Gold Coast Titans will fight to keep half Kane Elgey.

[Bayside Titan]

http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/...fff5ce38a3807d

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.

[Titanic]

Wouldn't expect anything less and Annersley's right saying that we shouldn't jump at shadows ... except that it's the Orr brothers but I am confident that Canavan, Henry and Annersley will get this one right. Meanwhile, I liked the look of Cullen last weekend (Andy Gregory anyone?) and him and Roberts/T looked sharp.

If only Henry would limit Mortimer to being Friend's back-up and move Zillman to QCup where he belongs.

[JunctionBlock]

Why wouldn't Chris Orr let contract negotiations play out in the media. It's worked the last two times in his clients favour. Not so good for the club though.

[Surfers66]

I think the 1.5 mill over 3 years is about right and it is certainly a great time to be a halfback and off contract.

He is a GC kid and I really want him to stay but i hope we don't get lured into 650/750 a season.

[Manzo]

@Surfers6 he currently with ash taylor is the only real x factor we have in our squad
i would pay $700,000 for him

[Bayside Titan]

Yeah I would go to the $600k -$700k mark to ensure we keep him.

[TitanSam]

Definitely 550K+. As I said in a couple years he'll be the face of the Titans and hopefully captain the side, and if Mbye is the ridiculous 700K or whatever it was, then Elgey would be right up there too

[JunctionBlock]

We won't win a bidding war unless we get our third party deals sorted.

[Show and Go]

We won't win a bidding war unless we get our third party deals sorted.

The Titans should have a lot more cap space than the Dragons. It is unforgivable to lose Elgey. Not one star on the Titans books and they are dicking around instead of signing Elgey up on a big long term deal. He is the best young talent the club has produced FFS.

[Brock O'Brien]

Just saw a statement from Elgey's manager on the news that said something along the lines of the Titans had a very positive talk with him today, and they are determined to have him re-signed before the beginning of the season.

[Mexican titan]

Just saw a statement from Elgey's manager on the news that said something along the lines of the Titans had a very positive talk with him today, and they are determined to have him re-signed before the beginning of the season.

That was the same with DCE - in fact the quote might have been the same and the names were just changed. I'll believe nothing until it's signed and announced, especially with Orr involved. Connsidering other clubs have been able to talk to LG since November, we are 3 months in already.

[Nols of the Goldy]

Just saw this on the Courier Mail website:

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/...3a488ee827f8ab

[Bayside Titan]

If LG renews with the Titans will be the first test for Canavan as a deal like LG is why he was bought into this organisation.

Also I would hope having Brian Canavan will stop Managers like Orr thinking that they can walk over us. This is Brian's moment to show the Titans community what he is or isn't capable of.

[Titan4Life]

Gold Coast Titans to offer Kane Elgey $1 million deal to stave off rivals NRL clubs
February 22, 2016 8:00pm
PETER BADEL and TRAVIS MEYN The Courier-Mail

Titans will table a $1 million deal to Kane Elgey in order to stave off a poaching raid for the NRL’s most in-demand young playmaker.

The battle for Elgey has intensified with six NRL rivals, including Craig Bellamy’s Melbourne Storm, expressing interest in the Australian Schoolboys star. But the Gold Coast upped the ante on Monday, moving to secure Elgey until the end of 2019 to combat big-money overtures from southern clubs.

Titans football operations chief Brian Canavan met for talks with Elgey’s management, and the parties emerged satisfied with a “positive” outcome that will see Elgey rewarded with a multi-year upgrade.

The deal could be formalised before the Titans’ Round 1 clash against Newcastle.

Elgey has an option in his favour for 2017, worth an estimated $200,000, but a $1.5 million offer from a Sydney club left the Titans in danger of losing the 22-year-old.

Scarred by the Daly Cherry-Evans backflip circus, Gold Coast are determined to avert more pain by securing Elgey, a local junior tipped to headline the Titans scrumbase for a decade.

“There is significant interest in securing Kane, but I had positive discussions with the Titans and it looks good for Kane staying on the Gold Coast,” his agent Chris Orr said.

“The Titans have assured me he is a priority signing for the club’s future.

“At this stage, we are not worrying about negotiating with anyone else until we explore talks with the Titans.”

The retention of Elgey would be a coup for the Titans. While he is sidelined for the season with a knee injury, his talent has triggered interest from several clubs including Penrith and the Storm.

A seven-figure payday for Elgey represents a bargain investment for the Titans. Last week, the Bulldogs secured rising playmaker Moses Mbye to a $3 million deal worth $750,000 a season.

Canavan has been hired to bring stability to the Titans and views Elgey as a franchise player.

“We have opened talks,” Canavan said. “He’s happy at the club and we’re very happy with him. Discussions are positive at this stage.

“Unfortunately he’s copped a knee injury at a crucial time of his career but he’s young and that’s not a major issue for us. It will probably prolong his career for an extra year at the end.”

Orr said Elgey would prefer to remain close to family and friends on the Gold Coast.

“The most important player in the NRL these days is your playmaker and when you have a great local junior coming through, you’d be crazy not to keep them,” he said.

[Manzo]

1 mill a year! sh#t lot of cash but we need him hope he accepts