Carter Gordon’s road to the NRL has been far from straightforward. Once hailed as one of Australian rugby’s brightest fly-half talents, his shift to league was marred by an untimely run of injuries that stalled his transition.
On Saturday, at Cbus Super Stadium, the 23-year-old will at last pull on a Titans jersey for his debut against the Wests Tigers.
The milestone comes in the club’s Thank You Member Round, adding an extra layer of sentiment as Gordon is handed a start in the centres to cover for the sidelined Jojo Fifita.
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For the Titans faithful, it is a chance to finally see whether his ball-playing instincts and competitive edge can translate to the NRL stage.
A day of farewells and firsts
It promises to be a poignant evening on the Gold Coast. While Gordon embarks on his league journey, veteran Kieran Foran will bow out after 318 appearances, closing a 17-year career that spanned across several clubs and a World Cup campaign. Meanwhile, Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui will also take his final bow in Titans colours before moving to the Super League with Catalans.
Adding to the fresh faces, Queensland Under-19 powerhouse Cooper Bai joins the interchange for his first taste of NRL football, while Keano Kini makes a return at fullback for the first time since Round 3.
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With Phil Sami back from a groin strain, coach Des Hasler has crafted a line-up that balances youthful energy with seasoned experience.
Kick-off is at 5.30 pm on Saturday, with the Titans hoping to cap off an emotional occasion with a statement performance.