Gold Coast playmaker Toby Sexton has credited the wisdom of injured veteran Kieran Foran for inspiring his match-winning display in the 20-18 victory over St George Illawarra that took the Titans to sixth spot on the NRL ladder.
Sexton scored the winning try with four minutes left at Robina after filling in for Foran, who has an injured calf.
The 22-year-old Sexton has been earmarked for big things in the game since he shone as a schoolboy at Palm Beach Currumbin High. Last year he played 19 NRL games but was dropped after the Titans failed to fire.
Sunday’s win was his first NRL match of the year and he credited 2011 premiership winner Foran for his approach.
“Kieran has been enormous for me all pre-season,” Sexton told AAP.
“That’s been whether we go out to lunch or are sitting up in the video room and talking footy.
“The big thing he reinforces is keeping everything simple. He might have two or three things he concentrates on doing well and he does them well each week.
“I took his advice on board when it comes to my kicking and defence.
“I am picking his brain as much as I can. Whether I am playing reserve grade or NRL he has already been a massive influence after last year, where I didn’t have that senior mentor.”
Sexton’s kicking game was on point throughout Sunday’s match. He took the ball to the line like a prop in a run-around move with fullback Jayden Campbell that resulted in a first-half try, and threw several inch-perfect passes that set right winger Phil Sami on incisive runs.
Foran could be back to play Brisbane next Saturday night, but what Sexton has shown coach Justin Holbrook is he is capable of being a match winner in his own right.
“I don’t know when Foz is coming back but all I can do when I get my opportunity is play good footy and that will give me a chance of being in the 17,” Sexton said.
“I’ve been biting at the lip for the opportunity. I finally got it and it was a nice feeling and pretty cool to finish the way it did after last year was so difficult. We didn’t win much last year but right now I am enjoying my footy.
“I was determined against the Dragons to focus on all the stuff I know I can control and one of my strengths is my kicking into corners.”
Sexton is humble enough to know he has improvement to make, and praised his teammates.
“I had a poor effort in defence when (Dragons captain Ben Hunt) got over for their last try but I was fortunate enough to finish the way I did,” he said.
“I think it shows the resilience of our side this year to fight back after being 18-14 down with minutes to go.”
© AAP 2023
