COUNT KEV IN
Maroons mentor set to make shock call on Titans job
IT’S official – Kevin Walters wants to coach the Titans.
Walters (pictured) has rocketed to the top of the Titans’ hit-list with the Queensland Origin coach prepared to step into the Gold Coast hotseat after the axing of Neil Henry.
It is understood Walters’ management has held preliminary talks with Titans powerbrokers in the most definitive sign yet the Broncos legend wants to take on one of the toughest jobs in the NRL.
Despite the crisis engulfing the Titans, interest in Henry’s coaching position is fierce with Gold Coast bosses yesterday fielding formal applications from 11 top-level coaches.
Canterbury coach Des Hasler, who has been linked to the Titans post, will not be approached as he fights to save his job at the beleaguered Bulldogs. But Walters is firmly in the frame.
The Queensland coach declined to comment last night but confirmed his interest in the Titans job.
Walters will meet with Queensland Rugby League hierarchy tomorrow, primarily to continue a performance review of his second consecutive series win as Maroons coach this season.
At the meeting, Walters is expected to broach the subject of the Titans after QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher said on Monday he would not block him coaching the Gold Coast.
One certainty is Walters would not attempt to hold dual roles as Maroons and Titans coaches next season.
He is in talks with the QRL on a two-year upgrade.
But those negotiations commenced before the explosive Titans saga that led to the dismissal of Henry.
Three weeks ago, Walters revealed the pressures of a dual coaching role were too great – meaning he would prematurely quit the Maroons next year if the Titans offered him his maiden NRL coaching gig.
“I don’t think it can be done,” Walters said at the time of the dual roles.
“There is so much at stake now and so much pressure with media commitments.
“It’s all well and good when you are winning and things are running smoothly, but all it takes is a loss or two and suddenly the heat is on.”
Titans chief executive Graham Annesley said that there was no preferred candidate at this stage, but lauded Walters’ performance in maintaining Queensland’s Origin dynasty.
“Kevin has done a great job with the Queensland team and of course he’d be a quality prospect if he was interested,” Annesley said of Walters.
“A selection committee will be appointed to assess the relative merits of prospective candidates, before making a final recommendation to the board.”
Maroons Origin legend Gary Belcher urged Walters to think twice about taking the Titans job.
“I think he would do a good job, but the bottom line is I hope he doesn’t succeed Neil Henry,” he said.
“I’d like to see him stick around with Queensland for a few more years.
“I would be behind him 100 per cent, but he would have to be heavy-handed with certain players. There are some big issues at the Titans that would be difficult for a coach.”