My take on our top juniors

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Lincoln Mitchell. In September 2023 Lincoln Mitchell played for a Titans U14 side that played against another Titans U14 side in a match in Ipswich which saw the two sides both wear Titans jersey to give the players a great experience.

2023 also saw Lincoln Mitchell play for Keebra Park SHS in the School Boy Rugby League Renouf Shield competition with Lincoln Mitchell scoring in the 42nd minute of Round Five against Mabel Park SHS when after running onto the ball to the right of a Keebra Park SHS penalty restart from twelve metres out, Lincoln Mitchell broke through two tackles eight metres out with Lincoln Mitchell stumbling but ultimately regaining his balance and crashing over to score three metres to the left of the goal posts.

Lincoln Mitchell had a strong Round Six match against St Marys Toowoomba with Lincoln Mitchell charging onto the ball in the 2nd minute from the right of the play the ball to get the ball from his own twenty metre mark out to the thirty one metre mark.

Lincoln Mitchell then made a good kick-off return in the 9th minute to get the ball out to the thirty five metre mark. Then in the 45th minute after running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball ran the ball from thirty five metres out from the try line to within five metres of the try line.

Lincoln Mitchell then followed up with another strong kick-off return to get the ball out to the thirty metre mark. Then two tackles later Lincoln Mitchell was able to make a further twelve metres.

Lincoln Mitchell continued in the front row in the Round Seven School Boy local derby against PBC SHS and in the 3rd minute after running onto the ball to the left of the dummy half Lincoln Mitchell was able to carry from his own thirty metre mark to within nine metres of the halfway mark.

In the 42nd minute from the right of the play the ball Lincoln Mitchell was able to promote the ball from five metres inside his own territory to twelve metres into PBC SHS territory. Then in the 48th minute from a Keebra Park SHS penalty restart ten metres inside Keebra Park SHS territory Lincoln Mitchell was able to carry the ball to four metres into PBC SHS territory after Lincoln Mitchell won the penalty when he was not allowed to his feet in a timely fashion.

Lincoln Mitchell also played for Runaway Bay in the Gold Coast Junior Rugby League U14 Division One competition including starting at right second row in the 19 - 18 extra time victory against the Coomera Cutters.

Lincoln Mitchell also started at right second row in the Week Three Preliminary Final against the Burleigh Bears with Lincoln Mitchell held up over the try line ten metres in from the right corner post after a ten metre charge.

Lincoln Mitchell started in the front row in the Week One Major Semi-Final against the Burleigh Bears.

Lincoln Mitchell also started in the front row in the Week Two Final against the Southport Tigers with Lincoln Mitchell making a strong kick-off return in the 10th minute to get the ball out to the thirty five metre mark. Then in the 23rd minute from the right of the play the ball, Lincoln Mitchell charged into open space from twenty six metres out and was only tripped up a metre from the try line after he had tried to hurdle the Tigers fullback.

After starting Round Twelve against the Southport Tigers at lock Lincoln Mitchell scored in the 18th minute when to the left of the play the ball Lincoln Mitchell broke through the Tigers defensive line on the halfway mark with Lincoln Mitchell then beating the Tigers fullback by way of a left foot step with Lincoln Mitchell then able to put the ball down to score under the posts.
Lincoln Mitchell is a powerful runner of the ball who runs with a slight jink, usually off his right foot, in his step prior to impacting the defensive line and from when he receives the ball until he hits the defensive line Lincoln Mitchell is able to build up significant momentum.
Lincoln Mitchell displays outstanding speed both off the mark and over an extended distance when in the clear for a player his size. Also when Lincoln Mitchell has impacted the defensive line he continues to pump his legs and gain extra metres after contact. The 2019 GCRL U15 Division One Grand Final performance provides ample evidence of this.
As noted he is a solidly built young front rower with a low centre of gravity, which makes him quite difficult to tackle. Like his footwork Lincoln Mitchell will show flashes of the ability to off load the ball and with experience this attribute will continue to develop both in terms of when he has impacted the defensive line and prior to contact.
Lincoln Mitchell’s lateral movement is outstanding for a front rower and he is powerful enough to combat the largest of opponents looking to run through the centre of the ruck. Lincoln Mitchell also has the functional strength to combat attackers on a one on one basis. His initial contact is outstanding as is his ability to put any size attacker quickly and effectively on the ground and effectively slow down the speed of the play the ball.
2024 will see Lincoln Mitchell continue at Keebra Park SHS moving up to the Hancock Cup School Boy Rugby League competition with School Boy U15 representative honours for South Coast definitely not out of the question for Lincoln Mitchell.

Lincoln Mitchell will also continue to play for Runaway Bay in the Gold Coast Rugby League U15 Division One competition in 2024.

Lincoln Mitchell has played the majority of the last couple of seasons either at lock or in the front row as a solidly built powerful young man, and thus Lincoln Mitchell is likely to stay in the front row for the duration of his rugby league career.

From a player comparison perspective for Lincoln Mitchell, think of someone along the lines of New Zealand International and Melbourne Storm’s (soon to be Redcliffe Dolphin) Kenny Bromwich as a hard working forward who is more than a solid player but will also on occasion flash some plus skills and speed.

Like Kenny Bromwich, Lincoln Mitchell has very underrated late and quick footwork just prior to engaging the defensive line which enables Lincoln Mitchell to push through gaps in the defensive line and making a solid amount of post contact metres regardless of the size of the opposition forward pack.

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Jack Hamilton. In September 2023 Jack Hamilton played for a Titans U14 side that played against another Titans U14 side in a match in Ipswich which saw the two sides both wear Titans jersey to give the players a great experience.

Jack Hamilton Mitchell also played for Runaway Bay in the Gold Coast Junior Rugby League U14 Division One competition including starting at left second row in the 19 - 18 extra time victory against the Coomera Cutters with Jack Hamilton named Player of the Match.

Jack Hamilton scored in the Grand Final in the 14th minute when after running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball ten metres out, Jack Hamilton contacted the Coomera defensive line and to gain a degree of separation, Jack Hamilton spun clockwise and crashed over to score ten metres in from the left corner post.

Jack Hamilton also started at left second row in the Week Three Preliminary Final against the Burleigh Bears with Jack Hamilton running an underneath route from the right of the play the ball with Jack Hamilton able to get the ball from five metres inside his own territory to thirty three metres out from the try line.

Round One of the 2023 GCRL U14 Division One competition saw Jack Hamilton start at left second row for the Runaway Bay Seagulls against the Southport Tigers with Jack Hamilton kicking a conversion in the 5th minute from directly in front of the posts to conversion Lyric Poto’s try,

Jack Hamilton also made a line break in the 6th minute when after the Seagulls had spun the ball from their right to the left from a Southport kick-off Jack Hamilton received the ball from his inside thirty metres out from his own try line with Jack Hamilton charging down the left touchline before being tackled thirty five metres out from the try line.

In Round Eight against the Southport Tigers Jack Hamilton recorded a try assist in the 40th minute when after receiving the ball wide on the left in space Jack Hamilton ran the ball from thirty metre metres out from the try line to twenty metres out and then after drawing the Southport right winger, Jack Hamilton passed to his left to put his left centre over to score.

Jack Hamilton score in the 29th minute of Round Nine against the Helensvale Hornets when with the play the ball twelve metres out and to the right of the goal posts, jack Hamilton ran out of dummy half to his right with Jack Hamilton straightening up his run and get between two defenders to score under the posts.

Jack Hamilton then recorded two try assists in Round Ten against the Burleigh Bears with Jack Hamilton playing at left second row.

Both of Jack Hamilton’s try assists in the 37th and 44th minute in many respects were very similar, in both cases Lyric Poto scored in the left corner after an approximate ten metre run and on both occasions Lyric Poto received the ball from his right in space after Jack Hamilton had done exceptionally well to draw the Bears defence to him and off-loaded to his left Lyric Poto.

After starting at left second row in Round Twelve against the Southport Tigers Jack Hamilton scored twice and also recorded a try assist in a big Seagulls victory.

Jack Hamilton scored the first of his two tries in the 26th minute when after being tackled just short of the try line and being awarded a penalty Jack Hamilton ran onto the ball from the Runaway Bay penalty tap restart from ten metres out and was able to fore his way over the try line between two defenders to get the ball down over the try line mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.

Jack Hamilton completed his double in the 55th minute when after taking possession of the ball thirty four metres from the try line and to the right of the dummy half Jack Hamilton used a right arm fend to beat one defender with Jack Hamilton then grabbed by the Southport fullback ten metres out, but Jack Hamilton was able to shake the fullback and two other defenders away before carrying two more defenders over the try line with him to get the ball down eight metres to the right of the goal posts.

Jack Hamilton also recorded a try assist in the 43rd minute when after being stopped three metres short of the try line from a charge from ten metres out and to the right of the play the ball, jack Hamilton was able to get both of his arms free and get an off-load away to his right for Deshawn Compton to dart over to score eleven metres in from the right corner post.

Jack Hamilton is a powerful runner of the ball and once he has generated momentum he is very difficult to stop and regularly has been able to drag defenders with him after initial contact has been made.

Once he is in space, Jack Hamilton actually has very good speed, I would consider it above average when analysing his speed from a rugby league forward’s perspective, to add to the difficulties for the defensive line, he runs with a high knee lift and also has a powerful right hand fend.

Defensively the most impressive aspect of Jack Hamilton’s play is his ability to make effective tackle after effective tackle. Whilst his stamina is impressive, so is Jack Hamilton’s initial contact, he uses his strength and leverage to hit the ball carrier hard forcing critical momentum changes to the ball carriers running line.

Jack Hamilton is also adept at wrapping up the ball and preventing offloads as he uses his functional strength to engage ball carriers. Defensively in a covering role he is also very effective as even though he is a big strong forward Jack Hamilton has very good catch up speed and a solid low tackling technique from a side aspect.

Jack Hamilton will continue to play for Runaway Bay in the Gold Coast Rugby League U15 Division One competition in 2024.

Jack Hamilton is a solidly built player but with his speed and foot work looks set to continue in the second row for at least the next couple of seasons, if not longer.

With his good, size, speed and late crisp footwork Jack Hamilton reminds me of Redcliffe Dolphins second rower Connelly Lemulemu in relation to his playing style. Both Lemulemu and Jack Hamilton run flat out at the defensive line but also incorporate late and subtle movement to their running lines.

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Deshawn Compton. In September 2023 Deshawn Compton played for a Titans U14 Invitational side that played against another Titans Invitational U14 side in a high quality match in Ipswich which saw the two sides both wear Titans jersey to give the players a great experience.

The match saw Deshawn Compton make his first appearance in a Titans jersey with Deshawn Compton making a line break in the first half when Deshawn Compton ran to his right out of dummy half from forty three metres out from the try line and after bursting straight through the centre of the defensive line Deshawn Compton was eventually brought down from behind twenty metres out from the try line.

Deshawn Compton showcased a variety of skills in the Titans match including a good kick out of dummy half in the first place with Deshawn Compton stepped out of dummy half and drove a low right foot kick towards the right corner.

2023 saw Deshawn Compton continue at Keebra Park SHS with Deshawn Compton moving up to the School Boy Renouf Shield Competition with Deshawn Compton starting at hooker and was the sole try scorer against Wavell SHS in Round One.

In the 12th minute Deshawn Compton moved out of dummy half to his left and after dummying in the same direction Deshawn Compton darted forward to burrow his way over the try line from four metres out to get the ball down mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

A minute earlier in the 11th minute Deshawn Compton had run out of dummy half to his right to carry the ball from twenty five metres out from the try line to fourteen metres out, breaking three tackles along the way.

In the 17th minute Deshawn Compton ran to his right out of dummy half from forty two metres, getting to within thirty metres of the try line.

After missing Round Two Deshawn Compton started at hooker in Round Three against Marsden SHS with Deshawn Compton running out of dummy half to his right in the 24th minute to get the ball from sixteen metres from his own try line to thirty two metres out.

Deshawn Compton also started at hooker in Round Five against Mabel Park SHS with Deshawn Compton recording a line break in the 24th minute when after running onto the ball to the right of a Keebra Park SHS penalty restart in the centre of the field thirty metres out, Deshawn Compton burst straight through the heart of the Mabel Park SHS defensive line only being brought to ground just two metres from the try line and directly in front of the goal posts.

Deshawn Compton continued at hooker in Round Six against St Mary’s College Toowoomba with Deshawn Compton making a line break in the 26th minute when after running onto the ball to the left of the dummy half, Deshawn Compton, from five metres inside his own territory, burst straight through the heart of the St Mary’s defensive line before being brought down just fifteen metres out from the try line.

Earlier in the 19th minute Deshawn Compton ran out of dummy half to his left from ten metres inside his own territory to sixteen metres into St Mary’s territory.

Deshawn Compton also started at hooker in the Round Seven Gold Coast School Boy derby against PBC SHS.

DeShawn Compton also continued to play for the Runaway Bay Seagulls in the 2023 GCRL U14 Division One competition including starting at hooker in the Seagulls extra time Grand Final victory 19 – 18 against the Coomera Cutters with Deshawn Compton putting the ball down over the try line in the 22nd minute mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field off an Ezrah Tangianu grubber however the referee ruled that Deshawn Compton was in front of the kicker.

In the 8th minute of extra time Ezrah Tangianu positioned himself behind the play the ball and after receiving a bullet pass out of dummy half Deshawn Crompton, Ezrah Tangianu slotted the Grand Final winning field goal from eighteen metres out and directly in front of the posts. Deshawn Compton’s exquisite pass out of dummy half gave Ezrah Tangianu the time and space to execute the field goal.

Deshawn Compton made his opening foray out of dummy half in the Grand Final when after running out of dummy half to his right three metres inside Coomera territory Deshawn Compton was able to make sixteen metres through the heart of the Coomera defensive line. Then in the 45th minute Deshawn Compton ran out of dummy half to his left and ran through the centre of the field from forty five metres from the try line to thirty metres out.

In the 3rd minute of extra time, being the 63rd minute of the match Deshawn Compton ran out of dummy half once again to his right and was able to carry the ball from twenty five metres from the try line to twelve metres out with Deshawn Compton then awarded a penalty for ruck interference.

Inside the opening minute of the match Deshawn Compton showed that he was up for the Grand Final with a strong kick chase effort to make the Seagulls opening tackle of the match thirty seven metres away from the Cutters try line.

Deshawn Compton also started at hooker in the Week Three Preliminary Final against the Burleigh Bears with Deshawn Compton running to his right out of dummy half in the 42nd minute to get the ball from thirty three metres out from the try line to twenty metres out.

Deshawn Compton continued at hooker in the Week Two Elimination Final against the Southport Tigers with Deshawn Compton running to his right out of dummy half to run the ball from thirty four metres away from his try line to the halfway mark in the first half.

Deshawn Compton did well to force a Southport goal line drop-out in the 51st minute when from dummy half and a metre from the try line just to the right of the goal posts, Deshawn Compton put in a right foot grubber kick to his left which was taken dead by the Tigers defence.

Deshawn Compton started at hooker in the in the Week One Major Semi-Final against the Burleigh Bears with Deshawn Compton held up under the goal posts in the 37th minute after a dart out of dummy half from three metres out to his right after Deshawn Compton had dummied to his left.

Round One of the 2023 GCRL U14 Division One competition saw Deshawn Compton start at hooker for the Runaway Bay Seagulls against the Southport Tigers with Deshawn Compton scoring in the 33rd minute with a dart out of dummy half to his right from less than a metre out from the try line with Deshawn Compton burrowing over to score four metres in from the left corner post.

Deshawn Compton also scored in Round Five against the Helensvale Hornets when in the second half Deshawn Compton ran out of dummy half to his left from two metres out from the ty line to force his way over to score under the posts.

Deshawn Compton scored once again in Round Eight against the Southport Tigers when in the 44th minute with the play the ball two metres from the try line, Deshawn Compton ran to his left out of dummy half and was able to force two defenders backwards to get the ball down under the posts.

Deshawn Compton continued his try scoring exploits in Round Nine against the Helensvale Hornets with Deshawn Compton running out of dummy half to his right in the 37th minute from four metres from the try line with Deshawn Compton bale to burrow hi way over to get the ball down six metres to the right of the goal posts.

Deshawn Compton also recorded a try assist in the 55th minute when after following through a Runaway Bay attacking chip kick towards the left corner, Deshawn Compton was able to retrieve the ball and with a defender on his back and whilst facing his own try line Deshawn Compton was able to get both of his arms free and get a two handed off-load away directly behind him for his halfback to dive over to score just in from the left corner post.

After starting at hooker in Round Twelve against the Southport Tigers Deshawn Compton an impressive hat trick.

Deshawn Compton scored his opening try in the 22nd minute when Deshawn Compton ran out of dummy half to his left from four metres from the try line and after shaping to pass to his right, Deshawn Compton ran himself and was able to force his way over the try line to get the ball down four metres to the right of the goal posts.

Deshawn Compton scored a second try in the 43rd minute when after Jack Hamilton charged onto a Deshawn Compton pass to the right of the play the ball and ten metres from the try line Jack Hamilton was stopped three metres short of the try line but was able to get both of his arms free and get an off-load away to his right for Deshawn Compton to dart over to score eleven metres in from the right corner post.

Deshawn Compton completed his hat trick in the 47th minute when Deshawn Compton stepped to his right from dummy half two metres out and put in a right foot grubber kick aimed towards the in-goal area and after the ball had deflected off a defenders foot and rebounded back to him Deshawn Compton was able to get over the try line and get the ball down ten metres to the right of the goal posts.

2023 also saw Deshawn Compton selected in the Queensland Samoa U14 representative side for the 2023 QPICC Annual Cultural Carnival

In 2022 Deshawn Compton played for the Runaway Bay Seagulls in the GCRL U13 Division One competition, including a great performance in the Seagulls Preliminary Final against Burleigh with Deshawn Compton starting the match at hooker and scoring in a tough Seagulls loss one win short of the Premiership decider.

Deshawn Compton scored his try in the final minutes of the first half when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball and eight metres out from the try line Deshawn Compton ran the ball down a short left blindside and crashed over to score two metres in from the left corner post through sheer will power alone.

Deshawn Compton had almost scored earlier in the match in the opening minutes of the first half when from three metres out and directly in front of the posts, Deshawn Compton initially shaped to pass to his right before darting to his left only to be held up under the posts by three Burleigh defenders.

Deshawn Compton also started at hooker in Week Two of the Finals against the Coomera Cutters with Deshawn Compton scoring the Seagulls only try of the match in the dying minutes when from two metres out from the try line, Deshawn Compton ran to his right out of dummy half and burrowed his way over to get the ball down ten metres to the right of the uprights.

Week One of the 2022 GCR LU13 Division One Finals saw Deshawn Compton continue at hooker against Burleigh with Deshawn Compton scoring an impressive hat trick in an impressive Seagulls 20 -10 victory.

Deshawn Compton scoring his opening try of the match inside the opening minute when with the play the ball less than a metre from the try line on the right side of the field Deshawn Compton after picking up the ball took a step backwards and shaped to pass to his left but at the last second darted forward to score just to the right of the play the ball and ten metres in from the right corner post.

Deshawn Compton scored his second try 21st minute and once again Deshawn Compton scored from a drat out of dummy half, on this occasion running to his right and three metres out from the right corner post.

Deshawn Compton completed his hat trick from dummy half once again in the 53rd minute and as was the case for his opening three tries, Deshawn Compton got down low and ran to his right to force his way over to get the ball down under the posts.

Deshawn Compton continued his try scoring exploits in Round Fourteen against the Mudgeeraba Redbacks with Deshawn Compton scoring from dummy half after running to his right from close range to get the ball down near the right corner in the opening minutes of the second half.

Deshawn Compton added a second try against the Redbacks in the 52nd minute when from twenty metres out from his own try line Deshawn Compton ran to his right and straight through the centre of the Mudgeeraba defensive line and then with no fullback in position Deshawn Compton raced away to score under the posts.

Deshawn Compton also scored in Round Thirteen against the Beaudesert Kingfishers when Deshawn Compton ran to his right out of dummy half from seven metres out to score twelve metres in from the right corner post.

Deshawn Compton added a further try in Round Eleven against Burleigh White in the 5th minute when from a metre out from the try line Deshawn Compton ran to his right out of dummy half to burrow his way over to score right metres to the right of the uprights.

Deshawn Compton also scored in the rescheduled Round Five match against the Jimboomba Thunder when in the 36th minute and from ten metres out Deshawn Compton ran to his left before getting in a very short grubber kick away with Deshawn Compton retrieving the ball and diving over to score ten metres in from the left corner post.

Deshawn Compton also scored against the Jimboomba Thunder in Round Ten, scoring in the 22nd minute with a three metre run out of dummy half to his right to score under the posts with Deshawn Compton getting low to force his way over to score.

Deshawn Compton also forced a Thunder goal line drop-out when after putting in a right foot grubber kick out of dummy half to his right into the in-goal Deshawn Compton chased his own kick through and tackled the Jimboomba fullback around the legs in goal to force the drop-out from under the posts.

Impressively Deshawn Crompton played the entire 2022 GCRL U13 Division One season whilst still eligible for the GCRL U12 competition.

2022 also saw Deshawn Compton line up for Keebra Park SHS in the Bronco’s Old Boys competition including starting at five eight in the Grand Final 8 – 6 loss to Wavell SHS. For Keebra Park SHS in the Bronco’s Old Boys competition Deshawn Compton split time between lock and five eight with Deshawn Compton standing out in both positions for the Titans partnered school.

Deshawn Compton had a very strong Round Five match against PBC SHS with Deshawn Compton recording a try assist in the 22nd minute when after calling the ball down a wide left blindside, Deshawn Compton threw a great cut-out pass to his left from ten metres out to put his left winger over in the corner.

Deshawn Compton got his 2022 Bronco’s Old Boys School Boy season off to a strong start by scoring in Round One against Ipswich SHS. In the 17th minute Deshawn Compton took a pass from the dummy half from his left high above his head around nine metres out and after taking possession, Deshawn Compton stepped off his right foot and charged over to score mid-way between the corner post and goal posts on the left side of the field.

September 2022 saw Deshawn Compton named in the Queensland Samoa Southern Sharks U14 representative side.

From an attacking stand point, Deshawn Compton has solid distribution skills in relation to his passing skills to either side of his body and uses a solid, repeatable passing technique to ensure consistency, thus enabling his forwards and play makers have confidence that his passes will find the mark with the appropriate velocity attached on every occasion.

From a speed perspective I would consider that his speed when running out of dummy half is above average for a hooker but plays faster as he has become adept at running at the right time and focusses heavily when the markers are out of position, thus Deshawn Compton either makes ground putting his team on the front foot or draws a penalty, in both scenario’s he generates momentum for his side through the skill and intelligence he has.

The impressive thing about when Deshawn Compton runs out of dummy half is the fact that he does not run to the same side all of the time, he will make a judgement on where the defence is the weakest and respond accordingly.

From a defensive perspective Deshawn Compton is a very solid tackler who makes good initial contact and is able to generate momentum through his core and drive into his opponent with enough force to redirect the momentum of the ball carrier. Deshawn Compton has both a solid low tackling technique as well as having the functional strength to make ball and all tackles effectively against the biggest of forwards looking to target him in the defensive line.

Deshawn Compton is also very quick out of the marker position and will get to forwards how are running one out before they can generate any momentum. In short, Deshawn Crompton defends like a backrower and certainly if he finds himself on the fringes of the ruck, Deshawn Compton has the lateral movement and anticipation to also defend against smaller quicker halves looking to exploit a perceived speed advantage.

2024 will see Deshawn Compton continue at Keebra Park SHS moving up to the Hancock Cup School Boy Rugby League competition and Deshawn Compton will also continue to play for the Runaway Bay Seagulls in the GCRL U15 Division One competition. QSSRL U15 South Coast School Boy Rugby League Representative honours are also definitely on the agenda for Deshawn Compton in 2024.

In 2022 Deshawn Compton spent time at five eight, lock and hooker and whilst Deshawn Compton played well in all three of those positions, with his distribution skills out of dummy half, his speed and guile running the ball out of dummy half and his rock solid defence in the centre of the field, I ultimately believe that hooker will be the position that Deshawn Compton that settles in. In saying that there is now doubt that playing at lock and five eight for Keebra Park SHS has only helped Deshawn Compton to develop his overall game.

North Queensland Cowboys and New South Wales State of Origin hooker Brandon Robson is a good player comparison for Deshawn Compton. Both Robson and Deshawn Compton just have that innate ability to know when to run the ball out of dummy half and whilst that is their best trait, both also are very good distributions out of dummy half and both are also very strong defenders in the centre of the field. For me however Deshawn Compton has a lot more speed out of dummy half than the afore mentioned Brandon Robson, a heck of a lot more speed.

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Santino Pekepo-Tavaga. The Palmerston North student and representative level basketballer signed with the Titans mid-way through the 2023 season.

In late September 2023 Santino Pekepo-Tavaga started at left centre for the Titans U16 side in their Antony Laffranchi Cup victory against the Balmain Tigers in Northern New South Wales with Santino Pekepo-Tavaga putting in a strong performance and proved to be very difficult for the Tigers right sided defence to handle when Santino Pekepo-Tavaga was running the ball.

2023 also saw Santino Pekepo-Tavaga selected in the Queensland Samoa U16 representative side for the 2023 QPICC Carnival.

In early 2023 Santino Pekepo-Tavaga lined-up in the centres for the Manawatu U16 Rugby League Representative side.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga plays both basketball and rugby for Palmerston North.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga is a tall young man but he is exceptionally quick, with a lot of his tries coming from long range efforts originating from his own territory, as once he gets into the clear Santino Pekepo-Tavaga is unlikely to be caught by the opposition cover defence.

Due to his size and speed Santino Pekepo-Tavaga is almost impossible to stop one on one in the competitions that he has played in so far in his career, with his favourite move being an in and away to beat his opposing number on the outside and then using his acceleration to break the game apart.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga does not just have top end speed, he has very good acceleration off the mark as well. Santino Pekepo-Tavaga’s fend is decent and as he puts on more muscle it will become more effective due to his long reach, meaning opposing defensive players cannot get close enough to combat him one on one before defensive help arrives.

With his height and reach Santino Pekepo-Tavaga should also be able to develop the ability to offload in tackles, making him even harder to defend. Obviously as a result of his height (and basketball experience) Santino Pekepo-Tavaga is good under the high ball both in attacking and defensive situations.

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

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

2024 will see Santino Pekepo-Tavaga move up to the U18 age group with Santino Pekepo-Tavaga also U18 eligible in 2025. It will be interesting to see when the Titans bring Santino Pekepo-Tavaga over to the Gold Coast whether that be permanently to complete his schooling in Australia or just for just for JTS camps and matches.

With his height and ball skills from playing basketball Santino Pekepo-Tavaga is a very intriguing rugby league outside back prospect with the size, speed and skill set to play a variety of positions including on the wing at fullback and in the centres.

With his height and speed Santino Pekepo-Tavaga has a playing style akin to that of talented Canterbury Boulldogs and former Penrith Panthers and current New South Wales State of Origin and Samoan International fullback or centre and former Australian school boy’s rugby league sensation Stephen Crichton. Both Creighton and Santino Pekepo-Tavaga have height and speed as well as the ability to negotiate their way through congestion when at first glance there did not appear to be any room to move at all. Both Creighton and Santino Pekepo-Tavaga also have outstanding hands from a ball control, passing and kick retrieval perspective.

The scary part is that both Santino Pekepo-Tavaga and Creighton have the capacity to add additional muscle mass (a fair bit too in Santino Pekepo-Tavaga’s case) without at all impacting on their speed, balance and body control. Both Creighton and Santino Pekepo-Tavaga also have outstanding hand eye co-ordination and spacial awareness to add to all of the other outstanding attributes that they both have at their disposal.

With continued rugby league experience under his belt, Santino Pekepo-Tavaga could be a very very special talent indeed for the Titans.

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Julius Matiu-Matiseni. The 180cm and 85kg New Zealand born centre Julius Matiu-Matiseni has signed with the Titans until the end of the 2025 season which is the season when Julius Matiu-Matiseni’s U18 eligibility is exhausted and his High School years are completed as well.

In early June 2023 Julius Matiu-Matiseni was named in the New Zealand Māori U15 Tama Tournament Team after representing Hokianga Storm Whatitiri at the 2023 New Zealand Māori Championships.

In August 2023 Julius Matiu-Matiseni was named in the U15 Auckland Boys North Region of Origin Representative Rugby League squad for a series of matches against Auckland Boys South U15’s.

In New Zealand Julius Matiu-Matiseni attends Tamaki College as well as playing for the Ellerslie Eagles Rugby League club.

Julius Matiu-Matiseni just oozes class on the field he is able to break tackles at will but also understands when it is more appropriate to draw his opponent and pass. Similarly defensively Julius Matiu-Matiseni clearly has a strong appreciation of the defensive aspect of the game in that he knows when to come in and when to slide and let the play develop prior to committing.

Granted I have not seen a great deal of Julius Matiu-Matiseni but he seems to be able to line up on both sides of the field and as a result could also play on the wing and even it fullback moving forward. Heck Julius Matiu-Matiseni at fullback would open up some interesting attacking possibilities for his team that is for sure.

Julius Matiu-Matiseni has very good and explosive speed off the mark, which I would consider above average to plus for a centre and can break to the outside quickly, couple that with long arms, which Julius Matiu-Matiseni uses to great effect with a powerful fend makes him difficult to tackle in any one on one situation.
When opposing centres are able to get hold of him, Julius Matiu-Matiseni usually is able to maintain his balance and keeps an arm free, looking to offload to either his inside or outside support.
Julius Matiu-Matiseni 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 the defender is pushing to the outside too early.
Julius Matiu-Matiseni also has a powerful fend which has served him well in recent seasons with his natural strength is just another impressive attribute in his ****nal.
A real positive for me is that Julius Matiu-Matiseni 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, Julius Matiu-Matiseni certainly has the courage to run that line regularly which not everybody has.
As you would expect, due to his size and strength, Julius Matiu-Matiseni is a very good defender regardless of position. He will not necessarily hit hard but is definitely aggressive and Julius Matiu-Matiseni is very good at mirroring the movement of the opposing centre and wrapping him up ball and all.

Julius Matiu-Matiseni 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, Julius Matiu-Matiseni 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 Julius Matiu-Matiseni chooses to come out of the line to interrupt the attacking movement immediately prior to its development.

Julius Matiu-Matiseni is U16 eligible in 2024 and representative level and school boy rugby league is also on the table for Julius Matiu-Matiseni in 2024.

Julius Matiu-Matiseni is a big, strong and powerful young man already at 180cm and 85kg but make no mistake Julius Matiu-Matiseni also has electric speed, balance and body control and shapes as a generational type of rugby league centre when he fully develops both from a skill and physical perspective.

Julius Matiu-Matiseni is a solidly built centre with outstanding timing, anticipation, elusiveness and speed. No doubt Julius Matiu-Matiseni could also comfortably handle playing a number of other positions but with his speed, ability to read and react to defences and power Julius Matiu-Matiseni will no doubt get a long look at centre before any potential move is considered.

For completeness Julius Matiu-Matiseni has played in the second row on occasion in New Zealand but with his speed and power Julius Matiu-Matiseni will no doubt be given every opportunity to stay in the centres for as long as possible, if not for the duration of what seems set to be an impressive rugby league career.

Manly Sea Eagles fullback or centre Toltau Koula with his outstanding speed and elusiveness is for me a great (and accurate) NRL player comparison for Julius Matiu-Matiseni. Both Koula and Julius Matiu-Matiseni are solidly built players but have express pace, timing, balance, body control and anticipation as well as near unlimited NRL and higher potential.

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Jaylen Taewa. In October 2023 Jaylen Taewa was named in the 2024 Tweed Heads Seagulls U19 Mal Meninga (MM) Cup squad alongside twin brother Jury.

In early November 2021 Jaylen Taewa signed a multi-year professional contract with the Gold Coast Titans also alongside twin brother Jury.

In late September 2022 Jaylen Taewa was named in the 2023 Tweed Heads Seagulls U18 MM Cup squad.

Jaylen Taewa’s first match in 2023 came in late January when he started in the front row for the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup side in their first trial against the Souths Logan Magpies at the Logan Sports Complex.

Jaylen Taewa played the first two questers in the Seagulls trial victory with Jaylen Taewa dominating the ruck for large stretches of his time on the field especially from a defensive perspective with Jaylen Taewa making multiple crunching tackles which sent some of the Magpies forwards reeling backwards.

Jaylen Taewa then started in the front row for the Seagulls for their second trial against the Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup side at Burleigh Juniors as part of the Titans Annual Super Saturday.

After Tweed Heads had a Round One bye Jaylen Taewa was named on the bench in Round Two of the 2023 U18 Mal Meninga Cup against the Brisbane Tigers with Jaylen Taewa coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 23rd minute.

Jaylan Taewa made a strong line break in the 38th minute when after receiving an off-load from his left when thirty eight metres out from his own try line, Jaylen Taewa rumbled downfield and got to withing twenty eight metres of the try line.

Jaylen Taewa also did well in the 58th minute when he held up the Tigers front rower No. 8 over the try line and then from the subsequent play the ball Jaylen Taewa hit the Tigers No. 3 with a great tackle.

Jaylen Taewa also started from the bench in Round Three against the Redcliffe Dolphins and came onto the field to operate in the front row in the 14th minute with Jaylen Taewa doing well in the 18th minute when whilst defending at the marker position less than a metre from his own try line Jaylen Taewa was able to stop the Redcliffe hooker in his tracks next to the right uprights able he had tried to burrow his way over from dummy half.

Jaylen Taewa continued off the bench in Round Four against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Jaylen Taewa coming off the bench to operate in the front row in the 17th minute. Jaylen Taewa’s best run of the match came in the 36th minute when from seventeen metres out and to the left of the play the ball Jaylen Taewa was able to promote the ball to the thirty metre mark from the second hit-up after the second half kick-off.

Jaylen Taewa was then named to make his first 2023 of the 2023 MM Cup season in the front row in Round Five against the Souths Logan Magpies with Jaylen Taewa making a heavy tackle on the Magpies lock in the 11th minute thirty metres out from the try line.

In the 58th minute Jaylen Taewa charged onto the ball to the right of the play the ball from five metre out from his own try line to get the ball to within one metre of the halfway mark.

Jaylen Taewa continued in the front row in Round Six against the Norths Devils as well as in Round Seven against the Burleigh Bears with Jaylen Taewa making the opening hit-up of the match from the kick-off.

In early 2023 Jaylen Taewa was named in the South Coast School Boy Maroon Open Representative side with Jaylen Taewa starting in the front row on Day One against Met North with Jaylen Taewa making the opening hit-up of the match from the kick-off.

Jaylen Taewa make a critical and huge tackle in the 33rd minute when after chasing through a SC Maroon clearing kick, Jaylen Taewa smashed the Met North fullback with a huge front on tackle thirty metres out and in front of his posts with Jaylen Taewa’s heavy contact forcing the ball loose to be picked up by South Coast Maroon.

Jaylen Taewa also started in the front row on Day Two against Met West with Jaylen Taewa making a strong hit-up from the kick-off to the second half to get the ball to the twenty metre mark with Jaylen Taewa then being awarded a penalty for the ball being stripped with two defenders in the tackle.

Jaylen Taewa also started in the front row on Day Three against Capricornia with Jaylen Taewa coming close to scoring in the 56th minute only to be held up over the try line after Jaylen Taewa had collected an off-load eight metres out with Jaylen Taewa held up ten metres in from the right corner post.

Jaylen Taewa then started from the bench in the Day Four third against fourth play-off against Sunshine Coast with Jaylen Taewa coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 14th minute.

Round One of the 2023 School Boy Langer Cup Open A competition saw Jaylen Taewa named to start from the bench for PBC SHS against Marsden SHS however a late change saw Jaylan Taewa start the match in the front row.

Jaylen Taewa then moved to start at lock in Round Two against Caloundra SHS with Jaylen Taewa making a fifteen metre run from the left of the play the ball from five metres inside his own territory to ten metres inside Caloundra SHS territory in the 3rd minute.

Then in the 4th minute Jaylen Taewa smashed the Caloundra SHS lock in a big tackle thirty metres from the Caloundra SHS try line with the lock having to take a few minutes to regain his composure.

Jaylen Taewa continued at lock in Round Three against Mabel Park SHS.

Jaylen Taewa also started at lock in Round Four against Redcliffe SHS with Jaylen Taewa making a strong tackle on the Redcliffe SHS No. 10 in the 32nd minute in the centre of the field and twenty five metres from the try line with the Redcliffe SHS front rower losing possession of the ball as a result of Jaylen Taewa’s heavy initial contact.

Jaylen Taewa continued at lock in Round Five against Ipswich SHS.

Jaylen Taewa was also named at lock in the Round Six Gold Coast derby against Keebra Park SHS with Jaylen Taewa making a good kick-off return in the 30th minute to get the ball out to the twenty metre mark, then a tackle later Jaylen Taewa made ten more metres out to the thirty eight metre mark.

Jaylen Taewa continued at lock in Round Seven against Wavell SHS with Jaylen Taewa along with Brady Turner involved in the opening tackle of the match. Jaylen Taewa then ran onto the ball to the left of the dummy half in the 7th minute to carry the ball from twenty six metres out from his own try line to the forty metre mark.

After PBC SHS finished fourth on the 2023 School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup table after the completion of the regular season, Jaylen Taewa started in the front row for PBC SHS in their Quarter Final clash against Keebra Park SHS.

Jaylen Taewa then started in the front row against Marsden SHS in the Sem-Final with Jaylen Taewa involved in the opening tackle of the match along with front row partner Brady Turner.

The 6th minute saw Jaylen Taewa put on another big tackle, on this occasion on the Marsden SHS lock right on the PBC SHS try line to force the No. 13 backward in front of the left upright. Jaylen Taewa put on another bit hit in the 20th minute on the Marsden SHS No. 18 from a Marsden SHS drop-out return with Jaylen Taewa forcing an incorrect play the ball to give PBC SHS the scrum feed I the centre of the field twenty metres out from their own try line.

In the 4th minute from the left of the play the ball Jaylen Taewa was able to promote the ball from six metres inside his own territory to ten metres into Marsden SHS territory.

Jaylen Taewa also started in the front row in the 2023 School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup Grand Final against Ipswich SHS with Jaylen Taewa along with Brady Turner and Isaac Harrison making the opening tackle of the match from the PBC SHS kick-off. Jaylen Taewa then backed up that effort to also be involved in the second tackle of the match.

In the 6th minute from the right of the play the ball Jaylen Taewa charged onto the ball from thirty five metres out from his own try line to get the ball to the halfway mark, breaking a tackle along the way.

Jaylen Taewa also started in the front row 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 and in the 13th minute from the right of the play the ball Jaylen Taewa broke five tackles as he crashed and bashed his way from thirty six metres out from the try line to thirteen metres out.

Jaylen Taewa continued in the front row in the 2023 NRL School Boy Rugby League Grand Final against Westfields Sports High.

2023 saw Jaylen Taewa play for the Currumbin Eagles in the GCRL U18 Division One competition with Jaylen Taewa’s first match for the Eagles in their red and white coming in Round Four when Jaylen Taewa started in the front row against the Burleigh Bears.

Jaylen Taewa celebrated his first match for the Eagles by scoring in the 15th minute from a two metre run off an off-load from his right to crash over to score six metres to the right of the uprights.

Earlier in the 3rd minute Jaylen Taewa from the right of the play the ball and forty metres from the try line, Jaylen Taewa was able to get the ball to within twenty three metres of the try line.

Then in the 20th minute from the left of the play the ball and thirty three metres from the try line Jaylan Taewa’s charge ended on the twenty metre mark but Burleigh were forced to allocate multiple defensive resources to affect the tackle.

Jaylen Taewa added another strong run in the 52nd minute that almost ended in a second try when from the right of the play the ball and fifteen metres out, Jaylen Taewa took on the Bears forward pack head on and came within three metres of scoring a powerhouse try.

Jaylen Taewa then moved to the front row in Round Nine against the Currumbin Eagles with Jaylen Taewa coming close to scoring in the 12th minute after a surge from twelve metres out saw the ball knocked loose from Jaylen Taewa’s grasp as he was putting the ball down over the try line mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Jaylen Taewa almost scored once again in the 52nd minute when from the left of the play the ball and ten metres from the try line Jaylen Taewa burst past one defender to get within centremetres of the try line in from of the left upright and four Burleigh defenders required to finally stop Jaylen Taewa’s momentum.

The 48th minute saw Jaylen Taewa run onto the ball to the left of the play the ball with Jaylen Taewa able to get the ball from twenty four metres from his own try line to within ten metres of the halfway mark.

Jaylen Taewa made his presence felt with the second tackle of the match when Jaylen Taewa smashed the Burleigh left winger with a huge front on hit ten metres from the halfway mark.

Jaylen Taewa continued in the front row in Round Eleven against the Helensvale Hornets with Jaylen Taewa charging onto the ball to the left of the play the ball from three metres inside his own territory and after bumping off one defender Jaylen Taewa got the ball to ten metres inside Hornets territory.

Jaylen Taewa pulled off a big hit defensively in the 9th minute when he smashed his opposite number with his right shoulder ten metres inside his own territory driving his opponent back four metres.

Jaylen Taewa also started in the front row in Round Twelve against the Coomera Cutters with Jaylen Taewa running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball in the 41st minute thirty two metres from the try line and after tagetting the ball area behind the ball the ball Jaylen Taewa was able to get within eight metres from the try line just to the right of the uprights. In the 60th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball Jaylen Taewa carried the ball from twenty three metres out to within seven metres of the try line.

In late August 2023 Jaylen Taewa was named in the South Queensland Māori U18 Representative side with Jaylen Taewa then named in the Queensland Māori U18 Tane squad for the 2023 QPICC Carnival with Jaylen Taewa starting in the second row in Round One against Queensland PEG Tonga Invitational.

Jaylen Taewa also started in the second row in Round Two against Queensland Niue with Jaylen Taewa taking the second hit-up of the match to get the ball out to the thirty three metre mark.

Jaylen Taewa continued in the front row in Round Three against Queensland PNG.

Jaylen Taewa also started in the front row in Queensland Maori’s Semi-Final against the Queensland PNG.

In late January 2022 Jaylen Taewa started at right second row for the Titans U18 side in a match at Pizzey Park against the Burleigh MM Cup side.

Jaylen Taewa had a key moment early in the match, specifically in the 5th minute with an exceptional try saving tackle on Burleigh five eight Caleb Gould-Waiariki, bringing him down just centre metres short of the try line to save what appeared to be a certain Burleigh try.

In the 14th minute Jaylen Taewa got back deep and charged onto the ball, making fourteen metres to get the ball into Burleigh territory and then he back up to take another hit-up two tackles later, making another fifteen metres.

Jaylen Taewa has always had a hard edge to his game and even at this high level it came to the fore in the 21st minute with a driving front on tackle to put giant Burleigh second rower K-CI Newton-Whare on his back.

In late July 2022 Jaylen Taewa was part of the U17 Future Titans Squad that defenders a Titans U18 Northern Rivers Squad 36 – 8 at Cbus Stadium as a curtain-raiser to the Round Twenty NRL match between the Titans and the Canberra Raiders.

In late 2021 Jaylen Taewa was named in the 2022 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad and is also U18 eligible in 2023.

Round One of the 2022 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition saw Jaylen Taewa start at right second row for the Northern Rivers Titans side against the Macquarie Wests Tigers in Sydney’s west with Jaylen Taewa making his first hit-up of the math inside the Northern Rivers Titans opening set of six match from the kick-off.

Jaylen Taewa hurled himself at the Wests Tigers defensive line once again in the 28th minute with a fourteen metre charge to the right of the play the ball from deep inside his own territory.

Jaylen Taewa showcased his strong initial contact when defending in the 37th minute with a big front on tackle on the Wests Tigers lock forward. Jaylen Taewa made another strong tackle in the 46th minute with a strong front on hit on the Wests Tigers giant left centre (No. 3).

Jaylen Taewa in the 41st minute did well, along with Stevie O’Connor and Harvey Moase to hold up over the try line the Wests Tigers lock who had tried to force his way over the try line from close range out of dummy half.

Jaylen Taewa was also named at left second row in the Round Two local derby against the North Coast Bulldogs with Jaylen Taewa making his first run of the match in the 2nd minute with Jaylen Taewa getting over the try line but was forced back by multiple North Coast defenders.

Jaylen Taewa moved to right second row for Round Three against the Greater Northern Tigers and made an early impression defensively with a great front on hit in the 29th minute with Jaylen Taewa’s heavy initial contact stopping a try when he stopped one of the Tigers front rowers in his tracks right on his own try line.

After missing Round Four Jaylen Taewa started the twice delayed Round Five match against the Newcastle Knights at left second row.

In mid-December 2021 Jaylen Taewa 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.

Round One of the 2022 Langer Cup School Boy competition saw Jaylen Taewa named to from the bench for PBC State High School against Marsden State High School with Jaylen Taewa coming off the bench late in the first half to operate in the front row.

Jaylen Taewa made a strong charge from the second half kick-off and then made a further strong charge in the 33rd minute to get the ball thirty metres out from his own try line.

After injury Jaylen Taewa came off the bench in Round Five against Mabel Park SHS with Jaylen Taewa making up for lost time by scoring a first half double in a big PBC SHS victory.

Jaylen Taewa scored his opening try in the 20th minute when Jaylen Taewa charged onto the ball from eight metres out and to the left of the play the ball with Jaylen Taewa crashing over five metres to the right of the uprights. Jaylen Taewa then made a strong run from the subsequent kick-off.

Jaylen Taewa scored his second try in the 25th minute he ran onto a short ball and after impacting the defensive line Jaylen Taewa spun 360 degrees clockwise for Jaylen Taewa to crash over ten metres to the right of the uprights.

Jaylen Taewa also started from the bench in the Round Six local derby against Keebra Park SHS with Jaylen Taewa coming into the match in the front row in the 15th minute.

Jaylen Taewa then moved into the PBC SHS starting side in the front row in Round Seven against Wavell SHS.

Jaylen Taewa then started from the bench in PBC SHS’s Langer Cup Quarter Final against Mabel Park SHS with Jaylen Taewa coming onto the field in the 22nd minute.

Jaylen Taewa made two of the most outstanding tackles at you will ever see against Mabel Park SHS with the first of those coming in the 23rd minute when Jaylen Taewa raced his right and did a superb job of holding up the Mabel Park SHS left second rower over the line after he had dived towards the line. Jaylen Taewa dived to his right and got his right arm under the ball and then controlled the Mabel Park SHS second rower on the ground as he tried multiple times to get the ball to the ground.

Then after PBC SHS had kicked off to get the second half under way, Jaylen Taewa smashed the Mabel Park SHS ball runner front on, knocking him backwards and off his feet.

Jaylen Taewa was then named on the PBC SHS bench for the 2022 Langer Cup Semi-final against Keebra Park SHS with Jaylen Taewa coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 20th minute.

Jaylen Taewa along with Keano Kini and Tanu Nona in the 28th minute stopping 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.

Jaylen Taewa started from the bench for PBC SHS in the 2022 School Boy Langer Cup Grand Final against Ipswich SHS with Jaylen Taewa scoring in the 30th minute from ten metres out and mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field after running onto a good short ball from his left from Zane Harrison.

In 2022 Jaylen Taewa played for the Bilambil Jets in the NRRRL U18 competition once again and started Round One of the competition at left second row against the Murwillumbah Mustangs and also started at left second row in Round Three against Northern United. Jaylen Taewa was then named on the bench for Round Six against Casino RSM.

After missing a number of rounds Jaylen Taewa was once again named on the interchange bench in Round Twelve against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Jaylen Taewa coming on operate in the front row mid-way through the first half. Jaylen Taewa made a number of strong charges in the match including in the 40th minute when he made eighteen metres to get the ball into Tweed Heads territory.

Jaylen Taewa then moved into the starting side at lock in Round Thirteen against the Tweed Heads Seagulls for the second round in a row with Jaylen Taewa coming very close to scoring in the 47th minute when Jaylen Taewa appeared to have forced his way over the try line next to the right upright from around ten metres out but Jaylen Taewa was adjudged to have knocked the ball on before me grounded the ball over the try line.

Jaylen Taewa made another strong run in the 45th minute when from forty metres out from his own try line, Jaylen Taewa charged onto the ball to the left of the play the ball and on the halfway mark Jaylen Taewa bumped off two would be defenders before making a further fifteen metres downfield.

After starting at lock for the future Titans U17 side that played a Titans Northern Rivers U18 squad in a Titans against Canberra NRL match at Cbus Stadium on the Saturday, Jaylen Taewa started at lock in the rescheduled Round Four match against the Cudgen Hornets with Jaylen Taewa scoring in the 54th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball around eight metres out, Jaylen Taewa immediately stepped off his left foot before holding one defender off with his left arm to crash over in a tackle next to the left upright.

It was clear from as early as the 2nd minute that Jaylen Taewa was in for a big game when he made a twenty metre charge from the halfway mark after running onto the ball to the eight of the play the ball.

Jaylen Taewa also made a strong run in the 54th minute just prior to his try when he charged fifteen metres through the centre of the field to get the ball into Hornet’s territory.

Jaylen Taewa executed the tackle of the match in the 27th minute when he smashed Cudgen fullback Stevie O’Connor front on, knocking him off his feet as he was trying to bring the ball out of his own twenty metre area.

Jaylen Taewa showed a previously hidden skill in the 43rd minute when from thirty metres out from his own try line and to the right of the play the ball, Jaylen Taewa put in a great long, low and hard right foot kick that was only fielded on the bounce inside the ten metre mark.

Jaylen Taewa then started from the bench in the Qualifying Final against the Ballina Seagulls with Jaylen Taewa making a heavy front on tackle on one of the Seagulls replacement front rowers as he was bringing the ball out of his own twenty metre zone in the 20th minute. Then in the 48th minute Jaylen Taewa made a try saving tackle on the Ballina hooker next to the left upright after the hooker had tried to burrow his way over from dummy half.

Jaylen Taewa almost scored in the 42nd minute after a strong run from twelve metres out but with only the fullback to beat and Jaylen Taewa having all of the momentum Jaylen Taewa slipped as he approached the try line.

Jaylen Taewa was named in the second row for the 2021 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup side for their Round One match against the Wests Tigers. In a great situation, Jaylen Taewa’s twin brother Jury was the other starting second rower for the Northern Rivers Titans. Jaylen Taewa worked hard in the match, playing significant minutes in the match and worked hard especially in defence against the Wests Tigers giant forward pack.

Jaylen Taewa also started in the second row, specifically right second row in Round Two against local rivals the North Coast Bulldogs in Nambucca Heads as well as in Round Three against the Greater Northern Tigers.

The Round Three match was Jaylen Tawea’s best of the season to that point, impressing in both attacking and defence, deservedly scoring in the second half when he charged onto a pass to the left of the ruck to crash over from close range right next to the right upright.

Jaylen Taewa was on song early in the first half with a twelve metre surge into the heart of the Greater Northern Tigers forward pack.

Defensively Jaylen Taewa was also very strong in the match including a desperate one armed tackle in the 23rd minute on the Greater Northern Tigers fullback to prevent a line break.

Jaylen Taewa continued at right second row 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 and also started at right second row in Round Five against the Newcastle Knights.

Jaylen Taewa and produced one of the better tackles that I saw in the competition in the match when with his left shoulder he smashed the Newcastle forward who was bringing the ball back after the Northern Rivers Titans had been forced into a goal line drop out. Not long later Jaylen Taewa followed that up with a strong hit in the Newcastle No. 15 front on.

2021 also saw Jaylen Taewa play for PBC in the Walters Cup competition, including starting the Grand Final against Keebra Park SHS at left second row in PBC’s 30 – 12 victory.

Jaylen Taewa was easily the best and most dominant and best player on the field in the Walters Cup Grand Final scoring a try and kicking three conversions and a penalty goal in the 39th minute in PBC’s victory.

Jaylen Taewa scored in the 42nd minute of the match in the left corner from close range down a short left blindside after receiving a great off-load from his inside by front rower Reshawn Anderson. Jaylen Taewa then stepped up to convert his own try from right on the left touch line.

Jaylen Taewa could not have had a better start to the Grand Final, making the opening tackle of the match from the kick-off in conjunction with Will Saunders and then also in Keebra Park’s opening set of six, Jaylen Taewa hit the Keebra Park SHS five eight with a great driving left shoulder tackle.

The first of multiple strong runs from Jaylen Taewa came in the 13th minute when he burst onto the ball down the left channel, making eighteen metres into Keebra Park territory.

Jaylen Taewa made another strong run in the 35th minute when he made a fifteen metre charge to get the ball within ten metres of the try line with Jaylen Taewa being awarded a subsequent penalty for a ten metre infringement. Then in the 38th minute Jaylen Taewa got inside the Keebra Park SHS ten metre area once again after another fifteen metre charge.

Post the Walters Cup Grand Final, Jaylen Taewa was named in the second row in the Courier Mail Team of the Grand Finals.

It was not just in the Walters Cup that Jaylen Taewa had a strong match, he also played well after also starting at left second row in Round Three against Coombabah State High School.

In early October 2020 the young second rower 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 the 2020 Group 18 U15 competition Jaylen Taewa played for the Bilambil Jets including starting in the Jets 14 – 6 Grand Final victory over Byron Bay/Lennox Head and being Player of the Match in the Grand Final.

In the 2020 Group 18 U15 regular season the Bilambil Jets went through winning all ten of their matches, scoring 242 points and conceding 72 to finish the season with a +242 points differential.

In 2019 Jaylen Taewa played for the Group 18 U14 representative side at the New South Wales Country Age Championships, playing primarily in the second row.

Jaylen Taewa is a powerful runner of the ball and once he has generated momentum, he is very difficult to stop and regularly has been able to drag defenders with him after initial contact has been made.

Once he is in space, Jaylen Taewa actually has very good speed, I would consider it above average when analysing his speed from a rugby league forward’s perspective, to add to the difficulties for the defensive line, he runs with a high knee lift and also has a powerful right hand fend.

Defensively the most impressive aspect of Jaylen Taewa’s play is his ability to make effective tackle after effective tackle. For the Bilambil Jets in 2022 in the NRRRL U18 competition he continually made up to three and four tackles in a row on multiple occasions.

Whilst his stamina is impressive, so is Jaylen Taewa’s initial contact, he uses his strength and leverage to hit the ball carrier hard forcing critical momentum changes to the ball carriers running line.

Jaylen Taewa is also adept at wrapping up the ball and preventing offloads as he uses his functional strength to engage ball carriers. Defensively in a covering role he is also very effective as even though he is a big strong forward Jaylen Taewa has very good catch up speed and a solid low tackling technique from a side aspect.

Jaylen Taewa will start the 2024 season off as a member of the Tweed Heads Seagulls U19 MM Cup squad. Post the MM Cup competition Jaylen Taewa may continue to play for the Currumbin Eagles in the GCRL U20 competition before moving up to the GCRL First Grade competition. Jaylen Taewa may however return to his junior club being the Bilambil Jets in the NRRRL competition and if Jaylen Taewa takes that route he would push for immediate playing time in the NRRRL First Grade competition for the Jets.

A near perfect NRL player comparison for Jaylen Taewa is boom Melbourne Storm recruit and former New Zealand Warriors second rower Eliesa Katoa. Both Jaylen Taewa and Katoa are big strong and powerful and can break tackles seemingly at will. Similarly both are hard hitters defensively but also have a solid tackling technique including placing their head appropriately.

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Tomasi Vaitai. In early 2023 Tomasi Vaitai was named in the South Coast School Boy U15 Representative side with Tomasi Vaitai starting at right second row on Day One against Sunshine Coast.

Tomasi Vaitai had a strong first up match of the Championships including taking the second hit-up of the match and getting the ball thirty four metres from the try line and then Tomasi Vaitai backed that up by taking the fourth hit-up as well and getting the ball over the halfway mark.

Then in the 38th minute from the left of a South Coast scrum win Tomasi Vaitai was able to promote the ball from five metres inside his own territory to ten metres into Sunshine Coast territory.

Tomasi Vaitai followed that run up with another in the 41st minute from the left of the play the ball on the halfway mark and after making twelve metres Tomasi Vaitai was able to get an off-load away to his left. Then in the 47th minute from a kick-off return Tomasi Vaitai got the ball to the thirty metre mark and then a tackle later from the left of the play the ball Tomasi Vaitai got the ball from the hallway mark to ten metres inside Sunshine Coast territory.

Tomasi Vaitai also started at right second row on Day Two against Northern with Tomasi Vaitai making the second run of the match from his own twelve metre mark to the twenty eight metre mark.

Tomasi Vaitai also did well in the 43rd minute when from a penalty tap restart Tomasi Vaitai took possession just ten metres out from his own try line with Tomasi Vaitai uses his strength and a left arm fend to break three tackles to get the ball thirty three metres out from the try line.

Tomasi Vaitai continued at right second row on Day Three against Met North.

Tomasi Vaitai then started at right second row in the 2023 QSSRL U15 School Boy Grand Final against Met East with Tomasi Vaitai making a good run in the 34th minute from thirty six metres from his own try line to the halfway mark after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball.

Tomasi Vaitai was not originally selected in one of the two Queensland U15 School Boys sides that were selected for the Australian U15 School Boy Championships but Tomasi Vaitai was deservedly added in late July.

Tomasi Vaitai started Match One for Queensland White in the front row against New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges with Tomasi Vaitai being named the Queensland White Player of the Match.

Tomasi Vaitai then started from the bench in Match Two against New South Wales Combined High Schools and playing in the front row after coming onto the field.

Tomasi Vaitai continued in the front row in the Semi-final against Queensland Maroon with Tomasi Vaitai making the third hit-up of the match to get the ball out to the thirty three metre mark. Also in the 46th minute from a Queensland White penalty restart Tomasi Vaitai steamed onto the ball and was able to get to ten metres from the try line after initiating his run twenty six metres out.

Tomasi Vaitai also started in the front row in the third v fourth U15 ASSRL Play-off against New South Wales Combined High Schools.

Round One of the 2023 Walters Cup School Boy competition saw Tomasi Vaitai named at right second row for Keebra Park SHS against Ipswich SHS.

Tomasi Vaitai also started at right second row in Round Two against Marsden SHS as well as in Round Three against Redcliffe SHS.

Tomasi Vaitai also started at right second row in Round Four against Caloundra SHS with Tomasi Vaitai made his initial strong run of the match inside the opening minute from a Keebra Park SHS penalty tap restart to get the ball from four metres inside his own territory to twelve metres inside Caloundra SHS territory. Then in the 39th minute Tomasi Vaitai carried the ball to within two metres of the halfway mark after a twenty metre run.

Tomasi Vaitai continued at right second row in Round Five against Wavell SHS with Tomasi Vaitai running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball from his own twenty three metre mark to the forty metre mark.

The 26th minute then saw Tomasi Vaitai charge onto the ball to the left of the play the ball from the left of the dummy half to get the ball from his own twenty metre mark to thirty eight metres out with 60% of Tomasi Vaitai’s metres being post contact with the defensive line.

Then in the 38th minute Tomasi Vaitai made a kick-off return that saw Tomasi Vaitai get the ball to the twenty eight metre mark. Tomasi Vaitai made another good run in the 46th minute to come close to scoring from fourteen metres out and to the right of the play the ball.

Tomasi Vaitai also started at right second row in the Round Six Gold Coast School Boy derby against PBC SHS with Tomasi Vaitai scoring in the 20th minute when from twelve metres out Tomasi Vaitai charged between two defenders after getting a good ball from his right from Jai Billish to power over ten metres to the right of the right of the uprights.

Then from the subsequent kick-off Tomasi Vaitai returned the ball out to the twenty seven metre mark then two tackles later Tomasi Vaitai made a further twelve metres to get the ball within ten metres of the halfway mark.

Earlier in the match in the 7th minute saw Tomasi Vaitai run onto the ball to the left of the play the ball on his own twenty metre mark to the thirty metre mark, then two tackles later Tomasi Vaitai made a further eighteen metres to get the ball from ten metres inside his own territory to eight metres into PBC SHS territory.

Tomasi Vaitai continued at right second row in Round Seven against Mabel Park SHS with Tomasi Vaitai charging onto the ball to the right of the play the ball in the 9th minute from his own forty metre mark to get the ball four metres into Mabel Park SHS territory.

In the 28th minute from three metres inside his own territory and two passes to the right of the play the ball Tomasi Vaitai produced one of the runs of the match as he rumbled downfield to within thirty metres of the try line with Tomasi Vaitai breaking three tackles and with 65% of Tomasi Vaitai’s metres gained being post contact metres.

Then in the 48th minute after picking up an off-load in the centre of the field Tomasi Vaitai charged at the try line from twenty metres out to get within three metres of the try line.

Tomasi Vaitai continued at right second row in the Semi-final against Wavell SHS and in the 6th minute from the right of the play the ball Tomasi Vaitai carried the ball from ten metres out from his try line to twenty two metres out. The 33rd minute then say Tomasi Vaitai, from the left of the play the ball get from thirty seven metres from the try line to twenty two metres out.

At the completion of the competition Tomasi Vaitai was named on the bench in the Courier Mail 2023 Walters Cup School Boy Rugby League Team of the Year. Tomasi Vaitai was also the inaugural winner of the Hampo Youth Foundation Grant in honour of former Keebra Park SHS student and coach Liam Hampson.

In October 2022 Tomasi Vaitai was named in the 2023 Ipswich Jets U16 Cyril Connell Cup squad and impressively Tomasi Vaitai is also Cyril Connell Cup eligible in 2024.

The powerfully built second rower currently attends Titans partnered Keebra Park State High School and in 2022 Tomasi Vaitai was part of the Keebra Park SHS Hancock Cup School Boy Rugby League side.

Tomasi Vaitai started Round One of the 2022 Walters Cup competition at left second row against Ipswich SHS and made a strong run in the 42nd minute when he made a thirty metre line break down the left channel with his run starting ten metres inside his own territory.

Tomasi Vaitai started Round Three of the Hancock Cup at left second row against Mabel Park State High School and in just the 6th minute made a great charge down the left channel, getting the ball to twenty metres out from the try line.

Just a minute later in the 7th minute Tomasi Vaitai came close to scoring after he cut inside off his right foot after receiving the ball on the left side of the field around twelve metres only to be stopped within a metre of the try line.

Tomasi Vaitai did well once again in the 12th minute when he charged onto the ball from a Keebra Park SHS penalty restart twenty five metres out with Tomasi Vaitai getting to within twelve metres of the try line.

Tomasi Vaitai also started at left second row in Round Five against Forest Lake SHS. Tomasi Vaitai continued at left second row in Round Six against PBC SHS and in the 18th minute Tomasi Vaitai made fourteen metres down the left channel to get the ball to within thirty five metres of the try line with Tomasi Vaitai then able to get an off-load away to his right to his fullback.

Tomasi Vaitai continued at left second row against Marsden SHS.

Tomasi Vaitai plays his club rugby league with the Goodna Rugby League club in the 2022 Ipswich U14 Division One competition including starting in the Grand Final in the front row against Redbank Plains.

Tomasi Vaitai also played for Goodna in 2021 and scored a try and kicked a conversion as his Goodna Blue side defeated Goodna Black in the Ipswich U13 Division One 2021 Grand Final.
Tomasi Vaitai is a powerful runner of the ball who runs with a slight jink, usually off his right foot, in his step prior to impacting the defensive line and from when he receives the ball until he hits the defensive line Tomasi Vaitai is able to build up significant momentum.
Tomasi Vaitai shows some more than reasonable pace when in the clear for a player his size and certainly in terms of his speed off the mark Tomasi Vaitai has some decent speed for a second rower. Also when Tomasi Vaitai has impacted the defensive line he continues to pump his legs and gain extra metres post contact.
As noted Tomasi Vaitai is a solidly built young second rower with outstanding footwork Tomasi Vaitai and also shows will show flashes of the ability to off load the ball and with experience this attribute will continue to develop both in terms of when Tomasi Vaitai has impacted the defensive line and prior to contact.
Tomasi Vaitai’s lateral movement is outstanding for a big second rower and Tomasi Vaitai is powerful enough to combat the largest of opponents looking to run through the centre of the ruck yet has the mobility to be an effective defender on the fringes of the ruck as well.

Another impressive aspect of Tomasi Vaitai’s play from a defensive stand point is the speed at which he gets around the field, for a player of his size, Tomasi Vaitai has more than decent speed and mobility.

Tomasi Vaitai is U16 eligible in 2024 and will move up to the Keebra Park State High School Langer Cup School Boy Rugby League side as well as play at the U16 Division One level in relation to club rugby league in Ipswich with the Goodna Junior Rugby League Club.

Tomasi Vaitai is a big strong young man but at the same time possess exceptional speed and mobility of a player of his size as thus is seemingly an ideal candidate to be considered a young rugby league second rower with outstanding potential.

From an NRL player comparison perspective I would consider a player comparison for Tomasi Vaitai with Penrith Panthers and Tongan International destructive second rower Viliame Kikau as more than accurate and appropriate.

Both Tomasi Vaitai and Kikau are exceptionally destructive on the fringes of the ruck and take a power of stopping by defences who have to allocate multiple resources to achieve that task, if in fact they can.

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Isaac Harrison. In October 2023 Isaac Harrison was named in the 2024 Tweed Heads Seagulls U19 Mal Meninga (MM) Cup side with Isaac Harrison also MM Cup eligible in 2025.

Isaac Harrison made his School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup Open A debut in Round Five of the 2023 season when Isaac Harrison started on the bench for PBC SHS in their away match against Ipswich SHS.

After coming onto the field in the 23rd minute with Isaac Harrison’s initial run getting him within four metres of the halfway mark. Then in the 27th minute from the right of the play the ball Isaac Harrison carried the ball to twenty two metres out from his own try line as a result of a strong yardage carry.

Isaac Harrison was also named on the bench in the Round Six Gold Coast School Boy derby against Keebra Park SHS with Isaac Harrison coming onto the field in the 13th minute and in the 20th minute Isaac Harrison put a big shot on the Keebra Park SHS replacement front rower No. 16. Isaac Harrison made another big front on tackle in the 43rd minute smashing the Keebra Park SHS replacement dummy half No. 14 forcing him backwards to four metres out from the try line in the centre of the field and dumping him onto his back unceremoniously.

Isaac Harrison continued from the bench in Round Seven against Wavell SHS with Isaac Harrison coming off the bench to operate at lock in the 21st minute.

After PBC SHS finished fourth on the 2023 School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup table after the completion of the regular season, Isaac Harrison started at lock for PBC SHS in their Queensland Quarter Final clash against Keebra Park SHS.

Isaac Harrison was also named at lock in the Langer Cup Queensland Semi-Final against Marsden SHS.

Isaac Harrison also started at lock in the 2023 School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup Grand Final against Ipswich SHS with Isaac Harrison along with Brady Turner and Jaylen Taewa making the opening tackle of the match from the PBC SHS kick-off.

Isaac Harrison made a strong kick-off return in the 50th minute to get the ball over the twenty metre mark, then a tackle later Isaac Harrison made ten more metres to get the ball five metres inside Ipswich SHS territory.

At the conclusion of the Langer Cup Isaac Harrison was named by the Courier Mail as producing the most underrated performance in the 2023 School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup Grand Final.

Isaac Harrison also started at lock 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.

Isaac Harrison continued at lock in the 2023 NRL School Boy Rugby League Grand Final against Westfields Sports High.

2023 saw Isaac Harrison move to the Bilambil Jets in the NRRRL competition from the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Isaac Harrison named to make his NRRRL First Grade debut and Bilambil debut off the bench in Round One against the Tweed Coast Raiders.

Isaac Harrison was also named on the bench in Round Twelve against the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Isaac Harrison coming onto the field in the 73rd minute.

Isaac Harrison made his first NRRRL First Grade start in the front row in Round Sixteen against the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Isaac Harrison making the fourth hit-up of the match from the right of the play the ball to get the ball out to the thirty eight metre mark.

In the 12th minute Isaac Harrison make a strong Mustangs goal line drop-out return to bring the ball back to the thirty two metre mark. Then in the 15th minute from the right of the play the ball Isaac Harrison carried the ball from the halfway mark to forty metres from the try line.

In his second stint on the field in the 63rd minute Isaac Harrison ran onto the ball to the right of the dummy half with Isaac Harrison able to promote the ball from twenty metres out from his own try line to thirty two metres out.

At the 2023 end of season awards Isaac Harrison was named the 2023 Bilambil Jets NRRRL First Grade Rookie of the Year.

Round Five of the NRRRL U18 competition saw Isaac Harrison start at lock for the Bilambil Jets against the Lower Clarence Magpies with Isaac Harrison making a line break in the 9th minute when from the right of the play the ball and twenty eight metres out from his own try line Isaac Harrison burst between two defenders and charged down the centre of the field with Isaac Harrison then running over the top of the Magpies fullback before being dragged down from behind just ten metres from the try line.

Isaac Harrison did well defensively in the 32nd minute when Isaac Harrison was involved in holding up the giant No. 20 over the try line under the posts. Then a minute later Isaac Harrison stopped the same Magpies player just short of the try line and once again under the posts.

Isaac Harrison then started in the front row in in Round Twelve against the Murwillumbah Mustangs.

In early May 2022 Isaac Harrison started at lock 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.

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

Isaac Harrison was involved in the Northern 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 Isaac Harrison named in the front row for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights with Isaac Harrison taking the 4th hit-up of the match after the Knights had kicked off to get the match underway.

The match also saw Isaac Harrison make a line break in the 29th minute when he charged onto a good ball from his left from Jesse Soric with Isaac Harrison’s inside shoulder route taking him to within ten metres of the try line and in front of the goal posts.

Isaac Harrison also started in the front row in Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters with Isaac Harrison taking the opening hit-up of the match from the kick-off and then backed that run up by also taking the third hit-up of the match.

Isaac Harrison was also named in the front row for Round Three against the South Coast Dragons.

Isaac Harrison also started in the front row in Round Four against the Northern Tigers with Isaac Harrison involved in the 24th minute in holding up the Northern Tigers hooker ten metres to the right of the uprights after the hooker had tried to force his way over the try line from dummy half on the final tackle.

Isaac Harrison also started in the front row in Round Five against the North Coast Bulldogs.

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

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

Round One of the 2022 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition saw Isaac Harrison start at lock for the Northern Rivers Titans side against the Macquarie Wests Tigers in Sydney’s west and Isaac Harrison also started at lock in Round Two against the North Coast Bulldogs with Isaac Harrison taking the third hit-up of the match after the North Coast Bulldogs had kicked off to get the match underway.

Isaac Harrison continued at lock for Round Three against the Greater Northern Tigers and as in Round Four against the Central Coast Roosters and in the twice delayed final round being Round Five against the Newcastle Knights in Grafton with Isaac Harrison scoring his first try of the season, and what a critical try it was in the 51st minute.

With the Titans attacking a metre out and directly in front of the goal post the dummy half ran to his left with Isaac Harrison cutting back against the grain and coming underneath to receive the ball just three metres from the line. Isaac Harrison was hit by two defenders still a metre from the line but refused to be denied to force his way over to get the ball down under the posts.

Isaac Harrison then continued at lock for the Northern Rivers Titans Week One Final against St George and was in the match early with a great front on driving tackle on the St George lock in just the 3rd minute.

Isaac Harrison also started at lock for the Northern Rivers Titans in the 2022 U16 Andrew Johns Cup Grand Final against the Wests Tigers with Isaac Harrison recording a 23rd minute line break assist in the Titans great last minute 24 – 22 Grand Final victory when after a good run he was able to off-load to his right to Jackson Bennett who broke away down the right channel to get the ball over the halfway mark.

Isaac Harrison showed what he is all about in the 39th minute with a desperate covering tackle on his opposite number to force the ball loose just twenty metres out from the try line.

At the 2022 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup Presentation Night Isaac Harrison was awarded the Players Player Award.

The 2022 season saw Isaac Harrison play for the Tweed Heads Seagulls U18 side in the NRRRL U18 competition, even though he was still U16 eligible, starting Round One of the competition at lock against the Byron Bay Devils.

One of Isaac Harrison’s best runs of the match came in the 37th minute with a great charge from the kick-off from Creedence Donovan’s opening try with Isaac Harrison able to get the ball over the twenty metre mark.

Isaac Harrison was also strong defensively as was evidenced in the 39th minute with a big tackle on his opposite number to stop a try from being scored.

Isaac Harrison also started at lock in Round Two against the Cudgen Hornets and in the 7th minute along with Jye Brady smashed Cudgen front rower Ty Kilpatrick forcing him back around four metres. Isaac Harrison backed up that strong tackle three tackles later in the same set of six with a big tackle on the Cudgen hooker.

Isaac Harrison then made a strong run in the 17th minute when he ran the ball from the left of the dummy half with Isaac Harrison making thirteen metres to get the ball ten metres into Cudgen territory.

Isaac Harrison continued his strong running in the 25th minute with a big fourteen metre charge down the left channel from inside his own territory.

Isaac Harrison also started at lock in Round Six against the Ballina Seagulls as well as in Round Eight against Casino RSM with Isaac Harrison taking the third hit-up of the match.

Isaac Harrison also started at lock in Round Nine against the Murwillumbah Mustangs and in the 6th minute Isaac Harrison along with Zac Windle executed a great tackle on one of the Mustangs front rowers who was taking a hit-up from a penalty tap with Isaac Harrison and Zac Windle forcing the front rower three metres backwards before dumping him on his back.

Isaac also started at lock in Round Ten against the Kyogle Turkeys with Isaac Harrison involved in the opening tackle of the match after the Seagulls kicked off.

Isaac Harrison then continued at lock in Round Thirteen against the Bilambil Jets for the second round in a row with Isaac Harrison coming close to scoring in the 13th minute when after taking a penalty tap ten metres out and in front of the posts, Isaac Harrison ran the ball to his right and whilst he forced his way over the try line just to the right of the uprights, Isaac Harrison was held up by multiple Jets defenders.

Isaac Harrison also made a strong run in the 48th minute with a sixteen metre charge to forty metres out from the try line.

Isaac Harrison continued at lock in the rescheduled Round Four match against the Murwillumbah Mustangs.

Isaac Harrison also started at lock in the Week One Qualifying Final against the Murwillumbah Mustangs as well as the Major Preliminary Final against the Cudgen Hornets with Isaac Harrison taking the third hit-up of the match.

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

The northern New South Wales young front rower was a member of the 2021 Titans U15 Elite Academy squad.

In mid-February 2021 Isaac Harrison played in a Titans U15 Invitational Trial at Burleigh, a trial which included only the best of the 2021 Titans U15 squad members.

In May 2021 Isaac Harrison was part of the South Coast U15 QSSRL School Boy representative side, starting the Championship Final against Met West at lock.

In 2021 Isaac Harrison continued at PBC as part of the school’s Elite Rugby League Program and made a strong impression after coming off the bench for the PBC Walters Cup side in their Round One 16 all draw against Ipswich State High School.

Isaac Harrison also started from the bench in Round Two against Forest Lake State High School.

In 2020 Isaac Harrison played in the front row for the Tweed Heads Seagulls U14 side in the Group 18 junior rugby league competition with the Seagulls going through the ten regular season rounds undefeated, scoring 316 points and conceding just sixty four to finish the regular season with +252 points differential from their ten matches to record an average winning margin of just above twenty five points.

As a result of their outstanding season the Tweed Heads Seagulls U14 side qualified for the Grand Final against the Tugun Seahawks. Tweed Heads prevailed in the 2020 decider 30 – 4 with Isaac Harrison starting the Grand Final victory in the front row. Isaac Harrison was in my opinion one of the best players on the field in the Grand Final producing some outstanding hit-ups including one outstanding run after the Seagulls first try of the match when he skittled multiple Tugun defenders in a twenty metre charge directly through the centre of the Seahawks forward pack.

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

Isaac Harrison attends PBC as part of their Rugby League Excellence Program and in 2020 was part of the PBC Year Nine Hancock Cup side that progressed through to the Grand Final and post the completion of the school boy competition was awarded a Future Reds Award at the PBC Sports Awards night. Unfortunately PBC went down in the Hancock Cup Grand Final to Marsden State High School.

Isaac Harrison is a solidly built young front rower with a low centre of gravity, which makes him quite difficult to tackle. There is little subtlety to his game, Isaac Harrison runs straight and hard, with the only concession to this being a slight step off either foot in occasion prior to the initial contact with the defensive line.

One thing that Isaac Harrison does do will however is continuing to pump his legs once his initial momentum is halted by the defensive line, he makes more metres than he should as a result and also forces defending teams to commit multiple defensive assets to stopping his progress.

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

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

Isaac Harrison’s lateral movement is quite reasonable for a front rower but he will on occasion have some difficulty with smaller faster stepping opposition players.

Isaac Harrison will also continue at PBC SHS in 2024 and no doubt Isaac Harrison will be a key member of the PBC SHS forward pack in the School Boy Rugby League Open A Langer Cup side.

From a representative perspective Isaac Harrison will be part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls U19 MM Cup and Isaac Harrison is also MM Cup eligible in 2025.

From a club rugby league perspective in 2024 post the 2024 MM Cup competition Isaac Harrison may well line up for the Bilambil Jets once again in the NRRRL competition and whilst still U18 eligible Isaac Harrison will push for continued playing time in the NRRRL First Grade competition for the Jets after making his NRRRL First Grade debut in 2023.

Isaac Harrison played the 2020 season in the front row for the highly talented Tweed Heads Seagulls U14 Group 18 side before spending the majority of the 2021 and 2022 season at lock and his solid frame and low centre of gravity suggests that lock is Isaac Harrison’s ideal position into the future, Isaac Harrison does however have more than decent speed and mobility so it is more than probable that he will spend some time in the coming seasons in the front row.

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

For me Isaac Harrison was one of the most improved players over the course of the 2023 season, regardless of age group and competition.

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Torino Jackson. In October 2023 Torino Jackson was named in the 2024 Tweed Heads Seagulls U17 Cyril Connell (CC) Cup squad.

The young front rower arrives on the Gold Coast from Otago New Zealand and in 2023 Torino Jackson was a member of the South Island Scorpions U16 side that won the New Zealand U16 National Championships with Torino Jackson starting in the front row in the Championship Final against Waikato.

The Kings High School student was named the 2023 South Island Scorpions U16 Most Promising Player.

At the completion of the Championships Torino Jackson was named in the New Zealand Rugby League Aoteeroa Whaanui Boys U16 representative side for a match against an Auckland U16 Invitational side with Torino Jackson starting the match for Aoteeroa Whaanui in the front row.

Torino Jackson scored one of the easiest tires that he will ever score in the 18th minute when after the New Zealand fullback lost the ball whilst trying to bring the ball out of his own in-goal, his attempted pass went to ground in front of Torino Jackson who just had to reach down and put downward pressure on the ball with both of his hands to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.

Torino Jackson is in short a big strong powerful young man who runs with pace and power into the defensive with no thoughts of preservation. When purely metres need to be made, Torino Jackson will not sue footwork and just power into the defensive line, but he also certainly can use subtle footwork to aim at the gaps between the opposing forwards.

With the power that Torino Jackson has in his legs when opposing defenders try to tackle him around the legs, it is almost impossible for them to bring Torino Jackson down quickly which enables him to either break the tackle completely or to off load to his support runners. When they look to tackle Torino Jackson around the chest his upper body strength enables him to absorb the initial contact and also to maintain his balance and momentum.

Defensively Torino Jackson is able to engage and defeat opposing attacker one on one regardless of size. Torino Jackson does not just charge up trying to hit attacker’s chest on but Torino Jackson is clinical about how and where he hits the opponent and sets a solid base with his legs and drives directly into their body. In short Torino Jackson is a difference marker with his defence. With his strength and technique Torino Jackson should likely always be considered a plus defender regardless of the quality of opponent that he is up against.

Even though Torino Jackson does not necessarily have plus straight speed overall, Torino Jackson’s lateral movement is very good and on the majority of occasions Torino Jackson is able to mirror the movement of smaller attackers looking to exploit a perceived speed and/or mobility difference between them and Torino Jackson.

Torino Jackson is certainly one heck of an athlete with everything that you would want to see if you were building a modern day rugby league front rower from scratch in a laboratory. Torino Jackson has size, speed, strength, mobility and power and the ability to continue to develop all of those already impressive characteristics in the future.

Torino Jackson is not just an outstanding athlete however, Torino Jackson is also one heck of a young front rower with exceptional rugby league skills around when and how to engage defenders and Torino Jackson is also rapidly developing an elite one arm (right arm on the majority of occasions) off-load. Couple those rugby league attributes with a good front on hard hitting tackling technique and you have one heck of a front row prospect in Torino Jackson.

New Zealand International front rower Joseph Tapine also from the Canberra Raiders, being one of the best current front rowers in the world is a great player comparison for Torino Jackson. Like Tapine, the opposition repeatedly struggles to get Torino Jackson down to the ground, with his quick play-the-balls resulting in plenty of momentum for his team’s play makers to scheme off. Like Tapine, not only does Torino Jackson get through a mountain of work with his metre gaining ability and hunger and intensity in defence, but Torino Jackson also offers plenty in a wider attacking role with his ability to offload and break tackles.

[mdrew]

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

In early October 2023 Isaac Togia was named in the 2024 Ipswich Jets U19 Mal Meninga Cup squad with Isaac Togia also MM Cup eligible in 2025.

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

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

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

Isaac Togia also came off the bench in Week One of the Finals and scored Norths opening try as they immediately qualified for the Grand Final on the back of a 46 – 8 victory against Redbank Plains Red.

Isaac Togai was also named on the bench for Norths Tigers in the 2023 Ipswich Rugby League U18 Grand Final against Redbank Plains Red.

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

In early May 2022 Isaac Togia also started at right second row for the Titans JTS U16 squad that took on a Northern Rivers Titans U17 squad at Cbus Stadium as a curtain-raiser to the Titans NRL Round Fourteen against the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs with Isaac Togia scoring in the 10th minute after backing up a line break from fellow second rower Cooper Bai.

In mid-December 2021 Isaac Togia had the opportunity to train with the Titans NRL squad in a joint training session between the Titans NRL squad and the Titans JTS Program Squads.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Isaac Togia is an outstanding athlete (and of course rugby league player) and this can be seen when he is running with the football. In his carries Isaac Togia rarely takes a hit up without movement, he uses foot work prior to the line to look to break through as well as cutting either cutting back in behind the play the ball or cutting out towards the smaller defenders on the fringes of the ruck.

Isaac Togia runs ‘fast’ into the defensive and his foot work prior to the line enables him to get partly through the line quite often, certainly more so than you would expect for a backrower taking the ball through the centre of the ruck. One reason for this is that he is a smart footballer, Isaac Togia does not try to run over defenders, but Isaac Togia runs at the gaps between defenders and uses his running speed to break through if defenders only look to use their arms in the tackle, a mistake that they would pay a heavy price for.

Isaac Togia does not necessarily have plus top end speed, but he is certainly more than fast enough, but at full speed as well as off the mark to get through to the full back prior to the arrival of the cover defence.

Playing on the left hand side of the field seemingly more often (although he can certainly play on the right), means that his left foot step and his fending using his right hand are the effective attributes, but based on his physical attributes, his skill set and his understanding of how to play the game means that I have no doubt that these attributes are transferrable to playing on the right hand side of the field.

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

In defence Isaac Togia regularly is the first player up to target the ball carriers, even though he is not always one of the bigger forwards in his team and will make solid initial contact as well as having the ability of defending one on one.
When the opportunity presents Isaac Togia has the ability to hit very hard, by setting a good base and driving through with his lower body and core into his opponent. Ultimately though Isaac Togia is a strong defender with a good, simple, effective and repeatable front on technique, including head placement and good lateral movement to track and defend against smaller opponents either on the fringes or centre of the ruck.
Isaac Togia will play the 2024 season with the Norths Tigers in the Ipswich Rugby League U18 competition. Isaac Togia is also MM Cup eligible in 2024 and Isaac Togai should push for a starting role with the Ipswich Jets MM Cup side come the start of the 2024 MM Cup competition.

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

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

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

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

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Eli Tuli. In late July 2023 Eli Tuli started from the bench for a Titans U19 side that travelled to Townsville to play a Cowboys U19 side in an NRL curtain-raiser with Eli Tuli playing in the front row after coming onto the field in the 18th minute and shortly after coming onto the field Eli Tuli was tackled three metres out from the try line and just to the left of the uprights.

The 27th minute saw Eli Tuli take a hit-up from the left of the play the ball to carry the ball from twenty four metres out from his own try line to thirty six metres out. Eli Tuli followed up with an effort two passes to the left of the play the ball in the 35th minute to carry the ball from twenty four metres from the try line to eight metres out.

Eli Tuli executed a strong front on hit defensively in the 50th minute when along with Nicholas Hilton, Eli Tuli crunched a Cowboys player seven metres out from the try line and in the centre of the field and forcing a knock on.

2023 saw Eli Tuli start the season in the Tweed Heads Seagulls Hastings Deering’s Colts squad after Eli Tuli played a number of matches in the Colts competition for the Seagulls in 2022, but Eli Tuli is also spent parts of the 2022/23 off-season training with the Seagulls Queensland Cup squad. Impressively Elu Tuli is also Colts eligible for the 2024 season.

Round One of the 2023 Hastings Deering’s Colts season saw Eli Tuli named as 18th man for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Townsville Blackhawks.
Eli Tuli played his first HDC match of the season off the bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the Round Fifteen local derby against the Burleigh Bears and after coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 59th minute Eli Tuli made his first run of the match shortly after to get the ball to within thirty five metres of the try line.
The 63rd minute then saw Eli Tuli run onto the ball to the left of the dummy half from forty metres out from his own line to six metres into Burleigh territory. Eli Tuli made a further run to the left of the dummy half in the 66th minute from fourteen metres from his own try line to thirty metres out, then also in the 66th minute Eli Tuli took possession of the ball to the right of the play the ball from an underneath route from forty metres to thirty metres from the try line.
Eli Tuli continued off the bench in Round Sixteen against the Sunshine Coast Falcons and after coming onto the field to play in the front row in the 55th minute Eli Tuli took his first run almost immediately to carry the ball to within thirty six metres of the try line.
Eli Tuli also played a number of matches in 2023 with Bulimba in the Brisbane Rugby League U20 Premier competition with Eli Tuli’s first match coming in Round Six when he started in the front row against Valleys.
Spending time in the front row, at lock and in the second row Eli Tuli scored his first try in the 2023 season in Round Seven against Brighton in the 24th minute with a hard straight crash line from three metres out to score next to the left upright.
Eli Tuli then scored a double in Round Eleven against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Eli Tuli scoring his first try of the match in the 16th minute when after taking possession of the ball two passes to the right of the play the ball Eli Tuli charged head long into the defensive line and came out the other side to get the ball down under the posts.
Eli Tuli completed his double in the 54th minute when after receiving an off-load from his right, Eli Tuli continued to run to his left and after breaking through the gap between two defender, Eli Tuli got the ball down over the try line ten metres in from the left corner post.
In late 2022 Eli Tuli was named in the 2023 Tweed Heads Seagulls Hastings Deering’s Colts squad after playing a number of Colts matches towards the end of the season for the Seagulls in 2022 when Eli Tuli was still U18 MM Cup eligible.

The powerfully built, hard running front rower or second rower was in late 2021 named in the 2022 Tweed Heads Seagulls U18 MM Cup squad.

Round One of the 2022 MM Cup competition saw Eli Tuli named at right second row for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Souths Logan Magpies with Eli Tuli making a strong run of twelve metres down the right channel to get the ball around thirty metres from the Seagulls try line in the 58th minute.

Eli Tuli was also named at right second row for Round Two against the Redcliffe Dolphins and after the Seagulls had a Round Three bye, Eli Tuli moved to the bench for Round Four against the Easts Tigers with Eli Tuli coming onto the field mid-way through the first half to operate at right second row and in the 23rd minute made a great line break when he ran a great inside shoulder route from a good short ball from his right from Reico Ratana, going straight through two defenders and got over the line directly under the posts but three defenders held him up.

The 44th minute saw another strong run from Eli Tuli when down the left channel he made sixteen metres to get the ball to ten metres out from the try line. Eli Tuli then made another great eighteen metre charge from the kick-off to Will Saunders 45th minute try, getting the ball to the twenty metre line and then two tackles later Eli Tuli made a further twelve metres to get the ball to the halfway mark.

Eli Tuli was also named on the bench for Round Five against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls coming on mid-way through the first half to play left second row and also was named to come off the bench in Round Six against the Norths Devils but in a tactical change Eli Tuli moved into the starting side in the front row late in the week.

Eli Tuli had easily his best match of the season with some great charges including in the 45th minute when from the right of the dummy half Eli Tuli charged onto the ball forty metres out from the line and was able to get the ball within twenty five metres of the try line before the Devils defence was eventually able to get him to ground.

Eli Tuli made a further great charge in the 49th minute when he ran back underneath Josh Lynn from thirty five metres out to get the ball inside the attacking twenty metre mark and directly in front of the posts after beating two tackles along the way.

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

Eli Tuli was then named in the front row in the Round Seven local derby against the Burleigh Bears with Eli Tuli taking the first hit-up of the match from the kick-off to get the highly competitive match underway.

Eli Tuli made some great charges in the match with one of the best coming in the 66th minute when Eli Tuli made a tough twenty five metres that started with a crafty left foot step with Eli Tuli getting to within twelve metres of the try line before being brought to ground by multiple Burleigh defenders.

The just three minutes later in the 69th minute Eli Tuli was at it again making nineteen more metres by way of two left foot steps with the run starting just twenty metres out from his own line.

Eli Tuli also had an outstanding defensive match including in the 14th minute when he along with Reico Ratana hit one of the Burleigh forwards front on in a crunching tackle just ten metres out from the try line with the heavy initial contact forcing the ball loose.

Deservedly Eli Tuli was named on the bench in the Round Seven Courier Mail MM Cup Team of the Week.

Eli Tuli made his Hastings Deering’s Colts debut in Round Twelve of the 2022 competition when he came off the bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Redcliffe Dolphins coming onto the field to operate at right second row in the 27th minute of the match.

Eli Tuli played his second Colts match when he also started from the bench for the Seagulls in Round Seventeen against the Easts Tigers.

Week One of the 2022 Hastings Deering’s Colts Final saw Eli Tuli start from the bench in the Elimination Final against the Easts Tigers once again with Eli Tuli coming close to scoring in the 39th minute when Eli Tuli was held up five metres to the left of the uprights after a strong charge with the ball from around eight metres out.

Then in the 48th minute Eli Tuli made a great charge from the kick-off to Jaylan De Groot’s try with Eli Tuli getting the ball over the thirty metre mark. Eli Tuli then made another strong charge in the 56th minute to the left of the play the ball with Eli Tuli able to make thirteen metres to get the ball to within twenty metres of the try line.

In May 2022 Eli Tuli played for the South Coast U18 Representative School Boy side at the QSSRL Championships and finished as South Coast’s leading try scorer with three tries across two matches.

Round One of the 2022 Langer Cup School Boy Rugby League competition saw Eli Tuli start in the front row Keebra Park State High School against Ipswich State High School.

Eli Tuli was then named on the bench for Round Two against Coombabah State High School with Eli Tuli coming on to operate in the front row in the 17th minute with Eli Tuli’s first run coming almost immediately when he took the second hit-up after a Keebra Park SHS try.

Eli Tuli scored in the 21st minute when from thirty metres out he ran an underneath route from the from the right of the play the ball cutting back to the area behind the play the ball and running straight over the top of the Coombabah SHS fullback to score three metres in from the left corner.

Eli Tuli could easily have scored a second try in the 24th minute but after running a straight crash line from close range Eli Tuli was held up over the line.

Eli Tuli was also involved in Xavier Asi’s 34th minute try when after good work to his right from Arama Hau Eli Tuli executed a lightening quick catch and pass to his left to put Xavier Asi space who then raced thirty metres to score in the left corner.

Eli Tuli was also named to continue off the bench in Round Three against Marsden State High School with Eli Tuli coming onto the field in the 18th minute, scoring around a metre later in the 19th minute when he charged onto the ball from the dummy half from close range with Eli Tuli spinning counter clockwise right on the try line to get the ball down four metres to the right of the uprights.

Eli Tuli then recorded a 28th minute line break of forty five metres after Eli Tuli was put through a gap thirty metres out from his own try line by way of a great inside ball from Wailer Whaiapu with Eli Tuli’s run coming to an end twenty metres out and directly in front of the posts.

Eli Tuli’s performance against Marsden SHS was such that Eli Tuli was named on the bench in the Courier Mail School Boy Langer Cup Round Three Team of the Week.

Eli Tuli moved into the starting side in the front 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 Eli Tuli scoring a powerhouse try in the 48th minute when Eli Tuli took possession ten metres out and to the left of the paly the ball with Eli Tuli then stepping off his left foot to cut back towards the play the ball and power his way towards the try line. Initially Eli Tuli as held up over the try line but Eli Tuli as able to spin around onto his back and get the ball down with his right arm.

Eli Tuli also started in the front row in Round Five against Redcliffe State High School as well as in the Round Six local derby against PBC SHS with Eli Tuli making a twelve metre run down the left channel in the 58th minute to get the ball deep into PBC SHS territory.

Round Seven of the Langer Cup competition saw Eli Tuli start from the bench against Mabel Park SHS with Eli Tuli coming desperately close to scoring in the 18th minute when after backing up a line break through the centre of the field by Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki, Eli Tuli looked certain to score but the ball was knocked out of Eli Tuli’s hands as he was diving over the try line under the posts.

Eli Tuli then started in the front row in Keebra Park SHS’s Langer Cup Quarter Final against Marymount College with Eli Tuli making a strong run of ten metres in the 3rd minute from a Keebra Park SHS penalty tap restart through the centre of the field.

Eli Tuli also started in the front row in the 2022 Langer Cup Semi-Final against PBC SHS with Eli Tuli scoring a great solo try in the 42nd minute when from two passes to the left of the play the ball and twenty two metres out, Eli Tuli burst onto the ball charging through a gap. Eli Tuli then stepped off his left foot and ran straight over the top of the PBC SHS fullback to get the ball down seven metres to the left of the uprights.

At the 2022 Keebra Park SHS Rugby League Specialisation Awards, Eli Tuli was named on the bench in the 2022 Keebra Park SHS Rugby League Team of the Year.

Eli Tuli made an immediate impact in the Seagulls Black and White when Eli Tuli was involved in the Seagulls first trial of 2022 when Tweed Heads took on the Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad at Pizzey Park.

Eli Tuli then started at right second row for Burleigh’s early February 2022 trial against the Burleigh Bears with Eli Tuli taking the Seagulls opening hit-up of the match from a penalty restart after Jett Forbes had been hit high returning a kick after the Magpies had kicked downfield after the opening set of six tackles after the kick-off.

Eli Tuli started the 2021 season as a seventeen year old as part of the Souths Logan Magpies U18 MM Cup squad, starting Round One against The Burleigh Bears on the bench. Eli Tuli also started from the bench in Rounds Two and Three against the Tweed Heads Seagulls and Ipswich Jets respectively.

Eli Tuli broke into the Souths Logan starting line-up in the second row in Round Four against the Burleigh Bears. After missing Round Five against Tweed Heads Eli Tuli also started in the second row in Round Six against the Ipswich Jets and scored his first try of the season when he crossed in the 46th minute.

2021 also saw Eli Tuli play for Titans partnered Marsden State High School in the school boy Langer Cup competition with some devastating results including an inspired performance against Wavell State High School in Round Three of the Langer Reserve competition, all most single handedly leading Marsden State High School to an 18 -12 victory with Eli Tuli powering his way over the try line early in the second half.

In 2020 Eli Tuli was contracted to the Parramatta Eels, attending a number of Development Camps with the Eels and in 2019 Eli Tuli represented Met East at the U15 QSSRL Championships in the second row and was subsequently named in the Queensland Maroon representative side for the U15 ASSRL Championships also in the second row.

I am not sure that I can characterise in words just how hard Eli Tuli runs, he just flies at the line at full speed (which is significant) and drops his shoulder into the first defender who looks to engage him and then he keeps pumping his legs, which enables him to break through the initial tackle or at worst gain significant ground post contact.

These traits and the fact that Eli Tuli can absorb significant punishment and maintain his running line and balance I think is one of the reasons (plus his speed of course) that coaches want the ball in his hands as much as possible.

For me however Eli Tuli is far more than a player who just runs straight and hard, he has good late footwork prior to the defensive line, which is why he is so damaging on the fringes of the ruck and also is developing his off-loading skills on an exponential curve.

For his size Eli Tuli has above average to plus speed and when he breaks through the defensive line has the speed to convert his own breaks into tries on a regular basis as was evidenced this season both in rugby league and rugby.

Defensively Eli Tuli has a very good front on tackling technique with his shoulder and rarely gets caught front on in relation to the initial contact. From his time on the wing in both rugby and rugby league Eli Tuli has developed the requisite skills to work through his progressions when defending one on one against smaller players on the fringes of the ruck.

In those instances Eli Tuli maintains his balance and does not rush forward but waits until the attacker commits to a course of action and then mirrors the action to affect the tackle.

Eli Tuli is still U20 eligible in 2024 and is likely to start the 2024 season in either the Brisbane Premier U20 competition or the Gold Coast Rugby League U20 competition before pushing on towards First Grade in either of those two competitions.

Eli Tuli is a big, strong powerful rugby league player who is ideally suited to playing in the front row and seems set to be able to play in the front row for the duration of his rugby league career regardless of competition level.

Eli Tuli has outstanding physical attributes and a rapidly developing rugby league skill set and it is just a matter of time for Eli Tuli to figure out how best to use them to dominate on a rugby league field and when Eli Tuli does opposition teams regardless of quality should look out.

With his size and deft subtle late footwork whilst running the ball, I can see some similarities from a playing perspective between Eli Tuli and New Zealand Warrior, former Manly Sea Eagle and New Zealand International Addin Fonua-Blake. Both Eli Tuli and Fonau-Blake are young men who play with intensity and with their hearts on their sleeves as well as being hard running giant young front rowers with a degree of nastiness in their game.

Also like Fonua-Blake, Eli Tuli is just a terror on a rugby league field, running the ball and defending with a ferocity and intensity that is almost unrivalled when Eli Tuli is up and about which is fast becoming a very regular occurrence.

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Christian Rivers. Christian Rivers was named to start in the front row in Round One of the 2023 U16 Cyril Connell (CC) Cup competition for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls against the Burleigh Bears with Christian Rivers along with Majah Peachey making the opening tackle of the match after Wynnum Manly had kicked off to get the season underway.

Christian Rivers made another strong run in the 47th minute when from ten metres out from the try line and to the left of the play the ball Christian Rivers rumbled forward to get within a metres of the try line mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Christian River’s performance saw him named in the front row in the 2023 CC Cup Round One Team of the Round.

Christian Rivers was also named in the front row in Round Two against the Norths Devils however he was a late scratching from the match.

Christian Rivers then started at lock in Round Three against the Souths Logan Magpies with Christian Rivers making a desperate try saving tackle in the 2nd minute on the Magpies hooker a metre out from the try line mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field after the hooker had tried to sneak over from dummy half.

Christian Rivers made another tackle in the 11th minute charge back in cover defence to tackle the Souths Logan five eight from behind ten metres out from the try line after a thirty metre line break.

Christian Rivers executed another strong tackle in the 18th minute when with Souths Logan on the attack just ten metres out from the Seagulls try line, Christian Rivers raced out of the defensive line and smashed his opposite number just as he received the ball directly in front of the goal posts.

Christian Rivers produced a smart piece of play when lined up at marker in the 8th minute when he reached around the Magpies player who played the ball to hit the hands of the dummy half and force a knock on.

Christian Rivers then moved to the bench for Round Four against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Christian Rivers coming onto the field to operate in the front row once again.

Christian Rivers also started from the bench in Round Seven against the Redcliffe Dolphins and after coming onto the field to operate in the front row late in the first half.

Christian Rivers made a strong run in the 26th minute from the right of the play the ball three metres inside Dolphins territory with Christian Rivers making twelve metres against a set Dolphins defensive line.

In early March 2023 Christian Rivers was named in the South Coast U15 School Boy Rugby League Representative side with Christian Rivers starting in the front row on Day One against Sunshine Coast with Christian Rivers being named the South Coast’s best player in their first up victory.

Christian Rivers scored for South Coast in the 32nd minute when from the left of the play the ball Christian Rivers burrowed over from three metres out to get the ball down despite numerous defenders trying to stop him two metres to the right of the uprights.

After taking the opening hit-up of the match and getting the ball two metres over the twenty metre mark Christian Rivers made a line break in the 38th minute when after charging onto the ball to the left of the play the ball Christian Rivers broke three tackling whilst making thirty metres before being tackled ten metres from the try line.

Earlier in the 28th minute Christian Rivers made a strong kick-off return out to the twenty five metre mark.

Christian Rivers also started in the front row on Day Two against Northern with Christian Rivers scoring in the 9th minute when with the play the ball a metre out and to the right of the goal posts Jai Billish ran out of dummy half to his right with Christian Rivers running an underneath route to crash over to score eight metres to the right of the uprights.

A minute earlier in the 8th minute Christian Rivers had charged onto the ball to the right of the play the ball from forty metres out to get to twenty six metres out from the try line. Then in the 11th minute Christian Rivers ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball when thirty five metres out and Christian Rivers able to get the ball four metres into Northern territory.

Christian Rivers continued in the front row on Day Three against Met North with Christian Rivers scoring in the 4th minute when with the play the ball less than a metre from the try line Jai Billish ran out of dummy half to his right with Christian Rivers running an underneath route and after receiving the ball from Jai Billish by way of an inside pass Christian Rivers crashed over to score three metres to the right of the uprights.

The 12th minute saw Christian Rivers run onto the ball to the right of the play the ball from twenty metres out with Christian River’s constant pumping of his legs getting him to within four metres out from the try line and five metres to the right of the uprights.

Then in the 29th minute from three metres inside Met North territory and to the left of the play the ball and after engaging the defensive line and breaking away from one defender Christian Rivers continued to run to his left to get twenty two metres out near the left touchline.

Christian Rivers then started in the front row in the 2023 QSSRL U15 School Boy Grand Final against Met East with Christian Rivers scoring the match winning try in the 46th minute with a surge from the right of the dummy half and four metres out and even after Christian Rivers was held a metre short he forced his way over to score adjacent to the right upright. Then from the ensuing kick-off Christian Rivers carried the ball back to twenty eight metres out.

In the 5th minute of the Grand Final from the left of the play the ball and twelve metres inside his own territory Christian Rivers rumbled forward and carried the ball two metres into Met East territory.

Then in the 34th minute from a South Coast penalty tap restart from his own twenty metre mark Christian Rivers carried the ball to within ten metres of the halfway mark and then two tackles later Christian Rivers made another fifteen metres running the ball.

At the conclusion of the Grand Final Christian Rivers was named South Coast’s best player in the match .

Christian Rivers finished the 2023 QSSRL U15 School Boy Rugby League Queensland Championships as the equal leading try scorer with four tries and Christian Rivers was also equal fifth in terms of overall points scored with sixteen points as a result of Christian Rivers four tries.

At the completion of the Championships Christian Rivers was named in the 2023 Queensland U15 Maroon School Boys Rugby League side to contest the 2023 Australian U15 School Boys Rugby League Championships.

Christian Rivers started in the front row in Match One against ACT School Boys with Christian Rivers recording a try assist in the 10th minute with a smart catch and pass to his right from the right of the dummy half for his lock to score next to the left goal post.

In the 5th minute of the match from the left of the play the ball Christian Rivers was able to promote the ball from thirty six metres out from the try line to the halfway mark with Christian Rivers then awarded a penalty after being held down too long. Then in the 38th minute from the right of the dummy half and forty two metres from the try line Christian Rivers broke three tackles as he got the ball to twenty metres out.

Christian Rivers followed up with a good kick-off return to get the ball out to the thirty eight metre mark, then in the 59th minute from the left of the play the ball ran the ball from eight metres inside his own territory to fifteen metres inside ACT territory.

Christian Rivers then started from the bench in Match Two against New South Wales Combined Independent Schools and after coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 11th minute Christian Rivers immediately ran onto the ball to the right of the dummy half to carry the ball from seven metres inside his own territory to five metres inside NSW CIS territory.

Christian Rivers then started in the front row in the Semi-final against Queensland White with Christian Rivers making a good kick-off return in the 7th minute to get the ball out to the twenty two metre mark.

Christian Rivers did very well in the 34th minute when after one of the Qld White replacement forwards took an intercept on the halfway mark with clear ground in front of him, Christian Rivers along with Majah Peachey ran him down to tackle him from behind and save what appeared to be a near certain try.

Christian Rivers started in the front row for Queensland Maroon in the Final of the 2023 U15 ASSRL School Boy Rugby League Championships against New South Wales Combined Independent Schools (CIS) with Christian Rivers taking the second hit of the match from the kick-off with Christian Rivers then backing up to also make the fifth hit-up to get the ball out to the forty metre mark.

Then in the 5th minute from the left of the play the ball Christian Rivers was able to promote the ball from twenty six metres from the try line to eighteen metres out with the speed of Christian Rivers run catching the NSW CIS defence off-load. Christian Rivers then took the hit-up from the penalty restart to get within thirteen metres of the try line.

Round One of the 2023 Walters Cup School Boy competition saw Christian Rivers named in the front row for Keebra Park SHS against Ipswich SHS with Christian Rivers doing well to take possession of the opening kick-off with Christian Rivers initially trapping the bouncing ball between his legs with then Christian Rivers being awarded a penalty for a high tackle after running the ball back into the Stretton State College defensive line.

Christian Rivers then made a line break in the 21st minute when from a kick-off return Christian Rivers broke through the Stretton State College defensive line eighteen metres out from the Keebra Park SHS try line with Christian Rivers charging all of the way to within ten metres of the halfway mark.

Then in the 23rd minute Christian Rivers came close to scoring under the posts after a twelve metre charge by the referee ruled that Christian Rivers had lost the ball over the try line before being able to get the ball to the ground.

Christian Rivers also started in the front row in Round Two against Marsden SHS with Christian Rivers executing a one on one strip in the 26th minute on one of his opposing front rowers twenty two metres out from the Keebra Park SHS try line.

Christian Rivers continued in the front row in Round Three against Redcliffe SHS with Christian Rivers scoring in the 11th minute as a result of a hard straight charge to the right of the play the ball from six metres out with Christian Rivers crashing over to score ten metres in from the left corner post.

Christian Rivers also made a line break in the 14th minute from ten metres inside his own territory and to the right of the play the ball with Christian Rivers bursting straight through the Redcliffe SHS defensive line and rumbling all of the way down to within fifteen metres of the try line/

Christian Rivers had taken the fourth hit-up of the match to get the ball eleven metres inside Redcliffe SHS territory. Then in the 3rd minute Christian Rivers charged onto the ball to the left of the play the ball ten metres inside his own territory to nine metres inside Redcliffe SHS territory with Christian Rivers then being awarded a penalty for being held down too long in the tackle.

Then in the 8th minute from a Keebra Park SHS penalty tap restart five metres inside Keebra Park SHS territory Christian Rivers was able to get the ball twelve metres inside Redcliffe SHS territory. Christian Rives also made a good run in the 28th minute from the left of the play the ball with Christian Rivers carrying the ball from the halfway mark to thirty metres from the try line.

Christian Rivers also started in the front row in Round Four against Caloundra SHS with Christian Rivers recording a try assist in the 38th minute when after making a line break from thirty two metres out from his own try line and to the left of the play the ball, Christian Rivers rumbled downfield and after getting to the fullback, Christian Rivers got the ball away to his left to David Bryenton who raced away to put the ball down under the posts untouched. Christian Rivers then ran the ball back from the subsequent kick-off to get the ball out to the thirty metre mark.

Christian Rivers almost scored himself in the 48th minute when after charging onto the ball to the left of the play the ball twelve metres out Christian Rivers was held up over the try line under the posts.

Christian Rivers had also scored earlier in the 4th minute one when from the left of the play the ball Christian Rivers got the ball from twelve metres out but unfortunately lost the ball as he was trying to put the ball down over the try line next to the right upright.

As early as the 3rd minute Christian Rivers was bending back the Caloundra SHS defensive line with a run from the left of the play the ball from eighteen metres out from his own try lien to thirty metres out. Then in the 14th minute Christian Rivers got to the twenty eight metre mark from a strong kick-off return.

Christian Rivers then made a run in the 28th minute from a Keebra Park SHS twenty metre tap restart with Christian Rivers making an impressive twenty metres before getting an off-load away to his right. Then in the 45th minute from the right of the play the ball Christian Rivers got the ball to the halfway mark after commencing his run thirty two metres from his own try line with Christian Rivers then awarded a penalty when he was held down too long by the defenders.

Christian Rivers continued in the front row in Round Five against Wavell SHS with Christian Rivers recording a line break in the 45th minute with a straight hard charge from the left of the play the ball twenty five metres out from his own try line with Christian Rivers bursting through a number of attempted tackles to get to the halfway mark before being awarded a penalty for being hit with a shoulder charge.

In just the 3rd minute of the match from the left of the play the ball Christian Rivers was able to promote the ball from forty metres out from the try line to twenty nine metres out.

Christian Rivers continued in the front row in the Semi-final against Wavell SHS with Christian Rivers making the opening hit-up of the match to get the ball to the twenty two metre mark. Christian Rivers also took the fourth hit-up of the match to get the ball to within nine metres of the halfway mark.

At the completion of the competition Christian Rivers was named on the bench in the Courier Mail 2023 Walters Cup School Boy Rugby League Team of the Year.

At the 2023 Keebra Park SHS Sports Specialisation Awards Presentation Christian Rivers was named in the front row in the 2023 Keebra Park SHS School Boy Rugby League Team of the Season.

2023 also saw Christian Rivers selected in the Queensland Samoa U16 representative side for the 2023 annual QPICC Cultural Carnival with Christian Rivers starting in the front row in Round One against PEGA Invitational.

Christian Rivers also started in the front row in Round Two against Queensland PNG, in Round Three against Queensland Niue and in Round Four against Queensland Māori.

Christian Rivers also started in the front row in Queensland Samoa’s Semi-Final against the Cook Islands with Christian Rivers scoring as Samoa progressed to the Grand Final.

The 2023 QPICC U16 Grand Final saw Christian Rivers start in the front row for Queensland Samoa against Queensland PEGA Tonga Invitational with Christian Rivers kicking a conversion in a big Samoa Grand Final victory after the final siren from a metre to the right of the goal posts with a good right foot strike.

In the 5th minute of the Grand Final Christian Rivers ran onto the ball from the left of the play the ball from six metres inside his own territory and carried the ball six metres inside Tonga territory. Then in the 8th minute from the left of the play the ball Christian Rivers received the ball thirty six metres out from the try line with Christian Rivers continuing to pump his legs after contact with the defensive line with 70% of the sixteen metres that Christian Rivers made being post contact.

Christian Rivers in the 24th minute, ran onto the ball to the left of the dummy half receiving the ball thirty eight metres from his own try line and was able to carry the ball to seven metres into Tonga territory. Then in the 32nd minute from two passes to the to the right of the play the ball and as a consequence Christian Rivers was able to promote the ball from twenty seven metres out from his own try line to within ten metres of the halfway mark.

Christian Rivers also made a try saving tackle in the 14th minute on the Tonga No. 17 when Christian Rivers was able to grab the back of his jersey and sling him to ground a metre from the try line near the left goal post.

2023 also saw Christian Rivers continue to line up for Wynnum Manly with Christian Rivers playing a number of matches in the second row for the Seagulls with Christian Rivers scoring in Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins and Round Nine against Beenleigh.

In late 2022 Christian Rivers was named as the Keebra Park SHS 2022 Hancock Cup School Boy Rugby League Player of the Year and Christian Rivers was also named on the bench in the 2022 Keebra Park SHS Rugby League Team of the Year, two absolutely outstanding achievements to say the least for the talented young forward.

In 2022 Christian Rivers started in the front row in all of Keebra Park SHS’s Hancock Cup school boy Rugby League matches, making a strong impression in each and every one of them. The 2022 Keebra Park SHS forward pack was exceptional and Christian Rivers was one of the key reasons that they dominated the majority of the forward packs that took Keebra Park SHS on.

2022 also saw Christian Rivers play for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in the GBJRL U4 Division One competition including starting in the second row in the Grand Final loss against the Redcliffe Dolphins.

Christian Rivers proved to be a try scorer of note for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in 2022 including scoring four doubles, the first of which came in Round Ten against Aspley, then Christian Rivers scored a double in Round Twelve against the Easts Tigers.

In the GBJRL U14 Division One competition regular season Christian Rivers also scored in Round Three against Aspley, Round Eight against the Norths Devils, Round Nine against Logan Brothers and Round Thirteen against the Redcliffe Dolphins.

Christian Rivers had a particularly strong 2022 GBJRL U14 Division One competition Finals series, scoring doubles in the Qualifying and Preliminary Finals, on both occasions in victories against Logan Brothers.

Christian Rivers is a big strong hard running young forward who really punishes defensive lines with his strength and power. For a big young man Christian Rivers also has the ability to run wider of the ruck targeting the smaller defenders.

I would argue that Christian Rivers speed for a front row/second row/lock is above average bordering on plus and with that he runs with exceptional power and regularly drops his chest into the initial defender in the opposition defensive line.

Christian Rivers also has a powerful fend with either arm and does not look to just hold off his opponent but actually look to push them physically away from his body. The final piece of the puzzle for Christian Rivers is developing his off-loading skills and whilst he has shown flashes of this skill attribute with continued experience and selectivity the ability to off load both prior to the line and once engaged will certainly come.

Christin Rivers is an aggressive defender whether he is defending in the centre of the ruck or on the fringes, and due to his natural strength is more than capable of defending one on one and can and will stop even the biggest opposing forwards in their tracks and targets the area around where the attackers carry the football.

Christian Rivers speed and lateral movement means that he will not be beaten by light stepping halves trying to take advantage of tiring forwards or the opposition running out of dummy half. I have noted that Christian Rivers is aggressive and seems to want to win every one on one battle and Christian Rivers invariably does.

2024 will see Christian Rivers move up to the Keebra Park SHS Langer Cup squad with Christian Rivers pushing for immediate playing time of the Keebra Park SHS Open A Langer Cup School Boy Rugby League squad. Christian Rivers should also line up for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls Cyril Connell Cup squad for the second season in a row with Christian Rivers also CC Cup eligible in 2025.

Interestingly Christian Rivers started all of Keebra Park SHS’s 2023 Walters Cup School Boy matches in the front row and all of Wynnum Manly’s GBJRL U15 Division One matches in the second row. Ultimately though I believe that Christian Rivers will settle in the front row but similarly I am of the firm opinion that at least for the next couple of seasons, Christian Rivers will be able to continue to operate in the second row very successfully whether that is in relation to school boy, representative or club rugby league.

In many respects Christian Rivers has a similar playing style to that of Titans NRL, Queensland State of Origin and Tongan International front rower Moeaki Fotuaika. Both Fotuaika and Christian Rivers are solidly built young men with deceptive speed, late subtle and deceptive footwork and vastly under rated ball skills as well as defensively they are both very good.

[mdrew]

William Hamblin. The Beaudesert Kingfishers youngster is part of the Titans JTS Elite Development Program and was part of the Titans 2022 U14 JTS High Performance Academy Gold Coast squad that commenced training in November 2022.

In early December 2022 William Hamblin played for the Titans U14 Gold Coast JTS Academy against the Titans U14 Logan JTS Academy in a trial match on the Gold Coast with both teams wearing Titans jerseys in a great Titans initiative.

Round One of the 2023 School Boy Renouf Cup competition saw William Hamblin start at fullback for Keebra Park SHS against Wavell SHS with William Hamblin making a line break in the 12th minute when William Hamblin ran the ball down a short left blindside from five metres inside his own territory and after breaking through the Wavell SHS defensive line William Hamblin ran the ball to five metres inside Wavell SHS territory before passing to his inside to keep the play alive.

In the 4th minute after running onto the ball to the right of the dummy half William Hamblin made a half break from five metres inside his own territory to thirty two metres out from the Wavell SHS try line with approximately 70% of the metres that William Hamblin gained being post contact with the Wavell SHS defensive line.

In the 15th minute William Hamblin ran to his left and after cleaning picking up a bouncing Wavell SHS grubber kick on his own try line William Hamblin was able to return the ball to the twenty metre mark. Then in the 29th minute from the right of the play the ball William Hamblin was able to run the ball from ten metres out from his own try line to twenty four metres out.

William Hamblin made another good kick return in the 42nd minute when after taking the ball ten metres out from his own try line William Hamblin ran to his right and after breaking away from a tackle twenty metres out, William Hamblin continued to run the ball before eventually being tackled thirty five metres out.

William Hamblin also started at fullback for Round Two against Ipswich SHS.

William Hamblin then continued at fullback in Round Three against Marsden SHS with William Hamblin making a line break in the 22nd minute when after running to his left to collect a Marsden SHS grubber kick in his own in-goal area near the left corner post, William Hamblin beat three defenders with a deft right foot step to get out of the in-goal area and run down the left touchline to get the ball out to the thirty four metre mark.

Against Marsden SHS William Hamblin made a number of try saving tackles with the first coming in the 3rd minute with a tackle in the Keebra Park SHS right corner on the Marsden SHS left winger to first hold him up over the try line before forcing him touch in-goal. William Hamblin then raced out to the twenty metre mark to take the tap restart and make ten metres downfield.

In the 13th minute after the Marsden SHS left second rower No. 12 made a line break down the right touchline, William Hamblin made a low cover defending tackle as the last line of defence thirty metres from the try line.

Then in the 17th minute William Hamblin once again Moved to his right to hit and hold up the Marsden SHS left winger over the try line before forcing him over the touchline in the in-goal area.

In Round Four against Redcliffe SHS William Hamblin continued at fullback and literally produced an outstanding play inside the opening seconds when after one of the Redcliffe SHS forwards had made a line break right from the Keebra Park SHS kick-off William Hamblin, after engaging him ten metres from the halfway mark, executed a one on one strip to immediately negate Redcliffe SHS’s strong start to the match.

William Hamblin also did well in the 12th minute with an eighteen metre run down the right touchline finishing twenty six metres out from the try line.

William Hamblin also started at fullback in Round Five against Mabel Park SHS with William Hamblin scoring in the 44th minute when after receiving a pass from his right forty metres out from the try line and after running to his left William Hamblin was able to get on the outside of the Mabel Park SHS right sided defensive line, William Hamblin raced down the left touchline to score in the left corner.

William Hamblin also recorded a try assist in the 33rd minute when from ten metres out from the try line and on the left side of the field William Hamblin was able to separate himself from one defender and get an off-load away to Jett Rimaputa who raced ten metres to score in the left corner.

William Hamblin also recorded a line break assist in the 4th minute when thirty seven metres from the try line William Hamblin was able to get a pass away to his right to put him away down the right touchline.

William Hamblin made another good run in the 22nd minute from the right of a Keebra Park SHS scrum win with William Hamblin able to get the ball five metres into Mabel Park SHS territory after commencing his run five metres inside his own territory, After being awarded a penalty at the end of his run, William Hamblin took a quick tap and was able to make an additional sixteen metres.

William Hamblin continued at fullback in Round Six against St Mary’s College Toowoomba with William Hamblin scoring twice with William Hamblin converting his own try from in front of the goal posts in the 36th minute.

William Hamblin scoring his opening try in the 6th minute when after taking the ball ten metres out from his own line William Hamblin ran to his left and after getting on the outside of the St Mary’s right winger with a right arm fend. William sped down the left touchline before executing an in and away to beat the fullback and continue to run down the touchline to score in the left corner.

William Hamblin completed his double in the 36th minute with yet another long range effort. With St Mary’s attacking the try line, William Hamblin executed a one on one strip just four metres from his own try line and in front of his own goal posts, William Hamblin got to his feet and after a quick look back at the referee William Hamblin raced ninety six metres downfield to score under the posts. William Hamblin then stepped up to convert his own try from directly in front.

William Hamblin also came close to scoring in the 20th minute with an acrobatic dive to put the ball down in the right corner after a twenty metre run down the right touchline but the touch judge ruled that William Hamblin had put his right foot on the touchline just before his dive towards the corner.

William Hamblin also recorded a line break assist in the 16th minute when after taking a long kick on the full in front of his own posts with William Hamblin running to twenty metres out from his own line before veering to his left and getting a pass away to his left to Jett Rimputa who was able to make a long line break down the left touchline.

William Hamblin also started at fullback in the Round Seven Gold Coast School Boy derby against PBC SHS with William Hamblin converting Denzel Silby’s 42nd minute try from ten metres in from the right touchline.

William Hamblin did well defensively in the 8th minute when after the PBC SHS left second rower No. 11 made a line break down the Keebra Park SHS right touchline, William Hamblin turned and chased and ran him down from behind to tackle him into touch twelve metres out from the try line.

William Hamblin also did well in the 29th minute with another try saving effort, on this occasion a one on one tackle on the PBC SHS left winger just three metres out from the try line.

William Hamblin played the 2022 season with the Keebra Park SHS Bronco’s Old Boys School Boy’s Rugby League side and was named on the wing in the 2022 Keebra Park SHS Rugby League Team of the Year. William Hamblin was also named as the 2022 Keebra Park SHS Year Seven Player of the Year after starring at fullback for Keebra Park SHS in the Bronco’s Old Boys School Boy Rugby League competition.

In the 2022 Bronco’s Old Boys Cup School Boy Grand Final William Hamblin started at fullback and was Keebra Park SHS’s sole try scorer in their tough and hard fought 8 – 6 loss to Wavell SHS. In the 23rd minute William Hamblin received the ball from his right around ten metres out and to the left of the uprights with William Hamblin then running the ball to his left, bursting between two defenders with William Hamblin getting the ball down ten metres in from the left corner post.

William Hamblin had an outstanding match in Round Seven against Redcliffe SHS with William Hamblin scoring two great solo tries in a 10 all draw.

William Hamblin scored the first of his two tries in the 3rd minute when with a Keebra Park SHS scrum feed forty metres out and ten metres in from the right touchline, William Hamblin packed in at lock. After picking up the ball from the back of the scrum, William Hamblin ran to his left before stepping off his right foot to get on the outside of one defender before producing a left arm fend to beat a second. William Hamblin then continued to run to his left, dummying in that direct before slicing between two more defenders. From there William Hamblin easily outpaced the Redcliffe SHS cover defence to score seen metres in from the left corner post.

William Hamblin also scored and recorded a try assist in Round Six against Marsden SHS. William Hamblin scored in the 31st minute when after receiving the ball eighteen metres out on the left side of the field, William Hamblin ran to his left with the ball out on from of his body in both hands. After threatening to pass to his left on two occasions, William Hamblin took the defensive lien on himself and after being spun around 360 degrees clockwise, William Hamblin was able to maintain his balance and get the ball down seven metres in from the left corner post.

William Hamblin recorded his try assist in the 3rd minute when from a Keebra Park SHS scrum and feed ten metres out and in centre field, William Hamblin picked the ball up from the back of the scrum and ran to his left. After drawing in two defenders William Hamblin got a pass away to his left to put his unmarked winger over wide out on the left side of the field.

William Hamblin completed his outstanding solo double in the 22nd minute when after William Hamblin took a Redcliffe SHS clearing kick ten metres out from his own try line and in the centre of the field, William Hamblin ran to his left and after getting on the outside of the Redcliffe right winger William Hamblin raced away down his left touchline and then beat the fullback with a great right arm fend with William Hamblin racing away to dive over next to the left upright.

William Hamblin also had an outstanding match in Round Four against Stretton Collage with William Hamblin scoring a hat trick inside the opening seventeen minutes of the match.

William Hamblin scored his opening try of the match in just the 2nd minute of the match when after taking a Stretton College clearing kick on the full whilst tracking the ball backwards just twenty metres out from his own try line, William Hamblin charged back on the kick return and burst between two defenders whilst still deep inside his own territory with William Hamblin then rounding the fullback to his left to then race away and dive over next to the left upright.

William Hamblin scored again in the 8th minute when after receiving the ball forty five metres out and on the left side of the field William Hamblin immediately upon taking possession of the ball cut inside off his right foot with William Hamblin then bursting away down the left touchline before William Hamblin then bringing the ball around to put the ball down next to the left upright.

William Hamblin completed his hat trick in the 17th minute with a sixty metre run after taking a hit-up from the left of the play the ball with William Hamblin breaking through two attempted tackles before rounding the fullback to his right and racing away to score under the posts.

William Hamblin also started at fullback in Round Three against Mabel Park SHS with William Hamblin throwing the last pass for Keebra Park SHS’s 34th minute try.

William Hamblin also scored in just the 2nd minute of Round Two against Redcliffe SHS when he chased through a Keebra Park SHS attacking kick which rebounded off the foot of the Redcliffe SHS fullback with William Hamblin jumping high to take the ball over his head and then round the fullback and bring the ball around to score five metres to the left of the uprights.

2022 also saw William Hamblin play for the Beaudesert Kingfishers in the Gold Coast Rugby League U13 Division One competition with William Hamblin putting in multiple outstanding performances for the Kingfishers.

William Hamblin scored a number of exceptional long range solo tries in 2022 for the Beaudesert Kingfishers in the 202 2GCRL U13 Division One competition including in the 20th minute of a late season match against Burleigh when after lining up two passes to the right of a scrum with a Beaudesert scrum feed. After receiving the ball from his left when still forty eight metres out from the try line and just to the right of the uprights, William Hamblin initially ran to his right before cutting back inside the Burleigh left winger. William Hamblin then beat the fullback by way of a strong left arm fend and was then able to bring the ball around to score under the posts.

William Hamblin also had a strong match against the Jimboomba Thunder with William Hamblin scoring a double. William Hamblin’s opening try arriving in the 15th minute when from twenty five metres out and to the right of the play the ball William Hamblin put in a right foot grubber kick which he followed through and was able to retrieve. After retrieving the ball William Hamblin was able to cross the try line wide out on the right before bringing the ball around to score next to the right upright. William Hamblin then stepped up to convert his own try.

William Hamblin scored his second try in the 51st minute when from fifteen metres out, William Hamblin ran out of dummy half to his left down a short blindside to score three metres in from the left corner post.

Perhaps the best 2022 GCRL U13 Division One match that I saw William Hamblin play for the Beaudesert Kingfishers was against the Helensvale Hornets with William Hamblin’s first of three tries coming in just the 6th minute of the match when after receiving the ball from the dummy half to the right of the play the ball, William Hamblin stepped to his right when around twelve metres out with William Hamblin then having an uninterrupted run to score in the right corner.

William Hamblin’s second try came in the 18th minute when after taking possession of the ball from a Helensvale kick in the centre of the field just twenty five metres out from his own try line, William Hamblin ran to his left before stepping off his right foot to break through the defensive line with William Hamblin them beating the Hornets fullback by veering to his left and he was then able to bring the ball around to score under the posts.

William Hamblin completed his hat trick in the final minute of the match when from ten metres out William Hamblin charged onto the ball to the right of the play the ball to crash over ten metres in from the left corner post.

William Hamblin is in some respects a throwback to the 1970’s or 1980’s when fullbacks used to chime into the back line either between the two centres or even between the centre or winger on either side of the field especially in relation to looking to exploit a shorter blind side. When William Hamblin chimes into a back line he does not look to run into his direct opponent but William Hamblin runs into the gaps and anticipates where his inside play makers are going to pass the ball.

From a running perspective, William Hamblin just seems to glide across the field and it appears effortless, no matter who is chasing him, they will not catch William Hamblin, I am talking James Roberts type of speed but William Hamblin has a much more effortless running style to that of the current Redcliffe Dolphin.

William Hamblin does not necessarily have a side step per say, it is more of a swerve and he has a number of variations to it, with the scary part being that there is absolutely no loss of speed at all, making William Hamblin incredibly difficult to defend against when he is in open space.

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

William Hamblin’s attacking skills are likely to be primarily what he is always noted for but to be fair to William Hamblin he is also a very good defender from the fullback position where when faced with a line break William Hamblin will quickly move forward to force the attacking player to make a rushed decision due the reduced time afforded to him by William Hamblin coming forward to confront him. When faced with those situations William Hamblin will focus on the ball carrier and not be swayed by any looming support runners.

Also when moving across the field to cover a line break down either sideline William Hamblin will stay on the inside of the attacker and force him to look to beat William Hamblin down the touchline with William Hamblin then utilising his elite speed to close the distance to the attacking player and regularly force him into touch.

William Hamblin is also safe under high attacking kicks and will move forward to generate a degree of momentum to leap high in the air to take the ball on the full including in contested situations.

When William Hamblin is defending against short attacking grubber William Hamblin will attack the kick and shows a high degree of courage and toughness by getting down low and taking possession of the ball at the feet of the chasing attackers.

2024 will see William Hamblin continue at Keebra Park SHS with William Hamblin moving up to the Hancock Cup School Boy Rugby League competition. William Hamblin will also line up for the Beaudesert Kingfishers once again and in 2024 William Hamblin will play in the GCRL U15 Division One competition.

Even though William Hamblin was named on the wing in the 2022 Keebra Park SHS Rugby League Team of the Year, William Hamblin’s best position moving forward is definitely at fullback where from the back William Hamblin can see the entire field in front of him and inject himself into the play where and when necessary for the benefit of his team.

For me the perfect player comparison for William Hamblin is former Melbourne Storm, Queensland State of Origin and Australian test fullback Billy Slater. Like Slater, William Hamblin can either slice through the opposition backline when he receives the ball early, beat forwards in the centre of the ruck with an outstanding side step and acceleration and William Hamblin is also an absolute nightmare for opposing defences when he chases short attacking kicks.

[mdrew]

Grant Byers-Brown. In late September 2023 Grant Byers-Brown was named in the 2024 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad.

Round Eight of the 2023 NRRRL U18 competition saw Grant Byers-Brown make his first appearance in the competition when he started from the bench for the Lower Clarence Magpies against the Tweed Coast Raiders with Grant Byers-Brown celebrating his NRRRL U18 debut by scoring in the 21st minute when after loitering behind the play the ball Grant Byers-Brown, at the last moment ran to the left of the play the ball and after receiving the ball down a short left blindside twenty metres out, Grant Byers-Brown dummied to his left before bursting down the left touchline before stepping inside off his left foot to beat two defenders to score two metres in from the left corner post.

Grant Byers-Brown had earlier recorded a try assist in the 17th minute when two passes to the left of the play the ball Grant Byers-Brown executed a smart catch and pass to his left to put his left winger over to score ten metres in from the left corner post.

Grant Byers-Brown also started from the bench in Round Nine against the Cudgen Hornets with Grant Byers-Brown scoring a double with Grant Byers-Brown scoring the first of his two tries in the 22nd minute when after receiving the ball ten metres out, five metres in from the left touchline and two passes to the left of the play the ball Grant Byers-Brown executed a stutter step to beat two defenders in a confined space to force his way over to score six metres in from the left corner post.

Grant Byers-Brown scored his second try in the 51st minute when after receiving the ball twelve metres out from the try line and mid-way between the goal posts and the corner post on the left side of the field Grant Byers-Brown stepped off his left foot then his right as he cut back towards the goal posts then straightening up to dive over to score four metres to the left of the uprights.

The 54th minute saw Grant Byers-Brown receive the ball on the left side of the field and thirty metres out from his own try line with Grant Byers-Brown producing a goose step to beat the Hornet fullback to his left with Grant Byers-Brown then stepping off his left foot and then when he was twenty metres out and in the centre of the field Grant Byers-Brown put in a right foot grubber kick to his left for his winger to collect the ball on the bounce and cross the try line but bizarrely the referee after coming close to awarding a try called the play back for a changeover of possession inside Magpies territory.

Grant Byers-Brown then started at fullback, wearing the No. 3 jersey, in Round Sixteen against the Casino Cougars with Grant Byers-Brown scoring in the 39th minute when Grant Byers flowed through a line break by Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas to receive a pass from his left and run forty five metres to score under the posts untouched.

Grant Byers-Brown made come close to scoring earlier in the 22nd minute when after receiving the ball ten metres out from the try line and two passes to the left of the dummy half Grant Byers-Brown dummied to his left before running himself and seemingly got the ball down over the try line ten metres in from the left corner post but the referee ruled that Grant Byers-Brown had knocked the ball on just prior to the try line.

Grant Byers-Brown also made a line break in the 41st minute when from two passes to the left of the play the ball Grant Byers-Brown received the ball on the halfway mark and then executed an in and away to get on the outside of his opposite defenders and after running twenty metres down the left channel Grant Byers-Brown got a right arm flick off-load away to his right to Zachariah Williams who was able to get to within thirteen metres of the try line.

In the 6th minute of the match Grant Byers-Brown took a Casino kick on the full four metres out from his own try line in front of his goal posts and then was able to return the ball to the twenty metre mark.

Grant Byers-Brown also had a good match defensively including in the 16th minute with a good low cover defending tackle in open space on the Casino right centre No. 3 with Grant Byers-Brown brining him down after a line break sixteen metres out from the try line.

Then in the 23rd minute Grant Byers-Brown turned and chased and ran down the Casino left centre with Grant Byers-Brown turning and chasing from ten metres out from the try line and mow him down from behind on the halfway mark.

Grant Byers-Brown also made a try saving tackle in the 37th minute when after covering ground to his right Grant Byers-Brown crunched the Casino left winger No. 2 two metres out from the try line and three metres in from the right touchline with Grant Byers-Brown’s heavy front-on ball and all tackle forcing the Cougars winger over the touchline with the ball also coming loose at the same time.

Grant Byers-Brown made another good one on one tackle in open space when in the 57th minute Grant Byers-Brown brought down the Casino halfback with a low left shoulder tackle thirteen metres out from the try line after the halfback had made a line break.

Grant Byers-Brown then started from the bench in the Week One Elimination Final against the Bilambil Jets coming onto the field in the 20th minute to line-up at fullback even though grant Byers-Brown was wearing the No. 10 jersey.

In 2021 the Maclean High school student was selected in the North Coast School Boy Rugby League Representative side.

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

Grant Byers-Brown has absolutely blazing speed as well as outstanding positioning. When he retrieves the ball Grant Byers-Brown makes a decision quickly about where to look to run around a staggered defensive line or to run straight in an effort to take the yards on offer.

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

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

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

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

Grant Byers-Brown does also have decent hands when short attacking kicks are put in and is elusive enough when he retrieves the ball to get out of the touch in goal when it appears that that task is unlikely if not impossible.

Impressively Grant Byers-Brown is U18 eligible once again in 2024 when Grant Byers-Brown should line up again for the Lower Clarence Magpies in the NRRRL U18 competition. Grant Byers-Brown will get his 2024 season underway as part of the Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup Squad.

At fullback Grant Byers-Brown can move to where he sees an opportunity and exploit it as he sees fit, including stationing himself behind the play the ball and getting involved as often as possible from the resultant play the ball.

At fullback Grant Byers-Brown looks assured in both attack and defence and regularly literally just popped up out of nowhere when the Magpies have the ball, causing significant concern in the opposition defensive line.

With his beautifully balanced running style, elite speed, tackling breaking ability and the fact that he plays the game with just a natural affinity, Grant Byers-Brown’s playing style may well compare very well in the end to being similar to that of Cronulla Sharks fullback William Kennedy as a taller player with outstanding speed and strength as well as the ability to be an elite tackle breaker and regular try scorer. Like Kennedy, Grant Byers-Brown plays far stronger than he looks and has proved to be near impossible to be brought down in a one on one situation by any opponent.

Like William Kennedy, Grant Byers-Brown just looks like he is playing at a pace far far quicker than the players around him, both teammates and the opposition alike and Grant Byers-Brown has the same explosiveness off the mark as Kennedy has and his sense of timing, anticipation and plus top end speed present as similar to Kennedy as well. Grant Byers-Brown is just as natural on a rugby league field, it is literally as simple as that.

[mdrew]

Tyrell Schwenke. In early March 2023 Tyrell Schwenke was named in the 2023 South Coast School Boy Rugby League U15 Representative side out of Keebra Park SHS with Tyrell Schwenke starting from the bench on Day One against Sunshine Coast.

Tyrell Schwenke then moved into the South Coast starting line-up in the front row on Day Two against Northern with Tyrell Schwenke making a good run from the left of the play the ball from thirty three metres out from his own try line to get the ball four metres from the halfway mark.

Then in the 48th minute Tyrell Schwenke chased a South Coast kick downfield and smashed the Northern fullback with a heavy front on tackle as he was returning the ball with Tyrell Schwenke’s front on contact forcing a knock on just fifteen metres out from the try line.

Tyrell Schwenke then started from the bench on Day Three against Met North with Tyrell Schwenke coming onto the field to operate in the front row mid-way through the first half and in the 50th minute from the right of the play the ball Tyrell Schwenke carried the ball from nineteen metres out from his own try line to thirty five metres out.

Tyrell Schwenke also came off the bench in the 2023 QSSRL U15 School Boy Grand Final against Met East with Tyrell Schwenke making a strong run in the 11th minute from the left of the play the ball and twenty seven metres out from his own try line with Tyrell Schwenke then able to get the ball to within ten metres of the halfway mark.

Then in the 17th minute for a South Coast penalty tap restart from thirty metres from his own try line Tyrell Schwenke carried the ball to within eight metres of the halfway mark.

At the completion of the Championships Tyrell Schwenke was named in the 2023 Queensland U15 White School Boys Rugby League side to contest the 2023 Australian U15 School Boys Championships.

Tyrell Schwenke started in the front row in Queensland White’s Match One 10 – 8 victory against New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges.

Tyrell Schwenke also started in the front row in Match Two against New South Wales Combined High Schools and started from the bench in the Semi-Final against Queensland Maroon with Tyrell Schwenke making the first hit-up of the match from the kick-off.

Tyell Schwnek then started from the bench in the third v fourth U15 ASSRL Play-off against New South Wales Combined High Schools.

Round One of the 2023 School Boy Hancock Cup competition saw Tyrell Schwenke start in the front row for Keebra Park SHS against Wavell SHS. Tyrell Schwenke also started in the front row in Round Two against Ipswich SHS as well as in Round Three against Marsden SHS.

Round Four against Redcliffe SHS saw Tyrell Schwenke move to the bench with Tyrell Schwenke moving back into the starting side in the front row in Round Five against Wavell SHS and Round Six against Stretton State College. Tyrell Schwenke also started in the front row in the Round Seven Gold Coast School Boy Rugby League local derby against PBC SHS.

Tyrell Schwenke also started in the front row in the Semi-Final against Marsden SHS and the 2023 Hancock Cup School Boy Rugby League Grand Final against Ipswich SHS that was played at Suncorp Stadium as a Bronco’s NRL curtain raiser.

Tyrell Schwenke played the 2022 season with the Keebra Park SHS Renouf Cup School Boy Rugby League side and impressively Tyrell Schwenke was named in the front row in the 2022 Keebra Park SHS Rugby League Team of the Year after playing all of Keebra Park SHS’s Renouf Cup matches in the front row including the Grand Final victory against Marsden SHS.

For a big strong young man, Tyrell Schwenke also has above average speed for the position that he plays, not just off the mark but also when he is in clear space. When he makes a break Tyrell Schwenke is more than capable of going the distance and normally is able to outpace the cover defence.

Tyrell Schwenke is not just a strong runner of the ball he as noted above has excellent footwork prior to the line and also some very good short passing both before the line and when in contact with a defender or multiple defenders.

On a lot of his runs Tyrell Schwenke rather than trying to step his opposite number will really look to initiate the contact and then use his strength to hold the defender off his body to either push through the tackle or draw in the next defender to create space for his outside support.

Tyrell Schwenke is a scary young man when he is running at a defensive line. In addition to being a big strong young man, Tyrell Schwenke runs at the line with speed and unbridled aggression. When you add to those traits his long hair which flows everywhere when he runs Tyrell Schwenke is a sight to behold when he crashes into the defensive line and then immediately fights with knees and elbows going in all directions to get a quick play the ball.

On many occasions Tyrell Schwenke is the designated kick-off returner for his side and with added room to wind up Tyrell Schwenke’s front on crashes into the defensive line causes carnage and whilst he may not make a break himself the fact that he draws in so many defenders and gets quick play the ball means that his team mates have a lot more room to move, including dummy halves who use the fact that defenders are scattered all over the place to their advantage.

Defensively Tyrell Schwenke has a hard, aggressive edge to his play and his initial contact is more than sufficient to redirect the momentum of the ball carrier. Tyrell Schwenke sets a very good base which he uses to explode into the ball carrier looking to use their own momentum against them.

Tyrell Schwenke is also able to change direction quickly to adjust to the directional changes of the attacker especially when he is marking up against multiple attackers running in his direction where Tyrell Schwenke will hold his ground to let the play to develop in front of him before committing to a specific defensive course of action.

2024 will Tyrell Schwenke continue at Keebra Park SHS with Tyrell Schwenke moving up to the Walters Cup School Boy competition. Representative school boy rugby league with the South Coast School Boy Representative side will also be on the agenda in 2024 for Tyrell Schwenke.

Tyrell Schwenke is a big strong powerful young man but he also has good speed and mobility and for that reason I believe that Tyrell Schwenke’s ideal spot on a rugby league field is and will continue to be in the front row where Tyrell Schwenke can use his physical attributes and skill set through the centre of the field and Tyrell Schwenke is more that big, strong and powerful enough to make a significant impact.

Tyrell Schwenke is a rare combination of size, power, incredible athletic ability and an exceptional understanding of timing and anticipation on a football field thus to that extent for me Tyrell Schwenke has a young Ryan James athletic ability, football intelligence, aggressiveness as well as a no holds barred, no self-preservation playing style.