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www.leaguehq.com.au/news/lhqmatchreport/titans-put-heat-on-knights/2009/03/15/1237054635912.html

Titans' little men put heat on
Glenn Jackson | March 16, 2009

Titans 34 Knights 20

PRESTON CAMPBELL famously hunted rabbits in his youth but he may have to turn to a different prey. Good Will hunting, so to speak.

The significance of Will Zillman's 80-metre run to the tryline with just eight minutes remaining yesterday wasn't just that it clinched a 34-20 win over Newcastle. It may still be felt in weeks or months to come … when the incumbent Titans fullback in Campbell expects to be tapped on the shoulder and told that Zillman is the one for the No.1.

Zillman has endured a wretched run, not one but two knee reconstructions, but he returned yesterday and put a coat of polish on the Titans' win. Campbell said after the little men of the Titans ganged up on the Knights to win their round-one clash 34-20 that he would be willing to play in Queensland Cup to allow Zillman his chance.

"I've said to 'Carty' [coach John Cartwright], I've always been about the team," Campbell said. "I'm not about to change. If he puts me there, he knows I'll do my best. If he doesn't put me there, he knows I'll be doing my best for the team from where he does put me.

"I've had my time in the spotlight. I'm just glad to still be around. Blokes like me and Mat Rogers could be in walking sticks by now. We'd like to play as long as we can, into our 50s, but you just can't. He [Cartwright] knows I love to play in the fullback position. But he also knows I would stand down and take a backward step. I just hope he's not afraid to ask me. I know he's not though. Just look at him [Zillman]. He's fast, he's youthful - he's a player you need on the field as much as possible. As long as the team's doing well and I'm doing my part, I'm happy."

Pressed about the prospects of Zillman, the former Canberra player, Cartwright suggested his talents would be hard to ignore all winter.

"I still think he's got a bit in front of him," he said. "I still think he's feeling his way with his leg but that's only natural. It's hard enough coming off one [reconstructions], let alone two. It just takes time … [But] there's going to be a stage where he has to start for us, whether that be at half, five-eighth, fullback."

Zillman may have finished it off but it was Campbell and his other little mates who did the damage earlier. Campbell, halfback Scott Prince and hooker Nathan Friend were the most important men on the field - the latter in his first outing since knowing this will, in all likelihood, be his final season with the club. A protracted contract standoff with the club ended with it being withdrawn, and there appears no return. "I've got to be professional about it," Friend said. "I can't control that. Hopefully, if I keep playing the way I am, people will stand up and see what's happening and come toward my management … I haven't ruled out staying here. 'Searley' [Titans boss Michael Searle] said it was highly remote that I would get another offer. But you never say never, and if we succeed this year I'd like to be here for another couple of years, for sure."

Days like yesterday will help his cause. Friend was critical to the result in temperatures that at one stage hit 29.7 degrees - and which resulted in his squad losing an average of two kilograms after a meal and rehydration.

"It was always going to be a day for the little men, even more important on a hot day than a rainy day," Cartwright said.

Prince said: "It reminded me of back in Mt Isa. I was hoping for a hot day. Carty had us training the last six weeks in the hot weather and prepared us well for that."

The Knights, conversely, faded after taking a 14-0 lead after half an hour. The Titans scored three tries in seven minutes to change the course of the game.

The third was a special effort from Friend that had shades of Mark Gasnier's try in last year's Centenary Test.

Gold Coast 34 (N Friend, B Meyers, L O'Dwyer, S Prince, M Rogers, W Zillman tries; S Prince 5 goals) bt Newcastle 20 (M Hilder, J Mullen, A Uate tries; K Gidley 4 goals) at Skilled Park. Referees: M Cecchin, C James. Crowd: 16,203.