Titans recruit Sam McIntyre knows he’s no guarantee to be in the side for round one – but that’s just the way he likes it.
“I know there is going to be a lot of competition for spots but part of the reason why I came here was because I want it to be as hard as possible,” McIntyre said.
“I knew the harder it would be, the better person and better player it was going to make me.
“I wanted the competition and I wanted to be in an environment where we are going to push each other.
“I see all of the good signings that are coming to the Club and I just thought it was a good opportunity to play finals footy and have a good chance to win the comp this year.
“I’m just so happy to be here, working with a great bunch of guys, and we are going to give it a good crack this year.”
Able to play both as a middle or edge forward, McIntyre will be fighting fellow recruits Herman Ese’ese and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui as well as Tyrone Peachey for the lock forward position but says he is happy to grab whatever spot is available.
“I think the way the game is going I see myself more as a thirteen, but I grew up my whole footy career playing back-row,” McIntyre said.
“I had to play centre a few times this year and I used to play a bit of junior footy on the wing, so that utility I guess helps.
The 22-year-old played 12 games with the Wests Tigers in 2020 and has already become a popular member of the Titans squad.
“I just want to go in there and do my hard work and give everything I can for the team,” McIntyre said.
“I just want to be that player boys want to play with and that’s what I want to bring to the team.”
“I just want to cement myself and be part of this group.”
The Port Macquarie product says he’s looking forward to playing in front of family and friends and credits his parents for helping him reach his NRL dream.
“As a junior, the hardest thing was more on my parents,” McIntyre said, explaining that his family would regularly make the three-hour journey to Newcastle where he was part of the Knights junior setup.
“Coming from Port Macquarie it was three times per week I had to travel back and forth. That put my family in a bit of debt.
“I really do think about that a lot. It’s not always at the forefront but it’s always there.
“Just knowing they sacrificed so much and if it wasn’t for them, all the other challenges, and opportunities, and all the things I’m grateful for today wouldn’t have happened.
“If it wasn’t for them I physically wouldn’t be here.”
