Capewell in mix to replace departing prop King
QUEENSLAND Origin squad member Kurt Capewell is on the Titans’ radar as a possible replacement for Melbourne-bound forward Max King.
King is close to inking a deal with the Storm until the end of 2021 with Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy hopeful of having the 22-year at the club before June 30.
King’s impending departure will open a slot in the Gold Coast’s 30-man squad and it is understood the Titans are keeping a close eye on Capewell.
The Cronulla back-rower, who was Queensland’s 19th man in last week’s Origin I defeat of NSW, is off contract at season’s end and is not expected to be retained by the Sharks.
The Titans are looking for edge players – Tyrone Peachey wore the No.12 jumper last night against the Warriors – and Capewell would bolster their back-row stocks.
The 25-year-old has played 51 NRL games for the Sharks and was a member of Ipswich’s Intrust Super Cup premiership side in 2015.
Bellamy confirmed his interest in King, who has played
38 top-grade games since his debut in 2017.
“There’s a few things that have got to happen but we’d like to have Max at our club,” Bellamy said.
“At the end of the day it’s got to be the right decision for him and he’s got to get permission off the Titans as well.
“Hopefully something might be sorted there soon.”
The grandson of Dragons legend Johnny King, the rising prop has done well to come back from a shoulder reconstruction to play in nine games for the Titans so far this season.
The Maitland junior last featured for the Titans in their Round 10 loss to Canterbury and appears to have played his final game for the club.
King also dropped out of the Tweed ISC team. The Titans could free up some funds for 2020 with veteran fullback Michael Gordon expected to retire at season’s end.