Trying times ... and Bird theft

THERE was a bit of social media banter between commentator Andrew Voss and Titans skipper Nate Myles during the week after Vossy highlighted Nate’s try-scoring drought that has reached 44 games since his last NRL try – at Parramatta Stadium in round 24, 2012.

The skipper had no idea the lack of four-point celebrations had gone back so long (he has scored an Origin try for Queensland in the meantime). Vossy got the wrong Titan though if he wants to really have a crack.

Prop Matt White holds the current NRL try-drought record (see list below) … and by some! White has scored one try in his 139-game NRL career and that was 95 matches back, in round 23, 2009 against Souths.

“I remember it well, I sprinted 70 metres,” laughed White about the barge over feat.

“Yeah the boys do give it to me but I just do the hard work to make the try-scorers look good.”

The irony is that the player next to White on the ‘dry for a try’ list is Eels prop Tim Mannah with 69 games of no yield. So the first try-scorer long-shot punters who believe in omen bets might want to get on the pair at $51 on SportsTAB, or bigger odds elsewhere.

The comforting stat for White is that he has a long way to go to hit the all-time record. Former Tigers prop Jason Lowrie took 139 games to score his first try and his career finished at two in 160 matches.

GREG BIRD wasn’t in a particular bird-loving mood at Burleigh Golf Club during the week where he is a member.

Birdy was returning to his cart after playing a shot when a black crow (they have been in big numbers around the course recently) swooped and grabbed some money note that were protruding from his wallet after he hastily threw it into the front of the cart. The black bird took off skywards to the ire of a very red-faced Bird with the cash in beak.

The Titan was able to retrieve a couple of notes as they fell to the fairway but saw a couple of big ones drop into the middle of the dam!

TITANS general manager of football Scott Clark will make his international debut as manager of the Junior Kangaroos during the representative weekend during the first week of May.

It is a well-deserved honour for the well-respected Clarky, who has been with the club since before the inaugural season in 2007. The Junior Roos, who will be coached by Justin Holbrook, play the Kiwis at Cbus Super Stadium on May 2.

DAVID MEAD has been chosen in the Papua New Guinean squad for the Test match against Fiji that weekend but can still leave his options open for selection again in the Country Origin side.

PNG-born Mead spent his teenage years in Lismore and played his first senior football there and was chosen at fullback for Country last season, after representing PNG at the 2013 World Cup. The 29-player PNG squad will be cut down to 18 on April 26, the day the City and Country sides are announced.

THERE were plenty of curious looks on the Virgin flight to Sydney this afternoon when more than 50 seats were taken by those wearing sports uniforms.

The Titans NRL squad were on the same flight as the Suns reserve grade side who were heading south to take on Greater Western Sydney. There was plenty of cordial chat between coaches and players from the two clubs.

TRIVIA: Who is the longest serving Australian coach in the English Super League (currently coaching there)?

Last week’s answer: Adam Reynolds at 84.6% is the most successful kicker in NRL history.