NRL: How Bulldogs’ Matt Doorey playing for mate Keith Titmuss

There’s a tattoo on his arm which reminds Matt Doorey every day to live his best life and play his best footy. And a sadness in his heart he will use as motivation this NRL season.

Bulldogs young gun Matt Doorey (right) was rocked by the loss of his mate Keith Titmuss (bottom left).

When Matt Doorey runs out for the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs this NRL season he will be doing so with a close mate watching over.

A new tattoo on his arm is the visible reminder of how growing up he shared a dream of playing in the NRL with childhood friend Keith Titmuss.

It is a gentle reminder to live life to the fullest and be the player and man he wants to be.

The young talent said rising Manly Warringah Sea Eagles star Titmuss, who died unexpectedly at age 20 late last year, won’t be forgotten.

Matt Doorey celebrates with Aiden Tolman after scoring a try in his first season of NRL in 2020.

“He was my best mate, there’s a lot of motivation around that,” said Doorey, who recently extended his time at Belmore until the end of the 2022 season.

“Losing him put a lot of things into perspective.

“We had the same dream. I’ll be doing all this for him as well.

“When I’m doing it tough at training I will know there’s worse places to be. He will be with me out there.”

Keith Titmuss was with Manly Warringah. Pic: Nathan Hopkins, NRL Photos

Doorey said news of Titmuss’ death after a training session in November knocked him for six.

“I was coming home from training and it put me in shock,” he said.

“I didn’t train for a week and a bit. I have never had a death in the family.

“It was a different feel to life, it was a bit of a fog.

“Things are better now but it’s still hard here and there. I’ve learned to think of him in positive memories.”

The young backrower has been elevated from the development squad into the Bulldogs’ top 30 after making his NRL debut in 2020 against West Tigers and playing five games with Canterbury.

Bulldogs Matt Doorey scored a try on debut against Wests Tigers.

Doorey grew up in Liverpool and played football with the Parklea and Cabramatta clubs, attended Westfield Sports High and at 18 made an Australian schoolboys team to announce himself as a talent of the future.

“I didn’t really get a look at before this. There was always someone bigger and better,” Doorey said.

“Then suddenly things just clicked. I had just made the Harold Matthews team for Parramatta and made top 25 under 18s Origin Blues but didn’t make the cut.

“I was about 17 and the Dogs looked at me.

“The Dogs offered a bit more security and promised me a development contract.’’

A cat is the empty stands during the Canterbury Bulldogs and North Queensland Cowboys match at ANZ Stadium in March last year.

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Doorey made his debut - and scored two tries in his five 2020 outings - in a year affected by a worldwide pandemic and because of this, minus a traditional rugby league crowd.

Getting the opportunity to play this season in front of family, friend and thousands of Bulldogs fans has him excited.

“I haven’t played in front of a big crowd. I think the biggest so far is 3000,” he said.

“It will be special. I have something to look forward to.”