SAM’S PLAN
TITAN THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS
BRYCE Cartwright is the ultra-skilful prototype of a modern NRL second-rower; Titans teammate Kevin Proctor is more the defensive workhorse; and Gold Coast recruit Sam Stone hopes to bring the best of both worlds to his hometown club.
The 21-year-old was born and raised on the Coast but moved to Newcastle when his father Rick was appointed to a coaching post at the Knights.
He had been there ever since, playing 16 NRL games in his rookie 2017 season and another two the following year, before losing out as Newcastle went on a recruiting spree.
Suddenly a chance emerged to head home in search of more first grade game time.
“It all happened pretty quickly,” Stone said.
“I found out there was an opportunity on Friday and had my last training session with the Knights on Saturday. I kind of made the decision Saturday arvo that this was a good opportunity for me and might be a good change of scenery.
“I’m excited to come back and play in front of some people that I haven’t seen in a long time.”
The back-rower drove to the Gold Coast on Tuesday and was training with Garth Brennan’s squad yesterday.
Asked what Titans fans can expect from him, Stone wants to become a multidimensional forward.
“At the Knights I played a little bit more of a straight up and down sort of role and I’d like to expand my game into what Bryce does a little bit but I’d also model myself off Proctor, that Melbourne background and how tough he is in defence,” he said.
“Hopefully I can learn a bit from both of them.”
While he’s eyeing a Titans debut, Stone will first be out to impress when he lines up for Burleigh as soon as this Saturday in an Intrust Super Cup match at Ipswich.
Stone started playing league at age five with the Bears, while Rick was a multiple Intrust Super Cup premiership-winning coach for the club.
“It will be life coming around full circle. It will be back to my roots and back to where it all started so I’m pretty excited,” he said.
IT WILL BE LIFE COMING AROUND FULL CIRCLE. IT WILL BE BACK TO MY ROOTS SAM STONE