iSelect Titans co-captain Nate Myles gave Gold Coast fans plenty to cheer about today when he declared himself ready for the club’s opening clash for NRL season 2014 against the Sharks on Monday, March 10, in Sydney.
After a gruelling 2013, which included a hectic rep schedule and then post-season groin surgery, Myles has not seen any game time and little training leading into the first game. However today he gave the thumbs up.
“I am feeling good,’’ he said,
“I have amped up the training in the last couple of weeks. I know it won’t be the best feeling running out there (against the Sharks). I will certainly be sucking in the Seagulls.
“Everyone will be pretty even (fitness-wise) for round one. Some players will have more fitness than others. My lungs don’t go too bad.
“Whether I am in the starting line-up is up to the coaches (I will have to see if Carty’s lawns need a mow). But whatever happens, I will be right (to play).”
Myles said there were plenty of encouraging signs from the weekend’s trial match in Toowoomba, despite the Titans going down 28-12 to the North Queensland Cowboys.
“I thought there were some good signs in the trial," Myles said.
“There were times when we fell away. I think using 24 players and rotating them can do that. You can fall out of the game a bit – that can happen, but still there were some great signs there.
“I thought we were there for about 60 minutes and playing some really good footy.
“There is a lot to improve on, but the Cowboys were not short on stars. They put a very good team out there.
“Our blokes all stood up, but not for the full 80 minutes.”
Although Myles says he will be right for the opening round, he says the trial showed the strength in the club’s front row stocks.
With boom youngster Ryan James also racing the clock to be fit for round one, Titans big men Luke Bailey, Luke Douglas, Matthew White and Mark Ioane more than held their own up front against the Cowboys.
Myles said he has been buoyed by the feeling at training since coming back from surgery.
“I think the pressure is coming from me to be ready for the start of the season,” he said.
“Players like Whitey (Matt White) and Mark Ioane are coming back in and Bailes (Luke Bailey) is playing very well and the competition for the front row spots is intense which will bring out the best in everyone.
“The signs after Christmas have been fantastic at training. I like the way everyone has come to training – positive. Everyone has the right approach.”
