Budding playmaker Kieran Hayman isn’t going to let back-to-back grand final losses deter him from chasing his NRL dream.
Finishing on the rough end of the scoreline at the big dance for the past two years with the North Sydney Bears in the NSW Cup, Hayman has made the move to Queensland in the hopes to find the success he's been working towards.
"Not everyone can win, it's a part of footy but it definitely makes you hungrier for a win,” he told titans.com.au.
"Those big losses make you really keen to play that next game so you just have to get on with it."
Proving age is just a number, the resilient 26-year-old is in the prime of his career with his eyes set on making the most of his first NRL pre-season at Parkwood.
"I just don't want to live with any regrets or have to tell my kids one day I didn't have a go at it because I felt a bit older," Hayman said.
"I've got five or six years on some of the boys and actually eight years on a few but I'm going to whip it until my legs fall off.
"The first week hit me like a train but each day the body is getting used to it and training everyday alongside the players you watch on television has been an unreal experience."
Now four weeks into his train and trial stint with the club, Hayman has sought guidance from skipper Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, whilst relishing a full circle moment training alongside former Wallaby Carter Gordon.
"As a leader, Tino has an aura about him whether it's on the field or even in the media room," he said.
"He just has that presence about him that makes you want to be better.
"Training alongside Carter has also been unreal.
"I've followed his career and watched him last year in the Rugby World Cup so to do a bit of goal-kicking with him at training has felt like a full circle moment."
Training under the seasoned eye of Des Hasler - whose expertise has been invaluable as a fellow playmaker himself - the rookie is relishing the challenge of meeting the high standards set by the premiership-winning coach.
"He’s got a different sort of intensity about him," Hayman said.
"You know when he’s watching even when you don’t see him, you can just feel it but it’s a good sort of pressure.
"He's straight up and down and his morals are black and white so it makes it really easy to do what he asks but it's genuinely not out of fear, it's out of respect."
Making the move north in 2025 to join the Tweed Seagulls after a five-year stint in the NSW Cup, crossing the border to Queensland is all part of a fresh start and embracing the opportunities that have come along with it.
"I'm a big believer in change and how it can bring the best out of anyone, so it was a good opportunity for me at Tweed," Hayman said.
"I would’ve never got to have this train and trial experience with the Titans either if I didn’t move up so I’m really grateful for it.
"My goal this year is to ideally stay on with the club but long term I just want to keep improving, win games and be a better person for it."
