Veteran halfback Scott Prince’s career could end in Queensland’s state league after he turned his back on Gold Coast to join rivals Brisbane on Wednesday.
The 32-year-old joined the Broncos on a two-year deal after the Titans not only agreed to release the playmaker from the final year of his contract but also contributed a reported $200,000 to their NRL neighbours as part of a severance package.
Prince’s desire to walk away from the Titans was sparked at a meeting when his advisers were told the club wasn’t prepared to take up an option to retain his services in 2014.
Titans’ coach John Cartwright said Prince was still a key figure in his 2013 plans but Broncos’ mentor Anthony Griffin was giving no such assurances to the 2005 Clive Churchill Medallist.
“He could play state league. I’m not being negative but those are the terms under which he comes here,” Griffin said.
“He hasn’t been given any guarantees and he wants that challenge.”
A reluctance to pack up his young family and head to England scuppered an offer from Super League side Hull FC over the weekend, allowing the Broncos to snare Prince at a bargain price.
Griffin revealed after the deal was done on Wednesday that he’d initially been hesitant and had attempted to chase Prince away.
“I want to make it clear we were never in the market (for Prince),” said Griffin, adding he found the decision “awkward” initially.
“Over the weekend, I got asked the question (by football manager Andrew Gee) whether we would be interested in Scott Prince because he’d been released by the Titans.
“When the opportunity came up and the terms that it came with financially along with Scott’s attitude, I thought it would be something that would make our club better.
“The opportunity to put a player of Scott Prince’s ability – he’s played for Queensland, he’s won a grand final, he’s played for his country and he’s nearly played 300 games – on our list, it was too hard to walk past.”
Griffin conceded his decision to add a player of Prince’s pedigree to his roster would leave a few players feeling uncomfortable, with current No.7 Peter Wallace and rookie five-eighth Corey Norman those most under threat.
Having Wallace and Prince contracted could impact on them when North Queensland No.6 Johnathan Thurston hits the open market in 2014.
“I could not have made it more black and white (to Prince) that he starts from number 25 and he wants that challenge,” said Griffin.
“I wouldn’t have replaced anyone that we’ve got here for him.
“A few people will feel uncomfortable with it, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing at the moment.
“I’m not doubting the people we’ve got here. I’ve got a great relationship with the players, I’ve been very loyal to them and I still will be.”
Cartwright said letting the club’s captain depart was a tough call but he 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 said.
“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.”
The move leaves the Titans with unproven playmakers Jordan Rankin, Beau Henry and Albert Kelly as their only halfback options, though the club is rumoured to be interested in Canberra young gun Sam Williams.
bigjohn
Guest
Spot on Oikee, there are two people who should be sacked from the Broncos, Peter Wallace, and the person who extended his contract. I wrote to Broncos admin and offered to pay for the taxi to take Wallace to the Transit Centre. The offer still stands.
steve b
Roar Guru
Mate any player that can make a living out of football is not past it !!
stormtrooper4
Guest
Peter Wallace is not a great player, you would have thought that after playing with lockyer for so long he might have learned a few things. Prince is not a much better option either. He was a good player on a good day but those days are past him, but in saying that there aren't a lot of good half backs in the comp at the moment. The best is cooper Cronk but he is with melbourne ("grin"). I say give wallace time to get better and prince to qld cup.
oikee
Guest
I think the warriors missed a oppotunity. They could have plugged the gap of losing Micheal Luck with a guy like Lawrence. I rate him highly. Plus he is fast, the guy runs like a gazelle. Where is he from, South Australia.
oikee
Guest
Dom Peyroux is only young, 22 i think. I have watched him for a couple of years and if their is such a thing as scouting or "one to watch" it was Peyroux. I think the warriors who have very little coverage and normally reverted to useing backrowers to plug the holes , are now looking at a topclass centre. I also rated Cook Islands as a team to watch next year in the cup. This Dom uy is the reason i like the Cook islands, he and may Cook islanders are under-rated and they also ooze class. Cook islands is a league stronghold, it might only be small, but most love and play league. I think if you did a servey on the amount of players that make the NRL from this tiny nation it just might blow your socks off. Lets not forget this tiny nation has made the world cup. Fharley i think is coach. Remember the old North Bears workhorse.
eagleJack
Guest
Reasonably happy with the Lawrence signing for Manly. An additional prop is always a positive. Although I remember laughing at he headline he created earlier this year regarding Origin eligibility seeing as he played his first senior game in Adelaide. Sorry Brenton I think Origin has passed you by.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
The Warriors buying Dom Peyroux, who is NOT a first grader IMO, underlines why they are in so much trouble. Jury is still out on Sezer for me.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Dom Peyroux wasn't going to crack a spot, I don't understand why the warriors think he is worth anything to them, other than depth, but given the strength of juniors coming through, I just scratch my head. As for Scott Prince going, I think that is a good move for the Titans, Sezer is more of a halfback than a 5/8th, and the team will be better for him moving to half. The issue will be working out which of the other young guys they have is the best to partner with him.
oikee
Guest
Good pick-up for the Warriors who are looking for centres, and Lawrence, mate this guy is a workhorse, to lose him shows that the wheels are well and truely gone from under the Titans. I would hate to be Nate Myles next year, he will be working his sorry butt-off to keep the Titans in games. Same happened to the Broncos this year, Hannett and Faiday were spent working their butts off to carry our weak halves. Oh well, you live and ya learn. I see the soccer boys got a good tv deal, great, now they can put in and help us and the government update our stadiums. AFL and Cricket have wasted enough now, its our turn. We can do what they do, throw in a million and let the government put in the other 300 million. :) Being mr nice guy is out of style, time to reload, set the crosshairs. hehehhe
PJ
Guest
Good to see the Titans luck going from bad to worse - Brenton lawrence gone to Manly for 3 years & Dom Peyroux gone to the Warriors for 3 years
PJ
Guest
Another option at the Titans - Jamie Dowling at half, he killed it for Burleigh the last few season
oikee
Guest
I agree Scott, the Titans are toast and no hope of getting near that big trophy without a playmaker of quality. One lesson i learnt real quick when Lockyer retired, the good ones are Gold and worth every penny. Prince is up their in the gold category. He looked average at the Titans because they lost Rogers and had to blood a rookie,. Imagine the Broncos next year with Faiday and Gillet running off Prince, moon doggy, i am over the moon on this one already. And i feel for the Titans supporters who will be sitting back and watching the Bronx go all the way to the top of the Castle with the Prince. :)
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
I was just about to back the Titans at the big odds to win the 2013 P'ship but not know. With Prince they will be a ship without a rudder and tried and tested players like Rankin and Henry are not in the same class. <20 Matt Beddow and Kane Elgey would have been budgeted to be a first grader when prince finished his contract. This has been poorly managed by the Titans. Having put the pen through the Titans, I have got renewed vigor for the Broncos as they have FINALLY got a genuine organiser and tactical kicker. I had a high opinion of the Broncos coach but he lost a heap of ground with me last year when he plumped for Corey Norman at 6. He simply is NOT a first grade pivot. I will be interested to see what he does in 2013, but Prince will either be 7 or 6. He may choose to play Wallace at 6 as he defends better than Prince and will appreciate someone else to run the team.
Rellum
Roar Guru
I think Wallace has been the weak link and I am very happy the club picked up a player to push him and hopefully replace him in the short term until the long term answer can be found. Norman is still raw but offers something in attack with the ball in hand that Wallace doesn't so I would be keeping him at 5/8.
matt h
Guest
Yeah that is a possibilty. I'd even say Hoffman may end up on the wing to replace Beale or in the centres as cover for the ever-injured Hodges
PJ
Guest
The winner out of this saga is Princey - he is going to a club that has the potential over the next two seasons to win the comp, he is going to the most financially secure and well run club in the comp and he is goping to play under a very good coach - something John Cartwright isnt. The one at the Broncos that should worry is Josh Hoffman - I think you will find Peter Wallace will wear 6 Prince 7 & Norman . I predict that Prince will lead the Broncos to a premiership in 2013 and the Titans to pick up the spoon.
steve b
Roar Guru
I would have to agree with oikee on this one although not a Bronco's fan but i never missed a televised game last year and Wallace was not the finisher he should have been , he put in some very ordinary performances in games that mattered towards the end . Maybe Prince will start in the cup but won;t be their for long i will bet !!
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Strange move by both parties, I disagree re Wallace, I think he has been very good the last 2 seasons and I'm impressed with Norman at 5/8. I think Prince starts in State Cup.
steve b
Roar Guru
I have always admired Princes work ethic he just never gives up trying to create something , a smart move by the Bronco's i think the combination between Prince and Norman with the young talent they have will give the Broncos the finish they lacked last year . Prince will have no trouble with fitness ,the coaching staff their will make sure of that .The Bronco's will be a far better team with his inclusion thats for sure !!
planko
Guest
Steve my only concerns are his fitness he has been a little injury prone apart from that it sounds like the titans made the broncos an offer to good to refuse.