Titans 'need help' in AFL battle

Titans 'need help' in AFL battle

Foundation Gold Coast coach John Cartwright says the Titans urgently need help from the NRL to help fight for football's hearts and minds on the holiday strip.

In his final media conference as Titans coach following their loss to the Roosters on Monday night, Cartwright launched an impassioned plea aimed at the game's governing body for help fighting the AFL on the Gold Coast.

A battle Cartwright, who stepped down from the post he had held for eight seasons last week, says the NRL is losing.

"It's not the immediate two or three years I'm worried about, it's the next generation, the kids who would be playing league," Cartwright said.

"Their parents played rugby league, their family all played rugby league but they are being sold AFL on a big scale.

"You need to live up there to see what its like. It's a battle, there is no two ways about it and we are putting our head in the sands if we think anything else.

"I've lived on the Gold Coast for eight years, I just think it's so important for rugby league to be strong there. They can't do it on their own, they need some help."

The AFL has thrown millions at its Gold Coast franchise The Suns, with superstar Gary Ablett drafted in to help the cause.

The Titans crowds have slumped in recent years and this will be the fourth successive year they will miss the finals.

Cartwright's comments echoes those of Brisbane legend and Broncos board member Darren Lockyer, who took to his weekly newspaper column last Saturday to say the Titans desperately need the NRL's help and has called for them to be granted salary cap exemptions.

AAP

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Originally Posted by DIEHARD

Titans 'need help' in AFL battle

Cartwright's comments echoes those of Brisbane legend and Broncos board member Darren Lockyer, who took to his weekly newspaper column last Saturday to say the Titans desperately need the NRL's help and has called for them to be granted salary cap exemptions.

AAP

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We don't need salary cap exemptions FFS, we need good corporate management and assistance from the league in promoting and fighting the propaganda machine. We can't rely on the results on the field alone, although that would be a huge help. The ARLC needs to fight the AFL head on and not rely on the Titans to go it alone. Let the ARLC handle all the advertising and promoting and do it in a big way to show all that they are serious about the code in the area.

I agree, we don't need salary cap concessions, We are in QLD ffs. But we do need more people to realise how the AFL games their competition with salary cap concessions. So many 'inter state' Premierships were won under these advantages.

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Originally Posted by ozynorts

We don't need salary cap exemptions FFS, we need good corporate management and assistance from the league in promoting and fighting the propaganda machine. We can't rely on the results on the field alone, although that would be a huge help. The ARLC needs to fight the AFL head on and not rely on the Titans to go it alone. Let the ARLC handle all the advertising and promoting and do it in a big way to show all that they are serious about the code in the area.

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I tend to think you hit the mark, mate. But I'm not too sure the ARLC Media Promotions Dept would be much better than what the Titans have/had already. A lot of their stuff appears to be sub standard a lot of the time, considering to where it should be. But yeah, it does appear we do need some sort of backing from them to lift the profile of the game on the Coast.

I really think most of it comes down to a winning footy team and playing something worth watching. You advertise all you like and offer things like the $10 tickets the other week but if it's shyte, people will not come. Of course stadium food prices, parking, etc play a part as well.

we have a much better local product and if we can link with QCup as pregame that would be a good start.

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Originally Posted by Titanic

we have a much better local product and if we can link with QCup as pregame that would be a good start.

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Stop talking sense mate

Gold Coast Titans CEO Graham Annesley says there is room for his team and the Suns

TITANS chief executive Graham Annesley says the Gold Coast Suns pose no threat to his club and are the last thing he thinks about.

Annesley’s stance came 24 hours after John Cartwright said the Suns’ AFL-backed invasion of the tourist strip threatened the future of rugby league on the Gold Coast.

The AFL head office spends millions of dollars on the Suns and the code in general on the Gold Coast while the NRL has only recently begun helping the Titans through administrative assistance.

“It’s not the immediate two or three years I’m worried about, it’s the next generation, the kids who would be playing league,” Cartwright said after his final game in charge of the Titans on Monday night.

“Their parents played rugby league, their families all played rugby league but they are being sold AFL on a big scale.

“It’s a battle, there is no two ways about it, and we are putting our head in the sands if we think anything else.”

Annesley said the Gold Coast was big enough to accommodate two major sporting teams.

He said the Titans improving their on and off field performance would ensure the success of rugby league on the Gold Coast regardless of the Suns’ fortunes.

The NRL has begun helping the Titans administratively in the past two months lending support during a major transitional phase for the club.

“The last thing I think about each day is the Suns,” Annesley said. “We are Australia’s sixth biggest city. There is more than enough room (for both clubs).

“We need to get the Titans performing better, that is the issue. Being able to do everything we want to do at the Titans is what we are focused on.

“Over recent months the NRL have been extremely helpful. They have provided extra assistance. I have no complaints.

“They recognise that the Gold Coast is very important to rugby league.’’

The Titans’ first official review will be tabled at next week’s board meeting for an initial discussion with the final report to lodged the following week.

Annesley said the review would make no recommendation for a new head coach, which appears certain to be Neil Henry.

“It will review structural and cultural issues at the club and the head coach will be a separate matter for the board,’’ Annesley said.

“We expect an interim review to be delivered at our board meeting next week.’’

Interim coach Henry said the Gold Coast did need more help from the NRL but it should come through assistance to negotiate a better stadium deal at Robina.

“It’s important they look to help the club to ensure it’s viable here,” Henry said.

“It’s been four years without finals and that will test people’s patience but we feel the economic climate is improving and we’re hopeful that will lead to more corporate money coming in.’’

http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl

I like Annersley view, stop crying about the suns and chart our own destiny. That's good management.

[/QUOTE]TITANS chief executive Graham Annesley says the Gold Coast Suns pose no threat to his club and are the last thing he thinks about.[/QUOTE]

[/QUOTE]“The last thing I think about each day is the Suns,” Annesley said.[/QUOTE]

So he does think about them and it is when he goes to bed...so he is concerned. :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by DIEHARD

Gold Coast Titans CEO Graham Annesley says there is room for his team and the Suns


http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl

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When did the titans become his team, always thought it was ours..

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Originally Posted by Noddy1979

I like Annersley view, stop crying about the suns and chart our own destiny. That's good management.

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Exactly.. Every other business has to contend with competition, and you can't move your business forward when you're constantly wondering/worrying about what the next bloke is doing.

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Originally Posted by TITAN PETE

When did the titans become his team, always thought it was ours..

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Shouldn't it be Searle's :-)