Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook insists the Titans have no intention of letting Jai Arrow join NRL rivals South Sydney a year early.
The representative forward has signed to join Souths on a four-year deal from 2021 but the Rabbitohs are still trying to secure a deal to get him for 2020 to fill the gaping hole left by Sam Burgess’ retirement.
Preparing for his first season in charge of last year’s wooden spooners, Holbrook on Tuesday declared Arrow a vital part of his team for the upcoming season.
“We’re not just going to let him go … my plan and the club’s plan is that Jai’s playing here in 2020,” Holbrook said.
“He’s a great player, he’s a committed type of player and we know he’s an important part of our team.
“He had a big decision to make on his future, he’s made that now, but he’s committed to playing 2020 and that’s how we’ll be seeing it out,” Holbrook added.
“He’s a really good guy at the end of the day and obviously a very good player. I see him being a big part of our season this year.”
Arrow joined the Titans in 2018 from Queensland rivals Brisbane and quickly established himself as one of the best players at the struggling club.
He made his Queensland State of Origin debut the same year and was desperately missed by both the Titans and Maroons after suffering a mid-season ankle injury.
Holbrook has also thrown his support behind halfback Ash Taylor.
The playmaker endured a horror 2019 which included a break from the game due to personal reasons but the new Titans coach has been impressed by the 24-year-old’s early pre-season efforts.
“I’ve been really happy with Ash straightaway. I think he’s really applied himself well to everything he’s done with his training,” Holbrook said.
“I’ve made it clear I’m here to help him and I want him to play as good as he can, just as much as everyone else does.
“It’s my job to help him achieve that but he’s got to help himself and he’s doing that and doing it really well.”
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
The Roosters forced Latrell Mitchell out while he was still under contract because he had the audacity to say NO to Uncle Nick. If the Roosters want him gone then they have to pay their share of his 2020 contract (I believe the figure being discussed is $120K). Souths will need to do the same if they force Gagai out the door. Souths haven't told him to leave yet but if Gagai does that before they shut the door on him Roosters style then Souths will have to pay the shortfall of his contract for 2020. If Gagai leaves voluntarily then he is cancelling his own contract and Souths pay nothing for 2020. Simple enough?
mushi
Roar Guru
I’m struggling to see how even you can’t understand this. What is happening right now is LM is fulfilling his contract -> roosters are paying him. Now if LM plays for Souths in 2020 team he’d be blatantly breaching his contract -> roosters won’t pay him. Further more souths would have an ineligible player and have to forfeit every game. So maybe we should pay him to ensure it happens... But what will happen is Souths will insist LM break his contract. It’s also not fake news. I’m pretty certain I know what I dislike and I’m also certain that for me you personify it, I’m probably the only reliable source on the planet for that view.
Chilli
Roar Rookie
I can guarantee that wasn’t the case mate. Gus grew up supporting the Rorters which is one of his very few character flaws...the other one being a Rugby Union player. Absolute shame though!
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Pity he made an rash emotional decision instead of sleeping on it. Apparently he wanted to stay at Souths in the end but he had already signed his soul to Politis and the devil doesn't give refunds.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
So therefore the Roosters should pay 100% of Latrell's 2020 salary if they aren't trying to break their contract, is that it? Cheers mushi. Thanks for the free gift. :thumbup: The poster child for my dislike of patriotism? More "Fake News" mushi? Chooks shouldn't eat their own droppings mate. :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Chilli
Roar Rookie
Gus is a pretty special kind of dude though Pappy.
mushi
Roar Guru
Churlish, finally a topic you actually have the ability to opine on.
mushi
Roar Guru
Yes in all probability... :thumbdown:
mushi
Roar Guru
Um okay nothing you said makes sense... You didn't raise any breech of contract by the roosters. They never said they wouldn't pay him. Contracts and loyalty are independent ideas. Loyalty, by definition, doesn't require a legal contract it's a commitment outside of that. They pulled the contract because he wanted optionality, nobel prize winner agree that th iis is reasonable. Then you say contracts don't exist like some flat earther. You are the poster child for my dislike of patriotism .
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
I agree Paul but when has what is right been prioritised over what the player wants and what is most expedient to avoid a Latrell Mitchell (Roosters), SBW (Bulldogs) sour grapes scenario. In 2003 Chris Walker put in 5 garbage, heartless performances for Souths to get released so he could sign a more lucrative contract with the Roosters. On the flip slide Angus Crichton honoured the last year of his contract and never gave less than 100%. So it is possible.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
If Latrell remains at Bondi Junction and plays in the Canterbury Cup in 2020 it will be an obscene waste of Rugby League talent and a churlish punative reaction by the Roosters. Gagai has never been worth the money he is on and more often than not he has hurt rather than improved Souths chances of success. If the chooks took him in a direct swap for Mitchell and were foolish enough to play him in the centres Souths would run their attack at him all day. He is a turnstile and a speed bump in defence, nothing more. Souths need Gagai gone (along with Corey Allan and Mark Nicholls) and Latrell Mitchell would be a huge boost for their 2020 campaign. Pay the money and move on Richo.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
If there was you would graduate with honours. Put your crayons away & tidy your room.
Big Daddy
Guest
Papi, your right about Gagai. South's will not throw money at him to go. Same as no-one will pay the sort of money he's on. Re Latrell ,East's won't pay the difference on what's on offer. I think this could be a stalemate or he's playing North Sydney all year.
Paul
Roar Guru
This is exactly the right move by the Titans for exactly the right reasons. Arrow is a contracted professional and has an obligation to see out his contract if the Titans want him and clearly their coach does. Why give up one of your best players so close to the season starting without a ready made replacement? Now the Titans have clarity on what Arrows doing, have time to go shopping for a replacement but still have his services for 2020.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Remember, my gripe with the Roosters salary cap rorting is not based on TPAs but rather on players either being signed for way less than market value or when adding up the contract value for each of their 30-man squad they are clearly well over the salary cap even by conservative estimates. If we could report on the REAL TPA situation with the Roosters rather than the nonsense being spread earlier this year that the Roosters TPAs totalled $250K then the chooks would be well over $20 mill in all probability.
Chilli
Roar Rookie
Which is obviously the session you unfortunately missed out on. Was there one on for wan7ers at the same time?
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
How is it bad salary cap management?
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Perhaps Souths could "unofficially" top up Latrell's salary with an admin role like Sam. I was joking about Sam sharpening pencils the other day. I hear Sam, GI & James Roberts are counselling young players how to behave in everyday life.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
"undertakings... that they will never play for any other club but the Titans for the entirety of their careers. Any players not willing to make such a commitment should be immediately sacked." Like Latrell Mitchell? :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Edit: I've read that Dane Gagai has asked his manager to explore his options. He sees the writing on the wall with Latrell Mitchell's imminent arrival at Redfern and the other centre position going to either Campbell Graham, Braidon Burns or Adam Doueihi. Also both AJ and Edene Gebbie are ahead of Gagai to play FB so Gagai will be forced to play exclusively on the wing. The stumbling block is that Gagai is overpriced on $600K - $700K so Souths will have to throw money down the toilet to move him on. To pickup both Latrell Mitchell and Jai Arrow for 2020 it will be well worth it.