Gold Coast Titans in standoff with Queensland government over Cbus Super Stadium hiring costs
TRAVIS MEYN The Courier-Mail
April 13, 2015 9:00PM

THE Titans have a month to convince the government to cut its hiring costs for Cbus Super Stadium as it emerged they had contemplated shifting to the home of AFL’S Gold Coast Suns, Metricon Stadium.

On Monday the Titans extended the short-term agreement that has been in place all season to play Saturday’s home game against the Panthers at Robina.

And the move has given them an extended period to finally reach an agreement with Stadiums Queensland and the various government divisions involved in negotiations.

The Gold Coast’s next home game isn’t until May 16, when they host Cronulla.

A mexican stand-off is underway with the Titans refusing to sign a deal anywhere near as costly as their previous contract.

The club had been paying $1.8 million to $2 million-a-year to play 12 games at the venue, which was thought to be one of the most expensive hiring agreements in the NRL.

The Titans and NRL, who own the club, are determined to broker a more affordable deal but the relevant divisions are yet to come to the party.

Stadiums Queensland is aware there is no other suitable venue for the Titans to play at on the Gold Coast apart from Metricon at Carrara.

The Titans investigated playing matches at Metricon, but the venue is still owned by Stadiums Queensland and would incur a similar hiring fee.

The Suns and AFL have management rights that allows them to dictate in-stadium pricing and conditions of entry, but the Titans would be treated the same way they have at Cbus.

Playing rugby league on a circle field is also not ideal.

The Titans, NRL and Stadiums Queensland yesterday released a joint statement confirming talks were ongoing.

“The Gold Coast Titans, NRL and Stadiums Queensland said they are working towards a long term hiring agreement at Cbus Super Stadium,” it read.

“Agreement has been reached for the Titans to play at Cbus for their next home game against Penrith on Saturday April 18.

“In the meantime, the parties will continue to work constructively on a longer term stadium hiring agreement.

“All parties reiterated that it is in everyone’s best interests for the Titans to continue to play out of Cbus Super Stadium and discussions towards this goal were continuing.”

The Titans recently threatened to take their Good Friday clash against the Broncos to ANZ Stadium in what would have been a dramatic move.

They eventually reached an agreement to play the match at Cbus but are no closer to nutting out a long-term deal despite meeting with the relevant parties last Wednesday.