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  1. #31
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    Brent Woolf. The young former Gold Coast junior is just about to start his final year of a three year Brisbane Broncos deal and is the son of former Titans NYC and 2018 Tweed Heads Seagulls QCup head coach Ben Woolf.* *This season in the Holden Cup with the Brisbane Broncos Brent Woolf played in nine matches before injury struck.

    In those nine matches the 172cm and 80kg Brent Woolf scoring two tries with his first try coming in Round Four against the Canberra Raiders and his second against the Sydney Roosters in Round Thirteen.* Of his nine matches Brent Woolf started three at hooker and the other six from the inter change bench and in his first start in Round Four against the Raiders Brent Woolf played the entire 80 minutes.

    In total across his nine NYC matches for the Broncos in 2017, Brent Woolf ran the ball on 44 occasions making 324 metres including three line breaks, had four try assists and made 199 tackles at a tackling efficiency of 88%. Brent Woolf’s 2017 NYC per game averages included being on the field for 45 minutes, taking 5 runs for 36 metres and making 22 tackles.

    In Round Six against the Sydney Roosters Brent Woolf ran for 74 metres from just seven carries and in seven of his nine matches Brent Woof made in excess of twenty tackles in a match including making 32 tackles with just two missed tackles in a Round Twelve match against the New Zealand Warriors, those 32 tackles came in just 53 minutes.

    Brent Woolf prior to his NYC debut in 2017 had a distinguished junior rugby league career with some of his achievements being starting at hooker for Queensland U16’s in 2014 and Queensland U18’s in 2016.* Brent Woolf was also named in the Australian U15 Order of Merit side after the 2013 ASSRL Championships where be represented Queensland U15 School Boys.* Prior to moving up to Brisbane to play for the Brisbane Broncos Brent Woolf was a standout performer for the Mudgeeraba Red Backs in the Gold Coast Junior Rugby League competition.

    Brent Woolf is very good at making the right decision whether the go himself or pass, where he gets down low and drives with his legs.* He may not necessarily run that often from dummy half but when he does it is invariably the correct decision that Brent Woolf has made. When in open space he is very quick and can finish off his own breaks all be it over reasonably short distances.
    Brent Woolf is efficient in his passing and there is little wasted movement as he passes in one motion off the ground rather than two distinct movements like many hookers where they first stand then pass.

    Brent Woolf passes well from both sides of his body.* His passing to the left is still a little better than to the right, but over the last couple of seasons he made positive strides in that regard, thus there is no reason to expect anything other than continued progression as Brent Woolf continues to gain experience in the hooking position.

    One thing that Brent Woolf does well in dummy half is not taking his eye off ball until it is in his hands.* I know that that sounds like common sense, but even in first grade the number of fumbles that occur from the dummy half is far too high and change the course of a game.

    Another skill that he continued to develop over the last couple of season is kicking out of dummy half.* He is not a long kick, but is effective at finding the ground with his kicks.* Brent Woolf was an effective kicker in terms of game management, what I mean by that is that late in games when his team were up or needed a breather he kicked for touch in those instances, which showed a high level of maturity and game management skills.

    Brent Woolf defends in the middle of the ruck and is an effective low tackler and is adept at wrapping the ball up.* He is also very good defending at marker in terms of harassing the opposition kickers.* He is not going to wow you with his defence because you will not see big hits, but you will see an efficient and effective defender.* He has very good endurance and projects as a hooker who will be able to play 80 minutes without interchange.

    At this stage I am not sure where Brent Woolf will start in 2018 but with his father now the head coach of the Tweed Heads Seagulls side wouldn’t it be good if Brent Woolf came home to play with the club his father is coaching.* Regardless of which club he plays for in 2018, Brent Woolf will likely start in the U20 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition and if he can stay injury free it would not surprise if Brent Woolf sneaks in a few QCup games towards the end of the 2018 season.

    When he was playing for Mudgeeraba on the Gold Coast Brent Woolf did spend some time playing at half back but certainly over the last couple of seasons for Wynnum Manly and the Broncos Brent Woolf has played exclusively at hooker including in the Queensland U18 side.

    To be honest I do not see Brent Woolf as anything but as a hooker moving forward, where some people may consider him a defence first type of player but from my perspective that is only because he is such a selective runner out of dummy half. Rarely do you see him get caught by one of the markers when he runs, he is just too smart for that to occur with any regularity.

    In terms of NRL players with a similar playing style for comparison purposes, think of someone along the lines of how now Leeds English Super league player Matt Parcell formerly of the Sea Eagles and Ipswich Jets plays in terms of his running out of dummy half and also his improving passing skills.

  2. #32
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    How slow are the Titans at signing local juniors...

  3. #33
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    To be fair the Titans offered a good deal but were blown out of the water by a massive Broncos offer and I mean massive

    Quote Originally Posted by ALX25 View Post
    How slow are the Titans at signing local juniors...

  4. #34
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    Jangala Bennet.* The flying young fullback had an outstanding season with the joint GPS Premiership winning St Joseph’s College Nudgee First XV.* The quick stepping fullback was the attacking spark for Nudgee who only lost one of their GPS School Boy Rugby First XV matching to be joint 2017 First XV Premiers with The Southport School (TSS).* Ironically the game that Nudgee lost to was against TSS which featured Titans contracted fullback Max Dowd. Jangala Bennet has recently been named in the Australian Youth Sevens squad where he will be a revelation in the abridged version of the game with the extra room to move that will be afforded him.

    Prior to the commencement of the 2017 GPS school boy rugby season Jangala Bennet was selected to represent the GPS II side at the Queensland Schools Championships and as a result of his play there was selected in the Queensland I side for the Australian Schools Championships and scored a great try on Day One against the ACT when he utilised a great right foot step to break through the defence to score one of Queensland I’s two tries in their two point loss to the eventual champions from the Nation’s capital.

    Jangala Bennet has a rugby league pedigree including representing Met West in the QSSRL U15 Championships in 2015 were he played primarily at half back and in 2016 Jangala Bennet played fullback in all of the Easts Tigers CC Cup matches.

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

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

    Jangala Bennet also has exceptional hands when defending against kicks especially when low short attacking kicks are put in, Jangala Bennet attacks the ball at full speed aiming to get there prior to the arrival of the attacks and look to make ground while the opposition are still in an attacking mode.

    Defensively Jangala Bennet is more than strong enough to confront any attacker who has broken through the initial defensive line and if he is caught out of position has dynamic closing speed to address this situation.* When a break has been made, Jangala Bennet’s primary objective is to more forward to reduce the time available for the attacker to work through is options.* Jangala Bennet is also effective at maintaining his composure and taking the player with the ball and not falling for any dummies, he makes an opposing team earn the ground that they make with his exceptional closing speed.

    Jangala Bennet will return to St Joseph’s College Nudgee for his senior year in 2018 where he is a certainly to start in No. 15 jersey for the First XV.* Jangala Bennet should also be the starting fullback for the GPS I and Queensland I representative sides and must be considered a huge chance to make the Australian School Boys Rugby side in 2018 even this far out.* Seeming only injury will prevent this scenario from occurring.* From a rugby league perspective Jangala Bennet would be eligible for the U18 MM Cup competition in 2018.

    Jangala Bennet for me has all of the hallmarks of an exceptional talent at the fullback position, he has explosive speed and can step effortlessly off either foot and has the ball skills to be able to set up his support players in any situation that he is confronted with and has outstanding hand eye co-ordination in relation to fielding kicks whether they are bombs or attacking grubber kicks. Also defensively Jangala Bennet is more than capable of handling being the last line of defence.

    There has not been this much excitement in GPS School Boy Rugby ranks since Kalyn Ponga exploded onto the scene a couple of seasons ago and in fact Jangala Bennet plays very much like the former North Queensland Cowboy and soon to be Newcastle Knight with his outstanding speed and acceleration to go with a wicked step off either foot, exceptional balance and body control and the donning of head gear when he runs onto the field.

  5. #35
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    Corey Allen. The former Logan Brothers and Marsden State High School student has been outstanding for the Brisbane Broncos NYC side in both 2016 and 2017 and earlier this year also started at fullback for the Queensland U20 State of Origin side and in 2016 represented Queensland at the U18 level.

    2015 saw Corey Allen represent the Australian School Boys Rugby League side and in 2015 he was named as the Brisbane Junior Rugby League U16 Representative Player of the Year.* Corey Allen signed for the Brisbane Broncos in late 2015 after a number of seasons in the North Queensland Cowboys Junior Development Program.

    For the Broncos in the 2017 NYC competition Corey Allen played in twenty four matches starting all at fullback and played the entire 80 minutes in each match.* Corey Allen also scored seven tries including a Round Four double against the Canberra Raiders. Corey Allen’s other tries came in Round One against the Cronulla Sharks, Round Thirteen against the Sydney Roosters, Round Fourteen against the Rabbitohs, Round Sixteen and against the Canberra Raiders.

    In total in the 2017 NYC competition, Corey Allen ran for 2 826 metres from 289 carries, made eight line breaks, had nine try assists,* off loaded the ball on twenty four occasions and made 150 tackles at a tackling efficiency of 75%.* Corey Allen’s 2017 NYC per game averages included running for 118 metres from twelve runs and 6.5 tackles.

    In fourteen of his twenty four matches in 2017 the 186cm 90kg Corey Allen ran for more than 100 metres (plus one match in Round Nine against the Panthers when he ran for 99) including an incredible Round One match against the Cronulla Sharks when he ran for 303 metres including a 99 metres effort in the final minute to score and win the game for the Broncos after he fielded a Sharks grubber kick near his own line and ran the length of the field.

    In 2016 whilst still eligible for U18’s Corey Allen started twenty three NYC matches for the Broncos at fullback, scoring eight tries in those contests.* Corey Allen also ran for 2 617 metres from 271 carries, made fourteen line breaks, had thirteen assists, off-loaded the ball on twenty three occasions and made 64 tackles.* Corey Allen’s 2016 NYC per season averages included running for 114 metres from twelve hit-ups and two tackles.* Corey Allen had an outstanding game in Round Nine of 2016 when he ran for 202 metres against the Cronulla Sharks.

    Corey Allen’s 2016 NYC tries came from a Round Four double against the Cowboys, he also scored single tries in Round Five against the Titans, Round Twelve against the Wests Tigers, Round Thirteen against the Warriors, Round Twenty One against the Warriors, Round Twenty One against the Roosters, Round Twenty Three against the Eels and Round Twenty Five against the Melbourne Storm.

    The table below compares Corey Allen’s 2016 and 2017 NYC per game averages:

    2016 NYC 2017 NYC

    Games played 23 24

    Minutes per game 80 80

    Runs per game 12 12

    Metres made per game 114 118

    Tackles per game 2 6.5

    Corey Allen’s’ main attribute when you see him play is his foot work, it is absolutely outstanding from the fullback position. He can step off both feet effortlessly and put multiple combinations of steps together in a short space of time and a small radius to get out of difficult situations and still make ground.* He does not just beat larger forwards with his footwork, he will make the fastest of outside backs and fullbacks look slow by comparison as he leaves them grasping behind him.* Corey Allen’s* speed off the mark would have to be considered plus and whilst his top end speed may not necessarily be at the elite level compared to some he can sustain it over an extended distance.

    Regardless of where he receives the ball Corey Allen* is an exceptional attacking player. If he gets an off load from a forward through the middle he is through the gap before the defence can react, if he gets the ball in space out wide he is make it very difficult for the opposing defender to get a clean shot at him and if he gets the ball from a kick, if the defensive line is not straight in the chase he can make significant ground.

    Seemingly like all modern day fullbacks and outside backs he has exceptional balance and body control enabling him to score some incredible tries over the course of his junior career where it appears that he would be stopped well short of the try line or be pushed into touch.

    *Defensively Corey Allen uses his size to good effect at the fullback position, by driving with his shoulder into his opponent and he also has very good timing in terms of when to come out of the line and certainly has the speed to react and readjust and chase if his timing is slightly off and the attacking player initially beats him with a move.

    Corey Allen at the individual level has the body control to redirect quickly and mirror the movement of the opposing attackers and anticipate what vector the attack comes from and innately understands when to allow the attacking play to develop in from of him and comes forward to mitigate the attacking play soon after a break has been made.

    Corey Allen is currently out of contract and is also still eligible for Colts rugby league in 2018 making him a valuable commodity. Whilst he is still eligible for the U20 competition it would not surprise at all to see Corey Allen spend the majority of the 2018 season playing in the QCup likely for South’s Logan.

    Even though Corey Allen has played his entire career to date at fullback, and whilst I also believe that is where his long term future lies, if he breaks into the QCup next season, I would envisage that it will be on the wing or possibly even at centre. With his timing and anticipation in returning kicks and his fearless defence, Corey Allen presents as an outstanding candidate to play fullback in rugby league at a high level.

    For me when I have seen Corey Allen play I can see aspects of the way that Cronulla Queensland and Australian emerging star Valentine Holmes plays, he is an explosive athlete with the confidence in his own abilities and that of his team mates.

  6. #36
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    Lindsay Collins.* The giant young front rower who grew up playing in the famous butcher stripes of Brothers in Brisbane will start the 2018 season in the final year of a three year deal that he signed in late 2015 after being a stand out for the Broncos at the NYC level.* Lindsay Collins made his NRL debut 2017 for the Roosters going on to play two matches both off the interchange bench.

    In 2017 Lindsay Collins played the majority of the season with the Wyong Roos including their finals campaign and also made the New South Wales Residents side on the interchange bench for their annual match against Queensland Residents. Lindsay Collins started in the front row in all seventeen matches that he played in the New South Wales Intrust Super Cup including their 20 – 12 Grand Final loss to the Penrith Panther who were coached by Gareth Brennan.

    The former Padua College student who was a dominant First XV player in the Association of Independent (AIC) School boy competition has represented Queensland at both the U18 and U20 levels in rugby league including scoring for Queensland U18’s in 2013.* Lindsay Collins has also represented Queensland School Boys in rugby where he was a No. 8 and as a school boy at Padua knocked back an opportunity to train with the Brisbane Lions AFL Academy.

    The athletic 194cm 106kg powerhouse made his NRL debut in Round Twelve this season against the Canberra Raiders and also played in Round Eighteen against the South Sydney Rabbitohs.* As noted previously on both occasions Lindsay Collins came off the interchange bench.* In Round Twelve Lindsay Collins played a total of 20 minutes, making 28 metres on four hit-ups and made thirteen tackles.* In Round Eighteen in fourteen minutes of game time Lindsay Collins made 53 metres from five hit-ups and also made eight tackles without missing any.

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

    Lindsay Collins’s leg drive and determination also enables him to be equally effective in relation to operating in traffic where as long as he gets his body height low he can shrug off would be tacklers by dropping his shoulder into the defender just as he starts to commit to the tackle, Lindsay Collins can then redirect his momentum and proceed down the field on a different vector to the one he was on prior to contact.* For a player his size Lindsay Collins can quickly get to his feet both in the context of playing the ball when he is attacking and slowing down the ball from a defensive stand point.

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

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

    Defensively Lindsay Collins is adept at wrapping up the ball carrier and his initial contact is underrated as his primary function and goal is to wrap up the ball to prevent off loads. As previously noted after making a tackle Lindsay Collins is quick to his feet to either look to get to marker or get back into the defensive line.* His stamina is such that you will see Lindsay Collins make multiple tackles in a short space of time and then immediately make himself available to take a hit up.

    The 21 year old will play the 2018 season contracted with the Sydney Roosters but will likely play the majority of the season with Wyong but would make an immediate impact with a team like the Titans with his incredible combination of size strength speed and power.

    Even though he has spent the majority of his career in the front row I believe that Lindsay Collins has the speed and mobility to make a more significant contribution wider of the rusk in the second row where his athleticism and speed would pose more difficulties than when he runs at a set defensive line in the centre of the ruck.

    For me Lindsay Collins is a bigger stronger faster version of Penrith Panthers second rower Isaiah Yeo.* All he needs to develop into an outstanding NRL forward prospect is time in the NRL.* HE is unlikely to get that in 2018 at the Roosters but would surely get much more of an opportunity with the Titans.

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    Sam Lavea.* The powerful South’s Logan Magpies front rower stands at 190cm tall and uses his 108kg frame to cause havoc in the centre of the field.* The 21 year old former Brisbane Broncos contracted player had an outstanding 2017 campaign in the Queensland Cup playing in twenty one of South’s Logan’s matches after spending the off season as part of the Brisbane Bronco’s full time squad and also played for the Broncos in the Auckland Nine’s and scored against the Sydney Roosters in the Broncos quarter final loss.

    Of his twenty one QCup matches in 2017, Sam Lavea started in six matches in the front row and came off the bench in the remaining fifteen that he was involved in.* Sam Lavea started the season off on the interchange bench, breaking in the starting front row for the first time in Round Fourteen. Sam Lavea also scored two tries in 2017 the first coming in Round Seven against the Mackay Cutters and the second in Round Twenty Four against the Central Queensland Capra’s.

    In total Sam Lavea was on the field for 755 minutes, making 2 141 metres and also making 349 tackles.* Sam Lavea’s 2017 per game QCup averages included playing 36 minutes per game, running for 102 metres and making 16.61 tackles.

    Sam Lavea did not play huge minutes for South’s Logan, only playing in excess of 50 minutes in three matches including playing 63 minutes in Round Twenty Five.* In 57% of his 2017 QCup matches Sam Lavea ran for more than 100 metres in a match including running for 168 metres in just 43 minutes in Round Ten and 162 metres in Round Twenty Four.

    In seven contests in 2017 Sam Lavea made more than twenty tackles in a match, including making 32 tackles in 63 minutes in Round Twenty Five.

    In 2016 when he was part of the Bronco’s NYC squad Sam Lavea represented Queensland at the U20 level where he started from the interchange bench.* Team mates of the former Logan Brothers junior that night were Titans contracted duo Jai Arrow and Keegan Hipgrave.

    Running with the football, Sam Lavea has good footwork prior to the line and does not often just put his head down and run straight, but uses his solid footwork to try to work the gaps between defenders rather than trying to simply run over them.* He does reasonably decent speed off the mark and that assists in his ability to hit the defensive line hard and with pace.* He does not have another gear once through the defensive line but continues to pump his legs and fights for every metre.* He has decent off load when he has impacted the defensive line as well.

    The key to his running is that Sam Lavea stays low and does not present himself to be an easy target for defences and will drop his shoulder into the defensive line, but his all out running style does mean he can fatigue reasonably quacking but regardless he can be absolutely devastating.* He is also adept at getting his right hand free to off load when the opportunity presents itself.

    Defensively Sam Lavea hits very hard and usually aims for around the area where the upper edge of the ball is carried. He defends in the centre of the ruck and seems best suited in the long run defending there and adds a degree of intimidation to any forward pack he plays for.* He really does know how to tackle effectively, as he sets a strong base to create the necessary leverage to defend against larger forwards.

    No longer contracted to the Bronco’s Sam Lavea will line up once again in the Queensland Cup for the South’s Logan Magpies and must also be a chance to be part of the Queensland Residents side for their annual interstate match against New South Wales Residents.

    Sam Lavea has played the majority of his career in the front row, certainly exclusively there over the last two years in the Queensland Cup and with his size, wrestling and power that is where he will stay in rugby league.

    From a player comparison perspective for Sam Lavea, I would suggest a perfect match from a playing style perspective would be Melbourne Storm and New Zealand Test Captain Jesse Bromwich as a hard running and hard tackling forward. Every time I have seen him play he has stood out as an intense hard working player who just has something about him which suggests that he has a huge amount of untapped potential.* Whether Sam Lavea is able to unlock that potential is the key question.* I hope that he can as he is a young player that seems to have all of the necessary physical and skill attributes to be a special player.

  8. #38
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    Strange from the Broncos, let go a person who hasn't done anything wrong and sign two thugs.

  9. #39
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    TSS recruiting heavily from South Africa, interesting!

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    James Taylor. The Auckland born tough as nails front rower moved over to Australian for the start of the 2014 season to play with the Newcastle Knights after being a standout for the New Zealand Warriors NYC side as a 19 year old in 2013.* James Taylor moved to Newcastle after interest from Wayne Bennett.

    After three seasons in Newcastle where he spent a lot of time playing through injuries for South Newcastle in the local Newcastle First Grade competition, James Taylor moved up to Queensland where this season he starred for the Norths Devils in the QCup competition.* For me he was the best non NRL contracted front rower in the competition and that includes new Bronco’s signing Matt Lodge from Redcliffe.

    In the 2017 QCup competition for the Devils James Taylor started in the front row in North’s first fifteen rounds before injury struck ruling him out for the remainder of the season, but the bearded young front rower made a big impression in those fifteen matches.* In total in the 2017 QCup competition, James Taylor played 751 minutes, made 414 tackles and ran for an outstanding 2 171 metres.* James Taylor’s 2017 QCup per game averages included playing 50 minutes, making 28 tackles and running for an amazing 145 metres. James Taylor also contributed one try which came in Round Two against the Burleigh Bears.

    Defensively James Taylor was very consistent normally making around 26 tackles a match but in Round Eight, he made thirty nine tackles in just 50 minutes.* Where James Taylor really stood out though was when he was running the ball.* James Taylor made more than 100 metres in thirteen of his fifteen matches, including a twelve match span from Rounds Four to Sixteen where he made at least 100 metres in every match.

    James Taylor had some huge matches from a metres gained perspective in 2017 making in excess of 200 metres on two occasions. In Round Twelve he made 207 metres in just 56 minutes and James Taylor went even better in Round Nine against the Mackay Cutters when in just 47 minutes James Taylor ran for an exceptional 241 metres.* On five other occasions James Taylor ran for 150 metres or greater.* In Round Three James Taylor “only” made 82 metres to record his lowest tally of the 2017 season.

    James Taylor is a big strong front rower who is a powerful runner of the football, who knows only one way and that is straight ahead and can offload once he has impacted the defensive line or has crashed through it, in addition he is quite effective when his team is attacking close to the try line.* He can either take the ball himself, and when he gets low he is very difficult to stop or he can run as a decoy and attract defenders away from the real axis of attack.

    For a front rower James Taylor does actually have quite decent speed and footwork, certainly well above average for a player of his size.* He does however seem to carry the ball in his right hand away from his body.

    James Taylor is obviously suited to defending in the centre of the ruck rather that the fringes* and will understandably have some trouble with nippy runners out of dummy half. His calling card though is the strength and power to effectively engage the opposing forward early in their run and use his natural strength to win the forward battle in the centre of the ruck.* He can defensively handle any one on one battle that presents itself.* At times in games in the Queensland Cup he really does prevent opposing gaining any ground at all through the centre of the ruck.

    The 23 year old just screams NRL quality as a result of his performances in 2017 and he will once again look to garner interest in 2018 when he will line up once again with the Norths Devils in the Queensland Cup competition.

    James Taylor is not the biggest front rower running around but that will still be his primary position going forward just as it has been historically.

    Based on James Taylor’s skill set, a rugby league player with a similar playing style is current St George Dragons forward Jack De Bellin as a hard working forward who will keep going all day.

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    Scott Doyle. The 24 year old 183cm 91 kg former Canberra Raiders NYC centre was for me the stand out centre in the Queensland Cup competition in 2017 and was also named in the centres for the Queensland Residents side after an outstanding campaign with the Souths Logan Magpies.

    The former Queensland U16 and U18 representative and Centenary Panthers junior played in nineteen of South’s Logan’s twenty Three matches, starting all nineteen in the centres and contributed 44 points from nine tries and four goals.* Scott Doyle’s tries included three doubles which came against the Sunshine Coast Falcons in Round Two, PNG Hunters in Round Four and a Round Eleven double against the Northern Pride.* Scott Doyle’s other tries came in Round Seven against the Mackay Cutters, Round Ten against the Townsville Blackhawks and against the Burleigh Bears in Round Thirteen.

    In total in the 2017 Queensland Cup competition Scott Doyle was on the field for South’s Logan for 1 307 minutes, made 239 tackles and ran for 2 075 metres.* His 2017 per game averages for nineteen games included playing 79 minutes, running for 109 metres and making 12.5 tackles.

    Scott Doyle ran for in excess of 100 metres in twelve of his matches including running for 189 metres in a Round Nineteen match in seventy minutes on the field. Scott Doyle’s best defensive effort from a quantity perspective came in Round Four when he made twenty four tackles.

    Whilst Scott Doyle does not have a great deal of speed off the mark, he does have decent top end speed once he gets moving and can break tackles by getting on the outside of his opponent and using a solid fend when he gets to the outside, thus preventing defenders from getting he under his ribs and thus he can maintain his running line under defensive pressure.

    When engaged with the defensive line Scott Doyle also has a reasonable offload. He normally lines up on the right side of the field, and even though I have only seen him on the left a couple of times, he seems a little more comfortable on the right.

    Defensively one area that Scott Doyle has impressed me is his ability to defend against any size opponent, from small quick outside backs to big strong powerful backrowers running wider of the ruck. He seemingly has more strength that his size would dictate, and he uses this strength to move up and hit just under the ribcage, redirecting the momentum of the ball carrier and thus eliminating the attacking threat in the short term.

    Scott Doyle seemingly has more strength that his size would indicate, and he uses this strength to move up off his own try line redirecting the momentum of the ball carrier and thus eliminating the attacking threat in the short term at least.* He just intuitively knows how to defend from a timing and technique perspective and rarely loses contact with the attacker once he has engaged them.

    In 2018 Scott Doyle will line up once again for South Logan in the Queensland Cup and with talented centres at a premium at all levels is probably only a consistent season or two away from at least getting some recognition from NRL clubs.

    For the Canberra Raiders NYC squad Scott Doyle alternated between the second row and in the centres but with his deceptive speed and solid one on one defensive technique I firmly believe that centre is far and away his best position.

    From a player comparison perspective in relation to Scott Doyle think of someone like former Brisbane Broncos and English test centre Jack Reed as a hard running hard tackling centre who is a strong physical presence in a team’s back line.

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    Joe Boyce. The former Newcastle Knights and Brisbane Broncos contracted player and Caloundra junior has been a consistent performer at the Queensland Cup level for the South’s Logan Magpies and in 2015 played his one and only NRL match when he came off the inter change bench in Round Eleven against the Canberra Raiders playing 33 minutes, making 75 metres and thirteen tackles.* Earlier this season Joe Boyce was named on the inter change bench for the Queensland Residents side.

    The 23 year old, 180cm, 98kg lock moved up to Brisbane following Wayne Bennett at the start of 2015 when Wayne Bennett moved back in coach the Brisbane Broncos after a couple of seasons in Newcastle.

    In the 2017 Queensland Cup competition Joe Boyce played in sixteen of South’s Logan’s twenty Three matches, starting all sixteen at lock and contributed two tries both of which came against the Tweed Heads Seagulls in Rounds Five and Twenty.

    In total in the 2017 Queensland Cup competition Joe Boyce was on the field for South’s Logan for 846 minutes, made 326 tackles and ran for 1 933 metres.* His 2017 per game averages for sixteen games included playing 53 minutes, running for 120 metres and making 20.5 tackles.

    Joe Boyce ran for in excess of 100 metres in eleven of his matches including running for 165 metres in a Round Nineteen match in seventy minutes on the field. Joe Boyce made more than twenty tackles in ten of his 2017 matches including a thirty tackle effort in Round Four in just sixty minutes on the field.

    Joe Boyce uses subtle footwork prior to the line and seems to targets the gaps between defenders and will actively seek out opposing forwards who are slow to move up.* His movement prior to engaging the defensive line is actually quite impressive, from the moment that he receives the ball from the dummy half he is moving subtly from side to side thus not allowing defences to key in on him.

    When the opposition are on the back foot Joe Boyce will target the smaller defenders on the edge of the ruck and burst through and for a big young bloke he has very good speed over the medium term and has the strength to drag defenders with him.

    Joe Boyce also fights hard when tackled to ensure he gets a quick play the ball to maintain the momentum for his side.* In addition, Joe Boyce has enough speed to be an effective runner of the football to run the ball on the edges of the ruck. He is not exceptionally quick but quick enough to rush defenders to make a decision of when to commit to the tackle.

    I would consider Joe Boyce to be a strong effective tackler who looks to use the angle of the attackers runs to his advantage, redirecting their momentum. His above average lateral mobility also enables him to not be over matched when defending against smaller quicker players on the edge of the ruck. In the context of defending in the centre of the ruck a continued focus on increasing his functional strength will enable him to better handle the biggest of forwards one on one.

    Joe Boyce seems to have the type of frame that could add muscle without compromising his speed or lateral movement attributes. His head placement always seems to be correct, thus reducing the possibility of injury to himself and increasing the effectiveness of the tackle.

    In 2018 Joe Boyce will line up once again for South Logan in the Queensland Cup and is probably only a consistent season or two away from at least getting some recognition from NRL clubs.

    Joe Boyce is by no means a giant of a forward but he makes up for that with a tireless approach both in attack and defence and will continue to play in the backrow for any team that he plays for.

    From a player comparison perspective a player with a similar work ethic and playing style for me is Ryan Simpkins who will spend this off season working out with the Titans as he looks for an opportunity in the NRL in 2018.

  13. #43
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    Doyle is pretty close to cracking it, a little undersized, but with his decent goal kicking ability could be a chance for a club with a lack of centres/backrowers.

  14. #44
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    Jayden Su’A. The exceptionally talented former Logan Brothers junior has been a star on the rise for a number of seasons since exploding onto the junior scene playing in the centres for St Joseph’s Nudgee College in 2014 in the GPS School Boy rugby First XV competition.* Jayden Su’A will start the 2018 season off with the Brisbane Broncos with 2018 being the last year of a three year deal that the former Queensland U18 and U20 representative signed coming straight out of High School.

    Jayden Su’A made his NRL debut in 2016 in Round* Twelve when he came off the inter change bench against the Wests Tigers going on to play four NRL matches that year.* Jayden Su’A also played four NRL matches in 2017.

    In the NRL in 2017 Jayden Su’A played a total of 149 minutes across four matches after coming into the Bronco’s NRL side in the second row against the New Zealand Warriors in Round Twelve, in that game he played all 80 minutes and contributed 73 metres and 34 tackles.* Jayden Su’A came off the interchange bench in his other three NRL matches in 2017.

    Jayden Su’A’s NRL totals in 2017 included running for 191 metres from twenty one hit-ups and 64 tackles at a tackling efficiency of 94%. Jayden Su’A’s 2017 NRL per game averages included playing 37 minutes, taking the ball up 5.3 times making 48 metres and making 16 tackles.

    As noted above Jayden Su’A made his NRL debut in Round Twelve of 2016 and in that match against the Wests Tigers he started in the second row playing all 80 minutes and making 91 metres from hit-ups and an impressive 45 tackles.* Jayden Su’A’s NRL totals in 2016 included being on the field for 285 minutes, running for 330 metres from forty hit-ups and 121 tackles at a tackling efficiency of 95.3%. Jayden Su’A’s 2016 NRL per game averages included playing 71 minutes, taking the ball up 10 times making 82.5 metres and making 30.3 tackles.

    The table below compares Jayden Su’A’s 2016 and 2017 NRL per game averages.

    2016 NRL 2017 NRL

    Games played 4 4

    Minutes per game 71 37

    Runs per game 10 5.3

    Metres made per game 82.5 48

    Tackles per game 30.3 16

    In 2015 Jayden Su’A starred for the Brisbane Bronco’s NYC side and dominated again in that competition in 2016.* Even though he was still eligible for the NYC competition this season, Jayden Su’A also played a number of Queensland Cup matches for the South’s Logan Magpies.

    For the Bronco’s in the NYC competition in 2017 Jayden Su’A played seven matches, starting the first five rounds in the second row before coming off the interchange bench in the Bronco’s two finals appearances.* In total Jayden Su’A played 504 minutes, including all 80 minutes in his five starting appearances, took 92 runs for 857 metres and made 108 tackles.* Jayden Su’A’s sole NYC try in 2017 came in Round Five against the Canterbury Bulldogs.

    In addition to playing for the Brisbane Bronco’s in the NYC and NRL competitions, Jayden Su’A also played in nine matches for the South’s Logan Magpies in the Queensland Cup coming into the South’s Logan side in the second row in Round Seven against the Mackay Cutters.* Across his nine Queensland Cup matches in 2017 Jayden Su’A scored four tries including a Round Seven double against the Cutters, he also scored in Round Eight against the Ipswich Jets and in Round Sixteen against Redcliffe.
    For South’s Logan in the Queensland Cup in 2017 Jayden Su’A played 806 minutes, made 1 154 metres and made 211 tackles.* Jayden Su’A’s 2017 per game season averages in the Queensland Cup included playing 79 minutes, making 128 metres and making 23.5 tackles.* *In Round Ten against the Townsville Blackhawks Jayden Su’A ran for 199 metres and in Round Sixteen against the Dolphins he ran for 165m. In that Round Sixteen match Jayden Su’A also made 34 tackles.

    For the Bronco’s in the NYC competition in 2016 Jayden Su’A played seventeen matches, starting all of them in the second row. In total Jayden Su’A in the 2016 NYC competition played 1 357 minutes, took 246 runs for 2 399 metres and made 341tackles.* Jayden Su’A’s 2016 per game season averages in the NYC competition included playing 74 minutes, making 141 metres from 14.5 hit-ups and making 20 tackles.

    For the Bronco’s in the NYC competition in 2015 Jayden Su’A played sixteen matches, starting all of them in the second row. In total Jayden Su’A in the 2015 NYC competition played 1 179 minutes, took 227 runs for 2 292 metres and made 318 tackles.* Jayden Su’A’s 2015 per game season averages in the NYC competition included playing 74 minutes, making 143 metres from 14 hit-ups and making 20 tackles.

    Jayden Su’A is an exceptional athlete and this can be seen when be he is running with the football.* In his carries he 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.

    He 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, he does not try to run over defenders, but he runs at the gaps between defenders and uses his running speed to break through if defenders only use their arms on the tackle.

    Jayden Su’A does not necessarily have a great top end speed, but he is certainly fast enough to get through to the full back prior to the arrival of the cover defence.* Jayden Su’A would be one of the faster back rowers running around in Queensland as can be evidenced by the fact that he handled the centre position well at the Queensland Cup level on a number of occasions this season.

    Playing on the right hand side of the field seemingly more often, means that his right foot step and his fending using his left 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 left hand side of the field.

    Where his greatest impact on a game is going to be is his defence.* Jayden Su’A has a great tackling technique and a hard hitting aggressive style to go with it.* I think that in every game that I have seen him play, including representative games he has made a huge impact defensively.* It is not a reckless style where he runs in trying to pull off the biggest hit possible, it is a cold, calculating style where he uses a great technique to hit opposing forwards just under the rib cage to devastating effect.

    Jayden Su’A sets a strong lower base by setting his legs and generating force by driving through the tackle with his lower body, gaining leverage and momentum* through his shoulders.* Jayden Su’A’s lateral speed is quite good due to his quick twitch feet and thus he is effective at defending against smaller dynamic runners out of dummy half as well as half backs and five eights running of the fringes looking to isolate forwards.

    The powerful 188cm 100kg second rower will start the 2018 season likely on the cusp of the NRL with the Broncos and if he is not in the NRL match day squad, Jayden Su’A will be a dominant presence with the South’s Logan Magpies in the Queensland Cup.

    Jayden Su’A played is school boy rugby in the centres for Churchie where he was a defensive powerhouse and even played one or two Queensland Cup matches in the centres this season but with his frame and power Jayden Su’A presents as a representative level second rower in rugby league.

    Look I appreciate that Jayden Su’A is contracted to the Broncos for 2018 but with the depth at the Broncos and the likes of Payne Haas (sigh) and David Fifita waiting in the wings, the Titans should (in my humble opinion) but throwing everything that they can at this young man to get him in Titans colours come 2019.* He is a star of the future, of that there can be no doubt.

    From a player comparison perspective for Jayden Su’A, a player who could be considered to have a similar playing style is Brisbane Broncos backrower Matt Gillett as a skilled 80 minute backrower who stands out due to his determination and intensity both with the ball and defensively.* *This young guy is a very talented young rugby league player with a very bright future ahead of him.

  15. #45
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    Tristan Hope.* I had the pleasure of seeing quite a bit of Tristan Hope when he played to the Toowoomba Clydesdales where at just 17 he captained their U20 Colts side.* In 2016 and 2017 Tristan Hope had two outstanding seasons in the NYC competition with the Brisbane Broncos but now that he has graduated from the U20 age group the former Queensland U18 hooker has joined the Wynnum Manly Seagulls and will be looking to immediately break into their Queensland Cup side.

    Tristan Hope may not be very big but the 178cm, 82kg hooker is as determined a footballer that you will come across.* In 2017 in the NYC competition for the Bronco’s Tristan Hope played in fourteen matches, starting ten at hooker, two from the interchange bench and also two being Rounds Eight and Nine at five eight.* In those matches Tristan Hope proved to be very much a try scorer crossing for nine tries.

    Tristan Hope scored a hat trick in Round Twenty Four against the Dragons as well as tries in Round One against the Sharks, Round Eight against the Rabbitohs, Round Sixteen against the Raiders, Round Seventeen against the Storm and Rounds Twenty One and Twenty Five against the Parramatta Eels.

    In total in the NYC competition in 2017, Tristan Hope played 808 minutes, running for 554 metres from 64 carries and made 376 tackles at a tackling efficiency of 92.2%.* Tristan Hope’s 2017 NYC per game averages included playing 59 minutes, taking 4.6 runs out of dummy half for 40 metres and making 27 tackles. In Round Twenty Four when he scored a hat trick against the Dragons Tristan Hope made 98 metres and four line breaks to have an outstanding match.* That afternoon, he also made 46 tackles in just 72 minutes on the field.

    In 2016 Tristan Hope played in twenty four matches in the NYC competition for the Bronco’s, primarily from the interchange bench scoring six tries and made more than 50 tackles in a match in three occasions.

    Tristan Hope is an extremely talented all round hooker, who excels at all three critical aspects of the modern day hooker, those being his distribution out of dummy half, selective running out of dummy half and defending in the centre of the ruck.* In terms of his distribution out of dummy half, Tristan Hope is efficient in his passing and there is little wasted movement as he passes in one motion off the ground rather than two distinct movements like many hookers where they first stand then pass.

    In the games that I have seen there is no discernible difference between his passing from either side of his body, and his passes are crisp and flat and also he can pass a reasonable distance off the ground when the first receiver is standing a little wider of the play the ball.* Where Tristan Hope is also extremely effective is leading his forwards onto the ball, he passes in front of the forward ensuring no loss of momentum to the run.* In short he is a very good game manager from the hooking position.

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

    Around the try line Tristan Hope is also very good at making the right decision whether the go himself for the try line or pass, where he gets down low and drives with his legs.* Obviously as he progresses he will need to ensure that, especially close to the line he continues to make the right decisions.* Due to the pace that he plays the game at and his speed he is always available in terms of backing up in the centre of the ruck, when forwards get their arms free.

    Tristan Hope’s defence for a hooker is exceptional, for a smaller forward he is a hard hitter and can defend effectively one on one against far larger forwards, he sets a good base with his lower body and explodes upwards with his shoulders to drive opposing forwards backwards and is also very good at slowing the play the ball down.* His intensity means that he will track the play across and thus is in a good position when the ball is passed back inside.* Tristan Hope literally tackles everything that moves in the centre of the ruck.

    Moving forward to 2018 from my perspective it is difficult not to see Tristan Hope as a real chance to play a major role in the Wynnum Manly Queensland Cup next year, as an 80 minute player who will stiffen the defence in the centre of the ruck and lead the forward pack around the field with his distribution and leadership skills as well as being a constant threat to run out of dummy half.

    From a player comparison perspective, due to his distribution, running, defence and the speed and intensity that he plays the game at, a playing style akin to Danny Buderis of the Knights is an appropriate comparison I would suggest for Tristan Hope.


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