Titans cult-hero Anthony Don returns to the fold this Saturday to resume his chase for a slice of club history when the Gold Coast travel to Sydney to face the Cronulla Sharks.
Don was a surprise omission from the Round 1 team last weekend, with coach Garth Brennan opting for Phillip Sami and Brenko Lee on each flank. But after the Round 1 defeat and a change in opposition, the Grafton junior has earned a recall.
The 31-year-old turned out for Burleigh in the Intrust Super Cup last weekend, scoring two tries in their 42-8 win over the Ipswich Jets.
While he enjoyed the visit back to Burleigh, Don is happy to be back in the NRL.
“It’s really good to be back after playing last week for Burleigh,” Don said.
“It’s a bit sooner than I thought. I thought I might have been back there for a bit longer.”
On not being selected last week, Don admitted he did struggle with the decision.
“To be honest, I was disappointed,” he said. “I haven’t played back at Burleigh for a while, but I didn’t want it to get me down.
“Burleigh is a great club. I’ve spent a lot of time there, and I know a lot of faces there. I took a lot of positives from it, and it’s now good to be back.”
While Don is happy to be in the top-grade, he knows he can’t rest on his laurels.
“Yeah definitely, there is pressure is on everyone to perform,” he said.
“It was just the team he (coach Brennan) wanted to go for in that game. Brenko and Phil are stronger ball carriers, and I’m a bit stronger in other areas.”
While returning to the top grade was a priority for Don, reporters were quick to remind him of the potential record he could break this weekend by becoming the club’s greatest ever try-scorer.
David Mead and Don are currently equal with 67 club tries. Mead is currently playing in France, so the time will come for Don to claim the record for his own. But will it be this week?
“I haven’t been thinking about it,” Don said. “If I get it, that’s great but if not, all good.”
