Esi Tonga set to leave Coast

[DIEHARD]

In-demand Tonga set to leave Coast

GOLD Coast centre Esi Tonga is almost certain to quit the Titans at season's end after attracting strong interest from rival NRL clubs.

Tonga has offers on the table from Parramatta and Cronulla and is likely to make a decision on his future within 10 days.

The Melbourne Storm are also believed to be interested, in what would essentially be a swap for Beau Champion, who confirmed a three-year deal with the Titans on Friday.

Tonga's manager Chris Orr strongly denied it was a case of Tonga being squeezed out of the club after the signing of Champion and Bulldogs giant Jamal Idris.

"We let the Titans know first that we were going to market and that provided them an opportunity to also go into market," Orr said.

"Esi is confident in his ability so the Titans signing Idris and Champion doesn't concern him. Anyway, he sees himself as a specialist left centre and they have gone out and bought two right centres.

"And who knows, Idris could yet find himself in the forward pack."

Orr did not rule out Tonga remaining a Titan next year but the chances appeared remote. Tonga was one of the first graduates from the club's inaugural under-20s side, making his NRL debut against the Sharks (round 12) in 2008.

He experienced a breakthrough season in 2009, his left-side pairing with flyer Kevin Gordon proving a highlight before a horror run with injury wrecked his 2010 campaign.

The 23-year-old fought his way back into first grade this season, playing the past seven games since earning a recall in Round 3.

"This year he has worked his way back into the side but I don't think his cause has been helped to be honest with the numerous five-eighths the Titans have had," Orr said.

"I think he would be superb down there in Melbourne with the quality of players like (Billy) Slater, (Cameron) Smith and (Cooper) Cronk around him.

"The Titans have given us permission to go out and have a look around but have told us to come back to them before we make a decision on his future."

Orr also manages Titans target Nate Myles and said the Roosters forward would weigh up offers from the Gold Coast and Newcastle over the weekend and was likely to make a decision as early as Monday.

Young Bulldogs five-eighth Aidan Sezer has agreed to join the Coast next year.

Off-contract Titans rookie Jordan Rankin is also set to be offered a new deal.

http://www.goldcoast.com.au/

[TitansFan2020]

good onya esi, i hope you go to the sharks they need you. WHHHYYYY OFFFEERRRR RANKKIN A NEWWWW DEAAAALLL ARGHH

[Titan_Blue]

If he goes to the Storm he will really kick on. I hope he does.

Cronulla would be career suicide...

[Rage]

Ah we all knew this was gonna happen but doesn't make it any easier. Still, it's probably within his best interests to go to the Storm - he'll excel there

[patskE]

*** I AM BURNING AT THIS
his one of my fav player behind presto n gordon....
got knows why we got champion when we have this kid...
his a up n comer who is already amazing
sad *** day, but i want him to play 1st grade, n he wont at the titans casue of carty...

[titanstattman]

good onya esi, i hope you go to the sharks they need you. WHHHYYYY OFFFEERRRR RANKKIN A NEWWWW DEAAAALLL ARGHH

Rankin seems to be having a bad year but iif u look at his games only his been great for the u/20s so has Matt but the rest of the team is not making them look good atm... Rankin will be in NRL in next year or two..

[titansrawesome]

sigh i liked esi and i think when he leaves he will be a rep player pretty soon and burn us

[gotitans101]

what a joke. Titans management strikes again.

Good luck whatever you choose to do Esi. Great young player who we should have never, ever let go. I guess poaching 'bigger' names from other clubs is far more important than breeding our own stars.