A career threatening Achilles injury and his cheeky children have been credited with helping veteran Gold Coast NRL prop Luke Bailey bounce back to his best and seal a one-season contract extension.
The 33-year-old ex-Test and NSW forward on Thursday confirmed he had signed on until the end of 2014.
And the 242-game veteran had some unlikely inspirations to thank for helping him wind back the clock in his eighth season with the Titans.
“I’m happy with re-signing for another 12 months especially after my Achilles injury (last August). I’m still excited about playing and I feel that I’ve got something to offer on and off the field,” said Bailey.
“I never thought it was my last year when I did my Achilles. If anything, it’s been a blessing in disguise because I didn’t get flogged as much during the pre-season and it has given me more energy for this time of year.”
Support from his wife Bec helped him through the tough rehabilitation but Bailey said his young children Amarli, Hudson and Lexi were also good for motivation.
“They know what’s going on now and follow the footy. They were giving it to me about being on the bench when my number changed from 8 to 15 so it’s good,” he said.
“I like going out there and trying to put on a show for them.”
Titans coach John Cartwright believed Bailey was performing as well as he did when he first arrived for the club’s inaugural season in 2007.
“We’ve been talking to ‘Bails’ since the season started and he’s very proud of his performance so if he didn’t think he could be performing at the level he has, I dare say he would have said it’s time,” said Cartwright.
“He just prides himself on his performance and the thing with Bails is he wants to win a grand final, which is something he believes we can do.
“He’s also grooming guys that are going to take over his job down the track and that’s a rare quality to have.
The Titans will be sweating on Bailey ahead of Sunday’s NRL clash with South Sydney in Cairns after missing Thursday training with a hip complaint.