Bennett assistant in running for Titans job

THE Titans have made a secret approach to Broncos coach Wayne Bennett’s assistant Jason Demetriou as Gold Coast hierarchy rule out any prospect of Des Hasler joining the club.

Demetriou has emerged as a genuine contender to replace Neil Henry next season after being formally interviewed by the committee that will appoint the Titans’ next coach.

He was interviewed just hours before Brisbane’s 13-6 semi-final defeat of Penrith last Friday night.

Bennett is aware of the Titans’ interest and will not stand in the way of Demetriou leaving if Gold Coast believe he is the man to resurrect Brisbane’s derby rivals.

The Titans panel has interviewed Ipswich duo Ben and Shane Walker and is also keen to talk to sacked NSW Origin mentor Laurie Daley, but Demetriou has surged into contention for one of the toughest jobs in the NRL.

Demetriou is contracted to Brisbane until the end of 2019 and while Bennett has been rapt with his contribution this season, the super coach believes his right-hand man is ready for an NRL baptism.

Demetriou was tight-lipped about the Titans’ approach but says he harbours a burning desire to eventually launch his NRL coaching career.

“I’m really keen to be a head coach one day,” he said.

“It (coaching in the NRL) is an aspiration of mine.

“At the moment I am really focused on the Broncos.

“It’s too hard to look any further than that, but the right opportunity will come and when it comes I will look at it.”

The Titans will announce Henry’s replacement in early October. The one certainty is Hasler will not be considered by the Titans in the wake of his sacking at the Bulldogs on Tuesday night.

Demetriou (pictured), who failed to play NRL but enjoyed a 12-year career in England, has built an impressive coaching resume, winning four premierships in three years.

In 2014, he led the Northern Pride to the Intrust Super Cup premiership, triggering his promotion to the Cowboys under coach Paul Green.

In his maiden year at the Cowboys, Demetriou and Dave Furner helped Green shatter North Queensland’s 20-year title drought with their grand final defeat of the Broncos.

Last season, he had more success, winning the NSW Cup title with Illawarra before steering the Cutters to the NRL State Championship with a 54-12 drubbing of Burleigh.

That success was the catalyst for his arrival at the Broncos and Demetriou, 41, said working alongside Bennett had proved an invaluable experience.

“It’s been phenomenal,” he said. “To be working with Wayne and talking to Darren Lockyer (former Broncos skipper) after a game is a bit surreal for me still.

“I’m still a young coach. Every year you are learning all the time.

“To come up here and work under Wayne ... he’s given me a lot of freedom to coach and has belief in the things I do.

“This has probably been the best assistant role I have had in terms of freedom.”