The emerging forward will be tasked with spearheading the Townsville under-16s outfit, having been selected in the 26-man squad to contest the state competition.

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Having earned a starting debut last year, despite being one of the younger players, the prop will be called upon to set the standard of the developing group ahead of their opening clash against the Northern Pride on March 5.

Norford said that while he had chosen other potential leadership candidates in his 2022 group, ultimately the experience Tapua-Taylor brings will come with some expectations to be a young man the team can look towards for guidance on the field.

“He’s going to be an asset, whether that’s in the front row or out in the backrow he’s definitely got the skills and attributes to go really well in this age group,” Norford said.

“Definitely I will be looking for him to step up knowing he’s played at this level before, but I think there’s a lot of boys there to stand up.

“We’ve got some leaders in that group … it’s a new year and some boys as 16 year olds do grow an extra foot and start to mature a bit more.”

One of those blossoming leaders will be Blackhawks debutant Kaiden Lahrs, the son of former State of Origin and Canberra Raiders prop Tom Learoyd-Lahrs.

Lahrs, along with Townsville and Norths Devils teammate Preston Cassidy, has already drawn the eye of the Brisbane Broncos, with the pair signed on for training stints with the NRL club.

Outside backs Cohen Dittman and Dylan Gourley are two others who have been exposed to the top level, having partaken in similar sessions with the North Queensland Cowboys.

With less than three weeks to go until the Blackhawks play a trial clash against the Pride, Norford said he would be looking to instil a hard edge in the group to complement the natural talent they bring to the field.

He said the overarching message for the squad would be that no ones spot was guaranteed, and they would need to fight for their place each time they laced up the boots.

“No one’s spot is concrete yet, wherever and whatever position you’re playing there’s definitely competition there,” Norford said.

“There’s multiple boys that can play multiple positions, whether you’re playing the wing or front row there’s multiple people pushing for that same position as yours.”

OUTSIDE BACKS — Logan Deininger-Brookes, Cohen Dittman, Keelin Hookey, Dylan Gourley, Iowani Cavuilati

“This group definitely don’t have a problem with pace.”

That was the simplest collective description Norford could give of his back three candidates, as he prepares for his side to dominate the flanks this season.

All five players, the second-year coach said, could assume the fullback role, where he will be looking for the youngster who demonstrates the best communication from the back and an ability to read the game plan he is seeking to implement.

While Norford said they all had speed to burn, each would bring a unique skillset to create a selection headache over the course of the pre-season.

“They’re all in the mix, young Logan had his trial and it was outstanding in that position,” he said.

“But there’s definitely some boys knocking on his door. Dylan and Cohen are definitely air targets, Hookey is a speedster and Iowani is built for power — they all have their little assets.

“We have a fair bit of pace out wide and they have a bit of class as well. Between them five boys I’m sure we can finish off some tries and make sure the efforts in attack and defence they don’t shy away from.

“They’re a hard working group with some class about them.”

CENTRES — Amaziah Murgha, Cooper Pearson, Jay Webber, Jesse Jenson

The son of a former Cowboy will headline Norford’s centre options, however he is far from locked in for one of the positions.

Amaziah Murgha‘s father, Hezron was recruited by the North Queensland side in 2013, and while he did not make his NRL debut he impressed regularly in the Queensland Cup.

Norford has previously played alongside Hezron, and said there was an innate competitiveness which had been passed down to Amaziah.

“He’s creative, he’s physical and he’s someone that’s not going to let you down,” he said.

“He’s competitive, which is very similar to his old man when I played with him. You know what you’re going to get.”

Family pedigree, however, will not be a factor when it comes to Norford naming his round one line up.

Cooper Pearson, Jay Webber and Jesse Jenson have all been lauded as strong “attacking weapons”, each packed with an aggression which will make them nightmares in defence.

“I need someone who can create opportunities in attack and also limit the opportunities when in defence,” Norford said.

“Normally you have someone in the centre who’s very creative and creates that opportunity, and if you’re defending another centre you want someone who can limit those opportunities.”

HALVES — Kynan Purdy, Marcus Bell, Preston Cassidy, Hayde Munro

Should Norford choose, all four of his halves options could fit into the same side.

In the early days of pre-season, Preston Cassidy’s standing as an NRL gun on the rise has him in the box seat to claim one of the jerseys, with Marcus Bell another out and out half Norford has watched play for years.

However the coach said Cassidy also had the makings of a ball playing lock, opening the door for the composed organisation Kynan Purdy brings to the role.

Meanwhile, Norford said Hayde Munro looms as the perfect utility options, capable of playing in the forwards, hooker, halves, centre and fullback.

Ultimately, he said whoever was quickest to get in sync with the rest of the squad would win the race to the scrumbase.

“I’m seeing how it looks at the end of the pre-season. Obviously they have to make their connections with their centres and backrow and fullback to create that link,” Norford said.

“It’s not about how you play by yourself, it’s how you link with your team.”

SECOND ROW/LOCK — Archie Blacklock, Elijah Tapau-Taylor, Nick Divljak, Marshall Scott, Richard Price, Kaiden Lahrs

While there is plenty of size within his edge forward and lock options, Norford will be identifying other traits to separate his talent group.

With a host of attacking options out wide, the Blackhawks young guns will seek to spread the ball as often as possible. To do that, they need forwards equipped with slick hands and wise decision making when it comes to pass selection.

Norford praised the physicality his second row choices brought to the table, however he said if they did not continue to develop their ability to lay on chances for the outside backs the threat of their speedsters would be diminished.

“There’s definitely some boys there who have that ability, obviously that’s something coming into the game where you need to be a threat with an offload or early pass,” Norford said.

“That’s something that’s expected from our core forwards now. It’s not bash up football, they need to be more skilful and we’ve been seeing that with our young boys over the last five years.

“Someone coming in with footwork and ball playing is never underestimated, especially if you have some big boppers around you. You can utilise that really well.”

HOOKER — Braith Dowson, Kyhnaan Kennedy

As a championship-winning dummy-half for Brothers, Norford knew what to look out for when it comes to hooker selections.

And he landed on two rising stars who completely contrast in their playing styles.

Braith Dowson comes into the squad with plenty of strength in defence and brilliant vision which Norford said made him a man who could “pick away a team” with ease.

Kyhnaan Kennedy, meanwhile, is simply explosive.

Weary defenders will have to be on the look out for the dynamic rake, who only needs a split second to take advantage of an opportunity.

Norford said the pair could easily coexist in the same 17, with Dowson able to grind down their rivals before Kennedy decimates them through the middle.

“If they’re both up to the standard that’s definitely something in our team we could utilise,” he said.

“Kyhnaan out of hooker is very quick and on the back of Braith’s work ethic there’s definitely an opportunity for both of them to play in tandem.”

PROPS — Kayne Pua’avase, Lascolm Tugai, Oakland Stowers, Jeffery Ross

Size does not matter when it comes to Norford selecting his props, however a mammoth pack has eventuated anyway.

Oakland Stowers leads the group through the middle, with his father Josh an accomplished Townsville coach. That connection has given him a deep insight into the game despite his tender years.

But what impressed Norford most about the group has been their late footwork at the defensive line which he expects to wreak havoc throughout the competition.

“They all sort of have a little bit of footwork, it’s outstanding, they can move pretty well. It’s just a late little change of direction, they’re powerful and have got an early pass if they need,” Norford said.

“Obviously they’re still growing, they’re only 16, but out of all of them they’re powerful and skilful and that’s the biggest thing I can see from all of them there. They’ve all got something else other than being big.”

nick.wright@news.com.au