Revealed: Final straw in Garth Brennan’s Titans sacking
Gold Coast coach Garth Brennan appealed for the chance to see out his deal, which expired at the end of 2020, but there was a telling factor in his immediate termination.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Gold Coast players have told club management they have lost faith in Garth Brennan in a scathing internal review that represented the final straw for the embattled Titans coach.
Brennan was officially sacked today just 24 hours before Titans culture-and-performance chief Mal Meninga tables his wide-ranging report to the Gold Coast board to chart a new direction for the club.
Brennan appealed for the chance to see out his deal, which expired at the end of 2020, but player power has been a factor in his immediate termination.
“No one at this organisation, or anyone involved in rugby league, wanted Garth’s time as head coach of the Titans to end this way,” Titans executive chairman Dennis Watt said.
MORE COVERAGE
Axed: Brennan sacked by Titans after horror season
“However, the results the club has achieved on the field this season have not met expectations, and the team’s performance in recent weeks has fallen to a level that is unacceptable to the board, our members, fans, sponsors and partners.
“Unfortunately, that has left the club in a situation where Garth remaining in the position of head coach has become untenable.”
The Courier-Mail can reveal Meninga will put the finishing touches on his masterplan tonight with the NRL Immortal completing six weeks of interviews with a range of stakeholders including the playing group.
Meninga has probed several facets of the Titans’ operations, chiefly the function of the football department, and for the second time in two years the Gold Coast has been buffeted by a player backlash.
In 2017, Neil Henry was sacked after facing a dressing-room mutiny and now Brennan has paid the price, coming under fire from some elements of the playing group who expressed concerns about his methods.
Since Brennan replaced Henry, the Titans have lost 28 of 40 games and are in danger of claiming their second wooden spoon in eight years.
In May, Titans co-owner Darryl Kelly put the coach on notice, telling him to “do his job”, and some unflattering critiques from players convinced the Gold Coast board to pull the trigger on Brennan.
Meninga did not want to comment on Brennan specifically in the wake of the Titans’ dismal 24-2 loss to Penrith but he told The Courier-Mail his review has been extensive.
“It’s been a lot of work. It’s much anticipated by the sounds of it,” he said.
“I’ve got a couple more meetings to go but the review is nearly done.
“It was disappointing what happened the other night (against the Panthers).”
The Courier-Mail has been told Titans players have questioned the intensity of their training. Some top-liners were also critical of Brennan’s standards of discipline, claiming he is too lenient.
Well-placed sources say Brennan has been distant in recent months, privately believing the board’s call for a review left him a dead-man walking.
Brennan has also attracted criticism for his recruitment drive, including several imports from his former club Penrith.
Former Panthers duo Leilani Latu and Bryce Cartwright have been flops, ex-Penrith utility Tyrone Peachey has never settled under Brennan, Shannon Boyd is languishing on the bench and $1 million halfback Ash Taylor has gone backwards.
Not all players were anti-Brennan. Queensland Origin forward Jai Arrow and Tyrone Roberts are two of his biggest supporters, with Arrow praising the coach’s contribution.
“Brenno has given me every opportunity to prove myself and in a way he has helped me so much,” he said.
“He gave me my opportunity to start last year and because of that, I’ve become a State of Origin player.
“I know there’s a lot being said but personally I can’t thank Garth enough for what he has done for me.
“As a playing group, it’s on us to get results for the club. It’s definitely a hard time.
“We have to stick together and finish off the year strongly and build some confidence.”
Brennan did not return calls but recently told The Courier-Mail he was pragmatic about the cut-throat career of being an NRL head coach.
“At the end of the day, my neck is on the chopping board,” he said.
“That’s the difference with being an assistant. An assistant can be best mates with the players but it’s not their neck on the line.
“If the team is losing, the head coach wears it.
“Every NRL coach is under pressure if they don’t win games.”
Watt paid tribute to Brennan for his service and commitment to the Titans, where he has served since the end of 2017.
“While the on-field results have not been what we hoped for, Garth will still leave a tremendous legacy for this club with his contribution to the creation of our development systems and pathways,” Watt said.
“These will ensure the Titans’ future will be built around the best young players growing up on the Gold Coast and northern New South Wales.
“Along the way, Garth has handed NRL debuts to players like AJ Brimson, Moeaki Fotuaika and Jai Whitbread — players who will be at the core of this club for the years ahead.
“Garth, his wife Rachael and their family have made real sacrifices in moving to the Coast, and Garth has dedicated himself to connecting with Titans Members, fans, local leagues and the wider community.
“Garth has been tireless in promoting the club and the game. He is a decent and genuine rugby league man, and everyone at this club wishes him and his family nothing but the best for the future.”
Originally published as Revealed: Final straw in Garth Brennan’s Titans sacking
Horrific images of Bronco’s crash emerge
Shocking photos of Ezra Mam’s head on crash have rocked the Broncos with the driver of the other car sharing new details.
NRL or bust: Every player from the NYC era tracked
More than 3000 NRL hopefuls turned out for clubs in the under-20s competition between 2008-2017. We list them all and see who was able to make the leap to a stable first grade career.