Ridge looks to make most of opportunity

Titans young gun Ben Ridge is hoping to make the most of his opportunity after winning the race for a starting spot for the opening round clash with the Sharks.

Ridge's appointment highlights the faith Titans head coach John Cartwright has in the former U20's captain with Ridge's selection confining Titans teammates Luke Bailey and David Taylor to the bench.

"I was absolutely stoked. I was happy just to be in the seventeen, so to get a start, I was really happy," said Ridge.

Ridge is both fitter and stronger in 2013 and has already enjoyed a successful start to the year, and the forward can’t wait to pick up where he left off last season, having played 17 matches in a breakthrough 2012.

"I've put a couple of kilos on which is nice and handy. I'm nice and fit, ready to go and looking forward to Round One.

"Yes it's been really positive (pre-season). I was stoked to be named in the Emerging Origin squad and now to be named in the first seventeen to play against the Sharks, I'm over the moon.

Titans Head Coach John Cartwright has shown he is prepared to blood the club's younger players and Ridge said the confidence shown by the club in former U20's captains' Ryan James and himself is the right move.

"I think you've got to do that. You've got to bring the young fellas up and have the confidence to do that. To have the confidence that our young fellas are going to come up and do the job is good I think.

The forward won’t be making any drastic changes now he has been given a run on spot, with Ridge choosing to continue with the same approach that saw his name included in the QAS Emerging Origin camp.

"I'm just focused on going down and doing my job. I'm keeping it pretty simple I suppose. Just tackle hard and run hard, pretty simple," said Ridge.