And he’s not Don yet
Coast’s golden winger makes a winning habit out of terrorising Tigers …
PERFECTION is not a word often associated with footy’s favourite afterthought.
Yet Titans cult hero Anthony Don heads to Cbus Super Stadium on Sunday armed with a neat 6-0 record and four-try career tally against Wests Tigers.
The 15th-placed rivals are the first domino Gold Coast must topple in their quest to keep their season alive, chasing a six-game winning run to bookend the year.
Don, rugby league’s lateblooming conglomerate of determination, natural ability
and sheer luck, provides a one-man reason the Titans’ bold bid to rescue their season can get off to a winning start.
Remarkably, the Tigers are one of only five teams against which Don enjoys a winning head-to-head record.
“It’s a nice stat,” he laughed when told of his hot Tigers record.
“I’m not sure (what the secret is) but you probably can’t read too much in to it.
“The Tigers are improving and we need to get on top of them early to be a chance.
“We have been building in the past month or so and last weekend (the loss to Penrith) was a slip-up so hopefully we can right that wrong.”
After earning his first rep shot this year – a cherished Country jumper – Don has put the inconsistencies of his past behind him to become a bona fide Titans weapon.
“I feel like I’ve had the best season of my NRL career,” he said.
“There is no real secret, it’s just building up confidence.
“Our right edge has been great and that’s transferred over to me.”
The fun is not over yet, either.
“The body is feeling really good for this time of the year,” the 29-year-old said.
“It’s a bit different to many people, coming in later, because I haven’t done as many pre-seasons as most.
“Hopefully I can extend my career at the back-end. That’s the plan so we’ll have to see how it goes.”
Alongside fellow flanker William Zillman, Don represents one of the NRL’s most curious partnerships.
Former skipper Zillman is the makeshift winger reborn after years of injury.
Don, the late-blooming fans favourite.
“He’s been in some great form,” Don said of Zillman. “It’s good and I’m really happy for Zilly. He’s been injury-plagued but he’s one of the nicest blokes in the world so I’m really happy he’s stringing together some games.”
Zillman, too, is enjoying the ride.
“We’re two of the oldest guys in the team,” he said.
“I’d like to think I’ve been around football long enough now to know my role but you are always learning.”