FROM COURIERMAIL.COM.AU TODD BALYM EXCLUSIVE NEWS LIMITED FEBRUARY 11, 2015 11:00PM
GORDEN Tallis helped bring the Gold Coast Titans to life, and now the Brisbane legend is casting aside his Broncos loyalty to become the new face of the Titans as they embark upon their new era.
The former Brisbane captain and triple premiership star has signed on to become a Titans ambassador for 2015, working with the club as they rebuild under close friend and new Titans chairwoman Rebecca Frizelle.
Tallis was a member of the NRL board from 2005-2008 when the Titans were awarded a licence to join the competition in 2007 and feels it is his duty to help the club get back on top, just like when he agreed to bring league back to the Gold Coast less than a decade ago.
“I am just a fan of the game. We’ve seen too many clubs fail on the Gold Coast, and the Titans need to be here for many years to come,” Tallis said.
“It is important for rugby league to thrive on the Gold Coast. My duty is to ensure the kids of Queensland have a pathway to the NRL, and if I can help the Titans in any way I will.”
While Tallis recognises Broncos fans might feel upset that their former skipper is throwing his weight behind “little brother” down the highway, his priority has always been the growth of rugby league.
It is why he previously served on the Cowboys board, and why he also agreed to Russell Crowe’s request a few years ago to be an assistant coach at South Sydney.
Now, it’s the Titans who need a helping hand.
The club has a $1.25m black hole without three major sponsors for the coming year, owner Michael Searle is trying to sell his $4.4m stake in the club and the Titans have missed the finals for four straight years.
The NRL has committed to support the Titans on the long haul, but Tallis wants to see the club thriving off the field and competing for premierships on it.
He has offered his services to mentor players, share his opinion on playing talent for recruitment, attend any corporate events and spruik the club by making extra local media appearances outside of his existing roles working for Fox Sports, Triple M radio and The Courier-Mail.
The former Queensland Origin skipper has seen Frizelle’s business plan and the new direction CEO Graham Annesley is taking the Titans, and believes the club will ultimately become a successful entity in the coming years.
“This club is moving forward. They have the direction and they have great plans for the future and they will become successful,” he said.
“We can’t focus on the past. It’s time for the fans and community to throw their support back behind the Titans because the club has a big future ahead.”
Frizelle said having someone of Tallis’ calibre wanting to be involved in the Titans is further proof the club is on the up.
“Gorden Tallis becoming an ambassador for the Titans is a further sign the Titans are here to stay on the Gold Coast,” Frizelle said.
“We are going nowhere. We are not going to Brisbane. We are not going to Ipswich. We are staying here. This is the Titans long term home.
““We are going through a rebuilding phase, we’ve got more exciting projects to announce that are coming very shortly and to have the ilk of Gorden Tallis signing on who is a legend of the Broncos and to be aligning with the Titans is a sign of the confidence people have in the team.”
- - - Updated - - -
Might have to change my username back!
Out of left field, but I think it's a great get. Love Gordie. He will provide a huge boost in getting us more positive media coverage and fan engagement. Having him on board won't hurt our potential player signing pull and corporate side of things either imo. I hope he's in DCE's ear already. Welcome to the Gold Coast GT, you legend.
Raging Bull and Bull Bailey ... there's gotta be some kind of joke/promotion there?