Sami eyes ‘The Don’ record for Titans as Dragons loom
Joel Gould |
Off-contract Gold Coast flyer Phillip Sami has his sights on Anthony Don’s all-time try-scoring record as he attracts interest from St George Illawarra for his services.
The Dragons are a contender for 2027 if a deal can’t be struck at the Titans with the 2020 Queensland representative.
His agent has made it clear that Sami’s preference is to stay on the Gold Coast as he is enjoying being coached by Josh Hannay.
There had also been earlier interest from the Perth Bears but AAP understands the Red V are the main threat to the Titans for Sami, who is on a deal of circa $500,000 this year.
Sami is fresh from a career-best season where he scored 15 tries and ran for 180m per match at both centre and wing.
The 28-year-old’s 71 career tries for the Titans has him just 14 behind the club’s all-time leading try-scorer Don.
“That would be pretty special,” Sami said.
“It’s not my main focus but it’d be nice to have one over Donny if I can get it done.”
This season he has been training at left centre and wing in an outside back line-up that has Jojo Fifita, Max Feagai and highly rated rookie Siale Faeamani as the front-runners.
There were reports last year that Sami was on his way out of the Titans ahead of the final year of his contract but new coach Hannay was quick to make it clear he wanted him at the club.
“It meant a lot for him to say that to me,” Sami said before training in Ipswich, where he was born.
“It was up in the air in the off-season, there were a lot of reports out there.
“For him to give me that call and say he trusted me, he thinks I can do a lot for the club.”
Sami, who said he would leave contract talks with his manager, made his name as an attacking weapon at Ipswich State High under legendary coach Lee Addison.
A memorable moment in a schoolboy match, when a giant kangaroo chased Sami off the field, has gone into folklore.
“Phil shit himself when that big kangaroo chased him,” Addison told AAP.
“Several kangaroos bounded after a couple of players but Phil reacted the strongest and one of them went after him. I’d never seen him run as fast.
“Phil has run faster ever since and I reckon that’s how he stepped Roger Tuivasa-Sheck with that move that now has a famous video clip dedicated to it.”
Sami chuckled when reminded of the tale.
“I don’t have the best memory so it might be true,” he grinned.
Addison said he was not surprised Sami was now closing in on Don’s record and added that his Origin career should not be over.
“When Phil made his debut he looked like he had played 100,” Addison said.
“He is a big body who is comfortable carrying the ball from back-field while having the instincts to step people, find space and score.
“I really hope Phil plays Origin again. Remember that Wayne Bennett picked him for Queensland in 2020. Are their many better judges than Wayne in the game?”
AAP
