Wallace or not, Coast will survive

COACH Garth Brennan says the Titans will survive if State of Origin prop Jarrod Wallace walks out on the club just like they did when Eels star Jarryd Hayne fled the Gold Coast.

Wallace has been offered a four-year offer to remain at the Titans after the Broncos closed the door on a possible return to Red Hill.

The Maroons prop sounded out the Broncos during the pre-season about the possibility of returning to Brisbane, the club where he made his NRL debut and played 73 games.

The Titans have offered an extension worth more than $2.5 million, which would make Wallace Gold Coast’s only contracted player in 2022.

Wallace, 26, is yet to accept the offer after deciding to test his value on the open market following his elevation to Origin last year.

In the lead-up to his 100th NRL match, against Cronulla at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday, Wallace would not commit to remaining at the Titans.

Brennan said he hoped his star front-rower would stay but said the Gold Coast would otherwise move on without him as they did when Hayne quit late last year.

“He is a big part of our plans going forward, that’s part of the reason we’ve tabled a fouryear deal for Jarrod,” Brennan said.

“He came to the Titans for an opportunity and it’s turned him into an Origin player.

“He’s settled here, he’s bought a house here. I’m more than confident Jarrod will stay. If he doesn’t, the club will move on. The club doesn’t revolve around one person.”