K2G
30-01-14, 10:27 PM
From Couriermail.com.au (http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/rookie-gold-coast-titans-utility-paul-carter-given-54-minutes-to-impress/story-fniabrr8-1226814227620)
Travis Meyn January 30, 2014 11:00PM
ROOKIE Titans utility Paul Carter has 54 minutes to convince coach John Cartwright he has what it takes to be the Gold Coast's new super sub.
Carter, son of Penrith legend Steve Carter, is firmly in line for selection on the bench in the first round of the NRL and will have at least three 18-minute games at the Auckland Nines to prove he's up to the task.
The 21-year-old ex-Bulldog, who teammate Aidan Sezer has labelled the next Greg Bird, has been training at hooker for most of the pre-season.
The Titans are suffering a No.9 crisis with Beau Falloon (hamstring), Matt Srama (shoulder) and Sam Irwin (ankle) struggling with injuries.
Carter has been on light duties this week because of a minor ankle problem but should be fit for the Nines where he'll get the opportunity to cement a bench spot for the March 10 season-opener against Cronulla.
"I think he (Carter) will (push for a bench spot) especially considering Matty Srama won't be available for the first couple of weeks of the premiership," Cartwright said.
"It's a hard ask, that hooking role, to play the whole 80 minutes. To have a guy who can play a bit of backrow and hooker will be in his favour.
"He's a competitor and is very aggressive. He trains hard and that's how he plays.
"He's like his dad in that regard. He doesn't like losing any little contest and he takes that on to the footy field."
Carter could see some game time in the Gold Coast's first trial against the Warriors on Sunday week in Auckland if he is fit but has been slated to be the Titans' only hooker in the Nines.
Sezer, who played two seasons with Carter in the under-20s competition for the Bulldogs, backed the new recruit to make his NRL debut this year.
"I've known him for a while now and he's a very good player so hopefully he can get his debut this year," Sezer said.
"He's a bit old school. He's very aggressive and likes to mix it up a bit. It's something we could use a bit more of in the middle.
"With a few of the hookers injured we could do with what Paully brings to the team.
"He was stuck behind a long line of back-rowers at the Dogs and coming up here is a fresh start for him.
"You can see the way he's training. Hopefully Carty can give him a first-grade debut this year."
Sezer said he saw similarities between Carter and NSW Origin hardman Greg Bird.
"Him and Birdy are cut from the same cloth," he said.
"He does everything Birdy does, if not more. He has a bit of a loose bolt in there."
Falloon's hamstring tear has been classed as grade one meaning he'll miss the Warriors trial.
http://resources0.news.com.au/images/2014/01/30/1226814/228032-6c592df6-897f-11e3-92e1-07d47f226b83.jpg
Travis Meyn January 30, 2014 11:00PM
ROOKIE Titans utility Paul Carter has 54 minutes to convince coach John Cartwright he has what it takes to be the Gold Coast's new super sub.
Carter, son of Penrith legend Steve Carter, is firmly in line for selection on the bench in the first round of the NRL and will have at least three 18-minute games at the Auckland Nines to prove he's up to the task.
The 21-year-old ex-Bulldog, who teammate Aidan Sezer has labelled the next Greg Bird, has been training at hooker for most of the pre-season.
The Titans are suffering a No.9 crisis with Beau Falloon (hamstring), Matt Srama (shoulder) and Sam Irwin (ankle) struggling with injuries.
Carter has been on light duties this week because of a minor ankle problem but should be fit for the Nines where he'll get the opportunity to cement a bench spot for the March 10 season-opener against Cronulla.
"I think he (Carter) will (push for a bench spot) especially considering Matty Srama won't be available for the first couple of weeks of the premiership," Cartwright said.
"It's a hard ask, that hooking role, to play the whole 80 minutes. To have a guy who can play a bit of backrow and hooker will be in his favour.
"He's a competitor and is very aggressive. He trains hard and that's how he plays.
"He's like his dad in that regard. He doesn't like losing any little contest and he takes that on to the footy field."
Carter could see some game time in the Gold Coast's first trial against the Warriors on Sunday week in Auckland if he is fit but has been slated to be the Titans' only hooker in the Nines.
Sezer, who played two seasons with Carter in the under-20s competition for the Bulldogs, backed the new recruit to make his NRL debut this year.
"I've known him for a while now and he's a very good player so hopefully he can get his debut this year," Sezer said.
"He's a bit old school. He's very aggressive and likes to mix it up a bit. It's something we could use a bit more of in the middle.
"With a few of the hookers injured we could do with what Paully brings to the team.
"He was stuck behind a long line of back-rowers at the Dogs and coming up here is a fresh start for him.
"You can see the way he's training. Hopefully Carty can give him a first-grade debut this year."
Sezer said he saw similarities between Carter and NSW Origin hardman Greg Bird.
"Him and Birdy are cut from the same cloth," he said.
"He does everything Birdy does, if not more. He has a bit of a loose bolt in there."
Falloon's hamstring tear has been classed as grade one meaning he'll miss the Warriors trial.
http://resources0.news.com.au/images/2014/01/30/1226814/228032-6c592df6-897f-11e3-92e1-07d47f226b83.jpg