Old dogs teach pup some tricks
THEY might not be on the field for the Titans but Gold Coast leaders Ryan James and Kevin Proctor are still delivering for their teammates.
Club captain James and team captain Proctor both took Titans rookie Beau Fermor under their wing last weekend as the youngster prepared to make his first-grade debut against Cronulla at Cbus Super Stadium.
While the result was disappointing, Fermor’s performance was anything but, with a blistering first half delivering a couple of linebreaks as the Titans looked to have discovered the running backrower the club has been craving.
Fermor, 21, admitted he felt “like I had been hit by a bus” the day after his first game but was quick to credit the influence of James and Proctor for his NRL debut.
It was a selfless display from the two injured Titans leaders, particularly Proctor, whose withdrawal with a biceps injury late in the week was the reason Fermor was given his chance.
“Ryan James and Kevvie Proctor were pretty big for me over the weekend,” Fermor.
“Obviously Kevvie was out with his injury, and I took his spot. At the captain’s run and then before the game, he was having a good chat to me about what I needed to focus on and then just going out there and enjoying it.
“Ryan James was really big on just soaking it all in and enjoying the moment, because you only get one first grade debut.”
The advice worked, with Fermor excelling in his first game in Titans colours since his arrival from Newcastle.