New recruit Luke Sommerton is stepping out of his comfort zone with his move to the Titans, joining a three-way battle for the Titans' No. 9 jersey ahead of Round 1.
No stranger to healthy competition for the dummy-half role hailing from Penrith, the 25-year-old comes to the club with a determination to play more consistent first grade after 12 NRL appearances since his 2023 debut, having been the understudy to three-time premiership-winning rake Mitch Kenny.
Having been in western Sydney his entire life, Sommerton feels now is the time for a change of scenery and is relishing his first week at Parkwood since making the move to Queensland.
"It was time for me to get out of my comfort zone," he said.
"I'm 25 now and was living at home, so I think it was just time to get away and take on a new challenge.
"[The first week] has been good, been pretty big so far but there's exciting times ahead and I'm looking forward to the challenge."
'I'm looking forward to the challenge': Sommerton
Excited by the new location and new environment, Sommerton also felt the timing was right to join the Titans with Josh Hannay now at the helm and taking the club in a new direction.
"This club is sort of rebuilding and there's a heap of fresh faces, including the coaching staff as well and everyone is pretty motivated," he said.
"I think it was a challenge for me as well.
"I've been pretty comfortable in the environment I was in so it was something I wanted to take on as well."
Joining the Gold Coast's No. 9 battle alongside incumbent hooker Sam Verrills and Hostplus Cup player of the year Oliver Pascoe, the former Panther is relishing the healthy competition, with his goal to be in the Titans 17 each week, no matter what position.
"You need that competitiveness within the squad as it keeps everyone on their toes," Sommerton said.
"I definitely just want to look to try and crack that 17 to start with and look to challenge myself throughout the year by playing my best footy."
