It's been a tough few weeks on the sidelines for Corey Thompson, but the flyer is jumping out of his skin to be back against his former club.
Returning from a fractured hand sustained just before Round 1, the experienced winger has been given the green light by Titans medicos and will line-up against the Wests Tigers - a side he played 44 games for. The showdown will actually be the first time he's faced off against his old colours after missing last year's clash due to injury.
"I love it on the Coast and I love being part of this team, but it's always good to win against your old club," Thompson said.
"It'll be good to see my old friends too that I've met there and haven't spoken to for a long time.
"I haven't really spoken to the boys that are there. The boys I speak to a lot, they've moved on from the Tigers as well, so I don't think there'll be any text messages there.
"I spoke to [David Nofoaluma] a couple days ago... he was the only one that reached out, but it'll be good to see them all again.
"This is my first time playing them because I did my ankle before the Tigers game last year, so missed out then ... so this will be the first time I've played against them."
Match: Titans v Wests Tigers
Round 4 -
home Team
Titans
9th Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
16th Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
The 109-game try-scoring machine feels in tip-top shape and has no concerns for his hand after the contact injury with fellow teammate David Fifita.
"It honestly feels really good. There's a little bit of strapping on it, but I trained well today and and trained well yesterday," Thompson said.
"There was no pain at all. I can catch no problem and tackle no problem.
"Obviously, this is my first game of the year, so I'm really excited to get out there and play. I'm so grateful for Justin to put me back in and now I really want to repay his faith in me and and play well and hopefully get a win, especially with no trials too.
"I really miss playing footy and miss being part of the boys. It's a lonely place the rehab group and to watch the boys play and train and not be a part of it, it was hard.
"But now, I can put my foot down and and play well and get ready for a big year."
The regular right edge outside back is also keen to re-join his regular combination with Patrick Herbert, Toby Sexton and David Fifita, although has enjoyed seeing Greg Marzhew fill the empty right wing void the past three weeks.
"I spent the whole pre-season with Patty, Dave and Toby and we've got a really good combination, but it was great to see Greg play so well on that right edge. He is such a strong runner," Thompson said.
"I'm very grateful to come back onto the right edge and to get that combination going again."
Be there at Cbus Super Stadium on March 31 as the Titans take on the Wests Tigers in a Thursday Thriller. Click here to secure your seat now!
