Mega payday for ex NRL ironman and Scottish captain

A ex international rugby league captain has landed a mega payday in Queensland thanks to time he spent here more than a decade ago.

Luke Douglas played for the Titans for five seasons. Picture: AAP Image/Dave Hunt.

A ex international rugby league captain has landed a mega payday in Queensland thanks to time he spent here more than a decade ago.

Born in New South Wales, Luke Douglas who played five seasons with the Gold Coast Titans after six with Cronulla before leaving for the United Kingdom and a stint as captain of the Bravehearts.

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He captained Scotland during the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. Picture: AAP Image/SNPA, Ross Setford.

He bought this Burleigh Waters home in 2012 and has gone on to sell it for close to $2.197m in December. Picture: One Agency/realestate.com.au.

During his time with the Gold Coast Titans, Mr Douglas invested in a five-bedroom house in Burleigh Waters, paying $840,000 in 2012 – a deal that has now paid off handsomely for him.

He has pocketed a gain of $1.357m after selling the house for just under $2.197m, with the deal going through in December 2024 and reported this month officially.

The front row specialist left the Titans in 2017 for a stint with the English League playing for St Helens for two seasons before joining Leigh. In that time he would have been up for solid rental income given the massive demand for houses on the Gold Coast.

Prices in the suburb have accelerated by 85.7 per cent in the past five years.

The home has direct access to a nature reserve via a gate in the backyard. Picture: One Agency/realestate.com.au.

Records show the property listed at $1,400 a week during the pandemic in 2022 or about $72,800 a year, and then rising to $1,700 a week in December 2024 or $88,400 annually.

The five bedroom home sits on an 834sq m block with One Agency director Danny O’Donnell describing it as “Burleigh’s best buy”.

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Luke Douglas tackled by James Tamou during his last season with the Titans. Picture: AAP Image/Michael Chambers.

He said the home was “just a short walk to Burleigh Beach and an array of popular restaurants and cafes” but also has direct gate access to Burleigh Knoll Conservation Park – a boon for nature-loving families.

Among its charms the home has a large in-ground pool with sun lounging deck, as well as a firepit area but also offers dual living potential given its fifth bedroom has its own separate living space.

Around 166 houses were sold in Burleigh Waters last year with a median price of $1.541m – with prices jumping a massive 85.7 per cent in the past five years according to PropTrack data.

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The home sold for $656,000 more than the median house price in the suburb.

The home is move in ready.

Originally published as Mega payday for ex NRL ironman and Scottish captain