Corey Thompson never got the chance to face the NRL's newest franchise, but when the opportunity arose to strap the boots and take on the Dolphins, he couldn't say yes quick enough.
Preparing to run out for the Titans Old Boys in Sunday's exhibition touch footy match to help raise funds for Joseph Pouniu and his road to recovery, the former 122-gamer is excited to be back at Cbus Super Stadium and playing again for the great cause.
Match: Titans v Dolphins
Round 19 -
home Team
Titans
11th Position
away Team
Dolphins
12th Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
"I can't wait to play for the Titans Old Boys in the charity match that will raise funds for young Joe that sustained a horrible injury a while ago," Thompson said.
"It's great to see so many people have donated to the cause and you can still donate if you jump onto the Titans website and follow the links... every cent counts and goes towards Joey and his recovery from such a horrific injury.
"If I can just do a tiny part and play in this weekend's charity game just to help his recovery or to make it a little bit easier and less stressful for him, it's a really good feeling for myself and for everyone else involved."
Up against the Dolphins Old Boys in a friendly touch match at 3.05pm, the 33-year-old is most excited to be playing alongside a host of Gold Coast legends, especially Preston Campbell after getting the chance to share the field alongside his son Jayden.
"It was originally going to be tackle, but thankfully they changed it to touch, so I know Anthony Don's thankful for that," Thompson joked.
"It's great I get to play alongside Presto who I never got to play with, especially after played alongside JC for so long, but we've got him, Nathan Friend, Chris Walker, Brad Meyers and heaps of other Titans old boys too.
"As soon as I got the invite via email from the Titans, I jumped on board straight away because it's going to be a great game for a great cause and I'm really excited."
Following the charity match, the Titans will take on the NRL's newest franchise in the history-making clash at Cbus Super Stadium, with Thompson tipping to see the home side with plenty of extra motivation given what they're playing for and the former teammates they'll be up against.
"Big J-Wal (Jarrod Wallace) comes back from suspension and there's no better game for him to return, so I definitely think the Dolphins will be fired up... especially the boys that used to play for the Titans," he said.
"But I think our boys will be ready to go and are going to turn up with plenty to play for.
"They really want to get their season back on track and I think they're only two or four points away from fifth place on the ladder. The season's certainly not over yet and there's plenty of improvement to come, so there is a good chance they can work their way up the ladder.
"Hopefully they can start this weekend and make a strong push for the finals."
