Put Daly Cherry-Evans next to Kane Elgey in the Gold Coast halves for 2016 and the make-up of a premiership contender is starting to take shape.
Elgey has displayed enough in his NRL debut in the Titans’ 24-22 win over Cronulla on Saturday to show why he is rated one of the game’s best up-and-coming playmakers.
The 21-year-old steered the Titans well around the park, kicked cleverly and almost broke the line on a number of occasions to live up to the hype surrounding his rise through the grades.
With Cherry-Evans signed on for the Titans next season, the Queensland and Australian representative is exactly the type of mentor Elgey needs.
Current halfback Aidan Sezer is set to return to Sydney, so the two could very well usher in a new era of success on the Gold Coast.
With Elgey set to re-sign with the club shortly, coach Neil Henry predicts a big future for the Queensland and Australian schoolboy and 2014 NYC player of the year.
“He has shown tonight that he handled the step up and he wasn’t overwhelmed or intimidated by anything out there,” Henry said.
“He backed himself and went close a few times.
“It looks good for the kid, he has worked really good in the off season, he was targeted there in defence particularly at the start of the game and he held his own out there.
“It’s great for the club.”
Another promising youngster, Sharks utility Jack Bird, also made his NRL debut in Cronulla’s fourth successive loss to start the season, in one of the few positives for the embattled club.
“He was outstanding, I thought. He tried really hard; he had an impact when he came on,” Sharks coach Shane Flanagan said.
“We always knew he was an exciting kid. You will see a lot more of him in the coming weeks.”
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
How he missed out on dally m halfback of the year to DCE will forever be a mystery to me.
Birdy
Guest
His manager will be sussing out how much the Titans want him then stories of other clubs wanting him will appear, you can bet Manly will be one of them, then his value goes upward. To me the Titans really need him so monitoring John Falou's offer wouldn't be silly
planko
Guest
Elgey will play a lot of first grade this year. His price is on a steep curve upwards. GC DCE Signed, Sezer not signed, Mortimer (Think he is signed for 2016, Olgey, not signed. Depends what Elgey and his manager are after ?
jamesb
Guest
Elgey does look promising to the extent that rival clubs are after him.
Birdy
Guest
Justhetip Fully aware of Ben hunt , I'm just saying that's the way the titans should go, pick a half capable if pushing into origin , especially a local.
Justthetip
Roar Pro
What about Ben Hunt. Last seasons best half excluding Thurston.
Birdy
Guest
Titans could have a double winner with Elgey, if he is a local junior . There is no doubt DCE will be permanently in the halves for Qld ( soon ). With JT and Cronk bowing out it would be ideal for the titans to nurture a future Qld halves combination. That would be a step in the right direction for gaining local support and building a future team around. It's an early call but it looks like the Titans are rising.
NQ Cowboy
Guest
So who will play 5/8?