In 2019, Beau Fermor's NRL journey hit a speed bump.
Signed by the Newcastle Knights and closing in on an NRL debut, he suffered an ACL injury that temporarily put his career on hold.
"I always backed myself but when you do a serious injury at a young age it is scary," Fermor said.
"I always knew I could get back and play footy but in the back of my mind I was wondering if I could do what I did before."
Fast forward two years and in 2021 Fermor has become a crucial part of the Titans future plans.
The 22-year-old has played five games this season and just signed a contract extension that will keep him on the Gold Coast until the end of 2024.
"I love the Titans," Fermor said when asked about what the contract extension meant to him.
"When I first came here, I'd say they (Titans) took a bit of a punt on me as I was fresh off a knee reconstruction and I was 21 and had never played a first grade game in my life.
"It was a scary time but I was just lucky that I had the Titans there and they put their faith in me and gave me time to get my body right and hopefully I can repay their faith over the next few years."
Fermor has shown his utility value since making his NRL debut, playing in the backrow, the centres and off the interchange bench.
While happy to grab whatever jersey he can as he continues his first grade development, Fermor says he has eyes on his favoured position long-term.
"I'd love to lock down a backrow spot long term," he said.
"At the moment I've got probably the best backrower in the world ahead of me and on the other side I've got one of the best backrowers over the last 10 years ahead of me.
"I'm happy to bide my time and just take everything I can off Kevvy (Proctor) and Dave (Fifita) and learn from what they do so that when my time comes that Justin sees fit for me to start and lock down a spot there that I'm ready to go and that I've taken everything I can from those two players to make sure I'm playing the best footy that I can."
Having ridden the rugby league roller-coaster over his young career, Fermor knows how quickly long term plans can be cruelled by injury.
It's because of this that he has a simple focus for the rest of 2021.
"I just want to stay on the field consistently in first grade," he said.
"I just want to finish the year off and hopefully play the remainder of the games and whether that is in a starting role or off the bench I'm not too worried.
"I just want to be doing everything I can to help the team push for a finals berth.
"I want to make sure I'm bringing high energy, playing to my strengths and doing my best job for the team."
