Foran fantasy fulfilled for Kiwi-born Mullany

Many dream of playing alongside their childhood heroes, yet only a few are fortunate enough to see that come true.

But for Titans newcomer Sean Mullany, that fantasy has now become a reality - training alongside his homegrown hero Kieran Foran and a few familiar faces in his first train and trial on the Gold Coast.

"Being with Foz has felt like such a massive moment - growing up as a Kiwi and watching him, he's always kind of been a hero for me," the New Zealand-born forward told titans.com.au.

"It's also been great to rekindle some relationships with the likes of Tino (Fa'asuamaleaui) and Dave (Fifita)... we played alongside each other as 17-year-olds for Queensland Schoolboys."

Originally from Auckland, the former Junior Kiwis representative boasts an impressive resume at the young age of 25 - playing two seasons with the New Zealand Warriors in the NSW Cup before captaining the Mackay Cutters and getting a taste of NRL pre-season action with the North Queensland Cowboys last season.

"I started out as a junior with the Glenora Bears, they were the only club I played for from the age of five through to 17 whilst also playing school footy at Avondale College," Mullany said.

"It's a bit different over there... once you turn 13, you're put into an open or restricted weight limit within the competitions which really helps keep kids that are a bit smaller stay in league longer.

"I was probably the only European kid running around in the open grade so playing against the strong Polynesian and Māori boys over there really helped me play with the toughness I do today.

"From there, I eventually got picked up by the Cowboys at a national tournament and moved over to Townsville at 17 by myself.

"That was a big move for me but I think it forced me to grow up faster than a lot of kids would, which really helped me gain a bit more independence."

In his time with North Queensland, the budding playmaker was lucky enough to go head-to-head with some of NRL's biggest stars - crossing the line in a trial match up against the likes of marquee Broncos such as Reece Walsh, Adam Reynolds and Payne Haas.

"They had a pretty stacked team heading into Vegas but the Cowboys sent out a few of us young boys for a run," Mullany said.

"I had actually just come off a 60-hour work week in the mines, so got in a couple of days training then went straight into the trial game. 

"Todd Payten (Cowboys head coach) just said to have a crack and show us what you got so we went out there and gave it to them.

"I think in the end, star power just overrode us.

"It was a good experience though to know that I can hold my own with the best of them and it gave me a good taste.

"I obviously wanted more, so I came to the Titans."