DIEHARD
02-02-14, 05:10 AM
466
THE cold war between the Titans and Scott Prince is over, with the Gold Coast club looking to bring their former captain back into the fold with an official off-field role.
Little more than a year after the foundation captain was squeezed out of the club he helped build, Prince returned "home" to Robina yesterday to take part in a Titans corporate touch football day.
It was the first public mending of the bridges that were incinerated last year during an acrimonious split that saw Prince join bitter rivals Brisbane.
Now retired, Prince is seen by new Titans boss Graham Annesley as a potential magnet to lure supporters and sponsors.
While Prince doesn't yet have an official role at the Titans, Annesley confirmed yesterday moves were afoot to renew links with their inaugural skipper and bring the former premiership captain, Origin and Test star home to the Coast.
"I've spoken to Scott about a role here at the club," Annesley said.
"There's no doubt he's one of the legends of this club. As a foundation player he's a very important part of the club's history and we'd like to have him involved."
It is a remarkable turn of events considering the circumstances that saw Prince's time on the Coast come to an abrupt and premature end.
Believing age had caught up with their halfback, the Titans were reluctant to grant him a contract extension so he could finish his career in Coast colours.
Instead, they released him from the final year of his contract, thinking he would finish his career with British Super League club Hull.
But he shocked then-Gold Coast chief executive David May and embarrassed the Titans by signing a deal with the Brisbane Broncos.
Both camps were left confused and disappointed over the bungled contract negotiations.
"They (the Titans) have moved forward and so have I," Prince said at the time.
"I wasn't gagged (by the Titans) at all. I just sat back and watched closely and it was crazy, it was a bit mad.
"Both parties, from my side and the Titans, would say it's disappointing how it's unfolded."
Prince joined his former Titans teammates at Cbus Super Stadium for the corporate touch day and Gold Coast junior rugby league sign-on event.
Despite battling through his final NRL season with the Broncos, Prince remains a favourite son on the Coast.
With Jamal Idris recently walking out on the club to join the Penrith Panthers, the Titans could use another big personality to help win over the region's young fans.
The Titans-hosted event attracted 16 corporate touch teams, but more importantly countless children poured into the venue to sign on for their first taste of junior league.
With junior registration days for winter sports in full swing, the Gold Coast has become a competitive market place.
Junior rugby league, soccer, rugby union and hockey are fighting for families' attention
Titans Co-captains Nate Myles and Greg Bird, veterans Luke Bailey and Ashley Harrison, and winger Kevin Gordon were among the pied pipers wooing juniors towards their code.
"This is rugby league heartland (at the Gold Coast) and it always has been. I think we'll have a very good year," Annesley said.
Source: http://www.news.com.au
THE cold war between the Titans and Scott Prince is over, with the Gold Coast club looking to bring their former captain back into the fold with an official off-field role.
Little more than a year after the foundation captain was squeezed out of the club he helped build, Prince returned "home" to Robina yesterday to take part in a Titans corporate touch football day.
It was the first public mending of the bridges that were incinerated last year during an acrimonious split that saw Prince join bitter rivals Brisbane.
Now retired, Prince is seen by new Titans boss Graham Annesley as a potential magnet to lure supporters and sponsors.
While Prince doesn't yet have an official role at the Titans, Annesley confirmed yesterday moves were afoot to renew links with their inaugural skipper and bring the former premiership captain, Origin and Test star home to the Coast.
"I've spoken to Scott about a role here at the club," Annesley said.
"There's no doubt he's one of the legends of this club. As a foundation player he's a very important part of the club's history and we'd like to have him involved."
It is a remarkable turn of events considering the circumstances that saw Prince's time on the Coast come to an abrupt and premature end.
Believing age had caught up with their halfback, the Titans were reluctant to grant him a contract extension so he could finish his career in Coast colours.
Instead, they released him from the final year of his contract, thinking he would finish his career with British Super League club Hull.
But he shocked then-Gold Coast chief executive David May and embarrassed the Titans by signing a deal with the Brisbane Broncos.
Both camps were left confused and disappointed over the bungled contract negotiations.
"They (the Titans) have moved forward and so have I," Prince said at the time.
"I wasn't gagged (by the Titans) at all. I just sat back and watched closely and it was crazy, it was a bit mad.
"Both parties, from my side and the Titans, would say it's disappointing how it's unfolded."
Prince joined his former Titans teammates at Cbus Super Stadium for the corporate touch day and Gold Coast junior rugby league sign-on event.
Despite battling through his final NRL season with the Broncos, Prince remains a favourite son on the Coast.
With Jamal Idris recently walking out on the club to join the Penrith Panthers, the Titans could use another big personality to help win over the region's young fans.
The Titans-hosted event attracted 16 corporate touch teams, but more importantly countless children poured into the venue to sign on for their first taste of junior league.
With junior registration days for winter sports in full swing, the Gold Coast has become a competitive market place.
Junior rugby league, soccer, rugby union and hockey are fighting for families' attention
Titans Co-captains Nate Myles and Greg Bird, veterans Luke Bailey and Ashley Harrison, and winger Kevin Gordon were among the pied pipers wooing juniors towards their code.
"This is rugby league heartland (at the Gold Coast) and it always has been. I think we'll have a very good year," Annesley said.
Source: http://www.news.com.au