Alex ready for Titans grand final
Hard work paid off: Former Ballina Seagulls junior Alex Grant will play for the Titans in the under-16s grand final next weekend.
Jay CronanPERSISTENCE and hard work create consistency ? now Alex Grant looks set to play in the Gold Coast Titans? maiden grand final.
It may only be April and it may only be under-16s, but the Ballina Seagulls junior will be making every post a winner in the Cyril Connell Cup final next weekend.
Grant, who joined the Titans this year, has overcome a series of obstacles on his way to cementing his spot in the blue and gold No 6 jersey ? culminating with a starring performance in Saturday?s come-from-behind 30-24 semi-final victory over Souths Logan.
A natural halfback, the 15-year-old was dropped less than a month into the season as Kane Elgey won the battle for the No 7 shirt.
But spirited training and a refusal to give in forced coaching staff to give him another shot ? this time in the centres where he excelled before being moved closer to the ball. Over the last three matches, Grant has made the five-eighth position his own.
Titans coaching and development manager Gavin Judd has watched him every step of the way.
?Alex could have easily dropped his bundle with the setbacks early on,? Judd said.
?But his commitment has been unbelievable and he forced us to pick him again. Now he is playing some outstanding football in the halves.?
Another former Seagull, Jayden Jacky, has also left his mark on the Cyril Connell Cup from the wing.
The speedy three-quarter scored a double in the semi-final but faces the prospect of missing the grand final after being reported for a dangerous throw in the victory.
The Titans take on Norths Devils at Langlands Park, Brisbane, in the final on Saturday with the winner to take on the age group?s NSW counterparts ? the Harold Matthews Cup champions
Source: http://www.northernstar.com.au/