Titans forward Beau Fermor has declared it is a matter of when not if Keano Kini announces himself on the NRL stage; complicating an already challenging selection conundrum at Parkwood.

At just 18, the Palm Beach Currumbin product set tongues wagging in the Gold Coast’s pre-season trial against Brisbane; coming off the bench to the tune of 143 running metres from 11 carries to draw comparisons to Kiwi legend Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

The fullback has shown few signs of a settling in period in senior rugby league, averaging 178m a game in his maiden Queensland Cup campaign to go with 10 tackle busts and a pair of try assists.

AJ Brimson has seemingly found a home in the Titans’ number one jumper, and with Jayden Campbell also on the Gold Coast’s books and forced to the bench the club appear well stocked at the back of the field.

However if recent reports linking Campbell — who comes off contract at the end of 2024 — to the Parramatta Eels transpire, Brimson’s versatility as a five-eighth could open the door for Kini to step up.

He has frequently been named in Titans coach Justin Holbrook’s extended game day squad this season in a sign of the faith the club have in him.

According to Fermor, rarely has there been a teenager take to senior football with such apparent ease.

And while the injured backrower is unsure when Kini’s chance will come, he has backed the youngster to thrive once his opportunity presented itself.

“We saw him in the trials and I think he’s just exciting to watch play footy,” Fermor said.

“I don’t know when he will get his opportunity or if it will come this year, but when he does I’m really excited to watch him play. I know training against him in the pre-season he’s bloody hard to defend.

“He’s just jumped straight in so it’s a credit to himself. He just has to prove he can do it week in, week out, which I’m sure he can.

“It’s exciting to see. Especially in the trials at the start of year, it’s really easy to get overwhelmed in those situations but he didn’t.

“I’m excited to see how he goes over the next couple of months and hopefully he can string a couple of good performances together.”

While a desire to truly nurture Kini’s growth may slow his rise to the top for the immediate future, Tweed halfback Tom Weaver has set about forcing Holbrook’s hand.

The 20-year-old endured a confronting Queensland Cup debut at the back-end of last year, feeling the brunt of Melbourne Storm wrecking ball Elisea Katoa.

However several months spent in David Fifita’s firing line has instilled a resilient defensive mindset in Weaver, enabling him to bring out the same confidence guiding men around the park as he did with schoolboys in the Langer Trophy.

A pair of try assists and linebreak assists in the Titans’ trial against Brisbane — along with 10 tackles for no misses — highlighted the leaps he had taken, and his three 2023 appearances for the Seagulls have already yielded five try assists and five linebreak assists.

A pre-season spent working on building his frame has also coincided with a more formidable running game, surpassing 100m twice and making three tackle busts in each of those clashes.

While it was his Tweed halves partner Toby Sexton who earned the call up to replace veteran Kieran Foran in Sunday’s clash with the Dragons, the man himself believed Weaver was closing in on higher honours.

And Sexton, who comes off contract at the end of next season, declared his blossoming union with the Palm Beach Currumbin champion would only become a more daunting prospect for rivals.

“We kind of compliment each other really well and are bouncing ideas off each other; whether it’s at training or outside of footy,” Sexton said.

“We’ve spent a lot of time together and it’s a combination I’m really enjoying and will only grow in the future.

“He’s killing it … he’s been unreal to be honest. I thought his transition into senior footy was really good last year.

“He kind of got a taste in the QCup but he played the majority in 21s which was really good to him; getting him used to playing bigger bodies.

“This year his footy has obviously taken off where he’s really confident playing QCup. I know he’s only going to go further and further and it’ll be pretty cool to be a part of it.”

THE REST OF THE GOLD COAST’S 21 UNDER 21YET TO MAKE NRL/W DEBUTS

Seth Nikotemo

There was a period where Seth Nikotemo felt lost, unsure where his future lay or what his next move would be.

Now, he will be in Titans colours for the next three years, remaining in the development squad until the end of 2024 before joining the club’s top 30 in 2025.

Nikotemo rose through the ranks at Keebra Park as a powerful edge forward, and his work ethic was quickly noticed at Parkwood.

Having been offered an early pre-season training chance, so impressive was the 18-year-old Queensland schoolboys star he had his invitation extended further.

An injury this year however curtailed his development, fracturing his foot in three places during a trial clash for Burleigh.

But with his future now secured Nikotemo said he was eyeing off a Queensland Cup debut in the coming weeks upon his comeback, instilled with the resolve he belonged at the top.

“I think it was just when they told me they believed in me, they wanted me in the full time squad and that was a real moment where I realised now it’s time to work hard. They want me here so I have to keep proving each day I belong,” Nikotemo said.

“I’m more in a focus on the now mindset. I love seeing Keano and the other boys my age doing well, I’m happy for Keano, but I’m at the point where I need to keep working hard for the now.

“It (the rehab) has been good, a lot of recovery, a lot of strength and conditioning for my upper body to keep fit and strong. It's been a matter of staying off it … rather than rushing into it.”

Dannii Perese

On the back of nearly two seasons worth of powerhouse displays for the Burleigh Bears, Dannii Perese is on the cusp of an NRLW debut under Titans coach Karyn Murphy.

The prop was announced as part of a trio of signings to the Glitter Strip from the Brisbane Broncos system; joined by edge forward Kaitlyn Phillips and outside back Emily Bass.

Perese’s QRLW coach Scott Cooke has praised her for being the Bears’ metre-eater since her 2022 debut, challenging her to find greater impact with each carry this campaign.

And she has answered the call in style; taking her game from 93m a match last season to 117m this year — 55 of those post-contact compared to 42 in 2022.

Her defence has also found a new gear, missing just one tackle from 55 attempts thus far.

“Emily, Dannii and Kaitlyn are an extremely talented young trio who I’m thrilled to have joining us here at the Titans,” Murphy said of Perese and her fellow Brisbane signings.

“All three are eager to achieve success here on the Gold Coast given their connection to the region and they’ll bring plenty of energy to our squad with their recent representative experience just the start of what promises to be a bright future after a really impressive beginning to their rugby league careers.

“Dannii and Kaitlyn’s attrition and work rate will really boost our engine room up front, with the duo expected to really help us go forward.”

Vaka Sikahele

Dummy-half was a position which plagued the Titans last year, leading to a rampant recruitment drive that included premiership-winning Rooster Sam Verrills, former Knight Chris Randall, and most recently Super League star Kruise Leeming.

But when it comes to having an eye on the future, Vaka Sikahele could be the spark around the ruck that enables the Gold Coast to cause some late-game headaches.

The 19-year-old made an immediate impact in the pre-season trial against Brisbane; during which he scored a try, made a linebreak, ran for 65m and made 11 tackles for no misses.

On the back of that form he was thrust into the Bears’ Queensland Cup side, coming off the bench to relieve veteran and captain Pat Politoni while also doubling as a middle forward assigned to generate quick play the balls and ruck speed.

Averaging 66m from 39 minutes a game to go with 60 tackles for just two misses, while being credited with a linebreak assist and a linebreak, Sikahele’s first steps at the top have signalled big things to come.

The modern day game and its speed has rewarded smaller forwards such as Reuben Cotter in recent seasons, and Sikahele is showing the same traits that made the Cowboy an Origin star.

“His leg speed and carries through the middle will really do some damage when the opposition middles are tiring. He’s got a great carry, he’s powerful and strong and has quick play the ball,” Burleigh coach Luke Burt said.

“But in saying that, I don’t see Vaka becoming a full time middle. He’ll be a full time dummy half but it’s just getting him used to this early stages of his career and the speed and defensive side of things.

“We won’t put that strain on him to be an 80 minute hooker at the moment, he needs so get used to that level and in time he’ll progress.”

Chantay Kiria-Ratu

While she may the move from Tweed Seagulls to Souths Logan for this season’s QRLW, Chantay Kiria-Ratu remains a key part of the Titans’ future plans.

The talented 18-year-old playmaker made her senior debut last year before going on to represent the Cook Islands in the World Cup.

Thus far, the change of scenery has coincided with an unbeaten run for the Magpies; scoring twice while setting up three tries and linebreaks in the trio of appearances she has made.

Already identified by Murphy as a star on the rise, Kiria-Ratu was in the Titans development set up last year, too young to debut.

Expect that to change come the 2023 NRLW season.

“Coming up against one of the best teams, the Jillaroos and (the players) being in the NRLW, was something I will remember forever. I think that game really motivated me to train harder,” Kiria-Ratu said.

“Being 18 I guess it’s a time where I can finally showcase, have a go and play with the best in the game. Getting to train with the full-time squad was very exciting, but hopefully getting contracted and being able to play on the big paddock ... it’s going to be very exciting for me.”

Tamika Smith

Even while she was training with the under-19s at Tweed, Tamika Smith was quick to chat the eye of a Jillaroos star.

As Jaime Chapman took part in an opposed session among the extended women’s squads at the club, and saw just how emphatic Smith could be in the long run.

On the back of her maiden two appearances in the QRLW last year — which yielded a try and 50m a game — the teenage forward has found another gear in 2023; relishing her involvement in the Titans Academy to average 71m and two offloads a game starting up front.

Still just 17, Smith will only get better the stronger and more seasoned she gets, and Chapman said it was the same case for the youngster’s twin Sienna.

“They were just amazing, the talent was just out of this world. They’re definitely up and coming; just their ball skills and ability, they were just all over amazing footy players,” Chapman said of the duo.

“We were just doing an opposed session and they were so competitive, and I feel like in the young girls you don’t really find that passion as easy as you do in the older women.

“I think having that right now, that passion and competitiveness, they’re going to go a long way.”

Jaylan De Groot

On the back of a colts season for Tweed in which he scored 19 times, Jaylan De Groot was always going to loom as a Queensland Cup option this season.

The young fullback has two pre-season trials with the Titans to his credit already, the first of which yielded a try and try assist to announce himself on the big stage.

Since coming into the Seagulls top side he has been solid, scoring two tries from three appearances and averaging 85m a game.

Those numbers take into account his removal from the field on the stroke of the hour mark in Round Three against Norths, nursing an injury that kept him out of the clash against Burleigh.

De Groot has been thrust into the deep end early in his senior career, with his match ups coming against a Capras side brimming with Dolphins’ NRL contracted players — including Anthony Milford and Kodi Nikorima — as well as two-time defending champions in the Devils.

Matekino Kahukoti-Gray

Rugby league runs through Matekino Kahukoti-Gray’s veins.

With family members such as Titans NRLW star Tazmin Gray and Canberra Raiders sensation Jordan Rapana to lean on, the young forward has been educated well at a young age.

A member of the Gold Coast’s girls Academy pathways, Kahukoti-Gray is already a seasoned QRLW campaigner, having made seven appearances last year while featuring in all four hit-outs in 2023 despite still playing in the U19s competition.

After featuring for Tweed throughout last season, missing just one tackle from 98 attempts in a team who emerged victorious just once, the dynamic forward made the move to Burleigh where she has gotten a taste of success.

Her last hit out against her former club was sensational — finishing with 144m (71 of which were post-contact), 11 tackle busts, three offloads and 10 tackles for no misses in the 24-10 triumph.

Josiah Pahulu

Just one game into his senior football career, Josiah Pahulu was quick to announce why he has been so highly thought of by the Titans.

Already a member of the NRL squad’s top 36, the 18-year-old prop burst to life in his Burleigh debut against Redcliffe; finishing with 153m, four tackle busts and 18 tackles in a 45 minute stint off the bench.

Pahulu was granted the chance to trial with the Titans against the Brisbane Broncos this pre-season; running for 20m from two carries and making six tackles for no misses in a short second half stint.

Ipswich State High School’s history making captain, having led the school to the National Schoolboys title last year, will remain at Parkwood until the end of 2025, and there is every chance an NRL appearance will come well before then.

Kaleb Ngamanu

Having come through the Future Titans pathways, Kaleb Ngamanu was thrust into the Queensland Cup set up last year and was quick to impress.

And thus far in 2023, he has taken that form even further in 2023.

Capable of playing on the wing or in the centres, Ngamanu was shifted to the bench last week against Burleigh to accommodate for Ryland Jacobs moving back to the flank and Brent Woolf returning to the number nine jumper.

However from a 55 minute stint the 20-year-old still shone — scoring a try while running for 161m including a linebreak.

Ngamanu’s first four forays into senior football last year reaped 96m a game along with two tries and four linebreaks. However his first four outings this season have made for exceptional reading: 144m a match, four tries, three linebreaks, 10 tackle busts and just two missed tackles.

The Titans appear well stocked for wingers at the moment; the likes of Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Jojo Fifita and Ken Maumalo all in the mix.

However the centres have been a position up for grabs on the Glitter Strip; the likes of Aaron Schoupp, Phil Sami, Brian Kelly and Treymaine Spry all battling for the jobs, but yet to truly announce themselves as game-breaking options in the NRL.

Could Ngamanu be the future in the role for the club?

Oskar Bryant

A shoulder injury has kept Oskar Bryant off the park for the past two weeks, however the young hooker has shown enough signs to suggest he is up for the rigours of senior football.

A championship-winning rake for Palm Beach Currumbin, Bryant pulled the strings for Tweed’s colts last year, and impressed enough to earn a Queensland Cup Round One debut.

In his first 56 minutes in the job, Bryant finished with 31 tackles for two misses; a strong output in his first hit out against men.

Furthermore, it was against a side brimming with Dolphins playing sent back to the Capras, with former Seagull JJ Collins proving particularly tough to bring down.

Yet Bryant held his own, and having garnered a full season train and trial with the Titans will only find a new gear upon his injury return.

Once he discovers his mojo and ruck sense he showcased in the lower ranks, he could soon rise to become the perfect foil for Gold Coast star Sam Verrills.

Ryan Foran

Fresh out of the Future Titans program, Ryan Foran has now set his sights on a Queensland Cup debut.

The young forward was granted a full year train and trial with the NRL squad for this year, and will be elevated into the club’s top 30 in 2024.

Thus far Foran is yet to make his maiden QCup appearance, having been named as 18th man last year for the Tweed Seagulls in their round 18 clash with the Northern Pride.

Yet he did get the opportunity to don the Titans colours against the Broncos in the pre-season; a short stint which yielded 25m from three carries and eight tackles for no misses.

After overcoming a shoulder injury early in 2022, he quickly found his stride; scoring five tries from 15 consecutive appearances in the colts competition.

Expect him to make his long-awaited senior debut this season.

Rilee Jorgensen

Still only 17, but Rilee Jorgensen comes into the Titans Academy with more experience then several women in the top competition.

The young forward debuted in the QRLW at just 16, playing seven games last year while even at times assuming the goal kicking duties.

However this year, she has taken her game to new heights.

After averaging 65m and 12 tackles a game in 2022, Jorgensen has nearly doubled those numbers from her three matches this season — the last of which was cut short, taken from the field just 21 minutes in.

Yet in her two matches prior to that, the teen sensation was palpable — running for 139m and 171m respectively while making a combined 41 tackles and nine tackle busts.

While still too young to earn an NRLW debut in the forthcoming campaign, the expanded competition will no doubt present chances to Jorgensen sooner rather than later.

Arama Hau

The Australian Schoolboys sensation may not have made his senior debut yet, but once the colts season gets underway Arama Hau will get his chance to shine and press his case.

Arguably the nation’s leading edge forward of his age group, Hau defies his size by having a ball playing ability that made Keebra Park lethal in attack throughout last year’s Langer Trophy.

Capable of playing on the edge or at lock, Hau’s chance to debut in the QCup could come sooner rather than later, as the club undergoes a regeneration in its forward stocks.

Still only 18, the schoolboys star will only get bigger and better, and already possesses the frame to match it with the state competition’s most daunting rivals.

He got a taste of what it takes to succeed in the NRL at the end of last year, called in for the first two months of pre-season to set up his 2023 campaign.

Jeremiah Tamepo

The Titans wing stocks may be well placed, by Jeremiah Tamepo could be a factor for consideration in the years to come.

Blessed with speed and size that has drawn comparisons to Panthers star Brian To’o, Tamepo ran rampant in the local under-20s competition last year — scoring 22 tries in just 12 appearances for Nerang.

He took much of that form into the Langer Trophy for Keebra Park last year, and will now line up for the Bears’ colts outfit this year while juggling Future Titans’ commitments.

Sienna Lofipo

While she is currently not plying her trade on the Glitter Strip, Sienna Lofipo was identified early by the Titans and immediately brought into their Academy pathways.

The teenage five-eighth has already shown innate leadership abilities, having captained the Australian schoolgirls last year.

In three QRLW appearances for Wynnum Manly in 2023, Lofipo has claimed four try assists while missing just two tackles from 38 attempts, and bit by bit she appears to be gaining greater confidence in her ability to run the ball.

Her last outing against Brisbane Tigers showcased her growing self-belief, taking greater ownership of the side to finish with 114 kick metres — having registered just 28m between her first two clashes — while setting up two tries and three linebreaks in a commanding display.

Jaida Faleono

She captained the Titans under-17s side against the Newcastle Knights in the pre-season, and Jaida Faleono has taken those experiences straight into her maiden QRLW under-19s campaign.

The teenager is a rising star across multiple codes, having also been brought into Australian Rugby 7s set ups and garnered selection honours in Queensland Reds’ Super W pathways as well.

However from her six outings in the Tweed Seagulls colours this year Faleono has proven she is a force to be reckoned with; averaging 109m, nearly four tackle busts 14 tackles for less than a miss per game.

Her performance against the Souths Logan Magpies was particularly eye catching: 162m — 84 post-contact — six tackle busts and a linebreak in a tireless display.

Lily-Rose Kolc

Still just a teenager, but Lily-Rose Kolc has been earmarked for NRLW honours in the very near future.

The Titans Academy squad member has been a core part of the Bears’ QRLW line up since last year, playing eight games since her debut and proving to be a constant threat at the ruck.

At just 17, Kolc has showcased her ability to play either sides of the ball — combining a probing running game out of dummy-half with defensive resilience against far more seasoned women.

Coming off the bench this year, she has missed just one tackle each game while making 36 in total. While in her last clash against Mackay her afternoon was cut short at 18 minutes, her past two outings averaged 35m from dummy-half and included four tackle busts and a try assist.

Immanuel Kalekale

Coming through his schoolboys days, Immanuel Kalekale was always the biggest man on the paddock. Now he needs to adapt.

A head knock suffered while playing for the Future Titans against Newcastle has disrupted the Kiwi product’s pre-season efforts, however on the back of an extended run with the NRL squad at the end of the last year will be pushing for a senior debut in the months to come.

Kalekale also endured a plagued end of 2022 following a leg injury suffered while playing for Queensland in the national schoolboys championships, cruelling him on the chance to earn Australian honours.

But once he takes the field for the Burleigh colts this year it will be apparent just how big a heavy hitter the teenager is, as he aims to join the Titans’ production line of young forwards which has granted Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui and Klese Haas debuts in recent times.

Tanu Nona

Leadership oozes out of this young dummy-half, and now Tanu Nona will be out to garner senior recognition.

Having captained PBC in the Langer Trophy, the blossoming hooker was also called on to skipper the Future Titans under-19s earlier in the year.

While yet to feature in the Queensland Cup, stuck behind the likes of Bryant and Woolf, Nona has still be training alongside the senior squad and will likely don the number nine jumper in the Seagulls’ colts set up from the season’s opening whistle.

A young man who leads by example and packs a punch off the ball, Nona’s exposure to the Gold Coast’s NRL squad during the pre-season will no doubt have a telling impact.

nick.wright@news.com.au