NORTHERN Rivers rugby league product Aaron Booth is set to make his long awaited club debut with the Gold Coast Titans.
Booth, who grew up playing with the Mullumbimby Giants, has been named at hooker for the Titans NRL clash with the Brisbane Broncos on Saturday night.
He follows on from the likes of Lismore-born Brian Kelly who has been a regular in Titans colours since 2019.
The 26-year-old arrived at the club this season after playing six games with the Melbourne Storm in 2020 and 2021.
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Ongoing shoulder and hamstring injuries have hampered his progress this season and he comes into a side sitting second last on the ladder.
"I came here with a plan for it to happen sooner, but a few injuries changed those initial plans," Booth said.
"I always knew it would happen at some stage and I've been able to put a few games to together in Q Cup with Burleigh.
"It gives me confidence to perform and know I'm able to give my best in the top team.
"It's all coming together at the right time, I feel like I've been contributing at training and off the field, but you want to be out there with the team.
"I know I'm going to be exhausted after the game because I'm not going to leave anything out there."
Living closer to home has meant he has been able to help in flood recovery efforts since March.
"To be around it and seeing the damage was heartbreaking," Booth said.
"I've got a lot of friends and family coming up from down that way and I'm looking forward to putting a smile on their face."
Booth and Brian Kelly were both quick to get the Titans on board after the floods.
"My mum and siblings are in Brunswick and my dad is in Mullumbimby... he lost his place through it all," Booth told Titans media.
"My dad was away and once everything got to a point where he needed to get back, the roads were closed and he didn't get to save anything.
"I also had one of my best mates lose his property, and his family member out on the hills hadn't been contacted, so we trekked up there and dropped off food and water.
"This is just in Mullumbimby that I'm speaking about. At Ocean Shores, driving through, you just see destruction and I know Lismore and places further south are worse off."
The Titans committed $100,000 in an effort to help flood-ravaged communities from Logan to Lismore.
Past and present Titans players were part of the initial clean up in Lismore while the NSW State of Origin team were on the ground last week.
Mitchell Craig
Australian Community Media journalist with over 10 years' experience in providing quality news and sport stories.
Australian Community Media journalist with over 10 years' experience in providing quality news and sport stories.
