2024 Future Titans

[Titanic]

Last weekend the Future Titans (aka JTS) U19 and U17 traveled to the big smoke to play a three-way series with Penrith and South Sydney. The games were trials and as such not too much can be read into the results but there were encouraging signs.

U19: beat Penrith convincingly to nil and drew with the Rabbitohs. As we don't have the equivalent to SG Ball and these players come from a multitude of clubs we are viewed as inferior but considering we sent down U18's and performed decently against U19's then we are on the right track. Some names to remember Cooper Bai (yes Marcus' lad), Sam Stephenson, Zane Harrison, Javon Andrews, Ray Puru and Caelys Putoko. This was Putoko's first run since coming across from champion NZ high school Hamilton BHS where he was named in the 2023 world schools union team.

U17: lost to Penrith by a try (had one disallowed) and got well beaten by the Rabbitohs. A bit disappointing but U16's playing against older boys is a reasonable effort. The experience will do them wonders. A stand out was Jai Billish.

This weekend they will play their annual fixtures against Newcastle.

 

[ALX25]

*Javon Andrews

 

[Titanic]

Cheers, predictive text and fumble fingers.

 

[Titanic]

This weekend's 17's and 19's fixtures against Newcastle will be played at Coffs Harbour.

 

[Brian potter]

Last weekend the Future Titans (aka JTS) U19 and U17 traveled to the big smoke to play a three-way series with Penrith and South Sydney. The games were trials and as such not too much can be read into the results but there were encouraging signs.

U19: beat Penrith convincingly to nil and drew with the Rabbitohs. As we don't have the equivalent to SG Ball and these players come from a multitude of clubs we are viewed as inferior but considering we sent down U18's and performed decently against U19's then we are on the right track. Some names to remember Cooper Bai (yes Marcus' lad), Sam Stephenson, Zane Harrison, Javon Andrews, Ray Puru and Caelys Putoko. This was Putoko's first run since coming across from champion NZ high school Hamilton BHS where he was named in the 2023 world schools union team.

U17: lost to Penrith by a try (had one disallowed) and got well beaten by the Rabbitohs. A bit disappointing but U16's playing against older boys is a reasonable effort. The experience will do them wonders. A stand out was Jai Billish.

This weekend they will play their annual fixtures against Newcastle.

Isn’t there 2 of Marcus Bai’s sons in the titans youth system?

 

[Titanic]

Marcus has three sons. The elder is Aston who played for Marymount College which is in the Titans system but he was not a Titans contracted player. He is a very different body shape to Marcus and in 2023 he played for Burleigh Bears' Hasting Deering Colts and 20's (not sure if you call that Titans system anymore). Cooper who is contracted within the Titans system and is looking the goods in U17's. The youngest, Logan, is having a break from footy due to a health issue. Here is a very good interview with Aston.

Aston Bai: 'It would mean everything to be able to give back'

He's got rugby league in his blood but it took some forced time away from rugby league for Burleigh Bears Hastings Deering Colts lock Aston Bai to discover just how much loves the game. Video: Bill Scurfield and Rikki-Lee Arnold

www.qrl.com.au

 

[Titanic]

For Titans fans, there is a lot of information on the unofficial Titans site League of Titans and for those particularly interested in junior pathways there are two excellent members who post daily there. Shout out to mdrew and Hail Sezer.

Gold Coast Titans

For supporters of the Gold Coast Titans

www.leagueoftitans.com.au

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

Future Titans to face Knights in Super Saturday showdown

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

[Titanic]

Some limited feedback from the weekend's trials with the Knights.

U19's boys Titans win 22-26
U19's girls Titans win
U17's boys Knights win
U17's girls Titans win

 

[Titanic]

You know it's off-season when Courier Mail dribbler Badel follows-up a Titans' posting of 18 year old Alex Leapai Jnr having a trot during the recent trials with a background call to the kid's boxing trainer. From the ensuing conversation a story emerges from aforementioned Mr. Anti Gold Coast that Alex Jnr wants to quit the Titans for the cash on offer from big-time fisticuffs.

Couldn't blame the kid for being wooed by such a payout, nor his trainer for protecting his job but there is a lot of water yet to pass under those bridges. Great potential and a lot of hard work to be done.

 

[ALX25]

You know it's off-season when Courier Mail dribbler Badel follows-up a Titans' posting of 18 year old Alex Leapai Jnr having a trot during the recent trials with a background call to the kid's boxing trainer. From the ensuing conversation a story emerges from aforementioned Mr. Anti Gold Coast that Alex Jnr wants to quit the Titans for the cash on offer from big-time fisticuffs.

Couldn't blame the kid for being wooed by such a payout, nor his trainer for protecting his job but there is a lot of water yet to pass under those bridges. Great potential and a lot of hard work to be done.

Which Mal Meninga Cup side will Alex be playing for this season?

 

[Titanic]

Which Mal Meninga Cup side will Alex be playing for this season?

None now by the looks of it, a few hours is a long time in sport He's publicly stated he's off chasing the boxing dream and you could hardly blame his logic, "I don't want to get injured playing footy, so I'm going to ditch it for boxing" or words to that effect. Good luck to him.

 

[ALX25]

Congrats to Cooper Bai & Sam Stephenson on their selection in the QLD U19 Emerging Squad.

Two Future Titans named in Queensland Under 19 squad

Two of Gold Coast's brightest young stars will assemble in Brisbane this Sunday after being selected in the Queensland Under 19 squad.

www.titans.com.au

Queensland Under 19 Emerging Origin squad named

Queensland’s next generation of State of Origin representatives will assemble in Brisbane this Sunday.

www.qrl.com.au

 

[ALX25]

Players to watch: Future Titans v Auckland

The Titans' next generation of stars will be in action on Wednesday night as they face off against Auckland Rugby League in two exciting clashes at North Ipswich Reserve.

www.titans.com.au

 

[ALX25]

National Schoolboy stars graduate to Titans NRL squad

Fresh from winning the National Schoolboy Cup, the Titans are pleased to confirm Palm Beach Currumbin State High School duo Zane Harrison and Sam Stephenson will begin full-time as development players in 2025.

www.titans.com.au

 

[ALX25]

Son of NRL legend to join full-time in '25

The Future Titans graduate will come on board as a full-time train and triallist for the 2025 season.

www.titans.com.au

 

[ALX25]

Rookie Camp proves a very insightful experience for Titans duo

Titans young guns Sam Stephenson and Zane Harrison have been given a valuable insight to becoming a professional rugby league player at the recent NRL Rookie Camp held in Sydney.

www.titans.com.au