KELLY’S BACK

PRODIGY RETURNS TO COAST

BRIAN Kelly will bring the defensive resolve that has been missing in Gold Coast’s NRL backline, according to coach Garth Brennan.

The Titans announced yesterday a three-year deal for Kelly, who is expected to arrive at Parkwood on Monday.

The 22-year-old is no stranger to the club, scoring 35 tries in 54 games for the Titans at under-20 level before Manly swooped to attract him to their NRL squad ahead of the 2017 season.

The Ballina Seagulls and Lennox Head Dolphins junior has since made himself at home in the top grade, playing 47 NRL games – including all 24 of Manly’s fixtures this year – and has represented both NSW Country and the Prime Minister’s XIII.

Brennan was excited to confirm Kelly was “coming home” and believes he will help the Titans improve on their 2018 record as the thirdworst defensive outfit in the competition.

“He has got a lot of potential, a big future and we are really happy to have his services for three years coming back to the club where he started,” Brennan said.

“He is a very aggressive defender. I really love the way he actually goes looking for the contact in defence.

“They are things that we obviously need to improve on as our defence and he certainly ticks that box and the fact that he is a very strong carrier of the football, he is a big asset to us.

“He is a strike player to complement Tyrone Peachey and Dale Copley and some of the other outside backs we have got in our squad.”

Talk had previously pointed to Peachey being deployed as a star centre, meaning the threequarter line could become the latest potential selection headache for Brennan.

“I haven’t thought too far ahead what the side is going to look like,” he said.

“It’s up to the players to perform in pre-season and aim up. It’s a good headache to have when you are trying to fit players in.”

Gold Coast still have two spots left on their top 30 roster, which may be used to recruit a back-rower and another outside back.