Blitzing the Witzer: Meet the young guns who fired in week two

From Titans playmaker Zane Harrison to rampaging Wests Tigers Heamasi Makasini, the Witzer Pre-Season Challenge showcased the special talents of a bunch of rising stars in Round 2.

Making the most of their opportunities to strut their stuff in the top grade and to a national audience on TV, the youngsters delivered big time to push their case for NRL selection.

Young Guns Fire

Zane Harrison (Titans)

Joining forces with new signing Lachlan Ilias in the halves, 19-year-old Harrison delivered a composed performance to help guide Josh Hannay's team to a 24-12 victory in Redcliffe. 

The NSW Under 19s halfback showcased a quality kicking game and also showed plenty of nice touches with ball in hand. 

A product of the club’s development pathways as a Northern Rivers junior, Harrison has been a Titan since age 15 and looks to be on track for an NRL debut in 2026.

Simione Laiafi (Sea Eagles)

The Australian Schoolboys prop was enormous against the Warriors with 181 metres from 17 powerful runs as young playmakers Joey Walsh and Onitoni Large laid the platform for the forwards to run amok.

Laiafi played 13 games in Jersey Flegg Cup in 2025 before stepping up to make nine appearances in NSW Cup.

By season's end he was pushing hard for NRL selection and on the evidence of last Saturday the 116kg giant may not have to wait too much longer.

Jalen Afamasaga (Raiders)

The Green Machine returned to their spiritual home at Seiffert Oval and took down the Storm on the back of impressive youngsters like Mark Tuialii, Ethan Alaia and Afamasaga, who came up with a line break and a try assist in a polished performance.

After playing seven games in NSW Cup last year, Afamasaga will look to take the next step this season as he continues his education under one of the game's greatest ever playmakers in Ricky Stuart.

A product of Ipswich State High School where he tasted National Schoolboy Cup glory in 2022, Afamasaga boasts plenty of pace and good vision.

Heamasi Makasini (Wests Tigers)

The tearaway Tiger was unstoppable against the Roosters, scoring three of his team's first four tries, running for 118 metres and coming up with three line breaks.

A tryscorer in his NRL debut in Round 27 last year, 18-year-old Makasini is destined for big things in 2026 and looms as a real X-factor for Benji Marshall.

Equally at home at centre or wing, expect this powerhouse teenager to leave plenty of defenders in his wake this season as he delivers on his enormous potential.

Apa Twidle (Eels)

The rookie fullback Apa Twidle came up big at Henson Park as the Eels put the Sharks to the sword in a comprehensive 40-6 win.

Twidle popped up all over the field in the second half, snaring two tries, setting one up and proving a constant menace to the Sharks defence.

The 21-year-old joined forces with Jordan Samrani, Teancum Brown and Mohamed Alameddine to ensure the trip was well worthwhile for the Eels fans who made the journey to Henson Park.

Talanoa Penitani (Rabbitohs)

The Rabbitohs arrived in Wollongong as outsiders but left with reputations enhanced and the Charity Shield in their kit bagf.

Among a host of stars was 21-year-old centre Talanoa Penitani, who scored his team's opening try and busted tackles for fun in a classy display that had Rabbitohs fans in raptures.

With sister Tiana watching on in her role as a Fox League sideline eye, Talanoa did the family name proud with a mix of pace and agility that had the Dragons defence on high alert. 

Felix Faatilii (Sharks)

He may have been on the wrong end of the scoreline but big Felix certainly made an impression in the final game of Round 2.

The hulking Kiwi made 115 metres from 14 runs and had six tackle breaks as he did his best to stem the blue and gold tide in the second half.

A mainstay of the Sharks' Jersey Flegg side in recent seasons, Faatilii made five NSW Cup appearances in 2025 and looms as the ideal back-up to Cronulla's impressive flotilla of front-rowers.