The Mole
05-05-13, 02:20 PM
Zilly back to his best
Travis Meyn | 09:51am May 2, 2013
Titans powerhouse Will Zillman back to his best. Pic: Kate Czerny
TITANS vice-captain William Zillman has emerged as one of the most explosive fullbacks in the NRL with his scintillating start to 2013 rivalling that of Test custodian Billy Slater.
Zillman has bolted out of the blocks to sit second in the competition for line breaks (8) with Storm supremo Slater and becoming an integral part of the Gold Coast's new-look attack.
Statistics obtained by the Bulletin show Zillman can now be ranked among the code's top custodians with the 26-year-old's numbers stacking up against the likes of Greg Inglis, Brett Stewart, Ben Barba and Slater.
Dual international Mat Rogers, now an attacking assistant coach at the Titans, said Zillman being granted more responsibility this season had been the catalyst behind his blistering form.
"I see a different confidence in Zilly this year given that leadership he now has," Rogers said.
"He carries himself differently, not in an arrogant way but they know he's a leader among men. He leads by example.
"He's a freak of a talent. From the day I started training and playing with him, his attention to detail is phenomenal.
"He never really takes his foot off the gas, whether it's off-season, pre-season or in-season.
"He's a true footballer. He lives and breathes it and deserves his leadership role.
"When he actually gets the captaincy (during the Origin series) he'll live up to his nickname as the Total Package."
Zillman and Slater have been registering similar figures this year in most key attacking areas.
The Queensland incumbent is still the king of fullbacks with his ball-playing and try-scoring ability ranking him above all others.
But Zillman, who has played 121 NRL matches, has found an elusive streak in his game, boasting the most tackle busts (31) of any Titan and running for an average of 122m a game.
The only downside is he is yet to score a try this year while Slater (5) and Inglis (4) are genuine point-scorers.
Titans coach John Cartwright said Zillman had overcome a nagging back injury and was benefiting from an injury-free pre-season.
"He hasn't played a hell of a lot of first grade. He's spent time on the sidelines with injury," he said.
"He's maturing as a player. He's dedicated to the game. While he is like that, he's going to improve.
"He never complains about injuries but this year is the first year he's been totally injury free regarding his back. He was able to do the whole off-season and that's hugely important.
"He's had a really good preparation. He's really maturing and is enjoying the leadership role."
Zillman joined the Gold Coast from Canberra after two knee reconstructions but is refinding the pace that earned him the nickname "Zip Zip" in his younger years.
"It is a numbers game and the more times he can touch the ball, the more dangerous he's going to be. We keep pushing that at him," Cartwright said.
"Definitely off the mark (he is a lot quicker). That first 10 metres is critical and the most important time to have speed."
"He's back to as fast as he's been."
WOW what an article. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :duh2:
Still can't believe the security he's got. All this talk about him with leadership qualities, i don't know what he's done to deserve his spot after the first 8 rounds. He hasn't done anything memorable since 2010.
Travis Meyn | 09:51am May 2, 2013
Titans powerhouse Will Zillman back to his best. Pic: Kate Czerny
TITANS vice-captain William Zillman has emerged as one of the most explosive fullbacks in the NRL with his scintillating start to 2013 rivalling that of Test custodian Billy Slater.
Zillman has bolted out of the blocks to sit second in the competition for line breaks (8) with Storm supremo Slater and becoming an integral part of the Gold Coast's new-look attack.
Statistics obtained by the Bulletin show Zillman can now be ranked among the code's top custodians with the 26-year-old's numbers stacking up against the likes of Greg Inglis, Brett Stewart, Ben Barba and Slater.
Dual international Mat Rogers, now an attacking assistant coach at the Titans, said Zillman being granted more responsibility this season had been the catalyst behind his blistering form.
"I see a different confidence in Zilly this year given that leadership he now has," Rogers said.
"He carries himself differently, not in an arrogant way but they know he's a leader among men. He leads by example.
"He's a freak of a talent. From the day I started training and playing with him, his attention to detail is phenomenal.
"He never really takes his foot off the gas, whether it's off-season, pre-season or in-season.
"He's a true footballer. He lives and breathes it and deserves his leadership role.
"When he actually gets the captaincy (during the Origin series) he'll live up to his nickname as the Total Package."
Zillman and Slater have been registering similar figures this year in most key attacking areas.
The Queensland incumbent is still the king of fullbacks with his ball-playing and try-scoring ability ranking him above all others.
But Zillman, who has played 121 NRL matches, has found an elusive streak in his game, boasting the most tackle busts (31) of any Titan and running for an average of 122m a game.
The only downside is he is yet to score a try this year while Slater (5) and Inglis (4) are genuine point-scorers.
Titans coach John Cartwright said Zillman had overcome a nagging back injury and was benefiting from an injury-free pre-season.
"He hasn't played a hell of a lot of first grade. He's spent time on the sidelines with injury," he said.
"He's maturing as a player. He's dedicated to the game. While he is like that, he's going to improve.
"He never complains about injuries but this year is the first year he's been totally injury free regarding his back. He was able to do the whole off-season and that's hugely important.
"He's had a really good preparation. He's really maturing and is enjoying the leadership role."
Zillman joined the Gold Coast from Canberra after two knee reconstructions but is refinding the pace that earned him the nickname "Zip Zip" in his younger years.
"It is a numbers game and the more times he can touch the ball, the more dangerous he's going to be. We keep pushing that at him," Cartwright said.
"Definitely off the mark (he is a lot quicker). That first 10 metres is critical and the most important time to have speed."
"He's back to as fast as he's been."
WOW what an article. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :duh2:
Still can't believe the security he's got. All this talk about him with leadership qualities, i don't know what he's done to deserve his spot after the first 8 rounds. He hasn't done anything memorable since 2010.