Luke Bailey.

Luke Bailey is one of the National Rugby League’s (NRL) toughest competitors. He’s played State of Origin for New South Wales and his country, and now Bull Bailey wants an NRL premiership as co-captain of the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans

WORDS JASON SINTOME

Luke, you’ve achieved so much in Rugby League, what keeps you motivated to keep playing at such a high level?
I genuinely love the game, I like being around and training with the boys, and I look forward to the constant challenges that the game and our opponents throw up every week.

There’s so much happening with the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans and with sport in general on the Gold Coast. Is it hard to keep focused?
The Gold Coast has established itself as a Rugby League heartland over the past few years. The fans are as passionate as any I’ve come across and it seems that every other week there is a new announcement or a program launched to further secure the position of Rugby League in this area.

But, at the end of the day, all the interest and the community energy is maintained through what the team achieves on the field. So it’s up to us to make sure we’re focused, dedicated to our preparation and training, and of course, getting the job done on game day.

The bookies are calling Jetstar Gold Coast Titans a genuine premiership threat. How does that sit with you?
I love it! Our pre-season form and early season performances will ensure that most teams sit up and take notice when they’re preparing to play us. There aren’t any easy games in the NRL any more and all 16 teams are capable of winning on the day. We’re of the opinion that if we prepare well and execute our game plan well on the day, we can win most matches we contest.

How do you escape the pressures of footy?
It’s pretty good on the Gold Coast. When you’re away from the team environment, people pretty much say “G’day” then leave you alone. I just like hanging out with my wife Rebecca and kids Amarlie and Hudson. We go to the beach and the kids are huge fans of WhiteWater World so I spend quite a bit of time splashing around in the Wiggles pool.

Is there more pressure on today’s players?
I think there is more pressure on today’s players and we certainly couldn’t get away with half of what the players of the ’70s and ’80s could. There’s also more pressure to perform on the field, loads of media commitments and anything we say is potentially a headline story. But there’s also more assistance – welfare and media managers, specialist coaches, medical teams and dieticians – they ensure we’re in the best possible shape each weekend.