‘Complete package’: Hannay puts faith in Titans teen
Joel Gould |
New Gold Coast coach Josh Hannay will unveil halves pairing Lachlan Ilias and Zane Harrison against the Dolphins as both players look to make an early-season mark after vastly different career paths.
Harrison, 19, is rated one of the most promising young halfbacks in the game, while 25-year-old Ilias is aiming to transform his career after shining initially at South Sydney in 2022 and 2023 before two tough seasons at the Rabbitohs and St George Illawarra.
Hannay is set to start AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell in the halves in round one of the NRL, but for a club that finished 16th last year nothing is set in stone.
Both Brimson and Campbell are natural fullbacks but have done extremely well to transform themselves into playmakers.
The jury is out on how two natural ball-runners will complement each other, and both Ilias and Harrison are genuine halves who have a chance to stake their claims.
In 2024 Harrison won the prestigious Peter Sterling Medal after firing Palm Beach Currumbin to victory in the Allan Langer Trophy and Schoolboys Cup National Final.
“I remember at the end of my first week here I started asking some questions about Zane and if he could tackle, because with the football he was electric,” Hannay said.
“I was told straight away the toughness and the tackling side of it wasn’t an issue for him as well.
“Once I got that feedback, and the more I watched the kid, he really is the complete package as a halfback.
“The game seems to slow down for him. He’s got a running game, his passing selection is elite, his kicking game is elite and he’s got that toughness to go with the craft.
“I really don’t see chinks in his armour.”
Hannay said the main aim of the club was to give Harrison exposure at a higher level, which he will get at Kayo Stadium on Thursday night in the pre-season trial against the Dolphins.
“It’s up to us as a club not to rush him and any of our other good young players,” he said.
“We want to have a go-slow approach there and we don’t want to bury these young kids under the weight of expectation.
“He’s well on his way to being ready, but I certainly won’t rush the kid.”
Ilias, who could be utilised in the NRL as a No.14, has made a great start to life as a Titan and has hit it off with Harrison.
“I’ve been really impressed with Lachie since he’s got to the club,” Hannay said.
“Both him and Zane have combined well throughout the course of pre-season and they’ve worked up a nice little friendship off the field as well.
“They’re both at differing stages of their careers. Zane’s at the very beginning, the world’s probably at that kid’s feet.
“Lachie’s on a bit of a comeback trail. He’s come here for an opportunity after a couple of tough years. I’m really looking forward to Lachie and Zane combining well tomorrow night.”
AAP
