Two-year extension for Copley
DALE Copley will chalk up a decade of service in the NRL next season after clinching a new two-year deal with the Titans.
The Bulletin understands that Copley has agreed to terms on a two-year contract in which the former Broncos flyer will remain at the Gold Coast until the end of 2020.
The Titans are hoping to formally announce Copley’s retention before Sunday’s clash against the Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval.
Copley, who turns 27 next month, has played 30 games for the Titans since his arrival from the Roosters last year and received some recognition when he was invited to be part of Queensland’s extended squad for Origin I.
Since his NRL debut for Brisbane in 2009, the classy three-quarter has endured a wretched run with injuries and concussions that hampered his quest to break into the Origin arena. But Copley’s persistence has paid off, with the Titans’ new arrangement to ensure the 116-game veteran becomes a 10-year servant in the NRL.
The Ingham product has scored five tries from 11 games for the Gold Coast this season and will be a key part of Titans coach Garth Brennan’s backline plans in 2019.
“Dale has been very good for us in his time here,” Brennan said. “He can be a real strike player and with Tyrone Peachey coming to the club next season that gives us a pretty handy centre pairing.”
Copley was a tryscoring machine in the Broncos under-20s and Brisbane coaching staff believed it was only a matter of time before he graduated into the Origin arena for Queensland.
Constant injuries have prevented Copley from wearing Maroon at senior level, but Brennan has always been a fan.
“When I was coaching in the under-20s I kept a black book of opposition players who impressed me and Dale Copley was a name I wrote down early on,” he said.