NRL 2020: Gold Coast Titans’ ex-Broncos ready for inflict misery on Brisbane
The Titans will field six Broncos rejects eager for revenge when the bottom-of-the-table teams take each other on in the Queensland derby at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.
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They are the Salty Six - the Gold Coast Titans‘ former Broncos players ready to inflict more misery on Brisbane.
The Titans will field a remarkable six ex-Brisbane players when the bottom-of-the-table teams take on each other at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.
Queensland Origin forwards Jai Arrow and Jarrod Wallace head the list of former Broncos now wearing Titans jerseys which also includes Ash Taylor, Dale Copley, Keegan Hipgrave and Tanah Boyd.
While Arrow and Wallace were targeted from the Broncos by ex-Titans coach Neil Henry, the other four were all released from contracts to leave Red Hill.
The Titans beat the Broncos when the teams last met at Suncorp Stadium in 2019 and Arrow said the Gold Coast‘s ex-Brisbane brigade wanted to rack up another win against their former club.
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“There’s a lot of us that have come through the Broncos system,“ Arrow said.
“When you come up against your old club you want to prove a point and play the best you can.
“We always turn up for the Broncos. We get up for that game.
“They are not having the best start to the COVID-19 restart and will be fired up at home. They will have a big crowd cheering their team home.“
This Queensland derby doesn‘t have the usual appeal of a Broncos-Titans showdown.
After claiming last year‘s wooden spoon, the Titans are sitting last on the NRL ladder with only one win in 2020 while Brisbane has dropped to 14th on the back of four straight losses.
A loss to the Titans would be disastrous for the Broncos and under-pressure coach Anthony Seibold.
Wallace has been recalled after sitting out the past two games while Copley makes his return from an ankle injury and Hipgrave has been promoted to the starting side in place of Bryce Cartwright.
Boyd has been one of the Titans‘ big improvers this season in his new position as a bench hooker.
At only 19, Boyd has plenty of development ahead of him and has relished his move to the Gold Coast, his home town.
Boyd came through the grades as a halfback, but coach Justin Holbrook has chucked him into the NRL as a dynamic dummy-half and Boyd is relishing the role.
“Last year was awesome to get those two games,“ he said.
“This year I feel heaps better, a lot fitter and more used to the speed.
“I’m getting better every week. The more games and experience I can get, the better.
“I’m happy to be in first grade at the moment. Whatever role Justin wants me to play I’ll do to the best of my ability.
“I’m trying to play hooker to the best of my ability and bring that energy to the team. I feel like I’m doing that.“
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While Arrow will depart the Titans at season‘s end for South Sydney and Copley and Hipgrave are off-contract, the Gold Coast sees Boyd playing a large role at the club.
“I think Tanah has a big future,” said performance chief Mal Meninga.
“The reason we got him from the Broncos is because he‘s a Gold Coast boy and he’s got all mental attributes that make for a successful NRL player.
“I like the way he has gone about his business and he has improved with every game he has played. He is only young, so he will only get better.
“He is brave and courageous. He is not afraid to put his body on the line.
“I followed Tanah for a while through Souths Logan. It wasn‘t until he played in the Queensland under-20s and he came off the bench and played a bit of nine that we thought OK, he has some versatility.
“I don‘t know if he will end up in the halves but I’m pretty sure he will play first grade for a long, long time.”
TITANS CHASING STAR KNIGHTS FORWARD
—Peter Badel
The Titans are ramping up their recruitment drive with the Gold Coast in talks to lure hulking prop Herman Ese’ese from the Knights.
As revealed by The Courier-Mail, Titans culture boss Mal Meninga has launched a $5 million pursuit of Brisbane sensation David Fifita and now Gold Coast recruitment chiefs are eyeing off former Bronco Ese’ese.
The former New Zealand Test prop was close to joining Gold Coast last year, only for the Knights to block the move, but formal talks have been revived with a view to Ese’ese becoming a Titan next season.
The Titans have already secured Storm monster Tino Fa’asuamaleaui for 2021 and are keen to add the power running of the off-contract Ese’ese to bring a dynamic edge to their pack.
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Ese’ese is tipped to leave Newcastle at season’s end and his manager Simon Mammino confirmed the Titans are in the mix for the bookend’s signature
“The Titans are definitely an option for Herman,” he said.
“His partner has family in Queensland and he went to school in Brisbane so he is looking to play for the Titans.
“He is related to Tino so that’s another attraction to come to the Gold Coast. He would like to play with Tino.
“I am talking to a few clubs and then I am waiting to hear back from Newcastle.
“He has a few options but Herman is looking to come home.”
Newcastle’s change of heart with Ese’ese stands to cost the 110kg forward a significant sum of money.
The Titans had tabled a $1 million deal over two seasons last year, but the Knights weren’t prepared to sign an immediate release. Due to salary-cap restrictions, the Titans have tabled a reduced offer, but Ese’ese remains interested.
The 25-year-old has played 78 first-grade games, including 30 for the Broncos, and could be a handy ally upfront Titans young gun Mo Fotuaika.
“We were close to signing with the Titans for this year but unfortunately the Knights weren’t able to release him,” Mammino said.
“We are giving Newcastle every opportunity to retain a player they brought down from the Brisbane Broncos.
“The new pace of the game will work wonders for Herman. Bigger forwards need leg speed under the new rules and Herman has that. He has a lot to offer any club with his experience and agility.
“We haven’t given thought to Herman to being at the Titans this year. The offer was initially on the table but the Knights won’t entertain that. He wants to get the job done this year, go deep into the season this year and hopefully win a grand final at Newcastle under Adam O’Brien.”