THE Gold Coast Titans and Newcastle Knights youth squads played trial matches at C.ex Stadium over the weekend and there was strong local support for Coffs Harbour’s Troy Duckett who played on the left-wing for the Gold Coast Titans Under 19’s.

It was a convincing win for the rampant Titans who beat the Newcastle Knights 40-6, scoring nine tries to Newcastle’s one.

Troy Duckett was a threat from the first whistle and helped set up the opening try when he received the ball on the left-wing and went on a mazy run past three Newcastle defenders, before finally being stopped three metres short of the try line by a hoard of Newcastle defenders.

The Titans went on to score in the next phase of play.

Troy’s Father, Jeffrey Duckett gave an insight into Troy’s pathway to the Gold Coast Titans Youth Academy.

“Troy started playing at the Coffs Harbour Comets as a kid and then played Representative Football where he was spotted by the Titans,” explained Mr Duckett.

“Troy moved to the Gold Coast in Year 10 to join the Titans Youth Academy and he’s been there for five years playing the game he loves,” he said proudly.

For residents on the Coffs Coast this is a taste of things to come as the Gold Coast Titans play the Cronulla Sharks in their NRL clash on Sunday 30 May 2021 at 2pm at C.ex Stadium.

Whether it’s NRL, AFL or the A-League, there’s a common theme from teams travelling to Coffs Harbour to play at the C.ex International Stadium, and that is that they love the facilities, as was reiterated by the visiting coaches during their Man of the Match presentations.

“Thank you to C.ex Stadium for allowing us to play our Trial matches at these fantastic facilities,” said the Titans Coach in the post match wrap.

 

By David WIGLEY