Clean living is key in rebooted Vidot
DANIEL Vidot has banished alcohol and junk food from his diet as he fights for his NRL future.
The 27-year-old is off-contract at the end of the season and is under pressure to secure another top-level contract, having made little impact since joining the Gold Coast in January.
Vidot cut short his time with English Super League club Salford to return Down Under and has scored two tries in three outings for the Titans. But he has not been sighted at NRL level since Round 6 and has largely struggled at feeder club Burleigh – until his two-try effort at Pizzey Park on Sunday.
The 110kg winger, however, has signalled his intentions to reignite his 114-game first grade career that begun in 2009 for the Canberra Raiders, with “extras” and improved nutrition central to his fightback plan.
“All the junk food has gone out the window, alcohol as well,” he said.
“That was my biggest thing, it was probably the drinking, so I have put that all on hold and just want to get my head right for the rest of the season.”
Vidot declined to elaborate on his prior drinking and fast food habits.
However, he made the decision earlier this month to make changes as he strives to return to the Titans’ top-17 and win World Cup selection for Samoa, who he has played nine Tests for.
He said his new-found discipline has paid immediate dividends when football.
“I think everyone knows you are what you eat,” Vidot said.
“Definitely cutting that out helps me a lot so I feel like I have got a lot more energy out there and feel a bit faster.”
Vidot described his performance in the Bears’ 44-0 win over Ipswich as his best since dropping back to the Queensland Cup. His second try was particularly spectacularly, leaping over a low tackler to score.
With him now coming to it comes to grips with some off-field issues, Vidot wants to get back to being the damaging runner he prides himself on, taking upwards of 20 hit-ups a game.
“Neil (Titans coach Neil Henry) knows what I am capable of,” he said.
“He knew that I was off and wasn’t my original self but as I said I just want to turn that around and play my brand of footy.”
Vidot has been named on the wing for Burleigh’s home match against Redcliffe on Sunday afternoon.