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February 22, 2016 12:00am
Emma GreenwoodGold Coast Bulletin
The Titans are keen to re-sign Kane Elgey. Picture: Scott Fletcher
THE Titans say they will take “all appropriate steps” to keep Kane Elgey on the Gold Coast as reports have emerged linking the rising star to St George Illawarra.
A television report suggested Elgey, who will spend the 2016 season on the sidelines after having a knee reconstruction last month, had been offered a $1.5 million three-year deal with the Dragons.
Despite his injury, Elgey, who is contracted to the Titans for 2016 and has an option in his favour for next season, is set to be a hot commodity should he decide to test the market.
The Titans are desperate not to lose the Gold Coast product, who was a revelation in his first year of senior football last season, but are adamant they will not “jump at shadows” to be lured into a bidding war. But chief executive Graham Annesley left no question the 22-year-old was a priority for the club.
“We’re not going to jump at shadows and we’re not going to react to rumours,” Annesley said.
“Kane’s an important player for us and we’ll take all appropriate steps to try to keep him at the club.
“He’s a local junior, he’s very important to us.”
Elgey ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee in the first training session of the year, with the resulting reconstruction ruling him out for the season.
“It’s a terrible shame what’s happened to him this year from his own perspective and that of the club,” Annesley said. “But he’s a local junior and we’ll be doing whatever we can to keep him.”
Elgey’s manager Chris Orr denied the Dragons rumours, saying talks had not occurred with any club.
Orr knows his charge will be in demand, calling good halfbacks “as rare as unicorns”, but said the Titans were in the box seat.
“No formal negotiations have taken place in the marketplace with any club regarding Kane’s future and our first point of contact will be the Titans,” Orr said.
“Kane is a Gold Coaster and I would expect the Titans will do everything in their power to keep it that way, especially since Neil (coach Neil Henry) and Kane have developed a strong working relationship.”
Former Bronco Ashley Taylor will wear the No.7 jersey this season in Elgey’s absence but the Titans could sign another Broncos under-20s product, Cameron Cullen, to a second-tier deal to add depth to their halves after he impressed through the trials.
“There’s no doubt that with Kane out that we need back-up in that position too and the way (Cullen) is playing we have to take it seriously too,” Henry said.