Titans to take hard line on bad behaviour

[Grimmace]

Titans to take hard line on bad behaviour
Trad McLean

31Oct06

TITANS managing director Michael Searle says the new club will do all possible to stamp out bad behaviour among its players.

Searle's comments follow reports from Sydney that two Titans recruits in Matt Hilder and Brett Delaney had been involved in pub incidents in Sydney during the past week.

Hilder pleaded guilty to assault in a Sydney court last week after throwing a plastic chair at another customer while Delaney was thrown in a paddy wagon last Saturday after swearing at police during his 21st birthday and farewell celebrations.

Titans players will assemble for the first time when official training begins on the Coast on Monday, with a week-long orientation to begin the pre-season. First on the agenda will be a thorough briefing by club administrators, police and sponsors on the behavioural expectations of the new NRL franchise.

Searle said yesterday the club could not watch young men 24 hours a day but they would all be made aware of their responsibilities, with strict penalties to be enforced for any breach of the club's player conduct code.

"No-one can provide a guarantee on player behaviour 24 hours a day, seven days a week," said Searle.

"You can find trouble in any city in the world. Our role is to educate the players on the do's and don'ts of the Gold Coast.

"We will spend two days informing them of our expectations and the community's expectations. I don't want to have to issue a player with a fine but then I may have to.

"We can't eliminate the risk but we can minimise it."

The Titans players do not become club property until their contracts are enacted tomorrow, meaning Hilder and Delaney face no disciplinary action from the club. Searle said the pair had been up-front about the incidents but the club was powerless to do anything even if it wanted to.

"Anyone who thinks we can take action against a player when he is not employed by us doesn't know the law," he said.

In other news, Searle said he expected Melbourne Storm grand final winger Steve Turner to be at training next month.

Turner agreed to terms with the Titans mid-year before signing a contract with the Storm two months later. The NRL has refused to ratify the Storm contract.

Storm chief executive Brian Waldron yesterday dodged talk of legal action.

"We certainly would like to have Steve with us," he said.

"I've never spoken of legal action and we won't comment on the matter further until we have to. It is best to speak to his manager David Riolo. He is handling it all."

But Searle said Turner's management had been told the player was expected at training in mid-December, when all players who were involved in the grand final must report.

"We don't expect Turner here until December and we have told David Riolo that," he said.

"I have sent all his work forms to his manager just as I have with all the other players. Our position hasn't changed we expect him here on the Gold Coast."
Source: Gc Bulletin

[DeeGan]

Happy to see this reiterated by Michael. Hilder and Delaney's off field antics whilst still under contract with their former clubs was news we didn't need this off season. I am hoping both are given a stern warning that future off field incidents will not be tolerated. Negative press is not good at any time for a NRL club let alone one about to make their debut.

[maroon man]

It is great to see Michael reiterate the tough stance the Club will be taking on poor behaviour. The two guys are lucky that they arew not yet offically Titans or they may have found their pockets a lot lighter.

[titansroostersfan]

Great to se the club get straight behind this and give us a insight on what the club could and can do to players who don't follow the rules.

Going to be interesting how they can keep the player under control with all the nightclubs and party lifestyle there on the coast.

[Pale Ale Panther]

good to hear ! the Titans have to make sure the "holiday" feel of the coast dosen't affect the team, so this stance is all part of that. well done.

[PROMETHEUS]

Anyone who misbehaves should feel the wrath of billy johnstone at training the following day!! :box:

[davo]

Well Done Michael !!!! You Can Talk The Talk, Now Back Up What You Expect From Your Players, Heaps Of Temptations Here On The Coast, Time Will Tell, Well Done Nun The Less.!!!!!!!!!