Blueprint for a savvy post-Jarryd coin splash

ENTRUST Tyronne Roberts Davis with the No.1 jersey and throw the cheque book at a strike centre and marquee front-rower.

That is the blueprint the Gold Coast should follow in the wake of Jarryd Hayne’s confirmed departure, former Titans football manager Scott Sattler has declared.

Sattler believes 2018 will be a rebuilding year for the club but says the short-term pain of a Hayne-sized hole in the roster can ultimately become a major positive if the freed-up cash is spent in the right areas.

Forget splashing out on a replacement fullback; Sattler is certain the No.1 priority should remain a standout centre.

He identified a boom talent like Waqa Blake or an experienced spearhead such as a Michael Jennings as leading options, though both are under contract.

“They need a real strike centre at the club,” Sattler said.

“That’s one thing they have really struggled with.”

Next on the list is a heavyweight name in the forwards.

With Ryan James set to shuffle into the second-row, Sattler too is concerned about Gold Coast’s big men stocks.

He said luring either of the Roosters’ bookends Dylan Napa or Jared Waerea-Hargreaves would be big benefits.

Both are hardened, aggressive props who have proven their ability to spearhead a pack at NRL and representative levels, with Napa bursting into the Queensland side and Waerea-Hargreaves a 22-Test New Zealand veteran.

Gold Coast coach Garth Brennan this month said Roberts-Davis, Brendan Elliot and Dan Sarginson were the top candidates to play fullback, with Sami gaining more than 50 per cent of the votes in a Bulletin poll.

While acknowledging being thrown in the deep end next year may be ahead of Roberts Davis’s career trajectory, Sattler backed the 20-year-old.

“The kid could potentially be a superstar,” he said.