Brisbane poach gun from rivals
THE Broncos have continued their raid on the Gold Coast, with Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold poaching boom Titans utility back Jesse Arthars.
In a move that will add further spice to their Queensland rivalry, the “Big Brother” Broncos have sneaked under the guard of the struggling Titans to steal one of their most promising outside backs.
Incredibly, at a time when Titans culture-and-performance chief Mal Meninga is trying to retain the region’s best talents, Arthars is the sixth player with Gold Coast links to be snapped up by glamour rivals the Broncos.
Brisbane have previously lured a number of Gold Coast products, including Alex Glenn, Payne Haas, David Fifita, Tom Dearden and 18-yearold sensation Xavier Coates, who scored in his NRL debut last week against the Sharks.
Now Brisbane have struck again, securing Arthars to a two-year deal in a recruitment raid that has gone down like a lead balloon at the Titans.
The Titans are bitterly disappointed to lose the 20-yearold flyer, who will join the Broncos in 2020 and push for a starting spot in Brisbane’s youthful backline.
Brisbane recruitment chiefs declined to comment yesterday but confirmed Arthars has signed a contract and will be added to their full-time roster next year.
Former Maroons lock Scott Sattler, Channel Nine’s expert analyst on the Intrust Super Cup, has watched Arthars closely this season for Burleigh and likens him to a former NSW Origin centre.
“Jesse reminds me a lot of Matt Gidley, the former Newcastle and Australian player,” said Sattler, who was the Titans’ foundation football manager in 2007.
“Gidley had beautiful skill, great feet and that classic flick pass and Jesse moves across the ground superbly. It’s a very smart signing by the Broncos, and a real blow for the Titans.”
The Auckland-born Arthars is adept at several positions including centre, wing and fullback.
Broncos coach Seibold has an intimate understanding of Arthars’ game, having first worked with him at the Melbourne Storm before coaching him at Souths in 2018.