Five unmissable matchups between the Future Titans and North Queensland

Oskar Bryant v Jai Hansen

Hookers

Gold Coast Titans fans got a glimpse of youngster Oskar Bryant in the pre-season trial match against the Broncos when the fiery red-headed rake was injected into the second half and played his heart out. Hailing from Cudgen, the Tweed Seagulls product has excelled in the Hastings Deering Colts competition and will be out to prove a point after narrowly missing out on a jersey in the recent Under 19 State of Origin clash, despite being in the squad down in Sydney.

On the opposite side of the field is North Queensland hooker Jai Hansen, who hails from Central Queensland and is also playing a big role for the Townsville Blackhawks in the QRL Under 21s competition. Known for his agility at each play-the-ball, the Future Titans will be eager to stop the speedy No. 9 in his tracks as he attempts to dart out of dummy-half and sneak valuable metres.

Tom Weaver v Thomas Duffy

Halves

The key linchpins of each team, this will be a scintillating matchup between fellow playmakers after Tom Weaver got the bragging rights over his North Queensland counterpart in last season's Mal Meninga Cup decider in Townsville.

The Titans No. 7 is an impressive graduate from the Future Titans pathways program, spending his first year training with the club's top grade squad and a bright NRL career beckons for the 19-year-old who recently made his Hostplus Cup debut.

For Duffy, he's had the opportunity to learn from the best in the Cowboys system, being guided by the likes of Chad Townsend, and was given the keys to Queensland's Under 19 team in the recent Origin clash in Sydney against Weaver.

Jack Cullen v Luke Jack

Locks

As two quality ball-playing middle thirds, this should be a cracking showdown between the pair.

Cullen received Australian Schoolboys honours last year after a standout season for Palm Beach Currumbin SHS and was also a key part of Tim Maccan's Tweed Seagulls' Under 18 team.

The Cudgen Hornets junior has quality footwork at the line with a pinpoint pass both left and right, which can cause carnage on any looming defensive line.

North Queensland forward Jack is much the same as his opposite number in terms of playmaking ability and will be on the radar of the Future Titans when he runs out at Cbus Super Stadium. 

Jaylan De Groot v Jacob Mene

Wingers

A battle of two speedsters on the flanks, usual fullback Jaylan De Groot will move to the wing and face off against talented youngster Jacob Mene.

De Groot was a cult hero in the pre-season NRL trial against the Broncos, starring in his 40 minutes on field with the No.1 on his back. Coming up with a try and a try-assist, the Future Titans product has a bright future as a regular Gold Coast train-and-trial player.

Mene was the only Queensland points-scorer in the Under 19 Origin clash and has a clean pair of heels that will prove to be troublesome if he's given any space in the upcoming contest.

This matchup in particular will be one that will provide plenty of excitement.

Josiah Pahulu v Henry Teutau

Props

A key member of each team's engine room, expect both big men to bring plenty of energy when they run out for their respective sides.

Pahulu is fresh from Australian Schoolboys selection and has had a stellar 2022 season thus far. The Ipswich SHS forward and Future Titans enforcer starred for Queensland in both the Under 19 Origin clash and ASSRL National Championships final and is known for his metre-eating ability, especially post-contact.

Teutau was a star for the Townsville Blackhawks in the Mal Meninga Cup season this year, getting through a mountain of work in the grand final against Souths Logan and is expected to be a handful up front for the Gold Coast to defend.