K2G
13-03-15, 10:21 PM
William Zillman opens up on battle to remain Gold Coast Titans No. 1
TODD BALYM THE COURIER-MAIL (http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/william-zillman-opens-up-on-battle-to-remain-gold-coast-titans-no-1/story-fniabjcr-1227261781208) MARCH 13, 2015 11:00PM
http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2015/03/13/1227261/781154-f7fd17e2-c94c-11e4-8974-d922ece54bbb.jpg
WILLIAM Zillman owns the longest contract in NRL history but his five-year guarantee at the Titans has meant nothing in his battle to retain the No. 1 jersey at the Gold Coast.
Zillman will on Saturday wear the No. 1 jersey for the Titans in a clash against one of the hottest fullbacks in the game, Penrith’s Matt Moylan, and it’s a battle the 28-year-old Gold Coaster is ready to confront.
In just two seasons Moylan has been the shooting star who has risen from rookie to Kangaroos squad member. Zillman has been more of a survivor, lasting 10 years to be the third most experienced fullback in the NRL behind Billy Slater and Brett Stewart.
“Ever since I’ve started there are always young guys coming through who are just exceptional athletes and are taking the game of rugby league to new heights,” Zillman said.
“I feel very fortunate in the fact I’ve played around 150 first grade games now. As a kid I wanted to play at least one.
“But as the game evolves I think us as players need to evolve with it. Otherwise the unfortunate thing is you can be spat out the back door.”
That back door loomed large in the off-season when Titans head coach Neil Henry signed ex-Bronco and Kiwi Test fullback Josh Hoffman.
But for Zillman it was just another challenge, one of many he has faced ever since the scrutiny that came with being handed his unprecedented five-year mega deal with the Titans in 2012.
While some players might sulk at the prospect of their coach recruiting a high-profile positional rival to the club, Zillman took the matter as motivation to refine his own game.
The proof has been in the sensational physical shape Zillman has started the season while his performance against the Wests Tigers last week indicated he’d found some of the old zip that had escaped him during a horror run of injuries the past few seasons.
“Rugby league is a game where you can never rest on your laurels,” Zillman said.
“Competition for positions is just getting stronger and stronger every single year. But at the end of the day for the Titans that is a very good thing.
“The whole preseason has just been a constant battle for positions at the club.”
Zillman knows he must keep his form up to stay at fullback. Hoffman is desperate to showcase his talents at No. 1 and Henry has already devised a job-share plan that will help provide an element of surprise in the Titans attack this year.
It might be hard to see now, but Zillman believes there is excitement about the unknown ahead for the team this year and the club as a whole.
Zillman has been at the club since 2009, he played for a spot in the 2010 grand final, he wallowed in the embarrassment of a 2011 wooden spoon and endured the pain of financial hardship.
If there’s one thing he’s learnt it’s how to come out of any battle on top.
“With these young guys at the club coming through I just see so much ability and hopefully we can build into something, build into a club that is a real powerhouse,” he said.
TODD BALYM THE COURIER-MAIL (http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/william-zillman-opens-up-on-battle-to-remain-gold-coast-titans-no-1/story-fniabjcr-1227261781208) MARCH 13, 2015 11:00PM
http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2015/03/13/1227261/781154-f7fd17e2-c94c-11e4-8974-d922ece54bbb.jpg
WILLIAM Zillman owns the longest contract in NRL history but his five-year guarantee at the Titans has meant nothing in his battle to retain the No. 1 jersey at the Gold Coast.
Zillman will on Saturday wear the No. 1 jersey for the Titans in a clash against one of the hottest fullbacks in the game, Penrith’s Matt Moylan, and it’s a battle the 28-year-old Gold Coaster is ready to confront.
In just two seasons Moylan has been the shooting star who has risen from rookie to Kangaroos squad member. Zillman has been more of a survivor, lasting 10 years to be the third most experienced fullback in the NRL behind Billy Slater and Brett Stewart.
“Ever since I’ve started there are always young guys coming through who are just exceptional athletes and are taking the game of rugby league to new heights,” Zillman said.
“I feel very fortunate in the fact I’ve played around 150 first grade games now. As a kid I wanted to play at least one.
“But as the game evolves I think us as players need to evolve with it. Otherwise the unfortunate thing is you can be spat out the back door.”
That back door loomed large in the off-season when Titans head coach Neil Henry signed ex-Bronco and Kiwi Test fullback Josh Hoffman.
But for Zillman it was just another challenge, one of many he has faced ever since the scrutiny that came with being handed his unprecedented five-year mega deal with the Titans in 2012.
While some players might sulk at the prospect of their coach recruiting a high-profile positional rival to the club, Zillman took the matter as motivation to refine his own game.
The proof has been in the sensational physical shape Zillman has started the season while his performance against the Wests Tigers last week indicated he’d found some of the old zip that had escaped him during a horror run of injuries the past few seasons.
“Rugby league is a game where you can never rest on your laurels,” Zillman said.
“Competition for positions is just getting stronger and stronger every single year. But at the end of the day for the Titans that is a very good thing.
“The whole preseason has just been a constant battle for positions at the club.”
Zillman knows he must keep his form up to stay at fullback. Hoffman is desperate to showcase his talents at No. 1 and Henry has already devised a job-share plan that will help provide an element of surprise in the Titans attack this year.
It might be hard to see now, but Zillman believes there is excitement about the unknown ahead for the team this year and the club as a whole.
Zillman has been at the club since 2009, he played for a spot in the 2010 grand final, he wallowed in the embarrassment of a 2011 wooden spoon and endured the pain of financial hardship.
If there’s one thing he’s learnt it’s how to come out of any battle on top.
“With these young guys at the club coming through I just see so much ability and hopefully we can build into something, build into a club that is a real powerhouse,” he said.