Langer Cup 2020: David Fifita magic rubs off on Gold Coast Titans bound Marsden SHS trio
The NRL’s multimillion-dollar man David Fifita has not even laced up a boot for the Gold Coast Titans, but already his magic has worn off on three Marsden State High School students bound for the club.
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NRL multi million dollar man David Fifita has not even laced on a boot for the Gold Coast Titans yet, but already his magic has rubbed off on three Marsden SHS students bound for the club.
Marsden SHS forward leader Taelon Te-Whiu-Hopa, Will Semu and EJ Finau can already feel the buzz around the Titans training venues following the club’s prized signing of Fifta from the Brisbane Broncos.
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“Seeing him go there gives the club some good hype, gets the fans in because he is a big name,’’ said Te-Whiu-Hopa, his eyes alight in anticipation of training with Fifita during the off-season.
Finau added: “Someone like David Fifita coming is good for us boys to look up to and motivates us to train harder.’’
Semu said it was not only the addition of Fifita which was exciting to him, but also the addition of fellow forwards Herman Ese’ese and Tino Faasuamaleaui for the 2021 season.
The trio and a fourth Marsden SHS player, Langer Cup prop Sione Fotuaika, were all under contract to the Titans.
They said the training environment around the Titans was already sky-high – even before the club landed Fifita’s signature.
“The team culture, everyone is welcoming. It is great. I have been there for two years and it feels like home to be honest,’’ Finau said.
Both Te-Whiu-Hopa and Semu agreed: “There has been a lot of improvement. I have been there since the 13s,’’ Te-Whiu-Hopa said.
“It has improved over the years and is better.’’
Semu added: “The junior development is probably the best I have been in so far.”
The Gold Coast successfully signing the four Marsden SHS’s players from league rich Logan is a win for the club.
While Titans have the likes of Sione’s older brother Moeaki Fotuaika (Logan Brothers junior) and reserve winger Greg Leleisiuao (Woodridge SHS) on their list, Logan City has been open season for just about every other NRL club in the past and Titans’ recruits have been limited.
Gold Coast was Chris Sandow’s first club and Branko Lee eventually got to the coast on the rebound from other clubs, but Logan City talent like Cameron Smith, Josh Papalii, Corey Allan, Ricky Leutele, Caleb Timu and Jaydn Su’a passed by the Titans.
However, clearly the talent pool is being watched given the addition of Te-Whiu-Hopa, Semu, Finau and Fotuaika from Marsden SHS.
The Langer Cup and Walters Cup are being livestreamed at couriermail.com.au each Wednesday afternoon, while two Titans Challenge games are streamed on replay each Thursday.
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Langer Cup
Round 3
Wavell SHS v Marsden SHS
Ipswich SHS v Keebra SHS
Palm Beach Currumbin v St Mary’s