Former Wallabies star Carter Gordon has set his sights on a starting Gold Coast halves spot as he leans on dual international Mat Rogers for guidance with the transition.
Gordon, 23, played eight Tests for the Wallabies, going into the 2023 Rugby World Cup as the starting five eighth, before signing with the Titans in June and following in the footsteps of Rogers.
The Rogers story is a wonderful guide and inspiration for Gordon as he embarks on the next chapter in his career.
The man known as "Rat" made his name initially in rugby league where he represented Australia and Queensland before transitioning to rugby union and playing 45 Tests at centre, five eighth and fullback.
Rogers returned to the NRL and played four seasons with the Titans, mostly at centre and No.6. They are the positions Gordon will most likely play.
"Mat is someone I will look to a lot," Gordon said.
"He is a mentor and pretty much I am taking the same steps as him. He is someone I will draw on for knowledge. He is going to be a big part of the foreseeable future for me."
Gordon was impressive in four games in the Queensland Cup for Tweed Heads in 2024 and he scored four tries while playing centre and five-eighth.
He has a long, precision pass and a booming boot. He is also, at 189cm and 93kg, a big body.
It is the No.6 jersey he has his sights on.
"I really enjoy ball playing. That is a strength I had in rugby union and that is something I want to bring across to rugby league," he said.
"I like taking the ball into the line. I don’t mind playing centre and it will be all about where (coach) Des Hasler sees my best fit, but halves is where I want to play.
"It is going to be about how quickly I get up to speed with my game and body. I want to play NRL next year and be mentally and physically ready. It will be up to the coaches whether they think I am."
Rogers has no doubt Gordon can make a successful transition.
"I called a couple of Carter's rugby games for Stan (Sport) from the sideline and I was really impressed with his running game and his ability to take the ball to the line and find the right person in support," Rogers told AAP.
"They are attributes that transfer to rugby league. It is just about him understanding spacing and numbers but in time I think he could be a tremendous asset to the Titans.
"I have watched him play in the Q Cup and he has done well. When he moves into the halves he has got Kieran Foran to help him and Des Hasler, his coach, was one of the great halfbacks."
Gordon has no intention of failing after making the code switch.
"I was always intrigued by the game. It runs in the family," he said.
"My old man and grandad played and that is all we watched growing up.
"I went to a private school and was in the union system all the way growing up but in the back of my mind was to get a chance to play rugby league.
"I’m 23 and young enough to transition and get my foot in the door. It is going to take a lot of work and I am ready for that."
The Titans will wear a new strip next year and the design is a nod to the 2010 team that made the preliminary final, of which Rogers was a member.
