The Gold Coast Titans today re-signed young players Kevin Gordon and Bodene Thompson.
Amid another PR nightmare over the Thurston arrest, the move is a positive sign the NRL is showing faith in young talent.
Kathy Quinn reports.
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TRANSCRIPT
Local rugby league product Bodene Thompson, who enjoyed a strong season with the Titans, said he never considered leaving the coast.
Bodene Thompson, Titans Forward: “The club has been good to me over the long run I’ve been here so it was pretty easy to make a decision.”
The club is now confident they’ve got the perfect balance of experience and youth.
John Cartwright, Titans Coach: “Obviously to sign them long term as we have, we see them as the future of our club, they’ve got great role models to learn from.”
Mat Rogers, Titans Five-Eighth: “We’ve got a great group of young guys that are pretty level-headed and they do the work and more often than not, it’s those guys that have come off the training paddock last.”
And a retiring Rogers indicated today the club may not have seen the last of him come season’s end.
Mat Rogers, Titans Five-Eighth: “I mean, I’ll still be registered to probably play at the club so – who know – I might have to come out and play if there’s a truckload of injuries next year.”
The upcoming Four Nations tournament’s a hot topic and question marks still hang over both the New Zealand and Australian squads..
Rogers believes teammate Scott Prince’s good form should have been rewarded with test selection, a spot now held by Jonathon Thurston.
Mat Rogers, Titans Five-Eighth: “I don’t see why he wouldn’t be selected, he’s the form halfback at the moment I think he’s and his side’s still going so what more he’d have to do I’m not sure – I don’t even think Thurston’s going to be available.”
The series gets underway on 23rd October.
Kathy Quinn, QUT NEWS.