For some players, upon their retirement, they pursue other ventures and activities before making an eventual return to the game – and for former Panther and Shark Martin Lang, he has done that – returning with the Gold Coast Titans as their new assistant Strength and Conditioning coach.

Lang, who was previously at the now defunct A-League side Gold Coast United, began pre-season training in his new role at the club this week.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity, it’s something I’m looking forward to,” said Lang.

Lang was a hard-running, no-nonsense prop in his day, playing in 176 NRL games with the Panthers and the Sharks, 8 Origin games, as well as winning a premiership with Penrith in 2003.

With a lot of younger players in the Titans squad, coach John Cartwright hopes that the Lang's experience means he can impart a plethora of useful information to them.

“Carty’s looking for me to do a little of that, basically wherever I can help out, if a young front rower comes to me for advice I’m hap

py to help,” said Lang.

“If I can improve them in that manner then that’s good.”

With the off-season generally a time when some players will inadvertently let themselves go, Lang is impressed with how the Titans have maintained peak fitness so far.

“They’ve all got a really good level of fitness, there’s not too many that came back overweight and out of nick.”

Lang will know a familiar face in the Titans coaching ranks, with former QLD Origin player Trevor Gillmeister also at the club – with Lang looking forward to working with him.

“He’s a great bloke and he’s been at the Titans a long time and he’s highly respected in the game, so I’ll learn a few things off Gilly, that’ll be great.”

Most importantly, however, Lang is pleased to be involved in the game of rugby league again, following a few years absence.

“It’s exciting. I’ve been out of the game a few years now, apart from a few Masters matches, it’s going to be terrific to be back involved with a good group of guys that are very professional.”

“It’s a great set up here at the Titans so I’m looking forward to it.”

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By ricky