THE forgotten man in the Titans’ backline dogfight admits he will be “dirty” if overlooked for the season opener against Canberra, but challenges are nothing new to Dale Copley.
Ten years on from his NRL debut with the Broncos, Copley is in danger of missing out on a Round 1 berth after coming off the bench in Saturday night’s 25-22 trial loss to Brisbane.
The run-on side for the club’s final pre-season hitout was notable for the absences of Copley and cult hero Anthony Don, with Brenko Lee, Brian Kelly, Tyrone Peachey and Phillip Sami shaping as the outside backs for the March 17 encounter with the Raiders.
The injuries that have become an unfortunate trademark of Copley’s 119-game career have again limited his output over the off-season, with knee and calf issues the latest in a long line of problems.
While the 27-year-old is now back to full fitness, he knows there is a very real possibility he could start the season with Burleigh in the Intrust Super Cup.
“I’d like to play centre obviously but there is a lot of competition. (The Broncos trial) was not for two points but for that 17 (spots) in week one it’s pretty vital,” Copley, who has played 32 games for the Titans since arriving in 2017, said.
“I don’t think we’ve had this much competition for spots since I’ve been here so that competition has bred a really competitive pre-season. I’ve stopped trying to read what coaches think in pre-season and just play really well and make life for the coach difficult.
“You’re happy to see (other) guys do well, definitely. They’ve all worked really hard in the pre-season but that doesn’t make it any easier if I was to not get picked. I’d still be dirty.”
Copley has taken a different approach to pre-season work in the wake of his most recent injuries, with strengthening his calves and hamstrings a concerted focus.
It is a change he hopes will rid him of his injury-prone tag.
“It’s been hard to build a bit of momentum from year to year and even season to season and game to game (because of injuries). I haven’t been able to string too much together over my career so it’s been very frustrating but I’ve put a few things in place this year so hopefully my luck can turn and I can play the year out without any injuries,” he said.
“I’ve been doing a bit more prehab stuff, instead of reacting after the fact. It’s more so just extra strength work but a lot of stuff guys do for warm up I include as a strength exercise now, mainly around hammies and calves and trying to prevent (injuries).
“(Injuries) challenge you a bit differently to a normal pre-season but I’m through the other end now and feeling good so I’m looking forward to play some footy. I’ve done the work and hopefully now it transfers and I can play some games.”