The future of Gold Coast Titans coach Garth Brennan is riding on the club qualifying for the finals next season.
Brennan, a rookie coach recruited from Penrith’s reserve grade side, signed a three-year contract running from 2018 to 2020. However, the third year is contingent on results, meaning if the Titans fail to make an impact next season, the club’s board may look to recruit a new head coach.
It’s been a rough few years for the glitter strip club, both on and off the field.
In 2016, the Titans looked to have turned the corner by qualifying for the finals, but since then a number of poor decisions, injuries, off-field dramas, the Jarryd Hayne debacle and the sacking of former coach Neil Henry, sent the Gold Coast back to the bottom of the ladder.
The 2018 season was a mixed bag for Brennan in his first year as an NRL head coach. A remarkable come-from-behind win in Round 1 against the Raiders was the perfect start, the Titans went on to win three of their first five games before inconsistency and injuries derailed the rest of their campaign, finishing in a disappointing 14th place.
Perhaps the biggest disappointment for Brennan was his star recruit Bryce Cartwright, who has flopped since arriving at the club on a big money deal. Cartwright has struggled with injures and off-field issues over the past couple of seasons, which looks to have severely affected his on-field performances.
But like Cartwright, the Titans roster has a plethora of talent and potential.
AJ Brimson was arguably the find of the season, at just 19-years-old, he excelled at both five-eighth and fullback in his 15 NRL appearances. Paired with 2016 Dally M Rookie of the Year, halfback Ash Taylor, the Titans will have one of the most lethal attacking games in the competition next season.
Speaking of Ash Taylor, his 2018 season was a tale of two halves. The first half of the season saw him racking up try assist after try assist, which almost earned him an origin debut for the Maroons, but the pressure to perform for that elusive origin jumper saw his early season form turn into a form slump which he never recovered from.
It’s been rumoured that former Newcastle premiership winner Matthew Johns will be helping Taylor during the off season with handing pressure and taking his game to the next level.
The Titans have recruited very well for next season, beefing up their forward pack by signing Shannon Boyd who has 4 tests under his belt, current test and NSW origin utility Tyrone Peachy will add even more attacking spark and promising young five-eighth Ryley Jacks who was brought up through the Melbourne Storm system.
Bryce Cartwright of the Titans runs the ball (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
To further emphasise the quality of their roster, they have Queensland origin representatives Jai Arrow and Jarrod Wallace, New Zealand international Kevin Proctor, former NSW origin hooker Nathan Peats, captain Ryan James who is on the cusp of NSW origin selection, wingers Anthony Don and Phillip Sami who scored 29 tries between them this season and an 18-year-old superstar in the making, impact forward Moeaki Fotuaika.
The fact of the matter is, the Titans have the roster and the depth to be successful. The challenge for Brennan is to ensure the right structures are in place, the right combinations, have the ability to get the best out of his players and to ensure each of his players are clear on their role in the team.
Two areas of concern for coach Brennan are his teams defensive deficiencies (4th most missed tackles in 2018) and completion rate (last with 76% completion in 2018), meaning they were unable to apply enough pressure on opposition teams throughout the season.
As mentioned, the attacking potential this side possesses will be hard to stop, if they can get their discipline right on both sides of the ball. If they do, they’ll win enough games to be a force in next years competition.
Most pundits won’t have the Titans in their top 8 and many will tip them for the wooden spoon. But despite the lack of confidence from the outside, each individual involved within the club from the front office, the coaching staff and the players need to work hard to make next season a successful season.
For the Gold Coast Titans, success is defying the odds and qualifying for the finals in 2019. No more excuses.
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
And just like that... Titans owners have activated Garth Brennan's 3rd year on his contract (which would only get activated based on results) so he's "not distracted with his own future" which will allow him to focus on getting the team to the finals. However owner Darryl Kelly expects finals football in 2019. So despite Kelly's guarantee to Brennan that he will be coach in 2020, I still don't think they'll accept another bottom of the table finish.
Matt
Guest
Jacks never played fb, you're mixing him with Hughes I suspect.
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
They have so much attacking potency for 2019. Even if their defence is still a bit shoddy, they might win a few games purely from their ability to outscore the opposition. I can see them winning a few games 34-30 etc but I don't think it's enough to win the comp though... defence is all about attitude and commitment. That will be the challenge for them.
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
Brimson proved to be an excellent foil for Taylor in the halves. He has a dynamite running game. I think he'll play a few years at fullback but will inevitably become a five-eighth, much in the same mould as Lockyer
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
Broncos have made the finals every year except 2012 since their premiership in 2006. Would you consider the past 12 years a success for the Broncos? I know they don't. The Broncos are like Storm and Roosters, success for them is only measured by premierships
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
Fair enough... I got my information from Wikipedia. Or maybe that average went up because they got 27,000 for JT's last game (mostly cowboys fans)
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
He's old school. That's what makes him so appealing to watch! He'd fit right in to rugby league of the 80s
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
Yeah I do remember Hayne being in Taylors ear a lot. I think once Hayne was handed the fullback jersey just before the 2016 finals, he was doing a lot of calling the shots or giving Ash a spray if he made an error or the wrong decision
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
He was great in 2016 before Hayne showed up. Partnered Taylor in the halves and got them to the finals
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
Progress... But I'm sure Garth Brennan and the team will have aspirations of winning the comp next year. Surely thats their aim
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
The club almost folded under his watch. I know he may not have caused the problems, but he certainly couldn't fix it, apart from begging the NRL to help out.
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
Hayne was a bad influence on Taylor and you could see his game was effected by it
Jeff Cook
Roar Rookie
Spot on ! I like to watch him , he gets the shits !
Nat
Roar Guru
Yeah, not for his outstanding ability but I reckon he had a positive influence on the halves. Their last semi-successful season was when he was there.
SportsFanGC
Roar Guru
I think going into 2019 Titans have great anticipation and also an expectation that this team should be looking to make the finals. They have a lot of pieces of the puzzle in place, some seriously good young talent alongside Origin and International players. I think they have responded well to Brennan as a no-nonsense, down to earth guy that gives honest feedback. The have an amazing training facility the equal of any team in the League and should look to make CBus Stadium a fortress, particularly early in the season when the heat is at its worst. Looking forward to watching at CBus next year for sure.
Matt H
Roar Guru
I think Brimson is a fullback but played in the halves because that's where the opening was.
peeeko
Roar Guru
gee a lot of people thinking Tyrone Roberts will add value? i believe he was already a fail at NRL level
Up the Wahs
Roar Guru
12,837 average but your point still stands. They’ve ranged between 11 to 13 thousand last few seasons. A lot of their big crowds come when there is plenty of away supporters.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
That is true Adam - they have the tendency of standing up against some of the better teams but often just fall short, last year due a lack of experience in their spine.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Which would mean they have an unsuccessful season since premierships are the only measure of success right....?