Veteran Zillman is finished for Titans
ONLY bad luck stopped William Zillman from becoming a marquee NRL fullback for Gold Coast, his former coach John Cartwright believes.
After a period of confusion where Zillman was farewelled by home fans despite still being in negotiations to extend his tenure, the Bulletin can reveal his nine-year career at the Titans is over.
Gold Coast chief operating officer Tony Mestrov yesterday confirmed the 31-yearold had “formally left” after rejecting a new one-year deal, understood to be worth considerably less than the rich five-year contract he signed in 2012.
In total, Zillman racked up 156 games in club colours after a promising 24-match stint at Canberra.
Cartwright heaped praise on the utility back he coached for six seasons, labelling him a “total professional”, “great ambassador” and “tremendous leader”.
“The poor bugger, the body just kept letting him down but it was through no lack of effort or lack of professionalism,” said Cartwright, now an assistant with Manly who face Penrith in an elimination final tonight.
“He gave himself every chance to play every week but just sometimes that’s the way it goes.
“I have no doubt if Will could have strung four or five years together without the injuries, you would have been talking about him as a top flight fullback. He just couldn’t get the time on the field that he needed.
“You get better playing this game, not sitting around in rehab rooms trying to get better. I really felt for him.
“When he did string together some games – I think it was 2013 – he was a form fullback in the competition … unfortunately at that point he sort of broke down as well.”
Zillman’s future is now up in the air.
He is known to be passionate about playing footy and could seek out a deal elsewhere, but is well settled on the Coast.
Meanwhile, the Titans will overhaul the back end of their roster for 2018.
Prop Nate Peteru’s exit has been confirmed, while Ryan Simpkins, Ben Nakubuwai, Pat Politoni and Jamal Fogarty are all likely to be released.
Chris McQueen (Wests Tigers), Leivaha Pulu (Warriors), Eddy Pettybourne, Chris Grevsmuhl and Daniel Vidot (all released) had already been certain departures.
Tyrone Roberts is however closing in on an extension to remain in Titans colours, having been in negotiations for months.
THE POOR BUGGER, THE BODY JUST KEPT LETTING HIM DOWN ... JOHN CARTWRIGHT