Keegan Hipgrave knocks back bids from NRL rivals, commits to Gold Coast Titans

GOLD Coast’s young enforcer knocked back bids from rival Sydney clubs to commit to the Titans for what is shaping up to be a formidable NRL forward pack.

Keegan Hipgrave of the Titans during the Round 11 NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the Newcastle Knights at CBUS Super Stadium at Robina on the Gold Coast, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

TITANS coach Garth Brennan has locked in a key piece of his rebuilding puzzle by securing young enforcer Keegan Hipgrave for a further two years.

Hipgrave knocked back bids from at least two rival Sydney clubs to commit to the Gold Coast until 2020.

The 21-year-old has been one of the Gold Coast’s success stories in 2018, playing 13 matches and earning comparisons with former NSW Origin enforcer Greg Bird.

Brennan was keen to retain the hit-man in what is shaping up to be a formidable forward pack in 2019.

Keegan Hipgrave has commited to the Titans for a further two years.

Hipgrave will link up with the likes of Queensland Origin forwards Jai Arrow and Jarrod Wallace, Canberra’s Test prop Shannon Boyd, Kiwi international Kevin Proctor and NSW Origin hopeful Ryan James.

Brennan told The Courier-Mail earlier this week that he was confident of retaining Hipgrave.

“I love him, I just hope his body holds out,” he said.

“He uses his whole body. He doesn’t hold anything back.

Keegan Hipgrave has been one of the Gold Coast’s success stories in 2018.

“I love his attitude and mindset. He’s just got to learn how to control that a little bit.

“He brings something we don’t have in our football team. He brings an x-factor.

“Everything is 100 miles-an-hour with him and he is a great guy off the field.”

Brennan is now keen to retain winger Anthony Don after also locking in centre Brenko Lee for a further two years.