DON’S FUTURE
TITANS STAR TALKS NEW DEAL
ANTHONY Don believes he can buck the trend of wingers declining once they reach the wrong side of 30.
The 2017 Paul Broughton Medal winner turns 31 in September – shortly before his contract expires – but made clear of his desire to stay in the NRL for several more years.
While some flyers lose their edge as their pace dips with age, Don says he can still take his game to another level.
“My body is feeling really good and mentally I’m feeling fresh because I obviously started playing a lot later than most,” said the Grafton product, who debuted in the top grade at age 25.
“I feel that possibly my best footy is still in front of me.
“That’s what I am looking forward to, is trying to get back into some top form and I know if I get back playing well, then everything else will look after itself.”
Don was critical of his form through the opening seven rounds of the season, despite having four tries to his name.
“My form hasn’t been too good to start the year so I’m not focusing on anything else than that at the moment,” he said.
From playing for Grafton in the Northern Rivers competition, Don progressed to Intrust Super Cup footy with Burleigh and has now lined up 93 times for the Titans since 2013.
He is considered a loyal figure but acknowledged players can’t count on that in the modern day game.
“I love the Gold Coast and I love the Gold Coast Titans so preferably I would like to stay but I know what the industry is like,” Don said.
“It’s a cut-throat industry and you can be here one minute and you’re out the door the next, so I’m not taking anything for granted and you have got to be open to moving if you want to play any professional sport.”
Fans will be rallying for the Titans to retain the former schoolteacher given his cult hero status.
“It is kind of a good thing … but I don’t think they look at the finer details that I need to improve. They just might see me score a try every now and then,” he said.