Titans’ Tyrone Roberts came close to season-ending injury but hopes Cameron Cullen flourishes
TITANS five-eighth Tyrone Roberts was millimetres away from a season-ending injury but hopes to see Cameron Cullen flourish in his No.6 jersey.
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TITANS five-eighth Tyrone Roberts was millimetres away from a season-ending injury but hopes to see Cameron Cullen flourish in his No.6 jersey.
Roberts will miss Sunday’s trip to Cronulla, paving the way for Cullen to make his NRL debut at the age of 22.
You could forgive Roberts for feeling bittersweet about watching a teammate debut in his position but the former Newcastle playmaker backed Cullen.
“He’s a local junior. That’s the type of club you want to build. You want that strong foundation,” Roberts said.
“He deserves it. He’s been playing well and hopefully he makes the most of his opportunity.”
Roberts, 24, suffered bone bruising when he was hit awkwardly in the knee during the Gold Coast’s Round 4 trip to Canberra.
The injury could have been much worse, with Titans medical staff believing he was lucky not to have ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament.
“I was pretty close to doing the medial and ACL,” Roberts said as the Titans launched an initiative with Deadly Choices.
“It was pretty bad. They’re just taking precautions so I don’t cop a whack and do my ACL. The pain I got at the time was pretty bad. I didn’t know what was going on.”
Roberts is hoping to be fit for next Saturday’s home game against the Dragons. With 101 NRL appearances, he is the Gold Coast’s most senior playmaker and said his combination with rookie halfback Ashley Taylor was flourishing before the setback.
“It’s a bit frustrating not knowing where I’m at,” he said. “It’s hard watching the boys train and play. I just want to play again.
“I trust the rehab crew and doctors. Whatever they say I’ll just do for the next week. Me and Ash are pretty close. We’ve got the combination because he’s indigenous as well.
“There’s no real dramas between us.”
Titans lock Greg Bird and wife Becky welcomed the birth of their first child on Wednesday, ensuring he will be available to face his former club.
Originally published as Titans’ Tyrone Roberts came close to season-ending injury but hopes Cameron Cullen flourishes
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