Next to the word resilient in the dictionary is Aaron Booth's name in bold.
The Gold Coast rake has endured it all since taking up the opportunity to return home to his junior club, but now gets his chance to etch history as Titan #174.
Destined to push hard for a regular first grade spot since signing on the dotted late last year, Murphy's Law intervened from virtually the moment he agreed to leave Melbourne, injuring his shoulder before having to endure a disrupted recovery and pre-season return due to the COVID-19 spread.
Overcoming all that adversity, the classy hooker worked hard to get on the field for the opening round of the Hostplus Cup before injury struck him down again, but such is his character that he just chipped away again, with no change to the goal in mind, which has led him to running out in arguably the Titans' biggest game of the year.
"It's just exciting now that it's all come. I came here with a plan obviously for it to happen sooner, but a couple injuries changed those initial plans, but I always knew that it would come together at some stage," Booth said.
"I've been getting some games on the park for Burleigh in the Q-Cup and it's been going well, we've been going well there, so I feel like I've settled in nicely into a run of games and now I get to contribute to the main team here.
"I feel like I've been doing that on the training park and off the field, but to now get a chance to be out on the field and have a say in what happens on the field, I'm just looking forward to it.
"I feel like it's all come together at a good time and I'm feeling healthy and ready, so I'm looking forward to it."
Booth Club Debut Jersey Presentation
Expecting a large contingent of family and friends to pack in at Cbus Super Stadium for the occasion, the Mullumbimby Giants junior has plenty of motivators in his first game - not just the fact it's his debut appearance in Titans colours but he also wants to put bring a smile to the Northern Rivers community who have endured plenty of adversity themselves as they've continued to recover from the devastating floods at the beginning of the year.
"It's pretty cool to come home and be in the local region, but then to watch that... like it was nice to come home and then it didn't happen long after I'd been back," Booth shared.
"Usually, I'd be far away whether it was Melbourne or Sydney before that, or wherever it was, it was always such afar, but to be around it and see the damage firsthand was just heartbreaking and I tried to help out where I could.
To get this for the Mullum Giants, my local club... Cody Nelson is still down at the Giants and is a Titans player himself, so to follow in his footsteps and do it for Mullumbimby and Brunswick and the areas that I'm from, it's pretty special.
"I've got a lot of friends and family coming up from down that way and if I can put a smile for what's been a tough start to the year, that'd be unreal."
'The excitement is high' - Booth
The former Storm No. 9 is also looking forward to lining up beside his club captain in the clash, and although the pair were together when down in Melbourne, never got to play alongside each other... especially with the inspirational leader coming off the back of a stirring Origin performance.
"Just for the boys to watch what he did and then for him to backup three days later. Like, I know how sore I am after a normal game, but that was just absolutely on another level," Booth said.
"For him to back up, we appreciate what he's done and it's massive for the team.
"He puts in each and every week and he's close to the best on the field each week, so to have him in the team is always a bonus and I'm pretty stoked that he's going be there.
"I'm looking forward to playing with him. I've been around Tino for a long time in Melbourne but we've never actually taken the field together, not even in a trial game.
"To actually take the field with him, I'm really excited for it and I know he is as well, so it's going to be good."
Be there for the next instalment of the famous Macca's Local Derby as the rivalry re-ignites at Cbus Super Stadium this Saturday, July 16. Secure your seat today!
