Flying Don well aware of Mansour challenge
ANTHONY Don’s career-best season will be put to the test when he goes head-to-head with premier NRL winger Josh Mansour on Saturday.
Mansour was arguably the first-choice winger for Australia during last year’s end-ofseason Four Nations when he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in a training mishap.
The hard-working flyer only returned to NRL action for Penrith in Round 13 this season and has averaged 147 running metres in six games since – more than any member of the Titans squad.
Don is a different style of winger with strengths in the air and in finding the tryline. His excellent 2017 form even led him to be considered a State of Origin bolter for NSW.
The fan favourite, who is two tries short of 50 for the Gold Coast, knows a stern test awaits at Pepper Stadium.
“In terms of coming out of trouble and doing the work that Josh Mansour does, he is definitely one of the better wingers in the game,” Don said.
“It’s hard to tackle him at all, let alone put him on his back. I have matched up with him a couple of times and he is always tough to play.”
The Panthers and Titans are still in the mix to sneak into the top eight, with the Saturday contest pivotal to both clubs’ hopes.
The 29-year-old Don has fond memories from last year’s visit to Pepper Stadium, where he scored the matchwinning try in a 28-24 victory.