The Titans have followed the Dragons’ lead by announcing the extension of one of their young guns for a further three years.
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Jai Bilish, 16, has extended his current deal with Des Hasler’s side until 2028, in a major boost for the Titans.
A talented dummy-half who has been in the club’s pathway programs since 2022, Bilish’s stock rose quickly during a stellar 2024 that saw him help Palm Beach Currumbin to Queensland and National Schoolboy Cup titles, featuring largely off the bench.
Bilish’s older brother, Rojo, also featured for Palm Beach Currumbin last year, while his younger brother, Ike, recently inked his first contract with the Titans.
Club engagement, critical stakeholders, and pathways manager Paul Stephenson said the club are “proud he’ll continue his journey with us.”
“He’s a great young player who has a bright future in the game and epitomises our pathways performance attributes of effort, attitude, and desire,” he added.
DRAGONS RE-SIGN TOWERING JUNIOR ORIGIN STAR
Hulking prop Loko Pasifiki Tonga who impressed in the Under 19s State of Origin last year for New South Wales, will stay at the Dragons until the end of the 2027 season.
The 122kg, 19-year-old front rower has been upgraded to the club’s top 30 roster and is set to make his NRL debut at some stage this season following a strong 2024 campaign in SG Ball and NSW Cup.
“We’re really excited to have locked Loko down for two more years,” Dragons coach Shane Flanagan said via a club-issued statement.
“He’s big and mobile but he also does all the little things well. He’s got a good attitude; he trains hard and he’s a very focused individual.
“2025 will be a big year for him.”
GUS OPENS UP ON YOUNG GUN’S POSSIBLE MOVE
Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould has responded to the rumours that promising utility Karl Oloapu is set to make a move to the Dolphins.
Oloapu, who 18 months ago was considered one of the NRL’s most talented young guns, has been cleared to return after recovering from a serious neck injury which kept him out of all last season.
In recent days, reports have surfaced that Oloapu will be granted a release from the Bulldogs to join the Dolphins, despite being under contract with the Sydney-based club until the end of 2026.
Posting on social media site X, Gould neither confirmed or denied the reports, but did say that Oloapu was recovering in Redcliffe where his family is based.
“Karl is still working on his recovery from injury…Very slow process for Karl unfortunately,” Gould posted.
“Karl is living with his family in Redcliffe…That’s where they live.
“It makes perfect sense to us…that’s all that counts…Karl is being well looked after.”
BENJI’S BRUTAL TIGERS SANCTIONS BEING FELT
Tigers skipper Api Koroisau has revealed a “chalk and cheese” difference in the attitude of his teammates since second-year coach Benji Marshall sent a rocket through the club.
Marshall hit several players with breach notices on the first day of pre-season after they failed to meet his strict fitness guidelines upon returning to training.
During last season’s exit interviews after the club’s third straight wooden spoon, fitness standards were agreed upon by the entire playing group.
Several young players were hauled in front of the board to explain themselves over their weight, skin folds and falling well short of expectations in the 1.6km time trial.
Rising star Latu Fainu, Solomona Faataape and Solomone Saukuru all faced the board, while Heath Mason, and also Brandon Tumeth received warnings.
Star recruit Royce Hunt decided to front up to pre-season training three weeks early in the wake of the five players getting called out.
The Tigers are desperate to avoid a fourth straight wooden spoon and Koroisau said there had been a clear shift at the club since the sanctions.
“One hundred per cent, it’s been chalk and cheese,” Koroisau told 2GB Radio.
“Everyone knew the coaching staff weren’t playing around anymore, the club wants to move in the right direction. They had to do what they had to do and I think it’s paid off.
“There’s plenty of new guys here and they’ve brought a lot of energy with them, which is great for the culture as well.
“I’ve been impressed with the young guys, they have actually come back and after a season under their belts, have turned it up a level.”
John Bateman and Jayden Sullivan were shown the door last month after clashing with Marshall but another player that was on the chopping block, Brent Naden, has reportedly transformed himself.
Brent Naden was out on the outer before becoming one of the club’s most impressive trainers this summer, according to The Daily Telegraph.
Naden was given the opportunity to leave but the outside back said he wanted to fight for his spot under Marshall and is now pushing for a starting wing spot.
“He has come back with a great attitude,” Tigers boss Shane Richardson said.
“He is a completely different player.”
Naden, 28, is off-contract at the end of 2025 and has played just 27 games since joining the Tigers in 2022.
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FIFITA IN DOUBT
Titans gun David Fifita is in doubt for the start of the NRL season after suffering a setback in his recovery from ankle surgery.
Fifita missed the last game of the 2024 season to undergo surgery with the barnstorming forward bothered by an ankle issue towards the end of the season.
In worrying sign for Gold Coast brass, Fifita hasn’t been able to take part in pre-season training according to Code Sports, with the recovery taking much longer than expected.
It doesn’t appear that Fifita will need to go under the knife again to rectify the issue, but it’s unknown when he’ll be fully fit.
It’s the last thing the Titans need given Fifita’s impact on a team that has been to the finals just once in the past eight seasons.
With an extremely talented backline and a forward pack littered with star power, this shapes up as being one of the Gold Coast’s best chances in recent seasons to pose a premiership threat.
However, they’ll need their $1 million man back on the park.
STAR HALF SET TO BE RIGHT FOR ROUND 1
Despite having to undergo off-season surgery to his neck after copping a hard knock at training, the Broncos don’t expect to be without Adam Reynolds for the start of the season.
Reynolds was training separate to the Broncos earlier this week as he recovers well from the neck surgery he had late last month.
New coach Michael Maguire said Reynolds won’t miss any game time barring any setbacks.
“He had irritation in his neck with a nerve and they’ve cleaned up around where the nerve is. He will be fine,” Maguire said via Code Sports.
“He ran (on Monday), not full-on, he’ll spend a month in rehab and then be back into training.
“He has had it for a while and he felt if we did something about it, it would help.
“He spoke to plenty of doctors and the surgeon said they could do it and fix up all his issues.”
Reynolds is expected to start the season with Ben Hunt as his halves partner given Ezra Mam’s nine-week suspension for an off-field issue.
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