Titans veteran Anthony Don says stable front office has opened club’s NRL premiership window

A SETTLED front office has finally cracked open the Gold Coast Titans’ premiership window, according to veteran winger Anthony Don.

A SETTLED front office has finally cracked open the Gold Coast Titans’ premiership window, according to veteran winger Anthony Don.

After years of off-field drama and underwhelming on-field results, the NRL battlers believe they have banished their lingering demons.

With a settled home at Parkwood, Darryl Kelly and Rebecca Frizelle assuming ownership of the NRL license and respected administrator Dennis Watt continuing as chairman, coach Garth Brennan will enter his second season at the helm with cause for optimism.

GOLD COAST SPORT GALLERY

His cause will be aided by the appointments of Steve Mitchell and Mal Meninga late last year, with the pair coming on board as chief executive and head of performance and culture respectively.

Don, who has finished ninth, 14th, 14th, 8th, 15th and 14th in his six seasons at the club, said the team now had a golden opportunity to add on-field success to the mix.

Titans veteran Anthony Don. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“I’ve been here for a while now so I’ve seen the club at one of its lowest points. It feels really good at the moment, really positive with the new owners and new additions to the club with Mal Meninga and the new CEO,” the 31-year-old said.

“It’s probably the first time the club has felt really settled in the front office in my career so I’m looking forward to seeing that flow through to the footy side of things. If we do have success, which I’m sure we will, it’s going to be great to get the whole Gold Coast behind us because I think in my time we haven’t had much (success).

HISTORIC CLUB EDGES TOWARDS RETURN

“It’s a really high priority to win some games, play finals and go deep into the finals.”

Pursued by two Sydney clubs last season, Northern Rivers product Don seriously considered walking away from the Titans before inking a two-year deal.

While he faces a battle to keep his place on the flank for Round 1 against Canberra on March 17, he has no regrets about his decision to remain on the Glitter Strip.

“I’m really happy that I chose to stay, every day I wake up and think how grateful I am that I made the right decision,” he said.

‘I’VE SET THE TARGET OF 20 GOALS FOR MYSELF’ - FOOTBALL PODCAST

“I love being a Titan and love living on the Gold Coast, and my wife loves it here too, so we’re really stoked we stayed, especially with all the coaching changes that happened in Sydney with one of the clubs that I was going to go to.

“Right across the backline there’s competition with myself, Phil (Sami), Brenko (Lee), Dale Copley and Tyrone Peachey. AJ (Brimson) can go halves or fullback so he can do everything as well.

“Competition at this time of year is great so I’m looking forward to getting into the trials.”