TITANS CIRCLING TIGER
Tigers hooker Jacob Liddle has been shopped to the Gold Coast as the Titans ramp up plans for a new No. 9.
Titans coach Justin Holbrook appears to have finally abandoned playing manufactured hooker Erin Clark at dummy-half and is on the lookout for a new rake.
Liddle’s name has been tossed up to the Titans as uncertainty swirls around the future of the Tigers following the sacking of coach Michael Maguire.
Liddle, 25, is contracted to the Tigers until the end of 2023, but that hasn’t stopped him being offered to the Titans along with teammate Jock Madden.
Liddle has played 74 games for the Tigers, including 10 this season, since debuting in 2016 but could be on move as the Titans look to beef up their dummy-half stocks.
Holbrook will blood ex-Storm hooker Aaron Booth against the Broncos on Saturday as he looks for more creativity at the ruck.
BEARS TURNING HEADS
Burleigh’s dominance in the Hostplus Cup has not gone unnoticed, with at least three Bears players in the sights of NRL clubs.
Dynamic fullback Taine Tuaupiki, prop Tristan Powell and five-eighth Josh Rogers are strong chances of landing NRL deals next year.
Tuaupiki had a strong lead at the top of the Petero Civoniceva Medal leaderboard before voting went behind closed doors last week.
He was on 16 points after 12 rounds, three clear of the Capras’ Jayden Hodges, and has attracted interest from four NRL clubs as he closes in on rookie-of-the-year honours.
“He has been one of the better players in the local comp for the last couple of years,” said Bears coach Rick Stone.
“He’s taken the next step well and is reaping the benefits.”
Powell is being watched closely by the Melbourne Storm, who have a sensational record of transforming reserve graders into solid NRL players, while Rogers has also put himself in a strong position to take the next step.
“Tristan has been contracted to the Broncos and Titans,” Stone said.
“A lot of people thought he was too small, but he’s got some real leg speed which is an advantage in the middle these days.
“He’s got a great willingness to compete and works really hard in the gym and at training. I can’t fault him one bit. He deserves every accolade he gets this year. It’s on the back of really hard work and diligence on his part.
“Josh is scoring plenty of points and his goal-kicking has been great.
“He’s raised a few eyebrows. He’s been on the fringe the last couple of years but is stepping out of the shadows now. He’s shown he is a very decent player with a lot of skill and ability.”
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