Zillman has will for another finals shot
REINVENTED Titan William Zillman has declared he has years left in the game, with the off-contract veteran using the pain of a long finals hiatus to drive his footballing rebirth.
There has been an expectation that Gold Coast may jettison the injury-plagued 30-year-old when his rich, long-term deal expires at the end of the season.
Yet having found a home on the wing in 2017, Zillman is suddenly playing with the enthusiasm of a teen, leaving him determined to extend his career into a 13th NRL season – at least.
“I’m absolutely loving my football the last couple of months and my body is feeling the best it has for a couple of years,” said Zillman, who played his 150th Titans game in the loss to Penrith on Saturday.
“I’m sure I’ve got a couple more years in me. I just want to be as consistent as I can and stay on the park.
“It’s really important for me to get back out and get my body right and contribute.
“It’s been great to string 10 or so games together now; hopefully I can keep doing my job.”
One motivating factor is Zillman’s desire for another shot at NRL finals.
The Titans must win all six remaining games – starting at home to Wests Tigers on Sunday – to be a chance, 12 months after a similar surge delivered a shock top eight appearance.
Yet an injured Zillman sat out last season’s elimination fixture, meaning he hasn’t played a finals match since the preliminary clash of 2010.
“That (playing finals again) is always going to be part of the motivation,” Zillman said.
“That 2010 season was a good year; we almost made the final and just missed out.
“Last year we got another finals berth which was exciting.
“We have the team here to do it this year so there is still a lot of belief.”
With teammates entrenched in Gold Coast’s No.1 jersey, Zillman has proven a revelation as a makeshift winger.
“Never is the short answer,” he said of his previous experience on the flank.
“I’ve enjoyed my time there and it has its differences to fullback but at the same time it has its similarities.
“It’s about going and looking for the ball then getting back out to your wing as quickly as you can.”
Evidentially, life on the wing can also lead to humorous situations.
“I haven’t copped too many jokes about being a winger but when you’re standing out there you are the closest player to the crowd so you tend to hear all the sledges,” he said.
“That can be quite funny.”