Titans sign Roosters fullback Michael Gordon following Jarryd Hayne’s departure

TITANS coach Garth Brennan says his signing spree is not over yet after Jarryd Hayne’s replacement officially arrived on the Gold Coast.

Michael Gordon is leaving the Roosters to join the Titans.

TITANS coach Garth Brennan says his signing spree is not over yet after Jarryd Hayne’s replacement officially arrived on the Gold Coast.

The Titans will become journeyman Michael Gordon’s fifth NRL club when he pulls on the Gold Coast’s No. 1 jersey next season.

Gordon, 34, secured a release from the Roosters to return to his home town and sign a generous two-year deal with the Titans. The Tweed product contacted Brennan when speculation of Hayne’s desire to return to Parramatta surfaced last month.

Gordon had previously tried numerous times to sign with the Titans but it took Hayne’s departure for the move to finally transpire.

Michael Gordon is leaving the Roosters to join the Titans.

“I’d spoken to Garth before that all happened and he said that even if (Hayne) stayed he was still keen for me to come home,” Gordon said.

“We were quite happy where we were. The Roosters are a great club and obviously have a pretty strong side for next year so I was more than happy to stay there.

“But the more I thought about it and the more I talked with my family, it was an option I at least had to explore.

“I’ve been trying to come back here for a long time now and one way or another it’s always fallen through from either my end or up here. Pretty much every time I’ve come off contract I’ve tried to come home. I didn’t want to let the chance slip again.

“They’ve obviously had issues over the years but it seems like they’re heading in the right direction. Speaking to staff that have come from other clubs they can just sense that there’s a real good buzz around the joint.”

Michael Gordon will bring experience to the Titans.

Gordon, who will assume the goalkicking duties, grew up in northern NSW and recently built a house at Casuarina with the plan to retire in the area.

He had to call in the removalists earlier than expected and the 225-game veteran is now the experienced head in a youthful Titans backline.

“I’ve never been a big talker or someone who has tried to tell people what to do but I just try and lead with my actions,” he said.

“I’m not too fussed where I play because even staying at the Roosters I knew I wasn’t going to play fullback and I was more than happy with that.

“Whether I play (fullback) or not, we’ve still got a fair while before trials and all that stuff.”

The Titans have added Gordon, Leilani Latu, Mitch Rein and Will Matthews to their squad in recent weeks.

Hayne’s departure gave the Titans another $1.2 million to spend in next year’s salary cap and the return of Dan Sarginson to England has freed up another spot in their roster.

“I’m still looking to see what else is out there,” Brennan said.

“Every club is doing that. Every club is trying to strengthen their roster in certain positions. We still have a number of spots to fill.

“It will be a case of sitting tight and not rushing into it. It’s still only December. We’ll see what becomes available.

“If nothing pops out that’s going to excite us and be good for the Titans going forward, then we’ll stay as we are and keep working with those young guys.”