Neil Henry facing several tough decisions at selection table for clash against Storm
http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/sport/nrl/

BOOM youngster Kierran Moseley is edging closer to a *Titans call-up after an impressive showing in his first game of the season.

Moseley and Daniel Mortimer were locked in a struggle for the bench utility spot throughout the pre-season *before Moseley injured his ankle in late January, forcing him out of all trial matches.

But the 21-year-old rake could be named to make his NRL return today after a strong showing for Tweed Heads in their 28-24 Queensland Cup win against Easts at Piggabeen on Sunday.

Moseley played 40 minutes off the bench and impressed Seagulls coach Aaron Zimmerle with both his speed and workrate.

“I thought his decision-making out of dummy-half was excellent and he was that cut above in terms of the little efforts he made,’’ Zimmerle said.

“I think whether it’s this week or next week he won’t be far away from getting a go (with the Titans).’’

A call on Moseley is not the only tough decision that coach Neil Henry faces ahead of naming his team today to play the Storm at AAMI Park in Melbourne on Sunday.

Prop Luke Douglas will return from a one-match suspension but may be forced to come back off the bench after Agnatius Paasi’s Round 1 performance against the Knights.

Eddy Pettybourne left the field late in the Titans’ 30-12 win on Sunday with a bad cork and Douglas could come on to the bench as a straight swap if he is unavailable.

While Mortimer brings versatility with his ability to play at hooker or in the halves, *Moseley was believed to be ahead in the race for the bench utility spot before injury hit.

Mortimer was solid, if not spectacular, in 50 minutes off the bench for the Titans after captain Nathan Friend was forced off late in the first half following a head knock.

But with Greg Bird in top ball-playing form on Sunday, creating two tries, Henry may go for a specialist hooker against the Storm.

Moseley admitted it had been frustrating to be sidelined during the trials after completing the off-season slog.

He has the perfect mentor in Friend, a consummate professional who at 35, has played 222 NRL games.

“Not just on the field, his professionalism off the field is, I think, what inspires a lot of the boys,’’ Moseley said.

Henry admitted he had some tough decisions to make across several positions at the selection table.

With William Zillman (calf) and Nene Macdonald (knee) racing to recover from injuries, Henry has to decide whether to replace debutant centre Nathan Davis or shuffle David Mead back to the wing after his outstanding effort at fullback.

Newcastle forward Pauli Pauli is likely to miss a match after being charged with grade one dangerous contact for his late tackle on Titans debutant Leivaha Pulu.