Mead in Two Minds

TITANS flyer David Mead faces a battle between the heart and the head as he contemplates turning his back on his dream of playing Origin football to again don the Kumuls strip at a World Cup.
Titans David Mead says his decision of whether to aim for Origin or the chance to represent his homeland in the World Cup is not set in stone

Fed up with the infighting and disorganisation that has dogged Papua New Guinean football for so long, Mead declared two years ago he would abandon the Kumuls in a bid to play State of Origin football for the Maroons.

But the 24-year-old has conceded the love for his homeland and the installation of mentor Adrian Lam as PNG coach could lure him back to play in this year's World Cup.

Lam has been a constant presence in Mead's career and his counselling is likely to guide Mead's decision.

Lam's presence, the apparent stability of the PNG Rugby League and the addition of Mal Meninga as high performance director are likely to tug at Mead's heartstrings.

"We've got that World Cup at the end of the year and a lot of players are excited about going back and playing for their native countries," Mead said. "If Lammy rings me up I'll have a chat to him and see where I'm at at this stage.

"If any opportunity comes up, I'll have to sit down with family, friends and my club and have a chat to them about it."

Mead spent the first 12 years of his life in PNG before moving to Lismore, finishing his schooling at Kadina High School and Trinity Catholic College while playing rugby league for Lismore Marist Brothers.

While his first senior footy was in Queensland -- for the Titans in the NYC under-20s -- a change to rules last year mean he is likely to be ruled a Blue if he decides to declare himself eligible for Australia.

"I'm not 100 per cent sure on the eligibility ... but once it's clear to me, we'll go from there," said Mead, whose dream had been to turn out for Queensland like mentor Lam, who captained the Maroons.

Mead trusts Lam's opinion. But having spoken to his mentor about the thrill of playing Origin as well as representing his country, his decision is not yet set in concrete.

"He's helped me since I was 18 or 19," Mead said of the Kumuls coach.

"He's definitely someone who's looked after me and helped me develop my skills in a short period.

"He's someone whose opinion I highly trust and if he approaches me I'll have a chat to him then.

Mead makes his return from a broken jaw on Sunday when the Titans face the Dragons at Skilled Park. Teammate Ashley Harrison trained yesterday and could be a late starter despite not being named because of an ankle injury.

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