Gold Coast hooker Sam Verrills will have a bone graft on his troublesome collarbone as part of season-ending surgery that should have him fit and firing in 2024.
The 2019 premiership winner has broken his collarbone twice in the past 12 months.
Titans interim coach Jim Lenihan told AAP an infection post-surgery had caused the 24-year-old ongoing grief and he will go under the knife and play no further part in the 2023 season.
“He broke his collarbone at the Roosters last year before he came to us and got a plate in it,” Lenihan told AAP.
“Sam did it again at the Titans in a contact drill on day one of pre-season and they put another plate in and more screws.
“It got infected after that procedure and they cleaned it up. The infection is back and it starting to pop through the skin where they cut him.
“The concern is around the bone healing properly so they are going to clean the infection up and do a bone graft to reinvigorate the healing process and make sure it is right to go.”
Verrills missed three months of action this year after re-injuring his collarbone in round two. He has shown incredible commitment to the cause to battle on under duress.
“Not many people know what Sam has been doing for us just to get to game day,” Lenihan said.
“He is always padded up at training and in games but he is just getting on with it.
“He is at an age where he is mentally and physically mature.”
The rehabilitation process will be several months but Lenihan said the club was taking a long-term view to get Verrills ready to attack the 2024 season.
“Getting it all sorted now gets Sam more of a fitness base,” Lenihan said.
“He will be able to do all the running while it heals and be ready to play at full fitness next season.”
Verrills is a key plank in the Titans’ 2024 plans under incoming coach Des Hasler.
The Titans have options in the spine with Jayden Campbell and AJ Brimson class fullbacks and veteran Kieran Foran and Tanah Boyd growing in their understanding in the halves.
“It is important for us to have a good hooker and Sam is with us long-term,” Lenihan said.
“Des certainly wants him to be an important part of our machine. We just need to get him right so he is fit and firing for us.”
The Titans travel to Cronulla on Saturday night with captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui back from a three-match suspension.
Brimson has been rested as he recovers from an oblique tear and rib soreness which ruled him out of last week’s loss to New Zealand Warriors.
Campbell will once again wear the No.1 jersey.
