2018 Squad, Signings and Rumours Thread

[DIEHARD]

Titans to spend surplus wisely
http://www.couriermail.com.au

TITANS coach Garth Brennan won’t rush into a spending spree despite the Gold Coast being granted an exemption by the NRL after failing to fill their squad.

The Titans will head into tomorrow’s season opener against Canberra at Cbus Super Stadium with just 27 players on their books, three short of the maximum 30.

Under the NRL’s new collective bargaining agreement, clubs are required to have 30 players in their top roster and were supposed to have at least 29 by March 1.

However, the rebuilding Titans have undergone a massive roster overhaul and currently have 27 players after utility Karl Lawton was released to New Zealand last week.

The NRL has allowed leniency during the first year of the new 30-man roster requirement, but the Titans will be expected to have a full quota by the June 30 deadline.

The club has more than $1 million in salary cap to splash on the three remaining players, but Brennan said he would not be rushing to spend it.

“We’re working with the NRL – we are actively seeking to fill those spots,” he said.

“It’s not an advantage by not having those spots filled by any stretch. It’s probably a disadvantage because we don’t have the depth.

“It’s not panic stations. It’s about getting the right people in the right spots.

“I just want to make sure if I do bring someone into the squad they are the right person and right for the club.

“I don’t want to sign someone just for 2018 to fill a gap.

“If I bring someone in it’s for 2018 and beyond.”

While the Titans could spend more than $1 million, it is understood they will look to spend closer to $500,000 for three players, meaning they are likely to be depth signings rather than star recruits.

The remaining $500,000 would be used to ease the pressure on next year’s salary cap, giving the Titans a healthier chequebook to recruit with.

The recruitment of Bryce Cartwright from Penrith chewed up a sizeable chunk of the Gold Coast’s roster and Brennan said he would look to bring a front-rower in over the coming weeks.

“We’ve got to fill a quota and there are guys out there we’re looking at and talking to,” he said.

“We need a little depth in our middle – we’re a bit light on at the moment and I really want to keep Ryan James on an edge where I possibly can.

“A middle would be something I’m looking at to boost our strength.

“We’ve got some quality there but two are suspended (Jarrod Wallace and Keegan Hipgrave) and one is injured (Jack Stockwell).”

[ozynorts]

Just watched the Penrith game, not convinced that Peachey will bring much to our team. I do like some things he does but he is not going to add anything defensively and he hardly ever passes to his winger when he should.

[Titansborn'n'bred]

We need a special specialist left centre and the way W Blake played it’d make you question whether we got the right Panther

[Menoitios]

Brennan is looking for another middle to boost our strength. The Napa not happy at Bondi rumour is getting stronger.

I wonder......

[Titanic]

I reckon when I consider Wallace, James, Whitbread, King, Latu, Boyle, Matthews, Hipgrave, Proctor, Cartwright (who I think needs to be allowed to stabilize) and Arrow plus the young bloke at Tweed our pack with Peats and Rein competing for the 9 is just fine. Mobile and aggressive works for me over huge bodies. Depth in the backs is an issue though.

[indoallstars]

Which NRL club has made discrete inquiries about Melbourne back-up fullback Jahrome Hughes?

Hughes is under contract until 2020 but that didn’t stop this non-Sydney club from asking the question.

- - - Updated - - -

Which NRL club has made discrete inquiries about Melbourne back-up fullback Jahrome Hughes?

Hughes is under contract until 2020 but that didn’t stop this non-Sydney club from asking the question.

BRONCOS BACK-UP IN DEMAND

Brisbane rookie Corey Allan is a player in demand.

Market Watch can reveal the Gold Coast and South Sydney have made inquiries about boom Australian Schoolboys fullback.

Off contract with the Broncos this year, Wayne Bennett is hopeful of holding onto the young gun.

A star of Marsden State High School, the same place Australian skipper Cameron Smith attended, Allan comes with big raps.

Light on his feet with speed to burn, Allan can also play in the halves.

With his NRL pathway seemingly blocked at the Broncos with Darius Boyd signed long-term and under 16s representative custodian Fanitesi Niu inking a three-year-deal, there’s far more opportunity for Allan at a rival NRL club.

It’s understood, the 19-year-old Logan product’s preference is to remain close to home.

That puts the Titans in the box seat should they opt to make the Queensland 20s Origin No.1 an offer.



Could this be us bringing Jahrome home

[JunctionBlock]

Good to hear we are in the market for backs. The Jahrome rumour seems more like tyre kicking than anything else but it wouldn't be the worst signing we've ever done. Hopefully they do their due diligence on his shoulder.

[RavShamrock]

Well Hughes might not amount to the worst signing ever but it sure would be a below average one IMHO.

[Hail Sezer]

Well Hughes might not amount to the worst signing ever but it sure would be a below average one IMHO.

Interested to hear your reasoning for this

I would take Jahrome in a hearbeat. IMO he's probably the best fullback in the country not playing regular NRL and has a fair excuse when he's stuck behind Slater and Munster.

[Surfers66]

Interested to hear your reasoning for this

I would take Jahrome in a hearbeat. IMO he's probably the best fullback in the country not playing regular NRL and has a fair excuse when he's stuck behind Slater and Munster.

He wont get a run on the wing anytime soon either.

[Mr Bods]

Would we be better off getting Hughes or Allan?

[RavShamrock]

Interested to hear your reasoning for this

I would take Jahrome in a hearbeat. IMO he's probably the best fullback in the country not playing regular NRL and has a fair excuse when he's stuck behind Slater and Munster.

Unless he has improved out of sight (which i doubt) he would be a good Qcup signing.
Anytime I've seen him play within NRL he looked to be slowish in the legs and mind IMHO.

I'd have to jump on board the Allan call

[Hail Sezer]

Unless he has improved out of sight (which i doubt) he would be a good Qcup signing.
Anytime I've seen him play within NRL he looked to be slowish in the legs and mind IMHO.

I'd have to jump on board the Allan call

Completely respect your opinion but have you been watching the right player? One of his biggest strengths is speed off the mark and his instinctive play. He'd probably be a good Qcup signing for anyone considering he was the best fullback in Qcup last year by an absolute mile

Speaking of Qcup - I'm assuming given your comment that you've seen Allan play at this level? How did he go? I've only seen him play a dozen or so 20s games and some rep stuff so would be keen to hear your insight

[RavShamrock]

Completely respect your opinion but have you been watching the right player? One of his biggest strengths is speed off the mark and his instinctive play. He'd probably be a good Qcup signing for anyone considering he was the best fullback in Qcup last year by an absolute mile

Speaking of Qcup - I'm assuming given your comment that you've seen Allan play at this level? How did he go? I've only seen him play a dozen or so 20s games and some rep stuff so would be keen to hear your insight

Can’t say that I’ve actually seen the kid play. I’m only jumping on board that call as I don’t want to endorse Hughes.
If we want to bring him here because of him being a local than so be it but IMHO we will be stuck with mediocracy once again.

[Surfers66]

My broncos (mates ehhhh) rate Allen a great prospect.......so would be another good get for us haha