JTS to NRL; the Titans juniors transition lounge

[Titanic]

Stumbled on to this interview with Marcus Bai's eldest boy Aston.

https://www.qrl.com.au/news/2023/08/...-to-give-back/

[Hail Sezer]

https://www.titans.com.au/news/2024/...rday-showdown/

Future Titans to face Knights in Super Saturday showdown

The Gold Coast's Future Titans will hit the road again this Saturday after the boys' successful showing in their previous trial matches against Penrith and South Sydney last Saturday.

Facing off against the Newcastle Knights in four grades at C.ex Coffs International Stadium, it's set to be a super Saturday of rugby league commencing from 11am local time (10am QLD).


The Titans' Under 17 and 19 girls squads will be in action first as the next generation of female stars aim to impress coach Karyn Murphy in a bid to win a spot in her NRLW squad after four players earned top 24 contracts in the corresponding fixture last year.

The Under 17 boys will then face the Novocastrians to help build on their results after their three-way trial in Sydney last weekend.

Jai Billish, Jimmy McCombie and Devin Bates all had strong games with the team are looking to improve this weekend against another impressive development program.

The Under 19s will hope to keep their undefeated streak alive after defeating the Panthers 18-0 and Rabbitohs 16-12 in an exceptional showing against some of Sydney's best talent.

A number of young guns particularly impressed Titans elite player development manager Jamie McCormack.

Both teams should be incredibly proud of their performance in Sydney, especially our Under 19 boys who were undefeated in their two games," he said.

"Most of our Under 19s have been in the Titans program for three to four years now, and all their hard work really showed in their overall performance.

"The entire team stood tall in the trials, but Sam Stephenson, Javon Andrews, Cooper Bai and Taylan To’a certainly showed their full potential in the two halves."

Coinciding with the Future Titans' clash against Newcastle, the Northern Rivers Titans will also take on the Knights in a number of age groups on the secondary field at the Coffs Harbour complex.

- - - Updated - - -

Looks like the score I posted for last weekends game was wrong - Titans won both 19's fixtures v Penrith and Souths.

[Hail Sezer]

No updates on the boys, but it sounds like our girls 17s and 19s had big wins.

Doesn’t get spoken about much but our girls development program is really strong. NRLW side has a lot of young local representation and that’ll continue. They’re going for the Penrith-esque model right out the gate

[Cowabunga]

Looks like it was a pretty successful day going off the instagram post.

Edit: Sounds like only our 17s boys lost 0-20

[hungryjacks]

Rabbitohs vs Titans - Harold Matthews Cup 2024 Pre Season
https://youtu.be/6n7NjJtXrO8

Found this on youtube. Must be last weeks match under 17s.

[Hail Sezer]

Looks like it was a pretty successful day going off the instagram post.

Edit: Sounds like only our 17s boys lost 0-20

17's got pumped

Read on facebook our boys 19's won but will try find out from elsewhere. That Knights SG ball (U19) side is really good - in 2023 both their Harold Matts and SG Ball sides made the grand final. Big things expected of their SG this year, very good squad.

All up:

Girls 17's win
Girls 19's win
Boys 17's lost
Boys 19's tbc

[Hail Sezer]

Rabbitohs vs Titans - Harold Matthews Cup 2024 Pre Season
https://youtu.be/6n7NjJtXrO8

Found this on youtube. Must be last weeks match under 17s.

Thank you mate, great find

Unfortunately this was prob the worst performance in a Titans jumper that day but still worth a watch if you wanna see some players go around

[Hail Sezer]

Titans 19's won 22-16

Full day's results from Coffs:

Girls 17's win
Girls 19's win
Boys 17's lost
Boys 19's win

[Hail Sezer]

‘So much power’: Gold Coast Titans next gen turns heads in clubs debut hit out

The Gold Coast Titans hulking next generation wrecking ball has made his presence felt in his club debut against South Sydney.

Alex Leapai jr, son of former world heavyweight boxer Alex Leapai sr, was recruited by the Titans junior pathways in 2023, and has wasted no time in showing the world why he should be a feared opponent for every NRL club in the land.

The 193cm giant played a vital role in the 16-12 in his debut before smashing his way through to help the Titans claim an 18-0 victory over Penrith and then a 22-16 win over Newcastle on the weekend.

Leapai jr signed a three year deal, knocking back a fresh contract from the Roosters to stay home on the Gold Coast.

Future Titans Pathway coach Jamie McCormack said he is an incredible talent for such a young age.

“He has so much power behind him as well, he is a big boy and he isn’t afraid to throw his body around,” McCormack said.

“His pace and skill for someone of his size is incredible, one of the players to watch for sure.

“A very handy recruit for us but it also stems from him wanting to come back home and stay here as well.”

Titans were one of seven clubs that showed interest in Leapai jr, including the Roosters, Broncos, Canberra, Souths, Manly and the Dolphins in 2023.

He was named in the Langer Trophy Team of the Year in 2023, ranked as one of the ‘most dangerous’ players.

The Mable Park State High School product had the opportunity to follow in his fathers footsteps and become a world heavyweight boxer.

In 2022, he had one fight in the super-heavyweight division, winning by knockout in the second round.

“He very easily could have become a boxer, I am sure he has spent plenty of time in the ring with his old man,” McCormack said.

“But the thing about him is, he really is one of the nicest kids you will ever meet.

“He is so humble and caring and one of the best people you want to be around.”

Leapai jr is just one of many development players coming through the ranks at the Titans who got the opportunity to train during the pre-season with the main group.

“He hit the ground running during pre-season with Des (Hasler),” McCormack said.

“Definitely did not look out of place either.

“He has a pretty good engine on him, will keep going and running.

“Does take a few players to tackle him as well.

“That was one thing we noticed, is that people and numbers are drawn to him on the field.”

https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au...0260effd77b1c4

[Hail Sezer]

Alex did some very good things in Sydney last weekend and was the alpha on the field versus Newcastle on Saturday.

Like any young middle he's got a long way to go to play NRL, though

[lonegull]

Massive unit

[Titanic]

We seriously need that type of line-bending body in our pack … great reading.

[Cowabunga]

Monster Payne Haas 2.0 sparks NRL fan frenzy in club debut

The Gold Coast Titans hulking next generation wrecking ball has sent NRL fans into a frenzy in his club debut. With a huge engine and stature he has been marked as a game changer for the NRL.

He's already going to change the NRL, How lucky are we.

I really like the look of him.

[willhelm]

What a beast lol

[McNaddy]

I just read a story online from The Australian newspaper. It was an interview with the boxing coach of Alex jr. Going on about how he has talked to Alex jr and Alex sr how jr is a potential heavyweight champion. Banging on about how much money he can make and the contacts the coach has with Tyson Fury etc. A real suck the air out any positivity for the Titans article. Guess who the writer was.
Drum roll please. The Titans old friend Peter Badel.