Rogers renews Origin ambitions

[DIEHARD]

Rogers renews Origin ambitions

Mat Rogers has made himself available to play for Queensland in this year's State of Origin after his son convinced him to come out of representative retirement.

And the former Wallaby hopes to push his case for selection at five-eighth, where he wants to play for the Gold Coast this season.

Rogers announced his retirement from representative football after returning to league last year, but a heartfelt plea from son Jack changed his mind.

"I had a good chat with my son, and he was desperate for me to play if [selectors] rang me, after I already said I wouldn't play," Rogers told The Sun-Herald. "He never saw me play Origin, he was too young, and he told me he wanted to see me play ? If they rang me, I'd probably put my hand up, yeah."

Ironically, the boy who could be responsible for reigniting Rogers' Maroons career supports the ****roaches. "It was about seven years ago I played Origin for the last time, he was only four," Rogers said of Jack. "He wants to be a Queensland supporter but he grew up in NSW. He can't bring himself to support Queensland. He's a bit torn."

Despite his willingness to play Origin, Rogers said he was a long-shot for selection. "Queensland have an array of young talented backs exceeding any of my abilities at the moment. It may be a far-fetched thought but footy is a pretty brutal game and people can get injured."

More immediately, though, Rogers must compete with potential pivots Ashley Harrison, Josh Lewis and Preston Campbell during pre-season trials for the right to partner Scott Prince in the Titans halves.

The 31-year-old, who also wants the full-time goalkicking duties, said he needed new challenges at this stage of his career.

"I'm a bit older now but I'm certainly enjoying coming to training every day, which probably wasn't the case over the past five years," he said.

"It was the same old, same old, playing in the same position. It's a new chapter, I guess, and I think it will work out really well.

"I've gone about it well and truly the long way around. I came to league as a 17-year-old after coming back from the Australian Schoolboys for rugby, and after 15 minutes [at five-eighth] got pushed out to the wing because of a few different circumstances.

"That's where it all started, and hopefully I haven't forgotten too much. You don't have to do a great deal when you have Scott Prince in your side anyway, he does all the organising."

Rogers has recovered from neck surgery during the off-season and expects the all-clear when he meets with the specialist next week.

"I might be 32 in a week, but I'm feeling a sprightly 27," he said.

http://www.leaguehq.com.au/

[C-Whiz]

Good luck to him. I'll be happy just to see him and his neck get through the regular season without any dramas. And I doubt Qld will be looking for an inexperienced pivot somehow. But all the best anyway Mat wherever you end up. I'm just happy to know you're good for round 1.

[Capital_Shark]

A snowball's journey through hell comes to mind. Sorry Matty, top bloke and great player. I'm sure NSW would give their left one to have ya, but unless injuries play a big role in '08, QLD is chockas with absolute class backs. Thats without even taking to account the gamble that was taken to blood some of 'em perhaps a little prematurely, and the probable reluctance to go back on that now for a 32 year old.

[Steve]

I reckon he'll have to have an absolute blinder of a season. Might stand a chance for a bench spot though.

That said, even if he's the best player in the comp all year, never seen an origin side chosen on form. They'll be sticking with the young lads I think.

[GCT_89]

all i care is that he has a great season with us at the titans and concentrates on securing his spot, where ever that may be................

[DIEHARD]

all i care is that he has a great season with us at the titans and concentrates on securing his spot, where ever that may be................

That's because you are a Blue!

[C-Whiz]

That's because you are a Blue!

LOL, yeah GCT, we have no respect for you anymore!
How did he fly under the radar for so long?

all i care is that he has a great season with us at the titans and concentrates on securing his spot, where ever that may be................

I agree with this comment though, so at least you can be trusted at club level!

[redback71]

did they not want to pick him last year before he made himself unavailable? so he is every chance, id definitely give him a bench spot for starters.