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Josh Hoffman: My Cure for Nerves
Josh Hoffman has revealed his secret cure to nervousness before any big event - Vegemite on toast.
Hoffman has returned to Broncos training a married man after walking down the aisle in the off-season. And while he enjoyed the day he did feel the jitters - unusual for someone so cool under the high ball in the NRL.
"Last time I saw you I wasn't married - married life is good and I am enjoying the company of my new wife," he said. "I was a bit nervous but my dad gave me something - a bit of Vegemite on toast."
Hoffman said his honeymoon had cost him some extra training sessions but he was back on track now and focussed for the upcoming trials.
"It's been tough for myself - I came back a little overweight so I have been doing a few extras on the weekend. I'm looking forward to the trials and getting back to games."
(Story Courtesy Trad McLean Bronco Media)
Young Players do hard yards in off season
The off season is no time for a break as a host of young Catalyst Stars start their build up for 2012.
Over numerous Clubs, players are building up and making their mark so that the new season will be a big stepping stone from the Cyril Connell and Mal Meninga teams to the higher grades. Below are the clubs and players that Catalyst manage and where they will be in 2012.
Press Release - Paul Srama leaves Catalyst Story to follow
Jetstar Titans in 2012: Jamie Dowling
The Jetstar Gold Coast Titans will field a new look squad in 2012 and over the next month we begin to take an early sneak peak at the playing roster for next season.
Having benefitted from a season in the Queensland Cup with the Burleigh Bears, former Jetstar Titans Under-20s player Jamie Dowling returns to the club next year after gaining a spot in the full-time training squad for 2012.
The versatile 21-year-old, who can play anywhere from the centres to lock or five-eighth, returns to the Jetstar Titans to help bolster the club’s depth in various areas as the Gold Coast junior aims to take the next step in his development next season.
Dowling helped the Jetstar Titans NYC side make the finals of the Under-20s competition in 2010 alongside the likes of Matt Srama, Ryan James and Jordan Rankin after benefiting from the experience of playing in the Toyota Cup a year earlier as a 19-year-old in 2009.
Prior to that, Dowling was a key part of the Titans’ SG Ball (Under-18s) team in 2008 and is a perfect example of the success of the Titans Junior Pathways program as a local junior who has played with the Bears since the age of 10.
Although he is yet to make his first grade debut, Dowling will clearly benefit from his first year playing in senior football after proving to be one of the Bears’ most consistent Queensland Cup players in 2011.
Dowling is also a significant contributor for the Jetstar Titans off the field, spreading the rugby league word as a trainee development officer for the club.
Dowling has a deep history within rugby league being the grandson of former St George player John Dowling, who played more than 100 matches for the Dragons from 1979 to 1984 as well as representing Queensland in State of Origin.
While he may start the 2012 season behind some of the club’s more established names, Dowling’s versatility could well prove beneficial for the team as depth traditionally becomes tested during the State of Origin period or at the back end of the season.
JAMIE DOWLING
Date of Birth: 29/10/1990
Birthplace: Kogarah, NSW
Junior club: Burleigh Bears
Position: Lock, centre, five-eighth, fullback
Height: 183cm Weight: 90kg
Filipine, Sami, Thorburn and Seage pick up awards for Jets
  
4 players managed by Catalyst picked up several of the top awards at the Ipswich Jets Presentation night. Ramon Filipine (above left) won the Walters family award for the Players Player in Qld Cup.
Ramon had a standout year also being selected for Qld Residents in their big win against NSW Residents. George Sami won best back in FOGs.
Ben Thorburn (above centre) won the Colts Player of the Year and Josh Seage (above right) won the Players Player. Thorburn and Sami are likely to stay with the Jets for next season but Seage will join the Broncos NYC squad. Seage also played 3 Tests for Australian Universities against the touring Great Britain team.
Burleigh Bears win Under 19 Grand Final
The Burleigh Bears have defeated Tweed Seagulls 17 – 16 in a cliff-hanger.
A good crowd was in early for the first game of the day and they weren’t disappointed. The Burleigh and Tweed under 19s produced a wonderful grand final that was ultimately decided by a Shay Menyweather field goal.
With the scores locked at 10-10 at halftime the match could have gone either way. Jared Ghosn, Tyler Doolan and Tim Green were dangerous for the Seagulls while Menyweather, Morgan Ross and Matt Prowse worked hard for the Bears.
Bears backrower Matt Prowse, who is contracted to the Gold Cost Titans in 2012, was named man-of-the-match.
Burleigh took the lead in the 62nd minute but the Seagulls drew level five minutes later when Jack Durheim dived on a sublime grabber kick by Doolan.
It was end-to-end football in the last ten minutes with both sides having plenty of chances but it was captain Shay Menyweather who stepped up and provided the match winner with 90 seconds left on the clock.
Srama shining Light in Gold Coast Titans review of season
THE soul searching has begun for NRL wooden spooners the Gold Coast Titans as the club conducting its in-house season review during the week.
Titans coach John Cartwright spoke to players individually during the week as part of a wide-ranging assessment of the club's failures this season. New five-eighth recruit Aiden Sezar arrived at the club on Wednesday after starring in the Canterbury Bulldogs Toyota Cup team the past two seasons.
It is understood Sezar is the preferred option for the critical position outside Scott Prince in 2012. William Zillman and Preston Campbell (retired) shared that duty for most of this year.
The Titans would not divulge the findings of their in-house review, but coach John Cartwright said he already knew where the club's problems stemmed from.
"Deep down I think I know where our problems started and why we couldn't correct them. The bottom line is we weren't good enough," he said. "There's a lot of work to be done on combinations (for next year). With Rogers and Friend not being there this year it put a lot more pressure on Prince.
"We have to change the way we play a little bit. The game evolves each year with the way it's officiated which means you have to change as well. We will break it right down. Its not one thing. It's not that easy."
A positive from the Titans disastrous season was the emergence of talented 20-year-old Matt Srama who made the hooker position his own this year and has an enormous future. Srama said he was excited at the club's prospects for next year and hoped to forge a combination with Sezar during the off season.
"I met Aiden this week and he seems like a good bloke who will fit in well here," Srama said. "We will be much improved next year. It's been a stressful year but I'm very optimistic about our prospects in 2012 after talking to Carty this week.
"I've been told by Carty to bulk up and I'm going to need to get to know Aiden pretty well."
Cartwright said fullback and five-eighth were the positions most up for grabs in 2012. "We've got a whole new core of players coming in next year and it does excite me but it also makes me realise that unless we fix certain things up in our game it doesn't matter who is on the field," Cartwright said. "We have to be prepared to roll up the sleeves and win those tight ones and we didn't do that" Story Courtesy Courier Mail)
Josh Hoffman's NRL season has come to a shattering end with a knee injury putting him out of the finals
Gifted Brisbane Broncos fullback Josh Hoffman's NRL season has come to a shattering end with a knee injury putting him out of the finals and scuppering his chances of playing for New Zealand in the end-of-year Four Nations.
While scans on Monday confirmed the talented 23-year-old had torn his posterior cruciate ligament, they also cleared him of more serious structural damage which would have required major surgery. Instead, Hoffman will wear a knee brace for five to six weeks and will aim to be back for the start of the 2012 season. The injury is a cruel blow for the Mackay product, who has more than filled the vacancy left by international Karmichael Hunt.
He was Brisbane's player-of-the-year in 2010 and was playing outstanding football this season. Hoffman recently scored his first NRL hat-trick and had a star turn against South Sydney before suffering his latest injury when hit awkwardly in a tackle playing against Manly on Sunday.
"He's going to be in a brace for the next six weeks - he's gone," Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin said. "It's a cruel bit of luck but, unfortunately, it's been that type of year for him."
Griffin said while the news would be tough for Hoffman to swallow, it was much better than it could have been. "I spoke to (orthopaedic specialist) Dr Peter Myers and the news was as good as it could have been," said Griffin, who will shift Gerard Beale into the No.1 jumper for Saturday's qualifying final against the Warriors at Suncorp Stadium.
"He's not going to require surgery. They were a little bit worried that he's done some other structural damage around the knee after the game because it was pretty loose. "I spoke to Peter (Myers) after the scans and he was really happy with it and, as bad as it is, it's as good as they could have hoped for and he's not going to need surgery." (Story Courtesy Courier Mail)
SCOTT SET FOR CENTURY
Andrew Scott will give the Vultures a lift with his century of games for the club on Sunday. Mt Gravatt’s Mr Reliable Andrew Scott notches his 100th game for the Vultures against Aspley at Dittmer Park in this final qualifying round of the northern conference season.
Scott has been a wonderfully consistent performer for the Vultures over the journey, rarely having a bad game. He is taking a typically level-headed approach to his 100-game milestone.
“I have thought about it a little bit since Lakey mentioned it three weeks ago,” he said. “It’s nice to reach a milestone but it’s not the reason you play footy. You play footy for the enjoyment – the love of the game and your mates.”
A Jindalee junior, Scott graduated to the Western Magpies and made his QAFL debut there at just 17 in 1985.
He remembers little of his debut, other than it was on a wet, miserable day against Southport “and we got pumped”. Scott played nine games with the black and whites before moving across to Mt Gravatt the next season when the Sherwood-based club dropped back to the Pineapple Hotel Cup.
He doesn’t recall his first game at all for the Vultures, but does remember his first win with his new club. “It was against the Northern Eagles and I only played one quarter,” he smiled. Scott was a member of the Australia Post Queensland Scorpions Under 18 side that year, a team that spawned a record number of AFL players.
Physically strong and with no fear, Scott showed his ability the following season when he was one of the Vultures’ best players in their grand final over Southport.
“I was pretty happy with the way I went – it was the highlight of my career winning a grand final although I don’t think about it all that much,” he said. “What I do remember is what it is like to win and you really want to taste it again.”
The Vultures went close in 2009 when overrun in the last 10 minutes by Morningside, and are second favourite for the inaugural NEAFL northern conference premiership behind the NT Thunder.
“We’ve got a strong group but the NT are the benchmark – we found out last week they are very fast and very skilful.” Scott said. “If we want to win it, we are going to have to beat them.”
Aside from the premiership victory, Scott’s most memorable games have been against specific opponents.
An unassuming but prolific ballwinner in the middle of the ground or at half-back, he was regularly handed the task of minding Broadbeach ace Korey Fulton when the Cats full-forward was at the top of his game.
“Broadbeach’s success had a lot to do with how he performed when I was younger and I had some good battles with him,” Scott said. “There was a game versus Zillmere when I was struggling to establish myself in the team when I played pretty well against Luke Weller and I haven’t missed too many games since.
The 23-year-old did have a one-season hiatus last year when he tested himself in the WAFL with power club Subiaco.
“I got a call from them offering me the opportunity and I didn’t want to not go and regret it later,” Scott said of his 4000km move across the country. “I learnt a lot about football and hard work, and a lot about life,” he said.
Scott played five senior games but a ‘busted ankle’ wrecked much of his season.
“It took me out of my comfort and has improved my football,” he said of the venture. “I always had the belief I would come back a better player.”
One of the main lures of returning home to Queensland was to play alongside older brother Luke, who had stayed with the Western Magpies until they dropped out of the State League for the second time and headed to Dittmer Park.
“It was one of the biggest things getting to play alongside him because we hadn’t done that since under 18s,” Scott said. “It’s weird – we’ve got this sixth sense where I know where he is leading and I just put it in his area and he gets on the end of it.”
Andrew, who was runner-up club champion in Nathan Gilliland’s stellar year two seasons ago, should poll strongly again as will Luke.
“It’s been great for Luke to have some success,” Scott said. “He hadn’t won against too many teams but has beaten every team except the Thunder now and been ticking off the boxes as we’ve gone along.”
It will be a strange occasion for Scott to celebrate the 100-game milestone with the Vultures in self-preservation mode, knowing the result of their clash with Aspley will not impact on them hosting the qualifying final against Gold Coast.
“It is going to be different for us. They’ve got a lot more to play for than us,” Scott said. “But we still want to keep our form and take some momentum into the finals. It’s my 100th so I will certainly be gee-ing myself up.”
Thorpe sticks with Tigers for 2012
In a huge positive for the Easts Tigers, inform forward Steven Thorpe has re-signed with the Club for 2012. Thorpe, who spent the off season with Melbourne Storm has continued to develop into the Tigers best forward in 2011.
In what was a forgettable season for Easts, Thorpe played every game and was outstanding in both defence and attack. Starting last off season at 93 Kg Thorpe finished the year tipping the scales at 101 kg. He worked hard to increase his weight and seems destined for greater things in the next season or two.
With his bone jarring tackling a feature, Thorpe may consider the move to the front row, to further his career at the NRL level.
Knights to target in-form Broncos Josh Hoffman
NEWCASTLE fear in-form Broncos' fullback Josh Hoffman could single-handedly torpedo their finals hopes and have devised a defensive strategy to nullify the Kiwi Test hopeful.
Sitting precariously in eighth spot, the Knights cannot afford to stumble at Ausgrid Stadium tomorrow night against a third-placed Broncos side generating ominous momentum on the eve of the finals.
At the core of Brisbane's late-season charge has been the quick-stepping Hoffman, who dealt the Cowboys' top-four hopes a blow last week with the first hat-trick of his 39-game NRL career in Townsville. Mindful of Hoffman's penetration from the back - he has made a whopping 22 tackle busts in the past fortnight - the Knights plan to ramp up their kick-chase efforts to ensure Karmichael Hunt's successor gets little room to move.
Hoffman has been devastating on kick returns this season. He is averaging 157m per game, and aside from six tries, has made seven line breaks, prompting Knights coach Rick Stone to warn his side of the perils of presenting Hoffman with a sloppy defensive line. "We have a game plan. Josh is the sort of player who is like Kevin Locke (Warriors fullback) - he is explosive and very quick," Knights playmaker Jarrod Mullen said.
"Last time we played Brisbane on a Monday night (in Newcastle), we got a massive crowd, so hopefully we can get a sell-out. "They (the Broncos) are playing some great footy and it's a credit to the young kids they are bringing through. "If we win this game, we're still in the eight and that's where we need to be at this time of the season."
Newcastle hitman and former Bronco Neville Costigan said the Knights needed to dominate Brisbane's forward pack to minimise Hoffman's attack. "We need to stop their forwards because if we do that, their backs can't do much," he said. "If we can stop their yardage that will make it harder for their backs like Josh Hoffman to have an impact on the game.
"This is a huge game for us. The Broncos are right up there with the Dragons and Melbourne. We'll have to bring our A-game to beat the Broncos - they're definitely one side who can go all the way." (story Courtesy Peter Badel - Courier-Mail)
Jacks boys have big wins
Two of the three Jacks Brothers (pictured above with brother Ryan) had big wins yesterday; in different States.
While Rhys Jacks was leading the Easts Tigers Fogs team to a record 56 – 12 win over the Sunshine Coast in Caloundra, Ryley Jacks (below)was doing the same for the Sydney Roosters NYC team against the 2nd placed Sharks in Sydney.
The Roosters have now won 9 in a row as they charge toward the semi finals with an emphatic 44 – 6 win over the Cronulla Sharks. The Sharks had 15 wins and one draw prior to last night and now slide to third on the ladder. The Roosters maintain 5th spot with a 13 – 8 – 1 record. Ryley’s kicking game has been instrumental in the Roosters charge, and in his first year in the Under 20’s comp, he looks right at home.
Rhys picked up another Players Player award for the FOGs team and scored a good try himself, in their 10 try romp.
Dowling signs with Titans for 2012
Burleigh Qld Cup star Jamie Dowling has signed for 2012 with the Titans. The former Titans NYC Captain (above) will return to the Gold Coast Club for next season after a year with feeder Club the Burleigh Bears. Dowling has an option for 2013 and is looking forward to getting into their fulltime program.
Dowling, who scored a double in the Bears loss to Norths on Saturday, has been playing in the halves but is more at home at fullback or lock. Dowling had been one of the Bears most consistent players this year as they struggle to make the top 6 for the semi finals.
Titans hooker weathers the Storm
A key component of Melbourne Storm's game plan against the Gold Coast Titans focused on running big forwards at Matt Srama in the hope the pint-sized hooker would crumble in defence.
And while the Storm certainly did punch holes in the Titans' line as they ran away with a 40-16 victory at Skilled Park on Saturday night, the tough-as-teak Srama never cracked. The 20-year-old rookie made a game-high 53 tackles in a stellar 80-minute performance in a losing side.
"We wanted to run a bit of traffic at him because they (the Titans) didn't have another dummy-half on the bench," Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy revealed.
"He's a game player defensively and he's clever with the footy."
Storm skipper Cameron Smith, considered the best hooker in the game, was also glowing in his praise of the 82kg Srama, who was playing Toyota Cup when Melbourne smashed the Titans 40-12 in round two.
"He's a terrific young player," Smith said. "He's very committed to his football and he always gets his body in front of blokes coming at him, no matter how big they are. We wanted to try and pick him out and tire him out but he just kept turning up and getting his job done."
Smith compared Srama to the man he replaced at the Titans - the injured Nathan Friend (shoulder). The Warriors-bound No.9 is renowned for his courageous defence and boundless energy. "Obviously Friendy's more experienced but he's (Srama) a goer and he wants to be where the ball is," the Melbourne veteran said. "He's a smart young kid. He's only had a handful of games but I'm sure with a bit more time on the park he'll get a bit better."
Smith then realised he may have been giving Srama too much of a wrap as he jokingly added: "I hope he doesn't get too much better - he might be looking at my spot in the Queensland team."
Titans coach John Cartwright was reluctant to make comparisons between Srama and Friend but said his rookie rake had been a shining light in the Titans' miserable season. "On potential he could be anything and he's got the attitude to do it," Cartwright said about Srama, who has played just 11 NRL matches.
"It wouldn't surprise me if he got player of the year in both grades (NRL and Toyota Cup). It might be the first time ever." (Story Courtesy NRL.com)
Hoffman Hat-trick in big Broncos win
Runaway tries to Josh Hoffman and Dale Copley allowed Brisbane skipper Darren Lockyer to savour his record-breaking 350th game with a win over North Queensland in Townsville on Friday night.
As usual Lockyer was the cool head each time the Cowboys threatened a comeback before first Hoffman ran 80 metres to score in the 49th minute and late inclusion Dale Copley sprinted 75 metres in the 65th minute.
Hoffman, last year's player of the year and the man who stepped into the No.1 jumper after Karmichael Hunt's AFL defection, grabbed a career-first hat-trick in a night he will never forget.
The 22-year-old fullback, who has been building towards a big game, said he'd tried to get into some open space to give Lockyer a try on his special night.
"It was something special for me and it will hold a place in my heart," Hoffman said.
"To be out on the field with Locky was a dream come true, growing up and idolising him as a kid."
Hoffman, who is from Mackay and is eligible to play Test football for New Zealand, had his own fan club in the crowd.
"There was a big mob of my family screaming out, I think I could hear them at the end of the dead ball line.
"My dad Shane was in the crowd and I don't think he'll have a voice after tonight."
Tigers have a day out
THE Easts Tigers dealt Wynnum Manly’s top six aspirations a blow with an upset 36-22 victory in front of a vocal home crowd at Langlands Park.
An out-of-sorts Seagulls outfit were stunned by the enterprising Tigers, who played some champagne rugby league to open up a 30-4 lead early in the second half.
Steven Thorpe, comimg out of the 2nd row above, was again outstanding against the big Wynnum forward pack scoring a tough try. Thorpe who is currently in negotiations with Easts, has been the Tigers best and most consistent forward all year.
The result capped off a successful day for Easts – they claimed the FOGS A Grade 30-0 with Rhys Jacks (above passing) controlling the play at will. Jacks, who has been in & out of the Qld Cup side this year, have been playing very good football and is considering his future at the Club.
Origin star Cameron Smith raves about boom Titans hooker Matt Srama
MAROONS captain-in-waiting Cameron Smith has declared Matt Srama one of the most promising hookers he has seen.
In a glowing endorsement, Smith says Srama's ice-cool entry to first grade has rubber-stamped him as a long-term NRL rake. And departing Titans hooker Nathan Friend has backed up the Storm skipper, claiming his understudy is more gifted than himself.
Srama, who plays his eighth top-grade game tonight against the Cowboys at Skilled Park, has been a beacon of hope in a forgettable season for the Titans.
Handed his debut against the Bulldogs in round 12 after Friend underwent shoulder surgery, the 20-year-old has looked comfortable from his first outing. Such is the excitement surrounding Srama, the Titans handed him an upgraded three-year deal worth an estimated $400,000 before he had even made his NRL debut. Smith, the best player in his craft for at least the past four seasons, does not easily dispense praise to the next generation cutting their teeth in the No.9 jumper.
"The one player who has caught my eye this year is Matty Srama," Smith said. "He did some really good things in his debut and of the young hookers coming through, he's definitely one to watch. "I like the way he plays, he's enthusiastic and is sharp around the rucks, he's certainly got a big future in the game."
It is a pointer to Srama's potential that since his debut eight weeks ago, the 80kg hooker has been one of the Titans' most consistent performers. In seven games he has made 255 tackles at an average of 36 a game. But just as significant has been Srama's composure out of dummy half, his courage in traffic and the ability to consistently play above his weight.
Just 12 months ago, boom utility Kayne Lawton was being groomed as the man to wear the Titans No.9 jumper, but Friend says Srama is now a worthy successor.
"He's probably the man to replace me, I think Matty has shown the goods this year," said Friend, who will join the Warriors next season. Asked if Srama is State of Origin quality, Friend said: "It's hard to say if someone will definitely take the next step to Origin.
"Not many guys are lucky enough to play Origin. Cameron Smith is a great player and he'll be there a while yet, but if Matt stays patient and keeps improving, you never know, he might be the next great Queensland hooker."
Srama's manager Paul Hogan revealed how close the former five-eighth came to joining the Wests Tigers three years ago. "Matt was going to go to the Tigers but his father had a health condition," he said. (Story Courtesy Peter Badel & Courier Mail)
Jacks cool head get Roosters home
The Sydney Roosters Toyota Cup side moved up to one spot outside the top eight with a one point win over the Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium.
Halfback Ryley Jacks calmly slotted a one pointer in the 79th minute to secure a fourth victory in a row for the away side.
The Tricolours forwards were impressive in both defence and attack as they slowly ground the South’s forwards in to submission. Hooker Glen Dumbrell was also impressive making a lot of tough yards out of dummy half.
The Rabbitohs continued the see sawing nature of the match when they crossed soon after to leave the match at sixteen all with as many minutes to play.
It was all the Roosters in the final ten minutes but it took until the 78th minute for the Roosters to finally secure the 17-16 victory.
The Roosters now move to a share of 7th spot on the table but are out of the eight on points for & against.
Broncos Boys to keep winning
Dan Wallace (left) & Dave Faamita (right) defend against Titans last week
The NYC Brisbane Broncos have bounced back after the bye to level the Titans 32 – 16 and push themselves into seventh position.
The forwards muscled up against their South-East Queensland rivals laying the platform for the halves to utilise their speedy outside backs.
On the defensive side, Daniel Wallace (67 metres, 8 runs) notched up 27 tackles and kicked three out of four goals in another very good all-round display. Dave Faamita scored a good 66th minute try to seal the game for the Broncos and keep them moving up the ladder
The Broncos will now head to Melbourne in round 20 to face the Storm who currently sit in third.
Ramon Filipine plays key role in Qld Residents win
Jets winger Ramon Filipine above, featured in a big win for the Queensland Residents team on Wednesday night. Filipine has been in outstanding form for the Jets and was hoping for a big game.
He is off contract this year and is keen to take the next step towards an NRL career.
Rian Diffey in Queensland 18s
It has been a big week for 17 year old Rian Diffey. Rian made his debut for the Broncos U20’s in the Toyota Cup and was then named in the Qld U18’s for Wednesday curtain raiser to the State of Origin against NSW.
Diffey, who turns 18 at the end of June, played in the Mal Meninga Cup with Wynnum this year after being contracted to the Broncos at the end of 2010. Diffey normally a fullback or centre, has been playing on the wing, but said he would play wherever he was needed.
“I’m just happy to be selected for Qld” he said earlier today. I just got the call from Hinch (James Hinchey; Broncos U20 Manager). He said get into camp as soon as possible”
Diffey came off the bench for the Broncos in yesterdays 34 all draw with Canberra.
Jacks returns Dividend in Tigers win
Rhys Jacks’ first Qld Cup game for the Easts Tigers produced instant results on Saturday for the Selectors. The Tigers held on to beat the highly placed Ipswich Jets 24-22 in the ABC Match of the Day.
Jacks (pictured above playing for the Titans last season) engineered the Tigers first try with a pinpoint accurate kick & then scored the match winning try late in the game. One set before the try, Jacks had made a long break off the Tigers line. He then backed up big prop Matt Zgrajewski, who was able to offload in traffic, for Jacks to score close to the posts.
Jacks, who spent a very successful off season with the Melbourne Storm, had been playing Reserve Grade for the Club since early in the season and was only recently brought back into the Qld Cup squad. His outstanding form in FOGs demanded promotion and despite a run of poor form from the A Grade team, he was only called up into the starting team this week.
Steven Thorpe also impressed with another tough performance. Thorpe & Jacks were able to close down the Jets left hand side attack with some rugged defence. Thorpe must be close to featuring in the Qld Residents team, to be announced in the coming weeks.
Titans get up over Dragons
The Gold Coast Titans have broken their 4 game losing streak with a solid 28-14 win.
Titans young hooker Matt Srama (above centre) was again impressive picking up his first NRL try and being announced as the Channel 9 Man of the Match. While the Dragons had up to 10 players out with injuries and Origin commitments, the Gold Coast were also missing 6 players.
The Titans play the Rabbitohs in Sydney next Friday night.
Ipswich boys to play together for Broncos NYC Team
Three former Jets players & a Diggers Rep will play together for the first time this year in the Broncos 20s team on Sunday.
Zac Lemberg, James Furminger & Rian Diffey will join Dave Faamita in the Broncos team for this weeks NYC clash. The four will join Broncos regular Daniel Wallace against the Canberra Raiders in a must win game for the Broncos who are just holding on to 8th spot in the Premiership race.
Lemberg, Furminger & Faamita have played together since Wests Centenary U16 & all three featured prominently in the Jets Colts charge to the semi-finals last year. While all 3 have played in the team this year at different times, this will be the first time they have played together.
They will be joined by another Ipswich boy in 17 year old Rian Diffey who was a star in the Ipswich Diggers Mal Meninga team last year. Because he is now contracted to the Broncos, Diffey played in this year’s competition with the Wynnum Seagulls. It will be Diffey’s first game for the Broncos and he will start from the bench.
Srama is the Titans' $400,000 rookie
MATT Srama works part-time in a warehouse and has played only 80 minutes of first grade. But such is the excitement brewing around Srama, the Gold Coast Titans have moved quickly to keep him from the clutches of NRL rivals. The Titans have handed the rookie a bumper three-year, incentive-based deal worth about $400,000.
If Srama's classy display at hooker against the Bulldogs last Friday night is any barometer, it will prove a shrewd investment. Handed his NRL debut on game day, the 20-year-old was superb. Srama, who is half-Polish, half-Filipino, played the full 80 minutes against NSW Origin hooker Michael Ennis, making 36 tackles, running 120m from 15 hit-ups and setting up the Titans' only try for Scott Prince.
He also went within centimetres of scoring himself in a nerveless performance.
Earmarked to succeed Warriors-bound Nathan Friend next season, Srama has been working part-time to make ends meet. But the deal he signed a fortnight ago has put him on the path to fulltime National Rugby League stardom.
There is not a hint of arrogance with Srama, just respect and a quiet determination to carve out a top-grade career at the Titans. "Ever since I was 17 and left school, my No.1 goal was to play NRL," said Srama, who has kept his place in the starting side for Saturday night's clash with the Panthers. "I didn't think it would come this early.
"Carty (Titans coach John Cartwright) has showed a lot of faith in me. "I'm just hoping from this performance he can select me for the next few rounds. "I'm not one to get nervous, I was more excited. I'm from Brisbane so it was a dream to debut at Suncorp Stadium. Walking on to the field my heart was pumping but I love that feeling. "I'll be ecstatic if I get selected again. I know I can do the job if I get picked for the rest of the year."
Cartwright has no problems pitting him against the Panthers at Skilled Park. "I've been very confident in him all along," he said. "Everyone who has watched him knows he is made for first-grade footy. "He was a shining light for sure (against the Bulldogs)." If anyone deserves rewards, it is Srama.
The clever 80kg rake has patiently toiled away in the Titans lower grades for two years, driving about 500km a week from Brisbane for training on the Gold Coast. Rated a cross between Friend's toughness and Maroons hooker Cameron Smith's guile, Srama was contracted to the Wests Tigers but was released on compassionate grounds after his father Joe suffered health problems.
"I'm a bit of a mummy's boy and didn't want to leave home," he joked. "To get this (three-year) deal, I'm over the moon. "I won't have to travel to work next year." Srama said he looked up to Friend and Cowboys star Johnathan Thurston. "Nathan's just fearless and his workrate’s incredible. He's someone I'd love to model my game on," he said.
"I like Johnathan Thurston's enthusiasm for the game and his passion for his jersey."
Young Savou shines in Saracen colours
Filimoni Savou (right) and Fiji-Saracens - (L-R)
Moses Rauluni, Kam Ratuvou & Michael Tagicakibau
Former Fiji U12 captain Filimoni Savou played in the colours of English Premiership team Saracens on the weekend and enjoyed a star-studded evening at the London Hilton where he mingled with a galaxy of well-known rugby players including Kameli Ratuvou and Michael Tagicakibau as well as former England captain Steve Borthwick and Rugby World Cup winner Richard Hill.
‘It was absolutely wonderful. A little bit scary but also very exciting,’ said Savou who was a guest of former Fiji captain Mosese Rauluni, who now coaches with the St. Albans-based team that lie second, one point behind Leicester Tigers in England’s elite competition.
Despite being only 14 years old Savou played outside centre on Sunday in the Saracens Academy against the Academy teams of six other Premiership teams.
‘He was up against players who were 15 and 16 years old and playing together week in and week out,’ said Rauluni, one of the stars of the 2007 RWC tournament. ‘And, considering that, he acquitted himself really well. Made some big tackles, some good line-breaks and one fabulous interception.’
‘He did really, really well,’ said Rauluni, a former Fiji captain.
Savou set up three of the four tries scored by Saracens in the six-match tournament but the team was only able to win one of their games, against Gloucester.
‘He’s a great potential talent, very raw at the moment, but he will only get better and better with the right training,’ said Rauluni who played for Saracens until injury forced him to retire at the end of last season.
The competition was held on the first XV pitch of Harrow School where Savou has been offered a full scholarship to start in September, subject to him passing the entrance exam.
Savou is studying at Terrington Hall in North Yorkshire, having been picked by the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) to receive the first scholarship ever given by a UK primary school student to a Fiji student.
The scholarship arrangement was set up by one-time FRU CEO Pio Bosco Tikoiusuva when he was the country’s ambassador in London, working with former FRU marketing manager Charlie Charters, and was approved by the Ministry of Education. (Story courtesy Fijirugby.com)
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