Arthars plotting his own NRL explosion
GOLD Coast recruit Jesse Arthars has seen how to blaze on to the NRL scene – his old schoolmate AJ Brimson showed exactly how it’s done during the winter.
Now it’s Arthars’ turn. The former Keebra Park student has returned to the Coast on a one-year deal after stints in the Melbourne and South Sydney systems.
Arthars has settled in nicely at the Titans, where there are a number of familiar faces in the ranks.
“Probably the main people I knew was AJ, Phil Sami, Jaxson Paulo; I knew Ryley Jacks as well coming up from Melbourne,” he said.
“I have got a lot of mates in the team so that makes it easier at the start of the year, getting to know everyone.”
Brimson was one of the good news stories from a generally tough 2018 for the Parkwood club, graduating from their under-20 program to rapidly move through the Intrust Super Cup and become a central element of their NRL team at either fullback or fiveeighth.
“It was pretty awesome to see him crack it last season,” Arthars said.
“He is a good mate of mine so I was pretty stoked for him. I will definitely be looking to do the same thing, just ripping into pre-season and putting my best foot forward going into Round 1.
“I’m realistic with it. I’ll start off at Burleigh or Tweed and then see what happens throughout the season.
“Hopefully I get an opportunity. I’ll be preparing as best I can.”
The 20-year-old outside back is wishing for a better start here than he experienced at the Rabbitohs last year.
“I injured my shoulder so I was out for most of the season. I did it in the first trial game for Souths’ feeder team, which was North Sydney Bears,” he said.
There’s been no chance to ease in during the first two weeks of this pre-season, though.
I HAVE GOT A LOT OF MATES IN THE TEAM SO THAT MAKES IT EASIER AT THE START OF THE YEAR, GETTING TO KNOW EVERYONE NEW TITAN JESSE ARTHARS
“It’s been pretty tough,” he said.
“We have had a few tough wrestle sessions and we had a session on the beach (on Wednesday) which was pretty intense.”
Arthars, who hails from Auckland, will have stiff competition for a top 17 jersey, with the likes of Brimson, Sami, Michael Gordon, Anthony Don, Dale Copley, Tyrone Peachey, Brian Kelly and Brenko Lee all vying for backline spots.