Kelly leads race to buy Titans off the NRL

THE Gold Coast Titans ownership race has heated up with former saviour Darryl Kelly emerging as the clear favourite to take over the club.

Kelly’s bid – in conjunction with former chair Rebecca Frizelle – is the front-runner to claim ownership of the Coast franchise.

Kelly and Frizelle, who both resigned from the club’s board at the start of the ownership process, have been jostling with interest from the Brisbane Bombers bid team and North Sydney Bears.

The NRL is hoping to have the sale process finalised by October 31, however the potential new owners will be consulted during the appointment of the Gold Coast’s new coach.

The Titans are closing in on the man to replace Neil Henry with Gold Coast powerbrokers to slash their shortlist at a board meeting on Friday.

Titans board members will be presented with recommendations from the club’s coach appointment panel, but no final decision will be made without the potential owners approving the selection.

At least five potential coaches have been interviewed to replace Henry, who was sacked in August.

Former Blues Origin coach Laurie Daley heads the list which also includes Henry’s former assistants Terry Matterson and Craig Hodges, Broncos assistant Jason Demetriou and Ipswich co-coaches Ben and Shane Walker.

The panel of CEO Graham Annesley, board member Geoff Jones, football manager Anthony Laffranchi and Broncos legend Gorden Tallis will present their recommendations at Friday’s meeting.

In other Titans news, fitness chief Matt Ford has left the club to take up a role in Canberra’s football department.