Wallace keen to hit the ground running
JARROD Wallace says there’s no retreating from the benchmark he set last year as he attempts to become one of the standout props in the game.
Wallace was one of the Gold Coast Titans’ best last year in his first season at the club, breaking into the Queensland Origin side and establishing himself as one of the best young front-rowers in the competition.
But he faces a frustrating start to the season, having to watch the opening two rounds of the competition from the sidelines after picking up a three-week suspension for a shoulder charge in August last year.
“It’s disappointing. It’s been a long off-season as it is without adding two extra weeks on to it, which is a bit of a pain,” Wallace said.
“I didn’t even get to play trials but that’s footy unfortunately and I’ll just keep working hard off the field and make sure I’m fit and ready to go in Round 3.”
When he does return to face the Dragons at Toowoomba on March 25, Wallace wants to make sure he hits the ground running, maintaining the standards he set last year.
“For me now, there’s no stepping back,” the 26-yearold said.
“If I’m not up to the standard I was last year, I’m just go into have to work harder.
“There’s no stepping back now. I know what I can do and people know what I can do and I know that if I’m not doing it, I’m only letting myself down, my family down and my team down.
“So I know where I need to be and I’ll make sure that I’m there.”
Wallace averaged an amazing 125m and 31.8 tackles a game last year in his first season as a regular starter following a move down the M1 from the Broncos.
That form earnt him an Origin jersey but he won’t be able to fly under the radar again, likely to be in every team’s scouting report of the Gold Coast.
“That’s all right, that makes football fun,” Wallace said.
“Look at some of the best players out there, they’re always getting tested, they’re always being marked and they’re always coming out better.
“That’s why they’re the best players in the game, so that’s why I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
IF I’M NOT UP TO THE STANDARD I WAS LAST YEAR, I’M JUST GO INTO HAVE TO WORK HARDER JARROD WALLACE