Titans skipper Kevin Proctor breaks his silence on his biting charge and signing a new deal
Kevin Proctor became the first player in history to be sent-off for biting but after serving his controversial four-match ban, the Titans skipper says he has no plans to change his ways.
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Kevin Proctor has broken a month-long silence on his suspension for biting, admitting he is hurt by the stain on his record, but insists he will not change his ways in his comeback to the NRL.
The Titans skipper will officially put the most explosive on-field saga of his 250-game career behind him on Saturday night when he returns for the Gold Coast in their clash against Manly at Lottoland.
The last time Proctor touched down on Sydney soil four weeks ago, he was sensationally sent off for biting Cronulla halfback Shaun Johnson, becoming the first player in history to be dismissed for the offence.
Despite protesting his innocence, Proctor failed to convince the NRL judiciary, who slapped the Gold Coast captain with a four-game ban that represented the first suspension of his decorated 12-year career.
Speaking for the first time since being rubbed out, Proctor said he will always believe he did not bite Johnson, his Kiwi Test teammate, but stressed he had no ill-feeling towards NRL officialdom.
“I’m just hanging out to play again,” he said. “I thought I would get off, but it is what it is and I’ve tried to move on from it.
“There’s no point being angry, there’s really not much I can say or do about it now, the NRL judiciary came up with the punishment and I had to accept it.
“When they first said guilty, I was shocked. I really was. I was confident I would get off because I know I didn’t bite him and I still feel that way. But I respect the hearing I was given and the process and now I’m looking forward.
“I have tried to get on with things the best way I can and I just want to help my teammates out when I get back this week.
“It has felt like a long time out, so it feels good to be back.”
Proctor, who plays his 251st top-grade game as the Titans shoot for a fourth consecutive win against the Sea Eagles, said he won‘t be spooked by the Johnson biting affair.
“I know it’s on my record but it doesn’t really bother me,” he said.
“I know what really happened and the people who know me know what sort of person and player that I am.
“It’s disappointing that it’s on my record but it won’t change the way I play.
“It’s a shame that I have this suspension on my record, but I know I’m not a dirty player and it’s not the way I play.
“I won’t be getting into that situation again hopefully.”
Asked if it had affected his friendship with Johnson, Proctor said: “I spoke to Shaun just before the hearing and he again said sorry to me for all the drama that was caused.
“I haven’t spoken to him since, but there’s no hard feelings.”
There were fears the suspension would end Proctor’s Titans career but on Monday he inked a 12-month extension with the Coast with an option to play on in 2022.
The 31-year-old had interest from two NRL clubs and Super League outfit Leeds, but is determined to repay the Titans by spearheading a finals resurgence.
“I’m stoked to be staying on,” he said.
“The Gold Coast area is where I first started playing rugby league and it’s awesome that I can stay with the club and hopefully I can see out my career here.
“Depending on how the body is feeling, I might play on again after next year. I will take it a year at a time at my age but it’s great to see the Titans heading in the right direction.
“I had interest from Super League and a few clubs in the NRL, but my preference was to stay at the Titans if we could work something out and we did.
“I really enjoy the culture Justin Holbrook (Titans coach) and his assistants Jimmy Dymock and Jimmy Lenihan have built here. I want to see the Titans in the finals again and I owe it to the club to get them back there after some tough years.
“I want to be there when the Titans are successful again and I don’t think it’s too far away.”