Garth Brennan sacking: Behind the scenes as Gold Coast Titans coach axed

The downfall of Garth Brennan as Gold Coast Titans coach stunned the NRL. Now the story of what happened behind the scenes can be revealed.

THE smile gave it away.

What was once the beaming trademark of Garth Brennan became harder to bear.

The pressure of a full-body NRL club review will do that to a man, even one as amiable as Brennan.

His press conferences, initially filled with smiles and optimism, became an increasing strain as the losses mounted.

That strain was even more evident away from the cameras. The hurt was clear to see on Brennan’s face with each and every loss as he would pace around the change rooms in a state of mulling.

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Coach Garth Brennan looks on at Titans training. Picture: AAP Image

Finally, in the past few weeks, the harsh reality of NRL great Mal Meninga’s impending review of the Gold Coast Titans sunk in.

Brennan, the ray of light who won over fans with his generosity of time from his very first club appearance in late 2017, slinked ever so slightly into the shadows.

He was still friendly, sure. And he still offered time to anyone.

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Brennan and Mal Meninga share a laugh in 2018. Picture: Jerad Williams

Yet the smile changed, turning from delighted to be here … to not sure how long the stay will be.

Yesterday, Brennan got that answer, sacked as the third full-time coach of the Gold Coast.

The Titans had rolled the dice and lost.

Hiring a rookie NRL coach is a bit like a day at the track: Sometimes you pick a winner, other times you don’t.

For a long while, it looked like Brennan was a savvy choice by the Titans board.

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Neil Henry was Brennan’s predecessor. Picture: AAP Image

Of the various names put forward to replace Neil Henry, many had more experience than Brennan but a well-liked coach with new ideas seemed like a good fit for a club chasing a fresh start.

Articulate, friendly and with a sense of relatability given his background as a policeman, Brennan quickly grew on fans.

Even through his first full season that featured more downs than ups on the field, the sentiment was fully in his favour – so much so that he was soon handed a one-year contract extension to lock him in until the end of 2020.

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Brennan. Picture: Getty Images

Brennan had a message the people liked: Making the Titans a true Gold Coast team.

Then came 2019, a season full of hope after the club had gotten their ducks in a row on and off the field.

When things got off to a bad start – four straight losses to open the year – the sentiment towards Brennan quickly and viciously changed.

Rumours emerged of a breakdown in relations between Brennan and star half Ash Taylor.

Fans became irked by Brennan’s press conferences after a loss where he would speak of his pride in his players’ performance.

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Titans headquarters. Picture: AAP Image

The message had been lost.

No matter what Brennan tried to lift the Titans out of their slump, it didn’t seem to draw the necessary response … and that left the board with no option but to start from scratch again.

At a critical moment in the club’s history – they’re ready for success and desperately need it to win fans back – you can bank on the board not gambling on another rookie coach.