Gold Coast Titans players stand up for under-fire coach Neil Henry

TITANS players have slammed suggestions that Neil Henry’s future at the club is in trouble and are adamant nobody is doubting his ability to lead the club.

Gold Coast Bulletin only Please check with Picture Editor before use Titans coach Neil Henry to launch Fox LeagueÕs Retro Round at Parkwood. Photo: Steve Holland

TITANS players have slammed suggestions that Neil Henry’s future at the club is in trouble and are adamant no one in the side has doubts over whether he is the right man to coach them.

The aftermath of the Gold Coast’s fall from grace in the past two weeks has taken the playing group by surprise, with forwards Jarrod Wallace and Morgan Boyle leaping to the defence of Henry.

Reports emerged that the future of the Titans coach was in doubt while business tycoon Darryl Kelly admitted the side’s 54-0 loss to Brisbane left him questioning whether he wants to buy the club in the coming months.

Wallace was apologetic to both Kelly and the Gold Coast’s fans for the club’s performance over the weekend, but when it came to Henry, the Maroons enforcer was emphatic that no one had any doubts over his coaching ability.

“It’s come from no one’s mouth ... that’s just all speculation,” Wallace said.

“We’re a team and we’re a club that’s building something. We’re all behind him.

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“There’s going to be (speculation) to try and get heads rolled but we’re trying to stick together as a club.

“Obviously we’ve had a tough year with injuries and things like that but I thought Neil’s done a really good job of keeping the boys together and finding a team every week.

“He’s not on the field. He gives us all the tools and the things we need off the field before a game. The players have to take the responsibility for it and I think we’re doing it.”

The Titans are reeling after their record loss to the Broncos.

Boyle also defended Henry, saying the coach played a big role in him re-signing with the club for another three years.

The Titans announced the contract extension yesterday and Boyle said he will never forget the loyalty that Henry showed to him by handing him his debut this year.

“He gave me confidence,” Boyle said.

“He came up to me at the start of the year and said ‘I’ve got confidence in you playing first grade this year’’.

“That’s pretty much all I really needed from him. He gave me that first taste against Canberra and I’ve been soaking it up since then.”