Titans target Myles

[DeeGan]

From the Gold Coast Bulletin:

Titans target Myles
17Jun06
QUEENSLAND State of Origin player Nate Myles yesterday emerged as being on top of the Gold Coast Titans' hit list for their debut into the NRL next year.

Titans managing director Michael Searle confirmed his club was 'extremely interested' in the Bulldogs second rower/prop who comes off contract at the end of this season.

Gold Coast fans will be able to judge whether Myles is worth the expected $250,000-plus price tag when the Bulldogs take on the Cowboys at Carrara tomorrow afternoon.

The 20-year-old 2006 Origin bolter will be courted by at least seven other NRL clubs if the Dogs are unable to keep him under their salary cap.

The Titans have at least two lucrative cards to play in their bid for Myles's signature.

The bulky Cairns youngster trained under and is a big fan of inaugural Titans conditioner Billy Johnstone and he also wants to return to Queensland.

"We will be playing the Origin card, we will be pushing the Queenslander button very hard," said Searle.

Because of June 30 anti-tampering restrictions the Titans have taken their interest only as far as Myles's manager Chris Orr, however they have had their eye on him well before he came to prominence through Origin.

"We have been interested in Nate for at least 12 months," said Searle. "He would be a very good addition to an emerging forward pack."

Orr confirmed that powerhouse Queensland clubs the Broncos and the Cowboys were also chasing Myles along with the Roosters, Melbourne, Souths and the Raiders.

"This is the first time Nate has been off contract for five years," said Orr.

"A lot of clubs have been watching him over the years and a lot are interested in him.

"Nate will look at all options. He will not close off his mind.

"If he can't stay at the Bulldogs for salary cap issues, and it looks very much like that might be the case, he is not just going to jump ship to any old club.

"He will meet with the people who are running the club, the coach and get an indication of the atmosphere, of what the culture is like."

The Gold Coast-based Orr said there were plenty of benefits awaiting Myles if he chose to come to the tourist strip.

"It will be similar as to what is happening to Matt Giteau (who has joined the Western Force in Perth)," said Orr.

"Some of the players who are coming to the Gold Coast are coming to a place where the corporate market has been starved of people like them, of national identities.

"There will be speaking engagements, sponsorships, these sorts of things.

"In Sydney there are nine teams. Here you have a one-team city. And then there is lifestyle."

Orr also said Myles had plenty to offer a club like the Titans.

"He is someone you can build a club around," he said. "He is a 20-year-old Origin prop/second rower who will be playing Origin for the next 10 years.

"He is also a tough kid, you don't get a lot like him. Look at his defence in that second Origin."

This would be a great signing for now and in the future where Myles is potentially a captain of the future. His reputation with me went above and beyond any expectations I had for a 20 y.o. forward after Origin two where he was a tower of stength for Queensland.

The Bulldogs would not be keen to lose Myles so I won't hold my breath though I see this potential signing (when looking at the future) every bit as important as that of Luke Bailey. There are not too many 20 y.o. forwards with Origin experience, this kid looks set for a great career barring injury and I would love to see him ride out that career with the Titans

[Titanium_BD1103]

Sorry Deegan... it most probably won't happen... and that is not trying to be rude or pompous... I reckon if we don't sign him, he could end up at any club, just like Willie... just I think, actually I know that the Bulldogs have invested huge amounts into Nate and see him as a leader for the club in the future... (then again we do have a large future leaders list... )

Nah seriously though, the Club will use the money it has gained from Willie not choosing to pick up the contract deadline and focus on Nate now... Nate is happy here and we are all aware he does want to go home, but he stated numerous times in interviews that he will only leave if the Bulldogs don't want to keep him...hopefully will be in the Blue and White for many a year to come...

[Smeg Head]

Boy that would be unreal if we could pick up myles! I really hope so.... I don't know... I hold my doubts whether the doggies will be able to keep him... the money his on at the moment would be nothing compared to what he will be able to command after his origin performances this year... Plus the added bonus of a starting spot at another club... you never know

[Titanium_BD1103]

I agree the money he could command at another club is massive, but I reckon the Bulldogs have enough money in the salary cap to give him a deal he would seriously consider... as for the starting spot... he should get one next season for the Bulldogs, especially if Asotasi does leave... as he is too good a player to be on the bench come 2007...

[Smeg Head]

But does Myles prefer to play front row or second row... cause I can tell you that there's no room in the front row at the dogs.... unless Mason does go to the NFL

[Titanium_BD1103]

Either... and what do you mean there is no room in the front row... just because NSW played Mason at 8... doesn't mean the Bulldogs will in 2007....

I am near resigned to the fact that Asotasi will not be in the blue and white in season 2007... and expect Grimaldi to call it curtains at the end of the season (but hope not) and therefore see the Bulldogs line up as this in season 07..

8. O'Meley, 9. Ngawini, 10. Myles, 11. Mason, 12. Ryan, 13. Maitua

That is a decent line up and illustrates how important it is for the Doggies to keep Myles for season 2007..

[DeeGan]

Sorry Deegan... it most probably won't happen...

As I said, "The Bulldogs would not be keen to lose Myles so I won't hold my breath".

Mark Gasnier was most likely going to rugby wasn't he according to most on this forum? Nothing is certain until the announcement is made. A new QLD club offering an attractive lifestyle - funnier things have happened.

[Titanium_BD1103]

Exactly I agree with you there... anything is possible... so we will just all have to wait and see.. I am looking forward to crazy season though... should be very active and very crazy...

[PARANoIR]

Myles will leave Canterbury.

Hes a money hungry hack. He's already said Canterbury haven't offered him enough, he will go to the Broncos or the Titans.

[Supergoose]

No Sonny-Bill in that forward pack BDT 311? I reckon Maitua may end up at 5/8, I love his running game. On Nate Myles, I reckon he wants the extra cash and a chance to play at a Qld club, with the Broncos losing Webcke they might be the front-runners, particularly if they can't lock up some of their other big name forwards. Would love to see Myles at the Titans, he has been one of Qld's best in the first two Origins and unreservedly deserves a starting spot

[Kallan]

I would like too see Myles at the broncos, but i think it is more likely he will go to a different Club, it would also be good to see him at the titans.

[Supergoose]

As long as he comes back to a Qld Club He looks stifled at the Bulldogs behind their "all-star" forward pack.

[lonegull]

myles could stay at the doggies if asotasi goes to souths

[Chaos]

No Sonny-Bill in that forward pack BDT 311? I reckon Maitua may end up at 5/8, I love his running game.

If you love Maitua's running game...why would you put him at 5/8?

[Titanium_BD1103]

Supergoose... I don't want SBW in the forward pack as it has such talent ATM...who would you leave out... Maitua is a very good lock and a future star there IMO... however SBW is an impact player... I reckon he could become a really good player like Widders... however I know he wants a starting spot and I do reckon he will be in the side soon... not sure where though..

The scenario though now is that with Nate and Roy expected to go... SBW will get his wish of playing the second row... the side would look like this..

8. O'Meley, 9. Ngawini, 10. Mason, 11. Williams, 12. Ryan, 13. Maitua

With Morrin and Brideson coming through... that is a very good pack, even without Nate and Roy...

Back to Nate though... I hope he ends at the Titans... he doesn't seem to be staying at the Bulldogs, unless we don't sign Patten.. highly unlikely... as even with the increase in the salary cap... we don't have the money I don't think after sigining Willie T to keep him.

I wish the Titans all the best in getting him, cause if he doesn't stay at the Dogs... at least I'd be able to still say Myles, who I reckon is a gun, is with a team that I support 100% ...