington’s initial contact stopping the Norths player in his tracks.

Devin Bates-Wellington continued at right second in the Round Seven local derby against the Burleigh Bears with Devin Bates Wellington making a strong run in the 53rd minute when after running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball and twenty metres from the try line, Devin Bates-Wellington stepped back towards his right and got to within five metres of the try line before being tackled, Devin Bates-Wellington was then awarded a penalty and took the hit-up from the resultant restart.

Devin Bates-Wellington’s first match on Australian soil came in late January when he lined up for the Tweed Heads Seagulls Cyril Connell Cup squad in their first 2023 trial against the Souths Logan Magpies at the Logan Sports Complex.

Devin Bates-Wellington then started in the second row in the Seagulls second trial against the Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup side at Burleigh Juniors as part of the Titans Annual Super Saturday series of matches.

Devin Bates-Wellington then started at right second row in Tweed Heads final 2023 CC Cup trial against the Seagulls local rivals the Burleigh Bears.

2023 also saw Devin Bates-Wellington play touch football and in March 2023 Devin Bates-Wellington as named in the 2023 Gold Coast Touch Association U16B representative side.

In August 2023 Devin Bates-Wellington was named in the South Queensland Māori U16 Teina Representative side.

In 2022 Devin Bates-Wellington who played for the Ellerslie Eagles Rugby League club in Auckland was named as the joint Most Valuable Player in the 2022 U15 Auckland Rugby League Region of Origin Representative Competition with Devin Bates-Wellington starting at lock for Auckland North in the series of two matches. Devin Bates-Wellington was also named in the second row in the 2022 U15 Auckland Rugby League Merit Team at the conclusion of the series.

In Game One of the 2022 U15 Auckland Region of Origin match Devin Bates-Wellington who started the match at lock, scored in the opening minutes of the second half when from around ten metres out and on the left side of the field, Devin Bates-Wellington chased through a short grubber kick into the in-goal from the inside, initially it appeared that the Auckland South fullback had taken possession of the ball but Devin Bates-Wellington was able to take the ball out of the grasp of the fullback by way of a one on one strip or steal whilst both players were in the in-goal and Devin Bates-Wellington then got the ball down twelve metres in from the left corner post.

Prior to moving to the Gold Coast Devin Bates-Wellington attended Westlake’s Boys High with Devin Bates-Wellington being part of their U15 Nine’s side that defeated Southern Cross Campus in the 2022 Nine’s School Boy Grand Final with Devin Bates-Wellington wearing the No. 1 jersey in the Westlake Boys High Nine’s Grand Final victory against Southern Cross.

2022 also saw Devin Bates-Wellington play for an Auckland U15 Invitational side against a New Zealand Warriors selection and prior to moving to Australia, Devin Bates-Wellington was part of the Sydney Roosters Development Program including attending a number of Development camps in New Zealand as well as playing a number of Academy matches for the Sydney Roosters Development Squad.

In 2020 Devin Bates-Wellington was named in the New Zealand Māori U13 Merit Team after Devin Bates-Wellington participated in the Tournament, playing with the Tainui Ngati Tara Tokanui U13 representative side in the highly regarded annual Tournament.

Devin Bates-Wellington, in his carries 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.

Devin Bates-Wellington 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, Devin Bates-Wellington does not try to run over defenders, but Devin Bates-Wellington runs at the gaps between defenders and uses his running speed to break through if defenders only use their arms on the tackle.

Devin Bates-Wellington 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 Devin Bates-Wellington 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 Devin Bates-Wellington 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 Devin Bates-Wellington 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.
Devin Bates-Wellington will play the 2024 season in the GCRL U18 Division One competition and with the age group change of the Cyril Connell Cup in 2024 to U17’s Devin Bates-Wellington will line up for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in that competition in 2024 for the second season in a row.

Devin Bates-Wellington will also continue to attend PBC SHS once again in 2024 as Devin Bates-Wellington pushes for immediate playing time in the School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup competition, in fact it is hard to see how Devin Bates-Wellington will not be an ever present in the PBC SHS Langer Cup Open A side.

Whilst Devin Bates-Wellington played at lock for the Auckland North U15 Region of Origin Representative team in 2022, with his speed, size and ball skills, for me Devin Bates-Wellington is far better suited operating on the fringes of the ruck and thus for me Devin Bates-Wellington is a left second rower with very intriguing potential from both a physical and an overall rugby league skill level perspective.

Cronulla Sharks, New Zealand International and former Keebra Park SHS right second rower Briton Nikora with his height, speed and exceptional line running ability on the fringes of the ruck is for me an accurate playing style comparison for Devin Bates-Wellington. Like Nikora, Devin Bates-Wellington also has a hard edge to the defensive side of his game particularly in relation to their heavy front on initial defensive contact.

Devin Bates-Wellington certainly looks like a real talent and one that I will be following closely in 2024 and beyond as part of the outstanding Titans JTS program.

[mdrew]

Jimmy McCombie. Jimmy McCombie deservedly signed a multi-year contract with the Titans in early 2022 after excelling at rugby league and rugby in recent seasons in Northern New South Wales.

In January 2023 Jimmy McCombie started from the bench for the Titans U17 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights with Jimmy McCombie coming onto the field to operate at halfback late in the second half.

Jimmy McCombie also started from the bench a week later for the Titans U17’s against the Brisbane Bronco’s U17’s on the Gold Coast.

Jimmy McCombie also lined up in a Titans jersey in mid-April 2023 when Jimmy McCombie started at halfback for a Titans U16 JTS squad that played a touring Auckland U16 side at Cbus Stadium as a curtain-raiser to the Titans NRL Round Seven match against the Brisbane Bronco’s with Jimmy McCombie recording three try assists in a solid 28 – 16 Titans victory.

Jimmy McCombie recorded his initial try assist in the 24th minute when after receiving the ball wide on the left, Jimmy McCombie ran at the defensive line and held up the ball to the last possible moment before throwing a perfectly weighted pass to his left to put Titans left centre Beau Hartmann into space and subsequently score in the left corner from twenty six metres out.

Jimmy McCombie recorded his second try assist in the 27th minute when from the left of the play the ball and nine metres from the try line Jimmy McCombie put through a left foot grubber back to his left and after the ball ricocheted around with Kalani Patu picking the ball up and crashing over to score four metres to the right of the goal posts.

Jimmy McCombie recorded his third hat trick in the 33rd minute with a good inside pass from twelve metres out and to the left of the dummy half to Donte Tahuhu-Wilson who darted over to score eight metres to the left of the goal posts.

In late September 2023 Jimmy McCombie was part of the Titans U16 side in their Antony Laffranchi Cup victory against the Balmain Tigers in Northern New South Wales.

In late September 2023 Jimmy McCombie was named in the 2024 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad with Jimmy McCombie also U18 eligible in 2025.

In October 2022 Jimmy McCombie was named in the 2023 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad with Jimmy McCombie starting at halfback in the Northern Rivers Titans opening 2023 trial against the Northern Coast Bulldogs in Coffs Harbour.

Round One of the 2023 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition saw Jimmy McCombie named at halfback for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights with Jimmy McCombie kicking well at the end of the opening set of six tackles of the match when to the left of the dummy half Jimmy McCombie drove his right foot kick hard and low deep into Newcastle territory with the Knights fullback tackled inside his own ten metre area.

Jimmy McCombie put in another outstanding long tactical kick in the 18th minute when from on the halfway mark Jimmy McCombie once again drove his kick into the left corner with all that the Knights fullback could do was collect the ball near the corner and dive infield and submit to the tackle just out from his own try line.

Jimmy McCombie showcased his passing game in the 33rd minute when to the left of the play the ball and just inside Newcastle territory Jimmy McCombie threw a good ball to his left to a charging Jed Mulcahy who made twenty metres, the majority of which were post contact metres.

Unfortunately Jimmy McCombie had to leave the field through injury early in the second half but thankfully Jimmy McCombie was able to return to the field and play the final ten minutes of the match.

Jimmy McCombie was also named to start at halfback in Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters with Jimmy McCombie making a stepping run of ten metres in the 24th minute after taking possession to the left of the play the ball near the halfway mark.

Jimmy McCombie almost recorded a try assist in the 30th minute when from six metres out and to the left of the play the ball Jimmy McCombie threw a great cut-out pass to his left to his winger who was brought down just centremetres short of the try line.

Jimmy McCombie was also named at halfback for Round Three against the South Coast Dragons with Jimmy McCombie scoring in the 53rd minute when he chased through a Riley Loughland grubber kick into the in-goal to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Jimmy McCombie was in fact the reason that the Northern Rivers Titans had that field position as from the kick-off to a minutes earlier Dragons try Jimmy McCombie put in a hard low deliberate kick-off to find touch thirty metres out to his right. Jimmy McCombie scored from the subsequent set of six tackles.

Whilst Jimmy McCombie started the match at halfback he played the second half at fullback.

Jimmy McCombie continued as captain and halfback in Round Four against the Northern Tigers with Jimmy McCombie recording two try assists in a big Northern Rivers Titans victory.

Jimmy McCombie’s initial try assist came in just the 2nd minute when from eight metres out from the try line and just to the left of the uprights Jimmy McCombie threw a great long cut-out pass to his left to put Owen Woods over to score in the left corner.

Jimmy McCombie added his second try assist in the 48th minute when he ran the ball to the left of the play the ball and when he was thirty five metres out from the try line Jimmy McCombie drew a defender out of the defensive line and threw a great short ball to his left to Jed Mulcahy who burst through a gap, beat the fullback to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Jimmy McCombie made a good run in the 34th minute when from twenty two metres out and to the right of the play the ball Jimmy McCombie dummied and stepped his way to six metres out in the centre of the field.

Jimmy McCombie highlighted the efficiency of his kicking game in the opening minute of the match when from five metres inside his own territory Jimmy McCombie put in a searching right foot kick into the right corner with the kick too good for the Tigers fullback who knocked the ball on with the Titans scoring from the subsequent set of six tackles.

Jimmy McCombie made a strong tackle in conjunction with Beau Hartmann in the 33rd minute on the Tigers right centre (No. 4), driving him backwards three metres.

Jimmy McCombie also started at halfback in Round Five against the North Coast Bulldogs with Jimmy McCombie making a strong tackle on the North Coast No. 11 in the 39th minute forty metres out from the try line. Jimmy McCombie made another good tackle in the 47th minute on his stepping opposite thirty metres out from the try line.

Jimmy McCombie then made one of the tackles of the match with a try saving effort in the 53rd minute on the North Coast left centre just two metres from the try line after he had burst through the initial defensive line.

At the 2023 Northern Rivers Titans Awards presentation Jimmy McCombie received the 2023 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup Players Player Award.

Even though he was still U16 eligible in 2023 Jimmy McCombie was named to make his NRRRL U18 debut in Round Four for the Byron Bay Devils when Jimmy McCombie started at halfback against the Cudgen Hornets with Jimmy McCombie recording two try assists in a ten point Devils victory.

Jimmy McCombie recorded his first try assist in the 37th minute with a good short ball to his left from twelve metres out from the try line to put his left second rower over to score.

Jimmy McCombie added a second try assist four minutes later in the 41st minute when to the left of the play the ball Jimmy McCombie took the ball deep into the defensive line and then at the last moment when he was around ten metres out Jimmy McCombie put in a left foot grubber kick into the in-goal with his outside support winning the race to dive onto the ball in the in-goal mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Jimmy McCombie also recorded a line break in the 28th minute with a run to the left of the play the ball from forty metres out from his own try line Jimmy McCombie initially shaped to pass but instead Jimmy McCombie ran the ball himself and beat three defenders when he was six metres inside Hornets territory and even after that Jimmy McCombie cut back towards the centre of the field to make a further ten metres.

Jimmy McCombie also recorded a line break assist in the 17th minute when from the left of the play the ball thirty eight metres out from the try line Jimmy McCombie took the ball right to the defensive line and at the last moment threw a smart inside short ball to his right to put his left second rower through a gap.

Earlier in the 13th minute Jimmy McCombie jumped high to take a Hornets bomb to the Devils left on the full twelve metres out from the try lien under pressure. Then in the 36th minute from the left of the play the ball and four metres from the try line Jimmy McCombie put in a grubber kick which was blocked by Cudgen with Byron Bay getting the ball back with another attacking set of six tackles with Jimmy McCombie setting up a try in that same set of tackles.

Round Seven against the Lower Clarence Magpies saw Jimmy McCombie don the No. 12 jersey for the Devils with Jimmy McCombie all over the field in a good Devils victory including a line break in just the 3rd minute of the match when from six metres inside his own territory Jimmy McCombie took possession of the ball to the right of a Byron Bay penalty tap restart with Jimmy McCombie executing a stutter step near the halfway mark to break through the Lower Clarence defensive line with Jimmy McCombie stepping off his right foot to beat the fullback and then getting to within twenty metres of the try line before getting a right arm of-load away to his left.

Jimmy McCombie made a second line break in the 52nd minute when from twenty metres from his own try line and after receiving an off-load from his right, Jimmy McCombie ran to his left and after using his speed to get between two defenders, Jimmy McCombie ran to ten metres inside Lower Clarence territory before getting an off-load back inside to prevent Jimmy McCombie from being dragged over the left touchline.

The 17th minute saw Jimmy McCombie make a further good run from another Byron Bay penalty tap restart with Jimmy McCombie carrying the ball from eight metres inside Lower Clarence territory to within twenty three metres of the try line.

Jimmy McCombie continued at halfback in Round Nine against the Mullumbimby Giants with Jimmy McCombie scoring in the 36th minute with Jimmy McCombie starting and finishing the try scoring movement. Jimmy McCombie received the ball to the left of the play the ball four metres inside his own territory and after running the ball to five metres inside Mullumbimby territory threw a good inside pass to his hooker who burst through the defence and after drawing the fullback he got the ball away to his left back to Jimmy McCombie had continued to back the play up with Jimmy McCombie then running twenty five metres to score under the posts untouched.

Jimmy McCombie also recorded a try assist in the 11th minute when from twenty metres out and to the right of the play the ball but on the left side of the field, Jimmy McCombie put in a hard right foot grubber kick into the in-goal with the ball sitting up perfectly for his left centre to take possession and score five metres to the right of the uprights.

Jimmy McCombie then recorded a line break assist in the 59th minute from thirty five metres out form his own try line and to the left of the play the ball and after dummying to an inside runner Jimmy McCombie drew in the Giants right winger and got the ball away to his right centre who broke away down the touchline.

Jimmy McCombie also made a good run in the 34th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball around twenty three metres from his own try line, Jimmy McCombie shoved off one defender and then after cutting back towards the centre of the field, Jimmy McCombie was able to carry the ball to within nine metres of the halfway mark.

Jimmy McCombie also started at halfback in Round Ten against the Kyogle Turkeys and in the 25th minute from the left of the play the ball five metres out Jimmy McCombie put in a right foot grubber kick to his right with the ball being knocked on by Kyogle a metre from the try line five metres from the uprights.

Jimmy McCombie then started at five eight in Round Eleven against the Casino Cougars with Jimmy McCombie kicking a conversion in the 5th minute from ten metres in from the left touchline.

Jimmy McCombie also started at halfback in Round Twelve against the Ballina Seagulls with Jimmy McCombie making a line break in the 53rd minute when after receiving a pass from the dummy half from his left Jimmy McCombie, after continuing to run to his right, showed the ball to his right bore straightening up off a right foot step to make a line break between two defenders on the halfway mark with Jimmy McCombie then stepping off his right foot to look to beat the fullback before being brought to ground thirteen metres out from the try line.

Jimmy McCombie had an impact on the match inside the opening minute when from the Devils kick on the final tackle of the opening set of six of the match, Jimmy McCombie was the first Byron Bay player downfield and was able to affect a one on one strip of the ball from the Seagulls left winger thirty five metres from the try line.

The 7th minute saw Jimmy McCombie put up a mid-field bomb from ten metres inside his own territory with the swirling bomb too good for the Ballina defenders who could not get to the ball on the full with Byron Bay able to retake possession from the kick.

Jimmy McCombie did well defensively in the 27th minute to make a cover defending tackle after a Ballina line break with Jimmy McCombie brining down his opponent from behind ten metres from the try line with Jimmy McCombie’s tackle also forcing a Ballina knock on.

Jimmy McCombie had run the ball well earlier in the match in the 27th minute from the left of the play the ball with Jimmy McCombie able to get the ball from his own thirty nine metre mark to three metres into Ballina territory after initially threatening to pass the ball to his left.

Jimmy McCombie continued at halfback in Round Fourteen against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Jimmy McCombie recording a line break assist in the 58th minute when after taking possession of the ball thirty nine metres out from his own try line and to the right of the play the ball, Jimmy McCombie continued to run the ball to his right and when he had gotten two metres inside Seagulls territory Jimmy McCombie got a pass away to his right to put his winger on a long run down the right touchline.

Earlier in the 9th minute after taking possession of the ball from an off-load from one of his forwards forty two metres from the try line, Jimmy McCombie immediately ran to his left and ran to within eight metres of the try line and ten metres in from the right touchline.

Jimmy McCombie did well defensively in the 12th minute when after the Tweed Heads hooker ran to his right out of dummy half in the last tackle, Jimmy McCombie hit the hooker just as he was able to kick the ball to force a change over just inside his own territory. Then in the 40th minute Jimmy McCombie executed a bit hit on the Seagulls No. 8 and then again in the 44th minute Jimmy McCombie affected a good tackle on the Tweed Heads fullback five metres out from the try line.

Jimmy McCombie then started from the bench in the Week One Elimination Final against Northern United with Jimmy McCombie coming onto the field in the 15th minute and in the 19th minute after running onto the ball to the right of the dummy half Jimmy McCombie was able to get the ball from five metres inside his own territory to ten metres into Northern United territory.

Jimmy McCombie scored in the 47th minute when after taking possession of the ball two passes to the left of the play the ball and sixteen metres from the try line and just to the left of the goal posts, Jimmy McCombie threatened to pass to his left before steeping inside off his left foot before straightening off his run by way of a right foot step with Jimmy McCombie breaking two tackles to score under the posts.

Jimmy McCombie continued from the bench in the Week Two Elimination Final against the Bilambil Jets with Jimmy McCombie coming onto the field to operate in the halves in the 21st minute and in the 48th minute Jimmy McCombie made a strong front on driving tackle on one of the Bilambil replacement front rowers twenty two metres out from the try line in the centre of the field with Jimmy McCombie dumping his opponent on his back.

In early March 2023 Jimmy McCombie was named at halfback in the Lismore Diocesan Open School Boy Rugby League Representative Team to attend the Northern Country selection trials at South West Rocks out of St Johns College Woodlawn.

2023 also saw Jimmy McCombie continue to play for Byron Bay Lennox Head in the Group 18 U16 competition with Jimmy McCombie starting at halfback in the Grand Final victory against the Murwillumbah Colts.

In 2022 Jimmy McCombie attended ST John’s College Woodlawn and after starting at halfback for the Lismore/Armidale representative squad at the U15 Northern Country trials at Tamworth, following Lismore Diocesan selection trials at Xavier College, Ballina, Jimmie McCombie was named in the 2022 U15 Northern College Combined Catholic College School Boy Rugby League Representative squad for the New South Wales U15 School Boy Championships.

2022 also saw Jimmy McCombie play for Byron Bay/Lennox Head in the Group 18 U15 competition including starting in the No. 14 jersey in the Grand Final against the Murwillumbah Colts.

In late September 2022 Jimmy McCombie was named in the New South Wales Country U15 CCC Rugby touring squad.

The outstanding young centre prospect certainly had a 2021 season to remember in both rugby and rugby league.

Early in 2021 Jimmy McCombie captained from inside centre (No. 12) the Far North Coast U14 Representative Rugby side that played in the King of Country Rugby Tournament that was held on the Gold Coast with Jimmy McCombie scoring a double on Day Two in a 24 – 12 victory over the Maroochydore Swans. Jimmy McCombie then was very unlucky not to be named in the King of Country All-Tournament Team as a result of his outstanding performances over the three days of the Tournament.

In addition in 2021 Jimmy McCombie at just 14 years old was named in the New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges (NSWCCC) U15 school boy rugby league representative side. Jimmy McCombie started his 2021 Combined Catholic College selection journey as part of the Lismore Diocese U15 school boy representative side and then Jimmy McCombie represented the Combined Colleges Northern Region side at the New South Wales State Trials, excelling at all levels of the NSWCCC selection process, a great achievement for a young man a year younger than 99% of the other trialists.

Also in 2021 the Byron Bay/Lennox Head Devils junior was selected in the New South Wales Country U14 Representative Rugby Side after dominating the trials whilst representing the North Coast U14 Representative Rugby Team.

From a club rugby perspective in 2021 Jimmy McCombie played a couple of matches for the Lennox Head Trojans in the Far North Coast U14 Rugby Competition including scoring a double from the outside centre position (No. 13) in Round Ten against Wollongbar Alstonville.

From a club rugby league perspective, in 2021 Jimmy McCombie played in the Group 18 U14 competition for Byron Bay/Lennox Heads.

Jimmy McCombie’s first taste of representative honours came in 2019 when he was selected in the North Coast Primary School Rugby League Representative Side.

Jimmy McCombie has very good speed off the mark, which I would consider above average for a centre and can break to the outside quickly, couple that with long arms, which he uses to great effect with a powerful fend makes him difficult to tackle. When opposing centres are able to get hold of him, Jimmy McCombie usually is able to maintain his balance and keeps an arm free, looking to offload to either his inside or outside support.
Jimmy McCombie has more tools though than just an in and away, he will also use his size and strength to run straight over smaller opposing centres as well as also having the skill to step back inside of the defender if he is pushing to the outside too early.
Jimmy McCombie also has a powerful fend which served him well in the NYC competition and in fact has been the reason for at least two of his line breaks this season when his opposing centre has gone high and he has just palmed him off with seemingly little effort. His natural strength is just an impressive attribute.
A real positive for me is that Jimmy McCombie can also run a good inside shoulder line due to the fact that he maintains his spacing in the back line and will quickly identify where his direct opponent is ling up to determine whether it is appropriate to run an inside or outside shoulder line or a “crash” line for that matter, Jimmy McCombie certainly has the courage to run that line regularly which not everybody has.
As you would expect, due to his size and strength, Jimmy McCombie is a very good defender regardless of position. He will not necessarily hit hard but is definitely aggressive and he is very good at mirroring the movement of the opposing centre and wrapping him up ball and all. He is also quick enough to recover and chase if the opposing centre gets on the outside and his long reach is also a positive attribute in those situations.

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

2024 will see Jimmy McCombie play for the Byron Bay Devils in the NRRRL U18 competition for the second season in a row. Jimmy McCombie will also start the 2024 season off as part of the U18 Laurie Daley Cup Northern Rivers Titans squad with Jimmy McCombie also being U18 eligible in 2025.

Jimmy McCombie will also return to St Johns College Woodlawn in 2024 and of course Jimmy McCombie will be involved in their multiple Northern New South Wales School Boy Rugby League competitions.

In both rugby and rugby league Jimmy McCombie has played in the centres and with his elusive running and rock solid defence, Jimmy McCombie’s ceiling is as a representative level rugby league strike centre. For completeness I note that in 2022 Jimmy McCombie spent time at halfback for St Johns College Woodlawn as well as in representative rugby league.

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

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Toetu Misipati Toetu. In 2023 Toetu Misipati Toetu played in the School Boy Rugby League Renouf Shield School Boy Rugby League competition for Marsden SHS and in October 2023 Toetu Misipati Toetu was named at fullback in the 2023 Marsden SHS School Boy Rugby League Team of the Year.

2023 also saw Toetu Misipati Toetu play in the GBJRL U14 Division One competition with the Waterford Demons with Toetu Misipati Toetu scoring twenty two points from three tries and five conversions after starting all of his matches for the Demons at fullback.

Toetu Misipati Toetu scored in Round One against Aspley, Round Eight against Wests Arana Hills and Round Fourteen against the Souths Magpies. Toetu Misipati Toetu kicked two conversions in Round Ten against Easts and also kicked conversions in Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins, Round Seven against the Souths Magpies and Round Eight against Wests Arana Hills.

It is hard to put in words that do justice to just how talented Toetu Misipati Toetu is especially in terms of running the ball, he has outstanding speed both off the mark which I would consider in the plus plus category and top end speed which must be considered above average regardless of position.

Toetu Misipati Toetu with his speed is able to exploit even small gaps in the defensive line with an exceptional step off either foot, Toetu Misipati Toetu also has incredible acceleration as well as outstanding balance and body control. It is that exceptional speed trait which opens up time and space for his incredible (and still evolving) ball playing skills as well.

Teams automatically start to focus heavily on Toetu Misipati Toetu when he has the ball with outside defenders looking to come in to assist that then open up holes wider out in the defensive line that Toetu Misipati Toetu can readily exploit.

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

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

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

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

In 2024 Toetu Misipati Toetu will move up to the Marsden SHS School Boy Rugby League Walters Cup competition with Met East U15 QSSRL School Boy Rugby League representative selection also on the cards for Toetu Misipati Toetu in 2024. Toetu Misipati Toetu will also continue to play for the Waterford Demons in the highly competitive GBJRL U15 Division One competition in 2024.

From a position perspective from what I have seen Toetu Misipati Toetu could play multiple positions including centre and wing but for me with fullback in the modern game being one of the most important positions on the field, Toetu Misipati Toetu presents as a dynamic game changing type of fullback.

From an NRL player comparison perspective, when seeing Toetu Misipati Toetu in full flight you are seemingly looking at a mirror image of soon to be again New Zealand Warriors and New Zealand International and former Auckland Blues Super Rugby fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

Like Tuivasa-Sheck, Toetu Misipati Toetu has above average to plus top end speed (and speed off the mark), balance and body control when he has the ball in his hands. Every time that he touches the ball Toetu Misipati Toetu is a threat to break the line himself or manufacture something his team mates.

Simply put Toetu Misipati Toetu looks like he is gliding across the field when he is running with the ball and Toetu Misipati Toetu also has an extra gear he uses to accelerate and literally just explodes through gaps. When he is either returning a kick or hunting around the centre of the ruck looking for am off load, Toetu Misipati Toetu just accelerates to full speed in a split second and leaves multiple defenders grasping at thin air behind him when he space to operate in.

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Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton. In August 2023 Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton was named in the South Queensland Māori U14 Teina Representative squad and was subsequently named in the Queensland Māori U14 side for the QPICC Carnival with Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton starting at left second row and captain in Round One against Queensland Niue.

Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton scored in the 6th minute when after receiving an off-load from his right when six metres out from the try line Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton carried one defender over the try line with him to get the ball down mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

In the 21st minute Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton made the second hit-up of the second half from the left of the play the ball to carry the ball from twenty three metres from his own try line to thirty six metres out.

Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton made a strong defensive effort in the 3rd minute with a driving right shoulder hit on the Fijian right winger No. 2 forty metres out from the try line.

Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton also started at left second row and captain in Round Two against Queensland Nuie with Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton scoring once again in the 6th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball on the halfway mark Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton was hit by two defenders almost immediately byt after getting away from those two defenders Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton beat the Niue fullback on his right twenty metres out with Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton then bringing the ball around to put it down under the posts.

In the 4th minute after taking possession of the ball thirty eight metres out from the try line and to the left of the play the ball, Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton put through a right foot grubber kick for himself with Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton retrieving the ball after sliding forward. Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton then got to his feet and ran the ball to his right towards the centre of the field and carry the ball to within ten metres of the try line.

Then in the 24th minute Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton ran the ball out of dummy half to his right from thirty four metres out from his own try line and after carrying the ball to within four metres of the halfway mark Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton was able to get his right arm free and get an off-load away to his left.

Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton continued at left second row and captain against Qld PEGA Tonga in Round Three with Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton having a big match on the way to scoring two tries.

Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton scored his opening try in the 7th minute when after reaching back with his right arm to take a pass from his right and above his head forty metres out from the try line, Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton charged downfield and dummied to his left to beat the Tonga fullback and bring the ball around to score under the posts. Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton then made a good return from the subsequent kick-off to get the ball to within six metres of the halfway mark.

Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton completed his double in the 22nd minute when after receiving the ball two passes to the left of the play the ball forty metres out, Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton beat the Tonga fullback with pace to get the ball down six metres in from the left corner post.

Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton also recorded a try assist in the 24th minute when after receiving the ball from his right from his five eight forty one metres from the try line, Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton charged downfield and after drawing the Tonga fullback passed to his right to Fabion Cowan who raced twenty six metres to score under the posts.

After making the opening tackle of the match from the Queensland Māori kick-off Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton made a great take low down of a Tonga kick-off near the left touchline twenty metres from the try line and was still able to make a ten metre return.

In the 39th minute after receiving an off-load from his right forty metres out from his own try line Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton stepped his way to fifteen metres inside Tonga territory before getting an off-load away to his right.

Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton continued at left second row in Round Four against Queensland Samoa.

Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton also started at left second row in Māori’s Semi-Final against the Cooks Islands.

Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton finished the 2023 QPICC Carnival as the U14 Division’s equal second leading try scorer with four tries.

Even though he was still U14 eligible in 2023 Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton played in the GBJRL U15 Division One competition for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls and whilst he played the majority of the regular season at left second row, Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton came off the bench in the Finals including the Seagulls tough two point Grand Final loss against the Norths Devils.

In the 2023 GBJRL U15 Division One competition Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton scored a total of nine tries and Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton also kicked a conversion in Round Thirteen against the Redcliffe Dolphins.

Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton scored three doubles, being in Round One against Beenleigh, Round Three against Redlands and Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins. Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton also scored in Round Two against Aspley, Round Seven against Logan Brothers and Round Three against the Dolphins.

Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton is an outstanding athlete and this can be seen when he is running with the football. In his carries Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton 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.

Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton 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, Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton does not try to run over defenders, but Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton runs at the gaps between defenders and uses his running speed to break through if defenders only use their arms on the tackle.

Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton 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 Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton’s left foot step and his fending using his right hand are the effective attributes, but based on Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton’s 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 Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton 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 Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton has the ability to hit very hard, by setting a good base and driving through his lower body and core into his opponent. Ultimately though Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton is a strong defender with a good front on technique and good lateral movement to track and defend against smaller opponents either on the fringes or centre of the ruck.

Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton will play the 2024 season with the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in the GBJRL U15 Division One competition as well as continued to play for Mabel Park SHS with Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton pushing for QSSRL U15 School Boy Rugby League Representative selection for Met East.

Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton is a big, strong and powerful young man who also has outstanding speed and size thus I believe that Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton will continue to operate very effectively in the second row.

With his power, size and speed, Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton has a very close similarity in playing style to the Titans own Queensland second rower David Fifita. Both Fifita and Diezel Guillonta-McCarthy Brandt-Hamilton are outstanding and brutal runners of the ball on the fringes of the ruck (and wider) and both also can more than handle themselves in relation to their defensive duties both from an initial contact and tackling efficiency perspective.