Titanic bid for PNG to coast in
by: Josh Massoud From: The Daily Telegraph November 15, 2011 11:00PM
CASH strapped Gold Coast Titans have entered sell-off talks with the consortium backing Papua New Guinea's NRL bid in a shock move that could see Port Moresby host top line matches.
In a fierce battle against half a dozen rival candidates, the PNG bid is now prepared to buy into an existing club to better position itself for inclusion come 2015.
And given its reliance on NRL grant advances at various stages throughout the past two seasons, Gold Coast Titans shape as the perfect target.
Titans boss and majority owner Michael Searle has discussed investment opportunities with a variety of parties over the past year in an effort to raise more cash.
PNG entered the frame a few months ago, but it's understood Searle is adamant about maintaining a controlling share of the franchise he conceived and built.
PNG bid boss Brad Tassell last night confirmed that the two parties had begun "preliminary talks".
With solid government backing and the support of rich mining companies, the PNG bid has enough clout to alleviate the Titans' financial woes. In return it would expect games to be transferred to raise its profile and dispel doubts about PNG's capacity to participate full-time.
"There's nothing concrete yet and at this time we've only had a few preliminary discussions," Tassell said.
"Ownership in a current club is one of a range of options we're investigating to push our bid for NRL inclusion."The talks (with Gold Coast) have been ongoing for three or four months. There was an inquiry and some discussion and I'd also like to say we're open to looking at other clubs as well."
PNG Bid has already established a sponsorship and junior development link with Gold Coast's neigbouring rivals, the Brisbane Broncos.
But its relationship with the Titans pre-dates that link, with Gold Coast chairman Michael Broughton and his wife Bev part of the original bid committee.
And in 2010 the PNG government announced plans for a new stadium to replicate Skilled Park.
Broughton, however, withdrew over conflict of interest concerns when Brisbane entered the scene last year.
Tassell does not believe the NRL will allow a club to be "completely relocated".
"But there's an option to relocate a certain number of games," he said. "We need to prove our ability to host top-line matches."
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