one more month to go
WORDS JASON SINTOME

The countdown is on ’til kick-off in March
Return of “The Rat”

Mat Rogers is back – fi tter, stronger and pain-free for the fi rst time in several seasons following successful off-season neck surgery.

One of the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans’ most dynamic players in 2007, Mat Rogers has been training hard and has already indicated to head coach John Cartwright that he would like to be considered for the club’s vacant fi ve-eight spot in 2008.

“I’ve always enjoyed my footy when I have been given a shot at fi ve-eight, I enjoy the position and the added pressure that comes with having extra possession and helping to orchestrate our attacking raids.”

Rogers faces a challenge from new Jetstar Titans signing Ashley Harrison and proven fi ve-eight Preston Campbell for the fi rst crack at the coveted number six jumper, however the experienced 31-year-old is confi dent he could provide much needed spark playing outside star half Scott Prince.

Rogers played most of last season in the centres, where he quickly made the position his own after returning from rugby union. Wherever he plays in 2008, Rogers is certain to make a huge impression for the Jetstar Titans as they embark on their second season in the National Rugby League (NRL).

Jetstar Titans radio
Tune into Jetstar Gold Coast Titans radio, this month featuring an interview with Australian musical siblings Angus and Julia Stone, and music from their new album A Book Like This. There are also interviews with your favourite Jetstar Titans players, and you could win a brand new Sony Play-Station Portable slim console, courtesy of the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans and Sony.

Book Your Tickets Now!

On Saturday 23rd February John Cartwright’s squad will travel to Cairns in tropical Far North Queensland for an eagerly awaited clash with the North Queensland Cowboys at Barlow Park.
A week later on 1st March, the Titans will play their fi rst match at the newly completed, state-of-the-art, AU$160 million dollar Skilled Park stadium at Robina. It’s a game not to be missed with Jetstar Titans Scott Prince and Anthony Laffranchi up against a star-studded West Tigers side, the team they won the NRL crown with in 2005.
If you’re waiting for the real stuff to begin, now is the time to book your tickets with dates set for the fi rst fi ve rounds of the NRL premiership.

Round one, 14 March:
Jetstar Gold Coast Titans vs North Queensland Cowboys at Skilled Park.
Round two, 24 March:
Jetstar Gold Coast Titans vs St George Illawarra Dragons at Win Stadium.
Round three, 29 March:
Jetstar Gold Coast Titans vs Sharks at Skilled Park.
Round four, 5 April:
Jetstar Gold Coast Titans vs Canberra Raiders at Skilled Park.
Round fi ve, 11 April:
Jetstar Gold Coast Titans vs Eels at Parramatta stadium.

There’s no shortage of early season action for the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans and we’d love to see you at all of our games, both home and away.

Preparation for Mission 2008

The club announced several big signings immediately after the close of the season with Matt Cross, a giant front rower from Penrith moving north, along with former Eels enforcer Aaron Cannings in a determined effort to add some real size to a Titans forward pack considered too small by many in 2007.

Securing the signature of former representative player Ashley Harrison gives Jetstar Titans massive strike power, while the acquisition of former North Queensland flyer Brenton Bowen and West Tigers speedster Ben Jeffery will provide Jetstar Titans with speed to burn on the wings. Add to the mix Kyogle’s Shannon Walker, one of the game’s quickest outside backs and most exciting rookies, and things look good for the Gold Coasters.
While they have bought big, the club’s existing players are almost uniformly larger after Cartwright ordered his coaching team to add size and power to all players across the pack.

Introducing…
Scott Clark, football manager Jetstar Gold Coast Titans

Name: Scott Clark.
Occupation: Jetstar Gold Coast Titans Football Manager/Manager of the National Youth competition.
Nickname: Stuey (Stuart Little, the Mouse), pot plant (he just sits there and doesn’t say much).
Describe your perfect weekend?
Flying south with the team, a few beers with the coaching staff on the eve of the match, a pie before the game and then settling in for game-day action. The car trips from the airport with Billy Johnstone after our away-games in Sydney are also pretty exciting events.
Away from footy, it’s just time with the family and friends; I’m a big fan of the weekend barbie.
Married?
Yep. My wife Rebecca’s very patient and I’ve got two awesome little girls, Ashleigh and Sophie.
What did you do before you joined the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans?
I was CEO of the Burleigh Bears Queensland cup team for eight years and a manager with several Junior Roos teams.