JTS to NRL; the Titans juniors transition lounge

[MaroonTitan]

Thanks HS. Really enjoyed that. Thanks again to you too, mdrew.

[Titanic]

Awesome reading and looks like Des will have a lot of difficult decisions

[lonegull]

Great reading and always good to go back to read the old posts and then see who has made it and progressed thanks HS and also Mdrew for all the info

[The Birdman]

I'm telling you now, Kini should at least take Lofi's spot on the left wing. He's clearly a much better sll-round player than Lofi already.

[Cowabunga]

We can't really afford to lose Weaver even if he doesn't perform.

Unless we can bring in a 7 at Weavers level, He's our only back up 7 after Tannah, Who else is out there off contract? Ryder and Zane are still 2-3 years away at least from even debuting if they do.

[Hail Sezer]

Being a new year and all, thought I'd share an update on what the pointy end of our pathways is looking like - i.e. from NRL down to 18's (last year of school or at least playing MM). This is only the tip of the iceberg but mdrew covers the rest of the system (14's & 15's onward) better than anyone covers an NRL juniors/development system in all of Australia so I'm happy to let his gold mine of posts do the talking there.

Quick reminder of what the terminology means:
Train and trial = Training with NRL for a pre-determined amount of weeks. Could be 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, or sometimes full-season (think about this as season-long paid internship). Some of these players are identified by the Titans, some are pushed forward from QRL feeder clubs as part of a signing incentive. I'll often refer to this a T&T.
Development Contract = Full time with NRL, form part of a supplementary list of maximum 6 outside of the Top 30. Eligible to play NRL. Aim for these guys is to earn a Top 30 contract. I'll often refer to this as Dev, Dev list, Dev players, whatever - you get the idea.
Top 30 = Full time with NRL. I'll refer to this as Top 30, 30, T30, etc.
JTS = Junior Titans System (now called future titans).

Firstly, to recap - in 2023 there was a plethora of 18's/19's JTS players who featured in NRL pre-season on train and trials. 4 of these were already full-time contracted as Dev players in '24+, one of which got promoted immediately to Dev '23 and T30 for '24+ (Josiah), one had nothing secured but earned a Dev contracted back-ended to an NRL deal (Seth Nikotemo), and another 5 or 6 didn't pick up anything, and are no longer contracted. The reason I say this is because 18's/19's is the age group that the Titans, and most clubs, always trim down their contracted numbers significantly as they've got enough of a look at how players have developed and what will translate forward in all facets of being a professional footballer. It's a really significant age group.

The ones who are on Development contracts are not there yet - and the reality is, all players on that list won't go on to be Titans Top 30 contracted. Of those that do, most won't have long-term NRL careers that go beyond that first contract. It's bloody tough to crack it.

Yes, players develop later, but that's a different recruitment process/pipeline.

Moving on, I think we're all familiar, but:

Of our 2024 Top 30, 14 players have come through the Titans junior system (this is good at face value - but we're a few years off having enough of them being proven NRL quality players to call it a success IMO)
Of our 2024 Development list, all 6 have come through the Titans juniors - i.e. Seth Nikotemo, Arama Hau, Oskar Bryant, Jaylan De Groot, Ben Liyou, Ryder Williams

Of the above development list, 2 are back-eneded into Top 30 deals - being both Seth Nikotemo, and Ben Liyou. Ryder Williams could potentially as well, but information about his contract status is not yet on NRL.com because he's still not 18.

From the Titans perspective, a lot of consideration will go into positional need when shaping the top 30, unless of course you have a rare talent like Keano. The backrow is a good example - with guys like Seth Nikotemo and Arama Hau be competing with the likes of T30 contracted Ryan Foran and Klese Haas for those Top 30 spots - reality is we don't need 20 backrowers if Dave and Beau are locked in and healthy. So again, these guys have a window to show they're the one to take forward in the Top 30 whether it be for depth, or for a future starting role. When you mix in pressure from the other direction as well - i.e. emerging 15s/16s/17s backrowers that are on the path to getting their own opportunity with the Titans NRL squad (Dev, T&T, whatever) in a few years - suddenly you've got an environment that is constantly breeding internal competition for those Dev and T30 spots.

Anyway, the reason I mentioned the above is because it's clear the NRL squad has more depth in some positions than others. At the same time, there are certain position groups coming through the junior system that have either more players, or better quality players, than other positions.


Here's who we've got coming through, some brief thoughts from me, and what I expect in 2024 from them:

Halves.

U18's:

RYDER WILLIAMS (17) - Dev contract 2024, tbc 2025+
A genuine 5/8, IMO. Big body for a half, has all of run/kick/pass in his toolkit. 2024 he'll be playing MM at Tweed, local A-grade likely at Southport, and best case he gets some Qcup under his belt.

ZANE HARRISON (17) - t&t 2024 - still at PBC.
A genuine halfback. 2024 he's still at PBC. Expect he performs well for PBC, and Tweed MM (alongside Ryder). I don't think he'll play beyond these two sides for 2024 to manage his workload given he's still at school.
I believe Zane is on an NRL Development Contract for 2025.

Amarni Wetini-Ngaropo - Future Titans contracted 2024
IMO the jury is still out if he's a 6, 7, 9, or all of the above. Had a brutal leg break in 2022 that ruled him out for half of that season and all of 2023 season. Extremely unfortunate because based on his 2022, I had him as our best half prospect in the age group.
2024 he'll be still at school. Just needs to find his confidence, enjoy footy again, and see what comes of it.

Zane and Ryder are both with Tweed MM, whereas Amarni is with Burleigh. All three should play for Titans 19s.

Halves NRL squad - well, we're yet to know who our long-term 7 and 6 are. We're also constantly bringing in young prospects, but such is the difficulty of the position, it's usually hard to really know what you've got with a half until they've played a few seasons of NRL - which a side like ours doesn't really have the timeline for. There's the good chance a time will come where we're bottom heavy with halves (too many emerging prospects/not enough experience) and some tough decisions will be made. An interesting position group going forward, because while you want NRL-ready performers, at the same time you don't want to give up what could be a future long-term NRL half you've developed. It's about balancing the roster for short term success without sacrificing long-term sustainability. IMO, they'll break it in 6's and 7's, and decide who's got the best trajectory; my hot take is that they're going to need to decide between Tom Weaver or Zane Harrison beyond 2025 to fill that emerging 7 roster spot.

Hooker

OSKAR BRYANT (20) - Dev 2024, off contract 2025
Wrote about Oskar last year. Great with the ball, has strong hooker-specific skills, needs to imrpove physically.
2024 is a big year for him, he's only contracted for the one year. Needs to stay healthy, and have a strong year in Qcup and show he's taken a step up, or that his trajectory is as such. Again, defensive and physical side is his focus.

U18's:

COREY PE@RSE (17) - Future Titans contracted 2024
I really like Corey's game. He's very robust for a 9, reminds me a bit of Reed Mahoney style-wise. Another one who has been limited by injury the last two years, but he's got 2024 at Marsden and he's coming down to play MM at Tweed too. He'll be aiming toward securing a 2025 train and trial, or Dev contract.

Beyond that, I'll mention we've got a youngster named JAI BILLISH who's U16 and looking very promising at this stage too. Keebra park kid.

Vaka Sikahele (21) is also worth a mention, whether he ends up a 9 or a middle or both is tbc. 2024 for Vaka is about staying healthy for starters. He hasn't done a full, healthy pre-season since he arrived in Aus. Then he needs to show in Qcup that he's got traits worth developing that will translate to NRL level.

Hookers NRL squad - adequate at hooker with Verrills and Randall. Outside of halves, it's a position we typically see players struggle to convert from junior stardom to top grade, or if they do it's after extensive time in reserve grade. The position requirements, especially physically and defensively, is just such a huge step up from even Qcup. How they roster the position going forward depends on how they want the depth chart to look - i.e. 3 specialists, 1 specialist and 2 utilities, etc. Finding a prospect #9 who's game translates well to NRL is very difficult.

MIDDLES

BEN LIYOU (22) - Dev 2024, T30 2025
ACL in 2023 meant we didn't see Ben take that step to playing consistent Qcup. He's been one of the most impressive in pre-season so far with his fitness, conditioning, effort and application. He just needs a healthy season and to play the year in Qcup to see what we've got there. And you'd hope it's something because he's back ended into a T30 deal.

JOSIAH PAHULU (19) - T30 2024+
I've been singing Josiah's praises for years and considered not including him on this list now that he's top 30. He'll debut this year and I expect by season end if he's healthy, he'll be a regular part of the middle rotation. For those who haven't seen him play - he's got excellent leg speed, moves aggressively, low centre of gravity so a very quick PTB. He's a leader - captained Ipswich SHS to a national title. Josiah reminds me a bit of Tino in terms of how he attacks a challenge on the field...doesn't take a backward step and he's always been the alpha who ices some bloke in a tackle to change momentum. Very excited to see how he develops in the next 2-3 years.

ALEX LEAPAI (17) - Future Titans 2024, TBC 2025+
Big. Still a bit raw in terms of his football IMO, but you've got a big athlete that was often just too big and strong for the opposition in juniors. We need to see how Alex handles playing against men and at the pace of Cup to get an idea on trajectory, as is the case for most young middles.
2024 he'll play MM for Tweed and try to push through A-grade to Cup.

U18’s:

COOPER BAI (17)
A much different player to Josiah but IMO he's similar in terms of how good he is at the same age. Tall, athletic with a very good work rate. Was the Titans U17's best player in their match vs Newcastle early last year.
2024 he'll play MM at Burleigh MM.
I believe Cooper is on an NRL Development contract for 2025.

Middles NRL squad: I believe we're pretty well set here, but it's a position group it's hard too have too much quality in and often suffers injury. With Liu coming to the end of his career, there's an opportunity for someone else to join the rotation with Mo, Tino, Joliffe and likely Palasia. Throw in Randall or Clark as potential 13's, Pahulu also gunning for a spot, Liyou on a mission to show he's an NRL player, and Iszac back at full health, it'll be a very competitive room. A great place for emerging players like Cooper Bai to step into.


Edges

RYAN FORAN (21) - T30 '24, '25
Decorated junior career as an Aus Schoolboy, needs to be playing Qcup week in week out. An old school style backrower with a good workrate, Ryan is a lot stronger than he looks (that kind of Liam Martin esque strength package) but he needs to get bigger to handle the physicality of playing edge against men week in week out. 2024 he needs to play Qcup each week.

SETH NIKOTEMO(19) NRL Development 2024, Top 30 2025
Trained his way into a full-time contract pre-season 2023 through effort and application. Played most of 2023 in A-grade and 2024 for him is all about playing Qcup. If he can do that consistently, it'll bode well as he roles into the Top 30 in 2025.

ARAMA HAU (19) - NRL Development 2024, contracted but tbc status until 2026
If Arama focuses and applies himself like the above two, he'll be an NRL player sooner rather than later. Natural ability is all there. Different player and he reminds me a bit of Tohu Harris or Aidan Guerra (when he was good) with how he moves - just awkward, aggressive and tough to put down, seems to always find his front. Needs to get his conditioning right and show his effort areas + the defensive side of his game is where it needs to be. 2024 he's another one who'll be aiming for a full season of Qcup and will be joining the likes of Josiah up at Ipswich. Arama can also play as a middle.

All three of the above have been with the Titans sytem since they were U15's.

Edges NRL squad - our starting backrow pairing (assuming healthy) is set and arguably our strongest position on paper. But, depth beyond that lacks experience and we haven't really addressed that. Personally, from a roster balance perspective, I think we've got a bit too many in the development basket with the possibility of 3x backrowers in the Top 30 in 2025 who haven't touched NRL. It's why I think this year is so important for the above three to show what they've got. We've got no shortage of talent in this position coming through, either.

Outside Backs

TONY FRANCIS (21) - Top 30 2024, 2025
Big, strong and aggressive on both sides of the ball. I was stoked Tony got extended after playing well for Burleigh for 2 seasons. He's next in line after Sami, Lofi & Jojo on the wing but that's a pretty deep list that gets deeper if you consider HSS too. 2024 for Tony is about showing continual development and taking another step up again from 2023.

JAYLAN DE GROOT(20) - NRL Development 2024
Too good for 21's this year but was probably a bit undersized playing wing in Qcup. Was good at fullback at Qcup level. Jaylan is a high effort, high IQ footballer who plays his best at fullback. And thus lies the biggest challenge for him with the Titans roster - can he adapt to playing wing or centre with NRL trajectory given our surplus of fullbacks in the top 30. Personally, I like him as a centre, but I think he needs to be stronger/heavier to defend there at Cup level. Very interested to see how he's used, and what position he develops in this year. He's only contracted for 2024 so it's an imporant year for him, with a few others vying for the same position in a similar age group/trajectory.


CAELYS PUTOKO (18) - t&t '24
A bit of an unknown prospect at this point, but make no mistake - making NZ Schools for union is no easy feat and Hamilton BHS is a solid operation. Had opportunities in union but decided to give it a crack with the Titans despite only being a train and trial initially, which I respect. Highlights suggest he's got some unique ability with the ball. He'll still be MM eligible in 2024 and will be playing at Tweed I believe. Should also feature for Titans 19's alongside Sam Stephenson in the centres. 2024 for Caelys is about learning the intricacies of Rugby League and finding out which position he's best at going forward - I'd assume centre.

KALEB NGAMANU (20) (t&t 2024) is also worth a shout. Another year in Qcup and another year further along physically could see his game go to another level.


U18's:

SAM STEPHENSON - t&t '24 - still at PBC
Did an NRL pre-season along with Zane Harrison despite still having another year of school. Big body, has dominated age group and will be a good chance at making Aus Schools this year (as will Zane).
Like Zane, 2024 is all about school footy and MM Cup. Sam will be playing at Burleigh MM.
I believe Sam is on an NRL Development Contract for 2025.

RAY PURU - still at PBC
Another emerging fullback who when healthy is right up there with Stephenson, Bai and Harrison in terms of influence on a game IMO. Always been dominant in juniors, played exceptionally well for PBC in their state final in 2023 and was one of the Titans best for the 17's v Newy. 2024 he'll be with Tweed MM, play for PBC, and be the fullback for Titans 19's. He'll be aiming to be involved with the NRL squad in 2025.

OB's NRL squad - we're flush for young OB's, but are still lacking emerging specialised centres, IMO. This is where opportunity is for the likes of Stephenson or Putoko. It's also why the likes of Jaylan De Groot is in an interesting position, with pressure coming from below (i.e. the younger crop of centres) and an already abundance of young emerging centre/wingers in the Top 30 (lofi, jojo, francis). A few questions I'm hoping are answered in 2024 are where Jojo's positional future is and where AJ plays, because I think this will contribute to how the position group is constructed going forward.

@mdrew - feel free to add any names to these position groups beyond 18's/19's too. I just went with the low hanging fruit, but I know there's plenty out there who could also be worth a shout as serious prospects for NRL squad involvement in the next 2-3 years. I know we've got some particularly good edge prospects in 17's, which puts even more pressure on the young guys in that position group.

[mdrew]

Brilliant post HS, I would probably add Sunny Kama as an outside back to watch. He will play MM before continuing at PBC SHS in 2024.

Javon Andrews from Marsden SHS is an interesting half prospect who will play MM for Souths Logan, but as we have discussed, will he play in the halves or as a ball playing lock?

[lonegull]

Great post HS plenty of info and the future sure is looking bright

[Titanic]

Thanks HS and mdrew for keeping us all in the loop. Is there a site where the results of games/ladders are available to watch those lower grades’ progress?

[Cowabunga]

https://www.qrl.com.au/ladder/?compe...22&season=2023

Just got to click on the drop down where Hostplus cup is, same with draw.

[Hail Sezer]

Thanks HS and mdrew for keeping us all in the loop. Is there a site where the results of games/ladders are available to watch those lower grades’ progress?

Hey T, you can use the link that Cowa sent if you just want to see the ladder and the draw is on the left (can be toggled between the different grades). Qcup, Mal Meninga Cup (U19's) and Cyril Connell Cup (U17's) are the ones you want to keep an eye on. Teamlists etc. will be there as well.

Langer Trophy (schools comp) is a bit of a tougher one to keep an eye on. The Couriermail and Gold Coast Bulletin cover it pretty extensively these days (and stream all the games) but with that comes them being pretty possessive over it's coverage, results etc. Between mdrew and myself, we should be able to cover this pretty well through this thread and mdrew's various theads.

I understand there's a Titans U19 and U17 game next weekend down in Sydney versus Penrith. In the 19's there should hopefully be all of Puru at fullback, Stephenson & Putoko in the centres, Ryder Williams & Zane in the halves, and Corey Pe@rse at hooker. If I can get any info on these fixtures, I'll share it here.

[Titanic]

Yes cheers everyone … that’s very helpful … keeping up with the lower grades is very enjoyable

[Whats Doing]

Thanks HS for the brilliant post on the younger guys. Well done

[Hail Sezer]

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

Future Titans set for exciting Sydney showdown

Gold Coast's Future Titans will put all their pre-season hard work to the test when they take part in a three-way trial in Sydney this Saturday.

Facing both the Penrith Panthers and South Sydney Rabbitohs in the Under 17 and 19 age groups, the fixtures will be a great opportunity to face two very strong junior pathways systems in their backyard.

Kicking off from 9am at Doug Rennie Fields, Kingswood; the Future Titans U19s will take centre stage first, steered by Tweed product Zane Harrison in the halves, fresh from his time with the NRL squad in pre-season.

He'll link up with his NRL train and trial teammates Sam Stephenson (centre), Alex Leapai (prop) and Caelys Putoko (wing/centre).

The U17s will kick-off at 11am and are led by Byron Bay halfback Jimmy McCombie with powerful imports Torino Jackson (prop) and Santino Pekepo-Tavaga (centre) both ready to fire.

Queensland U15 schoolboy reps Viliami Fifita (prop) and Jai Bilish (hooker) have also been training the house down and keen for the challenge in Sydney.

The two squads will complete their final training session at Titans HQ on Thursday, before departing for Sydney on Friday.

- - - Updated - - -

Love seeing this initiative - testing our best juniors against the best from strong systems in HM & SG ball comp.

Doesn't mention Ryder Williams - I wonder if he's playing for the 19s or not.

[hungryjacks]

My first thoughts are, is there any chance of this being streamed? Ive noticed a few of the sydney clubs are offering games of their juniors.