Henry promises Mead chance at fullback spot for 2015

[K2G]

Gold Coast Titans coach Neil Henry promises David Mead chance at fullback spot for 2015

TODD BALYM GOLD COAST BULLETIN SEPTEMBER 20, 2014 12:00AM

GOLD Coast winger David Mead has reaffirmed his commitment to the Titans, but has sought an assurance from new coach Neil Henry he will get a chance to prove himself as the club’s long term No.1.

Henry has spent the first two weeks of the off-season meeting with players as part of an end-of-year review, delivering honest feedback of where each player sits in future plans as he rebuilds the club after a 14th-place finish.

Mead was considering his Titans future midway through the 2014 season, with rival clubs Canberra and Wests Tigers gauging his interest for a move south with the offer of a permanent position at his preferred fullback role.

Frustrated at being stuck on the wing after starring for NSW Country in the No.1 jersey, Mead became a target for rival clubs desperate to find some X-factor for next season.

Mead was given eight games in the No.1 jersey for the Titans replacing injured William Zillman, but shifted between wing and centre once the vice-captain returned.

Henry said Mead had again voiced his desire to play fullback during their review and confirmed he would be given every chance to replace Zillman next year when preseason training resumes in November.

“I did a review with Meady and he is quite keen to stay at the club,” Henry said. “He never requested a release.

“He is still quite keen to play fullback and he will get a crack at that in the preseason.

“He knows the areas he needs to work on and Zilly knows there is a bit of pressure for his spot. That is healthy.”

The Titans were said to be keen on Newcastle fullback Darius Boyd or Broncos custodian Josh Hoffman if they were released from their contracts, but a lack of salary cap space next year means the Titans unlikely to pursue either.

Henry has met with Broncos front rower Ben Hannant, but the Gold Coast believe they will only secure the former Test star if he has exhausted all options elsewhere.

With Brad Takairaingi accepting a move to Wests Tigers next season, Henry said Anthony Don was likely to get more opportunities in the centres while the club could add a young Intrust Super Cup player to boost backline depth.

“We probably have one spot in our cap we haven’t done yet, that will depend on what funds we’ve got and who is available,” Henry said.

[5 Year Contract]

Best. news. ever.

[DIEHARD]

Good to hear that Don will be valued and that Mead should get a fair crack.

[TITAN PETE]

Great news for Meady

[Titan4Life]

Great news. Hope to see Meady wearing the #1 jersey next year. All we want is for him to be given a fair chance at securing the spot. Makes you wonder why Carty never gave him a crack even after Country origin selection. Bromance with Zilly?

[K2G]

Reading this article, I felt the vibe from Henry was 'Zillman is still first choice fullback.' The vagueness and reticence with which he talks about Mead getting a crack at it over the preseason - just seems like the usual coach speak to placate fans, media and players alike. I suppose hoping for coach to come out and say Mead is #1 for 2015 is a little too much to ask at this stage of the season, and that honest competition for spots will be a marked improvement on the last regime ... but if Zillman was one of the players Henry had had a chat to about being surplus to requirement (which I have been naivly convincing myself of over the last weeks), you'd like to think the coach would be a little more positive and forthcoming about Meads chances.

Don in the centres doesn't fill me with confidence either. I hope it doesn't come to that.

Glad we're cooling on Hoffman and Boyd though. Biggest positive out of the article for mine.

[Numbers]

Don in the centres doesn't fill me with confidence either. I hope it doesn't come to that.

How come k2g? I don't think Don is a lock to make a fist of it, but given he is big and quick if we can get him some early ball like the Raiders under Henry did with Colin Best in 2008 (when Best was Dally M Winger of the year - but played 9 games at centre) I think there could be a fair upside. Also, it would be good to have a centre with some size that isn't a second rower playing out of position.

[teke]

Mead didnt request release because he doesn't need to. He can walk whenever he wants cause of his contract.

I'm sure there was a similar BS article last yr saying the same crap....competition blah blah blah. Mead earnt it, Mead owned it, mead should go play for Warrington Wolves now

[Hail Sezer]

Mead didnt request release because he doesn't need to. He can walk whenever he wants cause of his contract.

I'm sure there was a similar BS article last yr saying the same crap....competition blah blah blah. Mead earnt it, Mead owned it, mead should go play for Warrington Wolves now

He'd have to push Matt Russell out of the way first

[teke]

He'd have to push Matt Russell out of the way first

id be happy if he sat on their right wing.

[Bayside Titan]

id be happy if he sat on their right wing.

But not on the right wing for us???? ;-)

[DavidBouveng]

it doesnt give me any confidence that Mead will play FB. Just that he is a chance lol. lol. lol.

good quote in a recent tv show. 'Meet the new boss, hes just like the old boss'.

[K2G]

How come k2g? I don't think Don is a lock to make a fist of it, but given he is big and quick if we can get him some early ball like the Raiders under Henry did with Colin Best in 2008 (when Best was Dally M Winger of the year - but played 9 games at centre) I think there could be a fair upside. Also, it would be good to have a centre with some size that isn't a second rower playing out of position.

So... your saying Don could be used like Colin Best, a prototypical winger who played his best footy on the wing, as an example of why Don could be a good centre? Fair enough!

I get it, he's tall and relatively quick, but a second rower out of position, or a fullback come winger out of position... what's the difference? With the amount of decision making required there, I just think it's a specialist position that very few have assimilated into successfully.

I really like Don. One of our most consistent and most improved this season. He'd be my first winger picked in the 2015 side. Maybe he will grow into a centre over time, but Id rather it happen due to a combination of form and development as opposed to lack of depth, holes in our roster and necessity.


Hopefully we sign young David Crampton, John Folau or some other young kid that Henry can mould. Hows Hymel Hunt going?

[Titanic]

Crampton's no kid

[Numbers]

So... your saying Don could be used like Colin Best, a prototypical winger who played his best footy on the wing, as an example of why Don could be a good centre? Fair enough!

Just trying to look for different things Henry has done with success at other clubs. Getting early ball to big, quick wingers cum centres like Best and Joel Monaghan was particularly successful at Canberra in 2008. Of course there are no guarantees, but it gives me at least some hope that Henry has the capacity to get similar results with Don.