Where the Titans’ Arrow cash should be spent

Former Queensland star Ben Ikin believes the Titans can still emerge as big winners from Jai Arrow’s defection to South Sydney.

FORMER Queensland star Ben Ikin believes the Titans can still emerge as big winners from Jai Arrow’s defection to South Sydney, insisting the extra salary cap space will be invaluable as they look to add strikepower where they need it most.

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Arrow’s protracted contract saga officially came to an end last week when Gold Coast and the Rabbitohs issued statements confirming Arrow’s arrival at Redfern in 2021, with Titans boss Steve Mitchell adamant the club did everything it could to keep the four-game Origin forward.

But while there is no doubting Arrow’s class, Ikin said the Titans were well stocked in the forwards and his exit could pave the way for improvement where the club really needs it - the backline.

The Gold Coast Titans player, Jai Arrow, at pre-season training, Parkwood. Picture: Jerad Williams

“If I was the Titans I would say if they could trade out Jai Arrow and get themselves 1-2 quality outside backs, that’d be a great outcome for them. They’ve got a decent forward pack already but probably missing a bit of strike in the outside backs,” Ikin, a 17-game Origin representative and Queensland’s youngest ever player, said.

“Roster management is where (success) starts and finishes. I don’t say you don’t need a quality coach and work environment but premierships are won by players.

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“You need to figure out a way to get the best roster you can and if you get it wrong there you just don’t win. I understand why (Arrow) went. He’s going to go to a club with a great history who have had a lot of recent success with possibly the greatest coach of all time in charge.”

Raised on the Glitter Strip, Ikin spent one season with the Gold Coast Seagulls in 1995 before successful stints at North Sydney and the Brisbane Broncos.

Former Qld Origin player Ben Ikin.

He also spent time in an off-field role with the Titans in their formative years and despite predicting another bleak campaign in 2020, the 42-year-old hopes they can eventually become a premiership force.

“I think it’s going to be another developmental year (this season), I’ve got them finishing in the bottom four. Their squad is just not as strong as a lot of other teams,” he said.

“(New coach) Justin Holbrook is going to be figuring out a few things himself. It’s going to be different for him coming into the NRL from the Super League.

“He might bring in some sort of fighting quality but you need fighting quality with star power and strike. The Titans, with their front office now sorted, just have to figure out how they get it right in the football department.

“I still remember when the Gold Coast Giants came in in 1988 and what a buzz it sent through the community. The town was just buzzing and it all gave all those young rugby league kids (a pathway).

“The Titans just need to start winning and the city will get behind them.”