Lost Titan column: Sam Irwin on his 10-game Gold Coast NRL career, switch to being a pilot

Footy player to pilot … it’s a transition that could put Sam Irwin in some pretty exclusive company.

FOOTY player to pilot … it’s a transition that could put Sam Irwin in some pretty exclusive company.

Originally from Darwin, Irwin moved to the Gold Coast to chase his dream of playing for the Titans, attending renowned rugby league nursery Palm Beach Currumbin State High School.

He was called up to make his NRL debut in Round 6 of the 2013 season, playing as a bench hooker behind a forward pack headlined by Origin quartet Luke Bailey, Nate Myles, Greg Bird and Ashley Harrison.

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It proved a memorable occasion as the Titans delighted their home fans with a 28-22 win over Parramatta.

Sam Irwin at Titans training. Picture: Adam Head

“We came back from being down in the first half (8-16 at halftime) and then we ended up knocking them off. It was a pretty good start,” Irwin reflected.

Nine more appearances off the bench would follow for five more wins.

After not featuring in 2014, it was a subsequent move to English club Featherstone where things went awry.

“I don’t know what it was, I just sort of fell out of love with it,” he said.

“When I came back (to Australia) I decided to take a year off work and get a commercial pilot’s licence. While I was doing that I was playing for Tweed, then as soon as I got that I took off to Darwin and built up some hours there.

Sam Irwin playing for Tweed Seagulls. Picture: Jerad Williams

“From there, I got a job at Geraldton at an air charter company and I’m now based in Perth and I fly for an electrical company. We go around to all of the mines and I work as an electrician out there as well as flying.”

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Has his love of footy returned?

“I sort of find it a bit boring,” Irwin answered honestly, bluntly.

“I do watch highlights but I can’t sit through 80 minutes, I’m just not really that interested in it.”