Walker boys in the mix

IPSWICH Intrust Super Cup duo Ben and Shane Walker, who will be formally interviewed to replace Garth Brennan, have declared they can rescue the Titans by thriving in the NRL’s toughest job.

The Walker brothers will be short-listed for the Titans coaching job as club culture and performance chief Mal Meninga prepares to begin interviews with potential successors to the sacked Brennan.

The Titans want a new coach within a month, with Meninga to spearhead an interview panel comprising executive chairman Dennis Watt and co-owner Darryl Kelly.

As revealed last week, St Helens coach Justin Holbrook had outlined his interest, while the likes of Anthony Griffin, Geoff Toovey, Trent Barrett and Queensland’s Kevin Walters have been linked.

But the Walkers are legitimate contenders.

It is the second time in two years the Walkers have been in the running for the Titans post after they were short-listed in 2017 following the sacking of Brennan’s predecessor, Neil Henry.

Meninga, appointed last November, is known to be a fan of the former Broncos duo, who delivered Ipswich’s first Intrust Super Cup premiership in 2015 – breaking the Jets’ 33year title hoodoo.

The Titans head into Saturday’s derby against the Broncos at Cbus Super Stadium running dead last but Shane Walker insists the Jets cocoaches would not be daunted by the prospect of rebuilding the Gold Coast.

“We believe we would align well with the Titans,” he said last night.

“At the moment, the Titans are a bit maligned as a club but that’s fine because we have been in that very situation before at Ipswich.

“We know how to lead an organisation out of the tough times.

“We took over the Ipswich Jets in 2011 as a wooden-spoon team.”

Broncos legend Steve Renouf yesterday called for the Titans to appoint the Walkers.