Queensland State of Origin coach Kevin Walters wants to replace Neil Henry at the Titans

KEVIN Walters has emerged as the leading contender to coach Gold Coast with the Queensland Origin mentor rocketing to the top of the club’s hit list

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

IT’s official – Kevin Walters wants to coach the Titans.

The Courier-Mail can reveal Walters has rocketed to the top of the Titans’ hit-list with the Queensland Origin coach prepared to step into the Gold Coast hotseat following the sacking of Neil Henry.

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It is understood Walters’ management has held preliminary talks with Titans powerbrokers in the most definitive sign yet the Broncos legend wants to take on one of the toughest jobs in the NRL.

Despite the crisis engulfing the Titans, interest in Henry’s coaching position is fierce with Gold Coast bosses fielding formal applications from 11 top-level coaches.

It can be revealed Canterbury coach Des Hasler, who has been linked to the Titans post, will not be approached as he fights to save his job at the beleaguered Bulldogs.

Walters has long coveted a job as head coach of an NRL club.

But Walters is firmly in the frame.

The Queensland coach declined to comment but confirmed his interest in the Titans job.

Walters will meet with Queensland Rugby League hierarchy on Thursday, primarily to continue a performance review of his second consecutive series win as Maroons coach this season.

At the meeting, Walters is expected to broach the subject of the Titans after QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher told The Courier-Mail on Monday he would not block him coaching the Gold Coast.

One certainty is Walters would not attempt to hold dual roles as Maroons and Titans coach next season.

He is currently in talks with the QRL on a two-year upgrade, but those negotiations commenced before the explosive Titans saga that led to the dismissal of Henry.

Three weeks ago, Walters revealed the pressures of a dual coaching role is too great – meaning he will prematurely quit the Maroons next year if the Titans offer him his maiden NRL coaching gig.

“I don’t think it can be done,” Walters said at the time.

“There is so much at stake now and so much pressure with media commitments. If you did both roles, I think one would suffer at some point, as Craig Bellamy found out when he coached NSW while he was with Melbourne.

“It’s all well and good when you are winning and things are running smoothly, but all it takes is a loss or two and suddenly the heat is on.”

Titans chief executive Graham Annesley said there is no preferred candidate at this stage, but lauded Walters’ performance in maintaining Queensland’s Origin dynasty.

Walters has lead the Maroons to two Origin series wins in a row.

“Kevin has done a great job with the Queensland team and of course he’d be a quality prospect if he was interested,” he said.

“We have already received a number of applications from interested parties.

“A selection committee will be appointed to assess the relative merits of prospective candidates, before making a final recommendation to the board.”

Maroons Origin legend Gary Belcher urged Walters to think twice about quitting Queensland to take charge of the struggling Titans.

“I think he would do a good job, but the bottom line is I hope he doesn’t succeed Neil Henry,” he said. “I’d like to see him stick around with Queensland for a few more years.

“I would be behind him 100 per cent, but he would have to be heavy-handed with certain players.

“At this stage there is some big issues at the Titans that would be difficult for a coach going forward.”