‘Has a bit of Ponga about him’: Titans lock down talented son of a gun on massive deal — NRL Daily

The Titans have locked down an exciting young gun long-term who has drawn comparisons to Kalyn Ponga.

Watch the 2026 NRL Pre-season series plus the All-Star matches LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

Fynn Laffranchi, son of the Titans’ inaugural player of the year Anthony Laffranchi, has agreed to terms on a deal with the club until the end of the 2030 season.

The 17-year-old is a talented fullback who Titans football chief has likened to Knights ace Ponga.

“Fynn has a bit of Kalyn Ponga in the way he moves,” Sattler told Code Sports.

“He has a great understanding of the game and reads the game so well. He is a footy nerd. He loves to study the game, which I like, he has great speed and his positioning is amazing.

“I’m excited he wants to follow in his father’s footsteps here at the Titans. Anthony wanted to stay out of negotiations out of respect to the process as his father.”

As per a club statement, Sattler said extending Laffranchi was the latest of a string of talented young Titans to re-sign with the Gold Coast.

“Fynn’s long-term commitment alongside several other pathways products like Zane Harrison, Cooper Bai, Jai Bilish and Viliami Fifita allows us to form a generational playing group that is exciting for the future of our club and region,” Sattler said via a club-issued statement.

“What makes Fynn’s signature even more special is Anthony’s rich history with the club as the inaugural Paul Broughton Medallist in the Titans’ foundation team, and we’re proud to have another Laffranchi continue to wear our colours.”

2026 SEASON PREVIEWS

STORM: The ‘real genius’ behind Bellamy … and weakness that could bring them undone

TIGERS: Madge irony Tigers can’t escape as ruthless overhaul sparks NRL reckoning

ROOSTERS: DCE domino effect: Inside $500k Roosters masterstroke

RABBITOHS: A Wayne masterstroke and X-factor arrival has Bunnies primed

Laffranchi is set to join the Titans’ NRL squad full time from 2027.

It’s another win for the club, who are committing to take full advantage of the amount of talented juniors who come from the Gold Coast area – one of the first assignments for new co-owner Matty Johns.

“I have not been brought in to interfere, but I want my active involvement to be the juniors. I want to cultivate the local juniors so when they come through they all want to play for the Titans,” Johns told Code Sports.

“This club can be a juggernaut. This area is producing an extraordinary amount of juniors coming out of those powerhouse schools which are sitting here on the Gold Coast.”