No time to panic amid Jai drama
THE Jai Arrow contract saga is now approaching a fourth month, leaving many supporters wondering how much longer the Titans can afford to wait for an answer.
But the club’s painful retention and recruitment history, together with a glaring lack of recent on-field success, begs another question – can they afford not to?
Losing their best forward and arguably best player would be more than a simple blow to their roster; they also need him to maintain respect amongst NRL rivals.
I’ve heard the argument that for every Jai Arrow or Jarryd Hayne ready to walk out the door, there’s always another emerging young kid ready to take their spot.
But the Arrow situation is a line-in-the-sand moment for this year’s wooden-spooners.
An Origin star and World Cup 9s winner with Australia last month, the 24-year-old is one of the game’s top forwards and has been touted as a future Maroons captain.
Importantly, he’s also a Gold Coast product, rising from Burleigh’s junior ranks to become a bona fide star.
Quite simply, he is everything the Titans should be looking for to build a club around for the next 5-10 years.
Gold Coast have been guilty of numerous recruitment blunders over their 12-year history, headlined by big-money flops likes of Hayne, Dave Taylor and Jamal Idris.
A number of heart-and-soul players, including Scott Prince, were also let go. This is their chance to make amends.
In late August, club management tabled a four-year
LOSING THEIR BEST FORWARD AND ARGUABLY BEST PLAYER WOULD BE MORE THAN A SIMPLE BLOW TO THEIR ROSTER
deal to Arrow reportedly around the $3 million mark and gave him permission to negotiate with other clubs.
It was a positive, proactive move designed to hasten the contract process with Arrow and manager David Riolo.
While it may not have worked in that regard, their prized asset is still under contract for 2020.
South Sydney are circling but losing the former Bronco will not affect the Titans next season so there’s still plenty of time left to plan for his exit in 2021, should he depart.