My take on our top juniors

Ryder Williams. The young halfback from the Marist Saints Rugby League Club in Auckland signed a multi-year contract with the Titans in late 2021 which saw the young New Zealander initially contracted to the Titans until the end of the 2023 rugby league season. Ryder Williams then resigned with the Titans with Ryder Williams part of the Titans Top 30 NRL squad in 2025.

In great news for the Titans Ryder Williams resigned with the Titans in a three year deal that will see Ryder Williams join the Titans NRL squad on a full time basis for the 2025 season with Ryder Williams on a full time train and trial NRL contract until that time, including the 2024 season. Multiple other clubs were chasing Ryder Williams’s signature, principally the Dolphins but the Titans were able to get Ryder Williams to sign a contract extension.

Late October 2023 saw Ryder Williams named as one of the Titans six 2024 NRL Development Players.

In October 2023 Ryder Williams was named in the 2024 Tweed Heads Seagulls U19 Mal Meninga (MM) Cup side with Ryder Williams also MM Cup eligible in 2025 with the age group changes coming into effect.

Round One of the 2024 MM Cup competition saw Ryder Williams start at five eight for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Ryder Williams having an eventful match including scoring in the 29th minute when after backing up a Zane Harrison line break Ryder Williams received the ball from his right from his halfback with Ryder Williams then running ten metres to score under the posts.

Ryder Williams came close to setting up a Tweed Heads try in the 67th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball fourteen metres from the try line Ryder Williams ran to within seven metres of the try line to draw one defender and it looked for all money that Ryder Williams was going to put Brock Lennox into a gaping hole and over to score but a Wynnum Manly defender got his hand to the ball to prevent a try.

Ryder Williams did well defensively in the 17th minute when defending in his defensive twenty metre area on the left side of the field and facing an overlap Ryder Williams rushed out of the Tweed Heads defensive line and as a result of Ryder Williams putting pressure on the Wynnum Manly five eight his pass missed its mark with Tweed Heads recovering the ball.

Ryder Williams also started at five eight in Round Two against the Brisbane Tigers with Ryder Williams recording the first of his two lien break assists in the 13th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball thirty metres from the try line, Ryder Williams ran the ball at the defensive line and at the last moment threw a no look pass to his right to put fullback Mason Barber into a gap and after Mason Barber got to the fullback he looked to pass back to Ryder Williams who was backing up but Ryder Williams was tackled before receiving the ball with the Seagulls awarded a penalty.

Ryder Williams added a second line break assist in the 31st minute with this line break being eerily similar to his first. After receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball Ryder Williams once again ran at the defensive line from the halfway mark before throwing a good inside ball to his right to once again put Mason Barber away through the centre of the field.

The 5th minute saw Ryder Williams take the defensive line on from the left of the play the ball and after dummying to his left, Ryder Williams was able to get the ball from twenty four metres from his try line to thirty eight metres out.

Ryder Williams continued at five eight in Round Three against the Norths Devils with Ryder Williams making the third hit-up of the match to get the ball from twenty five metres from his own try line to thirty seven metres out after running onto the ball to the left of the dummy half.

In the 38th minute Ryder Williams ran the ball to the left of the play the ball down a short blindside from sixteen metres out and was able to get within a metre of scoring seven metres in from the left corner post. Then in the 39th minute from the left of the play the ball once again Ryder Williams ran himself from the halfway mark to thirty eight metres from the try line.

Ryder Williams also did well in the 3rd minute when whilst defending on the left side of the field and just four metres from his own try line Ryder Williams did well to react quickly and take a low hard flat Norths kick just to his left on the full.

Ryder Williams also started at five eight in Round Four against the Redcliffe Dolphins and in the 14th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball Ryder Williams bumped off one would be defender with Ryder Williams then beating a second before getting a right arm off-load away to his left to put Brock Lennox into space.

Ryder Williams came close to setting up a Tweed Heads try in the 29th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the dummy half and ten metres from the try line, Ryder Williams threw a cut-out pass to put his left winger over in the left corner but the referee ruled that a Seagulls dummy runner interfered with a Dolphins defender and awarded a penalty against the Seagulls.

Earlier in the 21st minute Ryder Williams forced a Redcliffe goal line drop-out with a right foot grubber kick from ten metres out and on the left side of the field with Ryder Williams weighting his kick into the in-goal area to force the Redcliffe fullback to ground the ball and concede the drop-out.

The 50th minute saw Ryder Williams run to his left out of dummy half and after breaking a tackle Ryder Williams cut back towards his right to gain seventeen metres before being tackled eleven metres from the try line.

Ryder Williams continued at five eight in the Round Seven local derby against the Burleigh Bears with Ryder Williams making a line break in the 15th minute when after backing up a Seagulls half break Ryder Williams charged towards the try line from thirty metres out only to be brought down from behind just eight metres from the try line.

Ryder Williams made more metres in the 44th minute with an effort to the left of the play the ball to carry the ball from his own eighteen metre mark to thirty two metres out.

The 5th minute saw Ryder Williams, from forty two metres out drive a right foot kick towards the left corner down a short left blindside with the ball going over the touchline three metres from the left corner post.

Ryder Williams also started at five eight in Round Eight against the Wide Bay Bulls with Ryder Williams scoring in the 4th minute when after backing up on the inside of a Mason Barber line break down the left touchline Ryder Williams received a pass from his fullback from his left with Ryder Williams then running thirty metres to put the ball down in his left hand ten metres in from the left corner post.

Ryder William recorded his first try assist in the 47th minute when after taking possession of the ball to the left of the play the ball and thirteen metres from the try line Ryder Williams brought his left centre underneath him and into a gap for his centre to score next to the left upright.

Ryder Williams recorded a second try assist in the 66th minute with a deft right foot grubber kick into the in-goal for Joshua Donovan-Skinner to dive on the ball in the in-goal after Ryder Willians had received the ball to the left of the play the ball and put in the grubber kick ten metres from the try line.

Ryder Williams then added a third try assist in the 69th minute when after running the ball to the left of the play the ball from twenty metres from his own try line to thirty metres out Ryder Williams threw a no look pass to his right to Waylon Coldwell away to score from seventy metres ten metres in from the left corner post.

Ryder Williams also recorded a line break assist in the 59th minute when after running the ball from eighteen metres from his own try line to thirty metres out to the left of the dummy half Ryder Williams drew the Wide Bay right winger to put his left centre away with Tweed Heads scoring later in the same play.

In the 36th minute after picking up a Wide Bay dropped ball three metres inside is own territory Ryder Williams carried the ball eight metres into Wide Bay territory before getting a right arm off-load away to his left centre to promote the ball further.

Ryder Williams continued at five eight in Round Ten against the Ipswich Jets with Ryder Williams scoring in the 11th minute when after backing up a line break by Jake Lateo Ryder Williams received the ball from his fullback from his right from ten metres out to score under the posts.

Ryder Williams also recorded a try assist in the 4th minute when after running the ball to the left of het play the ball from sixteen metres to within eight metres of the try line, Ryder Williams threw a hard, flat pass to his left to put his left centre of their direct opponent and subsequently over to score in the left corner.

Ryder Williams also recorded a line break assist in the 58th minute when after running the ball to the left of the play the ball from the halfway mark to forty metres from the try line Ryder Williams took the ball right to the defensive line before throwing a no look inside ball to his right for Jake Lateo to make a line break before putting Zane Harrison over to score under the posts.

Ryder Williams ran the ball well himself in the 31st minute with a run down a left blindside from forty metres from the try line to twenty two metres out.

Ryder Williams had an outstanding match defensively with evidence of that coming in the 48th minute when after the Jets front rower No. 8 ran straight and hard at the try line Ryder Williams drove his right shoulder into him to force a knock on two metres from the try line.

Ryder Williams was at it again in the 57th minute with a great chase after the Ipswich right winger made a line break down the touchline with Ryder Williams able to grab the wingers jersey from behind with his left arm and throw him over the touchline just fourteen metres from the try line.

Ryder Williams performance saw him named at five eight in the Round Ten Courier Mail MM Cup Team of the Week.

Ryder Williams also started at five eight in Roud Eleven against the Brisbane Tigers and came close to scoring in the 55th minute when after an eight metre run from the left of the play the ball that saw Ryder Williams step off his left foot Ryder Williams got over the try line but was held up ten metres in from the left corner post.

Ryder Williams recorded the first of his two try assists in the 35th minute with a bullet cut-out pass to his left from six metres out to put his left winger over to score in the corner.

Ryder Williams recorded his second try assist in the 47th minute with another bullet cut-out pass to his left with his left winger once again the recipient from twelve metres out.

In the 17th minute from the left of the play the ball Ryder Williams ran down a left blindside from ten metres to twenty metres from his try line. Additionally in the Ryder Williams ran the ball to the left of the dummy half from forty metres to twenty nine metres from the try line. Then in the 49th mintute after dummying to his left Ryder Williams from the left of the play the ball Ryder Willaims ran the ball from ten metres inside his half to three metres into the Tigers half.

Ryder Williams produced a smart piece of play in the 26th minute with a one on one strip on the halfway mark with Ryder Williams then returning the ball ten metres.

Ryder Williams continued at five eight in the Preliminary Final against the Ipswich Jets with Ryder Williams scoring in the 48th minute when after backing up a line break by Mason Barber Ryder Williams received an off-load from his right from his fullback and raced thirty two metres to score two metres to the right of the goal posts.

Ryder Williams also recorded a try assist in the 52nd minute with a sweeping long pass to his left from twelve metres from the try line to put his winger over to score in the left corner.

Ryder Williams was also heavily involved in Jack Schmidt’s 68th minute try when from ten metres from his own try line and to the left of a Tweed Heads centre field scrum win, Ryder Williams put in a right foot chip kick to the area directly behind the scrum with Mason Barber retrieving the kick on the first bounce and then off-loading to Jack Schmidt who charged away to score.

Ryder Williams also made a line break in the 36th minute when after the Seagulls let an Ipswich bomb bounce the ball bounced back towards the Jets chasers but also directing into Ryder Williams’s hands fourteen metres from the try line with Ryder Williams then turning and charging down the left touchline and got seven metres into the Jets half.

Ryder Williams started at five eight for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the 2024 MM Cup Grand Final against the Burleigh Bears with Ryder Williams recording a try assist in the 24th minute with a great cut out pass from twelve metres from the try line and two passes to the left of the play the ball to put his left winger over to score in the corner.

Ryder Williams then recorded a second try assist in the 55th minute with a great hard flat twenty metre cut-out pass from his left from nine metres out and to the left of the play the ball to put his winger over to score in the left corner.

Ryder Williams also forced a Burleigh goal line drop-out in the 64th minute by way of a right foot stab grubber kick from ten metres out and to the left of both the dummy half and the posts with the ball taken dead by the Burleigh right winger.

Ryder Williams also did well in the 34th minute when along with Billy Tonkin, 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.

Round One of the XXXX South East Queensland Chair’s Challenge saw Ryder Williams start at five eight for the Gold Coast Vikings against the Ipswich Diggers with Ryder Williams recording a try assist in the 46th minute with a hard flat cut-out pass to his left from eight metres out down a short left blindside to put his winger over to score in the left corner.

Ryder Williams came close to setting up a number of other tries for the Vikings including in the 45th minute when from twenty metres from the try line and to the left of the dummy half Ryder Williams ran the ball to within ten metres of the try line before putting Reico Ratana into a gap with a deft pass to his left only for his left second rower to be cut down just short of the try line. Three metres earlier in the 42nd minute Ryder Williams also put Reico Ratana into a gap from ten metres out with an off-load to his left but once again desperate Diggers defence brought Reico Ratana down just short. Then in the 65th minute from the left of the play the ball Ryder Williams brought Reico Ratana back underneath form eight metres out but yes again Reico Ratana was brought down desperately short of the try line.

Ryder Williams also started at five eight on Day Two of the XXXX South East Queensland Chair’s Challenge against Brisbane Poinsettias Red with Ryder Williams forced a goal line drop-out in the 25th minute with a right foot grubber kick into the in-goal from twelve metres out and to the left of the play the ball with the Brisbane Red fullback forced to ground the ball in-goal.

Ryder Williams made another impressive play in the 31st minute with a one on one strip in the centre of the field and thirty three metres of the try line with Ryder Williams then able to carry the ball three metres closer to the try line.

From the left of the play the ball Ryder Williams stepped off his left foot to wrong foot a number of defenders as he ran the ball from twenty to thirty two metres away from his try line.

The 56th minute saw Ryder Williams make a desperate last ditch try saving tackle to prevent the Brisbane Poinsettias Red left centre from scoring with Ryder Williams holding him up over the try line wide out.

Ryder Williams made his Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade debut in Round Six against the Currumbin Eagles with Ryder Williams starting at halfback for the Southport Tigers and operating on the left side of the field.

In the 8th minute from the left of a Southport scrum win Ryder Williams stepped his way from fourteen metres to within three metres of try line. Then from two passes to the left of the play the ball a Ryder Williams yardage carry saw him propel the ball from ten to twenty metres from his try line.

Ryder Williams did well to create space for his left centre in the 62nd minute when from thirty two metres from the try line and to the left of the dummy half Ryder Williams was able to exploit the space he was in to drew defenders before putting his centre on a run down the left channel.

Ryder Williams continued at five eight in Round Seven against the Burleigh Bears with Ryder Williams scoring in the 74th minute with a good run to the left of the play the ball from sixteen metres out with Ryder Williams breaking three tackles as he got over the try line to get the ball down ten metres in from the right corner post.

Ryder Williams had come close to scoring earlier in the match in the 25th minute when after picking up a desperate Tigers pass on the bounce from his right twenty metres from the try line on the right side of the field Ryder Williams set sail for the try line and stepped off his right foot to beat one defender and when twelve metres out Ryder Williams dummied to his left and simultaneously stepped off his left foot to beat a second defended only to be brought down desperately short of the try line and eight metres to the right of the goal posts.

Ryder Williams also recorded a try assist in the 40th minute when from three metres from the try line and to the left of the play the ball Ryder Williams spun a quick pass to his left that found his winger on the first bounce for him to dive over to score in the corner.

In the 37th minute after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball on the halfway mark Ryder Williams stepped off his right foot as he made twelve metres downfield.

Ryder Williams highlighted his long kicking ability in the 3rd minute with a goal line drop-out to his left that sailed fifty three metres on the fly.

Ryder Williams also started at five eight in Round Eight against the Runaway Bay Seagulls with Ryder Williams scoring a double.

Ryder Williams scored his opening try in the 24th minute with a smart try when after players from both sides stopped thinking that there was a knock on, Ryder Williams however played the whistle and picked up the ball ten metres inside his own half and raced sixty metres to score ten metres in from the right corner post.

Ryder Williams completed his double in the 75th minute with a run from three passes to the right of the play the ball and after receiving the ball twenty two metres out Ryder Williams carried the ball to ten metres from the try line and after stepping off his right foot to beat the Runaway Bay left centre Ryder Williams crossed the try line and brought the ball around to score under the posts.

Ryder Williams also made a line break in the 5th minute when after taking possession of the ball three passes to the right of the play the ball and thirty seven metres from the try line Ryder Williams stepped off his right foot to beat the first defender with a second Ryder Williams right foot step beating another defender and then Ryder Williams broke a third tackle as he carried the ball to within five metres of the try line neat the right touchline.

The 33rd minute saw Ryder Williams carry the ball down the right channel from thirty five to within twenty two metres of the try line.

Ryder Williams moved to left centre in Round Nine against the Helensvale Hornets with Ryder Williams scoring in the 76th minute when after backing up a Tigers line break from deep inside Southport’s half Ryder Williams received the ball from his left forty five metres from the try line and after continuing to run to his right Ryder Williams stepped off hit right foot to turn the Hornets fullback inside out and then race away to put the ball down five metres to the right of the goal posts.

Ryder Williams recorded the first of his two try assists in the 36th minute when after running the ball to the left of the play the ball from twelve to eight metres from the try line Ryder Williams drew the Helensvale right winger and passed to his left to put his winger over to score in the left corner.

Ryder Williams recorded a second try assist in the 58th minute when from ten metres from the try line and ten metres from the try line Ryder Williams stepped off his right foot to cut back towards the left corner before passing to his left centre who as a result scored three metres in from the left corner post.

In the 8th minute after receiving the ball wide on the left side of the field Ryder Williams carried the ball from thirty two to eighteen metres from the try line and then in the 18th minute from the left of the play the ball Ryder Williams was able to run the ball from twenty to thirty two metres from his try line. Also in the 46th minute a Ryder Williams yardage carry from the left of a Tigers scrum win saw the ball moved from five to twenty five metres from the try line.

Ryder Williams then moved to right centre in Round Ten against the Tugun Seahawks and in the 44th minute after receiving the ball from an off-load from his right Ryder Williams ran the ball from twenty nine to forty metres from the try line.

Ryder Williams ran out of dummy half to his right in the 57th minute from thirty to forty five metres from the try line with approximately 70% of the metres being post contact. Then in the 64th minute from the left of the play the ball Ryder Williams carried the ball down a left blindside from twenty to thirty six metres from the try line and in the 66th minute Ruder Williams ran the ball through the centre of the field from seventeen to thirty metres from the try line. Also in the 71st minute from the left of the play the ball one again and through the centre of the field once again Ryder Williams made twelve metres from his own thirty.

Ryder Williams was back at five eight in Round Eleven against the Currumbin Eagles with Ryder Williams involved in a Tigers try in the 70th minute with a high bomb from thirty metres out and to the right of the play the ball with Ryder Williams bomb dropped by the Eagles left winger for the Southport right winger to take possession and score in the right corner.

In the 42nd minute from the right of the play the ball Ryder Williams used a right foot step to run from twenty two to within six metres of the try line. Also in the 52nd minute from the right of the play the ball and thirty eight metres from the try line Ryder Williams dummied twice to inside runners before stepping off his right foot to beat two defenders as he ran to twenty eight metres from the try line before off-loading to his left. Then in the 69th minute from the right of the play the ball Ryder Williams got from nineteen to thirty one metres from the try line.

Ryder Williams continued at five eight in Round Twelve against the Burleigh Bears with Ryder Williams recording a try assist in the 58th minute when after running the ball from ten to four metres from the try line two passes to the left of the play the ball Ryder Williams held up a great short pass to his left to put his left centre over to score four metres in from the left corner post.

Ryder Williams did well in the 4th minute to knock down a grubber kick to his left (knocked it backwards) and dive on the ball surrounded by Burleigh chasers three metres from his try line and ten metres in from the left touchline.

Ryder Williams did well defensively in the 6th minute with a try saving one on one ball and tall tackle moving to his right on the Bears left second rower (No. 12) four metres from the try line.

A Ryder Williams short goal line drop-out in the 75th minute to his left was retrieved by the Tigers and a minute it was rinse and repeat with the same thing happening.

Ryder Williams came off the bench to operate at five eight for the Southport Tigers in the 46th minute of the GCRL First Grade Week Two Final against the Currumbin Eagles with Ryder Williams recording a try assist in the 56th minute when after receiving the ball wide on the right side of the field Ryder Williams ran the ball from eighteen to four metres from the try line and whilst being held by two defenders Ryder Williams got his right arm free and got a “low arm” off-load away to his inside for his support player to score ten metres in from the left corner post.

Almost immediately after coming onto the field Ryder Williams ran the ball through the centre of the field from six metres inside his half to ten metres into the Eagles. Also in the 75th minute from the right of the play the ball Ryder Williams ran the ball from twenty to within seven metres of the try line. Then in the 77th minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball and forty metres from the try line Ryder Williams got the ball three metres inside the Eagles half.

The 74th minute saw Ryder Williams put in a short kick-off to his left with the ball retrieved by Southport just after crossing the ten metre plane.

In late July 2023 Ryder Williams started at five eight for a Titans U19 side that travelled to Townsville to play a Cowboys U19 side in an NRL curtain-raiser with Ryder Williams scoring in the 9th minute when after chasing through a kick from Tanu Nona after the Titans hooker had made a line break from deep inside Titans territory, Ryder Williams dived on the loose ball eight metres from the try line. After playing the ball Ryder Williams stayed alert and after Blake Forder had made space near the play the ball, The Titans fullback got the ball to Ryder Williams who darted between two Cowboys defender on the try line to score eight metres to the right of the goal posts.

In the 53rd minute from the right of the play the ball and eighteen metres from the try line Ryder Williams cut back to his left and was able to beat a number of defenders before being brought to ground two metres out and to the left of the uprights.

In January 2023 Ryder Williams started at five eight for the Titans U17 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights with Ryder Williams almost setting up a try in just the in the 4th minute when after Ryder Williams had generated an overlap down the left he passed to an unmarked Izayah Petrichvich who had the line open in front of him but the pass did not find the mark.

Ryder Williams also did well in the 47th minute when after running the ball down a wide left blindside from his own thirty one metre mark Ryder Williams drew in the “B” Knights defender and got a good short ball away to his left to a charging Taylan To’o who was able to make a further sixteen metres downfield.

Ryder Williams also started at five eight a week later for the Titans U17’s against the Brisbane Bronco’s U17’s on the Gold Coast with Ryder Williams operating on his usual left side of the field.

Ryder Williams was at his scheming best against the Bronco’s and also showcased his elite kicking game with a great right foot kick from just inside Brisbane territory with the Bronco’s right winger tackled less than a metre out from his own try line after retrieving Ryder Williams pin point kick into the left corner to pin the Bronco’s on their own try line.

In early December 2022 Ryder Williams 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 Ryder Williams was named in the 2023 Burleigh Bears MM Cup Squad and Ryder Williams is also MM Cup eligible in 2024.

Ryder Williams started at five eight in the Bears third and final 2023 MM Cup trial against the Brisbane Tigers. With Ryder Williams recording an outstanding try assist in the 10th minute. With the Bears on the attack the Tigers defence knocked down a Cooper Bai off-load with Ryder Williams swooping on the dropped ball twenty five metres out and in the centre of the field and burst away beating the fullback with a right foot step but when he was eight metres out from the try line but as he was going to ground Ryder Williams got away a superb right arm flick off-load to his right to a trailing Bailey McConnell who dived over to score next to the right upright.

Ryder Williams recorded a second try assist in the 16th minute when Ryder Williams threw a great long flat pass to his right from twelve metres out to put Sam Stephenson into space to score in the left corner.

Ryder Williams then recorded a line break assist in the 11th minute when from thirty two metres out from his own try line and to the left of the play the ball Ryder Williams threw another hard flat pass to his left to put Sam Stephenson on a twenty metre run down the left touchline.

Ryder Williams recorded a line break of his own in the 49th minute when after receiving an off-load from Oscar Laffranchi in the centre of the field and twenty five metres out Ryder Williams raced towards the try line only to be brought down two metres short of scoring.

Ryder Williams threw another outrageous right arm flick off-load in the 27th minute when after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball around thirty five metres out, Ryder Williams stepped off his left foot twice to beat defenders before throwing the flick off-load to his right to Bailey McConnell.

Ryder Williams also did well in the 11th minute when after receiving an off-load from Waaka Hepi Ryder Williams beat two defenders with left and right foot steps before getting an off-load away to his right to a trailing Bailey McConnell.

Ryder Williams was named to start at five eight in Round One of the 2023 U18 Mal Meninga Cup competition for the Bears against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Ryder Williams recording a try assist in the 19th minute when after receiving the ball twelve metres out from the try line and to the left of the play the ball Ryder Williams ran parallel to the Seagulls defensive line and then at the last minute Ryder Williams put in a grubber kick with the outside of his right foot with Matari Donovan then racing through to get the ball down just before the dead ball line and mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Ryder Williams also recorded an earlier try assist in the 3rd minute when from eight metres out and on the left side of the field Ryder Williams ran to his left and threw a good short ball to Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy who ran a straight crash line only to be held up ten metres in from the left corner post.

Ryder Williams recorded a line break in the 34th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball from the dummy half Ryder Williams ran at the oncoming defensive line before stepping off his left to beat the initial defender with Ryder Williams then skipping out of another attempted tackle. After racing thirty five metres down the centre of the field Ryder Williams was able to draw the fullback and get a pass away to his right to Austin Marsters.

Ryder Williams recorded a line break assist in the 8th minute when from thirty five metres out from his own try line Ryder Williams ran the ball down a short left blindside and after running ten metres towards the Wynnum Manly defensive line Ryder Williams threw a great hard flat cut-out pass to put left winger Matari Donovan away down the left touch line.

Ryder Williams also started at five eight in for Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies with Ryder Williams initial impact in the match coming after just twelve seconds (yes seconds) when from the second play of the match Ryder Williams received the ball to the left of the dummy half inside his own twenty metre area and then threw a cut-out pass to his left to put left centre Sam Stephenson on a twenty metre run down the left side of the field.

Ryder Williams then recorded a try assist in the 30th minute when from nine metres out and to the left of the uprights Ryder Williams threw a hard flat cut-out pass to his left to put Sam Stephenson on the outside of the last Magpies right sided defender with Sam Stephenson crossing the try line wide out on the right before bringing the ball around and putting it down ten metres to the left of the uprights.

Ryder Williams recorded a line break assist in the 41st minute when from on the halfway mark Ryder Williams threw a cut-out pass to his left to put Matari Donovan on a fifteen metre burst down the left touchline.

Ryder Williams ran the ball himself in the 56th minute from thirty five metres out from his own try line down a short left blindside with Ryder Williams stepping his way to within three metres of the try line.

Ryder Williams did well in the 11th minute when he chased through a Bears clearing kick and smashed the Magpies fullback with a heavy front on tackle as the fullback was returning the kick with Ryder Williams initial contact rocking the fullback back onto his heals.

Ryder Williams continued at five eight in Round Three against the Brisbane Tigers with Ryder Williams converting Wailer Whaiapu’s 65th minute try from thirteen metres in from the left corner post.

Ryder Williams recorded a line break assist in the 12th minute when whilst operating on the left side of the field down a wide blindside Ryder Williams took the ball deep into the defensive line before throwing a hard flat cut-out pass to Sam Stephenson to make a line break down the left touchline with Sam Stephenson getting an off-load away to his inside after drawing the fullback for Jac Finnigan to score.

Ryder Williams forced a Tigers goal line drop-out in the 8th minute when to the left of the play the ball and forty metres from the try line Ryder Williams put in a hard low driving right foot kick which pulled up two metres from the dead ball line with the ensuing Burleigh chase trapping the fullback in-goal.

Ryder Williams made a smart run in the 7th minute when to the left of the play the ball and thirty six metres from his own try line Ryder Williams initially looked to pass the ball to his left but after seeing the Tigers right sided defence coming up quickly Ryder Williams ran the ball himself, stepping off his left foot to get the ball withing to metres of the halfway mark.

Ryder Williams came close to setting up a try for Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu in the 33rd minute when from twelve metres out and in front of the posts Ryder Williams put a right foot grubber kick into the in-goal but a horror bounce saw the ball bounce agonisingly away from Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu’s grasp.

Ryder Williams highlighted his defensive intelligence in the 23rd minute when whilst defending ten metres out from his own try line Ryder Williams sensed that the Bears left sided defence were facing a two man overlap and came out of the defensive line and tackle the Tigers halfback just as he received the ball to immediately eliminate the attacking threat.

Ryder Williams then moved to halfback for Round Four against the Norths Devils with Ryder Williams recording a line break in the 38th minute when Ryder Williams backed up a line break by Gary Whare-Herlihy to get an off-load from the dummy half forty two metres out with Ryder Williams winding his way to twenty five metres out from the try line before he was brought down from behind.

Ryder Williams then anticipated a Norths attacking grubber kick in the 46th minute with Ryder Williams initially knocking the ball up in the air backwards with the ball just in the field of play and then Ryder Williams tracked the ball back to take possession in the in-goal area with Ryder Williams able to get the ball back into the field of play by three metres before Ryder Williams was brought to ground.

After Burleigh had a Round Five bye, Ryder Williams moved back to five eight for Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Ryder Williams setting up the Bears only try of the match in the 22nd minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball ten metres out, Ryder Williams ran the ball down a wide left blindside and after he had drawn a defender out of the defensive line Ryder Williams got a good ball away to his left to put Sam Stephenson over to score six metres in from the left touchline.

Ryder Williams came close to scoring himself in the 50th minute only to be held up over the try line five metres in from the left corner post after running out of dummy half to his left from two metres out.

Ryder Williams also forced a Dolphins goal line drop-out in the 11th minute when from the left of the play the ball and ten metres out Ryder Williams put in a right foot stab kick into the in-goal with the kick having to be taken dead by the Dolphins defenders.

Ryder Williams put up a high bomb from twenty five metres out and in the centre of the field towards the left corner with the ball knocked on by the Dolphins fullback and then picked up in an offside position by another Redcliffe player for Burleigh to be awarded a penalty.

Ryder Williams also started at five eight in the Round Seven local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Ryder Williams scoring an outstanding solo try in the 68th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball Ryder Williams ran the ball two metres over the halfway mark before putting in a right foot chip kick over the defensive line for himself with Ryder Williams collecting the ball after its first bounce just in front of the oncoming Seagulls fullback. After rounding the fullback by veering to his right Ryder Williams raced towards the try line and after being caught by the fullback just short of the try line Ryder Williams was able to twist over the try line with the fullback beneath him and reach his right arm around to get the ball down five metres to the right of the uprights.

Ryder Williams also kicked a good short kick-off in the 66th minute with a high short kick-off to his left which just travelled the requisite ten metres and landed perfectly for Sam Stephenson to take the ball on the full and charge to within five metres of the try line.

Ryder Williams finished the 2023 MM Cup season recording four try assists.

Round One of the 2023 GCRL U18 Division One competition saw Ryder Williams start at halfback for the Southport Tigers against the Burleigh Bears with Ryder Williams scoring a try and setting up two more. Ryder Williams also kicked a perfect five from five conversions including an outstanding conversion of a try that he set up in the 10th minute from the left touchline. Ryder Williams then kicked a good conversion from six metres in from the right touchline in the 50th minute.

Ryder Williams scored in the 6th minute when two passes to the left of the play the ball Ryder Williams ran the ball at the defensive line and when he was ten metres out from the try line Ryder Williams put in a short right foot grubber which he regathered and dived over to score ten metres to the left of the uprights with Ryder Williams then converting his own try.

Ryder Williams came close to scoring in the 42nd minute when after running the ball from ten metres out down a left blindside Ryder Williams was held up over the try line by two defenders around six metres in from the left corner post.

Ryder Williams recorded the first of his two try assists in the 10th minute when from twenty two metres out Ryder Williams took possession of the ball down a short left blindside and put in a right foot chip kick over the defensive line with his left centre retrieving the ball and scoring wide out on the left.

Ryder Williams recorded his second try assist in the 18th minute when from the left of the play the ball when twenty five metres out from the try line, Ryder Williams put up another right foot chip kick towards the left corner with the Tigers left second rower charging through to take possession and score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Ryder Williams also made a line break in the 18th minute when he ran onto a great short ball from his right from one of his front rowers with Ryder Williams taking the pass forty metres out from his own try line and getting to within thirty metres of the try line before he was brought to ground by the Bears fullback.

Ryder Williams also executed a smart kick-off after a Bears try in the 46th minute with Ryder Williams kicking off to his right to the ball going into touch ten metres out from the try line for the Tigers to gain possession and go immediately onto the attack with Southport scoring from the resultant set of six tackles.

Ryder Williams continued at halfback in Round Two against the Helensvale Hornets with Ryder Williams scoring twenty points from three tries and four conversions.

Ryder Williams scored the first of his three tries in the 6th minute and in fact Ryder Williams initiated the line break that led to him coring when from five metres inside his own territory Ryder Williams threw a cut-out pass to his left to put his left centre into a gap. Ryder Williams then backed up on the inside to get the ball back and cross the try line twelve metres to the left of the uprights with Ryder Williams then able to bring the ball around and put it down under the posts.

Ryder Williams scored his second try in the 32nd minute and once against Ryder Williams initiated the move that led to him scoring. From thirty five metres from the try line and to the left of the play the ball Ryder Williams threw a cut-out pass to put his left centre away with Ryder Williams then getting the ball back from the centre with a good catch above his head in his right hand with Ryder Williams then able to bring the ball around to put it down once again under the black dot.

Ryder Williams completed his hat trick in the 36th minute when after running the ball to his left thirty eight metres out, Ryder Williams brought his left second rower on an underneath route and after the second rower had broken through the defensive line he got a pass back to Ryder Williams who then dummied to his right to beat the Hornets fullback to score three metres to the left of the uprights.

Ryder Williams also recorded a try assist in the 27th minute when to the left of the play the ball and twenty five metres out, Ryder Williams took the ball to the defensive line and then threw a great ball to his left to put his left second rower into a big gap to subsequently score.

Ryder Williams made a strong run of the ball in the 13th minute when from the left of the play the ball and five metres inside his own territory Ryder Williams dummied to an inside runner before running the ball himself to get the ball around thirty three metres from the try line.

Round Eleven saw Ryder Williams start at halfback against the Burleigh Bears with Ryder Williams kicking two conversions in a tough day for the Tigers. Ryder Williams kicked his first conversion in the 35th minute from ten metres to the right of the uprights before kicking his second conversion from three metres to the right of the uprights in the 43rd minute.

Ryder Williams displayed his match awareness in the 13th minute when with the ball loose on the ground just fourteen metres from his try line and a number of Burleigh players hovering nearby, Ryder Williams did not hesitate and dived on the ball.

After receiving an off-load in the 47th minute and thirty metres from the try line, Ryder Williams ran the ball to within fifteen metres of the try line threatening to pass to his right on multiple occasions.

Ryder Williams started at halfback in the Week Two Qualifying Final against the Burleigh Bears with Ryder Williams kicking three conversions from as many attempts with Ryder Williams kicking his first conversion in the 23rd minute from directly in front. Ryder Williams then added a second conversion from three metres to the right of the goal posts in the 27th minute before converting Austin Marsters try under the posts in the 34th minute.

Inside the opening minute of the match Ryder Williams took possession of the ball to the right of the dummy half twenty metres out and ran the ball to within seven metres of the try line and five metres in from the right touchline.

Ryder Williams kicked an impressive 40/20 in the 14th minute with a low, hard. Driving right foot kick from an acute angle from thirty eight metres out from his own try line to the ball going over the right touchline twelve metres out from the Bears try line.

In the 11th minute Ryder Williams kicked a short goal line drop-out to his left with the Southport left winger jumping above the opposing Burleigh players to take the drop-out on the full just after it had gone the required ten metres. Then in the 33rd minute with Southport forced into another goal line drop-out, Ryder Williams dribbled a drop-out straight down the middle with Southport regaining possession once the ball had crossed the ten metre mark.

Ryder Williams put up a high, spiralling bomb in the 40th minute from thirty metres out and to the right of the play the ball back to the left with the Burleigh right winger knocking the ball on in the in-goal area to require a Bears goal line drop-out.

Ryder William made a try saving tackle in the 39th minute when he raced across to his right to put the Burleigh left winger over the try line and knock the ball loose before the ball was grounded to give Southport a seven tackle set. Then in the 54th minute Ryder Williams raced to his right once again and once again crunched the Bears left winger to bring him down centremetres short of the try line and four metres in from the right corner post.

Ryder Williams also did well defensively in the 42nd minute to grab hold of a Burleigh player five metres in from the right touchline with Ryder Williams able to keep him from getting to ground and then drag him over the touch line to force a change over.

In early March 2023 Ryder Williams was named at five eight for the South Coast School Boy Rugby League Open Representative side and starting there on Day One of the Championships against Capricornia with Ryder Williams kicking four conversions including a great effort from the left touchline in the 56th minute to convert Sam Stephenson’s try in the left corner.

Ryder Williams also recorded two try assists with the first coming in the 11th minute when from twenty metres out and just to the left of the uprights Ryder Williams put up a high bomb to the right with the ball coming down right on the try line and into the arms of Jett Bryce who got the ball down ten metres in from the right corner post.

Ryder Williams added a second try assist in the 28th minute when from twelve metres out and five metres to the left of the uprights Ryder Williams put up a high right foot bomb towards the left corner with Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy racing through and taking the kick on the full in the in-goal and get the ball down before the dead ball line.

Ryder Williams also recorded a line break assist in the 14th minute when after running the ball down a short left blindside from thirty five metres out, Ryder Williams engaged the A defender before popping a good short pass to his left to put his left second rower through a gap.

Ryder Williams also started at five eight on Day Two against Met East with Ryder Williams scoring a try and kicking two conversions in a tough two point come from behind victory for South Coast with one of Ryder Williams conversions coming in the 26th minute from the left touchline.

Ryder Williams scored in the 56th minute when Ryder Williams followed through a hit-up from one of his forwards and after receiving the ball from his right twenty eight metres from the try line Ryder Williams burst into open space and raced to his right to round the fullback and score a critical try to get South Coast back into the match ten metres to the right of the uprights. Ryder Williams then converted his own try.

Ryder Williams also recorded a try assist in the 26th minute with a long cut-out pass to his left from twelve metres out to put Sam Stephenson outside his opposite number and over to score in the left corner.

Ryder Williams recorded a second try assist in the 59th minute to set up the match winning try for South Coast when to the left of the play the ball and ten metres out Ryder Williams threw a long cut-out pass to hi left to put the ball on the chest of Sam Stephenson who was able to score in the left corner under heavy pressure from two defenders to win the match for South Coast.

Ryder Williams was also heavily involved in South Coast’s opening try of the match in the 15th minute when from the right side of the field but to the left of the goal posts and around twenty metres out form the try line Ryder Williams put up a bomb to the right side of the field and after the ball was tapped back by South Coast the right winger was able to score in the right corner.

The 25th minute also saw Ryder Williams force a goal line drop-out when from the left of the play the ball ad around twelve metres out Ryder Williams put in a right foot grubber kick into the in-goal near the left corner with the Met East fullback trapped in-goal to force the goal line drop-out.

Ryder Williams had earlier showed his innate sense of anticipation and timing with his backing up skills in the 4th minute when with the play the ball twenty metres out from the South Coast try line Isaiah F@galilo ran to his left out of dummy half making eighteen metres before getting a good ball away to his left to Ryder Williams who was then able to carry the ball to the halfway mark before being brought to ground.

Ryder Williams continued at five eight on Day Three against Sunshine Coast with Ryder Williams kicking six conversions from as many attempts as South Coast remained undefeated.

Ryder Williams also recorded a line break assist in the 31st minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball down a short left blindside, Ryder Williams ran at the defensive line and after drawing one defender out of the try line Ryder Williams put Sam Stephenson into a gap ten metres from the halfway mark with ultimately Sunny Kama scoring after Sam Stephenson had drawn the fullback.

Ryder Williams showcased his all-out effort in the 22nd minute when from just inside his own forty metre mark and to the right of the play the ball Ryder Williams drove a right foot kick into the Sunshine Coast in-goal towards the right corner and then Ryder Williams along with Jake Lateo crunched the fullback and as a consequence he lost the ball ten metres out from the try line with South Coast scoring from the subsequent set of set tackles from the scrum.

The match also saw Ryder Williams record two one on one steals, with the first coming in the 41st minute with Ryder Williams stealing the ball on the halfway mark and return the ball ten metres. Then in the 56th minute Ryder Williams executed his second one on one steal of the match just fifteen metres out from his own try line to totally change the momentum of the match.

Ryder Williams also started at five eight in the Day Four 2023 QSSRL School Boy Open Grand Final against Capricornia with Ryder Williams scoring a try. Ryder Williams also kicked four conversions from as many attempts including a 32nd minute conversion from the right touchline, then in the final minute of the first half Ryder Williams kicked a penalty goal from twenty one metres out and five metres to the right of the uprights.

Ryder Williams scored in the 54th minute when Ryder Williams charged onto a good short ball from his left from Bailey McConnell who had created space out of dummy half with Ryder Williams receiving the ball four metres out with Ryder Williams diving between two defenders to get the ball down six metres to the left of the uprights. Ryder Williams then stepped up to convert his own try.

The 5th minute also saw Ryder Williams force a Capricornia goal line drop-out when to the right of the play the ball and ten metres out Ryder Williams put in a right foot grubber kick into the in-goal with the Capricornia fullback trapped in-goal by Zyroam Taurawa-Herlighy and Jake Lateo who had chased through Ryder Williams well weighted and placed grubber kick.

Ryder Williams also did well in the 46th minute to change the entire momentum of the match even though South Coast led 8 – 6 but with Capricornia having all of the momentum, Ryder Williams executed a one on one steal of the ball five metres inside Capricornia territory.

Ryder Williams also did well defensively in the 59th minute when he came out of the South Coast defensive line when defending on the right to force a mistake from the Capricornia five eight twenty metres out from the try line. Then after Sam Stephenson had picked up the dropped ball Ryder Williams backed up his left centre and when five metres inside Capricornia Ryder Williams got the ball back from Sam Stephenson with Ryder Williams getting to within eighteen metres of the try line with Ryder Williams then being awarded a penalty for being held down too long in the tackle.

Ryder Williams finished the 2023 QSSRL Open School Boy Rugby League Queensland Championships as the Championships leading points scorer with forty two points.

Round One of the 2023 School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup competition saw Ryder Williams named at halfback for Keebra Park SHS against Ipswich SHS with Ryder Williams kicking five conversions from six attempts in a 34 – 18 Keebra Park SHS victory with Ryder Williams kicking a great conversion from three metres in from the right touchline in the 34th minute and then in the 58th minute Ryder Williams kicked a conversion from the left touchline.

Ryder Williams also recorded a line break in the 58th minute when after the Ipswich SHS right centre lost the ball in a tackle twenty metres out from the Keebra Park SHS try line, Ryder Williams collected the ball whilst it was rolling on the ground at full speed with Ryder Williams racing thirty metres downfield to then off-load to his left as he was being tackled from before with Keebra Park SHS scoring in the left corner after a subsequent pass.

The 32nd minute saw Ryder Williams put in a right foot bomb from the left side of the field towards the right corner with the Ipswich SHS left winger knocking the ball on ten metres out from the try line for Keebra Park SHS to regain the ball with another set of six tackles and go on the attack immediately.

Ryder Williams put another smart kick in the 52nd minute when from twenty five metres out from the try line down a short left blindside Ryder Williams took the ball to the defensive line before putting in a chip kick over the defensive line and into the in-goal with the Ipswich SHS fullback forced to take the ball over the dead ball line with a goal line drop-out required by Ipswich SHS to restart the match.

Ryder Williams made a good run in the 47th minute when after picking up a dropped Ipswich SHS pass thirty five metres out with Ryder Williams then running twenty metres down the left touchline.

Ryder Williams was also named at halfback for Round Two against Marsden SHS with the match played at Cbus Stadium as a curtain-raiser to the Titans Round Fifteen NRL match against the Wests Tigers with Ryder Williams kicking two conversions from as many attempts to convert both of Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki’s tries. Ryder Williams also kicked a 50th minute penalty goal from thirty metres out and directly in front of the goal posts.

Ryder Williams made a good run of the ball in the 29th minute when after receiving an off-load from his right five metres from the halfway mark, Ryder Williams raced forward and after getting ten metres inside Marsden SHS territory Ryder Williams got an off-load away to his left whilst being tackled from behind.

Ryder Williams kicking game was on song in the 7th minute when from near the centre of the field Ryder Williams put up a high bomb towards the right wing which could not be handled by the Marsden SHS left winger with Keebra Park SHS getting the ball back by way of a scrum ten metres out from the try line.

Ryder Williams kicking game was highlighted again in the 18th minute when from twenty metres out and in the centre of the field Ryder Williams put in a right foot chip towards the left corner with the Marsden SHS defence forced to ground the ball dead in-goal and restart the match by way of a goal line drop-out.

Ryder Williams did well defensively in the 13th minute with a good covering tackle on the Marsden SHS right winger with Ryder Williams initial contact forcing the winger to knock the ball on.

Ryder Williams continued at halfback in Round Three against Redcliffe SHS with Ryder Williams finishing the match with an individual points haul of sixteen points from a try and six conversions from seven attempts including an outstanding conversion from the left touch line in the 42nd minute. Ryder Williams that kicked another good conversion in the 53rd minute from eight metres in from the right touchline.

Ryder Williams scored in the 67th minute when Ryder Williams backed up a half break by Jett Bryce to take the pass from his left three metres from the try line with Ryder Williams bringing the ball around to put it down under the posts to make his own conversion that much easier. In fact it was a Ryder Williams pass that enabled Jett Bryce to make the half break.

Ryder Williams also made a line break in the 21st minute from seven metres inside his own territory with Ryder Williams weaving his way to within twenty seven metres of the try line before getting an off-loa away to his left second rower.

Ryder Williams then made a second line break in the 40th minute when after receiving an off-load on the halfway mark from Jett Bryce, who Ryder Williams had in fact passed the ball to, Ryder Williams raced twenty eight downfield weaving his way through traffic with Ryder Williams then able to get an off-load away to Mason Barber who had loomed up on Ryder Williams’s right.

Ryder Williams recorded a line break assist in the 16th minute when from inside his own twenty metre area and to the left of the play the ball, Ryder Williams executed an old fashioned run around with Jett Bryce and after getting the ball back from the second rower Ryder Williams was able to make ten metres downfield before a smart pass between multiple defenders saw Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy make a fifty metre line break down the left touchline.

After three rounds of the 2023 School Boy Langer Cup competition Ryder Williams was the competition’s leading points’ scorer with thirty two points.

Ryder Williams also started at halfback in Round Four against Caloundra SHS with Ryder Williams putting on a clinic in a big Keebra Park SHS victory including scoring a double and kicking six conversions from as many attempts including conversions from the left touchline in the 32nd and the 37th minutes to convert spectacular Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy’s tries. Ryder Williams also converted his own 57th minute try from ten metres in from the right touchline.

Ryder Williams scored in the 13th minute under the posts after backing up good work out of dummy half from Isaiah F@galilo and a subsequent off-load from Taylor Whittington.

Ryder Williams scored his second try in the 57th minute when from deep inside Keebra Park SHS territory Ryder Williams ran the ball to the left of the play the ball from twenty metres out down a left blindside and after running ten metres Ryder Williams passed inside to Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy who exploded through a gap and when he got to the halfway mark, Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy drew the Caloundra SHS fullback and passed to his right to Ryder Williams who ran to his left whilst being chased by a defender to score ten metres in from the right corner post.

Ryder Williams recorded a try assist in the 37th minute when from the left of the play the ball and ten metres from the try line Ryder Williams threw a spectacular twenty five metre cut-out pass to his left straight onto the chest of Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy who then had a ten metre run down the left touchline before a spectacular dive saw him score in the left corner.

Ryder Williams also threw the final pass for Mason Barber’s 50th minute try.

Ryder Williams also recorded a line break assist in the 17th minute when from the left of a Keebra Park SHS scrum win, Ryder Williams threw a long cut-out pass to his left from eight metres out from his own try line to put Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy outside of his opposing winger and on a thirty four metres run down the left touchline.

Ryder Williams recorded a second line break assist in the 47th minute when from the left of the play the ball and five metres inside his own territory Ryder Williams put a good short ball to his left onto the chest of Joseph Tupuse who made a thirty metre line break down the left channel.

The 42nd minute saw Ryder Williams make a good run down a short left blindside from twenty eight metres out with Ryder Williams getting to within ten metres of the try line before being tackled near the left touchline.

After four Rounds of the 2023 School Boy Langer Cup competition, Ryder Williams was the competition’s leading points scorer with fifty two points.

After missing Round Five, Ryder Williams returned to the Keebra Park SHS side in the Round Six Gold Coast derby against PBC SHS with Ryder Williams kicking an outstanding goal line drop-out that travelled over the halfway mark on the full and was only collected by the PBC SHS halfback after it had travelled a total of seventy metres in the 6th minute.

Ryder Williams also put up a high bomb in the 33rd minute from the halfway mark towards the right corner with the ball knocked on by PBC SHS just six metres out from the try line.

After six rounds of the 2023 School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup competition Ryder Williams was second on the points scoring list with fifty two points scored.

Ryder Williams also started at halfback in Round Seven against Mabel Park SHS with Ryder Williams recording a try assist in the 9th minute when after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball ten metres out, Ryder Williams continued to run to his right and after drawing the Mabel Park SHS left winger, Ryder Williams passed to his right to an unmarked Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki who scored untouched four metres in from the right corner post.

Ryder Williams also made a line break in the 26th minute when after picking up a lost ball by Mabel Park SHS ten metres out from his own try line and on the left side of the field, Ryder Williams went on a winding run to his right that included three left foot steps to carry the ball out to the thirty four metre mark.

Ryder Williams also recorded a line break assist in the 49th minute when from the left of the play the ball and thirty metres out from his own try line Ryder Williams put his five eight into a gap to make a long line break down the left channel.

Earlier in the match in the 8th minute from the left of a Keebra Park SHS scrum win twenty metres out from the try line and in the centre of the field Ryder Williams cut back to his right and got to less than a metre away from the try line before being tackled mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.

Ryder Williams also got a result from a short goal line drop-out to his left in the 38th minute with Ryder Williams high drop-out recovered on the full by Keebra Park SHS.

Ryder Williams finished the 2023 School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup competition’s regular season as the competitions second leading points scorer with fifty two points.

After Keebra Park SHS finished fifth on the 2023 School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup table after the completion of the regular season, Ryder Williams started at halfback for Keebra Park SHS in their Quarter Final clash against PBC SHS with Ryder Williams kicking two conversions from as many attempts to convert both of Isaiah F@galilo’s tries in a tough Keebra Park SHS loss to end their 2023 season.

Ryder Williams kicked his initial conversion in the 4th minute from mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field with Ryder Williams then kicking his second conversion in the 28th minute from four metres to the right of the uprights.

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

In early June 2023 Ryder Williams was named in the New Zealand Māori U17 side after representing Lotahitanga Wairua at the 2023 New Zealand Māori Championships.

In early May 2022 Ryder Williams made his first appearance in a Titans jersey when he started at five eight 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 Ryder Williams scoring in the second half when after initially shaping to kick Ryder Williams before throwing a dummy to break through the line and score.

In late September 2022 Ryder Williams started at five eight for the Titans U16’s in their annual Anthony Laffranchi Cup match against the Balmain Tigers with Ryder Williams scoring in the 42nd minute with a stepping run through the Tigers defensive line.

Ryder Williams also recorded a try assist in the 14th minute when on the left side of the field Ryder Williams passed the ball to his left to put Sam Stephenson over to score five metres in from the left corner post.

2022 also saw Ryder Williams move to Keebra Park SHS making his first ‘official’ appearance for Keebra Park State High School in Round One of the 2022 School Boy Walters Cup competition when he started at halfback against Ipswich State High School.

Ryder Williams certainly made an impressive first impression including kicking five conversions from as many attempts including a great conversion from the right touchline in the 44th minute.

In fact Ryder Williams recorded a try assist for the try he converted from the right touchline when from on the halfway mark down a short right blindside Ryder Williams put in a hard low right foot kick with his right winger racing through to collect the ball just short of the try line and dive over to score in the right corner with the Ipswich SHS cover defence trailing by a fair distance.

Ryder Williams also started Round Three of the 2022 Walters Cup School Boy Rugby League competition at halfback against Marsden SHS with Ryder Williams scoring two tries and kicking six conversions including a great effort from the left touchline in the 48th minute of a big Keebra Park SHS victory.

Ryder Williams opening try came in just the 5th minute when after receiving a great short ball from his left from his hooker who had darted out of dummy half, Ryder Williams scored from three metres out with Ryder Williams getting the ball down five metres in from the left corner. Ryder Williams then stepped up and nailed the conversion.

Ryder Williams completed his double in the 35th minute with an easy try on the right side of the field. Keebra Park SHS made a big line break down the left touchline and from the play the ball less than a metre from the try line the ball was spun wide to the right with Ryder Williams getting the ball in acres of space around fourteen metres out and jogged across the try line and was still able to bring the ball around closer to the posts to make it easier for him to convert his own try which he subsequently did from five metres to the left of the uprights.

Ryder Williams also recorded a 16th minute try assist when from five metres out Ryder William took the ball down a short left blindside and threw a hard flat pass to his left winger on the outside of his opposite number to dive over in the left corner.

Ryder Williams showcased his attacking kicking skills in the 45th minute with a bomb from twenty five metres out and from down a short right blindside with the ball coming down just in the field of play giving the Marsden SHS fullback no chance after he was forced back into the in-goal as soon as he took the kick on the full.

Ryder Williams then started at halfback in Round Four against Wavell Park State High School with Ryder Williams kicking three conversions in a strong Keebra Park SHS victory.

The first of Ryder Williams conversions came in the 9th minute from directly in front of the posts. Ryder Williams added a second conversion in the 17th minute from the left touchline with Ryder Williams third and final conversion in the match coming in the 37th minute of the match.

In addition to his three conversions, Ryder Williams also forced two line dropouts, the first of which came in the 12th minute when Ryder Williams put up a high bomb from thirty five metres which came down a metre from the try line and just to the right of the uprights. Ryder Williams bomb was just too much for the Wavell SHS defenders with the ball being dropped backwards and then taken dead in-goal by Wavell SHS to force the goal line drop-out.

Ryder Williams forced a second line drop-out just a minute later in the 13th minute when after receiving the ball two passes to the right of the play the ball and fifteen metres out, Ryder Williams put in a right foot grubber kick into the in-goal and once again the Wavell SHS defence was forced to take the ball dead in-goal and subsequently restart the match by way of a goal line drop-out.

In addition Ryder Williams also threw the final pass for a Keebra Park SHS try in the 17th minute with a pass to his right down a short blindside from ten metres out for his right centre to score three metres in from the left corner. This try was one of three tries that Ryder Williams converted in Keebra Park SHS’s victory.

Ryder Williams continued at halfback in Round Five against Redcliffe SHS with Ryder Williams kicking one conversion in a big Keebra Park SHS victory.

Ryder Williams also scored in the 7th minute when he chased through a grubber kick from his five eight with Ryder Williams diving on the ball in the in-goal mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.

Ryder Williams scored a second try in the 44th minute when after receiving a right arm flick off-load from his right second rower thirty metres out from the try line Ryder Williams was able to hold off one defender with his left arm to score three metres in from the left corner post

Ryder Williams added a try assist in the 32nd minute when Ryder Williams ran the ball down a wide right blindside from ten metres out with Ryder Williams taking the ball right to the line before throwing a short ball to his right to put his right centre over to score ten metres in from the right corner post.

Ryder Williams also recorded a line break in the 9th minute when after receiving an off-load thirty five metres out from his own try line, Ryder Williams raced twenty eight metres through the centre of the field but unfortunately Ryder Williams’s inside pass was ruled forward.

Ryder Williams put in a good grubber kick in the 24th minute when from twenty metres out to the right of the uprights, Ryder Williams put in a hard grubber kick towards the left upright with the Redcliffe SHS fullback knocking the ball one a metre out from the try line with Keebra Park SHS being awarded the scrum feed.

Ryder Williams also on two occasions put in short goal line dropouts from which Keebra Park SHS got the ball back. The first occasion occurred in the 15th minute Ryder Williams put in a short drop-out to the right which was taken on the full by Keebra Park SHS then in the 22nd another short goal line drop out to the right was knocked on by Redcliffe SHS just after the ball had gone ten metres with Keebra Park SHS being awarded the subsequent scrum feed.

Ryder Williams continued at half in Round Six against PBC SHS with Ryder Williams scoring a try and kicking four conversions in a strong Keebra Park SHS victory.

Ryder Williams scored in the 13th minute when he backed up a line break by his five eight who after he drew the PBC SHS fullback passed to his inside to Ryder Williams who ran ten metres to put the ball down under the posts.

Ryder Williams also had a strong match defensively including a great try saving tackle in the 7th minute when he brought down the PBC SHS hooker who had run the ball down a left blindside from the back of a PBC SHS scrum win ten metres out from the try line. Earlier in the 4th minute Ryder Williams smashed the PBC SHS lock, rocking him backwards just out from the Keebra Park SHS try line.

Ryder Williams continued at halfback in Round Seven against Mabel Park SHS with Ryder Williams doing well in the 21st minute when after taking on the defensive line on the right side of the field, Ryder Williams when ten metres out produced a great right arm flick off-load whilst falling to ground to his right second rower who got within a metre of the try line.

Ryder Williams also started at halfback for Keebra Park SHS in the 2022 Walters Cup School Boy Semi-final against Mabel Park SHS with Ryder Williams kicking a conversion in Keebra Park SHS’s 18 – 12 victory which put them into the Grand Final.

Ryder Williams recorded a try assist in the 8th minute from a Keebra Park SHS scrum win twenty five metres out from the try line and to the right of the uprights. After feeding the scrum Ryder Williams in a set move ran to his left two passes off the back of the scrum and after receiving the ball ran at the back peddling defensive line and as the Mabel Park SHS right winger turned his right shoulder to the inside Ryder Williams got a pass away to his left winger Toni Fomai who was able to score in the left corner.

Ryder Williams recorded a second try assist in the 38th minute after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball Ryder Williams from ten metres out, threw a long cut out pass to his left to put the Keebra Park SHS left winger Toni Fomai over in the left corner.

In the 12th minute from the left of the play the ball and forty two metres out Ryder Williams put in a right foot kick into the corner with the Mabel Park SHS fullback barely able get back into the field of play before the Keebra Park SHS chasers got to him.

In the 8th minute Ryder Williams executed a great hit on the Mabel Park SHS five eight who had ran straight at Ryder Williams from a Mabel Park SHS scrum deep inside their own twenty metre area.

The 2022 School Boy Walters Cup Grand Final saw Ryder Williams start at halfback for Keebra Park SHS against Marsden SHS with Ryder Williams outstanding in a strong Keebra Park SHS victory.

Ryder Williams in addition to kicking four conversions from five attempts scored one try and set up another.

Ryder Williams scored in the 34th minute when he backed up a line break from his five eight with Ryder Williams receiving the ball from his left and running forty five metres to score under the posts. IT was in fact Ryder Williams that passed the ball for his five eight to make the line break from thirty five metres out from the Keebra Park SHS try line. Ryder Williams then stepped up to convert his own try.

Ryder Williams recorded his try assist in the 31st minute when after chasing through a Keebra Park SHS chip kick from inside their own territory, Ryder Williams got to the ball just before the Marsden SHS fullback and then got the ball away to his right to his support who crossed to score. Ryder Williams then stepped up to convert the try that he had set up.

The Grand Final was not just about attack for Ryder Williams as in the 38th minute Ryder Williams smashed one of the Marsden SHS front rowers (No. 10) who was taking a hit-up from a Marsden SHS penalty tap restart twelve metres out from the Keebra Park SHS try line.

At the completion of the 2022 School Boy Walters Cup competition Ryder Williams was named at halfback in the 2022 Courier Mail Walters Cup School Boy Rugby League Team of the Season.

Ryder Williams also started at halfback for Keebra Park SHS in the inaugural Queensland School Boy Rugby League Year Ten School Boy Rugby League Championship against Kirwan SHS with Ryder Williams putting on a clinic in a big 28 – 4 Keebra Park SHS Championship victory.

In to scoring a try and kicking four conversions from five attempts Ryder Williams recorded two line break assists and also forced a goal line drop-out.

Ryder Williams scored in the 17th minute from a Keebra Park SHS scrum move. With the scrum twenty metres out and ten metres in from the left touchline Ryder Williams fed the scrum before looping around to his right to receive the ball on the right side of the field. Ryder Williams initially ran towards the right corner before stopping and cutting back to his right to dive over between two defenders to get the ball down mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.

The first of Ryder Williams line break assists came in the 3rd minute when from thirty five metres out from his own try line Ryder Williams ran the ball to his right down the blindside to put his right centre on a twenty run over the halfway mark.

Ryder Williams recorded his second line break assist in the 38th minute when after taking possession forty metres out and to the left of the play the ball, Ryder Williams ran the ball to the line and popped a good short ball to his left to one of his front rowers to charge through a gap.

In the 11th minute Ryder Williams received the ball from the dummy half ten metres out and near the right touchline and after running to his left Ryder Williams put in a grubber kick with the outside of his right foot into the in-goal to force a Kirwan SHS goal line drop-out.

Impressively Ryder Williams was named on the Keebra Park SHS extended bench for their Langer Cup Semi-final against PBC SHS and whilst Ryder Williams did not make the final seventeen his selection highlighted the faith that the Keebra Park SHS has in Ryder Williams.

At the 2022 Keebra Park SHS Rugby League Specialisation Awards, Ryder Williams was named the 2022 Walters Cup School Boy Most Valuable Player and Ryder Williams was also named at halfback in the 2022 Keebra Park SHS School Boy Rugby League Team of the Year.

Ryder Williams had a strong 2022 GCRL U16 Division One season with the Southport Tigers including a good Preliminary Final appearance including a late second half try assist with a smart cut out pass to put his left winger over to score in the corner down a short blindside from five metres out but unfortunately for Ryder Williams and his team mates, the Tigers went down 16-12 to the Helensvale Hornets.

The week prior in the Tigers 42-10 victory over Burleigh Maroon Ryder Williams had a strong match including scoring in the 22nd minute when he backed up a line break down the right touchline to get the off-load and run eighteen metres to put the ball down next to the right upright.

September 2022 saw Ryder Williams named in the Queensland Samoa Southern Sharks U16 representative side. Ryder Williams was then named in the Queensland Samoa U16 representative side to play in the 2022 QPICC Carnival after the completion of the 2022 Queensland Samoa Championships with Ryder Williams starting Round One of the QPICC Carnival at halfback against the Cook Islands with Ryder Williams kicking two conversions as Queensland Samoa got off to a winning start on the back of a 26 – 16 victory.

In addition to his two conversions, Ryder Williams also made a line break in the 13th minute when after executing an old fashioned run around on the left side of the field around fifty five metres out, Ryder Williams burst away after getting the ball back and when around twenty metres out passed to hie left but bizarrely the pass to his unmarked left winger was ruled forward, much to everyone’s shock.

Ryder Williams also produced a smart piece of play in the 34th minute when after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball, Ryder Williams saw space behind the Cook Islands defensive line and put in a deft right foot chip kick which sat up perfectly for Nayte Saaga to race through and retrieve on the bounce.

Ryder Williams also started at halfback in Round Two against Māori and was outstanding on the way to scoring two tries and kicking three conversions. Ryder Williams added three conversions from as many attempts in Round Three against PNG and kicked four from four in Samoa’s semi-final victory against Māori.

Ryder Williams then started at half back in the Grand Final against PNG kicking a conversion in Samoa’s strong 26 – 0 victory.

Ryder Williams finished as the 2022 QPICC Carnival’s U16 top points scorer with thirty four points.

Ryder Williams started at halfback and captain for Tamaki Ki Te Raki (North) in Round Two of the 2022 U16 Shaun Johnson Shield against Northland after Tamaki Te Raki had a Round One bye. Whilst Ryder Williams started the match at halfback he spent the opening minutes of the second half playing in the dummy half role before transitioning back to halfback.

Against Northlands was heavily involved for Tamaki Ki Te Raki (North) as they won 88 – 0 with Ryder Williams kicking seven conversions including a great kick from the left touchline in the 41st minute. Ryder Williams could have had an additional conversion but his 13th minute effort from the right touchline hit the post.

Ryder Williams also threw the final pass to one of Tamaki Ki Te Raki North’s tries in just the 3rd minute when on the left side of the field he took the ball into the Northlands right sided defensive line and threw a good ball to his left to his winger who crashed over out wide.

Then again in the 50th Ryder William threw the final pass for a try when operating on the left Ryder William took the ball to the line and threw a good short ball to his left for his front rower to crash over.

Ryder Williams threw a third final pass for a try in the 55th minute. The move started on the halfway mark with Ryder Williams throwing a cut-out pass to his left to put his right centre away down the left touchline and then Ryder Williams backed up on the inside, getting the ball back, dummying past one defender before off-loading to his left to an unmarked team mate who ran away to score under the posts.

Ryder Williams also put in a good tactical kick from forty metres out in the 44th minute when his right foot kick stopped in the in-goal, being knocked out over the dead ball line by the Northlands fullback, forcing a goal line drop out.

Ryder Williams also started at halfback in Round Three against Tamaki Ki Te Raki (East) with Ryder Williams kicking two conversions as his side qualified for the Grand Final on the back of a 16 – 10 victory.

The 2022 U16 Shaun Johnson Cup saw Ryder Williams kick two conversions from as many attempts in a 20 – 12 loss.

In April 2022 Shaun Williams played in the 2022 New Zealand Nine’s Championships, and at the competition of the Championships was named in the New Zealand U16 Nines Merit Side after representing Marist Gold in the Championships.

In late April 2022 Ryder Williams received an honourable mention in terms of selection in the 2022 Auckland U16 side due to his unavailability.

In early June 2022 Ryder Williams was named at halfback in the New Zealand Māori Tama U17 All-Tournament Team after playing for Katahitanga in the Tournament.

In 2021 Ryder Williams played for the Marist Saints in the Auckland Rugby League U15 Open competition with the Marist Saints remaining undefeated through their twelve 2021 matches and recording a for and against of in excess of + 300.

Ryder Williams also attended Mt Albert Grammar School in Auckland and also represented Kotahitanga at the 2021 U15 New Zealand Tournament including starting the Tournament Final at five eight.

In attack, Ryder Williams generally plays an understated role, focussing more on the distribution and game management aspects of his role as a half. A key attribute to how Ryder Williams plays is his ability to organise and direct his team around the field as well as adjusting his game to the specific situations encountered within a game. Ryder Williams’s 2022 performances are a testament to those attributes.

Ryder Williams will though take the line on when the opportunity arises however, but as noted his best attribute is that of a game manager with the ability to draw defenders out of the line and put his runners into the subsequent hole that is generated. Ryder Williams has above average speed off the mark and quick twitch feet in confined space but does not have explosive acceleration or high top end speed, but Ryder Williams’s top speed in space can certainly be considered in the above average range.

When Ryder Williams does take on the line, he just has this amazing ability to slice through a defensive line. It is hard to put into words exactly what I mean but Ryder Williams takes the ball and immediately commences to run parallel to the defensive line with the ball out in front of his body in two hands and then he is just able to slide/slice between two defenders with a subtle step normally off his left foot and then Ryder Williams accelerates through into space.

What is described above looks deceptively simply but I can assure people that it is not, it is just that Ryder Williams makes it look so simple and it is a credit to him that Ryder Williams has sliced through defences like this his entire career regardless of the quality of the opposition.

From a kicking perspective Ryder Williams has a more than solid kicking game, with above average distance and accuracy on all types of kicks, from kicking for field position or from an attacking perspective as well as tactically for field position. I am sure that moving forward focussing on his kicking skills will be a key focus area both from a distance and accuracy perspective and there is no doubt that Ryder Williams has the ability to be a team’s primary tactical kicking option now and into the future.

Like his tactical kicking Ryder Williams is also an outstanding right foot goal kicker with range and accuracy including from wide out. Like his tactical kicking, and for that matter the way that he slides through defences, Ryder Williams makes it look easy due to his calm and relaxed demeanour on the field including when the game is on the line.

In defence, due to his size Ryder Williams is obviously not going to come up with the big hit but reads the play well and can more than hold his own when defending much bigger players through sheer force of will. Ryder Williams is also very vocal (in a very positive way) on the field always talking and encouraging his side both in attack and defence.

2025 is a pivotal season for Ryder Williams as he is in the Titans Top 30 and while he is still U19 eligible the Titans will be looking for Ryder Williams to start the 2025 season in the Ipswich Jets Queensland Cup side.

In his time in the junior leagues and junior representative sides in New Zealand Ryder Williams has, outside a limited amount of time at hooker, played exclusively at either five eight or halfback and with his ball skills those positions are where Ryder Williams appears likely to continue for the foreseeable future. I do note however that in 2024 Ryder Williams played a number of matches at left centre for the Southport Tigers in the GCRL First Grade competition and has been spending time training in the dummy half in the Titans NRL pre-season.

I am going back a few years but a player with a similar playing style and skill attributes to Ryder Williams for me is former Penrith great, New Zealand Warrior, New South Wales State of Origin and Australian International Greg Alexander.

Both Alexander and Ryder Williams make the task of managing the game plan and directing their team around the field from the half back (or five eight) position look easy and natural and both seemingly have as much time as they need to accomplish the required task expertly.
 
Jakequan Roberts-Walsh. In late 2024 Jakequan Roberts-Walsh was named in the 2025 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh made his NRRRL First Grade debut in Round Two of the 2024 NRRRL season with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh starting on the right wing for Northern United against the Kyogle Turkeys with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh celebrating his debut by scoring in the 67th minute when after the Northern United halfback chipped of his fullback inside his own territory the ball eventually bounced into the path of Jakequan Roberts-Walsh who scooped up the ball on the run and raced thirty metres down the right touchline and after outpacing the Kyogle cover defence Jakequan Roberts-Walsh dived over to score in the right corner.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also recorded a try assist in the 20th minute when after flashing down the right touchline from thirty eight metres from the try line Jakequan Roberts-Walsh and when twenty metres from the try line Jakequan Roberts-Walsh passed the ball inside to his left to put his right centre over to score.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also did well in the 60th minute when after swooping on a bouncing ball thirty five metres out Jakequan Roberts-Walsh flew down the right touchline and just as Jakequan Roberts-Walsh was moving to his left to come off the touchline and take on the Kyogle fullback Jakequan Roberts-Walsh was anklwe tapped from behind to fall at the feet on the Turkeys fullback.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also came off the bench in Round Six against the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh playing on the left wing in the second half.

After starting on the bench in Round Seven against the Lower Clarence Magpies Jakequan Roberts-Walsh scored a double after coming onto the field on the left wing in the second half.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh scored his initial try in the 75th minute with a ten metre race down the left touchline off a pass from his inside to score in the left corner.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh completed his double in the 78th minute when after backing up a Northern United line break through the centre of the field Jakequan Roberts-Walsh received an off-load and ran twenty five metres to score in the left corner once again.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh came off the bench in the 15th minute to operate on the right wing in Round Eight against the Bilambil Jets although Jakequan Roberts-Walsh spent time defending at right centre with former Titans NRL player James Roberts defending on the right wing.

In the 36th minute from the right of the play the ball Jakequan Roberts-Walsh carried the ball through the centre of the field from thirty to forty metres from his try line and Jakequan Roberts-Walsh did well in the 60th minute to track back to pick up a Jets kick on his try line near the right wing with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh racing across field to his left to the left touchline and was able to break three tackles as Jakequan Roberts-Walsh got the ball to the thirty metre mark.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh made a try saving tackle in the 23rd minute when after his opposing winger made a long line break down the touchline Jakequan Roberts-Walsh chased him down from behind tackling him just short with the Jets winger then penalised for a double movement. Jakequan Roberts-Walsh made another good tackle in the 73rd minute with a ball and all tackle on the Ballina left second rower No. 11 just seven metres from the try line near the right touchline.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh came off the bench once again in Round Nine against the Ballina Seagulls with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh recording a try assist in the 80th minute when after making a line break through the centre of the field off a smart off-load from one of his forwards from his right Jakequan Roberts-Walsh charged downfield to thirty five metres from the try line to draw the fullback and pass to his right to his fullback who scored under the posts as a result.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh then started on the right wing in Round Eleven against the Tweed Coast Raiders with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh recording a try assist in the 53rd minute when after receiving an off-load from his right from James Roberts, Jakequan Roberts-Walsh burst down the right touchline from forty five metres out and when fourteen metres from the try line Jakequan Roberts-Walsh got a pass back inside for his fullback to collect the ball to score under the posts.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh did well in the 14th minute to chase through a Northern United kick and tackle the Raiders fullback over the touchline fourteen metres from the try line. Jakequan Roberts-Walsh went one better in the 20th minute when after chasing through a Northern United chip kick towards the right corner Jakequan Roberts-Walsh forced the Tweed Coast fullback back into the in-goal to force a goal line drop-out.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh moved to the left wing for Round Thirteen against the Casino Cougars with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh recording a line break assist in the 43rd minute when after tracking back to collect a Cougars kick on his own try line Jakequan Roberts-Walsh ran the ball back to the twelve metre mark and after drawing Casino chasers, Jakequan Roberts-Walsh and passed to his left to his fullback who made a line break down the left touchline with Northern United scoring under the posts a pass later.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh moved back to the right wing in Round Fourteen against the Lower Clarence Magpies with the move paying dividends with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh scoring in the 8th minute of the match from a set play from a Northern United centre field scrum win the ball was passed to the right to James Roberts who put in a right foot grubber kick with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh chasing the kick to retrieve the ball three metres out near the right touchline and then brought the ball around to put it down ten metres in from the right corner post.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh added a second try in the 50th minute with a dive out of dummy half down an almost non-existent right blindside from less than a metre from the try line to get the ball down in the corner.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh had earlier made a line break in the 5th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball on his own try line but to the right of the posts Jakequan Roberts-Walsh ran to his left beating two defenders with right foot steps and after dummying to his left Jakequan Roberts-Walsh burst through the defensive line to carry the ball down the left channel to thirty six metres from the try line.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also started on the right wing in the rescheduled Round One match against Lismore Marist before moving to fullback mid-way through the second half.

From wide on the right in the 6th minute and ten metres from his try line Jakequan Roberts-Walsh carried the ball out to the twenty nine metre mark and then in the 13th minute after picking up a poor pass ten metres from his try line Jakequan Roberts-Walsh broke a tackle as he got the ball out to the twenty one metre mark. Also in the 37th minute after collecting a Marist kick on the first bounce ten metres from his try line Jakequan Roberts-Walsh ran the ball towards the centre of the field and out to the twenty two metre mark.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh moved to the left wing in the rescheduled Round Five match against the Evans Head Bombers and in the 32nd minute Jakequan Roberts-Walsh ran out of dummy half to his right to run the ball from nineteen to thirty metres away from his try line.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh moved to fullback for Round Fifteen against the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh finishing the match with an impressive three try assists.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh recorded his initial try assist in the 18th minute when after receiving an wide on the right side of the field from eleven metres out Jakequan Roberts-Walsh ran to within six metres of the try line before throwing a right arm overhead pass to his right (think NFL style quarterback pass) to James Roberts who scored in the right corner.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh made it two try assists in the 46th minute when after accelerating onto the ball wide on the right side of the field from twenty to seven metres from the try line Jakequan Roberts-Walsh got halfway between two defenders before off-loading to his right to put his winger over to score in the right corner.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh recorded his third try assist in the 79th minute when after bursting onto a pass from his left Jakequan Roberts-Walsh ran from thirty to twenty metres from the try line and then put in a right foot grubber kick at full speed with the ball sitting up nicely for his left centre to score in the left corner.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also made a line break in the 76th minute when after racing to his right and taking a Mustangs chip to the right corner on the full and metre from the try line and literally on the right touchline, Jakequan Roberts-Walsh stepped one defender and burst down the right touchline breaking another tackle to get to thirty metres from his try line.

From the right of the play the ball in the 16th minute Jakequan Roberts-Walsh ran from ten metres inside his half to the halfway and then in the 49th minute from wide on the left side of the field Jakequan Roberts-Walsh stepped inside off his left foot to beat one defender as he ran from thirty eight metres from his try line to six metres into Murwillumbah territory. Also from wide on the left side of the field in the 58th minute and twenty six metres from his try line Jakequan Roberts-Walsh continued to run to his left and he got within four metres of the try line before being awarded a penalty for ruck interference.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh did exceptionally well in the 72nd minute when defending on the left wing a Mustangs chip went over his head and was taken on the full by the Murwillumbah right winger above his head but Jakequan Roberts-Walsh turned quickly and tackled his opponent over the left touchline in-goal in a try saving effort. Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also did well in the 74th minute to jump high and take a Murwillumbah contested bomb on the full in the in-goal for a twenty metre Northern United twenty metre restart.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh continued at fullback in Round Sixteen against the Casino Cougars with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh making a line break in the 9th minute when after running back to collect a Casino tactical kick twenty metres from his try line and on the left touchline, Jakequan Roberts-Walsh then dummied to his inside to fool two defenders who had him hemmed in on the touchline with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh then making a line break down the left touchline making fifty two metres before being tackled twenty eight metres from the try line.

From the right of the play the ball in the 57th minute Jakequan Roberts-Walsh cut back to his left to target the soft spot behind the markers as he got the ball from seventeen to thirty metres from his try line, breaking two tackles as well.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also did exceptionally well in the 4th minute when he raced to his right to chase down a Cougars 40/20 attempt with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh jumping across the touchline and throwing the ball back into the field of play eighteen metres from the try line and then regather the ball to prevent the 40/20 attempt.

After Round One of the NRRRL U18 competition was abandoned due to rain Jakequan Roberts-Walsh started at fullback for Northern United against the Kyogle Turkeys with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh recording a try assist in the 36th minute when after receiving a pass wide out on the left and eight metres from the try line Jakequan Roberts-Walsh held up a pass to his left to a hard straight running Elijah Thaiday-Shinn who crashed over to score four metres in from the left corner post.

Earlier in the 22nd minute Jakequan Roberts-Walsh did well to take a bomb under pressure five metres from his own try line and wide out to the right of the goal posts with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh running to his left and breaking two tackles before being tackled twenty metres out on the opposite side of the field. Then in the 50th minute from the left of a centre field Northern United scrum Jakequan Roberts-Walsh continued to run from his left for thirty five metres out and stepped his darted his way to within four metres of the try line.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also started at fullback in Round Four against the Byron Bay Devils with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh scoring in the 25th minute when from two passes to the right of a Northern United centre field scrum twenty metres from the try line Jakequan Roberts-Walsh continued to run to right after taking possession before slicing between the Devils left centre and left winger and race away to dive over to score in the right corner.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also recorded a try assist in the 8th minute when after joining the backline on the left side of the field and fourteen metres from the try line, Jakequan Roberts-Walsh threw a cut-out pass to his left to put his left winger outside his opposing winger and over to score in the left corner.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also made a line break in the 17th minute when after a Devils knock-on was picked up by the Northern United halfback he passed to Jakequan Roberts-Walsh who burst down the right touchline from thirty metres from his own try line to ten metres inside Byron Bay territory and just as he was about to knocked over the touchline Jakequan Roberts-Walsh had the where with all to put a right foot grubber kick downfield.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also chimed into the Northern United backline wide on the right in the 20th minute and run the ball from twelve metres inside his own territory to two metres into Devils territory. Jakequan Roberts-Walsh then ran the ball down a short left blindside in the 28th minute and broke four tackles in a winding stepping run that saw Jakequan Roberts-Walsh get the ball from his own thirty metre mark to forty three metres out with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh then awarded a penalty for Byron Bay ruck interference.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh was positioned well inside the opening minute to move to his left and knock a dangerous Byron Bay chip into the in-goal area over the dead ball line just in from of multiple Devils chasers.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh continued at fullback in Round Six against the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh scoring a double.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh scored his first try in the 13th minute when after running the ball to the right of the play the ball Jakequan Roberts-Walsh carried the ball from forty five metres to twenty five metres from the try line with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh chipped over the top of the fullback and ran through, took his chip on the full and raced away to score under the posts.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh completed his double in the 30th minute when after a Northern United chip from inside their own territory was kicked ahead Jakequan Roberts-Walsh picked up the rolling ball on the fly twelve metres out from the try line and dived over to score in the right corner.

In the 41st minute from three passes to the right of a Northern United scrum win Jakequan Roberts-Walsh ran the ball from twenty five metres to within ten metres of the try line before putting a right foot grubber kick into the in-goal which forced the Murwillumbah fullback to take the ball dead and required a goal line drop-out to restart the match.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also started at fullback in Round Seven against the Lower Clarence Magpies with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh scoring in the 59th minute when after the Northern United right winger made a line break down the touchline and got a great pass inside Jakequan Roberts-Walsh picked up the ball six metres out wide on the right and then crossed the try line and brought the ball around to score under the posts.

In the 12th minute Jakequan Roberts-Walsh was in the correct position to take a Lower Clarence kick from a penalty that did not find touch on the full thirty two metres from his try line with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh returning the ball down his left touchline to the halfway mark. Then in the 55th minute Jakequan Roberts-Walsh ran out of dummy half to his right and broke two tackles as he promoted the ball from eighteen metres to thirty two metres from his try line.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh moved to five eight for the rescheduled Round Three match against the Cudgen Hornets with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh scoring an impressive double.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh scored his first try in the 6th minute with a superb long range solo effort when from forty two metres from his own try line Jakequan Roberts-Walsh burst out of dummy half to his right with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh stepping off his right foot then immediately stepped off his left to beat the Cudgen fullback to race away to score virtually untouched under the posts.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh completed his double in the 44th minute when after receiving an off-load from his inside on the halfway mark Jakequan Roberts-Walsh burst down the left touchline to easily score in the lefty corner.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh added a try assist to his outstanding match in the 60th minute when after running the ball from the left of the dummy half from eight metres to within a metre of the try line Jakequan Roberts-Walsh threw a long high cut-out pass to his left to put his left winger over to score in the corner even though Jakequan Roberts-Walsh could have easily scored himself.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also recorded a line break in the 39th minute when after running out of dummy half to his left down a short left blindside from twenty six metres from the try line Jakequan Roberts-Walsh got to within twenty metres of the try line before throwing a deft pass back inside to his front rower No. 8 who came within centremetres of scoring under the posts.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh ran the ball down a left blindside in the 5th minute to carry the ball from twenty seven metres from the try line to within six metres on the final tackle. Also in the 8th minute from the left of the play the ball and forty metres out Jakequan Roberts-Walsh got the ball to within twenty eight metres from the try line.

From the left of the play the ball once again in the 18th minute Jakequan Roberts-Walsh stepped and darted his way from twenty eight metres from his try line to forty three metres out. Then in the 33rd minute from the left of the dummy half and thirty metres from the try line, Jakequan Roberts-Walsh after juggling the pass from the dummy half cut back to his right and was able to beat a staggering eight tackles as he got the ball to thirteen metres of the try line near the right touchline.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh was back at fullback for Round Nine against the Ballina Seagulls with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh recording a 30th minute try assist when after moving into dummy half with the play the ball a metre from the try line and mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field Jakequan Roberts-Walsh stepped to his right to put a short right foot grubber kick into the in-goal with his right winger grounding the ball in the in-goal.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh made the first of his two line breaks in the 15th minute when after receiving a pass from his right twenty metres from his own try line Jakequan Roberts-Walsh ran to his left towards the centre of the field and after dummying to his right Jakequan Roberts-Walsh beat a number of defenders as he ran the ball to the forty one metre mark before off-loading himself to his right.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh made a second line break in the 23rd minute when after taking a Ballina clearing kick on the full to the right of the goal posts and twenty three metres from his try line Jakequan Roberts-Walsh ran to his right to get on the outside of the defensive line and race down the right touchline to within thirty seven metres of the try line at the opposite end of the field but unfortunately Jakequan Roberts-Walsh’s inside pass went to ground.

The 5th minute saw Jakequan Roberts-Walsh run to his right out of dummy half to get the ball from thirty seven metres from his try line to the halfway mark and then in the 14th minute from the left of the play the ball and five metres from his try line Jakequan Roberts-Walsh carried the ball out to the eighteen metre mark through the centre of the field.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh moved to five eight in Round Ten against the Mullumbimby Giants with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh scoring the first of his two tries in the 22nd minute with a great long range effort when after receiving the ball to the left of a Northern United scrum wing twenty metres from his own try line and after running ten metres Jakequan Roberts-Walsh dummied to his left to beat a defender with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh then beating a second to break into space with a right arm fend with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh then flying down the left touchline to comfortably score mid-way between the posts and left corner post.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh scored his second try in the 34th minute when after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball thirty metres from the try line Jakequan Roberts-Walsh ran straight at the defensive line and at the last possible moment put in a right foot chip kick with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh retrieving his kick on the first bounce in front of the Mullumbimby fullback to race away to score under the posts.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh recorded the first of his two try assists in the 16th minute with a run from two passes to the left of the play the ball ten metres inside his half Jakequan Roberts-Walsh subtly stepped off his left foot to wrong foot three defenders and then passed to his left to Elijah Thaiday-Shinn who was able to get over the try line eight metres in from the left corner post.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh recorded a second try assist in the 51st minute when after taking possession of the ball eight metres from the try line and to the left of the play the ball but mid-way between the posts and corner post on the right side of the field Jakequan Roberts-Walsh’s right foot chip kick towards the right corner was taken by his lock who scored in the corner.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh made the first of his three line breaks in the 5th minute when after receiving the ball two passes to the left of the play the ball five metres inside his own territory Jakequan Roberts-Walsh dummied to his left and then after bursting through two tackles beat a third with a right arm fend with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh then making it four tackle breaks with a left foot step and after continuing to right to his right Jakequan Roberts-Walsh beat a fifth and sixth tackle as he ran down the right touchline before being tackled ten metres from the try line on the opposite side of the field where his run began.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh made his second line breaks in the 41st minute when from the left of the field and to the left of the play the ball five metres inside his half Jakequan Roberts-Walsh stepped off his left foot on two occasions with a right arm fend beating another defender as he charged to within thirty five metres of the try line.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh recorded a third line break in the 51st minute with a burst out of dummy half to his right with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh slashing and stepping his way from thirty one to within ten metres of the try line.

In the 51st minute Jakequan Roberts-Walsh ran out of dummy half to his right through the centre of the field from five metres inside his half to ten metres into the Giants half before getting an off-load away to his right to allow his lock to continue the movement.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh continued at five eight in Round Eleven against the Tweed Coast Raiders with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh recording a try assist in the 10th minute when at the last moment Jakequan Roberts-Walsh ran from the left to the right of the play the ball to receive the ball thirteen metres from the try line and immediately upon receipt of the ball Jakequan Roberts-Walsh stepped off his right then left foot to get to eight metres from the try line and then put a right foot grubber kick towards the right corner with the ball scooped up by the Northern United player to score five metres in from the right corner post.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also made a line break in the 41st minute when after feeding the ball into a scrum in the centre of the field and ten metres from his try line Jakequan Roberts-Walsh picked the ball up at the back of the scrum and ran to his right with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh bursting through a gap and charging to ten metres into Tweed Coast territory and whilst being held by the Raiders fullback Jakequan Roberts-Walsh off-loaded the ball to his right winger and after continuing to backup Jakequan Roberts-Walsh got the ball back from his winger before throwing a two handed off-load above his head to his left to his hooker who was tackled just centremetres from the try line.

In the 4th minute Jakequan Roberts-Walsh ran onto the ball to the left of the play the ball to run from ten to twenty two metres out with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh only stopped from making substantially more ground after being held by his right leg. Then a tackle later after receiving an off-load from his left twenty four metres from his try line Jakequan Roberts-Walsh surged forward to the halfway with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh kicking downfield towards the right corner with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh the first Northern United downfield to tackle the Tweed Coast fullback three metres from the try line. Also in the 35th minute saw Jakequan Roberts-Walsh run out of dummy half to his left from thirty five metres from his try line to two metres into the Raiders half.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also started at five right in Round Twelve against the Tweed Heads Seagulls and a Jakequan Roberts-Walsh kick-off to his left bounced into touch in-goal to force a Tweed Heads goal line drop-out.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh continued at five eight in Round Thirteen against the Casino Cougars with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh kicking the match winning field gaol to break a 10 all draw in the 59th minute with a drop kick from directly in front of the posts from twelve metres out.

In addition to his match winning field goal Jakequan Roberts-Walsh scored both of Northern United’s tries, the first being in the 17th minute with an eighty two metre effort down the left touchline with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh outpacing the Casino cover defence to put the ball down four metres in from the left corner post.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh scored his second try in the 50th minute with a ninety five metre intercept to race away to put the ball down under the posts untouched.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also started at five eight in Round Fourteen against the Lower Clarence Magpies and inside the opening minute of the match from the right of the play the ball and thirty eight metres from the try line Jakequan Roberts-Walsh drove a right foot kick to his right with the ball with the ball pulling up close to the dead ball line with the Northern United chase trapping him in-goal to force a Magpies goal line drop-out.

In the 24th minute Jakequan Roberts-Walsh drove a kick-off hard and low to his left with the ball bouncing over the left touchline with Northern United getting the ball back twenty metres from the try line.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh continued at five eight in the rescheduled Round One NRRRL U18 match against Marist Brothers with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh scoring the match winning try in the 57th minute when after a Marist player lost the ball it was picked up by one of the Magpies players who then off-loaded to his left to Jakequan Roberts-Walsh who exploded from the halfway mark through the centre of the field to outpace the cover defence to score under the posts.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh made the first of his two line breaks in the 28th minute when after taking a kick-off on the full near the right touchline twelve metres from the try line Jakequan Roberts-Walsh ran to his left all of the way to the left touchline breaking five tackles before running down the left touchline to get two metres inside Marist’s territory.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also made a line break in the 38th minute when from the right of the play the ball Jakequan Roberts-Walsh put in a right foot chip kick on the halfway with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh retrieving the ball twenty metres from the try line in front of the Lismore fullback and after breaking a legs tackle Jakequan Roberts-Walsh spun around to break a tackle and after continuing to run to his left Jakequan Roberts-Walsh got an off-load away to his left centre.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh ran the ball down a short right blindside in the 7th minute to get the ball from the halfway to eleven metres inside Marist’s half and then in the 43rd minute off a pass from the dummy half from his left Jakequan Roberts-Walsh ran the ball from thirty two to twenty metres from the try line after running over the top of one defender.

In late September 2024 Jakequan Roberts-Walsh started from the bench for Northern Bundjalung in their 28-16 in their 2024 U17 Lismore Aboriginal Knock-out Grand Final victory against Southern Bundjalung.

In late September 2023 Jakequan Roberts-Walsh was named in the 2024 Northern Rivers Titans U17 Development Academy squad with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh part of the Northern Rivers Titans Development squad that defeated the Greater northern Tigers in their first 2024 trial.

In October 2022 Jakequan Roberts-Walsh was named in the 2023 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad after a strong 2022 campaign in the Northern New South Wales Group One U15 Junior Rugby League competition with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh part of the Northern Rivers Titans squad that played the Tweed Heads Seagulls CC Cup squad in a trial at Burleigh Juniors as part of the Titans Annual Super Saturday series of matches with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh spending time on the left wing.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh was named to start on the right wing in Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh scoring in the 19th minute when after good work on his inside Jakequan Roberts-Walsh darted ten metres to five over to score two metres in from the right corner post.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also made a line break in the 40th minute when whilst defending thirty five metres out from his own try line, Jakequan Roberts-Walsh swooped on a Central Coast dropped ball and got to near the halfway mark before he was brought down.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also made a strong tackle in the 32nd minute when whilst defending on his own try line one of the Central Coast Roosters halves threw a long cut-out pass towards Jakequan Roberts-Walsh’s wing with the Roosters right winger forced to jump high to take possession, Jakequan Roberts-Walsh hit him whilst he was still in mid-air and drove him hard into the ground near the sideline.

After missing Round Three against the South Coast Dragons Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also started on the right wing in Round Four against the Northern Tigers with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh making a great try saving tackle along with Kaleb Smith on the Tigers left centre just six metres in from the Titans right corner post to hold up the hard charging centre in the 17th minute.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also started on the right wing in Round Five against the North Coast Bulldogs with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh scoring a double with the first of his tries coming in the 3rd minute with a twelve metre burst to score in the right corner after good work on his inside from Koopah Walters from a scrum set play.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh completed his double in the 16th minute with a ninety two metre effort when after picking up a dropped Bulldogs ball Jakequan Roberts-Walsh picked up the ball eight metres out from his own try line and raced down the right touch line with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh celebrating by raising his left arm well be diving over to score five metres in from the right corner post.

Earlier Jakequan Roberts-Walsh had taken the second hit-up of the match from the North Coast kick-off with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh getting the ball over the twenty metre mark.

Even though he was still U16 eligible Jakequan Roberts-Walsh started at fullback in Round Two of the 2023 NRRRL U18 competition for Northern United against the Mullumbimby Giants with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh electric when running the ball with three line breaks.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh made his first line break in the 29th minute when after receiving an off-load seven metres short of the halfway mark, Jakequan Roberts-Walsh burst away down the touchline but when he was twenty two metres from the try line Jakequan Roberts-Walsh’s pass to his inside went astray.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh made his second line break in the 33rd minute when after once again being available to take an off-load, Jakequan Roberts-Walsh received the ball eighteen metres out from his own try line and then cut the Giants defence apart and get the ball ten metres inside Mullumbimby territory.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh made a third line break in the 51st minute when after taking possession two passes to the left of the play the ball on the halfway mark Jakequan Roberts-Walsh ran to his left before straightening up his run on the forty metre mark and beating two tackles before being tackled by the Giants halfback seventeen metres out from the try line.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also made a good defensive effort in the 40th minute when he was involved in holding up a Giants player next to the left upright.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also started at fullback in Round Three against the Kyogle Turkeys with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh making a line break and recording a try assist inside the opening minute of the match when after taking the Turkeys clearing kick after the opening set of six tackles on the full around twenty metres out from his own try line and in the centre of the field, Jakequan Roberts-Walsh immediately ran to his left beating the first defender with pace before Jakequan Roberts-Walsh beat a second with a right arm fend. Jakequan Roberts-Walsh then straightened up and shrugged off another attempted tackle from behind and after almost tripping up twice Jakequan Roberts-Walsh got to the twenty metre mark and then twisted clockwise when confronted by the Turkeys fullback and got a pass to his right for his left second rower to score untouched under the posts.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh made multiple line breaks against Kyogle with another coming in the 11th minute when to the left of the play the ball and ten metres from the halfway mark Jakequan Roberts-Walsh burst between two defenders but as he looked to step the fullback when thirty metres from the try line Jakequan Roberts-Walsh slipped at the fullback’s feet.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh made another line break in the 17th minute when after Kyogle lost the ball from a penalty tap restart, Jakequan Roberts-Walsh picked up the ball near his left touchline fifteen metres out from his own try line and immediately exploded down the left touchline before being tackled on the halfway mark.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh rounded out an outstanding match with a fourth line break in the 54th minute when after receiving the ball in space five metres inside Kyogle territory Jakequan Roberts-Walsh raced to withing eighteen metres of the try line.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also started at fullback in Round Four against the Casino Cougars with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh recording a try assist in the 11th minute when after the Northern United five eight had a kick charged down five metres inside his own territory, Jakequan Roberts-Walsh picked up the ball around ten metres inside his own territory and after exploding downfield to his right Jakequan Roberts-Walsh, whilst running to his left put in a tight foot chip off the outside of his right foot back towards the centre of the field with the ball sitting up perfectly for his five eight to run onto the ball and race away to score under the posts.

In just the 3rd minute Jakequan Roberts-Walsh picked up a dropped ball fifteen metres inside his own territory and darted away from a standing start with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh carrying the ball eight metres inside Casino territory.

The 8th minute saw Jakequan Roberts-Walsh chase through a chip kick to the left of the play the ball with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh taking the chip on the full near the left touchline and getting within ten metres of the left corner post.

Then in the 17th minute Jakequan Roberts-Walsh took a Casino kick on the full near the centre of the field and three metres out from his own try line with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh running to his left to get the ball twenty two metres away from his try line.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also started at fullback in Round Five against the Ballina Seagulls with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh scoring in the 55th minute when after chasing through a chip towards the left wing, Jakequan Roberts-Walsh did exceptionally well to steal the ball one on one from the Ballina left winger, whist at full pace to then race away to score in the left corner.

Earlier in the 49th minute Jakequan Roberts-Walsh had close to scoring when from close to the try line Jakequan Roberts-Walsh had run out of dummy half to his right only to be held up three metres in from the left corner post.

Round Six against the Bilambil Jets saw Jakequan Roberts-Walsh start at fullback with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh scoring in the 13th minute when after receiving the ball when Northern United spun the ball to the left, Jakequan Roberts-Walsh received the ball twenty five metres out with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh putting the ball under his left arm and charging at the try line with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh running straight over the top of the Jets right winger before stepping inside off his left foot to get past the Bilambil fullback and put the ball down five metres in from the left corner post.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh came close to scoring a second try in the 45th minute when he chased through a chip on the left side of the field but the Bilambil fullback just got to the ball before Jakequan Roberts-Walsh, but Jakequan Roberts-Walsh then had a presence of mind to be involved in tackling the fullback in-goal.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh continued at fullback in Round Eight against the Byron Bay Devils with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh making a try saving tackle in the 27th minute on the Byron Bay hooker less than a metre from the try line and just to the left of the uprights after the Devils player had darted out of dummy half from ten metres out.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also executed a smart piece of play in the 33rd minute to prevent a Devils 40/20 with Jakequan knocking the ball back in the field of play when it was over the right touchline eighteen metres from the Northern United try line.

Then in the 59th minute Jakequan Roberts-Walsh ran out of dummy half to his right from twenty eight metres out from his own try line with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh able to get the ball to the halfway mark.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also started at fullback in Round Nine against the Tweed Coast Raiders with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh scoring in the 51st minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball and twenty two metres out and after receiving the ball in space, Jakequan Roberts-Walsh utilises his speed to race to his left to dive over to score seven metres in from the left corner post.

Earlier in the match in the 7th minute after fielding a kick to the right of the uprights and eight metres out from his own try line, Jakequan Roberts-Walsh ran to his left and after getting on the outside of the Raiders right winger Jakequan Roberts-Walsh charged down the left touchline getting to within two metres of the halfway mark with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh then being awarded a penalty for being held down too long by the Tweed Coast defender.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh continued at fullback in Round Ten against the Cudgen Hornets with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh scoring in the 10th minute when after backing up a Northern United line break through the centre of the field, Jakequan Roberts-Walsh received the ball from his right and did well to take the pass cleanly as it was passed just behind him with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh then running ten metres to score five metres in from the left corner post.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also recorded a try assist in the 36th minute when after running the ball from two passes to the right of the play the ball on the halfway mark, Jakequan Roberts-Walsh was able to get between two defenders before getting a right arm off-load away to his right to put his supporting team mate over to score in the right corner.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh made the first of his three line breaks in the 13th minute when after receiving an off-load from his right five metres inside his own territory Jakequan Roberts-Walsh, after getting on the outside of the Hornets right winger, raced down the left touchline and as he approached the Hornets fullback Jakequan Roberts-Walsh put in a right foot chip over the top from twenty metres out but the ball just beat the chasing Jakequan Roberts-Walsh over the dead ball line, but it was close, very close.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh made a second line break in the 30th minute when after Cudgen put in a long kick from deep inside their own territory from a scrum win, Jakequan Roberts-Walsh was racing shoulder to shoulder with the Cudgen fullback and instead of trying to pick the ball up, Jakequan Roberts-Walsh kicked the ball towards his own try line and after outpacing his opponent Jakequan Roberts-Walsh collected the ball in his own in-goal area behind the post and ran to his right down the right touchline getting the ball five metres inside Cudgen territory as a result of an inspired and instinctual piece of play.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh recorded a third line break in the 57th minute when from two passes to the left of the play the ball thirty five metres out from his own try line Jakequan Roberts-Walsh ran to his left and ran down the left touchline and as he approached the fullback Jakequan Roberts-Walsh chipped over the top but unfortunately was not able to collect the ball cleanly on the bounce just three metres out from the try line.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also made a good run in the 34th minute when from two passes to the left of a Northern United scrum win and twenty metres from the try line, Jakequan Roberts-Walsh broke three tackles with his run coming to an end seven metres out and five metres to the left of the uprights.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also did well in the 29th minute to chase through a Northern United attacking chip kick to collar and dragged the Hornets played back into the in-goal and force a Hornets goal line drop-out.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also started at fullback in Round Eleven against the Tweed Heads Seagulls.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh continued at fullback in Round Sixteen against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh picking up a Seagulls kick three metres out near the left touchline with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh running the ball towards the centre of the field and broke two metres to get the ball twelve metres away from his own try line.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh made an additional solid kick return in the 15th minute when after tracking back to take a Tweed Heads kick ten metres out from his try line and after Jakequan Roberts-Walsh danced in the centre of the field, Jakequan Roberts-Walsh ran to his left and after getting on the outside of the Seagulls defensive line, Jakequan Roberts-Walsh put in a right foot grubber kick thirty metres out from the try line but the kick was blocked by a Seagulls defender.

Then in the 37th minute from the left of a Northern United scrum win Jakequan Roberts-Walsh received the ball ten metres out from his own try line and after running at a back peddling defensive line, Jakequan Roberts-Walsh put in a right foot grubber kick in for himself when twenty metres out, Jakequan Roberts-Walsh kicked the ball off the ground once again but then was held back by a Tweed Heads defender and was subsequently awarded a penalty on the halfway mark.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also started at fullback in the Week One Elimination Final against the Byron Bay Devils with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh scoring in the 30th minute when from a set play from a Northern United scrum win ten metres inside their own territory, the Northern United halfback ran to the left of the scrum and put a chip over the defensive line with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh raced through to retrieve the ball on the bounce forty metres out with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh racing away to put the ball down under the posts.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also made a line break in the 24th minute when after receiving the ball from the back of a Northern United scrum win in the centre of the field and ten metres out from his own try line, Jakequan Roberts-Walsh ran to his left and after getting on the outside of the Devils right winger, Jakequan Roberts-Walsh charged down the left touchline before cutting back inside around thirty metres out.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh did well defensively in the 22nd minute when after the Byron Bay left winger made a line break down the touchline, he tried to step Jakequan Roberts-Walsh but a low left shoulder one on one tackle in open space cut the winger down just twelve metres out from the try line.

In 2022 Jakequan Roberts-Walsh played for Lismore Marist in the Group One U15 competition with the young half scoring fifteen tries and kicking seven goals in finish with an individual points haul of seventy four points.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh scored a staggering five tries in Round Eight against the South Grafton Rebels. Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also scored doubles in Round One against the Ballina Seagulls, Round Eleven against the Clarence Coast Magpies, Round Fourteen against the South Grafton Rebels and in Week One of the Finals against the Grafton Ghosts. Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also scored in Round Five against the Kyogle Turkeys and Round Twelve against Clarence Coast.

From a goal kicking perspective Jakequan Roberts-Walsh kicked three conversions in Round One against Ballina and kicked two conversions in Round Fourteen against South Grafton.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh finished the 2022 Group One U15 season as the competition’s equal 3rd leading try scorer with fifteen tries and also finished as the competition’s equal 5th leading points scorer with seventy four points from those fifteen tries as well as seven conversions.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also played for Marist in the 2021 Group One U14 competition with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh once again playing at halfback with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh scoring ten tries and kicked one conversion (Round Thirteen against South Grafton) in the Covid 19 impacted season.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh scored doubles in Rounds Three, Five and Eight against Casino RSM, Kyogle and Clarence Coast respectively. Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also scored in Round Two against Ballina, Round Ten against Casino RSM, Round Twelve against Kyogle and Round Thirteen against South Grafton.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh finished the 2021 Group One U14 season as the competition’s equal 8th leading try scorer with ten tries and also finished as the competition’s equal 13th leading points scorer with forty two points.

In attack Jakequan Roberts-Walsh has plus to plus plus speed off the mark, it really is quite exceptional but Jakequan Roberts-Walsh does not necessarily have an extra gear in open space, but Jakequan Roberts-Walsh is able to sustain his top speed over considerable distance which ensures that Jakequan Roberts-Walsh will score a solid amount of long range solo tries.

In confined space, Jakequan Roberts-Walsh has very good footwork, including a good step off both feet. Jakequan Roberts-Walsh can beat defenders in the inside with a step and if the defensive line is staggered a dummy and go, presents multiple headaches for the opposition’s defensive strategies.

At present, one area for Jakequan Roberts-Walsh to continue to develop is his play making skills, including putting his runners, whether they are backrowers or centres into holes. With experience however there is nothing to suggest that these type of play making skills will not develop over time. As games progress Jakequan Roberts-Walsh is very good at identifying tired forwards in the defensive line, and Jakequan Roberts-Walsh will target them accordingly.

I think that he has found the perfect place with the Burleigh Queensland Cup side, their solid forward pack has enabled Jakequan Roberts-Walsh to operate behind a forward pack that consistently has the opposition moving backwards. Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also does not mind at all putting in short attacking kicks for himself regardless of where he is on the field or the game situation.

In defence, for his size Jakequan Roberts-Walsh is a strong and (very) aggressive defender who reads the play well and can hold his own when defending much bigger players. When confronted with forwards running directly at him on the edge of the ruck, Jakequan Roberts-Walsh will get in front of them and use his shoulder to drive into them with absolutely no fear at all.

Due to his speed off the mark Jakequan Roberts-Walsh is also a very good cover defender as he tracks the ball across the field and is also very good at tracking back to defend against short attacking kicks put in behind his team’s defensive line.

In 2025 Jakequan Roberts-Walsh will start the season as a member of the Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad and at the completion of that competition Jakequan Roberts-Walsh will return to play for Northern United in the NRRRL competition likely playing both U18 and First Grade matches on the same day.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh has played the last couple of seasons at halfback but did stand out at fullback (and a few matches at five eight) for Northern United in the 2024 NRRRL U18 competition and there is no reason for Jakequan Roberts-Walsh to move to any other position due to the way that Jakequan Roberts-Walsh is able to direct his side around the field as well as taking the defensive line on himself when the opportunity presents. For completeness Jakequan Roberts-Walsh played the majority of his 2024 NRRRL First Grade matches on the right wing.

For me Jakequan Roberts-Walsh has a similar playing style to that of for Titan and Burleigh Bear Shallin Fuller. Like Fuller, Jakequan Roberts-Walsh has the speed off the mark to be able to exploit gaps and also has a bit of unpredictability about him which keeps defensive lines honest especially when he runs with the ball in two hands.

With continued development of his play making and passing skills Jakequan Roberts-Walsh has intriguing potential for the coming seasons. Jakequan Roberts-Walsh is a solid goal kicker as well and a developing tactical kicker who has the potential to be his side’s first choice kicker in both disciplines in future seasons.
 
Elijah Thaiday-Shinn. Elijah Thaiday-Shinn made his NRRRL First Grade debut in Round Two of the 2024 season when he came off the bench midway through the second half to operate on the left wing for Northern United against the Kyogle Turkeys.

Elijah Thaiday-Shinn made his first run in the 62nd minute with a yardage carry from the right of the play the ball from fourteen metres to twenty four metres from his own try line. Then two minutes later in the 64th minute Elijah Thaiday-Shinn carried the ball out from his own try line to the ten metre mark.

Elijah Thaiday-Shinn also came off the bench in Round Four against the Byron Bay Devils.

Elijah Thaiday-Shinn continued off the bench in Round Six against the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Elijah Thaiday-Shinn carrying the ball to the left of the play the ball in the 68th minute from on his own try line to twelve metres from his try line. Then in the 77th minute Elijah Thaiday-Shinn ran the ball down the left channel from two metres inside his own half to within thirty metres of the try line.

Elijah Thaiday-Shinn moved into the Northern United starting line-up at right second row in Round Seven against the Lower Clarence Magpies and in the 11th minute from the left of the play the ball Elijah Thaiday-Shinn ran straight over the top of one defender to carry the ball from ten metres from his try line to twenty one metres out.

Elijah Thaiday-Shinn from the right of the play the ball in the 17th minute ran the ball from twenty two metres to thirty one metres from his try line before off-loading to his right. Then in the 32nd minute from the right of the dummy half and twenty eight metres from his try line Elijah Thaiday-Shinn stepped off his right foot as he targeted the area behind the markers to make ten metres. Also in the 37th minute from the left of the play the ball Elijah Thaiday-Shinn made twelve metres to within twenty three metres of the try line with Elijah Thaiday-Shinn then receiving a penalty for a strip of the ball with more than one defender engaged.

Elijah Thaiday-Shinn come off the bench to operate in on the left wing in the dying minutes of Round Eight against the Bilambil Jets and in the final minute of the match Elijah Thaiday-Shinn carried the ball from the left of the play the ball and through the centre of the field from thirty to forty metres from his try line.

Elijah Thaiday-Shinn came off the bench to operate on the right wing in the 30th minute of Round Ten against the Mullumbimby Giants with Elijah Thaiday-Shinn scoring in the 57th minute with an effort from four metres out down the right touchline including wrestling with his opposing winger to get the ball down in the right corner.

Earlier in the 52nd minute from the left of the play the ball Elijah Thaiday-Shinn got the ball form twenty six to thirty eight metres from his try line.

After Round One of the NRRRL U18 competition was abandoned due to rain Elijah Thaiday-Shinn started at left centre for Northern United in Round Two against the Kyogle Turkeys with Elijah Thaiday-Shinn scoring a double.

Elijah Thaiday-Shinn scored his opening try in the 36th minute when a hard straight run off a held up pass by Jakequan Roberts-Walsh from eight metres out for Elijah Thaiday-Shinn to crash over to score four metres in from the left corner post.

Elijah Thaiday-Shinn completed his double in the 50th minute with a run out of dummy half to his left to force his way over the try line from close range beating three defenders to get the ball down eight metres in from the left corner post.

Earlier in the 22nd minute from the right of the play the ball and eighteen metres from his try line Elijah Thaiday-Shinn was able to get the ball to twenty eight metres out. Then in the 44th minute also from the right of the dummy half Elijah Thaiday-Shinn carried the ball through the centre of the field from four metres inside his own territory to ten metres into Kyogle territory. Also in the 57th minute from two passes to the left of a Norther United centre field scrum Elijah Thaiday-Shinn did well to run the ball from just five metres out from his own try line to thirty two metres out.

Elijah Thaiday-Shinn then started at left second row in Round Four against the Byron Bay Devils with Elijah Thaiday-Shinn carrying the ball to the right of the play the ball from thirty four metres to within twenty metres of the try line. Then in the 47th minute also from the right of the play the ball saw Elijah Thaiday-Shinn’s yardage carry get the ball from ten metres to twenty two metres from his try line.

Elijah Thaiday-Shinn started at right centre in Round Six against the Murwillumbah Mustangs and in the 17th minute Elijah Thaiday-Shinn did well to reach out and take a pass from his left that was out in front of him with Elijah Thaiday-Shinn then able to carry the ball from twenty two metres to nine metres from the try line.

Elijah Thaiday-Shinn continued at left centre in the rescheduled Round Three match against the Cudgen Hornets with Elijah Thaiday-Shinn scoring in the 54th minute when after receiving a pass from his right wide on the left side of the field and ten metres from the try line Elijah Thaiday-Shinn straightened up his run by way of a left foot step to beat a cover defender to score ten metres to the left of the goal posts.

Elijah Thaiday-Shinn also made a line break in the 4th minute with a line break from two passes to the left of the play the ball with Elijah Thaiday-Shinn making a line break down the left channel from eighteen metres to forty six metres from the try line with Elijah Thaiday-Shinn able to make two tackles as he ran.

Elijah Thaiday-Shinn made a second line break in the 36th minute with a run out of dummy half to his right from just a metre from his own try line and after a right foot step that allowed Elijah Thaiday-Shinn to beat a defender Elijah Thaiday-Shinn accelerated forward and beat three additional tackles to carry the ball out to the thirty two metre mark.

Elijah Thaiday-Shinn made another powerful run in the 12th minute when from wide on the left side of the field and on the halfway mark a strong Elijah Thaiday-Shinn run saw him propel the ball to thirty metres from the try line before getting a left arm off-load away to his right.

Elijah Thaiday-Shinn then moved to right centre for Round Nine against the Ballina Seagulls and inside the opening minute Elijah Thaiday-Shinn ran the ball down the right channel from ten metres from his try line to twenty seven metres out.

Elijah Thaiday-Shinn made a line break in the 20th minute with a hard straight run off a short held up ball from his left from his halfback to break the line and carry the ball from forty to within seventeen metres of the try line.

Elijah Thaiday-Shinn also ran the ball down the right channel in the 16th minute from thirty to within seventeen metres of the try line. Then in the 21st minute after trapping a Ballina goal line drop-out with his left foot Elijah Thaiday-Shinn ran the ball back through the centre of the field from forty three to twenty metres from the try line. In the 25th minute from the eight of a Northern United scrum win Elijah Thaiday-Shinn was able to run the ball from ten metres his side of the halfway to ten metres into the Seagulls half.

Elijah Thaiday-Shinn was back at left centre in Round Ten against the Mullumbimby Giants with Elijah Thaiday-Shinn scoring the first of his two tries in the 16th minute when after receiving a pass from his right from Jakequan Roberts-Walsh ten metres from the try line Elijah Thaiday-Shinn immediately shrugged off one defender and after breaking two more tackles Elijah Thaiday-Shinn got over the try line and slammed the ball down in his right hand eight metres in from the left corner post.

Elijah Thaiday-Shinn completed his double in the 41st minute when he ran out of dummy half to his left from three metres out and after pushing away from one attempted tackle Elijah Thaiday-Shinn got the ball down eight metres in from the left corner post.

In just the 2nd minute of the match Elijah Thaiday-Shinn ran the ball down the left channel from thirty four to forty five metres from the try line and in the 10th minute from the left of the play the ball Elijah Thaiday-Shinn ran the ball from thirty to the forty two metre mark.

Elijah Thaiday-Shinn moved to right centre in Round Eleven against the Tweed Coast Raiders with Elijah Thaiday-Shinn taking an intercept in the 29th minute eighteen metres from his own try line and charging down the right touchline to within ten metres of the try line at the opposite end of the field before being caught from behind.

From the left of the play the ball in the 51st minute Elijah Thaiday-Shinn was able to promote the ball from ten metres inside his half to seven metres into Raiders territory and in the 53rd minute from two passes to the right of a Northern United scrum win Elijah Thaiday-Shinn ran over the top of one defender as he carried the ball from forty two metres from his try line to eight metres into Tweed Coast’s half.

Defensively in the 32nd minute when confronted by a two person overlap Elijah Thaiday-Shinn came out of the defensive line and hit the Raiders lock just as he was receiving the ball ten metres from the try line.

Elijah Thaiday-Shinn was back at left centre in Round Twelve against the Tweed Heads Seagulls and in the 3rd minute Elijah Thaiday-Shinn ran out of dummy half to his right to run from thirty three to twenty metres from his try line. Also in the 30th minute Elijah Thaiday-Shinn did well to jump high and take a high bomb to his wing on the full when under immense pressure.

Elijah Thaiday-Shinn moved back to right centre in Round Thirteen against the Casino Cougars and in the 5th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball and thirty metres from his try line Elijah Thaiday-Shinn got the ball to the forty four metre mark.

From the left of the play the ball in the 24th minute Elijah Thaiday-Shinn did well to run the ball from seventeen to thirty one metres from his try line and then in the 32nd minute Elijah Thaiday-Shinn ran out of dummy half to his left through the centre of the field from thirty six to forty eight metres from the try line with approximately 70% of the metres gained being post contact.

From the right of the play the ball in the 42nd minute Elijah Thaiday-Shinn cut back to his left as he ran from seventeen to thirty metres out. Then from the left of a Northern United scrum win thirteen metres from his try line Elijah Thaiday-Shinn’s yardage carry got the ball to the twenty six metre mark in the 55th minute. A minute later in the 56th minute Elijah Thaiday-Shinn ran over the top of one defender to carry the ball from forty to twenty four metres from the try line.

Elijah Thaiday-Shinn continued at right centre in the rescheduled Round One NRRRL U18 match against Marist Brothers and in the 11th minute from the right of the play the ball Elijah Thaiday-Shinn ran eleven metres inside Marist’s territory down a right blindside.

A minute later in the 12th minute from the left of the play the ball Elijah Thaiday-Shinn carried the ball through the centre of the field from forty to fifteen metres from the try line. Then in the 22nd minute from the left of the play the ball Elijah Thaiday-Shinn got the ball from two metres inside his half to ten metres into Marist’s. Also in the 26th minute Elijah Thaiday-Shinn carried the ball through the centre of the field once again from the left of the play the ball from twenty five to forty two metres from the try line.

Elijah Thaiday-Shinn also started at right centre in Round Fifteen against the Murwillumbah Mustangs and in the 2nd minute from the left of the play the ball Elijah Thaiday-Shinn ran from twenty three to thirty six metres from the try line.

Also from the left of the play the ball in the 11th minute Elijah Thaiday-Shinn broke a tackle to get the ball from twenty to thirty two metres from the try line and then in the 16th minute from the left of a centre field Northern United scrum win Elijah Thaiday-Shinn made twenty metres to get within six metres of the try line near the left touchline. Then from the right of a Northern United scrum win in the 26th minute ran from forty six to thirty three metres of the try line.

In the 31st minute from the left of the play the ball Elijah Thaiday-Shinn carried the ball from ten metres inside his half to the halfway and then in the 38th minute from the right of the play the ball Elijah Thaiday-Shinn was able to move the ball through the centre of the field from thirty eight to twenty three metres from the try line. Also in the 41st minute Elijah Thaiday-Shinn ran the ball through the centre of the field from the left of the dummy half to get from twenty three to forty one metres from the try line.

In early May 2024 out of Ballina Coast High School Elijah Thaiday-Shinn started in the centres for the North Coast Rugby League representative side that played in the Greater Northern CHS trial in Coffs Harbour against the Hunter region.

In late September 2024 Elijah Thaiday-Shinn started in the centres for Northern Bundjalung in their 28-16 in their 2024 U17 Lismore Aboriginal Knock-out Grand Final victory against Southern Bundjalung.

2024 also saw Elijah Thaiday-Shinn line up in the centres for Queensland PNG in the 2024 QPICC Carnival with Elijah Thaiday-Shinn scoring in matches against the Cook Islands and Queensland Niue.

2025 will see Elijah Thaiday-Shinn line up for Northern United in the NRRRL First Grade competition.

From a positional perspective, I have been impressed with Elijah Thaiday-Shinn both defensively and in attack this season in the centres, specifically left centre and therefore I see no reason for Koby Stone to need to move positionally in the short term at least.

In many respects the way Elijah Thaiday-Shinn plays on a football field resembles that of Titans NRL left centre Brian Kelly as a pacy, hard running, hard tackling centre with some more than intriguing potential moving forward as Elijah Thaiday-Shinn progresses up the junior rugby league ranks over the next couple of seasons.
 
Callum Denman. In late 2024 Callum Denman was named in the 2025 Central Queensland Capra’s U19 MM Cup squad.

After Rockhampton Grammar School had a School Boy Rugby League Dolphins Cup bye Callum Denman started at halfback in Round Two against the Cathedral College with Callum Denman kicking a 5th minute conversion from seven metres in from the left touchline. Callum Denman also kicked a 28th minute penalty goal from ten metres out and directly in front.

Callum Denman recorded the first of his three try assists in the 5th minute when after running the ball to the left of the play the ball to within eight metres of the try line Callum Denman put in a left foot grubber kick into the in-goal with Cooper Broadhurst getting to the ball first seven metres in from the left corner post.

Callum Denman added a second try assist in the 11th minute when once again from the left of the play the ball and when twenty four metres from the try line Callum Denman once again put in a left foot grubber kick and once again it was Cooper Broadhurst who retrieved the ball to score three metres in from the left corner post.

Callum Denman made it three try assists in the 35th minute with a high bomb from twenty metres out and after confusion in the Cathedral College defence Mason Broadhurst collected the ball to score eight metres in from the left corner post.

The 56th minute saw Callum Denman put up a spiralling mid-field bomb from four metres inside his own half with the Cathedral College right winger no chance of catching the ball and thus knocked the ball on thirty metres from the try line.

Callum Denman also started at halfback in Round Three against Shalon College with Callum Denman kicking three conversions from as many attempts. Callum Denman kicked his initial conversion in the 47th minute to convert Cooper Broadhurst’s try from four metres to the left of the goal posts. Callum Denman added a second conversion in the 54th minute from three metres to the left of the goal posts with convert Harry Kallquist’s try. Callum Denman then kicked a third conversion in the 58th minute from mid-way between the corner post and goal posts on the left side of the field.

The 28th minute saw Callum Denman from the left of the play the ball and twenty three metres from the try line put in a left foot chip kick over the defensive line with the ball sitting up perfectly for Cooper Broadhurst to retrieve the ball on the bounce to keep the play going.

Callum Denman moved to five eight in Round Four against Emmaus College with Callum Denman kicking two conversions and a 50th minute penalty goal from ten metres out and directly in front of the posts.

Callum Denman kicked his initial conversion in the 3rd minute from four metres to the left of the goal posts and then kicked his second conversion in the 8th minute to convert Mason Broadhurst’s try from ten metres in from the left touchline.

Callum Denman kicked a key 40/20 in the 49th minute with a great left foot driving kick from thirty eight metres from his try line and to the left of dummy half with the ball bouncing over the left touchline eighteen metres out.

Callum Denman moved back to halfback in Round Five against St Brendan’s College Yeppoon with Callum Denman kicking two conversions from as many attempts with Callum Denman’s initial conversion coming in the 23rd minute from mid-way between the corner post and goal post on the right side of the field. Callum Denman then kicked his second conversion in the 56th minute from seven metres to the right of the goal posts.

Callum Denman continued at halfback in Rockhampton Grammar School’s Dolphins Cup semi-final against the Cathedral College with Callum Denman kicking a conversion in the 13th minute from ten metres to the left of the goal posts to convert Harry Kallquist’s try.

Callum Denman also recorded a try assist in the 30th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball Callum Denman ran the ball from fifteen to ten metres from the try line before throwing a hard flat cut-out pass to his left to put Leo Fanuatanu on the outside of his opposing centre and over to score five metres in from the left corner post.

Callum Denman also recorded a 40/20 in the with a low hard driving left foot kick from the left of the play the ball thirty one metres out from his try line with the ball bouncing over the left touchline thirteen metres out.

Callum Denman put in another good kick in the 48th minute with a high spiralling left foot mid-field bomb from ten metres inside his half with the kick too much for the Cathedral College fullback who let the ball bounce back into the in-goal area only to be trapped there to require a goal line drop-out to get the match restarted.

Callum Denman started at halfback for Rockhampton Grammar School in the School Boy Rugby League 2024 Dolphins Cup Grand Final against St Brendan’s College Yeppoon with Callum Denman setting up a Rockhampton Grammar School try in the 4th minute when after running the ball to the left of the dummy half from ten metres to six metres from the try line Callum Denman threw a hard flat pass to his left to put his left second rower in a gap and over to score mid-way between the try line and goal posts on the right side of the field. Callum Denman then converted the try that he had set up.

Callum Denman forced a St Brendan’s College Yeppoon goal line drop-out in the 16th minute when from sixteen metres from the try line and to the left of the play the ball Callum Denman put in a left foot chip kick into the in-goal with a St Brendan’s College defender forced to take the ball over the dead ball line. Two minutes earlier in the 14th minute a Callum Denman kick-off sailed deep to bounce over the dead ball line to require a St Brendan’s College Yeppoon goal line drop-out.

At the conclusion of the School Boy Rugby League season Callum Denman was named in the Morning Bulletins 2024 Dolphins Cup Team of the Year.

2024 also saw Callum Denman part of the Rockhampton Grammar School including starting at halfback and kicking a conversion in Rockhampton Grammar School’s Quarter Final of the 2024 Confraternity Shield against St Augustine’s College Cairns.

Callum Denman continued at halfback in Rockhampton Grammar School’s match against St Patricks Shorncliffe with Callum Denman scoring a try, kicking a conversion and a penalty goal in a big RGS victory.

Callum Denman also started at halfback for Rockhampton Grammar School on the final day of the 2024 Confraternity Shield against St Peter Claver College with Callum Denman scoring a try and kicking two conversions in a strong Rockhampton Grammar School 20 – 0 victory.

At the 2024 Rockhampton Grammar School Rugby League/Rugby Awards presentation Callum Denman was named the joint winner of the Most Dedicated and Enthusiastic Player Award.

Callum Denman will commence the 2025 season in the in the Central Queensland Capra’s U19 MM Cup squad.

With his ability to control his team’s tempo and direct them around the field Callum Denman is a very solid NRL halfback prosect.

Brisbane Bronco’s halfback Adam Reynolds and Callum Denman have more than a few similarities in relation to their playing style, both are very good at guiding their team around the field and controlling the tempo of the match.
 
Devin Bates-Wellington. The young second rower and occasional lock and centre from Auckland in New Zealand moved over to the Gold Coast in early January 2023 to sign a formal contract with the Titans that will span the next couple of seasons at least.

In early January 2024 Devin Bates-Wellington started at right second row for a Titans U17 side that played in a round robin series of matches against the Penrith Panthers and the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs in Sydney.

In the 11th minute of the first of the two trials against the Penrith Panthers Devin Bates-Wellington made a strong run down the right channel to get the ball to twenty two metres from the try line after commencing his run thirty eight metres out.

Devin Bates-Wellington also started at right second row in the second trial of the day against the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs with Devin Bates-Wellington making a line break in the 5th minute when after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball twenty five metres out from his own try line Devin Bates-Wellington cut to his left off his right foot and then executed a hard straight left arm fend to break through the initial Rabbitohs defensive line. Devin Bates-Wellington then beat the Souths Sydney fullback with a right foot step before being dragged down from behind thirty four metres from the try line.

The 34th minute saw Devin Bates-Wellington charge onto the ball from two passes to the right of a Titans scrum win and as a result Devin Bates-Wellington was able to promote the ball from thirty eight metres from the try line to within twenty three metres.

Devin Bates-Wellington also started at right second row the following weekend against the Newcastle Knights in Coffs Harbour.

Devin Bates-Wellington played his first match in a Titans jersey in mid-April 2023 when Devin Bates-Wellington started at right centre 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 with Devin Bates-Wellington scoring in each half in a good Titans victory.

Devin Bates-Wellington scored his opening try in the 18th minute with a strong run down the right channel from eight metres out with Devin Bates-Wellington engaged by two defenders still two metres out however Devin Bates-Wellington was able to force his way over to score five metres to the right of the goal posts.

In the 51st minute Devin Bates-Wellington chased through an attacking Titans grubber kick and after taking possession of the ball on the bounce two metres from the try line, Devin Bates-Wellington put the ball down over the try line five metres in from the right corner post.

Earlier in the match in the in the 4th minute Devin Bates-Wellington ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball to carry the ball from sixteen metres out from his own try line to twenty nine metres out.

In the 23rd minute from the right of the play the ball and twenty metres out from his own try line, Devin Bates-Wellington continued to run to his right and after getting on the outside of the New Zealand left winger, Devin Bates-Wellington ran down the right touchline before being tackled thirty eight metres out with Devin Bates-Wellington then being awarded a penalty for being held down too long in the tackle.

Then in the 47th minute from the right of the dummy half Devin Bates-Wellington utilised a right foot step as he carried the ball from the halfway mark to within twenty eight metres of the try line.

In late September 2023 Devin Bates-Wellington was part of the Titans U16 side in their Antony Laffranchi Cup victory against the Balmain Tigers in Northern New South Wales.

In October 2023 Devin Bates-Wellington was named in the 2024 Tweed Heads Seagulls U17 Cyril Connell (CC) Cup squad.

Round One of the 2024 U17 Cyril Connell Cup season saw Devin Bates-Wellington start at left second row for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Devin Bates-Wellington taking the third hit-up of the match from the right of the play the ball thirty eight metres out from his own try line and after stepping off his right foot Devin Bates-Wellington was able to carry the ball five metres inside Wynnum Manly territory.

The 6th minute saw Devin Bates-Wellington run onto the ball to the left of the dummy half from eight metres inside his own territory to nine metres into Wynnum Manly territory. Then I the 18th minute after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball Devin Bates-Wellington broke a tackle as he ran the ball from thirty metres from the try line to eighteen metres out with around 75% of the metres gained being post contact.

Devin Bates-Wellington, in the 33rd minute ran onto the ball to the right of the dummy half to get within twelve metres of the try line after receiving het ball thirty metres out once again. Devin Bates-Wellington added a further strong run in the 46th minute from the left of the play the ball from two metres inside his own territory to ten metres into Wynnum Manly territory.

The 49th minute saw Devin bates-Wellington carry the ball from the right of the play the ball from on the halfway mark to forty metres out with Devin bates-Wellington then awarded a penalty for a strip of the ball with two defenders in the tackle. A minute later in the 50th minute saw Devin Bates-Wellington run onto the ball to the right of the dummy half and carry the ball from twenty metres to within four metres of the try line with 70% of those metres being post contact metres.

Devin Bates-Wellington rounded out a strong match in the 54th minute when after running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball thirty metres out from his own try line Devin Bates-Wellington got to within five metres of the halfway mark before stepping off his left foot and then after running over the top of one defender Devin Bates-Wellington was able to run the ball to six metres inside Wynnum Manly territory.

Devin Bates-Wellington also started at left second row in Round Two against the Brisbane Tigers and in the 11th minute from the right of the play the ball Devin Bates-Wellington ran the ball from twenty nine metres from his own try line to forty metres out. Two minutes later in the 13th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball Devin Bates-Wellington ran the ball through the centre from thirty metres from the try line to nineteen metres out.

Then in the 18th minute from the right of the dummy half from ten metres inside his own territory with Devin Bates-Wellington got the ball seven metres inside Tigers won territory with Devin Bates-Wellington then awarded a penalty for a dangerous tackle. Devin Bates-Wellington’s strong match continued in the 38th minute with a run to the right of the play the ball to get the ball from thirty eight metres from the try line to twenty five metres out.

Devin Bates-Wellington continued at left second row in Round Three against the Norths Devils and in the 8th minute from the right of the play the ball Devin Bates-Wellington ran the ball from twenty metres from the try line to the thirty two metre mark.

Devin Bates-Wellington followed up with a hit-up from two passes to the left of the play the ball from the forty metre mark to twenty seven metres out. Then in the 33rd minute to carry the ball from twenty three metres to within ten metres of the try line.

The 43rd minute after taking possession to left of the play the ball thirteen metres from the try line Devin Bates-Wellington cut inside off his left foot to target the area behind the markers with Devin Bates-Wellington just stopped by multiple defenders close to the try line near the right corner post. Then in the 47th minute from two passes to the left of the dummy half Devin Bates-Wellington got the ball from thirty metres out to within eight metres of the halfway mark with approximately 65% of Devin Bates-Wellington’s metres being post contact.

Devin Bates-Wellington continued at left second row in Round Five against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Devin Bates-Wellington making the opening tackle of the match form the Tweed Heads kick-off.

In the 6th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball and eight metres inside his own territory Devin Bates-Wellington was able to get the ball eight metres into Dolphins territory with 70% of Devin Bates-Wellington’s metres being post contact. Devin Bates-Wellington backed up in the 21st minute with a run to the right of the play the ball that saw Devin Bates-Wellington run the ball from twenty five metres to within thirteen metres of the try line.

From a Tweed Heads penalty restart in the 46th minute Devin Bates-Wellington was able to get the ball to twenty metres from the try line after running onto the ball thirty three metres out. Also in the 54th minute from the left of the play the ball and six metres inside his own territory and carry the ball six metres into Redcliffe territory.

Devin Bates-Wellington also started at left second row in Round Six against the Souths Logan Magpies with Devin Bates-Wellington scoring in the 59th minute after breaking two tackles to score under the posts from four metres out after receiving a pass from his right from Jai Billish who had done well out of dummy half.

Earlier in the 5th minute from two passes to the left of a Tweed Heads scrum win thirty eight metres from the try line, Devin Bates-Wellington pushed away from one defender to get the ball to within twenty metres of the try line. After cutting underneath his five eight to the left of the play the ball in the 8th minute thirty six metres from his try line Devin Bates-Wellington shrugged off one defender as he got the ball a metre into Souths Logan territory. Then in the 24th minute from two passes to the left of a Seagulls scrum win thirty eight metres from the try line Devin Bates-Wellington dummied to his left before taking the defensive line on himself to get the ball to twenty seven metres out.

Devin Bates-Wellington continued at left second row in the Round Seven local derby against the Burleigh Bears.

In just the 2nd minute of the match from the right of the play the ball and forty two metres from his own try Iine Devin Bates-Wellington got the ball six metres into Burleigh territory. Then in the 16th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball Devin Bates-Wellington carried the ball to twenty two metres from his own try line before off-loading to his right. Then in the 42nd minute from two passes to the left of a Tweed Heads scrum win three metres from his own try line Devin bates-Wellington broke two tackles in a great run out to the thirty five metre mark.

Devin Bates-Wellington made his School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup debut in Round Three of the 2024 competition for PBC SHS against Mabel Park SHS. After starting from the bench and coming onto the field to operate at left second row in the 25th minute Devin Bates-Wellington ran an underneath route to the left of the play the ball to run the ball from twenty metres to thirty three metres from the try line.

In the 38th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball Devin Bates-Wellington carried the ball from three metres inside his own half to nine metres into Mabel Park SHS territory. Also in the 43rd minute Devin Bates-Wellington ran the ball down a short left blindside and bumped away from one defender as he carried the ball from twenty seven metres to thirty eighty metres from his try line.

Devin Bates-Wellington also started from the bench in Round Four against Caloundra SHS with Devin Bates-Wellington operating at right second row after coming off the bench in the 40th minute.

PBC SHS’s Langer Cup Quarter Final saw Devin Bates-Wellington start from the bench against Stretton State College with Devin Bates-Wellington coming onto the field to operate at right second row in the 20th minute.

Devin Bates-Wellington came close to scoring in the 33rd minute only to be held up over the try line by multiple Stretton State College defenders after a thirteen metre effort from the right of the play the ball that included right foot steps before getting over the try line next to the right goal post.

Devin Bates-Wellington made a strong run from a twenty metre tap restart in the 27th minute to make twelve metres downfield. Also in the 36th minute from two passes to the right of a PBC SHS scrum win ten metres inside their territory Devin Bates-Wellington broke a tackle with 75% of his metres post contact as he got the ball eight metres into Stretton State College Territory. Then in the 39th minute Devin Bates-Wellington cut underneath his halfback to the right of the play the ball to run the ball through the centre of the field from twenty five to within elven metres of the try line breaking two tackles along the way.

Devin Bates-Wellington was named in the second row in the 2024 Courier Mail Langer Reserve School Boy Rugby League Team of the Year.

In late August 2024 Devin Bates-Wellington was named in the 2024 South Queensland Māori U18 Tane representative squad with Devin Bates-Wellington subsequently named in the Queensland Māori U18 Representative Squad.

From a club rugby league perspective in 2024 Devin Bates-Wellington played for the Coomera Cutters in the GCRL U18 Division One competition including starting at right centre in Round Three against the Southport Tigers.

In the 15th minute from two passes to the right of a Coomera centre field scrum win Devin Bates-Wellington’s yardage carry saw him get the ball from five metres to nineteen metres from his own try line. Then in the 29th minute Devin Bates-Wellington ran out of dummy half to his left from seven metres from his own try line before getting an off-load away to his right.

The 36th minute saw Devin Bates-Wellington run onto the ball to the right of the play the ball and get the ball from thirty metres to forty metres from the try line. Also in the 44th minute from the right of a Coomera scrum win Devin Bates-Wellington stepped off his right foot to run the ball from twenty metres to thirty five metres from his try line. Then in the 51st minute from the right of the play the ball and on the halfway mark Devin Bates-Wellington pushed away from one defender and cut back to his left to make twelve metres downfield.

Devin Bates-Wellington made a good defensive play (and read) in the 14th minute to slide to his right and affect a one on one ball and all tackle on the Southport fullback just eight metres from the try line near the right touchline. Devin Bates-Wellington also did well defensively in the 30th minute when he slide to his right once again after a Southport scrum win to tackle the Tigers left winger near the right touchline twenty eight metres from the try line. Devin Bates-Wellington, after lining up at marker also made the next tackle to force a Southport knock on.

On the Gold Coast Devin Bates-Wellington is attending the Titans partnered Palm Beach Currumbin (PBC) State High School as part of the school’s Elite Rugby League Academy Program with Devin Bates-Wellington starting at right second row in Round One of the School Boy Walter Cup competition against Marsden SHS.

Devin Bates-Wellington then started at right centre in Round Four against Redcliffe SHS with Devin Bates-Wellington making a good sixteen metre run down the right channel in the 11th minute to get the ball to within ten metres of the halfway mark before getting a right arm flick away to his right winger.

Then in the 26th minute from the right of the play the ball Devin Bates-Wellington from four metres inside his own territory Devin Bates-Wellington was able to get twelve metres inside Redcliffe SHS territory before he was brought to ground.

Devin Bates-Wellington then started from the bench in the Semi-final against Marsden SHS and after coming onto the field to operate on the right in the 30th minute Devin Bates-Wellington immediately carried the ball to within twenty metres of the try line.

Devin Bates-Wellington made a line break in the 36th minute from fifteen metres inside his own territory and when he had gotten to within five metres of the halfway mark, Devin Bates-Wellington was able to break away from one defender and carry the ball an additional seventeen metres to twelve metres into Marsden SHS territory. Then two tackles later Devin Bates-Wellington was able to make an additional ten metres downfield.

Devin Bates-Wellington continued from the bench in the 2023 School Boy Rugby League Walters Cup Grand Final against Wavell SHS with Devin Bates-Wellington coming onto the field to operate at right second row in the 32nd minute of PBC SHS’s victory.

Devin Bates-Wellington also played for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the 2023 U16 Cyril Connell Cup competition early in the 2023 season.

Round Three of the 2023 U16 Cyril Connell Cup competition saw Devin Bates-Wellington named on the bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in their home match against the Redcliffe Dolphins and after coming off the bench to operate at left second row in the 17th minute Devin Bates-Wellington made the defensive hit of the match in the 57th minute when whilst defending right on his own try line and directly under the posts Devin Bates-Wellington smashed into a giant charging Dolphins front rower (No. 10) with Devin Bates Wellington’s hit re-directing the font rowers momentum to his left and away from the try line.

Almost immediately after coming onto the field in the 17th minute made his first hit-up which made nine metres out of his own twenty metre mark. Then in the 39th minute Devin Bates-Wellington from two passes to the left of the play the ball and forty metres out from his own try line Devin Bates-Wellington stepped off his left foot twice as he got the ball to near the halfway mark.

Devin Bates-Wellington had made an earlier strong tackle on a stepping Redcliffe halfback ten metres from the try line with Devin Bates-Wellington’s strong initial contact forcing the halfback to lose the ball in the tackle.

Devin Bates-Wellington then started from the bench in Round Five against the Souths Logan Magpies with Devin Bates-Wellington coming onto the field to operate at left second row in the 20th minute.

Devin Bates-Wellington immediately produced a strong run from the kick-off from Jahkayis Mabbell’s try with Devin Bates-Wellington able to get the ball to nineteen metres out from the try line.

Devin Bates-Wellington made a further strong run in the 24th minute when from thirty eight metres out from his own try line and to the left of the play the ball Devin Bates-Wellington broke three tackles as he got the ball to within five metres of the halfway mark before getting an off-load away to his right to Benji Quinlan.

Then in the 30th minute from to the from the opening six of six tackles of the second half Devin Bates-Wellington ran the ball from the left of the play the ball and six metres inside his own territory to get the ball eight metres inside Magpies territory.

Devin Bates-Wellington continued his strong match in the 34th minute when from the right of the play the ball and thirty three metres from the try line Devin Bates-Wellington broke two tackles and when he had got to twenty metres from the try line Devin bates-Wellington got a right arm off-load away.

Devin Bates-Wellington came close to scoring in the 48th minute when after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball from fifteen metres out and in the centre of the field, Devin bates-Wellington cut back behind the play the ball with his momentum finally stopped within centre metres of the try line even though multiple Magpies defenders could not get Devin Bates-Wellington to the ground.

Then in the 52nd minute from the left of the play the ball and five metres inside his own territory Devin Bates-Wellington stepped off his left foot to beat a Souths Logan defender who had rushed out of the defensive line to get eight metres inside Magpies territory before Devin bates-Wellington was able to get an off-load away to his right.

Devin Bates-Wellington produced a smart piece of play in the 23rd minute when whilst defending ten metres out from his own try line Devin Bates-Wellington blocked a Magpies grubber kick with his right foot and then raced forward to take possession and get the ball twenty two metres away from his own try line.

Devin Bates-Wellington’s performance saw him deservedly named on the bench in the Courier Mail 2023 CC Cup Round Five Team of the Week.

Devin Bates-Wellington then made his first start of the season at right second row for Round Six against the Norths Devils with Devin Bates-Wellington recording a try assist inside the opening minute of the match when after the Seagulls had put up a bomb towards the right side of the field, Devin Bates-Wellington was on hand to take possession from his right centre after Norths had lost the kick forward with Devin Bates-Wellington then charging down the right side of the filed before drawing the Devils fullback to put his winger over to score in the right corner.

Devin Bates-Wellington also recorded a line break in the 32nd minute from the left of the play the ball Devin Bates-Wellington, from thirty metres out from his own try line and in the centre of the field, Stepped off his left foot twice to break through the Devils defensive line and get the ball to the halfway mark before Devin Bates-Wellington was able to get an off-load away to his right to a trailing Harrison Doherty.

The 6th minute saw Devin Bates-Wellington run onto the ball to the right of the play the ball from five metres inside his own territory with Devin bates-Wellington getting the ball ten metres inside Devils territory. The in the 39th minute from the right of the paly the ball thirty two metres from the try line Devin Bates-Wellington cut back behind the play the ball and after getting within eighteen metres of the try line, Devin Bates-Wellington was awarded a penalty after being subjected to a dangerous tackle.

Devin Bates-Wellington also made a strong run in the 50th minute from on the halfway mark and to the left of the dummy half with Devin Bates-Wellington able to promote the ball eleven metres.

Devin Bates-Wellington was also outstanding defensively against Norths including a try saving tackle in the 25th minute on the Norths lock right on his own try line with Devin Bates-Wellington’s initial contact stopping the Norths player in his tracks.

Devin Bates-Wellington continued at right second in the Round Seven local derby against the Burleigh Bears with Devin Bates Wellington making a strong run in the 53rd minute when after running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball and twenty metres from the try line, Devin Bates-Wellington stepped back towards his right and got to within five metres of the try line before being tackled, Devin Bates-Wellington was then awarded a penalty and took the hit-up from the resultant restart.

Devin Bates-Wellington’s first match on Australian soil came in late January when he lined up for the Tweed Heads Seagulls Cyril Connell Cup squad in their first 2023 trial against the Souths Logan Magpies at the Logan Sports Complex.

Devin Bates-Wellington then started in the second row in the Seagulls second trial against the Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup side at Burleigh Juniors as part of the Titans Annual Super Saturday series of matches.

Devin Bates-Wellington then started at right second row in Tweed Heads final 2023 CC Cup trial against the Seagulls local rivals the Burleigh Bears.

2023 also saw Devin Bates-Wellington play touch football and in March 2023 Devin Bates-Wellington as named in the 2023 Gold Coast Touch Association U16B representative side.

In August 2023 Devin Bates-Wellington was named in the South Queensland Māori U16 Teina Representative side.

In 2022 Devin Bates-Wellington who played for the Ellerslie Eagles Rugby League club in Auckland was named as the joint Most Valuable Player in the 2022 U15 Auckland Rugby League Region of Origin Representative Competition with Devin Bates-Wellington starting at lock for Auckland North in the series of two matches. Devin Bates-Wellington was also named in the second row in the 2022 U15 Auckland Rugby League Merit Team at the conclusion of the series.

In Game One of the 2022 U15 Auckland Region of Origin match Devin Bates-Wellington who started the match at lock, scored in the opening minutes of the second half when from around ten metres out and on the left side of the field, Devin Bates-Wellington chased through a short grubber kick into the in-goal from the inside, initially it appeared that the Auckland South fullback had taken possession of the ball but Devin Bates-Wellington was able to take the ball out of the grasp of the fullback by way of a one on one strip or steal whilst both players were in the in-goal and Devin Bates-Wellington then got the ball down twelve metres in from the left corner post.

Prior to moving to the Gold Coast Devin Bates-Wellington attended Westlake’s Boys High with Devin Bates-Wellington being part of their U15 Nine’s side that defeated Southern Cross Campus in the 2022 Nine’s School Boy Grand Final with Devin Bates-Wellington wearing the No. 1 jersey in the Westlake Boys High Nine’s Grand Final victory against Southern Cross.

2022 also saw Devin Bates-Wellington play for an Auckland U15 Invitational side against a New Zealand Warriors selection and prior to moving to Australia, Devin Bates-Wellington was part of the Sydney Roosters Development Program including attending a number of Development camps in New Zealand as well as playing a number of Academy matches for the Sydney Roosters Development Squad.

In 2020 Devin Bates-Wellington was named in the New Zealand Māori U13 Merit Team after Devin Bates-Wellington participated in the Tournament, playing with the Tainui Ngati Tara Tokanui U13 representative side in the highly regarded annual Tournament.

Devin Bates-Wellington, in his carries 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.

Devin Bates-Wellington 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, Devin Bates-Wellington does not try to run over defenders, but Devin Bates-Wellington runs at the gaps between defenders and uses his running speed to break through if defenders only use their arms on the tackle.

Devin Bates-Wellington 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 Devin Bates-Wellington 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 Devin Bates-Wellington 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 Devin Bates-Wellington 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.

Devin Bates-Wellington will play the 2025 season for the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad and Devin Bates-Wellington is also Mm Cup eligible in 2026. Devin Bates-Wellington will also continue to attend PBC SHS once again in 2025 as Devin Bates-Wellington and after making his Langer Cup debut in 2024 it is hard to see how Devin Bates-Wellington will not be an ever present in the PBC SHS Langer Cup Open A side in 2025.

Whilst Devin Bates-Wellington played at lock for the Auckland North U15 Region of Origin Representative team in 2022, with his speed, size and ball skills, for me Devin Bates-Wellington is far better suited operating on the fringes of the ruck and thus for me Devin Bates-Wellington is a left second rower with very intriguing potential from both a physical and an overall rugby league skill level perspective.

Cronulla Sharks, New Zealand International and former Keebra Park SHS right second rower Briton Nikora with his height, speed and exceptional line running ability on the fringes of the ruck is for me an accurate playing style comparison for Devin Bates-Wellington. Like Nikora, Devin Bates-Wellington also has a hard edge to the defensive side of his game particularly in relation to their heavy front on initial defensive contact.

Devin Bates-Wellington certainly looks like a real talent and one that I will be following closely in 2025 and beyond as part of the outstanding Titans JTS program.
 
Xhai Waerea. In late 2024 Xhai Waerea was named in the 2025 Burleigh Bears U17 CC Cup squad.

In early 2022 Xhai Waerea signed a multi-year contract with the Titans that runs through until the end of the 2025 season which will also be Xhai Waerea’s final year at school at Keebra Park SHS.

Xhai Waerea lined up in a Titans jersey in mid-April 2023 when Xhai Waerea started on the right wing 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. Whilst Xhai Wearea started on the right wing Xhai Wearea also spent time in the forwards as the match progressed especially in the second half.

Xhai Wearea ran the ball out of dummy half to his right in the 13th minute to carry the ball from less than a metre from his own try line out to the thirteen metre mark. Xhai Wearea also did well in the 55th minute to get within five metres from the try line near the right corner after receiving a pass to the right of a Titans scrum win from Donte Tahuhu-Wilson.

In late September 2023 Xhai Waerea was part of the Titans U16 side in their Antony Laffranchi Cup victory against the Balmain Tigers in Northern New South Wales in wet and windy conditions.

In October 2023 Xhai Waerea was named in the 2024 Tweed Heads Seagulls U17 Cyril Connell (CC) Cup squad with Xhai Waerea also CC Cup eligible in 2025. Xhai Waerea was involved in the Seagulls opening 2024 trial against the Burleigh Bears in late January 2024.

Xhai Waerea started at right centre in Round Two against the Brisbane Tigers and in the 2nd minute Xhai Waerea ran out of dummy half to his left to get the ball out to thirty five metres from his own try line and in the 29th minute Xhai Waerea ran out of dummy half to his left once again to carry the ball six metres inside Tigers territory.

Xhai Waerea also started at right centre in Round Three against the Norths Devils with Xhai Waerea taking a hit-up to the right of the play the ball to carry the ball from forty metres out to the halfway mark.

The 23rd minute saw Xhai Waerea carry the ball from the right of the dummy half from three metres inside his own territory to twelve metres into Devils territory. Then in the 54th minute from the right of the play the ball once again Xhai Waerea took possession before stepping off his right foot to get within twenty eight metres of the try line.

Xhai Waerea then started from the bench in the Round Seven local derby against the Burleigh Bears with Xhai Waerea coming onto the field midway through the first half to operate at right second row.

Xhai Waerea did well in the 30th minute when after chasing through a short Tweed Heads kick-off to their right Xhai Waerea jumped above his Burleigh opponent to take the ball cleanly on the full thirty metres from the try line with Xhai Waerea then able to make an additional ten metres to twenty metres from the try line.

In the 56th minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball Xhai Waerea ran to his right and he got the ball from forty six metres from the try line to thirty metres out.

Round One of the 2024 School Boy Rugby League Walters Cup competition saw Xhai Waerea start at left centre for Keebra Park SHS against Wavell SHS with Xhai Waerea scoring in the 60th minute after picking up a Keebra Park SHS pass that was knocked down by Wavell SHS with Xhai Waerea then racing thirty metres untouched to score five metres in from the left corner post.

Xhai Waerea also made a line break in the 20th minute with a charge down the left channel from twenty metres from his own try line to twenty eight metres from the try line at the opposite end of the field.

Xhai Waerea got his strong match underway in the 6th minute with a run to the right of the play the ball through the centre of the field from thirty five metres to the halfway mark. Also in the 9th minute from a Keebra Park SHS penalty restart Xhai Waerea ran the ball from thirty seven metres to twenty one metres from the try line.

Two minutes later in the 11th minute after running an underneath route to the right of the dummy half Xhai Waerea carried the ball from twenty two metres to thirty seven metres from the try line. Then in the 21st minute from wide out of the left side of the field Xhai Waerea carried the ball from thirty metres to forty metres from his try line.

In the 28th minute from wide on the left Xhai Waerea ran the ball from two metres inside his own territory to fourteen metres into Wavell SHS’s half with Xhai Waerea throwing off two defenders as he ran. Then in the 56th minute after taking a Wavell SHS chip kick on the full four metres from his own try line Xhai Waerea returned the ball to the twenty two metre mark. Also in the 58th minute Xhai Waerea ran the ball through the centre of the field from the right of the dummy half from thirty six metres to the halfway mark.

Xhai Waerea made a good one on one tackle in space on the Wavell SHS fullback to save a try near the try line and close to the left touchline.

Xhai Waerea then moved to left centre for Round Two against Stretton State College with Xhai Waerea scoring in the 45th minute by way of a hard straight run from twenty three metres out to score ten metres in from the right corner post.

Xhai Waerea also made a line break in the 11th minute when from ten metres inside his own half Xhai Waerea burst through two attempted tackles to get within thirty two metres of the try line.

Xhai Waerea ran out of dummy half to his right and was able to run the ball from thirty four metres from his try line to within two metres of the halfway mark. Then in the 42nd minute Xhai Waerea ran the ball down the right channel from forty five metres to thirty metres of the try line.

Xhai Waerea continued at left centre in Round Three against Redcliffe SHS and in the 20th minute from the right of the play the ball Xhai Waerea carried the ball through the centre of the field from twenty three metres out to the forty metre mark. Then in the 51st minute from the left of the play the ball Xhai Waerea ran the ball from forty seven metres to thirty seven metres from the try line.

Xhai Waerea also started at left centre in Round Four against Marsden SHS and in the 9th minute from the right of the play the ball and thirty one metres from his ty line Xhai Waerea got the ball to forty six metres out with Xhai Waerea breaking two tackles along the way.

From the right of the play the ball in the 31st minute a Xhai Waerea carry saw him get the ball from forty metres to the halfway mark. Then in the 46th minute also from the right of the dummy half Xhai Waerea ran the ball from thirty metres to forty two metres from the try line. Also in the 51st minute from the right of the play the ball a Xhai Waerea carry saw the ball promoted from eighteen metres out.

Xhai Waerea was back at left centre in Round Six against Mabel Park SHS and after receiving the ball wide on the left side of the field Xhai Waerea was able to carry the ball from thirty metres from his try line to within four metres of the halfway mark. Also in the 19th minute a run from a Keebra Park SHS penalty restart saw Xhai Waerea run the ball from thirty seven to twenty metres of the try line in front of the goal posts. Then in the 43rd minute from two passes to the left of a Keebra Park SHS scrum win Xhai Waerea ran the ball from twenty two to thirty seven metres from his try line.

Xhai Waerea continued at left centre in the Round Seven local derby against PBC SHS and in the 21st minute from the left of the play the ball Xhai Waerea broke three tackles as he promoted the ball from fourteen to thirty metres from his try line.

From the right of the play the ball in the 26th minute and from his own try line a Xhai Waerea yardage carry saw the ball moved out to the thirteen metre mark. Then in the 35th minute also from the right of the dummy half Xhai Waerea carried the ball from twenty eight to forty one metres from his try line.

Xhai Waerea also started at left centre in the Walters Cup semi-final against Ipswich SHS and in the 51st minute Xhai Waerea carried the ball down the left channel from thirty to forty two metres away from his try line.

Xhai Waerea started at left centre for Keebra Park SHS in the 2024 School Boy Rugby League Walters Cup Grand Final against Marsden SHS and in the 27th minute from the right of the play the ball Xhai Waerea got the ball from fifteen to twenty five metres from the try line through the centre of the field

In the 46th minute Xhai Waerea ran the ball down the left channel from the halfway to thirty six metres from the try line and in the 48th minute from the right of the play the ball a Xhai Waerea carry saw him move the ball from thirty to forty metres from his try line.

Xhai Waerea made a huge right shoulder tackle on the Marsden SHS right second rower No. 12 when he was returning a Keebra Park SHS kick-off with Xhai Waerea’s heavy initial contact forcing a knock on.

Xhai Waerea started at left centre for Keebra Park SHS in the 2024 Queensland Year Ten School Boy Rugby League Final against Kirwan SHS with Xhai Waerea recording a try assist in the 52nd minute when after the Kirwan SHS fullback let a Harvey Smtih bomb bounce, Xhai Waerea took the ball on the first bounce and almost immediately off-loaded to his left for his support player to score ten metres in from the left corner post.

In the 3rd minute from the right of the play the ball Xhai Waerea carried the ball through the centre of the field from twenty to thirty metres from the try line and Xhai Waerea also ran the ball through the centre of the in the 14th minute from the left of the dummy half to get from thirteen to twenty seven metres from the try line. Also in the 17th minute it was through the centre of the field once again where Xhai Waerea ran to get from ten to thirty metres from the try line from the right of the paly the ball with approximately 75% of the metres post contact.

From wide on the left side of the field in the 19th minute and on his own try line Xhai Waerea’s yardage carry saw him promote the ball out to the seventeen metre mark and also in the 22nd minute Xhai Waerea took another run through the centre of the field from the right of the play the ball to get from twenty to thirty eight metres from the try line.

From the right of the play the ball in the 24th minute Xhai Waerea moved the ball from twenty seven to forty one metres from the try line and in the 58th minute from the left of the play the ball Xhai Waerea was able to carry the ball from sixteen to thirty two metres away from his try line.

2024 saw Xhai Waerea line up for the Burleigh Bears in the GCRL U16 Division One competition with Xhai Waerea starting in the centres in Round One against Runaway Bay before starting in the front row in the remaining regular season matches before moving back to the centres in Week One of the Finals against the Tugun Seahawks.

Across the season Xhai Waerea scored a double in the Week One Finals match against Tugun and Xhai Waerea also scored in Round Three against the Coomer Cutters and Round Nine against the Southport Tigers.

In late August 2024 Xhai Waerea was named in the 2024 South Queensland Māori U16 Tuakana Representative Squad.

Round One of the 2023 School Boy Rugby League Hancock Cup competition saw Xhai Waerea start in the second row in Round One for Keebra Park SHS against Wavell SHS. Xhai Waerea then moved to the bench for Round Two against Ipswich SHS.

Xhai Waerea moved back into the Keebra Park SHS starting line-up in the front row for Round Three against Marsden SHS and Round Four against Redcliffe SHS as well as Round Five against Wavell SHS and Round Six against Stretton State College. Xhai Waerea also started in the front row in the Round Seven Gold Coast School Boy derby against PBC SHS.

Xhai Waerea also started in the front row in the Hancock Cup Semi-Final against Marsden SHS and the 2023 Hancock Cup School Boy Rugby League Grand Final against Ipswich SHS which was held at Suncorp Stadium as an NRL curtain raiser.

In early December 2022 Xhai Waerea played in the front row for the Titans U14 Gold Coast JTS Academy squad in a trial match against the Titans U14 JTS Logan Academy squad with both Titans Academies wearing Titan’s jerseys in the highly competitive match that was played on the Gold Coast.

Xhai Waerea played for Keebra Park in the 2022 Renouf Cup School Boy Rugby League competition starting multiple matches in the second row including Rounds Three and Four against Redcliffe SHS and Marsden SHS respectively.

Xhai Waerea then moved to the bench in Round Five against Caloundra State High School as well as in Round Six against Marsden SHS with Xhai Waerea coming onto the field late in the first half to operate in the front row in both matches.

Xhai Waerea started the 2022 School Boy Renouf Cup Grand Final against Ipswich SHS from the bench with Xhai Waerea coming onto the field in the 12th minute to operate in the front row. Then in the 38th minute Xhai Waerea made a crunching tackle on the Ipswich No. 11 ten metres out from the try line and directly in front of the goal posts.

2022 also saw Xhai Waerea continue to play for the Burleigh Bears in the Gold Coast Junior Rugby League U14 Division One competition, leading the Bears to a Grand Final appearance against the Southport Tigers with Xhai Waerea starting the Grand Final at right second row after a dominating regular season with the Bears.

Xhai Waerea’s best moment of the Grand Final came in the 19th minute when Xhai Waerea charged onto a good ball from his inside from his halfback with Xhai Waerea taking possession thirty eight metres out and bursting through three attempted tackles with Xhai Waerea promoting the ball to the twenty metre mark before he was finally brought to ground.

Xhai Waerea made another strong run in the 37th minute when Xhai Waerea charged onto a short ball on the right side of the field from his halfback when forty two metres out with Xhai Waerea running a hard straight crash line with Xhai Waerea bursting between two defenders. Xhai Waerea then cut to his left before executing a right foot step to beat another defender with Xhai Waerea ultimately making seventeen strong metres downfield.

From a defensive perspective Xhai Waerea had a very strong Grand Final and in the opening portion of the second half with Southport constantly on the attack, Xhai Waerea literally tackled everything that moved as the Bears, largely due to Xhai Waerea’s defensive performance repelled everything that the Tigers threw at them.

In September 2022 Xhai Waerea was named in the South Queensland Māori U14 Tuakana representative squad starting Round One of the QPICC Carnival at left centre against Queensland Tonga.

Xhai Waerea also started at left centre in Round Two against Samoa, scoring a powerhouse double and Xhai Waerea also scored in Qld Maori’s Grand Final victory against Qld PNG.

Xhai Waerea started on the right wing in the semi-final against Samoa with Xhai Waerea recording a line break in the 24th minute when after receiving a cut-out pass from his inside from Calais Hallett-Wharewaka forty metres out, Xhai Waerea charged twenty five metres down the left touchline before Xhai Waerea smartly cut back inside before potentially being forced over the touch line by the cover defence.

The tough, hard uncompromising young rugby league front rower and rugby hooker from northern New South Wales was a standout at hooker for the U13 Far North Coast Representative Rugby side that played in the King of Country Rugby Tournament held on the Gold Cost and at the competition of the Tournament Xhai Waerea named on the bench in the Team of the Tournament alongside older brother Brooklyn who is also an outstanding rugby and rugby league prospect.

In 2021 Xhai Waerea played in the U13 Group 18 competition for the Tweed Coast Raiders, operating primarily in the front row and dominating the competition.

Xhai Waerea also played club rugby in 2021, playing in the Far North Coast U13 Rugby Competition for Coolangatta Tweed. In the matches that he played in for Coolangatta Tweed, Xhai Waerea played at hooker.

Xhai Waerea had a monster season for Coolangatta Tweed in the Far North Coast U13 Rugby Competition, scoring hat tricks in Rounds Two and Four against Casino and Ballina respectively and Xhai Waerea also scored doubles in Round Seven against the wonderfully Named Evan Head Killer Whales and in Round Nine against Casuarina Beach. Xhai Waerea also kicked a conversion against Evans Head in Round Seven.

Running with the ball, Xhai Waerea has good footwork prior to the line and does not often just put his head down and run straight but uses his solid footwork to try to work the gaps between defenders rather than trying to simply run over them.

Xhai Waerea has very good speed off the mark but not necessarily great high end speed, but he will work hard and make the most of his ability. The key to his running is his ability to drop his shoulder into the defenders at the right moment, to go along with his late foot work. These attributes make Xhai Waerea very difficult to tackle and he can rarely be stopped one on one.

Throw in a decent turn of pace off the mark and you have a player who is difficult for a defensive line to combat. Keebra Park had all sorts of trouble defending against him and he seemed to break at least one tackle every time he ran the ball that Wednesday night. He was just an absolute powerhouse over the course of the entire match.

Defensively Xhai Waerea hits very hard and usually aims for just under the ribcage and is certainly someone opposing forwards look for when running the ball up and is adept at making sure the opposition do not get quick play the balls, read that Xhai Waerea is very good at winning the wrestling battle in the ruck, he is a naturally strong young man.

Xhai Waerea defends on the fringe of the ruck and seems best suited in the long run defending there and adds a degree of intimidation to any forward pack he plays for. For Keebra Park SHS he dominated for large stretches of the matches.

Xhai Waerea really does know how to tackle effectively, as he sets a strong base to create the necessary leverage to defend against larger forwards and then explodes through his core. Throw in a touch of aggression and you have someone in Xhai Waerea who can dominate a game defensively and is able to seal off one side of the ruck on his own.

Xhai Waerea no doubt continue to work on his strength and lateral movement as he progresses but his work ethic and motivation is such that continued hard work is not an issue for Xhai Waerea.

2025 will see Xhai Waerea continue to play rugby league for the Burleigh Bears in the Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition. Xhai Waerea will also continue to attend Keebra Park SHS and will look to force his way into Langer Cup reckoning. Xhai Waerea will commence the season though in the Burleigh Bears U17 CC Cup squad.

Xhai Waerea is big, strong, powerful and has outstanding speed and mobility for his size and strength and Xhai Waerea also has a mean aggressive streak and Xhai Waerea is ideally suited to playing in the second row n a rugby league field both now and well into the future. In saying that Xhai Waerea has performed very well in the centres in 2024 and no doubt Xhai Waerea will continue to alternate between the second row and centre for the next couple of seasons before likely moving to the second row on a full time basis.

The way that Xhai Waerea handles himself on the football field reminds me of St Goerge Dragons centre Moses Seuili as a big strong hard as nails centre with a skill set that belies the intimidating presence that he projects on the field.
 
Majah-Rose (Majah) Peachey. Majah Peachey had been one of the stand-out players (if not the absolute stand out player) in the Western Australia Junior Rugby League competition for the last couple of seasons and after Majah Peachey played for the 2022 Western Australian U15 School Boys Representative side at the U15 ASSRL School Boy Championships in Redcliffe whilst Majah Peachey was still U14 eligible, the young second rower/centre signed a multi-year contract with the Titans in early 2023.

In late September 2024 Majah Peachey started in the front row for a Future Titans U16 side that defeated a Storm squad 36 – 22 with Majah Peachey also involved in the Titans U16 side a few nights later that played in the Anthony Laffranchi Cup against the Balmain Tigers.

In late April 2024 Majah Peachey started at left second row for a Titans U16 JTS side that played an Auckland U16 selection at Ipswich and in the 3rd minute from the left of the play the ball Majah Peachey was able to promote the ball from forty five metres from his own try line to wight metres into Auckland territory.

Also in the 6th minute from the right of a Titans scrum win Majah Peachey ran the ball through the centre of the field from forty metres to thirty metres from the try line after Majah Peachey had to pause on his run and take the pass behind him. Then in the 9th minute from the right of a Titans penalty restart Majah Peachey ran the ball from ten metres inside his own territory to eighteen metres into Auckland territory with at least 70% of Majah Peachey’s metres gained being post contact.

Majah Peachey’s strong start to the match continued in the 12th minute with a run two passes to the left of the dummy half to get the ball from ten metres inside his own territory to twelve metres into Auckland territory with 75% of Majah Peachey’s metres being post contact, it appeared that on multiple occasions Majah Peachey’s momentum had been stopped but he just kept forcing his way forward.

Majah Peachey’s strong match continued in the second half including in the 54th minute with a hit-up from two passes to the left of the play the ball from twelve metres from the try line with Majah Peachey barrelling his way to within centremetres of the try line when six metres to the left of the goal posts.

In early January 2024 Majah Peachey was part of a Titans U17 side that played in a round robin series of matches against the Penrith Panthers and the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs in Sydney.

Majah Peachey came off the bench to operate at right second row in the 16th minute of the first trial against the Penrith Panthers and in the 25th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball Majah Peachey charged onto the ball and after running the ball from six metres inside Penrith territory to thirty six metres from the try line, Majah Peachey was able to push away from three would be defenders to continue to run to his left and after breaking another tackle Majah Peachey carried the ball to within seven metres of the try line.

Then in the 28th minute after running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball Majah Peachey was able to carry the ball from twenty six metres out from his own ty line to within four metres of the halfway mark with at least 60% of Majah Peachey’s metres gained being post contact with the Penrith defensive line.

Majah Peachey then started at left second row in the second trial against the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs with Majah Peachey recording a line break assists in the 11th minute when after taking a strong hit-up that incorporated a counter clockwise spin, to the left of the play the ball from the halfway mark to thirty seven metres from the try line, breaking three tackles along the way, Majah Peachey threw an overhead pass to his left to Santino Pekepo-Tavaga who was able to make seventeen metres down the left touchline.

A tackle later Majah Peachey, from two passes to the right of the play the ball Majah Peachey ran the ball from thirty metres out from the try line to thirteen metres out with Majah Peachey winning a penalty for catching the Souths Sydney defence in an off-side position.

Majah Peachey made his presence felt in just the 3rd minute of the match when after taking possession of the ball two passes to the right of the play the ball Majah Peachey carried the ball to within eighteen metres of the try line after commencing his run thirty metres out, with Majah Peachey then awarded a penalty after he was being crowded by the Rabbitohs marker as he attempted to play the ball. Majah Peachey then took the ball from the ensuing penalty to get the ball to within seven metres of the try line directly in front of the goal posts.

In the 24th minute from the right of the play the ball Majah Peachey was able to promote the ball from one the half way mark thirteen metres into Rabbitohs territory to thirty seven metres from the try line.

In early March 2024 Majah Peachey was named in the Open Met East 2024 School Boy Rugby League Representative squad and after coming off the bench on Day One to play at right second row Majah Peachey scored against Wide Bay with a run to his right out of dummy half from six metres out and near the right touchline to get the ball down six metres in from the right corner post.

Majah Peachey continued from the bench on Day Two against South Coast and after coming onto the field to operate at left second row in the 22nd minute, almost immediately Majah Peachey cut underneath his halfback to the left of the play the ball and carried the ball from the thirty eight metre mark to the halfway mark. Then after playing the ball Majah Peachey got eh ball back from the dummy half from his right and executed a lightning quick catch and pass to his left to give his winger space neat the touchline.

In the 27th minute from a Met East penalty restart Majah Peachey was able to get the ball from twenty eight metres from the try line to fourteen metres out. Then in the 32nd minute from two passes to the left of the dummy half Majah Peachey carried the ball from twelve metres inside his own territory to five metres into South Coast territory.

Majah Peachey also started from the bench on Day Three against Capricornia and in the23rd minute soon after coming onto the ball to operate at right second row Majah Peachey cut underneath his halfback to the right of a Met East scrum win and get the ball from fourteen metres from his try line to twenty eight metres out. Then in the 25th minute from a Met East penalty restart Majah Peachey did well to run the ball from the halfway mark and break a tackle to get to the forty metre mark with Majah Peachey’s final five metres made as he was backing his way forward.

Majah Peachey then ran the ball down a short right blindside to carry the ball from thirty six metres to twenty one metres from the try line with around 70% of his metres gained being post contact.

Majah Peachey started from the bench in the 2024 QSSRL School Boy Rugby League Championship Final against South Coast Maroon and after coming onto the field to operate at right second row in the 20th minute Majah Peachey making the first of his two line breaks in the 46th minute with a run down the left touchline from forty metres from the try line to within twenty three metres after juggling a left arm flick off-load from his inside from Taylan To’o.

Majah Peachey made his second line break three minutes later in the 49th minute with Majah Peachey receiving the ball wide on the left side of the field thirty six metres from his own try line with Majah Peachey showing exceptional speed down the left touchline as he flew down the field before being brought to ground just seven metres short of the try line.

In the 38th minute after picking up a Met East knock back ten metres from his own try line Majah Peachey was able to make twelve metres down the left touchline. A 52nd minute Majah Peachey penalty restart saw him ran the ball from thirty metres to eighteen metres from the try line.

Round One of the 2024 School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup competition saw Majah Peachey start at left second row (played right second row in the second half) for Mabel Park SHS with Majah Peachey involved in the opening tackle of the match.

In the 3rd minute from two passes from the right of a Mabel Park SHS penalty restart Majah Peachey ran the ball from twenty two metres with within eight metres of the try line. From another penalty restart in the 17th minute and thirty two metres from the try line Majah Peachey ran the ball within three metres of the try line with Majah Peachey then executing a quick play the ball.

In the 20th minute from the right of the play the ball Majah Peachey carried the ball from forty metres to twenty six metres of the try line. Also in the 54th minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball and two metres inside his own half Majah Peachey carried the ball to eighteen metres inside Caloundra territory. Additionally in the 56th minute from the right of the dummy half Majah Peachey broke a tackle as he ran the ball from forty eight metres to within thirty two metres of the try line.

Majah Peachey also started at left second row in Round Two against Ipswich SHS with Majah Peachey from two passes to the left of the play the ball in the 8th minute able to run the ball from twenty eight metres to forty metres from his try line.

Majah Peachey ran the ball down a left blindside in the 17th minute from six metres inside his own half to eleven metres into Ipswich SHS territory. Then in the 54th minute from the left of the play the ball Majah Peachey carried the ball from twenty two metres to forty metres from the try line before getting a right arm flick off-load away with his back to the try line. Also in the 55th minute from the left of a Mabel park SHS centre field scrum Majah Peachey ran the ball from sixteen metres to within two metres of the try line near the left corner.

Majah Peachey continued at left second row in Round Three against PBC SHS and from Mabel Park SHS penalty restart in the 4th minute Majah Peachey carried the ball from forty two metres to thirty metres from the try line then two tackles later Majah Peachey carried the ball to within ten metres of the try line wide out on the left side of the field.

Majah Peachey also started at left second row in Round Four against Wavell SHS with Majah Peachey scoring in the 43rd minute when after receiving a pass unexpectantly from his left from the dummy half whilst stationary twelve metres from the try line and to the left of the goal posts, Majah Peachey stepped off his right foot when ten metres from the try line and after beating two defenders with right arm fends Majah Peachey crashed over to score the match winning try four metres in from the left corner post.

Majah Peachey took the third hit-up of the match from two passes to the left of the play the ball to get the ball from thirty two metres from his try line to within two metres of the halfway mark. Also in the 20th minute from the right of a penalty restart ten metres inside Mabel Park SHS territory Majah Peachey carried the ball seven metres into Wavell SHS territory.

Another Mabel Park SHS penalty restart taken by Majah Peachey saw him run the ball from thirty two metres to forty four metres from his try line in the 33rd minute. Then in the 36th minute after receiving the ball to the left of the dummy half Majah Peachey stepped off his left foot on five occasions consecutively with a right arm fend incorporated as well to get the ball from twelve metres inside his own half to twelve metres into Wavell SHS’s half with Majah Peachey then awarded a penalty after being subjected to a hip drop tackle.

From the left of the dummy half in the 41st minute Majah Peachey broke a tackle as he promoted the ball from thirty three metres from his own try line to two metres into Wavell SHS’s half. Additionally in the 46th minute from the left of the play the ball Majah Peachey was able to get the ball from thirty three metres to forty seven metres from his try line. Also in the 56th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball a Majah Peachey run saw the ball moved from thirty three metres to twenty metres from the try line.

Majah Peachey continued at left second row in Round Five against Redcliffe SHS with Majah Peachey making the second hit-up of the match from the left of the play the ball to get the ball down a left blindside from thirteen to twenty six metres from the try line.

In the 15th minute from the left of the play the ball Majah Peachey ran the ball from twenty to thirty metres from the try line before getting an off-load away to his left. Also in the 32nd minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball and twenty six metres from his try line Majah Peachey was able to get the ball out to the thirty eight metre mark with more than 75% of his metres being post contact.

Majah Peachey started at left second row for Mabel Park SHS in their Langer Cup Quarter Final against Keebra Park SHS with Majah Peachey taking the second hit-up of the match down a short left blindside from seventeen to twenty seven metres from his try line with Mabel Park SHS awarded a penalty after Majah Peachey caught the Keebra Park SHS defensive line off-side.

Majah Peachey was heavily involved in Mabel Park SHS’s first try of the match in the 5th minute when after receiving an off-load from his right nine metres out Majah Peachey surged to within a metre of the try line and then with three Keebra Park SHS defenders hanging off him Majah Peachey was able to get an off-load away to his left with his left winger scoring in the corner a pass later.

In the 21st minute from the right of the play the ball a Majah Peachey yardage carry from on his win try line saw him break two tackles to get the ball out to the twelve metre mark with more than 75% of the metres gained being post contact. Three minutes later in the 24th minute Majah Peachey ran onto the ball to the left of the play the ball to get the ball from sixteen to twenty eight metres from his try line. Then a Majah Peachey effort from a Mabel Park SHS penalty restart got the ball from eighteen to thirty metres from his try line.

In the 39th minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball and three metres inside his half a strong Majah Peachey run saw him carry the ball seven metres into Keebra Park SHS territory and in the 43rd minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball and within twenty eight metres of the try line Majah Peachey was able to get the ball to sixteen metres of the try line, Majah Peachey followed up with an additional run in the 55th minute from the left of the dummy half to get the ball from twenty three to thirty six metres away from the try line.

At the completion of the 2024 Queensland School Boy Rugby League season Majah Peachey was named as a player that the Courier Mail is looking to see more of in the Langer Cup in 2025.

In late 2023 Majah Peachey commenced training with the Wynnum Manly Seagulls Cyril Connell Cup squad for the second season in a row and with the age group change to U17’s Majah Peachey is also CC Cup eligible in 2025.

Round One of the 2024 U17 Cyril Connell Cup competition saw Majah Peachey start at right second row for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Majah Peachey producing the first of multiple strong runs in the 5th minute with an effort from the left of the play the ball that saw Majah Peachey carry the ball from ten metres inside his own territory to four metres into Tweed Heads territory with approximately 65% of the metres gained being post contact.

In the 23rd minute after running onto the ball to the left of the dummy half Majah Peachey stepped off his left foot on two occasions as he promoted the ball from twenty seven metres out from his own try line to thirty eight metres out. Then in the 30th minute from the right of the play the ball Majah Peachey came close to scoring only to be forced to ground by multiple defenders less than a metre from the try line and six metres in from the right touchline after gaining eleven metres from the twelve metre mark.

In the 34th minute from two passes to the left of a Wynnum Manly penalty restart Majah Peachey ran the ball from forty metres from the try line to within twenty six metres. Then in the 47th minute Majah Peachey, after running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball carried the ball from his own eighteen metre mark out to the thirty four metre mark with approximately 70% of those metres being post contact.

Majah Peachey did well in the 54th minute to pick up a Tweed Heads knock on the halfway mark and make ten metres into Tweed Heads territory.

Majah Peachey also started at right second row in Round Two against the Norths Devils with Majah Peacehy scoring an impressive first half double.

Majah Peachey scored his first try in the 8th minute when after taking possession of the ball two passes to the right of the play the ball, Majah Peachey stepped off his right foot and simultaneously executed a right arm fend to beat an initial defender. After engaging four Norths defenders four metres from the try line, Majah Peachey spun counter clockwise and even with his back to the try line Majah Peachey would not concede and eventually was able to get the ball over the try line five metres of the right of the goal posts.

Majah Peacehy added his second try in the 13th minute as a result of a run to the right of the dummy half nine metres out, with Majah Peachey cutting inside off his right foot and getting down low to dive over to score ten metres in from the right corner post.

Majah Peachey got his match underway by making the fourth hit-up of the match by way of an underneath route from the right of the play the ball to carry the ball to within two metres of the halfway mark. Then in the 7th minute from the left of the play the ball Majah Peachey ran the ball from his own thirty six metre mark to the halfway mark with approximately 65% of Majah Peachey’s metres being post contact.

The 22nd minute saw Majah Peachey charge onto the ball to the left of the dummy half from thirty metres out from his own try line and after spinning counter clockwise to get the ball six metres downfield Majah Peachey executed an impressive right arm flick off-load to his right.

As a result of his performance Majah Peachey was named in the second row in the Courier Mail 2024 CC Cup Round Two Team of the Week.

Majah Peachey also started at right second row in Round Three against the Burleigh Bears with Majah Peachey running onto the ball to the left of the dummy half in the 2nd minute to carry the ball from thirty nine metres from the try line to within twenty eight metres.



The 58th minute then saw Majah Peachey run onto the ball to the left of a Wynnum Manly penalty restart from eleven metres inside his own territory to nine metres inside Burleigh territory with approximately 75% of the metres gained being of the post contact variety.

Majah Peachey then started from the bench in Round Four against the Souths Logan Magpies and after coming onto the field late in the first half Majah Peachey in the 26th minute ran onto the ball to the left of the play the ball and was able to get the ball from sixteen metres from his own try line to thirty one out with 60% of the metres being post contact.

The 28th minute saw Majah Peachey receive the ball wide out on the right side of the field sixteen metres out before cutting inside to get within two metres of the try line before being awarded a penalty for a strip of the ball in the tackle. Then in the 36th minute from the right of the play the ball Majah Peachey made a yardage carry from ten metres from his own try line to the twenty metre mark.

From the left of a Wynnum Manly penalty restart in the 37th minute Majah Peachey was able to get the ball from thirty metres from his try line to forty one metres out and then in the 43rd minute from the right of the play the ball Majah Peachey broke a tackle as he got the ball from twenty metres to thirty eight metres from his own try line.

Majah Peachey was back in the starting line-up at right second row for Round Five against the Brisbane Tigers with Majah Peachey recording a try assist in the 56th minute when after taking possession of the ball ten metres from the try line and to the left of the play the ball (but to the right of the goal posts) Majah Peachey cut back towards the area behind the marks by way of a left foot step and when still four metres from the try line and after being engaged by four defenders Majah Peachey was able to get his right arm free and after raising his arm above his head Majah Peachey was able to off-load the ball behind him to his fullback who darted to his left to score.

Majah Peachey also recorded a line break in the 55th minute when after two others Wynnum Manly defenders dropped off a tackle, Majah Peachey executed a one on one strip as he was taking the Tigers player to ground in the centre of the field and thirty metres from his own try line. After coming up with the ball Majah Peachey was the only player who played to the whistle as he raced past multiple stationary Tigers players who were expecting the referee to blow his whistle for some reason as Majah Peachey blew past them with Majah Peachey careering downfield only to be brought to ground from behind a metre short of the try line mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.

From the left of the play the ball in the 15th minute Majah Peachey broke two tackles as he targeted the area behind the play the ball from the left of the dummy half as Majah Peachey was able to run the ball from twenty metres to thirty six metres from his own try line. Also in the 20th minute from a Wynnum Manly penalty restart Majah Peachey carried the ball from forty metres to within thirty metres of the try line.

Majah Peachey followed those runs up in the 30th minute with an effort from two passes to the right of the play the ball with Majah Peachey breaking two tackles after stepping inside off his left foot to get the ball from thirty four metres from the try line to twenty two metres out. Then in the 36th minute also from two passes to the right of the play the ball and four metres inside Tigers territory Majah Peachey skipped to his right and made eight metres before drawing one defender and off-loading to his right to his straight running right centre.

After being involved in the opening tackle of the match Majah Peachey also made a strong grappling tackle in the 37th minute to force the Tigers players to lose the ball forward just eleven metres from the try line.

Majah Peachey continued at right second row in Round Seven against the Redcliffe Dolphins and in the 10th minute after running onto the ball to the right of the dummy half Majah Peachey carried the ball from twenty metres from his own try line to thirty one metres out with Majah Peachey breaking a tackle along the way.

At the conclusion of the 2024 CC Cup season Majah Peachey received a Courier Mail 2024 CC Cup Wildcard Award.

Majah Peachey lined up in a Titans jersey for the first time in mid-April 2023 when Majah Peachey started at left second row 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 with Majah Peachey making the third hit-up of the match from two passes to the right of the play the ball to get the ball out to the forty two metre mark.

In the 5th minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball and thirty five metres from the try line Majah Peachey carried the ball eight metres towards the try line before getting an off-load away to his right winger to keep the movement progressing. Then in the 13th minute ran onto the ball to the left of the dummy half and was able to get the ball from eleven metres out from his try line to twenty two metres out.

Also in the 18th minute from the left of the play the ball Majah Peachey rumbled forward from twenty two metres from the try line to within four metres after cutting back to his right to target the area behind the play the ball with approximately 75% of Majah Peachey’s metres gained being post his contact with the New Zealand defensive line.

Then in the 21st minute after running an underneath route to the right of the play the ball thirty four metres from the try line, Majah Peachey carried the ball to within five metres of the halfway mark before engaging the defensive line. Majah Peachey was then able to use his strength to break away from two defenders and continue his run to his right and get the ball eight metres into New Zealand territory.

Majah Peachey continued his strong match in the 44th minute with a great take of a New Zealand attacking chip kick on the full just two metres out from his own try line and directly in front of the posts with Majah Peachey then able to still make fourteen metres downfield to get the ball to sixteen metres out from his own try line in the centre of the field.

From a Titans twenty metre tap restart in the 46th minute Majah Peachey ran to his left and after running straight over the top of one defender Majah Peachey was able to carry the ball out to the forty metre mark.

Day One of the 2023 QSSRL U15 State School Boy Championships saw Majah Peachey start at left second row for the Met East School Boy Rugby League U15 side against Met West with Majah Peachey scoring a powerhouse solo try in the 45th minute when from thirty two metres out and to the left of the play the ball Majah Peachey ran an underneath route bursting through three attempted tackles before Majah Peachey veered to his left and easily outpaced the Met West cover defence to score seven metres in from the left corner post.

Majah Peachey also made a line break in the 41st minute when from the right of the play the ball and twenty metres out from his own try line Majah Peachey cut to his left upon receipt of the ball and after breaking an incredible six tackles as Majah Peachey carried the ball two metres into Met West territory.

Majah Peachey, in the 5th minute from a penalty tap restart seven metres from the halfway mark Majah Peachey forced his way loose of one tackle and just kept rumbling forward to get to thirty metres from the try line. Then from another Met East penalty tap restart in the 10th minute Majah Peachey charged from his own thirty four metre mark to the halfway mark.

Once again from a Met East penalty tap restart in the 13th minute Majah Peachey carried the ball from three metres inside Met West territory to twenty metres out from try line, breaking four tackles along the way.

Majah Peachey made a further strong effort running with the ball in the 27th minute including eaily shrugging off one defender who had attempted to tackle Majah Peachey around the chest with Majah Peachey then continuing downfield uninterrupted to within twenty metres from the try line after starting his run thirty seven metres out.

Also in the 39th minute from the left of the play the ball and within ten metres of the halfway mark, Majah Peachey made the Met West defenders work hard with another bustling run with Majah Peachey carrying the ball to thirty three metres out after making twenty seven metres through the centre of the field, and the centre of the Met West defensive line.

Majah Peachey also started at left second row on Day Two against Peninsula with Majah Peachey scoring a double with his opening try coming in the 15th minute when after taking possession of the ball forty metres from the try line Majah Peachey ran to his left and after shrugging one one attempted tackle Majah Peachey charged down the left touchline and near the try line Majah Peachey ran straight over the top of the fullback to score an outstanding solo try in the left corner.

Majah Peachey scored his second try in the 28th minute when from seventeen metres from the try line Majah Peachey received the ball two passes to the left of a Met East scrum win and after shrugging off onedefender Majah Peachey ran to his left and burst down the left touchline and even after being hit by two defenders still four metres short of the try line Majah Peachey maintained his balance and running line to crash over to score in the left corner.

Majah Peachey actually crossed the try line on a third occasion in the 42nd minute however that pass that Majah Peachey received from his right was ruled to have gone forward.

It was clear from just the 4th minute of the match that Majah Peachey was in for a big match when from the right of the play the ball and twenty five metres out from his own try line Majah Peachey crashed and barged his way fourteen metres downfield. Then just a minute later in the 5th minute Majah Peachey burst through the Peninsula defensive line from thirty five metres from the try line and then got an off-load away to his left to his left centre.

Majah Peachey surged down the left touchline once again in the 27th minute with Majah Peachey running from his own twenty metre mark to ten metres from the halfway mark. Then in the 35th minute on the left side of the field and thirty metres from the try line Majah Peachey picked up a loose Met East pass that went backwards and from a near standing start broke three tackels as he got to within eleven metres of the try line.

Majah Peachey continued at left second row on Day Three against Darling Downs with Majah Peachey scoring once again in the 9th minute when after receiving the ball ten metres in from the left touchline ten metres out, Majah Peachey just kept running to his right using multiple fends to keep beating defenders with then Majah Peachey finding a gap and crashing over to score mid-way between the try line and goal posts on the right side of the field.

Inside the opening minute of the match from three metres inside his own territory Majah Peachey ran onto the ball from a Met East penalty tap restart and after slipping when he got four metres inside Darling Downs territory Majah Peachey did not concede the tackle and after getting back to his feet Majah Peachey was able to break three tackles and got the ball to within thirty two metres of the try line.

Then in the 31st minute Majah Peachey ran an underneath route from sixteen metres out and after engaging the defensive line, Majah Peachey was able to get an off-load away to his left to his centre who got within four metres of the try line.

Majah Peachey added another strong run in the 39th minute Majah Peachey, after making fifteen metres to within ten metres of the try line did well to get an off-load back inside as he was being dragged over the touchline.

Majah Peachey then started at left second row in the 2023 QSSRL U15 School Boy Grand Final against South Coast with Majah Peachey scoring in the 21st minute when after receiving an off-load twelve metres out from his right, Majah Peachey ran to his left to force his way over to score two metres in from the left corner post.

Majah Peachey also recorded a line break assist in the 7th minute when on the left side of the field and just over twenty metres out from his own try line, Majah Peachey identified that his let winger was unmarked and as soon as Majah Peachey received the ball from the inside he passed to his left for his left winger to race twenty five metres downfield to just over the halfway mark.

The 10th minute saw Majah Peachey carry the ball from the right of the play the ball to within ten metres of the try line after starting his run twenty two metres out. Then in the 20th minute from the left of the play the ball Majah Peachey carried the ball from his own thirty metre mark to nine metres of the halfway mark with Majah Peachey then able to stand in the tackle and get an off-load away.

The 31st minute saw Majah Peachey, from a penalty tap restart from on the halfway mark carrying the ball fourteen metres downfield.

Majah Peachey finished the 2023 QSSRL U15 School Boy Rugby League Queensland Championships as the equal leading try scorer with five tries and Majah Peachey was also equal fourth in terms of overall points scored with twenty four points as a result of Majah Peachey’s five tries.

At the completion of the Championships Majah Peachey was named in the 2023 Queensland U15 Maroon School Boys Rugby League side to contest the 2023 Australian U15 School Boy Rugby League Championships.

Majah Peachey started at left second row in Match One against ACT School Boys with Majah Peachey scoring the first of his two tries in the 3rd minute when from two passes to the left of the play the ball Majah Peachey pushed off one defender to charge eight metres to score ten metres to the left of the goal posts.

Majah Peachey completed his double in the 53rd minute when after flying off his own try line with the ACT play the ball less than a metre from the try line, Majah Peachey timed his run perfectly and after taking an intercept Majah Peachey ran ninety seven metres to score in the right corner.

Also in the 17th minute from a Queensland penalty restart Majah Peachey ran the ball from his own thirty metre mark to with three metres of the halfway mark with approximately 70% of the metres that Majah Peachey gained being post contact with the ACT defensive line.

Majah Peachey continued at left second row in Match Two against New South Wales Combined Independent Schools with Majah Peachey scoring in the 14th minute when after receiving the ball two passes to the left of the dummy half, Majah Peachey engaged one defender and dragged him with him as Majah Peachey continued to run to his left and after shrugging the defender off Majah Peachey was able to dive over to score in the left corner.

Majah Peachey also made a line break in the 27th minute from an underneath route to the left of the play the ball with Majah Peachey taking possession of the ball ten metres inside his own territory and breaking five tackles as he crashed and barged his way to within thirty metres out of the try line.

Majah Peachey then recorded a line break assist in the 36th minute when from ten metres out from his own try line Majah Peachey was able to push away from one defender before getting an off-load away to his left to Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu who made a line break down the left touchline to within five metres from the halfway mark. Then from the play the ball Majah Peachey ran onto the ball to the right of the dummy half and carry the ball seven metres into NSW CIS territory.

In just the 2nd minute of the match and from the left of the play the ball Majah Peachey ran the ball from forty two metres from the try line to twenty nine metres out. Then in the 7th minute from a Queensland Maroon penalty restart Majah Peachey propelled the ball from twenty eight metres from the try line to within three metres with Majah Peachey breaking three tackled over the course of his twenty five metre run that concluded mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Majah Peachey followed up with another strong run in the 10th minute down a short left blindside to carry the ball from his own fourteen metres mark to thirty two metres from his try line. Then in the 40th minute from a Queensland Maroon penalty restart Majah Peachey ran the ball from seven metres inside his own territory to ten metres inside NSW CIS territory.

All of Majah Peachey’s skills were on display including a great effort that contributed heavily to Queensland Maroon’s match winning try in the final minute. In the 48th minute with the scores locked up at 12 all, Majah Peachey took possession ten metres out and on the left side of the field and put in a short right foot grubber kick with the NSW CIS fullback forced to knock the ball over the dead ball line with Majah Peachey closing in to force a goal line drop-out with Queensland Maroon scoring the match winning try from the subsequent set of six tackles.

Majah Peachey also started at left second row in the Semi-final against Queensland White with Majah Peachey actually getting the ball over the try line in the 20th minute near the left upright but the referee ruled a double movement, it was close, very close.

Majah Peachey also made a line break in the 28th minute when after receiving the ball forty two metres from the try line, Majah Peachey pushed away from one defender and then ran to his left before charging down the left touchline to be tackled twenty metres from the try line.

Majah Peachey, in the 7th minute ran onto the ball to the left of the dummy half from six metres inside his own territory and after contacting the defensive line still inside his own territory, Majah Peachey was able to push forward until he had gotten the ball eleven metres inside Qld White territory.

In the 13th minute from a Queensland Marron penalty restart Majah Peachey charged onto the ball twenty five metres out and was able to crash and barge his way to within five metres of the try line near the left touchline and after Majah Peachey was awarded a penalty for being held now, Majah Peachey ran the ball from the restart to get the ball within three metres of the try line.

Then in the 23rd minute from the left of the play the ball Majah Peachey carried the ball from thirty seven metres from the try line to twenty two metres out with Majah Peachey then awarded a penalty for ruck interference. Also in the 26th minute from the left of the play the ball Majah Peachey was able to promote the ball from thirty metres out to forty three metres from his try line. Then in the 33rd minute from the right of the dummy half Majah Peachey charged at the try line from eighteen metres out and got within a metre of scoring.

Majah Peachey did very well in the 34th minute when after one of the Qld White replacement forwards took an intercept on the halfway mark with clear ground in front of him, Majah Peachey along with Christian Rivers ran him down to tackle him from behind and save what appeared to be a near certain try.

Majah Peachey started at left second row for Queensland Maroon in the Final of the 2023 U15 ASSRL School Boy Rugby League Championships against New South Wales Combined Independent Schools with Majah Peachey held up over the try line in the 6th minute after running out of dummy half to his left to be held up six metres to the left of the goal posts.

Majah Peachey also recorded a line break assist in the 46th minute when from the halfway mark and to the left of the play the ball Majah Peachey ran the ball eight metres downfield before off-loading to the left to his centre who raced down the left touchline.

After making the opening hit-up of the match from the kick-off Majah Peachey ran onto the ball to the right of the dummy half to get the ball from forty metres out from the try line to thirty metres out.

Majah Peachey was named to start at right second row in Round One of the 2023 U16 Cyril Connell Cup competition for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls against the Burleigh Bears with Majah Peachey making a line break in the 53rd minute when from forty two metres out from the try line Majah Peachey picked up a dropped Burleigh ball and ran to his right with Majah Peachey using a left arm fend to comprehensively get rid of one defender before charging down the right touchline before being tackled just sixteen metres out.

In the 19th minute from two passes to the right of a Wynnum Manly scrum win and forty metres out Majah Peachey, after receiving the ball easily beat the initial Bears defender with a left arm fend before carrying three more defenders ten metres downfield.

Majah Peachy made a further strong run in the 33rd minute when from twenty eight metres out from his own try line Majah Peachey charged onto the ball to the right of the play the ball and carried a number of defenders thirteen metres downfield.

From a Wynnum Manly penalty tap in the 41st minute forty metre out from the try line Majah Peachey took the responsibility of taking the hit-up with Majah Peachey making ten metres, seven of which were post contact.

Majah Peachey made another thirteen metres in the 44th minute with a strong run to the left of the play the ball that ended when Majah Peachey was tackled forty one metres out from his own try line.

Majah Peachey along with Christian Rivers made the opening tackle of the match after Wynnum Manly had kicked off to get the season underway. Majah Peachey then back up to run to his right from marker to also make the next tackle.

Then in the 21st minute Majah Peachey made a smart play whilst at marker with Majah Peachey getting around the Bears player who had played the ball to disrupt the Bears dummy half forcing him to knock the ball on thirty two metres away from his own try line.

After missing Round Two Majah Peachey was named at right second row in Round Three against the Souths Logan Magpies with Majah Peachey making a try saving tackle inside the opening minute of the match when along with Tawa-Dean Simpkins they tackled the Souths Logan left centre just two metres out from the try line and ten metres in from the right corner post.

In addition to his 1st minute try saving tackle Majah Peachey made another strong tackle in the 8th minute on the Magpies left centre from a Magpies scrum win thirty metres out. Majah Peachey was momentarily wrong footed but he quickly regained his balance to make a strong one on one tackle.

Majah Peachey made another defensive effort in the 29th minute when after one of the Magpies players made a long line break through the centre of the field Majah Peachey chased back and tackled the attacker from behind just ten metres out from the Seagulls try line.

Majah Peachey continued his strong defensive match in the 48th minute when after being isolated on the right side of the ruck against the South Logan halfback Majah Peachey did a great job mirroring the movements of the quick stepping halfback to bring him to ground twelve metres out from the try line.

Then in the 51st minute Majah Peachey raced back to make a try saving tackle just ten metres out from the Seagulls try line with Majah Peachey tackling the attacker from behind after he had initially been ankle tapped.

Impressively after playing the entire match in the extreme heat and with the game already lost Majah Peachey still made three tackles in a row in the 57th minute with the Magpies deep on the attack.

Majah Peachey’s initial strong run of the match came in the 6th minute with a fifteen metre run down the right channel from twenty five metres out to ten metres out with 67% of Majah Peachey’s metres being post contact metres.

Then in the 9th minute Majah Peachey ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball from forty metres out from his own try line with Majah Peachey bumping off two defenders to get seven metres inside Magpies territory. Then in the 15th minute Majah Peachey made ten metres to the right of a Wynnum Manly scrum win in the centre of the field and ten metres out from their own try line with Majah Peachey’s speed catching the Magpies defence off-side with a penalty ensuing.

In the 18th minute from the second hit-up after a Seagulls penalty tap restart Majah Peachey charged onto the ball thirty two metres out from his own try line with Majah Peachey able to poke his nose through the Magpies defensive line as he surged eight metres inside Magpies territory with 50% of Majah Peachey metres being post contact metres.

Then in the 19th minute from five metres inside his own territory Majah Peachey ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball and got the ball ten metres inside Magpies territory after running straight over the top of the Souths Logan lock.

Just a minute later in the 20th minute from a Wynnum Manly twenty metre tap restart Majah Peachey charged onto the ball and was engaged by the Magpies defensive line after making eight metres. At that point all bar one of the Magpies defenders dropped off the tackle as one tried a one on one steal but Majah Peachey was able to hold onto the ball and then break away from the defender and make ten more metres.

Majah Peachey made another strong run in the 33rd minute from twenty metres out from his own try line and after running into the ball to the right of the play the ball Majah Peachey was able to make sixteen metres against a set Magpies defensive line. Then after a penalty later in the same set of six tackles Majah Peachey ran off the back fence from the penalty tap restart from five metres inside Magpies territory with Majah Peachey getting to thirty two metres out from the try line.

Then in the 41st minute from the left of the play the ball and twenty metres from his own try line Majah Peachey made sixteen metres off the back of Majah Peachey refusing to submit in the tackle with Majah Peachey continuing to pump his legs to make additional metres.

Then in the 45th minute from a Wynnum Manly penalty tap restart eight metres inside his own territory Majah Peachey punched the ball twelve metres inside Souths Logan territory.

Majah Peachey’s performance saw him named at right second row in the 2023 Courier Mail CC Cup Round Three Team of the Week.

Majah Peachey then moved to left second row in Round Four against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Majah Peachey scoring in the 4th minute when after receiving the ball on the left side of the field and eight metres from the try line Majah Peachey carried two defenders over the try line to get the ball down five metres in from the left corner post.

Majah Peachey almost scored a second try in the 49th minute only to be held up over the try line when after receiving the ball three metres out from the try line and to the left of the play the ball Majah Peachey ran the ball back to his right before being held up mid-way between the goal post and corner post on the left side of the field.

Majah Peachey first strong run of the match came in just the 3rd minute from a Wynnum Manly penalty tap restart Majah Peachey charged onto the ball two metres inside his own territory with Majah Peachey breaking five tackles as he got the ball within twenty eight metres of the try line.

Then in the 5th minute from the first hit-up from the kick-off after his own try Majah Peachey ran the ball back to the twenty metre mark before stepping off his right foot to get on the outside of his opposite defender with Majah Peachey then making a twenty metre line break down the left touchline.

Majah Peachey continued his strong match in the 23rd minute with a charge from the left of the play the ball and ten metres out from his own try line with Majah Peachey running the ball towards the centre of the field and after shrugging off the Tweed Heads five eight Majah Peachey straightened up his run through the centre of the field to get the ball up to the twenty metre mark.

In the 27th minute Majah Peachey charged onto the ball from a Wynnum Manly penalty tap restart thirty four metres out from his own try line with Majah Peachey eventually being tackled on the halfway mark.

Majah Peachey made a try saving tackle in the 26th minute on the Tweed Heads halfback with as the halfback was diving over to score under the posts, from his back right quadrant Majah Peachey came over the top with his right hand hitting the ball and forcing it loose just centre metres from the ground.

Majah Peachey then produced a smart piece of play in the 48th minute when from the marker position Majah Peachey was able to harass the Tweed Heads dummy half forcing him to knock the ball on and turning the ball over to put Wynnum Manly immediately on the attack.

Majah Peachey continued at left second row in Round Five against the Brisbane Tigers with Majah Peachey scoring an outstanding solo try in the 19th minute when from two passes to the left of a Wynnum Manly scrum win in the centre of the field and twenty metres out, Majah Peachey received the ball and stepped off his right foot to beat the Tigers right centre (No. 3) with pace before a left arm fend beat the Tigers right winger with Majah Peachey then racing down the left touchline to dive over to score in the left corner.

Then from the second hit-up from the subsequent kick-off, from twenty metres out from his own try line Majah Peachey charged onto the ball to the right of the play the ball and then immediately cut back to his right with Majah Peachey breaking two tackles as Majah Peachey rumbled twenty metres down the left touchline.

Majah Peachey also recorded a try assist in the 39th minute when after receiving the ball six metres out and on the left side of the field, Majah Peachey drew in two defenders and got an off-load away to his left for his winger to score in the corner.

From the subsequent kick-off Majah Peachey took the first hit-up and after charging over the top of one defender and holding another off with a left arm fend the ball was stripped from Majah Peachey’s grasp after he had gotten to the thirty metre mark.

Majah Peachey also recorded a line break assist in the 53rd minute when from a play the ball twenty metres out from the Wynnum Manly try line and in the centre of the field Majah Peachey received the ball to the right of the play the ball and after running to his right to get on the outside of one defender Majah Peachey stepped off his left foot to beat another defender before drawing the Tigers left winger and passing to his right to put his winger away down the right touchline.

Majah Peachey was in the match in the opening seconds when he was involved in the opening tackle of the match after Wynnum Manly had kicked off.

The first of Majah Peachey’s strong runs in the match came in the 7th minute when two passes to the left of a Wynnum Manly scrum win Majah Peachey received the ball ten metres from his own try line and after Majah Peachey broke three tackles he was forced onto his knees but as he was not held Majah Peachey got back to his feet quickly and beat another two defenders to get within five metres of the halfway mark.

Majah Peachey did very well defensively in the 52nd minute when after the Tigers left centre (No. 4) made a line break through the centre of the field Majah Peachey chased him down from behind to bring him to ground forty metres out from the Tigers try line.

Majah Peachey made a smart play in the 45th minute by way of a one on one strip in the centre of the field with the Tigers on the attack just twenty metres out from the try line. Majah Peachey, after stripping the ball was able to make five metres downfield.

Majah Peachey also started at left second row in Round Seven against the Redcliffe Dolphins however Majah Peachey moved to right second row in the early minutes of the second half before switching back to the left not long after.

The 9th minute saw Majah Peachey record a line break and try assist in relation to the same run. After receiving the ball from on off-load on his inside three metres inside Redcliffe territory near the left touchline, Majah Peachey was then able to use a left arm fend to get on the outside of the Dolphins eight winger and then charge down the left touchline. After getting to within thirteen metres of the try line Majah Peachey was engaged by the Redcliffe fullback and another defender but Majah Peachey was able to get his right arm free and after raising it above his head Majah Peachey was able to get an off-load away to his left for his winger to score in the left corner.

Majah Peachey almost scored himself in the 23rd minute only to be held up over the try line mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field after Majah Peachey had received the ball ten metres out and stepped off his left foot to beat one defender before being held up over the try line by three more.

Majah Peachey recorded another line break in the 36th minute when after taking possession of the ball twenty seven metres out from the try line and down a left blindside Majah Peachey burst through the attempted tackle of two defenders before charging down the left touchline to within eleven metres of the try line.

Majah Peachey recorded his third line break in the 53rd minute when after receiving the ball from his right and forty metres out from his own try line Majah Peachey burst through the gap between two defenders and charged down the left channel and only being brought to ground twenty five metres out from the try line.

Majah Peachey’s first strong hit-up of the match came in the 4th minute when from a Wynnum Manly penalty tap restart five metres inside his own territory with Majah Peachey then stepping off his right foot to beat a charging defender as Majah Peachey got the ball five metres into Dolphins territory.

Majah Peachey engaged the Redcliffe right sided defensive line once again in the 45th minute when after receiving the ball twenty metres out two passes to the left of the play the ball Majah Peachey was hit by two defenders almost immediately but Majah Peachey was able to extract himself from their attempted tackles and continue his run down the left channel with Majah Peachey then able to get his left arm free above his head a execute a flick off-load to his left winger.

Majah Peachey finished the 2023 CC Cup season equal second in terms of line breaks with six. Majah Peachey also ran for 635 metres at a per game average of 127 metres and recorded two try assists.

Majah Peachey’s performances over the course of the 2023 U16 Cyril Connell Cup season saw Majah Peachey named on the bench in the 2023 Courier Mail Cyril Connell Cup Maroon Team of the Season.

2023 saw Majah Peachey line up in the Walters Cup School Boy Rugby League competition for Mabel Park State High School with Majah Peachey starting at left second row in Round One against Redcliffe SHS with Majah Peachey being involved in the opening two tackles of the match to get his school boy rugby league season underway immediately.

Majah Peachey was heavily involved in Mabel Park SHS’s 22nd minute try when after receiving the ball on the left side of the field around five metres from the try line, Majah Peachey engaged the defensive line and whilst pushing forward Majah Peachey was spun around so that his back was to the try line. Majah Peachey then shovelled an off-load away behind him with Mabel Park SHS scoring in the left corner as a result.

Majah Peachey also made a long line break in the 36th minute in unique circumstances. Redcliffe SHS were attacking with the play the ball less than a metre from the try line on Mable Park SHS’s left. As the ball was being played the Redcliffe SHS dummy half was not looking at the ball and was still trying to organise who he was going to pass the ball to. Majah Peachey darted off the try line, picked up the ball and charged downfield to get within twenty metres of the try line down the opposite end of the field near the left touchline for a seventy six metre gain.

Early in the match in the 16th minute to the right of the play the ball and ten metres inside his own territory Majah Peachey cut back to his right after receiving the ball and was able to carry the ball eight metres into Redcliffe SHS territory. Then in the 24th minute to the right of the play the ball once again Majah Peachey ran from twelve metres inside his own territory to four metres into Redcliffe SHS territory.

The 57th minute saw Majah Peachey charge onto the ball thirty five metres from the try line and to the left of the play the ball with Majah Peachey getting to twenty metres out before a left arm fend got rid of one defender with Majah Peachey then beating three more defenders as a result of the power of his run with Majah Peachey getting inside the ten metres mark. Majah Peachey then executed an exceptionally quick play the ball with Mabel Park SHS scoring as a result to lock the scores up at 22 all.

Majah Peachey also started at left second row in Round Two against Wavell SHS with Majah Peachey scoring in the 48th minute when from a Mabel Park SHS penalty tap restart on the right side of the field and ten metres out, Majah Peachey charged onto the ball and after running to his right, Majah Peachey broke four tackles as he charged over to get the ball down ten metres in from the corner post.

Majah Peachey continued at left second row in Round Three against PBC SHS with Majah Peachey recording a try assist in the 37th minute when after Mabel Park put in a short grubber behind the PCB SHS defensive line Majah Peachey got down low and in one movement collected the ball and threw a pass to his left with the pass being picked up by his left centre who raced eight metres to score in the left corner.

Majah Peachey also made a long line break in the 4th minute when with PBC SHS on the attack twenty two metres from the try line, Majah Peachey stole the ball one on one and then charged downfield with Majah Peachey getting to within two metres of the try line before being caught from behind.

The 29th minute saw Majah Peachey run onto the ball to the left of the play the ball twenty metres out from his own try line and even though Majah Peachey has hit by the first PBC SHS defender after making just six metres Majah Peachey was still able to get the ball out to the thirty seven metre mark.

Then in the 35th minute once again to the left of the play the ball and forty metres from his own try line Majah Peachey made sixteen metres to within twenty four metres of the try line, breaking two tackles along the way with 60% of the metres gained being post contact with the PBC SHS defensive line.

Majah Peachey continued his strong match in the 38th minute from his own forty metre mark and to the left of the play the ball, Majah Peachey was hit almost immediately by one PBC SHS defender with Majah Peachey then cutting backwards his right and towards the centre of the field with Majah Peachey then able to still get the ball five metres inside PBC SHS territory.

Majah Peachey did well defensively in the 27th minute with a great chase and tackle on the PBC SHS fullback less than twenty metres out from the try line.

Majah Peachey moved to right second row in Round Four against Stretton State College with Majah Peachey scoring one try and setting up another in a big Mabel Park SHS victory.

Majah Peachey scored a great solo try in the 16th minute when after receiving the ball sixteen metres out from the try line near the right touchline Majah Peachey cut back towards the centre of the field by way of three right foot steps and when he was in front of the posts Majah Peachey straightened up his run but Majah Peachey looked like he was held when still four metres out, but Majah Peachey just would not submit to the tackle and forced his way over to get the ball down under the posts.

Earlier in the 12th Majah Peachey recorded a try assist when after running the ball down a short right blindside and after crashing and barging his way to within ten metres of the try line and with two defenders in the process of tackling him, Majah Peachey got an off-load away to his inside to put his right winger over to score.

Majah Peachey also made a line break in the 42nd minute when after receiving the ball on the right side the field and eight metres inside his own territory Majah Peachey cut back towards the centre of the field and broke four tackles as Majah Peachey rumbled his way to the thirty metre mark in the centre of the field.

Majah Peachey’s initial strong run of the match came in the 8th minute from a kick-off return with Majah Peachey taking possession of the ball twenty six metres away from his own try line and getting eh ball to within six metres of the halfway mark.

Then in the 28th minute when from twenty four metres out from his own try line to the right of the play the ball Majah Peachey did exceptionally well to take the low pass cleanly with Majah Peachey then cutting back towards the centre of the field to get to the thirty eight metre mark with Majah Peachey then getting a right arm off-load away to his left.

Majah Peachey rounded out his strong match in the 47th minute with a strong run of the ball from two passes to the right of the play the ball from thirty metres out from his own try line to within three metres of the halfway mark.

Majah Peachey also did damage defensively against Stretton State College including in the 30th minute with a driving right shoulder tackle on the Stretton State College No. 14 with Majah Peachey driving the interchange forward three metres downwards and onto his back ten metres inside Mabel Park SHS territory. Then in the 33rd minute when facing a two player overlap twenty metres out from his own try line, Majah Peachey flew out of the defensive line and hit the Stretton State College fullback just as he took possession of the ball to immediately shut down the Stretton State College attacking effort.

Majah Peachey continued at right second row in Round Five against Caloundra SHS with Majah Peachey scoring in the 45th minute when after receiving an off-load on the inside of a Mabel Park SHS line break down the right touchline, Majah Peachey had a thirty five metre uninterrupted run to score under the posts.

Majah Peachey also recorded a try assist in the 29th minute when after getting to within fifteen metres of the try line down the right channel Majah Peachey got a right arm flick off-load away to his right for his winger to cross wide out on the right but was able to take the ball around to score under the posts.

In the 4th minute of the match Majah Peachey from a Mabel Park SHS penalty tap restart on the halfway mark after Caloundra SHS kick off went out on the full, rumbling to twenty nine metres out from the try line.

The 11th minute saw Majah Peachey ran onto the ball two passes to the left of the play the ball and from two metres inside his own territory and broke a staggering seven tackles as he bashed and barged his way to within twenty metres of the try line in the centre of the field.

Then in the 28th minute from the left of the play the ball, Majah Peachey carried the ball from eight metres out to twenty two metres out from his own try line.

Defensively in the 22nd minute Majah Peachey was involved in holding up the Caloundra SHS No. 17 five metres to the left of the uprights.

Majah Peachey also started at right second row in Round Six against Marsden SHS with Majah Peachey involved in the opening tackle of the match from the Mabel Park SHS kick-off.

Majah Peachey took his opening hit-up of the match in just the 2nd minute with a run to the left of the play the ball from his own thirty one metre mark to within four metres of the halfway mark. Then in the 15th minute from the right of a Mabel Park SHS scrum win, Majah Peachey surged towards the try line from thirteen metres out and got within centremetres of scoring.

The 16th minute then saw Majah Peachey take possession of the ball two passes to the left of the play the ball sixteen metres from the try line and after initially being hit by a defender still twelve metres out, Majah Peachey just kept forcing his way forward to once again get close to the try line ten metres to the right of the uprights on the last tackle.

Majah Peachey ran the ball once again in the 23rd minute from the right of the play the ball and broke three tackles as Majah Peachey got the ball from forty two metres from the try line to twenty metres out. Then in the 27th minute from the left of the play the ball Majah Peachey carried the ball from his own twenty two metre mark to thirty seven metres out.

From a Mabel Park SHS penalty restart in the 29th minute thirty two metres from the try line Majah Peachey was able to make twelve metres then from another Mabel Park SHS penalty restart in the 35th minute from nineteen metres out from his try line Majah Peachey was able to get the ball to thirty metres out.

The 59th minute then saw Majah Peachey bump away from one defender when from the right of the play the ball Majah Peachey ran from eight metres inside his own territory to nine metres inside Marsden SHS territory.

Majah Peachey produced a momentum swinging play in the 26th minute when with Mabel Park SHS under pressure whilst defending their own try line for a long period Majah Peachey executed a one on one strip just three metres from his own try line to completely change the momentum of the match.

Majah Peachey continued at right second row in Round Seven against Keebra Park SHS with Majah Peachey making a line break in the 8th minute when Majah Peachey broke through the Keebra Park SHS defensive line to the right of the play the ball from thirty metres out from the try line with Majah Peachey charging towards the try line but two metres out the Keebra Park SHS was able to dislodge the ball from Majah Peachey’s grasp.

Majah Peachey also recorded a line break assist in the 54th minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball when after Majah Peachey carried the ball from his own thirty three metres mark to within eight metres of the halfway mark, Majah Peachey got a good ball away to his right with two defenders on him to send his support runner on a thirty metre run downfield.

In just the 2nd minute of the match Majah Peachey, from the left of a Mabel Park SHS scrum win Majah Peachey got the ball from his own twenty metre mark out to the thirty metre mark. Then in the 29th minute from the right of the play the ball Majah Peachey ran the ball from his own eleven metre mark to the twenty four metre mark after cutting back towards the centre of the field. Majah Peachey rounded out a strong match in the 40th minute with a run that got the ball to within six metres of the try line after a twelve metre run.

At the completion of the competition Majah Peachey was named as an emergency in the Courier Mail 2023 Walters Cup School Boy Rugby League Team of the Year.

2023 also saw Majah Peachey line up for Logan Brothers in the Brisbane Junior Rugby League U16 Division One competition with Majah Peachey starting Round Two against Norths in the second row before moving to the centres in his remaining matches including Week One of the Finals against Souths.

Majah Peachey scored six tries in the 2023 BJRL U16 Division One competition including a double in Round Eight against Carina, with Majah Peachey also scoring in Round Two against Norths, Round Three against Easts, Round Ten against Redlands and Round Fourteen against Souths.

Majah Peachey started in the centres in Week One of the Finals and dominated including scoring four tries and kicking a conversion in a big 62 – 12 victory against Souths.

Majah Peachey also started in the centres and scored a hat trick in Week Two of the Finals against Norths.

Majah Peachey continued his outstanding form including scoring a first half double after starting at right centre in Logan Brothers Preliminary Final victory against Redcliffe. Majah Peachey scored his first try early in the first half through an eight metre run including a tackle break to get the ball down five metres in from the right corner post with Maj Peachey’s second try coming late in the first half as a result of a twelve metre run down the right touchline to score in the corner after using a left arm fend to beat two Dolphins defenders who were looking to force Majah Peachey over the touchline.

Majah Peachey then started at right centre for Logan Brothers in the 2023 GBJRL U16 Division One Grand Final against Norths with Majah Peachey receiving the ball to the left of a Logan Brothers scrum win in the 7th minute five metres out from his own try line with Majah Peachey propelling the ball to the centre of the field and breaking three tackles before Majah Peachey was awarded a penalty for a strip with more than one defender in the match.

The 17th minute then saw Majah Peachey carry the ball from a Logan Brothers penalty restart from thirty six metres from the try line to twenty metres out. Then in the 22nd minute from the left of the dummy half Majah Peachey was able to get the ball ten metres away from his own try line after commencing his run right on his own try line. Majah Peachey followed up with another run in the 27th minute from the right of the play the ball with Majah Peachey producing a yardage carry from two metres from his own try line to thirteen metres out.

In the 34th minute from the right of the play the ball and eight metres inside his own territory Majah Peachey engaged the Norths defensive line on the halfway mark and after pushing away from three defenders Majah Peachey ran back towards the right touchline to get the ball four metres inside Norths territory before Majah Peachey received a penalty for interference in the play the ball.

In the 39th minute from the right of the play the ball Majah Peachey ran the ball down a short blindside from ten metres inside his own territory with Majah Peachey breaking three tackles as his promoted the ball to four metres into Norths territory.

Majah Peachey also produced a try saving tackle on the left winger near the Logan Brothers right corner post with Majah Peachey’s tackle forcing an errant pass by the Norths left winger back inside leading to Logan Brothers talking possession.

Majah Peachey also played one regular season match off the bench and scoring for Logan Brothers in the GBJRL U15 Division One competition in Round Four against Aspley. Majah Peachey was also named on the bench in Week Two of the Finals against the Souths Acacia Ridge Magpies.

At the end of the 2023 GBJRL season Majah Peachey received the Logan Brothers Roy Jervis Special Achievement Award at the Logan Brothers Awards Presentation Day.

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

Even though Majah Peachey was still U14 eligible in 2022 he played for the Rockingham Sharks in the Western Australian U15 Junior Rugby League Competition including starting in the second row in the Sharks 20 – 10 Grand Final victory over the South Perth Lions.

In late 2022 Majah Peachey played in the U14 Queensland Māori trials and was named the Tuakana South and West Most Valuable Player with Majah Peachey subsequently named in the 2022 Queensland Māori U14 squad for the QPICC Cultural Carnival that was held in Beenleigh in Brisbane’s south.

2022 also saw Majah Peachey play for Rockingham High School in a number of School Boy Western Australian Rugby League competitions.

Majah Peachey, in 2021 played for the Rockingham Sharks in the Western Australian U14 Junior Rugby League competition (U13 eligible at the time) and Majah Peachey had a strike rate in the vicinity of a staggering 300%. Majah Peachey was also named the 2021 Western Australian Junior Rugby League Player of the U14 Grand Final.

2022 was not the first representative side that Majah Peachey was selected in as in 2019 Majah Peachey was selected in the Western Australian U12 Primary School Team.

Majah Peachey is an outstanding athlete and this can be seen when he is running with the football. In his carries Majah Peachey 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.

Majah Peachey 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, Majah Peachey does not try to run over defenders, but Majah Peachey runs at the gaps between defenders and uses his running speed to break through if defenders only use their arms on the tackle.

Majah Peachey 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 Majah Peachey 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 Majah Peachey has the ability to hit very hard, by setting a good base and driving through his lower body and core into his opponent. Ultimately though Majah Peachey is a strong defender with a good front on technique and good lateral movement to track and defend against smaller opponents either on the fringes or centre of the ruck.

2023 saw Majah Peachey move over from Western Australia to Queensland with Majah Peachey being U15 eligible. Majah Peachey will also play school boy rugby league in Queensland as well as line up in club U15 Division One competitions after starting the 2023 season as a key member of the 2023 Wynnum Manly Seagulls U16 Cyril Connell Cup squad. Majah Peachey will also line-up for Mabel Park SHS in the School Boy Walters Cup competition.

In 2025 Majah Peachey will start the season as part of the Wynnum Manly Seagulls U17 Cyril Connell Cup squad for the second season in a row. Majah Peachey will also continue to attend Mabel Park SHS with Majah Peachey set to start the 2025 School Boy Rugby League season in the Mabel Park SHS Langer Cup Open A side once again.

Majah Peachey is a big, strong and powerful young man who also has outstanding speed and thus I believe that Majah Peachey will continue to operate very effectively in the second row although in the short term at least Majah Peachey will also be able to play in the centres at a very high level.

With his power, size and speed, Majah Peachey has a very close similarity in playing style to the Titans own Queensland second rower David Fifita. Both Fifita and Majah Peachey are outstanding and brutal runners of the ball on the fringes of the ruck (and wider) and both also can more than handle themselves in relation to their defensive duties both from an initial contact and tackling efficiency perspective.
 
Ryder Nelson. Ryder Nelson was part of the Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad in 2025 and was part of the first trial against the Northern Tigers with Ryder Nelson starting on the wing.

In late September 2023 Ryder Nelson was named in the 2024 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad with Ryder Nelson part of the Northern Rivers Titans U16 squad that defeated the Greater Northern Tigers in their first 2024 trial.

Round One of the 2024 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition saw Ryder Nelson named at fullback for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights with Ryder Nelson scoring an outstanding solo try in the 11th minute. With a Titans scrum feed thirty metres from the try line and to the left of the goal posts Ryder Nelson who had been lined up behind the scrum ran to his right and after receiving the ball from Ethan Alcorn, Ryder Nelson continued to run to his right before slicing between the Newcastle left centre and left winger with Ryder Nelson then racing away to dive over to score the opening try of the match under the posts.

Ryder Nelson also made a good kick return in the 9th minute when after taking a long Newcastle clearing kick on the full eight metres out from his own try line and directly in front of his posts Ryder Nelson returned the ball to twenty four metres out from his try line.

Ryder Nelson did well defensively in the 3rd minute with a good one on one tackle on the Knights five eight after he had made a line break with Ryder Nelson holding him up thirty metres from the try line.

Ryder Nelson also started at fullback in Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters with Ryder Nelson scoring for the second match in a row in the 37th minute when from the right of a Northern Rives scrum win in the centre of the field and eighteen metres from the try line, Ryder Nelson received a high cut out pass from his left for Ethan Alcorn and burst between defenders to race away to dive over to score ten metres in from the right corner post.

In the 30th minute from two passes to the left of a Northern Rivers scrum win thirty seven metres from his own try line Ryder Nelson was initially hit on the forty metre mark but Ryder Nelson was still able to force his way to the halfway mark before he was finally stopped.

Ryder Nelson made a number of strong kick returns against Central Coast with the first coming in the 13th minute with a kick return through the centre of the field with Ryder Nelson carrying the ball from six metres out from his own try line to twenty two metres out. Then in the 13th minute Ryder Nelson took a Roosters clearing kick on the full in front of his posts seven metres out and ran the ball back through the centre of the field to twenty two metres out.

Ryder Nelson also made one of the tackles of the match with a try saving effort in the 49th minute when he ran to his left and hit the Central Coast left second rower (No. 11) to force the ball loose just as the Roosters player was attempting to ground the ball two metres in from the left corner post.

Ryder Nelson then moved to right centre in Round Four against the Northern Tigers with Ryder Nelson scoring twice in a big Northern Rivers victory.

Ryder Nelson scored his opening try in the 13th minute when he chased through an Ethan Alcorn short grubber kick down a short right blindside with Ryder Nelson picking the ball up a metre out and near the right touchline to then put the ball over the try line in the right corner.

Ryder Nelson completed his double in the 41st minute when after charging onto a short ball to the right of a Northern Rivers scrum win still ten metres inside their own territory from Ethan Alcorn, Ryder Nelson ran into a gap and then was able to outpace the cover defence to score three metres in from the right corner post.

Ryder Nelson also recorded a try assist in the 25th minute when after receiving a cut-out pass from his left from Ethan Alcorn Ryder Nelson executed a lightning fast catch and pass to his right to put Tye Hogan-Collins over to score in the right corner.

Ryder Nelson then recorded a line break assist in the 55th minute with a smart catch and pass to his right to put Tye Hogan-Collins on a twenty metre line from forty metres from the try line down the right touchline.

In the 30th minute from an underneath route to the right of the play the ball Ryder Nelson was able to get the ball from thirty two metres from the try line to ten metres out, breaking three tackles along the way.

Ryder Nelson made a smart defensive read in the 32nd minute when facing an overlap Ryder Nelson came out of the defensive line and crunched the Tigers fullback thirty metres from the try line with Ryder Nelson’s heavy initial contact forcing a Tigers knock on.

Ryder Nelson also made a good defensive effort in the 50th minute with a big driving right shoulder tackle on the Northern Tigers left winger 9No. 2) who was return a Northern Rivers goal line drop-out.

Ryder Nelson continued at right centre in the Round Five local derby against the North Coast Bulldogs with Ryder Nelson making his initial run of the match inside the opening minute when from two passes to the right of the play the ball and from thirty metres from the try line Ryder Nelson’s effort saw him get within twenty metres of the try line.

From two passes to the right of the dummy half in the 9th minute Ryder Nelson ran the ball down a short right blindside from ten metres inside his own territory to get the ball nine metres into North Coast territory. Then in the 52nd minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball once again Ryder Nelson received the ball on the thirty metre mark and after steeping off his right foot and using a right arm fend Ryder Nelson made thirteen metres downfield.

Ryder Nelson also started at right centre in the rescheduled Round Three match against the St George Dragons with Ryder Nelson making a line break in the 58th minute when after receiving an off-load from his left from Noah Reti who had himself made a line break four metres inside St George territory Ryder Nelson ran down the right touchline before cutting inside to partially get past the Dragons fullback with Ryder Nelson then able to get an off-load away to his right for his winger to continue the movement down the right touchline to within seven metres of the try line.

Earlier in the 13th minute after receiving an off-load from his left from Noah Reti once again on the halfway mark near the right touchline Ryder Nelson cut inside to make eleven metres before being brought to ground.

At the conclusion of the regular season rounds of the 2024 Andrew Johns Cup Ryder Nelson was named as one of the Top 40 2024 Andrew Johns/Laurie Daley Cup players. Ryder Nelson also finished equal 7th on the 2024 Andrew Johns Cup try scoring list with his four tries.

Even though he was still U16 eligible Ryder Nelson made his NRRRL U18 debut for the Mullumbimby Giants from the bench in Round Twelve against the Bilambil Jets with Ryder Nelson coming onto the field in the 20th minute to play on the left wing and in the 54th minute Ryder Nelson took a Bilambil goal line drop-out on the full forty metres from the try line near the left touchline and return the ball back to the twenty three metre mark breaking a tackle along the way.

Ryder Nelson made a stunning try saving tackle in the 48th minute when he flew to his left to dive and tackle the Bilambil right winger around the legs and take him over the touchline two metres from the left corner post. Ryder Nelson made another strong tackle in the 55th minute when he moved up quickly and hit the Jets five eight around the chest and force a knock on forty metres from the try line to effect a change over of possession for the Giants.

In the 22nd minute did well to anticipate an attacking Bilambil chip with Ryder Nelson dropping out of the defensive line to cover the kick with Ryder Nelson taking the kick on the full two metres from his try line with Ryder Nelson smartly getting to ground quickly to ensure that he was not dragged into the in-goal area.

Ryder Nelson returned to TSS in 2024 with Ryder Nelson starting from the bench for the TSS School Boy Rugby First XV in there April trial against New Zealand’s Rosmini College. Ryder Nelson also started from the bench for the TSS First XV in the following weekend's trial against Shore Sydney Church of England Grammar School.

Ryder Nelson also started on the left wing (No. 14) for the TSS Second XV in their trial against Shore Sydney Church of England Grammar School prior to Ryder Nelson being on the bench for the TSS First XV also against Shore. Ryder Nelson then moved to fullback in a TSS Second XV trial against Ipswich Grammar School.

Ryder Nelson then started on the right wing for the TSS U16A side against a Gold Coast Cyclones selection with Ryder Nelson starting at fullback in a late May trial against Brisbane State High School and in an early June trial against Anglican Church Grammar School as well as Round Nine against Brisbane Grammar School.

Round One of the 2024 GPS School Boy Rugby U16A competition saw Ryder Nelson start at fullback for TSS against St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace as well as in Round Two away to St Joseph’s Nudgee College, Round Three against Toowoomba Grammar School and Round Four against Brisbane Grammar School.

In Round Five at home against Brisbane State High School Ryder Nelson continued at fullback as well as in in Round Six away to Ipswich Grammar School as well as in TSS’s bye week in a match against Downlands College and Round Eight at home to Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie).

In early June 2023 Ryder Nelson started on the right wing for the TSS U15A School Boy rugby side for their GPS trial against Brisbane Boys College and a week prior Ryder Nelson also started on the right wing in a trial against Toowoomba Grammar School.

Round One of the 2023 GPS School Boy Rugby U15A competition saw Ryder Nelson start on the right wing (N0. 14) against Ipswich Grammar School in Round Two against St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace as well as in Round Three against Brisbane State High School and Round Four against Brisbane Grammar School.

Ryder Nelson then moved to fullback for Round Five against Brisbane Boys College and continued at fullback in Round Six against Anglican Church Grammar School and Round Seven against Toowoomba Grammar School. Ryder Nelson was also named at fullback in the final round being Round Nine against St Joseph’s College Nudgee.

2023 also saw Ryder Nelson represent the Northern Region U15 School Boy Rugby League Representative side at the New South Wales Combined High School trials (CHS).

2023 saw Ryder Nelson continue to play for the Mullumbimby Giants in the Group 18 U15 competition with Ryder Nelson starting at fullback in the Grand Final against Byron Bay Lennox Head.

At the completion of the 2023 season Ryder Nelson received the Grant Cook Memorial Award for being the Mullumbimby Colts Highest Points Scorer.

Ryder Nelson was also named the 2023 Mullumbimby Colts U15 Group 18 Best Back.

The Mullumbimby Colts highly talented outside back commenced training with the Titans JTS Elite Academy Program and was part of the Titans 2022 U14 JTS High Performance Academy Group 18 squad that commenced training in November 2022.

In early December 2022 Ryder Nelson played for the Titans U14 Group 18 Academy against the Titans U14 Group One Academy in a trial match at Ballina with both teams wearing Titans jerseys in a great initiative by the Titans JTS founder and co-ordinator Jamie McCormack.

In early December 2021 Ryder Nelson played in Titans U14 Development Squad matches with the two Titans Development Squads playing each other and in early January 2022 Ryder Nelson attended a Titans JTS Elite U15 Development Camp on the Gold Coast even though Ryder Nelson was still U14 eligible in 2022.

In 2022 Ryder Nelson played for the Mullumbimby Giants in the Group 18 U14 competition with Ryder Nelson being named the 2022 Mullumbimby Giants U14 Best Attacking Player after a stellar campaign which saw Ryder Nelson one of the top if not the top try scorer in the entire Group 18 U14 competition.

Ryder Nelson also played rugby league for Mullumbimby High School in 2022 and in the U14 Buckley Shield School Boy Rugby League Competition Ryder Nelson recorded an eighty metre intercept try against Newcastle’s Kurri Kurri High School.

Ryder Nelson also represented Mullumbimby High School and with fellow 2022 Titans JTS U14 Group 18 Elite Academy squad member Aiden Gersh was a member of the winning U14 4 x 100 relay team at the North Coast Athletics Carnival. Ryder Nelson along with Aiden Gersh then went on to run the U14 4 x 100 metre relay event at the New South Wales Schools Athletic Championships.

Ryder Nelson also played for the Mullumbimby Giants in 2021 in the Group 18 U13 competition with Ryder Nelson receiving the Best and Fairest Award at the 2021 Mullumbimby Colts U13 Awards Presentation. Like in 2022 Ryder Nelson was also one of the top try scorers in the 2021 Group 18 U13 competition.

Ryder Nelson has very good and explosive speed off the mark, which I would consider above average to plus for a centre and can break to the outside quickly, couple that with long arms, which Ryder Nelson uses to great effect with a powerful fend makes him difficult to tackle in any one on one situation.

When opposing centres are able to get hold of him, Ryder Nelson usually is able to maintain his balance and keeps an arm free, looking to offload to either his inside or outside support.

Ryder Nelson has more tools though than just an in and away, he will also use his size and strength to run straight over smaller opposing centres as well as also having the skill to step back inside of the defender if the defender is pushing to the outside too early.

Ryder Nelson also has a powerful fend which has served him well in recent seasons with his natural strength is just another impressive attribute in his arsenal.

A real positive for me is that Ryder Nelson can also run a good inside shoulder line due to the fact that he maintains his spacing in the back line and will quickly identify where his direct opponent is ling up to determine whether it is appropriate to run an inside or outside shoulder line or a “crash” line for that matter, Ryder Nelson certainly has the courage to run that line regularly which not everybody has.

As you would expect, due to his size and strength, Ryder Nelson is a very good defender regardless of position. He will not necessarily hit hard but is definitely aggressive and Ryder Nelson is very good at mirroring the movement of the opposing centre and wrapping him up ball and all.

Ryder Nelson is also quick enough to recover and chase if the opposing centre gets on the outside and his long reach is also a positive attribute in those situations.

From a team defensive methodology stand point, Ryder Nelson seems to be very comfortable in a sliding defensive scheme where he can use his speed and body control to their best advantage in though he can be an intimidating presence when Ryder Nelson chooses to come out of the line to interrupt the attacking movement immediately prior to its development.

2025 will see Ryder Nelson play for the Mullumbimby Giants in the NRRRL U18 competition with Ryder Nelson also U18 eligible in 2026. 2025 will see Ryder Nelson continue to attend the The Southport School (TSS) where Ryder Nelson will be for a TSS First XV GPS School Boy Rugby debut. Ryder Nelson will start the 2025 season as a member of the Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad and will also be U18 eligible in 2026.

Ryder Nelson is an exceptional talent both at fullback and at left centre and at present Ryder Nelson has NRL level talent at both. It could well be that Ryder Nelson settles at centre in the short term before moving permanently to fullback later in his career.

From an NRL player comparison perspective, Ryder Nelson has similar traits to Sydney Roosters and New Zealand International star centre, five eight or fullback Joseph Manu. Like Manu, Ryder Nelson is a big strong powerful and immensely skilful player who will not be beaten in a one on one contest in attack or defence.

Ryder Nelson is just a powerful young man now only just learning how to translate and direct that natural strength and power consistently on a rugby league field. Make no mistake, Ryder Nelson is a freakish, generational type rugby league talent.
 
Jonah Bell. In early 2025 front rower Jonah Bell signed a multi-year contract with the Titans.

In 2024 Jonah Bell played for Wavell SHS in the School Boy Rugby League Renouf Cup competition.

2024 also saw Jonah Bell play for the Aspley Devils in the GBJRL U14 Division One competition including starting in the front row in the Devils 20 -14 Grand Final victory against the Albany Creek Crushers.

In addition to the Grand Final Jonah Bell played twelve more match in the 2024 GBJRL U14 Division competition starting all in the front row with his first appearance coming in Round Two against Logan Brothers. Jonah Bell finished with three tries including a double in Round Seven against the Souths Magpies with Jonah Bell also scoring in Round Nine against the Easts Tigers.

The young front rower acts as the heartbeat of his team through the centre of the field. Ever reliable, Jonah Bell gets on with his job with minimal fuss. Whilst Jonah Bell runs hard at the defensive line he has some subtly about his running style and Jonah Bell has an outstanding off-load which Jonah Bell able to execute when engaged by multiple defenders.

In 2024 Jonah Bell dominated the competition because of his game breaking plays with his offloads, line breaks and tackle busts. The opposition repeatedly struggled to get Jonah Bell down to the ground, with his quick play-the-balls resulting in plenty of momentum for his playmakers.

Jonah Bell has a huge engine, playing more minutes than just about every other prop in the competition and Jonah Bell also proved to be incredibly reliable and consistent throughout the 2024 season.

Jonah Bell’s line speed in defence sets the standard which the rest of his teammates follow and Jonah Bell’s heavy initial contact also is outstanding. After moving up quickly, Jonah Bell drives hard into the opposition forward with his shoulder and Jonah Bell will then finish off the tackle on the ground, winning the wrestle as they say to slow down the momentum of the opposition play the ball and subsequent attacking play.

Defensively Jonah Bell also tracks the ball across the field well to ensure that he is in position to make the tackle if the opposition play makers bring a ball runner back underneath. That is something that not all young forwards do on a regular basis.

2025 will see Jonah Bell continue at Wavell SHS moving up to the School Boy Rugby League Hancock Cup competition and Jonah Bell will push for a spot in the Met North School Boy Rugby League U15 Representative side for the 2025 QSSRL U15 State Championships. Jonah Bell will also continue to play for the Aspley Devils in the GBJRL U15 Division One competition.

Jonah Bell is a front rower, full stop.

From a player comparison perspective for Jonah Bell, think of someone along the lines of a young version of former Sydney Roosters and New Zealand International Jarred Warea-Hargreaves and a big strong powerful front rower who is as skilful as he is intimidating.
 
Harry Chadburn. In November 2022 Harry Chadburn was named in the New South Wales Junior Blue’s squad for a two day camp which featured sessions taken by former NSW State of Origin coach Brad Fittler.

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

After missing the opening rounds of the 2024 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition Harry Chadburn was named at five eight for the Northern Rivers Titans in their Round Four match against the Northern Tigers with Harry Chadburn kicking a conversion in the 13th minute to convert Ricco Waitititi’s try from four metres in from the right corner post.

Harry Chadburn made a line break in the 42nd minute when after Kaleb Smith ran down a short right blindside from a Northern Rivers scrum win he passed to his right to Harry Chadburn who raced down the right touchline to get to within five metres of the try line before he was brought to ground.

Harry Chadburn also started at five eight in the Round Five local derby against the North Coast Bulldogs with Harry Chadburn scoring sixteen points from a try and six conversions from eight attempts.

Harry Chadburn scored in the 7th minute with a ninety metre intercept try. Harry Chadburn was defending on his own try line to the right of the play the ball with Harry Chadburn initially on the try line and under his own posts and as North Coast spun to the ball to their left Harry Chadburn moved up and took an intercept to run the ninety metres to score with an exaggerated dive ten metres in from the left touchline. Harry Chadburn then converted his own try.

Harry Chadburn kicked his initial conversion in the 7th minute to convert his own try from ten metres in from the left touchline with Harry Chadburn adding a second conversion from the right touchline in the 14th minute to convert a Brock Tighe try that Harry Chadburn had set up. Harry Chadburn’s third conversion arrived in the 22nd minute from directly in front to convert Robert Smith’s try with Harry Chadburn then converting Kaleb Smith’s try from seven metres to the left of the goal posts in the 38th minute.

Harry Chadburn converted another try he set up in the 43rd minute with a conversion from ten metres to the right of the goal posts to convert Ayden Byrnes try with Harry Chadburn kicking his final conversion of the match in the 56th minute to convert Jimmy McCombie’s long range try from in front of the posts.

Harry Chadburn recorded the first of his two try assists in the 14th minute with Harry Chadburn running the ball down a short right blindside and when he got within eight metres of the try line Harry Chadburn threw a cut-out pass to his right to put Brock Tighe over to score in the right corner. Harry Chadburn then converted the try from the right touchline.

Harry Chadburn recorded his second try assist in the 43rd minute when after running the ball to the right of the dummy half Harry Chadburn ran across the field to his right and at precisely the correct moment Harry Chadburn floated a perfectly weighted pass to his right when twenty four metres out to a straight running Ayden Byrnes who beat the North Coast fullback to score ten metres from the right goal post with Harry Chadburn then converting the try.

Harry Chadburn ran the ball himself in the 13th minute with an effort to the right of the play the ball to run the ball from thirty four metres from the try line to within twenty metres.

Harry Chadburn showcased his tactical kicking nouse in the 21st minute with a driving right foot kick to the right of the play the ball from ten metres inside his own territory with the ball pulling up less than a foot from the dead ball line.

Harry Chadburn continued at five eight in the rescheduled Round Three match against the St George Dragons with Harry Chadburn kicking a conversion in the 15th minute from five metres to the left of the goal posts to convert Roberts Smith’s try.

Harry Chadburn also recorded two try assists with the first coming in the 25th minute when after receiving the ball ten metres from the try line Harry Chadburn ran to his right down a short blindside and when five metres out harry Chadburn drew a defender to create space for Ricco Waitititi to score just in from the right corner post.

Harry Chadburn added his second try assist in the 60th minute with a long cut-out pass to his right from eight metres out with the ball hitting Will Doyle on the chest with the winger diving over to score in the right corner.

Harry Chadburn also did well in the 58th minute when after taking an intercept forty metres from his own try line Harry Chadburn got five metres into St George territory before getting a pass away to his left to Riley Buchanan who got the ball to within thirty metres of the try line.

Harry Chadburn put in a right foot grubber kick from ten metres from the try line to his right in the 7th minute and after the ball was played at by the Dragons to was retrieved by Northern Rivers for them to get an additional set of six tackles. Harry Chadburn also put in a good kick in the 46th minute with a right foot chip over the top of the defensive line down a short right blindside from fifteen metres out with the Dragons left winger knocking the ball on in the corner just in the field of play to give the Titans a scrum feed ten metres out and in the centre of the field.

Harry Chadburn made his first 2024 NRRRL First Grade appearance on the right wing for the Bilambil Jets in Round Thirteen against the Byron Bay Devils with Harry Chadburn scoring in the 17th minute when he leapt above his opposing winger to take a bomb to his wing on the full and get the ball down in the right corner.

Harry Chadburn also made a line break in the 30th minute when after receiving a pass to his left on the halfway Harry Chadburn ran down the right touchline to thirty metres from the try line before passing inside.

Harry Chadburn also recorded a try assist in the 80th minute when after backing up a line break down the right touchline Harry Chadburn received a pass from his right and ran from twenty to fourteen metres from the try line and after drawing the Devils fullback, Harry Chadburn off-loaded to his left to Riley Loughland who scored untouched under the posts.

In just the 2nd minute after taking a Byron Bay kick on the full near his own try line and ten metres in from the right touchline Harry Chadburn ran the ball towards the centre of the field to the twenty metre mark.

Harry Chadburn also started on the right wing in Round Fourteen against Lismore Marist and in the 34th minute after taking a Marist kick on the full five metres from his own try line Harry Chadburn returned the ball to the nineteen metre mark.

Harry Chadburn continued on the right wing in Round Sixteen against the Evans Head Bombers with Harry Chadburn scoring in the 5th minute with an eighteen metre burst down the right touchline with Harry Chadburn diving three metres out and getting the ball down in the right corner in his out stretched right arm.

Harry Chadburn also recorded a try assist in the 74th minute when after making a line break down the right touchline Harry Chadburn carried the ball to within twenty metres of the try line before drawing the fullback and passing to his left to Kai Smallwood who brought the ball around to score under the posts.

In the 37th minute from wide on the right side of the field and ten metres inside his half harry Chadburn ducked under one defender to get the ball two metres into Bombers territory and then in the 65th minute Harry Chadburn burst eighteen metres down the right touchline before being brought to ground just a metre from the right corner post. Then in the 71st minute Harry Chadburn ran out of dummy to his right and broke two tackles to get the ball from sixteen to thirty metres from his try line.

Harry Chadburn also started at five eight (also spent time at fullback) in Round Seven against Lismore Marist with Harry Chadburn head and shoulders above every other player on the field in as dominant display as I have ever seen by an individual in a match.

Harry Chadburn scored in the 22nd minute with a darting run to score under the posts.

Harry Chadburn also kicked three conversions with the first coming in the 2nd minute from ten metres in from the left touchline with Harry Chadburn kicking a second conversion in the 14th minute from ten metres to the left of the goal posts with Harry Chadburn adding a third conversion in the 19th minute from eight metres to the right of the goal posts.

Harry Chadburn recorded the first of his two try assists in the 2nd minute when after taking the ball deep into the defensive line to the left of the play the ball to twenty two metres from the try line Harry Chadburn put a pass to his left onto the chest of his left centre who burst through a gap to score ten metres in from the left corner post.

Harry Chadburn added a second try assist in the 14th minute when to the left of the play the ball Harry Chadburn carried the ball to within twelve metres of the try line before throwing a short pass to his left to put his left second rower into score ten metres to the left of the goal posts.

Harry Chadburn made the first of his two line breaks in the 5th minute with a dummy to his left from seven metres inside his own territory to slice through a gap and carry the ball with within thirty four metres of the try line.

Harry Chadburn made a second line break in the 8th minute when after taking a Lismore kick on the full eight metres from his own try line Harry Chadburn immediately charged downfield to within fifteen metres of the halfway mark.

Harry Chadburn made it three line breaks in the 36th minute when after slipping under a tackle on the halfway mark Harry Chadburn beat two additional tackles to make a line break to twenty metres of the try line with Harry Chadburn then awarded a penalty after being held down for too long by a Marist defender.

Harry Chadburn also made a good run in the 11th minute running the ball down a short left blindside from thirty metres to forty five metres from the try line breaking a tackle along the way.

In the 17th minute after chasing a Jets long clearing kick Harry Chadburn smashed the Lismore right winger driving him back five metres before driving him into the ground.

Harry Chadburn started at fullback in the rescheduled Round Six match against the Lower Clarence Magpies with Harry Chadburn scoring in the 42nd minute with a long range solo effort when after running out of dummy half to his right ten metres inside his own half, Harry Chadburn used a right arm fend and a right foot step to beat multiple defenders and run down the touchline with Harry Chadburn then able to bring the ball around and place it down under the posts.

Harry Chadburn also kicked four conversions with Harry Chadburn kicking his initial conversion in the 20th minute from directly in front. Harry Chadburn added a second conversion in the 26th minute from ten metres in from the right touchline with Harry Chadburn adding another conversion in the 28th minute also from in front of the posts. Harry Chadburn then kicked his fourth conversion from four metres to the right of the goal posts in the 34th minute. Harry Chadburn came close to making it five conversions in the 10th minute when his conversion attempt from two metres in from the right touchline hit the right upright and bounced out.

Harry Chadburn recorded a try assist in the 10th minute when after running the ball to the right of the dummy half from twenty six metres to twelve metres from try line Harry Chadburn drew two defenders before off-loading to his right for his right centre to score wide out on the right side of the field.

Harry Chadburn also recorded a line break assist in just the 2nd minute with a superb catch and pass to his right on the halfway mark to put his right centre into space and after backing up Harry Chadburn was in the right place to chase an inside kick from his centre but the ball took a horror bounce when it looked certain that Harry Chadburn would collect the ball two metres from the try line and score.

Harry Chadburn forced a Lower Clarence goal line drop-out in the 4th minute with a right foot grubber kick into the in-goal from the right of the play the ball and on the left side of the field with the Magpies fullback forced to take the ball over the dead ball line.

Harry Chadburn did well in the 12th minute when after backing up a Bilambil line break Harry Chadburn received a pass from his left from Riley Loughlan on the halfway mark Harry Chadburn carried the ball twenty five metres down the right channel before passing inside to his left back to Riley Loughland.

Harry Chadburn also did well in the 37th minute when whilst defending in the defensive line just out from his try line on the right Harry Chadburn had a hard Magpies grubber kick kicked straight at him with Harry Chadburn doing well to tap the ball in the air with his right hand and then retrieved the ball two metres from his try line.

Harry Chadburn started at five eight in the rescheduled Round Three match against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Harry Chadburn kicking a conversion in the 22nd minute from next to the left goal post to convert Ayden Byrnes’s try.

Harry Chadburn came close to scoring the match winning try in the 58th minute when after taking possession of the ball to the left of the dummy half on the halfway mark Harry Chadburn put in a short right foot grubber kick which was collected by Ayden Byrnes who then ran to thirty metres from the try line and drew the fullback and passed to his right to Harry Chadburn who looked as if he would score the match winning try but was cut down by Seagulls winger Blake Togo-Murphy four metres short of the try line.

In just the 2nd minute of the match from the left of the play the ball Harry Chadburn carried the ball from fourteen to thirty metres from is try line with approximately 65% of the metres gained being post contact. Also in the 36th minute from the left of the dummy half once again Harry Chadburn made sixteen metres after receiving the ball on the halfway mark.

Harry Chadburn made a strong try saving tackle in the 44th minute with a great ball and all tackle on a straight running Seagulls right second rower to drop him to the ground three metres from the try line.

Harry Chadburn then started at halfback in Round Nine against the Kyogle Turkeys with Harry Chadburn scoring a try and kicking six conversions in a comprehensive Jets victory.

Harry Chadburn scored in the 17th minute with a run to the left of the play the ball from forty two metres out with Harry Chadburn dummying to his left and stepping off his right foot to break the Kyogle defensive line with Harry Chadburn then beating the fullback by way of a right foot step with Harry Chadburn then able to bring the ball around to place it on the ground under the posts.

Harry Chadburn kicked his initial conversion in the 4th minute from directly in front with Harry Chadburn adding a second conversion in the 7th minute from two metres to the right of the posts. Harry Chadburn made it three conversions in the 28th minute from three metres to the left of the posts with Harry Chadburn then kicking his fourth 35th minute from in front. Harry Chadburn kicked his fifth conversion in the 52nd minute from six metres to the left of the goal posts and then kicked his sixth conversion in the 54th minute from ten metres to the left of the posts.

Harry Chadburn recorded the first of his try assists in the 35th minute when after receiving an inside pass from his left from Harley Tincknell ten metres inside his half Harry Chadburn broke through the defensive line and carried the ball to within thirty metres of the try line and then after drawing the fullback passed the ball back to Harley Tincknell who brought the around to score under the posts.

Harry Chadburn made it two try assists in the 54th minute when after passing the ball to the left of the play the ball twenty three metres out, Harry Chadburn wrapped around to the left of his support runner with Harry Chadburn tapping a tough pass up in the air with his right hand and after taking possession of the ball Harry Chadburn ran the ball to within ten metres of the try line and drew the fullback and passed to his right to put his fullback over to score ten metres to the left of the goal posts.

Harry Chadburn also forced a Turkeys goal line drop-out in the 12th minute when from the left of the play the ball still seven metres inside his own half Harry Chadburn drove a hard low right foot kick into the in goal area in the right corner with Harry Chadburn the first Bilambil player downfield to tackle the Kyogle fullback in the in-goal area.

In the 4th minute from the left of the play the ball Harry Chadburn was able to get the ball from ten metres inside his territory to five metres into the Turkey’s half. Then in the 51st minute after running out of dummy half to his right Harry Chadburn broke two tackles as he ran the ball from thirty eight to twenty two metres from his try line.

Harry Chadburn started at halfback for the Bilambil Jets in Round Eleven of the NRRRL U18 competition against the Cudgen Hornets with Harry Chadburn scoring a try and kicking two conversions from as many attempts.

Harry Chadburn scored in the 12th minute when he backed up a line break to receive the ball from his right from his lock and run fifty metres untouched to score under the posts.

Harry Chadburn kicked the first of his two conversions in the 4th minute from eight metres in from the left touchline and added a second in the 56th minute from twelve metres to the right of the goal posts.

Harry Chadburn also recorded a try assist in the 56th minute when from the left of the play the ball but to the right of the goal posts Harry Chadburn from ten metres out put a short right foot (with the outside of his right foot) behind the defensive line and was picked up by a Jets team mate to dive over to score twelve metres to the right of the goal posts.

Harry Chadburn was immediately in the action in the match when he drove the kick-off to get the match underway straight down the middle with the ball bouncing just inside the dead ball line to force a Cudgen goal line drop-out.

Harry Chadburn moved back to five eight in Round Twelve against the Mullumbimby Giants with Harry Chadburn scoring in the 7th minute when after backing up on the inside of a line break by his left centre Harry Chadburn received the ball twenty eight metres out and was able to bring the ball around to score under the posts.

Harry Chadburn also kicked five conversions with the first kicked in the 7th minute to convert his own try from ion front of the posts, Harry Chadburn added a second conversion in the 10th minute also from directly in front. Harry Chadburn made it three conversions in the 29th minute also from in front and kicked a fourth in the 45th minute from five metres to the right of the posts. Harry Chadburn kicked his final conversion in the 58th minute also from in front.

In the 22nd minute from the left of the play the ball Harry Chadburn carried the ball through the centre of the field after dummying to his left to get from thirty four to forty six metres from the try line.

Harry Chadburn was back at fullback for the Bilambil Jets in Round Fifteen of the NRRRL U18 competition against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Harry Chadburn scoring the first of his two tries in the 11th minute when a Jets bomb towards the left corner was dropped by the Seagulls right winger with the ball ultimately finding Harry Chadburn who dived over to score in the left corner.

Harry Chadburn completed his double in the 60th minute with a charge out of dummy half to his right from fourteen metres out to crash over to score under the posts.

Harry Chadburn kicked the first of his two conversions in the 45th minute to convert Ayden Byrnes try from four metres to the left of posts and then converted his own try from directly in front in the 60th minute.

A minute prior to his second try, in the 50th minute Harry Chadburn made a line break down the right touchline from thirty to within five metres of the try line.

Harry Chadburn also recorded a line break assist in the 20th minute when after chiming into the Bilambil backline wide on the left side of the field Harry Chadburn ran to within forty five metres of the try line before putting his left second rower into a gap down the left touchline.

Harry Chadburn also did well defensively in the 25th minute when faced with three Tweed Heads players running at him Harry Chadburn did well to get his hand in the way of a pass to knock the ball down and prevent what seemed to be a certain Seagulls try.

Harry Chadburn started at five eight for the Bilambil Jets in the NRRRL U18 Week One Elimination Final against the Lower Clarence Magpies with Harry Chadburn kicking the first of his conversions in the 23rd minute from directly in front to convert Ayden Byrnes’s try. Harry Chadburn then kicked a second conversion in the 30th minute to convert Riley Loughland’s try also from in front.

Harry Chadburn also set up all five of the Jets tries with his first try assist coming in the 23rd minute when Harry Chadburn raced to the play the ball when there was no Jets dummy half with Harry Chadburn picking up the ball on the run to his right five metres out and to the left of the posts with Harry Chadburn then throwing a hard flat pass to his right that hit Ayden Byrnes on the chest for the hooker to crash over to score under the posts.

Harry Chadburn added a second try assist in the 30th minute when after taking a quick penalty tap forty metres from the try line Harry Chadburn stepped off his right foot to beat one defender before a left foot step beat a second with Harry Chadburn then charging to twelve metres of the try line and drawing the Magpies fullback and off-loading to his right for Riley Loughland to score under the posts.

Harry Chadburn recorded his third try assist in the 31st minute when after receiving an off-load to the left of the play the ball a smart Harry Chadburn catch and pass to his left out his fullback over to score in the left corner.

Harry Chadburn made it four try assists in the 47th minute when after receiving a pass from the dummy half ten metres out and to the left of the play the ball Harry Chadburn continued to run to his left before throwing a hard flat pass to his left to put Riley Buchanan over to score ten metres to the left of the posts.

Harry Chadburn recorded his fifth try assist in the 59th minute when after receiving the ball twenty five metres from the try line and to the left of the dummy half Harry Chadburn continued to run to his left and after beating one defender with a left arm fend Harry Chadburn threw a good pass to his left to put his left centre over to score wide on the left side of the field.

Harry Chadburn also recorded a line break assist in the 36th minute when after running the ball to the left of the play the from the centre of the field from forty eighty to forty two metres from the try line Harry Chadburn subtly stepped off his left foot before throwing a good pass to his left to put Riley Buchanan into a gap.

Harry Chadburn ran the ball himself in the 49th minute from the left of the play the ball and after dummying to his left Harry Chadburn ran from thirty to forty three metres from the try line.

Harry Chadburn started at five eight for the Bilambil Jets in the Week Two NRRRL U18 Elimination Final against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Harry Chadburn doing well in just the 2nd minute when defending just four metres from his own try line Harry Chadburn made a great clean take of a Tweed Heads grubber kick in front of his posts that was kicked straight at him.

Harry Chadburn also did well in the 10th minute when from ten metres from the try line and to the left of the play the ball Harry Chadburn put in a right foot grubber kick to his left that caused significant confusion between the Seagulls defenders in their in-goal with the ball eventually knocked dead to require a Tweed Heads goal line drop-out.

In the 17th minute from the right of the dummy half and ten metres inside his half Harry Chadburn was able to get the ball three metres inside the Seagulls territory and then in the 23rd minute Harry Chadburn produced a smart one on one steal of the ball twenty metres from his try line and carry the ball ten metres downfield.

Harry Chadburn started at five eight for the Bilambil Jets in the NRRRL U18 Preliminary Final against the Tweed Coast Raiders with Harry Chadburn kicking an outstanding 40/20 in the 56th minute from the right of the play the ball and thirty seven metres from his own try line with Harry Chadburn driving his low hard kick to his right with the ball taking one bounce over the try line thirteen metres from the right corner post.

Harry Chadburn came close to scoring in the 30th minute when from the left of the play the ball and fourteen metres from the try line Harry Chadburn continued to run to his left and was able to force his way over the try line seven metres in from the left corner post only to be forced back into the field of play by four Tweed Coast defenders.

After receiving the ball from the dummy half from his right thirty metres from the try line Harry Chadburn broke a tackle as he continued to run to his left to get within seventeen metres of the try line. Then in the 21st minute Harry Chadburn darted through the centre of the field thirty metres from the try line before getting a short right arm flick off-load away to his right.

The 45th minute saw Harry Chadburn put up a high mid-field centre field bomb forty five metres from the try line towards the right corner with the Tweed Coats left winger dropping the ball with the Jets recovering possession sixteen metres from the try line. Harry Chadburn put up another high mid-field bomb in the 49th minute from the right of the play the ball and forty metres from the try line which was knocked on by the Tweed Coast fullback and require a goal line drop-out to restart the match.

Harry Chadburn saved what looked a certain Raiders try in the 33rd minute when after the Tweed Coast dummy half made a line break through the centre of the field and set sail for the try line Harry Chadburn came from the clouds to bring the Raiders hooker down from behind just two metres out from the try line and directly in front of the posts.

Harry Chadburn started at five eight for the Bilambil Jets in the 2024 NRRRL U18 Grand Final against the Byron Bay Devils with Harry Chadburn kicking the first of his two Grand Final conversions in the 15th minute from the left touchline, Harry Chadburn then added a second conversion in the 29th minute from eight metres in from the right touchline.

Harry Chadburn recorded a try assist with a superb piece of individual brilliance in the 29th minute when from the right of the play the ball forty five metres from the try line and in the centre of the field Harry Chadburn chipped over the top of the Devils defensive line to regather his own chip kick on the first bounce and run from thirty three to twenty metres from the try line and when confronted by the on rushing Devils fullback Harry Chadburn put in a right foot grubber kick to his right for his right centre to track through and score eight metres in from the right corner post. Harry Chadburn then stepped up and nailed the conversion attempt.

Harry Chadburn kicked a great 40/20 in the 22nd minute from the right of the play the ball and thirty one metres from his own try line with Harry Chadburn’s raking right foot kick bounding over the touchline thirteen metres out from the try line.

A Harry Chadburn kick-off to his right in the 12th minute saw the ball take one bounce and go dead in-goal to force a Byron Bay goal line drop-out to restart the match.

Harry Chadburn started the 2023 season off as part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad and Harry Chadburn is also MM Cup eligible in 2024 and 2025 with the age group change for that competition starting in 2024.

Harry Chadburn made his MM Cup debut at five eight for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the Round Seven local derby against the Burleigh Bears with Harry Chadburn recording a line break assist in the 63rd minute when from thirty five metres out from his own try line Harry Chadburn took the ball to the defensive line and threw a cut-out pass to his left to put winger Matthew Barrow away down the left touchline before he was tackled on the halfway mark.

In the 28th minute Harry Chadburn put up a high right foot bomb towards the left wing from the centre of the field and twenty five metres out with the Bears winger knocking the ball on for the Seagulls to get the ball back just ten metres out from the try line.

The 2023 NRRRL U18 season saw Harry Chadburn move to the Bilambil Jets with Harry Chadburn named at fullback in Round One against the Tweed Coast Raiders with Harry Chadburn scoring early in the match as a result of some good footwork.

Harry Chadburn did well defensively in the 18th minute when after the Raiders hooker split the Jets defence through the centre of the field, Harry Chadburn raced to his right to make the one on one covering tackle from the back right quadrant ten metres from the try line.

The Round Two local derby against the Cudgen Hornets saw Harry Chadburn move to five eight with Harry Chadburn scoring in the 45th minute when Harry Chadburn chased through a Jets grubber kick into the in-goal with Harry Chadburn getting to the ball first and getting downward pressure on the ball five metres to the left of the uprights.

Harry Chadburn also recorded a try assist in the 8th minute when whilst twenty metres out and to the left of the play the ball Harry Chadburn threw a hard flat pass to his left to put his fullback into a big gap to then score under the posts.

The 51st minute saw Harry Chadburn kick a 40/20 from thirty two metres out from his own try line with Harry Chadburn’s right foot kick going into touch just two metres out from the left corner post.

Harry Chadburn had an outstanding start to the match with his kick-off going into touch to get the ball for the Jets just ten metres out from the try line with Bilambil scoring from the subsequent set of six tackles.

Harry Chadburn did well kicking the ball also in the 27th minute when his goal line drop-out went over the right touchline for the Jets to get the ball back thirty five metres out from their own try line.

Harry Chadburn also made a try saving play in the 26th minute when he tracked back to knock a dangerous Cudgen grubber kick into the in-goal over the dead ball line just in front of multiple chasers.

Harry Chadburn also started at five eight in Round Three against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Harry Chadburn kicking a conversion in a tough loss for the Jets with Harry Chadburn kicking his conversion for just to the left of the uprights in the 47th minute.

Harry Chadburn recorded a line break assist in the 30th minute when from the left of the play the ball Harry Chadburn held off one defender before off-loading to his left to put his left centre away on a thirty metre line break that saw the ball progress over the halfway mark.

Earlier Harry Chadburn had made a good run himself when in the 12th minute Harry Chadburn took a Seagulls clearing kick on the full twenty metres out from his own try line and a few metres in from the right touchline, Harry Chadburn then used smart footwork to beat the first chased downfield with a right foot step with Harry Chadburn then darting away down the right touchline before being wrestled to the ground eight metres from the halfway mark.

Harry Chadburn continued at five eight in Round Five against the Lower Clarence Magpies with Harry Chadburn kicking four conversions in a big Jets victory including an outstanding conversion from the left touchline in the 10th minute to convert a try that he had set up.

As noted Harry Chadburn recorded a try assist in the 10th minute when from the left of the play the ball and around twelve metres out from the try line Harry Chadburn threw a long cut-out pass to his left with the Jets winger collecting the ball on the bounce and scoring in the left corner.

Harry Chadburn recorded a second try assist in the 50th minute when after putting his left second rower through a gap from deep inside his own territory harry Chadburn backed up and after receiving the pass Harry Chadburn got the pass away to his left to put his centre over to score as harry Chadburn was being tackled from behind.

Harry Chadburn also made a good run in the 36th minute down a left blindside with Harry Chadburn able to make ten metres from twenty five metres out before getting an off-load away to his inside.

Round Six against Northern United saw Harry Chadburn continue at five eight with Harry Chadburn recording a try assist in the 39th minute when from the left of the play the ball and five metres from the try line Harry Chadburn threw a deft short pass to his left to put his left second rower through a gap and over to score.

In just the 2nd minute of the match harry Chadburn also threw a smart pass to his left to put his left second rower in a gap before getting the ball back on the opposite side of the second rower (a run around if you will), with Harry Chadburn then making eighteen metres to get within twelve metres of the try line.

The 9th minute saw Harry Chadburn put in a left chip towards the left corner with the Northern right winger dropping the ball for the Jets to regain possession five metres out and just in from the left touchline.

Harry Chadburn made a strong sequence of tackles in the 25th minute, the first being a driving tackle on the Northern United right second rower (No. 12) around eight metres out with the tackle needing to be made. Harry Chadburn also made the next tackle from the marker position moving to his left with Bilambil being awarded a penalty when the Northern United player negatively reacted to Harry Chadburn’s tackle.

Harry Chadburn was then named on the bench for Round Seven against the Mullumbimby Giants with Harry Chadburn playing at five eight in the second half and recording a line break assist in the 32nd minute when whilst operating to the left of the play the ball and ten metres inside Giants territory Harry Chadburn threw a high cut-out pass to his left to put his lock into a gap with Bilambil scoring later in the same movement.

Harry Chadburn made his NRRRL First Grade debut on the right wing for the Jets in Round Three against the Evans Head Bombers with Harry Chadburn doing well in the 2nd minute when he jumped high to take a kick to his wing on the bounce less than ten metres from his own try line under pressure from a number of Bombers players.

Harry Chadburn also did well in the 10th minute when he chased through a Bilambil kick into the in-goal with Harry Chadburn tackling the Bombers fullback over the dead ball line to force an Evans Head goal line drop-out.

Harry Chadburn made a good run with the ball in the 9th minute when from twenty metres out from his own try line and to the right of the play the ball Harry Chadburn was able to make ten metres against a quickly on-coming defensive line.

Harry Chadburn continued from the bench in Round Eight against the Kyogle Turkeys with Harry Chadburn coming off the bench to initially operate in the dummy half role in the 20th minute before moving to five eight in the second half.

Harry Chadburn recorded a try assist in the 27th minute when from dummy half with the play the ball less than a metre from the try line and just to the left of the uprights, Harry Chadburn stepped of his right and fired a short pass in the same direction to put his lock over to score under the posts.

Almost immediately after coming onto the field Harry Chadburn ran out of dummy half to his left from four metres inside his own territory with Harry Chadburn using a right arm fend to get rid of the marker before stepping off his right foot to beat a second defender with a second right foot step beating another before being tackled twenty three metres out from the try line.

Harry Chadburn made another strong run in the 57th minute from the left of the play the ball and five metres inside Kyogle territory with Harry Chadburn stepping off his left foot before further right and left foot steps enabled Harry Chadburn to get the ball to within thirty two metres of the try line.

Harry Chadburn did well defensively in the 24th minute to hold up the Kyogle right centre over the try line ten metres in from the left corner post and then from the subsequent play the ball ten metres out Harry Chadburn got out of marker quickly to tackle the Turkeys dummy half on the last tackle to force a change over.

Harry Chadburn was back at five eight for Round Nine against the Casino Cougars with Harry Chadburn scoring in the 32nd minute when Harry Chadburn reacted first to a Casino dropped ball to run sixty two metres to score three metres to the left of the uprights.

Harry Chadburn also recorded a line break in the 38th minute when from the left of the play the ball forty two metres from the try line Harry Chadburn ran the ball to his left at the defensive line and at the last moment after shaping to pass to his left, Harry Chadburn ran himself slicing between two defenders with Harry Chadburn then straightening up to run directly at the fullback but unfortunately Harry Chadburn’s off-load to his right went to ground.

In the 29th minute from thirty five metres out from his own try line and only eight metres in from the left touchline down a left blindside, Harry Chadburn kicked a great 40/20 with a low hard driving right foot kick that went into touch eighteen metres out from the try line.

Harry Chadburn then started at five eight in Round Ten against the Ballina Seagulls with Harry Chadburn scoring a hat trick in a Player of the Match performance.

Harry Chadburn scored the first of his three tries in the 15th minute when after backing up a Bilambil line break from deep inside their own territory down the left touchline, Harry Chadburn received the pass from his left forty metres out and after initially juggling the ball Harry Chadburn put in a right foot chip kick with the outside of his right foot back towards the centre of the field over the head of the Ballina fullback with Harry Chadburn then retrieving the ball on the second bounce to score five metres to the left of the uprights.

Harry Chadburn added a second try in the 37th minute when after the Bilambil halfback put up a mid-field bomb towards the right side of the field Harry Chadburn and took the ball on the full (slight juggle) at full speed and then ran eighteen metres to score eight metres to the left of the uprights.

Harry Chadburn completed his hat trick in the 47th minute when Harry Chadburn backed up a line break down the right touchline with Harry Chadburn receiving the ball and racing thirty eight metres to score under the posts.

Harry Chadburn had almost scored another try in the 7th minute of the match when from two passes to the left of the play the ball Harry Chadburn stepped off his left foot to beat a defender in the front line before being brought down by the Ballina fullback less than two metres from the try line and just to the left of the uprights with Harry Chadburn then being awarded a penalty for being held down.

Harry Chadburn also recorded a try assist in the 34th minute when after receiving the ball eight metres from the try line and to the right of the play the ball harry Chadburn ran the ball at the defensive line and waited until the last possible moment to put in a short right foot grubber kick into the in-goal for Tyrese Bowman to retrieve and score under the posts.

Harry Chadburn recorded a line break assist in the 54th minute when from the left of the play the ball and twenty metres out, Harry Chadburn threw a cut-out pass to his left to put his winger on the outside of his opposite number only to be brought down less than two metres from the try line.

Harry Chadburn’s range of elite kicking was on display including a 40/20 in the 18th minute with Harry Chadburn driving a right foot kick from thirty five metres from his own try line over the left touchline fifteen metres out from the try line.

Earlier in the 8th minute from the the left of the play the ball but the right of the uprights, harry Chadburn put in a right foot grubber kick to the left side of the field with the Ballina fullback forced to take the ball over the dead ball line with Ballina having to restart the match by way of a goal line drop-out.

Harry Chadburn continued at five eight in Round Twelve against the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Harry Chadburn scoring in the 20th minute when after receiving the ball and running down a short right blindside from sixteen metres out, Harry Chadburn put in a short right foot grubber kick for himself and after collecting the ball Harry Chadburn dived over to score three metres in from the right corner post.

In the 28th minute from the left side of the field Harry Chadburn put up a high bomb back towards the right with the ball taken on the full by Creedence Donovan less than a metre from the try line but the fullback was unable to get the ball over the try line.

Harry Chadburn also started at five eight against the Tweed Coast Raiders in Round Fourteen with Harry Chadburn scoring in the 28th minute when after taking possession of the ball from the left of the play the ball around twenty metres out, Harry Chadburn continued to run to his left and after dummying twice to inside runners, Harry Chadburn passed to his left to put his left centre into a gap with Harry Chadburn then backing up on the inside with Harry Chadburn receiving the ball back from his centre eight metres out with Harry Chadburn then bringing the ball around to score under the posts.

Harry Chadburn also made a line break in the 52nd minute when after taking possession of the ball to the left of the dummy half Harry Chadburn dummied to his left still ten metres inside his own territory and broke through the defensive line to make twenty one metres downfield with Harry Chadburn then awarded a penalty for being held down too long in the tackle.

The 19th minute saw Harry Chadburn, from the right of the play the ball and four metres inside his own territory drive a right foot kick into the in-goal near the right corner with Harry Chadburn chasing his own kick and tackle the Tweed Coast fullback in the in-goal area to force a goal line drop-out.

Harry Chadburn forced a second Raiders goal line drop-out in the 45th minute when on the last tackle sixteen metres out and to the left of the play the ball, Harry Chadburn ran to the right of the dummy half to take the ball on the left down a short left blindside and put a right foot grubber kick onto the in-goal with the Tweed Coast right winger tackled in the in-goal area.

Harry Chadburn started at five eight in the Week One Elimination Final against the Lower Clarence Magpies with Harry Chadburn producing a good short kick-off in the 6th minute with a kick-off to his right that bounced backwards with the Jets retrieving the ball thirty five metres out from the try line.

Harry Chadburn also made a line break in the 47th minute down the right touchline off a pass from Tyrese Bowman with Harry Chadburn’s inside pass knocked down by a Lower Clarence defender to give Bilambil the scrum feed deep on the attack.

Harry Chadburn continued at five eight in the Week Two Elimination Final against the Byron Bay Devils with Harry Chadburn recording a try assist in the 59th minute when to the left of the play the ball and fourteen metres out from the try line Harry Chadburn ran the ball deep into the Byron Bay defensive line before throwing a well weight short pass to his left to put Will Doyle into a gap and score under the posts.

Harry Chadburn did well inside the opening minute to take a hard grubber aimed directly at him from close range cleanly on the bounce just three metres out from his own try line.

Harry Chadburn put up a high chip from the right of the play the ball and to the left of the goal posts towards the right with the ball weighted perfectly to came down less than a metre from the try line and after the ball was taken on the full by the Devils, he was taken into the in-goal area by the Bilambil chasers to force a Byron Bay goal line drop-out.

Harry Chadburn’s 18th minute kick-off to his right was hit sweetly and bounced over the dead ball line to force another Byron Bay goal line drop-out. Harry Chadburn put in a right foot grubber kick from nine metres out in the 23rd minute with the bouncing ball knocked on by Byron Bay two metres out to give the Jets a scrum feed metres out and to the right of the goal posts.

Harry Chadburn also started at five eight in the Preliminary Final against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Harry Chadburn recording a try assist in the 53rd minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball fourteen metres out from the try line, harry Chadburn stepped inside off his left foot to beat a Seagulls defender who had raced out of the defensive line in an attempt to put pressure on him, with Harry Chadburn then immediately firing a cut-out pass to his left to put his left centre Will Doyle over to score in the left corner.

Earlier in the 47th minute Harry Chadburn ran the ball from five metres inside his own territory and was able to make twenty metres to carry the ball fifteen metres inside Tweed Heads territory.

The 2023 NRRRL U18 Grand Final saw Harry Chadburn start at five eight for the Bilambil Jets in their 28 – 10 Grand Final victory against the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Harry Chadburn recording a try assist in the 18th minute when after taking possession of the ball to the left of the dummy half, Harry Chadburn continued to run to his left and when twelve metres out from the try line, Harry Chadburn brought Will Doyle back underneath with the Jets left centre then crashing over to score next to the left goal post.

Harry Chadburn recorded a second try assist in the 41st minute when after backing up an Ehtan Van Gelderen line break and receiving an off-load from his left from the Jets lock, Harry Chadburn carried the ball to within eight metres of the try line before getting a smart off-load away to his left to Will Doyle with the left centre scoring wide out near the left corner post as a result.

Harry Chadburn was also heavily involved in Creedence Donovan’s 31st minute try when from the left of the play the ball and forty metres from his own try line in the centre of the field, Harry Chadburn put up a high bomb whilst was taken on the full by Bilambil left centre Will Doyle who then off-loaded to Creedence Donovan who raced down the right touchline to dive over to score three metres in from the right corner post.

Harry Chadburn created another try scoring opportunity for the Jets in the 37th minute when he ran the ball to the left of the dummy half from twenty four metres from the try line to twelve metres from the try line and after making a half break Harry Chadburn threw a cut-out pass that was destined for an unmarked Creedence Donovan on his right but one of the Murwillumbah defenders just got his hand to the ball to prevent Harry Chadburn’s pass getting to its intended target.

In the 29th minute from the left of the play the ball Harry Chadburn dummied to his left before running the ball from five metres in his own territory and was able to get the ball ten metres inside Murwillumbah territory.

Harry Chadburn also did well in the 7th minute when from the left of the play the ball and forty metres out from the try line, Harry Chadburn drove a hard right foot kick down towards the left corner and after the Murwillumbah fullback picked up the ball just out from his own try line Harry Chadburn, who was the first Jets player downfield, hit the fullback and after holding him off the ground Harry Chadburn was able to force him over the left touchline two metres out from the try line to give Bilambil six more tackles seep on the attack.

In the 57th minute from the left of the play the ball in the centre of the field and two metres inside his own territory Harry Chadburn put up a high spiralling right foot bomb that was dropped by the Murwillumbah right winger to get the Bilambil Jets an additional set of six tackles thirty metres out from the try line.

In early December 2021 Harry Chadburn was named in the 2022 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup Train-on Squad with Harry Chadburn starting at fullback and scoring in a trial at Pizzey Park against the Tweed Heads Seagulls U16 Cyril Connell Cup squad.

Round One of the 2022 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition saw Harry Chadburn start at fullback for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Macquarie Wests Tigers in Sydney’s West with Harry Chadburn scoring in the 17th minute when he was on hand to take a Zane Harrison right foot stab grubber kick to the left side of the field 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.

Harry Chadburn also kicked a great conversion from the left touchline in the 24th minute to convert a great try in the left corner by Blake Togo-Murphy. Harry Chadburn was in fact involved in setting up the try when after chiming into the backline on the left and after taking an out of the back pass from Zane Harrison, Harry Chadburn was able to draw one defender and pass to his left to centre Ricco Waititi who then put Blake Togo-Murphy over in the left corner.

It was not just in attack where Harry Chadburn had an outstanding match, he also executed the tackle of the day with a superb low diving try saving tackle in the 22nd minute when he flew across to his right to cut down a surging Wests Tigers left centre who looked destined to score.

Harry Chadburn’s impressive match reached its conclusion with a heads up play right on the final siren. The Northern Rivers Titans kicked off with seconds to go in the match and leading 22 – 20. Immediately upon taking possession from the kick off the Wests Tigers fullback chipped over the top of the oncoming Titans defensive line but Harry Chadburn had anticipated that possibility and executed a great cover defending tackle to shut the Wests Tigers “hail Mary” play down and confirm the Northern Rivers Titans victory.

Harry Chadburn also started at fullback in the Round Two local derby against the North Coast Bulldogs and threw the final pass for Noah Waldock’s 26th minute try after joining the backline on the right. In fact Harry Chadburn was heavily involved in the reason that the Titans were on the attack when Noah Waldock scored on the right.

Harry Chadburn chased through a Zane Harrison bomb on the left side of the field with Harry Chadburn getting to the North Coast right winger just as he was trying to take the bomb. With Harry Chadburn’s heavy contact forcing a knock on. Noah Waldock scored from the subsequent Northern Rivers Titans scrum win.

Harry Chadburn also converted one of the Northern Rivers Titans tries in the 35th minute when he slotted the ball between the sticks from wide out on the left to convert Charles Shephard’s try out of dummy half.

Harry Chadburn also pulled off a great try saving tackle in the 21st minute when he flew across to his right to put and force the North Coast left winger over the sideline with a try imminent.

Harry Chadburn continued at fullback for Round Three against the Greater Northern Tigers and in the 54th minute from a Northern Rivers Titans scrum win twenty metres from the line Harry Chadburn chimed into the backline wide out on the right and got to within five metres of the line before he was stopped.

Harry Chadburn also started at fullback in Round Four against the Central Coast Roosters as well as in the twice delayed final round being Round Five against the Newcastle Knights in Grafton with Harry Chadburn almost scoring in the 17th minute but unfortunately he was held up over the try line.

Harry Chadburn made the first of a number of line breaks in the 29th minute when after running back with the flight of the ball Harry Chadburn took a long Knights clearing kick on the full just fifteen metres out from the try line. Harry Chadburn who was facing his own try line when he took possession, wheeled to his right and immediately summed up the situation and charged at the oncoming Knights kick chase and burst between two of the chasers making twenty five metres to get the ball out forty metres from his own try line.

Harry Chadburn produced a great piece of defence in the 29th minute which no doubt saved a try. From deep inside their own territory Newcastle broke through the Titans right sided defensive line. Facing two Knights players Harry Chadburn stayed inside the Newcastle left centre forcing the Knights player towards the touchline. Harry Chadburn did not immediately commit to the tackle and thus when the Knights centre passed to his left to his winger, Harry Chadburn was able to slide off the initial Knights attacker and execute a low covering tackle on the winger, thus preventing a long range Newcastle try.

Harry Chadburn was then named at fullback for the Northern Rivers Titans Week One Final against St George with Harry Chadburn putting in a two try player of the match performance to lead the Titans into the Grand Final on the back of a 20 – 16 victory, with Harry Chadburn’s 57th minute try being the match winner.

Harry Chadburn’s opening try came in just the 7th minute when on the right side of the field, Harry Chadburn ran onto a long pass from his right from right from Zane Harrison. After juggling the ball Harry Chadburn secured possession and raced twenty five metres to dive over a couple of metres in from the left corner.

The Northern Rivers Titans match winning try by Harry Chadburn came in the 57th minute when he positioned himself on the left side of the field and then cut back to the right, receiving an off-load from Reuben Tamariki how had made a half break with Harry Chadburn receiving the ball ten metres out, beating one defender and then forced himself over the line directly under the posts to give the Northern Rivers Titans back the lead that they ultimately held onto to qualify for the 2022 Andrew Johns Cup Grand Final.

Harry Chadburn was also heavily involved in the Blake Togo-Murphy’s 9th minute outstanding Titans 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 Watititi 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.

Harry Chadburn did not just score tries in the final he also saved them when he produced an outstanding try saving tackle in the 39th minute. The St George left centre split the Northern Rivers Titans right sided defensive line and only had Harry Chadburn to beat but even trying a left foot step was not enough to beat Harry Chadburn one on one with Harry Chadburn cutting him down with a great left shoulder low tackle three metres out from the try line.

Harry Chadburn also started at fullback for the Northern Rivers Titans in the 2022 U16 Andrew Johns Cup Grand Final against the Wests Tigers with Harry Chadburn scoring the Northern Rivers Titans opening try in their great heart stopping Grand Final success.

In the 20th minute Harry Chadburn inserted himself into the Northern Rivers Titans backline on the left side of the field and after receiving a cut out pass in space from Zane Harrison, harry Chadburn dummied to his left to create room to slice through the defensive line before producing a great left foot step to leave the Tigers fullback grasping at thin air to cross the line and score ten metres to the left of the uprights.

Harry Chadburn made a significant contribution to the Northern Rivers Titans cause in just the 11st minute when he along with Ricco Watititi held up the Wests Tigers right centre to prevent the Tigers getting away to a big lead early in the match.

When the opposition makes a line break, the loneliest person on the field is the opposition fullback and Harry Chadburn found himself in that position on a number of occasions in the Grand Final but he stood up to the challenge on each occasions. The first of the said occasions came in the 36th minute when very close to his own line he brought down his opposite number with a great low tackle.

Then again in the 38th minute Harry Chadburn was faced with the same situation and once again he stood his ground and brought down the Wests Tigers No. 14 with a great low one on one tackle after he had split the line.

Harry Chadburn continued his great defensive match in the 42nd minute when he along with Ricco Watititi chased a Titans clearing kick downfield and was able to force the Wests Tigers right winger six metres backwards in a dominant tackle.

Post the 2022 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition Harry Chadburn was named in the New South Wales Country U16 side that took on a New South Wales City U16 selection in Mid-May.

Harry Chadburn started the match at fullback and in the 15th minute Harry Chadburn threw the last pass for his left centre to score in the corner.

In 2022 even though he was still U16 eligible Harry Chadburn was part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls U18 NRRRL side, coming off the bench in Round One against the Byron Bay Devils and operated in the halves when he came on in the 20th minute in an outstanding 20 – 12 first up victory.

Harry Chadburn made a great play in the 31st minute when after Zane Harrison put in a kick to the corner from near the halfway, harry Chadburn raced downfield and executed the tackle on the Byron Bay left winger just two metres out from the try line.

Harry Chadburn produced a great tackle in the 41st minute with a great one on one tackle on the Byron Bay five eight who was looking dangerous as he took the line on.

Harry Chadburn also started from the bench in Round Two against the Cudgen Hornets coming on in the 22nd minute to play at five eight however Harry Chadburn did play in the dummy half role late in the first half and in the early minutes of the second half after the Seagulls hooker spent ten minutes in the sinbin.

Harry Chadburn almost scored in the 39th minute when he tried to force his way over from dummy half from close range but he was held up over the try line.

The match also saw Harry Chadburn convert Zane Harrison’s 23rd minute solo try from just to the left of the uprights.

After missing a number of Rounds Harry Chadburn was named on the bench for Round Ten against the Kyogle Turkeys.

Harry Chadburn also started from the bench in Round Twelve against the Bilambil Jets with Harry Chadburn along with Zane Harrison making 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.

Harry Chadburn then continued off the bench in Round Thirteen against the Bilambil Jets for the second round in a row, with Harry Chadburn coming on at halftime to operate at left centre with Harry Chadburn recording a try assist in the 41st minute when from eighteen metres out and to the left of the play the ball, Harry Chadburn put up a bomb to the left corner with the ball being dropped by Bilambil with the Tweed Heads Seagulls picking up the ball and scoring near the left corner.

Harry Chadburn was the reason that the reason that Seagulls were in a position to score the try that enabled them to get away with a draw when in the 58th minute with Bilambil on the attack forty metres out from the Seagulls try line, Harry Chadburn came out of the line on the right to intercept a Jets pass with Harry Chadburn getting the ball just into Bilambil territory with Tweed Heads scoring the try to lock up the match at 12 all later in the set of six.

Harry Chadburn also started from the bench in the Week One Qualifying Final against the Murwillumbah Mustangs as well as the Major Preliminary Final against the Cudgen Hornets.

The 2022 U18 NRRRL Preliminary Final saw Harry Chadburn start from the bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Ballina Seagulls with Harry Chadburn coming on to play on the left wing in the second half.

In 2022 Harry Chadburn continued at PBC State High School, in the Walters Cup competition including starting at five eight in Round Four against Ipswich State High School with Harry Chadburn recording a 7th minute try assist when from forty metres out Harry Chadburn put in a right foot kick towards the left corner with Ipswich SHS getting a horror bounce but it was ideal for the PBC SHS left second rower who raced through, took the ball on the bounce and ran around tow score under the posts.

Harry Chadburn recorded a second try assist in the 47th minute when from fifteen metres out and down a short left blindside, harry Chadburn threw a hard flat cut-out pass to put his left winger over in the corner. Harry Chadburn them stepped up in convert the try from the left touchline after earlier converting another PBC SHS try from close to the same spot.

Harry Chadburn continued at five eight in Round Six against Keebra Park SHS and Round Seven away to Wavell SHS.

Harry Chadburn continued at five eight for PBC SHS in the 2022 Walters Cup semi-final against Marsden SHS with Harry Chadburn executing a 40/20 in the 13th minute when from just inside his own forty metre mark and to the right of the play the ball Harry Chadburn put in a right foot kick back to the left with the ball going into touch ten metres out from the Marsden SHS try line.

Earlier in just the 2nd minute Harry Chadburn received the ball to the left of the paly the ball and put in a right foot kick which was blocked by one of the Marsden SHS defenders before PBC SHS regained possession with PBC SHS getting a further set of six tackles.

At the completion of the 2022 School Boy Walters Cup competition Harry Chadburn was named at five eight in the 2022 Courier Mail Walters Cup School Boy Team of the Season.

2022 also saw Harry Chadburn play for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the Group 18 U16 competition including starting at right centre in the Grand Final against the Murwillumbah Colts.

The young fullback centre/half from northern New South Wales was a member of the Titans 2021 JTS Elite Academy squad.

In mid-February 2021 Harry Chadburn played in a Titans U15 Invitational Trial at Burleigh, a trial which included only the best of the 2021 Titans U15 squad members. Harry Chadburn started the match at fullback for the Titans White side.

In 2021 Harry Chadburn was part of the PBC SHS Hancock Cup school boy rugby league side including starting at halfback in the 2021 Hancock Cup Grand Final against local rivals Keebra Park State High School.

Harry Chadburn had a very solid Grand Final, kicking two conversions from three attempts in PBC’s exciting 16 -12 victory.

In addition to kicking the two conversions, Harry Chadburn showcased his short kicking game in the 43rd minute with a deft right foot stab kick into the in-goal in the left corner which Keebra Park had to take dead, forcing a goal line drop-out to keep PBC on the attack and Keebra Park under pressure.

The Grand Final also saw Harry Chadburn excel defensively with two outstanding try saving tackles. The most critical of the two came with less than two minutes remaining in the match in the 58th minute. The Keebra Park SHS right winger found space down the sideline and went for the corner, but Harry Chadburn flew to his right and in conjunction with team mates initially held up the Keebra Park winger and then forced him over the sideline.

Harry Chadburn had also made an earlier try saving tackle in the 37th minute on the same Keebra Park winger as his try saving tackle in the 58th minute when after the winger had taken a kick in the right corner on the full, Harry Chadburn was on hand to ensure that he did not get the ball down in the right corner.

In 2020 Harry Chadburn played in the centres (mainly left centre) 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 per game.

As a result of their outstanding season the Tweed Heads Seagulls U14 side qualified for the U14 Group 18 Grand Final against the Tugun Seahawks. Tweed Heads prevailed in the 2020 decider 30 – 4 with Harry Chadburn starting the Grand Final at left centre and scoring for the Seagulls in the first half.

Harry Chadburn’s try came when he got on the outside of the Tugun right winger around twenty metres out and was able to dive over ten metres in from the left corner post and in front of the score board virtually unopposed.

At the 2020 Tweed Heads Seagulls Junior Rugby League Awards Harry Chadburn was awarded the Elwyen Walters Award.

Harry Chadburn also played in Group 18 Grand Finals in 2019 in the U13 age group and in 2018 in the U12 age group.

In terms of his attacking play Harry Chadburn is a smooth runner of the ball who has above average to plus top end speed and good evasiveness to get on the outside of his opposing defender with a decent fend that enables him to keep all but the strongest outside backs at a distance and away from his body.

Harry Chadburn has quite a good step, predominately off the right foot, so he certainly has the skills to adjust his running line as he gains more experience and develops a better rapport with his teams play makers and progresses to a higher level in competition.

When defending in the centres, Harry Chadburn really does look to come out of the line and hit his opposing centre as hard as possible to cut off the attacking play before it has time to fully develop.

Harry Chadburn does not let the play unfold in front of him, he looks to disrupt as early as possible. With his size and defensive tendencies when defending in the centres, he is more suited to an up and in defensive methodology compared to a sliding system.

Harry Chadburn will play for the Bilambil Jets in the NRRRL First Frade competition in 2025.

With his speed and elusiveness coupled with good size for an outside back Harry Chadburn is ideally suited to maintaining his current projection, that being of a multi-talented attacking fullback, specifically one that operates on the left side of the field. 2022 however proved that Harry Chudburn also has the ability to also operate at five eight and make a very good first of that position as well.

Due to his ability to get to the outside of his direct opponent as well as a strong right arm fend and the core body strength to maintain his balance and running line whilst in contact with a defender, Harry Chadburn has a more than passing similarity to Titans NRL and Queensland State of Origin utility AJ Brimson. Also like Brimson, Harry Chadburn is also a solid defensive player regardless of position and one who used his leverage to get into the ribs of the attacker who is running at him.
 
Isaac Magnay-Wilson. Isaac Magnay-Wilson was named the 2024 Ballina Coast High School TPS Rugby League and Rugby Athlete of the Year.

The supremely talented young man played hooker for the Byron Bay Lennox Head Group 18 U14 side and played fly half and inside centre for the Lennox Head U14 Far North Coast Rugby side in 2024.

From an attacking stand point, Isaac Magnay-Wilson 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 Isaac Magnay-Wilson’s speed when running out of dummy half is a touch above average for a dummy half but plays faster as he has become adept at running at the right time and focusses heavily when the markers are out of position, thus Isaac Magnay-Wilson either makes ground himself 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 Isaac Magnay-Wilson has.

The impressive thing about when Isaac Magnay-Wilson runs out of dummy half is the fact that he does not run to the same side of the ruck all of the time, Isaac Magnay-Wilson will make a judgement on where the defence is the weakest and react accordingly. Some hookers always run out of dummy half in the same direction, Isaac Magnay-Wilson is definitely not one of those, which shows that Isaac Magnay-Wilson has a high level of intelligence and match awareness.

From a defensive perspective Isaac Magnay-Wilson 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 his shoulder with enough force to redirect the momentum of the ball carrier. Isaac Magnay-Wilson 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.

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

2025 will see Isaac Magnay-Wilson continue to attend Ballina Coast HS as well as playing for the Byron Bay Devils in the Group 18 U15 competition for the Byron Bay Devils. Isaac Magnay-Wilson will also continue to play rugby in 2025.

Isaac Magnay-Wilson’s ultimately is intriguing as is his sill set, Isaac Magnay-Wilson has an exceptional skill set ranging from kick, pass, game management to and including running the ball himself. Just by a hairs breath and I mean literally just I believe that from a rugby league perspective Isaac Magnay-Wilson will development into a high level rugby league hooker.

Titans stand out JTS hooker Jia BIllish is a more than useful player comparison for Isaac Magnay-Wilson, both are competitive, combative and highly skilful dummy halves.
 
Sam Wall. Sam Wall moved over to the Gold Coast from New Zealand to attend PBC SHS in 2023 and in late 2024 was named in the 2025 Tweed Heads Seagulls U17 CC Cup squad and Sam Wall is also CC Cup eligible in 2026.

In New Zealand Sam Wall was named in the 2022 U13 NZ Māori Merit Team and in 2023 Sam Wall was named in the U14 Māori Merit Team on both occasions Sam Wall was named at five eight.

Sam Wall is a super quick five eight with an effortless running style with a classic five eights build with the ability to stand up his direct opposite and then beat him with pace on the outside, something that is rare in the modern game. Sam Wall has used this skill set on multiple occasions on the right side of the field.

Sam Wall has a very strong left hand fend which prevents opposing defenders getting in on him and forcing him towards the sideline. Even though he has size, strength and power in the centre position, Sam Wall does look for his outside support when confronted with the fullback, even though he is more than capable of beating fullbacks one on one if need be and certainly does on occasion when he outpaces his support players.

When the defence is sliding Sam Wall will cut inside and when the defence is playing an up and up style he has the plus speed and agile footwork to get on the outside of his direct opponent and beat him for speed to exploit the gap created. In terms of his speed, in all aspects it would be considered at the plus level in terms of speed off the mark, top end speed and sustainability.

Another aspect where he is also very good is his ability to run out of dummy half. Sam Wall’s size strength speed and power coupled with his plus footwork enables him to make a significant amount of ground out of dummy half and also give his forward a breather.

Defensively his game is built on intimidation, Sam Wall will come in when the opportunity presents itself and hit very hard around the chest, you can see the opposing centre looking where he was positioned as the ball was moved out to the back line also Sam Wall’s plus speed enables him to recover if he is beaten on the outside.

Currently Sam Wall is better to an up and in defensive methodology but I would argue that is more to do with how coaches want him to play rather than any concern that he cannot be effective in a sliding defensive scheme. With his speed, timing and strength, why not take advantage of his ability to intimidate his opposing attacker.

2025 will see Sam Wall continue at PBC SHS with Sam Wall looking to immediately force his way into the School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup squad even though he will be eligible for the Walters Cup.

Sam Wall has the speed, body control, elusiveness and ball skills to continue to be an outstanding five eight on a rugby league field.

With his outstanding skill set coupled with his size and speed combination Sam Wall is simply a player of immense potential and the play of Parramatta Eels NRL five eight Dylan Brown is a more than fair and accurate comparison.

Both Sam Wall and Brown have the ability to play to a set game plan as well as playing what is in front of them and unlike some current NRL halves have the youthful courage to look to win the match rather than trying not to lose it.
 
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.
Cooper will be the long term Titans lock when he is ready. He is of the highest quality
 
Ayden Byrnes. The young nippy, feisty, competitive and combative half back or more regularly hooker was a member of the 2020 Titans U14 Elite Junior Academy squad that trained on a regular basis at the Titans main training facility at Parkwood.

Ayden Byrnes continued to attend PBC SHS in 2024 was part of the PBC SHS Titans Cup School Boy Rugby League Open Advanced side including starting at hooker in the Grand Final against Marymount College with Ayden Byrnes making a line break in the 23rd minute with a run out of dummy half to his left from thirty two metres out from the try line and after dummying to his left Ayden Byrnes simultaneously stepped off his left foot to get within seven metres of the try line just to the left of the goal posts.

Ayden Byrnes ran out of dummy half to his right in the 26th minute to carry the ball from six metres inside his own half to ten metres into Marymount College territory.

Ayden Byrnes did well defensively in the 19th minute when along with Luke Jones, Ayden Byrnes made a strong driving tackle on the Marymount College halfback to drive him back three metres and dump him twenty metres from the try line.

In late September 2023 Ayden Byrnes was named in the 2024 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad for the second season in a row with Ayden Byrnes part of the Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad that defeated the Greater Northern Tigers in their first 2024 trial.

Round One of the 2024 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition saw Ayden Byrnes named on the bench for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights however Ayden Byrnes was ruled out of the match late in the week.

Ayden Byrnes was also named on the bench in Round Two away to the Central Coast Roosters with Ayden Byrnes coming onto the field to operate at lock in the 17th minute with Ayden Byrnes doing exceptionally well in the 42nd minute when with Central Coast attacking the try line Ayden Byrnes raced off the line and intercepted an attempted Roosters cut out pass just three metres from the try line with Ayden Byrnes that able to return the ball out to the twenty one metre mark through the centre of the field.

Then in the 43rd minute Ayden Byrnes made another good defensive effort with a big tackle on the Central Coast No. 8 to put him on his back to significantly slow the play the ball down a metre short of the try line and four metres to the right of the goal posts.

Ayden Byrnes continued from the bench in Round Four against the Northern Tigers and after coming onto the field to play in the dummy half role in the 16th minute Ayden Byrnes scored in the 48th minute after chasing through a grubber kick to get to the ball first to score three metres to the left of the goal posts.

In the 36th minute Ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball to run through the centre of the field from twenty two metres from his own try line to the thirty four metre mark. Ayden Byrnes also ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball in the 53rd minute from thirty metres from the try line to within eight metres of the halfway mark.

Ayden Byrnes did exceptionally well defensively in the 46th minute with a desperate low legs tackle on the Northern Tigers stepping fullback to save a try just out from the try line and in front of the goal posts.

Ayden Byrnes then started at lock in the Round Five local derby against the North Coast Bulldogs and after also playing some dummy half Ayden Byrnes moved to right centre in the 22nd minute due to multiple injuries suffered by Northern Rivers.

Ayden Byrnes scored in the 43rd minute when he took a smart running line to run into a big gap after receiving a pass from his left from Harry Chadburn twenty four metres and after moving into space Ayden Byrnes dummied to his right and at the same time stepping off his right foot to beat the North Coast fullback and bring the ball around to score ten metres to the right of the goal posts.

Ayden Byrnes then ran to his right out of dummy half in the 59th minute from thirty five metres from his own try line to get the ball to the halfway mark.

Ayden Byrnes continued at lock in the rescheduled Round Three match against the St George Dragons with Ayden Byrnes making the third run of the match from the right of the play the ball to get the ball from thirty metres to forty metres away from his try line. Also from the right of the play the ball in the 40th minute Ayden Byrnes ran the ball from the forty metre mark to the halfway mark.

In the 10th minute from two passes to the left of the dummy half and forty metres from the try line Ayden Byrnes was able to force his way to within twenty nine metres of the try line. Then in the 24th minute after running onto the ball to the left of the dummy half Ayden Byrnes anticipated the contact of two of the giant St George forwards and just as they were making contact with him Ayden Byrnes instinctively spun counter clockwise to beat both defenders and as a result Ayden Byrnes was able to run the ball from the halfway mark to forty metres from the try line.

2024 saw Ayden Byrnes move to the Bilambil Jets from the Murwillumbah Mustangs in the NRRRL U18 competition saw Ayden Byrnes named at hooker in the ultimately postponed Round One match against the Tweed Coast Raiders.

Round Four of the NRRRL U18 competition saw Ayden Byrnes start from the bench for the Bilambil Jets against the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Ayden Byrnes scoring in the 46th minute with a run out of dummy half to his right down a short right blindside from close range and after beating two defenders Ayden Byrnes was able to force his way over the try line to get the ball down ten metres in from the right corner post.

After coming onto the ball to operate at dummy half in the 25th minute and after running out of dummy half to his right Ayden Byrnes had come close to scoring when from five metres out Ayden Byrnes brought his left onto the ball and after loping around him Ayden Byrnes got the ball back and dived towards the line but the referee ruled that Ayden Byrnes had lost the ball over the try line prior to grounding the ball under the posts.

Ayden Byrnes then started at hooker in Round Seven against Lismore Marist with Ayden Byrnes recording a try assist in the 41st minute when after taking possession of the ball to the left of the play the ball when twenty six metres from the try line Ayden Byrnes stepped off his left foot just after dummying in the same direction and after running to within eight metres of the try line Ayden Byrnes was able to get a pass away to his left to put his lock over to score four metres to the left of the goal posts.

In the 9th minute Ayden Byrnes ran out of dummy half to his left with Ayden Byrnes dummying to his left multiple times as he ran from forty metres to the halfway mark.

Ayden Byrnes moved to the bench in the rescheduled Round Six match against the Lower Clarence Magpies with Ayden Byrnes scoring in the 33rd minute when a ten metre run from the left of the play the ball with Ayden Byrnes targeting a huge gap to score four metres to the right of the goal posts.

Ayden Byrnes also recorded a try assist in the 28th minute when from the dummy half position with the play the ball fourteen metres from the try line and midway between the goal posts and corner post on the right of the field Ayden Byrnes ran to his right and when right metres from the try line Ayden Byrnes popped a good short ball to his right to his straight charging lock who subsequently scored under the posts.

Ayden Byrnes started at hooker in the rescheduled Round Three match against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Ayden Byrnes scoring in the 22nd minute with a run out of dummy half to his left and from three metres out Ayden Byrnes stepped off his left foot to get over the try line and get the ball down next to the left goal post.

Ayden Byrnes came close to scoring a second try in the 47th minute with an eight metre charge at the try line but unfortunately the ball was knocked from his grasp over the try line five metres to the right of the goal posts.

Ayden Byrnes was involved in a good sequence of play for the Jets in the 58th minute which almost won the match for Bilambil when he raced through and regathered a Harry Chadburn grubber kick thirty eight metres from the try line and after running to thirty metres from the try line Ayden Byrnes off-loaded to his right to Harry Chadburn who was only tackled four metres short of the try line.

Ayden Byrnes ran to his right out of dummy half in the 25th minute to his right to carry the ball from the halfway mark to within thirty two metres of the try line with Ayden Byrnes able to break two tackles along the way.

Ayden Byrnes continued at hooker in Round Nine against the Kyogle Turkeys with Ayden Byrnes scoring in the 27th minute when he followed through a grubber kick to collect the ball on the bounce three metres from the try line to dive over to score next to the right goal post.

Ayden Byrnes also recorded a try assist in the 6th minute when after making a line break out of dummy half running to his right from thirty metres from his try line Ayden Byrnes stepped off his left foot to beat the Turkeys fullback still inside his own territory Ayden Byrnes carried the ball to within twenty five metres of the try line before off-loading to his right to put his right centre over to score.

Ayden Byrnes also made a half break in the 26th minute with a strong run to the right of the play the ball through the centre of the field from eleven metres inside his half to eight metres into Kyogle territory.

Ayden Byrnes moved to halfback in Round Ten against the Ballina Seagulls with Ayden Byrnes coming close to scoring in the 28th minute only to be held up near the left corner after trying to burrow his way over the try line from close range out of dummy half.

Ayden Byrnes recorded a try assist in the 42nd minute when to the left of the play the ball and eight metres from the try line Ayden Byrnes threw a bullet pass to his left to lead Harley Ticknell onto the ball and over to score wide on the left side of the field.

Ayden Byrnes made the first of his two line breaks in the 35th minute when Ayden Byrnes burst onto the ball to the left of the dummy half twenty two metres from his try line through the centre of the field and after breaking through a tackle Ayden Byrnes charged into the Seagulls backfield and when still five metres inside his half Ayden Byrnes stepped off his right foot to beat another defender before being brought to ground nineteen metres from the try line with Ayden Byrnes then awarded a penalty after getting a facial by a Ballina defender.

Ayden Byrnes made a second line break in the 54th minute when from thirty five metres from his try line Ayden Byrnes ran to his left out of dummy half and then after stepping off his left foot to beat one defender and almost immediately then stepped off his right to get the ball to within thirty metres of the try line.

Ayden Byrnes did very well defensively in the 8th minute when he raced to his right in cover defence and aggressively tackled the Ballina right winger over the touchline thirty five metres from the try line.

Ayden Byrnes was back at hooker in Round Eleven against the Cudgen Hornets although Ayden Byrnes spent time from late in the first half at five eight.

Ayden Byrnes was heavily involved in a Bilambil try in the 12th minute when after running out of dummy half to his left through the centre of the field from fifteen to twenty five metres from his try line Ayden Byrnes off-loaded to his right to his lock who then drew the Hornets fullback on the halfway and passed to his left to Harry Chadburn who scored under the posts.

Ayden Byrnes ran out of dummy half to his right in the 8th minute and broke a tackle and he ran the ball from twenty to thirty metres from the try line and also ran out of dummy half in the 14th minute to his left from the halfway to thirteen metres into Cudgen’s half. Ayden Byrnes also ran out of dummy half to his right in the 20th minute to get the ball from thirty one to nineteen metres from the try line.

Ayden Byrnes executed a big tackle in the 19th minute with a driving right shoulder tackle on the Cudgen No. 16 thirty metres from the try line.

Ayden Byrnes continued at hooker in Round Twelve against the Mullumbimby Giants with Ayden Byrnes recording a try assist in the 45th minute when after bursting out of dummy half to his right through the centre of the field and through the centre of the Giants defensive line with Ayden Byrnes charging to ten metres from the try line before drawing the fullback and off-loading to his right to Riley Loughland who scored five metres to the right of the uprights.

Ayden Byrnes made a big tackle in the 13th minute on the Mullumbimby front rower No. 8 driving him into the ground in the centre of the field and twenty six metres from the try line.

Ayden Byrnes also started at hooker for the Bilambil Jets in Round Thirteen of the NRRRL U18 competition and in the 9th minute Ayden Byrnes ran out of dummy half to his left from the halfway with Ayden Byrnes bumping away two defenders before stepping off his left foot to beat a third defender as he ran to within thirty four metres of the try line.

Ayden Byrnes ran out of dummy half to his right in the 17th minute to make twelve metres to the halfway. Also in the 27th minute after running out of dummy half to his left through the centre of the field from get from twenty four to within nine metres of the try line.

The 46th minute saw Ayden Byrnes make a big driving right shoulder tackle in the centre of the field on the Byron Bay right second rower No. 11 driving him back three metres to twenty metres from the try line.

Ayden Byrnes returned to halfback in Round Fourteen against the Ballina Seagulls with Ayden Byrnes recording a second half hat trick in a big Jets victory.

Ayden Byrnes scored the first of his three tries in the 32nd minute when to the right of the play the ball but on the left side of the field Ayden Byrnes straightened up and after a subtle dummy to his left Ayden Byrnes carried a defender over the try line to get the ball down twelve metres in from the left corner post.

Ayden Byrnes scored his second try in the 42nd minute with a run from the halfway mark and to the left of the play the ball with Ayden Byrnes dummying to his left and racing away to score ten metres to the left of the posts.

Ayden Byrnes made it a hat trick in the 51st minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball nine metres from the try line Ayden Byrnes stepped off his left foot to beat two defenders and then after being tackled by two more defenders Ayden Byrnes reached out with his left arm to get the ball down on the try line seven metres to the left of the posts.

Ayden Byrnes also made a line break in the 16th minute when after picking up a Lismore kick-off on the bounce twenty metres from his own try line Ayden Byrnes ran down the left touchline to within thirty metres of the try line but unfortunately his inside pass went to ground.

Ayden Byrnes then started at five eight for the Bilambil Jets in the rescheduled NRRRL U18 Round One match against the Tweed Coast Raiders with Ayden Byrnes scoring in the 23rd minute when after picking up the ball at the back of a Bilambil scrum win ten metres out and to the left of the posts Ayden Byres ran to his right and carried two defenders over the try line to get the ball down six metres to the left of the uprights.

Ayden Byrnes also recorded a line break assist in the 37th minute when after running down a short left blindside Ayden Byrnes popped a short ball to his left to put his left centre away down the left touchline.

In the 8th minute after receiving a pass from his left Ayden Byrnes burst through the centre of the field from forty to twenty seven metres from the try line before being awarded a penalty for a high tackle. Also in the 9th minute just prior to the ball being played Ayden Byrnes moved from the right of the play the ball to receive the ball on the left and run down the blindside and broke a tackle to carry the ball to twenty to two metres from the try line and ten metres in from the left touchline.

Ayden Byrnes produced an exceptional stepping run from the left of the play the ball in the 11th minute with Ayden Byrnes weaving to his left and right to beat a staggering six tackles as the progressed the ball from the halfway to thirty metres from the try line. Then in the 32nd minute from the left of the play the ball Ayden Byrnes charged from the halfway to within thirty four metres of the try line.

Ayden Byrnes continued at five eight for the Bilambil Jets in Round Fifteen of the NRRRL U18 competition against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Ayden Byrnes scoring the first of his two tries in the 39th minute with a stepping eleven metre run off a Seagulls turnover as a result of a big Riley Buchanan tackle to dive over to score next to the left goal post.

Ayden Byrnes scored his second try in the 45th minute after receiving a pass from his right sixteen metres from the try line Ayden Byrnes stepped inside off his left foot and crash over to score four metres to the left of the posts.

Ayden Byrnes came close to completing a hat trick when in the 18th minute with a run from two passes to the right of the play the ball down a short blindside that saw Ayden Byrnes brought down two metres short of the try line but was able to roll over to seemingly get the ball down in the right corner only for the referee to rule that he had lost the ball over the try line.

From the left of the play the ball in the 48th minute Ayden Byrnes threw multiple dummies as he ran the ball from ten metres inside his half to ten metres into the Seagulls. Then in the 51st minute from the left of the play the ball an Ayden Byrnes yardage carry saw him propel the ball from eleven to twenty two metres from his try line.

Ayden Byrnes started at hooker for the Bilambil Jets in the NRRRL U18 Week One Elimination Final against the Lower Clarence Magpies with Ayden Byrnes scoring in the 23rd minute with a hard straight charge from five metres out off a pass from his left from Harry Chadburn to crash over to score under the posts.

In the 26th minute from the left of the play the ball and after dummying to an inside runner Ayden Byrnes ran himself from twenty four to ten metres from the try line before getting an off-load away to his left. Then in the 44th minute Ayden Byrnes ran out of dummy half to his right through the centre of the field from twenty eight to fourteen metres from the try line. Also in the 59th minute after receiving an off-load from his right Ayden Byrnes burst through the centre of the field from the halfway mark to twenty eight metres from the try line.

Ayden Byrnes showed his defensive prowess in the 8th minute with a heavy front on hit on the Magpies five eight who was returning a kick-off with Ayden Byrnes’s hit driving him backwards and dumping him on his back.

Ayden Byrnes started at hooker for the Bilambil Jets in the Week Two NRRRL U18 Elimination Final against the Tweed Heads Seagulls and in the 3rd minute after running out of dummy half to his left Ayden Byrnes broke a tackle as he ran from forty five to twenty eight metres from the try line.

Ayden Byrnes ran through the centre of the field after running out of dummy half to his right in the 10th minute to get from twenty one to nine metres from the try line. Then in the 37th minute Ayden Byrnes ran out of dummy half to his left through the centre of the field from forty seven metres from the try line and after stepping off his left foot to target the area behind the markers Ayden Byrnes broke a tackle with Ayden Byrnes then dummying to his right to beat a second defender only to be dragged down from behind just six metres from the try line just to the left of the posts.

Ayden Byrnes charged onto the ball in the 52nd minute to the left of the play the ball and burst down the left channel to within ten metres of the try line from twenty four metres out and then got a right arm off-load away whilst his left arm was holding him off the ground.

Ayden Byrnes did well defensively in the 29th minute to chase a Seagulls line break and catch the Tweed Heads front rower No. 10 from behind in the centre of the field and twenty one metres from the try line. Then in the 32nd minute Ayden Byrnes made a huge front on tackle on one of the Seagulls replacement forwards dumping him on his back on the halfway mark and forcing him off the field. Also in the 47th minute Ayden Byrnes made a strong tackle on the Tweed Heads left centre (No. 3) eighteen metres from the try line.

Ayden Byrnes started at hooker for the Bilambil Jets in the NRRRL U18 Preliminary Final against the Tweed Coast Raiders with Ayden Byrnes scoring in the 50th minute when from ten metres from the try line Ayden Byrnes ran to his left out of dummy half and then after stepping off his left foot Ayden Byrnes almost immediately stepped off his right foot and with the Raiders defence wrong footed Ayden Byrnes burrowed his way over to score twelve metres in from the left touchline.

Ayden Byrnes had come close to scoring earlier in the match in the 6th minute only to be held up over the try line next to the left goal post after stepping out of dummy half to his left ten metres out before immediately running back to his right and after dummying to his right Ayden Byrnes spun clockwise before reaching out with the ball in left hand but could not get the ball to the ground.

Ayden Byrnes ran out of dummy half to his left in the 5th minute to carry the ball from forty to twenty eight metres from the try line before getting an off-load away. Also in the 14th minute Ayden Byrnes’s kick-off return through the centre of the field saw him return the ball to the twenty nine metre mark. Then in the 15th minute after a Bilambil kick rebounded to him Ayden Byrnes stepped off his left foot five metres inside his half before making a half break to carry the ball to within thirty five metres of the try line.

Off the back of a Bilambil centre field scrum win in the 21st minute Ayden Byrnes was able to move the ball from thirty to nineteen metres from the try line. Ayden Byrnes also ran out of dummy half to his left in the 28th minute and as a result carried the ball through the centre of the field from ten metres inside his half to three metres into Tweed Coast territory after dummying on two occasions to his left.

In the 36th minute Ayden Byrnes once again ran the ball through the centre of the field from dummy half on this occasion running to his right to promote the ball from thirty to forty three metres from the try line. Also in the 38th minute with the play the ball in the centre of the field Ayden Byrnes ran out of dummy half to his left to carry the ball from forty two to thirty metres from the try line after pushing away from one defender.

Ayden Byrnes started at hooker for the Bilambil Jets in the 2024 NRRRL U18 Grand Final against the Byron Bay Devils and made a line break in the 44th minute when after taking possession of the ball forty four metres from the try line and to the left of the play the ball Ayden Byrnes executed a great show and go to his left to break the defensive line and charge downfield to within two metres of the try line and ten metres in from the left corner post.

Ayden Byrnes made his initial foray out of dummy half in the 22nd minute when he ran to his left and broke two tackles as he carried the ball from eleven metres inside his half to three metres into the Devils. Also in the 39th minute from the right of the play the ball Ayden Byrnes ran the ball from twenty two metres from the try line through the centre of the field to within three metres of the try line an three metres to the left of the posts after executing a right foot step to beat one defender. Then in the 48th minute from the left of the play the ball Ayden Byrnes stepped off his left foot as he darted through the centre of the field to within ten metres of the try line after making twelve metres.

In late September 2022 Ayden Byrnes was named in the 2023 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup train on squad with Ayden Byrnes part of the Northern Rivers Titans squad that played the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad in a trial at Burleigh Juniors as part of the Titans Annual Super Saturday series of matches.

Round One of the 2023 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition saw Ayden Byrnes named at hooker for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights with Ayden Byrnes scoring in the 20th minute when after passing to his right out of dummy half to Zane Harrison when twenty metres out from the try line, Ayden Byrnes stayed in the game and chased through a subsequent Zane Harrison short kick back to the left with Adyen Byrnes diving on the ball in the in-goal to score nine metres to the right of the uprights.

The first of a number of dummy half runs from Ayden Byrnes came in just the 3rd minute from in the centre of the field and thirty eight metres out from the Knights try line, Ayden Byrnes ran to his right and got to twenty two metres out after using two Newcastle defenders as a shield to make yardage.

Ayden Byrnes made another smart run out of dummy half in the 18th minute when after running to his right when he was in the centre of the field, Ayden Byrnes was able to make fifteen critical metres.

In his second stint of the match at dummy half Ayden Byrnes was at it again in the 53rd minute with a run out of dummy half to his left from forty metres out from his own try line with Ayden Byrnes able to get the ball two metres over the try line with Ayden Byrnes then getting a six again call for the Northern Rivers Titans.

Then in the 67th minute Ayden Byrnes ran to his right out of dummy half to make ten metres getting the ball within twelve metres of the try line.

Ayden Byrnes was also named at hooker for Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters with Ayden Byrnes making a good run out of dummy half to his right in the 7th minute when from forty metres out Ayden Byrnes used a Roosters forward getting back onside as a shield with Ayden Byrnes then breaking three tackles whilst making twelve metres.

Ayden Byrnes made another good run out of dummy half in the 14th minute when from three metres inside his own territory Ayden Byrnes ran to his right and promoted the ball thirteen metres inside Central Coast territory with the speed and timing of Ayden Byrnes run catching numerous defenders off-side with a penalty to the Northern Rivers Titans subsequently being awarded.

Ayden Byrnes was also named at hooker for Round Three against the South Coast Dragons.

Ayden Byrnes moved to the bench for Round Four against the Northern Tigers and after coming onto the field Ayden Byrnes scored a great solo try in the 43rd minute from thirty five metres out Ayden Byrnes ran the ball down a short left blindside and just prior to the defensive line Ayden Byrnes put in a smart right foot chip kick for himself with Ayden Byrnes darting through to retrieve the ball with Ayden Byrnes then getting rid of the Northern Tigers fullback to score four metres to the left of the uprights.

Ayden Byrnes also started from the bench in Round Five against the North Coast Bulldogs with Ayden Byrnes scoring in the 48th minute five metres to the right of the uprights with Ayden Byrnes initially running to his right out of dummy half from ten metres out and in the centre of the field.

Ayden Byrnes also recorded a try assist in the 60th minute when with the play the ball eight metres out, Ayden Byrnes ran to his left before stepping off his right foot and getting a smart off-load away to his right to Brady Turner who crashed over to score.

Earlier in the 40th minute Ayden Byrnes ran to his left out of dummy half through the centre of the field making twenty three metres to get within eight metres of the try line.

The 2023 NRRRL U18 season saw Ayden Byrnes line up for the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Ayden Byrnes named at hooker in Round One against the Tweed Coast Raiders with Ayden Byrnes recording a try assist in the 25th minute when from the dummy half position with the play the ball four metres from the try line, Ayden Byrnes threw a bullet pass to his left to put Brady Turner over to score under the posts.

Ayden Byrnes did well in the 31st minute when with Byron Bay on the attack, Ayden Byrnes was able to take an intercept as a Devils forward had gotten halfway through the defensive line and tried to get an off-load away twenty metres from the try line.

Ayden Byrnes made his initial dart out of dummy half inside the opening minute when he ran to his right from twenty metres out with Ayden Byrnes getting to within wight metres of the try line.

Ayden Byrnes effected a great low tackle in the 19th minute on the giant Byron Bay replacement front rower No. 15 in the centre of the field and twenty metres out from the try line.

Ayden Byrnes also started at hooker in Round Two against the Tweed Coast Raiders with Ayden Byrnes recording a try assist in the 32nd minute when from two metres out from the try line Ayden Byrnes threw a hard flat pass to his right to put his lock forward over to score five metres to the left of the uprights.

Ayden Byrnes made a good run out of dummy half in the 35th minute when he ran to his left out of dummy half from five metres inside his own territory with Ayden Byrnes getting the ball twelve metres into Tweed Coast territory.

In the 26th minute along with Brady Turner, Ayden Byrnes held up the Raiders No. 14 over the try line after he had tried to barge over from close range and ten metres in from the left corner post.

Ayden Byrnes continued at hooker in Round three against the Cudgen Hornets with Ayden Byrnes scoring a double in a big Mustangs victory.

Ayden Byrnes scored his opening try in the 21st minute with a four metre effort out of dummy half to his right to get the ball down four metres to the left of the uprights.

Ayden Byrnes competed his double in the 50th minute when after packing into a scrum with a Mustangs feed eighteen metres out and to the left of the uprights, Ayden Byrnes ran to his left after picking up the ball from the back of the scrum and was too quick for the defence to score six metres in from the left corner post.

Ayden Byrnes also scored as well in the 36th minute when after running out of dummy half to his left when ten metres out Ayden Byrnes was able to get over the try line whilst still on his feet four metres to the right of the uprights. Then in the 48th minute Ayden Byrnes came close to scoring once again after a short run down a short right blindside but Ayden Byrnes was ruled to have put his foot into touch before grounding the ball in the right corner.

The 10th minute saw Ayden Byrnes make his initial good run out of dummy half in the 10th minute when from five metres out from his own try line, Ayden Byrnes ran to his left and away making fifteen metres Ayden Byrnes was able to get an off-load away to his right.

Ayden Byrnes also started at hooker in Round Four against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Ayden Byrnes making a smart run out of dummy half in the 25th minute when from six metres inside his own territory Ayden Byrnes ran to his left out of dummy half with Ayden Byrnes getting well into Seagulls territory and being awarded a penalty after the speed of Ayden Byrnes run catching multiple defenders off-side.

Ayden Byrnes also made a strong one on one tackle in the 28th minute on the Tweed Heads lock five metres out from the try line and in front of the left upright.

Ayden Byrnes also started at hooker in Round Six against the Lower Clarence Magpies with Ayden Byrnes scoring a double in a big Mustangs 44 – 12 victory.

Ayden Byrnes scored his first try in the 6th minute when after moving into dummy half with the play the ball three metres from the try line and two metres to the right of the uprights, Ayden Byrnes initially stepped to his left before darting back to the opposite side of the play the ball to burst over between two defenders to get the ball down five metres to the right of the uprights.

Ayden Byrnes completed his double in the 59th minute when after packing in at the back of a Murwillumbah scrum feed in the centre of the field and twenty metres from the try line, Ayden Byrnes, after picking up the ball from the back of the scrum ran to his left and stepped off his left foot to beat one defender with Ayden Byrnes then darting away to score under the posts.

Ayden Byrnes had made a line break just prior to scoring his second try, when in the 56th minute Ayden Byrnes packed into the back of a Mustangs scrum feed just ten metres out from his own try line and just to the left of the goal posts. After picking up the ball from the back of the scrum Ayden Byrnes ran to his left and then literally just kept running with Ayden Byrnes eventually being dragged down from behind just twenty metres from the try line after a seventy metre line break.

Ayden Byrnes also started at hooker and scored once again in Round Seven against Northern United with Ayden Byrnes scoring in the 29th minute when from four metres from the try line Ayden Byrnes ran to his left out of dummy half to burst between two defenders stuck on the try line to get the ball down seven metres to the left of the uprights.

Ayden Byrnes came close to scoring a second try in the 44th minute when after packing in at the back of a Mustangs scrum feed in the centre of the field and ten metres from the try line, Ayden Byrnes ran to his left and after stepping off his left foot to beat one defender Ayden Byrnes was grabbed by the back of the jersey and spun counter clockwise and after breaking away got over the try line only to be held up five metres to the left of the uprights.

Ayden Byrnes also recorded a try assist in the 46th minute when with the play the ball a metre from the try line and to the right of the uprights, Ayden Byrnes threw a hard flat pass to his left to put his lock forward over to score under the posts.

Ayden Byrnes also gained six more tackles for Murwillumbah in the 49th minute when with the play the ball a metre from the try lien and three metres to the left of the uprights, Ayden Byrnes stepped to his right and put in a right foot grubber kick and after that grubber kick was blocked just short of the try line, Ayden Byrnes was able to dive on the ball to get six more tackles for the Mustangs.

Ayden Byrnes also executed a one on one strip in the 25th minute in the centre of the field and thirty five metres from the try line to put the Mustangs in the attack.

Ayden Byrnes continued at hooker in Round Eight against the Mullumbimby Giants with Ayden Byrnes scoring in the 9th minute when from nineteen metres out from the try line Ayden Byrnes ran to his left out of dummy half and after running at the defensive line with the ball out on front of his body to both hands to sow confusion Ayden Byrnes stepped off his right foot and then was able to get the ball down in his left arm ten metres in from the right corner post.

Ayden Byrnes also recorded a try assist in the 14th minute when with the play the ball three metres out from the try line Ayden Byrnes threw a cut-out pass to his left for his left winger to easily score in the corner.

Earlier in the match in the 5th minute from five metres inside his own territory Ayden Byrnes ran to his left out of dummy half to get the ball ten metres inside Mullumbimby territory. Then in the 21st minute from eight metres inside his own territory Ayden Byrnes ran the ball to his left out of dummy half before cutting back to his right to carry the ball ten metres inside Giants territory.

Ayden Byrnes also started at hooker in Round Nine against the Kyogle Turkeys with Ayden Byrnes recording a try assist in the 48th minute when with the play the ball less than a metre from the try line and just to the right of the uprights, Ayden Byrnes ran to his left out of dummy half and passed back inside to his charging front rower who crashed over to score under the posts.

Ayden Byrnes also forced a Turkeys goal line drop-out in the 13th minute after running to his left out of dummy half from thirty metres out Ayden Byrnes put a right foot chip kick into the in-goal with Ayden Byrnes then the first defender downfield to tackle the Kyogle fullback in-goal and force the goal line drop-out.

Ayden Byrnes made his initial smart run out of dummy half in the 4th minute when Ayden Byrnes ran to his right from ten metres inside his own territory to nine metres into Kyogle Territory.

Ayden Byrnes also started at hooker Round Ten against the Casino Cougars with Ayden Byrnes scoring in the 29th minute when with the play the ball three metres out Ayden Byrnes ran to his right out of dummy half after initially dummying to his left with Adyen Byrnes stepping off his right foot just prior to the try line. When Ayden Byrnes was hit by a defender he was spun around with his back to the try line but Ayden Byrnes was able to twist his body to his left to get the ball down seven metres to the left of the uprights.

Ayden Byrnes also made a line break in the 39th minute with a run out of dummy half to his right from thirty five metres the try line but after bursting through the centre of the Casino defensive line Ayden Byrnes was brought down in a good one on one tackle by the fullback eight metres out.

Ayden Byrnes continued at hooker in Round Eleven against the Ballina Seagulls with Ayden Byrnes making the first of his smart dummy half runs in the 13th minute when after running to his right out of dummy half from twenty five metres out from his own try line, Ayden Byrnes cut back behind the ball the ball to get out to the forty metre mark.

In the 27th minute Ayden Byrnes ran out of dummy half to his right with Ayden Byrnes using a left foot step to get the ball from the halfway mark to thirty five metres from the try line. Then in the 39th minute Ayden Byrnes ran to his left out of dummy half from two metres inside his territory to get the ball to within thirty one metres of the try line.

Ayden Byrnes ran out of dummy half to his left out of dummy half once again in the 45th minute and broke at tackle to get the ball from four metres inside Cougars territory to thirty two metres from the try line.

Ayden Byrnes made a strong driving tackle in the 4th minute on the Cougars No. 10 driving him back three metres just inside his own territory.

Ayden Byrnes also started at hooker in Round Twelve against the Bilambil Jets with Ayden Byrnes running to his right out of dummy half in the 17th minute from thirty metres out from the try line and broke three tackles as Ayden Byrnes carried the ball to within twelve metres of the try line.

Ayden Byrnes had done well two minutes earlier in the 15th minute to take a short Bilambil goal line drop-out on the full with Ayden Byrnes also being awarded a penalty for being tackled whilst still in the air.

Ayden Byrnes also made a strong tackle in the 19th minute on the Jets replacement front rower No. 18 with Ayden Byrnes driving him five metres backwards to the Jets thirty metre mark.

Ayden Byrnes continued at hooker in Round Fourteen against the Cudgen Hornets with Ayden Byrnes scoring in the 46th minute when Ayden Byrnes, from twelve metres out, ran to his right out of dummy half before cutting back to his left and breaking a tackle to score two metres to the left of the goal posts.

Ayden Byrnes also recorded a try assist in the 39th minute when after dummying to his left from dummy half, Ayden Byrnes ran in the same direction and after running straight through the centre of the defensive line from forty five metre out Ayden Byrnes drew the Cudgen fullback and got a pass away to his right to his lock who scored under the posts.

Ayden Byrnes also started at hooker in Round Fifteen against the Tweed Coast Raiders with Ayden Byrnes scoring in the 25th minute when from dummy half thirteen metres out, Ayden Byrnes initially ran to his left looking to pass the ball in the same direction, however when no one was available Ayden Byrnes cut back to his right before stepping off his left foot to beat one defender. Ayden Byrnes then when five metres from the try line dummied to his right and simultaneously stepped off his right foot and was able to dive between two Tweed Coast defenders to score under the posts.

Ayden Byrnes also made a good defensive hit in the 46th minute when he drove his right shoulder into the Raiders lock and drove him backwards forty metres from the try line.

Ayden Byrnes continued at hooker in Round Sixteen against the Bilambil Jets with Ayden Byrnes running out of dummy half to his left from twenty five metres out from his own try line in the 9th minute with the speed of Ayden Byrnes run out of dummy half catching the Bilambil defensive line off-side.

Then in the 15th minute after running out of dummy half to his right before cutting back to his left Ayden Byrnes got the ball from thirty eight metres out from his own try line to the halfway mark. Ayden Byrnes also ran out of dummy half to his left in the 36th minute to run the ball from thirty eight metres out to within six metres of the try line before off-loading to his left to Bo Peisley.

Ayden Byrnes also ran out of dummy half in the 50th minute when after running to his left Ayden Byrnes was able to carry the ball from thirty metres out from his own try line to within four metres of the halfway mark with Ayden Byrnes executing a quick play the ball to keep Murwillumbah on the front foot.

Ayden Byrnes made a good tackle in the 8th minute with a big front on hit on the Bilambil left second rower No. 11 to dump him onto his back to the right of the goal posts and seven metres from the try line to take all of the momentum out of the Jets attack. Ayden Byrnes made another good front-on tackle in the 24th minute in the Murwillumbah front rower No. 8 twenty two metres out from the Bilambil try line.

The conclusion of the 2023 NRRRL U18 regular season saw Ayden Byrnes finish as the competitions third leading try scorer with ten tries.

The Week Two NRRRL U18 Qualifying Final saw Ayden Byrnes continue at hooker against the Tweed Heads Seagulls the Ayden Byrnes appearing to score in the 32nd minute when after running out of dummy half to his right from six metres out int appeared for all money that Ayden Byrnes had gotten the ball down six metres to the right of the goal posts but bizarrely the referee rule that Ayden Byrnes had grounded the ball short of the try line.

Ayden Byrnes also recorded a try assist of sorts in the 39th minute when from the right of the play the ball and eight metres from the try line Ayden Byrnes threw a high, cut-out pass trying to get the ball to his right winger but after the ball was touched by the Tweed Heads left centre the ball fell into the hands of the Mustangs left centre who was able to bring the ball around to score five metres to the right of the goal posts.

Ayden Byrnes also made a line break in the 38th minute with Ayden Byrnes running out of dummy half to his right from forty metres out from the try line with Adyen Byrnes then targeting the area behind the markers with Ayden Byrnes splitting the centre of the Tweed Heads defensive line as he got the ball to within twenty two metres of the try line.

Ayden Byrnes showed his intelligence in the 8th minute when after identifying that the Seagulls marker was not square, Ayden Byrnes ran out of dummy half to his right and right at the off-side marker to be awarded the penalty for the Mustangs eight metres out from the try line and directly in front of the goal posts.

Ayden Byrnes also did exceptionally well in the 57th minute when with Murwillumbah leading 18 – 16 the Tweed Heads put in an attacking chip kick for himself but Ayden Byrnes had anticipated the chip kick and got back to take the kick on the full whilst running back towards his own try line twenty metres out with the Seagulls halfback in close proximity.

The 2023 NRRRL U18 Grand Final saw Ayden Byrnes start at hooker for the Murwillumbah Mustang against the Bilambil Jets with Ayden Byrnes scoring in the 11th minute when with the play the ball eight metres out and just to the left of the goal posts, Ayden Byrnes ran out of dummy half to his left before cutting back to his right. After forcing his way out of the grasp of a Jets player who had grabbed the back of his jersey, Ayden Byrnes dummied to his right before dragging four Bilambil players over the try line with him to get the ball down adjacent to the right goal post.

Ayden Byrnes also ran out of dummy half to his right in the 15th minute with Ayden Byrnes able to get the ball from his own thirty three metre mark to within two metres of the halfway mark. Ayden Byrnes also ran out of dummy half in the 30th minute to run the ball from his own thirty seven metre mark to the forty seven metre mark after running to his right.

Then in the 44th minute once again Ayden Byrnes ran out of dummy half to his right to run the ball through the centre of the field to get the ball to within ten metres of the try line after commencing his run twenty metres out. Ayden Byrnes also smartly ran out of dummy half in the 53rd minute when after identifying that the Jets marker was not square, Ayden Byrnes ran straight at him to the left with Murwillumbah awarded a penalty eight metres from the try line.

At the 2023 Murwillumbah Mustangs Annual Awards Presentation Ayden Byrnes was named the 2023 NRRRL U18 Murwillumbah Mustangs Players Player.

2022 also saw Ayden Byrnes continue to attend PBC SHS, playing in the Walters Cup School Boy competition and at the end of year PBC SHS Sports Awards night, Ayden Byrnes was named the recipient of the Reds Year Ten Award.

Ayden Byrnes played exceptionally well in the Walters Cup for PBC SHS including a strong semi-final performance for PBC SHS against fellow Titans partnered school Marsden SHS with it looking like Riley Loughland had scored late in the match to lock the scores up at 16 all only after a great break out of dummy half by Ayden Byrnes only for the final pass from Ayden Byrnes to Riley Loughland to be ruled to have travelled forward by the touch judge.

Also at the completion of the 2022 School Boy Walters Cup competition for PBC SHS Ayden Byrnes was named on the bench in the 2022 Courier Mail Walters Cup School Boy Rugby League Team of the Season.

In October 2021 Ayden Byrnes was named in the Tweed Heads Seagulls U16 Cyril Connell Cup squad with Ayden Byrnes part of the Tweed Heads Seagull Cyril Connell Cup squad that played their opening 2022 trial against the Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad at Burleigh’s Pizzey Park.

After missing the opening rounds of the 2022 Cyril Connell Cup competition Ayden Byrnes was named at hooker for Round Four against the Easts Tigers and had a great CC Cup debut including scoring the Seagulls opening try in the 27th minute. Ayden Byrnes moved into dummy half around six metres from the line and just to the left of the goal posts. Upon picking up the ball Ayden Byrnes skipped out to his right, throwing a big dummy to his right before darting towards the line and diving over to score seven metres to the left of the uprights.

Such was the quality of Ayden Byrne’s performance that he was named on the bench in the Courier Mail’s U16 Cyril Connell Cup Round Four Team of the Week.

Ayden Byrnes continued at hooker in Round Five against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls and more than held his own defensively including a great low grassing tackle on his opposite number in the 6th minute as the Wynnum Manly hooker was trying to dart over from five metres out.

Ayden Byrne made a second desperate try saving tackle in the 22nd minute when he flew to his left to cut down the Wynnum Manly right second rower who had broken the Seagulls line and looked certain to score but for Ayden Byrne’s outstanding low tackle.

Ayden Byrnes also took the opportunity to run the ball out of dummy half when the opportunity presented itself with his best run coming in the 23rd minute when he ran out of dummy half to his right from ten metres out from his own try line to get the ball to twenty one metres out.

In 2021 Ayden Byrnes was part of the PBC State High School Hancock Cup school boy side including starting the Grand Final against Marsden State High School. Ayden Byrnes made a number of strong runs out of dummy half in the Grand Final, probably the best of which came in the 25th minute when after running out of dummy half to his left made twenty metres through the centre of the ruck to get the ball into Keebra Park SHS territory.

At the PBC Sports awards night Ayden Byrnes was awarded the 2021 PBC Year Nine Rugby League Player of the Season Award.

From an attacking stand point, Ayden Byrnes 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 to plus for a hooker but plays faster as Ayden Byrnes has become adept at running at the right time and focusses heavily when the markers are out of position, thus Ayden Byrnes either makes ground putting his team on the front foot or draws a penalty, in both scenario’s Ayden Byrnes generates momentum for his side through the skill and intelligence he has in spades.

The impressive thing about when Ayden Byrnes 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 Ayden Byrnes 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. Ayden Byrnes 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.

Ayden Byrnes 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, Ayden Byrnes has the lateral movement and anticipation to also defend against smaller quicker halves looking to exploit a perceived speed advantage.

Ayden Byrnes also has an intensity about his play which cannot be coached and is on display each and every time that Ayden Byrnes walks onto the field.

Ayden Byrnes will start the 2025 season as part of the Bilambil Jets NRRRL club with Ayden Byrnes pushing for an NRRRL First Grade debut with the Jets over the course of the 2025 rugbyt league season.

With his ability to size up an opportunity in terms of whether to run or pass in an instant as well as his competitive nature, Ayden Byrnes is a hooking prospect of immense potential, and one who will certainly not crack under pressure, instead thriving on it.

North Queensland Cowboys (and soon to be Roosters) NRL hooker Brandon Robson is a good player comparison for Ayden Byrnes. Both Robson and Ayden Byrnes just have that innate ability to know when to run the ball out of dummy half and whilst that is their best trait, both also are very good distributions out of dummy half and both are also very strong defenders in the centre of the field. For me however Ayden Byrnes has a lot more speed out of dummy half than the afore mentioned Brandon Robson, a heck of a lot more speed.
 
James Smith. In early September 2024 James Smith was named in the 2025 Tweed Heads Seagull CC Cup squad and James Smith is also CC Cup eligible in 2026.

In 2024 the ultra-talented TSS fly half James Smith started at No. 10 for the Queensland Reds U15 side against the ACT Brumbies and as a result of that performance James Smith was named at fly half (No.10) in the Courier Mail Reds Team of the Week.

James Smith also started at fly half against the New South Wales Waratahs and kicked a first half penalty goal from thirty metres out and in front and recorded a second half try assist with a superbly weighted pass to his right to put his inside centre over to score as Queensland defeated NSW 10-19 by way of a very late penalty goal. James Smith’s performance saw him named at No. 10 in the Reds Week Three Courier Mail Team of the Week.

For TSS in 2024 James Smith was a stand out for the TSS U15A side at No. 10 (fly half) including an after siren penalty gaol from forty seven metres out and a metre in from the right touchline to defeat Brisbane Boys Collage away from home.

James Smith just seems to have so much time and space with the ball in hand and which normally his initial thought is to set up his support runners which he can do with a myriad of passing options, from short ball to spiral cut-out passes to his support runner on the chest, James Smith is certainly an attacking threat himself with a show and go if defences focus too much on his support runners.

What makes James Smith so effective from an attacking perspective is the uncertainly that he generates in defenders by running the ball towards the defensive line out in front of his body in two hands with speed. James Smith does a great job of taking the ball deep into the defensive line before passing.

James Smith is easily one of the best kickers that I have ever seen in junior rugby/rugby league and is an exceptional long tactical kicker and is an immediate 40/20 threat. James Smith’s attacking kicking arsenal is just as impressive and diverse from high spirally bombs, through to well weighted chip kicks to putting the ball along the ground and into the in-goal to force a goal line drop-out.

Even though the defensive strategies incorporated are very different between rugby and rugby league James Smith looks as if the defensive transition from rugby to rugby league will not cause too many difficulties as James Smith has a sound, repeatable defensive technique to call upon. James Smith is used to having giant rugby forwards peeling out set pieces and rucks and mauls to run directly at him in rugby thus forwards on the fringes of the ruck running at him in rugby league will not be an issued.

James Smith will start the 2025 season as a member of the Tweed Heads Seagulls U17 CC Cup squad and James Smith is also CC Cup eligible in 2026. James Smtih will also return to TSS in 2025 and whilst he is likely to start the 2025 GPS School Boy Rugby season at No. 10 in the TSSS U16A squad I have no doubt he will also make multiple TSS First XV appearances over the course of the 2025 season before becoming the starting TSS First XV fly half in 2026 at the latest.

With his elite kicking and passing skills James Smith shapes as an outstanding prospect at five eight in rugby league and fly half (No. 10) in rugby.

James Smith is a near carbon copy of Titans rugby convert Carter Gordon. Both Carter Gordon and big and strong for rugby No. 10’s who are above average defenders to go along with their elite kicking and passing skills.

Heck this young man is going to be an International in either rugby or rugby league, wouldn’t it be great if James Smith is also wearing a Titans jersey!
 
Dylan Butcher. In late 2024 Dylan Butcher was named in the 2025 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad.

Round Two of the 2024 NRRRL U18 season (Round One was washed out) saw Dylan Butcher start at left second row before moving to right second row early in the match for the Mullumbimby Giants against the Casino Cougars.

Dylan Butcher made a strong run from a Mullumbimby penalty restart in the 15th minute to get the ball to within ten metres of the try lien after commencing his run twenty one metres out. Also in the 23rd minute from the right of the dummy half Dylan Butcher carried the ball to within twenty metres of the try line before getting a right arm flock off-load away to his right. Then a tackle later after running the ball down a short right blindside from twenty three metres from the try line Dylan Butcher bumped off one attempted tackle as Dylan Butcher got within six metres of the try line.

Dylan Butcher made a heavy tackle in the 10th minute when following through a Giants kick-off on the Casino No. 15 near the 3thirty two metres mark. Dylan Butcher followed that tackle up by also making the next tackle from the marker position.

Dylan Butcher then started at right second row in Round Three against the Marist Brothers.

Round Four against the Kyogle Turkeys saw Dylan Butcher continue at right second row and in the 14th minute after running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball Dylan Butcher was able to get the ball from the forty metre mark to halfway.

In the 32nd minute from the back of a Mullumbimby scrum win in the centre of the field and thirty five metres from the try line, Dylan Butcher ran to his right and used a left arm fend to beat a defender and then beat a second with a counter clockwise spin before running over the top of a third to carry the ball to within ten metres of the try line. Then in the 52nd minute from a Giants penalty restart Dylan Butcher carried the ball from the halfway mark to forty metres out breaking a tackle along the way.

Dylan Butcher then moved to left centre in Round Six against the Byron Bay Devils and in the 19th minute Dylan Butcher made a line break when after receiving the ball wide on the left Dylan Butcher broke through the defensive line forty two metres out and charged downfield before being brought down eight metres out.

From the left of a Mullumbimby scrum win in the 18th minute from thirty metres from the try line Dylan Butcher was able to make ten metres. Also in the 40th minute from wide on the right of a Giants scrum win Dylan Butcher ran the ball from fourteen metres from his own try line to twenty nine metres out. Then in the 46th minute from wide on the left Dylan Butcher broke two tackles as he carried the ball from forty six metres to within thirty four metres of the try line.

Dylan Butcher then started in the front row in Round Eight against the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Dylan Butcher returning the opening kick-off to the twenty metre mark.

In the 6th minute from the left of the play the ball Dylan Butcher ran the ball through the centre of the field from forty metres from his try line to four metres into the Mustangs half. Also in the 11th minute after packing into a scrum with a Mullumbimby scrum feed twenty metres from the try line and in the centre of the field Dylan Butcher ran to his left after picking up the ball at the back of the scrum to get the ball to within ten metres of the try line.

Dylan Butcher ran the ball through the centre of the field from two passes to the right of the play the ball in the 14th minute from thirty four metres from his try line to the halfway mark. Then in the 38th minute a Dylan Butcher carry from a Giants penalty restart saw him bump away from two defenders to get the ball from thirty five metres from his try line to the halfway mark.

Dylan Butcher them moved to right second row in Round Nine against the Lower Clarence Magpies and from the left of a Mullumbimby penalty restart in the 11th minute and twenty four metres from the try line Dylan Butcher got the ball within eleven metres of the try line.

After running an underneath route to the right of the play the ball Dylan Butcher was able to run the ball from thirty metres through the centre of the field to within three metres of the halfway mark. Then in the 33rd minute from the right of the play the ball thirty metres from his try line Dylan Butcher was able to break three tackles as he rumbled forward to five metres inside Lower Clarence territory.

From the back of a Giants scrum in the 41st minute Dylan Butcher ran to his left from forty to thirty metres from the try line. Then a minute later in the 42nd minute Dylan Butcher tracked back to pick up a poor pass by a team mate thirty two metres from the try line and returned the ball to nineteen metres from the try line. Also in the 50th minute from a penalty restart Dylan Butcher broke two tackles as he surged from thirty two to seventeen metres from the try line.

Dylan Butcher was back in the front row in Round Ten against Northern United with Dylan Butcher returning the opening kick-off to the fifteen metre mark and in the 3rd minute from the left of the play the ball and thirty three metres from the try line Dylan Butcher was able to get to within twenty metres.

A Dylan Butcher run from a Mullumbimby penalty restart saw the ball moved from forty to twenty nine metres from the try line and in the 27th minute from the right of the play the ball Dylan Butcher easily bumped off one defender as he ran the ball from ten metres inside his half to ten metres into Northern United territory. Also in the 48th minute from the right of the play the ball Dylan Butcher was able to get the ball from forty metres from his try line to six metres into Northern United’s half.

Dylan Butcher continued in the front row in Round Eleven against the Ballina Seagulls with Dylan Butcher scoring in the 48th minute when after receiving the ball from his right ten metres from the try line and ten metres in from the left touchline Dylan Butcher immediately cut back towards the centre of the field by way of a left foot step and after a second left foot step Dylan Butcher engaged one defender and after getting rid of him Dylan Butcher carried three more defenders over the try line to get the ball down three metres to the left of the goal posts.

In the 15th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball and forty metres from his try line Dylan Butcher bullied his way to eight metres into Seagulls territory with approximately 75% of his metres being post contact. Then later in the same set of six tackles from the left of the play the ball Dylan Butcher ran the ball through the centre of the field from twenty two to eight metres from the try line.

In the 28th minute from the right of the dummy half and thirty metres from his try line Dylan Butcher got the ball to within seven metres of the try line and in the 42nd minute Dylan Butcher ran the ball through the centre of the field from the left of the dummy half from fourteen to twenty five metres from the try line. Also in the 47th minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball Dylan Butcher ran the ball form thirty five to twenty two metres from the try line.

Dylan Butcher also started in the front row in Round Twelve against the Bilambil Jets with Dylan Butcher returning the opening kick-off of the match to the twenty metre mark.

From a Mullumbimby penalty restart in the 4th minute Dylan Butcher carried the ball through the centre of the field from twenty three to within nine metres of the try line. Then from the back of a Giants scrum win in the 17th minute Dylan Butcher picked the ball up at the back of the scrum and ran to his right to carry the ball from twenty four to within six metres of the try line and directly in front of the posts. Another Dylan Butcher run from a Mullumbimby penalty restart in the 39th minute saw him get the ball from his forty to the halfway.

In the 41st minute from the left of the play the ball and ten metres from his try line Dylan Butcher was able to make twelve metres and also in the 53rd minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball Dylan Butcher ran through the centre of the field from forty to twenty eight metres from the try line.

Dylan Butcher continued in the front row in Round Thirteen against the Tweed Coast Raiders and in the 3rd minute a kick-off return saw the ball out to the thirty metre mark after Dylan Butcher broke a tackle. Also in the 4th minute from the left of the play the ball Dylan Butcher ran the ball from two metres inside his half to ten metres into the Raiders.

Dylan Butcher came off the bench to operate at lock in the 20th minute of the NRRRL U18 rescheduled Round Five match against the Cudgen Hornets and a minute later in the 21st minute from the left of the play the ball Dylan Butcher carried the ball through the centre of the field from forty six to twenty eight metres from the try line after targeting the area behind the markers.

As the ball was being played in the 44th minute Dylan Butcher cut from the left of the dummy half to the right to carry the ball down a short blindside from ten metres from his own try line and after pushing off one defender Dylan Butcher ran to his left and out to the thirty metre mark. Then in the 47th minute from the right of the play the ball Dylan Butcher was able to get the ball from six metres inside his half to eight metres into Cudgen’s. Also in the 48th minute Dylan Butcher ran the ball down a short right blindside once again from twenty eight to fourteen metres from the try line breaking a tackle along the way.

In October 2022 Dylan Butcher was named in the 2023 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad with Dylan Butcher’s first match in 2023 coming in the Northern Rivers Titans Andrew Johns Cup first trial against the North Coast Bulldogs in Coffs Harbour.

In 2023 even though Dylan Butcher was still U16 eligible Dylan Butcher played a number of matches for the Mullumbimby Giants U18 NRRRL side including starting at left second row and putting in a good performance against the Murwillumbah Mustangs. Dylan Butcher also started at left second row in Round Fourteen against the Ballina Seagulls.

At the completion of the NRRRL U18 season Dylan Butcher was the co-winner of the 2023 Mullumbimby Colts U18 Most Consistent Award.

2022 saw Dylan Butcher play for the Mullumbimby Giants in the Group 18 U15 competition with Dylan Butcher being named the winner of the 2022 Mullumbimby Giants U15 Group 18 Best and Fairest Award.

In early December 2021 Dylan Butcher played in a Titans U14 Development Squad Trial where two Titans U14 Development Squads played against each other with both wearing different coloured Titans jerseys to give the young men a feeling of achievement by wearing an NRL type of jersey.

In 2021 Dylan Butcher played for the Mullumbimby Giants in the Group 18 U14 competition, being named the 2021 Murwillumbah Colts Group 18 U14 Best Forward.

In the 2021 Group 18 U14 competition the Mullumbimby Giants won two of their nine matches, scoring 156 points and conceding 276 to finish with a points deferential of -120.

Dylan Butcher also played for the Mullumbimby Giants in the Group 18 U13 competition being named the 2020 Murwillumbah Colts Group 18 U13 Best and Fairest and Best Forward.

Running with the ball, Dylan Butcher has good footwork prior to the line and does not often just put his head down and run straight but uses his solid footwork to try to work the gaps between defenders rather than trying to simply run over them although you can see that when he gets fired up all subtlety and thoughts of self-preservation goes out the window and he becomes a giant wrecking ball.

Dylan Butcher does not have great speed off the mark or necessary great high end speed, but he will work hard and make the most of his ability. Dylan Butcher actually does have a decent off load usually with his right hand when he has impacted the defensive line as well and regularly showcases this in game situations.

In game situations Dylan Butcher is also showcasing his ability to offload prior to the defensive line, a skill that he has developed and incorporated is recent seasons.

Defensively Dylan Butcher can certainly hit very hard, usually aiming for just under the ribs and first intention is to lock up the ball to prevent offloads.

Dylan Butcher has more than reasonable lateral mobility for a forward and due to the fact that he bends his hips when looking to make a tackle he is usually is able to wrap up the smaller attackers without his tackles slipping up to around the head or neck and thus giving away penalties. Dylan Butcher can however get fired up and really cause havoc defensively.

Dylan Butcher will play the 2025 season with the Mullumbimby Giants in the NRRRL U18 competition for the second season in a row and will also push for an NRRRL First Grade debut. Dylan Butcher will also start the 2025 season as a member of the Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad.

With his hard working mentality and hard running and tough tackling attributes Dylan Butcher seems destined to stay in the second row long term.

Dylan Butcher has a similar playing style to that of former Titans second rower and New Zealand International Kevin Proctor as a second rower who can defend either in the centre of the ruck or a little wider out as a foil for his half or five eight, a defensive minder if you will.

Also like a young Kevin Proctor Dylan Butcher is also a strong ball runner who can regularly break tackles and has more than decent speed (a young Kevin Proctor I am referring to of course) once he is into and through the defensive line.
 
Jett Flatley. In late 2024 Jett Flatley signed a multi-year contract with Gold Coast Titans with Jett Flatley playing in a Titans jersey for the first time in January 2025 for a Titans JTS U17 side in their annual match against the Newcastle Knights in Coffs Harbour with the Titans prevailing in very wet conditions.

In late 2024 Jett Flatley was named in the 2025 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad and Jett Flatley is also U18 eligible in 2026 with Jett Flatley taking part in the team’s first 2025 trial off the bench against the Northern Tigers.

In late September 2023 Jett Flatley was named in the 2024 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad with Jett Flatley part of the Northern Rivers Titans U16 squad that defeated the Greater Northern Tigers in their first 2024 trial.

Round One of the 2024 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition saw Jett Flatley named at left second row for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights with Jett Flatley making the opening tackle of the match from the Northern Rivers Titans kick off to get the match underway.

In the 4th minute after running onto the ball to the left of the dummy half Jett Flatley broke a tackle on a strong yardage carry that saw Jett Flatley carry the ball from his own fourteen metre mark out to the twenty four metre mark with approximately 65% of his metres gained being post Jett Flatley’s contact with the Knights defensive line.

Jett Flatley in the 23rd minute was able to cleanly pick up a loose Northern Rivers pass from his right on the halfway mark and get the ball fourteen metres into Knights territory. Then in the 28th minute from the left of the play the ball Jett Flatley carried the ball from eighteen metres out from his own try line to thirty four metres out and then with his back towards his own try line Jett Flatley was able to get a right arm off-load away to his left winger.

Also in the 37th minute Jett Flatley ran an underneath route to the left of the play the ball with Jett Flatley able to carry the ball from ten metres inside his own territory to four metres into Newcastle territory.

Jett Flatley followed up in the 39th minute with a yardage carry from the right of the play the ball with Jett Flatley carrying the ball from ten metres out from his own try line to twenty two metres out and once again Jett Flatley was able to get a right arm off-load away. Then a tackle later Jett Flatley, from the left of the play the ball ran the ball out to the forty metre mark.

Jett Flatley also started at left second row in Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters with Jett Flatley running onto the ball to the left of the dummy half in the 6th minute to carry the ball from fourteen metres out from the try line to within two metres.

A minute later in the 7th minute Jett Flatley once again took possession of the ball to the left of the play the ball to carry the ball from ten metres inside his own half to a metre inside Central Coast territory.

Jett Flatley also started at left second row in Round Four against the Northern Tigers with Jett Flatley producing the run of the match in the 39th minute when after taking a Tigers kick-off on the full just two metres from his own try line Jett Flatley charged and went straight through the heart of the oncoming defenders with Jett Flatley breaking a staggering six tackles as he carried the ball to within six metres of the halfway mark.

Earlier in the 25th minute from the right of a Northern Rivers penalty restart from twenty seven metres from the try line Jett Flatley broke two tackles and then stepped off his left foot to get the ball to within ten metres of the try line just to the left of the uprights. Then in the 28th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball Jett Flatley ran the ball down the left channel from sixteen metres out from his own try line to thirty metres out.

Two minutes later in the 30th minute Jett Flatley ran an underneath route from the left of the dummy half to get the ball from forty two metres from the try line to thirty metres. Then from two passes to the left of the dummy half in the 33rd minute Jett Flatley got the ball from thirty six metres from his own try line to four metres into Tigers territory with approximately 75% of Jett Flatley’s metres being post contact. Jett Flatley then rounded out an impressive match in the 43rd minute with a kick-off return that saw Jett Flatley return the ball to the twenty three metre mark.

Jett Flatley continued at left second row in the Round Five local derby against the North Coast Bulldogs. In the 13th minute from two passes to the left of the dummy half Jett Flatley ran the ball down the left channel from four metres inside North Coast territory to thirty five metres from the try line.

In the 49th minute after taking a Bulldogs kick-off on the full twenty metres from the try line Jett Flatley ran the ball towards the centre of the field to get the ball to the thirty one metre mark. Then in the 58th minute from two passes to the left of a Northern Rivers penalty restart Jett Flatley was able to get the ball from two metres inside North Coast territory to thirty six metres from the try line with Jett Flatley rolling the final four metres.

Jett Flatley also started at left second row in the rescheduled Round Three match against the St George Dragons with Jett Flatley making a line break in the 37th minute when after receiving a pass from his right when in space and twenty two metres from the try line Jett Flatley surged towards the try line but unfortunately as he stepped off his left foot he slipped to be tackled by the St George fullback less than a metre from the try line and eleven metres in from the left corner post.

After taking the 5th minute of the match down the left channel from eight metres inside his own territory to seven metres into St George territory, Jett Flatley also ran the ball down the left channel in the 4thm minute from twenty metres from his own try line to thirty metre away. From two passes to the left of the play the ball in the 25th minute Jett Flatley made a yardage carry from thirty metres from his own try line to twenty five metres out.

In the 43rd minute after collecting a Dragons kick-off on the bounce near the left touchline Jett Flatley ran the ball to his right to carry the ball to the twenty metre mark. Then later in the same set of six tackles and from two passes to the left of the dummy half Jett Flatley ran straight over the top of one defender as he carried the ball from the halfway mark to within thirty eight metres of the try line.

Jett Flatley showcased his defensive prowess in the 53rd minute when along with Bailey Lebrese, Jett Flatley made a crunching tackle on the St George second rower No. 11 who resented the tackle with the complaining going on for so long that the referee finally had enough and awarded a penalty to Northern Rivers.

Jett Flatley played for the Ballina Seagulls in the 2024 Group One U16 competition with Jett Flatley named the 2024 Ballina Seagulls International Player of the Year.

After Round One of the 2024 NRRRL U18 season was abandoned due to weather even though he was still U16 eligible Jett Flatley started from the bench for the Ballina Seagulls in Round Two against the Kyogle Turkeys with Jett Flatley coming onto the field to operate at left second row in the 15th minute

Jett Flatley made his initial run shortly after coming onto the field to the right of the play the ball to get the ball thirty sic metres away from his own try line. Also from two passes to the left of a Seagull centre field scrum Jett Flatley was able to get the ball from twenty seven metres from his try line to forty metres out. Then in the 56th minute from the left of the play the Ball Jett Flatley ran the ball through the centre of the field from nineteen metres from his try line to thirty metres out.

Jett Flatley did exceptionally well in the 21st minute to race to his left to make a try saving tackle on the Marist right winger with Jett Flatley taking the winger into touch a mere two metres from the left corner post. Jett Flatley also did well defensively in the 57th minute to chase a Marist line break and tackle the Lismore No. 17 from behind just sixteen metres from the try line.

Jett Flatley started from the bench in Round Four against the Cudgen Hornets with Jett Flatley scoring an outstanding double.

Jett Flatley scored the first of his tries in the 19th minute when after coming onto the field to operate at left second row Jett Flatley ran onto the ball to the left of the play the ball thirty four metres from the try line and stepped off his right foot to burst through the Cudgen defensive line before using a left arm fend to beat a defender before veering to his right to round the fullback and score under the posts.

Jett Flatley completed his double in the 32nd minute with a run from two passes to the right of the play the ball from eight metres inside his own territory and after a subtle dummy to his left Jett Flatley burst through the defensive line on the halfway mark with Jett Flatley beating the Cudgen fullback by way of a right foot step with Jett Flatley then executing a big dive to score seven metres to the right of the goal posts.

Jett Flatley did well after making the return from the Cudgen second half kick off to get the ball to the twenty two metre mark. Then in the 35th minute from the right of the play the ball Jett Flatley ran the ball through the centre of the field from forty five metres to twenty three metres from the try line beating three tackles along the way.

Jett Flatley also came off the bench in the rescheduled Round Three match against the Kyogle Turkeys and after coming onto the field to operate at right second row in the 19th minute Jett Flatley scored in the 32nd minute with a twelve metre run wide on the right to score untouched four metres in from the right corner post.

In the 19th minute from the right of the play the ball Jett Flatley ran the ball through the centre of the field from twenty three metres to thirty seven metres from the try line with approximately 70% of Jett Flatley’s metres being post contact with Jett Flatley also breaking a tackle along the way. Then two tackled later from the left of the play the ball Jett Flatley once again ran through the centre of the field and after juggling the ball Jett Flatley carried the ball from forty to thirty metres from the try line.

From the left of the play the ball in the 22nd minute and thirty one metres from his try line Jett Flatley ran the ball to the forty four metre mark and then in the 20th minute from the left of the dummy half a Jett Flatley yardage carry saw the ball moved from two metres to fourteen metres from his try line.

The 34th minute saw Jett Flatley track back and after picking up a misplaced Ballina pass sixteen metres from his try line Jett Flatley carried the ball towards the centre of the field and get the ball to the thirty seven metre mark. Also in the 41st minute Jett Flatley ran the ball from the right of the play the ball from twelve metres to twenty six metres from the try line.

Jett Flatley made a strong tackle in the 24th minute when he came over the top to crunch the Ballina No. 14 over the top to bend him backwards and over the right touchline eighteen metres from the try line.

Jett Flatley continued off the bench in Round Eight against the Lower Clarence Magpies and after coming onto the field to play at left second row in the 19th minute Jett Flatley came close to scoring on two occasions including in the 26th minute from the left of the play the ball and twelve metres from the try line a Jett Flatley charge appeared to get him to the try line ten metres in from the left corner post but the referee ruled that Jett Flatley had grounded the ball just short.

It was the same situation in the 30th minute when a ten metre charge from the left of the play the ball say him seemingly ground the ball on the try line to the left of the goal posts but once again the referee ruled that the ball did not touch the try line.

In the 24th minute and from the right of the play the ball Jett Flatley carried the ball through the centre of the field from the halfway mark to thirty eight metres from the try line.

Jett Flatley came off the bench to operate at left second row in Round Ten against the Bilambil Jets and in the 31st minute after receiving an off-load from his right Jett Flatley broke two tackles in a run from forty one to twenty five metres from the try line.

In the 34th minute Jett Flatley carried the ball down the left channel breaking another two tackles to get the ball from thirty to nine metres from the try line and also in the 46th minute from the right of the play the ball a Jett Flatley effort from the right of the play the ball saw him move the ball from thirty seven to twenty two metres from the try line. Then in the 51st minute from a Ballina penalty tap Jett Flatley carried the ball within ten metres of the try line from twenty one metres out.

Jett Flatley continued off the bench in Round Eleven against the Mullumbimby Giants and after coming onto the field to operate at right second row (left second row in the second half) in the 18th minute Jett Flatley scored in the 24th minute when he backed up a Ballina line break to receive the ball from his left six metres out to comfortably score under the posts.

In the 26th minute from the right of the dummy half Jett Flatley got the ball from forty one to twenty seven metres from the try line and then in the 58th minute from the left of the play the ball Jett Flatley bumped away from one defender before running to his right and broke a tackle to run the ball from the halfway to thirty one metres from the try line.

Jett Flatley came off the bench to operate at right second row in the 14th minute of Round Twelve against the Tweed Coast Raiders and in the 16th minute from the left of the play the ball Jett Flatley ran the ball through the centre of the field from the left of the play the ball to move the ball from twenty five to thirty nine metres from the try line.

A straight hard Jett Flatley charge in the 25th minute saw him get within centremetres of the try line from thirteen metres out and ten metres in from the right corner post. Then in the 41st minute from the right of the play the ball thirty eight metres from the try line Jett Flatley bumped off two defenders to get the ball to the halfway mark.

From a Ballina penalty restart in the 47th minute saw Jett Flatley got the ball from the halfway eleven metres into Raiders territory. Also in the 51st minute from another Seagulls penalty restart thirty metres from the try line Jett Flatley carried the ball to within eighteen metres.

Jett Flatley started at left second row in Round Thirteen against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Jett Flatley making a line break in the 24th minute by way of a hard straight run from the left of the play the ball through the centre of the field from twenty four metres from his try line with Jett Flatley bursting through three attempted tackles before a left arm fend beat a fourth to charge ten metres inside Tweed Heads territory before passing to his left.

Jett Flatley made a second line break in the 52nd minute with another hard straight charge from eighteen metres from his try line that saw him break two tackles to charge to the opposite end of the field to twenty metres from the try line.

In the 13th minute from the left of the play the ball Jett Flatley ran the ball down the left channel from thirty to forty five metres from the try line. Then from the right of the play the ball in the 31st minute, being the second hit-up of the second half Jett Flatley made twelve metres to get to thirty metres from his try line. Also from a Ballina penalty restart in the 26th minute Jett Flatley broke two tackles as he carried the ball from twelve metres inside his half to thirteen metres into Tweed Heads.

Jett Flatley started at lock in Round Fourteen against the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Jett Flatley scoring in the 59th minute with a hard straight crash line off a pass from his right to charge ten metres to score nine metres in from the left corner post.

After making the third hit-up of the match from the left of the play the ball through the centre of the field from twenty to thirty metres from his try line Jett Flatley, in the 9th minute ran the ball through the centre of the field once again from twenty to thirty five metres from his try line.

The 25th minute saw Jett Flatley run an underneath route to the left of the play the ball through the centre of the field from twenty to within four metres of the try line just to the left of the goal posts. Then in the 38th minute Jett Flatley carried the ball down the left channel from thirty eight metres from his try line to three metres inside Mustangs territory. Also in the 42nd minute from the left of the play the ball and ten metres inside his half Jett Flatley was able to get the ball to the halfway.

Jett Flatley came off the bench to operate at right second row in the 16th minute of the rescheduled Round One NRRRL U18 match against the Casino Cougars with Jett Flatley scoring in the 45th minute with a hard straight charge from twelve metres out and two passes to the right of the play the ball with Jett Flatley breaking one tackle with a left arm fend to score ten metres to the right of the posts.

From the left of the play the ball in the 20th minute and twenty three metres from his try line Jett Flatley crashed through three attempted tackles as he charged to the halfway mark. Then in the 30th minute from wide on the right side of the field forty six metres from the try line Jett Flatley threatened to pass to his right before running the ball himself to twenty seven metres from the try line.

From two passes to the right of the play the ball sixteen metres from the try line Jett Flatley pushed away from one defender and then continued to run to his right and after shrugging off a second defender Jett Flatley got within a metre of the try line ten metres in from the right corner post. Also in the 41st minute from the left of the play the ball Jett Flatley broke one tackles as he ran the ball from forty seven to thirty metres from the try line.

Jett Flatley started at right second row in the rescheduled Round Five match against the Byron Bay Devils and in the 30th minute after running an underneath route to the right of the play the ball from twenty six to within six metres of the try line before off-loading to his right.

From a Ballina penalty restart in the 47th minute Jett Flatley broke a tackle as he ran the ball from twenty three to thirty eight metres from the try line and then in the 53rd minute from the left of the play the ball Jett Flatley ran the ball from twenty to within four metres of the try line to the right of the posts.

After coming onto the field to operate at left second row in the 14th minute of Round Fifteen against Lismore Marist Jett Flatley had an astonishing five minute period at the end of the first half that saw Jett Flatley score two tries and set up another.

In the 25th minute from the left of the play the ball Jett Flatley cut to his right to crashed over to score four metres to the left of the posts from fourteen metres out.

Two minutes later in the 27th minute also from the left of the play the ball Jett Flatley from twenty six metres from the try line beat his opposing defender and charged down the left touchline to ultimately score four metres in from the left corner post.

Then in the 29th minute when after backing up a Ballina line break Jett Flatley received a pass from his right eighteen metres from his try line and ran to within four metres of try line before off-loading to his left for his fullback to score in the left corner.

From the right of the play the ball in the 16th minute Jett Flatley carried the ball through the centre of the field from five metres inside his half to five metres into Marist’s. Also in the 31st minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball Jett Flatley was able to get the ball from thirty to forty two metres from the try line.

Jett Flatley started at right second row in Round Sixteen against the Kyogle Turkeys with Jett Flatley recording a line break assist in the 52nd minute when from the left of the play the ball Jett Flatley carried the ball through the centre of the field to thirty metres from his try line before throwing a short pass to his left to put his replacement front rower No. 20 in a big gap with Ballina scoring from the subsequent play the ball.

In the opening minutes of the match Jett Flatley ran the ball down the right channel from the halfway to eleven metres into the Turkeys half with Jett Flatley awarded a penalty after being held down. Then from the penalty restart Jett Flatley was able to get the ball from twenty eight to eleven metres from the try line. Also in the 10th minute from the left of the play the ball Jett Flatley carried the ball from twenty six to forty one metres from the try line.

Jett Flatley also ran the ball down the right channel in the 13th minute from thirty five to twenty metres from the try line and in the 20th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball Jett Flatley carried the ball through the centre of the field from twenty six to forty metres from the try line. Then in the 21st minute from wide on the right side of the field Jett Flatley broke a tackle as he promoted the ball from forty two to thirty metres from the try line.

In early March 2023 Jett Flatley was named in the second row in the Lismore Diocesan U15 School Boy Rugby League Representative Team to attend the Northern Country selection trials at South West Rocks out of Xavier College.

In late 2022 Jett Flatley commenced training with the 2022 Titans U14 Group One JTS Academy squad.

Round One of the 2022 Group One U14 competition saw Jett Flatley start at left second row for the Ballina Seagulls against the Marist Rams with Jett Flatley scoring in the Seagulls first up victory. Jett Flatley also scored in Round Nine against the South Grafton Rebels and in Round Fourteen against the Marists Rams.

In Week One of the 2022 Group One U14 Finals series Jett Flatley started in the second row for the Ballina Seagulls against the South Grafton Rebels with Jett Flatley scoring a double in a Seagulls 22 – 10 victory.

Jett Flatley also started in the second row in the Preliminary Final against the Kyogle Turkeys with Jett Flatley scoring two tries once again as the Seagulls progressed to the Grand Final.

Jett Flatley started in the second row and had another try scoring double in Ballina’s tough 2022 Group One U14 Grand Final loss against Casino RSM.

Jett Flatley finished the 2022 Group One U14 competition with ten tries to finish equal fifth in that particular category and Jett Flatley also finished as the competition’s seventh leading points scorer with forty points as a result of his ten tries.

In 2022 Jett Flatley, after starting from the bench for the Lismore/Armidale representative squad at the U15 Northern Country trials at Tamworth, following Lismore Diocesan selection trials at Xavier College, Ballina, Jett Flatley was named in the 2022 U15 Northern College Combined Catholic College School Boy Rugby League Representative squad for the New South Wales U15 School Boy Championships an impressive feat considering Jett Flatley was still U14 eligible in 2022.

Round One of the 2021 Group One U13 competition saw Jett Flatley start in the second row for Ballina against in the Clarence Coast Magpies, scoring a hat trick in the Seagulls 58 – 0 win. Jett Flatley also captained the Ballina Seagulls side.

Round Two against the Marist Brothers Rams Lismore saw Jett Flatley start once again in the second row and he was one of the Seagulls try scorers in their 66 – 0 victory.

Jett Flatley also started in the second row in Round Three against the Kyogle Turkeys with the impressive youngster scoring a double as the Seagulls went down 28 – 10. In Round Four against South Grafton, Jett Flatley scored a hat trick after starting the match in the second row.

Jett Flatley continued in the second row in Round Five in the local derby against the South Grafton Rebels, kicking a conversion in the Ghosts 28 – 16 victory. From the second row position in Round Six against the Clarence Coast magpies, Jett Flatley scored two more tries and also kicked a conversion in Ballina’s 52 – 0 victory.

Jett Flatley dropped back to start from the bench in Round Nine against Marist Brothers, kicking a conversion in his time on the field and then once against started in the second row in Round Ten against the Kyogle Turkeys and in Round Eleven against the South Grafton Rebels. Jett Flatley then started from the bench in Round Twelve against the Clarence Coast Magpies before being named to start in the second row in Round Thirteen against the Clarence Coast Magpies, scoring a try and kicking two conversions in the Seagulls 46 – 12 victory.

The talented Ballina Seagulls second rower was a key member of the Seagulls 2020 U12 side that won the Group One U12 Grand Final 36 – 0 against the Kyogle Turkeys with Jett Flatley scoring a try and kicking a conversion in the match.

Jett Flatley started in all eleven of Ballina’s 2020 matches, including in the Grand Final and in those eleven matches, scored forty eight points from nine tries and six conversions, with all six conversions coming in separate matches and in the main were situations when Jett Flatley converted a try of his own.

Jett Flatley finished the 2020 Group One U12 abridged regular season on a high, scoring a hat trick against the Clarence Coast Magpies in Round Ten and also scored a double in Round Six against the Grafton Ghosts. Jett Flatley also scored against South Grafton in Round Two and Clarence Coast once again in Round Five.

In Round Two against the South Grafton Rebels, Jett Flatley was barely touched by the Rebels defence, scoring from forty metres out after receiving the ball from the dummy half from his left. After receiving the ball Jett Flatley ran through a South Grafton defence that had barely moved off their line and then beat the cover defence with sheer pace to dive over three metres in from the right corner post.

One of Jett Flatley’s Round Ten three tries was as good of a long range solo try that I have seen in any junior age group ever. Jett Flatley received the ball four passes from the play the ball as Ballina spun the ball to their left. When Jett Flatley received the ball he was only fifteen metres out from his own line and just five metres in from the left touchline. Jett Flatley stepped off his left foot to beat one defender before veering back towards the left touchline, breaking five tackles as he broke into space still sixty metres from the try line. Even though three Magpies defenders gave chase they could not take any ground at all off Jett Flatley and he was able to dive over in the left corner to score an outstanding try.

I have noted two outstanding solo tries to look to highlight the skill set that Jett Flatley possesses, but I could also note multiple instances of outstanding defence over the course of 2020 which would also go a long way to describing just how good Jett Flatley is. Some of the tackles against Kyogle, Casino RSM and the Clarence Coast Magpies were simply outstanding with Jett Flatley hitting hard and often with both his left and right shoulders.

Jett Flatley is a big powerful young man who whilst using his size to his advantage by running hard and straight, he does have quite decent footwork prior to the defensive line, which he uses to cut back behind the play the ball to take advantage of defenders who are slow to get back into the defensive line.

Where Jett Flatley’s game has really developed over the last couple of seasons his ability to play wider of the ruck, which is where he is primarily playing for the Ballina this season. With his size and strength wider of the ruck Jett Flatley attracts defenders and thus is in a position to use his ball skills to set up his outside supports early in a match. When defences start to try to anticipate that Jett Flatley is going to pass then he can use his size and power to cash through the defensive line as no defender is going to be able to handle him one on one by themselves.

In defence Jett Flatley uses his size and strength to make very solid initial contact and certainly can take on all opposing forwards one on one. Jett Flatley 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.

Jett Flatley will play the 2025 season with the Ballina Seagulls in the NRRRL U18 competition for the second season in a row and will start the 2025 season as part of the Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad and Jett Flatley is also U18 eligible in 2026.

If you were looking to build a modern day rugby league second rower, you could not have a better template to work with than Jett Flatley as he has the requisite size, strength, speed and power to be a difference maker. I have not seen Jett Flatley play anywhere other than in the second row and to be honest I do not expect too either.

Former Melbourne Storm, St George Dragons and New South Wales State of Origin tough, hard second rower Tariq Sims is a more than reasonable comparison for Jett Flatley. Both Sims and Jett Flatley are big strong and powerful but at the same time have outstanding speed and hit the line very very hard.
 
Oliver Walker. After Round One of the 2024 NRRRL U18 competition was abandoned due to poor weather Oliver Walker started at halfback for the Kyogle Turkeys against Northern United in Round Two with Oliver Walker scoring a try and kicking three conversions in a solid first up victory for the Turkeys.

Oliver Walker scored inside the opening minute of the match when he backed up a line break by the Turkey’s right centre with Oliver Walker receiving the ball from his right and running twenty seven metres to score untouched four metres to the right of the goal posts.

Oliver Walker kicked the first of his three conversions in the 1st minute from directly four metres to the right of the goal posts to convert his own try with Oliver Walker then adding a second conversion in the 10th minute also from in front of the posts. Oliver Walker then kicked his third conversion in the 47th minute also from in front to convert a try that Oliver Walker set up for Cohen Bateman.

Oliver Walker also recorded a try assist in the 47th minute when from the right of the play the ball and fifteen metres from the try line Oliver Walker ran to within ten metres of the try lien before holding up a smart pass to his left to Cohen Bateman who beat the Northern United fullback to score under the posts.

In the 4th minute from the right of the play the ball and just five metres from his own try line Oliver Walker did exceptionally well to force his way all of the way out to the thirty two metres mark with Oliver Walker then being awarded a penalty for Northern United ruck interference.

In the 16th minute from the left of the play the ball Oliver Walker took possession of the ball in the centre of the field around ten metres out with Oliver Walker then putting in a right foot grubber kick into the in-goal with a Northern United defender taking the ball dead to force the goal line drop-out.

Oliver Walker showed how well that he can read the play in the 57th minute when he positioned himself well to take a Northern United chip on the full on the halfway mark in the centre of the field with Oliver Walker then returning the kick to his right ten metres to forty metres from the try line.

Oliver Walker continued at halfback in Round Four against the Mullumbimby Giants with Oliver Walker scoring a spectacular hat trick as well as converting his own try from in front of the goal posts in the 4th minute. Oliver Walker came close to kicking a second conversion 8th minute only for his effort hitting the post from the right touchline.

In the 4th minute after chasing a kick through Oliver Walker produced a great one on one strip of the ball from the Giants left winger and then had an easy ten metre run to score under the posts. Oliver Walker then converted his own try.

Oliver Walker scored his second try in the 21st minute when from the left of the play the ball and thirty seven metres from the try line in the centre of the field, Oliver Walker shaped to pass to his left before putting in a right foot grubber kick with Oliver Walker chasing his own kick and as he and the Giants fullback converged on the ball, Oliver Walker’s attempted kick off the ground missed the ball with the Giants fullback also coming up empty. Oliver Walker reacted first however and after juggling the ball before securing it Oliver Walker raced away to score three metres to the left of the goal posts.

Oliver Walker completed his hat trick in the 49th minute by way of a stepping twelve metre run to score under the posts after receiving an off-load from his left.

In the 13th minute from the right of the play the ball Oliver Walker ran the ball after dummying both to his left and right as he ran the ball from eighteen to thirty metres from his try line. Then in the 54th minute from the right of the play the ball and forty five metres from the try line Oliver Wlaker stepped off his right foot to get the ball to within thirty two metres of the try line.

Oliver Walker also started at halfback in Round Six against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Oliver Walker forcing a Tweed Heads goal line drop-out in the 15th minute when after taking possession of the ball to the right of the dummy half and ten metres from the try line Oliver Walker stepped to his left to beat a defender who had raced out of the defensive line with Oliver Walker then putting in a right foot grubber kick to his right into the in-goal which was grounded by the Seagulls fullback in-goal to force the gaol line drop-out.

Oliver Walker also did well in the 33rd minute when he anticipated a Tweed Heads chip kick with Oliver Walker taking the chip kick on the full a metre from his try line with Oliver Walker doing well to stay in the field of play. Then in the 52nd minute Oliver Walker short kick-off to his left was well weighted to allow a Turkeys chaser to retrieve the ball.

Oliver Walker continued at halfback in Round Seven against the Casino Cougars and in the 2nd minute from the right of the play the ball Oliver Walker stepped off his left foot as he ran the ball from thirty metres to forty one metres from the try line.

In the 11th minute after running the ball from the left of the dummy half fifteen metres from his try line Oliver Walker put in a right foot chip over the top of the oncoming defensive line with the ball then kicked forward off the ground by Tyler Moore.

Oliver Walker did well defensively in the 14th minute when along with Jed Mulcahy, Oliver Walker held up the giant Casino No. 20 mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Oliver Walker also started at halfback in the rescheduled Round Three match against the Ballina Seagulls with Oliver Walker recording a try assist in the 45th minute when after receiving the ball to the right of the dummy half fourteen metres from the try line Oliver Walker dummied to an underneath runner and after continuing to run to his right Oliver Walker held his pass to his right to nine metres from the try line before off-loading the ball to Jed Mulcahy who burst through a gap to score seven metres to the right of the goal posts.

Oliver Walker also recorded a line break assist in the 58th minute from the right of the dummy half on the halfway mark Oliver Walker once again dummied to an underneath runner and after carrying the ball to forty metres from the try line Oliver Walker threw a hard flat cut-out pass to his right to Jed Mulcahy who charged twenty three metres downfield.

In the 28th minute from the right of the play the ball in the 28th minute Oliver Walker stepped his way from thirty four metres to within four metres of the halfway mark.

Oliver Walker did well defensively in the 15th minute when he was involved in holding up the Ballina lock three metres to the right of the goal posts. Oliver Walker made an even better tackle in the 25th minute when he charged to his right to make a great low cover defending tackle on the Ballina fullback on the right touchline on the halfway mark.

In the 39th minute from the right of the play the ball and ten metres from the try line Oliver Walker put in a right foot grubber kick which was knocked on by a Ballina defender just out from his own try line to give the Turkeys a scrum feed ten metres from the try line.

Oliver Walker continued at halfback in for Round Eight against Marist Brothers with Oliver Walker scoring a try and kicking a conversion in a hard fought 10 all draw with Oliver Walker kicking his conversion in the 41st minute from twelve metres in from the left touchline. Oliver Walker came close to kicking a second conversion in the 50th minute only for his effort to convert his own try from ten metres to the right of the goal posts to hit the right upright and bounce out.

Oliver Walker scored in the 50th minute when after taking possession to the right of the play the ball sixteen metres from the try line Oliver Walker looked to his right before accelerating and bursting through a gap to score ten metres to the right of the goal posts.

The 27th minute saw Oliver Walker run the ball out of dummy half down a short left blindside from forty metres to twenty nine metres from the try line and in the 33rd minute Oliver Walker also ran out of dummy half to his left from thirty to twenty metres from the try line. Then in the 38th minute Oliver Walker accelerated at the defensive line from the left of the play the ball to run the ball from fifteen metres from the try line to within a metre of the try line three metres to the left of the uprights.

Oliver Walker executed a smart piece of play in the 27th minute when whilst lining up to kick the ball off Oliver Walker identified some space and put in a right foot kick-off along the ground to his left with the ball retrieved by Kyogle just after the ball had broken the ten metre plane.

Oliver Walker put in an additional smart kick in the 37th minute with a right foot chip into the in-goal from twenty five metres out and to the right of the play the ball with the Marist winger forced to take the ball dead in-goal to require the goal line drop-out.

In the 47th minute Oliver Walker after putting in a high bomb from the right of the play the ball and eighteen metres out Oliver Walker chased his own kick and took the ball on the full two metres from the try line but was unfortunately tackled immediately. Then two minutes later in the 49th minute another high right foot bomb by Oliver Walker came down just a metre from the try line and was knocked on by the Marist defender with Oliver Walker scoring himself from the subsequent set of six tackles.

Oliver Walker made a try saving tackle in the 55th minute on the Lismore lock directly under the posts and then from marker Oliver Walker raced to his right to prevent the Marist No. 20 from scoring ten metres in from the right corner post with another bone rattling tackle.

Oliver Walker also did well in the 36th minute to charge down an attacking Marist chip kick with Oliver Walker then able to retrieve the ball for the Turkeys.

Oliver Walker also started at halfback in Round Nine against the Bilambil Jets with Oliver Walker kicking a conversion in the 39th minute from ten metres in from the right touchline.

The 31st minute saw Oliver Walker make the tackle of the match and one of the tackles of the season with a try saving effort when after the Bilambil lock had made a long line break straight through the centre of the field Oliver Walker chased him from behind and just as the Jets No. 13 was able to dive over to score under the posts got to him from behind and in one swift movement Oliver Walker grabbed him high from behind and stripped the ball one on one less than a metre from the try line to regain the ball for the Turkeys as well as saving what appeared to be a Bilambil try.

Oliver Walker continued at halfback in Round Ten against the Cudgen Hornets with Oliver Walker scoring in the 7th minute when after taking possession of the ball to the right of the dummy half eleven metres from the try line Oliver Walker dummied to his right and simultaneously stepped off his right foot and then off his left to bamboozle a defender before another Oliver Walker right foot step beat another before Oliver Walker charged at the try line to score ten metres of the left of the goal posts.

Oliver Walker also kicked a conversion in the 4th minute from seven metres to the right of the goal posts.

Oliver Walker added a try assist in the 57th minute with a superb twenty five metres cut-out pass to his right to put his right winger over to score in the corner from the right of the play the ball and ten metres out from the try line.

In the 2nd minute from a Turkeys penalty restart a stepping Oliver Walker run saw him get the ball from the halfway to thirteen metres into Hornets territory.

Oliver Walker also started at halfback in Round Eleven against the Byron Bay Devils with Oliver Walker making a half break in the 8th minute when from the right of the play the ball Oliver Walker dummied to his inside and then outside and broke a tackle when he ran himself from his own twenty metre mark to the halfway near the right touchline with Oliver Walker then receiving a penalty after being held down.

Oliver Walker ran out of dummy half to his right and got from thirty seven metres from the try line to the halfway and in the 56th minute from the left of the play the ball Oliver Walker stepped off his left foot to get the ball from two metres inside his half to ten metres into Byron Bay territory.

In the 18th minute in the centre of the field and to the right of the play the ball Oliver Walker ran the ball at the defensive line to twelve metres from his own try line and at the last moment put a short grubber through the defensive line and after regathering the ball Oliver Walker run to thirty three metres from the try line before passing to his right. Then from the subsequent play the ball Oliver Walker ran out of dummy half to his left four metres from the halfway and used a right arm fend to break away down the right touchline to get within ten metres of the try line near the right touchline.

In the 46th minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball in the centre of the field Oliver Walker put in a right foot chip kick to his right thirty three metres from his try line with the ball retrieved by his right centre to get the ball twelve metres into Devils territory.

Oliver Walker continued at halfback in Round Thirteen in wet conditions against the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Oliver Walker scoring the first of his two tries in the 32nd minute when he chased through a grubber kick into the in-goal area from his five eight to reach around a defender to ground the ball with his right hand ten metres in from the right corner post.

Oliver Walker completed his double in the 41st minute when after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball ten metres from the try line Oliver Walker dummied to his right before stepping to his left off his right foot and an Oliver Walker hit and clockwise spin three metres from the try line saw him establish the move to dive over to score three metres to the right of the goal posts.

Oliver Walker also started at halfback in Round Fourteen against the Casino Cougars with Oliver Walker kicking a conversion from three metres to the left of the posts in the 3rd minute.

Oliver Walker also recording a try assist in the 49th minute when from the right of the play the ball Oliver Walker ran deep into the defensive line and when eleven metres from the try line hit right second rower Jed Mulcahy with a well weighted pass to his right for Jed Mulcahy to run into a gap and score ten metres in from the right corner post.

From the right of the play the ball in the 21st minute Oliver Walker darted forward from twenty to thirty two metres from the try line.

An Oliver Walker short kick-off to his left in the 48th minute was dropped by the Cougars and retrieved by the Turkeys and then in the 49th minute from the left of the play the ball and left side of the field ten metres out Oliver Walker chipped towards the posts with the Casino fullback dropping the ball to give Kyogle six more tackles with Oliver Walker setting up a try in the set.

Oliver Walker continued at halfback in the rescheduled NRRRL U18 Round One match for the Kyogle Turkeys against the Lower Clarence Magpies and in the 32nd minute from the left of the play the ball Oliver Walker carried the ball through the centre of the field from ten to twenty two metres from his try line.

From the right of the play the ball in the 38th minute Oliver Walker broke three tackles as he stepped his way from twenty two to thirty two metres away from his try line. Also in the 48th minute from the right of the play the ball and eight metres from the try line Oliver Walker after dummying to his right ran himself to get the ball within a metre of the try line ten metres in from the left corner post with Oliver Walker receiving a penalty after being hit high.

Oliver Walker also made an outstanding try saving tackle in the 55th minute on one of the Magpies interchange forwards (No. 17) to stay him on the spot with a ball and all tackle millimetres short of the try line next to the right goal post with the Lower Clarence forward penalised for a double movement.

An Oliver Walker low hard kick-off in the 12th minute to his right was too much for the Magpies left centre with Malachy Laarhaven retrieving the ball for the Turkeys thirteen metres from the try line.

Oliver Walker moved to fullback for the Kyogle Turkeys in the NRRRL U18 rescheduled Round Five match against the Tweed Coast Raiders and in the 2nd minute after taking a Ballina kick on the full ten metres from his try line in the centre of the field Oliver Walker broke a tackle as he returned the ball to the twenty six metre mark. Then two tackles later from the right of the play the ball Oliver Walker ran from thirty four to forty five metres from the try line. Also in the 7th minute an Oliver Walker short goal line drop-out to the left was recovered by the Turkeys.

Oliver Walker started at halfback in Round Fifteen against the Mullumbimby Giants with Oliver Walker scoring in the 40th minute by way of a hard straight run from two passes to the right of the play the ball from ten metres out to crash over to score six metres in from the left corner post.

Oliver Walker also kicked five conversions, the first coming in the 8th minute from five metres to the right of the posts and then added a second in the 26th minute from directly in front. Oliver Walker’s third conversion was of his own try in the 40th minute from six metres in from the right touchline and his fourth in the 52nd minute from six metres to the left of the posts to covert Malachy Laarhaven’s try. Oliver Walker’s fifth conversion after the final siren to lock up the scores at 34 all was interesting as it was from an eight point try with Oliver Walker missing the initial conversion from the left touchline before kicking the one from directly in front.

In the 5th minute from the left of a Kyogle scrum win Oliver Walker ran the ball through the centre of the field from thirty to twenty metres from the try line. Then in the 51st minute from the right of the play the ball Oliver Wlaker stepped off his right foot as he carried the ball from the halfway to thirty two metres from the try line through the centre of the field.

From the right of the play the ball in the 6th minute and fourteen metres from the try line Oliver Walker put a right foot grubber kick into the in-goal area with the ball batted dead by the Mustangs left winger to force a goal line drop-out.

Oliver Walker’s 5th minute kick-off to his left took one bounce before going over the dead ball line to force a Giants goal line drop-out. Then Oliver Walker’s kick-off to get the second half underway once again Oliver Walker’s kick-off took one bounce and went over the dead ball line to force a Mullumbimby goal line drop-out. Another Oliver short kick-off in the 57th minute to his right saw the Turkeys regain possession of the ball immediately.

Oliver Walker moved to fullback in Round Sixteen against the Ballina Seagulls with Oliver Walker kicking three conversions in a 22 all draw with his initial conversion coming in the 27th minute from directly in front before adding a second conversion in the 41st minute from ten metres in from the right touchline before adding a second conversion from in front in the 46th minute.

In the 15th minute from the right of the play the ball Oliver Walker stepped off his right foot to target the area behind the markers as he carried the ball from forty to twenty nine metres from the try line. Also from the right of the play the ball in the 22nd minute Oliver Walker made a half break as he stepped his way from thirty metres from his try line to the halfway and then in the 56th minute from wide to the right of a Kyogle scrum win Oliver Walker ran the ball from forty eight to thirty six metres from the try line.

Oliver Walker made a number of critical tackles in the match including in the 5th minute when he was involved in holding up the Ballina hooker three metres to the right of the posts after he had tried to force his way over the try line from dummy half. Oliver Walker made another try saving tackle in the 17th minute when he raced to his right in cover defence and tackled the Ballina left winger into touch after a long line break fourteen metres from the right corner post. Then in the 25th minute Oliver Walker made a strong one on one try saving tackle on the Seagulls left winger once again after another line break three metres from the try line.

Oliver Walker made his NRRRL First Grade debut on the wing in Round Two for the Kyogle Turkeys against the Mullumbimby Giants and was also on the right wing in Round Seven against the Casino Cougars with Oliver Walker then starting from the bench in Round Twelve against the Evans Heads Bombers.

Oliver Walker started on the left wing in round Thirteen against the Murwillumbah Mustangs and in the 14th minute after taking a Mustangs kick on the full ten metres from his try line and near the left touchline Oliver Walker carried the ball towards the centre of the field and out to the twenty two metre mark. Oliver Walker took another Murwillumbah clearing kick on the full in the 48th minute near the left touchline ten metres inside his territory and was able to get the ball five metres inside the Mustangs half before receiving a penalty for ruck interference.

Oliver Walker started on the right wing in the rescheduled Round One match for the Kyogle Turkeys against the Lower Clarence Magpies with Oliver Walker scoring in the 80th minute with an eight metre burst down the right touchline to dive over to score in the right corner.

The Kyogle Turkeys were attacking for Oliver Walker as a result of a great play by Oliver Walker himself when in the 78th minute when after receiving a pass on the right touchline seventeen metres from the try line Oliver Walker ran to within five metres before putting in a right foot chip kick into the in-goal with the ball subsequently forced dead by a Magpies defender to require a goal line drop-out with Oliver Walker scoring in the ensuing set of six.

Oliver Walker did well in the 61st minute with a try saving tackle on his opposing winger after Oliver Walker had turned and chased and tackled him into touch from behind ten metres short of the try line.

Oliver Walker then in the 73rd minute turned and chased a Lower Clarence attacking grubber kick into the in-goal and dive on the ball just in from of two Magpies chasers to save another try.

Oliver Walker moved to five eight in the rescheduled Round Five match against the Tweed Coast Raiders with Oliver Walker kicking a great conversion from the left touchline in the 12th minute.

Oliver Walker made his presence felt from the sixth tackle of the match when from the centre of the field and thirty seven metres from his try line Oliver Walker drove a right foot kick to his right with the ball stopping in the in-goal to force the Raiders fullback to bring the ball out.

An Oliver Walker mid-field bomb in the 17th minute from the centre of the field and forty two metres from his try line Oliver Walker’s high spiralling bomb was dropped by the Tweed Coast right winger to give the Turkey’s the scrum feed twenty metres from the try line. It was the identical situation in the 20th minute with the same Raiders player dropped the ball thirty two metres from his try line.

Oliver Walker produced the two best tackles of the match with the first coming in the 52nd minute when he raced to his right to chase down the Tweed Coast left centre (No. 3) from eighty metres out and tackle him into touch three metres short of the left corner post. Then in the 76th minute Oliver Walker raced to his left and crunched the Raiders right winger with a ball and all tackle and take him into touch a metre short of the right corner post.

Oliver Walker started on the right wing in Round Fifteen against the Mullumbimby Giants with Oliver Walker kicking a conversion from directly in front in the 63rd minute.

Oliver Walker did well in the 64th minute when after running down the right touchline from eighteen to twelve metres from the try line Oliver Walker put in a right foot grubber kick towards the in-goal and was then awarded a penalty after being pushed in the back.

Oliver Walker had also done well in the 34th minute when facing a three player overlap Oliver Walker raced out of the defensive line and hit the Mullumbimby fullback to stop the Giants attacking play dead twenty metres from the try line. Oliver Walker also did well in the 38th minute to take a high Giants bomb on the full ten metres from his own try line an d then did well to stay in the field of play.

Oliver Walker then came off the bench to play in the halves in the 60th minute of Round Sixteen against the Ballina Seagulls.

2025 will see Oliver Walker line up for the Kyogle Turkeys in the NRRRL First Grade competition after making his debut in 2024.

With his ability to control and direct his team around the field as well as his ability ball play for his outside backs, Oliver Walker already looks to be a talented rugby league half or five eight with plenty of growth still to come on his game.

An NRL player comparison for Oliver Walker proved to be an interesting exercise, but ultimately, I believe an appropriate player comparison for Oliver Walker is Cronulla Sharks half or five eight Nicco Hynes. Oliver Walker has the same type of intensity, will to win, game management and leadership attributes as the Sharks representative five eight.
 
Cohen Bateman. In late in 2024 Cohen Bateman was named in the 2025 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad with Cohen Bateman starting from the bench in the opening 2025 trial against the Northern Tigers.

Round Two of the 2024 NRRRL U18 competition (Round One was rained out) saw Cohen Bateman named in the front row for the Kyogle Turkeys against Northern United with Cohen Bateman scoring in the 47th minute when after running onto an Oliver Walker pass ten metres from the try line Cohen Bateman stepped off his left foot to beat the Northern United fullback and score under the posts.

Cohen Bateman also came close to scoring in the 32nd minute when after receiving the ball wide on the left eleven metres out Cohen Bateman forced his way to within centremetres of the try line ten metres in from the left corner post.

After taking the third hit-up of the match to get the ball out to the twenty two metre mark Coehn Bateman made strong kick-off return in the 7th minute that saw him promote the ball to the twenty metre mark. Cohen Bateman backed up with a further hit-up a tackle later from the right of the play the ball to carry the ball from twenty five metres to thirty eight metres from the try line.

From two passes to the left of the play the ball in the 27th minute Cohen Bateman was able to get the ball from twenty two metres from his try line to thirty six metres out. Cohen Bateman then ran an underneath route to the right of the play the ball to carry the ball from thirty one metres from his try line to within seven metres of the halfway mark.

Cohen Bateman continued in the front row in Round Four against the Mullumbimby Giants with Cohan Bateman scoring o try in the year candidate in the 59th minute when after receiving the ball two passes to the right of the play the ball and on the halfway mark, Cohen Bateman, from a standing start, stepped off his right foot, then his left, with Cohen Bateman then using a left arm fend to beat another and after charging downfield Cohen Bateman beat the Giants fullback by way of a left foot step with Cohen Bateman then racing away to score under the posts.

In the 31st minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball made a yardage carry from eighteen metres to thirty metres from his own try line. Then in the 54th minute also from the left of the play the ball Cohen Bateman carried the ball from seven metres inside his own territory to eight metres into Mullumbimby’s.

Cohen Bateman also started in the front row in Round Seven against the Casino Cougars with Cohen Bateman making a line break in the 17th minute when after receiving a pass from his right Cohen Bateman made a line break down the left channel from twenty metres from his try line to the halfway mark.

After making the second hit-up of the match from the left of the play the ball to carry the ball from twenty metres to thirty metres from the try line, Cohen Bateman ran the ball through the centre of the field from two passes to the left of the play the ball in the 42nd minute to get the ball from thirty metres to seventeen metres of the try line .Then in the 58th minute from the left of the play the ball Cohen Bateman promoted the ball from thirty three metres to twenty metres from the try line.

Cohen Bateman had done well in the 5th minute to take a hard Casino grubber kick directed at him cleanly in the bounce when just three metres from his try line.

Cohen Bateman also started in the front row in the rescheduled Round Three match against the Ballina Seagulls with Cohen Bateman making a line break in the 28th minute when after receiving the ball wide on the left side of the field thirty eight metres from his try line Cohen Bateman charged down the left channel to thirty eight metres from the try line.

In the 7th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball Cohen Bateman broke a tackle as he carried the ball from twenty six metres to thirty nine metres from the try line. Also in the 26th minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball and twenty three metres from his try line Cohen Bateman was able to promote the ball to the thirty seven metre mark.

In the 49th minute after picking up a Ballina grubber kick cleanly just four metres from his try line Cohen Bateman returned the ball to twelve metres from the try line. Then in the 56th minute from the right of the play the ball Cohen Bateman broke a tackle as he charged from twenty four metres to within six metres of the try line.

Cohen Bateman continued in the front row in Round Nine against the Bilambil Jets with Cohen Bateman scoring in the 39th minute when after wrapping from the left of the play the ball to the right twenty metres from the try line Cohen Bateman stepped off his right foot to beat one defender and after beating a second defender Cohen Bateman ran over the top of the Jets fullback to get the ball down twelve metres in from the right corner post.

In the 32nd minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball Cohen Bateman broke a tackle as he ran the ball from twenty four to forty metres from the try line and in the 35th minute after receiving the ball to the right of the dummy half Cohen Bateman continued to run the ball to his right from twenty five to seven metres from the try line near the right touchline.

Cohen Bateman continued in the front row in Round Ten against the Cudgen Hornets with Cohen Bateman making the second run of the match from the left of the play the ball through the centre of the field from twenty to thirty five metres from his try line with Cohen Bateman then awarded a penalty after being held down too long.

From two passes to the left of the play the ball in the 7th minute Cohen Bateman stepped off his left foot to straighten up his run and get within centremetres of scoring from twelve metres out and ten metres in from the left corner post. Cohen Bateman also ran the ball through the centre of the field from two passes to the right of the dummy half in the 34th minute and was able to break three tackles as he ran from ten metres inside his half to twelve metres into Cudgen territory.

Cohen Bateman also started in the front row in Round Eleven against the Byron Bay Devils and in the 9th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball and on the halfway Cohen Bateman carried the ball eleven metres into Byron Bay territory.

In the 30th minute from the left of the dummy half Cohen Bateman ran the ball from fifteen to thirty metres from the try line and in the 30th minute from two passes to the left of the dummy half Cohen Bateman got the ball from two metres inside his half to ten metres into the Devils. In the first minute of the second half being the 31st minute and from the left of the play the ball Cohen Bateman was able to get the ball from ten to twenty five metres from his try line and from the right of the dummy half in the 42nd minute Cohen Bateman promoted the ball from thirty to twenty metres from the try line after targeting the area behind the markers.

Cohen Bateman continued in the front row in Round Thirteen in wet conditions against the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Cohen Bateman carrying the ball through the centre of the field from the right of the play the ball in the 6th minute from thirty wight to twenty two metres from the try line.

In the 9th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball Cohen Bateman ran the ball from thirty four to forty six metres from the try line and then in the 11th minute also from the left of the play the ball Cohen Bateman carried the ball from twenty to thirty five metres out. Also in the 31st minute from the right of the play the ball charged from ten metres in his half to three metres into the Mustangs with Cohen Bateman then awarded a penalty for ruck interference. Cohen Bateman then ran the ball from the penalty restart from thirty eight to twenty five metres from the try line.

Cohen Bateman also started in the front row in Round Fourteen against the Casino Cougars and inside the opening minute of the match for a Kyogle penalty restart in the centre of the halfway Cohen Bateman made eleven metres and then two tackles later from the left of the play the ball Cohen Bateman carried the ball through the centre of the field from thirty to twenty metres from the try line.

Cohen Bateman continued in the front row in Round Fifteen against the Mullumbimby Giants with Cohen Bateman scoring in the 26th minute by way of an eleven mete charge through the centre of the field from the right of the play the ball to crash over to score under the posts.

From two passes to the left of the play the ball in the 26th minute and after threatening to pass to his left Cohen Bateman was able to get the ball from twenty to thirty two metres from his try line. Also from two passes to the left of the play the ball in the 42nd minute Cohen Bateman ran the ball through the centre of the field from thirty to forty two metres from the try line. Then in the 51st minute from the right of the play the ball Cohen Bateman carried the ball from twenty two to within ten metres of the try line.

Cohen Bateman also started in the front row in Round Sixteen against the Ballina Seagulls and in just the 2nd minute of the match from the eight of the play the ball Cohen Bateman was able to run the ball from forty to within thirty metres of the try line and then from a Turkeys penalty restart in the 26th minute Cohen Bateman carried the ball from twenty to ten metres from the try line.

From the right of the play the ball in the 30th minute and forty nine metres from the try line Cohen Bateman got the ball to thirty three metres out. Then in the 31st minute after the Ballina second half kick-off had gone out on the full Cohen Bateman ran the ball from the resultant centre field penalty to promote the ball to thirty eight metres from the try line. Also in the 34th minute from the right of the dummy half and forty metres from his try line Cohen Bateman dummied to his left as he was able to get the ball to the halfway.

The Kyogle Turkeys player commenced training with the Titans JTS Program after an outstanding 2021 season in the U14 Group One competition with Cohen Bateman’s first appearance in a Titans jersey in a competitive match coming in early December 2021 when two Titans U14 Development Squads played each other in humid conditions but regardless it was a high quality trial.

In a great initiative by the Titans both Development Squads wore different Titans jerseys to give the young men a great feeling on being involved in the entire Titans Program not just in a Development Squad and motivating them to continue to work hard on and off the field to achieve their goals.

In Round One of the 2022 Group One U15 competition Cohan Bateman started in the centres for the Kyogle Turkeys against the Casino RSM Cougars kicking a conversion as the Turkeys got their season off with a good first up victory.

Cohen Batman scored a try and kicked two goals in Round Six against the South Grafton Rebels and also scored in Round Seven also against the Rebels. Cohen Bateman also scored in Round Nine against Casino RSM.

In Week One of the 2022 Group One U15 Finals series Cohen Batman started at five eight for the Kyogle Turkeys against the Clarence Coast Magpies.

Cohen Bateman started at five eight in the 2022 Group One U15 Grand final for the Turkeys as they went down 32 – 18 to the Clarence Coast Magpies with Cohen Bateman scoring two of Kyogle’s four tries in thre Grand Final.

Cohen Bateman finished the 2022 Group One U15 season as the competitions seventy leading try scorer with nine tries and also finished as the competition’s eighth leading point’s scorer with forty six points.

Cohen Bateman played the 2021 season with the Kyogle Turkeys in the Group One U14 competition, playing in ten matches, starting all at halfback.

In his ten matches Cohan Bateman scored thirty eight points from eight tries (80% strike rate) and three conversions.

Cohen Bateman had an outstanding start to the 2021 Group One U14 season scoring four tries in the opening three rounds, with a Round One double against the South Grafton Rebels and tries in Rounds Two and Three against Casino RSM and the Ballina Seagulls respectively.

Cohan Bateman also scored a double in Round Ten against the Ballina Seagulls and tries in Round Nine against Casino RSM and Round Twelve against the Lismore Marist Brothers Rams.

With the boot Cohan Bateman kicked two conversions in Round Nine against Casino RSM, including converting his own try and also kicked a Round Six conversion against the South Grafton Rebels.

At the conclusion of the season Cohan Bateman was named the 2021 Kyogle Turkeys Group One U14 Most Improved Player.

Cohan Bateman also played for the Kyogle Turkeys in 2020 in the Group One U13 competition. In the 2020 season Cohan Bateman played on eight matches, starting one in the centres being Round Two against Casino RSM, one off the bench in Round Nine against the Clarence Coast Magpies and his remaining six matches at fullback.

With the ball Cohan Bateman is a very good distributor and will take the ball to the line in an effort to set up his supports. Cohan Bateman is particularly adept at using the short or blind side when he sees an opportunity to exploit an overlap or a tired forward resting there.

Cohan Bateman will back his judgement and take the game on, assisting his play is the fact that he makes the decision what to do with the ball quickly thus enabling the ball to get out wide quickly. Cohan Bateman has decent speed off the mark and quite a good step off both feet as well as a good swerve.

Cohan Bateman reads the play well from a defensive perspective and can hold his own when defending much bigger players. When confronted with forwards running directly at him on the edge of the ruck, Cohan Bateman will get in front of them and use his shoulder in an effort to contain them until defensive help arrives.

Aiding this is the fact that Cohan Bateman has a decent, simple and repeatable low tackling technique which enables him to bring down opposing forwards quite quickly thus negating the time they have to off load the ball.

2025 will see Cohan Bateman line-up once again for the Kyogle Turkeys in the NRRRL U18 competition for the second year in a row and he will start the 2025 season as part of the Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad.

Cohen Bateman is a front rower in rugby league both now and into the future, full stop.

In many respects Cohen Bateman has a similar playing style to that of Titans and Queensland State of Origin front rower Moeaki Fotuaika. Both Fotuaika and Cohen Bateman are solidly built young front rowers with deceptive speed, late subtle deceptive footwork and vastly under rated ball skills as well as defensively they are both very good as well.

Also both Fotuaika and Cohen Bateman are extremely hard workers, unassuming and dedicated to being the best that they can be, both on and off the field.
 
Jed Mulcahy. In late 2024 Jed Mulcahy was named in the 2025 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad with Jed Mulcahy starting in the second row in the opening 2025 trial against the Northern Tigers.

Jed Mulcahy made his NRRRL First Grade debut in the 2024 rescheduled Round One match for the Kyogle Turkeys against the Lower Clarence Magpies and after coming onto the field to operate at right second row in the 52nd minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball Jed Mulcahy carried the ball from forty six to thirty five metres from the try line. Unfortunately, Jed Mulcahy suffered a left leg injury that cut his debut short in the 60th minute.

After Round One of the 2024 NRRRL U18 season was abandoned due to poor weather Jed Mulcahy started at right second row for eth Kyogle Turkeys against Northern United with Jed Mulcahy scoring in the 40th minute when after receiving the ball while running an underneath route to the right of the play the ball thirty two metres out Jed Mulcahy charged down the right channel and using a left arm fend to beat one defender to score three metres in from the right corner post.

Earlier in the 24th minute after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball Jed Mulcahy broke a tackle as he ran the ball from the halfway mark to thirty eight metres from the try line. Also in the 43rd minute Jed Mulcahy carried a kick-off return out to the twenty one metre mark.

Jed Mulcahy continued at right second row in Round Four against the Mullumbimby Giants with Jed Mulcahy kicking a conversion from directly in front of the posts in the 59th minute to convert Cohen Bateman’s spectacular solo try.

Jed Mulcahy also recorded three try assists with the first coming in the 8th minute when after running the ball from two passes to the right of the play the ball from thirty five to twenty six metres from the try line Jed Mulcahy got a good pass away to his right for his centre to have a straight run to the try line.

Jed Mulcahy added a second try assist in the 16th minute when also from two passes to the right of the play the ball Jed Mulcahy engaged the defensive line and after being spun around when thirteen metres from the try line Jed Mulcahy got an off-load away to his right for his centre to once again score wide out on the right.

Jed Mulcahy recorded his third try assist in the 36th minute when after charging down the right channel from forty three metres to within thirty metres of the try line Jed Mulcahy drew the Mullumbimby left winger to put his right centre into space to subsequently score.

In the 6th minute after taking a kick-off on the full Jed Mulcahy made a half break from his own try line to get the ball to the twenty metre mark before getting an off-load away to his right centre. Then in the 54th minute from a Turkeys penalty restart Jed Mulcahy carried the ball from eighteen metres to the thirty five metre mark.

Jed Mulcahy also started at right second row in Round Seven against the Casino Cougars with Jed Mulcahy making the second hit-up of the match from the left of the play the ball to carry the ball from ten metres to twenty metres from his try line.

From the right of the dummy half in the 5th minute a Jed Mulcahy yardage carry saw him carry the ball from a metre from his own try line to twelve metres out with Jed Mulcahy then awarded a penalty for Casino ruck interference. Also in the 58th minute Jed Mulcahy cut underneath Oliver Walker to the right of the play the ball and run the ball through the centre of the field from forty four metres to thirty two metres from the try line.

Jed Mulcahy did well defensively in the 14th minute when along with Oliver Walker, Jed Mulcahy held up the giant Casino No. 20 mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Jed Mulcahy continued at right second row in the rescheduled Round Three match against the Ballina Seagulls with Jed Mulcahy scoring in the 45th minute with a hard straight run from nine metres out through a gap off an Oliver Walker pass from his left to score seven metres to the right of the goal posts.

Jed Mulcahy also made a line break in the 58th minute 45th minute off an Oliver Walker pass from his left with Jed Mulcahy charging down the right touchline from forty one metres to seventeen metres from the try line.

After taking the opening hit-up of the match from the Ballina kick-off to get the ball to thirty four metre mark after breaking a tackle, Jed Mulcahy in the 42nd minute from the right of the play the ball stepped off his left foot as he ran the ball from fifteen to thirty two metres from his try line before getting an off-load away to his right.

The 17th minute saw Jed Mulcahy make a strong driving right shoulder tackle on the Seagulls front rower No. 8 to drive him back to three metres from the try line. Then in the 30th minute another Jed Mulcahy driving right shoulder tackle on this occasion on the Ballina No. 20 forced him back through the centre of the field to ten metres from the try line.

Jed Mulcahy moved to left second row in Round Nine against the Bilambil Jets and in the 11th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball Jed Mulcahy ran the ball from the halfway mark to thirty two metres from the try line. Then in the 20th minute from the right of the play the ball and thirty metres from the try line Jed Mulcahy got the ball out to the forty two metre mark.

Jed Mulcahy carried the ball through the centre of the field from two passes to the right of the play the ball in the 42nd minute from forty six to thirty two metres from the try lien and then in the 49th minute also from the right of the play the ball and through the centre of the field Jed Mulcahy’s effort saw the ball promoted from twenty to thirty two metres from the try line.

Jed Mulcahy moved back to right second row in Round Ten against the Cudgen Hornets with Jed Mulcahy returning the opening kick-off to the twenty metre mark with Jed Mulcahy making another kick-off return in the 5th minute to get the ball to the twenty two metre mark.

In the 13th minute from the left of the play the ball and twenty metres from his try line Jed Mulcahy was able to make twelve metres and also in the 51st minute from the right of the play the ball Jed Mulcahy juggled the ball two metres from his try line but was still able to get the ball out to the twenty two metre mark including breaking a tackle before getting a right arm off-load away to his right when not held on the ground. Then in the 54th minute from the right of a Kyogle scrum win Jed Mulcahy ran the ball from four to fifteen metres away from his try line through the centre of the field.

Jed Mulcahy started at left second row before moving to right second row later in the first half of Round Eleven against the Byron Bay Devils and in the 32nd minute from the left of the play the ball Jed Mulcahy was able to get the ball from nineteen to thirty metres from the try line.

In the 41st minute from the right of the play the ball Jed Mulcahy produced a subtle left foot step to enable him to carry the ball from twenty four to forty one metres from his try line and then in the 46th minute from the right of the play the ball Jed Mulcahy broke two tackles one by way of a clockwise spin as he ran the ball from thirty two to twenty metres from the try line.

Jed Mulcahy started at left second row in Round Thirteen in wet conditions against the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Jed Mulcahy making a line break in the 29th minute when from the right of the play the ball but to the left of the posts and sixteen metres from his try line Jed Mulcahy ran straight over the top of one defender to burst downfield, with Jed Mulcahy breaking two more tackles to get to within three metres of the halfway.

Jed Mulcahy ran the ball down the right channel in the 9th minute from fourteen to thirty metres from the try line and then in the 11th minute Jed Mulcahy carried the ball down the right channel once again to the halfway from ten metres inside his half before getting an off-load away to his right to his right centre. Also in the 17th minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball Jed Mulcahy stepped off his right foot during his effort to run the ball from thirty to forty eight metres from the try line.

In the 22nd minute from a Kyogle penalty restart ran the ball from thirty to forty six metres from the try line and then in the 43rd minute a Jed Mulcahy kick-off saw the ball carried out to the twenty three metre mark.

In the 39th minute Jed Mulcahy to race to his left in cover defence and drag the Mustangs right centre over the touchline just two metres from the corner post.

Jed Mulcahy moved to right second row in Round Fourteen against the Casino Cougars with Jed Mulcahy scoring in the 49th minute after running an outside shoulder route from ten metres out off a pass from his left from Oliver Walker to score ten metres in from the right corner post.

Jed Mulcahy also recorded a line break assist in the 13th minute when from two passes to the right of the play the ball and after running from twenty one to thirty five metres from the try line Jed Mulcahy got a right arm off-load away to his right centre to break into open space.

Jed Mulcahy continued at right second row in the rescheduled NRRRL U18 Round One match for the Kyogle Turkeys against the Lower Clarence Magpies and in the 32nd minute from the right of the play the ball Jed Mulcahy was able to get the ball from thirty to forty two metres from the try line before being awarded a penalty for a crusher tackle. Also in the 41st minute from the right of the play the ball Jed Mulcahy stepped off his eight foot as he carried the ball from thirty to forty two metres from his try line.

In late September 2023 Jed Mulcahy was named in the 2024 Northern Rivers Titans U17 Development Academy squad with Jed Mulcahy part of the Northern Rivers Titans U17 Development squad that defeated the Greater Northern Tigers in their first 2024 trial.

It is hard not to cheer for try scoring and goal kicking front rowers and that is exactly what this young man from the Kyogle Turkeys junior rugby league club is.

In October 2022 Jed Mulcahy was named in the 2023 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad after yet another stellar rugby league season in 2022 for the Turkeys in the Northern New South Wales Group One Junior Rugby League competition.

Round One of the 2023 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition saw Jed Mulcahy named at left second row for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights with Jed Mulcahy making a strong run in the 20th minute when after charging onto the ball to the right of the play the ball thirty metres out from his own try line, Jed Mulcahy stepped off his left foot to get the ball forty two metres away from the try line.

Then in the 33rd minute when to the left of the play the ball and just inside Newcastle territory Jimmy McCombie threw a good ball to his left to a charging Jed Mulcahy who made twenty metres, the majority of which were post contact metres.

Jed Mulcahy showed his toughness in the 31st minute (the first minute of the second half) when after making a tackle inside the Knights territory Jed Mulcahy injured his shoulder and was on the ground in pain for a couple of minutes, but it was no surprise when Jed Mulcahy got to his feet, lined up at marker and then made the next tackle after running out of the marked position to his left.

Jed Mulcahy was also named to start at left second row in Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters with Jed Mulcahy taking a tap from a Northern Rivers Titans penalty forty metres out from his own try line and was able to get the ball three metres into Central Coast Roosters territory.

Jed Mulcahy was also named at left second row for Round Three against the South Coast Dragons.

Jed Mulcahy also started at left second row in Round Four against the Northern Tigers with Jed Mulcahy scoring a great try in the 45th minute when after bursting onto a good short ball from his right from Jimmy McCombie, Jed Mulcahy charged between two defenders before stepping off his left foot to beat the Northern Tigers fullback with Jed Mulcahy putting the ball down mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

in the 57th minute when whilst twenty metres out from his own try line Jed Mulcahy made a smart tackle on a stepping Tigers five eight on the final tackle to effect a change over.

Jed Mulcahy also started at left second row in Round Five against the North Coast Bulldogs with Jed Mulcahy doing well in the 5th minute when after chasing through a Northern Rivers goal line drop-out Jed Mulcahy smashed into one of the Bulldogs front rowers (No. 8) on the thirty metre mark with Jed Mulcahy’s heavy hit sending the Bulldogs front rower five metres backwards at an extreme rate of knots.

On November 8, 2021, Jed Mulcahy started training a couple of days a week with the Titans JTS program with Jed Mulcahy’s first appearance in a Titans jersey in a match coming in early December 2021 when two Titans U14 Development Squads from Northern New South Wales Group One and Group 18 played each other in a high quality trial.

In mid-December 2021 Jed Mulcahy was one of approximately ninety members of the Titans JTS Program who took part in an annual joint training session with the Titans NRL squad.

Jed Mulcahy played the 2022 season with the Kyogle Turkeys in the Group One U15 competition and scored in Rounds Nine and twelve against Casino RSM and the Grafton Ghosts respectively before Jed Mulcahy scored a hat trick in Round Fourteen against the Clarence Coast Magpies.

In Week One of the 2022 Group One U15 Finals series Jed Mulcahy started in the front row for the Kyogle Turkeys against the Clarence Coast Magpies and Jed Mulcahy also started in the front row in the Grand Final against the Clarence Coast Magpies.

Jed Mulcahy finished the 2022 Group One U15 season as the competition’s equal 8th leading try scorer with seven tries.

2022 also saw Jed Mulcahy represent the North Coast U15 school boy rugby league side in the Northern Country Trials against the Hunter Region out of Kyogle High School.

In Round Two of the 2021 Group One U14 competition Jed Mulcahy started in the front row for Kyogle as the Turkeys took on Casino RSM with Jed Mulcahy scoring twice and converted two tries as the Turkeys defeated South Grafton 48 – 0.

Jed Mulcahy also started in the front row in Round Three against the Ballina Seagulls and was one of the Turkeys try scorers in their 32 – 18 loss. Jed Mulcahy added a further try in Round Five against Lismore Marist Brothers after starting the match once again in the front row.

Jed Mulcahy started once again in the front row in Round Six against South Grafton and scored a double as the Turkey’s prevailed 34 – 20 and also started in the front row in Round Eight against the Grafton Ghosts.

Also starting in the front row in Round Nine against Casino RSM, Jed Mulcahy had a huge match scoring four tries and kicking a conversion for an eighteen point individual haul as the Turkey’s defeated Casino RSM 34 – 12.

Jed Mulcahy continued in the front row in Round Eleven against the Clarence Coast Magpies and added a further try to his impressive season. Jed Mulcahy also started in the front row in Round Twelve, crossing for a hat trick against the Marist Rams.

At the conclusion of the season Jed Mulcahy was named the 2021 Kyogle Turkeys Group One U14 Joint winner of the Most Consistent and Players Player Awards.

Jed Mulcahy finished the abridged 2021 Group One U14 regular season as the competitions fourth leading try scorer with sixteen tries.

Jed Mulcahy’s athletic prowess is not just confined to the rugby league or cricket fields with the young man winning the Kyogle High School 2021 U14 Cross Country race.

Jed Mulcahy is also an outstanding cricketer and in late November 2021 Jed Mulcahy was named in the Far North Coast U15 Representative Cricket Team, with Jed Mulcahy being selected as an all-rounder.

Jed Mulcahy played for the Kyogle Cricket Association in the 2021 season and had outstanding opening two days of the season in the Open Division, with Kyogle playing two T20 matches on each those two days.

Jed Mulcahy in the opening T20 match one the opening day of the 2021 cricket season for Kyogle was involved in a 98 run 3rd wicket partnership with fellow 14 year old Ollie Walker with Jed Mulcahy finishing with 50 runs.

In Game Two of Day One Jed Mulcahy continued his strong form from earlier in the day, scoring 24 runs against Casino’s Cecil Hotel.

The following weekend saw Jed Mulcahy score 46 runs and take two wickets in his first T20 match of the day against Marist Brothers.

In 2020 Jed Mulcahy played for Kyogle in the Group One U13 rugby league competition and then regularly backed up for the U14 match.

In Round One of the 2020 Group One U13 competition Jed Mulcahy scored a double against the Grafton Ghosts and then in Round Three added a hat trick and a conversion for a fourteen point individual haul as his Turkeys side defeated the South Grafton Rebels 34 – 4.

Jed Mulcahy continued his run of points scoring in Round Four against Ballina, scoring try and kicking a conversion in the Turkeys 22 – 18 victory Jed Mulcahy started in the front row and scored once again in Round Five as Kyogle defeated Casino RSM 30 – 16 and scored once again in Round Six as the Turkeys defeated South Grafton.

Jed Mulcahy was back on the try scoring list in Round Seven against the Clarence Coast Magpies, but unfortunately the Turkeys went down 34 – 6 to the Magpies. In Round Eight against Grafton, Jed Mulcahy moved to start the match at five eight.

Jed Mulcahy moved back to his usual front row position for Round Nine against the Clarence Coast Magpies and made the most of the change, scoring a hat trick as the Turkeys defeated the Magpies 30 – 22. Jed Mulcahy also started in the front row in Round Ten, being the final regular season round against Grafton.

Jed Mulcahy finished the 2020 Group One U13 regular season scoring thirteen tries in just nine matches to finish the season with a strike rate of 144%.

Jed Mulcahy played his first match in the 2020 Group One U14 competition in Round Two, starting on the wing and then started Round Three in the front row against South Grafton, on each occasion starting in U13 match earlier in the day. Jed Mulcahy then came off the bench in Round Four against the Ballina Seagulls.

In 2019 Jed Mulcahy was part of the U12 Lismore Diocese rugby league trials from St Brigid’s Kyogle and is also a talented cricketer as well as a St Brigid’s School Captain.

Jed Mulcahy is a hard running player who never seems to just put his head down and runs straight, he always uses a slight step prior to contacting the defensive line, coupled with the fact that he drops his shoulder into defenders, means that he is a bit of a handful to tackle and he is not often knocked back onto his heals. He is also good at maintaining his momentum after impacting the defensive line.

Jed Mulcahy has a huge high work rate and I would suggest that he would normally be at or near the top of his team’s statistics in terms of the number of hit ups he makes and on occasion runs a very good inside shoulder route to supplement his other attacking attributes. Jed Mulcahy does not off-load the ball much however and probably never be one based on how he asked to play the game.

Defensively Jed Mulcahy aims hits very hard and usually hits around the top of the ball region and is certainly someone opposing forwards look for when running the ball up and is adept at making sure the opposition do not get quick play the balls by using wrestling techniques well. This season Jed Mulcahy’s speed and mobility seemed to have increased and as a consequence he was better able to mirror the opposition attacker’s movement more effectively.

Jed Mulcahy will probably not make a large amount of hits that are going to knock opposing forwards backwards, but opposing forwards are going to feel everyone and start to look out for where he is in the defensive line.

In 2025 Jed Mulcahy will play for the Kyogle Turkeys in the NRRRL U18 competition and will look to add to his single NRRRL First Grade appearance in 2024.

Prior to the 2024 season Jed Mulcahy had played the majority of his junior rugby league career in the front row in 2024 Jed Mulcahy stood out in the second row for the Northern Rivers Titans and Kyogle Turkeys and with his tear a way tendencies in both attack and defence I can envisage him staying in the second row for the duration of is rugby league career.

I am going back a while but with his lack of self-preservation when both running the ball and defending Jed Mulcahy reminds me (including the hair) of former Gold Coast Seagulls tear a way second rower Michael McLean. Both Jed Mulcahy and McLean just charge head long into the defensive line with no care for their safety.
 
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