Big plans ahead for Berdie

Titans forward Selasi Berdie (right) warms up at a Gold Coast training session.

Scott Powick

“BIG Bird” is back even bigger than before and this time he’s brought a couple of feathered friends along too.

Tweed Heads Seagulls hero turned Titans tough man Selasi Berdie is primed for his second stint in Gold Coast colours after an impressive pre-season.

The hard-running backrower has been named in the Titans side to take on Brisbane Broncos NYC team in a pre-season trial at Ipswich tomorrow night.

“The first game of the year is always the toughest and I’m glad to be a part of it,” Birdie said.

“I can’t wait for that first full-on contact to test the body out ... it should dust off a few cobwebs.

“My form at the start of last year was probably the best I’ve played and I felt really good so hopefully I can start the year with a bang again.”

Berdie is one of three Seagulls products in the starting side for tomorrow night’s trial with lightning-fast fullback Shannon Walker and work-horse lock Ryan Simpkins also named.

“Ryan has been training the house down,” Berdie said.

“His work ethic is unbelievable, second to none.

“He’s been doing it for the Tweed for years and he definitely deserves his shot.

“Shannon’s been going really well at fullback too and if he can replicate the form of a couple of seasons ago he’ll go close to pushing for a regular first grade spot.”

Berdie is also expected to push for a regular spot in the Titans line-up after a second successive pre-season with the club’s elite squad.

The powerhouse forward has not added any mass to his 101kg, 185cm frame but he is feeling better prepared for the challenge ahead than in seasons past.

“My weight is the same but my skin fold is down drastically,” he said.

“I feel much fitter and faster second time around.

“It’s not that the training was any easier, because I assure you it wasn’t, but I had a base to work off and knew what I was in for and what was required.”

With another year also comes new skills and Berdie believes training alongside some of the best in the business – including NSW Origin and Australian representatives Anthony Laffranchi, Luke Bailey and Mark Minnichiello – is fast-tracking his development.

“I’ve been working on being more effective both with the ball and in defence,” he said.

“In attack I want to have more impact on the ball, break more tackles, run good lines and better my off-loads.

“In defence I want people to know I’ve hit them but more importantly kill the ball and not miss any tackles.

“Minnichiello is a prime example of a guy that plays that sort of game and he’s someone I’ve been modelling my game on.”

Tweed Heads regulars Bodene Thompson and Will Mathews have also been named in the Titans squad for tomorrow’s trial, which kicks off at Briggs Road Oval at 8.30pm DST (7.30pm Qld).