Keegan happy with choice

THE NRL’s newest player says he has no regrets about leaving the successful Brisbane system to link with the Gold Coast despite the Titans’ torturous year.

Keegan Hipgrave became the Titans’ 17th debutant of the season when he turned out in the Coast’s clash against the Roosters on Saturday afternoon and was almost part of one of the biggest upsets in club history.

The Titans entered the match as massive underdogs but led 16-6 with 10 minutes to go before the Roosters ran in two tries against the exhausted Gold Coast defence to steal victory.

The Titans were reduced to just 13 men in the final stages, with their injury toll to forwards Morgan Boyle (leg) and Ben Nakubuwai (concussion) meaning Hipgrave played 52 minutes on debut, making a massive 123m from 13 runs.

The effort confirms the opinion of many that Hipgrave is ready to make an impact at the highest level of the game, something he hopes to do on a regular basis next season.

“I was expecting to play maybe 10 (minutes) in the second half but I ended up getting more than I expected,” Hipgrave said.

“It was definitely faster than what I’m used to.

“My initial thought was to get in, have a tackle or have a tough carry and (then) it’s just a normal game of footy.

“Once I had that carry it was just another game of footy and it was all right.”

Hipgrave, who transferred from Brisbane midway through the season, was still eligible for under-20s but has played much of the year in the Queensland Cup to prepare his body for the rigours of NRL.

“My goal was just to have a real good developing year, get out to Queensland Cup and play some bigger bodies,” he said. “To make an NRL debut this year still (eligible for) under-20s was just the icing on the cake.”

While the match was held in Sydney, Hipgrave had a strong cheer squad, with his parents, grandparents, sister and a few mates heading to Allianz Stadium for the clash.

ONCE I HAD THAT CARRY IT WAS JUST ANOTHER GAME OF FOOTY AND IT WAS ALL RIGHT ... KEEGAN HIPGRAVE

His family were among the first to post on social media their joy at Hipgrave’s return to the Coast after he signed with the Titans and the 20year-old said he had no regrets about his decision to move despite the fact his former team will head into the Holden Cup finals next week.

“I’m happy. I’m from the Coast originally, so to come back home and to play with blokes that I’ve looked up to like Kevvie Proctor and Jarrod Wallace (is great),” he said.

“(Former Bronco) Jarrod Wallace was a massive influence to me when I was at Brisbane – and it was an easy transition.

“I knew a lot of the people before I’d even come in here, so it was good.”