Talented junior players not linked to the Titans but maybe should be

[mdrew]

One player to keep an eye on is TSS U16A winger Michael Vains, the young man is pure class.

[mdrew]

Josh Bevan. (updated) The former Titans (and Brisbane Broncos) Junior Development Squad member and PBC student is currently contracted to the Sydney Roosters until the end of the current 2021 season.

After spending part of the 2020/21 off-season training with the Sydney Roosters NRL squad, Josh Bevan started Round One of the 2021 SG Ball competition at lock against the Canterbury Bulldogs and also started at lock in Round Two against the Illawarra Steelers and was one of the Roosters try scorers in their victory.

After the Roosters had a Round Three bye, Josh Bevan lined up once again at lock in Round Four against the Victorian Thunderbolts and also started at lock in Round Five against the Cronulla Sharks.

Josh Bevan was to commence the 2020 season starting at hooker for the Roosters in their 2020 U18 SG Ball Round One match against the Norths Sydney Bears however the match was cancelled due to the extreme weather conditions in Sydney that particular weekend.

In Round Two against the Western Suburbs Magpies Josh Bevan was once again named to start at hooker for the Roosters scoring in the first half in the Roosters 50 – 4 victory. Josh Bevan’s try was an opportunist one out of dummy half. With the Roosters on the attack right on the Western Suburbs try line, Josh Bevan ran out of dummy half to his left from a metre out, crashing over between two Magpies defenders who were no chance to stop him.

In relation to his try, the Magpies initial contact was actually quite good on Josh Bevan but he pumped his legs and was able to crash over mid-way between the uprights and corner post on the left side of the field.

Josh Bevan also started at hooker in Round Three against the Parramatta Eels as well as in Round Four against the Canberra Raiders.

After the Roosters had a Round Five bye, Josh Bevan was back starting at hooker in Round Six against the Cronulla Sharks in what turned out to be a low scoring bruising encounter in what ended up being the last match before the season ended prematurely.

When community rugby league recommenced in July 2020 Josh Bevan turned out for the Bilambil Jets in the NRRRL U18 comeptition starting Round One at five eight against the Ballina Seagulls and also starting at five eight in Round Two against Murwillumbah.

Josh Bevan made it three starts in a row at five eight in Round Three against the Cudgen Hornets but Round Four against the Tweed Coast Raiders saw Josh Bevan move to lock. . In Round Seven Josh Bevan started in the second row against the Tweed Coast Raiders and also started in the second row in Round Eight against Murwillumbah.

Josh Bevan started at lock in Bilambil’s NRRRL U18 Elimination Final victory agaisnt the Tweed Coast Raiders. In the 2020 NRRRL U18 Preliminary Final, Josh Bevan also started at lock and was close to the best player on the field, scoring a double, one in each half, in a tough 24 – 16 Jets loss.

Josh Bevan’s first half try resulted from a powerful charge from fifteen metres out when he took a hit up off the dummy half to the right of the play the ball to surge through the centre of the Cudgen forward pack to cross ten metres to the left of the uprights.

Josh Bevan’s try in the second half was not dis-similar to his first half try. Josh Bevan once again took a hit-up off the dummy half, this time to the left of the play the ball and once again was too strong for the Cudgen defence to score next to the left upright.

Josh Bevan made his deserved NRRRL First Grade debut in Round Five of the 2020 season when he started from the bench against the Cudgen Hornets and also came off the bench in Round Six against Murwillumbah, Round Seven against the Tweed Coast Raiders and in Round Eights 12 all draw against the Cudgen Hornets. Josh Bevan also came off the bench in Bilambil’s last minute 20 – 18 2020 NRRRL First Grade Preliminary Final loss to Murwillumbah.

Post the completion of the 2020 NRRRL season, Josh Bevan was named the Bilambil Jets Most Promising Talent in the senior grades.

In 2018 and 2019 Josh Bevan was a key member of the PBC Open school boy side that had so much success including in 2018 starting in their GIO Cup National Final victory against Patrician Brothers.

In 2019 Josh Bevan was also part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup Queensland Grand Final and National Final winning U18 sides. In the 2019 Queensland MM Cup competition Josh Bevan was part of all eight of Tweed Heads matches including starting from the bench in their 28 – 24 Queensland MM Cup Grand Final victory over Wynnum Manly.

Josh Bevan started six of his eight 2019 MM Cup matches from the bench scoring in Round One against the Western Mustangs when he started from the bench. Josh Bevan’s two starts were in Round Three against Burleigh when he started at hooker and Round Four against Central Queensland when he started in the front row.

In the 2019 U18 National Final against the Illawarra Steelers, Josh Bevan came off the bench for Tweed Heads to play thirty three minutes (including some time at dummy half) running for fifty one metres (eighteen post contact), was credited with a line break on his way to scoring and made eleven tackles at a 91.67% tackling efficiency.

In 2018 Josh Bevan plyed his trade with the Bilambil Jets in the GCRL U16 Division One competition and was part of the U16 Northern Rivers Andrew Johns Cup side starting in the front row in their Round One clash against the U16 Newcastle Knights Development squad.

Post the 2018 Andrew Johns Cup competition Josh Bevan was selected in the front row for the New South Wales Country U16 side at played matches against PNG and a Titans U16 side at Cudgen late in the season. Josh Bevan in fact scored for New South Wales Country in their 30 – 14 win against the Titans in that match.

Late in 2017 Josh Bevan was selected in the New South Wales U16 Emerging Origin Squad, highlighting the high regard that he is held in across junior rugby league circles and has also been selected in the 2020 Emerging Blues squad. Also in 2017 Josh Bevan was 18th man for the New South Wales U16 side for their match against Queensland.

In 2017 Josh Bevan represented Queensland Maroons at the U15 ASSRL Championships being named on the bench for Queensland. Josh Bevan had an outstanding Championships being named in the front row in the 2017 U15 ASSRL Pool A Merit Team.

Josh Bevan played four matches for the Queensland Maroon U15 side scoring on Day Three against Queensland White and Day Six against the ACT. In addition Josh Bevan was named Queensland Maroon Player of the Match on Day Four against NSW CHS.

The 178cm, 96kg wrecking ball and former Titans Development Squad member had an outstanding 2017 rugby league campaign ending in his selection in the U15 ASSRL Merit side after a standout performance in the front row for the U15 Queensland Maroon QSSRL side. Josh Bevan made the Queensland Maroon side after starring for South Coast in the QSSRL U15 Championships from Palm Beach Currumbin High School.

Josh Bevan is a hard ball runner who is adept at using late and quick footwork just prior to contact line which he hits with power and force in absolutely every hit up that he makes dropping his shoulder into the first defender that is looking to make the initial contact.

Josh Bevan’s ability to get low to engage the defenders with his shoulder rather than allowing them to get in and under his ribs and also a substantial leg drive means that he drives defenders backwards even after they had engaged him with significant force rather than allowing them to impact on his momentum.

A skill that I saw from Josh Bevan over recent seasons was Josh Bevan looking to off load prior to the line. On a couple of occasions especially for PBC Josh Bevan would look as if he was going to take the hit-up, but just prior to the defensive line he popped a couple of good short balls to fellow forwards looking to move the opposing forward pack around.

Josh Bevan prior to the 2020 season playing at hooker for the Sydney Roosters in the U18 SG Ball competition had only spent limited time in the dummy half role but even after such a limited time in the role is a solid player there with a one movement fluid passing style and has quickly adapted to bringing his forwards onto the bll, passing out in front for their bodies close to the advantage line so that they can hit the ball with no loss of momentum.

Whilst his ball running skills are the first thing that you will likely notice when seeing Josh Bevan his defence is equally effective even though it may not be as noticeable at first glance. Defensively Josh Bevan has a tough edge to his play and his initial contact is more than sufficient to redirect the momentum of the ball carrier when defending in the forwards. Josh Bevan sets a very good base defensively as well and uses it to maintain his balance when setting up for a tackle.

Defensively Josh Bevan hits very hard and is adept at making sure the opposition do not get quick play the balls. He also has a touch of aggression in his play and definitely finishes off each tackle that he is involved in. He is equally adept at defending in the centre of the ruck as he is defending on the fringes and his initial contact is more than sufficient to make an impact on the ball carrier’s momentum.

Defensively the most impressive aspect of Josh Bevan’s play is his ability to make effective tackle after effective tackle. Josh Bevan continually makes up to three and four tackles in a row on multiple occasions and still back up looking to take a hit up the next set of six tackles.

Whilst his stamina is very impressive, so is his initial contact, Josh Bevan uses his strength and leverage to hit the ball carrier hard forcing momentum changes to the ball carrier. Josh Bevan 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 he has very good catch up speed and a solid low tackling technique from a side aspect.

Josh Bevan’s good situation awareness also enables him to be well positioned when he is defending against smaller quicker players and he endeavours to minimise the time available for the opposing attacker to generate speed and to utilise their footwork.

Josh Bevan 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 he will hold his ground to let the play to develop in front of him before committing to a specific defensive course of action.

Josh Bevan really has mastered using his low centre of gravity to his advantage both in attack and defence.

I note that Josh Bevan represented the Sydney Roosters in the 2021 U18 SG Ball competition this season but if the Titans are a shot at grabbing him in 2022 to continue to “buy back the farm” so to speak signing Josh Bevan once his contract is up with the Roosters they will I am sure jump at the opportunity to add such a class player and individual into their ranks.

With his ability and perigee however Josh Bevan will be in demand, including by the Broncos who also had him in their Junior Development system prior to his signing with the Roosters. Of course I am sure that the Roosters will also not let him go without a fight and no doubt also other NRL clubs will also be looking to add such a talented young man to their club set up.

There is no doubt that Josh Bevan has the ability and determination to make an immediate impact in the U20 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition and it is hard no to see him being a key member of the Tweed Heads Seagulls Colts side come Round One of the 2022 season if he heads back to Northern New South Wales.

Josh Bevan has played a fair bit in the front row over the last couple of season’s but I would still prefer for him to be able to operate a touch wider of the ruck, at least for the short term at least. To that end I would like to see Josh Bevan in the No. 13 jersey for any side that he is playing for, especially with the new rules aiding the influence that players such as Josh Bevan will have around the centre of the ruck.

I do note that Josh Bevan played hooker of the Rooster in 2020 in the U18 SG Ball competition and also spend some time at dummy half for PBC and Tweed Heads in 2019 and whilst that is a great skill for him to have I just think that Josh Bevan is a better fit at lock for the majority of his playing time in a match. At lock Josh Bevan has the freedom to make a determination on which side of the field his presence gives his side the best possible advantage.

It will do Josh Bevan absolutely no harm however having the ability to slot into dummy half should injuries occur over the course of a match or if the tactical situation requires it for any given period of time.

From a player comparison, a perfect comparison for me is former Titan, 2021 Souths Sydney recruit, Queensland State of Origin and Prime Ministers XIII Jai Arrow. Like Arrow, Josh Bevan is a strong tough hard tackling forward with underrated ball running and offloading skills. In saying that however, Josh Bevan is in all likelihood going to be considered a defence first player whether that is warranted in relation to this talented young man or not.

[mdrew]

The Titans JTS Program is absolutely flying at present under Jamie McCormack but any NRL club is continually on the look out for outstanding young players.

One young man on the Coast who is an outstanding rugby player is Kobi Nouanrasy from the Helensvale Hogs.

He can play scrum half, fullback and fly half and this season was named in the Kings of Country Junior Rugby Tournament's Team of the Tournament.

[Bayside Titan]

Hey mdrew. Blake Mozer looks to have got himself a top 30 gig at the Broncos. Is he a player that slipped through our fingers and is our hookers coming through on par with him ?

[mdrew]

Blake Mozer has been with the Bronco's since he was around 13 and no doubt we had interest but he chose the Bronco's.

Yes our younger hookers are on par, for example last year it really was neck and neck between him and our Oskar Bryant with both beating out the other in different rep sides.

The Titans also have Tanu Nona who both HS and I think could be the best of the lot even though he is younger.

Hey mdrew. Blake Mozer looks to have got himself a top 30 gig at the Broncos. Is he a player that slipped through our fingers and is our hookers coming through on par with him ?

[ALX25]

Josh Bevan finally been named in the Roosters Jersey Flegg side.

[mdrew]

Rugby left winger Junior Siaunuua had a big season in the Gold Coast District U14 rugby competition including scoring a hat trick in Week One of the Finals against PBC and also in Round Thirteen against the Bond Pirates.

[mdrew]

Exceptionally talented U14 GC Rugby centre Dylan Terblanche had some big moments in 2022 including scoring twenty one points (three tries/three conversions) in Round Six against Surfers Paradise and nineteen points (three tries/two conversions) in Round Four against PBC.

[mdrew]

Helensvale Hogs rugby back Shanuka Silva is one heck of a centre talent with the young man standing out for the Hogs over the last two days in the Kings of Country U14 Tournament including an outstanding Grand Final against the Far North Coast.

[mdrew]

Exceptionally talented openside flanker Agapetos Lote-Felo will start from the bench tomorrow for teh TSS U15A side in their GPS School Boy trial match against Downlands College.

[mdrew]

Regardless of code Dylan Terblanche is one of the best junior rugby/rugby league players on the Gold Coast and in 2023 he will play for TSS starting tomorrow when he starts at inside centre for the TSS U15A side for their GPS School Boy trial against Downlands College.

[mdrew]

Titans partnered Marsden SHS does not just produce outstanding rugby league players with student and 2023 Souths Logan Magpies MM Cup player Korrbin Ahu-Skelton named on the right wing in the 2023 Australian School Boys Rugby Barbarians side.

Fellow Marsden SHS student Liam Manu has been named in the 2023 Australian School Boys Rugby side at lock.

To round things out Keebra Park SHS's Tyler Stevens has been named on the Barbarians bench as a reserve half.

[mdrew]

Two Gold Coast Junior Rugby Players who are attending The Southport School will start for the Queensland Reds U15 rugby side against NSW this weekend with Dylan Terblanche to start on the left wing and Agapetos Lote Felo to start at No.8.

Both played for the TSS U15A side this season alongside Titans contracted Viliami Fifita.

[mdrew]

Two Gold Coast based players were outstanding for the Queensland Reds U16 side on the weekend against the ACT Brumbies with both also scoring.

Callum Dalton who will play for the Tweed Heads Seagulls U17 CC Cup side in 2024 started from the bench and scored after coming on to operate on the wing.

Killarney Lavender who will play for the Burleigh Bears U17 CC Cup side in 2024 started at outside centre and also scored.

Both Callum Dalton and Killarney Lavender attend TSS with Killarney Lavender playing in the TSS First XV side in 2023 on the right wing and Callum Dalton operating at inside centre in the TSS U15A side.

Both will be part of the TSS First XV side in 2024 after playing in the CC Cup. Both are outstanding talents.

[mdrew]

Young New Zealand second rower Marino Rimene will move over to Australia to attend Mabel Park SHS and will look to immediately break into the Mabel park SHS Langer Cup squad in 2024.

In New Zealand Marino Rimene played for the Linton Cobras and represented the Mid Central Vipers and Manawatu Mustangs.

A team mate in the 2023 Manawatu Mustangs U15 2023 representative side was Titans contracted centre Santino Pekepo-Tavaga.