http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au...k=28a05c606231674beae034098a83a119-1468877263
Titans consider bringing Jarryd Hayne to the Gold Coast as a marquee player for 2017 season
Connor O’Brien, Gold Coast Bulletin
July 19, 2016 12:00am
DARE to dream Titans fans – your club is serious about bringing the Hayne Plane to the Gold Coast.
What seemed a fantasy a few months ago, when former Dally M champion Jarryd Hayne walked out on his NFL dream to pursue a Rio Olympic dream, now looks like a possibility.
Titans chief executive Graham Annesley yesterday confirmed the club was closely monitoring Hayne’s movements for 2017 amid suggestions it was already in talks with his manager.
Annesley said it was a “bit of a stretch” to suggest talks were advanced but by no means doused rumours the club was serious about bringing the ex-Parramatta superstar to the Glitter Strip.
“Everyone would like to have Jarryd on their roster but we’re not actively pursuing that for this year and in terms of next year there’s a lot of water to go under the bridge at this stage,” Annesley said.
“We have not submitted any offers and at this stage we don’t have any intention to do that in the immediate future but of course like anybody else we’re interested in his movements.”
The fact Hayne has no ties to an NRL club following his stint in American football before attempting a last-gasp bid to make Fiji’s Olympic rugby sevens squad means the June 30 deadline for player movement does not apply to him.
Nonetheless, Annesley was firm when asked if he could rule out Hayne playing for the Titans this season: “Yes. It’s not something that we’re considering for this season.”
As for next year, space remains on the club’s books.
“We’ve still obviously got space available and budget available for next year and those discussions about our roster for next year are ongoing but again too early to try to indicate what we may or may not do,” he said.
“Obviously we have to make a whole range of decisions that will impact on that.”
To snare Hayne’s signature from underneath Parramatta’s nose would be a big coup for a club that is rebuilding well on and off the field.
That the Gold Coast have generally lacked star power was demonstrated on Wednesday night, when they were one of only two clubs (as well as Canberra) not to be represented in State of Origin III.
Hayne’s presence could give the region’s fans an iconic rugby league figure to associate themselves with, much in the mould of Johnathan Thurston’s impact in North Queensland.
