Titans racing clock to poach Tigers fullback Corey Thompson before Sunday’s game

The Titans are racing the clock to pluck a new fullback off a rival’s bench and into their No.1 jersey ahead of Sunday’s NRL clash at Suncorp Stadium.

Erin Clark (centre) laughs during a Gold Coast Titans NRL training session at the Titans High Performance Centre on the Gold Coast, Tuesday, June 2, 2020. (AAP Image/Albert Perez)

The Gold Coast Titans are racing the clock to pluck fullback Corey Thompson off the Wests Tigers bench and into their No.1 jersey ahead of Sunday’s NRL clash at Suncorp Stadium.

The Titans are deep in negotiations to bring the 30-year-old veteran home to southeast Queensland in a shock mid-season switch.

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Thompson was the Tigers leading tryscorer last year with nine tries in 22 games but was dumped from fullback for Adam Douehi when the NRL returned last week.

Corey THOMPSON. NRL; North Queensland Cowboys Vs West Tigers at 1300Smiles Stadium. Picture: Alix Sweeney

The opportunity to return to a larger role and move closer to family were key drivers for Thompson to pursue a new deal on the Gold Coast.

Thompson’s agent, Mario Tartak of Crown Sports International, said he was optimistic a deal would be struck this week if not the next.

“We’re just finetuning a few things now,” Tartak said.

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“We’re looking at a multi-year deal with Corey stepping into the starting team immediately.

“The position he plays and the leadership he brings to a team like that will bring the Titans on leaps and bounds.

“We’re working on him for next week but hopefully it will happen this week.”

Corey Thompson of the Tigers scores a try during the Round 9 NRL match between the Wests Tigers and the Penrith Panthers at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Friday, May 10, 2019. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

Thompson brings 81 games of NRL experience from the Bulldogs and Tigers and a further 47 matches from the Super League with Widnes Vikings, where he scored 41 tries at a strike rate of 87 per cent.

That experience and finishing ability promises to add immediate spark to a Titans backline thrown into disarray by the long-term back injury of young gun AJ Brimson.

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Jonus Pearson, Anthony Don, Brian Kelly, Philip Sami and Tyrone Roberts have played musical chairs in the Titans backline ever since but the addition of Thompson would bring stability to the winless group.

Thompson is contracted to the Tigers until the end of 2021.

The Titans declined to comment.