Bulletin’s Lost Titan feature on former fan favourite Luke Bailey
HE would become the rock of the Gold Coast Titans’ formative years but Luke Bailey never wanted to leave the comforts of home at St George-Illawarra.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
HE would become the rock of the Gold Coast Titans’ formative years but Luke Bailey never wanted to leave the comforts of home at St George-Illawarra.
After seven years and 119 games with the Dragons, the hardworking prop arrived on the Coast for the Titans’ maiden campaign in 2007 – but not necessarily by design.
“I didn’t want to leave the Dragons,” Bailey, now 39 and based back in Wollongong, said.
“I was about to re-sign with the Dragons for a couple of years but I got wind that (the Titans) were coming into the competition.
“I remember talking to the missus and I thought ‘maybe I should see if they’re interested in me’.
“I actually rang them and they were at my door a couple of days later. My family and my wife’s family are all down here so it was just to try something on our own.
“I thought it would be good to help start a new club, which I wouldn’t be able to do again.”
It proved an inspired decision, with Bailey going on to become a fan favourite and the heart and soul of the Titans during his 150-game career between 2007-14.
His time on the Glitter Strip featured the highs of a preliminary final in 2010, before the lows of a wooden spoon the following year and the collapse of the club’s Centre of Excellence.
But through it all, he saw the upside.
“It was a good experience for myself and taking the family up there. It was a pretty good time, we had two kids up there,” Bailey, who finished with 15 Origin appearances for NSW and four Tests for Australia, said.
“I would’ve liked a bit more success but it wasn’t meant to be. It was eight years and I stayed for a year after a finished.
“I miss the Coast, especially with the winters down here. I don’t really watch the game enough to support anyone (but) the Dragons and the Titans have a little place in my heart.
“I watch probably half a game a weekend to show my son some pointers. He’s 12 and he’s already about my size.”
After changing jobs three times, Bailey now works as a weekend coal miner and occasional program deliverer with the NRL.
LUKE BAILEY FACT FILE
Age: 39
Position: prop
Lives: Wolloongong
NRL Games: 269 (20 tries)
Clubs: St George-Illawarra (119 games between 2000-06), Gold Coast Titans (150 games between 2007-14)
Notes:
■ Foundation player with the Titans in 2007, playing in their 20-18 Round 1 loss to former club the Dragons
■ Fifteen State of Origin appearances for NSW between 2002-09
■ Four Tests for Australia between 2003-09
■ Now works as weekend coal miner and occasional program deliverer with the NRL
You pick: Vote now for ultimate Qld Schoolboys team of the year
Vote now: Discover the top schoolboys rugby league players in Queensland and pick your ultimate team of the year from the NRL’s elite Year 10 and senior competitions. Cast your vote here.
‘Rather go surfing’: How Elgey lost, rekindled, rugby league love
Kane Elgey burst onto the NRL scene but by 25 he was lost to the game. Five years later, he has cleaned up in his rare return. He opens up on loving life as a termite inspector and why he doesn’t regret a thing.