JTS to NRL; the Titans juniors transition lounge

[Hail Sezer]

18 year old JTS member Kaleb Ngamanu elevated to Qcup for Tweed this afternoon, hence his absence from the HDC side. He'll be playing left wing

Paul Turner not playing for Tweed today.

[Hail Sezer]

Weekend Recap:

Burleigh Qcup put on a very good performance against Easts Tigers who are a Top Four side. 64-16 win.

Lofi KP - played his best game at this level so far. A try, 3 line breaks. 219m ran. Did concede a try scored on his edge where they were stripped for numbers.
Francis - still think this guy is the most underrated of the young guys in our extended squad. Strong carry with footwork and an offload. Aggressive with and without ball. 117m, 6 tackle breaks. 4 offloads.
Fa'asuamaleaui - Played 28 minutes and made 96m with the ball (44 post contact). 12 tackles no misses, but losing the contact a bit against bigger bodies. Typical no-nonsense, tough, hard-working performance. Coming along nicely to be part of the NRL equation for next year.

Other squad members:
Marzhew played right centre and was his usual self. 11 tackle breaks, a try from nothing, 135m all up. Didn't get tested defensively really. Him and Francis as a one-two combo coming out of red zone was tough to handle.
Aaron Boothhad his best game of the year. Try assist from a grubber, try himself, smooth delivery (wouldn't say quick but smooth). Didn't have to do a whole lot of defending during his time on the field but I think he's a good chance of playing NRL this weekend.
Alick was busy and created a bit of second phase play with 3 offloads. Unorthodox movement with the ball was catching defenders out as usual. Didn't miss any tackles. Has some elements to his game that are still a bit raw but you can see he is improving since his time with the NRL squad.

I'll add that Taine Tuaupiki (did NRL pre-season, played v Broncos for limited minutes) a former JTS member in his junior days, is probably going to find himself an NRL contract somewhere with how well he's playing at fullback. Argubly the most in form #1 in the entire competition, and it's his first year playing Qcup. Bitter sweet from a Titans perspective but I'm glad to see him doing so well.


Tweed Qcup beat PNG Hunters with 2x late field goals 24-22

Jojo Fifita - scored a nice acrobatic try attacking a cross-field kick on the goal line, which he's scored from previously in the season as well. Seems to have a knack for plucking the ball from the air in these situations. His effort contribution is advanced considering his experience - he's always looking for carries, even on 3rd or 4th tackle late in the match to help his forwards out a bit. Carried heavy and seemed to always find his front. I think anyone watching would like to see Jojo get some better ball because at the moment (and all year), all he's really getting is exit-set carries and more hitups. Yet to see him with the ball in any space whatsoever. Defensively he sticks really well in the tackle but is still learning how edge systems work, and makes a few decisions that will need to improve with experience. I've also observed a few times he gets a bit muddled up when trying to turn and clean up grubbers, often resulting in errors. Still, a lot to like and he is learning & improving.

Kaleb Ngamanu - was very busy coming out of his own end, good energy and had some good high-energy carries. An error or two he'd like to have back but for an 18 year old his effort and contribution was good. Very confident and willing player which makes up for him probably being a bit undersized for a modern day outside back. His 2nd Qcup game and a good reward for some form in the HDC comp.

As mentioned, Paul Turner did not play. Unsure why. Would've thought it was the perfect chance to prep him for a potential NRL callup.


Burleigh HDC (U21's)

Got pumped. Vaka was back and had some nice contributions but is going to have to work his way back to form. He needs to be pushing to play Qcup.

Tweed HDC (U21'S)

Pumped the Clydesdales and every Tweed player on field looked like an immortal. De Groot scored 4, Klese Haas ran in a 50m try that looked Fifita-esque, Oskar Bryant was running rampant from dummy half. But for some perpsective, and without disrespect to the Clydesdales, they have had 399 points scored against them in 7 games (avg. 57 per game). A good outing but nothing to get carried away about.

[Titslover]

HS do you think Turner being withdrawn may be because they know they’re picking him this week and want to keep him fresh? My logic would be that you give him another game to keep him in form/match fitness, but at the same time I could see them not wanting to risk injury.

[Hail Sezer]

HS do you think Turner being withdrawn may be because they know they’re picking him this week and want to keep him fresh? My logic would be that you give him another game to keep him in form/match fitness, but at the same time I could see them not wanting to risk injury.

Could definitely be the case mate. That logic does make sense and even moreso now that Will Smith has gone and we're even thinner on options that come into that 6/1/utility equation

We'll find out tomorrow I guess

[DIEHARD]

Future Titans in action ahead of Rabbitohs clash
https://www.titans.com.au/news/2022/...bbitohs-clash/

The future of the Gold Coast Titans will run out at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday as a curtain-raiser to the NRL clash against South Sydney.

Getting a chance to impress on the big stage, the club's under 16 development academy program will face off against the Northern Rivers' under 17 team in what is expected to be a mouth-watering clash to warm the crowd for the big NRL fixture to follow at 3pm.

With both teams facing off in the previous two years - and both games resulting in a draw at full-time - there will be plenty to play for in the hope of coming out on the top and being the outright winner for the first time in the history of the bout between the pair.

It’ll be an exciting day for the Harrison family, with brothers Zane and Isaac to play – albeit against each other for the first time in their rugby league careers.

Zane was the captain of the premiership-winning Northern Rivers Titans team that claimed the Andrew Johns Cup earlier in the year and is a proud member of the Future Titans program, whereas brother Isaac is a talented forward and will be ready to help lead his side from the front at lock.

Other notable players in action include the sons of former Titans forward Anthony Laffranchi (Oscar) and Melbourne Storm flyer Marcus Bai (Cooper).

Gold Coast Titans elite player development manager Jamie McCormack is excited to see both teams in action on Saturday.

It’s a great opportunity for these players to experience playing on Cbus Super Stadium and wearing Titans colours,” McCormack said.

“The clash will be a great showcase of the potential coming through our system.”

Gates open at 12.30pm with kick-off at 12.45pm, ahead of the Titans v Rabbitohs clash at 3pm.

[DIEHARD]

[Titanic]

Marcus Bai was a GC Charger for a season before the Storm. Great to see Cooper stepping-up.

[lonegull]

Marcus Bai was a GC Charger for a season before the Storm. Great to see Cooper stepping-up.

The memories great old times, he burst onto the scene. I think Phil Economidis bought him into first grade

[Titanic]

The memories great old times, he burst onto the scene. I think Phil Economidis bought him into first grade

I played with his uncle Stanis in PNG and coached Marcus in the Port Moresby Vipers. Then introduced him to Paul Broughton who signed him out from under the Wests Magpies (remember them). They wanted him when he scored two tries against them as a centre in a pre-season Vipers/Wests trial. Was very disappointed when the Chargers let him go.

[Hail Sezer]

Tweed & Burleigh winning both HDC and Qcup today. Player reviews will be up in the coming days

[The Birdman]

This thread represents the only positive thing going for the club at the moment.

[Hail Sezer]

In Qcup - Burleigh def. Sunshine Coast to retain their place at the top of the table. Tweed def. Ipswich.

Overview of Burleigh:

Lofi scored a hatrick. His speed was on show once again icing some nice shifts to the left. Had 9 runs total which doesn't look like a heap of work but he's getting involved on nearly every exit set, it's just that Burleigh are going so well that their back 3 aren't made to grind out 10-15 carries. Wasn't notably tested defensively or under the high ball. Worth keeping in mind that Lofi has played exclusively on the left wing, which may indicate where the Titans staff see him featuring in the top grade.

Tony Francis scored a try as well. Had 12 carries and 5 tackle busts. Was contained farily well with the Falcons having a pretty tidy kick-chase to shut down the threat of Burleigh's outside backs scoring long range tries.

Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui had a pretty quiet game with the ball, but got through some work defensively - 23 tackles in 28 minutes.


Jacob Alick had 13 carries and came up with a few nice plays again using his skillset (his offload is very good). There's a few defensive markers he needs to improve on, and he did get beat pretty badly 1 on 1 by the opposition 5/8 to concede a try. When he hits in the tackle he does stick, so it's moreso just reading, reacting in a system and effort plays especially with the increased pace in the NRL.

Herman Ese'ese had a lot of carries and plenty of metres gained but very minimal involvements in defence. It's hard to get a gauge on improvements without seeing him tested on this side of the ball.

Aaron Booth did not play.

Bureligh v Falcons Highlights: https://www.qrl.com.au/news/2022/06/...lcons-v-bears/

Overview of Tweed:

Jojo Fifita scored a try and set up another. His work rate continues to impress me and he seems to be ticking the effort and 1%er boxes. It's obvious he is still learning the game but his willingness to get involved, particularly making impactful tough carries under fatigue, is a transferrable skill to top level (I'll give Tony Francis a shout here who also shows the same trait). Carried tough and found his front. Had 4 tackle breaks. He's a strong kid so I'm surprised he hasn't developed the use of a fend yet, or some of the footwork he showed back in his Union days. Still kind of carries straight up and down but hey, it works for him while he learns. Was tested a bit defensively and was actually pretty efficient with his decision making. Also worth noting has played exclusively on the right wing, which may suggest where he's likely to line up at NRL level should he debut.

Kaleb Ngamanu was very busy. 15 carries and plenty of enthusiasm. Scored his first Qcup try. Had 3 errors he'll want to have back, but he's going well for an 18 year old.

Tweed v Ipswich Highlights: https://www.qrl.com.au/news/2022/06/...weed-seagulls/

Edit: Our guy mdrew is going to follow this up with some more detailed explanation of each of the pathway players, as well as key stats. Enjoy

[mdrew]

Titans development contract holder Tony Francis, over the weekend started on the right wing for the Burleigh Bears in Round Eleven of the Queensland Cup against the Sunshine Coast Falcons with Tony Francis scoring in the 36th minute when he barged over the top of one Falcons defender to score five metres in from the right corner from ten metres out after receiving a pass from his inside from Taine Tuaupiki off a Bears scrum movement to Tony Francis’s right side of the field.

Tony Francis also did well in the 6th minute when with Burleigh under pressure trying to bring the ball out of their own territory Tony Francis came off his wing to take a hit-up and was able to get the ball forty metres out from his own try line.

Playing all eighty minutes Tony Francis ran for 102 metres (forty seven post contact), made a line break, broke five tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.51 seconds and made five tackles at a tackling efficiency of 83.33%.

[mdrew]

Last weekend Jojo Fifita continued on the right wing for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in Round Eleven of the Queensland Cup against the Ipswich Jets with Jojo Fifita scoring the Seagulls go ahead try in the 75th minute when after receiving the ball from his inside seven metres out from the line and right on the touchline line, Jojo Fifita cutting inside off his right foot to beat one defender before being hit by two defenders right on the try line with the two defenders flipping Jojo Fifita onto his back over the line. Jojo Fifita however would not be denied and forced the ball in the in-goal over his head.

Playing all eighty minutes Jojo Fifita ran for 104 metres (twenty six post contact), made a line break, recorded a try assist and a line break assist, broke four tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.69 seconds and made five tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

[mdrew]

Titans contracted Lofi Khan-Pereira started on the left wing of the Burleigh Bears in Round Eleven of the Queensland Cup against the Sunshine Coast Falcons and had a day out scoring an impressive hat trick.

Lofi Khan-Pereira scored his first try in the 7th minute when he received a pass from his inside from Taine Tuaupiki around eight metres out and raced over to score in the left corner untouched.

Lofi Khan-Pereira added a second try in the 39th minute when after good work on his inside Lofi Khan-Pereira raced five metres to score in the left corner.

Lofi Khan-Pereira completed his hat trick in the 71st minute when after receiving a pass five metres out from his inside Lofi Khan-Pereira was able to get the ball down in the left corner, once again untouched.

Lofi Khan-Pereira’s first touch of the match came inside the opening minute with Lofi Khan-Pereira taking the second hit-up after the Falcons had kicked off to get the ball thirty metres out from the Bears line.

Lofi Khan-Pereira also did well in the 10th minute with a line break down the left touchline of twenty two metres after receiving the ball twenty metres out from his own line.

Playing all eighty minutes Lofi Khan-Pereira ran for 109 metres (thirty post contact), made three line breaks, played the ball at an average speed of 3.55 seconds and made three tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

With his hat trick, at the conclusion of Round Eleven of the 2022 Queensland Cup season Lofi Khan-Pereira found himself at the top of the try scoring list with ten tries and equal second in terms of line breaks with eleven.