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I hold major fears for the immediate future of the Gold Coast Titans. Season 2014 is almost over and despite some early promise – the Titans led after the first month – a bottom quarter finish is unavoidable.
The club has been hit with a number of injuries to key personnel but when you look at the big picture, there is not a lot to get enthused about for next year, or the year that follows.
Their player roster is in desperate need of replenishing but it’s doubtful the club has the funds or the magnetism to attract the right footballers.
From their current ranks, Origin reps Greg Bird and Nate Myles are their mainstays but both are over 30 and can’t go forever.
Ashley Harrison retired midway through the year because of injuries, Mark Minichiello is heading for England, Dave Taylor has only delivered on a few notable occasions, while Luke Bailey and Luke Douglas have seen much better days.
In the backs, Aidan Sezer looks to be a class act but has had a rough run with injuries all season. Hooker Paul Carter, 22, is another up-and-comer but Gold Coast needs several more like him if they are to rebuild.
Enigmatic halfback Albert Kelly has ability but doesn’t play enough, while William Zillman, at fullback, is a player struggling to produce his best on a consistent basis.
This might all sound a bit harsh; any club can have a disappointing season. But even though there are plenty of juniors playing league on the Gold Coast, few are filtering into the top grade at a time when the Titans’ nursery should be tossing up future stars.
John Cartwright’s decision to step down as coach was probably the right thing to do as the results just haven’t been coming for the senior team.
Neil Henry is the caretaker at the moment and looks odds-on to get the gig for 2015 but, let’s face it, there isn’t exactly a stampede for the top-grade job.
When he stepped aside, Cartwright expressed fears for rugby league on the holiday strip in the face of an aggressive challenge from the AFL and its rapidly improving team, the Gold Coast Suns. He appealed to the NRL hierarchy to take strong action to keep the code uppermost in the minds of the next generation of youngsters.
I don’t really know if there is going to be any quick-fire or certain solution to the Titans’ woes.
They will need to perform well next year to keep faith with local sports fans but it’s hard to see that happening. Crowd figures are in decline for NRL games at Robina. League looks to be in a life-or-death struggle.
In such a competitive market, success on and off the field is the major criteria and I am not sure that is possible for next year and the season that follows.
By then, they might be beyond saving.
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