The Gold Coast franchise is in an unheralded position of pressure on and off the football field, with the Titans’ financial concerns continuing to raise serious questions regarding the clubs future.
New information has surfaced that the Centre of Excellence, which was an influential factor in the Titans debt crisis, has not yet been sold.
This information comes as frustrating news for the club, which appeared slightly more at ease with their financial situation.
The on-field performances by John Cartwright’s men are indicative of the off-field distractions, with the GC side languishing in 15th position, only one spot above last placed Parramatta.
The Gold Coast is not in an unfamiliar position, with the franchise finishing last in 2011. The Titans look a completely different team to the side who finished in the top four in the 2010 NRL season and fell just one week short of a grand final berth. The GC club established their place in the top eight in the previous 2009 season with a strong season and another finals campaign.
The 2012 NRL season has been increasingly tough for John Cartwright’s men. They have lacked the poise and ability to win and put in a solid 80 minute performance.
The club showed some good signs in the second-half on Friday night against the Broncos. They produced some solid play in the second 40 but showed once again the inability to challenge a top four side with exciting attacking play for an extended period of time. Their defence was equally incapable – overall, Brisbane never looked like losing.
While the Titans financial hardships have caused many unwanted and unneeded distractions throughout this year’s premiership season, it hasn’t discouraged the them from attempting to sign high calibre players for next year.
Melbourne Storm and Queensland Origin playmaker Cooper Cronk was offered a big money contract but declined to stay at the Storm. Souths’ Dave Taylor has agreed to join the Titans in 2013, but reports are circling that he is now hesitant to make the move due to the Titans’ financial situation.
Unfortunalty, like with all losing teams, the Titans are falling into a vicious cycle. Their poor performances have seen crowds drop, which puts the club under further financial pressure and therefore makes it harder for them to compete, both on and off the field. And considering the size of the reported debt, the financial pressure is not going away any time soon.
The Gold Coast Giants, Seagulls, Gladiators and the Chargers have all failed. The Titans, by all indications, may be headed down that path. But its not over yet.
The NRL need to do all they can to keep the Titans in the competition – their continued viability is crucial for rugby league on the Gold Coast.
Queensland's Game is Rugby League
Guest
Suns only got 11,000 to their match against Fremantale. Pretty poor considering it's just their 2nd year in the competition. Imagine what their crowds will be like in their 5th year? Their membershop decline, after just one season, isn't a good sign.
Australian Rules
Guest
Interesting quote. Here's the rest of it: "We think that is a reflection of the market, not them. They are doing everything right off the field. They have a great CEO, good structure, good staff, a good football department and excellent board. They are going better than expected for a start-up club. They are working in an environment and a state that has got to claw its way back and get better economically." I'm sure the Suns will be just fine. And no-one thinks the Titans will fall over...but as I pointed out below, becase Searle own all of the intellectual property of teh Titans brand, they may have to be rebadged, otherwise the NRL will simply have to bail them out completely.
Australian Rules
Guest
"Viable" does NOT equal "profitable". The two are very different things. One means able to exist, the other means making money. If Gallop thought the football department was profitable, he would have said so.
Queensland's Game is Rugby League
Guest
"“The football club is very viable, but that (the property arm’s problems) has had a ripple effect across the community and the confidence the community has in the team." Viable = Profitable. The only reason the football department owes money is because Searle took money out of it to pump up the property arm of the club. For that alone he should be thrown out of the Titans.
Australian Rules
Guest
That's great. But do you have a link where Gallop says the football department is profitable?
Queensland's Game is Rugby League
Guest
The Titans will survive. Aussie rules fans might think the Titans are going to fall over, but they would be better off worrying about the Suns' future: "The Gold Coast, in their first year, went particularly well. In their second year they are probably behind on membership and corporate hospitality." Demetriou on the Suns. http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/afl-and-nrl-chiefs-andrew-demetriou-and-david-gallop-go-head-to-head/story-e6frep5o-1226341685229 The Titans weren't in that sort of trouble in their 2nd year.
Queensland's Game is Rugby League
Guest
"The Titans' situation is unique in that their property investment has stained the impression of how the club is going," Gallop said. "The football club is very viable, but that (the property arm's problems) has had a ripple effect across the community and the confidence the community has in the team. "I am confident that we can get that back once the train is back on the tracks. We are giving the Titans and Michael Searle every opportunity to fix their problems." http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/debts-keep-rolling-in-for-titans-as-pressure-mounts-on-michael-searle/story-e6frep7o-1226341598924
sledgeross
Guest
From memory, the Gold Coast Gladiators only competed in the Coca Cola 7's before their licence was revoked.
turbodewd
Guest
i do not ever recall a team called the Gladiators.
Jaceman
Guest
Didnt one of the GC teams play at the old Carrara at least part of the time although they may well have been based at tweeds heads. Shades of the Brisbnae Bears playing at the GC until they remodelled the Gabba...
Australian Rules
Guest
Really? That's odd, because on 23 March 2012 he said this: ”We have received reports from our external accountants that confirm the whole structure at the Titans is under considerable financial stress,” Gallop said in a statement. and this: “There is a heavy amount of debt in the footy club.” Got a link to share?
Australian Rules
Guest
I doubt David Gallop would care about the Titans playing "hard, attacking football". He would care about the Titans club being sustainable and maintaining a presence in an important region for the code.
Broncos Hilevuo
Roar Rookie
If the Titans had a club playing hard, attacking & consistent football for 80 minutes no matter where the debt is at it would show David Gallop they are a NRL establishment that can't be cut from the National Rugby League because they are imperative for a successful team.
Queensland's Game is Rugby League
Guest
I recall David Gallop saying the football department is profitable.
Queensland's Game is Rugby League
Guest
"The Gold Coast Giants, Seagulls, Gladiators and the Chargers have all failed." All of those teams, bar the Chargers, were based in Tweed Heads, which is in NSW.
Australian Rules
Guest
There will be an NRL club on the Gold Coast going forward. Whether that club is the Titans remains to be seen. It would be a tragedy if the NRL had to scrap the "Titans" and re-brand the club. Whatever happens, the NRL will re-structure the current club and ensure Michael Searle has no part in its future. As for "The football club is profitable (so we understand). "...only Searle has been spinning that one, and I think we can take a mountain of salt with anything he says.
Poor Boy Blues
Guest
yeah.....but its stories like this that just at to the hype of death. the league has told us that there will be a gold coast team in the future, but the club is tied to a lot of debt. The football club is profitable (so we understand). Thats it. Its hard for people to remember all the facts and to get them too; I just think that there's a lot of hype. And we will have a gold coast team into the future
JD
Guest
RL need to keep a presence on the Gold Coast. The area is now passed over 600k in population and projected within 20 years to hit 900k. through in the far north of NSW as that is there most accessible point to see live NRL game - that is a further couple 100k of population, with associated by in to TV and other revenues. A team in the past may have been failures - but population size wise it can. It has been deeply affected by GFC, which has long lasting impacts there still, but it will be worked through. Under searle - it may be over but it is a key point that it is needed to stay there. A club folding in such an important market can not be left to fail. But there needs to be constant oversite by the NRL commission, with regular financial updates and progress reports with an independant person - not one of Searles employees on what is transpiring. A financial plan needs to be set up and monitored by the commission. An independant board must be set up ASAP, with in the short term representation on this board for the Titans a person from the NRL. A replacement for searle. Maybe the NRL need to do a low interest rate loan to the Titans (dont just give them money) to take over there debts, with Titans owing the NRL rather than the banks. Put in undertakings that the Titans then cant borrow from anyone except the NRL or approved by the NRL. This would give tight financial control of the club by the NRL.
Broncos Hilevuo
Roar Rookie
I completely agree with you there, the bottom line is no matter how gravely the Titans are in debt whichever the figure may be Michael Searle needs to stop being in denial about the current financial situation that they find themselves in. If the Titans are going well why are there constant media reports that the Gold Coast are struggling to be afloat in the NRL. History shows Gold Coast franchises in the National Rugby League are not sustainable & can't provide a team for a extended period of seasons. Andrew Demetriou is saying to himself the AFL are financially surpassing the NRL for a football team on the coast & that is a major grey area for David Gallop & the development of Rugby league support.
maximus
Guest
Oikee these things take time... I was surprised the sale was done so quickly and it may have been a smokescreen to taske pressure off in the short-term. The Sydney herald is reporting that it has been sold. Whers the link to non-sale