{"id":656180,"date":"2026-05-07T19:57:14","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T19:57:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/656180\/"},"modified":"2026-05-07T19:57:14","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T19:57:14","slug":"young-halfback-inspired-by-nathan-cleary-to-debut-for-titans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/656180\/","title":{"rendered":"Young halfback inspired by Nathan Cleary to debut for Titans"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Nathan Cleary\u2019s huge influence over the next generation of NRL halfbacks will continue on Friday evening when Zane Harrison debuts for the Gold Coast Titans.<\/p>\n

Harrison, 20, has grown up idolising the Penrith playmaker \u2013 so much so that some Titans officials have noticed the youngster trying to mimic the kicking style of the four-time premiership winner, and the way he appears to casually float across the field.<\/p>\n

\"NathanNathan Cleary has influenced the next generation of No.7s, including (from left) Joey Walsh, Zane Harrison, Kade Reed and Isaiya Katoa.Stephen Kiprillis\/SMH<\/p>\n

An under-19s NSW Origin representative who grew up in Tweed Heads, Harrison\u2019s first game comes a week after Joey Walsh made his starting debut for Manly<\/a>, and a fortnight after Kade Reed, another unabashed Cleary fan, was handed the St George Illawarra No.7 jersey.<\/p>\n

It was not that long ago that NSW halfbacks were hard to come by. But after 11 seasons in the NRL, Cleary, now 28, has inspired a legion of playmakers who could all one day be vying to succeed him in the Blue jersey.<\/p>\n

Isaiya Katoa<\/a>, 22, has regularly spoken about relishing the chance to work closely with Cleary at the Panthers before moving to the Dolphins to play first grade, while Canterbury\u2019s Lachie Galvin, 20, had his management reach out to the Panthers<\/a> about playing alongside Cleary when he first wanted out of the Wests Tigers.<\/p>\n

There are also high hopes for Canterbury\u2019s Mitch Woods, whose NRL debut has been delayed because of injury, Canberra\u2019s Ethan Sanders, the 22-year-old playing regularly with the Raiders \u2013 and who goes up against Cleary on Sunday \u2013 along with up-and-comers Toby Rodwell, of the Roosters, and Parramatta\u2019s Lincoln Fletcher.<\/p>\n

\"ZaneZane Harrison at Titans training at North Sydney Oval on Thursday.Oscar Colman<\/p>\n

Speaking about Harrison\u2019s debut \u2013 and Cleary\u2019s influence \u2013 ahead of the Titans clash against the Sydney Roosters on Friday evening, coach Josh Hannay told this masthead: \u201cThere hasn\u2019t been a high volume of great halfbacks, the pickings have been quite slim, but Nathan has had that influence and reach on these kids where they\u2019ve said, \u2018I want to be just like him\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish it wasn\u2019t that way, being a proud Queenslander. We don\u2019t need another Nathan Cleary any time soon.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t realise Zane was a NSW junior when I first got to the Gold Coast. When you hear \u2018Gold Coast kid\u2019, you just think he\u2019s a Queenslander.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harrison gets his start at the expense of Lachie Ilias, one of several selection casualties following the Titans\u2019 defeat to an undermanned Canberra side last weekend.<\/p>\n

\"ZaneZane Harrison trains at North Sydney Oval on Thursday.Oscar Colman<\/p>\n

\u201cBut this decision to play him [Harrison] isn\u2019t a reactive one based on our performance last week \u2013 it\u2019s one where the timing feels right based on what he\u2019s shown us for some time now,\u201d Hannay said. \u201cWith Zane, I would have been comfortable giving him an opportunity sooner.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just hope everyone is respectful of the fact he\u2019s a young kid on debut playing in a key position. He\u2019s highly touted and will have a long career in this game, but it\u2019s his first game of NRL. As I\u2019ve explained to him, he\u2019ll have some time up here [in first grade] to get his NRL feet beneath him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe doesn\u2019t need to see this game as a \u2018one-and-done\u2019 type of situation where he needs to go out and show it all.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a lot to like. He has the temperament, character and toughness to go with the high level of talent. And he\u2019s a great decision maker \u2013 the best playmakers in our game are the best decision-makers. He checks a lot of boxes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"PanthersPanthers star Nathan Cleary with Isaiya Katoa.Instagram<\/p>\n

Reed was given his start against the Roosters on Anzac Day, but made no secret of the fact he had watched a lot of Cleary growing up.<\/p>\n

\u201c[I love] how calm and composed he always looks, and you can see how much success he has because of his preparation,\u201d Reed said on Thursday.<\/p>\n

Related Article\"Focused:<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cHe can also control a game with his boot. I\u2019ve definitely tried to take bits and pieces from his game to add into mine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harrison, like Reed, will be kept busy against an in-form Roosters side who have had no problems scoring points, but have been guilty of clocking off for short periods in games.<\/p>\n

Harrison has a huge admirer in Kieran Foran, who was at the Titans with him last year before retiring. Foran has since been appointed caretaker coach of Manly.<\/p>\n

\u201cZane is a genuine halfback, he\u2019s young, skilful, and really understands the game \u2013 he\u2019ll have a big career,\u201d Foran said.<\/p>\n

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