The aging Gold Coast Titans have not fared well this year. But thanks to some smart recruiting, their line-up has been revitalised for next season. Remember the Titans? They almost made it to last year’s Grand Final.
This year however, they sit at 15 on the NRL ladder, just one spot below the Roosters (the team that beat them in the semis).
As they try to bring some younger players into the NRL fold, they’ve knocked up just 3 wins and 7 hard-fought losses this season. While the older generation is on the way out, and the new generation is on the way in, naturally, it can be a shaky time for a club. Especially so, when injuries take their toll.
Departing players include the Titans first 100-gamer, hooker Nathan Friend, who’s heading to the NZ Warriors. Also absent next season will be Anthony Laffranchi who signed with St Helens, and Brad Meyers’ who retired due to a niggling wrist injury.
But next year is looking up. In fact the next several years are looking good for Gold Coast, with some important signatures ensuring the side remains competitive in the quest for their first NRL Premiership.
Just a few days ago Roosters prop Nate Myles signed on with the Titans for four years. It is a massive loss to the Roosters who have looked to the 25-year-old as a leader in the playing group. Selected again in the Queensland Origin side, he is just one of many State of Origin players the Titans will have in their ranks next season.
Existing Titan Ashley Harrison has played alongside Myles in maroon colours before. Greg Bird is also a five-time NSW Origin starter. Former NSW Origin stalwart Luke Bailey confirmed his intentions to remain in sunny Queensland earlier this month too, re-signing with the club for another two years.
The Titans also snared another NSW Origin star in their recent flurry of signings; big Canterbury Bulldogs centre and growing cult-hero Jamal Idris.
Idris signed with the team for a whopping five years. Should his outstanding form in the NRL continue, at just 20 years of age, he could cement his place as one of the Titans most valuable players ever.
Another talented centre Beau Champion has similarly signed with the Titans, but on a three year contract. The try-scoring machine was left out in the cold during Souths’ recruitment of Greg Inglis, which saw Champion exchanged to the Melbourne Storm this year. His representative games for City Origin (coached by John Cartwright) and the Indigenous All Stars (which featured Titans Prince, Bird, Campbell, James and now Idris) will make the Sydney-born recruit feel right at home on the Gold Coast.
In the forwards, Gold Coast should be delighted with the acquisition of Cronulla Shark prop Luke Douglas for the next three years. Douglas was the 18th man for NSW in last year’s Origin series, and has shown consistent form for the resurgent Sharks this year.
Despite all these signings, younger, home-grown Queensland talent hasn’t been ignored either.
Ipswich local and Toyota Cup Player of the Year, Matt Srama, has been making waves in the Gold Coast’s youth side and is being primed as the replacement for Nathan Friend next year. Recently, he was also re-signed to the club on a three-year contract.
With Srama, Idris, Champion, and Douglas joining current Titans, William Zillman, David Mead, Ryan James, and Kevin Gordon (who will be returning from his season-ending knee injury), together these youngsters should make for some scintillating rugby league.
Combined with the experience of Bailey, Prince, Harrison, Campbell, and newest addition Myles, it sets the premise for one hell of a Gold Coast team in 2012.
They might even get that elusive first Premiership.
Titans are Fake
Guest
Yeah, maybe they can ask Scott Prince and Mat Rogers to give back their houses that put the Titans into a bit of financial strife. Titans peeked and haven't gotten any better ! !
josh
Guest
we might be getting back matt rogers
chris
Guest
Yes the Titans have everything with the Centre of Excellence excellent training fields, gym, pool, ice baths, altitude chamber, administration offices, Skilled Park. But they don't have the excellent fans.
Terry Kidd
Guest
A big problem for them is the halves .... Prince is well into his 30s and is now starting to play like it. Zillman nor Bird are not the answer at 5/8 and Campbell won't be there in 2012. Sezer might be the answer but he will take a while to find a combination with Prince and find his feet in first grade. My prediction for 2012 is that the Titans will have a good pack and good outside backs but will have difficulty linking the two together, their halves being the main issue. They will finish mid-table at best.
lopati
Guest
Watching their players the last few games I see serious problems in the fact they never seem to have a plan to score, only running arounf looking for opportunities. For mine, no plan and very basic tactics speaks to a coach not teaching these guys how to exploit the players abilities and strengths. First poor choice was back in June telling Matty Rogers (one of the best on field footy brains) they couldn't keep him (later changing their mind after he tendered his resignation), second poor choice was signing Cartwright for 5 years. Since the beginning the Titans started well on the back of highly skilful players, but never improved even slightly and are now sliding backwards fast, they didn't even look close in the last 2 finals, having no plan or ideas to overcome better teams. Lots of exciting new talent coming aboard, which will be wasted if all Carty sticks with what is apparently his current plan: individual skills and a favourable bounce of the ball.
betamax
Roar Guru
The Zillman/Prince combo hasn't been clicking and doesn't look likely to in the near future. Zillman is a top player but he needs a season to work out his postional play with Prince. He seems to hang back to much. Get involved son! Oh, and we miss Rogers big time.
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
Yes! Sezer! I knew I had forgotten someone! He's definitely going to be something special for Titans. Thanks for your comment The Answer.
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
Exactly right.
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
Ben, I know it might seem to good to be true, but the Gold Coast were financially struggling for a period a few years back, so I'm not sure exactly how much money they can muster up to these type of players. But then they have something that for instance, Parramatta, Cantebury, St George can't compete with - the best beaches in the world and a laidback lifestyle in sunny Queensland. Certainly doens't compare to Sydney. Sometimes that can be very lucrative in itself.
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
They've definitely got to be careful of that. They've already had one minor infringement on that this year.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Incredible haul of players for the Titans, they should be back to top 4 next season. As others have noted, with the first class facilities and lifestyle they are in a great position to recruit. Not to mention a quality coach.
The Answer
Guest
The signing of Aidan Sezer is a big one as well. Stand out Toyota Cup 5/8 for the last two years at the Bulldogs. A good signing but so much for looking for young Qld talent.....
Skinner
Guest
I have been suprise as well how badly the Titans have performed but it good to see they crowds have stuck with them they have been losing about 2000K a year on average and it seem that this year they only have lost 1000K as an average. I think they sit around high 16K this year which is a great result 2012 should be a blinder for them
Jaceman
Guest
Phil, Salary cap - Signing 3 SOO players plus Champion plus they have Prince on a bucketload- I will reserve judgement till I see who they unload besides Friend and Campbell. However you claim they dont backend contracts - we will see if this is a reason they use to explain how they are fitting all these players in...
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Zillman has actually been playing quite well at 6. I'm not sure he's a natural five-eighth, but you don't need to be, playing alongside Scotty Prince. I'm actally shocked the Titans aren't doing better this year.
Phil
Guest
Ben, mate what really annoys me is people that have no understanding of what goes on inside the club saying " how they can sign this many front line players" Firstly the Titans have 11 first grade player off contract at seasons end on top of that Meyers, Boofa & Friendy are leaving the club. Money is notnthe sole bargaining chip when it comes to signing with the Titans, the Titans Centre of Excellence is a world class facility with everything the clubs needs right their, training fields, gym, pool, ice baths, altitude chamber, administration offices, Skilled Park. The location- Would you rather live at Belmore or Burleigh Heads? The Titans don't do back ended contracts so this allows them to be in full control of their salary cap. I look forward to the announcement of a number of new contracts in the coming weeks. It's a great time to be a Titans fan
M1tch
Roar Guru
Who have they offloaded though? Signing big expensive names!
peeeko
Roar Guru
looks like a good team but they need a better 1 and 6 which a vital positions
Fez's are cool
Guest
They still have a weak spine. And Campbell won't renew his contract for next year. Retirement becons.
Ben
Guest
It turns my gut to see one club sign so many top line players. So much for the salary cap. Seriously.