James set for edgy season

RYAN James is set to be transformed into a hard-running back-rower as incoming coach Garth Brennan makes his mark on the Titans.

James was among the form middle players in the game in 2016, challenging for a spot in the Kangaroos’ team for the Four Nations.

But he struggled to rediscover that form this year and Brennan is considering pushing him to an edge to get the best out of the 26-year-old.

“Ryan’s played a lot of edge in the past, so that’s something that I’m seriously considering,” Brennan said.

“I’m very conscious of doing what’s best for the player and what they’re comfortable with.

“I’ve been asked a thousand times about Jarryd (Hayne) and what position he’s going to play.

“My answer is I’m not locking myself into any position with Jarryd and it’ll be how he can get the ball in his hands the most.

“Same with Ryan. If it means playing him on an edge to get the best football out of him where it’s going to help the team, then that’s what I’ll do.

“I think that’s where he’s always seen himself.

“But he’ll do the best for the team and that’s the sort of guy that Ryan is.”

The Titans have good depth in the middle with Origin prop Jarrod Wallace and new signing Brenton Lawrence supported by young guns Morgan Boyle, Max King, Jai Arrow and Keegan Hipgrave.

The unplanned departure of Agnatius Paasi to the Warriors has also freed up funds and Brennan could chase another forward if needed.

“There’s a lot of middles there that can fill the void if I do decide to move Ryan to an edge,” Brennan said.

“If that happens than I might be looking at a frontrower or someone to strengthen that position.

One thing that’s unlikely to change for James though is having the “C” beside his name, with Brennan seeing no need to relieve him of the captaincy.

While there is a push for Nathan Peats to take a more prominent leadership role and Kevin Proctor could regain the role he shared with James last year, there are no plans to demote James.

“Who I decide before Round 1 to be captain, that’s something I’m still going through and looking at, at training and how they lead,” Brennan said.

“But Ryan’s a Gold Coast kid, he’s born and bred here, he’s passionate about the club, it means a lot to him.

“At this stage, I can’t see any reason why I’d be looking at changing the captaincy.”

Brennan has not ruled out a co-captaincy model, with a leadership group likely as Ash Taylor emerges as a potential future captain of the club.