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DeeGan
07-02-07, 04:08 PM
I wrote this for www.leagueunlimited.com


2007 Jetstar Gold Coast Titans Preview

The Gold Coast Titans head in to season 2007 after experiencing one of the most turbulent off-seasons in recent memory. Three players were lost from the original roster before a tackle had been made and the club picked up a dual international who was released from the last year of his lucrative contract.

The re-newed Gold Coast club will play their historic first premiership game at Suncorp Stadium as opposed to temporary home Carrara Stadium. The decision made by the Gold Coast Titans administration team to play away from home was always going to be met with mixed reactions. CEO Michael Searle in response reiterated the decision made was in the best interests of the Gold Coast Titans fans.

?It has been an issue that we have been weighing up since first being accepted to the NRL, however I along with my administration team are comfortable with the decision, which at the end of the day will simply allow all of our supporters to witness and be a part of this historic match.? Searle said.

Whilst the first round venue was a hot topic, the off-season of 2006-2007 will forever be remembered as the ?Summer of Steve?.

Melbourne winger Steve Turner, after agreeing to terms with the club June 19, 2006, came out on August 15, 2006 with Melbourne Storm CEO to announce he had agreed to new terms with the Storm and signed a new contract which would keep him in Melbourne until 2009.

With the support of David Gallop and the NRL who after reviewing the case presented by the Gold Coast sided with the new franchise, Michael Searle insisted that the club would not release Steve Turner unless there was some sort of compensation which Melbourne originally baulked at.

After many weeks of talks, Michael Searle called a press conference January 16, 2007 confirming an agreement to release Steve Turner had been made.

?After extensive negotiations between the Titans and the Melbourne Storm, both parties have today agreed to a commercial settlement and in good faith we have immediately released Steve Turner to the Storm to commence training subject to the finalisation of a written agreement

?This commercial settlement allows for our club to secure two promising junior players (Daniel Isaac, Smith Samau). We have been in contact with these players and both have expressed an interest in coming home to Queensland and playing for the Jetstar Titans. In the next week we will work to resolve an agreement between ourselves and the players.?

Penrith?s Frank Puletua was granted a release on compassionate grounds November 26, 2006 though the biggest bombshell was yet to hit.

Great Britain International and the club?s third signing Brian Carney retired from all for levels of rugby league on January 16, 2007 a day after reiterating his commitment to the club in front of the attending media.

A shell shocked Michael Searle said ?We totally support Brian in his decision to retire from professional football and support his decision to return home to commence his Masters study at University and to be with his family.

?I would like to personally thank Brian for his integrity and the manner in which he handled this, he had the fortitude to do this face to face and that strength of character is rare today.

?Only a footballer knows when it is time to retire and Brian has been struggling with this decision for some time and we wish Brian all the best in the future.?

The blow was somewhat cushioned by the announcement a day earlier that the club had signed dual international Mat Rogers. Rogers sought a release from the final year of his ARU contract to play with the debutant club one year earlier than expected.

What can we expect from the Gold Coast Titans in 2007?

The club will have many hurdles in their debut season ? namely squad depth and the fact this is the first time a lot of these players have played together.

The recruiting done by the coaching staff was A+ it has to be said. Cartwright has hooker (Friend), halfback (Prince) and fullback (Rogers) covered which is important, as they will be handling the ball more than any other player.

The backs are still potent despite the loss of two of the finest finishers in the game in Carney and Turner. The Titans boast New Zealand winger Jake Webster, a former Great Britain fullback in Richie Mathers plus a crop of talented youngsters headed by Smith Samau, Lelea Paea and Brett Delaney.

A guy to keep an eye on is the resurgent Chris Walker who has acknowledged this is his last chance in the NRL competition. Walker has impressed the coaching staff this off-season and looks like securing a one-year incentive based deal before the season starts.

The club?s first signing, five-eighth Preston Campbell, will play a vital role in the team?s fortune in 2007. Preston will only have three games to strike up a combination with former Test halfback Scott Prince. This combination will be crucial and the Titans will only go as far as the livewire duo takes them.

The starting positions in the engine room are up in the air heading in to the trials. There is healthy competition for all positions in the pack with perhaps only Bailey and Laffranchi assured a starting position.

Luke Bailey is the leader of the forward pack. The Origin and Test prop is looking forward to the challenge with the NRL newcomers. ?Bull? as his known to team mates is training the house down and many expect him to have his best season since making his debut back in 2000 with the Dragons.

James Stosic, Michael Henderson and Michael Hodgson are fighting for two positions. One spot as partner to Luke Bailey in the starting side, the other on the bench as part of the standard three-man prop rotation.

Nathan Friend will miss the start of the season and he will give Clint Amos a head start. Amos will more than fill the void at hooker as he looks to cement the number nine jersey as his own early in 2007.

Local hero Anthony Laffranchi will relish being back on the coast as will utility Luke O?Dwyer who had a breakout season with the resurgent Parramatta Eels in 2006. Where O?Dwyer plays is a question yet to be answered given he is equally at home in the centres or back row.

There is an air of expectation surrounding young Gavin Cooper formerly of the North Queensland Cowboys. Cooper can split time in the backs or forwards though classes himself as a second rower by trade. Cooper has answered all questions asked this off-season and club insiders expect him to have a great start to the season.

Brad Meyers, back from a successful stint with Bradford in the Super League, is keen to silence critics who thought he was a spent force in the NRL competition. A former Origin and Test back rower, Meyers brings veteran experience and leadership to the club.

Coach: John Cartwright

Captain(s): Scott Prince and Luke Bailey

CEO: Michael Searle

Gains: Ritchie Mathers (Leeds Rhinos), Smith Samau (Melbourne Storm), Matthew Petersen (Parramatta Eels), Brett Delaney (Parramatta Eels), Josh Graham (Western Force), Daniel Isaac (Melbourne Storm), Luke O'Dwyer (Parramatta Eels), Lelea Paea (Sydney Roosters), Jake Webster (Melbourne Storm), Preston Campbell (Penrith Panthers), Matt Hilder (Cronulla Sharks), Scott Prince (Wests Tigers), Luke Bailey (St George Illawarra Dragons), Michael Henderson (St George Illawarra Dragons), Michael Hodgson (Canberra Raiders), James Stosic (Cronulla Sharks), Nathan Friend (Melbourne Storm), Gavin Cooper (North Queensland Cowboys), Anthony Laffranchi (Wests Tigers), Brad Meyers (Bradford Bulls), Mark Minichiello (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Luke Swain (Penrith Panthers), Clint Amos (North Queensland Cowboys), Kris Kahler (Canberra Raiders), David Myles (Toulouse Olympique), Mat Rogers (NSW Waratahs), Chris Walker (Melbourne Storm)

Likely team: Mat Rogers, Smith Samau, Jake Webster, Brett Delaney, Chris Walker, Preston Campbell, Scott Prince, Luke Bailey, Nathan Friend, James Stosic, Anthony Laffranchi, Mark Minichiello, Luke O?Dwyer Reserves; Michael Henderson, Luke Swain, Brad Meyers, Gavin Cooper

Gold Coast Titans squad: Ritchie Mathers (Leeds Rhinos), Smith Samau (Melbourne Storm), Matthew Petersen (Parramatta Eels), Brett Delaney (Parramatta Eels), Josh Graham (Western Force), Daniel Isaac (Melbourne Storm), Luke O'Dwyer (Parramatta Eels), Lelea Paea (Sydney Roosters), Jake Webster (Melbourne Storm), Preston Campbell (Penrith Panthers), Matt Hilder (Cronulla Sharks), Scott Prince (Wests Tigers), Luke Bailey (St George Illawarra Dragons), Michael Henderson (St George Illawarra Dragons), Michael Hodgson (Canberra Raiders), James Stosic (Cronulla Sharks), Nathan Friend (Melbourne Storm), Gavin Cooper (North Queensland Cowboys), Anthony Laffranchi (Wests Tigers), Brad Meyers (Bradford Bulls), Mark Minichiello (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Luke Swain (Penrith Panthers), Clint Amos (North Queensland Cowboys), Kris Kahler (Canberra Raiders), David Myles (Toulouse Olympique), Mat Rogers (NSW Waratahs), Chris Walker (Melbourne Storm)

dee13
07-02-07, 04:42 PM
Reading this guys, just gets me more pumped up for a big and exciting 2007. I simply can not wait.
BRING IT ON TITANS!!!!