Sport
2 February, 2026
Former Gladiator signs with Titans
MAREEBA boy Quaide Gostelow is well on his way to chasing his NRL dreams after signing a three-year contract with the Gold Coast Titans.
The rising talent began his rugby league career with the Mareeba Gladiators as a junior but moved to the Gold Coast with his family three years ago for more opportunities in sport and schooling.
Previously to this contract, Quaide had been in the Broncos, Dolphins, Bulldogs, Titans, and Cowboys academies, and after years of hard work he’s reaping the rewards by earning the next step into a possible future NRL career.
“It definitely feels good, for all the hard work I’ve put in,” the 15-year-old said.
The young halfback has access to one-on-one sessions with former NRL player Todd Carney through his contract, which was a major deciding factor according to dad Lance Gostelow, given Quaide received offers from both the Titans and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
“They put in the contract that Quaide can have one-on-ones with Todd Carney five days a week if he wanted to, pending Todd’s time obviously, but it’s in the contract so that was a big turning point for us to go with the Titans,” Mr Gostelow said.
“Because we live on the Gold Coast now and Todd’s with the club, it just made sense for us.”
Quaide said he had worked hard toward earning a contract and he was excited to build a connection with Carney.
“My biggest focus this year will probably be to just build a bit of a connection with Todd Carney, because that’s a big reason I went with the Titans. So, it’ll be really good for me to learn off of him,” he said.
“I’ve always wanted to get signed since I started playing footy, but when I realised I could get signed at the age of 15, that’s what I’ve pushed for the last three years. And since moving down here, there’s a lot more opportunities that have opened up.”
Mr Gostelow said he and his wife Amanda were immensely proud of Quaide.
“He’s been working and focusing on this goal for such a long time, so to see the first step come to fruition has been a pretty proud moment for me and his mother,” he said.
“There’s a long way left to go, as all the trainers down here say: ‘The hard work only starts now’, but it is very satisfying that he’s gotten this opportunity through the Titans.
“Moving forward hopefully it goes well, and towards the end of this year he can pull on the Titans jersey and play for the Under 16s.”
Quaide said playing in the NRL was definitely his main goal and he wasn’t too fussy about who he plays for.
“I’m a Storm fan, but since living down on the Gold Coast for a while, playing for the Titans in front of all my mates here would be pretty cool,” he said.
Mr Gostelow said he hoped Quaide’s achievement can inspire young people back at home.
“We do come from Mareeba and he’s a Gladiators boy, and he definitely learnt all the starting of his football through Mareeba Gladiators and certain coaches there,” he said.
“We hope that this achievement can show that kids from up there, they can make it down here in the big league.”
