Gold Coast Titans Next Generation: 14 players to battle for five spots as Moeaki Fotuaika tips young duo for big things in the NRL
Only one man in the Titans middle forward rotation can consider himself a lock in for the role for next year and even beyond. Now a man tipped to join him in the front has declared a rookie duo could be coming for his job.
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Even with his status as a World Cup and State of Origin calibre forward, Titans star Moeaki Fotuaika has felt the footsteps of two rising talents nipping at his heels.
Fresh off his quarter-finals campaign with Tonga the 23-year-old has returned to Parkwood a week ahead of schedule.
Yet already the four-time Queensland Maroons forward has earmarked a pair of youngsters to make a rapid rise through the ranks and keep the more seasoned contingent on alert.
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Recently graduated Keebra Park alumni Seth Nikotemo and historic Ipswich State High School captain Josiah Pahulu have been training with the squad since the pre-season launched.
Pahulu has already been brought into the Titans main squad, signed until the end of 2025.
However Nikotemo has the chance to fight for one of either three Top 30 positions or future development deal chances among 13 other train and trialists.
The club have filled their 2023 development roles to Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui, Keano Kini, Tony Francis and Pahulu.
Pahulu spearhead his Langer Trophy side to a maiden national championship this year, cementing himself in schoolboys rugby league folklore.
He has recently been restricted to off-feet conditioning as he adjusts to the high performance workload.
Meanwhile, Nikotemo has been catching attention since well before his senior year, with Keebra Park coach Peter Norman recalling a fend so powerful he likened it to Greg Inglis sending St. George-Illawarra champion Jamie Soward into orbit.
Nikotemo went on to vice-captain his side and the edge forward or lock earned Queensland Schoolboys selection in the process.
As Gold Coast skipper Tino Ta’asuamaleaui moves to the prop rotation, former hooker Erin Clark looms as the man most likely to don the number 13 jumper in 2023.
But casting an eye to the future, Nikotemo possesses the frame and skillset to become a leading contender for the job long term with continued development.
And from what Fotuaika has seen from the 18-year-old a huge future awaits.
“It’s a bit hard (to identify one), we’ve got a lot of great talent coming up through the younger boys, but Seth Nikotemo is really good. He’s definitely fit and strong and looks like he can ball play too,” Fotuaika said.
“It’s (going to be) really interesting to see what they can do in the future, as well as Josiah Pahulu who’s injured at the moment but I heard he was training hard before that.
“It’s great to see we have a lot of boys coming up and they’re keeping us older boys on our toes. I wasn’t too happy with my year; I finished the season well but throughout the year I wasn’t too happy.
“My main focus at the moment is to start every game, but I recognise there’s a lot of competition there.”
However it will be more than the youngsters at the club hopeful of pushing for Fotuaika’s spot in the near future.
Burleigh Bear Jacob Alick completed a remarkable turnaround last season — going from working in a movie theatre to Titans contracted forward in the space of nine months.
His work culminated in a debut for Papua New Guinea in June before taking part in the Kumuls’ World Cup campaign.
Alick donned the number 13 jumper in England, despite typically plying his trade on the edge. Now the middle could be his path to the NRL at last.
Veteran Jarrod Wallace and fellow prop Herman Ese’ese both lined up in the final game of the season for the Titans. Both have moved on to the Dolphins.
Given the likes of David Fifita and Beau Fermor appear to have a mortgage on the backrow spots, the 23-year-old Alick now hopes his new found versatility could be his way to a first-grade berth.
“That’s the number one goal; to make my debut. Everything I’m doing is going towards that,” Alick said.
“Defensively I’ve got a lot to work on. I played lock overseas so it was a bit different so it’s showing my versatility to Justin (Holbrook) and not just pocketing myself to the backrow.
“Last year was my first year being here so I was a bit shy and didn’t talk much around the boys, but I’ve come back with a bit more confidence.
“I’m just trying to put my best foot forward; I’m not too sure how close I am to first grade but I’m just trying to be a bit more confident in myself and my ability.”
REST OF THE TITANS TRAIN AND TRIALISTS
Oskar Bryant — Hooker
He rose through the ranks at Palm Beach Currumbin, winning accolades and trophies along the way with current Titan Tom Weaver as his halfback.
Now Oskar Bryant is on the cusp of staking his own claim to a jersey.
The crafty hooker, and younger brother of Brisbane Heat batsman Max, could be an obvious inclusion to the main squad.
In addition to this being his second full pre-season with the club, Bryant is one of few out and out dummy-halves at Parkwood.
Even with the recruitment of Roosters premiership winning rake Sam Verrills making the move to the Glitter Strip, the only other men to have played in the number nine jumper are Tanah Boyd — traditionally a halfback — and Erin Clark, who showed in 2022 lock was his best position.
Luckless journeyman Aaron Booth is also still sidelined with an ACL injury and without a locked in contract.
Bryant was a member of the NSW Blues under-19s squad this year, while also plying his trade for the Tweed Seagulls’ colts side. He will remain on a train and trial deal for the entire 2023 season.
Jaylan De Groot — Fullback
A bright coloured head gear and a fun nickname bestowed upon him by commentating great Andrew Voss, Jaylan De Groot has cult hero status written all over him.
The former PBC star fullback made an immediate impression when given the chance to trial with the Titans against the Brisbane Broncos in February, scoring a try and setting up another.
It was in laying on the four-pointer which gave him the nickname ‘The Shin Kicker’ by Voss.
Tweed colts coach Aaron Zimmerle told The Gold Coast Bulletin this season that De Groot had similarities in his game to the great Billy Slater.
He earned this praise via his ability to push through the middle in support play, strong communication at the back and exceptionally ball playing skills.
De Groot even got to captain the side at times, and finished the season with 18 tries, however he is already set to be elevated into the top squad in 2024. He will remain on a train and trial deal for the 2023 season.
Ryan Foran — Second Row
He was on the cusp of making his senior rugby league debut this year, so Ryan Foran is clearly well thought of in the region.
Named as a replacement player for the Seagulls round 18 Queensland Cup clash against the Northern Pride, the tough edge forward played the season with Tweed’s colts side.
The 2021 Australian schoolboys representative is already locked in for his future, and will be moved into the Titans Top 30 in 2024, however a full year of exposure could put in perfect position to make his NRL debut at that time should he excel for the Seagulls.
He will remain with the club throughout the year in a train and trial capacity.
Arama Hau — Lock
This kid is a phenom waiting to be unleashed.
Arama Hau captained the Keebra Park outfit in this year’s Langer Trophy, going on to represent Queensland and Australia.
A powerful lock who can also play on the edge, Hau has showcased a ball playing ability that defies his size, age and position even in the modern game.
A member of the Burleigh Bears colts side despite still being in high school, the 18-year-old was praised by Keebra coach Norman for having an “aura” about him that brought out the best in his teammates.
He has now completed his pre-season opportunity and will seek to push towards senior football honours in 2023.
Immanuel Kalekale — Prop
There seems to be a little bit of Panthers star James Fisher-Harris in this young prop.
Immanuel Kalekale had an injury plagued 2022. A leg injury in the early days of the season was then compounded when he aggravated the concern in the Queensland schoolboys side’s semi-final.
Nevertheless, the Kiwi product has rebounded and is the typical wrecking ball forward who takes no prisoners that rugby league followers have long admired.
Will he adapt to no longer being the biggest man on the paddock? Only time will tell, but Monday’s full training session with the Titans squad will give him a chance to impress against the best on the Gold Coast.
He has now completed his pre-season opportunity and will seek to push towards senior football honours in 2023.
Ben Liyou — Prop
Another young man who has his future at the club secured until 2024, Ben Liyou has been taking part in his third pre-season at Parkwood.
The hard running middle man earned a trial chance with the Titans earlier this year, before getting his first 30 minutes of Queensland Cup football in round 9 against Souths Logan.
He made 12 tackles for no misses, while also making a tackle break in his stint off the bench.
Liyou will remain with the Titans throughout the year in a train and trial capacity.
Max Liles — Five Eighth
Zimmerle said in October that with Weaver likely to feature more in the Queensland Cup side, Max Liles will likely be given extended chances to command Tweed’s colts outfit.
The five-eighth has been praised for his kicking game throughout his development.
While he may be top young and raw to be a chance of claiming a final roster spot next year he will gain valuable exposure to how a great number six runs the ship once Kieran Foran lands at Parkwood.
He has now completed his pre-season opportunity and will seek to push towards senior football honours in 2023.
Kaleb Ngamanu — Wing/Centre
Zimmerle likens Kaleb Ngamanu to a Brian To’o-style player.
“He’s not huge,” Zimmerle said, “but fearless with great strength and power in the contact.” Ngamanu was one of only two Tweed colts players to run for more than 200m in a game this season, the other being winger Brent Barnes.
The 19-year-old has already played four games in the Queensland Cup; scoring two tries, making four linebreaks and running for 96m a game.
That exposure could be his ticket into the top squad, given at this stage only Sami, Aaron Schoupp and Brian Kelly loom as out and out centre options in the Titans ranks.
He will remain training with the squad in an extended capacity as he seeks to push for higher honours.
Tanu Nona — Hooker
His youth will count against him at this early stage of his career, but Tanu Nona is still set to train part-time with the club next year.
A dynamic dummy half with a quality running game, Nona captained Palm Beach Currumbin to the Langer Trophy final — a game they ultimately lost to the Pahulu-led Ipswich.
A leader with his actions and able to carry a team on his shoulders, the young hooker has a wealth to offer if he can fine tune his craft for long enough at Parkwood.
It appears as though he has finished his first round of preseason duties and will push for more chances through Queensland wide competitions.
Emry Pere — Prop
Given he already has extensive experience in NRL systems, Emry Pere could be a logical choice to jump into the Titans top squad.
The 24-year-old prop spent three seasons with the North Queensland Cowboys, however was unable to add to his two first-grade appearances under coach Todd Payten.
A Maori All Stars representative, Pere stands at 113kg and will be an imposing figure for the Burleigh Bears in the Queensland Cup.
Yet given the enormous workload thrust upon Titans captained Tino Fa’asuamaleaui this year, the Maroons and Kangaroos star could need valuable support in the middle.
Pere’s size and experience could be just the asset the club’s best player needs to thrive.
He will remain training with the squad in an extended capacity as he seeks to push for higher honours.
Vaka Sikahele — Hooker
It may have been the briefest of stints, but Vaka Sikahele was given a small taste of Queensland Cup football at the back end of the 2022 season.
Much like Bryant, the Titans lack of hooker depth could work in Sikahele’s favour when it comes to earning elevation down the track, and he has the running game out of dummy half to make an impression.
The Kiwi was originally in the Warriors system before crossing the ditch, and has been forced to overcome an MCL injury in his time on the Glitter Strip.
Nevertheless Sikahele overcame that to finish as the Burleigh Bears’ colts side’s coaches player of the year, and he played six minutes off the bench for the club’s top side.
From that stint he ran for 27m and made three tackles.
He will remain training with the squad in an extended capacity as he seeks to push for higher honours.
Creedence Toia — Fullback
There are some strong outside back options at the Titans, so newcomer Creedence Toia may have his back up against the wall to crack into the squad.
Nevertheless they are inexperienced options. Wingers such as Jojo Fifita and Alofiana Khan-Pereria are both rookies, while Phillip Sami appearances destined for a stay in the centres.
Toia may not have made his NRL debut yet, but he has just come from a season at the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and is known to the Gold Coast rugby league community through his previous stint with Burleigh.
AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell will be the frontrunners for the fullback spot, but Toia’s versatility and exposure to rival first-grade systems could be a key weapon in his arsenal.
He will remain training with the squad in an extended capacity as he seeks to push for higher honours.
Jayden Wright — Second Row
Fresh out of Palm Beach Currumbin, Jayden Wright will more than likely be the beneficiary of experience training alongside the likes of Fifita, Fermour and new recruit Joe Stimson.
Backrow is seemingly a position the Gold Coast have a wealth of depth and options and their disposal, but Wright’s work ethic has already stood out having rocked up to pre-season training ahead of time in October.
An ever-reliable edge forward throughout his schoolboys days, that same mentality could make him more of a long term prospect with the club, however one percervering with.
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