Since debuting for the Sharks in round 2 of the 2006 season, Gold Coast Titan Luke Douglas is about to play his 195th consecutive game
TRAVIS MEYN GOLD COAST BULLETIN MARCH 06, 2014 8:20AM
TITANS ironman Luke Douglas hopes to celebrate his NRL record-breaking milestone by inking a new contract which will keep him on the Gold Coast until the end of his *career.
Douglas will eclipse Jason Taylor’s most consecutive games record when he runs out against former club Cronulla for his 195th straight NRL appearance on Monday at Remondis Stadium.
It’s a remarkable streak that dates back to Douglas’s debut for the Sharks in round 2 of the 2006 season.
Since then, the 110kg prop has played an amazing 10,476 minutes in the thick of the action without suffering a serious injury.
The Yamba product has battled through bruises and strains, suffered broken bones and surgery but never missed an NRL clash. He has made 6092 tackles and run for 20,429 metres.
He’s regarded as one of the most professional players at the club and regularly uses ice machines and magnetic knee braces his late mother Trish bought for him to overcome injuries.
Douglas, who is off contract this year, has never shied away from the hard stuff and the 27-year-old wants to continue his unbeaten run on the Gold Coast for years to come.
“I’d love to stay. It’s handy for me here and I love the joint,” he said after his manager Steve Gillis opened negotiations with the Titans this week.
“The club’s been great to me. I haven’t said it publicly, but when Mum passed away (from cancer last year) I couldn’t believe the support I had.
“I’m definitely hopeful of staying.”
While Douglas will set an official record, his streak dates back even further.
He has only missed one game in 258 since joining the Sharks as a senior player and played 246 straight in club football. He was made to sit out a game as a youngster after blacking out while surfing in Cronulla. Doctors feared he had been struck by lightning.
And while all the hype will be on Douglas finally conquering Taylor’s record, the forward just wants it to be over.
“It is special and it’s something I’ll look back on but I want to be known as a good footy player, not just someone who’s on a streak,” he said.
“Now that it is over I can just rip in. I’m happy with 195. We can stop talking about it and get into having a good season with the Titans. Everyone’s always asking me about it.”
One of those people asking Douglas about it is former halfback Taylor, who will present him with the game ball after Monday’s match.
“I saw him at the (Auckland) Nines and said ‘you better watch out and not do a hamstring’,” joked Taylor, an assistant coach at the Roosters.
“The biggest thing is the position he plays. Hazem (El Masri, 174 games) amassed a fair few playing on the wing and I played at halfback where you don’t really have to carry the ball and get tackled.
“When you’re in the front row that’s your job. It’s amazing to achieve that many consecutive games playing in that position.
“The game’s gotten faster and more physical. It’s very impressive.”
Douglas is adamant he’s just been lucky.
He was once ruled out for a month with a knee injury only to play five days later.
“I’ve just been lucky. I don’t do anything out of the ordinary,” he said.
“All NRL players play with niggles and injury but I’ve avoided the big ones.
“My goal was to play one first grade game so to play this many in a row is pretty cool.
“When I got my debut I wanted to make sure no one took it off me.”
Douglas could be one of few players to pass 300 games if his run of good fortune continues and Taylor believes it would be an achievement well-earned.