Weaver wants to solve Titans' home-grown No.7 conundrum

Gold Coast half Tom Weaver has been with the Titans since the age of 14.

Tom Weaver is aiming to defy history and become the first home-grown Gold Coast half to win a premiership with the Titans.

The 20-year-old has been in the Titans system since he was 14, and graduated from powerhouse league school Palm Beach Currumbin (PBC) High .

Weaver will get a chance to push his claim to dislodge current No.7 Tanah Boyd when he plays halfback in the club’s NRL pre-season trial against the Dolphins at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday.

The Gold Coast is a proven breeding ground for quality halves but many have either not played for the Titans or have failed to kick on when given the chance.

Former PBC halves Cody Walker and Tom Dearden made their name elsewhere in the NRL.

Kane Elgey, also a PBC alumni, retired at a young age.

Another off the school’s production line, Toby Sexton had high hopes of being a long-term Titans No.7 but struggled before moving to Canterbury.

Boyd, who attended Keebra Park High in nearby Southport, is the current halfback, but he has yet to put an indelible stamp on the position.

Weaver, who played three NRL games last year, is keen to make his mark.

“Definitely the end goal for me is to be a one-club player here on the Gold Coast,” Weaver said.

“I went for the Titans as a junior, came here when I was 14 and went through the whole system.

“To play my whole career here and bring the first premiership here would be massive.

“I don’t really look at the boys who came before me and left. If I focus on me, and what I can control, it will put me in good stead going forward.

“You see players come in and get their opportunity really early, don’t take it, and then get spat out the back door – but having Foz (Kieran Foran), Tanah and (coach) Des Hasler here and learning from them is only going to prolong my career.

“I am happy to bide my time and wait a little bit. Then when I get my opportunity, take it.”

The reality is that foundation Titans captain and No.7 Scott Prince, an import, remains hands down the greatest half in the club’s history.

“When I was younger, I looked up to Scott Prince,” Weaver said.

“He had a decorated career and hopefully I can mirror that.”

Weaver said he would be ready to step up straight away and play No.7, although he conceded Hasler may go “a different way” at the start of the year with Foran and Boyd the likely starting halves.

“I am pretty confident,” he said.

“This is my third year here now with all these boys, and I know that in the position I play I have got to take that role on.

“I am confident going into the season and looking forward to finally getting out there to play some footy.”