thelwall
09-11-11, 09:10 AM
William Zillman has put his hand up for the Gold Coast No.6 jumper as the Titans begin the hard grind of moving on from last year's NRL wooden spoon.
Zillman has impressed coaching staff during the team's first two training sessions, establishing himself among the fittest members of the squad.
He was quickest in the first two-kilometre time trial last Thursday, then clocked an even faster time in Monday's second run.
The club has struggled to find a dependable No.6 since the retirement of Mat Rogers, with Zillman one of five players tried in the position.
Zillman says he'd like to play five-eighth alongside Scott Prince, but would be more than happy to develop into the Titans' long-term solution at fullback.
"I played about 12 games at five-eighth last year and I really enjoyed being in the front line defending," he told reporters.
"Both positions have their positives from my perspective and, if I'm out there playing either of those, I'll be happy."
Zillman said the club also had a few rookie options at either position.
"It can only be a healthy thing for the club to have that sort of competition for spots," Zillman said.
"Even though it doesn't bother me which one I play, it's good to play one for the entire year because you feel a bit more comfortable.
"The way the season went in 2011 with injuries, it was impossible to do that, so hopefully this year we can have a bit more luck with injuries."
Looking refreshed after an off-season holiday in Thailand, Zillman said the team has hit the ground running, with a steely resolve to put the horrors of 2011 behind them.
"The guys from 2011 know the feeling of how hard a season it was and it's certainly something we don't want to go through again.
"As soon as we broke up for the season, I just wanted to get away.
"I went up north to the family for a few weeks and then went over to Thailand."
The Titans have remodelled their playing roster and are confident an injection of new blood will spearhead the club's return to form this season.
Led by representative stars Jamal Idris and Nate Myles, the new signings also include Beau Champion, Luke Douglas, Phil Graham, Beau Falloon and 20-year-old Bulldogs five-eighth Aiden Sezer.
Zillman said they're all settling in well to the new culture and more relaxed lifestyle of the Gold Coast.
"They're all talented players and the rest of us are happy to be back.
"It's a good thing that we've hit the ground running and, come the start of the season, we'll be firing."
Zillman has impressed coaching staff during the team's first two training sessions, establishing himself among the fittest members of the squad.
He was quickest in the first two-kilometre time trial last Thursday, then clocked an even faster time in Monday's second run.
The club has struggled to find a dependable No.6 since the retirement of Mat Rogers, with Zillman one of five players tried in the position.
Zillman says he'd like to play five-eighth alongside Scott Prince, but would be more than happy to develop into the Titans' long-term solution at fullback.
"I played about 12 games at five-eighth last year and I really enjoyed being in the front line defending," he told reporters.
"Both positions have their positives from my perspective and, if I'm out there playing either of those, I'll be happy."
Zillman said the club also had a few rookie options at either position.
"It can only be a healthy thing for the club to have that sort of competition for spots," Zillman said.
"Even though it doesn't bother me which one I play, it's good to play one for the entire year because you feel a bit more comfortable.
"The way the season went in 2011 with injuries, it was impossible to do that, so hopefully this year we can have a bit more luck with injuries."
Looking refreshed after an off-season holiday in Thailand, Zillman said the team has hit the ground running, with a steely resolve to put the horrors of 2011 behind them.
"The guys from 2011 know the feeling of how hard a season it was and it's certainly something we don't want to go through again.
"As soon as we broke up for the season, I just wanted to get away.
"I went up north to the family for a few weeks and then went over to Thailand."
The Titans have remodelled their playing roster and are confident an injection of new blood will spearhead the club's return to form this season.
Led by representative stars Jamal Idris and Nate Myles, the new signings also include Beau Champion, Luke Douglas, Phil Graham, Beau Falloon and 20-year-old Bulldogs five-eighth Aiden Sezer.
Zillman said they're all settling in well to the new culture and more relaxed lifestyle of the Gold Coast.
"They're all talented players and the rest of us are happy to be back.
"It's a good thing that we've hit the ground running and, come the start of the season, we'll be firing."