Tyler Cornish reflects on his one-game NRL career at the Gold Coast Titans

TYLER Cornish’s dream first grade debut came in dramatic circumstances. His tenure at the Titans was over just weeks later but no one can take that memorable game off him.

TYLER Cornish’s dream first grade debut came in dramatic circumstances. His tenure at the Titans was over just weeks later but no one can take that memorable game off him.

A promising half from Goulburn, Cornish had headed north to Burleigh with a 2017 Gold Coast NRL train-and-trial deal in hand and only had to wait until Round 3 to be called up with Neil Henry’s roster decimated by injuries.

Controversy surrounded the match with Titans officials outraged by the NRL’s rejection of their request for recruit Dale Copley to be included for the Parramatta fixture.

Tyler Cornish in action against the Eels. Picture: AAP Image

Wafer-thin for depth, Gold Coast defied all odds to take a backs-to-the-wall 26-14 victory.

Replacing the injured Jarryd Hayne in the No.1 jersey before jumping on the wing for the first time in his career when William Zillman joined the casualty ward, Cornish has fond memories of the occasion.

“To be honest with you, it was probably one of the best days of my life,” Cornish reflected.

“You dream about that as a kid. To be able to do it was unbelievable and scoring in a win just makes it extra special.”

The now 23-year-old made way the following week and soon informed the club he would be heading back to join family in Goulburn after being told he would not be given a full-time contract.

Cornish also represented the Titans at the Auckland Nines last year. Picture: Getty Images

These days he is playing for Canberra feeder club Mounties in the Intrust Super Premiership – often in the fullback role he first really became familiar with on the Coast – but is relatively unfazed about returning to the NRL one day.

“If it comes my way, I will take it with both hands but I’m happy just doing what I am doing at the moment,” he said. “I have just started an electrical apprenticeship so I am really enjoying that.”

Cornish’s older brother Mitchell has chalked up 20 games for the Raiders and Roosters so far; the pair enjoyed the quite the backyard footy rivalry once upon a time.

“Me and (younger brother) Nicholas used to take on Mitchell because that’s the only way it was fair,” Tyler said.

Cornish at a recovery session. Picture: Steve Holland

“We definitely had a lot of games in the backyard, that’s for sure.”

He added his near six-month stint on the Coast was “unbelievable” on the whole.

“It is such a great place to live and I got on so well with the boys up there. Obviously it was a bit far from home for my liking to stay there long-term but I loved every second of it,” he said.

Age: 23

Born: Goulburn, NSW

NRL games: 1

THAT GAME

■ Round 3, 2017 for Gold Coast against Parramatta at Cbus Super Stadium

■ Match score: Titans 26-14

■ Cornish’s stats: One try, 74 running metres, one line break, one tackle bust, one error, four tackles, two missed tackles

TITANS’ ONE-GAME CLUB

■ Tyler Cornish (fullback, 2017)

■ Shane Gray (bench, 2013)

■ Jahrome Hughes (fullback, 2013)

■ Hymel Hunt (centre, 2013)

■ Leva Li (wing, 2015)

■ Billy Ngawini (bench, 2008)