Titans coach refuses to address troubling rumour in Michael Gordon drug syndicate arrest

Titans coach Justin Holbrook could not respond to a troubling rumour surrounding the drug syndicate arrest of assistant coach Michael Gordon.

Michael Gordon was released from Police Custody at Tweed Heads Police Station over the weekend.

Titans coach Justin Holbrook faced the media on Monday as the Titans started pre-season training only to face a barrage of questions about the drug syndicate arrest of assistant coach Michael Gordon.

Gordon was on Sunday stood down by the club after he was charged for alleged involvement in a drug syndicate.

NSW Police announced on Sunday seven people were arrested following a six month investigation into the supply of MDMA and cocaine on the NSW Far North Coast and south-east Queensland.

Gordon, 37, was arrested at his Casuarina home and charged with two counts of the supply of a prohibited drug and two counts of possessing a prohibited drug after a sting operation by strike force investigators resulted in the seizure of cocaine, MDMA, steroids, more than $60,000 cash, mobile phones and drug paraphernalia.

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It fell to Holbrook to address the situation on Monday, where he expressed disappointment at the scandal, according to AAP Sport.

“It’s not ideal. That’s for sure, but it’s happened and we’ll get on with it,” Holbrook said.

“We’ve got plenty of good coaches and staff in place so, yeah, we’ll be fine.”

Michael Gordon faces court next month.

However, Holbrook “dead-batted” questions surrounding unsettling rumours about the club’s relationship with Gordon.

Kudos to Justin Holbrook for fronting media to answer questions about Michael Gordon (with 5 mins notice). CEO Steve Mitchell was meant to talk, but was in meetings. As tweeted by @Danny_Weidler- Garth Brennan expressed concerns about MG to club, but was ignored.@9NewsGoldCoast pic.twitter.com/PjQRk5zn9h

— Dominique Loudon (@dloudon9) November 23, 2020

Channel 9 reporter Danny Weidler on Sunday posted on Twitter that a storm is brewing at the Titans over accusations former coach Garth Brennan expressed concerns about Gordon’s character before club officials overruled him and appointed Gordon to the club’s coaching staff.

Brennan, a former police officer, was sacked in the middle of the 2019 season.

“Major issue developing for @GCTitans surrounding the arrest of Michael Gordon,” Weidler posted.

“It’s my understanding former coach Garth Brennan expressed concerns about Gordon to club - management ignored him and later appointed Gordon to role at the club. Expect denials.”

The Titans earlier released a statement on Gordon being immediately stood down.

“Michael has been working on a contract basis, providing specialist coaching services to the club over the past season,” the statement claimed.

“He will not be providing services to the club until further notice.

“The club will make no further comment as the issue is now with police.”

Gordon will appear in the Tweed Heads Local Court on December 14.

Originally published as Titans coach refuses to address troubling rumour in Michael Gordon drug syndicate arrest