The Gold Coast Titans have secured promising young halfback Zane Harrison with a new three-year contract, ensuring his stay at the club until at least the end of 2029. The 20-year-old, who emerged as Australia’s top schoolboys player in 2024, made 11 appearances in his rookie NRL season this year before being sidelined by a serious hamstring injury.

Harrison, a local talent from Tweed Heads, had attracted interest from the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Chiefs, known for offering tax-free salaries to players. The Chiefs are set to enter the NRL player market for the 2028 season on Sunday, prompting the Titans to move quickly to re-sign Harrison before he officially became a free agent on November 1. Despite the financial incentives from the PNG side, Harrison committed his future to the Gold Coast club.

“I’ve loved this club since I was a little kid and pulling on a Titans jersey is all I’ve ever wanted to do,” Harrison said. “I’m really excited about what Josh [Hannay] is building and the direction this team is heading. I want to be part of that and it was important to me to stay here and build something with the club. I’m grateful for the faith the club has shown in me.”

Harrison’s playmaking skills and composure on the field have marked him as a rising star within the NRL. His inclusion in the New South Wales Origin training camp earlier this year underscored his potential to assume a key leadership role in the future. Titans head coach Josh Hannay expressed confidence in Harrison’s ability to steer the team in the years ahead, describing him as the halfback to lead the club for the next decade.

With this contract extension, the Titans aim to solidify their squad as they seek to climb the NRL ladder under Hannay’s leadership. Harrison’s decision to remain with the club reflects a commitment to local loyalty and long-term team development, bypassing more lucrative offers to stay within the Gold Coast’s system that nurtured his early career.