THE UNWANTED TITAN EARNING $244 A MINUTE IN RESERVE GRADE
UNWANTED forward Joe Greenwood has warmed to the Gold Coast even if the new Titans hierarchy seems cool to playing him in the NRL. Greenwood, an English Test representative, has been warming the bench for Titans feeder club Burleigh in the Intrust Super Cup. By our calculations he’s earnt about $244 a minute for his onfield work this season.
OUT-OF-FAVOUR Gold Coast second-rower Joe Greenwood has declared he is “here for the long haul” despite being relegated from an England World Cup contender to a reserve grade benchwarmer.
Greenwood joined the Titans in a last-minute player swap deal with St Helens, also involving Zeb Taia, ahead of the 2017 season.
He featured in 22 matches in his rookie NRL campaign, becoming an 80-minute prospect for then coach Neil Henry.
But the 25-year-old has been the big loser out of the club’s change of coach, failing to impress new mentor Garth Brennan as yet.
Greenwood has played just 189 minutes this season, all of which has been for feeder club Burleigh at an average of 31.5 minutes a game.
Five of his six games have come off the bench.
Market sources have suggested Greenwood could be on a salary of up to $400,000 a year, or $7700 a week, which would translate to an earning rate of $244 a minute based on his average game time this season.
Brennan has made clear of his desire to put his stamp on the 2019 Gold Coast squad
and given Greenwood’s lack of opportunity, rumours have swirled that the 190cm edge forward could be headed back to England before long.
However, Greenwood insists he is not going anywhere and intends to see out his three-year contract, ending after next season, having fallen in love with the Coast.
“I’m here for the long haul,” he told the Bulletin, having made his dream move from the northern suburbs to the beachside.
“It’s a beautiful place to live so I’ll just wait for my opportunity and see what comes from there.
“It’s a beautiful lifestyle and all the boys are great here (at Burleigh) and at the Titans.
“I just need to keep the match fitness up and wait for the call when it comes.”
High-flying Burleigh boast several players with NRL experience and Greenwood has been stuck behind form back-rowers Hayden Schwass and Blake Leary, with ex-Titan Matt Robinson even forced to bide his time in the Bears’ Rugby League Gold Coast side.