Gold Coast coach John Cartwright says he didn’t want to lose Scott Prince for next season but believed the captain had earned the right to walk away and join NRL rivals Brisbane.
The Titans announced on Wednesday they had given Prince a release from the final year of his contract, allowing him to take up a two-year deal with the Broncos, with whom he’ll start training on Monday.
The Broncos said Prince’s release from the Titans included a severance package which helped them to sign him.
Gold Coast had previously told foundation player Prince he was in their plans for next season but they would not take up an option with him for a further season in 2014.
That prompted Prince to seek a new deal elsewhere, with English Super League club Hull FC the frontrunner until a late offer from the rival NRL club came up over the weekend.
Prince met Titans’ chief executive David May on Tuesday night, indicating he’d secured his two-year NRL deal elsewhere.
Cartwright said letting the club’s captain depart was a tough call but he just couldn’t commit to offering Prince a place in the side in 2014 when he would be 34.
“He was a big part of our plans for 2013 because, as you can see, we haven’t gone out and sourced another halfback,” Cartwright told reporters on Wednesday.
“I was consulted on the option of 2014 … to commit to 2014 at the end of 2012 for anyone at 33-34 years of age is a big ask.
“I stand by that. At this stage, it was too early to commit for 2014.”
Cartwright said refusing Prince’s request for a release was considered but it was felt it would be unfair on one of the club’s best servants.
Prince’s departure leaves the Titans with just unproven playmakers Jordan Rankin, Beau Henry and Albert Kelly as their halfback options.
Canberra young gun Sam Williams is believed to be a possible target but May angrily denied the club had made any approach to the Raiders’ star.
May slammed the public speculation over Prince’s situation, saying his denials that a deal was yet to be sealed with Hull had been ignored and that the club refused to speak to a possible replacement because Prince may well have ended up staying.
“He’s managed to secure a two-year deal which we’re really happy about for Scott because that enables him to look after his family … and to remain in Australia, which is something he wanted to do,” May said.
“We’re pleased that he’s been able to secure a longer-term future for him and his family.
“We’ve been acting throughout this with a great deal of integrity, openness and honesty. We’ve not spoken to any other player … until yesterday, Scott was a part of our plans for 2013.”
May refused to discuss the settlement arrangements between the Titans and Prince and whether the club would be subsidising his deal at a new team, only saying the club was “up to date” in terms of its financial obligations to him.
“Scott leaves this club having played six great seasons. He leaves as a friend of the club,” May said.
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