DIEHARD
22-06-07, 03:18 PM
THE Ipswich Jets are close to stitching up a new three-year deal with the Gold Coast Titans.
In a massive boost for the Jets, the National Rugby League's newest club is keen to continue its affiliation with Ipswich.
"They're really happy with the way things have gone this year," Jets CEO Brad Wolens said yesterday following a meeting with Titans boss Michael Searle.
"The Titans are really keen to move forward with us."
The Jets have this season acted as one of the Titans' three feeder clubs.
The arrangement has delivered the likes of Chris Walker, Brad Meyers, Smith Samau, Kris Kahler and Jake Webster to the Jets doorstep.
Meyers, Kahler and Webster have only made the one appearance each but Walker and Samau have featured heavily in the Jets' charge towards their first appearance in the Queensland Cup finals since 2003.
Walker was one of five Ipswich players named in the Queensland Country team to play City in the annual representative clash on Saturday week.
The former State of Origin star is joined in the Country team by Jets skipper Danny Coburn, tough hooker Michael Ryan and props Scott Alo and Issak Ah Mau.
Wolens said young prop Matthew McPhee was 'most unlucky' not to make the side.
McPhee will get to take his frustrations out on the Norths Devils in Saturday's home match at QLD Group Stadium.
The third-placed Jets have made just one change in their search for their ninth win of the season.
Joel Riethmuller has been named on the interchange bench after serving a one-match suspension for a dangerous throw.
Riethmuller, who replaces Mat Cameron, hasn't been in the best of form this season. He'll need to fire against a Devils forward pack that includes ex-Ipswich star Aaron Bulow.
Ipswich winger Donald Malone has been cleared to play in Saturday's 2pm match after avoiding suspension.
Malone was penalised and placed on report for striking in the Jets' 36-6 win over the Easts Tigers last Saturday.
But the QRL match review committee ruled the incident to be "penalty sufficient", paving the way for Malone to take his place.
Malone combined brilliantly with Walker to score two tries against the Tigers.
The Jets also meet the Devils in FOGS Cup and FOGS Challenge (colts) matches in Ipswich on Saturday.
The colts match kicks off proceedings at 10.45am.
http://www.qrl.com.au
In a massive boost for the Jets, the National Rugby League's newest club is keen to continue its affiliation with Ipswich.
"They're really happy with the way things have gone this year," Jets CEO Brad Wolens said yesterday following a meeting with Titans boss Michael Searle.
"The Titans are really keen to move forward with us."
The Jets have this season acted as one of the Titans' three feeder clubs.
The arrangement has delivered the likes of Chris Walker, Brad Meyers, Smith Samau, Kris Kahler and Jake Webster to the Jets doorstep.
Meyers, Kahler and Webster have only made the one appearance each but Walker and Samau have featured heavily in the Jets' charge towards their first appearance in the Queensland Cup finals since 2003.
Walker was one of five Ipswich players named in the Queensland Country team to play City in the annual representative clash on Saturday week.
The former State of Origin star is joined in the Country team by Jets skipper Danny Coburn, tough hooker Michael Ryan and props Scott Alo and Issak Ah Mau.
Wolens said young prop Matthew McPhee was 'most unlucky' not to make the side.
McPhee will get to take his frustrations out on the Norths Devils in Saturday's home match at QLD Group Stadium.
The third-placed Jets have made just one change in their search for their ninth win of the season.
Joel Riethmuller has been named on the interchange bench after serving a one-match suspension for a dangerous throw.
Riethmuller, who replaces Mat Cameron, hasn't been in the best of form this season. He'll need to fire against a Devils forward pack that includes ex-Ipswich star Aaron Bulow.
Ipswich winger Donald Malone has been cleared to play in Saturday's 2pm match after avoiding suspension.
Malone was penalised and placed on report for striking in the Jets' 36-6 win over the Easts Tigers last Saturday.
But the QRL match review committee ruled the incident to be "penalty sufficient", paving the way for Malone to take his place.
Malone combined brilliantly with Walker to score two tries against the Tigers.
The Jets also meet the Devils in FOGS Cup and FOGS Challenge (colts) matches in Ipswich on Saturday.
The colts match kicks off proceedings at 10.45am.
http://www.qrl.com.au