Matt White

Every team needs players that are not world-beaters, but toilers who will get the job done – and the Gold Coast Titans have wrapped up two players just like that, with Ben Ridge and Matt White re-signing with the club until the end of the 2015 NRL season.

The new deal for White, 28, will see him remain with the Titans for 7 years once 2015 comes around, whereas for Ben Ridge, he is an Under 20’s graduate from the club, and agreed to a contract extension with the club.

With the signing of the two forwards, Titans coach John Cartwright said that he was excited to have kept the majority of his side’s forward pack together for the next few years.

“It’s great that we’ve been able to keep most of our existing squad together and these guys will be a big part of that over the next three years,” said Cartwright.

“Whitey has played his best football as a Titan over the last four years having averaged more than 20 games per season.

“Ridgey was one of our best players in the Under-20s in 2009 and after overcoming some serious injuries since making the step-up to NRL level, he’s starting to show everyone what he is capable of.”

Ridge, who is a Roma junior, said that he was pleased to have secured a long-term contract, despite having a year remaining on his current contract.

“The club has been good to me through thick and thin with some injuries so I wanted to repay the faith,” said Ridge.

“There’s some really good depth here in the forwards and I’ve been able to learn a lot off the likes of Nate Myles and Birdy so it’s a good forward pack to be a part of.

“It’s been really good to string a few games together in first grade this year.”

After establishing his side in the Titans NRL squad permanently, White said that he never had any intentions to leave the club, playing 80 games in 4 years.

“I’ve just really enjoyed my time up here, it’s a good spot to live and a great club to be involved with so it would have been pretty hard to leave,” said White.

“At Newcastle I was in and out of first grade so it’s good that I’ve been able cement a consistent first grade spot and establish myself with the Titans.

“We basically have an Origin forward pack at the club and with Dave Taylor I’m looking forward to playing with all those blokes next year.”

Ben Ridge

By ricky

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