Sarginson admits early criticism from Titans fans hurt HOME TRUTH
INJURED Titan Dan Sarginson admits he allowed the criticism of fans to get to him early in the season before adjusting to life in the NRL.
English recruit Sarginson is determined to take a glass half full approach to the latest setback in his maiden NRL season, believing the time he will spend on the sidelines recovering from a dislocated shoulder will aid the battle against tendinitis in his knees.
Sarginson was helped from the ground in severe pain early in the second half of the Titans’ clash against Melbourne after dislocating his shoulder.
It’s a blow for Sarginson, who was starting to show glimpses of his best form after what he conceded was a slow start to his NRL career.
“I had a bit of a rusty start and got a bit of stick from the fans but I take that on the chin and hopefully if I can get back from my injury I’ll kick off where I am now,” Sarginson said, conceding he had taken the reaction to heart.
“Along with a load of other things, I was missing home a bit before my family came out, so it all kind of hit me at once.
“I wasn’t feeling too good with the result of all that and it probably didn’t help.
“But now I’m in a good place, family’s been out and visited me, so I’m settled now and just trying to build.”
An England international, Sarginson is determined to take his game to another level during his Australian stint.
“Because I’ve played a couple of internationals I knew what (the pace of the NRL) was going to be like,” he said.
“I literally just love the challenge,” Sarginson said.
“While you’re out there, you don’t really realise much at all. You just get on, know the opposition you’re up against is a different class and you’ve got to go up to match that.”
He said he was starting to regain confidence and form before his latest setback.
“I was out for quite a while with my knee and it still wasn’t right for a few weeks, so I’m trying to build confidence,” Sarginson said.
“I thought I had an OK game (against Melbourne) and didn’t really put a foot wrong, so it’s a shame this has come along but hopefully I can come back and pick up where I left off. If I’m out for a few weeks it can only help my knee get to its optimum level, so I’m just taking the positives.”