WHY GARTH HAD TO GO
THE axe fell on Gold Coast Titans coach Garth Brennan yesterday, sparking a flurry of speculation about who would replace him.
His sacking with a year still to run on his contract comes after a record of 12 wins from 40 outings under his reign.
Titans chairman Dennis Watt said the side’s “performance in recent weeks has fallen to a level that is unacceptable”.
Maroons coach Kevin Walters and exManly star Geoff Toovey are among those tipped as replacements.
THE smile gave it away.
What was once the beaming trademark of Garth Brennan became harder to bear.
The pressure of a full-body NRL club review will do that to a man, even one as amiable as Brennan.
His press conferences, initially filled with smiles and optimism, became an increasing strain as the losses mounted.
That strain was even more evident away from the cameras. The hurt was clear to see on Brennan’s face with each and every loss as he would pace around the changerooms in a state of mulling.
Finally, in the past few weeks, the harsh reality of Mal Meninga’s impending review of the Gold Coast Titans sunk in.
Brennan, the ray of light who won over fans with his generosity of time from his very first club appearance in late 2017, slinked ever so slightly into the shadows.
He was still friendly, sure. And he still offered time to anyone.
Yet the smile changed, turning from delighted to be here … to not sure how long the stay will be.
Yesterday, Brennan got that answer, sacked as the third full-time coach of the Gold Coast.
The Titans had rolled the dice and lost.
Hiring a rookie NRL coach is a bit like a day at the track: Sometimes you pick a winner, other times you don’t.
For a long while, it looked like Brennan was a savvy choice by the Titans board.
Of the various names put forward to replace Neil Henry, many had more experience than Brennan but a well-liked coach with new ideas seemed like a good fit for a club chasing a fresh start.
Articulate, friendly and with a sense of relatability given his background as a policeman, Brennan quickly grew on fans.
Even through his first full season that featured more downs than ups on the field, the sentiment was fully in his favour – so much so that he was soon handed a one-year contract extension to lock him in until the end of 2020.
Brennan had a message that the people liked: Making the Titans a true Gold Coast team.
Then came 2019, a season full of hope after the club had gotten their ducks in a row on and off the field.
When things got off to a bad start – four straight losses – the sentiment towards Brennan quickly and viciously changed.
Rumours emerged of a breakdown in relations between Brennan and star half Ash Taylor.
Fans became irked by Brennan’s press conferences after a loss where he would speak of his pride in his players’ performance.
The message lost.
No matter what Brennan tried to lift the Titans out of their slump, it didn’t seem to draw the necessary response … and that left the board with no option but to start from scratch again.
At a critical moment in the club’s history – they’re ready for success and desperately need it to win fans back – you can bank on the board not gambling on another rookie coach. had
BULLETIN VIEW, P14 WHO’S NEXT, P38
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