Tamwelg
23-03-09, 08:30 AM
Carty is quick to check on Walker
Luke Turgeon
March 23rd, 2009
COMEBACK Titan Chris Walker is poised to play his first NRL game in more than 18 months after coach John Cartwright made it a priority to check the former Queensland flyer's progress on returning to the Gold Coast yesterday.
Cartwright is tipped to wield the selection axe following Saturday's disappointing team display against the Dragons in Wollongong.
Walker, who has been making his comeback from back-to-back achilles injuries with feeder club Ipswich, is tipped for a Titans re-call against the Bulldogs on Friday at the expense of winger Jordan Atkins.
Cartwright yesterday sought out Ipswich coach Glen Lazarus for a report on how Walker, who has not played an NRL game since round 24 in 2007, performed during the Jets 28-20 loss to the Northern Pride at the weekend.
It is believed Cartwright is weighing up whether to pick Walker or slot William Zillman on to the wing.
Atkins had an out-of-sorts night in Wollongong, which led to him being replaced by Zillman mid-way through the second half.
Cartwright said he would sit down with his coaching staff today and decide the team for Friday's clash with the Bulldogs at Skilled Park, which will be announced tomorrow.
"I am not ruling any (changes) out," said Cartwright. "We will go over the game and we will watch Canterbury and try to come up with a side to beat them.
"We have won one and lost one, so it is a bit early to be making sweeping changes."
The Gold Coast struggled to find any rhythm against the Wayne Bennett-coached Dragons, who remain undefeated against the Titans.
Cartwright said he was pleased with the way the Titans hung in on a night when their mojo went missing.
"Everyone is result different and I am no different, said Cartwright. "But we are more about how we are playing.
"The most pleasing aspect of this game and the Newcastle game is that we were never out of it at any stage.
"At stages last year we dropped off but (against the Dragons) we kept knuckling down and making last-ditch tackles and saving tries and stayed in the game.
"While we do that, it is only a matter of time before our attack clicks and we are going to put some sides to the sword."
While Atkins is believed to be the Titan most in danger of losing his spot, interchange forward Aaron Cannings could make way for gritty young prop Michael Henderson, who has been 18th man for two weeks.
"We didn't get the bounce of the ball and a couple of decisions went against us but we had no excuse," said Cartwright.
"In the end we probably made too many errors and our execution wasn't as good as it should have been. Everything is not in sync at the moment.
"It is just not working as smoothly as it can. That execution will come."
The Gold Coast Bulletin
Luke Turgeon
March 23rd, 2009
COMEBACK Titan Chris Walker is poised to play his first NRL game in more than 18 months after coach John Cartwright made it a priority to check the former Queensland flyer's progress on returning to the Gold Coast yesterday.
Cartwright is tipped to wield the selection axe following Saturday's disappointing team display against the Dragons in Wollongong.
Walker, who has been making his comeback from back-to-back achilles injuries with feeder club Ipswich, is tipped for a Titans re-call against the Bulldogs on Friday at the expense of winger Jordan Atkins.
Cartwright yesterday sought out Ipswich coach Glen Lazarus for a report on how Walker, who has not played an NRL game since round 24 in 2007, performed during the Jets 28-20 loss to the Northern Pride at the weekend.
It is believed Cartwright is weighing up whether to pick Walker or slot William Zillman on to the wing.
Atkins had an out-of-sorts night in Wollongong, which led to him being replaced by Zillman mid-way through the second half.
Cartwright said he would sit down with his coaching staff today and decide the team for Friday's clash with the Bulldogs at Skilled Park, which will be announced tomorrow.
"I am not ruling any (changes) out," said Cartwright. "We will go over the game and we will watch Canterbury and try to come up with a side to beat them.
"We have won one and lost one, so it is a bit early to be making sweeping changes."
The Gold Coast struggled to find any rhythm against the Wayne Bennett-coached Dragons, who remain undefeated against the Titans.
Cartwright said he was pleased with the way the Titans hung in on a night when their mojo went missing.
"Everyone is result different and I am no different, said Cartwright. "But we are more about how we are playing.
"The most pleasing aspect of this game and the Newcastle game is that we were never out of it at any stage.
"At stages last year we dropped off but (against the Dragons) we kept knuckling down and making last-ditch tackles and saving tries and stayed in the game.
"While we do that, it is only a matter of time before our attack clicks and we are going to put some sides to the sword."
While Atkins is believed to be the Titan most in danger of losing his spot, interchange forward Aaron Cannings could make way for gritty young prop Michael Henderson, who has been 18th man for two weeks.
"We didn't get the bounce of the ball and a couple of decisions went against us but we had no excuse," said Cartwright.
"In the end we probably made too many errors and our execution wasn't as good as it should have been. Everything is not in sync at the moment.
"It is just not working as smoothly as it can. That execution will come."
The Gold Coast Bulletin