DIEHARD
03-09-09, 11:29 AM
Bai: There's a need for Mead to step up
http://www.goldcoast.com.au/images/uploadedfiles/editorial/pictures/2009/09/02/david-mead.jpg
David Mead has been asked to help the forwards more.
PAPUA New Guinean legend Marcus Bai believes more involvement from countryman David Mead could lift the Gold Coast Titans to new heights through their maiden finals campaign.
Bai, the former Gold Coast Charger who lifted the NRL trophy with the Melbourne Storm in 1999, has been impressed with the 20-year-old, who is a cult hero in PNG, but encouraged the youngster to take on more responsibility.
Bai declared youngsters like Mead and Kevin Gordon had to take the opportunity of playing a home final with both hands.
"David is doing well, it may be too much to ask of him for a young kid in only his first year, but I think he should come in and help out his forwards a bit more," said Bai.
"If the two wingers (Mead and Kevin Gordon) come in, help out and make ground it will set up the foundations for the forwards to get going."
"If they do that, not only will it lift the team but it will give them confidence and when they are confident, as they have shown, they are capable of anything."
Thrusting himself into the spotlight with his dazzling efforts for the Kumuls at last year's World Cup, Mead has performed solidly for the Titans since his deubt against the Dragons in Round 13.
Amazed by the passion Papua New Guineans had for the game, Bai said the Titans would have plenty of support from the Melanesian nation.
The nuggety winger, brought to the Gold Coast after being spotted in 1996 by Paul Broughton at the Super League World Nines in Townsville, had watched villagers weld 30m pipes to mount on trees to find television reception to catch a glimpse of their heroes running around.
And he knows that when the Titans trot out for their opening week of the finals, getting a seat in front of one of those televisions will be hard work.
"The TV is so blurry that you can't bloody recognises who is running the ball," said Bai, who was working with stakeholders including Broughton to help secure the NRL's 17th licence to get a team based out of PNG.
"You can only hear the commentators but they know who the guy is running the ball and when they score they all scream and are so happy."
Broughton's wife Bev is heading PNG'S dream to have their own NRL team by 2015.
Bev is general manager of the seven-member bid team, which also includes her husband and Queensland Origin coach Mal Meninga.
Bai said Mead's impressive feats at the World Cup had made him a hero to everyone in PNG.
Bai believes the Titans can win the premiership.
A member of the Chargers side who featured in the 1997 finals, Bai, who lives at Burleigh Waters with wife Heidi, will be cheering the Titans home with his sons, Aston, 6, and Cooper, 2.
"I can honestly see the Titans up there in a grand final," he said.
Source: http://www.goldcoast.com.au
http://www.goldcoast.com.au/images/uploadedfiles/editorial/pictures/2009/09/02/david-mead.jpg
David Mead has been asked to help the forwards more.
PAPUA New Guinean legend Marcus Bai believes more involvement from countryman David Mead could lift the Gold Coast Titans to new heights through their maiden finals campaign.
Bai, the former Gold Coast Charger who lifted the NRL trophy with the Melbourne Storm in 1999, has been impressed with the 20-year-old, who is a cult hero in PNG, but encouraged the youngster to take on more responsibility.
Bai declared youngsters like Mead and Kevin Gordon had to take the opportunity of playing a home final with both hands.
"David is doing well, it may be too much to ask of him for a young kid in only his first year, but I think he should come in and help out his forwards a bit more," said Bai.
"If the two wingers (Mead and Kevin Gordon) come in, help out and make ground it will set up the foundations for the forwards to get going."
"If they do that, not only will it lift the team but it will give them confidence and when they are confident, as they have shown, they are capable of anything."
Thrusting himself into the spotlight with his dazzling efforts for the Kumuls at last year's World Cup, Mead has performed solidly for the Titans since his deubt against the Dragons in Round 13.
Amazed by the passion Papua New Guineans had for the game, Bai said the Titans would have plenty of support from the Melanesian nation.
The nuggety winger, brought to the Gold Coast after being spotted in 1996 by Paul Broughton at the Super League World Nines in Townsville, had watched villagers weld 30m pipes to mount on trees to find television reception to catch a glimpse of their heroes running around.
And he knows that when the Titans trot out for their opening week of the finals, getting a seat in front of one of those televisions will be hard work.
"The TV is so blurry that you can't bloody recognises who is running the ball," said Bai, who was working with stakeholders including Broughton to help secure the NRL's 17th licence to get a team based out of PNG.
"You can only hear the commentators but they know who the guy is running the ball and when they score they all scream and are so happy."
Broughton's wife Bev is heading PNG'S dream to have their own NRL team by 2015.
Bev is general manager of the seven-member bid team, which also includes her husband and Queensland Origin coach Mal Meninga.
Bai said Mead's impressive feats at the World Cup had made him a hero to everyone in PNG.
Bai believes the Titans can win the premiership.
A member of the Chargers side who featured in the 1997 finals, Bai, who lives at Burleigh Waters with wife Heidi, will be cheering the Titans home with his sons, Aston, 6, and Cooper, 2.
"I can honestly see the Titans up there in a grand final," he said.
Source: http://www.goldcoast.com.au