Trial 2013: COWBOYS vs TITANS in Mackay

[Hail Sezer]

Greg Bird says Titans have their own Thurston in Albert Kelly

TITANS co-captain Greg Bird has likened halfback Albert Kelly to Origin star Johnathan Thurston as the Gold Coast's new No. 7 prepares to come up against the Test shot-caller.

Kelly will get his final opportunity to sew up Scott Prince's old jersey in a pre-season trial against the Cowboys in Mackay on Saturday night.

He is likely to come up against Queensland ace Johnathan Thurston in what will be the Gold Coast's final hit-out before a round 1 trip to Cronulla.

Kelly and Aidan Sezer have been earmarked as the Gold Coast's new halves combination after Prince left for the Brisbane Broncos and Bird said the 21-year-old reminded him of Thurston.

"It's a good test. I think they're very similar players," he said. "Albi's got a hell of a long way to go to come up to that class but they're very similar in the style they play.

"They play a lot off-the-cuff. You blink and you'll miss them. You have to be aware all the time when you're on his team.

"Playing with JT is exactly the same. When he sees an opportunity he's going to go for it and you have to make sure you're pushing through helping him."

Kelly has been impressive in the club's two trial wins over New Zealand and Brisbane and linked well with Sezer in the 40 minutes they played together.

The Titans will field a stronger team against the Cowboys, allowing Kelly to play off the back of a star forward pack including Nate Myles, Luke Bailey and Bird.

Bird said Kelly would flourish behind a strong engine room and he urged the 14-game rookie to continue his natural style of play.

"It's going to be a good test for him with the extra experience in the forward pack to level the youth and enthusiasm out a bit," Bird said.

"There's always room in rugby league for those sort of players. As the years go by, you see less and less of them because of the Melbourne dominance.

"The way they've dominated teams is by pure structure. Other teams are going that way but not every team has got those players.

"You've got to play to your strengths. The Cowboys do it up there and Ben Barba did the same thing.

"We'll be doing the best to give Albi every opportunity to find space."

Coach John Cartwright will today name his squad for the trial with Mark Minichiello (ankle) and Ryan James (groin) battling minor injuries and no certainties to play.

Rugby union convert Mark O'Dare has been dropped from the NRL squad and will filter back to the Queensland Cup.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/...-1226582195667

Wouldn't advise clicking the link unless you want to hear Ben Ikin and Paul Kent instantly deeming us as a bottom 4 team