Tom Weaver has declared he wants to retain the Titans No. 7 jersey after getting a taste of the NRL at the end of 2023.
Featuring in the final three games of the past season after having debuted against the eventual premiers Penrith in Round 25, the little sample of first grade has the rising playmaker wanting more time in the top grade.
Although conceding the jersey is more than likely Tanah Boyd's at the minute given the 60-gamer is the incumbent before a shoulder injury sidelined the star for the games in which Weaver played, the protege won't stop challenging his fellow halfback for the coveted position.
"After the way it ended for me last year and getting to debut, I definitely want to put my best foot forward for that No. 7 jersey," he told titans.com.au.
"Obviously Tanah is probably the first choice at the moment, but I definitely want to be able to keep pushing him to make him a better player and then also look to improve my game.
"Having competition for spots in any club is the way going forward for success because you're challenging each other and you're pushing each other to be better.
"It's all healthy competition... you're best mates off the field but on the field, you're challenging each other to be better every day.
"Hopefully it will go a long way to help us winning games and hopefully I get a few more games under my belt next year."
Debutant Weaver is made of tough stuff
To help the 20-year-old remain as a regular in the NRL, he has returned to Titans HQ for the pre-season with a slightly different body composition in order to work on improving his physicality after being one of the smallest halfbacks to debut in first grade at a mere 77 kilograms.
"I was definitely a lot lighter than everyone I was versing last year when I was playing, so I've worked on that over the off-season and come back at a weight where I feel pretty comfortable at," Weaver said.
"I've just got to now work on my fitness and been able to maintain my fitness whilst carrying this sort of weight because my body's not used to it.
"I also want to keep working on my weapons, like being able to run the ball a bit more and focus on that, so that's definitely something I'm looking to improve."
Not only having the wisdom of experienced half Kieran Foran to continue helping the young star to continue growing in the NRL, Weaver now has new coach Des Hasler in his corner as well - particularly with the Titans mentor a former 300-game playmaker for over 15 years before taking up coaching.
"I actually saw a video of him playing in the off-season... it was on the TV and Dad and I were watching him play," he revealed.
"It's definitely a big thing for him to help me, especially with him being a half as well. He can just pick little things up in my game and I can go and ask him questions, which is a real helping hand.
"He's really thorough with what he does and it's definitely been a big eye opener.
"He's really clear on what he wants and I think he's going to bring big success to this club and I'm glad I'm here for it."
