TITANS KEEP ‘SINNER’

Firebrand re-signs for two years

GOLD Coast has fended off interest from several NRL rivals to secure firebrand forward Keegan Hipgrave for a further two seasons.

Despite bites from several clubs, the 21-year-old will remain at the Titans and form part of an already menacing forward pack that adds Test prop Shannon Boyd in 2019.

Having made his Titans debut in the final round of last season, Hipgrave has quickly developed a reputation for playing on the edge but mixed some impressive displays with bouts of ill-discipline.

Last month he became the first NRL player in 16 years to be sin-binned twice in one game, in his side’s round-14 loss to South Sydney.

Against Brisbane a fortnight ago after giving away two penalties in a costly 17-minute performance that ended when he was concussed early in the game, he admitted baiting by the Broncos pack had caused him to lose his cool.

Coach Garth Brennan concedes Hipgrave needs to play with more discipline, but is a fan of the forward’s aggression.

“Everything he does is at a million miles an hour, which I love,” Brennan said yesterday.

“He’s shown this season he has that versatility to play either in the middle or on an edge, which definitely helps the balance of our squad.”

The Titans are all but out of the finals race but will start Brennan’s second season in charge with hope given the forward pack at their disposal.

Queensland Origin forward Jarrod Wallace has also committed to a long-term deal this season and Maroons rookie Jai Arrow and NSW squad member Ryan James have been standouts in a frustrating season.

Starting at home today against the Titans, Newcastle’s Jamie Buhrer has seven games left to put forward his case for contract renewal.

Buhrer, who will start off the bench, is off contract at the end of 2018.

He conceded he needed to make every performance a good one “so there’s a reason to want me back, essentially”.

“It’s between myself and the club at the moment,” he said.

“That’s where I stand. This is where I want to be and talks are ongoing.”

As well as Buhrer, experienced forward Chris Heighington is off contract as are young props JJ Felise and Tyrone Amey and lock Luke Yates.