The Aquis Gold Coast Titans development squad last week took part in a pre-season trial against the U/15 Balmain Tigers side who are in preparations for their Harold Matthews season.
With the Tigers side on a week-long camp at Byron Bay, Elite Player Development Unit Manager, Jamie McCormack, again saw it as a great opportunity for players within our catchment area to take on some players from Sydney who will compete in their elite U/16 Harold Matthews competition in 2017.
Although the Tigers ended the match in front 22-18, it was about talented youngsters getting to go up against each other and giving them an opportunity to impress the people from both clubs.
Ït’s the fifth year that we’ve been able to do this which has been great for both sides,” McCormack said. “For us it’s a pathway program where these kids can be part of the Titans system and they can be put up against some quality opposition from Sydney.
“We selected an invitation side consisting of kids from the Gold Coast, some from Group 18 and a few from Brisbane.
Although not a match where the result mattered too much, McCormack was impressed with the level of play from both teams.
Ït was a high quality game and we couldn’t be happier with how it was played out.”
General Manager of the Balmain Tigers Paul Sironen agreed with McCormack.
Ït was a quality game and both sides showed some good control for this time of year,” Sironen said. “Both teams had some good players on show but if I was to pick out anything I’d say that the two fullback and two five-eighths definitely put their hands up.”
