High-flying winger Jordan Atkins says he is even hungrier to become a mainstay of the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans backline this season.
Coming off the highs and lows of his debut season in the NRL, Atkins said he finally felt he belonged in first grade and was determined to make the most of his opportunity.
Last year, the Stanthorpe Gremlins junior burst onto the NRL scene with four tries on debut.
However, the highs of that experience were tempered by struggles with form and injury at times throughout the season.
“I know I’m more hungry,’’ said Atkins, when asked what he had learnt from his own experience in 2008.
“Last year I sort of felt like I didn’t belong. But this year I’ve sat down and spoke to Carty (coach John Cartwright) and this is where I want to be and I want to be here for a few more years.
“I learnt a lot and matured a lot. I’m trying to be a bit more of a consistent player this year – last year I was a bit hot and cold and had a few mistakes in me but hopefully that’s in the past.’’
Atkins will kick-start his 2009 campaign for the Jetstar Titans in Saturday night’s pre-season trial match against Brisbane at Wynnum’s Kougari Oval, hoping a top performance will earn him a spot in the following weekend’s trial against Cronulla in Darwin.
Titans coach John Cartwright has named an extended 26-man squad for the Broncos trial, with Atkins named to start the match in the centres.
He is one of eight outside backs pushing for the Titans’ two wing spots for the club’s round one clash with Newcastle at Skilled Park on Sunday, March 15.
“We’ve got a lot of young guys coming through who have been training really well and they’ve got plenty of talent,’’ he said.
“Then we’ve got some of the older guys like Brenton Bowen who has been training exceptional.
“It’s going to be tough to get a spot so hopefully I go alright on the weekend and can get up to Darwin next weekend and maybe push for a spot up there as well.’’
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