Titans’ prop finally breaks remarkable curse

He’s known as a reliable performer but this Titans big man has only just shed his curse.

JACK Stockwell will go into the 2019 NRL season with renewed confidence on the back of a preseason uninterrupted by injury for the first time in years.

The Gold Coast prop was recovering from a shoulder reconstruction 12 months ago, hindering his preseason and forcing him to play catch up.

Stockwell made his debut in Round 6 but he conceded it took him a few games to get back to his best.

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It followed multiple interrupted preseasons at Newcastle where Stockwell battled with injuries included a ruptured bicep between 28 games for the Knights.

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The 26-year-old said he was feeling the benefits of his early summer work.

“It’s the first preseason where I haven’t been injured in a while so it’s going good,” Stockwell said.

“I don’t think I have been below my best but my last few years have been hindered.

“It’s nice to get a good preseason under my belt and to be able to go out there and not have to worry about anything being hurt.”

Jack Stockwell looks on during the Gold Coast Titans training session on the Gold Coast, Tuesday, August 14, 2018. Picture: AAP Image/Dave Hunt.

Stockwell said his clean bill of health meant he would go into 2019 ready to play from the outset.

“I’ll have no worries going into the season because I know I’ve done the work and put in the effort needed and that shows in games,” Stock well said.

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“When I returned in round 6 last season it probably took me a couple of games to get up with the speed of things.

“This year I’ll be hitting the ground running so it benefits you both physically and mentally.

“I’ll be looking to cart the boys forward and I’m working on my defence a lot.

“That’s an area I want to focus on this season, getting my defence better than it was last season.”