The Gold Coast Titans have emerged as serious contenders for Latrell Mitchell after Wests Tigers withdrew their lucrative offer to the NRL star.
Options are running out for Latrell Mitchell who will meet with Gold Coast Titans next week in a bid to avoid being relegated to Sydney Roosters’ reserves after Wests Tigers withdrew their offer.
Gold Coast have emerged as the surprise contenders after claiming on Thursday NRL star Mitchell was interested in a Titans move “to continue his growth as a player and person”.
But time is not on Mitchell’s side to find a new home after the Tigers on Thursday became tired of waiting for a response and sensationally withdrew their four-year, $3.8 million offer tabled almost two weeks ago.
If Mitchell can’t ink a deal he faces the prospect of playing in the Roosters’ reserves next year after falling out with coach Trent Robinson with one season left on his contract.
However, the Titans sounded confident they could tempt Mitchell after organising for the NSW centre to tour their facilities next week where they are expected to use their trump cards – Mal Meninga and Justin Holbrook.
Titans head of culture and performance Meninga has bonded with Mitchell as Kangaroos coach while new Gold Coast mentor Holbrook got to know the centre during his time as Robinson’s assistant at the Roosters.
“The Titans are always interested in attracting quality players to the club and Latrell more than fits that description,” a Titans spokesman said.
“Latrell has expressed an interest in moving to the Gold Coast to play for the Titans, to continue his growth as a player and person under the mentorship of Mal and coaching of Justin.”
Gold Coast suddenly became Mitchell’s top priority after Tigers chief executive Justin Pascoe told the player’s management on Thursday they had “moved on”.
The Tigers had hoped for a decision from Mitchell this week before it emerged the Titans had entered the pursuit for the 22-year-old, further frustrating the joint venture.
The Tigers have reportedly now set their sights on Melbourne’s Josh Addo-Carr.
“Our first responsibility is to our club and we can’t be inactive in a market like the NRL player market and afford to sit around and wait,” he told News Corp Australia.
Pascoe did not rule out re-opening talks with Mitchell but Tigers great Steve Roach believed they should wash their hands of the X-factor.
“If I was the Tigers that would be it. I would go searching for someone else,” he told Fox Sports.
“You can’t just sit around waiting for someone to make their decision.
“What do we do? Just wait for him to dance off to every other club and see if we are the last man standing?”
North Queensland appeared in the mix after coach Paul Green left the door open to sign Mitchell even after snaring Valentine Holmes on a lucrative six-year deal on Sunday.
But Cowboys football boss Peter Parr later all but dismissed their chances, saying it would be “difficult” to offload several players and present a competitive offer for the star.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
I can’t think of a better club for a player like Mitchell
mushi
Roar Guru
I was being glib. But a serious counter point, Hayne was also a Dally M winner at fullback and cause a change in the rules. It will be hard for Mitchell to impress a selection panel that he publicly felt out with as he learns a new position at a "rebuilding " club
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
"I think Latrell will end up at Souths." I HOPE so but I highly doubt it. Richo has already declared Souths aren't interested in Latrell and Richo has never back flipped on his decisions. When Cooper Cronk was reportedly close to signing with the Rabbitohs Richo said the same thing and shortly afterwards he signed with the Roosters instead. David Fafita should be a higher priority for Souths than Jai Arrow in any case. Souths need to sign some big names SOON while they are still available and then if the NRL stuff them over Sam Burgess shed players like Mark Nicholls, Corey Allan, Bryson Goodwin and Dane Gagai. If Souths aren't going to sign any quality backs then they need to patch things up with AJ NOW! If he walks and there is no big name replacement Souths are screwed!
Adam
Roar Guru
Said no one ever
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
Chasing money that wasn't ever going to be there. Mitchell isn't going to get fullback money at this stage of his career. He is a very good centre, but nowhere near the likes of Tedesco and RTS. He could become the most expensive reserve grader ever
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
Radradra has signed with an English rugby side so he won't be coming to the bunnies any time soon. You have Murray who is a great player but really only Burgess as a big body, but I like the look of Liam Knight seems to go ok. Yup should chase Shannon Boyd I don't think the Titans are keen on keeping him. I know Jack Stockwell is without a club and was ok coming through the grades at the Dragons but never kicked on. Would be a cheap option.
Steve
Guest
Would be career suicide signing with that basket case of a club.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Titans is the last stop before Super League !
steveng
Roar Rookie
He's rumored to be going to the Titans now? Then he will go to the Broncs then....does that ring a bell??? lol
steveng
Roar Rookie
Yep, well on paper they don't have forwards but, they do have some talent there and Sam was a big loss, but and realistically, Sam didn't do much in 2019, there will be allot of surprises coming out of our forwards in 2020 and overall with the Bunnies, just like Murray, Knight etc. Also, I never said LM was a Souths junior but, if he wants a release in 2020 (which he is desperate to do from the rotters) he will never be at the Bunnies as, those rotters will never ever release him in 2020 to be at the Bunnies, that is one of their release conditions. Anyway, all I hope is that Semi Radradra sign with us as JAC is looking like signing with the Tigers, who are signing everybody lol inclusing LM?
Larry1950
Guest
Does this mean the Titans are resigned to losing Jai Arrow because you'd think they would need to unload Taylor & his big contract to have money in the future for Mitchell if Arrow upgrades.
Fred
Guest
Or if he wasn't taking the Roosters deal, he should have jumped at the Tigers deal. But apparently his manager buggered that up by playing games with the Tigers and avoiding phone calls.
Hutcho
Roar Rookie
Souths haven't freed up the Burgess money then?
Superspud
Roar Rookie
I think he had a chicken chilli role from Hong Ha bakery in Mascot once. That makes him a Souths junior.
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
LM isn't a Souths junior so not sure how he's coming back. I was surprised that JAC played his junior footy at La Perouse, could be a big advantage for Souths and a great pick up if they get it done. But Souths desperately need forwards, outside of Tom Burgess it's slim pickings
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Sounds like latrell may be into a corner. God knows the Gold Coast could use him and it looks like the sombrero is getting too tight so goodness for him
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
Jarryd Hayne played fullback for the Titans and got selected for New South Wales.
mushi
Roar Guru
Not if they play for the titans...
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't play at all next season, he seems to be all over the shop.
Aiden
Guest
Ha! What a balls up from his manager. He’s entitled to make some coin, but now he may have to front up and pretend that he’s excited to play for the Titans.