Lost Titans: Former half Brad Davis helping groom new generation of footy talent

Brad Davis played just six games for the Gold Coast Titans but the work he is doing identifying the next generation of stars is his greatest achievement.

BRAD Davis paid a high price to make his Gold Coast Titans debut.

But missing out on playing for the Queensland Residents in a State of Origin curtain raiser allowed the Tweed half to achieve a lifelong goal of making the NRL — and notch up a win over Melbourne Storm to boot.

With regular Titans halfback Scott Prince winning a late call-up to the Maroons’ Origin side, Davis made his debut alongside Mat Rogers in an 18-0 win against the Storm at Robina.

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Brad Davis makes his NRL debut for the Titans against the Melbourne Storm at Robina.

“I hadn’t given up (on making my NRL debut) but it had taken a back seat and winning the Queensland Cup in 2007 was probably the real catalyst for sparking interest in a lot of the (Tweed) Seagulls players and I was one of those,” Davis said.

“I was in camp for Queensland Residents at the time and Carty (coach John Cartwright) pulled me out of the residents camp to play.

“I ended up missing out on the Residents game but making my debut.

“I was a bit disappointed but it was a major goal for me to play NRL, so I was more than happy to do that.”

An injury to Price soon after allowed Davis to get another five consecutive games that season, rounding out his NRL stint.

“I signed on again for 20009 but just didn’t get any more games, things just didn’t fall my way that year.”

A Tweed Seagulls legend, Davis was named as captain of the Queensland Cup 20 year team.

Davis would go on to get picked — and play for — the Residents another two times during a highly successful state league career.

At the level below the NRL, Davis is a legend, picked as captain of the Queensland Cup 20th anniversary team.

A physical education teacher at Palm Beach Currumbin High School, Davis’s greatest legacy in the game though has been what he has passed on to the next generation, who could also end up as Titans players.

“I’m coaching the Bs and helping Aaron Zimmerle with the As and we’ve just come off the back of a national championship,” he said.

Gold Coast Titans against St George Illawarra, Brad Davis.

“It’s super enjoyable to have that connection with the kids and to try and educate them a bit about the world of footy and watching them develop and grow during the years that you have them at school. To have a small part to play in their development is a major reward and something that’s really exciting.”