Tigers 2005 premiership-winning captain Scott Prince has opened up on leaving the club, revealing the timing of the move was the one regret of his career.
In a candid interview with Fox Sports’ Darcie McDonald for the Fox League Podcast, Prince opens up on his Gold Coast move, Origin career and that famous Benji Marshall flick pass in the 2005 NRL Grand Final.
REGRET OVER TIMING OF TIGERS EXIT
Prince was at the peak of his powers when he signed with new franchise the Gold Coast Titans at the end of 2006 as their inaugural captain.
The former halfback had spent three seasons with Wests culminating in their maiden 2005 premiership in what is now viewed as the club’s most successful period.
It was a fruitful time for Prince as well with the dynamo making his Queensland and Australian debuts while at the Tigers.
Prince said he had few rugby league regrets — and shifting to the Gold Coast at that time of his career still plays on his mind because he wonders what would have been had he stayed a Tiger for another couple of years.
“I look back now and one regret about rugby league and my career was probably me leaving the Tigers (after winning a premiership),” the 2005 Clive Churchill Medallist said.
“If the Tigers moved to Queensland I probably would have stayed,” he laughed.
“I always wanted to come home (to Queensland) but I think you’re sort of underestimating what we were able to achieve (at the Tigers) in those three years on a personal level also.
“But at the time, a young family, I just wanted to get back to Queensland. (The timing) was a real regret and something that doesn’t really sit comfortably with me.
“One thing I would have loved for my footy career was to probably stay at the Tigers for another two or three years. You never know what could have happened in that period.
“Nevertheless, we moved to the Gold Coast and that was the start of the new franchise at the Gold Coast Titans.”
PRINCE’S BRADBURY MOMENT
Prince made his State of Origin debut in Game One 2004 during a lean period for Queensland and scored the opening try of the match.
The 44-year-old refers to his selection as his “Bradbury Moment”.
“The whole process and how it took place. Locky had a sore knee at that particular time and I was just trying to forge my way and just play good consistent footy by staying on the field at the Tigers,” the Broncos NRLW coach said.
“Ironic in the fact that it was a bit of a Steven Bradbury story where every known halfback in Queensland fell over or was injured so I was the last man standing. I got the gig and couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.
“You’re out there training and living a childhood dream and representing the Queensland team is another thing. For me I was really happy I got the chance and to throw a dummy and go down the short side you could see how happy I was and doing it with a group of mates is something special also.
“It was a great introduction to State of Origin and unfortunately we couldn’t get the job done back in ’04 and the old boy Shaun Timmins got the job done (for NSW) but it was good. I got a taste and it took ages to get back in there.”
He had to wait another four years to earn a State of Origin recall in Game Two 2008, partnering Johnathan Thurston in the halves to win 30-0 at Suncorp before downing NSW in the decider 16-10 at Accor Stadium.
Prince said the disappointment of being dropped from the Maroons inspired him to put all his focus on the Tigers which culminated in the 2005 grand final win over the Cowboys.
“I was disappointed (to be dropped from Origin). Once you have a taste or Origin you just want more and I just though to myself ‘if I’m going to miss out, I’m just really going to focus on what I do well at club land and that’s just playing well and at some point that actually pushes Locky and JT to play their best football too. That will just help us as a state and as a team moving forward’,” he said.
“I had to refocus my goals and I took it a little bit to heart early but I knew I had a job to do for the Wests Tigers as well so. I wouldn’t trade winning the grand final for Origin jersey just at that point anyway because I hadn’t won one.
“It was a tough year but that’s when they introduced Johnathan Thurston who’s a pretty handy footballer (laughs).”
THE BENJI FLICK PASS
One of the most iconic NRL Grand Final moments is surely Benji Marshall’s flick pass to set-up a Pat Richards try and help the Tigers claim a 30-16 victory over North Queensland.
Prince said he actually missed the moment despite being on the paddock and had to watch it on the big screen.
“Initially I was just trying to get my breath back because I was on the other side and I knew Tim (Sheens) changed it up a bit and put Benji on the wing just to change the dynamics of the edge defence,” he said.
“We started that through the first semi and that continued throughout the finals. There was a couple of people taken out who were checked on their runs with the kick chase of the Cowboys and when you’ve got an open field someone with Benji’s footwork and speed is quite dangerous.
“To see him scoot through, I remember looking up and thinking ‘this will be fun’ and the flick I didn’t see it initially, I just looked at the replay on the big screen and I was like ‘oh god, I can’t believe he tried that in a grand final’.”
Prince said coach Tim Sheens was fine with playing high risk football, as long as you practised it at training.
“I mean, we saw it every week at training everyday so it didn’t surprise us too much but the fact that it’s a grand final and he’s pulled that out of his backside, and more importantly, how did Pat Richards catch it? He didn’t see it at all and it landed in his right hand,” Prince said.
“It was a great try and that just pretty much defines Benji but Tim Sheens is really big that he wants to see it at training that you practice it and then you can do it in a game and then he doesn’t have a problem with that. He was able to do it.
“It (the grand final win) is (the highlight) and that’s not discounting the fact you play for your country and in State of Origin and also representing the Indigenous All Stars is a massive honour and privilege as well.”
PRINCE’S ORIGIN TIP
Having played at a sold out Suncorp, Prince knows better than most how much lift the Maroons will get from running out in Brisbane for Wednesday’s decider.
“It’s something else and I don’t know what it is, hey. It’s like a coliseum, it’s the support, the whole build-up, Caxton Street’s pumping, there’s people walking around left right and centre, I don’t know what it is but it’s the best alright,” Prince said.
“You can’t hear anyone when you’re out there and you’re just going on body language and whistling because you can’t hear a call. But that’s when a lot of preparation has to be done right before a game because if it’s not you’re going to be a little bit lost in there.”
And while Prince said playing at Suncorp will be a huge advantage, he reckons Queensland will have to be at their best to down a confident Blues outfit beaming on the back of their Game Two 38-18 annihilation.
“It certainly is (a help) but it’s not enough to get the job done,” Prince said. “You’re going to have to play well and going off the back of NSW in particular this year, they’re a strong team and we know that we have to be on to win. Suncorp Stadium is not going to do it for you but it certainly helps.
“I will go Queensland 24-20. I think there will be a lot of points and the weather is unbelievable up here. I might go the old guy DCE for player of the series. He’s playing some good football and played well in game One.”
