Chris McQueen will have to take less money if he wants to stay with the Gold Coast Titans
THE Tigers have weighed in with a big money offer but the Titans are hoping Chris McQueen will accept less to stay on the Gold Coast..
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CHRIS McQueen faces a $300,000 sacrifice to remain at the Titans after Wests Tigers tabled a $1.2 million three-year deal which would be the biggest of his career.
Just a day after signing McQueen’s former Souths teammate Chris Grevsmuhl, the Titans face a retention battle with two Sydney rivals circling the former Maroons back-rower.
Parramatta have expressed interest in 29-year-old McQueen, while the Tigers have upped the ante with a three-year deal worth $400,000 a season.
The Titans intend to make McQueen an offer this week but it is understood the club cannot match the Tigers deal.
Gold Coast can ill-afford to lose McQueen after the decimation of their roster in recent weeks. Recruitment chief Tony Mestrov remains hopeful the off-contract premiership-winning forward will put loyalty ahead of dollars and finish his career at the Titans.
“We’ve been made aware of the Wests Tigers deal,” Mestrov said.
“The Tigers may offer more, but we’re in talks with his manager and Chris has indicated he wants to stay. We’ll be in a position to make an offer.
“Chris has been a tremendous player for us, he had a really good game against the Eels (last week) and scored a good try.
“He is an important element of our leadership team. He brings that experience we have lost over the last few years.
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“Chris has had a very good offer from the Tigers but he wants to stay, so it’s coming to the right amount to keep him here.’’
The Titans placed contract negotiations with McQueen on hold to assess his early-season form and he exploded against Parramatta with three linebreaks and 117m at left centre.
McQueen will revert to the forward pack against North Queensland on Saturday at Cbus Super Stadium to accommodate Dale Copley’s Titans debut and said he was not put off by the Gold Coast’s decision to analyse his form.
“If anything I’ll take that as a challenge,” McQueen said. “I’ve done enough contracts to know how it all works.
“The most important thing is to go out there and play good footy and show the club why they should keep me.
“I’ve made it clear I want to stay. It’ll take some time and I’m not in a hurry.”
McQueen’s manager Shaun Pyne said the sacking of Tigers coach Jason Taylor on Monday would have no bearing on his decision.
“The Jason Taylor issue doesn’t worry Chris,” Pyne said. “Chris is a professional and he will work with any coach.
“Chris has interest from a few Sydney clubs and he is keen to explore them.
“The Tigers offer is very appealing but in saying that, Chris wants to do the right thing by the Titans. Once we have more discussions with the Titans, we’ll look at our options and make a decision.
“He wants to win another premiership. Chris lives on the Gold Coast and he is very settled there, but the Tigers is a realistic option if we can’t come to terms with the Titans.’’
Originally published as Chris McQueen will have to take less money if he wants to stay with the Gold Coast Titans
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