Garth Brennan tightens up defence as Titans bolster squad

The Titans recruitment drive has been exceptional with Garth Brennan suring up his defensive unit immensely, while adding plenty of strike-power in key positions. FULL ROSTER ANALYSIS

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Gold Coast’s recruitment drive has been exceptional with their new-look roster looking far superior heading into the 2019 season.

Garth Brennan has sured up his defensive unit immensely, while adding plenty of strike-power in key positions.

Here’s how the Titans roster is shaping up ahead of the upcoming NRL season.

Gold Coast Titans 2019 roster analysis.

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Full squad

1. Jai Arrow, 2. Jesse Arthars, 3. Shannon Boyd, 4. Morgan Boyle, 5. Alexander Brimson, 6. Bryce Cartwright, 7. Dale Copley, 8. Anthony Don, 9. Moeaki Fotuaika, 10. Michael Gordon, 11. Keegan Hipgrave, 12. Ryley Jacks, 13. Ryan James, 14. Max King, 15. Leilani Latu, 16. Brenko Lee, 17. Will Matthews, 18. Tyrone Peachey, 19. Nathan Peats, 20. Kevin Proctor, 21. Tyrone Roberts, 22. Mitchell Rein, 23. Phillip Sami, 24. Jack Stockwell, 25. Ashley Taylor, 26. Jarrod Wallace, 27. Jai Whitbread, 28. Brian Kelly

Ins

Brian Kelly (Manly Sea Eagles, 2021), Jesse Arthars (South Sydney Rabbitohs, 2019), Shannon Boyd (Canberra Raiders, 2022), Ryley Jacks (Melbourne Storm, 2019), Tyrone Peachey (Penrith Panthers, 2021), Tyrone Roberts (Warrington Wolves, 2020)

Outs

Kane Elgey (Manly Sea Eagles), Brendan Elliot (Manly Sea Eagles), Joe Greenwood (Wigan Warriors), Konrad Hurrell (Leeds Rhinos), Ryan Simpkins (retired)

Brian Kelly is a terrific signing for the Titans. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Best 17

1. AJ Brimson, 2. Anthony Don, 3. Tyrone Peachey, 4. Brian Kelly, 5. Phillip Sami, 6. Tyrone Roberts, 7. Ash Taylor, 8. Ryan James, 9. Nathan Peats, 10. Jarrod Wallace, 11. Kevin Proctor, 12. Keegan Hipgrave, 13. Jai Arrow. Interchange: 14. Mitch Rein, 15. Shannon Boyd, 16. Moeaki Fotuaika, 17. Bryce Cartwright

Recruitment strength

Despite fairly limited movement, the Titans appear big winners on the recruitment front. Tyrone Peachey’s versatility will prove invaluable given the relative lack of depth in the squad. Shannon Boyd is a query at the generous price tag, but could be a masterstroke should he return to the form that saw him selected for the Kangaroos in 2016. Kane Elgey and Konrad Hurrell possess plenty of quality, but their defensive lapses in an already leaky unit won’t be missed. Brian Kelly is the most recent purchase and could prove the pick of the bunch.

Tyrone Peachey’s versatility will be invaluable for the club’s depth. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Forwards

The pack is shaping up nicely with a host of big men coming into the prime of their careers. The addition of Boyd and the promising Moeaki Fotuaika off the bench bodes well up front. Bryce Cartwright is the real x-factor in the pack but is coming off the most disappointing season of his career. On all reports he’s returned to pre-season in great shape. If Cartwright can rediscover the form of his youth and lock in a spot on the right-edge, the Titans pack will be hard to fault.

Backs

Tyrone Peachey will likely start at centre which should sure up their brittle edge defence that was exposed so regularly last season. The ageing Michael Gordon was one of the Titans’ best last season at fullback, but does he earn a place on the wing with AJ Brimson likely to start in the custodian role? Brian Kelly is an exceptional signing after a stellar season with Manly last year. Phillip Sami looks a real star of the future coming off a breakout season.

Bryce Cartwright looking fit on return to training. Picture: Gold Coast Titans

Spine

Best mates Ash Taylor and Tyrone Roberts will likely start in the halves. Hopefully the latter can get the best out of Taylor, who really is the major key to the Titans’ success in 2019. A fully fit Nathan Peats can return to the heights that saw him play Origin in 2017, while AJ Brimson has all the talent in the world but is still largely inexperienced. The spine have played very little football together due to a number of reasons, hopefully they can forge a strong combination early in the year. Ryley Jacks and Mitch Rein will prove invaluable back-ups should injuries strike.

What they’re lacking

The obvious issue is the right edge back-row role which could be given to any number of candidates. The likes of Cartwright, Keegan Hipgrave and Will Matthews are in the running to fill the position in round one. Cartwright’s form last season was poor, Hipgrave is a livewire with a discipline issues, while Matthews is the most reliable of the three but is constantly injured and lacks any major attacking threat. If somebody is able to put their hand up and earn the spot on the regular it’ll save Garth Brennan plenty of selection headaches.

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