TYTANIC DECISION

GOOD SELECTION HEADACHE:

TYRONE Roberts is intent on giving Titans coach Neil Henry an extended headache at the selection table.

Energetic playmaker Roberts has hit career-best form since being handed the No.1 jersey in the wake of superstar Jarryd Hayne injuring his ankle in Round 2.

Such has been his impact in a roaming role, Roberts has forced a fit-again Hayne out to the centres for the past two rounds and will again do so tomorrow night against Manly.

It leaves Gold Coast in a somewhat tricky spot, considering Hayne – who has until the end of the month to decide whether to take up an option to stay at the Titans next year – has publicly made clear of his desire to play fullback.

But Roberts seems to have his coach’s backing with Henry reiterating during the week that he is “foremost our fullback” and the 25-year-old wants to repay that faith.

“I am enjoying my football and if I keep enjoying it and playing consistent footy I think it makes it harder for Kingy (Henry) to make that decision,” declared Roberts, who said he and Hayne are helping each other.

Before this season, he had never started an NRL match at fullback but said the custodian role came instinctively to him from his junior days at Ballina and Wests Newcastle.

Roberts, sporting strapping on both hands, both ankles and his left shoulder, put in a huge pre-season to ensure his fitness was where it needed to be for a modern-day fullback but has highlighted a couple of other areas he is striving to improve on.

“I learnt fullbacks sort of pride themselves on their “D” (defence) on the line so I have been working hard to make sure that it benefits the team,” he said, with a one-on-one effort on runaway Newcastle prop Daniel Saifiti two weeks ago showcasing his ability.

The off-contract NSW Country representative also admits he is still learning the positional aspect of the role, having been found out standing too deep in the first half against Melbourne last week.

“We thought they were going to kick early … so I was a bit far back and then when they made line breaks I was too far back to make a decision,” he said.

Now in his seventh season of first grade, a wiser than ever Roberts said it was time to “stop being a young kid”.

Despite wanting to ink a new long-term deal to remain a Titan, he said it could be quite some time before an agreement is reached on his future.