Arrow's next NRL move a done deal

The most sought-after forward in the game, Jai Arrow, is a done deal at Souths - the only question is when. My sources tell me that Titans forward Arrow has agreed to terms and is the man Souths have designated to replace Sam Burgess. The Rabbitohs are hoping to sort out the issue of whether Burgess' injury goes under the category of medical retirement, in which case his wage would not go into the salary cap. That would allow Arrow to join the club next season - but Souths may have to wait until January for the NRL and their medical team to give a ruling on the injury. The Rabbitohs have offered Arrow around $800,000 per season for four years - money the Titans cannot match. Arrow's partner, former Miss World Australia Taylah Cannon, is also believed to be keen to move to Sydney for greater work opportunities.

Why Tyrone Peachey is the club’s most important signing in 2019

The Titans tend to start each season with minimal fanfare around their squad, but 2019 is different. Recruiting a genuine star in Tyrone Peachey was a stroke of genius. Having Immortal Mal Meninga on board as the head of culture and performance won’t hurt either. It’s clear they will stop at nothing to create a winning culture on the Gold Coast.
Former Raiders prop Shannon Boyd adds the size they’ve missed up front to support Ryan James. Their starting pack is now full of state and international representative players — save for Ryan who has been on the cusp of a Blues call up for several seasons. If all goes to plan, the Titans can create something special in 2019.

Brennan warns 'no walk-up starts' for Round One

Garth Brennan has warned that there will be "no walk-up starts" for the Gold Coast Titans in his round one side as the second-year coach targets finals football in 2019.  The Titans players returned from their Christmas break on Saturday for testing where Brennan said they showed him how hungry they were to make the
top 17 for the home round one NRL clash with the Canberra Raiders on  March 17. The Titans will play two trials in the pre-season, the first against the Cowboys on the Sunshine Coast on February 23 and the main trial against the Brisbane Broncos on March 2 on the Gold Coast.

Titans make a huge off-season signing by bringing in Mal Meninga

Gold Coast has added Mal Meninga to their books as the club’s head of performance and culture in a bid to turn around its fortunes. The league Immortal will move from Canberra to the glitter strip immediately to take up a new role that won’t interfere with his Kangaroos coaching commitments. “I can feel there is something special building at the Titans,” Meninga said.

“The NRL needs rugby league and the Titans to be strong in the area. It is one of the game’s heartlands and it is no secret that it is under threat from rival codes who are investing heavily to own the territory. “I want to see all young kids in the Titans’ catchment area – boys and girls – growing up aspiring to play for the Titans, for their respective states and their country.” NRL CEO Todd Greenberg green-lit the move after receiving assurances his Australian role would have top priority. “The NRL needs a strong team on the Gold Coast and Mal’s track record of success – including building winning team cultures at State and national level – will help achieve that,” Greenberg said.

Gold Coast Titans NRL 2019 Draw

Here is all you need to know about the Gold Coast Titans' 2019 Telstra Premiership draw.

Teams they play twice: Sharks, Warriors, Panthers, Knights, Cowboys, Sea Eagles, Broncos, Storm, Dragons.

Teams they play once: Raiders, Rabbitohs, Tigers, Bulldogs, Roosters, Eels.

Day-by-day breakdown: Thursday - One, Friday - Seven, Saturday - Eight, Sunday - Eight.

Five-day turnarounds: 2 (Rd 4, Rd 14).

Kick-off: After hosting the Raiders in their season opener, the Titans have a three-game road trip against 2018 finals teams - travelling to Cronulla, ANZ Stadium to face Souths and Auckland for a clash with the Warriors.

Gold Coast sign Melbourne Storm’s Ryley Jacks

Gold Coast have signed Melbourne Storm halfback Ryley Jacks to partner Ash Taylor for the 2019 season. Jacks will sign a one-year deal with the Titans and is expected to take the playmaking burden off Taylor. The Titans halfback struggled at times last season with the burden of a $1 million-a-year contract. Former Gold Coast football manager Scott Sattler has worked closely with Jacks and said he is the perfect foil for Taylor.

“Players at the Melbourne Storm develop good work ethics and Ryley would bring that to the Titans,” Sattler told The Courier Mail.  “He would be good for the Titans for two reasons. One because of his strong work ethic and two, because Garth Brennan is a rookie coach, Ryley can be like a second coach on the field executing game plans.