Some will tell you the Gold Coast Titans are going to be okay. That they are in a strong position for a red hot go at the 2013 finals. Others think differently.
It hasn’t been the smoothest of rides heading into a new year for the Gold Coast club. They have released their only legitimate first grade halfback in Scott Prince and granted Beau Champion his wish to return to South Sydney.
Champion’s departure can be managed. But with Prince now at the Brisbane Broncos, the Titans are in the unenviable position of picking the best of an unproven bunch to solve their number seven issues.
Prince might well be passed his best. But whatever the internal problems were, coach John Cartwright needed to stick with the former captain for at least the first ten rounds of the 2013 National Rugby League season.
If Prince finds form, it will be at the Broncos and not at Robina. And what if Cartwright’s young posse of playmakers fall flat?
Granted youngsters like Daly Cherry-Evans, Trent Hodkinson and Adam Reynolds have all come into the NRL and performed like stars. But all three hadn’t been recycled. All three hadn’t been burnt by the NRL before.
Cartwright has previously stated the Titans can be a force without Prince and recently backed Albert Kelly to return to the NRL fold this season.
“His work ethic has been tremendous,” Cartwright told The Gold Coast Bulletin last week.
“He’s coming out of a part-time environment into a full-time environment and the workload can be a bit of a jolt to the body.
“If he hasn’t been able to run he’s made up for it in the gym, altitude room or pool.”
Jordan Rankin, Beau Henry and Kelly are all options at halfback for Cartwright.
But all have had their problems in the top grade. Unlike young stars like Cherry-Evans and Reynolds, these three all have their fair share of mental baggage.
Henry was touted as a huge prospect after winning the 2009 Toyota Cup player of the year at St George Illawarra.
Then-Dragons coach Wayne Bennett talked Henry out of a deal with the North Queensland Cowboys, only to be cut by Bennett when he arrived at the Newcastle Knights. He only played six games for the Knights.
Rankin was unbelievably thrown to the lions at 16 years of age by coach Cartwright in 2008. The youngster has rarely been seen since.
Kelly, regarded as the best of the three, has had plenty of his own issues on and off the paddock. Who will ever forget that night against the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2011 at Shark Park where Kelly was bombarded time and time again?
“It’s too hard to make a call watching them at training,” Cartwright continued.
“They’ve all showed composure and that they know the style of footy we want to play. The trials will be a big gauge for how they’re going.”
Damaged goods always need time to repair, which is why it’s so hard to fathom Prince’s release. Surely the Gold Coast could have shown some patience and not pulled the trigger on Prince so quickly.
One of these three might come good and Cartwright’s head will be removed from the chopping block. But you don’t just discard a legend for the sake of it.
Especially when your backup plans are questionable to say the least.
Man in the Stands
Guest
The Titans are on the improve with how they engage the locals but with Searle still around, they will aways struggle. Sponsors and corporate partners are tired of dealing with old school lague mates rather than slick corporate proffessionals. They need to recruit/headhunt some of the corporate/sponsorship membership and operations staff from the Suns who are fast growing in reputation as a great corporate experience. Their relationship with the Skilled Park staff is terrible which is why they can never try new initiatives or creative game day experiences. Couple this with dated overpriced options on every thing then you have a recepie for disaster.
PJ
Guest
Turbodewd, as a family member of a staffer at the Titans i can assure you they are a rabble, they are merely placing bandaids over their financial situations. The troubles arose when subbies werent payed for jobs done on the COE. Being a "small town" made up of many many tradies word spread of what was going on and the Titans label has been black listed so to speak. Another problem the club has is employing a number of Searles mates from his footballing days at the Tweed Seagullsinto important roles such as Sponsorship, Corporate Hospitality as well as the in the football department. The rumours of players / staff not being paid although they are denied by the club it has happened on numerous occasions when staff questions where their pay is as they have bills to pay the clubs response was to tell them not to schedule direct debits after pay day. Clubs need to realise that just because someone played in the NRL does not make them qualifyed to sell sponsorship/corporate packages etc Until clubs understand this they will continue to lose money. On a final note if anyone thinks M Searle has taken a back seat they are kidding themselves
jnr
Guest
tomm and this is why no one goes to games apart from afew players the titans look else where not the grass roots on the coast
DubbleBubble
Guest
Yeah he would have to be a little peeved you would think. I mean Henry is a grown man and ultimately responsibility for the decision rests with him, but being talked out of playing with Thurston behind a strong pack just to get cut when Bennett arrives over the top of him at the Knights by Bennett himself would leave a sour taste in your mouth, that's for sure.
Tom
Guest
Cartwright needs to look at the Gold Coast junior base there surely would be some talent on the strip and in Northern NSW. Buying big name players isn't going to bring you success and they haven't got the best out of players they've bought besides Bird and Myles. Agree with what Turbodewd said about Idris he is to fat and lazy. It would be great if his contract had conditions saying he must weigh a certain amount, must get this on the beep test, must bench-press this much and must run 100 meters in this time ETC otherwise he's dumped. I think he would be better of in the forwards tbh. My video about him https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTHOtMXeZcg
Curtis Woodward
Expert
They only got 10,000 to their first home game last year. Interesting to see if they give their side the benefit of the doubt this time around.
Gaz
Guest
D no cost is not the main reason, the main reason is unable to win at home. Nobody wants to see their team lose and particularly at home as the Titans are making a habit. Start winning at home and you'll start putting bums on seats.
Renegade
Guest
They've got a better side than the eels, panthers and dragons. I think they will end up either just making the 8 or slightly missing out.
turbodewd
Guest
Fill us in, what are the prices for those things roughly? I thought ppl had plenty of coin on the GOLD Coast.
Dayer
Guest
One of the MAIN reasons, why the crowds are down is "SIMPLY" the cost of entrance and food/drinks are quite ridiculous for the masses, even the parking is ridiculous around the stadium. That is one of the WHYS!!!!!! And yes, i agree that Titans under Carty SEEM TO WANNA buy, buy, buy!. in my humble opinion, he should have had a plan for local juniors from day dot. they will make the top 10, no make that 8.
Dayer
Guest
I'd like to bet against that .... give me some odds.
Pot Stirrer
Guest
Whilst i gree with you it Seems a bit harsh after 1 bad season.
Curtis Woodward
Expert
We all know contracts mean sweet F.A. The payout will be lovely though.
Gaz
Guest
Already got his miracle......a five year contract when he didn't deserve it. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
Dragons Forever
Guest
They won't make the 8. Bottom 3 with parra and penrith
james
Guest
Titans are my 3ird favorite team after Tigers and Raiders. so I'm a tad bias but I think they'll be around the bottom of the eight this year. personally I think the titans roster is better then Panthers, Dragons, Eels and Knights.
Curtis Woodward
Expert
Makes you wonder why they didnt chase Trent Hodkinson.
Curtis Woodward
Expert
Views and opinions expressed herein are not those of people who believe the Titans and Panthers will play in the 2013 Grand Final.
Jaceman
Guest
They have recruited OK over the years Myles, taylor, Douglas but they obviously feel they need another back if they came out swinging for Lyon - not sure how they can afford them all (but prince going would have saved) but still cant get a half of quality
Curtis Woodward
Expert
Would love to hear his thoughts on Bennett.