Titans signing’s Gold Coast return driven by love for family

JESSE Arthars has backed himself to make the most of a one-year deal with the Titans but the move back to the Gold Coast has been driven by an opportunity more valuable than footy.

JESSE Arthars has backed himself to make the most of a one-year deal with the Titans but the move back to the Gold Coast has been driven by an opportunity more valuable than footy.

Reuniting with family was Arthars’ prime motivation following the death of his mother Jane earlier this year after a battle against cancer.

Older brother to Stellan, 19 and Denver, 16, Arthars, 20, is relishing the chance to return to the Coast to live at home with his siblings and dad Jason after a difficult period for the family.

GET FULL DIGITAL ACCESS FOR $3 A WEEK

LOST TITAN: BRAD DAVIS

NRL MEDAL WINNER COULD HAVE BEEN TITAN

Former Storm and Rabbitohs squad member Jesse Arthars has signed with the Titans for a year. Photo by Richard Gosling

“I enjoyed my time (away) but for me it was more about family,” said Arthars, who will start pre-season training with the Titans next month.

“The main fact of getting home really was just to be back with my dad and my brothers at Upper Coomera.

“I lost mum in June, so I just said to my manager, if there was any way I could get up here (that’s what I wanted).

“He put me in contact with the Titans and they were keen to give me a deal so it’s worked out really well.”

Arthars linked with the Storm straight out of school, playing with the club’s under-20 side before taking up a deal with the Rabbitohs last season.

And in a tough year where injury prevented an NRL call-up, Arthars returned to the Coast as often as he could to visit Jane as she received treatment.

“It was hard because I was living in Sydney. My mum passed away from cancer, so really it’s been a long two-and-a-half years,” he said.

“I’ve been down in Sydney away from family and I think it’s just been eating away at me.

“I spoke to my dad and said I was pretty keen to get home so we just did the moves we had to make.

Jesse Arthars (with ball) in action for Keebra Park State High School being tackled by Gerrard Bailey (left) and Compain Sheziah of Palm Beach Currumbin State High. Picture: Regi Varghese

“It was tough, I’m not going to lie. It was hard living down there and not being there for mum but I used to come up whenever I could.

“But I knew mum would want me to keep playing and doing my thing, so that’s just what I kept doing.”

While Arthars is keen to spend some time away with his family before the grind of pre-season training begins, he is relishing the chance to prove himself to Titans coach Garth Brennan and earn his NRL debut next season.

“That’d be a goal, another goal would be to lock down my future as well,” he said.

“I signed for one year, so I’d like to get re-signed, hopefully with the Titans, that’d be my main goal, just to have that security there.

“I feel like (a one-year deal) is all I need, I’m just looking forward to ripping into the pre-season and going from there.”

A fullback or winger, Arthars has had the chance to learn from some of the best at the Storm and Rabbitohs and spent what time he could with their top squads soaking up knowledge from their big guns.

“It’s been awesome for me, being a fullback as my preferred position, I’ve had the opportunity to learn off Billy Slater and Greg Inglis who are two of the greats,” he said.

“It’s definitely been good to learn off them for sure.

Former Storm and Rabbitohs squad member Jesse Arthars has signed with the Titans for a year. Photo by Richard Gosling

“When I moved to Melbourne, I wasn’t expecting to play (NRL) I was just going down there to learn and bring what they taught me back to my 20s team.

“When I was at Souths I was pushing for a spot but unfortunately with injury it didn’t come.

“But new jersey, new year and we’ll see what it brings.”