Titans coach Neil Henry gets tough to weed out the bludgers

[TITAN PETE]

TRAVIS MEYN GOLD COAST BULLETIN JANUARY 29, 2015 12:00AM



TITANS giant Dave Taylor says new coach Neil Henry has implemented a no bludgers policy in a move that’s set to end four years of mediocrity on the Gold Coast.

Just how the Titans have developed under Henry will be seen for the first time this weekend when he unleashes a near full-strength squad at the Auckland Nines.

While the condensed format of the game won’t be a true form guide, it will give success-craving Titans fans an idea of how their club is fairing since Henry replaced foundation coach John Cartwright last year.

And if the pre-season is anything to go by, it should be a bright new beginning on the Glitter Strip.

The Titans only won one finals match during Cartwright’s eight-year tenure and questions were being asked of the players’ commitment to the cause.

But the enigmatic Taylor said that’s changed under the disciplinarian Henry, who’s kicked “our bums a little bit” in his bid to turn around the club.

“He’s been strict, which is really what we need,” Taylor said yesterday at a promotion for the Gold Coast junior league sign-on carnival.

“He hasn’t let anyone fly under the radar.

“That’s one of the biggest things we needed this year: someone to put their thumb down on us and kick our bums a little bit and make us train harder, become fitter, faster and mentally tougher.

“Him and Tim (Gabbett, sports scientist) and Dan (Ferris, strength and conditioning coach) have done a great job.”

Henry has overhauled the Gold Coast’s training program, introducing gut-wrenching fitness sessions with Gabbett and near full-contact opposed sessions.

Club cameraman and video editor Geoff Bowden has been filming most ballwork sessions and hooker Beau Falloon, who is being rested from the Nines, said the intricate analysis was proving invaluable.

“Everyone’s attitude in the group has been really good,” Falloon said.

“There’s been no whingeing or anything. Everyone’s been prepared to work hard for each other.

“The coaches have brought that out in us. They’ve cut up videos and are analysing every training session. All the players are *learning each session about what to do and not to do on the field.

“All the boys are really ripping into the video sessions as well as training on the field.”

Taylor proved to be a valuable player in the nine-a-side format last year with his freakish talent and deceptive speed making him a dangerous prospect.

The 26-year-old said he was hoping to start the year well in Auckland but denied there was extra focus on the Titans to turn around four years of poor performances.

“I feel no pressure on the Titans this year. We don’t really have too much to prove,” he said. “We just have to rip in and start playing consistently good.

“If we can get a few wins under our belt early it might turn a few heads.”

The sign-on carnival will be held at Cbus Super *Stadium on February 7 with all 13 junior clubs accepting registrations.

[Titanic]

As much as I like hearing things like this it's so disappointing that the inference is that they haven't been working hard previously. What does that say about the players in general, to admit being bludgers on good salaries?

[ozynorts]

It says everything about the previous coaching regime and being to close to the players. Didn't have the courage to pull them into line.

[DavidBouveng]

ya nothing we didnt know in regards to getting an easy ride previously and not seeking excellence.

the filming of training is a good development and something teams have done for years. nice to catch up on that one.

[Hail Sezer]

ya nothing we didnt know in regards to getting an easy ride previously and not seeking excellence.

the filming of training is a good development and something teams have done for years. nice to catch up on that one.

Yeah mate I remember the training I was at, the coaching staff were filming everything with an ipad. Attention to detail like that is something that can make a huge difference and i'm surprised we weren't doing it earlier