Jaimin Jolliffe has enjoyed the perfect return from his long-term pec injury, now eager to help the Titans to the finals with only five games to play.
Playing a part in the statement-making 46-18 belting of Brisbane on Saturday to elevate the Gold Coast to 11th on the ladder has kept finals well and truly on the agenda with five games to play - next facing the Sharks on Friday night back at home.
Welcomed back to the field by 25,278 fans after missing 10 games on the sideline through injury, his successful return at such a pivotal time in the season has given the 27-year-old something to play for in the run home.
"It doesn’t really get any better than that," Jolliffe said of the Broncos victory.
"Obviously it was a big win against our rivals at home, and it was a sold-out crowd, and they erupted – it was a good one.
"Des didn’t really ease me back in, he just tossed me in the deep end, but that’s how I like it.
"There was no pressure on me, he just wants me to try and get back to what I was doing pre-injury."
Having suffered similar misfortunes with his pec last year, it made this season’s rehab process easier for Jolliffe, better preparing him both physically and mentally for his return on Saturday.
"I did the same injury last year, so I knew the rehab process and what I had to do to get back," he said.
"To be honest, I probably feel in better shape now this year than I was last year.
"It is frustrating being injured and watching each week, but I’m back now I’ll put that behind me and look ahead."
Match: Titans v Sharks
Round 23 -
home Team
Titans
13th Position
away Team
Sharks
4th Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Having had on-field success in five out of their last six games, the Titans know they need to keep the scoreboard ticking to keep finals hopes alive - with another game at home this weekend the perfect opportunity to do so.
"Our only choice is to keep winning if we want to stay alive," Jolliffe said.
"Cronulla are obviously coming off a win, and we got them earlier in the year but now they’re coming up here, so they’ll be up for a big game.
"If we can keep playing the way we are, especially in attack and if we fix up our defence and our starts of the game, I think we’ll be fine."
With only five games left of the regular season and the finals not out of reach, the challenge ahead is fuelling Jolliffe and the playing group to put up a strong run home.
"It’s giving me something to play for and the boys know that, and we’re all confident that we can get it done," he said.
"We’ll just take it each week as it comes, and we’ll start off with Cronulla this week."
