Titans co-captain William Zillman will be sidelined indefinitely, Matt Srama out for the season

INJURIES have begun to strike the Titans with co-captain William Zillman to be sidelined indefinitely while hooker Matt Srama will miss the rest of the season.

Titans' Will Zillman in action in the NRL pre-season trial between the Gold Coast Titans and South Sydney Rabbitohs at Burleigh Bears Leagues Club on Saturday. Picture: Jerad Williams

TITANS coach Neil Henry has revealed co-captain William Zillman is sidelined indefinitely as hooker Matt Srama’s season was brought to a premature end.

Srama, who is off-contract this year, faces a fight to save his NRL career after yesterday learning he must undergo a knee reconstruction.

While the news isn’t as dire for Zillman, it has been nearly one year since the Titans fullback last played in the NRL.

Zillman’s only game since May 16 last year (Round 10) was in the Gold Coast’s final pre-season trial against South Sydney last month when he aggravated a calf problem.

It was originally thought the 29-year-old would only miss a fortnight but he has not been able to get on the park and will sit out Saturday’s game against former club Canberra.

“We thought it was going to be right by now so I’m pretty reluctant (to put a time frame on it),” Henry said.

“It’s really annoying him. He’s very frustrated.

“He hurt this way back in Ballina (in January) when we were training there. It just tightened up and he hasn’t been able to get it right.

“It could be the following weekend against the Broncos or the week after that.”

Zillman, who is in the fourth season of a five-year contract, underwent a successful back operation late last season to alleviate the hamstring problems he was suffering and the calf injury is believed to be unrelated.

Despite the efforts of Titans physiotherapist Greg Condon and Zillman’s impeccable training ethic, the 156-game veteran is struggling to find full fitness.

“He hasn’t been able to put together a full week’s training or any contact,” Henry said.

“He runs about 8km in a game. He needs to be able to get through the volume and have some strength and confidence back.

“Until he can do that he won’t be able to play.”

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Srama has been left gutted after rupturing his ACL in an innocuous incident while playing for Burleigh in the Intrust Super Cup, meaning he won’t add to his 65-match NRL tally this year.

The 25-year-old has only played nine NRL games in the past two years and will likely continue his career elsewhere in 2017.

“It’s really disappointing,” Henry said.

David Mead will again replace Zillman at fullback.

“He was playing some good footy and had overcome his shoulder operations.

“He’s in the final year of his contract here but he’s a young player with a future. That’s a personal decision for him.

“He’s certainly got the ability to play at the highest level.”

Zillman’s injury has opened the door for David Mead to further stake his claim for the Gold Coast’s No.1 jersey when Henry takes an unchanged team to Canberra.

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