At just 23 years of age, Brett Delaney is far from an NRL veteran.
But the consistent Jetstar Gold Coast Titans centre is set to take on extra responsibility this season after being chosen to become part of a players’ representative group.
Delaney has been a mainstay of the Jetstar Titans’ line-up during the club’s opening two seasons in the NRL, playing 44 of a possible 48 matches – a statistic which makes him equal with hooker Nathan Friend as the most capped Titans player.
Despite his consistent efforts for the club, the Lalor Park junior has flown relatively under the radar as he has quietly gone about his business.
But that is all set to change this season, with the NSW City Origin representative to join senior campaigners Scott Prince, Luke Bailey, Anthony Laffranchi, Preston Campbell, Mark Minichiello and Nathan Friend in an eight-man players’ representative group.
Youngster Will Matthews, 20, will also join Delaney as the other new member of the group.
The players’ representative group is designed to provide the players with a voice for topics which can then be raised with the coaching staff at regular meetings.
“I’m honoured to be in it,’’ said Delaney.
“It’s one of those things that you want to do and lead by example for the younger fellows. I’m just happy to be a voice for the lads in the team.
“My role won’t change too much, I’ll just be doing the same job out on the field.
“But in saying that I’ve got to get around and ask a few of the boys if they have any issues or stuff that they want to talk about with the coaches or the team and I can address it for them.
“That’s probably the biggest change, I’ll have to speak up a bit more.’’
Jetstar Titans coach John Cartwright said the addition of Delaney to the players’ representative group had been encouraged by the players themselves at the start of pre-season training in November.
“It was more or less selected by the players,’’ said Cartwright.
“The players put voices on there that need to be heard and it was very encouraging for me that they thought Brett deserved that role.
“He’s had two really good years for us and is still only young. He’s played about 60-odd first grade games so he’s still got his best football in front of him.
“He hasn’t missed many games for us and he doesn’t miss training at all. Some guys can carry little bumps and bruises and it’s always good to know because there’s not many games that you go into where someone doesn’t carry an injury.’’
Since making his NRL debut for Parramatta in 2005, Delaney has made 62 first grade appearances. His consistency since joining the Titans has seen him break into representative football with selection for NSW City Origin and the Prime Minister’s XIII.
“I came up here for an opportunity and I got that with Carty,’’ said Delaney. “It’s been a little goal of mine to try not to miss too much footy.
“I had a few bad injuries when I was a bit younger but now my body seems alright.’’
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