Luke Douglas in unusual position of fighting to get back in to team

TITANS ironman Luke Douglas is hoping his incredible NRL record will count for something when coach Neil Henry sits down at the selection table.

Luke Douglas in action during Titans training at Pizzey Park, Burleigh. Pics Adam Head

TITANS ironman Luke Douglas is hoping his incredible NRL record will count for something when coach Neil Henry sits down at the selection table.

Douglas is fighting for a recall after missing the Gold Coast’s season-opening win against Newcastle through suspension.

It was the first time the prop has missed an NRL game through a judiciary suspension in his 239-game career.

Douglas holds the record for the most consecutive games played (215) in the NRL and the only time he has previously missed matches was in 2014 due to a three-game ASADA suspension in relation to Cronulla’s supplements scandal.

His one-match suspension was a result of accumulated carry-over points from the last round of 2015 and a high-tackle charge in a pre-season trial against Parramatta.

It is incredible to think Douglas was last year crowned the Gold Coast’s player of the year but may now miss Sunday’s trip to Melbourne in favour of Leivaha Pulu, who made his NRL debut against the Knights aged 25.

Douglas, who was the main player used in the club’s pre-season promotional material, was named 18th man but could earn a reprieve if Eddy Pettybourne succumbs to a bad cork.

“I’m hoping my previous performances will be enough,” Douglas said.

“Being able to play each week made sure I didn’t give anyone else a chance.

“This is the first game I’ve missed and it opens the door for someone else to play well.

“It’s a good thing we’ve got the depth because we haven’t really had it in the past. We’ve got five or six blokes that could fit in.

“The boys went well on the weekend.”

Henry has opted to keep Agnatius Paasi and David Shillington in the front row, leaving Douglas, Ryan James, Pulu and Pettybourne to fight for three bench spots alongside Daniel Mortimer or Kierran Moseley.

James played all of last season in the back-row, meaning Henry could shift him to make way for Douglas on the bench in place of Pulu.

It’s a welcome selection headache for the coach and starting backrower Zeb Taia said the forward pack was on notice ahead of the Storm showdown.

“It shows we’ve got a lot of competition for spots, especially in the forwards,” Taia said.

“Even I need to play good every week to hold that spot.

“You’ve got guys like Iggy (Paasi) and Vaha Pulu who are going well at the moment.

“I’m pretty sure Dougie will work his way in somehow.

“With his experience and how he’s played the game over the years it would be hard for him not to be there.”

Fullback William Zillman’s (calf) return looks set to be delayed another week after he didn’t run with the squad yesterday, paving the way for David Mead to start in his preferred position after a star showing against Newcastle.

Nene Macdonald is also a chance of returning from a knee injury and there could be numerous changes to the 19-man squad Henry has named.

Originally published as Luke Douglas in unusual position of fighting to get back in to team