Titans players have endured a strenuous, long pre-season under Justin Holbrook, and even the new Head Coach admits he is excited about the prospect of some on-field action with his NRL Nines squad this week in Perth.
Holbrook today named his first playing squad in charge of the Club, and with a mix of youth and experience selected, Members and fans are optimistic about the Titans’ chances over in the west.
“I think it’s a good opportunity for the players to have a hit-out without the pressure being on them,” Holbrook said.
“It’ll be good to get out and have a game, albeit not in the normal format, but it’ll be good to get over there.”
Experienced NRL players Anthony Don, Tyrone Peachey, Mitch Rein, Bryce Cartwright and Jai Arrow will head west with a number of young squad members, who will be looking to make the most of their opportunity.
Another player who has been closely watched this pre-season is halfback Ash Taylor, who will take to the field against NRL opposition for the first time since the middle of last year.
“I think it’s great for guys like Ash, I think any of those young guys,” Holbrook said of the Nines.
“It gives them a taste of it and it should be a good weekend.
“We’ve probably trained the longest (of other teams this pre-season) and I just want the guys to get out there and enjoy themselves and we’ll see how we go.”
Holbrook admitted that there wasn’t much of an expectation in regards to results at the tournament, but is sure that once the players get out on the field their competitive nature will drive them to do well.
“It’s a bit ‘do your best’ out there. You feel a bit more vulnerable in defence than what you do in the 13-side game,” he said.
“We haven’t spent much time on it. We’ve tied it on to the back end of a few training sessions.
“Once we’re there, we want to do well.”
