AXE HOVERS

TITANS AT WAR: King Henry on the chopping block but club denies sharpening blade

HAYNE’S EX-EELS AWAIT INFIGHTING TITANS

TITANS players will be expected to turn in a professional effort against Parramatta on Thursday night despite not knowing whether their coach or star recruit will continue with the club.

After the club’s crisis talks with the pair yesterday was followed by a board meeting being adjourned without making a decision, speculation continues to swirl around the club amid allegations Neil Henry has lost the backing of his playing group.

After Titans boss Graham Annesley said yesterday issues were “broader than what it might just appear on the surface in relation to Jarryd and Neil”, the coach faces a big job to come together to break a four-game losing streak against a desperate Eels outfit.

But Annesley said the players were expected to show they were professionals. “We expect the team to play,” he said.

“They’re professionals, they turn up every week, they’re representing the club, we expect them to earn their money and I’m sure that they’ll go out and do the best they can on Thursday.

“It’s only a few days away and it’s no different to approaching any other game.”

Hayne is no certainty to play after limping out of Kogarah Oval on Saturday in a moon boot Asked if the star No.1 would line up, Annesley said it would be Henry’s call.

“That’s a matter for the coach, really, and Jarryd’s fitness,” Annesley said.

“I think he has got an injury concern at the moment and it is a short turnaround, so we’ll have to wait and see.”

There have been calls to drop Hayne to reserve grade for the rest of the season.

But with the board still to decide his future, Henry is unlikely to make such a move, especially against Hayne’s former club.

It’s clear the issues between the pair have hurt the Titans.

“I think what happened after the game last weekend did take us a little by surprise,” Annesley said of Hayne’s declaration he would walk out if he was unwanted by the coach.

“Clearly the club is hurting at the moment in terms of the public perception of what’s gone on in recent weeks on the field and there’s been Jarryd’s statement after the game.”

Annesley was unwilling to go into what he meant by saying the issues went further than just Henry and Hayne.

But Henry is understood to have issues with players other than Hayne, although he has not lost the entire group.

His standoff with off-contract utility Tyrone Roberts could be troubling though.

Roberts has a close relationship with Ashley Taylor and if his relationship with Henry sours too much, it could stop Taylor’s re-signing.

Regardless, the Titans face one of their toughest on-field assignments on Thursday.