The Gold Coast will welcome five new faces to join Seth Nikotemo on the club’s development list for 2024 – all progressing from the Future Titans program.
Young guns Ben Liyou, Jaylan De Groot and Oskar Bryant progress from their full-time train-and-trial stints to join the playing squad; meanwhile Schoolboy stars Arama Hau and Ryder Williams will get their first taste of regular NRL training at Parkwood.
Find out more about the Titans development players below:
Arama Hau
Age: 19 | Position: Middle / edge forward
Hau is an Australian Schoolboys forward who gained valuable experience playing for the Featherstone Rovers in the English Championship this year - starting in eight of his 10 appearances abroad.
Graduating from Keebra Park in 2022 as a skilful back-rower, the talented teen was selected in Queensland's Under 19 emerging Origin squad and was destined to play in the junior Origin clash, before he travelled abroad to help foster his rugby league expertise.
Ben Liyou
Age: 22 | Position: Middle forward
Liyou was destined for a big year in 2023 until an ACL injury sidelined the middle forward on the eve of the pre-season trials.
Rehabbing alongside Beau Fermor for a majority of the season, the 22-year-old is fully-fit and ready to tackle the new year head on, hoping to impress again during the pre-season challenge - much like he did in 2022 - and grow in the Hostplus Cup to earn a NRL debut.
Jaylan De Groot
Age: 20 | Position: Outside backs
Making a name for himself in the Gold Coast's 2022 trial against the Broncos as 'the shin-kicker', the Northern Rivers junior completed a full-time train-and-trial season in 2023 in readiness to join the development list.
Playing five games in the Hostplus Cup this season, De Groot is a versatile talent with the ability to play anywhere in the backline, with the youngster having plenty of talent around him to continue learning from.
Oskar Bryant
Age: 20 | Position: Hooker
Younger brother of Brisbane Heat batsman Max, the fiery dummy-half is a proud Cudgen Hornet, growing up alongside fellow Titans Tom Weaver and Jaylan De Groot.
Debuting in the Hostplus Cup and starring in 13 appearances for Tweed, the Palm Beach Currumbin alumni spent the season at Parkwood learning under a number of experienced NRL rakes, helping him prepare for elevation to the development list.
Ryder Williams
Age: 17 | Position: Halves
The 17-year-old will join the Titans' full-time squad fresh from graduating Keebra Park, having been part of the Gold Coast's junior pathways squad for several seasons already.
Identified as one of the most exciting young halves in Queensland, the developing playmaker will relish his opportunity to learn from experienced players such as Kieran Foran, Tanah Boyd and AJ Brimson to help him progress to the Hostplus Cup and eventually, NRL.
Seth Nikotemo
Age: 19 | Position: Edge forward
Joining the Titans squad full-time in 2023 after being a standout during his pre-season train-and-trial deal at Parkwood, the 19-year-old has a number of senior players singing his praises, including 121-gamer Moeaki Fotuaika.
Selected in Queensland's emerging junior Origin squad before injury sidelined the star from playing for the Maroons in this year's Under 19 Origin clash, the talented edge forward will have his eyes set on making his Hostplus Cup debut in 2024, as he works towards a call-up to NRL.
