Why Josh Hoffman chose the Titans

[K2G]

Joel Gould | RLW.com.au | January 24, 2015



SOMETIMES you get what you want and what you need.

In Josh Hoffman’s case, his new three-year deal at the Gold Coast Titans is exactly that.

It means he can continue his already superb career and stay living in his Brisbane residence with wife Emma and young daughter Leilani Grace.

When Broncos coach Wayne Bennett told Hoffman he was free to negotiate with other clubs a year out from his contract ending with Brisbane, the 26-year-old fullback was hoping the Titans would become his new home. The Kiwi international says the Raiders were one other club that was keen, but the Titans offered what was best for him on and off the field

“I was always hoping that the Gold Coast would come forward with an offer,” Hoffman says.

“Still being able to live in Brisbane and based here with my young family is very comforting, but I am very excited to be working with this club and this great bunch of players.

“I am looking forward to being a part of it, and it is really going to develop me as a footy player as well.

“It was great to hear from (coach) Neil Henry personally, and where he saw me in his plans.

“It has all worked out for the best and I can see myself staying here for the rest of my career.”

Hoffman has won plenty of admirers for the way he handled missing out on playing fullback at the Broncos for most of the past two seasons. After a stellar year in the No.1 jersey in 2010 he was named the Broncos player of the year. In 2012 he made his Test debut for New Zealand at fullback and had another strong season at the back.

But in both 2013 and 2014 he missed out on the fullback gig to Corey Norman and Ben Barba respectively.

Hoffman sought a release to go to the Bulldogs before the 2014 season but was knocked back.

The uncertainty over his future at Brisbane was always in the background, but Hoffman has forged a reputation as a player who gives 100 per cent every game, no matter where he plays, and he continued to be one of the Broncos’ most whole-hearted performers.

“There was no point in me walking around at the Broncos kicking stones after not getting the fullback role,” Hoffman says.

“All I could do was put my head down and get the job done.

“The experience saw me grow as a player, and off the field when there is adversity I have learned to push through that barrier.

“As a man, I feel as though it has matured me on and off the field.

“It is a weight off the shoulders to have finally signed with the Titans, but Wayne (Bennett) has really helped me with the transition.

“He is the type of person who will always be there for you if you have troubles. I am very thankful to the Broncos for giving me this opportunity.”

Now he has arrived at the Titans, Hoffman’s No.1 goal is to secure the No.1 jersey.

“Neil has said there are no guarantees that I will be playing fullback,” he says. “Will Zillman and David Mead are good players who can play fullback and it is good to have strike and back-up at a club. But Neil has let me know there is an opportunity for me to play fullback.”

Coach Henry says having so many competent fullbacks is a nice headache to have.

“Josh gives us a lot of depth in that fullback position,” Henry says.

“He has played six and in the centres . . . but there is no doubt he prefers to play at the back. He is a consistent first-grader and some parts of his game are not negotiable.

“The strong carry and the effort he puts in to bringing the ball back, looking for the try line, trying to break a tackle or making the most metres he can are always there.

“That is a real part of why we pursued him.

“I like his positional play as well. He’s a good defensive fullback and good under the (high) ball.

“He is keen to make the fullback position his, but he realises it is not about individual wants. It is about the needs of the team.”