Tight at the top for Titans
Luke Turgeon

10Feb07

AT least nine top-level Titans will be starting the season in the Queensland Cup instead of the National Rugby League, as the reality sets in that a chunk of experienced recruits won't make the inaugural team.

The Gold Coast will carry a squad of 25 into their opening round clash against St George Illawarra at Suncorp Stadium on March 18, which will be cut to a side of 17 by game day.

There are 26 players on the Titans books who either played NRL, Super League or Super 14 last season.

NRL 2006 season regulars Scott Prince, Anthony Laffranchi, Luke Bailey, Jake Webster, Nathan Friend, Gavin Cooper, Clint Amos, Luke Swain, Preston Campbell, James Stosic, Matt Hilder, Luke O'Dwyer, Brett Delaney, Matt Petersen, Lelea Paea, Mark Minichiello, Chris Walker, Michael Henderson, Michael Hodgson and Kris Kahler are battling for spots.

Rugby union converts Mat Rogers and Josh Graham are in the mix alongside English Super League recruits Richie Mathers, Brad Meyers and David Myles from the French Super League.

Former Melbourne/Norths Devils youngster Smith Samau played one NRL game for the Storm last year, while promising young forward Daniel Conn played three NRL games for the Bulldogs in 2005.

"The competition for positions is enormous and I think we are going to have to manage it very carefully," said Gold Coast managing director Michael Searle.

"A lot of the guys haven't been used to going back to a feeder club arrangement.

"Many of them have come up from Sydney, so they have simply played in the Premier League and haven't had to be physically allocated to another club.

"That I suppose is going to be a logistical challenge and a football challenge for them, to deal with the different environment."

Those unable to make the first grade team will be sent back to play with either of the Titans three feeder teams -- Burleigh Bears, Tweed Seagulls and Ipswich Jets -- in the Queensland Cup.

Pushing the top level Titans for positions is a group of about 20 players from the Queensland Cup and state colts competition, who will get their big chance to impress coach John Cartwright against the Melbourne Storm in the club's first trial next weekend in Coffs Harbour.

"We always sort of hoped to run with about 36 in the pre-season and then trim it back to 30, who are readily available," said Searle.

"The challenge that Carty and the coaching staff has is that all of the boys have been putting in an amazing effort and they are at a level where they are fitter than they have ever been before.

"So it is important to give all of these guys a chance at this level to see who jumps up.

"There are a couple of guys in that (first trial) squad who I think you will find will play a significant amount of the year in first grade just because of the way they have come on.

"The opportunity is there for them and they have next weekend to show it."

Cartwright will cut the extended squad following the first trial, giving selected players a second chance to impress against Parramatta in Lismore on February 24, before fielding close to his inaugural NRL team for the final trial against Penrith at Gold Coast Stadium on March 2.

TITANS v MELBOURNE first trial team: Richie Mathers, Chris Walker, Josh Graham, Jordan Atkins, Nathaniel Barnes, David Myles, Isaac Kaufmann, Michael Henderson, Tim McCann, Brad Meyers, Michael Hodgson, Adam Hutchison, Kris Kahler, Nick Parfitt, James Wood, Joel Reithmuller, Chris Enahoro, Andrew Maroney, Matt Austin, Murray Emmerson, Matt Francis, Tyson Lofipo, Josh Costello, Matt Pow, Josh Blatch, Kale Burton, Smith Samau, Josh Vaughn.
Source:GC Bulletin