Delaney and Minichello sign

[Darren Lockyer]

Minichiello and Delaney sign with Titans

Souths Second Rower Mark Minichiello and Eels Centre Brett Delaney have become the 20th and 21st signings for the Gold Coast Titans as the fledgling clubs recruitment drive nears its? final stages.

Both are excited by the lifestyle change in store for them in moving to the Gold Coast and the challenges that lay ahead in joining the NRL?s newest team.

Minichiello said, ?I?m ready for a change ? I?ve been at Souths for 4 years and I have definitely enjoyed my time there but it?s time for a change. After speaking with John Cartwright (Titans Head Coach) and Michael Searle (Titans Managing Director) I am looking forward to joining the team and learning some things from the coaching staff. I am also excited to be calling my new home the Gold Coast.?

Delaney said, ?It seems like there?s a really good vibe at the Titans with the new team. Scott Sattler, John Cartwright and Michael Searle have briefed me on what the plans are up there and it sounds really good. I am just eager to get to the Gold Coast and start pre-season training.?

Delaney?s decision was made easier by being able to achieve his goal of potentially playing full time in the centres. He has played a handful of games for the Eels in that position this year but he concedes this was mainly because of injury to the incumbents.

?It wasn?t really a hard decision in the end?, said Delaney. ?I am moving up for the opportunity to play in the centres. At Parramatta those positions are taken by Tamana (Tahu) and Ben (Smith). If I wanted to stay there I would have to play back row so Carty (John Cartwright) said that there is an opportunity to play in the centres so I took that lead with both hands and I am happy I made the decision.?

Minichiello believes the move will provide the platform for him develop as a player and improve his game.

?I think things will work in my favour to go to the club,? he said. ?They?ve signed some good forwards some good talent all around the park and I?m just looking forward to getting up there and playing some good solid consistent football. The change will do me the world of good and it?s an opportunity to prove myself as a better footballer.?

Cartwright coached Minichiello in reserve grade for one year and then as assistant first grade coach his final year at the Roosters. The 24 year old is impressed with Cartwright?s coaching style and that formed an important part of his decision to sign with the Titans .

Cartwright said, ?I was impressed with him then because he?s got a great work ethic. He lives for rugby league and I think he?s been impressive in a struggling club over the last 2 years. Souths have given him an opportunity to play first grade and I think week in week out he?s one of their best players and I know he?s looking for a change in scenery. The Gold Coast presents a new lifestyle and he was as excited as we are with the players that we?ve signed and the potential that exists here for him.

Nearing the end of the Titans recruitment campaign Cartwright is happy with the results and believes the blend of age and experience with the type of people the signings are off the field will provide a formidable start to the NRL competition come 2007. Minichiello fits into that equation perfectly.

?We?ve got a really good blend,? said Cartwright. ?We?ve got young fellas who are 20, 21, 22 year olds and we?ve also got some good real hard heads in the right positions who have done the hard yards but are still only growing as footballers. There?s a good mix here and he?s experienced enough to be one of the leaders in the team. He?s a total professional and they?re the type of guys we need to kick off the Titans.

Cartwright was equally as happy with the signature of Delaney who rounds out the number of available centres to 4 with Jake Webster, Josh Graham and Gavin Cooper making up the other three.

He said, ?We?re very fortunate as Brett is probably one of the best on the market. He?s 20, he?s got his best years in front of him and he?s potentially one of the best goal kickers in the NRL. Brett comes to us wanting to play rep footy in the future and he?s another one who comes from a professional organisation like the Parramatta Eels. If you get kids out of there, you know they?ve done all the basics well and he?s ideal for the blend in our side.?

www.titans.com.au

[Souths'n'Titans]

Mini is a joke, you guys can keep him

[Super Cronk]

Two very good signings there! Im a big fan of Minichello...he gets alot of work done and is very tough.

[Darren Lockyer]

shut up your just jelous we got him

[Social Loafer]

"Wrong Minichiello, you got the wrong Minichiello"

He is clearly a depth signing, won't be starting the season but will at some stage play off the bench.

[Titanium_BD1103]

Two very good signings and I am sure they will do well for the Titans in season 2007...

As I said in the other thread, Delaney will prove to be a very useful centre for the Titans whilst Minichello is a good second rower/prop for the bench.... great work to the GC on this one..

[Teegy]

i like these 2. good signings. now just some depth signins to go. hopefully some size for the pack

[Dakink]

I like em both too,

Mini is a true professional and Delaney is an up and comer - the old and the new.

You need some pros to show the right way to train and attitude.

[HodgoBerro]

great work titans. we've signed some great players. fingers crossed with myles.

[TitanBronco]

awesome news. Mark is a solid player and I'm looking foward to see Brett pair up with Jake in the centres.

[kiwititan]

This is a really good signin. delaney will hopefully a g8 titan 4 a long time. Mini is a good 1 also a gud bench playa nd will get sum start wen there r injures.

[DeeGan]

Over the moon!

The signing of Brett Delaney is most pleasing, we have the makings of a very good backline and Delaney rounds it out perfectly. I was big on getting this kid a long time ago, perhaps gathered momentum when watching the 2005 Premiere League grandfinal. He is a big, strong robust centre who can kick a goal, he will reap the rewards playing outside of Prince and Campbell.

Mark Minichiello is a good signing too. I said on the forum I knew he was keen for the move, it was only a matter of time. A change of scenery will do him the world of good. He gets out of Sydney and away from the sometimes depressing situation that is Redfern and the Bunnies.

[Smeg Head]

Fantastic news!

Two great signings, with delaney a really good up comer and minichiello provding more foward depth.... though I still hope we get myles!!!! He is unreal!

[Souths'n'Titans]

No i'm not jealous.

I'm surprised he held on to the pen long enough to sign

[DeeGan]

I'm surprised he held on to the pen long enough to sign

:bored: as Rove would say, "what the?"

Signing a player under the age of 25 would be cutting against the grain with Souths recruitment policy wouldn't it?