My take on our top juniors

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Donte Tahuhu-Wilson. During the 2023 season Donte Tahuhu-Wilson signed a three year JTS contract with the Titans which will see Donte Tahuhu-Wilson contracted with the Titans until the end of the 2025 season.

In early December 2024 Donte-Tahuhu-Wilson was named in the 2025 Souths Logan Magpies U17 CC Cup Summer Squad.

Late April 2024 saw Donte Tahuhu-Wilson start at fullback for a Titans JTS U16 side against an Auckland U16 side in Ipswich with Donte Tahuhu-Wilson coming close to scoring in the 54th minute when after racing into dummy half and picking up the ball on the run Donte Tahuhu-Wilson ran to his left out of dummy half from close range only to be held up over the try line five metres in from the left corner post.

In the 5th minute after picking up an Auckland long kick ten metres from his own try line whilst running towards his own try lien Donte Tahuhu-Wilson turned quickly to return the ball to twenty four metres from his try line. Then in the 18th minute after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball when two metres inside his own territory Donte Tahuhu-Wilson stepped off his left foot as he got the ball ten metres inside Auckland territory.

In early January 2024 Donte Tahuhu-Wilson started at fullback for a Titans U17 side in a round robin series of matches against the Penrith Panthers and the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs in Sydney.

In the 13th minute of the first of the two trials against the Penrith Panthers Donte Tahuhu-Wilson made a solid kick return when after retrieving the ball ten metres out from his own ty line Donte Tahuhu-Wilson carried the ball through the centre of the field to get the ball out to the thirty two metre mark.

Donte Tahuhu-Wilson made another good kick return in the 26th minute when after collecting a long Penrith clearing kick on the first bounce in the centre of the field and sixteen metres out from his own try line, Donte Tahuhu-Wilson beat two defenders in a steeping run to get the ball to thirty six metres out from his own try line.

Donte Tahuhu-Wilson showcased his positional sense in the 25th minute when he was able to take a Penrith penalty kick for touch on the full to prevent the ball from going over the side line thirty metres out from his own try line with Donte Tahuhu-Wilson returning the kick down the left touchline to get the ball to within five metres of the halfway mark.

Donte Tahuhu-Wilson did well defensively in the 15th minute when facing a Penrith line break down the Titans right side, Donte Tahuhu-Wilson came forward to get down the time that the Panthers left centre had and was in position to charge down an attempted grubber kick by his opponent to nullify a dangerous Penrith attacking movement.

Donte Tahuhu-Wilson then started from the bench in the second trial of the day against the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs with Donte Tahuhu-Wilson coming onto the field at halftime to operate at fullback and in the 37th minute Donte Tahuhu-Wilson made a darting run after receiving the ball twelve metres out with Donte Tahuhu-Wilson only tackled a metre short of the try line and directly in front of the goal posts.

In October 2023 Donte Tahuhu-Wilson was named in the 2024 Tweed Heads Seagulls U17 Cyril Connell (CC) Cup squad with Donte Tahuhu-Wilson also CC Cup eligible in the 2025. Interestingly in late 2023 Donte Tahuhu-Wilson was also named in the 2024 Brisbane Tigers Cyril Connell Cup squad.

Round One of the 2024 CC Cup competition saw Donte Tahuhu-Wilson named on the Brisbane Tigers extended bench against the Redcliffe Dolphins.

Donte Tahuhu-Wilson then started at fullback in Round Two against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Donte Tahuhu-Wilson scoring in the 24th minute after supporting a line break by his right second rower with Donte Tahuhu-Wilson receiving an off-load from his right and running fifteen metres untouched to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.

Donte Tahuhu-Wilson came close to setting up a try in the 32nd minute when after creating an overlap after chiming into the Tigers backline on the right and receiving the ball ten metres out Donte Tahuhu-Wilson looed to draw the Tweed Heads left winger and pass to his unmarked right winger but the Seagulls winger was able to get his hand to Donte Tahuhu-Wilson’s pass to prevent a try being scored.

In the 9th minute of the match Donte Tahuhu-Wilson took a Tweed Heads kick on the bounce in the centre of the field and twenty metres from his own try line with Donte Tahuhu-Wilson able to return the ball to his left to the thirty six metre mark. Then in the 17th minute after taking a kick on the full twenty metres out from his try line Donte Tahuhu-Wilson returned the ball to the thirty one metre mark. Then in the 21st minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball Donte Tahuhu-Wilson did well to get the ball from the halfway mark to within thirty three metres of the try line.

Donte Tahuhu-Wilson then was on the move to start on the right wing in Round Three against the Souths Logan Magpies with Donte Tahuhu-Wilson coming close to scoring in the 14th minute when after the ball was spun to the Tigers right and after receiving the ball around seven metres out, Donte Tahuhu-Wilson cut inside off the touchline around three metres out and after being tackled, Donte Tahuhu-Wilson bounced to his feet and dived over just in from the right corner but the referee ruled that Donte Tahuhu-Wilson had been tackled and required Donte Tahuhu-Wilson to play the ball a metre from the try line.

The 17th minute saw Donte Tahuhu-Wilson receive a cut-out pass from his inside forty metres out and on the right touchline with Donte Tahuhu-Wilson darting ten metres down the touchline before stepping inside off his right foot on the thirty metre mark and after ducking under another tackle, Donte Tahuhu-Wilson spun counter clockwise to beat another before being tackled twenty one metre out.

The 33rd minute then saw Donte Tahuhu-Wilson take possession of the ball to the left of the dummy half from on his own try line and execute a yardage carry that saw Donte Tahuhu-Wilson get the ball out to near the ten metre mark in the centre of the field.

Donte Tahuhu-Wilson continued on the right wing in Round Four against the Norths Devils and in just the 3rd minute of the match after running out of dummy half to his right Donte Tahuhu-Wilson made a good yardage carry to get the ball from ten metres to the twenty metre mark. Then after taking a Devils kick on the full in the 11th minute in the in-goal area Donte Tahuhu-Wilson ran out to the twenty metre mark and after taking a quick tap Donte Tahuhu-Wilson was able to get the ball out to the twenty eight metre mark.

Donte Tahuhu-Wilson did well defensively in the 57th minute when he raced out of the Tigers defensive line when facing an overlap to put pressure on the Devils left centre to force a forward pass sixteen metres out from the try line.

Donte Tahuhu-Wilson started at fullback for Mabel Park SHS in the 2024 School Boy Rugby League Reserve Grand Final against Ipswich SHS and in the 19th minute after taking possession of the ball to the left of the play the ball and forty metres out Donte Tahuhu-Wilson stepped off his left foot on two occasions and broke two tackles as a result to carry the ball to within twenty seven metres of the try line in the centre of the field.

In the 33rd minute from the left of the play the ball and after a goose step Donte Tahuhu-Wilson ran the ball from thirty to forty three metres from his try line and then in the 50th minute after positioning himself well to take cleanly an Ipswich SHS grubber kick on his own try line under pressure Donte Tahuhu-Wilson did well to get to the ground to stay in the field of play.

Donte Tahuhu-Wilson took another Ipswich SHS grubber kick under pressure on his own try line in the 58th minute just to the left of the goal posts and did well to carry the ball back to the twelve metre mark and then a tackle later from the left of the play the ball Donte Tahuhu-Wilson carried the ball to twenty three metres away from his try line.

Donte Tahuhu-Wilson did well defensively in the 49th minute when he held up the Ipswich SHS front rower No. 8 over the try line ten metres in from the right corner post.

From a club rugby league perspective in 2024 Donte Tahuhu-Wilson played for the Coomera Cutters in the GCRL U18 Division One competition including starting at five eight in Round Three against the Southport Tigers with Donte Tahuhu-Wilson recording a try assist in the 11th minute when after taking possession of the ball to the left of the play the ball fourteen metres from his own try line Donte Tahuhu-Wilson executed a jump step to his left and when he had run the ball out to the twentryh metre mark, it appeared that Donte Tahuhu-Wilson would hit his lead runner with a pass to his left after going deep into the defensive line but as a result of a great slight of hand Donte Tahuhu-Wilson passed out the ball to his fullback to put him on the outside of the Southport right winger and on an eighty metre run down the right touchline to score.

Earlier in the 9th minute from the left of the play the ball and after dummying to an inside runner and then to his left Donte Tahuhu-Wilson took the defensive line on himself to get the ball from twenty four metres from the try line to within twelve metres. In the 28th minute also from the left of the play the ball Donte Tahuhu-Wilson stepped off his left foot as he ran the ball from twenty one metres to within ten metres of the try line. Then Donte Tahuhu-Wilson ran the ball down a short left blindside in the 41st minute from forty to twenty eight metres from the try line.

Donte Tahuhu-Wilson also made an outstanding try saving tackle in the 60th minute when the Southport left winger raced towards the corner from a Tigers scrum win but Donte Tahuhu-Wilson came out of nowhere to hit the winger over the try line just as he was about to put the ball down with Donte Tahuhu-Wilson’s heavy contact forcing the ball from his grasp to prevent the try.

Donte Tahuhu-Wilson did well in the 26th minute when from the left of a Cutters scrum ten metres inside their own territory Donte Tahuhu-Wilson put in a left foot kick downfield and even after receiving a penalty for being hit after kicking the ball Donte Tahuhu-Wilson was still the first Coomera player downfield to tackle the Southport fullback.

Donte Tahuhu-Wilson put in another kick in the 42nd minute with a left foot grubber kick from the left of the play the ball and twenty two metres from the try line with Donte Tahuhu-Wilson chasing his own tackle to tackle the Tigers right winger three metres from the try line.

After Coomera withdrew from the GCRL U18 Division One competition Donte Tahuhu-Wilson lined up for the Moreton Bay Raiders in the GBJRL U17 Division One Nev Blair Shield competition with Donte Tahuhu-Wilson starting at five eight in Round Eleven against Wynnum Manly and continued at five eight in Round Twelve against Souths.

Week One of the Finals saw Donte Tahuhu-Wilson start at halfback against Logan Brothers with Donte Tahuhu-Wilson kicking four conversions from five attempts in a solid Moreton Bay victory.

Donte Tahuhu-Wilson lined up in a Titans jersey for the first time in mid-April 2023 when Donte Tahuhu-Wilson started from the bench for a Titans U16 JTS squad that played a touring Auckland U16 side at Cbus Stadium as a curtain-raiser to the Titans NRL Round Seven match against the Brisbane Bronco’s.

After coming onto the field to operate at fullback in the 23rd minute of the match Donte Tahuhu-Wilson scored an impressive double in a solid Titans 28 – 16 victory.

Donte Tahuhu-Wilson scored his first try in the 33rd minute when Donte Tahuhu-Wilson ran onto an inside ball from Jimmy McCombie to the left of the dummy half. After receiving the ball twelve metres out Donte Tahuhu-Wilson was hit hard when still eight metres out but was able to maintain his balance and dart over to score eight metres to the left of the goal posts.

Donte Tahuhu-Wilson completed his double in the 57th minute when after Taylan To’o was put into a big gap by Kaleb Smith, Taylan To’o rumbled downfield down the right channel to within twenty metres from the try line and then got a pass away to his right to Donte Tahuhu-Wilson who flew down the right touch line to score untouched in the right corner to complete the scoring in the solid Titans 28 – 16 victory.

Just after coming onto the field in the 23rd minute Donte Tahuhu-Wilson made his presence immediately felt with a darting and stepping run to get the ball to the twenty metre mark. Then in the 31st minute from the right of the play the ball Donte Tahuhu-Wilson made a yardage carry from fourteen metres out from his own try line through the centre of the field to twenty three metres out against a fast moving defensive line.

Then in the 55th minute from the right of a Titans scrum win twenty two metres out from the try line Donte Tahuhu-Wilson, after receiving the ball from the back of the scrum, dummied to an inside runner to the right of the scrum and then got a good pass away to his right to Xhai Wearea who was able to get within five metres of the try line before being stopped.

In late September 2023 Donte Tahuhu-Wilson was part of the Titans U16 side in their Anthony Laffranchi Cup victory against the Balmain Tigers in Northern New South Wales in wet and windy conditions.

In early June 2023 Donte Tahuhu-Wilson was named in the New Zealand Māori U15 side after representing Hokianga Storm Whatitiri at the 2023 New Zealand Māori Rugby League Championships.

2023 also saw Donte Tahuhu-Wilson represent Canterbury U16’s at the New Zealand South Island Championships.

In early September 2023 Donte Tahuhu-Wilson was part of the St Thomas College of Canterbury School Boy side that took part in the New Zealand Secondary School’s Rugby League Tournament with Donte Tahuhu-Wilson starting from the bench in Match One against Kelston Boys High as well as in Match Two against Mt Albert Grammar School. Donte Tahuhu-Wilson continued from the bench in Matches Three and Four against St Pauls College and Southern Cross Campus respectively.

Donte Tahuhu-Wilson then started and scored in the Premiership Final victory against St Pauls College in the 15th minute when after Donte Tahuhu-Wilson played the ball a metre from the try line and three metres in from the right touchline, the St Thomas dummy half tried to force his way over to the right of the play the ball and as he was being dragged over the touchline, he desperately flung the ball back inside. Donte Tahuhu-Wilson was able to jump and take possession of the ball in two hands above his head and immediately exploded towards the try line by way of a right foot step to dive over to score in the right corner.

Also in 2023 Donte Tahuhu-Wilson represented New Zealand Māori (from Ngai Tahu) at the U15 Pasifika Youth Cup held in New Zealand.

Donte Tahuhu-Wilson started the 2023 Pasifika Youth Cup Grand Final at fullback for New Zealand Māori against New Zealand Samoa with Donte Tahuhu-Wilson recording a try assist in the 8th minute when after chiming into the Māori backline on the left side of the field, Donte Tahuhu-Wilson ran the ball to within eighteen metres of the try line before throwing a hard, flat cut-out pass to his left to put his winger on the outside of his direct opponent and over to score in the left corner.

Donte Tahuhu-Wilson’s initial involvement of the Grand Final came in just the second minute when after collecting a Samoa clearing kick on the bounce thirteen metres out from his own try line near the right touchline Donte Tahuhu-Wilson ran the ball to his left back towards the centre of the field before being tackled twenty two metres out.

Also in the 2nd minute of the Grand Final Donte Tahuhu-Wilson backed up a line break by one of his forwards and after receiving the ball from an off-load from his right Donte Tahuhu-Wilson was able to make sixteen metres to get the ball from thirty five metres from the try line to within nineteen metres.

In the 16th minute after collecting a Samoa clearing kick on the bounce twelve metres out from his own try line near the right touchline Donte Tahuhu-Wilson ran the ball to his left back towards the centre of the field before being tackled twenty three metres out from his own try line with Donte Tahuhu-Wilson then awarded a penalty for being hit in a high tackle.

In the 49th minute Donte Tahuhu-Wilson ran to his left out of dummy half from ten metres inside his own territory and after bouncing away from one defender Donte Tahuhu-Wilson cut back to his right and was as a result able to get ball two metres inside Samoan territory before being brought to ground.

Donte Tahuhu-Wilson did well defensively in the 17th minute with a good one on one tackle on the Samoan right centre No. 4 who was brought down by Donte Tahuhu-Wilson with a good low right shoulder tackle twenty metres out from the try line after he had made a line break.

Donte Tahuhu-Wilson also started at fullback in the semi-final against the Cook Islands with Donte Tahuhu-Wilson kicking a conversion with a good left foot strike in the 17th minute from mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Earlier in the 6th minute of the match Donte Tahuhu-Wilson, from the centre of the field ran out of dummy half to his left from twenty seven metres from the try line and after stepping off his left foot Donte Tahuhu-Wilson was able to carry the ball to within ten metres of the ty line.

At the conclusion of the Pasifika Youth Cup Donte Tahuhu-Wilson was named at fullback in the 2023 U15 Pasifika Youth Cup Carnival Team.

Also in late 2023 Donte Tuhuhu-Wilson, at the 2023 Canterbury Schools Sports Awards Presentation Night was named the Best All-round Young Sportsman (Multi-Sports) of the Year.

In 2022 Donte Tahuhu-Wilson attended an U14 camp that the Titans ran in New Zealand with Donte Tahuhu-Wilson being named by the Titans Development Staff as the camp’s Most Valuable Player. Donte Tahuhu-Wilson also tested exceptionally well at the camp including recording the highest vertical jump of all participants. Donte Tahuhu-Wilson also attended New Zealand camps run by other NRL clubs as well including the Melbourne Storm where he also stood out due to his athletic ability.

Donte Tahuhu-Wilson is from the Canterbury region of New Zealand ,attending St Thomas of Canterbury College and playing for the Hornby Hornets Rugby League club and in addition to making numerous Canterbury regional representative sides Donte Tahuhu-Wilson was named in the New Zealand Māori U13 Merit side in 2021 and the New Zealand Māori U14 Merit side in 2022.

Donte Tahuhu-Wilson contributes speed, elusiveness and a spark to his team’s attacking methodology with Donte Tahuhu-Wilson’s ability not to just run the ball himself but play as a second receiver and ball play for his team mates on the fringes of the ruck, with impressively for a junior player Donte Tahuhu-Wilson having the skill set to ball play on either side of the field.

Donte Tahuhu-Wilson can literally do it all in terms of attacking from the fullback position, Donte Tahuhu-Wilson can chime into a backline and either slice through a gap or draw a create an overlap and pass to his support on his outside. When his team are bringing the ball out of their own territory Donte Tahuhu-Wilson hunts around behind the play the ball looking to exploit the situation when an opposition defender does not close any gaps quick enough.

This is also in addition to Donte Tahuhu-Wilson’s kick return ability with Donte Tahuhu-Wilson doing everything possible to get to long tactical kicks on the full with Donte Tahuhu-Wilson then sizing up the situation quickly and running the ball straight back instead of running across the field to make as much ground as possible.

Donte Tahuhu-Wilson is also very good when defending against high attacking kicks by jumping high and taking the ball on the full into his chest. Donte Tahuhu-Wilson also attacks opposition grubber kicks by moving forward and taking possession with significant forward momentum.

From a defensive perspective Donte Tahuhu-Wilson moves forward quickly when a line break is made in front of him with Donte Tahuhu-Wilson’s intention being to reduce the time for his opponent to make a decision what to do and in those circumstances Donte Tahuhu-Wilson does not take any dummy and focusses solely on the player with the ball. When Donte Tahuhu-Wilson is required to move across in cover defence Donte Tahuhu-Wilson will show is opponent the sideline before accelerating across field looking to take his opponent into touch, which he does on a regular basis.

2025 will see Donte Tahuhu-Wilson start the season in the Souths Logan Magpies CC Cup squad. Sonte Tahuhu-Wilson will also return to Mabel Park SHS where he will be in line to make his School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup debut.

With the skill set that he has Donte Tahuhu-Wilson could not doubt play a number of positions but with his speed, timing and anticipation, Donte Tahuhu-Wilson seems the perfect fit at fullback, both now and into the future.

Melbourne Storm and former New South Wales State of Origin’ fullback (utility) Ryan Papenhuyzen is a more than solid comparison for Donte Tahuhu-Wilson both in terms of speed and elusiveness as well as body type. Both Donte Tahuhu-Wilson and Papenhuyzen are just electric running the ball and in relation to their overall impact and toughness on a rugby league field that belies their smaller stature.

 

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Treleque Boyce-Silimaka. As a result of his performances for Keebra Park SHS in the School Boy Rugby League Walters Cup and for the Burleigh Bears in the U17 CC Cup competition Treleque Boyce-Silimaka signed a multi-year contract with the Titans.

In late September 2024 Treleque Boyce-Silimaka was named on the bench for the Future Titans U16 side that played the Melbourne Storm at Totally Workwear Stadium but unfortunately due to injury Treleque Boyce-Silimaka was unable to take part in the match.

Treleque Boyce-Silimaka started at right second row for the Burleigh Bears in Round One of the U17 Cyril Connell (CC) Cup competition against the Souths Logan Magpies with Treleque Boyce-Silimaka involved in a Burleigh try in the 35th minute when after carrying the ball from fifteen to within ten metres of the try line from two passes to the right of the play the ball Treleque Boyce-Silimaka was able to get an off-load away to his right to Seth Gundry with the Bears scoring a pass later.

In the 6th minute from the left of the play the ball and just four metres from his try line a Treleque Boyce-Silimaka saw the ball moved to fourteen metres out and then in the 25th minute from three passes to the right of the dummy half Treleque Boyce-Silimaka ran the ball from thirty two to twenty metres from the try line. Also in the 33rd minute from two passes to the right of the dummy half Treleque Boyce-Silimaka got the ball from sixteen to twenty eight metres from the try line before getting an off-load away to his left to his fullback.

Treleque Boyce-Silimaka could not have made an earlier impact on the match when he was involved in three of the opening four tackles of the match.

Treleque Boyce-Silimaka continued at right second row in Round Two against the Redcliffe Dolphins and in the 4th minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball and thirty two metres from the try line Treleque Boyce-Silimaka was able to move the ball ten metres forward.

A minute later in the 5th minute from two passes to the right of the dummy half Treleque Boyce-Silimaka carried the ball from twelve to two metres from the try line after stepping off his right foot and whilst being held by three defenders Treleque Boyce-Silimaka was still able to get a left arm off-load away to his five eight. Then in the 24th minute from the left of the play the ball and forty seven metres from his try line Treleque Boyce-Silimaka carried the ball to thirty five metres out.

Also from the left of the play the ball but on the right side of the field in the 32nd minute a Treleque Boyce-Silimaka yardage carried saw the ball moved from nine to twenty two metres away from the try line. Also in the 46th minute after receiving the ball wide on the right side of the field fourteen metres from the try line Treleque Boyce-Silimaka continued to run to his right to get within a metre of the try line nine metres in from the right corner post.

Treleque Boyce-Silimaka ran an underneath route to the right of the dummy half in the 51st minute and as a result propelled the ball from twenty four to ten metres from the try line. Treleque Boyce-Silimaka then ran another underneath route to the right of play the ball three minutes later in the 54th minute to carry the ball from forty seven to thirty three metres from the try line including breaking a tackle.

Treleque Boyce-Silimaka also started at right second row in Round Three against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls and in the 12th minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball Treleque Boyce-Silimaka ran the ball from forty to twenty seven metres from the try line before winning a “six again” for the Bears.

From a Burleigh penalty restart in the 40th minute Treleque Boyce-Silimaka carried the ball from thirty to forty two metres from his try line with Treleque Boyce-Silimaka awarded a penalty for an illegal strip with Treleque Boyce-Silimaka also running the ball from that penalty restart to within thirty three metres from the try line.

The 54th minute saw Treleque Boyce-Silimaka run the ball from the right of a Bears scrum win from twenty eight to sixteen metres from the try line and in the 57th minute from two passes to the left of the dummy half and twenty two metres from his try line a Treleque Boyce-Silimaka hit and spin saw him able to get the ball twelve metres downfield.

Treleque Boyce-Silimaka continued at right second row in Round Five against the Norths Devils and in the 20th minute from the left of the play the ball but to the right of the posts Treleque Boyce-Silimaka made eleven metres from his own thirty metre mark.

In the 24th minute Treleque Boyce-Silimaka did well to retrieve a Norths kick-off with a juggling take after facing a horrible bounce in the left corner to stop the ball bouncing over the touchline. Then in the 30th minute a Treleque Boyce-Silimaka kick-off return saw him get the ball out to the twenty three metre mark.

From two passes to the right of the play the ball in the 44th minute after running the ball from two passes to the right of the play the ball Treleque Boyce-Silimaka got the ball from forty to thirty metres from the try line before getting a brilliant short off-load way to his right. Then a tackle later Treleque Boyce-Silimaka ran the ball down a short right blindside from twenty two to ten metres from the try line. Also in the 47th minute Treleque Boyce-Silimaka ran the ball to the right of the dummy half from twenty two to ten metres of the try line.

Treleque Boyce-Silimaka executed a big tackle in the 43rd minute when he came over the top to smash his opposing second rower twenty metres from the try line. Then in the 53rd minute Treleque Boyce-Silimaka as involved in forcing the Norths left centre over the touchline forty four metres from the try line.

Treleque Boyce-Silimaka also started at right second row in the Round Seven local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls and in the 4th minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball Treleque Boyce-Silimaka made twelve metres to get the ball to the halfway mark but unfortunately suffered a head knock.

Treleque Boyce-Silimaka returned to the field at right second row in the 47th minute and two minutes later in the 49th minute Treleque Boyce-Silimaka ran an underneath route to the right of the play the ball and broke two tackles to carry the ball from twenty two to within seven metres of the try line just to the right of the posts. Treleque Boyce-Silimaka also ran an underneath route to the right of the play the ball in the 55th minute and ran the ball through the centre of the field from forty one to twenty nine metres from the try line.

In 2024 Treleque Boyce-Silimaka was also an ever present for the Keebra Park SHS School Boy Rugby League Walters Cup side including in the Queensland Final victory over Kirwan SHS.

2024 also saw Treleque Boyce-Silimaka line up for the Southport Tigers in the GCRL U16 Division One competition.

Treleque Boyce-Silimaka is a powerful runner of the ball and once he has generated momentum he is very difficult to stop and regularly has been able to drag defenders with him after initial contact has been made.

Once he is in space, Treleque Boyce-Silimaka actually has very good speed, I would consider it above average when analysing his speed from a rugby league forward’s perspective, to add to the difficulties for the defensive line, he runs with a high knee lift and also has a powerful right hand fend.

Defensively the most impressive aspect of Treleque Boyce-Silimaka’s play is his ability to make effective tackle after effective tackle. For the Souths Acacia Ridge Magpies in the 2023 in the GBJRL U14 Division One competition Treleque Boyce-Silimaka continually made up to three and four tackles in a row on multiple occasions. Whilst his stamina is impressive, so is Treleque Boyce-Silimaka’s initial contact, he uses his strength and leverage to hit the ball carrier hard forcing critical momentum changes to the ball carriers running line.

Treleque Boyce-Silimaka is also adept at wrapping up the ball and preventing offloads as he uses his functional strength to engage ball carriers. Defensively in a covering role he is also very effective as even though he is a big strong forward Treleque Boyce-Silimaka has very good catch up speed and a solid low tackling technique from a side aspect.

2025 will see Treleque Boyce-Silimaka start the season as a member of the Tweed Heads Seagulls CC Cup squad after transferring from the Burleigh Bears where he played CC Cup in 2024. Treleque Boyce-Silimaka will also return to Keebra Park SHS where he will be in line for a School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup debut. Treleque Boyce-Silimaka will also play for the Southport Tigers in the GCRL U18 Division One competition.

Treleque Boyce-Silimaka is a big strong powerful young man with the requisite speed and mobility to continue in the second row for the duration of his rugby league career no matter how far it takes him.

Powerhouse former New Zealand Warriors and current Melbourne Storm signing Eliesa Katoa is a strong NRL player comparison for Treleque Boyce-Silimaka, both are powerhouse ball runners with the requisite speed to be very damaging on the fringes of the ruck.

 

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Sunny Kama. Sunny Kama is currently undertaking the pre-Christmas portion of the NRL pre-season with the Titans NRL squad.

In October 2023 Sunny Kama was named in the 2024 Tweed Heads Seagulls U19 Mal Meninga (MM) Cup squad with Sunny Kama also MM Cup eligible in 2025.

In late Sunny Kama was named in the 2024 Queensland Rugby League U18 Emerging Boys Squad.

In early March 2024 Sunny Kama was named in the Open South Coast 2024 School Boy Rugby League Representative squad with Sunny Kama starting on the right wing on Day One against Met North.

Sunny Kama carried the ball through the centre of the field from the right of the play the ball in the 7th minute from five metres from his own try line to twenty metres out with Sunny Kama awarded a penalty for being held down too long. Then in the 15th minute Sunny Kama also ran the ball through the centre of the field from the right of the play the ball from seventeen metres to twenty nine metres from his try line.

Two minutes later in the 17th minute Sunny Kama took possession of the ball from on his own try line and to the right of the play the ball to get the ball out to the eleven metre mark. Then from the right of the play the ball once again in the 29th minute and to the right of the play the ball Sunny Kama got the ball from ten metres inside South Coast territory to five metres into Met North territory.

Sunny Kama continued on the right wing on Day Two against Met East with Sunny Kama making a line break in the 33rd minute from twelve metres inside his own territory to twelve metres into Met East territory down the right touchline after being put into space by Sam Stephenson.

Earlier in the set of six that saw him make a line break Sunny Kama, in the 33rd minute carried the ball from the left of a South Coast scrum win from just five metres out from his own try line to sixteen metres out. Then from the right of the play the ball in the 41st minute Sunny Kama was able to get the ball from ten metres to twenty metres from his try line.

Two minutes later in the 43rd minute from the left of the play the ball and twelve metres from his own try line Sunny Kama’s yardage carry saw him get the ball out to the twenty three metre mark. Also in the 49th minute from the left of the play the ball Sunny Kama carried the ball from thirty three metres from his try line to forty seven metres out.

Sunny Kama also started on the right wing on Day Three against Northern with Sunny Kama scoring in the 46th minute when he chased through a Zane Harrison bomb to his wing with Sunny Kama out jumping his opposing winger to take the ball on the full eight metres out with Sunny Kama then pushing away from the Northern fullback with Sunny Kama getting the ball down mid-way between the corner post and goal post on the right side of the field.

In just the 2nd minute of the match from the right of the play the ball Sunny Kama ran the ball through the centre of the field from twenty one metres to thirty three metres from his try line. Then in the 18th minute Sunny Kama’s yardage carry saw him propel the ball from on his own try line to twelve metres out.

Sunny Kama followed up in the 33rd minute with a run to the right of the play the ball and after continuing to run in the same direction Sunny Kama ran the ball from thirty five metres from his try line to within three metres of the halfway mark. Also in the 45th minute after taking a Northern kick on the full ten metres from his own try line near the right touchline Sunny Kama ran the ball towards the centre of the field and in fact ended up on the opposite side of the posts as he ran the ball out to the twenty seven metre mark.

Sunny Kama continued on the right wing on Day Four against Met North with Sunny Kama making a fifteen metres line break down the right touchline off a Sam Stephenson pass from his inside and after getting within fifteen metres of the try line Sunny Kama threw a pass to his inside but the pass was ruled forward.

In the 27th minute from the left of a South Coast scrum win Sunny Kama was able to get the ball from five metres from his own try line to fifteen metres out after continuing to run to his left.

Day One of the 2024 Australian School Boys Rugby League Championships saw Sunny Kama start on the right wing for Queensland against NSW CCC with Sunny Kama making a line break in the 12th minute when after backing up one of his forwards Sunny Kama received an off-load from his left thirty four metres from his try line and raced downfield to within thirty four metres of the try line at the opposite end of the field.

Sunny Kama also did well in the 40th minute with a yardage carry from the right of a Queensland scrum win in the centre of the field to get the ball from eight metres to twenry five metres from his try line.

Sunny Kama continued on the right wing on Day Two against Combined Affiliated States (CAS) and in the 7th minute from the right of the play the ball and twenty metres from his try line Sunny Kama carried the ball ten metres downfield with Sunny Kama then awarded a penalty after being held down.

A Sunny Kama yardage carry from the right of the play the ball in the 12th minute saw the ball promoted from six to sixteen metres out from his try line and in the 39th minute from the right of a Queensland scrum win Sunny Kama ran the ball from eight to twenty six metres from his try line.

Sunny Kama did exceptionally well in the opening minute of the second half being the 31st minute to leap high and take a high spirally bomb on the full thirty metres from his try line with Sunny Kama awarded a penalty when he was tackled whist still well in the air.

Sunny Kama also started on the right wing in the Semi-final against NSW CHS and in the 12th minute from the right of the play the ball and thirty metres from his try line Sunny Kama was able to get the ball to the forty metre mark.

In the 17th minute from the left of the play the ball but on the opposite side of the field Sunny Kama once again ran the ball from thirty to forty metres from his try line. Also in the 46th minute from the right of the play the ball and twenty five metres from his try line Sunny Kama ran the ball through the centre of the field to within three metres of the halfway mark.

Sunny Kama did well defensively in the 15th minute when facing a two person overlap when defending just out from his try line Sunny Kama raced out of the defensive line and got into the face of the NSW CHS five eight and as a result his opponents pass when forward, it was a great defensive read by Sunny Kama. Sunny Kama in the 33rd minute made a desperate last ditch tackle on his opposing winger who had burst down the touchline with Sunny Kama grabbing hold of the wingers jersey from the back and refuse to let go to bring him down forty metres from the try line.

Sunny Kama continued on the right wing in Queensland School Boys Selection match against ACT with Sunny Kama scoring an impressive second half double with the first of his tries coming in the 50th minute when Sunny Kama backed up a line break from inside Queensland School Boys territory with Sunny Kama receiving a pass from his left just behind him but Sunny Kama did not break his stride when taking possession to run ten metres to put the ball down twelve metres in from the right corner post.

Sunny Kama completed his double in the 55th minute with a short sharp three metres run to score in the right corner.

Sunny Kama made a solid run in the 37th minute from the right of the play the ball from twenty to thirty metres from the ty lien and then from the right of the play the ball in the 40th minute Sunny Kama carried the ball through the centre of the field from eight metres inside his half to ten metres into ACT territory.

Sunny Kama did well in the 53rd minute to chase through a high Queensland bomb and get above his opposing and hit the ball backwards with both hands to Sam Stephenson with the Queensland School Boys forcing an ACT goal line drop-out as a result.

After missing Round One Sunny Kama started on the right wing in Round Two of the 2024 School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup for PBC SHS against Redcliffe SHS with Sunny Kama stunning with a first half hat trick.

Sunny Kama scored his opening try in the 4th minute when from twenty two metres out from the try line and to the right of the play the ball Zane Harrison put a right foot chip over the defensive line with Callum Bowles getting to the ball on the first bounce and immediately throwing a short instinctive pass to his right to Sunny Kama ten metres from the try line with Sunny Kama subsequently diving over to score in the right corner.

Sunny Kama added a second try in the 18th minute when from the right of the play the ball twenty metres from the try line Zane Harrison threw a long pass to his right to lead Callum Bowles into space with Callum Bowles subsequently drawing the Redcliffe SHS left winger and passing to his right to Sunny Kama who had a twenty metre run to score in the right corner.

Sunny Kama completed his hat trick in the 25th minute when after Zane Harrison ran across field to his right and after dummying to two inside runners Zane Harrison’s pass to his right perfectly led Callum Bowles onto the ball and after Callum Bowles carried the ball to within thirteen metres of the try line and once again drew the Redcliffe SHS left winger he passed to his right to an unmarked Sunny Kama who once again dived over to score in the right corner.

Sunny Kama continued on the right wing in Round Three against Mabel Park SHS with Sunny Kama scoring in the 15th minute when he crossed the try line near the right corner post off a Callum Bowles off-load from his inside with Sunny Kama then bringing the ball around ten metres closer to the goal posts.

In the 5th minute from wide out on the right side of the field a Sunny Kama yardage carry saw the ball promoted from four metres from his try line to seventeen metres out. Sunny Kama carried the ball off his own try line once again in the 26th minute when after collecting the ball a metres from his try line near his right corner Sunny Kama stepped off his right foot four times in quick succession to run the ball towards the uprights and he got the ball out to the twenty metre mark.

In the 37th minute from the left of the play the ball a Sunny Kama run from five metres from his try line saw the ball get out to the twenty seven metre mark. Then in the 52nd minute from the left of the play the ball Sunny Kama once again carried the ball from a metres from his own try line to eleven metres out.

Sunny Kama continued on the right wing in Round Four against Caloundra SHS with Sunny Kama scoring in the 30th minute with an eighty metre dart down the right touchline to score in the right corner. Sunny Kama was engaged by a defender still three metres from the try line but was able to maintain his balance and body control to still score.

Sunny Kama had come close to scoring earlier in the match in the 4th minute when he dived for the try line from on the right touchline however the touch judge ruled that Sunny Kama had put his foot into touch prior to getting the ball down in the corner.

In the 2nd minute of the match from the right of the play the ball and thirty six metres from his try line Sunny Kama was able to get the ball to the halfway mark. Then in the 4th minute from the left of the play the ball Sunny Kama carried the ball through the centre of the field from thirty metres to forty two metres from the try line. Also in the 19th minute from the right of a PBC SHS scrum win a Sunny Kama run saw the ball moved from six metres to twenty metres out from the try line.

Sunny Kama also started on the right wing in Round Five against Marsden SHS with Sunny Kama making a line break in the 41st minute with a run from ten metres from his won try line and to the left of the play the ball Sunny Kama continued to run to his left and after getting on the outside of the Marsden SHS right sided defensive line Sunny Kama burst down the left touchline to get five metres into Marsden SHS’s half.

Sunny Kama looked as if he had scored in the right corner in the 48th minute with a twenty two metre burst down the touchline only for the referee to rule a PBC SHS shepherd prior to Sunny Kama receiving the ball.

In the 17th minute a Sunny Kama yardage carry from the right of the play the ball from ten metres from his try line saw him carry the ball to the twenty one metre mark. Then from the left of the play the ball in the 34th minute and thirty eight metres from his try line Sunny Kama was able to get the ball to the halfway mark. Also in the 54th minute from the left of the play the ball and ten metres from his try line Sunny Kama got the ball out to the twenty three metre mark.

Sunny Kama did exceptionally well defensively in the 53rd minute when he raced out of the PBC SHS defensive line when facing a two person overlap and hit the Marsden SHS five eight just as he was receiving the ball twelve metres from the try line.

Sunny Kama continued on the right wing in Round Six against Wavell SHS and made a line break in the 51st minute with an outstanding run from the left of a PBC SHS scrum win deep in their own territory with Sunny Kama, after taking the ball just five metres from his try line breaking the Wavell SHS defensive line as he surged downfield and out to the thirty eight metre mark, breaking three tackles along the way.

Sunny Kama ran the ball through the centre of the field from the left of the play the ball from eight metres to twenty two metres from the try line. From the left of the play the ball once again in the 35th minute and twenty metres from his try line Sunny Kama did well to make twelve metres. Then in the 45th minute on the left side of the field and to the left of the play the ball Sunny Kama carried the ball from thirty to forty one metres from the try line.

Sunny Kama also started on the right wing in the Round Seven local derby against Keebra Park SHS with Sunny Kama making a half break in the 45th minute when after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball Sunny Kama broke two tackles as he surged from thirty metres from his try line to three metres into Keebra Park SHS territory.

A Sunny Kama ran in the 33rd minute from the left of the play the ball saw him run the ball from twenty eight metres from his try line to five metres into Keebra Park SHS’s half and then in the 39th minute also from the left of the play the ball and two metres from his try line Sunny Kama’s yardage carry saw the ball moved out to the fourteen metre mark.

Sunny Kama ran the ball down the right touchline in the 49th minute to get the ball from thirty five to twenty metres from the try line and then in the 53rd minute from two passes to the right of the dummy half Sunny Kama carried the ball from twenty to forty metres away from his try line. Also in the 55th minute Sunny Kama ran out of dummy half to his left from the halfway mark to thirty four metres from the try line.

Sunny Kama did well in the 15th minute when he chased through a Zane Harrison Bomb and hit the Keebra Park SHS left winger just as he took the ball on the full and then drove him back three metres into the in-goal area to force a goal line drop-out. Sunny Kama then took the Keebra Park SHS short goal line drop-out on the full under heavy pressure and got the ball to within ten metres of the try line.

Sunny Kama started at right centre for PBC SHS in their Langer Cup semi-final against Keebra Park SHS and 12th minute from the left side of the posts and to the left of the dummy half Sunny Kama ran the ball from twenty three to thirty five metres from the try line.

From the right of the play the ball in the 33rd minute and thirteen metres from his try line Sunny Kama’s yardage carry saw him propel the ball out to the twenty three metre mark and then in the 35th minute Sunny Kama carried the ball through the centre of the field from the left of the play the ball from thirty five metres from the try line to the halfway mark.

From the left of the play the ball in the 38th minute Sunny Kama did well to get the ball from twenty eight to thirty eight metres from his try line. Also in the 41st minute after cutting underneath his five eight to the right of the play the ball Sunny Kama ran the ball through the centre of the field from forty four to twenty eight metres from the try line.

Sunny Kama also did well defensively in the 53rd minute when along with Zane Harrison and Sam Stephenson he held up the Keebra Park SHS left centre over the try line eight metres in from the right corner post.

Sunny Kama started on the right wing for PBC SHS in the 2024 School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup Grand Final against Marsden SHS with Sunny Kama scoring a key try in the 40th minute with a twelve metre run to put the ball down two metres in from the right corner post after great work on his inside by Ray Puru.

In just the 2nd minute of the match after taking a Marsden SHS kick on the full in his in-goal area Sunny Kama made ten metres after also taking the twenty metre restart. Then from a PBC SHS penalty restart in the 14th minute just to the left of the goal posts Sunny Kama ran the ball from thirty six to forty eight metres from the try line.

The 2024 Queensland School Boy Rugby League Phil Hall Cup Grand Final to determine Queensland’s best 2024 School Boy Rugby League School Boy side saw Sunny Kama start on the right wing for PBC SHS against Kirwan SHS.

Sunny Kama scored in the Final in the 51st minute when from eight metres out off a Ray Puru cut out pass from his left Sunny Kama charged at the right corner post and two metres from the try line to beat his opposing winger Sunny Kama hit and spun (clockwise) before carrying two more defenders over the try line to score in the right corner.

In the 2nd minute from the left of the play the ball and on the halfway Sunny Kama carried the ball twenty metres into Kirwan SHS territory and in the 12th minute from the left of the play the ball after running to his right Sunny Kama ran the ball from twenty eight to forty metres from the try line. Also in the 26th minute from the right of the dummy half Sunny Kama made sixteen metres to get the ball to the halfway. Sunny Kama moved to the opposite side of the field in the 42nd minute to carry the ball from the left of the play the ball to move the ball from eighteen to thirty two metres from the try line.

Sunny Kama did well in the 39th minute with a leaping take of a Kirwan SHS cross kick to his wing on the full above his head in two hands falling backwards.

At the completion of the 2024 Queensland School Boy Rugby League season Sunny Kama was noted as someone that the Courier Mail would loved to have been able to fit in the 2024 Courier Mail Langer Cup Team of the Year.

Sunny Kama started on the right wing for PBC SHS in the 2024 National School By Rugby League Final against Patrician Brothers Blacktown and in the 34th minute Sunny Kama came close to scoring when he leapt high above his opposing winger off a Zane Harrison kick to his right wing into the in-goal however Sunny Kama was not able to control the ball as he was coming back to earth.

In the 11th minute from the right of the dummy half Sunny Kama ran the ball from thirty five metres from his try line to within three metres of the halfway mark and in the 16th minute Sunny Kama ran the ball down a right blindside from thirty four to forty five metres from the try line and from the left of the play the ball in the 22nd minute and on his try line Sunny Kama’s yardage carry saw the ball promoted to the ten metre mark.

In the 24th minute fifteen metres from his try line and to the right of the play the ball Sunny Kama stepped off his right foot to beat three defenders as he ran the ball out to the thirty metre mark. Then in the 39th minute after taking possession of the ball wide on the right Sunny Kama broke two more tackle to carry the ball from thirty three to forty seven metres from the try line.

Sunny Kama was exceptional defensively under the high ball with perhaps his best take coming in the 56th minute with a great take of a bomb on the full ten metres from his try line.

Round One of the 2024 MM Cup competition saw Sunny Kama start at right centre for the Burleigh Bears against the Souths Logan Magpies with Sunny Kama recording a try assist in the 19th minute when after receiving a pass from his inside when around fourteen metres out from the try line, Sunny Kama cut to his right and after getting on the outside of his direct opponent Sunny Kama drew in the Souths Logan left winger and got pass away to his right when eight metres out to put Creedence Donovan over to score in the right corner.

In the 11th minute from the right of a Burleigh scrum win Sunny Kama carried the ball from five metres inside his own territory to ten metres into Magpies territory. Then In the 62nd minute Sunny Kama did well on a run down the right channel to carry the ball from thirty two metres out from his own try line to within three metres of the halfway mark.

Sunny Kama did well defensively in the 68th minute when he along with Tama Darlington and Brady Turner tackled and held the Souths Logan left centre up and force him four metres back into the Magpies in-goal area. Sunny Kama then did even better defensively when along with Tama Darlington, he held up the Souths Logan left second rower (No. 11) over the try line midway between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.

Sunny Kama also did well in the 44th minute when after anticipating that the Magpies five eight Javon Andrews would put in a short grubber kick Sunny Kama moved backwards to left to dive on the kick just in the field of play with Sunny Kama then able to stay low so as not to be forced back into the in-goal.

Sunny Kama also started at right centre in Round Two against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Sunny Kama scoring Burleigh’s match sealing try in the 64th minute when Sunny Kama ran onto a great ball into a gap from his left from Ray Puru from five metres out to score five metres in from the right corner post.

Sunny Kama also made a line break in the 40th minute when after charging onto the ball to the right of the play the ball twenty eight metres from the try line, Sunny Kama continued to run to his right and when he stepped and powered his way in five metres out in front of the goal posts, Sunny Kama was able to get an off-load away to his right to Creedence Donovan who went very close to scoring before being brought to ground.

Earlier in just the 2nd minute of the match Sunny Kama ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball and get the ball from twenty eight metres from his own try line to within six metres of the halfway mark. Then in the 11th minute from ten metres out from his own try line and to the right of the dummy half Sunny Kama broke a tackle and spun clockwise to get the ball out to the thirty metre mark for a twenty mete gain.

Sunny Kama followed up with an effort in the 21st minute from the right of the play the ball that saw Sunny Kama carry the ball out to the thirty one metre mark after initiating his run fourteen metres out from his own try line. Then in the 37th minute Sunny Kama ran the ball from the left of the play the ball from thirty five metres out to the halfway mark.

In the 43rd minute from the right of the play the ball carried the ball within three metres of the try line near the right touchline after taking possession of the ball twenty one metres out. Then in the 45th minute from the right of a Burleigh scrum win Sunny Kama received the ball just six metres from his own try line and was able to carry the ball to twenty two metres out.

Sunny Kama continued at right centre in Round Five against the Norths Devils with Sunny Kama running onto the ball to the right of the dummy half to carry the ball through the centre of the field from ten metres inside his own territory to five metres in Norths territory.

Sunny Kama came close to scoring in the 9th minute when as the ball was spun to the Bears right, Sunny Kama cut back inside upon receipt of the ball twelve metres out and after breaking two tackles Sunny Kama was able to get to within a metre of the try line ten metres in from the right corner post.

Sunny Kama did some hard work bringing the ball out of his own half when in the30th minute from the right of the play the ball (on the left side of the field) to run the ball from thirty metres from the try line to forty metres out. Sunny Kama then ran the ball through the centre of the field in the field in the 36th minute to get the ball from ten metres from his own try line to twenty one metres out.

Sunny Kama made a good second effort running the ball to the left of the play the ball through the centre of the field in the 42nd minute from twenty four metres from his own try line to thirty six metres out.

Even with the game won Sunny Kama continued to work hard when in the 69th minute Sunny Kama chased through a Burleigh chip kick into the in-goal area to tackle the Norths player who had collected the ball in-goal to force the goal line drop-out.

Sunny Kama’s performance saw him named in the centres in the Courier Mail’s MM Cup Round Five Team of the Week.

Sunny Kama also started at right centre in Round Six against the Brisbane Tigers with Sunny Kama scoring in the 59th minute when after receiving the ball from his inside from Ray Puru, Sunny Kama raced down the right touchline from twenty one metres out after beating one defender with a left arm fend and when eight metres from the try line Sunny Kama cut inside off his right foot to beat another defender with Sunny Kama then bursting between three defenders to get the ball down seven metres in from the right corner post.

In the 5th minute from the left of a Burleigh scrum win eight metres from his own try line Sunny Kama did well to get the ball to the twenty metre mark before being awarded a penalty after the Tigers defence was deemed to be off side. Then in the 22nd minute Sunny Kama moved to the opposite side of the field to run the ball to the left of the play the ball to carry the ball from thirty metres from his try line to within four metres of the halfway mark.

Sunny Kama also made a good cover defending tackle in the 24th minute on the Tigers giant left winger No. 21 to take him into touch just over the halfway mark.

Sunny Kama continued at right centre in the Round Seven local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls and in the 6th minute Sunny Kama made a yardage hit-up to the right of the play the ball to run the ball from eight metres from his own try line to twenty metres out.

Sunny Kama also made a strong carry away from his own try line in the 28th minute when after engaging the Burleigh defensive line twelve metres from his own try line after running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball eight metres from his own try line, Sunny Kama spun clockwise to break two tackles and get the ball out to the twenty metre mark.

Sunny Kama made a half break in the 47th minute when from the right of the play the ball and nineteen metres from his own try line Sunny Kama made twenty metres through the centre of the field out to the thirty nine metre mark. Then in the 59th minute from a Bears penalty restart Sunny Kama got the ball from the halfway mark to forty metres out.

Sunny Kama also started at right centre in Round Eight against the Central Queensland Capra’s with Sunny Kama coming close to scoring in the 38th minute when after running into the ball to the right of the play the ball Sunny Kama, from twelve metres from the try line cut towards the centre of the field but after bumping away from one defender Sunny Kama ran back towards his right only to be held up over the try line mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.

Sunny Kama also recorded a try assist in the 15th minute when after receiving the ball wide on the right Sunny Kama ran the ball from twelve metres out and after drawing in the Capra’s left winger still eight metres out Sunny Kama passed to his right to put Creedence Donovan over to score in the right corner.

Inside the opening minute of the match from the left of the play the ball Sunny Kama executed a yardage carry from fifteen metres from his own try line to twenty five metres out. Then in the 10th minute from two passes to the left of a Burleigh centre field scrum win and twent five metres from the Bears try line Sunny Kama continued to run the ball to his right to get the ball to thirty eight metres from the try line before being awarded a penalty after being hit high.

Sunny Kama also did well in the 49th minute from two passes to the right of a Burleigh centre field scrum to carry the ball from eight metres inside his own territory to seven metres into Central Queensland territory.

Sunny Kama continued at right centre in Round Nine against the Ipswich Jets with Sunny Kama making a good yardage carry in the 8th minute from his own try line to ten metres out.

From the right of a Burleigh scrum win in the 17th minute Sunny Kama’s yardage carry saw him get the ball from eight metres from his own try line to twenty two metres out. Then in the 63rd minute after receiving the ball wide on the right side of the field eighteen metres from the try lien Sunny Kama stepped inside multiple times until he neared the left touch line and after straightening up Sunny Kama was only stopped less than a metre from the try line.

Sunny Kama did well defensively in the 17th minute to be involved in holding up Ipswich front rower No. 10 midway between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field. Sunny Kama also did well in the 50th minute to get to the Ipswich left centre No. 3 who had collected a Jets grubber with Sunny Kama’s intervention dislodging the ball over the ty lien to prevent a near certain Ipswich try.

Sunny Kama also started at right centre in Round Ten against the Souths Logan Magpies with Sunny Kama scoring in the 42nd minute with a ten metre run to score two metres in from the left corner post after being put into space by Ray Puru.

The 3rd minute saw Sunny Kama run out of dummy half to his right through the centre of the field from fourteen metres to twenty five metres out. Then a tackle later from the right of the play the ball Sunny Kama ran the ball straight through the centre of the field from thirty six metres to the halfway mark after targeting the area behind the markers.

The 5th minute saw Sunny Kama run onto the ball to the left of the play the ball through the centre of the field from twenty five metres to forty metres from the try line. Then in the 24th minute from the left of the play the ball and five metres from his own try line Sunny Kama’s centre field run saw him get the ball out to the eighteen metre mark.

Sunny Kama continued at right centre in Round Eleven against the Wide Bay Bulls with Sunny Kama scoring a staggering four tries with Sunny Kama’s initial try arriving in the 9th minute with a long range solo effort when after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball through the centre of the field Sunny Kama used a left arm fend to break the fist tackle with a right foot step beating two more, Sunny Kama then outpaced the cover defence to dive over to score six metres in from the right corner post.

Sunny Kama scored his second try in the 15th minute with a six metre run to score three metres in from the right corner post.

Sunny Kama completed his hat trick in the 20th minute when after backing up his halfback Sunny Kama after receiving a pass twelve metres from the try line Sunny Kama crossed wide out on the right before bringing the ball around to place in under the posts.

Sunny Kama made it four tries in the 48th minute with a ten metre untouched run to score three metres in from the right corner post.

Sunny Kama also made a line break in the 51st minute when after racing down the right touchline from a Creedence Donovan off-load Sunny Kama ran to within thirty metres of the try line before passing to his left back to Creedence Donovan who then off-loaded for Coby Black to score.

Inside the opening minute of the match from a Burleigh penalty restart Sunny Kama ran the ball from the halfway mark to thirty five metres from the try line. Also in the 37th minute from the left of the play the ball Sunny Kama produced a yardage carry to run the ball from four metres to sixteen metres from his try line. Then in the 47th minute wide out on the right Sunny Kama was able to get the ball from the halfway mark to thirty metres from try line.

Sunny Kama’s performance saw him receive a special mention in the Round Eleven Courier Mail MM Cup Team of the Week deliberations.

Week One of the 2024 MM Cup Finals series saw Sunny Kama start at right centre for the Burleigh Bears against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Sunny Kama from a Burleigh penalty restart in the 9th minute getting the ball from thirty six metres to twenty metres from the try line.

From the right of a Bears centre field scrum in the 18th minute Sunny Kama was able to promote the ball from eighteen metres to thirty metres from his try line. Then in the 49th minute another yardage carry from the right of the play the ball saw Sunny Kama run the ball from eight metres from his own try line to twenty two metres out.

Sunny Kama continued at right centre in the Preliminary Final against the Redcliffe Dolphins and in the 6th minute from the right of the dummy half Sunny Kama carried the ball from ten metres inside his half to a metre into Redcliffe territory.

In the 12th minute from the left of the play the ball and ten metres from his own try line a Sunny Kama yardage carry say the ball promoted to the twenty metre mark. Then in the 18th minute from the right of the play the ball another Sunny Kama yardage carry saw him run the ball from fifteen metres to twenty six metres from the try line. Also in the 22nd minute from the right of the dummy half on the opposite side of the field Sunny Kama got the ball from twenty five metres to thirty eight metres from his try line.

From the left of the play the ball in the 38th minute Sunny Kama ran the ball from forty metres to the halfway mark and in the 45th minute from the right of a Burleigh scrum win Sunny Kama carried the ball from five metres to sixteen metres from his try line. Also in the 65th minute from the right of the play the ball and five metres from his try line to twenty one metres out. Then a minute later in the 64th minute from the right of the play the ball Sunny Kama ran the ball down a right blindside from ten to twenty five metres from the try line.

Sunny Kama started at right centre for the Burleigh Bears in the 2024 MM Cup Grand Final against the Tweed Heads Seagulls and in the 30th minute from the right of the play the ball and twenty four metres from his try line a Sunny Kama charge saw the ball moved to the thirty seven metre mark with around 65% of his metres being post contact.

A Sunny Kama effort from a Burleigh penalty restart saw the ball promoted from twenty five to thirty five metres from his try line and then from wide on the right Sunny Kama carried the ball down the right channel to sixteen metres from the try line after carrying the ball from the thirty metre mark.

Sunny Kama did well in the 46th minute to jump high and take a Tweed Heads short goal line drop-out on the full thirteen metres from the try line with Sunny Kama getting to the centre of the field and ten metres out.

Sunny Kama produced the most interesting play of the match in the 48th minute when after racing out of the defensive line to hit Tweed Heads five eight Ryder Williams just as he was receiving the ball twenty eight metres from the try line Sunny Kama “helped” off Ryder Williams’s head gear and when Ryder Williams still had his head down Sunny Kama shoved the head gear under his jersey and jogged away as Ryder Williams was looking around in vain for his head gear.

At the conclusion of the MM Cup competition Sunny Kama received an “Out favourites of the Season” Award in the 2024 Courier Mail Mal Meninga Cup Team of the Season discussions.

In early January 2024 Sunny Kama started on the right wing for a Titans U19 side in a round robin series of matches against the Penrith Panthers and the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs in Sydney with Sunny Kama scoring against the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs as the Titans won the match 16 -12.

In the 6th minute of the Penrith trial from fifteen metres out from the Penrith try line and in the centre of the field Zane Harrison put in a right foot ship kick into space into the in-goal with the Penrith fullback tackled in the in-goal to force the goal line drop out by Sam Stephenson and Sunny Kama.

Sunny Kama also started on the right wing for the Titans JTS U19 side a week later in the Titans annual match in Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights with Sunny Kama running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball in the 43rd minute to catch the Newcastle defence offside as Sunny Kama carried the ball from eighteen metres out from his own try line before being awarded a penalty thirty metres out.

The 56th minute then saw Sunny Kama run onto the ball to the right of the dummy half in the 56th minute with Sunny Kama charging through the centre of the field from five metres out from his own try line to twenty six metres out with Sunny Kama then being awarded a penalty after being held down too long by the Knights defenders. Along the journey Sunny Kama broke two tackles with 80% of Sunny Kama’s metres gained being of the post contact variety.

Sunny Kama rounded out a strong match in the 64th minute with another run through the centre of the field from ten metres out from his own try line to the twenty four metre mark.

In January 2023 Sunny Kama started at right centre for the Titans JTS U17 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights with Sunny Kama making a crunching tackle on the Newcastle fullback in the 17th minute. Facing an overlap Sunny Kama raced out of the defensive line and smashed the fullback just as he was receiving the ball and after the Knights player had lost the ball as a result of Sunny Kama’s strong initial contact the ball was collected by the Titans.

Then three tackles later Sunny Kama charged onto the ball to the right of the play the ball and broke three tackles and he took the ball from thirty metres out from his own try line to forty two metres away.

Sunny Kama made another strong run of fourteen metres in the 34th minute from the left of a Titans scrum win from thirty metres out from his own try line with Sunny Kama awarded a penalty for the ball being stripped with two in the tackle.

Then in the 44th minute and from the right of the play the ball and right on his own try line Sunny Kama broke numerous tackles as he got the ball twenty six metres away from his own try line.

Sunny Kama also started at right centre a week later for the Titans JTS U17’s against the Brisbane Bronco’s on the Gold Coast with Sunny Kama putting in a powerhouse first half performance that included a hard straight charge inside the opening ten minutes of the match which say Sunny Kama cross the try line mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field but the referee adjudged that Sunny Kama had lost control of the ball over the try line before getting the ball down.

Sunny Kama also had some strong moments defensively with Sunny Kama proving to be a real thorn in the side of the Bronco’s when they were attacking on their left side of the field.

In late September 2022 Sunny Kama was named in the 2023 Burleigh Bears U18 MM Cup Squad and Sunny Kama is also MM Cup eligible in 2024.

Sunny Kama was named to start at right centre in Round One of the 2023 U18 Mal Meninga Cup competition for the Bears against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Sunny Kama making a strong run of sixteen metres down the right channel in the 39th minute to get the ball twenty eight metres out from the Wynnum Manly try line.

Sunny Kama made a great try saving tackle in the 26th minute when he smashed his opposite number to prevent what appeared to be a certain try in the Bears right corner with Sunny Kama’s strong initial contact around the chest stopping the Wynnum Manly attacked in his tracks.

Sunny Kama also started at right centre in Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies with Sunny Kama making a number of line breaks with the first coming in the 12th minute when from twenty five metres out from his own try line and to the left of the play the ball Sunny Kama ran straight through the centre of the Souths Logan defensive line and got all of the way to the halfway mark before being brought to ground.

Sunny Kama made a further line break in the 16th minute when after receiving pass from his left twenty metres out from his own try line Sunny Kama got on the outside of his corresponding Magpies defender with Sunny Kama then racing thirteen metres down the right touchline before cutting back inside with Sunny Kama then able to made a further four metres downfield.

Sunny Kama made a further strong run in the 54th minute when to the left of a Burleigh scrum win thirty four metres out from his own try line Sunny Kama carried the ball to three metres inside Magpies territory.

Sunny Kama also did well in the 2nd minute when he raced out of the defensive line to pouch on a poor Magpies pass ten metres out from the try line with Sunny Kama then able to make a further six metres away from his try line.

Sunny Kama’s performance saw him named in the centres in the 2023 Courier Mail MM Cup Round Two Team of the Week.

Sunny Kama continued at right centre in Round Three against the Brisbane Tigers with Sunny Kama recording a line break assist in the 26th minute when after taking possession on the right side of the field forty metres from his own try line, Sunny Kama carried a number of defenders to five metres inside Tigers territory and then as he was going to ground Sunny Kama got both arm free and got a two handed off-load away behind him to Bailey McConnell who then made a line break and ultimately put Izayah Petrichvich over to score.

Sunny Kama made a further strong run in the 37th minute when from thirty metres out and on the left side of the field Sunny Kama ran to his left after receiving the ball from the dummy half and as he ran towards the Tigers right sided defensive line Sunny Kama shaped to pass to his left before taking the line on himself and getting to the halfway mark. Sunny Kama was then awarded a penalty for a high tackle.

Sunny Kama then moved to left centre for Round Four against the Norths Devils with Sunny Kama scoring a great solo try in the 29th minute when after receiving the ball on the left side of the field and fifty five metres out from the try line Sunny Kama continued to run to his left and after shaping to pass to his left Sunny Kama burst between two defenders before easily rounding the Devils fullback to score in the left corner.

Sunny Kama made a strong run in the 8th minute from the left of a Bears scrum win with Sunny Kama carrying the ball from thirty metres out to twenty metres out from the try line. Then in the 12th minute Sunny Kama ran the ball to the right of the play the ball with Sunny Kama running through the centre of the field from ten metres out from his own try line to twenty six metres out.

In the 14th minute Sunny Kama made a further strong ten metre run from ten metres out from his own try line and to the left of a Burleigh scrum win. After being brought to ground Sunny Kama was awarded a penalty when he was held down too long in the tackle.

Sunny Kama along with Jac Finnigan made the opening tackle of the match to force the Devils player back a number of metres. Sunny Kama also made a strong defensive effort in the 22nd minute when whilst defending close to his own try line, Sunny Kama came out of the Bears defensive line and hit his opposite number around the chest stopping his opponent in his tracks just ten metres out from his own try line.

Sunny Kama then started at right centre in Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Sunny Kama making the first of his strong runs in just the 2nd minute when after receiving the ball two passes to the right of the play the ball just two metres from his own try line Sunny Kama was able to get on the outside of his opposing centre and make a thirty one metre line break down the right touchline, breaking two tackles in the process.

Sunny Kama made a further line break in the 61st minute when after Redcliffe dropped the ball whilst attacking four metres out from the try line, Sunny Kama swooped on the ball and burst thirty three metres downfield before being caught from behind.

Also in the 21st minute to the left of a Burleigh scrum win twelve metres out from his own try line Sunny Kama charged to thirty two metres out and then after playing the ball Sunny Kama stayed alive and took an off-load from the dummy half and extended the ball to within seven metres of the halfway mark.

Then in the 25th minute from ten metres inside his own territory Sunny Kama ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball with Sunny Kama able to promote the ball to fifteen metres inside Dolphins territory.

Sunny Kama’s performance saw him named in the 2023 Courier Mail MM Cup Round Six Team of the Week.

Sunny Kama also started at right centre in the Round Seven local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Sunny Kama making a line break in the 6th minute of the match when from twenty two metres out Sunny Kama was able to break through the Seagulls defensive line down a short right blindside with Sunny Kama able to get the ball six metres into Seagulls territory.

Sunny Kama made another line break in the 47th minute when to the right of a Burleigh scrum win in the centre of the field and thirty metres out Sunny Kama ran onto a good ball from his inside from Bailey McConnell with Sunny Kama then able to get on the outside of his opposing centre before being tackled seven metres out, Sunny Kama then was awarded a penalty when he was dragged over the right touchline after the tackle was completed. Sunny Kama then took the penalty tap from ten metres out to get the ball to two metres out from the try line.

Sunny Kama did well from a defensive perspective in the 37th minute when along with Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu he was able to hold up the Seagulls left centre over the try line five metres in from the right corner post.

Sunny Kama also did well defensively in the 52nd minute when whilst facing an overlap when defending on his own try line Sunny Kama decisively flew out off his try line and hit the Seagulls left centre just as he was receiving the ball five metres out from the try line to stop the attacking movement in its tracks.

Sunny Kama finished the 2023 MM Cup season running for 773 metres and an average of 129 metres per game.

Sunny Kama’s performances saw him named in the centres in the 2023 Courier Mail MM Cup II Team of the Year.

In early March 2023 Sunny Kama was named at right centre for the South Coast School Boy Rugby League Open B Representative side with Sunny Kama starting on the right wing on Day One of the Championships against Capricornia.

Sunny Kama then moved to start on the left wing on Day Two against Met East with Sunny Kama doing exceptionally week in just the 2nd minute of the match when he jumped high to take a bomb to his left wing on the full with Sunny Kama immediately getting to the ground just a metre out from his own try line to prevent the Met East chasers dragging him back into the in-goal.

Sunny Kama made another great take and a critical one as South Coast chased the match in eh 58th minute when Sunny Kama jumped high to take a bomb on the full in the in-goal with the ball being contested by a Met East chaser. Sunny Kama then raced out to the twenty metre mark to take a quick tap restart and make fifteen valuable metres with South Coast scoring the match winning try later in the same set of six tackles.

Earlier in the 52nd minute from the left of the play the ball and forty metres out from his own try line Sunny Kama came off his left wing to take some pressure off his forwards and was able to carry the ball six metres inside Met East territory as a result.

Sunny Kama continued on the left wing on Day Three against Sunshine Coast with Sunny Kama scoring in the 31st minute when after Sam Stephenson had made a line break down the left touchline he drew the Sunshine Coast fullback and passed to his right to Sunny Kama who raced down the left touchline and when after crossing the try line near the left corner, Sunny Kama was able to bring the ball around ten metres closer to the goal posts.

Sunny Kama also recorded a line break in the 4th minute when after receiving the ball down a left blindside thirty two metres out from the try line Sam Stephenson, after getting to within twenty metres of the try line got the ball away to his left to put Sunny Kama away down the left touchline but he was tackled into touch just five metres out from the try line.

Sunny Kama then started on the left wing in the 2023 QSSRL Open School Boy Grand Final against Capricornia with Sunny Kama making a strong run from a South Coast penalty tap restart to get from twenty eight metres from the try line to twelve metres away.

Round One of the 2023 School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup competition saw Sunny Kama named on the left wing for PBC SHS against Marsden SHS with Sunny Kama producing a heads up play in the 13th minute when after receiving an off-load when he looked trapped ten metres out from the left corner and on the left touchline Sunny Kama spun around to gain some separation and then after running at the try line Sunny Kama put a right foot grubber kick into the in-goal towards the goal posts with the Marsden SHS fullback trapped in-goal to force a goal line drop-out.

Sunny Kama produced the play of the match in the final minute when with the scores locked at 10 all, Marsden SHS’s Coby Black kicked for touch after a Marsden SHS penalty but just thirty metres out from his own try line, Sunny Kama jumped from the field of play and was able to knock the ball back into the field of play even though it was at least a metre (or more) over the touchline. Sunny Kama then retrieved the ball and carried it ten metres back towards the oncoming Marsden SHS defenders.

Sunny Kama also named on the left wing for Round Two against Caloundra SHS with making a twenty metre run down the left touchline to the halfway mark in the 58th minute.

Sunny Kama continued on the left wing in Round Three against Mabel Park SHS with Sunny Kama running the ball from the left of a PBC SHS scrum win from ten metres out from his own try lien to twenty two metres away.

Earlier in the 7th Sunny Kama made a strong kick return when after collecting the ball eight metres out from his own try line Sunny Kama returned the ball to the twenty two metre mark after running the ball back towards the centre of the field.

Sunny Kama also started on the left wing in Round Four against Redcliffe SHS with Sunny Kama scoring in the 25th minute with a sixteen metre burst down the left touchline to score in the corner after receiving the ball from his inside from a Ray Puru cut out pass.

Sunny Kama then moved to the right wing in Round Five against Ipswich SHS with Sunny Kama running the ball to the left of a PBC SHS scrum win that saw Sunny Kama get the ball from ten metres out from his own try line to twenty two metres out.

Sunny Kama was also named on the right wing in the Round Six Gold Coast derby against Keebra Park SHS with Sunny Kama running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball from ten metres inside his own territory and carry the ball eight metres inside Keebra Park SHS territory.

The 23rd minute saw Sunny Kama receive the ball to the left of a PBC SHS scrum win seven metres from his own try line and force his way out to the twenty metre mark. Then in the 31st minute Sunny Kama made eleven metres from a PBC SHS penalty rap restart to get the ball to thirty one metres out from his own try line.

In the 53rd minute from the right of the play the ball got the ball from thirty metres out from the try line to fourteen metres out with at least 60% of the metres that Sunny Kama made being post contact.

Sunny Kama also did well defensively in the 53rd minute with a cover defending tackle on the opposite side of the field on the Keebra Park SHS five eight after he had set sail for the try line with Sunny Kama hitting him hard five metres from the try line and twelve metres in from the right corner post to prevent a near certain Keebra Park SHS try.

Sunny Kama continued on the right wing in Round Seven against Wavell SHS with Sunny Kama making the first of his two line breaks in the 29th minute when after running out of dummy half to his left from thirty metres out from his own try line, Sunny Kama burst through the centre of the Wavell SHS forward pack with Sunny Kama then veering to his left towards the centre of the field before being brought to ground twelve metres inside Wavell SHS territory.

Sunny Kama recorded his second line break in the 48th minute when Sunny Kama burst down the right touchline from twenty five metres out with Sunny Kama bundled over the right touchline just two metres out from the right corner.

Sunny Kama also made good metres from a PBC SHS penalty restart in the 31st minute from forty three metres from the try line to thirty metres out. Sunny Kama made a further strong run in the 37th minute from the left of the play the ball with Sunny Kama gaining twelve metres after receiving the ball ten metres out from his own try line.

After PBC SHS finished fourth on the 2023 School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup table after the completion of the regular season, Sunny Kama started on the right wing for PBC SHS in their Quarter Final clash against Keebra Park SHS and in the 7th minute from the right of the play the ball Sunny Kama carried the ball from his own thirty metre mark to within five metres of the halfway mark.

Sunny Kama did exceptionally well in the in the final minute of the match when with PBC SHS scoring late in lead 14 -12 Keebra Park SHS put in a high short kick-off to PBC SHS’s right with Sunny Kama moving forward to take the short kick-off on the full just after it had crossed the ten metre plane to shut Keebra Park SHS out of the match and confirm PBC SHS’s victory.

Sunny Kama was also named on the right wing in the Langer Cup Semi-Final against Marsden SHS with Sunny Kama running onto the ball to the right of the dummy half in the 12th minute with a yardage carry from nine metres out from his own try line to twenty three metres out with Sunny Kama then being awarded a penalty for being hit in a high tackle.

Sunny Kama then ran onto the ball to the left of the play the ball in the 24th minute with another yardage carry from three metres from his own try line to eighteen metres out. Then in the 57th minute for the right of the play the ball on the halfway mark Sunny Kama was able to make fourteen metres.

Sunny Kama made a good defensive read in the 19th minute to come out of the PBC SHS defensive line to tackle the Marsden SHS left centre just as he was receiving the ball twelve metres from the PBC SHS try line with Sunny Kama facing a two person overlap.

Sunny Kama also started on the right wing in the 2023 School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup Grand Final against Ipswich SHS with Sunny Kama scoring two key second half tries to propel PBC SHS in a come from behind 16 – 12 Grand Final victory.

Sunny Kama scored the first of his two tries in the 38th minute when after receiving a pass from his left from Ray Puru when six metres out and on the right touchline, Sunny Kama was initially able to line “freeze” his opposing winger before stepping off his right foot to get on his inside and get the ball down five metres in from the right corner post.

Sunny Kama completed his Grand Final double in the 48th minute with an acrobatic diving effort after a six metre run to score in the right corner.

Sunny Kama’s initial impact on the Grand Final came inside the opening minute with a carry from the right of the play the ball from eighteen metres out from his own try line to within eight metres of the halfway mark. Then in the 14th minute from the left of the play the ball Sunny Kama made twelve metres from his own twenty eight metre mark to the forty metre mark.

The 46th minute then saw Sunny Kama run the ball from a PBC SHS penalty restart to get from thirty metres out from his own try line to forty six metres out. Then in the 52nd minute from a PBC SHS twenty metre restart Sunny Kama ran to his right and was able to make thirteen metres out from the thirty three metre mark.

Sunny Kama produced one of the plays of the Grand Final in the 55th minute when with Ipswich SHS chasing the game they put a kick into the in-goal behind Sunny Kama, but after turning a chasing the ball back into the in-goal under heavy pressure, Sunny Kama was able to slide on his knees to take the ball cleanly in the in-goal and keep his body shape low as the Ipswich SHS chasers going straight over the top of him. Sunny Kama then smartly rose to his feet and carry the ball thirty metre downfield.

At the conclusion of the Langer Cup Sunny Kama received a special mention by the Courier Mail in the 2023 Langer Cup School Boy Rugby League Team of the Year discussions.

Sunny Kama also started on the right wing for PBC SHS against St Patrick’s College in Mackay in the Phil Hall Cup to determine the best Queensland School Boy Rugby League side of 2023 and in the 14th minute after running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball Sunny Kama was able to get the ball from twenty seven metres out from his own try line to eight metres of the halfway mark.

Three minutes later in the 17th minute Sunny Kama carried the ball from the left of a PBC SHS scrum win from five metres out from his own try line to twenty one metres out. Then in the 19th minute from the left of the dummy half Sunny Kama got to within twelve metres of the try line after commencing his run thirty metres out.

In the 29th minute Sunny Kama ran out of dummy half to his right on a yardage carry from eight metres out from his own try line to twenty one metres out. Then to round out a strong match, in the 50th minute after running onto the ball to the left of the dummy half, Sunny Kama ran the ball from eighteen metres out from his own try line to thirty two metres out with Sunny Kama then being awarded a penalty for interference in the attempted play the ball.

Sunny Kama also started on the right wing in the NRL School Boy Rugby League Grand Final against Westfields Sports High with Sunny Kama making eleven metres to get the ball out to his thirty six metre mark after running onto a pass to the right of a PBC SHS scrum win.

In the 16th minute from a PBC SHS penalty restart Sunny Kama was able to get the ball from thirty three metres out from his own try line to within four metres of the halfway mark. The 23rd minute then saw Sunny Kama run the ball to the right of the dummy half and progress the ball from twenty four metres out from his own try line to thirty seven metres out.

In the 25th minute from the left of the play the ball once again Sunny Kama ran the ball from just two metres out from his own try line and through sheer guts and determination was able to get out to the twelve metre mark.

Sunny Kama followed up with a run from a PBC SHS penalty restart from thirty six metre from his own try line to two metres of the halfway mark. Then in the 42nd minute from the left of the play the ball Sunny Kama was able to get the ball out to the thirty four metre mark after receiving the ball twenty metres from his own try line.

In the 15th minute Sunny Kama jumped high to take a Westfield Sports High bomb on the full ten metres out from his own try line with Sunny Kama then awarded a penalty for being tackled whilst still in the air.

Sunny Kama did well defensively in the 47th minute to come out of the defensive line just six metres out from the try line when facing a two person overlap with Sunny Kama snuffing out the play by hitting the Westfield Sports High fullback just after he had taken possession of the ball.

At the end of the 2023 school boy rugby league season Sunny Kama was fifth in the 2023 PBC SHS Craig Weston Medal with Sam Stephenson receiving six votes.

In early September 2023 Sunny Kama was named in the Queensland City U17 squad for their annual match against Queensland Country U17’s with Sunny Kama starting the match on the right wing and making a line break in the 13th minute when after receiving the ball from his left five metres inside his own territory Sunny Kama broke the first of a number of tackles on the halfway mark before bursting between two defenders five metres inside Country territory with veering to his right to beat the fullback with Sunny Kama then brought down twenty three metres out from the try line.

Sunny Kama made City’s initial hit-up of the match in the 2nd minute with a run to the left of the play the ball after a change over with Sunny Kama getting the ball to with twenty two metres of the try line in the centre of the field. Then in the 4th minute from a City penalty restart Sunny Kama was able to get the ball from ten metres inside his own territory to six metres into Country territory.

In the 17th minute from two passes to the left of the dummy half made thirteen metres to the fort metre mark after cutting back inside. Sunny Kama then backed up with a strong carry from a City twenty metre restart to promote the ball to the thirty three metre mark.

Then in the 57th minute from the right of the play the ball Sunny Kama was able to produce a yardage carry from thirty two metres out from his own try line to within three metres of the halfway mark.

Sunny Kama did well defensively in the 3rd minute to run down his opposing winger from behind after he had made a line break with Sunny Kama cutting him down thirty three metres out from the try line.

Sunny Kama also did well in the 19th minute to charge through and jump high to take a short, contested City gaol line drop-out to his side of the field on the full between defenders eighteen metres from his own try line.

Playing the entire seventy minutes Sunny Kama ran for a match leading and team leading 209 metres, a match leading and team leading 100 metres of which were post contact, made a line break, broke seven tackles and made six tackles.

In early April 2023 Sunny Kama was named in the Queensland Rugby League U17 Positional Skills Day squad.

In early December 2022 Sunny Kama took part in a joint training session between the Titans JTS contracted players and the Titans NRL off-season training squad.

In mid-December 2021 Sunny Kama had the opportunity to train with the Titans NRL squad in a joint annual training session between the Titans NRL squad and the Titans JTS Program Squad members.

In late January 2022 Sunny Kama started at right centre for the Titans U16 side in a match at Pizzey Park against the Sydney Bulldogs with Sunny Kama scoring in the 25th minute when he raced through to chase a Zane Harrison grubber kick with Sunny Kama diving on the ball in the in-goal to score wide out on the right side of the field.

Sunny Kama made a strong run of 10 metres out to his own thirty metre mark on the left side of the field after Sunny Kama had come from the right side of the field to take a hit-up. Sunny Kama made another twelve metres down the left channel and Sunny Kama was awarded a penalty for being held down. Sunny Kama then took a quick tap and gained an extra ten metres.

In early May 2022 Sunny Kama also started at right centre for the Titans JTS U16 squad that took on a Northern Rivers Titans U17 squad at Cbus Stadium as a curtain-raiser to the Titans NRL Round Fourteen against the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs.

In late September 2022 Sunny Kama also started at right centre for a Titans U16 side against a Sydney Roosters U16 side at Pizzey Park with Sunny Kama also starting at right centre a week later for the Titans U16’s in their annual Anthony Laffranchi Cup match against the Balmain Tigers with the Titans wining 40 – 8 after defeating the Roosters 32 – 8 the week prior with Sunny Kama also starting at right centre against the Roosters.

In October 2021 Sunny Kama was named in the powerful Burleigh Bears U16 Cyril Connell Cup squad.

Round One of the 2022 U16 Cyril Connell Cup saw Sunny Kama at right centre for the Burleigh Bears against local rivals, the Tweed Heads Seagulls.

Sunny Kama scored the opening try of the entire 2022 U16 Cyril Connell Cup season when in the 6th minute Sunny Kama swooped on a loose Seagulls pass to race forty five to put the ball over the line mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.

Sunny Kama then made a strong run in the 27th minute when from a Burleigh scrum win around ten metres out from his own try line, Sunny Kama made an impressive twenty five metres down the right channel.

Sunny Kama also had a strong match defensively including in the 19th minute when whilst defending right on his own try line, Sunny Kama found himself at marker and got low and was able to use his body position and strength to hold up the Tweed Heads hooker who had tried to sneak over from dummy half.

Sunny Kama was also named at right centre for Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies and once again scored Burleigh’s opening try of the match when in the 4th minute after receiving the ball from his left from fullback Izayah Petrichvich, Sunny Kama ran fifteen metres to score in the right corner untouched.

Sunny Kama also produced a strong ball and all tackle in the 20th minute on his opposite number as the Magpies left centre was bringing the ball out of his own twenty metre area, with Sunny Kama’s initial contact knocking the ball loose with Burleigh subsequently retrieving the lost ball and immediately going onto the attack.

Such was the quality of Sunny Kama’s performance that he was named as a reserve in the Courier Mail’s Cyril Connell Cup Round Two Team of the Week.

Sunny Kama also started at right centre in Round Three against the Norths Devils and made the defensive play of the match in the 9th minute when he came out of the Burleigh defensive line to smash the Devils fullback inside the twenty metre attacking zone.

Sunny Kama in the 21st minute made a good run of fifteen metres over the halfway mark after he was on hand to take an off-load from Jac Finnigan who was able to get his arms free after getting part way through the defensive line down the right channel.

Sunny Kama’s potentially best run of the match came in the 37th minute when literally from under his own goal posts Sunny Kama received the ball off the dummy half to the right of the play the ball and against a set Norths defensive line was able to carry three defenders out to the fifteen metre mark.

Sunny Kama made another big run off his own try line in the 43rd minute when he charged onto the ball to the right of the dummy half, taking receipt of the ball eight metres out from his own line and getting the ball over the twenty metre mark.

Sunny Kama then continued at right centre in Round Four against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls. It was a bit of a strange match for Sunny Kama as the ball just did not get out to his right side of the field often but Sunny Kama certainly went looking for it, including in the 32nd minute when from inside his own territory Sunny Kama charged twelve metres through the centre of the ruck and was then correctly awarded a penalty when he was not allowed to his feet.

Once again in the 49th minute Sunny Kama went across to the left side of the field seeking the ball and was able to make fifteen metres through centre field and in the 52nd minute Sunny Kama took a twenty metre restart, running to his left with Sunny Kama breaking four tackles in a twenty metre run.

Even with the game almost over and Burleigh fourteen points down Sunny Kama did not give up as was evidenced by a 57th minute effort of eighteen metres down the left channel.

Sunny Kama was named on the bench for the Burleigh Bears opening 2022 trial against the Tweed Heads Seagulls in early February with Sunny Kama operating at right centre in the second half after coming on at halftime with Sunny Kama making the first of a number of strong runs when he ran from his left centre position back towards centre field, making twelve metres with his run commencing deep inside his own territory.

Sunny Kama made a further strong run in the 45th minute when he made twenty metres from just inside his own territory when he tapped the ball from a penalty restart, breaking three tackles in the great effort.

Sunny Kama then made a strong defensive play in the 48th minute with a good ball and all tackle on the Tweed Heads left centre just out from the try line.

In total in the 2022 U16 Cyril Connell Cup competition Sunny Kama ran for the 11h most metres being 468 metres at an average of 117 metres per game and also made a line break.

Sunny Kama then started at right centre in the first half for Burleigh in their final 2022 trial against the Western Clydesdales operating on the left side of the field with Sunny Kama scoring in the 7th minute of the match when after good work in his inside from Ray Puru, Sunny Kama ran nine metres to score untouched in the right corner.

Sunny Kama could well have been awarded a second try right on halftime when after Burleigh put in a short attacking Sunny Kama dived on the ball in the in-goal but the referee ruled that somewhere in the mass of arms and legs and pouring rain Burleigh had knocked the ball on before Sunny Kama have dived on it.

In late May 2022 Sunny Kama also represented South Coast in the U18 QSSRL School Boy Championships, an impressive feat for a 16 year old.

Sunny Kama returned to PBC State High School in 2022 starting Round One of the Walters Cup School Boy competition against Marsden SHS at right centre with Sunny Kama’s initial strong run coming in the 5th minute when he ran the ball from the left of the play the ball from his own forty metre mark and got the ball to eight metres into Marsden SHS territory.

Sunny Kama made a further strong run in the 22nd minute when after receiving the ball twenty five metres out from his left, Sunny Kama was immediately hit by a defender but he was able to break out of that tackle and run to his left and rumble forward before being tackled ten metres out.

Then in the 29th minute Sunny Kama made twenty metres down the right channel getting the ball to within twenty eight metres of the try line. Then in the 49th minute Sunny Kama from the left of the dummy half Sunny Kama, from thirty eight metres from his own line, bumped off one defender, spinning counter clockwise making twelve metres. Then three plays later Sunny Kama charged onto the ball to the right of the play the ball beating one defender with a right foot step before beating a second with a left arm fend before being tackled ten metres from the line.

Sunny Kama also started at right centre in Round Two against Caloundra State High School and scored in the 18th minute when after receiving the ball on the right and eighteen metres out he beat his direct opponent with a left arm fend and then outpaced the cover defence to dive over in the right corner.

Sunny Kama continued at right centre in Round Three against Forest Lake State High School with Sunny Kama scoring for the next week in a row in the 8th minute when after receiving the ball in space three passes to the right of the play the ball, Sunny Kama charged towards the right corner and when no Forest Lake SHS defender came towards him Sunny Kama raced over to get the ball down three metres in from the right corner.

Sunny Kama almost recorded a second try in the 31st minute when through shear brute strength Sunny Kama forced his way over the try line only for four Forest Lake SHS defenders to eventually force him back into the field of play.

Sunny Kama also recorded a try assist in the 49th minute when Sunny Kama ran to his outside and after drawing in the Forest Lake SHS winger passed to his right to send his winger over to score to the corner.

Just prior to his try assist, in the 47th minute Sunny Kama recorded a line break when from fractionally inside his own territory Sunny Kama executed a right foot step to get through the Forest Lake SHS defensive line and was able to make twenty five metres before multiple Forest Lake SHS defenders brought him to ground after a heck of a fight.

Sunny Kama recorded an earlier try assist in the 31st minute with a twenty five metre surge down a short right blindside to get the ball within twelve metres of the try line.

After the mid-season break, Sunny Kama started at right centre in Round Four against Ipswich State High School with Sunny Kama scoring in the 23rd minute of a good PBC SHS victory after receiving a pass from his inside from Sam Stephenson with Sunny Kaka having an easy eight metre run to the line to get the ball down ten metres in from the right corner post.

Sunny Kama was on song very early in the match when he took the fourth hit-up of the match down a shortish right blindside and then was awarded a penalty after being held down too long in the tackle.

Sunny Kama also executed one of the best tackles that I have ever seen in the match in the 33rd minute when after Ipswich SHS fed a scrum thirty metres out and just to the left of the uprights the halfback ran the ball to PBC SHS’s right, Sunny Kama came flying out of the line and smashed the halfback just as he was turning his head in Sunny Kama’s direction. Sunny Kama’s heavy initial contact forced the ball lose.

Earlier in the match in the 3rd minute Sunny Kama also had executed a strong tackle when once again after an Ipswich SHS scrum win deep on the attack the fullback felt the brunt of Sunny Kama’s right shoulder after he had come out of the line to affect the tackle.

Sunny Kama also started at right centre in Round Five against Mabel Park SHS with Sunny Kama scoring in the 48th minute when after jumping high to take a pass from his left above his head, Sunny Kama charged down the right channel twenty metres from the right touchline, beating a number of defenders with pace to score five metres in from the right corner post.

Sunny Kama also made another line break in the match when in the 8th minute Sunny Kama when just fifteen metres from his own try line, received the ball to the left of the play the ball and cut inside off his right foot and after breaking three tackles got the ball forty metres out from his own try line.

Sunny Kama made another strong run in the 36th minute when he made twenty eight metres after running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball just out from his own try line. Then in the 50th minute Sunny Kama ran an underneath route from his own forty metre mark to make twenty metres, breaking three tackles along the way.

In addition to scoring a try, Sunny Kama also saved one when after Mabel Park SHS made a break down their left side, the left centre got an off-load away five metres from the try line but Sunny Kama had turned and chased the play and got in between the two Mabel Park SHS players to take an intercept and stop a certain try.

Sunny Kama continued at right centre in Round Six against Keebra Park SHS with Sunny Kama making a strong run in the 31st minute when twenty five metres out from the try line on the right, Sunny Kama cut inside by way of a stutter step with Sunny Kama getting the ball within two metres of the try line before he was brought to ground.

Sunny Kama continued at right centre in Round Seven against Wavell SHS with Sunny Kama making a strong run of fifteen metres down the right channel in the 27th minute to get the ball forty metres out from his own try line.

Sunny Kama continued at right centre for PBC SHS in the 2022 Walters Cup semi-final against Marsden SHS.

At the completion of the 2022 School Boy Walters Cup competition Sunny Kama was named on the bench in the 2022 Courier Mail Walters Cup Team of the Season.

The talented centre who attends Titans partnered PBC state High School signed a contract with the Titans in 2021 after a stellar campaign with the South Coast U15 School Boy representative side that culminated with South Coast wining the QSSRL U15 Championship on the back of a 28 – 20 win in the Championship Final against Met West.

On an individual level Sunny Kama, who played at right centre for South Coast, including in the afore mentioned Championship Final, was named on the wing in the 2021 QSSRL U15 Merit Team alongside more than a few of his South Coast and Titans contracted team mates such as Zane Harrison and Riley Buchanan.

Also in 2021 Sunny Kama was part of the PBC State High School Hancock Cup school boy rugby league side including starting at right centre in the 2021 Hancock Cup Grand Final against local rivals Keebra Park State High School.

Understandably Keebra Park State High School did not allow Sunny Kama much room to run the ball but as the Grand Final progressed Sunny Kama became more and more effective, including in the 38th minute when Sunny Kama ran an underneath route, making twenty five metres to get the ball into Keebra Park SHS territory.

Sunny Kama made another strong run just three minutes later in the 41st minute, making twenty more metres to get the ball once again into Keebra Park SHS territory after once again running an underneath route back through the centre of the ruck. Such was the speed and power of Sunny Kama’s run that the Keebra Park defenders were forced to hold him down to allow their defensive line to reset, but they held him down for too long with Sunny Kama being awarded a penalty as a result.

Then with PBC leading by four points with time running down and with PBC trapped in their own territory with less than a minute to go in the match, Sunny Kama charged onto the ball to the right of the dummy half, making twenty metres through the centre of the ruck and getting the ball once again in Keebra Park SHS territory and ease the pressure on PBC.

At the completion of the Grand Final, Sunny Kama was named Player of the Match and was also named at right centre in the Courier Mail Team of the Grand Finals.

Whilst Sunny Kama started the Grand Final at right centre, he also spent time at left centre over the course of the 2021 Walters Cup competition, including starting at left centre in Round Three against Coombabah State High School.

Another strong match of Sunny Kama’s from the right centre position in 2021 came against Keebra Park State High School with Sunny Kama coming close to scoring for PBC SHS in the dying minutes but he was held up by desperate Keebra Park SHS defence in the right corner.

Sunny Kama also had a strong Renouf Shield match against Marsden State High School including scoring in the 38th minute when he was put away to score near the right corner by Sam Stephenson in a strong PBC SHS victory.

Sunny Kama also scored in Round Two against Wavell State High School, scoring in the 23rd minute when he was on hand to receive on off-load from his right second rower who taken a bomb on the full and then off-loaded to Sunny Kama as he was being tackled by two defenders.

In 2021 Sunny Kama played for the Burleigh Bears in the Gold Coast Rugby League U15 Division One competition, playing for Burleigh Marron and started at right centre in their 2021 U15 Division One Grand Final victory against Burleigh White.

One of Sunny Kama’s best moments in the Grand Final came in the opening minutes of the second half when he split the Burleigh White right sided defensive line. Burleigh Maroon had a scrum feed fifteen metres inside their own territory with Sunny Kama receiving the ball from the lock before cutting to his right before straightening up and slicing between two defenders. Sunny Kama raced away only to brought down by the Burleigh White fullback around fifteen metres from the try line after an outstanding run of fifty metres.

Whilst the ball did not get out to the right side very often, Sunny Kama went looking for the ball including in the 25th minute when he took a hit-up on the opposite side to where he lined up, making twenty metres and then was tripped up when he was trying to get to his feet quickly to be awarded a penalty.

Sunny Kama was also strong defensively in the Grand Final including in the 18th minute when he came out of the line to smash the Burleigh White fullback who had chimed into the backline much to his detriment.

Sunny Kama also produced a smart piece of play in the 37th minute when he swooped on a Burleigh White dropped ball, picking up the bouncing ball down low and at full speed with Sunny Kama making a further ten metres before he was dragged down from behind.

Sunny Kama also performed strongly in the 2021 GCRL U15 Division One Major Semi-final, once again starting at right centre for the Bears against the Helensvale Hornets with Sunny Kama scoring a strong 21st minute try. From around sixteen metres out Sunny Kama cut back underneath his halfback, receiving the ball and continued to run to his left. Sunny Kama broke four tackles before crashing over with a number of Hornets defenders hanging off him to get the ball down near the left goal post.

Sunny Kama also had a strong match at right centre in Round Ten against the Coomera Cutters, a match that saw Sunny Kama make an early second half line break when he burst fifteen metres down the right channel to get to around twenty metres from the try line.

Whilst in does not have blinding speed off the mark, Sunny Kama does have more than decent top end speed and can break tackles by running over his direct opposite defender as well as using a very good fend, when he gets to the outside, this prevents defenders from getting he under his ribs and thus he can maintain his running line under defensive pressure.

One skill that Sunny Kama does possess when playing in the centre position is a decent in and away especially from the right hand side of the field. He will wait until the last possible minute to step to commit the defender before getting on his outside and using his strength and power to break the initial defensive line.

Sunny Kama defensive game is one built on intimidation he will come out of the line when the opportunity presents itself and hit very hard around the chest and drive through is lower body and continue until the tackle is well and truly finished.

The positive for Sunny Kama is that he does not purely rely on strength and power to hit, timing is also a key attribute to ensure that he arrives at the attacker at around the same time that the ball does, this also reduces the likelihood of injury to himself or the defender getting on his outside setting up a two or one down the sideline.

In 2025 Sunny Kama will line-up in the U19 Mal Meninga Cup competition for the Tweed Heads Seagulls after moving from the Burleigh Bears.

I was of the opinion that Sunny Kama was a centre and a very very good one at that but with his strong yardage carries from the wing I have to reassess and change my previous opinion with Sunny Kama surging his way towards the NRL on the wing.

In relation to a current NRL player with a similar playing style to Sunny Kama my observations over the last couple of seasons would suggest that Penrith Panthers, New South Wales State of Origin and Tongan International winger Brian To’o has a similar playing style to Sunny Kama.

The number of tackles that both Sunny Kama and To’o break is just amazing to be honest. For whatever reason defensive lines just seem to underestimate both of them when they are running with the ball and thus regularly are made to pay for their oversight especially when defenders try to tackle them around the chest.

Similarly both To’o and Sunny Kama are outstanding defenders with a technique first approach to that critical aspect of rugby league but also initiate hard initial contact and some added mongrel if and when necessary to put an exclamation point on the completion of the tackle.

 

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Billy Tonkin. In late 2024 Billy Tonkin signed a new two year contract with the Titans.

Round One of the 2024 MM Cup competition saw Billy Tonkin start from the bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Billy Tonkin scoring in the 65th minute when after receiving a long cut-out pass from his left sixteen metres out from the try line, Billy Tonkin stepped inside off his right foot to beat one defender and get the ball down wide out on the right side of the field.

Round Two of the 2024 U19 Mal Meninga (MM) Cup competition saw Billy Tonkin move into the starting side at right centre for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Brisbane Tigers with Billy Tonkin recording a line break assist in the 16th minute when from right of the play the ball Billy Tonkin ran the ball deep into the defensive line to get the ball to the halfway mark with Billy Tonkin then throwing a cut-out pass to his left to put his winger away down the left touchline.

Inside the opening two minutes Billy Tonkin ran the ball to the left of the play the ball on a yardage carry from sixteen metres out from his own try line to twenty six metres out. Then in the 4th minute Billy Tonkin was able to get the ball back to the twenty metre mark by way of a kick-off return.

Billy Tonkin continued at right centre in Round Three against the Norths Devils with Billy Tonkin, in the 38th minute held up over the try line four metres in from the right corner post after Billy Tonkin had run the ball from fifteen metres out down the right channel.

The 4th minute saw Billy Tonkin run onto the ball to the right of the dummy half from the twenty seven metre mark to thirty eight metres out. Billy Tonkin then did well in the 68th minute when he smartly planted his right foot over the touchline to field a Norths short kick towards the Seagulls right to earn the Seagulls a play the ball on the halfway mark. A tackle later Billy Tonkin ran onto the ball to the left of the play the ball to run the ball from the forty seven metre mark to thirty seven metres out.

Billy Tonkin then moved to start at left second row in Round Four against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Billy Tonkin recording a line break assist in the 7th minute with a smart catch and pass to his left to put Brock Lennox away down the left touchline.

From a Tweed Heads penalty restart in the 12th minute Billy Tonkin started his run forty metres from his own try line and was able to get the ball just over the halfway mark. Then in the 40th minute after receiving the ball after a short kick-off return on the opposite side of the field Billy Tonkin was able to get the ball from forty two metres from the try line to twenty eight metres out.

Billy Tonkin also ran the ball from a Seagulls penalty restart in the 50th minute from the halfway mark to thirty nine metres out, then in the 63rd minute Billy Tonkin made a sixteen metre run down the left touchline only to be tackled just short of the try line.

Billy Tonkin then started from the bench in Round Ten against the Ipswich Jets with Billy Tonkin coming onto the field late in the second half to operate at left centre and in the 58th minute Billy Tonkin leapt high to take a Jets short kick-off on the full with Billy Tonkin awarded a penalty after being tackled whilst still in the air.

Billy Tonkin then started at left centre in Round Eleven against the Brisbane Tigers with Billy Tonkin held up over the try line four metres in from the right corner post after a ten metre run off a Jake Lateo pass from his inside.

Billy Tonkin also recorded a line break assist in the 45th minute when after receiving the ball two passes to the left of the play the ball in the 45th minute Billy Tonkin broke a tackle as he ran the ball from forty four metres from the try line to thirty metres out with Billy Tonkin then getting a right arm off-load away to his right to put his left winger away down the touchline.

The 7th minute saw Billy Tonkin run the ball from the right of the play the ball down a short right blindside from ten metres inside his own half to fifteen metres into Tigers territory. Then a minute later in the 8th minute after running onto the ball to the right of the dummy half Billy Tonkin carried the ball through the centre of the field from nineteen metres to thirty metres from his try line. Also in the 50th minute a Billy Tonkin yardage carry from the right of the dummy half saw him get the ball from his own try line to ten metres out.

Billy Tonkin then started from the bench in the Preliminary Final against the Ipswich Jets with Billy Tonkin coming onto the field in the 52nd minute and also immediately a Billy Tonkin kick-off return saw the ball returned to the twenty one metre mark with Billy Tonkin making another good kick-off return in the 55th minute to carry the ball to the twenty two metre mark.

Billy Tonkin started at left centre for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the 2024 MM Cup Grand Final against the Burleigh Bears with Billy Tonkin recording a try assist in the 48th minute when after receiving a pass from his right from Zane Harrrison, Billy Tonkin executed a catch and pass to his left to put his winger over to score in the left corner from ten metres out from the try line.

In the 16th minute Billy Tonkin jumped to take a Burleigh chip kick on the full facing his own try line fourteen metres from the try line and then a run from a Tweed Heads twenty metre tap restart in the 23rd minute saw Billy Tonkin get the ball out to the thirty two metre mark. Also in the 31st minute from the right of the play the ball Billy Tonkin stepped off his right foot as he ran the ball from forty six to thirty two metres from the try line.

In the 40th minute also from the right of the play the ball a Billy Tonkin yardage carry saw him get the ball from his own try line to thirteen metres out. Then in the 54th minute another Billy Tonkin yardage carry from the left of the play the ball saw Billy Tonkin get the ball from a metre from his try line to thirteen metres out with Billy Tonkin catching the Bears defensive line off-side to receive a penalty.

Billy Tonkin also did well in the 34th minute when along with Ryder Williams, he stopped the Burleigh right winger from getting to the ground after a run twelve metres from his try line and then from they dragged the winger five metres over the touchline.

In 2023 Billy Tonkin was an ever present at inside centre (No. 12) for the TSS First XV GPS School Boy Rugby side. In 2022 Billy Tonkin started at inside centre for the TSS Second XV.

In 2021 Billy Tonkin was part of the Burleigh Bears Cyril Connell Cup squad with Billy Tonkin primarily coming off the bench for the Bears that season.

Billy Tonkin is a tall young man but he is exceptionally quick, with a lot of his tries coming from long range efforts originating from his own territory, as once he gets into the clear Billy Tonkin is unlikely to be caught by the opposition cover defence.

Due to his size and speed Billy Tonkin is very difficult to stop one on one in the competitions that he has played in so far in his career, with his favourite move being an in and away to beat his opposing number on the outside and then using his acceleration to break the game apart.

Billy Tonkin does not just have top end speed, he also has very good acceleration off the mark as well. His fend is decent and as Billy Tonkin puts on more muscle it will become more effective due to his long reach, meaning opposing defensive players cannot get close enough to combat him by impacting on his balance and running line in one on one situations before defensive help arrives.

With his height and reach Billy Tonkin should also be able to refine his ability to offload the ball in tackles, making him even harder to defend against. Obviously as a result of his height he is good under the high ball both in attacking and defensive situations and for his height is comfortable fielding the ball low to the ground from grubber kicks into or through the line.

Defensively Billy Tonkin is solid at wrapping the ball up and will continue to refine his technique as he progresses and also when to come out of the line in an effort to limit the time and space of the opposition as well as ensuring that due to his height, he keeps his tackles down against opposing centres who are usually not as tall. Billy Tonkin does however slide well in defence and has the speed to cover opposition line breaks very well.

2025 saw Billy Tonkin line up in the Gold Coast Rugby League competition likely spending time in the U20 and First Grade competitions.

Billy Tonkin has played the majority of his rugby league career to date in the centres and with his combination of size, speed, strength and power Billy Tonkin has a legitimate chance to stay in the centres long term. If Billy Tonkin however out grows the centre position in the future a move to the second row could be a real difference maker for Bill future.

I appreciate that I am going back quite a while with this comparison but with his ability to run the ball in one hand and good footwork prior to the line, an apt comparison for Billy Tonkin may well be Queensland State of Origin great Gene Miles especially early in his career when he played in the centres before he moved into the second row. Billy Tonkin is just difficult to tackle full stop, end of story.

 

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Jonty Coutts. Jonty Coutts signed a three year Future Titans contract in early August 2024 which will see the young hooker/half move to Rockhampton to attend Rockhampton Grammar School.

In late September 2024 Jonty Coutts started from the bench for a Future Titans U16 side that defeated a Storm squad 36 – 22 with Jonty Coutts operating in the dummy half role after coming onto the field.

In late 2024 Jonty Coutts was named in the 2025 Central Queensland Capra’s U17 CC Cup squad and Jonty Coutts is also CC Cup eligible in 2026.

Early 2024 saw Jonty Coutts represent Peninsula out of Malanda High School at the 2024 QSSRL U15 School Boy Rugby League Championships splitting time between hooker and half with Jony Coutts scoring against Wide Bay in the 40th minute with a short burst out of dummy half from closer range to get the ball down two metres in from the left corner post. Jonty Coutts was also named Peninsula’s Player of the Match against Met West.

From an attacking stand point, Jonty Coutts has solid distribution skills in relation to his passing skills to either side of his body and uses a solid, repeatable passing technique to ensure consistency, thus enabling his forwards and play makers have confidence that his passes will find the mark with the appropriate velocity attached on every occasion.

From a speed perspective I would consider that his speed when running out of dummy half is above average for a hooker but plays faster as Jonty Coutts has become adept at running at the right time and focusses heavily when the markers are out of position, thus Jonty Coutts either makes ground putting his team on the front foot or draws a penalty, in both scenario’s he generates momentum for his side through the skill and intelligence he has.

The impressive thing about when Jonty Coutts runs out of dummy half is the fact that he does not run to the same side all of the time, he will make a judgement on where the defence is the weakest and respond accordingly.

From a defensive perspective Jonty Coutts is a very solid tackler who makes good initial contact and is able to generate momentum through his core and drive into his opponent with enough force to redirect the momentum of the ball carrier. Jonty Coutts has both a solid low tackling technique as well as having the functional strength to make ball and all tackles effectively against the biggest of forwards looking to target him in the defensive line.

Jonty Coutts is also very quick out of the marker position and will get to forwards how are running one out before they can generate any momentum. In short he defends like a backrower and certainly if he finds himself on the fringes of the ruck, Jonty Coutts has the lateral movement and anticipation to also defend against smaller quicker halves looking to exploit a perceived speed advantage.

2025 will see Jonty Coutts commence the season as a member of the Central Queensland Capra’s U17 CC Cup squad and Jonty Coutts is also CC Cup eligible in 2026. Jonty Coutts will also attend the Titans partnered Rockhampton Grammar School where Jonty Coutts will be pushing to make his School Boy Rugby League Dolphins Cup debut.

Jonty Coutts junior rugby league career to date has seen him line up at hooker and at halfback but with his speed out of dummy half and his evolving distribution skills, hooker seems the best position for Jonty Coutts moving forward.

Jonty Coutts with his speed out of dummy half and his ability to make the right decision in terms of when to run and when to pass reminds me of St George Dragons, former South Sydney and New South Wales State of Origin hooker Damien Cook.

Both Cook and Jonty Coutts have the ability to change the game in a heartbeat with a decisive run out of dummy half whether that be to run themselves or to seek to pass to a support player running onto a gap which significantly alters the games momentum.

 

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Grant Byers-Brown. After Round One of the 2024 NRRRL U18 competition was abandon due to wet weather Grant Byers-Brown started at fullback for the Lower Clarence Magpies against the Cudgen Hornets with Grant Byers-Brown easily the best player on the field on the way to scoring a try and kicking an impressive nine conversions from as many attempts in a big 54 – 0 Magpies victory.

Grant Byers-Brown scored in the 37th minute when after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball and twelve metres from the try line Grant Byers-Brown executed a goose step before steeping back towards the centre of the field off his right foot and even though he was tackled short of the try line Grant Byers-Brown reached out to get the ball down twelve metres to the right of the corner post.

Grant Byers-Brown could easily have been awarded a second try after getting the ball down in the right corner after a Lower Clarence bomb but the referee ruled that a Cudgen defender had been pushed out of the way prior to Grant Byers-Brown getting the ball down in the 55th minute.

Grant Byers-Brown kicked the first of his nine conversions in just the 2nd minute of the match with a great strike from two metres in from the left touchline to convert Tyrelle Waters try. Grant Byers-Brown added a second conversion from ten metres in from the left touchline to convert a try that he in fact had set-up before kicking his third conversion in the 16th minute from seven metres in from the left touchline. Grant Byers-Brown then added a fourth conversion in the 22nd minute from just to the left of the goal posts.

Grant Byers-Brown’s fifth conversion was another great strike in the 33rd minute from two minutes in from the left touchline to once again convert a try that he had set up. Grant Byers-Brown then converted his own try from twelve metres in from the right touchline before adding a seventh conversion in the 40th minute from mid-way between the goal posts and corner in the right side of the field with Grant Byers-Brown once again setting up the try. Grant Byers-Brown made it eight conversions in the 48th minute from nine metres to the right of the goal posts and before kicking his ninth and final conversion in the 52nd minute from five metres in from the left touchline and it would come as no surprise to note that Grant Byers-Brown also set up that try.

In addition to scoring twenty two points from a try and nine conversions Grant Byers-Brown also recorded a try assist in a staggering four of the Magpies tries with the first coming in the 9th minute when after taking possession of the ball two passes to the left of the play the ball and ten metres from the try line Grant Byers-Brown shaped to pass to his left before executing a left arm flick pass to his halfback who dived over to score ten metres in from the left corner post.

Grant Byers-Brown recorded his second try assist in the 33rd minute when from the right of the play the ball Grant Byers-Brown carried the ball from twenty five metres to ten metres from the try line before throwing a long high cut-out pass to his right to put his right winer over to score two metres in from the right corner post.

Grant Byers-Brown made it three try assists in the 40th minute when from two passes to the right of the play the ball, Grant Byers-Brown made a lien break from thirty eight metres out and after getting to within fifteen metres of the try line Grant Byers-Brown threw a right arm pass to his right second rower who score midway between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.

Grant Byers-Brown recorded his fourth try assist in the 52nd minute with a right foot stab kick into the in-goal which was missed by the Cudgen right winger for one of the Magpies replacement forwards to score with Grant Byers-Brown executing the grubber kick from eighteen metres out and to the left of the goal posts.

Grant Byers-Brown could easily have had two more try assists but for the referee calling the plays back including in the 7th minute when after taking possession of the ball to the right of the dummy half and ten metres from the try line Grant Byers-Brown threw a long cut-out pass to his right for Jasper Whalley to cross wide out on the right only for the referee to rule that the pass had travelled forward.

Then in the 59th minute and ten metres inside his own territory Grant Byers-Brown took possession of the ball to the right of a Lower Clarence centre field scrum and after taking the ball to the defensive line Grant Byers-Brown put in a right foot grubber kick which was collected by Jasper Whalley who rounded the fullback to put the ball down under the posts only for the referee to rule that Jasper Whalley was off-side to once again rule a no try.

Grant Byers-Brown after taking possession of the ball from a Cudgen kick-off in the centre of the field and twenty metres from his try lien Grant Byers-Brown immediately put a chip kick for himself and chased his kick through to tackle the Cudgen fullback himself on the half way mark.

Grant Byers-Brown showed his express pace in the 20th minute when after Cudgen took an intercept on their own try line Grant Byers-Brown turned and chased and ran down the Hornets right winger from behind when he was still forty metres from the try line.

Grant Byers-Brown also started at fullback in Round Three against the Byron Bay Devils and in the 21st minute Grant Byers-Brown almost pulled up an outstanding play in the 21st minute when after taking possession of the ball thirty metres from the try line and to the right of the play the ball Grant Byers-Brown put in a right foot chip kick for himself and but for a horror bounce Grant Byers-Brown would have retrieved the ball on the bounce and likely score from long range. The positive however was that the Byron Bay fullback under pressure from Grant Byers-Brown knocked the ball on when trying to take possession to get the Magpies a scrum feed six metres inside Devils territory.

Grant Byers-Brown also did well in the 24th minute when after collecting a Devils kick under immense pressure twenty one metres from his own try line and near the left touchline Grant Byers-Brown was still able to beat a defender down the touchline to make an extra ten metres.

Grant Byers-Brown along with Jasper Whalley made a strong tackle in the 47th minute when they hit the Byron Bay front rower No. 10 twenty seven metres from the try line and drove him back four metres through the centre of the field.

Grant Byers-Brown continued at fullback in Round Eight against the Ballina Seagulls with Grant Byers-Brown kicking four conversions with the first coming in the 11th minute from left touchline to convert Jasper Whalley’s try with Grant Byers-Brown adding a second conversion in the 17th minute from three metres in from the left touchline with the conversion hitting the right goal post and bouncing in. Grant Byers-Brown kicked his fourth conversion in the 38th minute from three metres to the right of the goal posts after earlier kicking his third conversion in the 22nd minute from ten metres to the left of the posts.

Grant Byers-Brown recorded the first of his try assists in the 3rd minute with a high floating spiral bomb from three metres inside his own territory and to the right of the play the ball with the bomb just too much for the Ballina defenders with the ball bouncing into the arms of his halfback to score under the posts.

Grant Byers-Brown added a second try assist in the 7th minute when from two passes to the right of a Lower Clarence scrum win Grant Byers-Brown ran the ball from twenty to fourteen metres from the try line Grant Byers-Brown drew in two defenders before off-loading to his right to put his right winger over to score in the corner.

In the 15th minute from two passes to the left of the posts and twenty seven metres from his try line Grant Byers-Brown’s elite footwork enabled him to carry the ball to the forty two metre mark and in the 48th minute after picking up a Ballina kick five metres from his own try line Grant Byers-Brown after a jump step returned the ball to the twenty three metre mark.

Grant Byers-Brown also started at fullback in Round Nine against the Mullumbimby Giants with Grant Byers-Brown scoring a try and kicking a conversion in a big Magpies victory.

Grant Byers-Brown scored a superb solo try in the 13th minute from deep inside his own half when after receiving a pass to passes to the left of the dummy half thirty six metres from his try line Grant Byers-Brown, after dummying to his left made a line break down the left touchline and after carrying the ball ten metres into Mullumbimby territory and confronted by the fullback Grant Byers-Brown put in a grubber kick inside with the outside of his right foot with Grant Byers-Brown retrieving his own kick as it bounced fifteen metres from the try line at full speed and raced away to score under the posts.

Grant Byers-Brown also kicked a conversion in the 9th minute with a good kick from five metres in from the right touchline.

The 5th minute saw Grant Byers-Brown chime into the Lower Clarence backline wide on the right side of the field and ran the ball from twenty one to thirty four metres from the try line near the right touchline.

Grant Byers-Brown also chimed into the Magpies backline a minute later in the 6th minute on this occasion on the left side of the field and after getting to within three metres of the try line Grant Byers-Brown produced a great left arm flick off-load to his left when going to ground to Tyrelle Waters.

Grant Byers-Brown continued at fullback in Round Ten against the Tweed Coast Raiders with Grant Byers-Brown kicking the first of his two conversions in the 8th minute from ten metres in from the left corner post and then added a second conversion in the 28th minute from directly in front.

From the right of the play the ball in the 6th minute Grant Byers-Brown stepped off his right foot as he burst downfield from thirty six to twenty two metres from the try line.

A Grant Byers-Brown kick-off in the 27th minute spiralled deep into the in-goal and forced the Tweed Coast five eight to take the kick-off on the full but he was not balanced and put his foot over the dead ball line to require a goal line drop-out.

Then from the Tweed Coast goal line drop-out Grant Byers-Brown collected the ball in the centre of the field and thirty two metres from the try line Grant Byers-Brown broke two tackles as he got the ball to within thirteen metres of the try line and after Grant Byers-Brown’s quick play the ball Lower Clarence crossed the try line from dummy half.

Grant Byers-Brown produced one of the best try saving tackles that I have seen in a long long time in the 46th minute when he flew to his left to hit the Tweed Coast five eight around the hips a metre from the try line with Grant Byers-Brown then freakishly able to hold him back from reaching out to score three metres in from the left corner post.

Grant Byers-Brown moved to right centre in Round Eleven against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Grant Byers-Brown once again impressive including scoring a try and kicking three conversions.

Grant Byers-Brown scored in the 50th minute as a result of an intercept when defending on the right with Grant Byers-Brown running sixty metres to put the ball down under the posts.

Grant Byers-Brown kicked the first of his three conversions in the 19th minute from ten metres in from the left touchline before kicking a second conversion in the 37th minute from nine metres in from the left touchline with Grant Byers-Brown adding a third conversion in the 50th minute to convert his own try from directly in front.

Grant Byers-Brown also made a line break in the 42nd minute from the left of a Magpies scrum win and after stepping off his left foot Grant Byers-Brown broke through the Seagulls defensive line ten metres inside his half and ran the ball to within twenty seven metres of the try line.

Grant Byers-Brown moved to left centre in Round Twelve against the Casino Cougars with Grant Byers-Brown scoring in the 37th minute when he followed through a Lower Clarence kick and when the ball was dropped by the Casino fullback Grant Byers-Brown was on hand to collect the ball two metres from the try line and score under the posts.

Grant Byers-Brown kicked the first of his two conversions in the 6th minute from ten metres to the left of the posts with Grant Byers-Brown then converting his own try in the 37th minute from directly in front.

Grant Byers-Brown made a line break in the 42nd minute when from the right of the play the ball Grant Byers-Brown stepped off his right foot to straighten up his run to break the defensive line through the centre of the field from twenty five metres of the try line to the halfway.

Grant Byers-Brown recorded a line break assist in the 39th minute when after running the ball from two passes to the right of the play the ball from thirty two to forty three metres from his try line Grant Byers-Brown drew the Cougars left winger to put Jasper Whalley away down the right touchline.

In the 3rd minute after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball and seven metres from his try line Grant Byers-Brown stepped off his left foot as he carried the ball out to the twenty five metre mark through the centre of the field. Then in the 10th minute from two passes to the left of a Lower Clarence scrum win Grant Byers-Brown ran the ball from five to twenty metres away from his try line. Also in the 36th minute Grant Byers-Brown ran the ball through the centre of the field from the left of the dummy half to get the ball from thirty to forty three metres from the try line.

A Grant Byers-Brown kick-off to his left in the 17th minute was misjudged by the Cougars defender and went over the dead ball line on the first bounce to force a Casino goal line drop-out.

Grant Byers-Brown moved to right centre for the Lower Clarence Magpies in Round Thirteen of the NRRL U18 competition against Marist Brothers with Grant Byers-Brown scoring in the 18th minute with a great right handed take of a chip kick six metres out to ground the ball six metres in from the right corner post.

Grant Byers-Brown also recorded a try assist in the 43rd minute when after making a line break down the right touchline to within six metres of the try line before throwing a pass inside to put his five eight over to score.

Grant Byers-Brown kicked the first of his four conversions in the 5th minute from seven metres to the left of the posts and then kicked a second conversion in the 18th minute to convert his own try from six metres in from the right touchline. Grant Byers-Brown kicked his third conversion 43rd minute from ten metres to the left of the posts before making it four conversions in the 52nd minute from ten metres in from the right touchline.

Grant Byers-Brown also started at right centre for the Lower Clarence Magpies in Round Fourteen of the NRRRL U18 competition against Northern United with Grant Byers-Brown kicking the first of his six conversions in the 17th minute from ten metres to the left of the posts with Grant Byers-Brown adding a second conversion from in front in the 23rd minute from an eight point try situation. Grant Byers-Brown kicked a third conversion in the 32nd minute from in front and then a fourth in the 38th minute from the right touchline. Grant Byers-Brown made it five conversions in the 41st minute from twelve metres in from the left touchline with his final conversion coming in the 51st minute from ten metres in from the left touchline.

Grant Byers-Brown also recorded a try assist in the 38th minute with a cut-out pass to his right to put Tyrelle Waters over to score in the right corner after a thirty metre run down the right touchline.

Grant Byers-Brown started right centre in the NRRRL U18 rescheduled Round One match against the Kyogle Turkeys with Grant Byers-Brown scoring in the 8th minute when after taking possession of the ball wide on the right side of the field eleven metres from the try line Grant Byers-Brown ran to his left before executing a superb right foot step to beat one defender and then after just as good left foot step beat another two defenders Grant Byers-Brown carried the Kyogle defender over the try line to get the ball down ten metres to the right of the posts.

Grant Byers-Brown kicked the first of his three conversions in the 12th minute from eight metres to the left of the posts and kicked his second in the 19th minute from ten metres to the left of the posts. Grant Byers-Brown then kicked his third and final conversion in the 25th minute from five metres in from the left touchline.

In the 10th minute after taking a kick-off on the full ten metres from his own try line near the right touchline Grant Byers-Brown ran across field all of the way to the left touchline to within thirty eight metres of the try line with Grant Byers-Brown breaking too many tackles to count.

Grant Byers-Brown started at five eight for the Lower Clarence Magpies in the rescheduled Round Five NRRRL U18 match against the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Grant Byers-Brown setting up the match winning try for the Magpies in the 58th minute when from the left of the play the ball but to the right of the uprights fourteen metres from the try line Grant Byers-Brown dummied to an inside runner as he ran to his left before throwing a great pass in the same direction to his left centre who scored the match winning try in the left corner.

Grant Byers-Brown also kicked two conversions, the first in the 30th minute from three metres to the right of the posts and then kicked a second in the 35th minute with a great strike from the right touchline from a try that he set up for his right centre.

Grant Byers-Brown recorded a try assist in the 35th minute when from wide on the right side of the field Grant Byers-Brown ran the ball from fourteen to ten metres from the try line before throwing a cut-out pass to his right top put Tyrelle Waters over to score in the right corner.

Grant Byers-Brown also kicked an outstanding 40/20 in the 57th minute when from the centre of the field thirty six metres from his own try line Grant Byers-Brown’s booming right foot kick to his right bounced over the head of the Mustangs left winger and over the right touchline eighteen metres from the try line. From the ensuing Lower Clarence restart Grant Byers-Brown set up the match winning try.

In the 5th minute Grant Byers-Brown did exceptionally well to take a Mustangs high centre field bomb on the full running back towards his own try line twenty two metres out. Then in the 21st minute a hard hit right foot kick-off to his left by Grant Byers-Brown bounced once before going over the dead ball line to force a Murwillumbah goal line drop-out. Also in the 48th minute Grant Byers-Brown chased a Magpies kick and along with Tyrelle Waters, Grant Byers-Brown grabbed hold of the Mustangs left winger two metres out from the try line and forced him back into the in-goal to force another Mustangs goal line drop-out.

Grant Byers-Brown moved to left centre started at five eight for the Lower Clarence Magpies in Round Fifteen of the U18 NRRRL competition against the Casino Cougars with Grant Byers-Brown scoring the first of his two tries in the 23rd minute with a sixteen metre run off a pass from his inside by his fullback with Grant Byers-Brown beating one Casino defender with a right arm fend with a dummy to his left beating the Casino fullback and score twelve metres in from the left corner post.

Grant Byers-Brown scored his second try in the 33rd minute with a six metre run down a short left blindside off a Kennyon Elasaia-Thomas pass to dive over to score four metres in from the left corner post.

Grant Byers-Brown also scored earlier in the match in the 13th minute when from the left of a Lower Clarence scrum win Grant Byers-Brown executed a left foot step to beat his opposing centre and from thirty two metres from the try line charged towards the left corner to dive over however the referee ruled that Grant Byers-Brown had lost the ball over the try line.

Grant Byers-Brown kicked the first of his five conversions in the 8th minute to convert a try that he set up for Kennyon Elasaia-Thomas in the 8th minute from ten metres in from the left touchline. Grant Byers-Brown kicked his second conversion in the 18th minute with a great kick from the right touchline before kicking a third in the 23rd minute from twelve metres in from the left touchline. Grant Byers-Brown made it four conversions in the 33rd minute to convert his own try four metres in from the left touchline and then kicked his fifth in the 41st minute from four metres to the left of the posts to convert a try that he set up for Maison Simmons.

Grant Byers-Brown recorded a try assist in the 41st minute when after bursting onto a pass from his right from Kennyon Elasaia-Thomas still six metres inside his own half Grant Byers-Brown stepped off his left foot to beat two defenders to carry the ball within seventeen metres of try line before drawing the fullback and off-loading to his right to Maison Simmons who as a result scored four metres to the left of the posts.

Grant Byers-Brown made a line break inside the opening minute of the match down the left touchline off a pass from his right from Kennyon Elasaia-Thomas from thirty two metres from his own try line to within thirty three metres of the try line at the opposite end of the field with Grant Byers-Brown then drawing the fullback and passing to his right back to Kennyon Elasaia-Thomas.

Grant Byers-Brown also had a line break assist in the 8th minute with a superb catch and pass to his left to put his left winger away down the touchline with Kennyon Elasaia-Thomas scoring a pass later.

Grant Byers-Brown moved to halfback (operating on the right side of the field) for the Lower Clarence Magpies in the NRRRL U18 Week One Elimination Final against the Bilambil Jets with Grant Byers-Brown kicking a conversion in the 6th minute from two metres to the left of the posts.

The 13th minute saw Grant Byers-Brown put in a huge right foot kick from the right of the play the ball to his left from the centre of the field and thirty three metres from his try line to kick a great 40/20 with the ball bouncing over the touchline fifteen metres out from the try line.

Grant Byers-Brown produced another smart piece of play in the 39th minute when from the left of the play the ball and thirty metres out from his own try line Grant Byers-Brown ran at the defensive line and at the last possible moment Grant Byers-Brown put in a right foot chip kick over the top for himself with Grant Byers-Brown racing through regathering his own kick and getting the ball two metres inside the Jets territory.

The 44th minute saw Grant Byers-Brown do exceptionally well to take a contested Bilambil bomb on the full a metre from his own try line and run the ball back to the ten metre mark. Also in the 53rd minute from the left of a Lower Clarence scrum win Grant Byers-Brown made a half break after threatening to pass to his left as he carried the ball from three metres from his own try line out to the thirty four metre mark.

In late September 2023 Grant Byers-Brown was named in the 2024 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad with Grant Byers-Brown part of the Northern Rivers Titans U18 squad that defeated the Greater Northern Tigers in their first 2024 trial.

Round Eight of the 2023 NRRRL U18 competition saw Grant Byers-Brown make his first appearance in the competition when he started from the bench for the Lower Clarence Magpies against the Tweed Coast Raiders with Grant Byers-Brown celebrating his NRRRL U18 debut by scoring in the 21st minute when after loitering behind the play the ball Grant Byers-Brown, at the last moment ran to the left of the play the ball and after receiving the ball down a short left blindside twenty metres out, Grant Byers-Brown dummied to his left before bursting down the left touchline before stepping inside off his left foot to beat two defenders to score two metres in from the left corner post.

Grant Byers-Brown had earlier recorded a try assist in the 17th minute when two passes to the left of the play the ball Grant Byers-Brown executed a smart catch and pass to his left to put his left winger over to score ten metres in from the left corner post.

Grant Byers-Brown also started from the bench in Round Nine against the Cudgen Hornets with Grant Byers-Brown scoring a double with Grant Byers-Brown scoring the first of his two tries in the 22nd minute when after receiving the ball ten metres out, five metres in from the left touchline and two passes to the left of the play the ball Grant Byers-Brown executed a stutter step to beat two defenders in a confined space to force his way over to score six metres in from the left corner post.

Grant Byers-Brown scored his second try in the 51st minute when after receiving the ball twelve metres out from the try line and mid-way between the goal posts and the corner post on the left side of the field Grant Byers-Brown stepped off his left foot then his right as he cut back towards the goal posts then straightening up to dive over to score four metres to the left of the uprights.

The 54th minute saw Grant Byers-Brown receive the ball on the left side of the field and thirty metres out from his own try line with Grant Byers-Brown producing a goose step to beat the Hornet fullback to his left with Grant Byers-Brown then stepping off his left foot and then when he was twenty metres out and in the centre of the field Grant Byers-Brown put in a right foot grubber kick to his left for his winger to collect the ball on the bounce and cross the try line but bizarrely the referee after coming close to awarding a try called the play back for a changeover of possession inside Magpies territory.

Grant Byers-Brown then started at fullback, wearing the No. 3 jersey, in Round Sixteen against the Casino Cougars with Grant Byers-Brown scoring in the 39th minute when Grant Byers flowed through a line break by Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas to receive a pass from his left and run forty five metres to score under the posts untouched.

Grant Byers-Brown made come close to scoring earlier in the 22nd minute when after receiving the ball ten metres out from the try line and two passes to the left of the dummy half Grant Byers-Brown dummied to his left before running himself and seemingly got the ball down over the try line ten metres in from the left corner post but the referee ruled that Grant Byers-Brown had knocked the ball on just prior to the try line.

Grant Byers-Brown also made a line break in the 41st minute when from two passes to the left of the play the ball Grant Byers-Brown received the ball on the halfway mark and then executed an in and away to get on the outside of his opposite defenders and after running twenty metres down the left channel Grant Byers-Brown got a right arm flick off-load away to his right to Zachariah Williams who was able to get to within thirteen metres of the try line.

In the 6th minute of the match Grant Byers-Brown took a Casino kick on the full four metres out from his own try line in front of his goal posts and then was able to return the ball to the twenty metre mark.

Grant Byers-Brown also had a good match defensively including in the 16th minute with a good low cover defending tackle in open space on the Casino right centre No. 3 with Grant Byers-Brown brining him down after a line break sixteen metres out from the try line.

Then in the 23rd minute Grant Byers-Brown turned and chased and ran down the Casino left centre with Grant Byers-Brown turning and chasing from ten metres out from the try line and mow him down from behind on the halfway mark.

Grant Byers-Brown also made a try saving tackle in the 37th minute when after covering ground to his right Grant Byers-Brown crunched the Casino left winger No. 2 two metres out from the try line and three metres in from the right touchline with Grant Byers-Brown’s heavy front-on ball and all tackle forcing the Cougars winger over the touchline with the ball also coming loose at the same time.

Grant Byers-Brown made another good one on one tackle in open space when in the 57th minute Grant Byers-Brown brought down the Casino halfback with a low left shoulder tackle thirteen metres out from the try line after the halfback had made a line break.

Grant Byers-Brown then started from the bench in the Week One Elimination Final against the Bilambil Jets coming onto the field in the 20th minute to line-up at fullback even though Grant Byers-Brown was wearing the No. 10 jersey.

In 2021 the Maclean High school student was selected in the North Coast School Boy Rugby League Representative side.

Grant Byers-Brown is an agile ball runner who relies on his outstanding speed and elusiveness to make it difficult for larger opponents to line him up rather than brute strength. When lining up at fullback Grant Byers-Brown always makes himself available for offloads in the centre of the ruck where his quick twitch feet can cause some damage as opposing forwards start to wear out.

Grant Byers-Brown has absolutely blazing speed as well as outstanding positioning. When he retrieves the ball Grant Byers-Brown makes a decision quickly about where to look to run around a staggered defensive line or to run straight in an effort to take the yards on offer.

An aspect of his play that is very good is Grant Byers-Brown’s ability to chime into the back line and use his elusiveness to slip through the line, when he comes into the back line, it seems to be mainly when the attacking play is being directed towards the left hand side of the field. I note also that as soon as he breaks into space Grant Byers-Brown starts working through his options in relation to whether he should run himself or look to set up his support players.

Also Grant Byers-Brown’s hands at fullback are safe for a young player regardless of the type of kick put towards him. His other calling card is his positioning, he always seems to be the right place at the right time, to defuse bombs, attacking short kicks, potential 40/20 kicks etc. Grant Byers-Brown can on occasion get caught a little shallow but relies on his timing and anticipation to compensate when tracking balls that have been kicked when the intention of going over his head.

Grant Byers-Brown will take a hit defensively when needing to make the tackle in the last line of defence and will focus exclusively on the ball carrier, forcing the attacking player to make the decision of what to do with the ball, rather than proving the attacker the avenue to make an easier decision.

Grant Byers-Brown is also adept at using the sideline to restrict the attacking options of any opponent who makes a break. To be more effective defensively Grant Byers-Brown will need to add additional muscle to his frame as he only has a slight build at present, although Grant Byers-Brown does have some height and seemingly has the body type to add muscle mass without compromising his speed and elusiveness.

Grant Byers-Brown does also have decent hands when short attacking kicks are put in and is elusive enough when he retrieves the ball to get out of the touch in goal when it appears that that task is unlikely if not impossible.

It would appear that Grant Byers-Brown will continue to play for the Lower Clarence Magpies in 2025 where he should force his way into the Magpies NRRRL First Grade side.

At fullback Grant Byers-Brown can move to where he sees an opportunity and exploit it as he sees fit, including stationing himself behind the play the ball and getting involved as often as possible from the resultant play the ball.

At fullback Grant Byers-Brown looks assured in both attack and defence and regularly literally just popped up out of nowhere when the Magpies have the ball, causing significant concern in the opposition defensive line.

With his beautifully balanced running style, elite speed, tackling breaking ability and the fact that he plays the game with just a natural affinity, Grant Byers-Brown’s playing style may well compare very well in the end to being similar to that of South Sydney and New South Wales State of Origin star Latrell Mitchell as a player with outstanding speed and strength as well as the ability to be an elite tackle breaker and regular try scorer. Like Mitchell, Grant Byers-Brown plays far stronger than he looks and has proved to be near impossible to be brought down in a one on one situation by any opponent.

Like Latrell Mitchell, Grant Byers-Brown just looks like he is playing at a pace far far quicker than the players around him, both teammates and the opposition alike and Grant Byers-Brown has the same explosiveness off the mark as Mitchell has and his sense of timing, anticipation and plus top end speed present as similar to Mitcehll as well. Grant Byers-Brown is just as natural on a rugby league field, it is literally as simple as that.

Grant Byers-Brown is one of the most naturally gifted young players that I have ever seen, EVER. Grant Byers-Brown oozes class and exceptional skill. If he can harness that skill, his physical attributes and the mental side of the game Grant Byers-Brown can and will be an absolute star. It may take a couple of years for everything to coalesce but damn there is a heck of a player in there and one day an NRL side is going to be very very happy that they invested the time and into Grant Byers-Brown both on and off the field.

 

[mdrew]

Part One:

Zane Harrison. The northern New South Wales youngster is currently a member of the Titans Tweed Heads based junior academy and also the Titans JTS program after signing a multi-year contract with the Titans in early 2021 as a 15 year old.

In early September 2024 Zane Harrison signed a new three year with the Titans to be involved in the NRL squad until the end of the 2027 season.

On the 6th of November 2023 Zane Harrison commenced his first train and trial opportunity with the Titans for the 2023/24 NRL pre-season.

In early January 2024 Zane Harrison started at halfback and captain for a Titans U19 side in a round robin series of matches against the Penrith Panthers and the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs in Sydney with Zane Harrison leading the Titans around the field well in both matches and being neakaleb smith’sr perfect with the boot.

Against the Penrith Panthers Zane Harrison kicked three conversions from as many attempts with his first conversions arriving in the 12th minute to convert Corey Pearce’s try from nine metres to the right of the goal posts. Zane Harrison then converted Javon Andrews 33rd minute try from eight metres in from the left corner post with Zane Harrison kicking his third conversion three minutes later in the 36th minute from six metres in from the left corner post to convert Taylan To’o’s strong try down the left channel.

Zane Harrison kicked two conversions from three attempts in the Tians 16 – 12 victory against the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs with Zane Harrison converting tries scored by Sunny Kama and Alex Leapai.

Zane Harrison also forced a goal line drop-out against the Penrith Panthers with a deft right foot kick into the in-goal area early in the match. In the 6th minute from fifteen metres out from the Penrith try line and in the centre of the field Zane Harrison put in a right foot ship kick into space into the in-goal with the Penrith fullback tackled in the in-goal to force the goal line drop out by Sam Stephenson and Sunny Kama.

Zane Harrison also started at halfback and captain for the Titans U19 JTS side the following week in their annual match in Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights with Zane Harrison kicking three conversions from four attempt in a Titans 22 – 16 victory.

Zane Harrison kicked his first conversion in the 21st minute when he converted his own try from ten metres in from the right touchline. Zane Harrison then kicked his second conversion in the 50th minute to convert Jack Hudson’s try under the posts and Zane Harrison then kicked his third conversion in the 60th minute to convert Cooper Bai’s try seven metres to the left of the goal posts.

Zane Harrison scored an outstanding solo try in the 21st minute when after receiving the ball from the dummy half from his left down a wide blindside nine metres from the try line, Zane Harrison immediately straightened up before dummying to his left and slicing between three defenders to get the ball down ten metres in from the right corner post. Zane Harrison then stepped up to convert his own try.

Zane Harrison scored a second outstanding solo try in the 29th minute which to some degree was not dis-similar to his opening try. Zane Harrison took possession to the right of the play the ball thirteen metres from the try line and immediately straightened up the Titans point of attack and after running at the Newcastle defensive line with the ball out in front of his body in both hands, Zane Harrison threw a dummy to his left before darting through a gap that his dummy had exposed and expanded with Zane Harrison then veering to his left to easily round the Newcastle fullback to score seven metres in from the left corner post.

2024 also saw Zane Harrison named 18th man for the New South Wales U19 State of Origin side for their annual match against Queensland U19’s.

In early March 2024 Zane Harrison was named in the Open South Coast 2024 School Boy Rugby League Representative squad with Zane Harrison starting halfback and captain on Day One against Met North with Zane Harrison scoring a try as well as kicking three conversions from as many attempts.

Zane Harrison scored in the 39th minute with a subtle right foot step when at full speed from twelve metres out and to the right of the play the ball to break through the Met North defensive line to score mid-way between the uprights and the right corner post. Zane Harrison then converted his own try.

Zane Harrison kicked the first of his three conversions in the 18th minute to convert Cooper Bai’s try under the posts with Zane Harrison then converting his own try in the 39th minute from mid-way between the uprights and the right corner post. Zane Harrison’s third and final conversion was his best and his most important as with the scores locked at 16 all in the 53rd minute Zane Harrison put the ball through the centre of the posts to give South Coast an 18 – 16 lead that they never relinquished from the left touchline.

In the 55th minute Zaner Harrison ran the ball from the right of the play the ball from sixteen metres from the right of the dummy half and after stepping off his right foot Zane Harrison got to within two metres of the try line before getting an off-load away to his left to Nelson Makaafi.

Zane Harrison continued at halfback and captain on Day Two against Met East with Zane Harrison a perfect four for four in relation to conversion attempts with Zane Harrison kicking his first conversion in the 44th minute from ten metres to the left of the goal posts to convert Zac Kumbamong’s try. Zane Harrison kicked his second conversion in the 51st minute from ten metres to the left of the posts once again with Zane Harrison’s third conversion kicked in the 45th minute from the left touchline to convert Anton Whaiapou’s try. Zane Harrison then converted the try that he had set up for Sam Stephenson in the 58th minute from three metres to the right of the goal posts.

Zane Harrison also recorded a try assist in the 58th minute when after taking possession of the ball to the right of the play the ball thirty eight metres from his try line Zane Harrison produced an outstanding show and go to split the Met East defence with Zane Harrison then drawing the fullback when twenty two metres from the try line and passing to his right to Sam Stephenson who scored three metres to the right of the goal posts untouched.

In the 55th minute from the right of the play the ball and thirty metres from the try line Zane Harrison shrugged off one attempted tackle and he stepped his way to within ten metres of the try line.

Zane Harrison also started at halfback on Day Three against Northern with Zane Harrison kicking five conversions from as many attempts with Zane Harrison kicking his initial conversion in the 25th minute from directly in front with Zane Harrison adding a second conversion in the 29th minute from nine metres to the left of the goal posts before kicking his third conversion in the 37th minute from the left touchline.

Zane Harrison also recorded a try assist in the 46th minute with a deft right foot chip towards the right corner from centre field and twenty two metres out with Sunny Kama leaping above his opponent to take the ball on the full and score.

In the 34th minute Zane Harrison ran the ball down a short right blindside and stepped his way from twenty metres to within four metres of try line.

Zane Harrison continued at halfback and captain on Day Four against Met North with Zane Harrison scoring a try and kicking a perfect three from three conversions.

Zane Harrison scored in the 38th minute with Zane Harrison running to the left of the play the ball but to the right of the goal posts from twelve metres out and after dummying to two inside runners when running to his left Zane Harrison stepped off his left foot to beat the Met North fullback to score under the posts.

Zane Harrison also recorded a lien break assist in the 3rd minute with a hard flat cut-out pass to his left from forty metres from the try line to put Sam Stephenson into a gap.

Zane Harrison kicked his first conversion in the 8th minute to convert Sam Stephenson’s try from three metres in from the right touchline with Zane Harrison converting Cooper Bai’s 18th minute try from in front of the posts as well as converting his own 38th minute try also from directly in front of the goal posts.

At the conclusion of the 2024 QSSRL U18 School Boy Rugby League Championships Zane Harrison was named in the 2024 Queensland School Boys side to contest the 2024 ASSRL U18 School Boy Rugby League Championships and just prior to the commencement of the Championships Zane Harrison was named at No. 3 in the Top 50 2024 School Boy Rugby League Players by News Limited.

Day One of the 2024 Australian School Boys Rugby League Championships saw Zane Harrison start at halfback and captain for Queensland against NSW CCC with Zane Harrison kicking three conversions, the first being in the 13th minute from the left touchline. Zane Harrison kicked his second conversion in the 24th minute from ten metres for the right of the goal posts before kicking his third conversion in the 34th minute from ten metres to the left of the uprights.

Zane Harrison ran the ball in the 2nd minute from the right of the play the ball from thirty one metres to within eighteen metres of the try line with Zane Harrison then awarded a penalty after being held down too long. Also in the 20th minute when after tracking back to collect a bad Queensland pass Zane Harrison ran the ball from eighteen metres to thirty metres from his try line.

Zane Harrison also started at halfback and captain on Day Two against Combines Affiliated States (CAS) with Zane Harrison producing a Player of the Match performance with three try assists and two conversions in a Queensland victory.

Zane Harrison kicked the first of his two conversions in the 9th minute from directly in front to convert Sam Stephenson’s try with Zane Harrison adding a second conversion in the 34th minute from ten metres to the left of the goal posts.

Zane Harrison recorded his opening try assist in the 9th minute when Zane Harrison ran the ball to the right of the play the ball and brought Sam Stephenson back underneath to burst through from twelve metres out to score under the posts.

Zane Harrison recorded his second try assist in the 34th minute with a blindingly quick catch and pass to his left from eight metres out to put his left second rower over to score ten metres to the left of the goal posts.

Zane Harrison added a third try assist in the 51st minute with a great long cut-out pass to his right from ten metres out onto the chest of Mason Barber who dived over to score in the right corner.

In the 26th minute from the right of the play the ball and thirty two metres from the try line Zane Harrison stepped off his right foot and when twenty metres from the try line Zane Harrison off-loaded the ball to his left to Mason Barber. Also in the 51st minute from the right of the play the ball Zane Harrison dummied to his inside before running himself to carry the ball from forty five to thirty four metres from the try line.

Zane Harrison did well to provide cover in the 46th minute when he was on hand as the last line of defence after the ball bounced off the head of his fullback from a CAS bomb with Zane Harrison getting to the ball in front of three CAS chasers and then turned defence into attack to get the ball out to the twenty six metre mark.

Zane Harrison forced a CAS goal line drop-out in the 33rd minute through a right foot grubber kick into the in-goal from the right of the play the ball and eleven metres out with the CAS defence having to knock the ball over the dead ball line. Zane Harrison also made a good play in the 40th minute when he chased through a Queensland kick and after engaging the CAS fullback Xane Harrison forced him back into the in-goal from three metres out to force another CAS goal line drop-out.

From the right of the play the ball thirty three metres from his try line and early in the tackle count Zane Harrison drove a low hard right foot kick into the right corner with the CAS fullback tackled just two metres out from his try line.

Zane Harrison continued at halfback and captain in the Semi-final against NSW CHS with Zane Harrison kicking the first of his two conversions from directly in front on the 23rd minute before adding a second conversion in the 49th minute to convert Mason Barber’s try from ten metres in from the right touchline.

In the 18th minute from the right of the play the ball Zane Harrison stepped off his right foot as he ran the ball from thirty to sixteen metres from the try line before throwing an inside pass to his left. Then in the 51st minute Zane Harrison made a stepping run from the right of the dummy half to break two tackles to get the ball from thirty metres from his try line to within three metres of the halfway mark.

Zane Harrison executed a strong tackle on one of the ACT front rowers driving into him with his right shoulder just as he got the ball four metres from the try line.



Zane Harrison continued at halfback and captain in the Queensland School Boys Selection match against ACT with Zane Harrison kicking four conversions in a solid Queensland victory.

Zane Harrison kicked his initial conversion in the 43rd minute from the left touchline before adding a second conversion in the 50th minute to convert Sunny Kama’s try twelve metres in from the right touchline. Zane Harrison then added a third conversion in the 55th minute from the right touchline to convert Sunny Kama’s second try with Zane Harrison kicking his fourth conversion in the 60th minute from three metres to the left of the goal posts.

In the 33rd minute from the right of the play the ball and after dummying to two inside runners Zane Harrison ran himself through the centre of the field to within six metres of the try line.

Round One of the 2024 School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup competition saw Zane Harrison start at halfback and captain for PBC SHS against Ipswich SHS.

Zane Harrison also started at halfback and captain in Round Two against Redcliffe SHS with Zane Harrison kicking three conversions and a penalty gaol in a solid PBC SHS victory.

Zane Harrison kicked the first of his conversions in the 4th minute from four metres in from the right touchline with Zane Harrison adding a second conversion in the 12th minute from ten metres in from the right touchline before kicking his third conversion from the right touchline in the 25th minute.

Zane Harrison kicked a penalty goal in the 57th minute from eighteen metres out and ten metres to the left of the try line after Zane Harrison was awarded a downfield penalty after being hit late after putting in a kick near the halfway mark.

Zane Harrison was involved in all three of Sunny Kama’s first half tries with the first coming in the 4th minute when from twenty two metres out from the try line and to the right of the play the ball Zane Harrison put a right foot chip over the defensive line with Callum Bowles getting to the ball on the first bounce and immediately throwing a short instinctive pass to his right to Sunny Kama ten metres from the try line with Sunny Kama subsequently diving over to score in the right corner.

Zane Harrison was alco involved in Sunny Kama’s second try in the 18th minute when from the right of the play the ball twenty metres from the try line Zane Harrison threw a long pass to his right to lead Callum Bowles into space with Callum Bowles subsequently drawing the Redcliffe SHS left winger and passing to his right to Sunny Kama who had a twenty metre run to score in the right corner.

Zane Harrison made it three involvements in Sunny Kama’s hat trick when after Zane Harrison ran across field to his right and after dummying to two inside runners Zane Harrison’s pass to his right perfectly led Callum Bowles onto the ball and after Callum Bowles carried the ball to within thirteen metres of the try line and once again drew the Redcliffe SHS left winger he passed to his right to an unmarked Sunny Kama who once again dived over to score in the right corner.

Zane Harrison ran the ball himself in the 52nd minute with his stepping run that commenced to the right of the play the ball seeing Zane Harrison get the ball from twenty two metres to within seven metres of the try line.

Zane Harrison also started at halfback and captain in Round Five against Marsden SHS with Zane Harrison scoring a try and kicking five conversions from as many attempts in a strong 30 – 10 PBC SHS victory.

Zane Harrison scored in the 34th minute when he backed up a Jai Billish line break to receive the ball from his right twenty eight metres out and race away to score under the posts.

Zane Harrison kicked his initial conversion in the 7th minute from three metres in from the left touchline to convert Sam Stephenson’s try. Zane Harrison added a second conversion in the from eight metres to the right of the goal posts to convert Ray Puru’s 21st minute try before adding a third in the 26th minute from midway between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field. Zane Harrison then converted his own try line from directly in front in the 34th minute before kicking his final conversion in the 56th minute from four metres to the left of the posts.

In just the 2nd minute of the match from the right of the play the ball Zane Harrison stepped off his right foot to run the ball from forty to twenty nine metres from the try line. Also in the 32nd minute after receiving the ball in the centre of the field and to the right of the dummy half thirty five metres from the try line Zane Harrison stepped off his right foot and broke two tackles including one by way of a counted clockwise spin as Zane Harrison got to within fourteen metres of the try line.

Zane Harrison also forced a Marsden SHS goal line drop-out in the 39th minute with a right foot grubber kick aimed at the right goal post from ten metres out and to the left of the goal posts with the ball grounded in-goal by the Marsden SHS fullback.

Zane Harrison continued at halfback and captain in Round Six against Wavell SHS with Zane Harrison scoring a try and kicking two conversions from as many attempts in a 12 all draw.

Zane Harrison scored on the stroke of half time in the 30th minute when from thirty metres out and to the right of the play the ball Zane Harrison exploded from a right foot step and after dummying to his left Zane Harrison went straight through the centre of the Wavell SHS defensive line and outpaced the cover defence to score under the posts.

Zane Harrison kicked the first of his two conversions in the 14th minute from on the left touchline and then Zane Harrison added a second conversion to convert his own try from directly in front after a halftime siren had sounded.

Zane Harrison added a 40/20 to his exceptionally match in the 46th minute when from the right of the play the ball and in the centre of the field Zane Harrison drove a hard flat right foot kick from thirty eight metres out to his right with the ball bouncing over the right touchline eighteen metres from the try line.

Zane Harrison also started at halfback and captain in the Round Seven local derby against Keebra Park SHS with Zane Harrison kicking two conversions, the first in the 18th minute from eight metres in from the left touchline. Zane Harrison then kicked his second conversion in the 47th minute from ten metres in from the left touchline.

Zane Harrison also recorded a try assist in the 23rd minute with a harbour bridge cut out pass from his left from ten metres out to put left centre Joshua Donovan over to score wide on the left side of the field.

Zane Harrison also made a line break the play before he set up a try in the 23rd minute for Joshua Donovan when after taking possession of the ball to the right of the dummy half Zane Harrison dummied to his left when thirty five metres from the try line to break the defensive line with Zane Harrison running to within ten metres of the try line and passing to his left to Jai Billish after drawing the Keebra Park SHS fullback.

Zane Harrison did exceptionally well defensively in the 41st minute to chase down from behind Keebra Park SHS fullback Mason Barber to bring him down from behind just four metres from the try line.

PBC SHS’s Langer Cup Quarter Final saw Zane Harrison start at halfback and captain against Stretton State College with Zane Harrison scoring a try and kicking six conversions in a strong 56 – 6 PBC SHS victory.

Zane Harrison scored in the 7th minute when after receiving an off-load from his left twelve metres from the try line Zane Harrison stepped off his right foot to beat the Stretton State College fullback and continue to run to his left to dive over to score five metres in from the left corner post.

Zane Harrison kicked his initial conversion in the 5th minute from nine metres to the left of the goal posts and then kicked a second conversion in the 11th minute from three metres to the right of the goal posts. Zane Harrison kicked his third conversion in the 18th minute from ten metres in from the right touchline with Zane Harrison then making it four conversions in the 23rd minute from three metres to the left of the posts. Zane Harrison added a fifth conversion in the 43rd minute from eight metres to the left of the goal posts before kicking his final conversion in the 48th minute to convert a Jai Billish try two metres to the right of the posts.

Zane Harrison also recorded a try assist in the 23rd minute when after running the ball from twenty metres out from an off-load Zane Harrison ran to his left and brought Marley McLaren back underneath when fifteen metres out to score next to the left goal post.

In the 4th minute after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball Zane Harrison from fifteen metres out ran to the ten metre mark before throwing an inside pass to twin brother Isaac who carried the ball through the centre of the field to within a metre of the try line.

Zane Harrison started at halfback and captain for PBC SHS in their Langer Cup semi-final against Keebra Park SHS with Zane Harrison with Zane Harrison kicking a match sealing field goal in the 57th minute from fifteen metres out and directly in front of the posts.

Zane Harrison kicked a conversion in the 23rd minute from ten metres to the left of the goal posts to convert Jai Billish’s try. Zane Harrison also kicked a penalty goal in the 60th minute from ten metres out and directly in front after he was hit high.

Zane Harrison also recorded two try assists, the first coming in the 14th minute when from the left of the play the ball and sixteen metres from the try line Zane Harrison ran to his left and after dummying to an inside runner Zane Harrison’s short pass to his right put the ball onto the chest of Josh Donovan and into a gap to score wide of the left.

Zane Harrison recorded his second ty assist in the 27th minute when after taking possession of the ball to the left of the dummy half in the centre of the field and twelve metres from the try line Zane Harrison after continuing to run to his left deep into the defensive line and at the last minute Zane Harrison put in a right foot grubber kick into the in-goal with Josh Donovan following the kcik to ground the ball wide on the left side of the field.

Zane Harrison ran the ball himself in the 14th minute with a run to the right of the play the ball that saw him run the ball from six metres inside his half to ten metres into Keebra Park SHS’s territory.

The 12th minute saw Zane Harrison make one of the tackles of the Semi-finals with a driving right shoulder tackle on one of the Keebra Park SHS’s front rowers with Zane Harrison driving him back and forcing a knock on eight metres from the try line.

Zane Harrison started at halfback and captain for PBC SHS in the 2024 School Boy Rugby League Langer Grand Final against Marsden SHS with Zane Harrison scoring a critical try in the 46th minute when receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball twelve metres from the try line and in the centre of the field Zane Harrison dummied to his left before running himself with Zane Harrison breaking two tackles and carried two additional defenders over the try line to get the ball down three metres to the left of the goal posts.

Zane Harrison also kicked three conversions with Zane Harrison kicking his initial conversion in the 27th minute with a great kick from the left touchline in the 27th minute. Zane Harrison’s second conversion was equally as impressive in the 40th minute from the right touchline with Zane Harrison then converting his own try from three metres to the left of the posts in the 46th minute.

Zane Harrison also recorded a try assist in the 54th minute when after lining up directly behind the PBC SHS dummy half, at the last minute Zane Harrison moved to his right and ran the ball from twelve to eight metres from the try line Zane Harrison fired a good late pass to put Jac Finnigan into space and over to score ten metres in from the right corner post.

Zane Harrison completely changed the momentum of the match in the 39th minute with a superb 40/20 from thirty five metres from his try line and to the right of the play the ball with the ball going over the right touchline sixteen metres from the try line with Sunny Kama scoring from the resultant set of six tackles.

At the conclusion of the match Zane Harrison received the Player of the Match Award and was also named the joint winner of the 2024 Justin Hodges Medal for the Best Player in the 2024 Langer Cup competition.

At the completion of the 2024 Queensland School Boy Rugby League season Zane Harrison was named at halfback in the 2024 Courier Mail Langer Cup Team of the Year.

Zane Harrison continued at fullback in the 2024 National School Boy Rugby League Final for PBC SHS against Patrician Brothers Blacktown with Zane Harrison setting up all three of PBC SHS’s tries and kicked two conversions and a penalty goal to be named Player of the Match with Zane Harrison also received the 2024 Peter Sterling Medal as the best School Boy Rugby League Player in Australia in 2024.

Zane Harrison recorded his first try assist in the 8th minute when Zane Harrison ran to his left after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball and when twelve metres out Zane Harrison brought Ruben Tamariki back underneath to crash over to score five metres to the left of the goal posts.

Zane Harrison recorded his second try assist in the 51st minute when after receiving the ball twelve metres out from the try line and two passes to the left of the play the ball in front of the posts, Zane Harrison moved to his left before throwing a perfectly weighted pass to his left to put Ruben Tamaraki into a gap and over to score ten metres to the left of the posts.

Zane Harrison made it three try assists for the match winning try in the 58th minute with a high bomb from the left of the play the ball and forty five metres out towards the left touchline with Beau Hartmann taking the kick on the full above his opposing winger and running thirty metres to score.

Zane Harrison kicked the first of his two conversions in the 8th minute from five metres of the left of the uprights and then added his second conversion in the 51st minute from ten metres to the left of the uprights. Zane Harrison also kicked an exceptional and ultimately critical penalty goal after the half time siren from forty five metres out and just to the right of the posts.

In the 6th minute Zane Harrison put a right foot chip to the left corner with the left of the play the ball with the ball dropped by the Patrician Brothers right winger and grounded in-goal to force a goal line drop-out.

Zane Harrison made an outstanding try saving tackle in the 19th minute with a great low effort moving to his right to cut down the Patrician Brothers left second rower a metre from the try line and twelve metres in from the right corner post.

Zane Harrison was perfectly placed in the 38th minute when he anticipated a Patrician Brothers grubber in the in-goal with Zane Harrison taking the ball clearly in the in-goal area behind the posts with Zane Harrison then able to beat three defenders to get the ball twelve metres into the field of play before being awarded a penalty for a leg pull.

In September 2024 with PBC SHS on their Fiji tour they played a match against an U19 Kaiviti Silktails side with PBC SHS winning 26-10 with Zane Harrison Player of the Match.

In October 2023 Zane Harrison was named in the 2024 Tweed Heads Seagulls U19 Mal Meninga (MM) Cup side with Zane Harrison also MM Cup eligible in 2025.

Round One of the 2024 MM Cup competition saw Zane Harrison start at halfback and captain for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Zane Harrison kicking four conversions in a big Tweed Heads victory.

Zane Harrison kicked his first conversion in the 9th minute to convert Tyson Ploegsma’s slightly fortuitous try in the 8th minute from twelve metres of the right of the goal posts, with Zane Harrison’s second conversion arriving in the 29th minute from a Ryder Williams try under the posts and Zane Harrison set up. Zane Harrison kicked his third and best conversion of the match in the 59th minute from the right touchline to convert Tyson Ploegsma’s which Zane Harrison once again set up. Zane Harrison kicked his fourth and final conversion in the 68th minute to convert Mason Barbers try from five metres in from the left touchline.

Zane Harrison recorded the first of his three try assists in the 29th minute when after taking possession of the ball to the right of the play the ball thirty five metres out from the try line Zane Harrison immediately stepped off his right foot and then immediately dummied to his left and as a result Zane Harrison made a line break through the centre of the Wynnum Manly defensive line with Zane Harrison then drawing the fullback ten metres from the try line and passing to his left to put Ryder Williams over to score under the posts.

Zane Harrison added his second try assist in the 59th minute when after the ball was spun back to the right after initially going to the right Zane Harrison received the ball under pressure nine metres out and directly in front of the posts but Zane Harrison was able to gain separation from the defender by spinning counter clockwise, Zane Harrison then calmly put in a right foot high kick towards the right wing and into the hands of a Tweed Heads player to score wide out near the right corner.

Zane Harrison recorded his third try assist in the 65th minute when after Tweed Heads made a long line break down the left touchline, the ball was spun back to the right and after receiving the ball in the centre of the field and thirty three metres from the try line, Zane Harrison ran at the back peddling Wynnum Manly defensive line before throwing a long cut-out pass to his right for Billy Tonkin to score wide out on the right side of the field.

Zane Harrison ran the ball well himself in the 57th minute when Zane Harrison ran the ball down a short right blindside from five metres inside Wynnum Manly territory to twenty two metres out with Zane Harrison breaking three tackles along the journey.

Zane Harrison’s tactical kicking came to the fore in the 18th minute when from forty three metres out from his own try line and down a short right blindside Zane Harrison put in a hard low driving right foot kick towards the right corner and after the ball took a horror bounce for the Wynnum Manly fullback, the Tweed Heads right winger was able to retrieve the ball.

Zane Harrison executed an additional exceptional kick in the 65th minute when from thirty three metres out from his own try line and in the centre of the field Zane Harrison drove a low hard right foot kick downfield with the kick rolling into the in-goal area with the Wynnum Manly defender having no choice but to bat the ball dead requiring a Wynnum Manly goal line drop-out to restart the match.

Zane Harrison also started at halfback and captain in Round Two against the Brisbane Tigers with Zane Harrison kicking six conversions from seven attempts with Zane Harrison kicking his first conversion of the Seagulls 40 – 18 victory in the 32nd minute from the left touchline to convert Brock Lennox’s try.

Zane Harrison added a second conversion in the 35th minute to convert Corey Pearce’s try from mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field before kicking a third conversion from eight metres in from the left touchline. Zane Harrison kicked his fourth conversion from two metres to the left of the uprights to convert Zac Kumbamong’s 52nd minute try.

Zane Harrison kicked his fifth conversion 58th minute to convert Corey Pearce’s second try from six metres in from the left touchline before Zane Harrison kicked his sixth and final conversion in the 65th minute from the left touchline to convert Josh Donovan-Skinners try that Zane Harrison had set up.

Zane Harrison also recorded a try assist in the 2nd minute when from the right of the play the ball twenty metres out and in the centre of the field, Zane Harrison put in a right foot chip kick to the right winger with the kick ideally weighted for the Seagulls winger to race through without breaking stride to take the ball on the full and score in the corner.

Zane Harrison recorded a second try assist in the 65th minute when from the left of the dummy half and four metres from the try line, Zane Harrison threw a hard flat cut-out pass to his left onto the chest of Joshua Donovan-Skinner who crossed the try line near the left corner post.

Zane Harrison also made a line break in the 34th minute when after receiving a great short off-load from his left from Zac Kumbamong three metres inside Tigers territory, Zane Harrison accelerated downfield through the centre of the field to thirty metres from the try line.

Zane Harrison put in a good kick in the 68th minute with a low hard driving right foot kick from the right of the play the ball and twelve metres from the halfway mark with the kick too much for the Tigers fullback who knocked the ball on near the goal line with the Seagulls getting six more tackles as a result in a good attacking position.

Earlier in the 7th minute from the left of the play the ball and twelve metres from the try line Zane Harrison looked to thread a right foot stab grubber kick into the in-goal area but after his kick was played at by a Tigers player Zane Harrison reacted quickly to dive on the ball with the referee waving dix again for Tweed Heads.

Zane Harrison continued at halfback and captain in Round Three against the Norths Devils with Zane Harrison kicking five conversions from six attempts. Zane Harrison kicked his initial conversion in the 8th minute to convert Tyson Ploegsma’s long range try from seven metres to the left of the goal posts with Zane Harrison’s second conversion coming from the almost identical spot in the 14th minute to convert Jack Schmidt’s try.

Zane Harrison’s final three conversions were in relation to converting Zac Kumbamong’s hat trick with the first coming in the 50th minute from four metres to the left of the goal posts. That was followed by a conversion from in front of the gaol posts in the 57th minute and then from ten metres to the left of the goal posts in the 61st minute.

Zane Harrison also recorded a line break assist in the 57th minute when from the left of the play the ball Zane Harrison took the ball deep into the defensive line before throwing a great delayed pass to his left to Junior Filimaua who burst between two defenders only to be held up over the try line. Zane Harrison however paid for his ball playing when he was hit from behind late with the referee bringing the play back over Junior Filimaua was held up to award Zane Harrison a penalty.

Zane Harrison’s performance saw him receive a special mention in relation to the Courier Mail MM Cup Round Three Team of the Week.

Zane Harrison also started at halfback and captain in Round Four against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Zane Harrison kicking three conversions in a high quality 22 all draw.

Zane Harrison kicked his first conversion in the 8th minute to convert Jack Hudson’s try out of dummy half from mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field. Zane Harrisons’ second and third conversions where kicked to convert Mason Barber’s two tries with Zane Harrison kicking the first of the two in the 51st minute from mid-way between the posts and corner post on the left side of the field with the two coming from a near identical position in the 64th minute.

Zane Harrison was able to force a Redcliffe goal line drop-out in the 13th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the dummy half Zane Harrison put a right foot grubber into the in-goal which was taken dead by the Dolphins fullback.

Zane Harrison also put in a number of kick-off’s that achieved positive results with the first coming in the 18th minute when Zane Harrison’s high right foot kick-off to his right was dropped in-goal by the Dolphins to force another goal line drop-out. Another Zane Harrison kick-off to the right was also dropped by the Dolphins in their in-goal area in the 28th minute.

The 64th minute saw Zane Harrison track back to collect an errant Tweed Heads pass thirty two metres from his own try line with Zane Harrison then beating two defenders with a darting and stepping run to get the ball within ten metres of the try line.

Zane Harrison did well defensively in the 62nd minute when after defending on his own try line and directly in front of his posts, Zane Harrison moved forward and intercepted a Dolphins pass with Redcliffe looking dangerous with Zane Harrison getting the ball over the ten metre mark with Zane Harrison awarded a penalty for a crusher tackle.

Zane Harrison’s performance saw him receive a special mention in the Courier Mail Round Four MM Cup Team of the Week.

Zane Harrison continued at halfback and captain in Round Six against the Souths Logan Magpies with Zane Harrison scoring a try and kicking five conversions in a dominant Seagulls victory.

Zane Harrison scored in the 42nd minute when after backing up a half break Zane Harrison received the ball eighteen metres out and after running directly at the Magpies fullback Zane Harrison stepped off his right foot to wrong foot the fullback to score under the posts. Zane Harrison then converted his own try.

Zane Harrison also recorded a try assist in the when from the right of the play the ball and nine metres from the try line Zane Harrison threw a superb pas to his right to Sam Stephenson who had a comfortable run to score three metres to the right of the goal posts.

Zane Harrison added a line break assist in the 34th minute when from two passes to the left of the play the ball Zane Harrison delayed his pass to the left until the last possible moment (and paid for it) to put his left second rower into a gap seventeen metres from the try line with the second rower coming close to scoring in the left corner.

Zane Harrison kicked his first conversion in the 19th minute to convert Zac Kumbamong’s try under the posts, Zane Harrison then added a second conversion from directly in front in the 22nd minute after a try from a kick-off. Zane Harrison then converted his own try also from in front of the posts in the 42nd minute with Zane Harrison then converting a try that he set up for Sam Stephenson from three metres to the right of the posts. Zane Harrison then kicked his final conversion in the 67th minute also from directly in front to covert Mason Barber’s try.

In just the 4th minute of the match Zane Harrison ran the ball himself down a short right blindside and after dummying to his right Zane Harrison was able to carry the ball from forty seven metres to within thirty two metres of the try line.

Zane Harrison’s attacking kicking game was on song as was evidenced by a high right foot bomb from down a right blindside thirty five metres out in the 13th minute with Zane Harrison’s swirling bomb dropped by the Magpies fullback three metres from the try line.

Zane Harrison made an outstanding cover defending tackle in the 47th minute on the Souths Logan left winger with Zane Harrison’s covering tackle taking the winger over the right touch line thirty two metres from the Seagulls try line.

Zane Harrison’s performance saw him named at halfback in the Courier Mail MM Cup 2024 Round Six Team of the Week.

Zane Harrison also started at halfback and captain in the Round Seven local derby against the Burleigh Bears with Zane Harrison scoring a try and kicking six conversions from as many attempts in a dominant Seagulls victory.

Zane Harrison scored in the 30th minute when he backed up and received a pass from his left from Billy Wellard with Zane Harrison running five metres before putting the ball down eleven metres in from the right corner post. Zane Harrison then converted his own try.

Zane Harrison kicked his initial conversion in the 16th minute from a metre to the right of the goal posts to convert Corey Pearce try out of dummy half, Zane Harrison then kicked his second conversion in the 30th minute when he converted his own try from eleven metres in from the right touchline. Zane Harrison then added a third conversion in the 35th minute to covert Sam Stepehnson’s try with a great strike from three metres in from the right touchline before kicking a fourth from three metres to the right of the uprights to convert a try that he had set up for Junior Filimaua. Zane Harrison kicked his fifth from directly in front to convert Mason Barber’s try in the 42nd minute with Zane Harrison adding his final conversion in the 57th minute from three metres to the left of the goal posts.

The 38th minute saw Zane Harrison set up a Tweed Heads try when from ten metres out and to the right of the play the ball Zane Harrison took the ball right to the defensive lien before put in a right foot grubber kick into the in-goal with Junior Filimauau easily getting to the ball first and ground it in the in-goal with two hands three metres to the right of the goal posts.

Zane Harrison also forced a Burleigh goal line drop-out in the 34th minute when from ten metres from the try line and to the left of the play the ball Zane Harrison put in a right foot grubber kick into the in-goal to see the Bears fullback trapped by the Seagulls chasers in-goal.

Zane Harrison made a half break in the 9th minute when after picking up a Burleigh lost ball five metres inside his own territory Zane Harrison accelerated downfield before being caught from behind eight metres into Burleigh territory. Zane Harrison also ran the ball in the 46th minute with an effort through the centre of the field from twenty seven metres from the try line to within ten metres. Then in the 55th minute from the right of the play the ball Zane Harrison darted from forty metres out to within twenty seven metres of the try line before being awarded a penalty when he caught the Bears defence offside.

Zane Harrison’s performance saw him named at halfback in the Courier Mail MM Cup 2024 Round Seven Team of the Week.

Zane Harrison continued at halfback and captain in Round Ten against the Ipswich Jets with Zane Harrison scoring in the 58th minute after backing up a Jake Lateo line break to receive the pass from his fullback from his right and run ten metres uninterrupted to score under the posts.

Zane Harrison recorded the first of his two try assists in the 51st minute by way of a mid-field bomb to the right with Sam Stephenson on hand to scoop up the ball after it was dropped by the Ipswich left winger to run twenty metres down the right touchline to score in the corner.

Zane Harrison added a second try assist in the 57th minute when from the right of the play the ball and ten metres from the try line Zane Harrison held up a pass to his right to Jake Lateo to allow him to get on the outside of the Jets left centre to score eight metres in from the right corner post.

Zane Harrison also kicked four conversions with Zane Harrison kicking his initial conversion in the 11th minute from in front of the posts to convert Ryder Williams’s try with Zane Harrison converting a second try from under the posts in the 21st minute to convert Jack Schmidt’s try. Zane Harrision then made it three conversions from in front in the 63rd minute before converting his own try also from directly in front in the 58th minute.

Zane Harrison was also involved in a good Tweed Heads movement in the 59th minute when after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball near the halfway mark, Zane Harrison stepped off his right foot to beat one defender to put Junior Filimaua into space.

Zane Harrison made a darting and stepping run in the 7th minute from the right of the play the ball with Zane Harrison getting the ball from thirty two metres to within twenty metres of the try line.

Zane Harrison did well defensively in the 26th minute when he raced to his right in cover defence and hit the Ipswich left centre by coming over the top as he was able to put the ball down to prevent a try on the last tackle.

Zane Harrison also started at halfback in Roud Eleven against the Brisbane Tigers with Zane Harrison kicking three conversions with Zane Harrison kicking his first conversion in the 11th minute from five metres in from the left touchline, with Zane Harrison kicking his second conversion in the 35th minute from ten metres in from the left touchline, Zane Harrison then kicked his third conversion in the 41st minute to convert Zac Kumbamong’s try from three metres to the left of the goal posts.

Zane Harrison made a stepping and darting run to the right of the play the ball to run the ball from twenty two metres to thirty five metres from his try line.

Zane Harrison also started at halfback and captain in the Preliminary Final against the Ipswich Jets with Zane Harrison kicking a perfect seven from seven conversions with Zane Harrison kicking his initial conversion in the 28th minute from directly in front to convert Zac Kumbamong’s try. Zane Harrison added a second conversion in the 36th minute from ten metres to the left of the post and then kicked his third in the 38th minute from four metres to the right of the goal posts to convert Jake Lateo’s try. Zane Harrison’s fourth conversion came in the 48th minute from two metres to the right of the posts to convert Ryder Williams’s try.

Zane Harrison kicked his fifth conversion in the 52nd minute from ten metres in from the left touchline with his sixth in the 54th minute from two metres to the left of the goal posts. Zane Harrison made it a perfect seven conversions in the 68th minute to convert Jack Schmidt’s long range try from ten metres in from the right touchline.

Zane Harrison recorded the first of his two try assists in the 33rd minute buy way of a right foot grubber kick into the in-goal from the left of the play the ball and ten metres out with Jac Finigan winning the race to the ball.

Zane Harrison recorded his second try assist in the 38th minute with a superb piece of individual brilliance. After receiving the ball seventeen metres from the try line and directly in front of the posts, Zane Harrison stepped of his left foot and after dummying to his right burst through the defensive line and when three metres from the try line and being tackled by the Ipswich fullback Zane Harrison threw a great right arm pass to his left onto the chest of Jake Lateo who dived over to score next to the right goal post.

Zane Harrison also forced an Ipswich goal line drop-out in the 68th minute with a deft right foot grubber kick into the in-goal from ten metres out and to the right of the play the ball with the Ipswich fullback forced to run the ball over the dead ball line.

The 5th minute saw Zane Harrison run the ball down a right blindside from two metres inside his own half to ten metres into Jets territory. Then in the 28th minute after picking up an Ipswich knock on Zane Harrison darted through the centre of the field from thirty four metres to within twenty one metres of the try line.

The 62nd minute saw Zane Harrison make an outstanding try saving tackle on the Jets right winger to knock the ball out of his grasp over the try line.

Zane Harrison started at halfback and captain for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the 2024 MM Cup Grand Final against the Burleigh Bears with Zane Harrison scoring in the 32nd minute when after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball and twenty two metres from the try line Zane Harrison stepped off his right foot to beat one defender before a second Zane Harrison right foot step allowed him to beat the fullback and score under the posts.

Zane Harrison also recorded a try assist in the 61st minute with a run deep into the defensive line to the right of a Tweed Heads scrum win with Zane Harrison running to within twelve metres of the try line before putting a well weighted pass onto the chest of Sam Stephenson who sliced between two defenders to score four metres in from the right corner post.

Zane Harrison had to wait just two minutes to kick his first conversion from directly in front with Zane Harrison then kicking his second conversion in the 25th minute from two metres in from the left touchline. In the 27th minute from four metres to the left of the goal posts Zane Harrison kicked his third and Zane Harrison then added a fourth conversion in the 32nd minute to convert his own try from directly in front before kicking his final conversion in the 48th minute with a great strike from the left touchline.

Zane Harrison was also heavily involved in a Tweed Heads try in the 48th minute when he created space for his outside backs after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball and with his footwork to straighten up the Seagulls points of attack and going deep into the defensive line Zane Harrison with a well timed pass to his left created space for his left centre to set up his winger to score in the left corner.

Zane Harrison did well defensively in the 47th minute when along with Junior Filimaua and Jack Hudson they initially held Burleigh five eight Bailey McConnell up over the try line before forcing him back into the field of play. Earlier in the 7th minute along with Jack Schmidt, Zane Harrison held up the giant Burleigh left second rower No. 12 over the try line ten metres to the right of the goal posts.

Due to his performance Zane Harrison was deservedly named the 2024 MM Cup Grand Final Player of the Match.

At the conclusion of the MM Cup competition Zane Harrison was named at halfback in the 2024 Courier Mail Mal Meninga Cup Team of the Season and at the Tweed Heads Seagulls Presentation Night Zane Harrison was named the 2024 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup Best and Fairest Player. Zane Harrison was also named the 2024 MM Cup Most Valuable Player at the Queensland Rugby League Awards Night.

In January 2023 Zane Harrison started at halfback for the Titans U17 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights with Zane Harrison kicking two conversions from three attempts. Zane Harrison’s first conversion came in the 45th minute when he converted Zac Kumbamong’s try from just to the left of the uprights and Zane Harrison kicked his second conversion from an almost identical spot to convert Cooper Bai’s 65th minute try.

Zane Harrison showcased his elite tactical kicking skills in just the 2nd minute of the match when from thirty metres out Zane Harrison put up a high kick towards the Titans right corner with the Knights fullback unable to take the kick on the full to knock on thirteen metres out to put the Titans immediately onto the attack.

Zane Harrison put in another good attacking kick in the 18th minute when once again from thirty metres out Zane Harrison put in a high kick towards the right corner with Titans winger Noah Waldock taking the Knights fullback into touch a metre from the corner post after the fullback had to take the ball on the full just out from the try line and just in from touch.

Zane Harrison executed a smart piece of play in the 21st minute when after a Newcastle grubber kick went dead in goal, Zane Harrison grabbed the ball and raced back to the twenty metre mark to take a quick tap and make fifteen metres downfield before the Knights defensive line could react.

Zane Harrison made a further strong run in the 49th minute when after receiving the ball from his left, Zane Harrison ran the ball down a short right blindside from twenty nine metres out from the try line. As he approached the defensive line cut back towards the area behind the play the ball and through sheer force of will Zane Harrison was able to promote the ball within five metres of the try line before he was finally brought to ground.

Zane Harrison made his presence felt defensively in the opening minute of the match when Zane Harrison executed a great driving right shoulder tackle on the Knights left second rower.

Zane Harrison also started at halfback a week later for the Titans U17’s against the Brisbane Bronco’s U17’s on the Gold Coast with Zane Harrison putting in a strong and assured display on his usual right side of the field.

In addition to converting Sam Stephenson’s mid first half try from ten metres to the left of the uprights, Zane Harrison also recorded two Bronco’s forced goal line dropouts in the first half. On each of the two occasions Zane Harrison received the ball to the right of the play the ball and around thirty five to forty metres out with Zane Harrison putting in a perfectly weighted right foot kick on each occasion with the ball sitting up in the in-goal forcing the Bronco’s defence to take the ball dead on both occasions. On both occasions Zane Harrison was one of the first Titans chasers downfield to ensure that the Bronco’s fullback had no chance of getting the ball out of the in-goal area.

2023 saw Zane Harrison move to the Bilambil Jets in the NRRRL competition with Zane Harrison being in line to make his NRRRL First Grade debut and Bilambil debut in Round One against the Tweed Coast Raiders, however a niggling injury saw Zane Harrison ruled out.

Zane Harrison made his NRRRL First Grade debut at halfback for the Jets in Round Twelve against the Murwillumbah Mustangs and to say that Zane Harrison put in an assured performance would be an absolute understatement.

Zane Harrison made a line break in the 55th minute when from the right of the play the ball in the centre of the field and twenty five metres from the try line Zane Harrison showed the ball to his right before slicing between two defenders before stepping off his right foot to beat the fullback only to be dragged down from behind by the cover defence just four metres out and directly in front of the goal post. Zane Harrison then was awarded a penalty for being held down too long in the tackle.

Zane Harrison also ran the ball well earlier in the match in the 23rd minute when from the left of the dummy half Zane Harrison stepped off his right foot to dart from thirty metres out to fifteen metres out in from the goal posts. Then in the 64th minute after receiving the ball from an off-load from one of his forwards Zane Harrison was able to get the ball from ten metres inside his own territory to eight metres into Murwillumbah territory.

Zane Harrison then in the 79th minute from the right of the dummy half, cut inside off his right foot to get from thirty one metres from the try line to sixteen metres out.

Zane Harrison showed that he was not over awed playing against men in the 21st minute with a strong right shoulder tackle on the giant Murwillumbah left centre to left him off the ground and put him on his back four metres out from the try line near the right corner.

Zane Harrison also did well in the 19th minute to dive on a Murwillumbah attacking grubber kick going to his right and then did even better to stay in the field of play and not allowing the Mustangs defenders to drag him back into the in-goal.

Round One of the 2023 New South Wales Country Rugby League U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition saw Zane Harrison named at halfback for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights with Zane Harrison putting in a dominant display to easily be the best player on the field. Zane Harrison filled up his stats sheet including kicking three conversions from four attempts an after the final siren penalty goal and three try assists amongst others.

Zane Harrison’s first conversion came in the 20th minute to convert Ayden Byrnes try that Zane Harrison recorded a try assist for from ten metres to the right of the uprights. Zane Harrison added a second conversion in the 38th minute from directly in front of the posts to convert Tyler Whittington’s try. Zane Harrison’s third conversion was the best of the three when from right on the right touch line Zane Harrison converted Creedence Donovan’s 46th minute try, a try that Zane Harrison in fact had set up.

Then after the final siren had sounded Zane Harrison kicked a penalty goal from twenty five metres out and directly in front of the goal posts to seal a 24 – 20 for the Northern Rivers Titans.

Zane Harrison’s first try assist came in the 15th minute when after he received the ball two plays to the left of a Titans scrum win ten metres out with the scrum packed in the centre of the field, Zane Harrison ran to his left and after drawing in the Newcastle right winger Zane Harrison put Noah Waldock over three metres in from the left corner post.

Zane Harrison recorded his second try assist in the 20th minute when after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball from Ayden Byrnes whilst eighteen metres out, Zane Harrison initially moved to his right before stopping on the spot and chipping back inside into the in-goal with Ayden Byrnes winning the race to score ten metres to the right of the posts. Zane Harrison then stepped up to convert the try.

Zane Harrison made it a hat trick of try assists in the 46th minute with a pass that any NRL halfback would be proud of. With the Northern Rivers Titans on the attack twenty metres out and just to the left of the uprights, Zane Harrison took possession of the ball two passes to the right of the play the ball and after running the ball towards the defensive line, Zane Harrison timed his pass perfectly to bypass one support runner and put the ball onto the chest of Creedence Donovan as he burst into a huge gap to score two metres in from the right corner post. No description could do the pass justice, it was that good! Zane Harrison then converted the try from the touch line.

Zane Harrison came close to scoring himself in the 64th minute when after receiving the ball down a short right blindside twenty metres out Zane Harrison shaped to pass to his right before stepping of his right foot to easily beat three defenders with Zane Harrison accelerating towards the try line with a right foot step by Zane Harrison beating a fourth defender before he was held up over the try line adjacent to the right upright.

Zane Harrison also made a line break in the 11th minute when after the Northern Rivers Titans knocked the ball backwards when bringing the ball out of their own territory, Zane Harrison tracked back to collect the ball thirty two metres out from his own try line and then ran the ball towards the right touchline. Zane Harrison beat one Knights defender before cutting back to the inside beating two defenders with his speed before a Zane Harrison right foot step beat a fourth with Zane Harrison then able to off-load to his fullback thirty metres out from the Newcastle try line.

Zane Harrison made a second line break in the 53rd minute when after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball thirty tow metres out from his own try line Zane Harrison ran the ball down a short blindside dummying to his right before utilising a left arm fend to beat a defender (No. 6) before being tackle forty metres out from the Northern Rivers Titans try line.

Zane Harrison also kicked well against the Knights including in the 15th minute when from eighteen metres out and in the centre of the field Zane Harrison put up a bomb to the right corner which was knocked in by the Newcastle left winger, with Zane Harrison setting up a try in the opposite corner for Noah Waldock from the subsequent scrum.

Zane Harrison put in another smart kick in the 41st minute when from forty two metres out from his own try line and to the right of the play the ball Zane Harrison put in a hard low right foot kick into to the right corner with Zane Harrison chasing his own kick through to be involved I the tackle to trap the Knights player just three metres out from his own try line.

Zane Harrison’s initial impact of the match came inside the opening minute when on the final tackle from the Northern Rivers Titans first set of six tackles, Zane Harrison, from the right of the play the ball and thirty eight metres out from his own try line, put in a long raking right foot kick which the Knights fullback could only retrieve from on his own try line with Zane Harrison the first Northern Rivers Titans defender downfield to execute the tackle still inside the ten metre mark from the Newcastle try line.

Zane Harrison showcased his effort in the 31st minute when he chased through a Callum Bowles grubber into the in-gaol to tackle the Knights fullback there and force a goal line drop-out. Then in the 36th minute Zane Harrison chased back a Knights short kick in behind the Northern Rivers Titans defensive line to retrieve the ball ten metres out from his own try line with Zane Harrison then able to return the ball twelve metres to get the ball out of the twenty metre area.

Zane Harrison was also named at halfback for Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters with Zane Harrison kicking three conversions from four attempts as the Northern Rivers Titans held on to win 22 -20.

Zane Harrison kicked the first of his three conversions in the 10th minute to convert Creedence Donovan’s try seven metres to the right of the uprights. Then from directly in front Zane Harrison converted Creedence Donovan’s second try in the 25th minute before Zane Harrison’s third and final conversion came in the 45th minute when he converted Riley Buchanan’s try from just to the right of the uprights.

Zane Harrison was heavily involved in Creedence Donovan’s try in the 10th minute when from thirty metres out and in the centre of the field Zane Harrison put in a high bomb towards the right side of the field which came down two metres from the try line. Northern Rivers Titans right winger Noah Waldock contested the ball and after it was knocked on by the Roosters left winger the ball fell perfectly for Creedence Donovan to score seven metres to the right of the uprights. Zane Harrison then converted the try.

Zane Harrison ran the ball smartly himself in the 33rd minute when after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball and six metres inside his own territory down a wide right blindside Zane Harrison dummied to his outside before stepping off his right foot to get the ball nine metres inside Central Coast territory.

Zane Harrison was also named at halfback for Round Three against the South Coast Dragons with Zane Harrison converting Taylor Whittington’s 55th minute try from in front of the posts.

Zane Harrison continued at halfback and captain in Round Four against the Northern Tigers with Zane Harrison kicking two conversions, the first of which came in the 13th minute to convert Taylor Whittington’s try from five metres to the right of the uprights. Then in the 43rd minute Zane Harrison converted Ayden Byrnes outstanding solo try from four metres to the left of the uprights.

Zane Harrison also made a great tackle on the Northern Tigers left second rower (No. 12) thirty metres out from his own try line with Zane Harrison’s heavy initial tackle forcing the ball loose.

Zane Harrison also started at halfback and captain in Round Five against the North Coast Bulldogs with Zane Harrison scoring a try and kicking four conversions in the Titans big win.

Zane Harrison scored in the 43rd minute when from eight metres out from the try line and to the right of the play the ball Zane Harrison dummied to both his inside and outside before running himself to force his way through to defenders to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.

Zane Harrison kicked his first conversion in the 21st minute to convert Levi Dangerfield’s try from ten metres in from the left touchline. Zane Harrison kicked his second conversion in the 43rd minute when he converted his own try from mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field. Zane Harrison kicked his third conversion in the 48th minute converting Ayden Byrnes 48th minute try from five metres to the right of uprights before kicking his final conversion in the 60th minute to convert Brady Turner’s try eight metres to the right of the uprights.

Zane Harrison recorded a line break in the 53rd minute when after receiving an off-load from Brady Turner Zane Harrison made a twenty metre line break through the centre of the field. Zane Harrison was then awarded a penalty for being held down too long in the tackle.

Zane Harrison also recorded a line break assist in the 4th minute when after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball Zane Harrison continued to run the ball in the same direction before throwing a smart inside pass to his fullback from twelve metres out with his team mate being brought to ground less than two metres from the try line.

Zane Harrison recorded a second line break assist in the 35th minute when from twenty five metres out and to the right of the play the ball Zane Harrison threw hard flat cut-out pass to his right to put Creedence Donovan immediately on the outside of his direct opponent and away down the right touchline.

 

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Part Two:

Zane Harrison ran the ball well himself in the 28th minute when after taking possession twenty metres away from the try line and to the right of the play the ball Zane Harrison dummied to his inside before stepping his way past three defenders before being tackled less than a metre from the try line.

Defensively Zane Harrison did well in the 9th minute with a driving tackle on the North Coast left winger twenty metres out from the try line. Zane Harrison made an even better tackle in the 33rd minute with a try saving effort in the right corner with Zane Harrison racing across the field in cover defence to force the ball loose as the North Coast left winger was attempting to ground the ball with a diving effort.

Round Six of the 2023 Mal Meninga Cup competition saw Zane Harrison start at five eight for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Norths Devils with Zane Harrison kicking one conversion from three attempts with Zane Harrison converting Orlando Meturika’s 23rd minute try from the right touchline. To be fair to Zane Harrison however the second conversion that he missed was from the left touchline in the 52nd minute and his missed conversion of Jake Lateo’s 17th minute try looked to me as if it had snuck inside the right goal post however the two touch judges disagreed.

Zane Harrison also recorded a try assist in the 52nd minute when after taking possession of the ball off the dummy half twenty five metres out and down a wide left blindside, Zane Harrison continued to run the ball to his left dummying to an inside runner before Zane Harrison straightened the attacking vector up and threw a great cut out pass to his left to put Matthew Barrow away down the left touchline to run over the top of the Norths fullback and score in the left corner.

Zane Harrison also recorded a line break assist in the 22nd minute when whilst operating to the left of the play the ball Zane Harrison ran the ball deep into the defensive line and got a good ball away to his left to put his second rower away from twenty two metres out to the ten metre mark.

Zane Harrison also forced a Norths goal line drop-out in the 33rd minute when from eight metres out Zane Harrison put in a right foot grubber kick as he ran the ball down a short left blindside with the ball having to be kicked dead by the Devils cover defence.

Zane Harrison made one of the best try saving tackles that I have seen in the 42nd minute when as the Norths right winger looked set to score in the corner Zane Harrison came out of nowhere to hit him just before the try line with Zane Harrison then flipping the winger on his back to execute a ridiculously impressive try saving tackle.

Earlier in the match in the 29th minute Zane Harrison had made another try saving tackle when whilst defending on the left side of the field Zane Harrison drove his left shoulder through the Norths No. 10 to stop the giant front rower from close range.

Zane Harrison made a truly intelligent decision in the 68th minute when with the Seagulls down to twelve men and leading by just four points Zane Harrison dropped back out of the defensive line and was perfectly placed to take a Norths grubber kick cleanly on his own try line and next to the left upright with Zane Harrison then able to get the ball out to the ten metre mark to relieve the pressure.

Zane Harrison moved to halfback in the Round Seven local derby against the Burleigh Bears with once again Zane Harrison putting in a player of the match performance on the way to recording four try assist and kicking four conversions in a big Tweed Heads victory.

Zane Harrison recorded his first try assist in the 19th minute and it was one of the strangest ones that I have ever seen, when from nineteen metres out and just to the right of the uprights Zane Harrison put in a right foot grubber kick towards the right corner. Then the Burleigh winger kicked the ball across field and into the arms of Seagulls fullback Mason Barber who literally fell over the try line to score next to the right upright.

Zane Harrison recorded a second try assist in the 23rd minute when after a long Tweed Heads intercept when defending their own try line, Zane Harrison received the ball from the dummy half twenty metres out and after running the ball down a short right blindside Zane Harrison summed the situation up and then drew the last Bears defender to put his centre over to score in the right corner.

Zane Harrison’s third try assist came in the 38th minute when from the right of the dummy half and eleven metres out Zane Harrison put in a right foot chip kick into the in-goal with the kick perfectly placed for Seagulls right winger Orlando Meturika to race through to take the kick on the full in the in-goal and get the ball down in the corner.

Zane Harrison rounded out his try assists in the match with his fourth try assist in the 57th minute when after receiving the ball around thirteen metres from the try line and to the right of the play the ball, Zane Harrison initially continued to run to his right and after showing the ball to a ball runner back in his inside Zane Harrison accelerated quickly to his right and threw a hard flat cut out pass to his right to his right winger Orlando Meturika who flew twelve metres down the touchline to cross the try line in the right corner before bringing the ball around closer to the goal post for the second try the two of them had combined to score in the match.

Zane Harrison crossed the try line himself in the 29th minute when a great step off his right foot from ten metres out to score ten metres from the right goal post however the referee ruled that one of the Bears defenders was obstructed thus ruled no try.

Zane Harrison also came close to scoring in the 13th minute when from twenty seven metres out and in the centre of the field Zane Harrison took the Burleigh defensive line on and after spinning away from the Bears left second rower Zane Harrison broke three more tackles before being tripped up from behind with the try line just seven metres in from of him.

Zane Harrison also made a line break in the 37th minute when from twenty five metres out and to the left of the play the ball Zane Harrison slowly ran the ball to his left parallel to the defensive line and then Zane Harrison after dummying to his left, exploded through a gap but was caught by the desperate Bears cover defence just two metres from the try line and ten metres to the left of the uprights.

Then in 43rd minute from twenty five metres out and to the left of the play the ball Zane Harrison stepped off his right foot to break through the defensive line only to be tackled two metres out. Zane Harrison was then awarded a penalty for being held down too long.

Zane Harrison made a further line break in the 53rd minute from thirty metres out from the try line and to the right of the dummy half with Zane Harrison stepped off his right foot to split the defensive line and break three tackles as Zane Harrison got the ball two metres into Burleigh territory.

Zane Harrison finished the 2023 MM Cup season recording four try assists and three line break assists.

In early March 2023 Zane Harrison was named at halfback for the South Coast School Boy Rugby League Open Representative side however injury prevented him from taking his place at the Championships.

Impressively Zane Harrison was named the 2023 PBC SHS School Boy Rugby League captain and after missing the opening three rounds due to injury Zane Harrison started at halfback and captain in Round Four of the School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup competition against Redcliffe SHS.

Zane Harrison made an outstanding return to the field in a good PBC SHS 36 – 16 victory with Zane Harrison scoring a double.

Zane Harrison scored the first of his two tries in the 28th minute when after earlier good work through the centre of the field from Will Saunders and Bailey McConnell, Zane Harrison received an off-load from his left from Bailey McConnell and had a twenty metre run to dive over to score under the posts.

Zane Harrison completed his double in the 60th minute when after receiving the ball to the right of a PBC SHS scrum win ten metres from the try line, Zane Harrison produced two prodigious right foot steps to beat defenders with Zane Harrison then darting over to score under the posts.

Zane Harrison also recorded a try assist in the 41st minute when after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball seven metres out from the try line Zane Harrison took the ball deep into the Redcliffe SHS defensive line and at the last possible moment Zane Harrison threw a good short ball to his right to Jac Finnigan who was running a hard straight crash line to score midway between the goa posts and corner post on the right side of the field.

Zane Harrison continued at halfback and captain in Round Five against Ipswich SHS with Zane Harrison kicking a conversion in the 13th minute from eight metres in from the left touchline to convert Bailey McConnell’s try.

Zane Harrison ran the ball well in the 12th minute when from the left of the play the ball Zane Harrison ran the ball down a short right blindside ten metres inside his own territory with Zane Harrison’s sniping run getting the ball ten metres inside Ipswich SHS territory with Zane Harrison then being awarded a penalty for being held down too long in the tackle.

Zane Harrison made a further darting run in the 34th minute from the right of the play the ball with Zane Harrison’s stepping run getting the ball from twelve metres out from his own try line to thirty five metes out in the centre of the field.

Zane Harrison was also named at halfback and captain in the Round Six Gold Coast derby against Keebra Park SHS with Zane Harrison the best player on the field as he led PBC SHS to an 18 – 6 victory.

In addition to an outstanding all round match Zane Harrison kicked three conversions from as many attempts with Zane Harrison kicking his opening conversion in the 7th minute from ten metres to the left of the uprights to convert Bailey McConnell first try. Zane Harrison also converted Bailey McConnell’s second try from directly in front in the 28th minute with Zane Harrison actually setting up the try as well. Zane Harrison kicked his third and final conversion 45th minute from ten metres in from the left touchline to convert Sam Stephenson’s try.

As noted Zane Harrison recorded a try assist for Bailey McConnell’s 28th minute with Zane Harrison putting a right foot grubber kick into the in-goal from the left of the play the ball with Bailey McConnell winning the race to the ball.

Zane Harrison also made a line break in the 38th minute when after running onto a good short ball from his left from Sam Stephenson from ten metres out from his own try line and two passes to the left of a PBC SHS scrum win, Zane Harrison cut through the Keebra Park SHS defensive line to carry the ball to within nine metres of the halfway mark.

Zane Harrison also ran the ball effectively in the 15th minute with a darting run targeting the area behind the play the ball form the right of the dummy half to get the ball from two metres inside Keebra Park SHS territory to thirty five metres from the try line with Zane Harrison then being awarded a penalty after the Keebra Park SHS halfback would not let go of Zane Harrison’s leg at let him play the ball.

Zane Harrison was at his dangerous best in as early as the 6th minute with a right foot grubber kick from centre of the field and to the left of the play the ball with the grubber kick travelling picked up in the in-gaol by the Keebra Park SHS hooker who could not get back into the field of play with Keebra Park SHS subsequently forced into a goal line drop-out.

The 51st minute saw Zane Harrison put up a towering bomb from forty five metres out from the try line and near the centre of the field with the ball coming down two metres from the try line with the swirling kick too good for the Keebra Park SHS winger who knocked the ball on.

Zane Harrison saved a near certain try in the 52nd minute when after Keebra Park SHS made a line break from deep inside their own territory the Keebra Park SHS raid had gotten the ball five metres into PBC SHS territory and with the PBC SHS fullback beaten the Keebra Park SHS off-loaded the ball to a support player in his inside to race away but Zane Harrison had other ideas and intercepted the pass and was able to get the ball back to two metres inside Keebra Park SHS territory.

Zane Harrison continued at halfback and captain in Round Seven against Wavell SHS with Zane Harrison kicking a key conversion to give PBC SHS a six point lead in the 53rd minute from twelve metres in from the left touchline to convert Bailey McConnell’s try to give PBC SHS the lead.

Zane Harrison also forced a Wavell SHS goal line drop-out in the 32nd minute when from the right of the dummy half and twelve metres out Zane Harrison put in a right foot grubber kick to his right into the in-goal with the Wavell SHS fullback forced to ground the ball in the in-goal.

Zane Harrison then put up a high mid-field bomb in the 38th minute that came down almost on top of the goal posts and was too much for the Wavell SHS fullback who dropped the ball cold but the referee ruled that the ball went backwards and called play on.

Zane Harrison made a smart play in the 59th minute when with Wavell SHS desperately chasing the match they put up a short kick-off to PBC SHS’s right but Zane Harrison took the kick-off on the full just after it had broken the ten metre plane with Zane Harrison then able to get the ball eight metres inside Wavell SHS territory with Zane Harrison then awarded a penalty after he had been tackled from behind.

After PBC SHS finished fourth on the 2023 School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup table after the completion of the regular season, Zane Harrison started at halfback and captain for PBC SHS in their Quarter Final clash against Keebra Park SHS with Zane Harrison converting Sam Stephenson’s 22nd minute try from mid-way between the corner post and goal posts on the left side of the field.

The 45th minute saw Zane Harrison make a good run from the right side of the field to the left with Zane Harrison’s run which made fifteen metres with Zane Harrison stepping off his left foot on three occasions and he cut across field to get within ten metres of the try line.

Earlier in the 20th minute after receiving the ball down a right blindside Zane Harrison put in a tight foot kick towards the right corner which was too good for the Keebra Park SHS defence who knocked the ball on just out from the try line to give PBC SHS the scrum feed in a good attacking position with PBC SHS scoring from a scrum move directly from the scrum.

Zane Harrison was also named at halfback and captain for the Langer Cup Semi-Final against Marsden SHS with Zane Harrison kicking two conversions. Zane Harrison kicked his first conversion in the 39th minute to convert Creedence Donovan’s try from three metres to the left of the uprights. Zane Harrison then converted Sam Stephenson’s 45th minute try from the left touchline.

Zane Harrison almost scored himself in the 59th minute with a darting, stepping run from the left of the play the ball twelve metres out with Zane Harrison only tackled centremetres short of the try line three metres to the left of the uprights.

Zane Harrison was simply outstanding leading PBC SHS around the field and directly the play with Zane Harrison’s kicking game also outstanding including a 14th minute bomb to the right side of the field which was too good for the Marsden SHS winger who dropped the ball ten metres out.

Zane Harrison also started at halfback and captain in the 2023 School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup Grand Final against Ipswich SHS with Zane Harrison kicking two outstanding conversions, the first coming from the left touchline in the 32nd minute to convert Creedence Donovan’s try in the left corner and the second from the right touchline in the 48th minute to convert Sunny Kama’s second try of the Grand Final.

Zane Harrison also forced an Ipswich SHS goal line drop-out in the 46th minute when from the left of the play the ball Zane Harrison put a right foot grubber kick into the in-goal area from around ten metres out with the Ipswich SHS defender forced to knock the ball over the dead ball line.

In the 4th minute of the Grand Final, from the right of the play the ball Zane Harrison made a stepping and darting run down a short right blindside to get within four metres of the try line after Zane Harrison took possession of the ball twenty metres out.

At the conclusion of the competition Zane Harrison was named at five eight in the 2023 Courier Mail School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup Team of the Year and in early September 2023 Zane Harrison was also named on the bench in the Courier Mail’s PBC SHS Rugby League Team of the 2020’s to date.

Zane Harrison also started at halfback and captain for PBC SHS against St Patrick’s College in Mackay in the Phil Hall Cup to determine the best Queensland School Boy Rugby League side of 2023 with Zane Harrison recording a try assist and kicking four conversions from five attempts in a big PBC SHS 28 – 0 victory.

Zane Harrison kicked his initial conversion in the 10th minute from directly in front of the goal posts to convert the first of Bailey McConnell’s two tries. Zane Harrison added a second conversion in the 37th minute from ten metres in from the left touchline, with his third coming from in front of the posts once again in the 51st minute to convert Sam Stephenson’s try. Zane Harrison kicked his fourth and final conversion after the fulltime siren from eight metres to the left of the goal posts to convert Bailey McConnell’s second try.

Zane Harrison recorded his try assist in the 10th minute when after running the ball to the left from the left of the play the ball, Zane Harrison to the first inside runner being his twin brother Isaac, before passing inside to the second runner being Bailey McConnell who darted over to score under the posts from ten metres out.

Zane Harrison also recorded a line break assist in the 35th minute when after taking possession of the ball forty two metres out, Zane Harrison ran the ball to the defensive line and at the last possible moment threw an inside pass to Ray Puru who charged to within eight metres of the try line.

Zane Harrison ran the ball well himself in the 9th minute from the right of the play the ball from the halfway mark with Zane Harrison stepping off his right foot to make nineteen metres to thirty one metres from the halfway mark. Then in the 19th minute Zane Harrison stepped off his right foot once again when from the right of the play the ball, Zane Harrison ran the ball to within five metres of the try line from nineteen metres out.

In just the 3rd minute from thirty metres out and in the centre of the field Zane Harrison put up a high bomb that came down two metres from the try line and in front of the posts with the St Patrick’s hit by Jac Finnigan and forced back into the in-goal area. Then in the 4th minute from the right of the play the ball and eight metres out, Zane Harrison put in a short chip kick towards the eight corner post with once again St Patrick’s forced back into the in-goal area for another goal line drop-out restart.

Zane Harrison also showed his mettle defensively in the 26th minute with a strong tackle on the St Patrick’s five eight two metres from the try line with Zane Harrison driving his opponent two metres backwards.

Zane Harrison continued at halfback and captain in the 2023 NRL School Boy Rugby League Grand Final against Westfields Sports High and in the 44th minute after taking possession of the ball forty two metres out from the try line and to the right of the play the ball, stepped off his right foot to target the area behind the ruck and was able to get to the twenty seven metre mark with Zane Harrison then awarded a penalty for Westfield Sports High ruck interference.

Zane Harrison defended on the right side of the field for PBC SHS and had a great battle with the Westfield’s Sports High left second rower No 11 with Zane Harrison taking the points victory. The first time that the No. 11 targeted Zane Harrison came in the 7th minute but Zane Harrison was able to make a low try saving tackle on him to stop him two metres out mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.

Then in the 6th minute Zane Harrison crunched the second rower with a good right shoulder hit six metres out with Zane Harrison following up in the 13th minute with a driving tackle in the same second rower with Zane Harrison hitting him under the rib cage and rocking him forty metres out from the try line.

In the 27th minute the Westfield’s Sport High five eight made a half break from deep inside his own territory but Zane Harrison stopped him in his tracks with a crunching front on right shoulder tackle thirty five metres out from the Westfield’s Sport High try line.

At the 2023 PBC SHS Sports Awards Night Zane Harrison received the PBC SHS School Boy Rugby League Year 12 Reds Award. Zane Harrison was also equal third in the 2023 PBC SHS Craig Weston Medal with Sam Stephenson receiving eight votes.

At the conclusion of the 2023 School Boy sporting season Zane Harrison was named one of the top 2023 School Boy Rugby league talents by the Courier Mail.

In late October 2023 Zane Harrison was named in a New South Wales U17 Invitational side that played a touring Warrington U17 squad in Sydney with Zane Harrison starting from the bench (No. 14) as the New South Wales Invitational side coached by Geoff Tovey won 52 – 10.

After coming onto the field to operate in the dummy half role in the 25th minute Zane Harrison scored in the 27th minute when after following through a NSW chip kick from one of the halves Zane Harrison was on hand to receive a pass from his right with Zane Harrison then running sixteen metres to dive over to score under the posts.

Zane Harrison also recorded two try assists with the first of his try assists coming in the 41st minute when after moving into dummy half with the play the ball six metres out and twelve metres to the left of the goal posts, Zane Harrison ran to his right and after running parallel to the Warrington defensive line Zane Harrison brought the NSW No. 15 back underneath him with the replacement forward crashing over to score eight metres to the left of the goal posts.

Zane Harrison recorded his second try assist in the 65th minute and it was eerily similar to his first try assist of the match. Once again Zane Harrison moved parallel to the Warrington defensive line after running out of dummy half to his right, on this occasion from four metres out, Zane Harrison brought a NSW forward underneath him (No. 10 on his occasion) to crash over to score seven metres to the left of the goal posts.

In the 36th minute Zane Harrison ran out of dummy half to his right and was able to promote the ball from thirty three metres out from his own try line to within three metres of the halfway mark.

In late December 2023 Zane Harrison was named by the Courier Mail as one of Queensland’s 2023 Top 100 Sporting Prodigies.

In November 2022 Zane Harrison was named in the New South Wales Junior Blue’s squad for a two day camp which featured sessions taken by New South Wales State of Origin coach Brad Fittler.

In early December 2022 Zane Harrison took part in a joint training session between the Titans JTS contracted players and the Titans NRL off-season training squad.

In early August 2022 Zane Harrison was deservedly named as one of the 2022 Tom Searle Scholarship winners.

In late January 2022 Zane Harrison started at halfback for the Titans U16 side in a match at Pizzey Park against the Sydney Bulldogs with Zane Harrison being, in my opinion, the Titans best.

The match saw Zane Harrison captain the Titans side and set up both of the Titans tries.

Zane Harrison’s opening try assist came in the 11th minute when he called the ball down a wide right blindside twenty metres out. Zane Harrison ran the ball right to the line, being ten metres from the try line before popping a great short ball to his right to put Jac Finnigan over in the right corner.

Zane Harrison’s second try assist came in the 25th minute when he from twenty metres out and to the right side of the field Zane Harrison put in a perfectly weighted grubber kick for Sunny Kama to run through and dive on the ball wide out on the right.

In early May 2022 Zane Harrison also started at halfback for the Titans JTS U16 squad that took on a Northern Rivers Titans U17 squad at Cbus Stadium as a curtain-raiser to the Titans NRL Round Fourteen against the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs with Zane Harrison kicking six conversions including a great conversion from the left touchline in the second half to convert Anton Whaiapu’s try in the corner.

In late July 2022 Zane Harrison was part of the U17 Future Titans Squad that defenders a Titans U18 Northern Rivers Squad 36 – 8 at Cbus Stadium as a curtain-raiser to the Round Twenty NRL match between the Titans and the Canberra Raiders with Zane Harrison starting the match at halfback.

In late September 2022 Zane Harrison also started at halfback for a Titans U16 side against a Sydney Roosters U16 side at Pizzey Park. Zane Harrison was also part of the Titans U16 side that played a Balmain Tigers squad in their annual match at Piggabeen.

In late September 2022 Zane Harrison started at halfback for the Titans U16’s in their annual Anthony Laffranchi Cup match against the Balmain Tigers with Zane Harrison scoring in the 50th minute with a stepping run through the Tigers defensive line.

The match also saw Zane Harrison record three try assists with the first coming in just the 2nd minute by way of a right foot grubber into the in-goal with Nayte Saaga charging through to dive on the ball mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Zane Harrison recorded a second try assist in the 31st minute with a great ball to his right to put Izayah Petrichvich over to score. Zane Harrison recorded his third try assist in the 40th minute with a great ball to his left to put Sam Stephenson through a gap and over to score.

In late September 2022 Zane Harrison was named in the 2023 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup train on squad.

Round One of the 2022 U16 Andrew Johns Cup saw Zane Harrison start as halfback and captain for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Macquarie Wests Tigers in Sydney with Zane Harrison operating on the left side of the field.

The match saw Zane Harrison almost score in the 42nd minute but after a great winding run that saw him beat three defenders, Zane Harrison unfortunately lost the ball over the try line after he had received an off-load from Kennyon-Elasia-Thomas who had split the Wests Tigers defence.

Zane Harrison however did record a 17th minute try assist when from around eighteen metres out and to the left of the play the ball, Zane Harrison put in a right foot stab grubber kick to his left which sat up perfectly for Harry Chadburn to take possession at full speed and then Harry Chadburn was able to bring the ball around to dive over under the posts.

Zane Harrison took the Wests Tigers defence on himself in the 10th minute of the match when after he received the ball to the left of the play the ball, Zane Harrison dummied to his left before cutting off his left foot making ten metres.

Zane Harrison’s tactical kicking game was also very good throughout the victory including in the 47th minute when a clearing kick deep inside his own territory bounced back towards the on charging Northern Rivers Titans players chasing the kick and was taken by hooker Hudson Towell who then got the ball away to Callum Bowles who then kicked forward once again.

Zane Harrison also produced some outstanding defence in the match including a great desperate try saving low covering tackle on a flying Wests Tigers No. 3 in the 38th minute. Then three minutes later in the 41st minute Zane Harrison made a strong one on one tackle on the Wests Tigers fullback who was returning a kick and then Zane Harrison was at it again shortly after with a strong covering low tackle on the Wests Tigers right centre who looked like he may score.

Zane Harrison made another big tackle in the 57th minute with a strong one on one front on tackle on the Wests Tigers No. 9 who charged at the try line from close range from a Wests Tigers penalty restart. Zane Harrison’s initial contact the Wests Tigers hooker dead in his tracks.

Zane Harrison also started at halfback in the Round Two local derby against the North Coast Bulldogs and took the Bulldogs line on the 4th tackle of the match when Zane Harrison ran down a wide left blindside, taking the ball right to the line before off-loading to Ricco Waitititi to make further ground.

The 30th minute saw Zane Harrison throw the final pass for Reuben Tamariki to score wide out on the left after Zane Harrison took the ball right to the line and pop a good ball to his left.

Zane Harrison also produced a smart heads up play in the 48th minute when he identified that North Coast were going to put in an attacking kick from their left back to the right. Zane Harrison dropped back out of the defensive line and was in position to take the attacking kick on the full inside his own twenty metre line and was able to bring the ball back twelve metres to get the ball out of his own twenty metre defensive area.

Zane Harrison continued at halfback and captain for Round Three against the Greater Northern Tigers with Zane Harrison displaying a high degree of intensity inside the opening three minutes when after putting in a right foot kick from forty two metres out and down a short right blindside Zane Harrison was the first Northern Rivers Titans player down field to tackle the Tigers fullback in the right corner and just two metres out from the try line.

Zane Harrison scored an outstanding solo try in the 55th minute when after receiving the ball from his left fifteen metres out from the try line and directly in front of the posts, Zane Harrison dummied to a runner who had cut back underneath before continuing his run to the left. As he approached the defensive line Zane Harrison was still around ten metres from the try line, Zane Harrison dummied to his left before slicing through and scoring seven metres in from the left corner post. Zane Harrison then stepped up to convert his own try to get the Titans within two points of the Tigers with five minutes to play.

Zane Harrison almost set up a try in the 47th minute when from twelve metres out and in front of the posts Zane Harrison put in a right foot grubber kick which rebounded off a Greater Northern Tigers player but the referee adjudged that the Titans player who dived on the ball in the in-goal did not get downward pressure on the ball.

Zane Harrison showed in the 26th minute that he is prepared to roll up his sleeves and do some heavy lifting in the 26th minute when after fullback Harry Chadburn was tackled from deep inside his own twenty metre area after fielding a kick, Zane Harrison got into dummy half running to his right making fifteen metres to get the ball further away from the danger zone.

Zane Harrison made another positive dart out of dummy half in the 40th minute on that occasion once again running to his right, making twenty five metres to get the ball over the halfway mark.

Zane Harrison put in another great kick in the 9th minute when from wide out on the left side of the field and around twenty metres out, Zane Harrison kicked across field towards the right touchline with the ball coming down two metres from the try line and ten metres to the right of the uprights. Second rower Billy Kilduff took the ball on the full over the Greater Northern Tigers fullback and was able to off-load to Jackson Bennett to score.

Zane Harrison produced a further positive kick in the 12th minute when he kicked high from near hallway with the spiralling bomb too much for the Tigers left winger who dropped the ball just ten metres out from his own try line.

Zane Harrison’s strong kicking game continued in the 50th minute when he put up a huge mid-field bomb from inside his own forty metre area with the ball travelling into the Greater Northern Tigers in-goal and pulling up a metre from the dead ball line.

Zane Harrison also started at halfback and captain in Round Four against the Central Coast Roosters with Zane Harrison making a great driving tackle on the Central Coast No. 10 in the opening set of six in the match. Zane Harrison also produced a great driving tackle in the 45th minute against his opposite number.

Zane Harrison also converted one of the Northern Rivers Titans tries in their 18 -12 victory when he converted Aaron Singh-Goesel’s 52nd minute try.

Zane Harrison had a big hand in Hudson Towell’s 28th minute try. After receiving the ball two passes off the ruck on the right side of the field, Zane Harrison immediately cut back to his left, leaving three defenders in his wake before cutting back to his right and taking off for the line around ten metres out. Whilst Zane Harrison was brought down around a metre out, his ultra-fast play the ball meant that Hudson Towell could dive over from dummy half.

Zane Harrison also had a big hand in Jed Arnett’s match winning try in the 53rd minute. Zane Harrison received the ball down a wide left blindside and when he was around twenty metres from the line, Zane Harrison executed a right foot stab kick into the in-goal which was going to pull up just short of the dead ball line. The Central Coast fullback made a mess of retrieving the ball with Jed Arnett on hand to dive on the ball and take the Northern Rivers Titans out to an 18 -12 lead which they maintained for the remaining seven minutes of the match.

Zane Harrison also put Noah Waldock over to score in the 47th minute when he took the ball to the line on the right side of the field and popped a great short ball to his right but just as Noah Waldock was about to receive the ball and stroll over from five metres out, one of the Central Coast defenders got a desperate hand in the way and deflect the ball from Noah Waldock’s grap.

Zane Harrison then continued at captain and halfback in the twice delayed final round being Round Five against the Newcastle Knights in Grafton with Zane Harrison scoring a 55th minute try to sealed the match and set the Northern Rivers Titans into the 2022 U16 Andrew Johns Cup Final’s series.

Zane Harrison’s 55th minute try was a good effort from a Northern Rivers Titans scrum win around thirty five metres out with Zane Harrison scoring under the posts to put the Titans level with Callum Bowles kicking the conversion to put the Titans into the 2022 U16 Andrew Johns Cup Final’s series.

Zane Harrison was actually the reason that the scrum was packed where it was with a Northern Rivers Titans feed. The play prior to the scrum saw Zane Harrison put up a high bomb towards the left corner with the Newcastle right winger taking the ball just out from his own line and raced downfield until Zane Harrison hit him with a good tackle that knocked the ball loose and forced a knock-on.

Zane Harrison also recorded a try assist in just the 5th minute of the match when Ricco Waititi charged onto a good short ball from Zane Harrison from eight metres out to burst over five metres in from the left corner post.

In fact Zane Harrison could have had an earlier 4th minute try assist when Callum Bowles retrieved a cross field bomb from Zane Harrison but the referee adjudged that there was a double knock on.

The match also saw Zane Harrison record a number of line breaks, the first of which came in the 34th minute when from twenty five metres out from his own line Zane Harrison executed two left foot steps to break through the Knights right sided defensive line before beating two more would be defenders to get within thirty metres of the try line before being brought to ground. Zane Harrison was then not allowed to his feet to play the ball and thus was awarded a deserved penalty.

Another line break of Zane Harrison’s came in the 51st minute after AJ Hickling produced a strong run to the right of the dummy half in the 51st minute when after contact with the defensive line AJ Hickling was able to get away a right arm off-load to his left to put Zane Harrison through a gap with the halfback making a sixteen metre line break to put the Titans deep into attack.

Zane Harrison then continued at halfback and captain for the Northern Rivers Titans Week One Final against St George and scored in the 27th minute when he crossed ten metres in from the left touchline after prior good work from Callum Bowles.

In just the 7th minute Zane Harrison threw a long cut-out pass to his left to put Harry Chadburn into a big gap with the fullback, after a juggle, racing twenty five metres to dive over in the left corner.

Zane Harrison also threw the final pass for Blake Togo-Murphy’s brilliant 9th minute team try. After Hudson Towell split the St George through the centre of the ruck from dummy half sixty metres out from the line, Harry Chadburn loomed up on his left and then burst away before getting the ball away to his left to Ricco Waiatiti who as able to get the ball back to the inside by way of an overhead pass to Zane Harrison who raced to twelve metres out before he got the pass away to his right for Blake Togo-Murphy to dive over near the left corner.

Zane Harrison also started at halfback and captain for the Northern Rivers Titans in the 2022 U16 Andrew Johns Cup Grand Final against the Wests Tigers. On the back of scoring in the final minute of the Northern Rivers Titans exceptional 24 – 22 Grand Final victory, Zane Harrison was named Player of the Grand Final.

In the final minute of the match with only thirty seconds left Zane Harrison threw a long cut-out pass to his left to put Ricco Watititi into space around sixty five metres from the line. Ricco Watititi charged down the left touchline and after getting to around fifteen metres out, Ricco Watititi was able to get his right arm free and off-load the ball above his head with his back to the try line to Zane Harrison who flew onto the ball. Zane Harrison then stepped off his left foot to beat one desperate West Tigers defender and then there was no stopping Zane Harrison who then dived over to score the match winning try five metres to the left of the uprights.

Just minute earlier than his last minute heroics Zane Harrison ran off another Ricco Watititi after the left centre had burst away down the left touchline with Ricco Watititi off-loading to Zane Harrison to his inside with Zane Harrison able to make a further twenty metres downfield.

Zane Harrison’s first strong run of the Grand Final came in the 12th minute when against the giant Wests Tigers lock, Zane Harrison from deep inside his own territory as able to make sixteen metres, the majority of which was post contact, before being awarded a penalty to get the Titans out of their own territory. Then in the 16th minute Zane Harrison made a line break that accounted for twenty three metres to get the ball inside Tigers territory after a good run down the left channel.

Zane Harrison was also great defensively in the Grand Final with the first of a number of great tackles coming in the 32nd minute with a driving front on tackle on the Wests lock forward who had charged at Zane Harrison from a penalty restart with the quality and intensity of Zane Harrison’s tackle forcing the ball loose and giving the Titans the subsequent scrum feed.

At the 2022 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup Presentation Night Zane Harrison was awarded the Coaches Award.

Then at the 2022 New South Wales Rugby League Awards night Zane Harrison was awarded the Ron Lanesbury Medal for the best player in the U16 Andrew Johns Cup Competition

Post the 2022 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition Zane Harrison was named in the New South Wales Country U16 side that took on a New South Wales City U16 selection in Mid-May.

Zane Harrison started at halfback for NSW Country and recorded a 29th minute try assist when from fifteen metres out Zane Harrison put in a right foot grubber kick to the right side of the field with the ball sitting up perfectly for his right second rower to collect the ball in the in-goal and get it down.

Zane Harrison also produced a start piece of play in the 12th minute when whilst defending on his own try line, Zane Harrison darted out of the defensive line and took an intercept and was able to race fifty two metres downfield before he was rounded up from behind.

In late May 2022 Zane Harrison also represented South Coast in the U18 QSSRL School Boy Championships.

Round One of the 2022 Langer Cup School Boy competition saw Zane Harrison start at halfback for PBC State High School against Marsden State High School with Zane Harrison having a dream debut in a PBC 44 – 0 victory that saw Zane Harrison score in each half as well as make eighteen tackles.

Zane Harrison’s first try came in the 16th minute when he received a long cut-out pass from his left to score untouched wide out on the right. The play earlier had seen Jackson Le Pou burst through the line and execute a quick play the ball that saw Zane Harrison have room on the right.

 

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Part Three:

Zane Harrison scored his second try in the 34th minute when after he put in a right foot grubber kick the Marsden SHS replacement left winger lost control of the ball and Zane Harrison who had chased his own kick through was able to dive forward and ground the rolling ball in the in-goal to score twelve metres in from the left corner post.

Zane Harrison also started at halfback in Round Two against Redcliffe State High School with Zane Harrison recording a 34th minute try assist when from twenty metres out and directly in front of the posts Zane Harrison put in a right foot bomb towards the right corner with Jett Forbes taking the kick on the full to score.

Zane Harrison put in another great kick in the 48th minute from three minutes inside his own territory and to the right of the play the ball. Zane Harrison’s long raking right foot kick bounced into the in-goal and had to be taken dead by the Redcliffe left winger to force another goal line drop-out.

Zane Harrison made it three outstanding kicks in the 59th minute when from forty two metres out Zane Harrison once again got the ball into the in-goal and it was Zane Harrison who chased his own kick through to tackle the Redcliffe SHS fullback in the in-goal and force yet another goal line drop out.

Zane Harrison was also named to continue at halfback in Round Three against Coombabah State High School and did very well immediately from the kick-off when the Coombabah SHS kick-off took a horror bounce but with the defence chasing through Zane Harrison took possession just prior to being belted by multiple defenders.

Zane Harrison recorded a 46th minute try assist when Zane Harrison ran the ball to his right and threw a good pass to his right to Cooper Camby who cut off his right foot and crash over to score ten metres in from the right corner.

After the mid-season break, Zane Harrison continued at halfback in Round Four against Ipswich State High School.

Zane Harrison continued at halfback in Round Five against Mabel Park SHS with Zane Harrison recording a try assist in the 4th minute when after running the ball down a short right blindside from twenty metres out Zane Harrison put in a short right foot chip kick with was taken by Jac Finnigan who scored wide out near the right corner.

Zane Harrison was also heavily involved in Cooper Camby’s 60th minute try when after Zane Harrison put in a kick to the right corner, Jett Forbes took the kick on the full whilst still on the air and being pushed over the touchline Jett Forbes got the ball back inside to Cooper Camby who dived over to score in the right corner.

Zane Harrison’s short kicking game was on song throughout the match with the first example coming in just the 2nd minute when a chip that Zane Harrison put in to his right was dropped by the Mabel Park SHS left winger with PBC SHS getting a repeat set of six.

Zane Harrison also started at halfback in the Round Six local derby against Keebra Park SHS with Zane Harrison in the 57th minute put in a right foot chip kick from ten metres out and down a right blindside, Zane Harrison chased his own kick through and tackled the Keebra Park SHS winger in-goal to force a goal line drop-out.

Zane Harrison continued at halfback in Round Seven against Wavell SHS with Zane Harrison racing to his right in the 9th minute to make a try saving tackle on the Wavell SHS left winger ten metres out from the corner after the winger had made a line break down the touchline.

Zane Harrison continued at halfback in PBC SHS’s Langer Cup Quarter Final against Mabel Park SHS with Keano Kini scoring one try and recording four try assists as PBC SHS qualified for the semi-finals.

Zane Harrison scored in the 30th minute when after Cooper Camby took a Josh Lynn bomb on the full ten metres out and five metres in from the right touchline in his two hands above his head, Cooper Camby was able to get the ball away to his inside as the defence converged on him to Zane Harrison who was able to bring the ball around to put it down under the posts.

Zane Harrison recorded his opening try assist in the 15th minute when Zane Harrison put in a chip kick towards the right wing with Jett Forbes taking the kick on the full and twist around to score in the right corner.

Zane Harrison recorded his second try assist in the 27th minute when Zane Harrison put in another right foot chip from twenty two metres out and to the left of the uprights with once again Jett Forbes taking the kick on the full to score mid-way between the goal posts and the corner post.

Zane Harrison added a third try assist in the 39th minute when after running to his right Zane Harrison passed the ball to Cooper Camby who was running an underneath route with Cooper Camby running the requisite ten metres to scored ten metres to the left of the uprights. Initially Cooper Camby was held up by a number of defenders over the line but Cooper Camby was able to get the ball down in his right hand.

Zane Harrison recorded his fourth try assist in the 53rd minute when from the right of the play the ball, Zane Harrison threw a good short ball to his right to put his front rower Jett Jackson over from ten metres out to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.

Zane Harrison put in a good kick in the 13th minute when from thirty five metres out and near the centre of the field, Zane Harrison put in a right foot bomb towards the right corner on the fourth tackle with Zane Harrison following through his own kick and got the ball back five metres out and three metres in from the right touchline.

Zane Harrison was then named at halfback for PBC SHS in the 2022 Langer Cup Semi-final against Keebra Park SHS with Zane Harrison forcing a goal line drop-out in the 12th minute when after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball, Zane Harrison put in a grubber kick into the in-goal from twelve metres out with the ball having to be taken dead by the Keebra Park SHS defence to force the drop-out.

Zane Harrison started at halfback for PBC SHS in the 2022 School Boy Langer Cup Grand Final against Ipswich SHS with Zane Harrison recording a try assist in the 30th minute when from ten metres out and mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side Zane Harrison threw a good short ball to his right to Jaylen Taewa who crashed over to score.

The 2022 season saw Zane Harrison play for the Tweed Heads Seagulls U18 side in the NRRRL U18 competition, even though he was still U16 eligible, starting Round One of the competition at halfback and captain against the Byron Bay Devils with Zane Harrison kicking two conversions from four attempts, including a 16th minute conversion from the left touchline in a great 20 -12 first up victory for the Seagulls.

Zane Harrison made his first run of the match in the 14th minute when after receiving the ball to the right of the dummy half, Zane Harrison stepped off his right foot to beat one defender and make fifteen metres to get the ball forty metres out from the try line. The just a moment later Zane Harrison once again stepped of his right foot once again making ten more metres before being tackled just five metres out on the fifth tackle.

Zane Harrison also kicked well tactically in the match including in the 20th minute when from forty seven metres out Zane Harrison kicked deep into the left corner with the Devils winger only getting the ball three metres away from the try line before he was brought to ground.

Zane Harrison executed a further tactical kick in the 31st minute, on this occasion from forty metres out with the ball pulling up in the in-goal near the left corner with the Byron Bay right winger only just getting out of the in-goal area.

Zane Harrison also started at halfback and captain in Round Two against the Cudgen Hornets with Zane Harrison scoring an outstanding solo try in the 23rd minute. Zane Harrison received the ball to the right of the dummy half around twelve metres out and almost immediately stepped off his right foot to wrong foot one Cudgen defender before stepping off his left to straighten up. Just as Zane Harrison looked to step off his right to beat the Hornets fullback Zane Harrison slipped but he had the foresight to maintain his composure and get the ball down one metre to the left of the uprights.

The match also saw Zane Harrison record a 40th minute try assist when whilst operating on the right side of the field and deep on the attack Zane Harrison threw a long cut-out pass to his right to put his winger over in the corner.

Zane Harrison also saved a try in the 9th minute when he raced across to his right to come over the top to tackle the Cudgen left winger who had gotten away down the touchline but Zane Harrison hit the winger and forced him into touch just three metres out of the try line.

Zane Harrison put in a great long tactical kick in the 26th minute from the right of the dummy half and fifty four metres out with Zane Harrison chasing his own kick and tackling the Cudgen fullback inside his own twenty metre area.

Zane Harrison also put in another good kick in the 42nd minute from inside his own forty metre area he just missed a 40/20 after kicking from the right of the play the ball.

Zane Harrison also started at half in Round Six against the Ballina Seagulls scoring a try and kicking two conversions in a tough loss.

Zane Harrison then started at halfback in Round Seven against the Lower Clarence Magpies and what a game the captain had including kicking five conversions and recording five, yes five try assists in the Seagulls 50 – 0 victory.

The first of Zane Harrison’s five try assists came in the 8th minute when he ran the ball to the line on the left side around twenty five metres from the line and threw a good short ball to his left to a charging Zac Windle who burst through the line to score under the posts.

Zane Harrison recorded his second try assist in the 23rd minute when he ran the ball on the right side of the field near the halfway mark and after drawing two defenders to him, Zane Harrison threw a short ball to his right to put his right centre through a gap to race after and score under the posts.

Zane Harrison added a third try assist in the 29th minute and in many respects it was similar to his 23rd minute try assist when on the right Zane Harrison put his centre into a gap once again and also once again the centre was able to race away and score under the posts.

Zane Harrison recorded his fourth try assist in the 38th minute when on the halfway mark to the right of the play the ball Zane Harrison dummied to his inside and then exploded through a gap before drawing the Magpies fullback and passing to his left to Creedence Donovan who scored mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Zane Harrison added a fifth try assist in the 53rd minute when he ran the ball on the left side of the field just fifteen metres out from his own line and after double pumping a pass to his left put Creedence Donovan onto a gap with the five eight racing eighty metres to dive over under the posts.

Zane Harrison continued at halfback in Round Eight against Casino RSM and before being given a well-earned break mid-way through the second half Zane Harrison kicked four conversions, including an outstanding conversion from the left touchline in the 22nd minute.

Zane Harrison also recorded two try assists and two line breaks in a big Seagulls victory.

The first of Zane Harrison’s two try assists arrived in the 27th minute when Zane Harrison ran the ball to the left of the play the ball, stepping off his right to give himself some room to throw a long hard cut-out pass to his left to put his left winger into space twenty metres out with his left winger getting the ball down in the left corner.

Zane Harrison recorded his second try assist in the 30th minute when from ten metres inside his own territory Zane Harrison received the ball to the right of the play the ball and immediately charged at the defensive line but that the last moment threw a no look pass back on his inside to Creedence Donovan on the halfway mark with Creedence Donovan racing straight through a gap and proving to be way too quick for the Casino RSM fullback to score seven metres in from the right corner post.

Zane Harrison made his line break in the 27th minute when from thirty five metres out Zane Harrison ran the ball to the defensive line after receiving the ball to the left of the pay the ball, executing left and right foot steps seemingly simultaneously to split the ball. Zane Harrison then ran directly at the Casino RSM fullback but his pass to his right went to ground ten metres out from the try line and directly in front of the goal posts.

Zane Harrison made another line break in the 44th minute with a twenty metres run down the left channel leaving a number of Casino RSM defenders in his wake.

Zane Harrison also executed a good defensive play in the 48th minute when the Casino RSM right second rower tried to force his way over from close range down a short blindside but Zane Harrison along with Creedence Donovan was on hand to initially hold him up and then force him over the touchline just out from the corner post.

Zane Harrison also started at halfback in Round Nine against the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Zane Harrison kicking two conversions from three attempts in a hard fought 16 -12 come from behind victory.

Zane Harrison was also involved in the Seagulls 53rd minute try with gave Tweed Heads their first lead of the match when Zane Harrison threw a long flat cut-out pass to Taysharn Cora who then set up his winger to score in the corner. Zane Harrison then stepped to convert the try.

Zane Harrison made a 7th minute line break when from thirty metres out and to the left of the play the ball, Zane Harrison dummied to his inside before executing two left foot steps to get break the defensive line before Zane Harrison was tackled just four metres out and directly in front of the posts.

Zane Harrison also kicked well tactically to keep the Mustangs off balance including in the 21st minute when Zane Harrison executed a sixty metre kick into the right corner with the Murwillumbah winger forced to bring the ball out of his own in-goal and was only able to get the ball two metres away from his own try line.

Zane Harrison also started at halfback in Round Ten against the Kyogle Turkeys with Zane Harrison scoring a double and also kicking three conversions.

The first of Zane Harrison’s two tries came in the 29th minute when after good work on his inside Zane Harrison ran onto the ball from around ten metres out and wide on the right and got between two Kyogle defenders to dive over six metres in from the left corner post.

Zane Harrison completed his double in the 59th minute when after the Seagulls ran the ball down a short left blindside forty five metres out, Zane Harrison received a good short ball from his five eight to race away down the left touchline to score near the left corner. Zane Harrison then stepped up to nail the conversion from the side line.

Zane Harrison also recorded a try assist in the match when in the 8th minute after receiving the ball around twenty metres out and to the right of the play the ball, Zane Harrison cut to his right from right in front of the goal posts and put in a right foot grubber kick into the inf-goal with the ball sitting up perfectly for Creedence Donovan to collect and score. Zane Harrison then stepped up to convert the try.

Zane Harrison also recorded a 51st minute line break assist when one pass to the right of the play the ball and thirty five metres out, Zane Harrison threw a long cut-out past to his right to put Taysharn Cora into space with the right centre being finally tackled just two metres short of the try line.

Zane Harrison also started at halfback in Round Twelve against the Bilambil Jets and kicked six conversions from seven attempts in a big 40 – 14 Seagulls victory.

Zane Harrison also recorded a try assist in the 16th minute when on the final tackle Zane Harrison ran the ball to the left of the play the ball and from ten metres out put in a deft grubber kick into the in-goal for his five eight to chase through and score.

Zane Harrison was also heavily involved in another Seagulls try in the 28th minute when after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball on the final tackle and forty metres out, Zane Harrison shaped to kick before throwing a great cut-out pass to his right to Taysharn Cora who charged away before putting the Seagulls right winger over to score.

Zane Harrison along with Harry Chadburn made a great covering tackle on the Bilambil left winger who had broken away down the left touchline with the two Seagulls players coming across to make a great tackle forty metres out from the Jets line.

Zane Harrison then continued at halfback in Round Thirteen against the Bilambil Jets for the second round in a row with Zane Harrison kicking two conversions from as many attempts including a conversion after the final siren of Leeton Smith’s try ten metres to the right of the uprights to draw the match 12 all.

The match also saw Zane Harrison make multiple line breaks with the first of them coming inside the opening minute of the match when from two metres inside Bilambil territory Zane Harrison ran the ball down a wide right blindside, getting between two metres and making eighteen metres before he was slung to ground.

Zane Harrison made another line break in the 17th minute when he received the ball from his five eight to the left of the play the ball, Zane Harrison stepped off his left foot twice to get the ball backs towards the centre of the field before executing a right foot step to straighten up his run with Zane Harrison finally tackled eighteen metres out from the try line and in front of the posts.

Zane Harrison made a third line break in the 25th minute when after the Jets dropped the ball thirty five metres from the Seagulls try line, Zane Harrison swooped on the ball and raced thirty metres downfield before he was bundled over the right touchline.

Zane Harrison made a smart run in the 54th minute when from on the halfway mark in the centre of the field and to the left of the play the ball, Zane Harrison almost stepped his way through the defensive line but was able to get a right arm off-load away to his left as he was being spun around.

Then in the 57th minute Zane Harrison almost stepped his way through the defensive line once again but Zane Harrison was able to get away a smart off-load to Creedence Donovan.

Zane Harrison also made the most outstanding tackle of the match in the 47th minute when he executed an outstanding tackle on the Bilambil left centre with Zane Harrison’s initial contact coming less than a metre from the try line with Zane Harrison then able to flip the much bigger centre onto his back and hold him up over the try line ten metres in from the corner post.

Impressively after starting for the Future Titans U16 side in a match at Cbus Stadium as a curtain-raiser to the Round Twenty NRL match between the Titans and Canberra Raiders earlier in the day, yes earlier in the day, Zane Harrison came off the bench at halftime to operate at halfback in the rescheduled Round Four match against the Murwillumbah Mustangs.

Zane Harrison showed no signs of fatigue on the way to kicking four conversions from as many attempts as well as recording two try assists and a line break assist.

Zane Harrison’s first try assist came in the 55th minute when after receiving the ball ten metres out from his right and directly in front of the posts, Zane Harrison took the ball to the defensive line and put in a right foot stab kick which bounced up perfectly in the in-goal for Creedence Donovan to collect and five metres to the left of the uprights.

Zane Harrison added a try assist in the 58th minute when after minute Zane Harrison ran the ball to the left after receiving the from the dummy half to his right thirty metres out from his own line with Zane Harrison taking the ball right to the line before throwing an inside ball to a flying Creedence Donovan who burst through a gap, beating the fullback by veering to his left to run away to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Prior to his first try assist Zane Harrison recorded a line break assist in the 52nd minute which in many respects was a trial run for a basically identical play that ultimately led to Creedence Donovan scoring in the 58th minute. Just like in the 58th minute Zane Harrison ran the ball to the left after receiving the from the dummy half to his right thirty metres out from his own line with Zane Harrison taking the ball right to the line before throwing an inside ball to a flying Creedence Donovan who burst through a gap, beating the fullback and two other defenders before being tackled from behind just two metres out from the line and directly in front of the goal posts.

To add to his outstanding match Zane Harrison forced a goal line drop out in the 54th minute when from thirty metres out from his own try line and to the right of the play the ball, Zane Harrison put in a deep kick which pulled up a metre from the dead ball line in the left corner with the Murwillumbah fullback trapped in-goal. Zane Harrison set up a try in the next set of six.

Zane Harrison also put up a bomb in the 38th minute from forty metres out with the spiral on the ball proving to be too much for the Mustang fullback who knocked the ball on just ten metres out from the try line.

Zane Harrison also started at halfback in the Week One Qualifying Final against the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Zane Harrison kicking four conversions from five attempts.

I do not think that I can call it a try assist but Zane Harrison was involved in Taysharn Cora’s try after just six seconds, yes I did get that right, six seconds. Zane Harrison kicked off to get the match underway and after Murwillumbah let the kick-off bounce, Taysharn Cora raced through taking the ball on the bounce at full speed to score the quickest try that I have ever seen (or heard of).

Zane Harrison got the movement going that led to Ricco Waitititi’s 17th minute try when from five metres inside his own territory on the final tackle, Zane Harrison initially shaped to kick downfield before throwing a long cut-out pass to his right to initiate a line break that ultimately led to Ricco Waititiati scoring in the right corner.

Zane Harrison continued at halfback in the Major Preliminary Final against the Cudgen Hornets with Zane Harrison taking the opening kick-off on the full and took the ball back into the defensive line.

The 2022 U18 NRRRL Preliminary Final saw Zane Harrison start at halfback for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Ballina Seagulls with Zane Harrison kicking two conversions from three attempts in a tough loss for the Seagulls. Zane Harrison’s only miss was from the left touchline with the attempted conversion going just wide of the left upright.

Zane Harrison made a line break in the 36th minute when on the left side of the field and forty metres out Zane Harrison engaged the defensive line spinning 360 degrees counter clockwise and then raced downfield and was only brought to ground two metres out from the try line near the left corner.

Zane Harrison also recorded a line break assist in the 40th minute when after receiving the ball fifty five metres out and to the left of the play the ball Zane Harrison drew a defender out of the line and passed back to his inside to put Creedence Donovan into a big gap.

Zane Harrison also made a good run in the 13th minute when from twenty metres out from his own try line and in the centre of the field, Zane Harrison ran to his right out of dummy half making sixteen metres, breaking three tackles along the way.

In mid-December Zane Harrison had the opportunity to train with the Titans NRL squad in a joint training session between the Titans NRL squad and the Titans JTS Program Squads.

In early January 2021 Zane Harrison was part of a small group of Titans 2021 U15 players who after attending a Titans camp, trained with the Titans NRL squad and in mid-February 2021 Zane Harrison played in a Titans U15 Invitational Trial at Burleigh, a trial which included only the best of the 2021 Titans U15 squad members.

Zane Harrison started the match at halfback for the Titans White side and for me he was the standout player of the match with his ball running and deft kicking skills heavily showcased on multiple occasions, primarily on the left side of the field. Post that U15 Titans trial match, Zane Harrison signed a multi-year contract that binds the talented young man to the Titans for three years.

In May 2021 Zane Harrison was part of the South Coast U15 QSSRL School Boy representative side, starting the Championship Final against Met West at halfback, scoring one try and setting up another as well as kicking two conversions.

Zane Harrison scored in the 20th minute after a great solo effort that commenced when Zane Harrison took a pass on the right side of the field twelve metres out from the line. Zane Harrison immediately stepped off his right to beat the initial defender before a left foot step beat a second. As he approached the defence that was situated on the try line, Zane Harrison spun counter clockwise in a tackle and get the ball down ten metres to the right of the goal posts.

Zane Harrison also displayed his never say die attitude in the 24th minute when he produced a great chase from a Nayte Saaga tactical kick from mid-field to tackle the Met West fullback just five metres out from his own line.

At the completion of the Championships, Zane Harrison was named at halfback in the 2021 QSSRL U15 School Boy Merit Team. Due to his outstanding Championship performances, Zane Harrison surely was one of the first players chosen in the Merit Team.

On Day One against Met West Zane Harrison was at his dangerous best in the 30th minute when he ran across field to his left and threw a great bell to put a charging Riley Buchanan into a gap, unfortunately thirty metres downfield, Riley Buchanan’s pass to his left was knocked down by the Met West fullback.

Day Two saw Zane Harrison shine once again from halfback against Capricornia and continued early with an outstanding fifty five metre kick in the first minute with the Capricornia being trapped in his own in-goal.

Starting at halfback once again Zane Harrison could not have gotten into the action any quicker on Day Three against Met North when he was required to come forward very quickly to take the kick-off on the full after it fell very short. Zane Harrison really did have to get his skates on and charge forward to take the ball on the full just in front of the onrushing Met North forwards.

Zane Harrison had another big game on Day Three against Met North with the halfback recording a try assist and a line break amongst other smart pieces of play.

In the 47th minute, Zane Harrison drifted to his right across field twenty five metres out from the line before throwing a short flat ball to his right to Jac Finnigan who had run a great outside shoulder line.

Zane Harrison’s first half line break was certainly not your typical one, Met North were attacking the South Coast line and on the 5th tackle took the ball to their right and attempted to put in a short grubber kick. Zane Harrison who was defending on the left, trapped the ball with his left foot just seven metres out from his own line, he quickly picked up the ball and as a result of a winding run was able to get to the halfway mark before he was eventually collared.

Zane Harrison also made significant metres in the opening minute of the second half when South Coast five eight Nayte Saaga put in a short kick-off to the right, with Zane Harrison taking the ball on the full just after the ball had travelled the required ten metres and stepped his way to twenty metres out from the line.

Zane Harrison also made a try saving tackle in the first half of the match when he produced a strong tackle on the giant Met North No. 10 just two metres out from the line with Zane Harrison’s tackle forcing the ball loose.

In 2021 Zane Harrison continued at PBC SHS as part of the school’s Elite Rugby League Program and made a strong impression, showcasing multiple skills from halfback for the PBC Walters Cup side in their Round One 16 all draw against Ipswich State High School.

Zane Harrison put in an assured display for PBC SHS starting off with an exquisite tactical kick in the opening minute of the match with Zane Harrison executing the kick fifty five metres out from the line from an acute angle with the ball going into touch just eight metres out from the line.

Zane Harrison’s elite footwork was at the fore in the 36th minute, when after receiving an off-load from Jac Finnigan, he made a stepping run that made twenty metres as he stepped on multiple occasions to his left.

Zane Harrison also started at halfback in Round Two against Forest Lake State High School and he was once again at his scheming best in PBC’s victory including being heavily involved in PBC’s try in the 41st minute when he laid on a good ball to put right second rower Jac Finnigan into a gap, with Jac Finnigan then off-loading to put his centre over in the right corner.

Zane Harrison continued at halfback in Round Three against Coombabah State High School, scoring a double in PBC SHS’s impressive victory. Zane Harrison’s opening try came in the 17th minute when he flew into an off-load from his lock to score untouched next to the right upright.

Zane Harrison’s second try came in the 44th minute when Ray Puru collected the ball ten metres from his own try line and ran to his right and literally ran around the Coombabah SHS left side defence, racing seventy five metres down the right touchline before drawing the fullback and passing to his left to Zane Harrison who raced away to score under the posts.

Zane Harrison also recorded a try assist in the 8th minute when he floated across the field to his right twenty metres out, dummying to an inside runner to hold the defensive line in place and then he threw a long cut out pass to his right to put his right centre in space and over in the right corner.

Zane Harrison was also heavily involved in another PBC try in the 47th minute, when Will Saunders darted out of dummy half down a short right blindside ten metres from the line, drawing a defender before getting the ball away to Zane Harrison who threw an out the back pass to Ray Puru who put his right winger in the corner.

Zane Harrison also had an outstanding match from halfback in Round Four against Marsden State High School including scoring in the 36th minute with a winding effort. Zane Harrison received the ball eighteen metres from the line on the right side of the field, dummying in that direction before straightening up. Zane Harrison was tripped up as he broke through the line, but quickly bounced to his feet to dive over close to the right upright.

The 24th minute saw Zane Harrison’s kicking game come to the fore when from twenty metres out, he put up a high kick to the right corner with the ball coming down less than a metre from the line with the PBC defence then forcing the Marsden SHS winger back into the in-goal to force a line drop out. Then to highlight that Zane Harrison can execute all types of kicks, he converted PBC’s second try from the right touchline to seal the match.

Zane Harrison continued at halfback in Round Five against Keebra Park SHS and one was of PBC’s best in their tough loss recording a try assist in the 28th minute with a pin point cross field kick to the right corner for his winger to race through to take the ball on the full and score wide out on the right.

Zane Harrison continued at halfback in Round Six against Redcliffe State High School with the cerebral halfback having a very good match including recording a try assist in the 55th minute when he put in an attacking grubber kick that hooker Will Saunders dived on the ball under the posts with the referee consequently blowing the whistle to award the try.

Zane Harrison also started at halfback in the final round after the Covid 19 lockdown, recording a try assist for PBC’s opening try in their victory over Wavell State High School. Zane Harrison could not have made his opening contribution to the match any earlier, being involved in the opening tackle of the match after PBC had kicked off.

Zane Harrison recorded his try assist in the 15th minute when whilst operating on the right side of the field, he threw a great short ball to put Jac Finnigan through a gap twenty five metres out and get the ball down five metres in from the right corner post.

Zane Harrison almost had another try assist in the 27th minute when he put up a mid-field bomb that Wavell SHS let bounce and PBC fullback Ray Puru had raced through to retrieve the ball but was tackled just short of the line.

Zane Harrison also started at halfback in PBC’s semi-final victory over Wavell State High School and produced a great try assist to wrap the match up for PBC.

In the 42nd minute Zane Harrison, from ten metres out, threw a great cut-out pass after double pumping to his left to put his left winger into space and able to score comfortably in the left corner.

Zane Harrison also had a 33rd minute try assist when he put right second rower Jac Finnigan through a gap from ten metres out to score on the right side of the field, mid-way between the corner post and goal posts.

The 2021 Walters Cup Grand Final against Keebra Park SHS saw Zane Harrison named to start at halfback with Zane Harrison directly PBC SHS around the field well in their 30 – 12 Grand Final victory.

Zane Harrison showed plenty of enthusiasm in the match, including in the 17th minute when he chased back to field a Keebra Park attacking kick in his own in-goal with multiple Keebra Park attackers charging through.

At the 2021 PBC Sports Awards Presentation Zane Harrison was named the Year Ten Player of the Year.

Zane Harrison continued to play for the Tweed Heads Seagulls Junior Rugby League Club in 2021 in the U15 Group 18 competition and had some exceptional matches including in Round Five as the Seagulls accounted for Tugun 24 – 14.

The exciting Titans linked Tweed Heads Seagulls and PBC five eight/fullback was one of the reasons that PBC made it all the way to the 2020 Renouf Cup Grand Final. Unfortunately PBC went down in heart breaking fashion 10 – 8 to Marsden State High School with the Brisbane based school scoring a late try in the left corner saw PBC lose in heart breaking fashion.

In 2020 Zane Harrison played fullback for the Tweed Heads Seagulls U14 side in the Group 18 junior rugby league competition with the Seagulls going through the ten regular season rounds undefeated, scoring 316 points and conceding just 64 to finish the regular season with +252 points differential from their ten matches to record an average winning margin of just above twenty five points. Post the season Zane Harrison was named the Tweed Heads Seagulls U14 Group 18 Best and Fairest.

As a result of their outstanding 2020 season the Tweed Heads Seagulls U14 side qualified for the Grand Final against the Tugun Seahawks. Tweed Heads prevailed in the 2020 decider 30 – 4 with Zane Harrison being named Player of the Match.

Zane Harrison was a deserved Player of the Match in the 2020 Group 18 U14 Grand Final after a three try assist and a long range solo try performance.

Zane Harrison’s first try assist came early in the first half when he threw a long cut-out pass to his left right onto the chest of his left winger Creedence Donovan who dived over out wide. Zane Harrison’s second try assist came on the same side of the field when he took the ball right into the line before sending a pass to his left to put his left centre over.

Zane Harrison’s final try assist of the Grand Final came late in the match when once again he threw a perfectly weighted pass to Creedence Donovan who ran twenty metres to score near the left corner. Whilst all three of Zane Harrison’s try assist’s came when he was playing on the left, Zane Harrison also had some good moments whilst operating on the right (Zane Harrison literally moves from side to side to identify the best opportunity) including a great short ball early in the match to his right second rower who almost scored from twenty metres out. Zane Harrison set up a try on the opposite side of the field two play the ball later.

Zane Harrison put an exclamation mark on the Grand Final with a ninety five metre solo effort. Off a Tweed Heads scrum win ten metres out from their own line, Zane Harrison received the ball on the right side of the field, two passes off the scrum win, producing a great show and go to beat the Tugun defensive line and simply proved too quick for the cover defence running ninety five metres to score.

As noted above 2020 saw Zane Harrison play for PBC in the 2020 Renouf Cup school boy competition, including starting at five eight and operating on the right side of the field in the Grand Final against Marsden State High School.

In early October 2020 Zane Harrison was part of the Titans NRRRL U14/U15 Invitational squad that played a match against a Titans Gold Coast based U14 side, with the match being played at Cbus Stadium, giving the young players a great experience and in a Titans jersey as well.

In 2019 Zane Harrison was part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls Black side that took on Tweed Heads Seagulls White in the Group 18 U13 Grand Final, starting the match at lock.

Even though is side went down in the decider, Zane Harrison was one of the stand out players on the field.

Zane Harrison so nearly scored early in the second half of the Grand Final when he got to within a metre of the try line after a winding run. Zane Harrison initially received the ball to the right of the play the ball before cutting back to his left twice. Zane Harrison was initially grabbed by the defence ten metres away from the line but just kept pumping his legs and fighting the tackle to get close before his momentum was eventually stopped.

Even in the dying minutes with his side eight points down, Zane Harrison would not give up, making forty metres from just outside his own twenty metre area, stepping off his left on two occasions to break a number of tackles.

Zane Harrison produced an outstanding two try performance in Tweed Heads 2019 Group 18 U13 Preliminary Final victory against the Bilambil Jets.

Zane Harrison’s opening try of the Preliminary Final came in the 21st minute of the second half. Zane Harrison received the ball two passes off the ruck and to the left thirty metres out from the line. Zane Harrison ran at the line before stepping off his left foot to break through the defensive line before he easily outpaced the cover defence to score next to the right upright.

Zane Harrison scored again in the 25th minute of the second half when he was on hand to receive a perfect bounce under the posts in the in goal from a Tyler Harper attacking grubber kick.

Zane Harrison made an early impact in the Grand Final when just in the 3rd minute, he ran the ball from the back of the scrum to his right just twenty metres out from his own line. Zane Harrison’s speed took him straight through a gap before a step off his left put Zane Harrison into more space. Zane Harrison then stepped off his right foot on two occasions to beat additional defenders before he was finally brought down ten metres into Bilambil territory.

Zane Harrison was not just good running with the ball in the Preliminary Final and probably made the tackle of the match when in just the 5th minute he drove his shoulder into the Bilambil replacement front rower (No. 20), jolting the ball loose to add to the quality of the tackle.

Late in the 2019 Group 18 U13 regular season, Zane Harrison had a strong match, starting at five eight also against the Bilambil Jets. In the match Zane Harrison scored an outstanding solo try in the 23rd minute of the first half.

Off the back of a scrum, Zane Harrison ran the ball down a short right blindside bumping off the first defender he encountered before stepping off his left to beat a second before getting the ball down ten metres in from the right corner post.

Zane Harrison also played for Tweed Heads in the 2018 U12 Group 18 Grand Final and once again was outstanding in the Seagulls Grand Final victory.

 

[mdrew]

Part Four:

Zane Harrison is just a superb mover seemingly gliding across the field effortlessly with outstanding balance, body control and exquisite hand eye co-ordination which has been aided by playing hockey at a very high level. Seriously Zane Harrison’s running style looks just effortless and perfectly balanced and is undertaken at speed.

It is hard to put in words just how talented Zane Harrison is in terms of running the ball, he has outstanding speed both off the mark which I would consider in the plus plus category and top end speed which must be considered plus regardless of position.

Zane Harrison with his pace is able to exploit even the smallest of gaps in the defensive line with an exceptional step off either foot and incredible acceleration as well as outstanding balance and body control. When Zane Harrison steps, regardless of the size of the step or in which direction there is absolutely no loss of speed or momentum as Zane Harrison moves to his new vector and continues on.

It is that speed trait which opens up his incredible ball playing skills as well. Teams start to focus heavily on Zane Harrison when he has the ball with outside defenders looking to come in to assist that they open up holes wider out in the defensive line that Zane Harrison can exploit.

Zane Harrison has exquisite timing on his passes and is able to weight them perfectly as well and can do so from either side of his body. Adding in this is that Zane Harrison can stop on a dime even travelling at full speed and pop the short pass, thus it looks for all money that he is going to run the ball thus the defence converges and then the ball is delivered to a support runner who is through a hole before the defensive line can readjust.

Zane Harrison also runs with the ball in both hands out in front of his body which is another reason why the defensive line is unable to determine exactly what Zane Harrison is going to do with the ball at any given time. By the time that they have figured it out it is usually too late to stop Zane Harrison.

Zane Harrison just seems to have all of the time in the world to do what he wants on a rugby league field and is just so calm and composed and seemingly always two or three plays ahead of the opposition and his own team mates on occasion to be honest.

Defensively Zane Harrison is a very strong young man with exceptional functional strength to go along with an innate understanding of the attacking strategies of rugby league thus he is able to anticipate what an attacking side is looking to do with the ball and then be in the best position to negate it.

Zane Harrison has a very good low tackling technique which is simple and repeatable and effective against all size opponents and thus there is no need for a defensive minder on Zane Harrison’s side of the field.

Zane Harrison will commence the 2025 season as part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls U19 MM Cup squad and no doubt at the completion of that competition Zane Harrison will be in line for an immediate promotion to the Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup squad,

Zane Harrison is a halfback full stop.

From my perspective, a talented, unselfish attacking player with similar attributes to Zane Harrison is Penrith Panthers, New South Wales State of Origin and Australian International star halfback Nathan Cleary.

Like Cleary, Zane Harrison has great acceleration to go along with a wicked sidestep off both feet, and the play making skills to make opposition teams pay if defences look to focus too much on him rather than his support runners or if individual defenders come out of the line too quickly.

Like Cleary, Zane Harrison also has an outstanding short attacking kicking game and an above average to plus kicking game in general including goal kicking to be fair.

 

[GC Giant]

Part Four:

Zane Harrison is just a superb mover seemingly gliding across the field effortlessly with outstanding balance, body control and exquisite hand eye co-ordination which has been aided by playing hockey at a very high level. Seriously Zane Harrison’s running style looks just effortless and perfectly balanced and is undertaken at speed.

It is hard to put in words just how talented Zane Harrison is in terms of running the ball, he has outstanding speed both off the mark which I would consider in the plus plus category and top end speed which must be considered plus regardless of position.

Zane Harrison with his pace is able to exploit even the smallest of gaps in the defensive line with an exceptional step off either foot and incredible acceleration as well as outstanding balance and body control. When Zane Harrison steps, regardless of the size of the step or in which direction there is absolutely no loss of speed or momentum as Zane Harrison moves to his new vector and continues on.

It is that speed trait which opens up his incredible ball playing skills as well. Teams start to focus heavily on Zane Harrison when he has the ball with outside defenders looking to come in to assist that they open up holes wider out in the defensive line that Zane Harrison can exploit.

Zane Harrison has exquisite timing on his passes and is able to weight them perfectly as well and can do so from either side of his body. Adding in this is that Zane Harrison can stop on a dime even travelling at full speed and pop the short pass, thus it looks for all money that he is going to run the ball thus the defence converges and then the ball is delivered to a support runner who is through a hole before the defensive line can readjust.

Zane Harrison also runs with the ball in both hands out in front of his body which is another reason why the defensive line is unable to determine exactly what Zane Harrison is going to do with the ball at any given time. By the time that they have figured it out it is usually too late to stop Zane Harrison.

Zane Harrison just seems to have all of the time in the world to do what he wants on a rugby league field and is just so calm and composed and seemingly always two or three plays ahead of the opposition and his own team mates on occasion to be honest.

Defensively Zane Harrison is a very strong young man with exceptional functional strength to go along with an innate understanding of the attacking strategies of rugby league thus he is able to anticipate what an attacking side is looking to do with the ball and then be in the best position to negate it.

Zane Harrison has a very good low tackling technique which is simple and repeatable and effective against all size opponents and thus there is no need for a defensive minder on Zane Harrison’s side of the field.

Zane Harrison will commence the 2025 season as part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls U19 MM Cup squad and no doubt at the completion of that competition Zane Harrison will be in line for an immediate promotion to the Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup squad,

Zane Harrison is a halfback full stop.

From my perspective, a talented, unselfish attacking player with similar attributes to Zane Harrison is Penrith Panthers, New South Wales State of Origin and Australian International star halfback Nathan Cleary.

Like Cleary, Zane Harrison has great acceleration to go along with a wicked sidestep off both feet, and the play making skills to make opposition teams pay if defences look to focus too much on him rather than his support runners or if individual defenders come out of the line too quickly.

Like Cleary, Zane Harrison also has an outstanding short attacking kicking game and an above average to plus kicking game in general including goal kicking to be fair.

Great read, well done. We have never lacked young halves of huge potential. We just can’t see to mange them thru to a long career. Let’s hope this all changes with Zane.

 

[lonegull]

Thanks Mdrew great in depth review on Zane

 

[McNaddy]

Part Four:

Zane Harrison is just a superb mover seemingly gliding across the field effortlessly with outstanding balance, body control and exquisite hand eye co-ordination which has been aided by playing hockey at a very high level. Seriously Zane Harrison’s running style looks just effortless and perfectly balanced and is undertaken at speed.

It is hard to put in words just how talented Zane Harrison is in terms of running the ball, he has outstanding speed both off the mark which I would consider in the plus plus category and top end speed which must be considered plus regardless of position.

Zane Harrison with his pace is able to exploit even the smallest of gaps in the defensive line with an exceptional step off either foot and incredible acceleration as well as outstanding balance and body control. When Zane Harrison steps, regardless of the size of the step or in which direction there is absolutely no loss of speed or momentum as Zane Harrison moves to his new vector and continues on.

It is that speed trait which opens up his incredible ball playing skills as well. Teams start to focus heavily on Zane Harrison when he has the ball with outside defenders looking to come in to assist that they open up holes wider out in the defensive line that Zane Harrison can exploit.

Zane Harrison has exquisite timing on his passes and is able to weight them perfectly as well and can do so from either side of his body. Adding in this is that Zane Harrison can stop on a dime even travelling at full speed and pop the short pass, thus it looks for all money that he is going to run the ball thus the defence converges and then the ball is delivered to a support runner who is through a hole before the defensive line can readjust.

Zane Harrison also runs with the ball in both hands out in front of his body which is another reason why the defensive line is unable to determine exactly what Zane Harrison is going to do with the ball at any given time. By the time that they have figured it out it is usually too late to stop Zane Harrison.

Zane Harrison just seems to have all of the time in the world to do what he wants on a rugby league field and is just so calm and composed and seemingly always two or three plays ahead of the opposition and his own team mates on occasion to be honest.

Defensively Zane Harrison is a very strong young man with exceptional functional strength to go along with an innate understanding of the attacking strategies of rugby league thus he is able to anticipate what an attacking side is looking to do with the ball and then be in the best position to negate it.

Zane Harrison has a very good low tackling technique which is simple and repeatable and effective against all size opponents and thus there is no need for a defensive minder on Zane Harrison’s side of the field.

Zane Harrison will commence the 2025 season as part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls U19 MM Cup squad and no doubt at the completion of that competition Zane Harrison will be in line for an immediate promotion to the Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup squad,

Zane Harrison is a halfback full stop.

From my perspective, a talented, unselfish attacking player with similar attributes to Zane Harrison is Penrith Panthers, New South Wales State of Origin and Australian International star halfback Nathan Cleary.

Like Cleary, Zane Harrison has great acceleration to go along with a wicked sidestep off both feet, and the play making skills to make opposition teams pay if defences look to focus too much on him rather than his support runners or if individual defenders come out of the line too quickly.

Like Cleary, Zane Harrison also has an outstanding short attacking kicking game and an above average to plus kicking game in general including goal kicking to be fair.

Thanks your in depth analysis of the juniors it’s fantastic and much appreciated. It’s great to be able to use your posts to keep an eye out for the players on QPlus tv in the MM /CC..

 

[mdrew]

Cooper Bai. The powerful young lock, centre or second rower from the Burleigh Bears Junior Rugby League club was part of the Titans U13 side that took on a Western Mustangs side at Mudgeeraba in February 2019, his first match in a Titans jersey.

In great news for the Titans Cooper Bai resigned with the Titans in a three year deal that will see Cooper Bai join the Titans NRL squad for the 2025 season on a Train and Trial contract.

In late 2024 Cooper Bai was named in the 2025 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad after playing for the Burleigh Bears MM Cup side in 2024.

In early January 2024 Cooper Bai started at lock for a Titans U19 side in a round robin series of matches against the Penrith Panthers and the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs in Sydney with Cooper Bai easily the Titans best against the Rabbitohs by way of a commanding performance.



In the first of the two trials against the Penrith Panthers in the 6th minute Cooper Bai ran onto the ball to the right of the dummy half and broke two tackles as he carried the ball from thirty two metres from the try line to within thirteen metres with 75% of Cooper Bai’s metres gained being post contact with the Penrith defensive line.

Then in the 21st minute from the right of the play the ball and eight metres inside his own territory Cooper Bai charged into the Penrith defensive line and was able to carry the ball seven metres into Panthers territory.

Cooper Bai also started at lock for the Titans U19 JTS side the following week in their annual match in Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights with Cooper Bai scoring in the 60th minute with a charge from ten metres out and to the left of the dummy half with Cooper Bai crashing through a number of attempted tackles to get the ball down seven metres to the left of the goal posts.

Copper Bai come close to scoring in the 54th minute when after bursting onto the ball to the left of the dummy half from twelve metres out Cooper Bai ran at the Newcastle defensive line at a 45 degree angle and was able to break the defensive line but unfortunately Cooper Bai lost the ball over the try line as he attempted to ground the ball ten metres to the left of the goal posts.

Cooper Bai got his strong match against the Knights underway by taking the second hit-up of the match to get the ball out to the twenty three metre mark. Then in the 10th minute Cooper Bai ran onto the ball to the left of the dummy half to carry the ball from five metres inside his own territory to six metres into Newcastle territory. Cooper Bai then made a strong kick-off return in the 23rd minute to get the ball out to the twenty three metre mark.

The 24th minute saw Cooper Bai run onto the ball to the right of the play the ball and carry the ball from eight metres inside his own territory to five metres into Newcastle territory. Then in the 28th minute from the left of the play the ball Cooper Bai ran onto the ball to carry the ball from thirty one metres from the try line to seventeen metres out.

Also in the 52nd minute Cooper Bai, after running onto the ball to the left of the dummy half made a strong yardage carry that saw him promote the ball from his own twenty metre mark out to the thirty three metre mark with approximately 65% of the metres that Cooper Bai gained being post contact with the Newcastle defensive line.

Then in the 69th minute after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball Cooper Bai got to within five metres of the halfway mark after commencing his run thirty one metres out from his own try line.

In late May Cooper Bai was named in the 2024 Queensland Rugby League U18 Emerging Boys Squad.

In early March 2024 Cooper Bai was named in the Open South Coast 2024 School Boy Rugby League Representative squad with Cooper Bai starting at lock on Day One against Met North.

Cooper Bai scored in the 18th minute when after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball from dummy half Kaleb Smith nine metres from the try line Cooper Bai crashed into one defender and reached out to get the ball down in his right arm under the posts.

Cooper Bai also made a line break in the 13th minute with a charge to the right of the play the ball with Cooper Bai stepping off his right foot on the halfway mark after running ten metres and after being tripped up Cooper Bai was back onto his feet immediately as he carried the ball an additional twenty metres downfield.

Cooper Bai did well in the 59th minute with South Coast leading by two points, when along with Nelson Makaafi and Kaleb Smith, Cooper Bai hit the Met North hooker on the try line and force a knock on after a run out of dummy half.

Cooper Bai had earlier also done well to trap a Met North attacking grubber kick in front of his posts four metres out and Cooper Bai was then able to retrieve the ball.

Cooper Bai continued at lock on Day Two against Met East and in the 7th minute from the right of the play the ball and thirty eight metres from his try line Cooper Bai carried the ball to the halfway mark.

From the left of the play the ball in the 31st minute Cooper Bai was able to make ten metres to within ten metres of the halfway mark and then in the 46th minute Cooper Bai ran the ball through the centre of the field from twelve metres to twenty four metres from his try line and then later in the same set of six from the left of the play the ball Cooper Bai got the ball from the thirty six metre mark to the halfway mark.

Cooper Bai also started at lock on Day Three against Northern and in the 39th minute from the left of the play the ball and seventeen metres from his own try line Cooper Bai ran the ball through the centre of the field from seventeen metres to twenty eight metres from his try line.

Cooper Bai continued at lock on Day Four against Met North with Cooper Bai scoring in the 18th minute by way of a hard straight run from ten metres out to score under the posts after receiving a pass from his left from Kaleb Smith.

In the 8th minute of the match and from the left of the play the ball Cooper Bai carried the ball from thirty five metres from his try line to within four metres of the halfway mark. Then in the 12th minute from the right of the dummy half and just eight metres from his try line Cooper Bai’s yardage carry saw him run the ball out to the twenty one metres mark. Additionally in the 37th minute Cooper Bai ran the ball through the centre of the field from the forty metres and to the right of the dummy half and got to twenty eight metres from the try line.

At the conclusion of the 2024 QSSRL U18 School Boy Rugby League Championships Cooper Bai was named in the 2024 Queensland School Boys side to contest the 2024 ASSRL U18 School Boy Rugby League Championships and just prior to the commencement of the Championships Cooper Bai was named at No. 16 in the Top 50 2024 School Boy Rugby League Players by News Limited.

In late 2023 Cooper Bai was named the 2024 Marymount College 2024 Boys School Captain.

In late September 2023 Cooper Bai was named in the 2024 Burleigh Bears U19 Mal Meninga (MM) Cup squad and Cooper Bai is also MM Cup eligible in 2025.

Round One of the 2024 MM Cup competition saw Cooper Bai start at lock for the Burleigh Bears against the Souths Logan Magpies with Cooper Bai recording a line break assist in the 11th minute when after taking the Souths Logan defensive line on to the left of the play the ball Cooper Bai carried the ball from thirty five metres from the try line to thirty metres out before throwing a good short ball to his left to put Brady Turner through a gap.

Cooper Bai made his presence felt in just the 4th minute when from the left of the dummy half Cooper Bai propelled the ball from eighteen metres from his try line to thirty four metres out with Cooper Bai then awarded a penalty for being held down too long by the Magpies defenders. Approximately 70% of Cooper Bai’s metres gained per post contact with the defensive line.

The 13th minute saw Cooper Bai once again run onto the ball to the left of the dummy half and carry the ball from five metres inside his own territory to ten metres into Souths Logan territory. Then in the 14th minute from the right of the play the ball Cooper Bai was able to get the ball to within ten metres of the halfway mark after commencing his run twenty nine metres out.

Cooper Bai added an additional good run in the 64th minute with an effort from the left of the play the ball from nineteen metres out from his own try line to thirty four metres out. Two minutes earlier in the 62nd minute saw Cooper Bai run from the left of the play the ball from five metres inside his own territory to eight metres into Souths Logan’s.

Cooper Bai rounded out a strong match in the 63rd minute with a bone rattling hit on the Magpies front rower No. 8 to force a knock on in the centre of the field thirty five metres from the try line.

Cooper Bai also started at lock in Round Two against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Cooper bai making the fourth run of the match from the halfway mark to eleven metres into Dolphins territory.

The 5th minute then saw Cooper Bai carry the ball from the right of the dummy half from sixteen metres out from his own try line to thirty metres out with Cooper Bai then awarded a penalty for being held down too long. A minute later in the 6th minute ran onto the ball to the right of a Burleigh penalty restart from the halfway mark ten metres into Redcliffe territory.

Cooper Bai then did well in the 11th minute when whilst defending five metres out from the try line Cooper Bai reacted quickly to take a hard kick from close range on the full to Cooper Bai’s left. Then in the 21st minute after running onto the ball to the left of the dummy half was able to get the ball from his own thirty metre mark to within seven metres of the halfway mark.

Cooper Bai with a hit-up to the right of the play the ball in the 24th minute with Cooper Bai making a half break to get the ball from twenty four metres from his own try line out to the forty metre mark. Cooper Bai made another half break in the 30th minute when after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball Cooper Bai almost broke through the Dolphins defensive line in his run from the forty three metre mark to within thirty metres of the try line.

In the 43rd minute from the left of the play the ball Cooper Bai carried the ball from the halfway mark to thirty eight metres of the try line and in the 61st minute also from the left of the dummy half Cooper Bai made thirteen metre before being tackled on the halfway mark. Then in the 63rd minute from the left of the play the ball once again Cooper Bai ran the ball from twenty four metres from the try line to ten metres out.

Cooper Bai also executed a big tackle in the 39th minute when along with Brady Turner, Cooper Bai smashed the Redcliffe front rower No. 8 to force a knock on in the centre of the field and forty metres from the try line.

Cooper Bai finished the match with a team leading and match leading forty one tackles.

As a result of his performance Cooper Bai was named at lock in the Courier Mail 2024 MM Cup Round Two Team of the Week.

Cooper Bai continued at lock in Round Three against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Cooper Bai making the second hit-up of the match from the right of the play the ball to thirty seven metres from the try line.

In the 13th minute from the left of the play the ball and thirty metres from his own try line Cooper Bai produced a strong carry that saw him promote the ball to within three metres of the halfway mark with at least 75% of Cooper Bai’s metres gained being post contact with the Wynnum Manly defensive line. Then in the 53rd minute after running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball Cooper Bai promoted the ball from his own twenty four metre mark to the forty metre mark.

Cooper Bai made a great defensive hit in the 10th minute with a powerful front on tackle on the Wynnum Manly front rower No. 10 to force a knock on ten metres from the try line.

Cooper Bai’s performance saw him named on the bench in the Courier Mail’s 2024 MM Cup Round Three Team of the Week.

Cooper Bai continued at lock in Round Five against the Norths Devils with Cooper Bai making the second hit-up of the match to carry the ball from the left of the play the ball and twenty one metres from his own ty line to the thirty nine metre mark.

In the 4th minute from the left of the play the ball and forty metres from the try line Cooper Bai was able to force his way to within twenty seven metres of the try line. Then in the 29th minute from the right of the play the ball and thirteen from the try line Cooper Bai cut back inside and just kept running to his right and towards the try line with Cooper Bai ultimately getting to within a metre of the try line before being brought to ground less than a metre from the try line on the opposite side of the goal posts.

Cooper Bai’s performance saw him receive a special mention in the Courier Mail’s MM Cup Round Five Team of the Week deliberations.

Cooper Bai also started at lock in Round Six against the Brisbane Tigers with Cooper Bai involved in the opening tackle of the match from the Burleigh kick-off and in the 13th minute Cooper Bai ran the ball back from a Tigers kick-off out to the twenty two metres make with Cooper Bai then getting a right arm off-load away to his left whilst being held by his right leg.

Cooper Bai recorded a try assist in the 19th minute when after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball Cooper Bai carried the ball within eight metres of the try line before throwing a well weighted short pass to his right to put one of his front rowers into a gap and over to score next to the right goal post.

Earlier in the 10th minute from the left of the play the ball Cooper Bai did well to carry the ball from forty metres to the halfway mark before getting away an off-load to a trailing support player. Then in the 21st minute from the right of the dummy half Cooper Bai carted the ball from forty metres to within twenty eight metres of the try line. Also in the 33rd minute Cooper Bai ran the ball through the centre of the field from twenty three metres from the try line to within six metres after taking possession to the right of the play the ball.

Cooper Bai then came off the bench in Round Nine against the Ipswich Jets with Cooper Bai coming onto the field to operate at lock mid-way through the first half.

From the left of the play the ball in the 18th minute Cooper Bai was able to promote the ball from eight metres inside his own territory to eight metres into Ipswich territory. Then in the 46th minute also from the left of the play the ball Cooper Bai ran the ball through the centre of the field from forty five metres to within thirty two metres of the try line.

In the 52nd minute Cooper Bai ran the ball through the centre of the field from thirty six metres to twenty three metres from the try lien after taking possession of the ball to the left of the dummy half. Also from the left of the play the ball Cooper Bai ran the ball through the centre of the field once again with a yardage carry from five metres from his own try line to fifteen metres out. It was through the centre of the field yet again where Cooper Bai ran the ball in the 66th minute with a run from the right of the play the ball from twenty two metres to within eight metres of the try line.

Cooper Bai did well defensively in the 26th minute to along with Tama Darlington hold up the Ipswich No. 16 over the try line next to the right upright.

Cooper Bai was back in the Burleigh starting side at lock in Round Ten against the Souths Logan Magpies with Cooper Bai taking the third hit-up of the match from the left the play the ball to carry the ball from thirty metres from his try line to within six metres of the halfway mark.

Cooper Bai, in the 9th minute also from the left of the play the ball produced a yardage carry that saw him run the ball from nine metres to twenty one metres out from his own try line with around 80% of the metres being post contact. Then in the Cooper Bai ran the ball through the centre of the field from the right of the play the ball from forty two metres to within thirty two metres of the try line.

Cooper Bai added another strong run in the 24th minute from the right of the play the ball and through the centre of the field from twenty eight metres from his try line to forty two metres out. Then in the 41st minute Cooper Bai once again ran the ball straight through the centre of the field from the left of the play the ball from thirty seven metres from his own try line and after dummying to his left Cooper Bai was able to get the ball five metres into Souths Logan territory.

Cooper Bai also ran onto the ball to the left of the dummy half in the 60th minute from twenty five metres to thirty six metres out in the centre of the field then in the Cooper Bai ran onto the ball on the halfway mark to the left of the dummy hald and was able to make fourteen metres.

Cooper Bai continued at lock in Round Eleven against the Wide Bay Bulls with Cooper Bai’s initial strong run in the 4th minute from the left of the play the ball seeing Cooper Bai promote the ball from thirty three metres from his try line to six metres of the halfway mark.

In the 18th minute from the left of the play the ball and twenty two metres from the try line Cooper Bai ran the ball through the centre of the field to get within ten metres of the try line and getting a great short pass away to his left. Then in the 22nd minute from the left of the play the ball Cooper Bai ran the ball from his thirty five metre mark to the halfway mark.

Week One of the 2024 MM Cup Finals series saw Cooper Bai start at lock for the Burleigh Bears against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Cooper Bai recording a line break assist in the 68th minute when after running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball thirty eight metres from his try line Cooper Bai looed left but played right with a smart inside pass to Ray Puru who as a result burst straight through the heart of the Wynnum Manly defensive line.

In the 5th minute Cooper Bai ran the ball through the centre of the field from the left of the play the ball from thirty eight metres to the halfway mark before getting a right arm off-load away to his left to Brady Turner.

In the 7th minute also from the left of the play the ball Cooper Bai carried the ball from the halfway mark to forty metres out and then in the 12th minute from the left of the dummy half once again Cooper Bai ran the ball from ten metre to twenty one metres from his try line. Cooper Bai added another strong run to his game resume in the 18th minute from the left of the play the ball through the centre of the field from the halfway mark to forty metres out.

The 23rd minute saw Cooper Bai run onto the ball to the right of the play the ball and get the ball from three metres inside his own half to ten metres into Wynnum Manly territory. Also in the 36th minute from the left of the play the ball and twenty four metres from his try line Cooper Bai was able to get the ball out to the thirty seven metre mark. Then a minute later in the 37th minute from the right of the play the ball Cooper Bai got within eleven metres of the try line after commencing his run twenty five metres out.

A Cooper Bai kick-off return in the 66th minute saw him run straight over the top of one Seagulls defender to get the ball out to the twenty two metre mark. Cooper Bai then rounded out strong match in the 73rd minute with a run to the left of the play the ball to get from thirty one metres to twelve metres of the try line before being awarded as penalty for a strip of the ball with more than one player in the tackle.

Cooper Bai continued at lock in the Preliminary Final against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Cooper Bai carrying the ball through the centre of the field from the right of the dummy half from twenty metres to thirty metres from the try line.

The 17th minute saw Cooper Bai, from the left of the play the ball also carry the ball through the centre of the field from fifteen metres to twenty five metres from the try line. Also in the 27th minute, on this occasion to the left of the play the ball Cooper Bai was able to get the ball from forty one metres to thirty metres from the try line. Cooper Bai then ran through the centre of the field once again in the 38th minute from forty metres to thirty metres from the try line.

Cooper Bai started at lock for the Burleigh Bears in the 2024 MM Cup Grand Final against the Tweed Heads Seagulls and in the 5th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball Cooper Bai was able to get the ball from four metres inside his own half to eight metres into Tweed Heads territory.

In the 9th minute Cooper Bai carried the ball through the centre of the field from the left of the dummy half from twenty five to thirty five metres from his try line and then in the 14th minute Cooper Bai carried the ball through the centre of the field again from the right of the play the ball from thirty eight metres from his try line to two metres into the Seagulls half.

At the conclusion of the MM Cup competition Cooper Bai received a “Footballers we love to have playing for our life” Award in the 2024 Courier Mail Mal Meninga Cup Team of the Season discussions.

In late January 2024 Cooper Bai was named in the 2024 Queensland Rugby league U19 Emerging Origin squad.

In late July 2023 Cooper Bai started from the bench for a Titans U19 side that travelled to Townsville to play a Cowboys U19 side in an NRL curtain-raiser with Cooper Bai coming onto the field to play at lock in the 18th minute.

The 23rd minute saw Cooper Bai make a strong carry from the left of the play the ball twenty eight metres from the try line and get the ball to within thirteen metres of the try line. Then in the 36th minute from the left of the play the ball and eight metres out from his own try line Cooper Bai carried the ball to the twenty metre mark before being awarded a penalty for a dangerous tackle.

Cooper Bai continued his strong match in the 37th minute with a run from the left of the dummy half from three metres inside his own territory and crashed and barged his way nineteen metres inside North Queensland territory.

The 38th minute saw Cooper Bai run an underneath line from the right of the dummy half to get from twenty metres out to within eight metres of the try line with Cooper Bai then getting away a very good right arm off-load away to his left to Corey Pearce with two Cowboys defenders battling to bring Cooper Bai under their control.

Cooper Bai followed up in the 41st minute effort from the right of the play the ball from fourteen metres out to three metres from the try line with Cooper Bai then able to get his left arm free and off-load to his right.

The 63rd minute then saw Cooper Bai run the ball from three metres inside Titans territory to ten metres inside Cowboys territory after taking possession of the ball to the right of the play the ball.

In the 26th minute Cooper Bai produced heavy defensive contact on the North Queensland five eight in the centre of the field and eight metres out with Cooper Bai’s initial contact rocking he Cowboys player. Then from the subsequent play the ball Cooper Bai executed another big tackle along with Reico Ratana on the giant Cowboys No. 8 right on the try line next to the left upright to save what appeared to be a certain North Queensland try.

Cooper Bai was superb defensively once again in the 29th minute with an outstanding low tackle in the tall North Queensland front rower No. 8 with Cooper Bai driving in with his left shoulder to cut him down twenty eight metres from the try line. Then two tackle later, Cooper Bai executed a crunching tackle on the North Queensland No. 17 six metres from the try line with Cooper Bai then backing up to also make the next tackle on the Cowboys dummy half who had tried to sneak over from the play the ball.

In January 2023 Cooper Bai started at lock for the Titans U17 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights with Copper Bai scoring for the Titans in the 65th minute by way of a ten metre charge to the right of the play the ball and near the centre of the field with Cooper Bai crashing through three defenders including the Knights fullback who tried in vain to stop him on the try line with Cooper Bai easily shrugging him off to score adjacent to the left upright.

Cooper Bai came very close to scoring earlier in the match in the 19th minute when after receiving a great short ball from his right from Joseph Pouniu when eleven metres out Cooper Bai forced his way over the try line only to be held up under the goal posts.

Cooper Bai came desperately close to setting up a try that would have drawn the match for the Titans in the 67th minute when a great short ball from nine metres out to his right to Riley Buchanan who to be honest appeared to get the ball down under the posts but the referee ruled that he was held up.

Coper Bai also made a line break in the 25th minute when from the left of the play the ball and thirty metres out from his own try line, Cooper bai burst onto the ball and after a subtle step to his left Cooper bai went straight through a gap in the Knights defensive line with Cooper Bai able to get the ball five metres inside Newcastle territory.

Cooper Bai made another line break in the 45th minute from his own forty metre mark when after receiving a great short ball from Nayte Saaga, Cooper Bai burst through the defensive line to get within thirty five metres of the try line in the centre of the field.

Cooper Bai has involved in the opening tackle of the match after the Titans had kicked off to get the match underway. Cooper Bai then backed up to individually make the second tackle of the match.

Cooper Bai then made a great tackle in the 8th minute on the Knights five eight with Cooper bai driving him sideways after the five eight had tried to dummy his way through the Titans defensive line.

In the 3rd minute Cooper Bai ran an underneath route from thirteen metres out from the try line and was able to carry a number of defenders to within a metre of the line before he was brought to ground adjacent to the left upright.

Cooper Bai made further strong metres in the 9th minute when from inside his own defensive twenty metre area Cooper bai charged onto the ball to the right of the play the ball and was able to get the ball thirty four metres away from his own try line.

Cooper Bai continued his outstanding match in the 36th minute with a strong run to the right of the play the ball from twenty metres out from his own try line with Cooper Bai breaking two tackles as he progressed twenty five metres downfield.

Cooper Bai also started at lock a week later for the Titans U17’s against the Brisbane Bronco’s U17’s on the Gold Coast with Cooper Bai producing yet another powerhouse display in both attack and defence.

In early December 2022 Cooper Bai took part in a joint training session between the Titans JTS contracted players and the Titans NRL off-season training squad.

In late September 2022 Cooper Bai was named in the 2023 Burleigh Bears U18 MM Cup Squad and Cooper Bai is also MM Cup eligible in 2024.

Cooper Bai started at lock in the Bears third and final trial against the Brisbane Tigers with Cooper Bai taking the second hit-up of the match. Cooper Bai recorded a line break assist in the 63rd minute when after taking the ball from the left of the play the ball Cooper Bai took the ball to the Tigers defensive line just twenty metres from his own try line and popped a great short ball to his left to a charging Waaka Hapi who burst away to set up Zyroam Taurara-Herlihy to score.

Cooper Bai was named to start at lock in Round One of the 2023 U18 Mal Meninga Cup competition for the Bears against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Cooper Bai making a heavy tackle on his opposite number in just the 2nd minute of the match just inside his own territory with the Seagulls lock knocking the ball on as a result of Cooper Bai’s strong initial contact.

Cooper Bai made another strong tackle in the 35th minute when along with Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy, Cooper Bai smashed the Wynnum Manly right centre taking him over the side line just out from the Bears left corner post to save a try.

Cooper Bai also started at lock in Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies with Cooper Bai recording a try assist in the 68th minute when after taking possession eight metre inside his own territory Cooper Bai broke through three attempted tackles and when three metres inside Magpies territory Cooper Bai got away a right arm off-load to his left whilst being tackled to bailey McConnell who raced away to score ten metres to the left of the uprights.

Cooper Bai made a line break of his own in the 20th minute line break when from forty metres out from his own try line and in the centre of the field Isaiah F@galilo ran to his right out of dummy half and when he ran to the halfway mark Isaiah F@galilo was able to isolate a Magpies defender and get a smart ball away to Cooper Bai who surged downfield beating the Magpies fullback and Cooper Bai was only caught when he was a metre or two from the try line and in front of the left goal post.

Cooper Bai continued at lock in Round Three against the Brisbane Tigers with Cooper Bai making a strong run to five metres inside Tigers territory in the 21st minute after taking possession from a Bears off-load still ten metres inside his own territory.

Cooper Bai made a strong run in the 44th minute from thirty metres from his own try line with Cooper Bai making twelve metres on the left side of the field before getting an off-load away to his left to Sam Stephenson who was able to get the ball to the halfway mark.

Cooper Bai also started at lock Round Four against the Norths Devils with Cooper Bai recording a try assist in the 63rd minute when after running onto the ball from fifteen metres out and to the right of the play the ball Cooper Bai made his way to three metres from the try line directly in front of the posts Cooper Bai whilst being held by multiple defenders was able to force an off-load behind him which was picked up on the first bounce by Nayte Saaga who darted over to score three metres to the left of the uprights.

Cooper Bai also made a strong run in the 8th minute when from the right of the play the ball and eighteen metres out Cooper Bai carried the ball to within two metres of the try line and in front of the right upright.

In the 48th minute Cooper Bai along with Kanititeiti Sikahele made a strong try saving tackle when defending on their own try line on the Norths No. 10 directly under the goal posts. Cooper Bai made another strong tackle in the 58th minute on that occasion on the Norths No. 14 who had charged onto the ball from close range with Cooper Bai stopping the Norths player less than a metre from try line.

Cooper Bai then started at lock in Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Cooper Bai making a strong run in the 25th minute from the right of the play the ball and twenty two metres out with Cooper Bai able to get the ball to within twelve metres from the halfway mark before Cooper Bai was able to get an off-load away to his left to his trailing fullback.

The 2023 MM Cup season saw Cooper Bai make 122 tackles for the Tweed Heads Seagulls at a per game average of 24.4 tackles.

Cooper Bai played for Marymount College in 2023 once again including starting at right second row for the Mako’s in the Titans Cup Year 11/12 Division One Grand Final against Keebra Park SHS with Cooper Bai recording a try assist in the 36th minute when after bursting between defenders to break the Keebra Park SHS defensive line on the halfway mark Cooper Bai charged downfield before drawing the fullback and getting an off-load away to his left for Luke White to race away to score.

In just the 8th minute of the match from the right of the play the ball and twelve metres inside his own territory Cooper Bai carried the ball to the halfway mark before getting a right arm off-load away to his left. Then Cooper Bai also took the subsequent hit-up making fifteen more metres.

Cooper Bai also did well defensively in the 41st with a big defensive stop a metre out and in front of the goal posts on the Keebra Park SHS No. 18.

Cooper Bai was also part of the Marymount College side that played in the 2023 School Boy Rugby League Confraternity Shield with Cooper Bai starting at right second row in Round One against Emmanaus College.

Cooper Bai also started at right second row in Round Two against Ignatius Park SHS with Cooper Bai scoring in a 6 all draw with Cooper Bai also named Marymount College’s Player of the Match. Cooper Bai also scored in Round Three against Padua College after starting the match at right second row once again.

Cooper Bai then continued at right second row in Marymount College’s Quarter Final victory against The Cathedral College. Cooper Bai also started at right second row in the Semi-final against St Brendan’s College Yeppoon as well as Marymount College’s third place play-off match against St Patricks’ Mackay.

At the completion of the Carnival Cooper Bai was named the Player of the Carnival, named in the second row in the 2023 Confraternity Carnival Merit Team and also received the Marymount College “Best Player” Award for his performances.

Round Eight of the Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition saw Cooper Bai start at right second row for the Burleigh Bears against the Helensvale Hornets with Cooper Bai, in the 26th minute, running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball from ten metres inside his own territory to get the ball eight metres inside Helensvale territory.

Then in the 56th minute once again from the left of the play the ball Cooper Bai received the ball on the halfway mark and was able to make thirteen metres downfield with Cooper Bai then awarded a penalty after being hit high.

Cooper Bai also started at right second row in Round Eleven against the Southport Tigers with Cooper Bai recording a try assist in the 24th minute when after making a line break from thirty two metres out down the right side of the field Cooper Bai drew the Tigers fullback when ten metres out and off-loaded to his left for his fullback to score under the posts.

Cooper Bai came close to scoring himself in the 19th minute only to be held up over the try line eight metres to the right of the uprights after a straight hard run from fourteen metres out.

Cooper Bai ran the ball down a right blindside in the 7th minute from twenty one metres out form his own try line to get the ball to the thirty eight metre mark with approximately 65% of Cooper Bai’s metres being post contact.

In the 12th minute from the right of the play the ball Cooper Bai cut back underneath his halfback from ten metres from his own try line to get the ball twenty four metres out. Then in the 23rd minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball Cooper Bai ran onto the ball on the halfway and after making five metres Cooper Bai produced a left arm flick off-load to his left.

Cooper Bai made a further strong run in the 29th minute from the left of the play the ball from twenty metres out from his own try line with Cooper bai breaking five tackles as he marched the ball to within five metres of the halfway mark before getting an off-load away to his left.

The 48th minute saw Cooper Bai run an underneath route from the right of the dummy half to get the ball from twenty one metres out from the try line to nine metres out, then in the 51st minute Cooper Bai made a good kick-off return to get the ball to the thirty one metre mark.

Cooper Bai started at lock in the Week Two Qualifying Final against the Southport Tigers with Cooper Bai recording a try assist in the 25th minute with a good short ball to his left to the Bears replacement forward No. 16 had charged ten metres to score next to the left goal post. Cooper Bai had run onto the ball to the left of the dummy half from sixteen metres out to draw two defenders and send the short pass to his left.

Cooper Bai came close to setting up another try in the 53rd minute when after running the ball down a short left blindside Cooper bai got away a brilliant off-load to his left with three defenders trying to bring him to ground to his left centre who was tackled agonisingly short of the try line near the left corner.

Cooper Bai made a line break in the 59th minute from after taking the ball from a Burleigh penalty restart thirty two metres out from his own try line, Cooper Bai burst straight through the centre of the Southport defensive line and charged downfield before being brought down from behind twenty eight metres from the try line.

Cooper Bai also recorded a line break assist in the 7th minute when after running the ball from the right of the dummy half twenty five metres out, Cooper bai threw a well weighted short ball to his right to put one of his front rowers through a gap.

In the 10th minute Cooper Bai ran onto a pass to the right of the dummy half on his own thirty metre mark to get the ball within seven metres of the halfway mark and then in the 27th minute from the left of the play the ball five metres inside Southport territory Cooper Bai was able to progress the ball to thirty two metres from the try line.

Cooper Bai did well along with Sam McAlister to grab one of the Tigers players who was trying to bring the ball off his own try line, to grab him five metres out and force him back into the in-goal to force a Southport goal line drop-out.

The 2023 Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One Grand Final saw Cooper Bai start at lock for the Burleigh Bears against the Currumbin Eagles with Cooper Bai making a line break in the 7th minute as a result of a strong charge straight through the centre of the Currumbin defensive line from eight metres inside his own territory with Cooper Bai charging to within thirty two metres of the try line before being finally stopped by multiple Eagles defenders.

Cooper Bai did well inside the opening minute of the Grand Final when he was more desperate to get to a Currumbin lost ball than his opponents with Cooper Bai diving on the ball thirty five metres from the Currumbin try line.

In the 13th minute from the left of the play the ball Cooper Bai was able to carry the ball twelve metres into Currumbin territory after running onto the ball from five metres inside his own territory and at the end of his run Cooper Bai was able to get a right arm free and throw a great around the corner off-load away to his left.

Then in the 18th minute Cooper Bai ran onto the ball to the left of the play the ball and get the ball from twenty metres out from his own try line to thirty three metres out. Cooper Bai backed that up with another carry from the left of the play the ball in the 29th minute to get the ball to within eight metres of the halfway mark after taking possession of the ball twenty eight metres from his own try line. In the 31st minute from the right of the play the ball Cooper Bai was then able to run the ball from thirty two metres out from his own try line to forty four metres out.

On three occasions in the Grand Final Cooper bai highlighted his impressive functional strength to force a Currumbin goal line drop-out. On the first occasion in the 14th minute Cooper Bai chased a Bears grubber kick and after the Eagles fullback picked up the ball four metres out and in front of his own posts, but Cooper Bai got to him and forced him back into his own in-goal area to require the Currumbin goal line drop-out.

Then in the 20th minute the Currumbin hooker tried to run out of dummy half from close to his own try line but Cooper Bai grabbed hold of him and rag dolled him back into the in-goal to force a second Eagles goal line drop-out. Also in the 43rd minute after the Currumbin fullback collected a Burleigh grubber kick three metres out in from of the posts, Cooper Bai yet again chased the kick and was able to force the fullback back into the in-goal area.

In early March 2023 Cooper Bai was named on the bench for the South Coast School Boy Rugby League Open Representative side however injury prevented Cooper Bai from taking his place at the Championships.

In early September 2023 Cooper Bai was named in the Queensland City U17 squad for their annual match against Queensland Country U17’s with Cooper Bai starting the match in the front row and coming close to scoring in the45th minute only to be held up two metres to the left of the goal posts after a six metre charge at the defensive line from the left of the play the ball.

Cooper Bai had made the opening tackle of the match from the kick-off before running onto the ball to the right of the dummy half to carry the ball from seventeen metres out from his own try line to thirty metres out in the 19th minute. Cooper Bai followed up with another carry in the 25th minute from the left of the play the ball to carry the ball nine metres inside Country territory after initiating his run five metres inside his own territory.

In the 38th minute from the right of the play the ball and thirteen metres from the try line Cooper Bai ran the ball to within seven metres before getting a good short ball away to his right to his lock who was only tripped up centremetres short of the try line. Two minutes earlier in the 36th minute Cooper Bai ran onto the ball to the right of the dummy half from his own twenty metre mark and made twenty metred downfield with 70% of those metres being post contact.

Cooper Bai in the 66th minute was able to carry the ball from forty metres from the try line to seventeen metres out after running onto the ball to the right of the dummy half and breaking three tackles.

Playing forty nine minutes Cooper Bai ran for 111 metres (forty one post contact), broke a tackle and made twenty four tackles at a tackling efficiency of 92.31%.

In early April 2023 Cooper Bai was named in the Queensland Rugby League U17 Positional Skills Day squad.

Cooper Bai also played Oztag in 2023 with Cooper Bai named in the 2023 Queensland Schools Oztag Year Eleven/Twelve Boys All Stars School Merit Team.

In early January 2021 Cooper Bai was part of a small group of Titans 2021 U15 players who after attending a Titans camp, trained with the Titans NRL squad. Post that camp Cooper Bai signed a contract that will keep him with the first NRL club that his father played for. In good news for Titans fans, Copper Bai resigned for a couple more seasons in early August 2022.

In late January 2022 Cooper Bai started at lock for the Titans U16 side in a match at Pizzey Park against the Sydney Bulldogs with Cooper Bai being involved in the second tackle of the match along with Corey Pearse.

In early May 2022 Cooper Bai also started at lock for the Titans JTS U16 squad that took on a Northern Rivers Titans U17 squad at Cbus Stadium as a curtain-raiser to the Titans NRL Round Fourteen against the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs with Cooper Bai recording a 10th minute try assist when he off-loaded the ball to Isaac Togia after breaking the Norther Rivers Titans line.

In late July 2022 Cooper Bai was part of the U17 Future Titans Squad that defenders a Titans U18 Northern Rivers Squad 36 – 8 at Cbus Stadium as a curtain-raiser to the Round Twenty NRL match between the Titans and the Canberra Raiders.

In late September 2022 Cooper Bai started at lock for a Titans U16 side against a Sydney Roosters U16 side at Pizzey Park with the Titans winning the match 32 - 8. Cooper Bai was also part of the Titans U16 squad that defeated a Balmain Tigers U16 side 40 – 8 to win the Annual Anthony Laffranchi Cup.

After leading Marymount College to the 2022 Titans Cup School Boy Year 11/12 title, Cooper Bai lined up at left centre in a play-off match against Brisbane’s Stretton College with the winner making the School Boy Langer Cup Quarter Finals with Cooper Bai scoring as double in a Marymount College 36 – 8 victory.

Cooper Bai’s opening try arrived in the 7th minute when after receiving the ball in space on the left side of the field and thirty metres out, Cooper Bai got to the left corner untouched and then smartly brought the ball around to score under the posts after receiving the last pass from Sam McAlister.

Cooper Bai completed his double in the 21st minute when after shrugging off one defender Cooper Bai had a twelve metre run to put the ball down in the left corner.

The first of Cooper Bai’s line breaks in the match came before even a minute of the match had gone by when Cooper Bai made a line break through the centre of the field to make twenty five metres to promote the ball into Stretton College territory.

Cooper Bai made a further line break in the 35th minute when from forty metres out Cooper Bai ran onto the ball to the left of the play the ball with Cooper Bai breaking two tackles as he got the ball to within eight metres of the try line.

Cooper Bai added a further line break in the 39th minute with a twenty five metre run down the left channel. Then in the 55th minute Cooper Bai ran the ball to the left of a Marymount College scrum win with Cooper Bai made sixteen metres, breaking two tackles along the way.

Cooper Bai then started at left centre in Marymount College’s Langer Cup Quarter Final against Keebra Park SHS with Cooper Bai making hard metres from two metres from his own line with Cooper Bai after running to his left out of dummy half getting the ball ten metres away from the try line.

Cooper Bai made another strong run in the 22nd minute Cooper Bai took the second hit-up from the kick-off from Marymount College’s first try of the match with Cooper Bai making twenty two metres down the left side of the field with Cooper Bai only brought to ground once he had gotten to within eight metres of the halfway mark.

In the 18th minute Cooper Bai chased hard a Marymount College grubber kick into the in-goal area with the Keebra Park SHS fullback forced to take the ball over the dead ball line with Cooper Bai closing in.

Cooper Bai chased another Marymount College grubber kick in the 49th minute with Cooper Bai putting pressure on Keebra Park SHS right winger Jeremaiah Temapo batting the ball dead in goal to force Keebra Park SHS into another goal line drop-out.

At the 2022 Marymount College Sports Presentation Awards Cooper Bai was named the Marymount College Rugby League Year Nine/Ten Best and Fairest.

In October 2021 Cooper Bai was named in the powerful Burleigh Bears U16 Cyril Connell Cup squad however Cooper Bai ultimately pulled out of the Burleigh side prior to Round One.

In late 2021 Cooper Bai was named in the Miami Raptors Oztag side for the 2022 Queensland U16 Junior State Cup and post that competition Cooper Bai was named in the 2022 Queensland Oztag U16 Representative Side.

In November 2021 Cooper Bai was named in the Miami Raptors U16 2022 State Cup Oztag squad and in October of the same year represented Marymount College at the 2021 Queensland All Schools Oztag Championships and at the end of the Championships was named in the Year Ten Boys First XVI All Schools Championship Team.

Even though he was still U15 eligible in June 2021, Cooper Bai was a member of the Titans JTS U16 Development side that drew with a Titans U17 Northern Rivers Academy side at Cbus Stadium in a curtain raiser to the Titans NRL fixture against Manly, playing lock in his time on the field. Cooper Bai was one of only two 15 year old’s in the Titans U16 JTS squad with the other being Sam Stephenson.

Cooper Bai played for the Gold Coast based Marymount College once again in 2021 including in the Titans Cup Boys Year Nine/Ten Boys Division One competition and had a big Round Two match against St Michael’s College. Whilst Cooper Bai did not score in Marymount College’s 38 – 0 win he made some telling runs with the ball, none better than in the second half when he took a hit-up from a St Michael’s College kick-off and charged over the halfway mark before being stopped with Marymount College scoring two plays later.

Early February 2021 saw Cooper Bai make it through the first stage of the South Coast U15 QSSRL School Boy Representative Trials.

In 2021 Cooper Bai played for the Burleigh Bears in the Gold Coast Rugby League U15 Division One competition, playing for Burleigh Marron and started at right second row in their 2021 U15 Division One Grand Final victory against Burleigh White.

Cooper Bai put an exclamation mark on the Grand Final in the 59th minute with an outstanding long range try. Near the halfway mark Cooper Bai chased through a short grubber kick with Cooper Bai retrieving the ball thirty five metres out from the line. Cooper Bai was initially tackled ten metres from the line but was not held and quickly got to his feet and stepped off his left foot and crashed over mid-way between the corner post and goal posts on the right hand side of the field.

Cooper Bai also performed strongly in the 2021 GCRL U15 Division One Major Semi-final, once again starting at right second row for the Bears against the Helensvale Hornets and recording a try assist towards the end of the second half when after breaking through the Helensvale left sided defensive line near the halfway mark Cooper Bai positioned his right winger, drawing the Hornets fullback and passing to his right to put his winger over in the right corner.

Cooper Bai also had a strong match at right second row in Round Ten against the Coomera Cutters, a match that saw Cooper Bai make a strong line break mid-way through the second half when from just inside his own territory Cooper Bai burst through the centre of the Cutters defensive line and ran thirty five metres before drawing the Coomera fullback and passing to his right to his winger who unfortunately was dragged into touch just short of the right corner.

Cooper Bai also played for the Titans in early October 2020 when he was part of the Titans U14 squad that played a Titans U14/15 NRRRL Development squad at Cbus Stadium.

In 2020 Cooper Bai was part of the Burleigh Bears U14 Division One side in the Gold Coast Rugby League competition. Burleigh finished the 2020 season going down 40 – 0 in the play-off round to Helensvale. The Burleigh U14 Division One side finished the regular season with six wins from their seven matches, scoring 250 points and conceding only thirty four to have an impressive +216 points differential.

From a trivia perspective, Cooper Bai is the son of former Titans, Melbourne Storm and PNG International winger Marcus Bai.

Early in the 2019 season Cooper Bai was named in the Gold Coast Vikings U13 squad starting in the second row for the Vikings. After the completion of the competition, Cooper Bai was selected in the 2019 South East Queensland U13 training squad.

Cooper Bai started in the second row for Burleigh in Round One of the 2019 GCRL U13 Division One competition against Coomera but also spent time in the centres this season for Burleigh.

In total for Burleigh in the 2019 GCRL U13 Division One competition regular season, Cooper Bai played in ten matches scoring four tries including a Round Six double against Currumbin as well as tries in Rounds One and Three against Coomera and Nerang respectively.

In Round One of the finals Copper Bai started in the second row and scored for Burleigh as they went down 24 – 22 to Ormeau and also started in the second row in Week Three being their Preliminary Final victory.

In the GCRL U13 Division One Grand Final Cooper Bai started at left second row and had a very good second half but Burleigh ended up going down 26 – 22 to the Helensvale Hornets in a high quality affair.

Cooper Bai also played school boy rugby league in 2019 and at the Marymount College Sports Awards Presentation Night he was named as U13/14 Sky Best Back and U15/16 Blue Best and Fairest.

In 2018 Cooper Bai played for Burleigh in the U12 Division One competition playing in twelve matches, scoring thirty points from three tries and nine goals, including scoring Burleigh’s only try in their 28 – 6 U12 Division One Grand Final loss to Helensvale. Copper Bai started the Grand Final in the second row, scoring in the first half for the Bears.

In addition to his 2018 Grand Final try Cooper Bai scored against Runaway Bay and Coomera. Interestingly, all of his nine conversions were kicked in separate matches over the course of the 2018 season.

2018 also saw Cooper Bai captain the Marymount Catholic Primary School side in the NRL Development Cup Final played at Suncorp Stadium with the Gold Coast school running out 16 – 12 winners against Cairns West Primary School.

Cooper Bai started the match at lock and scored Marymount’s Catholic Primary School’s first try when he cut back inside the Cairns West defence to score under the posts to level the score up at 6 all in the first half.

Cooper Bai is a big strong young man who does not rely just on his size and speed and using his natural running balance to either engage the opposing defenders and off load, run either an inside or outside shoulder route or an in and away to slow the forward momentum of the defender and accelerate on the outside.

For a player of his size, Cooper Bai also has a very good passing game. When the ball is passed out to the back line, Cooper Bai is very good at straitening up the attacking vector of his team and pass to his outside supports if they have room to move further out wide.

From a speed perspective has above average to plus speed for both his size and position and when he breaks into open space, Cooper Bai will not be caught from behind other than from only the fastest of opponents and Cooper Ba is also very good at positioning his support players when he gets to the fullback. The only possible question about Cooper Bai’s speed is whether it will stay at or near the plus category as he matures and inevitably fills out.

Defensively Cooper Bai uses his size to good effect, he drives with his shoulder into his opponent and has very good timing in terms of when to come out of the line and certainly has the speed to readjust and chase if his timing is slightly off and his opponent gets on his outside.

For me when I saw him play for Burleigh in 2024 Cooper Bai was the defensive leader of his side of the field and other defenders keyed off him in terms of whether to use an up and in methodology and slide to the outside.

Cooper Bai on an 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 when to come out of the line to disrupt the attacking play prior to its formation.
Cooper Bai will play the 2025 season with the Tweed Heads Seagulls Cup side after playing for the Burleigh Bears MM Cup side in 2025. Post the MM Cup Cooper Bai may well move immediately to the Queensland Cup with the Seagulls.

Cooper Bai is a big strong powerful young man with some real speed for his size and therefore seems an ideal fit in the second row on a rugby league field. I do however believe that Cooper Bai did play a couple of matches for Burleigh in the centres in 2021 and of course for Marymount college in both the Titans Cup and Langer Cup school boy competition in 2022 and will likely continue to do so for the next couple of seasons at least. Similarly Cooper Bai also played matches for the Titans and Burleigh sides at lock in 2023 and 2024

For me a current rugby league player with similar attributes and a similar playing style is Penrith Panthers, New South Wales State of Origin and Australian International captain Isaiah Yeo as a big strong highly skilful player who is an outstanding ball runner on the fringes of the ruck as well as being a very strong and rugged defender.

Cooper Bai continues to go from strength to strength and is developing at a rapid rate. The Titans have a special player on their hands in Cooper Bai, a very special one.

 

[mdrew]

Will Picken. In late 2024 Will Picken was named in the 2025 Tweed Heads Seagulls U19 MM Cup squad.

Will Picken made his NRRRL First Grade debut in Round Two of the 2024 season when he started at right centre for the Mullumbimby Giants against the Casino Cougars with Will Picken involved in the opening tackle of the match after the Giants had kicked off to get the match underway.

Will Picken ran out of dummy half to his left off the left touchline in the 22nd minute to promote the ball from nineteen to thirty metres from the try line. Then in the 28th minute from the right of the play the ball and ten metres from his own try line a Will Picken yardage carry saw the ball move out to the twenty one metre mark.

The 40th minute saw Will Picken run out of dummy half to his left and fought all of the way as he carried the ball from thirty to forty three metres from his try line. Then from the left of the play the ball in the 57th minute Will Picken carried the ball through the centre of the field and broke two tackles to move the ball from the halfway mark to twenty six metres from the try line. Will Picken rounded out a strong NRRRL First Grade debut in the 79th minute with an effort from the right of the play the ball through the centre of the field from twenty to ten metres from the try line.

Will Picken moved from right centre to left centre for Round Three against Lismore Marist with Will Picken seemingly scoring in the 14th minute when he chased through an attacking grubber kick to dive on the ball in the in-goal area but to everyone’s surprise including some Marist players the referee ruled that Will Picken had strayed into an off side position when the kick was initiated.

After running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball in the 28th minute a Will Picken yardage carry saw him move the ball from twelve to twenty four metres away from his try line. Then in the 31st minute Will Picken ran out of dummy half to his right to make ten metres to the halfway mark. Also in the 36th minute from the left of a Mullumbimby scrum win Will Picken ran the ball from forty four to thirty one metres from the try line with approximately 70% of the metres gained being post contact.

After receiving a pass from his right in the 45th minute Will Picken was able to get the ball from thirty seven metres from his try line to the halfway mark. Then in the 51st minute Will Picken carried the ball through the centre of the field after running out of dummy half to his left from just three metres from his own try line and broke two tackles as he crashed and barged to twenty two metres out.

In the 56th minute to the left of a Giants centre field scrum win a Will Picken yardage carry from six metres out from his own try line saw him brush aside a defender to get the ball out to the eighteen metre mark. Also in the 59th minute from a Mullumbimby penalty restart on the halfway mark Will Picken carried two defenders as he carried the ball sixteen metres inside Marist territory.

Will Picken also started at left centre in Round Four against the Kyogle Turkeys.

Will Picken continued at left centre in Round Six against the Byron Bay Devils with Will Picken coming literally within millimetres of scoring in the left corner in the 12th minute after a Giants close range blindside raid.

The 4th minute saw Will Picken run the ball out of dummy half to his left to get the ball from twenty to thirty metres from the try line. Then in the 29th minute from the left of a Mullumbimby scrum win Will Picken was able to get the ball from forty two to thirty metres from the try line. Also in the 63rd minute Will Picken tracked back to collect a Byron Bay kick on his own twenty metre mark and returned the ball eleven metres.

Will Picken also started at left centre in Round Eight against the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Will Picken running out of dummy half to his left in the 6th minute and after breaking a tackle Will Picken promoted the ball from six to twenty metres from his try line.

In the 11th minute from two passes to the left of a Mullumbimby scrum Will Picken pushed and shoved his way to within three metres of the try line and ten metres to the left of the goal posts from fourteen metres out. Then in the 26th minute from wide on the left side of the field Will Picken was able to get the ball from thirty to twenty metres from the try line. Also in the 53rd minute from the left of the play the ball and twenty two metres from his try line Will Picken was able to make fourteen metres to the thirty six metre mark.

Two minutes later in the 55th minute from the right of the play the ball and eleven metres from his own try line Will Picken’s yardage carry with 70% of the metres post contact got the ball to the twenty metre mark. Also in the 64th minute from the right of the play the ball Will Picken ran the ball from thirty five metres from the try line to within a metre of the halfway mark.

From Mullumbimby penalty restart in the 65th minute Will Picken made ten metres to get the ball within twenty metres of the try line and then in the 72nd minute Will Picken ran a hard straight crash line from the left of the play the ball to carry the ball from forty three to thirty one metres from the try line. Also in the 76th minute from the right of the play the ball Will Picken backed his way from twenty eight to thirty eight metres from the try line.

Will Picken continued at left centre in the Rescheduled Round Seven match against the Evans Head Bombers and in the 11th minute from the right of the play the ball a Will Picken bumping run saw the ball moved from twenty five to thirty five metres from the try line.

Two minutes later in the 13th miunute a tough yardage carry from Will Picken through the centre of the field from the left of the play the ball saw him run the ball to ten metres away from his try line. Then in the 21st minute also from the left of the play the ball and also through the centre of the field Will Picken was able to break a tackle as he ran from nine to twenty three metres from his try line with one defender left on the ground in Will Picken’s wake. Also from the left of the play the ball in the 52nd minute another Will Picken yardage effort required four Bombers to eventually stop him make ten metres from ten metres out from his try line with approximately 70% of the metres gained being post contact.

In the 61st minute Will Picken ran out of dummy half to his right as he carried the ball from thirty eight metres from his try line to within two metres of the halfway mark. Then in the 64th minute from the left of a Mullumbimby scrum win Will Picken ran through the centre of the field from ten metres to twenty metres from the try line. Also from the left of a Giants scrum win in the 73rd minute made a further ten metres to within ten metres of the try line and in the 75th minute from the left of the play the ball Will Picken ran from twenty four to thirty seven metres from the try line.

Will Picken was then named on the bench in Rescheduled Round Eleven match against the Ballina Seagulls.

Will Picken made his first NRRRL U18 appearance in 2024 in Round Ten for the Mullumbimby Giants when he started at right centre even though he was wearing the No. 16 jersey against the Ballina Seagulls with Will Picken scoring in the 16th minute when he was just too big and too strong for the Seagulls defence from two passes to the right of the play the ball from twelve metres out to smash through three attempted tackles to score ten metres in from the right corner post.

From a Giants twenty metre restart in the 12th minute Will Picken was able to make eleven metres and then in the 14th minute from the right of a Mullumbimby scrum win ten metres from his own try line a Will Picken yardage carry saw the ball promoted to the twenty two metre mark with 65% of the metres gained being post contact. Also in the 18th minute from the right of the play the ball Will Picken was able to run the ball from forty two to thirty metres from the try line.

Will Picken produced a sublime piece of skill in the 19th minute when he out jumped three Ballina defenders to take a Giants chip in his right hand above his head and then after running the ball from twelve to three metres from the try line Will Picken threw a right arm flick off-load to his right with three defenders trying to prevent the off-load to no avail.

Will Picken ran out of dummy half to his right in the 27th minute to run the ball from nine to twenty metres from the try line with approximately 70% of the metres gained being post contact. A minute later in the 28th minute from the left of a Mullumbimby scrum win and from a standing start Will Picken was still able to make ten metres through the centre of the field to get the ball to the halfway mark. Then from a standing start once again in the 32nd minute from the left of the play the ball Will Picken was still able to run the ball from twenty one to within ten metres of the try line.

After running out of dummy half to his right through the centre of the field in the 42nd minute Will Picken’s yardage carry saw him make eleven metres from just four metres out from his own try line. Also in the 47th minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball Will Picken carried the ball from thirty eight to twenty four metres from the try line. Then in the 51st minute from the left of the play the ball Will Picken’s bumping run saw the ball move from thirty one metres from his try line to within four metres of the half way mark with 80% of the metres gained being post contact.

Will Picken carried the ball down the right channel in the 53rd minute from twenty three to eleven metres from the try line and in the 56th minute Will Picken did exceptionally well to take a short Seagulls kick-off on the first bounce and then do well to stay in the field of play with five defenders ultimately unable to force him over the touchline.

Will Picken started at right centre for the Mullumbimby Giants in Round Thirteen of the NRRRL U18 competition against the Tweed Coast Raiders with Will Picken carrying the ball through the centre of the field from the right of the play the ball in the 7th minute from twenty three to thirty eight metres from the try line.
From a right of a Mullumbimby scrum win in the 9th minute Will Picken ran the ball from ten to twenty seven metres from the try line breaking a tackle along the way. Also in the 20th minute from the left of a Giants scrum win thirty metres from his try line Will Picken carried the ball to the forty one metre mark. Then in the 49th minute from the right of the play the ball Will Picken ran the ball through the centre of the field from twenty six to forty metres from the try line.

Will Picken did well in the 30th minute when with Tweed Coast attacking less than a metre from the try line Will Picken effected a one on one steal on the Raiders dummy half.

Will Picken started at right second row for the Mullumbimby Giants in the rescheduled Round One NRRRL U18 match against the Tweed Heads Seagulls in a match that had to be called off at halftime due to a serious injury.
The 4th minute saw Will Picken run out of dummy to his left to run from twenty two to thirty two metres from the try line and then a tackle later from the right of the play the ball Will Picken carried the ball from twenty six to thirty eight metres from the try line.
Will Picken ran the ball through the centre of the field in the 20th minute from the left of the play the ball from twenty to thirty two metres from the try line with 75% of the metres being post contact as well as breaking a tackle. Then from two passes to the left of a Giants scrum win in the 24th minute Will Picken once again brought the ball through the centre of the field from twelve to twenty seven metres out (75% post contact) and then a tackle later also through the centre of the field from the left of the play the ball Will Picken got from thirty to forty one metres away from his try line.

Will Picken started at right second row for the Mullumbimby Giants in the NRRRL U18 rescheduled Round Five match against the Cudgen Hornets with Will Picken scoring in the 48th minute when he followed through a Giants grubber kick and after ball bounced off a number of legs Will Picken picked the ball up cleanly eight metres out and score ten metres in from the right corner post.
In the 4th minute from the right of the play the ball a Will Picken run broke three tackles to run the ball from thirty metres to within six metres of the try line four metres to the left of the posts. Then in the 7th minute from the right of a Giants scrum win Will Picken carried the ball through the centre of the field from six to twenty metres away from his try line. Also in the 7th minute a Will Picken run from a Mullumbimby penalty restart saw the ball moved from twenty seven to forty four metres from his try line.

Will Picken also carried the ball through the centre of the field in the 16th minute from the right of the play the ball from twenty to within eight metres of the try line and then in the 19th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball and forty metres from his try line Will Picken carried the ball to the halfway before off-load to his right with his back to the try line with his right arm. Also in the 37th minute from the right of the play the ball Will Picken ran the ball through the centre of the field from thirty four to forty nine metres from the try line.

From the right of the play the ball in the 41st minute Will Picken ran straight over the top of one defender to get the ball from his own try line to fourteen metres out. Also in the 44th minute Will Picken ran the ball through the centre of the field from twenty eight to forty metres from the try line. Then in the 47th minute from two passes to the right of the dummy half and forty two metres from the try line Will Picken broke a tackle with 75% of his metres post contact as he carried the ball to twenty six metres from the try line.

Will Picken started at right second row for the Mullumbimby Giants in Round Fifteen of the NRRRL U18 competition against the Kyogle Turkeys with Will Picken scoring in a double in a high scoring 34 all draw.

Will Picken scored his opening try in the 3rd minute after running an inside shoulder line wide on the right side of the field from thirteen metres out and crashed through three attempted tackles including a counter clockwise spin to score six metres to the right of the posts.

Will Picken completed his double in the 55th minute when from the right of a Mullumbimby scrum win fourteen metres from the try line in front of the posts Will Picken ran over the top of one defender and carried three more over the try line to slam the ball down next to the left goal post.

In the 10th minute from the left of the play the ball Will Picken carried the ball from thirty to forty two metres from the try line and then a tackle later from the left of the play the ball Will Picken ran the ball through the centre of the field from forty to thirteen metres from the try line including breaking a tackle with 80% of his metres being post contact. Also in the 20th minute from the left of the play the ball Will Picken also ran through the centre of the field from the halfway to thirty metres from the try line.

From the left of a Giants scrum win in the 28th minute Will Picken ran the ball from eighteen to within seven metres of the try line in front of the posts and then in the 34th minute from the left of the play the ball Will Picken carried the ball through the centre of the field from thirty to ten metres from the try line after running straight over the top of two defenders.

In the 45th minute Will Picken ran the ball through the centre of the field from eighteen to thirty seven metres from the try line breaking three tackles and then a tackle later also from the right of the play the ball Will Picken broke two more tackles as he ran from forty metres from his try line to the halfway. Also in the 50th minute Will Picken broke another tackle as he ran from thirty five metres from his try line to the halfway mark.

2024 also saw Will Picken play rugby including representing the Far North Coast U18 Representative side and from there Will Picken was selected in the New South Country U18 side that played New South Wales City and then Will Picken was selected in the New South Wales Junior side that played in the Australian U18 Championships with Will Picken scoring in the Grand Final of the Championships in a heart breaking 25 – 24 loss to New South Wales 2.

Will Picken is an outstanding athlete and this can be seen when he is running with the football. In his carries Will Picken 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.

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

Will Picken does not necessarily have a great top end speed, but he is certainly more than fast enough to get through to the full back prior to the arrival of the cover defence.

Playing on the left hand side of the field seemingly more often (although he can certainly play on the right), means that his left foot step and his fending using his right 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 right hand side of the field.

In defence Will Picken regularly is the first player up to target the ball carriers, even though he is not always one of the bigger forwards in his team and will make solid initial contact as well as having the ability of defending one on one.

When the opportunity presents Will Picken has the ability to hit very hard defensively by setting a good base and driving through his lower body and core into his opponent. Ultimately though Will Picken is a strong defender with a good front on defensive technique and good to above average lateral movement to track and defend against smaller opponents either on the fringes or centre of the ruck.

Will Picken will start the 2025 season as a member of the 2025 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad.

Will Picken is an exceptional athlete with a unique combination of size, strength, speed and power that is near unmatched for his age in any competition (or code) in Australia, yes is athleticism is that good. For Lismore Marist in the NRRRL U18 and First Grade competitions Will Picken has played both in the centres and in the second row, but mainly in the centres.

Going forward however I believe that Will Picken should continue in the centres as he develops the ability to translate his extraordinary athletic traits to the rugby league field, when he does, look out! Ultimately though I think that Will Picken ends up in the second row as a dominant player operating on the fringes of the ruck.

Devastating Manly Sea Eagles and Tongan International second rower Haumole Olakau’atu is for me a fair, strong and accurate playing style comparison for Will Picken. Both Olakau’atu and Will Picken are powerful and near unstoppable ball runners against defenders in one on one situations on the fringes of the ruck and likewise both Olakau’atu and Will Picken have not even come close to scratching the surface of their immense potential even though they are already both very very good.

It may take another two or three years for Will Picken to reach his potential but when he does it will certainly be worth the wait.

 

[mdrew]

Kwinn Wolf. In late 2024 Kwinn Wolf was named in the 2025 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad.

In late September 2023 Kwinn Wolf was named in the 2024 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad with Kwinn Wolf part of the Northern Rivers Titans U18 squad that defeated the Greater Northern Tigers in their first 2024 trial.

Round One of the 2024 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition saw Kwinn Wolf named in the front row for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights with Kwinn Wolf making the opening tackle of the match after the Northern Rivers Titans had kicked off.

The 5th minute saw Kwinn Wolf make a strong kick-off return to get the ball out to the twenty four metres mark, then two tackles later made a further eight metres to get the ball to within four metres of the halfway mark. Then in the 11th minute from the left of the play the ball Kwinn Wolf carried the ball through the centre of the field from eleven metres out to within less than a metre from the try line.

Kwinn Wolf backed up in the 15th minute by making a half break after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball with Kwinn Wolf initially receiving the ball forty three metres of the try line and getting to the thirty metre mark.

Kwinn Wolf then started from the bench in Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters and after coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 29th minute Kwinn Wolf took his initial almost immediately from the left of the play the ball to get the ball from ten metres inside his own territory to two metres into Central Coast territory.

The 32nd minute saw Kwinn Wolf run onto the ball to the left of the dummy half to run the ball from his thirty six metre mark to within two metres of the halfway. Then in the 36th minute Kwinn Wolf took the second hit-up of the second half to run the ball from his own twenty three metre mark to thirty six metres out.

Kwinn Wolf made a further good run in the 44th minute from the left of the play the ball with Kwinn Wolf able to get the ball to the twenty five metre mark after taking possession twelve metres out from his own try line.

Kwinn Wolf continued from the bench in Round Four against the Northern Tigers and after coming onto the field and into the front row in the 45th minute Kwinn Wolf came close to scoring in the 47th minute with a charge to the left of a Northern Rivers penalty restart from twelve metres out only to be held up over the try line mid-way between the corner post and goal posts on the left side of the field.

Kwinn Wolf continued off the bench in the rescheduled Round Three match against the St George Dragons and after coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 20th minute Kwinn Wolf made his initial run almost immediately from two passes to the right of the play the ball to get the ball over the halfway mark. Then in the 41st minute from the right of the play the ball Kwinn Wolf carried the ball from five metres inside his own territory to ten metres into St George territory.

Kwinn Wolf made his NRRRL First Grade debut in the rescheduled Round One match for the Tweed Coast Raiders against the Bilambil Jets and after coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 57th minute Kwinn Wolf came close to scoring in the 60th minute only to be held up over the try line three metres to the right of the posts after a ten metre run.

Kwinn Wolf also made a line break in the 73rd minute when after receiving an off0load from his left eighteen metres from his try line Kwinn Wolf ran at the defensive line with the ball in both hands and then accelerated through a gap and carried the ball to ten metres inside Jets territory before drawing the fullback and off-loading to his left but unfortunately the Jets fullback just got his hand to the pass and knocked it down.

Immediately after coming onto the field Kwinn Wolf ran the ball from a Raiders penalty restart to get the ball from forty to twenty six metres from the try line through the centre of the field. Also in the 74th minute from the right of the play the ball Kwinn Wolf carried the ball through the centre of the field from forty one to thirty metres from the try line.

Kwinn Wolf also came off the bench in the rescheduled Round Five match against the Kyogle Turkeys and after coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 15th minute Kwinn Wolf immediately ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball to get from thirty to twenty metres from the try line.

In the 24th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball through the centre of the field Kwinn Wolf was able to promote the ball from forty to twenty eight metres from the try line after being spun around clockwise. Then in the 40th minute from the left of the play the ball and twenty metres from his try line Kwinn Wolf was able to make eleven metres.

A minute later in the 41st minute from the right of the dummy half Kwinn Wolf ran from seven metres inside his half to six metres into Kyogle’s. Also in the 44th minute from the left of the play the ball Kwinn Wolf carried the ball once again through the centre of the field from twenty seven to within ten metres of the try line. Then in the 46th minute from the left of a Tweed Coast penalty restart Kwinn Wolf ran through the centre of the field from thirty four metres from his try line to within three metres of the halfway mark.

Kwinn Wolf continued off the bench in Round Fifteen against the Cudgen Hornets and after coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the15th minute Kwinn Wolf ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball in the 21st minute to run the ball from forty to thirty metres from the try line. Then in the 34th minute from two passes to the left of the dummy half Kwinn Wolf ran from thirty to twenty metres from the try line. Also in the 41st minute from the left of the play the ball Kwinn Wolf was able to get from the halfway to thirty nine metres from the try line.

Kwinn Wolf came off the bench to operate in the front row in the 15th minute of Round Sixteen against the Murwillumbah Mustangs and in the 41st minute from the left of the play the ball Kwinn Wolf was able to carry the ball through the centre of the field from twenty to thirty metres from the try line.

Two minutes later in the 43rd minute Kwinn Wolf also ran the ball through the centre of the field from the left of the play the ball to get from twenty five to thirty five metres from the try line. Also in the 47th minute Kwinn Wolf ran the ball down a left blindside to carry the ball from ten to twenty three metres from his try line.

From a club rugby league perspective in 2024 Kwinn Wolf moved to the Tweed Coast Raiders and was named in the front row for Round One of the 2024 NRRRL U18 competition against the Bilambil Jets however the match was ultimately abandoned.

Kwinn Wolf then started in the front row in Round Two against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Kwinn Wolf kicking a good right foot conversion in the 17th minute from ten metres to the right of the goal posts.

In the 4th minute of the match from the right of the dummy half Kwinn Wolf did well to carry the ball through the centre of the field from eighteen metres from his own try lien to thirty metres out. Then in the 15th minute from the left of the play the ball Kwinn Wolf ran the ball from ten metres inside his own territory to five metres into Seagulls territory with Kwinn Wolf then awarded a penalty for being held down for too long.

Kwinn Wolf ran the ball through the centre of the field in the 31st minute from the right of the play the ball to promote the ball from twenty four metres to thirty five metres from his own try line. Also in the 52nd minute from the right of the dummy half and five metres inside his own territory Kwinn Wolf made ten metres to five metres into Tweed Heads territory.

Kwinn Wolf also did well defensively in the 54th minute when he was involved in stopping the Seagulls left centre from scoring by bringing him down centre metres short of the try line six metres to the right of the goal posts.

The match also saw Kwinn Wolf put up some towering right foot bombs for the Raiders including a great high spiralling bomb in the 5th minute. Also in Kwinn Wolf’s tool kit was a short right foot kick-off to his right in the 56th minute with the Raiders getting the ball back after the ball went into touch thirty metres from the try line with Tweed Coast scoring the match winning try through Ashley Watts in the subsequent set of six tackles.

Round Four against Lismore Marist saw Kwinn Wolf start in the front row and kicked three conversions from as many attempts.

Round Six against the Cudgen Hornets saw Kwinn Wolf continue in the front row and what a match Kwinn Wolf had with Kwinn Wolf finishing the match with an individual points haul of twenty eight points from three tries and eight conversions.

Kwinn Wolf scored his first try in the 3rd minute when after running the ball to the left of the play the ball from twelve metres out Kwinn Wolf broke a tackle and carried another defender over the try line to score six metres to the left of the goal posts.

Kwinn Wolf made it two tries in the 40th minute with a six metre run to the left of the dummy half and after breaking two tackles Kwinn Wolf crashed over to score next to the left upright.

Kwinn Wolf completed his hat trick in the 56th minute with a twenty metre charge to the left of the play the ball to score under the posts from twenty metres out with Kwinn Wolf breaking a tackle along the way,

Kwinn Wolf kicked the first of his eight conversions in the 3rd minute from six metres to the left of the posts to convert his own try with Kwinn Wolf then kicking a second conversion in the 16th minute from in front of the posts. Kwinn Wolf added a third conversion in the 23rd minute from mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field with a fourth being kicked in the 26th minute from six metres in from the left touchline. A conversion of his own try in the 40th minute from two metres from the left of the goal posts made it five conversions with his sixth arriving in the 43rd minute from in front with Kwinn Wolf kicking another conversion in front for his seventh conversion. Kwinn Wolf then making it eight conversions in the 56th minute also from in front to convert his third try of the match.

Kwinn Wolf also recorded a try assist in the 16th minute when after receiving the ball to the right of the dummy half eight metres from the try line Kwinn Wolf shuffled to his right before throwing a short pass in the same direction to put a support runner over to score under the posts.

Kwinn Wolf made a line break in the 31st minute when after receiving the ball from left of the play the ball from twelve metres inside his own half Kwinn Wolf ran the ball through the centre of the field to within twenty metres of the try line.

In just the 2nd minute of the match from the right of a Murwillumbah scrum win Kwinn Wolf ran the ball through the centre of the field from forty metres to twenty three metres of the try line with Kwinn Wolf then awarded a penalty for a strip of the ball.

Kwinn Wolf also started in the front row in Round Seven against the Byron Bay Devils with Kwinn Wolf kicking a conversion from the right touchline in the 53rd minute.

Kwinn Wolf also recorded a line break assist in the 31st minute when from the left of the play the ball and just inside his own half Kwinn Wolf was able to draw in two defenders before getting a good ball away to his left to put Ashley Watts away down the left touchline.

In the 8th minute from the right of the play the ball and twenty six metres from his try line Kwinn Wolf carried the ball to within fifteen metres of the try line. Then in the 15th minute after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball Kwinn Wolf ran the ball from thirty eight metres to the halfway mark.

In the 18th minute from the left of the play the ball Kwinn Wolf was able to bring the ball from thirty metres from his try line to within four metres of the halfway mark. Then in the 28th minute from the right of the dummy half and ten metres from his own try line Kwinn Wolf broke a tackle to get the ball out to the twenty seven metre mark.

Kwinn Wolf added a further run from the left of the play the ball in the 33rd minute to ran the ball from forty metres to thirty metres from the try line and in the 40th minute from the left of a Tweed Coast scrum win a Kwinn Wolf surge saw him carry the ball from eighteen metres to thirty two metres from his try line with approximately 70% of his metres being post contact. Additionally in the 50th minute from the left of the dummy half Kwinn Wolf broke two tackles and stepped off his right foot to carry the ball from twenty metres to thirty seven metres from the try line.

Kwinn Wolf executed a heavy hit defensively in the 14th minute on the Devils front rower No. 8 to drive him back at least six metres.

Kwinn Wolf continued in the front row in Round Nine against the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Kwinn Wolf scoring in the 46th minute when after running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball twenty metres out and in front of the posts Kwinn Wolf continued to run to his left with three left arm fends getting rid of three defenders to crash over to score in the left corner.

Kwinn Wolf also kicked a conversion in the 17th minute from twelve metres in from the right touchline. Kwinn Wolf came close to kicking a second conversion in the 46th minute only for his attempt from the left touchline to convert his own try to hit the left goal post.

Kwinn Wolf got his match underway by taking the third hit-up of the match from the left of the play the ball from seventeen to thirty metres from his try line before being awarded a penalty for Mustangs ruck interference. Then in the 2nd minute from the right of the play the ball Kwinn Wolf carried the ball through the centre of the field from twenty two to within ten metres of the try line.

From the right of the dummy half in the 23rd minute Kwinn Wolf ran the ball from twenty three to thirty six metres from his try line. Then in the 41st minute from the left of the play the ball Kwinn Wolf broke a tackle to rum the ball from forty four to thirty two metres from his try line. Kwinn Wolf then ran the ball through the centre of the field from the right of the play the ball and broke another tackle to get the ball from the halfway mark to thirty four metres out.

Kwinn Wolf also did well defensively to be involved in holding up the Mustangs lock over the try line seven metres to the right of the goal posts.

Kwinn Wolf also started in the front row against the Lower Clarence Magpies in Round Ten with Kwinn Wolf kicking two conversions in a four point Tweed Coast Raiders victory with Kwinn Wolf’s first conversion coming in the 26th minute from ten metres to the right of the posts with Kwinn Wolf adding a second conversion in the 51st minute from ten metres to the left of the goal posts.

After making the third hit-up of the match from the left of the play the ball Kwinn Wolf got the ball out to the twenty two metre mark and in the 11th minute from the left of the play the ball Kwinn Wolf ran the ball through the centre of the field from seven metres in his half to ten metres into Lower Clarence territory.

In the 15th minute also from the left of the play the ball Kwinn Wolf rumbled downfield from twenty seven metres from his try line to three metres of the halfway with approximately 80% of the metres post contact. Then in the 53rd minute from the left of the play the ball Kwinn Wolf ran the ball through the centre of the field to the halfway mark from forty metres from his try line.

Kwinn Wolf continued in the front row in Round Eleven against Northern United with Kwinn Wolf scoring in the 56th minute when after receiving the ball in the centre of the field to the right of the play the ball and ten metres from the try line Kwinn Wolf stepped off his right foot and used a left arm fend to break one tackle before two more left arm fends beat two more with Kwinn Wolf then spinning his way over the try line to get the ball down next to the left goal post.

Kwinn Wolf also kicked four conversions, the first in the 3rd minute from four metres to the right of the goal posts with Kwinn Wolf adding a second conversion in the 25th minute from directly in front from a Tweed Coast penalty try. Kwinn Wolf kicked his third conversion in the 36th minute also from under the posts with Kwinn Wolf kicking his fourth to convert his own try from next to the left goal post in the 56th minute.

Kwinn Wolf added a try assist in the 36th minute when after running the ball through the centre of the field from the right of the play the ball from thirty to eighteen metres from the try line Kwinn Wolf held up a good short pass to his right to put his lock into a gap and subsequently over to score under the posts.

Kwinn Wolf also made a line break in the 51st minute when after taking a Northern United kick-off on the full a metre from his try line and in front of his posts, Kwinn Wolf ran to his left and an easy right arm fend allowed him to turn the corner on the Northern United right sided defensive line and make a line break down the left touchline with the use of a second right arm allowing him to carry the ball five metres into Northern United territory.

Inside the opening minute of the match Kwinn Wolf carried the ball through the centre of the field from twenty six to fifteen metres from the try line and in the 3rd minute Kwinn Wolf ran the ball once again from the left of the play the ball and through the centre of the field and broke a tackle to get the ball from eighteen to within three metres of the try line. Then a later Kwinn Wolf took possession of the ball in the centre of the field two passes to the right of the dummy and get within two metres of the try line in front of the left goal post after commencing his run fifteen metres out.

Also from the left of the play the ball in the 24th minute Kwinn Wolf’s twelve metre run saw him get within a metre of scoring midway between the try line and corner post on the left side of the field.

Kwinn Wolf then did well in the 31st minute when a short Northern United kick-off bounced straight back into the arms of Kwinn Wolf twenty eight metres from the try line with Kwinn Wolf getting the ball back to within four metres of the halfway before off-loading to his left to his fullback. From the resultant play the ball Kwinn Wolf ran onto the ball to the right of the dummy half and carry the ball from forty seven to twenty seven metres from the try line.

Kwinn Wolf also started in the front row in Round Twelve against the Ballina Seagulls and in the 3rd minute from the left of the play the ball Kwinn Wolf carried the ball through the centre of the field from fourteen to thirty metres from his try line with Kwinn Wolf then getting a left arm off-load away to his left to his fullback.

Kwinn Wolf also ran the ball through the centre of the field in the 18th minute from the right of the play the ball Kwinn Wolf ran the ball through the centre of the field once again to run the ball from two metres inside his half to twelve metres into Ballina territory. Then in the 21st minute from a Tweed Coast penalty restart Kwinn Wolf broke two tackles to get the ball from thirty to eleven metres from the try line after a straight hard charge.

In the 31st minute from the right of the dummy half Kwinn Wolf was able to off-load to his right after making seventeen metres from three metres inside Ballina’s half. Also in the 34th minute from the left of the play the ball once again and taking doing well to take cleanly a low pass Kwinn Wolf was still able to run the ball from thirty to forty four metres from his try line.

From the right of the play the ball in the 37th minute Kwinn Wolf carried the ball from twenty five to thirty eight metres from the try line and then in the 49th minute from the right of the play the ball and thirty metres from the try line Kwinn Wolf got the ball out to the forty four metre mark.

Kwinn Wolf continued in the front row in Round Thirteen against the Mullumbimby Giants and in the 10th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball Kwinn Wolf ran through the centre of the field from thirty one to twenty metres from the try line.

A Kwinn Wolf kick-off return in the 12th minute him the ball promoted to the twenty metre mark and then two tackles later from the right of the play the ball and twenty six metres from the try line Kwinn Wolf ran the ball to the thirty eight metre mark.

Another Kwinn Wolf kick-off return in the 28th minute saw the ball to the twenty five metre mark and two tackles later from the right of the play the ball Kwinn Wolf was able to run the ball from the halfway to seventeen metres inside Giants territory. Also in the 47th minute from the left of the play the ball and thirty metres from the try line Kwinn Wolf got the ball from thirty to forty one metres from the try line. Then in the 52nd minute Kwinn Wolf ran the ball through the centre of the field from his twenty five metre mark to the halfway, breaking four tackles along the way.

Kwinn Wolf also started in the front row in Round Fourteen against the Byron Bay Devils and in the 2nd minute from the right of the play the ball and on the halfway Kwinn Wolf carried the ball fifteen metres into the Devils half with approximately 70% of the metres being post contact. Also in the 26th minute also from the right of the play the ball Kwinn Wolf ran the ball from eight metres inside his half to seven metres into Byron Bay’s.

Kwinn Wolf continued in the front row in the rescheduled Round One match against the Bilambil Jets and in the 2nd minute from the right of the play the ball Kwinn Wolf ran the ball through the centre of the field from twenty to thirty three metres from the try line to catch the Bilambil defensive line offside.

Kwinn Wolf ran the ball through the centre of the field in the 10th minute from the left of the play the ball from thirty to forty metres from his try line and then in the 29th minute from the left of the play the ball Kwinn Wolf ran from twenty two to thirty seven metres from the try line. Also in the 32nd minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball Kwinn Wolf carried the ball through the centre of the field from the halfway to thirteen metres inside the Jets territory with Kwinn Wolf then awarded a penalty for ruck interference.

Kwinn Wolf also started in the front row in the NRRRL U18 rescheduled Round Five match against the Kyogle Turkeys with Kwinn Wolf kicking the first of his three conversions in the 14th minute from three metres to the right of the posts. Kwinn Wolf then kicked his second conversion in the 31st minute from three metres to the right of the posts before kicking his third conversion in the 33rd minute to convert Ashley Watts’s try from nine metres to the left of the uprights. Kwinn Wolf could easily have finished with four conversions but his attempt from the right touchline hit the right post and bounced away in the 5th minute.

After making the third hit-up of the match with an underneath line to the left of the dummy half to run from twenty eight to forty metres from the try line Kwinn Wolf also took the fifth hit-up from the right of the play the ball to carry the ball through the centre of the field from six metres inside his half to twelve metres into the Turkey’s territory. Then in the 16th minute from the left of the play the ball Kwinn Wolf carried the ball from the halfway to thirty five metres from the try line before off-loading to his left to his left winger.

Kwinn Wolf came off the bench to operate in the front row in the 12th minute of Round Fifteen against the Cudgen Hornets and immediately charged onto the ball from a Raiders penalty restart to promote the ball from thirty to thirteen metres from the try line breaking two tackles along the way.

From two passes to the left of the play the ball in the 16th minute Kwinn Wolf ran from twenty eight to forty metres from the try line and then in the 20th minute also from two passes to the left of the dummy half Kwinn Wolf ran through the centre of the field from thirty six metres from his try line to the halfway. Also in the 40th minute from seven metres inside his half and to the left of the play the ball Kwinn Wolf carried the ball eleven metres inside Hornets territory and a tackle later from the right of the play the ball Kwinn Wolf ran through the centre of the field from thirty to twelve metres from the try line.

Kwinn Wolf started in the front row in Round Sixteen against the Murwillumbah Mustangs and in the 2nd minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball Kwinn Wolf ran an underneath line through the centre of the field from forty two to thirty metres from the try line.

In the 16th minute from a Tweed Coast penalty restart forty one metres from the try line Kwinn Wolf was able to make twelve metres and then in the 27th minute from the left of the play the ball Kwinn Wolf carried the ball through the centre of the field once again from twenty three to thirty five metres from his try line. Also in the 31st minute from the left of the play the ball and twenty nine metres from his try line Kwinn Wolf was able to get the ball to the forty five metre mark.

From the right of the play the ball in the 33rd minute Kwinn Wolf ran through the centre of the field from forty six to thirty two metres from the try line. Then in the 38th minute and through the centre of the field once again Kwinn Wolf ran an underneath line to the left of the play the ball from twenty six to within twelve metres of the try line.

From two passes to the left of the play the ball in the 43rd minute Kwinn Wolf ran from thirty to forty two metres from the try line including a counter clockwise spin and also from two passes to the left of the play the ball in the 47th minute and also through the centre of the field Kwinn Wolf carried the ball from thirty five metres from his try line to the halfway mark.

Kwinn Wolf started in the front row for the Tweed Coast Raiders Week Two NRRRL U18 Major Semi-final against the Bilambil Jets with Kwinn Wolf kicking his opening conversion in the 5th minute from five metres to the right of the posts before adding a second conversion in the 27th minute from ten metres in from the right touchline.

Kwinn Wolf ran the ball through the centre of the field in the 4th minute from the left of the play the ball to carry the ball from thirty nine metres from his try line to the halfway. Then in the 7th minute after running an underneath line to the left of the play the ball Kwinn Wolf once again charged through the centre of the field from thirty six metres from his try line to get to the halfway mark. Also in the 23rd minute Kwinn Wolf once again went through the centre of the field from the left of the dummy half to promote the ball from twenty five to forty metres from his try line.

As usual in the match from the left of the play the ball in the 25th minute it was through the centre of the field that Kwinn Wolf ran to get the ball from ten metres inside his territory to ten metres in the Jets with Kwinn Wolf then awarded a penalty for ruck interference after making 80% of his metres post contact. Also in the 42nd minute Kwinn Wolf ran the ball down the left channel from forty three to twenty nine metres from his try line.

Kwinn Wolf showcased his huge boot with a right foot goal line drop-out in the 41st minute that travelled forty eight metres on the fly.

Kwinn Wolf started in the front row for the Tweed Coast Raiders in the NRRRL U18 Preliminary Final against the Bilambil Jets with Kwinn Wolf kicking a conversion in the 30th minute from ten metres to the right of the posts.

Kwinn Wolf also made a line break in the 59th minute when after receiving the ball two passes to the left of the play the ball just fifteen metres out from his own try line Kwinn Wolf stepped off his left foot to beat two defenders and charge into open space and rumble down the left touchline to within forty metres of the try line before throwing a left arm pass inside to his right.

In the 4th minute from the right of the play the ball Kwinn Wolf ran an underneath line to carry the ball from twenty four to thirty four metres from the try line. Then in the 30th minute from the left of the play the ball and sixteen metres from his try line Kwinn Wolf stepped off his left foot as he promoted the ball to twenty seven metres from the try line. Also in the 40th minute from a Tweed Coast penalty restart off a pass from his right Kwinn Wolf charged through the centre of the field to get from thirty six metres from his try line to two metres inside Bilambil territory.

Kwinn Wolf made a big defensive hit in the 15th minute when he came over the top to smash one of his opposing front rowers being No. 8 to bend him back thirty metres from the try line.

Kwinn Wolf’s outstanding season culminated on him being named the 2024 NRRRL U18 Player of the Year. Kwinn Wolf was also named the 2024 Tweed Coast Raiders U18 NRRRL Rookie of the Year.

In October 2022 Kwinn Wolf was named in the 2023 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad with Kwinn Wolf involved in the Northern Rivers Titans opening 2023 trial against the Northern Coast Bulldogs in Coffs Harbour with Kwinn Wolf scoring a strong second half try.

Kwinn Wolf then started in the front row in the Northern Rivers Titans second trial against the Tweed Heads Seagulls U16 CC Cup side at Burleigh Juniors as part of the Titans Annual Super Saturday.

Round One of the 2023 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition saw Kwinn Wolf named on the bench for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights with Kwinn Wolf coming off the bench to operate in the front row in the 15th minute.

Kwinn Wolf was then named to start in the front row in Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters as well as in Round Three against the South Coast Dragons with Kwinn Wolf making the fourth hit-up of the match.

Kwinn Wolf continued in the front row in Round Four against the Northern Tigers.

Kwinn Wolf also started in the front row in Round Five against the North Coast Bulldogs with Kwinn Wolf scoring a strong try in the 54th minute as a result of a powerful twenty metre run which saw Kwinn Wolf break three tackles as he charged onto the ball to the left of the play the ball to crash over eight metres to the left of the uprights.

Kwinn Wolf had taken the fourth hit-up of the match from the North Coast kick-off and along with Banjora Porch, Kwinn Wolf smashing the Bulldogs No. 10 twenty metres from the try line with the ball lost as a result of the heavy defensive contact in the 8th minute.

At the 2023 Northern Rivers Titans Awards presentation Kwinn Wolf received the 2023 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup Coaches Award.

Kwinn Wolf started from the bench in Round One of the 2023 School Boy Walter Cup competition for PBC SHS against Marsden SHS with Kwinn Wolf scoring in the 27th minute as a result of a strong eight metre charge with Kwinn Wolf crashing over to score four metres to the left of the uprights.

Kwinn Wolf then started in the front row in Round Two against Caloundra SHS with Kwinn Wolf making a line break from just the second hit-up of the match when after charging onto the ball to the left of the play the ball twenty five metres out from his own try line Kwinn Wolf burst between a number of defenders to get the ball to the halfway mark.

The 54th minute from two metres inside his own territory Kwinn Wolf ran onto the ball to the left of the play the ball with Kwinn Wolf carrying the ball sixteen metres inside Caloundra SHS territory. Then in the 55th minute from a PBC SHS penalty tap restart Kwiin Wolf charged from twenty two metres out with Kwinn Wolf only stopped literally on the left upright.

Kwinn Wolf continued in the front row in Round Three against Mabel Park SHS with Kwinn Wolf taking the second hit-up of the match to get the ball out to the twenty six metre mark. Kwinn Wolf also did well in the 6th minute when along with Marley McLaren, Kwinn Wolf grabbed hold of the Mabel Park SHS fullback ten metres from the try line and forced him back all of the way into the in-goal to force Mabel Park SHS into a goal line drop-out to restart the match.

Kwinn Wolf also started in the front row in Round Four against Redcliffe SHS with Kwin Wolf making a strong run in the 5th minute when after running an underneath route to get the ball from thirty five metres out to twenty metres from the try line.

Kwinn Wolf continued in the front row in Round Five against Stetton State College with Kwinn Wolf making a good run in the 42nd minute from the right of the play the ball with Kwinn Wolf carrying the ball from ten metres inside his own territory to eight metres inside Stretton State College territory.

Kwinn Wolf also started in the front row in the Round Six Gold Coast School Boy derby against Keebra Park SHS and Wavell SHS in Round Seven with Kwinn Wolf taking a hit-up from a PBC SHS penalty restart on the halfway mark to make thirteen metres.

Kwinn Wolf also started in the front row in the Semi-final against Marsden SHS with Kwinn Wolf scoring the opening try of the match in just the 2nd minute when from two metres out Kwinn Wolf cut underneath his hooker who had run to his right with Kwinn Wolf crashing over to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Also in the 36th minute from the left of the play the ball Kwinn Wolf carried the ball from thirty five metres from the try line to twenty metres out, breaking a tackle along the way. Then a tackle later Kwinn Wolf got to within four metres of the try line after starting his run twelve metres out.

Kwinn Wolf also started in the front row in the 2023 School Boy Rugby League Walters Cup Grand Final against Wavell SHS with Kwinn Wolf scoring a crucial try in the 41st minute when after the PBC SHS dummy half had run to his right with the play the ball twelve metres out, Kwinn Wolf ran a straight hard line and after receiving the inside pass Kwinn Wolf crashed over to score under the posts.

Kwinn Wolf commenced a strong match by taking the third hit-up of the match to get the ball thirty two metres away from his own try line.

Even though he was still U16 eligible Kwinn Wolf came off the bench in Round Two of the 2023 NRRRL U18 competition for the Murwillumbah Mustangs in the 47th minute against the Tweed Coast Raiders with Kwinn Wolf making his first run of ten metres almost immediately.

Kwinn Wolf continued from the bench in Round Three against the Cudgen Hornets with Kwinn Wolf coming onto the field in the 50th minute. Kwinn Wolf also came off the bench in Round Four against the Tweed Heads Seagulls .

Kwinn Wolf then was named to make his first NRRRL U18 start when he was named in the front row in Round Six against the Lower Clarence Magpies however a later change saw Kwinn Wolf start the match from the bench with Kwinn Wolf coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 22nd minute with Kwinn Wolf almost immediately making a strong kick-off return to get the ball to the twenty two metre mark.

The 36th minute saw Kwinn Wolf make a line break when after running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball thirty metres out from his own try line Kwinn Wolf burst between two defenders and charged downfield before being tackled fourteen metres inside Magpies territory.

2023 also saw Kwinn Wolf continue to play for the Murwillumbah Colts in the Group 18 U16 competition with Kwinn Wolf starting in the front row in the Grand Final againt Byron Bay Lennox Head.

In early November 2021 Kwinn Wolf commenced training the renowned Titans JTS Program and in mid-December 2021 Kwinn Wolf was one of approximately ninety members of the Titans JTS Program to took part in a joint training session with the Titans NRL squad.

In late May 2022 Kwinn Woolf represented the South Coast U15 School Boy side at the QSSRL U15 Championships starting Match One against Northern at left second row and threw the final pass for both of Joseph Tupuse’s two tries.

Kwinn Wolf also started at left second row in Match Two against Met North.

2022 also saw Kwinn Wolf once again play for PBC State High School starting at left second row in Round One of the School Boy Hancock Cup competition against Marsden State High School.

After missing a number of rounds, Kwinn Wolf was back at left second row against Keebra Park SHS with Kwinn Wolf scoring in the 3rd minute after a twelve metre burst down the left channel.

Kwinn Wolf also started at left second row against Forest Lake SHS with a Kwinn Wolf kick-off going dead in-goal in the 16th minute with Forest Lake SHS being forced into a goal line drop-out.

Kwinn Wolf also started at left second row in the 2022 Hancock Cup Semi-Final against Redcliffe SHS.

In 2022 Kwinn Wolf also played for the Murwillumbah Mustangs in the Group 18 U15 competition including starting at left second row in the Grand Final against the Bilambil Jets.

The giant young man started at left second row for PBC SHS in the 2021 School Boy Renouf Shield Grand Final scoring both of PBC’ SHS’s tries in their thrilling 8 – 4 victory over Marsden State High School.

Kwinn Wolf’s opening try of the Renouf Cup Grand Final came in just the 7th minute when he barged over from ten metres out to get the ball down midway between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Kwinn Wolf scored his second try in the 20th minute and once again the try came down the left channel. Kwinn Wolf received the ball twelve metres from the line, almost immediately shrugging off one Ipswich State High School defender before burrowing over fifteen metres in from the left corner post.

Kwinn Wolf literally could not have made a more immediate impact in the match when his kick off was hit low and hard with the ball going dead after crossing the try line near the right upright, forcing Marsden SHS on the back foot and having to drop the ball out from under their own posts.

Kwinn Wolf also made a 4th minute line break of twenty metres before being brought down by the Ipswich State High School fullback twenty metres out and then was awarded a penalty when he was not allowed to get to his feet in a timely fashion.

Kwinn Wolf also made a 31st minute line break when he got into space down the left side of the field deep inside his own territory and then after making twenty metres threw a right arm off-load to put his left winger into space down the left touchline.

After the completion of the Renouf Shield Grand Final Kwinn Wolf was named on the bench in the Courier Mail Team of the Grand Finals.

Kwinn Wolf also had a strong match earlier in the Renouf Shield competition against Redcliffe State High School with Kwinn Wolf scoring in just the 3rd minute when he charged over on the left side of the field from ten metres out after receiving a good ball from his halfback.

Another strong 2021 Renouf Shield match of Kwinn Wolf’s was against Forest Lake State High School when in the 13th minute Kwinn Wolf set up a try for his left winger when he charged onto the ball on the left side of the field, breaking two tackles before off-loading to his left to put his winger over.

Kwinn Wolf also scored against Keebra Park State High School in the 4th minute when he ran into a gap off a good ball from his left to charge over to put the ball down five metres from the left upright. Kwinn Wolf then stepped up to convert his own try with a nice right foot strike.

Kwinn Wolf also scored in Round Two against Wavell State High School, scoring in the final minute of the match after a twenty five metre run to crash over in the left corner, breaking four tackles along the way.

2021 also saw Kwinn Wolf play in the Group 18 U14 Junior Rugby League competition for the Murwillumbah Colts and at the Group 18 Awards Night Kwinn Wolf was named the 2021 Group 18 U14 Player of the Year.

Kwinn Wolf is a northern New South Wales junior who has previously represented the North Coast U12 Primary School Rugby League Representative side in 2019.

Kwinn Wolf is a powerfully built young left second rower, which makes him quite difficult to tackle as Kwinn Wolf is also adept at dropping his shoulder into defenders as he impacts the defensive line.

There is no subtlety to his game, Kwinn Wolf runs straight and hard, with the only concession to this being a slight step off his left foot in occasion prior to impacting the defensive line. One thing that Kwinn Wolf does do will however is continuing to pump his legs once his initial momentum is halted by the defensive line.

Kwinn Wolf makes more metres than he should as a result and also forces defending teams to commit multiple defensive assets to stopping his forward progress. Kwinn Wolf is also adept at getting a quick play the ball regardless of the number of defenders that are involved in tackling him.

For a big strong young man Kwinn Wolf also has impressive speed, I would say in the plus category for a front rower, when he breaks through the defensive line and is also very good at setting up his support runners once through the initial defensive line.

Like his attacking game, Kwinn Wolf’s defensive methodology is simply constructed and enacted. Kwinn Wolf moves up and hits the ball carrier as hard as he can, as often as he can, full stop. Kwinn Wolf is best suited to defending in the centre of the ruck and that is where you will almost always find him and for a powerfully built young player.

Kwinn Wolf moves well in terms of moving up and back in defence. Kwinn Wolf’s lateral movement is also actually more than reasonable for a big second rower as well.

In defence Kwinn Wolf uses his size and strength to make very solid initial contact and certainly can take on all opposing forwards one on one. Kwinn Wolf is not averse to looking for the big hit but does have a good front on defensive technique, maintaining decent leverage and reasonable agility and lateral movement when looking to tackle smaller opponents on the edge of the ruck, although clearly Kwinn Wolf is more effective in the centre of the ruck, as most bigger forwards are.

Kwinn Wolf is also a more than decent goal kicker and his high bombs have to be seen to be believed.

2025 will see Kwinn Wolf continue to play for the Tweed Coast raiders and whilst he is still U18 eligible in 2025, no doubt Kwinn Wolf will add to the multiple NRRRL First Grade matches that he played in 2024. Kwinn Wolf will start the season in the U18 Laurie Daley Cup with the Northern Rivers Titans.

Kwinn Wolf is a giant of a young man and even though he will likely stay in the second row for the next couple of season, I believe that as he gets closer to the U18 age Group Kwinn Wolf will transition permanently to the front row.

With his height, overall size and running style I believe a player comparison with North Queensland Cowboys front rower Jordan McLean.

Both McLean and Kwinn Wolf are big powerful runners of the ball who run very much front on into the defensive line but do drop their body into the first defender that confronts them enabling them to make significant post contact metres before being brought down, a circumstance that is usually requiring of more than one defender to accomplish appropriately and for their size both are able to generate quick play the balls.

Big strong young front rowers/second rowers who also have very good mobility from both a speed and lateral perspective are difficult to find regardless of age group but the Tweed Coast Raiders have certainly found one in Kwinn Wolf.

 

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Jordan Hotere. In June 2024 Jordan Hotere signed with the Titans until the end of the 2026 season.

In late September 2024 Jordan Hotere started at halfback for a Future Titans U16 side that defeated a Storm squad 36 – 22 with Jordan Hotere recording a try assist in the second period of the match when from twenty five metres from the try line and to the left of the play the ball Jordan Hotere executed a great show and go to break the defensive line and then just out from the try line Jordan Hotere produced a great left arm off-load to his right to Jai Billish who dived over to score next to the left goal post.

Jordan Hotere also forced a Storm goal line drop-out in the opening period with a smart left foot grubber (with the outside of his left foot) into the in-goal with Jordan Hotere the first Titan downfield to tackle the Storm fullback in-goal.

Jordan Hotere made an immediate impression on the match when his left foot kick-off to his right to get the match underway proving too much for the Storm with the kick-off dropped and bounced over the touchline five metres from the try line.

Jordan Hotere also started at halfback in the Anthony Laffranchi Cup against the Wests Tigers.

Jordan Hotere started the 2024 season as a member of the Wynnum Manly Seagulls CC Cup competition with Jordan Hotere starting at halfback and operating on the left in Round One against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Jordan Hotere scoring in the 54th minute when after receiving the ball in the centre of the field and twenty metres from the try Jordan Hotere dummied to his right to beat the Tweed Heads fullback and run away to score next to the left goal post.

Joran Hotere also started at halfback in Rounds Two and Three against the Norths Devils and Burleigh Bears respectively.

In the 2nd minute against the Bears Jordan Hotere was held up over the try line after receiving an off-load from his right from ten metres out with Jordan Hotere held up over the try line by three defenders four metres to the left of the posts.

In the 7th minute in the centre of the field and to the left of the play the ball twenty six metrs from the try line Jordan Hotere stepped off his left foot twice to break two tackles to get to twelve metres from the try line with Jordan Hotere then getting a “six again” for the Seagulls. Then in the 16th minute from the left of the play the ball Jordan Hotere ran through the centre of the field once again from twenty to thirty two metres from the try line after stepping off his left foot on two occasions. Also from two passes to the left of the play the ball in the 56th minute burst from the halfway to thirty two metres from the try line.

Defensively in the 39th minute Jordan Hotere executed a big hit on the Burleigh centre No. 4 forcing a knock on twenty six metres from the try line.

Jordan Hotere then started at five eight in Round Seven against the Redcliffe Dolphins and in the 39th minute Jordan Hotere broke a tackle as he ran the ball from the left of the play the ball from thirty two to seventeen metres from the try line.

2024 saw Jordan Hotere continue at Wavell SHS playing in the School Boy Rugby League Walters Cup competition at five eight including scoring in Round Six late in the match against PBC SHS.

At the conclusion of the 2024 School Boy Rugby League season Jordan Hotere was named at five eight in the 2024 Courier Mail Walters Cup School Boy Rugby League Team of the Year.

2024 also saw Jordan Hotere line up for the Easts Tigers in the GBJRL U16 Division One competition with Jordan Hotere starting at five eight in his opening four matches being Round One against Aspley, Round Three against the Souths Magpies, Round Four against Wynnum Juniors and the Norths Devils.

Jordan Hotere scored in Rounds One, three and Four against the Aspley Devils, the Souths Magpies and Wynnum Juniors respectively.

In early June 2024 Jordan Hotere (Te Mahurehure) was named in the ANZMRL 17s Tama Tournament Team 2024 with Jordan Hotere starting at five eight for New Zealand Māori at the 2024 Pasifika Youth Cup in New Zealand.

2024 saw Jordan Hotere continue to play Oztag with Jordan Hotere named in the Queensland All School’s Year Ten Oztag competition’s Year Ten Merit Team.

Jordan Hotere is a solidly built half who is more of an organising type of player rather than a running player at this stage of his career. Jordan Hotere can be seen directing his forwards when and where to run and seemingly makes it clear that he is in charge of directing the team around the field and adhering to the game plan which is a good sign of his maturity and leadership skills.

Jordan Hotere’s passing from both sides of his body is crisp and accurate and when passing to the left side generates good spin and distance whilst maintaining accuracy. Jordan Hotere is quite quick off the mark and seems to have a good left foot step, when he gets into space Jordan Hotere really does work progressively though his options.

Jordan Hotere has a prodigious left foot kick on him and seemingly also has good accuracy in the MM competition he kicked a couple of 40/20’s and they appeared effortless. Jordan Hotere’s kicking game suggest he will be a real 40/20 threat as he progresses in senior rugby league. Also his prodigious boot generates significant height on his bombs, and I mean they are huge bombs and again are seemingly quite accurate. Jordan Hotere is also a very good goal kicker with both good range and accuracy. I would suggest that Jordan Hotere is likely to be his side’s primary goal kicker regardless of the level he progresses to into the future.

Where Jordan Hotere projects very well is in the defensive aspects of rugby league, in essence he is a very good defender for the half back position, this includes against opposing halves who will try to use footwork and evasion to beat him or against big wide running forwards.

No matter who is running at him, Jordan Hotere’s timing, strength, lateral movement and technique are all well above average even verging on plus, not just for his position but for his age group in general. Jordan Hotere’s defence is an area that stands out when you watch him play in person.

2025 will see Jordan Hotere start the season as a member of the Wynnum Manly Seagulls U17 CC Cup squad for the second season in a row. Jordan Hotere will also return to Wavell SHS in 2025 and is a lock to make his School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup debut. Jordan Hotere will also play for the Easts Tigers in the GBJRL U17 Division One Nev Blair Shield competition.

Jordan Hotere can play both halfback and five eight but with his kicking ability and game management skill and temperament Jordan Hotere for he is a halfback and a very very good one at that.

Big call I know but with his solid build but also exceptional speed and strength Jordan Hotere’s playing style reminds me of Rugby League Immortal Andrew Johns as a dominant half who has all of the attacking skills necessary as well as being able to hit like a truck in defence.

 

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Tyler Pereira. In late 2024 Tyler Pereira signed a multi-year contact with the Titans.

In September 2024 Tyler Pereira started from the bench for U17 New Zealand Toa against New Zealand Tu and after coming onto the field to operate at fullback Tyler Pereira scored in the 21st minute when he backed up a line break by his left centre to receive a pass from his left and run twelve metres untouched to put the ball down under the posts.

Tyler Pereira also made a line break in the 50th minute when after taking possession of the ball two passes to the left of the play the ball when forty seven metres from the try line Tyler Pereira ran at speed at the defensive line with the ball out in front of his body in two hands and sliced between two defenders before being brought to ground nine metres out.

In the 41st minute from the left of a Toa scrum win Tyler Pereira ran the ball from thirty six metres from the try line to within twenty two metres after continuing to run to his left.

Tyler Pereira started the 2024 season playing for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in the CC Cup competition starting Round One against the Tweed Heads Seagulls at five eight and captain with Tyler Pereira recording a try assist in the 20th minute with from ten metres out and to the right of the play the ball Tyler Pereira put a right foot high chip kick up towards the right corner with the ball perfectly weighted to come down in the in-goal area and directly into the path of his right winger who took the ball on the full and ground the ball in the right corner.

Tyler Pereira also made a line break in the 31st minute when after juggling a pass from his left from his fullback still fifteen metres inside his half Tyler Pereira used a left arm fend to beat one defender with a second left arm fend getting rid of a second and after outpacing a third Seagulls defender Tyler Pereira was brought down nineteen metres from the try line.

Tyler Pereira ran out of dummy half to his left in the 23rd minute and got the ball from eighteen to thirty one metres from the try line after cutting back to his right to target the soft spot behind the markers.

Tyler Pereira continued at five eight and captain in Round Two against the Norths Devils with Tyler Pereira making a line break in the 32nd minute when he intercepted a Devils pass twenty seven metres from his try line and charged through the centre of the ground to the opposite end of the field before being caught from behind seventeen metres out.

Tyler Pereira was involved in a Wynnum Manly try in the 23rd minute when after receiving the ball wide on the right side of the field Tyler Pereira ran the ball from thirty three to twenty three metres from the try line and then drew a Norths defender and off-load to his left to his centre who was able to score in the right corner two passes later.

Tyler Pereira also made a half break in the 44th minute when after receiving a pass whilst stationary from his left on the halfway mark Tyler Pereira exploded off the match and came close to breaking away but was held by multiple Norths defenders after making fifteen metres.

From two passes to the right of the play the ball in the 14th minute and twenty one metres from the try line Tyler Pereira bumped away from two defenders as he ran the ball within nine metres of the try line. Also in the 33rd minute after taking possession of the ball to the right of the posts and fourteen metres from the try line Tyler Pereira beat three defenders by way of right foot steps and then as he was being tackled Tyler Pereira got a right arm off-load away to his left.

Tyler Pereira also started at five eight in Round Three against the Burleigh Bears.

Tyler Pereira moved to fullback (and captain) in Round Four against the Souths Logan Magpies with Tyler Pereira making a line break in the 12th minute when after receiving an off-load from his left six metres inside his half Tyler Pereira exploded through the centre of the field to thirty metres from the try line.

From three passes to the left of the play the ball in the 30th minute and wide on the left side of the field Tyler Pereira from fourteen metres from the try line stepped towards the centre of the field on three occasions to get to within two metres of the try line directly in front of the posts. Also in the 38th minute after taking a Magpies kick on the bounce thirty five metres from his try line near the left touchline Tyler Pereira was able to return the ball to the halfway.

In the 40th minute from the left of a Wynnum Manly scrum win in the centre of the field eight metres inside his half Tyler Pereira accelerated downfield and then stepped off his right foot to beat two defenders to get the ball ten metres into Souths Logan territory. Also in the 44th minute after receiving an off-load from his left Tyler Pereira stepped off his left foot and break two tackles to carry the ball through the centre of the field from the halfway to thirty five metres from the try line.

Tyler Pereira did well defensively in the 9th minute when he ran to his right in cover defence to assist in taking the Magpies left winger over the touchline two metres from the right corner post.

Tyler Pereira continued at fullback and captain in Round Five against the Brisbane Tigers with Tyler Pereira scoring the first of his two tries in the 35th minute when after running the ball down a short right blindside from thirty two to twenty seven metres from the try line Tyler Pereira threw a cut out pass to his right to put his winger down the touchline and then backed up on the inside to receive the ball ten metres out and running the ball around to score under the posts.

Tyler Pereira completed his double in the 57th minute when after receiving an off-load from his right from Majah Peachey with the pass high and behind him to his right, Tyler Pereira darted the required three metres to dive over to get the ball down twelve metres to the right of the posts.

Tyler Pereira also recorded a try assist in the 45th minute with a right foot step from two passes to the right of the play the ballot beat a defender who had flown out of the defensive line and after being tripped up twelve metres from try line Tyler Pereira bounced back to his feet and was able to draw the Tigers left winger to put his centre over to score six metres in from the right corner post.

The 9th minute saw Tyler Pereira race out of the twenty metre mark to take a quick tap and after stepping off his left foot and using a left arm fend to beat a defender Tyler Pereira pushed away from a second to carry the ball eighteen metres downfield. Also in the 23rd minute after picking up a Tigers kick-off in the centre of the field and eighteen metres from his try line Tyler Pereira ran to his left and broke a tackle to get out to the thirty metre mark.

Tyler Pereira made a good kick return in the 44th minute when after taking the kick on the first bounce in the centre of the field and thirty metres from his try line Tyler Pereira ran the ball back to the forty four metre mark.

Tyler Pereira forced a Tigers goal line drop-out in the 45th minute with a right foot grubber into the in-goal from twelve metres out and to the right of the dummy half with the Tigers left winger tackled in the in-goal area to require the goal line drop-out.

Tyler Pereira also did well in the 46th minute with a great take of a Tigers kick-off on the full running back towards his try line with Tyler Pereira then awarded a penalty for being tackles whilst still in the air.

Tyler Pereira made an immediate impact on the match when in the 2nd minute he held up the Tiges front rower No. 10 over the try line four metres to the left of the posts.

Tyler Pereira also started at fullback and captain in Round Seven against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Tyler Pereira making a half break in the 10th minute when after taking possession of the ball to the left of the dummy half thirty metres from his try line Tyler Pereira stepped off his right foot to get the ball to within a metre of the try line before being awarded a penalty after his head was slammed into the ground by a defender.

From the right of the play the ball in the 38th minute Tyler Pereira ran the ball from twenty one to thirty two metres from the try line. Then in the 46th minute after chiming into the Seagulls backline wide on the right Tyler Pereira got the ball from nineteen to seven metres of the try line before getting a great right arm “underground” pass away to his left.

Tyler Pereira also did well defensively in the 54th minute to hold up the Redcliffe right second rower No. 11 under the posts.

In early October 2024 Tyler Pereira was named in the Queensland Murri U18 Representative Squad.

2024 saw Tyler Pereira line up for Redlands in the BRL U19 Division One competition even though he was still U17 eligible with Tyler Pereira starting at both fullback and five eight. Over the course of the season Tyler Pereira scored six tries and kicked a conversion in Round Four against the Moreton Bay Raiders.

Tyler Pereira scored in Rounds Six and Thirteen against Souths Sunnybank, Round Five and the Elimination Final against Wynnum Manly, Round Eight against Carina and Round Fourteen against the Valleys Diehards.

2024 saw Tyler Pereira play for Iona College in the Confraternity Sheild School Boy Rugby League competition with Tyler Pereira starting all three of Iona College’s matches against Emmanus College Rockhampton, St Edmunds College and St Mary’s College Toowoomba at fullback.

Tyler Pereira played for Iona College in the Association of Independent Schools (AIC) first XIII competition with Tyler Pereira starting all six of Iona College’s matches at fullback with Tyler Pereira finishing as the competitions leading try scorer with nine tries.

Tyler Pereira scored a staggering four tries in Round Seven against St Patricks College Shorncliffe and doubles in Rounds Two and Four against St Edmunds College and Padua College respectively.

At the conclusion of the competition Tyler Pereira was named at fullback in the 2024 AIC First XIII Courier Mail Team of the Year.

Tyler Pereira’s speed plays very well on a rugby league field and he is exceptionally quick down the sidelines with a good in and away to beat defenders on the outside and will not get caught from behind if he gets into open space.

In addition to his speed Tyler Pereira seems to have the ability to “freeze” his direct opponent with his ability to step off both feet before accelerating around them usually on the touchline side although his situational awareness and innate understanding of where the touch line is means that he understands when he should cut back inside thus not to risk being forced into touch.

I really like the way that Tyler Pereira runs at full speed regardless of the situation. When he has made a break Tyler Pereira runs at the full back at full pace and does not look to be too cute by trying to out think the opposing fullback. By running at speed directly at the fullback, Tyler Pereira, not only stops the lateral momentum of the fullback but also reduces the time that the fullback has to make a decision on how to defend against Tyler Pereira.

Like most of the modern day fullbacks Tyler Pereira also has the ability to find the try line in some unlikely situations where it appears that there is no way he could possibly get the ball down without going into touch. His straight line speed would be considered plus, Tyler Pereira is just incredibly quick both off the mark and when he is in motion.

Tyler Pereira has very good hands low to the ground on grubber kicks or when defenders drop bombs and uses his reach to get to the ball quickly before defenders. Tyler Pereira will also chase general play kicks with vigour trying to improve the effectiveness of his teams kicking game as well as gaining better field position for his team as the opposition are forced to use up tackles to get out of their own territory.

Tyler Pereira just seems to have the uncanny ability to take advantage of even the most remote opportunity to score, which ultimately is a trait that is naturally occurring rather than a process or mindset that can be taught or developed in any significant way.

In addition Tyler Pereira is also deceptively effective running out of dummy half trying to gain field position when bringing the ball out of their own territory. Normally running to the right of the play the ball (Tyler Pereira is a left winger to be fair), Tyler Pereira just seems to almost always make the initial defender miss.

In terms of running the ball back from kicks, similarly Tyler Pereira just seems to make the initial defender miss often. What I also like in terms of kick returns is that Tyler Pereira does not jog after the ball, thus allowing the defence to converge, Tyler Pereira sprints after the ball to collect it and then makes an immediate decision whether to look to run around the defensive line if it is a short line or is staggered or just run the ball directly into the defensive line to make as much ground as possible.

Defensively one area that Tyler Pereira has impressed me is his ability to defend against any size opponent, from small quick opposing outside backs to big strong powerful centres or backrowers running wider of the ruck in his direction.

Tyler Pereira seemingly has more strength that his size and body shape 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.

When he is outnumbered from a defensive perspective, Tyler Pereira has the ability to mirror the movement of the attacker with the ball and hold off committing to the tackle, thus forcing the attacker to commit to a course of action (either run the ball themselves or draw Tyler Pereira and pass.

This attribute of Tyler Pereira’s puts the pressure back onto the attacker and puts Tyler Pereira in a far better position to negate the paly himself or at the very least buys Tyler Pereira’s team mates time to come across in cover defence. Tyler Pereira is just a smart defender in all types of situations and that holds him in very good stead into the future.

Regardless of where and how he defends Tyler Pereira sets a good base and uses his leg strength to direct his strength through the core of his body into his opponent. Tyler Pereira just intuitively knows how to defend from a timing and technique perspective and rarely loses contact with the attacker once he has engaged them defensively.

Tyler Pereira uses this contact to redirect the momentum of the attacker towards the touch line. Tyler Pereira also gets low and this is able to get underneath any fend that is looking to hold Tyler Pereira off from him initiating contact with the body of his opponent and thus further disrupt his momentum.

2025 will see Tyler Pereira commence the season as a member of the Wynnum Manly Seagulls U19 MM Cup squad and Tyler Pereira is also MM Cup eligible in 2026. Tyler Pereira will also return to Iona College in 2025 where once again he will be a dominant player in Iona College’s AIC First XIII School Boy Rugby League side. Tyler Pereira will also play for Redlands in the BRL U19 Division One competition in 2025.

Tyler Pereira has played extensively at five eight and fullback in his rugby league career to date but with his speed and mobility I believe that his best position moving forward is at fullback as a result of his speed and his ability to operate as a “second” receiver.

From my perspective, a talented, unselfish attacking player with similar attributes to Tyler Pereira is North Queensland Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater. Like Drinkwater, Tyler Pereira has great acceleration (not quite to Drinkwater’s though) to go along with a wicked sidestep off both feet, and the play making skills to make opposition teams pay if defences look to focus too much on him rather than his support runners or if individual defenders come out of the line too quickly.

 

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Joshua Siulepa. After playing for the Burleigh Bears U16 Cyril Connell Cup squad in the 2022 Joshua Siuleapa spent two seasons in the St George Dragons Pathways before moving back to the Gold Coast and in Round Fourteen of the Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade competition Joshua Siulepa making his First Grade debut when he came off the bench for the Southport Tigers against the Helensvale Hornets in Round Fourteen.

After coming onto the field in the 32nd minute Joshua Siulepa immediately carried the ball from the left of the play the ball from forty seven to thirty one metres from the try line and was able to break a tackle as well. Then in the 38th minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball Joshua Siulepa carried the ball through the centre of the field from thirty two to eighteen metres from the try line. Then in the 64th minute after picking up a Hornets knock-on thirty five metres from the try line Joshua Siulepa ran to his left to get the ball to twenty four metres from the try line.

Prior to his Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade debut Joshua Siulepa was a stand out for the Southport Tigers GCRL U18 Division One side in the front row.

Joshua Siulepa started in the front row in Round Three against the Coomera Cutters with kicking a rare conversion in the 57th minute from directly in front in a big Southport come from behind victory.

Joshua Siulepa also scored in the 53rd minute with a twelve metre charge through the centre of the field from the left of a Southport penalty restart.

In the 4th minute from the right of the play the ball Joshua Siulepa ran the ball through the centre of the field from twenty seven to thirty nine metres from the try line and then in the 25th minute also from the right of the play the ball and twenty seven metres from his try line Joshua Siulepa was able to make eleven metres. Also in the 39th minute a Joshua Siulepa through the centre of the field and broke a tackle as he ran the ball to the thirty metre mark and then got a right arm off-load away to his left.

Joshua Siulepa continued in the front row in Round Four against the Helensvale Hornets with Joshua Siulepa returning the opening kick-off to the twenty metre mark. Then in the 7th minute from the left of the play the ball Joshua Siulepa got from thirty seven to twenty seven metres from the try line.

Joshua Siulepa then came off the bench to operate in the front row in the second half of Round Five against the Beaudesert Kingfishers and in the 33rd minute from the left of the play the ball Joshua Siulepa ran the ball through the centre of the field from thirty to thirty six metres from the try line before getting a right arm off-load away to his left with his back to the try line. Then in the 47th minute from the right of the play the ball but to the left of the posts Joshua Siulepa got the ball from thirty one to forty three metres from the try line.

Joshua Siulepa was back in the Southport Tigers starting line up in the front row in Round Six of the GCRL U18 Division One competition against the Currumbin Eagles with Joshua Siulepa recording a line break assist in the 41st minute when after running the ball to the right of the play the ball from thirty five metres from his try line to the halfway mark Joshua Siulepa was able to get a right arm off-load away to his left to put Tama Darlington into open space.

From the left of the play the ball in the 26th minute a bumping Joshua Siulepa run saw the ball moved from twenty two to thirty seven metres from the try line and then in the 36th minute Joshua Siulepa propelled the ball through the centre of the field from forty one to twenty eight metres from the try line.

Joshua Siulepa continued in the front row in Round Seven against the Burleigh Bears with Joshua Siulepa returning the opening kick-off to the twenty one metre mark with Joshua Siulepa also taking the fifth hit up from the right of the play the ball and through the centre of the field from five metres inside his half to five metres into Burleigh territory. Then in the 8th minute a Joshua Siulepa kick-off return saw the ball get out to the twenty one metre mark.

Joshua Siulepa also started in the front row in Round Nine against the Helensvale Hornets and in the 11th minute from a kick-off return Joshua Siulepa was able to get the ball out to the twenty six metre mark after breaking a tackle. Then from a Southport penalty restart in the 36th minute Joshua Siulepa charged onto the ball and was able to make twelve metres to get within twenty metres of the try line.

Joshua Siulepa started in the front row in Round Ten against the Beaudesert Kingfishers with Joshua Siulepa scoring a powerhouse solo try in the 20th minute from a charge from twelve metres out and to the right of a Tigers penalty restart with Joshua Siulepa crashing through three would be defenders whilst running to his right to score four metres to the right of the goal posts.

After making the second hit-up of the match from the left of the play the ball to move the ball from twenty six to forty metres from the try line Joshua Siulepa in the 13th minute from the left of the dummy half ran from four metres inside his half to ten metres into Bears territory before getting a right arm off-load way to his right to Tama Darlington. Then in the 22nd minute from the left of the play the ball Joshua Siulepa broke three more tackles with an effort to the left of the play the ball from thirty to forty seven metres of the try line with Joshua Siulepa then getting an off-load away to his right.

In the 34th minute Joshua Siulepa ran the ball down a left blindside and broke an additional two tackles as he ran the ball from thirty eight metres from his try line to ten metres into Kingfishers territory. Also in the 41st minute Joshua Siulepa ran the ball from thirty one to forty five metres from his try line with approximately 75% of his metres being post contact.

Joshua Siulepa continued in the front row in Round Eleven against the Currumbin Eagles with Joshua Siulepa returning the opening kick-off to the twenty metre mark.

Joshua Siulepa from two passes to the left of the play the ball in the 14th minute ran the ball through the centre of the field from forty two to thirty metres from the try line. Then in the 29th minute after running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball and carrying the ball from thirty five metres from his try line to within three metres of the halfway mark Joshua Siulepa got away a superb right arm low offload away to his left to Austin Marsters with three defenders trying in vain to get Joshua Siulepa to the ground.

Joshua Siulepa also started in the front row in Round Twelve against the Burleigh Bears with Joshua Siulepa making the third hit-up of the match from the right of the play the ball to get from twenty six to forty metres from the try line breaking two tackles as he went.

From the right of the play the ball in the 22nd minute Joshua Siulepa stepped off his right foot to get the ball from thirty three metres from his try line to the halfway. Also in the 26th minute from the right of the play the ball Joshua Siulepa surged from twenty to thirty five metres from the try line. Then in the 33rd minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball Joshua Siulepa carried the ball through the centre of the field from twenty tow to within ten metres of the try line and then executed a quick play the ball.

Joshua Siulepa started at lock for the Southport Tigers in Round Fourteen of the GCRL U18 Division One competition against the Helensvale Hornets and in the 7th minute from the right of the play the ball Joshua Siulepa ran the ball from twenty eight to forty one metres from the try line.

A minute later in the 8th minute Joshua Siulepa broke two tackles after charging onto the ball to the right of the play the ball to carry the ball from twenty eight to sixteen metres from the try line. Also in the 21st minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball Joshua Siulepa ran from twenty to thirty two metres from his try line.

Joshua Siulepa started in the front row for the Southport Tigers in the 2024 GCRL U18 Division One Qualifying Final against the Currumbin Eagles and in the 7th minute from the right of the play the ball and twenty four metres from his try line Joshua Siulepa carried the ball to within four metres of the try line just to the right of the posts. Then in the 28th minute from the left of the play the ball and seven metres from his try line Joshua Siulepa was able to get the ball out to the twenty metre mark.

Joshua Siulepa started in the front row in the Week Two GCRL U18 Division One Final for the Southport Tigers against the Helensvale Hornets and an 8th minute kick-off return saw Joshua Siulepa return the ball to the twenty metre mark and another kick-off return in the 17th minute from Joshua Siulepa saw him break a tackle to carry the ball to the twenty two metre mark.

Joshua Siulepa produced a huge defensive hit in the 54th minute on one of the Hornets replacement forwards No. 17 to force a knock on three metres from the try line and just to the left of the posts.

Joshua Siulepa started in the front row for the Southport Tigers in the GCRL U18 Division One Grand Final against the Helensvale Hornets and in the 4th minute from the left of the play the ball Joshua Siulepa crashed into the Hornets defensive line to carry the ball from forty two to twenty nine metres from the try line before getting a left arm off-load away to his right with his back to the try line.

A 9th minute Joshua Siulepa kick-off return saw the ball returned to the twenty eight metres through the centre of the field and then in the 17th minute from the left of the play the ball Joshua Siulepa was able to make seventeen metres to get to twenty five metres from the try line after breaking a tackle. Also in the 30th minute from the left of the play the ball Joshua Siulepa broke an additional two tackles as he ran the ball from twenty six to forty one metres from the try line.

After running to his left from a Southport penalty restart in the 43rd minute Joshua Siulepa carried the ball the required twelve metres to get to the try line with Joshua Siulepa then awarded a penalty for an illegal strip just as he was able to place the ball over the try line three metres to the left of the uprights. Also in the 53rd minute from the left of the play the ball Joshua Siulepa broke a tackle once again as he carried the ball from twenty one to within nine metres of the try line.

In late August 2024 Joshua Siulepa was named in the 2024 South Queensland Māori U18 Tane representative squad and then in early October Joshua Siulepa was named in the 2024 Queensland Māori U18 Representative Squad.

Joshua Siulepa flies at the line at full speed (which is significant) and drops his shoulder into the first defender who looks to engage him and then Joshua Siulepa keeps pumping his legs, which enables him to break through the initial tackle or at worst gain significant ground post contact.

These traits and the fact that Joshua Siulepa can absorb significant punishment and maintain his running line and balance I think is one of the reasons (plus his speed of course) that coaches want the ball in Joshua Siulepa’s hands as much as possible.

For me however Joshua Siulepa is far more than a player who just runs straight and hard, he has good late footwork prior to the defensive line, which is why Joshua Siulepa is so damaging on the fringes of the ruck and also is developing his off-loading skills on an exponential curve.

For his size Joshua Siulepa has above average to plus speed and when he breaks through the defensive line Joshua Siulepa has the speed to convert his own breaks into tries on a regular basis as was evidenced this season.

Defensively Joshua Siulepa has a very good front on tackling technique with his shoulder and rarely gets caught front on in relation to the initial contact and Joshua Siulepa definitely has the strength and power to finish off the tackle with authority.

In those instances Joshua Siulepa maintains his balance and does not rush forward but waits until the attacker commits to a course of action and then mirrors the action to affect the tackle.

2025 will see Joshua Siulepa eligible for the U19 Mal Meninga (MM) Cup competition with Joshua Siulepa more than good enough to play for either the Tweed Heads Seagulls or Burleigh Bears in that competition in 2025 or in the New South Wales U19 SG Ball competition.What is certain however is that in 2025 Joshua Siulepa will definitely add to his one GCRL First Grade match for the Southport Tigers in 2024.

Joshua Siulepa is a front rower pure and simple, always has been, always will be.

With his size and deft subtle late footwork whilst running the ball, I can see some similarities from a playing perspective between Joshua Siulepa and soon to be Cronulla Sharks and New Zealand International front rower Addin Fonua-Blake. Both Joshua Siulepa and Fonua-Blake are front rowers who play with intensity and their hearts on their sleeves as well as being hard running giant young front rowers with a degree of nastiness and aggression in their game.

 

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Ashley Watts. In late September 2024 Ashley Watts was named in the 2025 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad.

Ashley Watts made his NRRRL First Grade debut starting on the left wing for the Tweed Coast Raiders in Round Eight against the Evans Head Bombers and in the 12th minute Ashley Watts got across the try line in the left corner but the pass to him eight metres out was ruled forward.

Ashley Watts made a line break in the 74th minute down the left touchline after receiving a pass from his inside forty two metres out and darted down the touchline to twenty seven metres from the try line.

Ashley Watts made his first run in the NRRRL First Grade competition in the 4th minute from the left of the play the ball to get the ball out to the twenty two metre mark and then in the 8th minute also from the left of the play the ball an Ashley Watts yardage carry saw the ball promoted from two metres from his try line to eleven metres out.

Ashley Watts did well in the 29th minute to anticipate a Bombers attacking chip towards his wing with Ashley Watts taking the kick on the full facing his try line fifteen metres out and then returned the ball to twenty five metres out. Additionally in the 74th minute Ashley Watts broke a tackle in a run from the left of the play the ball from twenty to forty metres from his try line. Then in the 77th minute from the left of the play the ball Ashley Watts ran the ball from fifteen to twenty five metres from his try line.

After Round One of the 2024 NRRRL U18 competition was abandoned due to poor weather Ashley Watts started at left centre for the Tweed Coast Raiders against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Ashley Watts scoring a double including the match winning try in the dying minutes.

Ashely Watts scored his initial try in the 27th minute when after cutting underneath his fullback to the left of the play the ball and fifteen metres out, Ashley Watts straightened up his run to score seven metres to the left of the goal posts.

Ashley Watts scored the match winning try in the 57th minute when after receiving the after it was spun wide to the left eighteen metres out from the try line Ashley Watts comprehensively beat his opposing centre on the outside with Ashley Watts then outpacing the Seagulls cover defence to dive over to score two metres in from the left corner post.

In the 4th minute from the left of the play the ball and thirty two metres from his own try line Ashley Watts was able to get the ball to within four metres of the halfway mark then in the 20th minute also from the left of a Raiders centre field scrum and just six metres from his own try line Ashley Watts did well to get the ball out to the twenty metre mark.

Also from the left of a Tweed Coast centre field scrum win in the 33rd minute Ashley Watts made a half break down the left channel to run the ball from seven metres inside his own territory to twenty eight metres from the try line. Then in the 35th minute from the left of the play the ball and twenty metres from his own try line Ashley Watts was able to make fourteen hard metres.

From three passes to the right of a centre field Tweed Coast scrum (Ashley Watts had wrapped around from the left) Ashley Watts stepped off his right foot upon receipt of the ball when twenty three metres from the try line to get within ten metres after Ashley Watts had broken a tackle. Also in the 47th minute after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball and thirty metres from his own try line Ashley Watts used a left arm fend to beat one defender to make a half break to get the ball to the halfway mark.

Ashley Watts also started at left centre in Round Three against the Casino Cougars with Ashley Watts easily the best player on the field with Ashley Watts also scoring a great solo try in the 28th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball and twenty metres from his own try line Ashley Watts continued to carry the ball to his left and then used a hard straight left arm fend to get on the outside of the Casino right sided defence with Ashley Watts then racing down the left touchline and after outpacing the Cougars fullback Ashley Watts dived over to score in the left corner.

Ashley Watts was making life difficult for the Casino defence inside the opening minute when two passes to the left of the Raiders scrum Ashley Watts broke a tackle as he ran the ball from twenty four metres from the try line to within twelve metres. Then two minutes later in the 3rd minute from the left of the play the ball and twenty four metres from his own try line Ashely Watts charged his way fourteen metres downfield to the thirty eight metre mark.

Ashley Watts, from a Tweed Coast penalty restart in the 5th minute was able to get the ball from twenty eight metres from his try line to forty one metres out, then in the 7th minute after bursting onto the ball to the left of the play the ball Ashley Watts charged downfield from forty five metres to thirty metres from the try line. Then later in the same set of six tackles Ashley Watts got the ball from twelve metres to less than a metre from the try line after running onto the ball to the right of the dummy half.

Ashley Watts’s strong match continued in the 9th minute with a run to the left of the play the ball from twenty seven metres to the forty two metre mark with Ashley Watts able to break a tackle as he made fifteen metres. Then in the 11th minute also from the left of the play the ball Ashley Watts was able to make eleven metres from forty metres from the try line.

The halftime break could not slow Ashley Watts down as in the 34th minute after running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball and twelve metres out from his try line Ashley Watts’s yardage carry saw him get the ball out to the twenty four metre mark before Ashley Watts was able to get an off-load away to his left. A minute later from a Tweed Coast penalty restart forty seven metres from the try line Ashley Watts hard straight saw him make eighteen metres to within twenty nine metres of the try line.

Another Ashley Watts run in the 37th minute from two passes to the left of a Raiders scrum saw him break two tackles as he ran the ball from forty metres to within twenty two metres of the try line. Then from the right of the play the ball in the 46th minute Ashley Watts was able to make thirteen metres to thirty three metres from his try line.

A minute later in the 47th minute from the left of the play the ball saw Ashley Watts run the ball through the centre of the field from thirty metres to forty metres from the try line. Then in the 49th minute Ashley Watts powerful charge from the left of the play the ball saw him carry the ball from twenty metres from his try line to forty two metres out with at least 75% of the metres gained being post contact. After being awarded a penalty for Casino ruck interference Ashley Watts ran the ball from the penalty restart to get the ball from forty two metres to within twenty four metres of the try line.

Defensively in the 51st minute after the Cougars right winger took an intercept on his own try line and raced downfield Ashley Watts turned and chased and caught him from behind thirteen metres out from the try line.

Ashley Watts also started at left centre in Round Four against Lismore Marist with Ashley Watts scoring once again.

Ashley Watts continued at left centre in Round Seven against the Byron Bay Devils with Ashley Watts scoring in the 47th minute with a short dart and dive down the left touchline to score in the left corner.

Ashley Watts also recorded a try assist in the 9th minute when from the wide on the left side of the field Ashley Watts ran the ball from fourteen metres to within eight metres of the try line before drawing the Byron Bay right winger before putting left winger over to score in the corner.

Ashley Watts also made a line break in the 23rd minute when after receiving the ball to the left of a Raiders scrum win ten metres from his own try line near the centre of field and eight metres from his own try line Ashley Watts continued to run to his left and after utilising a left arm fend to get on the outside of the Byron Bay right centre Ashley Watts charged down the left touchline before being brought to ground two metres inside the Devils half.

Ashely Watts made a second line break in the 31st minute when after receiving a cut-out pass from his inside from Kwinn Wolf, Ashely Watts made a line break down the left touchline from the halfway mark and when thirty two metres from the try line Ashley Watts stepped inside off his left foot to beat the fullback before being tackles twenty four metres from the try line.

In the 13th minute from the left of the play the ball and ten metres from his own try line a hard straight Ashley Watts yardage carry saw the ball promoted to the twenty one metre mark. Then in the 35th minute from the left of the play the ball Ashley Watts carried the ball from twenty metres to thirty four metres from his try line.

An Ashely Watts run from a Tweed Coast penalty restart in the 42nd minute saw the ball promoted from thirty to eighteen metres from the try line with Ashley Watts able to break two tackles. Also in the 55th minute from wide on the left Ashley Watts got the ball from twenty metres to within three metres of the try line near the left corner.

Ashley Watts also started at left centre in Round Nine against the Murwillumbah Mustangs and in the 6th minute from the left of the play the ball and eighteen metres from his try line Ashley Watts was able to get the ball out to the thirty metre mark before being awarded a penalty after being hit in a high tackle.

From two passes to the left of the play the ball in the 9th minute Ashley Watts broke through an attempted tackle as he ran the ball from forty seven to thirty two metres from his try line with Ashley Watts awarded another penalty after he had his head gear ripped off by a Mustangs defender. Then from a Tweed Coast penalty restart in the 19th minute Ashley Watts was able to get the ball from forty two to thirty metres from the try line and also in the 21st minute Ashley Watts ran the ball through the centre of the field from the left of the play the ball from eighteen to thirty one metres away from his try line.

Ashley Watts was able to carry the ball down the left channel in the 23rd minute from eighteen to thirty two metres away from his try line. Also in the 30th minute an Ashley Watts yardage carry from the right of the play the ball saw him move the ball from ten to twenty one metres out. Then in the 47th minute from the left of the play the ball Ashley Watts ran the ball through the centre of the field from twenty seven to forty metres from his try line, Ashley Watts also ran the ball through the centre of the field in the 55th minute from the left of the play the ball from the halfway to thirty two metres from the try line with Ashley Watts breaking a tackle along the way.

Ashley Watts continued at left centre in Round Ten against the Lower Clarence Magpies with Ashely Watts coming close to scoring in the 20th minute only to be held up over the try line seven metres in from the left corner post and an eight metre run that included a left foot step.

In the 3rd minute from the left of the play the ball Ashley Watts broke a tackle as he made a half break to run the ball from twenty eight metres from his try line to three metres in the Magpies half. From the left of the play the ball in the 5th minute and twenty metres from his try line Ashley Watts got the ball to the thirty two metre mark and in the 15th minute also from the left of the play the ball an Ashley Watts carry saw the ball promoted from eight metres from the halfway to three metres into Lower Clarence territory.

From two passes to the left of the play the ball in the 30th minute Ashley Watts carried the ball down the left touchline to thirty to seventeen metres from the try line and also in the 43rd minute Ashley Watts carried the ball through the centre of the field and broke a tackle from the left of the play the ball from thirty six to twenty two metres from the try line. Then in the 50th minute from a Tweed Coast penalty restart Ashley Watts got the ball from thirty six to twenty two metres from the try line.

Ashley Watts also started at left centre in Round Twelve against the Ballina Seagulls with Ashley Watts scoring in the 34th minute when he literally took the ball out of the grasp of his left winger who was held less than a metre from the try line and dive over to score in the left corner.

Ashley Watts also made a line break in the 52nd minute when from two passes to the left of a Raiders scrum win Ashley Watts received the ball just four metres from his try line and after continuing to run to his left Ashley Watts used a right arm fend to break away down the left touchline to get out to the forty metre mark.

In just the 2nd minute of the match Ashley Watts did well when running back towards his own try line to take a Seagulls chip on the full two metres from the try line and did even better to stay in the field of play then a tackle later from the left of the play the ball Ashley Watts got the ball out from one metre from his try line to the twelve metre mark.

From the right of the play the ball in the 6th minute and five metres inside his half Ashley Watts was able to break two tackles and make a half break to get twenty metres inside Ballina’s half. Then in the 13th minute from the left of the play the ball Ashley Watts once again broke two tackles as he got to within two metres of the halfway from thirty three metres from his try line.

Ashley Watts broke another tackle with a 28th minute run to the left of the play the ball that saw the ball promoted from forty one to thirty metres from the try line. Three minutes later in the 31st minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball Ashley Watts got the ball to the halfway from forty metres out. Also in the 40th minute form the right of the play the ball Ashley Watts carried the ball from thirty three metres out to the halfway with Ashley Watts breaking yet another tackle.

Ashley Watts continued at left centre in Round Thirteen against the Mullumbimby Giants with Ashley Watts scoring in the 46th minute when he dived to left out of dummy half to score in the left corner from close range.

Ashley Watts come close to scoring a second try in the 41st minute when after charging thirty metres down the left channel only to be held up over the try line four metres in from the left corner post.

Ashley Watts also recorded a try assist in the 55th minute when after receiving the ball wide on the left Forty two metres from the try line Ashley Watts broke two tackles to break into open space before stepping the Giants fullback to bring the ball around to near the try line but instead of placing the ball down Ashley Watts when over the try line gave the try away by passing the ball to his lock.

In the 4th minute from the left of the play the ball Ashley Watts ran the ball from thirty to forty six metres from the try line. Then in the 15th minute from the right of the dummy half and forty two metres from the try line Ashley Watts was able to get the ball to within twenty seven metres of the try line.

Ashley Watts also made a half break in the 31st minute when from two passes to the left of the play the ball and on the halfway Ashley Watts broke a tackle before cutting back to his right to get the ball to twenty eight metres from the try line. Also in the 47th minute from the left of the dummy half Ashley Watts ran from thirty to forty one metres out and then in the 50th minute Ashley Watts carried the ball from the left of the play the ball through the centre of the field from forty metres from his try line to nine metres into the Giants half.

Ashley Watts also started at left centre in Round Fourteen against the Byron Bay Devils with Ashley Watts scoring in the 38th minute when after receiving the ball wide on the left in space Ashley Watts ran twenty metres to score in the left corner by reaching out with the ball out in front of his body in his left hand to get the ball down in the corner whilst being tackled.

Ashley Watts also recorded a line break assist in the 31st minute when after running the ball to the left of the play the ball from fifteen to twenty five metres from his try line Ashley Watts drew the Devils right winger and off-loaded to his left winger who made a line break down the left touchline.

Ashley Watts ran the ball through the centre of the field from the left of the play the ball in the 2nd minute to get from forty metres from his try line to the halfway and then in the 6th minute also from the left of the play the ball Ashley Watts ran from thirty to forty metres from his try line. Also in the 10th minute from two passes to the left of a Raider scrum win Ashley Watts broke a tackle as he moved the ball from ten metres inside his half to three metres into Byron Bay territory.

Ashley Watts continued at left centre in the rescheduled Round One match against the Bilambil Jets with Ashley Watts scoring in the 43rd minute with a dive out of dummy half to his left from close range down a very short left blindside to get the ball down in the left corner.

Ashley Watts had come close to scoring earlier in the match in the 20th minute with a six metre run down a short left blindside however the referee ruled that Ashley Watts had lost the ball over the try line.

Inside the opening minute of the match Ashley Watts carried the ball from a Tweed Coast penalty restart from the halfway to thirty eight metres from the try line. Then in the 47th minute from the left of the play the ball and twenty metres from the try line Ashley Watts moved the ball out to the thirty two metre mark.

Defensively in the 9th minute Ashley Watts raced to his left in cover defence to tackle the Bilambil right second rower over the try line two metres short of the corner post.

Ashley Watts also started at left centre in the NRRRL U18 rescheduled Round Five match against the Kyogle Turkeys with Ashley Watts scoring the first of his two tries in the 25th minute with a strong run from two passes to the left of a Tweed Coast scrum win sixteen metres from the try line Ashley Watts carried three defenders over the try line to get the ball down ten metres to the left of the posts.

Ashley Watts completed his double in the 33rd minute with a run from ten metres out and to the left of the play the ball with Ashley Watts beating the initial defender with a right arm fend to score nine metres to the left of the posts.

Ashley Watts came close to completing his hat trick in the 36th minute when from twelve metres out and to the right of the play the ball Ashley Watts was able to force his way over the try line only to be forced back into the field of play.

In the 6th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball Ashley Watts did well to run the ball from thirty to fourteen metres from the try line and then in the 9th minute Ashley Watts carried the ball through the centre of the field from thirty to forty six metres from his try line. Also in the 16th minute from the right of the play the ball Ashley Watts got within a metre of the try line next to the left goal post after a sixteen metre effort.

In the 23rd minute Ashley Watts ran the ball through the centre of the field from the right of the play the ball Ashley Watts ran the ball through the centre of the field from thirty five to twelve metres into Kyogle territory after initially being held on the halfway mark. Then in the 30th minute from a Tweed Coast penalty restart Ashley Watts broke two tackles as he carried the ball twenty metres into Turkeys territory.

In the 41st minute after shrugging off one defender after carrying the ball from the left of the play the ball thirty metres from his try line Ashley Watts used a right arm fend to beat a second to get within five metres of the halfway mark before being awarded a penalty for Kyogle ruck interference. Also in the 46th minute from three passes to the right of a Tweed Coast scrum win Ashley Watts promoted the ball from forty two to twenty eight metres from the try line. Then in the 50th minute from two passes to the left of another Raiders scrum win Ashley Watts ran from thirty to eighteen metres from the try line.

Ashley Watts came off the bench to operate at left centre in the 20th minute of Round Fifteen against the Cudgen Hornets with Ashley Watts scoring in the 49th minute when from wide on the left and twelve metres from the try line Ashley Watts beat his opposing centre on the outside to score three metres in from the left corner post.

Ashley Watts also recorded a line break in the 43rd minute when after a Cudgen knock on the Raiders left winger swooped onto the ball and off-loaded to his right to Ashley Watts who charged down the left touchline from twenty five metres from his try line to thirty three metres from the try line at the opposite end of the field.

Ashley Watts started at left centre in Round Sixteen against the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Ashley Watts recording a try assist in the 55th minute when after running the ball to the left of the play the ball to within three metres of the try line from sixteen metres out, Ashley Watts whilst being held by three defenders got a left arm off-load away to his left to put his halfback over to score in the left corner.

Ashley Watts also made a line break in the 40th minute when after bumping off one defender with a charge to the left of the play the ball from twenty four metres from the try line Ashley Watts burst downfield to within two metres of the halfway mark.

The 28th minute saw Ashley Watts beat a Murwillumbah defender on the outside and then run the ball down the left touchline from ten metres inside his half to eight metres into Mustangs territory. Then in the 30th minute from the right of the play the ball Ashley Watts ran the ball through the centre of the field from thirty five metres from his try line to the halfway mark. Ashley Watts also ran the ball through the centre of the field in the 31st minute from the left of the play the ball to run from twenty to thirty one metres from the try line.

In the 33rd minute Ashley Watts once again ran through the centre of the filed from the left of the dummy half from six metres inside his half to six metres into Murwillumbah’s. Ashley Watts then carried the ball down a short left blindside from forty metres from his try line to four metres into Mustangs territory.

Ashley Watts moved to right centre for the Tweed Coast Raiders Week Two NRRRL U18 Major Semi-final against the Bilambil Jets and in the 7th minute from the right of the play the ball Ashley Watts was able to promote the ball from eighteen to thirty three metres from his try line. Then in the 12th minute also from the right of the play the ball Ashley Watts, from the left of the play the ball ran from sixteen to twenty eight metres from his try line with approximately 75% of the metres gained being post contact.

Ashley Watts moved to left second row for the Tweed Coast Raiders in the NRRRL U18 Preliminary Final against the Bilambil Jets and in the 2nd minute from the left of the play the ball Ashley Watts ran from forty two metres from his try line to eight metres into Bilambil territory. Then in the 41st minute Ashley Watts ran the ball down the left channel from forty seven to thirty metres from the try line before getting an off-load away to his left after breaking a tackle with the Raiders left winger scoring a pass later as a result.

Ashley Watts 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 Kiwi flyer will simply cut them apart. Ashley Watts ’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.

Just like his explosive speed off the mark, Ashley Watts ’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.

Ashley Watts also has exceptional hands when defending against kicks especially when low short attacking kicks are put in, Ashley Watts 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 Ashley Watts 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, Ashley Watts ’s primary objective is to more forward to reduce the time available for the attacker to work through is options.

Ashley Watts is also effective at maintaining his composure and taking the player with the ball and not fall for any dummies, he makes an opposing team earn the ground that they make.

Ashley Watts will start the 2025 season as a member of the Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad. At the completion of the Laurie Daley Cup Ashley Watts will once again line up for the Tweed Coast Raiders in the NRRRL competition and whilst Ashley Watts will more than likely start the 2025 season in the Raiders U18 side he will no doubt add to his NRRRL First Grade debut over the course of the 2025 rugby league season.

Even though Ashley Watts started a 2024 NRRRL U18 match in the second row Ashley Watt’s best position moving forward is also the position that he played most in 2024 being in the centres.

With his powerful frame, speed and low centre of gravity the way that Ashley Watts plays is strikingly similar to Canberra Raiders centre Matthew Timoko. Both are very difficult to get to the ground if you are able to get hold of them and both going looking to work rather than just waiting for the ball to come to them.