Kevin Proctor makes call on Gold Coast Titans future

The Titans skipper has declared his desire to see the team’s revival through to the very end. Whether they can find a place for the off-contract 31-year-old is a different story.

Gold Coast Titans 2017 co-captains Kevin Proctor and Ryan James pictured at Currumbin Beach ahead of the opening NRL round 1 game Photo: David Clark

Kevin Proctor has declared his burning desire to see the Gold Coast Titans revival through to the very end.

Whether the Titans can find a place for the off-contract 31-year-old in their squad next year could be a different story.

Young backrowers Keegan Hipgrave and Beau Fermor have shown glimpses of extraordinary potential in relieving the injured duo of Proctor and Ryan James throughout 2020.

New recruits Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Herman Ese’ese will compete for a starting jersey in 2021, with potentially more signings to join the fray as negotiations with David Fifita and John Asiata escalate.

Six backrowers, competing for just three starting positions.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 07: Kevin Proctor of the Titans scores a try during the round four NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the Wests Tigers at Suncorp Stadium on June 07, 2020 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

The next nine games are Proctor’s chance to prove he can play a role in Justin Holbrook’s rebuild of the Titans roster.
Proctor said he wanted to be a part of the club’s bright future.

“It’d be awesome (to re-sign with the Titans),” the acting captain said.

“I’ve been through a lot with this club and I just want to see them succeed and come out the other side.

“I want to be there when they do and hopefully they show some faith and keep me here.

“At the end of the day it’s a business and they’ll do what they think is the best thing for the business.

“I think I’ve still got plenty to offer – if it’s not helping on the field (to the same degree) it’s helping the young boys.

“We’re moving in the right direction, 100 per cent.

“The Titans are recruiting really well and we’re starting to build the foundation here with the group we have.

“We just need to build that consistency and that comes with the combinations you build, or the people you get in.”

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Proctor’s 13 years and 247 games of experience across the Storm and later Titans are a significant point of difference in a position group with an average age of 22 without him.

His 2020 form was solid, if unspectacular, before suffering a bicep injury that ruled him out for three weeks.

Gold Coast Titans 2017 co-captains Kevin Proctor and Ryan James pictured at Currumbin Beach ahead of the opening NRL round 1 game Photo: David Clark

He returns to the starting team for a clash with the Penrith Panthers on Sunday. A decision on his future may come down to which of Proctor or Ryan James the Titans need more.

The 29-year-old James’ injury history is troubling, not just because he has suffered two major knee injuries in the last two seasons.

With just three healthy seasons under his belt, knee and shoulder injuries have limited the popular Titan to just 75 games from 188 possible appearances - an availability rate of 39.8 per cent.