Gold Coast ‘Hound’ too fast for the ‘Fox’
THERE might not be much to smile about at Robina this year but interim Gold Coast coach Craig Hodges is still grinning after Phillip Sami’s last-ditch heroics against Melbourne last weekend.
Sami produced one of the great try-saving tackles in NRL history to reel in Storm flyer Josh Ado-carr and add to his burgeoning highlights reel.
Widely regarded as the competition’s fastest player, Ado-carr plucked a bomb near his own in-goal and dashed 90m untouched but couldn’t escape Sami, who flew from the far left corner of the field to drag him down and force a knock-on inches from the tryline.
It was a tackle to rival Scott Sattler’s 2003 grand final effort and Hodges was happy to stir his young winger in the aftermath.
“He’s calling himself the ‘Hound’ because he caught the ‘Fox’ so he’s happy,” Hodges said.
The continuing development of Sami has been a rare Titans highlight in an otherwise unhappy season.
The 22-year-old enjoyed a breakout 2018 with 14 tries in 23 games and has impressed with limited opportunities this season, scoring five tries in 12 appearances.
Sami’s tackle on Addo-carr is exactly the kind of effort that will attract the notice of incoming coach Justin Holbrook and strengthens Hodges’ claims of ongoing improvement at the club.
“(The players) want to get as much out of the season as they can,” Hodges said.
“They’re never happy seasons when you lose a coach. I’m extremely proud of the attitude of the players and their effort at training.”