| March 10th, 2011
RETIRED dual international Mat Rogers was lost for words today when he was honoured as the inaugural inductee in the Gold Coast Titans Hall of Fame.
The surprise announcement came at the end of Rogers' testimonial luncheon held at Jupiters Hotel & Casino, where more than 200 guests had listened to Rogers and former teammates recount their memories of the former Queensland State of Origin, Kangaroo and Wallaby's famed career.
Although the Titans are only in their fifth year in the NRL, managing director Michael Searle said the creation of the club's Hall of Fame will provide an avenue to honour the club's players well into the future.
''Our club is only very new and we don't have a lot of tradition but what we do have is a lot of spirit, a great love for the game of rugby league and the great city of the Gold Coast,'' Searle said.
''What the club has decided to do is name Mat as the inaugural member of the Titans Hall of Fame.
''Mat, you'll always be a Titan in our mind and welcome to the Titans' Hall of Fame.''
Searle and Titans coach John Cartwright presented Rogers with a specially designed JS Industries surfboard featuring images of him throughout his playing career and signed by his former Titans' teammates to commemorate the achievement.
''I'm stoked. To be held in that regard by the Titans means so much to me,'' said a clearly stunned Rogers, who attended The Southport School on the Gold Coast during his teenage years.
''To be able to come back and finish my career here with the Titans ... thanks so much, I don't know what to say.''