Gold Coast coach John Cartwright has declared towering Titans centre Jamal Idris ready to inflict 80 minutes of pain on Brisbane in Friday night’s NRL derby at Suncorp Stadium.
The Titans’ prized off-season recruit is yet to make his mark at his new NRL club after battling early-season injuries.
But up against the Broncos, and in particular a world-class opponent in Justin Hodges, he has an opportunity to prove he’s worth the big money thrown at him.
Restricted to boxing and aerobic work earlier in the week, the game’s biggest centre shrugged off any lingering doubts about his hamstring during a strong training session at Skilled Park on Thursday morning.
“It’s been six weeks since the injury now; they said a four to six week injury,” said Cartwright, happy with Idris’s work.
“He’s had a bit of football but we haven’t over-used him and hopefully he’s 100 per cent for tomorrow night.
“I haven’t spoken to the physio yet but I’m hopeful that if he starts the game he’ll be right for the 80 minutes.”
While at 194cm and 115kg his sheer size alone makes him a nightmare to defend close to the line, Idris could be in for a tough night himself up against the in-form Hodges, who’s overcome his own hamstring dramas.
Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin has issued a watch on Titans playmaker Scott Prince and young rookie five-eighth Aidan Sezer, who sparkled in his NRL debut upset against Manly.
“Scotty Prince is in the best form I’ve seen for a while,” noted Griffin.
“With Sezer on the other side, with his left foot, they’ve got some variety in their kicking game so there is a bit more to shut down.”
The Gold Coast’s kick and chase game against Manly was first-class and Griffin agreed Sezer’s clash with young Brisbane No.6 Corey Norman could be a look into the future.
One NRL game isn’t a lot to work on but Griffin, an astute student of the game, saw enough of Sezer’s debut to know he is a good player.
“That’s as good a debut you could see against Manly at Manly,” he said.
“He did it all; he ran, he kicked, he passed and whatever he did he seemed to have a bit of time to do which is a sign of a bit of class.”
Prince said his new combination with Sezer was showing “a lot of promise”.
“It’s coming along quite nicely. His kicking game is outstanding which helps me immensely,” said Prince.
“Having a left-footer really takes the pressure off myself and Matty Srama at dummy-half as well. It’s a work in progress.”
Titans coach John Cartwright dismissed suggestions the club’s upset win over Manly at Brookvale Oval was down to a big dose of luck.
“It wasn’t a fluke,” he said.
“You don’t win first grade games by fluke. It was a tough win; they worked really hard for it, but it’s about being consistent and turning up with the same attitude and doing the same things right.”
