Surprise star Sami earns Titans deal
BOOM flyer Phillip Sami has been rewarded for his bright form amid a dark month for the Gold Coast with an upgraded NRL contract.
The 20-year-old officially put pen to paper last week to confirm his rise from a development player to now be inside the club’s 2018 top squad of 30.
It’s a fitting reward for the centre/winger who scored his maiden first grade try against Canterbury on Saturday in a performance that also included five tackle busts.
Interim co-coach Terry Matterson said he has liked what he has seen in Sami’s first three NRL matches and expects him to feature on the big stage more next season. “Oh definitely,” he replied. “I thought he was a shining light (against the Bulldogs). He’s had three decent performances so again you try to find some positives and that’s certainly one of them.”
Sami said he wanted to be a full-time first grader in 2018.
“For him (Matterson) to say that makes me pretty happy but you can’t take a backward step, you have to keep working hard,” he said.
Sami has dreamt of playing NRL since he started in the sport as a seven-year-old for the Goodna Eagles near Brisbane and said his time in the spotlight was about giving back to his parents for their support in guiding him there.
“I found out (about my debut) the night before the game from Neil (Henry) and I told my parents first, they were very proud,” he said.
“They came down the day of the game.
“My whole family has been an influence, especially mum, she’s done a lot for me, so for me to go out and make my NRL debut was to give back to her and my family.”
A Queensland under-20s player, Sami did pre-season training with the top squad but admits he was surprised at getting his chance so soon.
Having passed up an offer to join Melbourne, Sami waited in under-20s while others such as Tyronne RobertsDavis were called up first. But he has no regrets. “I wouldn’t have thought that I’d play one (NRL) game but I’ve played three and I’m very grateful,” he said. “It’s up to me now. “Fitness is one thing I need to get better at but hopefully I can do it in the pre-season.”
Relatively unaffected by the turmoil that has engulfed the club, he simply wants to execute an error-free game against the Roosters to help pave the way for a first win.
The bookies don’t like his chances however – UBET has installed the Titans at $5.75 outsiders for the Saturday clash at Allianz Stadium.
I THOUGHT HE WAS A SHINING LIGHT (AGAINST THE BULLDOGS) INTERIM BOSS TERRY MATTERSON