Gold Coast Titans snare Langer Trophy class of 2019 star Tony Francis
Langer Trophy 2019 graduates Reece Walsh and TC Robati have snared NRL debuts this season, and now the Titans have snared another class of ‘19 star graduate on a full-time contract.
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Langer Trophy 2019 graduates Reece Walsh (Warriors) and TC Robati (Broncos) have snared NRL debuts this season, and now the Titans have grabbed another class of ‘19 star - Tony Francis.
The powerhouse centre/five-eight is training full-time with the Gold Coast.
“It is really exciting for him. It was never a case of if, it was when an NRL signed him,’’ said Jesse Maclean, his former coach at both Marsden SHS and Wynnum Manly.
“Once he got on top of back to back knee injuries, his ability was there. It is really exciting for him and his family.’’
Francis is an old Marsden SHS team mate of Robati who made his NRL debut for Brisbane last Thursday.
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Francis is a blockbusting runner whose aggression both carrying the ball and in defence is a feature.
Francis and Robati played a huge role in Marsden reaching the state schoolboy Phil Hall Cup grand final in 2019 against Kirwan SHS.
He was then set for a bumper 2020, only for his season to be curtailed by injury.
Initially a Brisbane Broncos signing, Francis also had interest from the North Queensland Cowboys but it is the Titans who have seen him as part of their future.
He was absorbed into the Junior Titans System development program during the off-season and played for the Titans under 19s during pre-season trials.
But the blockbusting Francis has now progressed to be full-time with Gold Coast.
Originally from Sydney, Francis said moving from NSW for the 2019 season was “probably the best thing I have done’’ because it gave him a chance to be noticed in the Langer Trophy.
The Langer Trophy will be livestreamed by www.couriermail.com.au, the Gold Coast Bulletin and News Corp affiliates.
Subscribe to watch 150 games of schoolboy rugby league a week across the Langer Trophy, Langer reserves, Year 10 Walters Cup and Payne Cup competitions.
LIVESTREAM SCHEDULE
ROUND 1, Wednesday
Walters Cup (Brandon Park)
2pm: Forest Lake SHS v Wavell SHS
Langer Cup (Toowoomba)
2.30pm: St Mary’s v Wavell SHS
Ipswich SHS v PBC SHS (Ipswich)
Langer reserves:
3.30pm: Ipswich v PBC
Walters Cup
4.30pm: Ipswich v PBC
Langer Cup
5.30pm: Ipswich v PBC
Marsden SHS v Keebra Park SHS (Marsden)
Langer reserves:
3.30pm: Marsden v Keebra
Walters Cup
4.30pm: Marsden v Keebra
Langer Cup
5.30pm: Marsden v Keebra
Coombabah v Mabel Park/Redcliffe (Runaway Bay)
Walters Cup
3.30pm: Coombabah v Redcliffe SHS
Langer Cup
4.30pm: Coombabah v Mabel Park
Originally published as Gold Coast Titans snare Langer Trophy class of 2019 star Tony Francis
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