Ex-Wallaby star gives Titans hope for life after Foran
Joel Gould |
Gold Coast hope former Wallabies No.10 Carter Gordon can be a long-term playmaker in the NRL and his first rugby league game in 357 days for Ipswich Jets was a step in the right direction.
After an inspirational return following surgery on a spinal fluid leak, Gordon played 40 minutes at five-eighth for Titans affiliate club the Jets on Saturday in a 32-12 win over Western Clydesdales in Miles in the Queensland Cup.
“Carter was very silky with his attack and had a try assist. It was a really successful comeback for him,” Jets chairman Steve Johnson told AAP.
Titans veteran playmaker Kieran Foran, who won the 2011 NRL title with Manly, will hang up the boots at the end of this year.
Johnson said Gordon would make a more than suitable replacement for Foran for the 2025 cellar dwellers who are on track for the wooden spoon.
“When they lose Foz (Foran) next year he is perfect to drop into that Titans side , particularly if they are not also playing a genuine halfback,” Johnson said
“Carter can lay on those sweep balls that Foz would lay on.
“He has a big boot and was getting a lot of distance with it for us. You can see he is a class player. His passing game is really clever and he is a big body at six.
“The Titans would be very pleased with his 40 minutes on return.”
Gordon, who played eight Tests for the Wallabies, spoke to AAP before his comeback about how much of a thrill it was to be making it back on the park.
“It is very exciting to get on the field and put into action what I’ve learnt,” he said.
Johnson said the Jets were only too happy to facilitate the 24-year-old’s comeback
“It is good for us as a club, as part of the Titans system, to be helping their players come back,” Johnson said.
“We are always happy to help get blokes back on their feet.”
Gordon is expected to increase his minutes towards the 80-mark in the coming weeks as the Jets remain on track to play finals.
When he signed with the Titans, former Gold Coast No.6 and Wallabies gun Mat Rogers told AAP he had high hopes for Gordon.
“I called a couple of Carter’s rugby games for Stan (Sport) from the sideline and I was really impressed with his running game and his ability to take the ball to the line and find the right person in support,” Rogers said.
“They are attributes that transfer to rugby league. I think he could be a tremendous asset to the Titans.”
The Titans are last on the NRL ladder and Gordon could be a chance to get a top grade debut in the closing rounds.
Titans centre Harley Smith-Shields, formerly with Canberra, also returned from a long-term lay-off with Ipswich against Clydesdales. He is yet to play an NRL game this year.
“Harley came back well,” Johnson said.
“He returned from a back issue and played against the Capras in round nine but then tore a hamstring badly. He missed a lot of weeks but now he is looking good.”
AAP
