These Titans will be hard to forget

[Teegy]

from LU

In 2007 the NRL welcomes their 16th member club when the Gold Coast Titans (formerly Giants, Seagulls, Chargers and for a short time ? Dolphins) join the competition. Armed with a completely vacant roster and an uncompromised Salary Cap, the Titans have been extremely aggressive in building a side that can compete from day one. Coach John Cartwright and the Gold Coast management deserve a lot of credit for luring some very good players to the club. In doing so they have transferred a lot of pressure onto their own shoulders for the next two seasons as the playing roster is a lot stronger than say South Sydney had in 2002.

Make no mistake with the talent at the club already, this new Gold Coast side should be competitive and although one would wisely stop before labeling them genuine Finals contenders, they will certainly be amongst the media?s pre-season darlings in 2007.

They have class in two key positions with international prop Luke Bailey and at halfback with 2005 Clive Churchill Medalist Scott Prince, while the supporting cast features quality players like winger Brian Carney, five-eighth Preston Campbell and back rowers Anthony Laffranchi and Bradley Meyers.

The addition of Cronulla prop James Stosic fills the roster with their 22nd player with NRL (or ESL) experience and to round out the depth at the club they will draw heavily on their Queensland Cup affiliates ? the Burleigh Bears, Tweed Heads Seagulls and Ipswich Jets.

Gold Coast Titans Depth Chart 2007

Props: Luke Bailey (St George-Illawarra), Frank Puletua (Penrith), James Stosic (Sharks), Michael Henderson (St George-Illawarra).

Backrowers: Anthony Laffranchi (Wests Tigers), Bradley Meyers (Bradford), Michael Hodgson (Canberra), Mark Minichiello (South Sydney), Gavin Cooper (North Queensland), Luke Swain (Penrith), Luke O'Dwyer (Parramatta).

Hookers: Nathan Friend (Melbourne), Clint Amos (North Queensland).

Halves: Scott Prince (Wests Tigers), Preston Campbell (Penrith).

Three-quarters: Brian Carney (Newcastle), Jake Webster (Melbourne), Brett Delaney (Parramatta), Matt Petersen (Parramatta), Josh Graham (Western Force, rugby union).

Fullbacks: Steve Turner (Melbourne), Richie Mathers (Leeds).

With technically three more spots in their Top 25 to be filled, another half/five-eighth, a three quarter and a prop look to be on the shopping list. A young backup playmaker certainly looks imperative as injury to either Prince or Campbell would be catastrophic for the team.

With that squad in mind here is the best 17 the Titans can put on the park next season.

GOLD COAST TITANS 2007

1. Steve Turner
2. Brian Carney
3. Richie Mathers
4. Jake Webster
5. Brett Delaney
6. Preson Campbell
7. Scott Prince
8. Luke Bailey
9. Nathan Friend
10. James Stosic
11. Michael Hodgson
12. Bradley Meyers
13. Anthony Laffranchi

Bench

14. Frank Puletua
15. Mark Minichiello
16. Michael Henderson
17. Gavin Cooper

Coach: John Cartwright

[shavenjas]

from LU

What about Matt Petersen

[DeeGan]

Members who will take the bait above ... don't even bother ...

http://www.titans.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=3865

If this thread turns in to yet another Petersen debate, it will be closed.

[Presto Magic]

Why did they say completely vacant roster, then say 22 signings? Anyway, it's interesting to see them put Delaney out on the wing. Has he had any experience there?

[Steelers]

Why did they say completely vacant roster, then say 22 signings? Anyway, it's interesting to see them put Delaney out on the wing. Has he had any experience there?

They were stating the position that they faced once they realised they had been admitted into the comp.

[Teegy]

i have my doubt about the stratagies of this reporter. he placed many players out of position. my team is much different

1. Richie Mathers
2. Brian Carney
3. Brett Delaney
4. Jake Webster
5. Steve Turner
6. Preson Campbell
7. Scott Prince
8. Luke Bailey
9. Nathan Friend
10. Michael Henderson
11. Anthony Laffranchi
12. Brad Meyers
13. Gavin Cooper

Bench

14. Luke O'Dwyer or Clint Amos
15. Mark Minichiello
16. Michael Hodgson
17. James Stosic

[Titanium_BD1103]

And mine is different again, well only slightly... we'll just have to wait till 2007....

1. Steve Turner
2. Brian Carney
3. Brett Delaney
4. Jake Webster
5. Richie Mathers
6. Preson Campbell
7. Scott Prince
8. Luke Bailey
9. Nathan Friend
10. James Stosic
11. Anthony Laffranchi
12. Brad Meyers
13. Luke O'Dwyer

Interchange:

14. Frank Puletua
15. Michael Henderson
16. Michael Hodgson
17. Mark Minichiello

[patskE]

"A young backup playmaker certainly looks imperative as injury to either Prince or Campbell would be catastrophic for the team"
maybe they are getting shadow

[lonegull]

the big issue is fullback and how mathers comes back from knee surgery gee its going to be heated competition at the titans

[Eel 33]

Any young halves on the market??? Who are they???

[Darren Lockyer]

Mine is the most accurate.
1. Richie Mathers
2. Steve Turner
3. Brett delaney
4. Jake Webster
5. Brian Carney
6. Preston Campbell
7. Scott Prince
8. Luke Bailey
9. Nathan Friend
10. James Stosic/Michael Henderson (depending on form)
11. Anthony laffranchi
12. Brad Meyers
13. Gavin Cooper

Interchange
14. Clint Amos
15. Mark Minicello
16. Michael Henderson/James Stosic
17. Luke Swain

[Just Another Member]

Mine is the most accurate.

How can you be sure of that?

[Teegy]

unless your name john cartwright then i seriuoly doubt it could be

[Titanium_BD1103]

unless your name john cartwright then i seriuoly doubt it could be

Exactly... I could say the same thing about my side... but I'm not one J Cartwright and therefore I won't.. only he knows the side for 2007 and I bet you he has quite a few combos to look at for 2007, it will all depend of preseason training...

[~Wild Child~]

Mine is the most accurate.
1. Richie Mathers
2. Steve Turner
3. Brett delaney
4. Jake Webster
5. Brian Carney
6. Preston Campbell
7. Scott Prince
8. Luke Bailey
9. Nathan Friend
10. James Stosic/Michael Henderson (depending on form)
11. Anthony laffranchi
12. Brad Meyers
13. Gavin Cooper

Interchange
14. Clint Amos
15. Mark Minicello
16. Michael Henderson/James Stosic
17. Luke Swain

If you are going to make the claim that "mine is the most accurate"....You really should back it up with some sort of source...don't you think?.