TITANS CULT HERO DON ON VERGE OF RETIREMENT

IS Don, is done.

Gold Coast Titans club legend and cult hero Anthony Don is on the verge of retiring following a stellar nine-season career.

Don is expected to formally announce his retirement from the NRL next week, bringing an end to one of the club’s most famous careers.

Don, 33, debuted for the Titans in 2013 as a 25-year-old after being plucked out of bush footy in NSW following a 40-try season for the Grafton Ghosts.

The former high school PE teacher has gone on to become the greatest tryscorer in Titans history, crossing 85 times in 152 games.

A likeable character, Don is a fan favourite and one of the NRL’s cult heroes with his unorthodox plays and try-scoring ability.

Don was contemplating going around again in 2022 for a 10th season but he has only had nine NRL appearances this year and hasn’t scored a try, with his last game in round 12.

Wingers Corey Thompson, Phil Sami and Greg Marzhew have moved ahead of Don in the pecking order.

Don is hoping to break back into the NRL team before season’s end and at least have a farewell game.

He was tight-lipped about his retirement plans when contacted on Friday but coach Justin Holbrook revealed an announcement on his future was imminent.

“Donny has been fantastic for us for a long time,” he said. “I guess he will probably make an announcement on that soon.

“He is back and fully fit and flying. We’ve got a couple of other options that we’re happy with at the minute.

“Donny’s been fantastic and the top tryscorer at the club.

“He’s still training with us and if he gets another chance he will be ready to go. We haven’t ruled him out, we’re just going with different options at the moment.”

The grandson of league great and Manly coaching legend Ron Willey, Don thought he would never play in the NRL.

But he was handed a Queensland Cup contract by the Burleigh Bears in 2012 after starring for the Ghosts before securing a deal with the Titans.

Don made his NRL debut in 2013 and quickly became a mainstay of the team, racking up 152 games for the Titans to sit third on the club’s all-time most-capped list behind Mark Minichiello (173) and Will Zillman (156).

Sadly, Don missed the Gold Coast’s finals game in 2016 due to injury.

He has never played in an NRL final and may once again miss out, with the Titans on track to play finals for the first time since 2016 this season.

Don was named on an extended bench for Sunday’s clash against North Queensland at Cbus Super Stadium.

While Don is calling time, the Titans have activated an option in cocaptain Kevin Proctor’s contract to keep him at the club for 2022.