It's probably safe to say that 19 is not Michael Pearce's favourite number.

On two occasions in the late 2000s, the 40-year-old Tamworthian was named the Gold Coast Titans' 19th player for NRL matches. Back then, club's named 18th and 19th players as standbys in case of an injury[ies] to their match-day side.

Unfortunately, the then-Ipswich Jets five-eighth, who was also a member of the Titans' train-on squad, was not needed.

"When I made that 19th man, I got changed and everything with them [on game day]," Pearce said, adding that he then removed his kit and watched the matches from the interchange bench.

"I always tell people I played two NRL games, but I never actually got on the field. But they don't know that."

The father of 10-year-old, sports-mad Miles (the youngster plays leag

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