For an NRL club that is trying to revitalise its image, Gold Coast’s players aren’t doing the Titans any favours.
Chief executive Graham Annesley admits he was almost lost for words when told young forward Paul Carter had been caught drink-driving for the second time this year on Saturday morning – less than a day after the Titans had stripped Greg Bird of the co-captaincy.
Annesley, forced to front the media for the second time in four days, confirmed on Monday the Titans intend to sack Carter.
The 22-year-old can still plead his case in front of the club’s board on Friday but a reprieve appears unlikely.
It’s another disappointment in what has been truly a year to forget for the Titans.
Foundation coach John Cartwright quit in August as the club failed to make the NRL finals for a fourth straight season.
Carter’s second off-field transgression of the year, comes hot on the heels of Bird’s embarrassing incident following his wedding earlier this month when he was caught urinating near a marked police car.
Young winger James Roberts – having only joined the Titans after being sacked by South Sydney and Penrith for repeated bad behaviour – was arrested and charged with public nuisance and obstructing police in October.
The club came down hard on Bird and Roberts on Friday, Bird losing his leadership role and being fined $15,000 while Roberts was fined $3000 and made fully aware he was on his last chance despite the charges against him being dropped.
As the club battle to secure a major sponsor, this latest indiscretion has left Annesley a frustrated man.
“The vast majority of our players never get in trouble, are great ambassadors for the club, do a lot of work in the community and are great representatives of the brand we’re trying to promote,” he said.
“Unfortunately we’ve had a few incidents this year where players have got themselves into trouble and that has set us back.
“We’ll confront these issues when they arise, we won’t walk away from them. Where stern action’s required we’ll take it.”
Carter’s likely sacking ends a mixed time at the Titans following his move from Canterbury.
The son of Penrith great Steve Carter was named the Titans’ rookie of the year for his impressive on-field displays but coach Neil Henry conceded no player was too good to not face consequences for their actions.
“Paul has had an opportunity,” Henry said.
“We’ve put measures in place to help him out with a few of the issues he has and he was making some progress but to go and transgress again, especially when the courts have said he’s unlicensed, that’s unacceptable.”
The club will hold a training camp in Ballina this week before the Christmas break and while Henry said there’ll be no formal reminder of player responsibilities, he’s sure it’ll be a topic of discussion.
“We don’t need to read the riot act before they go away,” he said.
“We can’t have this kind of behaviour in our club and the players understand that too.”
Bad boys. Gold Coast’s off-field woes in 2014
June – Young utility Paul Carter is arrested and charged with drink driving. Fined $1400 and banned from driving for 12 months.
October – Winger James Roberts arrested and charged with public nuisance and obstruction. Charges are later dropped but Roberts is fined $3000 by club for his behaviour
December – Representative forward Greg Bird handed infringement notice for offensive behaviour after being caught urinating near a marked police car during his wedding celebrations. Bird is stripped of club’s co-captaincy and fined $15,000
December – Club announces intention to sack Carter after he is arrested and charged with drink-driving for the second time in six month.
Western fuglie
Guest
Hope he plays the I have depression chest nut then sighns on with my tigers we have enough nice young men I want an angry back rower at below market value
Casper
Guest
surely the NRL will step in & suspend him for 6-8 games, so if someone wants him after that, with a longer suspension hanging over his head, let them take the chance. The news reports of him trying to switch seats with his inebriated girlfriend, if proven correct, are disturbing and remind you very much of an early indiscretion by Todd Carney. Hope someone points that out to him some time soon & he realises that he's on a slippery slope. Players with lesser ability but good behavior must be wondering how these guys can waste their talent when its such a short career.
curaeus
Guest
If the NRL are really interested in ridding the game of incompetent no hopers might I suggest they get their so called Integrity unit to start looking at the code's senior management
pete
Guest
That's right ever since the NRL set the precedent with Dugan. I think he will be playing with the roosters by round 1.
pete
Guest
We need to get rid of league fans who think like this if we are ever going to fix leagues image.
Arnold Krewanty
Guest
Letting go of Carter is a stupid decision.He'll move onto another club, and continue has fantastic form, while Titans languish down the bottom end of the table.
berthe
Guest
Urinting near a police car is not a capital offence and for many years urinating into a police car was a rite of passage for many young australians.