Brisbane Broncos have lost Xavier Coates to Storm, but there is still a Xavier young gun in its ranks

The Brisbane Broncos may have lost Xavier Coates to the Melbourne Storm, but there is still a Xavier young gun within its ranks.

The Brisbane Broncos may have lost Xavier Coates to the Melbourne Storm, but there is still a Xavier young gun with huge wraps within the club’s ranks.

Xavier Willison, 18, is a 104kg mobile front rower who is still growing into his towering frame.

Willison is a Gold Coast boy who came out of the champion Langer Cup winning set up at Palm Beach Currumbin SHS.

Xaiver Willison in action for Norths Devils. He is being nursed along by Devils head coach Rohan Smith. credit Alan Drinnen/Norths Devils.

But unlike another Gold Coast boy Coates, who is a winger, as a front rower Willison will be eased along within the Norths Devils club and Brisbane fans won’t see him in the NRL until at least 2023 when he was expected to be a part of the club’s top 30.

However, it should be worth the wait.

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Willison is under the guidance of Norths Intrust Super Cup coach Rohan Smith who is meticulously easing him along, alternating him between senior Cup football and under 20s,

“With those that missed last year having a full year of development (due to COVID-19), we have taken a cautious approach,’’ Smith said.

Xavier Willison is collared playing for PBC last year. Picture Glenn Hampson

“But he has performed strongly with limited minutes in the Queensland Cup.

“Then he goes back to the 20s and he gets big game time and more hands on work.’’

Unlike some young forwards of Polynesian descent, Willison does not stand out because of his power and brawn.

He is a clever footballer around his imposing physique, is athletic and mobile with ball skills.

Importantly Willison also has the right attitude.

“He has a lot of promise,’’ Smith said.

Broncos young gun Xavier Willison is developing nicely under Rohan Smith at Norths. credit Alan Drinnen/Norths Devils.

“He is athletic, has a good motor. He will be a big boy, but he is a good learner and listener.

“There are lots of opportunities ahead for people with those types of tools.’’

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Willison’s work ethic was emphasised off the field when he worked hard in 2019 to recover from knee injury while in year 11 at PBC SHS.

His then coach, Brad Davis, noted how “extremely diligent’’ he was with his rehabilitation’’

Like Smith, Davis also noted Willison was “extremely coachable’’.